orangeleader.com (Orange, Texas)

Pet of the Week - Shaggy

Shaggy is a small, cute, and scruffy dog. His button nose is cold and smooth. His soft, brown eyes are kind and loving. His curly fur will just make you want to bury your face in it. When you are feeling down, his little pink tongue will lick away the sadness.
Shaggy is a fun, lovable dog with a heart of gold. Adopting him will make your household complete. He is very nice and obedient. He doesn’t bark a lot and is very quiet.
Shaggy deserves a good home. Passing up a chance to adopt him is crazy. Shaggy is very hopeful that he gets a home. Please call the West Orange Animal Shelter at 409-883-3468. You could be the person to give him a home.

October 26, 2009 01:45 pm

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Pet of the Week - Chance

Can you help me? I am very lonely and sad as I have no family.
I was recently abandoned and I am desperately in need of a home. You can adopt me from the West Orange pound. All you have to do is make a phone call or visit me.
I am a caramel-colored Cocker Spaniel with a wavy, shiny coat of curls. My eyes are a deep chocolate brown, and my nose is as dark as a blackberry.
If you want to adopt me, please call the West Orange Animal Shelter at 409-883-3468. You will be so glad you did!

October 22, 2009 01:25 pm

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VFW Teacher Award Contest

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2775 and The Ladies Auxiliary are accepting nominations in its annual VFW Outstanding Citizenship Education Teacher Award contest.
The contest consists of three grade levels, which are kindergarten through fifth grade; sixth grade through eighth grade, and ninth grade through twlefth grade.
The official entry form must be accompanied by a 350 words or less essay on why the teacher qualifies for the award, a one page resume, up to 5 pages of additional documentation and a good quality 5 x 7 head and shoulders color photo.
Winning entries will receive recognition and a plaque at the annual Loyalty Day Awards Program and will advance to the District Level where the award is $100 and a chance to advance to State Competition. Awards at the state level are $500 and a plaque for winners of each level and advancement to the national level. The National Winners awards are listed in the entry form. Entries must be in the hands of the VFW and Ladies Auxiliary no later than Nov. 1. Contact Commander George Jones at 409-745-3743 or Auxiliary Chairman Jeanette Clark at 409-883-0264 for entry forms or further info.

October 16, 2009 04:40 pm

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Scarecrow Festival celebrates autumn’s arrival at Shangri La

From the crisp, comfortable weather to the changing scenery, fall is a wonderful time to enjoy the outdoors. Soon, the Shangri La Botanical Gardens will decorate the grounds with more than sixty handmade scarecrows and several thousand pumpkins to kick off the first annual Scarecrow Festival. Children of all ages will also enjoy Shangri La’s Pumpkin Tree Lane.
Starting Tuesday, Shangri La celebrates autumn’s arrival with a series of events encompassing several weekends of family-friendly fun, known as the Scarecrow Festival. Closing out the multi-week series is the Autumn Fair at Shangri La, featuring a number of kids’ activities including “scarecrow bingo,” an event that will have kids scattering across the gardens on a hunt for specific scarecrows on display.
The Shangri La Botanical Gardens is preparing for this colorful fall display by installing many new plants.
“The Scarecrow Festival is an excellent chance to see fall’s colors cascading over the bayou on our boat tour,” comments Director Michael Hoke. Outpost tours run every hour and are included in the price of admission.
Scarecrows will be on display from Oct. 20 through Nov. 14 at the Shangri La Botanical Gardens and Nature Center.
Regular admission rates apply and hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; and noon to 5 p.m., Sunday.

October 14, 2009 04:09 pm

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Stark Museum of Art to hold Fall Family Day

ORANGE — The Stark Museum of Art offers visitors a last chance to see Pistols: Dazzling Firearms and the opportunity to learn about engraving and create art during Fall Family Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 17. Admission is free and all ages are welcome.
Fall Family Day is one of the last weekends to view the special exhibition of engraved firearms that is currently on display at the Museum. Docents will teach families about engraving, read a story about printmaking, and help children make their own prints to take home. Visitors will have a chance to see John James Audubon’s engraved copper plate, now on view. Fall Family Day will also include a scavenger hunt with prizes and refreshments.
Amelia Wiggins, Educator, Public Programs, invites the public to visit the Stark Museum during Fall Family Day.
“We welcome visitors to take a fresh look at the beautiful pistols on view and learn about how they relate to the other works of art in the Museum,” Wiggins said. “Kids will have a chance to hunt for clues in a brand new scavenger hunt, see the tools that engraving artists use, and make their own art inspired by the exhibition.”
Wiggins reminds visitors that children under 12 years of age must be accompanied by an adult in the museum.
Fall Family Day is planned in conjunction with the museum’s special exhibition “Pistols: Dazzling Firearms,” a display of 50 exceptional American firearms. “Pistols: Dazzling Firearms” was organized by the Museum of the American West, Autry National Center, Los Angeles, California, and is on view at the Stark Museum of Art through October 24, 2009.
Located at 712 Green Avenue in Orange, Texas, the Stark Museum of Art is open to the public at no charge Tuesday through Saturday. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Group tours are available by appointment. For more information call 409-886-2787 or visit www.starkmuseum.org.

October 09, 2009 11:53 am

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VFW accepting ‘Voice of Democracy’ scholarship entries

All criteria for the annual Voice of Democracy Audio/Essay and Patriot’s Pen Essay contests are now in area schools. Students must enter through the VFW, use the Official Entry Form and fill them out completely. Failure to do so will disqualify the student. Foreign Exchange students are not eligible.
The Voice of Democracy contest is open to 9th-12th grade students and home-schooled equivalent. An official entry form with picture must accompany a 3 to 5 minute original essay recorded on a Standard Cassette tape or CD and typed copy of the essay. The essay may not include the entrants name, city, state, grade level or reference to nationality.
This year’s theme is “Does America Still Have Heroes?”
Awards for local entries are Scholarships for: first place, $500; second place, $300, third place, $200 and plaques to all three. The first place winner will advance to the District Level where Scholarship awards are $300, $200 and $100 for first, second, and third place. The first place district winner will advance to the State level to vie for the $1,000 to $4,000 scholarships.
The top 10 State winners will receive an all-expense paid trip to Mid-Winter Round-Up in Austin in January, where they will receive their awards during the annual awards banquet. The first place winner in state will advance to the national level for a chance at a full 4-year Scholarship or other awards.
Entry forms or further information can be obtained by contacting Auxiliary Chairman Patricia Kemp at 886-2796 or Post Chairman Dennis Helwig at 409-330-4412. All entries must be in the hands of the VFW no later than Nov. 1. Early entries are welcome

October 08, 2009 08:14 pm

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Local artist to display photography documenting mortality

ORANGE — Richard Ashmore, Instructor of Geology at Lamar University and national award-winning photographer, will present a solo exhibition of his work, entitled ‘Embracing the Light: Perspectives on Mortality’, this month in Orange.
The gallery opening and reception will take place at Orange County Teachers’ Credit Union from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibit at Orange County Teachers’ Credit Union will be one-night-only. Following the opening reception, the exhibit will be on display at Orange Savings Bank, Oct. 13 through Oct. 28.
The public is invited to attend both the opening reception at Orange County Teachers’ Credit Union and view the artwork at Orange Savings Back. Admission is free and refreshments will be served at the reception.
“I am really pleased to have an opportunity to exhibit work for a third time in my hometown,” Ashmore said. “We originally planned to exhibit this work last October, but in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike the subject matter seemed too dark at that time.”
Photography exhibited in ‘Embracing the Light: Perspectives on Mortality’ will consist of work taken by Ashmore over the past several years as he has searched for subjects to photograph that depict the inevitability of mortality in nature and society. Many photographs in the exhibit were made initially for El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) exhibits shown at galleries in West Texas. El Día de los Muertos is a traditional Mexican holiday that celebrates the lives of deceased family and friends. It is celebrated on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, in conjunction with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. Photographs in this exhibit were made at locations throughout the Southern and Southwestern United States. Included in the exhibit will be “Illuminated Memories,” a panoramic photograph of the glowing crosses at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Bridge City that was awarded first place in a national juried photography exhibit in 2008.
Ashmore is represented by Pinehurst Gallery in Orange and The Spirit of the West Gallery in Alpine, Texas. Since 2006, he has presented work in 24 exhibits, including eight national juried exhibitions, two solo exhibitions, and one invitation-only exhibition. He has been awarded two national first place awards at juried exhibitions. Photographs included in ‘Embracing the Light: Perspectives on Mortality’, as well as other work, can be viewed at Ashmore’s website: www.richardallenashmore.com.

October 08, 2009 04:42 pm

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Defend your business against the H1N1 virus this winter

According to a report by the Los Angeles Times, the H1N1 virus — the so-called “Swine Flu” — isn’t any more deadly than a seasonal flu, but it is transmitted more easily. Employers play a vital role in preventing the spread of the H1N1 virus and Better Business Bureau offers the following advice to bolster the workplace against the threat of flu this winter.
According to the Center for Disease Control, seasonal flu causes 200,000 hospitalizations and 36,000 deaths every year on average. The H1N1 flu is having a marked impact on the number of reported cases this year and the Center for Disease Control reported in September that 21 states were reporting widespread influenza activity — the vast majority of cases are being identified as the H1N1 strain.
“Any places where a lot of people congregate, such as the workplace, become hot spots for spreading the flu virus,” said Michael Clayton, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau in Southeast Texas. “Employers can take a few easy steps to significantly diminish the risk of spreading the virus around the office which will help keep employees healthy and the business operating through a tough flu season.”
BBB offers the following advice to business owners on how to prepare for the upcoming flu season and a potential H1N1 flu outbreak:
• Encourage employees who are feeling sick to stay home. The CDC strongly recommends that employees who have flu-like symptoms should stay home until at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever. This will reduce the risk of spreading viruses to other employees.
Employers can encourage employees to stay home by allowing flexible leave or alternate work schedules to facilitate employees taking care of their own health and that of their families. CDC also recommends not requiring a doctor’s note for employees with flu-like symptoms.
• Remind employees of habits for good hygiene. Good hygiene will greatly help prevent the spread of germs and viruses throughout the office. CDC encourages employers to offer education on hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes in an easy-to-understand format and in appropriate languages. Also consider providing hand sanitizer, no-touch trash cans, and tissues.
The CDC also recommends that employers encourage staff to get vaccinated for both the seasonal flu and the H1N1 flu virus.
• Prepare a business continuation plan. Following a disaster, 25 percent of all businesses that close never reopen and that number jumps to 50 percent of businesses that don’t have a continuation of operations plan, according to the Institute for Business and Home Safety.
A business continuation plan would help direct employees and management on steps to take if key leadership becomes sick or if a major catastrophe temporarily prevents business operations. Because large numbers of staff could contract the flu, employers should ensure the business can continue operating by training other employees to step in if key staff should become ill. Learn more from BBB about developing a Business Continuation Plan.
For more advice on preparing your business for the flu season, visit the CDC’s Web site, www.flu.gov.
For additional advice from BBB on managing a business, visit www.bbb.org or call 409-835-5348 or 800-685-7650.

October 07, 2009 01:10 pm

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National Depression Screening Day is Thursday

On Thursday, Samaritan Counseling Center, Rape and Suicide Crisis of Southeast Texas and Mental Health America of Southeast Texas will join over 1,000 community organizations, colleges and military installations throughout the country to offer free, anonymous mental health screenings in an effort to educate members of the public on the symptoms of depression and point them to local resources where they can get help. Mental health professionals will be available to speak with individuals regarding their personal situations at no cost and with no appointment necessary.
Screening can play a key role in the early identification and treatment of depression. According to a recent study released by the non-profit organization Screening for Mental Health, Inc., over half of participants who took a screening online between October and December of 2008 sought depression treatment in the three months following their initial screening.
As part of the program, local residents will have the opportunity to complete a brief, written questionnaire; pick up educational materials on depression, stress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and bipolar disorder; and learn how to help a friend or family member who may be at risk. Individuals will also have the option of talking to a health care professional about any personal concerns. Screenings will be offered from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, at Samaritan Counseling Center, 7980 Anchor Drive, Bldg. 500.
Some facts about depression:
• Clinical depression is one of the most common mental illnesses, affecting more than 19 million Americans each year.
• Depression causes people to lose pleasure in daily life, can complicate other medical conditions, and can even be serious enough to lead to suicide.
• Depression can occur to anyone, at any age, and to people of any race or ethnic group. Depression is never a “normal” part of life, no matter your age, gender, or health situation.
• More than 80 percent of people with clinical depression can be successfully treated. Unfortunately, fewer than half of those suffering from this illness seek treatment. Many people resist treatment because they believe that depression isn’t serious, that they can treat it themselves, or that it is a personal weakness rather than a serious medical illness. With early recognition, intervention, and support, most individuals can lead productive lives.
For more information on National Depression Screening Day, call Samaritan Counseling Center at 877-385-3347, or visit www.sccset.org.
National Depression Screening Day, held every October as part of Mental Illness Awareness Week, is a program of the nonprofit organization Screening for Mental Health, Inc. Last year, nearly 300,000 people were screened nationally at in-person events.

October 07, 2009 01:09 pm

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TAN fundraiser set for Nov. 5

Friends of the Triangle AIDS Network host “Paint the Town Red: The Phantom of the Opera” Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Beaumont Country Club.
This opulent evening of art, auctions, entertainment and fine dining is the major annual fund-raiser to benefit TAN. Festivities begin with a champagne-cocktail reception, hors d’oeuvres and silent auction at 6:30 p.m. The live auction begins at 7:15 p.m., with a buffet at 8 p.m. and the live auction to resume after dinner.
The silent auction features items donated by celebrities, along with art, fashions, jewelry, furnishings, party and entertainment packages and more. A dazzling array of uniquely decorated candelabra centerpieces will also be for sale.
The Innovators will provide music for guests’ listening and dancing pleasure. Dress is after-five. Proceeds support client services and educational efforts of TAN.
Reservations are $80 per person or $1,000 for “Dress Circle Seating” at a premium table for eight. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Call 409-832-8338, Ext. 225, for reservations or information.

October 05, 2009 05:54 pm

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