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November 20, 2009 03:40 pm

VFW, Ladies Auxilary plans youth Christmas party for members

Orange Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2775 and The Ladies Auxiliary will be hosting a Youth Christmas Party for post and auxiliary members children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. All children must be registered no later than Dec. 9 by calling Dennis Helwig, Youth Chairman, at 409-330-4412.
The deadline is imperative in order to provide ample time for gift-buying and wrapping. The party will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 16, at the Orange VFW Hall. Refreshments and gifts will be provided.

November 17, 2009 01:01 pm

BBB urges caution about web scam

Better Business Bureau has received more than 1,500 complaints about several dozen Web sites that are trading on the Google name to scam people who want to learn about making money from home.
Because the sites often use the Google name and prominently display its iconic logo, consumers often assume they are getting a job with Google when in fact they were getting taken in by yet another work-at-home scheme.
“Many families are looking for ways to earn extra money for the holidays and Web sites touting the huge money-making potential of working from home often seem like an answer to prayer,” said Michael Clayton, President/CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Southeast Texas. “Unfortunately, most work-at-home opportunities don’t deliver on what they promise and victims find that instead of making a few extra dollars, they lose hundreds.”
Two Web sites, Google Treasure Chest and Google Money Tree, quickly racked up 523 and 782 BBB complaints respectively before being called out by the Federal Trade Commission and state Attorneys General for misleading consumers.
The Web sites have been taken down, however, BBB has received complaints about many other work-at-home schemes using similar tactics, including Google Biz Kit, Google Cash, Google Money Profits, and Google Success Kit.
While the schemes go by many different names and are found on many different Web sites, the complaints to BBB tell a similar story. Complainants state that they signed up online to receive a free trial of a CD or access to information that would show them how to make money from home using Google. Consumers had to provide a credit or debit card number to cover shipping — which is typically only a few dollars.
Complainants to BBB state that they were billed before their trial ended — or never even received the CD — and continued to be billed after they had canceled their order. Complainants also found mystery charges from several other businesses for services they didn’t realize they were signing up for with their “free” trial. One Georgia complainant’s bank account was debited $433 by various entities including Grant Finder, Web Training, Powersale, Safelock, Google Chest, Search Chest, A1Member and Auction Support.
Before signing up for any work-at-home opportunity, BBB advises job hunters to:
• Review the businesses BBB Reliability Report at bbb.org to see if BBB reports complaints or other concerns you need to consider.
• Beware of any offer that guarantees a lot of money for little effort and no experience.
• Thoroughly read the Web site’s terms and conditions, keeping in mind that a free trial could cost you in the end.
• Be wary of work-at-home offers that use logos from Google, Twitter or other prominent online businesses. Just because Google is in the name, it doesn’t mean the business is affiliated with Google.
• Research the Web site with Whois.net or a similar site for determining domain name ownership. If the site is anonymous or individually registered, beware.
For more advice on evaluating work-at-home companies and schemes, visit www.bbb.org. In Southeast Texas, call 409-835-5348 or 800-685-7650.

November 17, 2009 12:51 pm

Pet of the Week - Dyno

Meet Dyno. He is in trouble and in need of help.
He is a mixed breed dog with black and white fur. He is so precious- just look at his little face. Doesn’t it make you wonder what his life would be like if you adopted him?
Please save little Dyno’s life; he needs you. If no one adopts him, something terrible will happen to him.
If you are interested in saving this precious pup, please call the West Orange Animal Shelter at 409-883-3468 today. Don’t wait, as every second counts for this poor creature.

November 13, 2009 03:39 pm

VFW contributes flowers to Orange Villa

Members of The Ladies Auxiliary to Orange Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2775 recently paid a visit to the Orange Villa Nursing Home. They supplied floral arrangements to each of the rooms and a larger display to the nurses station to brighten up the rooms after the losses from Hurricane Ike.  Pictured from left to right are Patriotic Instructor, Buddy Poppy; chairman, Linda Kam; Auxiliary President, Gail Duhon; Charge Nurse, Mary Beth Whiteside; and Auxiliary Youth Chairman, Cecelia Broussard.

November 12, 2009 04:59 pm

Better Business Bureau 2010 Census tips for the public

The U.S. Census Bureau has finished with the first phase of the Census and is no longer confirming addresses. The next step in the process is that households will receive their Census forms in the mail in March. All households that do not return their forms will be visited by a US Census representative. The information provides guidance on how to identify a legitimate Census employee.
 
How to Identify a Census Field Representative
If a U.S. Census Bureau employee knocks on your door, here are some recognition tips to assure the validity of the field representative:
• The field representative must present an ID badge that contains a photograph of the field representative, Department of Commerce watermark, and expiration date.
• The field representative will provide you with supervisor contact information and/or the Regional Office phone number for verification, if asked.
• The field representative will provide you with a letter from the Census Bureau Director on official letterhead.
• The field representative may be carrying a laptop and/or bag with a Census Bureau logo.

When Field Representatives will be Going Door-to-Door
• From April to July 2010, we will knock on the door of every household that does not mail back a completed 2010 Census form.
• We need your help — it’s critical that you take just 10 minutes to fill out and mail back your form rather than wait for a census worker to show up on your doorstep. About $85 million in taxpayer dollars are saved for every one percent increase in mail response.
• The Census Bureau must get a census form to – and a completed form back from - every residence in the United States. That’s more than 130 million addresses. This is why the census is the largest domestic mobilization our nation undertakes.

What the 2010 Census does not ask
• Field representatives will never ask you for your social security number, bank account number, or credit card number. Census workers also never solicit for donations and will never contact you by e-mail.

The Census is Safe
• The 2010 Census will ask for name, gender, age, race, ethnicity, relationship, and whether you own or rent your home – just 10 simple questions that will take about 10 minutes to answer.
• Your answers are protected by law and are not shared with anyone.
• The Census Bureau safeguards all census responses to the highest security standards available.

For additional information, visit www.bbb.org or call 409/835-5348 or 800-685-7650.

November 04, 2009 04:52 pm

Pet of the Week - May

By Bryan Buzbee, Tyler Ridgaway, and Vicente Toledo
Special to The Leader

This is May. She needs a warm home and soft arms to hold her. Her little nose can tickle your face and skin.
She has silky, shiny, and fluffy hair. She is also good with kids and she is a good lap dog. She is very scared and confused as to why she doesn’t have a family.
Won’t you be the one to rescue May? Please call the West Orange Animal Shelter at 883-3468 today. She is waiting for you.

November 02, 2009 05:51 pm

Bridge City Bank Ribbon Cutting

On Oct. 20, the Greater Orange Area Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening ceremony at Bridge City Bank’s new location at 57 Strickland Drive in Orange. Kelsey Wakefield, Branch Manager of the new location is very proud of the new building and the convent location on the old circle. Wakefield and his team encourage you to stop by and see the new facility and if you have any banking needs while you’re there, then his team will take excellent care of you.

October 30, 2009 04:45 pm

Cub Scouts visit Cormier Museum

Several boys from Orangefield Cub Scout Pack 125 enjoyed a tour of the Cormier Museum on Saturday as part of a field trip event. The museum will next be open on Dec. 12, 2009.

October 29, 2009 12:01 pm

Shangri La schedules Autumn Fair

As a grand finale to its first Scarecrow Festival, Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center will host a family-friendly Autumn Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 14, with activities for children of all ages.
Children of all ages will love visiting Pumpkin Tree Lane, a unique fall display that should not be missed. Director Michael Hoke comments,
“We’re celebrating autumn in a big way with this grand fair on November 14. Adults and children will have a wonderful time viewing handmade scarecrows throughout the gardens, plus face painting, scavenger hunts, pumpkin painting, owl observation, skits and songs,” said Michael Hoke, director of Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.
The Autumn Fair event closes out the first ever Scarecrow Festival, which is on display now through Nov. 14.
All events are free for Shangri La members and are included in the general admission fee for non-members. Shangri La is located at 2111 W. Park Ave. in Orange, Texas. For more information, call 409-670-9799 or visit www.shangrilagardens.org.
The Shangri La Visitor Parking area, located across West Park Avenue from Shangri La, will be open and available to Shangri La visitors free of charge. A restricted access parking lot for vehicles with proper handicap designation is located just inside the vehicular entrance gate of Shangri La.

October 27, 2009 03:26 pm