Community Briefs for the 9th week of 2019. To add your group event to our briefs, send an email to news@orangeleader.com, put “community briefs” in the subject line.

 

Community Trash-Off

Registration for the 24th Annual Community Trash-Off is underway. Register your team online at shangrilagardens.org registration forms are also available at Shangri La Gardens. The event is 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Saturday, March 2 and is sponsored by INVISTA.

 

Vision 2:20 Glorification Dinner

Nehemiah’s Vision which has helped 75 families back into their homes to date, will honor homeowners and survivors, as well as volunteers, church leaders and ministry partners with its inaugural Vision 2:20 Glorification Dinner 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 14 at the Orange County Expo Center (11475 FM 1442, Orange). Tickets are $75. Event sponsorship is available. For more information or to purchase tickets call 409-617-1038 or visit https://tinyurl.com/y49tx3um

 

Job Fair

Lamar State College-Orange in partnership with Workforce Solutions Southeast Texas will host a Job Fair from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 28, at Shahan Events Center located at 209 Green Ave. in Orange.

 

Heart Healthy Presentation

Lamar State College-Orange is hosting a Heart Healthy Presentation from 2 p.m. – 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 26 in the Nursing Classroom Building Room 102. Presented by Associate Dean of Nursing Leah Anne McGee and Vocational Program Director Lorrie LeBlanc. The event will provide free blood pressure and blood sugar checks by LSCO Nursing and Phlebotomy students, heart-healthy refreshments. Remember to wear red! RSVP to 409-882-3044 by Feb. 22.

 

BC Public Library Seeking Donations

The Bridge City Public Library is having our annual Summer Reading Program, “2019 Universe Stories.” The Texas Reading Club is designed to encourage youth to read for pleasure and to promote library usage. The library is asking local patrons and businesses to help donating to our program. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Deadline for donations is May 31. The library will mention all our donors in our local newspaper after the Grand Finale in July 2019. If you have any questions, call Kelle Miller at 409-735-4242.

 

Financial classes

Jackson Community Center (JCC) is partnering with Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas from 5:30 p.m. 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, to present the following topics:

1. Learn the Financial Language
2. Budget to Save
3. Save and Invest
4. Build Credit and Control Debt
5. Protect your Wealth

Seminars will be at 520 W. Decatur Ave. in Orange.  Snacks will be provided. Limited Seating. Please RSVP by Friday, February 22  with Elizabeth Campbell at (409) 779-1981.

Upcoming Orange County Master Gardener events

For more information check our website https://txmg.org/orange or call 409 882-7010

• Selecting The Right Plants – Saturday, March 16, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Cormier Park, Orangefield

Learn how to determine what are the correct plants to choose and where to put them.

• Annual Bloomin’ Crazy Plant Fair – Saturday, March 23, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m., Cormier Park, Orangefield.

Pick from your everyday choice of plants to the odd and unique plants along with visiting the vendors on-premise to enhance your choices

• Master Gardener Certification Training – Starts Thursday, April 4, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., Orange County EXPO.

For the beginner gardener to the experienced gardener, improve your horticulture knowledge while gaining the experience to become a Certified Texas Master Gardener.

 

Annual Spring Garage Sale

Orange VFW Auxiliary Post 2775 is taking reservations for their Annual Spring Garage Sale on Saturday, March 23, 2019, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the VFW Hall on Highway 87 North.  Vendors will be allowed to set up on Friday, March 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Tables and/or spaces will rent for $10 each.  To make a reservation, send a check made out for the number of table/spaces you want.  PLEASE MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO VFW AUX 2775 and mail to Mary Snapp; 7927 Sandra Lane; Orange, Texas 77632…include your name, address, telephone number, and any special needs.  For further information, call Mary Snapp at 409-697-0380 and leave a message for a callback. 

 

Murder Mystery Dinner – Death Near Dead Man’s Holler

 Y’all put on your boots, chaps and ten-gallon hats for a rootin tootin shotgun shootin good time at the Bridge City Chamber of Commerce Murder Mystery Dinner, Death Near Dead Man’s Holler.  Leave the little ones at home and enjoy the adult only entertainment with dinner, drinks and a show on Saturday, March 9 at 6 p.m. at the Bridge City Community Center.  Prizes will be awarded for best cowboy and cowgirl.  Tickets are $40 per person or a table for 8 is $300.  Tickets are going fast so don’t wait to get yours!  For reservations, call the chamber at 409-735-5671 or go to the chamber’s website:  www.bridgecitychamber.com/murder-mystery-dinner.

 

 

Better Living for Texans programs

The Better Living for Texans Assistant, Tommy Byers, with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office is holding 3 free programs:

• Fresh Start to a Healthier You

Raymond Gould Community Center

6 p.m. till 7 p.m.

February 19, 26

Join us for this free program, and learn about tips on saving money at the grocery store, as well as meal planning.

• Walk and Talk

Raymond Gould Walking Track

Beginning at 9 a.m.

March 6, 13, 20, 27, April 3, 10, 17, 24

We will discussions on exercise tips, beneficial foods, you are encouraged to bring a friend.

• Be Well, Live Well: A Program on Healthy Aging

Orange County Event and Expo Center

6 p.m. till 7 p.m.

March 4, 11, 18, 25, and April 1

Learn how to reduce your risk of disease, engage in a healthier lifestyle, and be independent.

For more information on these programs, and to let us know you are attending, please contact Tommy Byers at 409-882-7010.

 

Grief Support

Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas offers Spring 2019 Grief Support at its Orange office located at 1502 Strickland Drive Suite 4 in Orange.

Sessions are 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesdays on Feb. 26, March 12, March 26, April 9, April 23, May 7 and May 21. There is a $10 materials fee. Childcare is not provided. To register call 409-727-6400 or email samaritancenter@sccset.org

 

Free Electronic Filing Tax Services

Jackson Community Center, 520 W. Decatur Ave. in Orange, will be offering Free Tax Assistance through Lamar University Community Tax Center. Fast refund and electronic filing are available to eligible families and individuals earning up to $54,000, beginning February 2, thru April 15, 2019.  Open Monday thru Friday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every other Saturday from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

By appointment only. To schedule an appointment and for additional information please contact Elizabeth Campbell, Program Manager at (409) 779-1981 or email jccorange@gmail.com

2018  Income Tax Assistance

AARP Tax Filing Assistance will be offered starting at 12:15 p.m., Friday, February 1 at the Orange Public Library.  IRS-certified volunteers will be available from 12:15 to 4 p.m. every Wednesday and Friday through April 12 and Monday, April 15.  April 15 is the last day to file 2018 taxes.

Anyone coming for assistance should bring the following:

Proof of identification (photo ID)

Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents

Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents

Wage and income statements (Form W-2, Social Security, 1099-R, 1099-Misc, W2G).

Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

Records of any Capital Gains and Losses

Forms 1095-A, B or C, Affordable Health Care Statements

A copy of last year’s federal and state returns is very helpful in the preparation of the 2018 return.

 

Bridge City Chamber to Award Scholarships

Attention all Bridge City and Orangefield High School seniors.    The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce they will be awarding two $500 scholarships to Bridge City High School seniors and two $500 scholarships to Orangefield High School seniors.  Applications are available at the student’s high school counselor’s office, Bridge City Chamber office at 150 W. Roundbunch Road, Bridge City, TX 77611, or can be downloaded from the chamber’s website:www.bridgecitychamber.com.  Completed applications should be turned in to the respective high school counselor no later than April 5, 2019.  For more information, contact your high school counselor or call the Bridge City Chamber at (409) 735-5671.

Orange County Texas A&M University Mother Club scholarship

The 2019 Orange County Texas A&M University Mothers Club scholarship application is available.  For a copy of the application, contact the local high school counselor and/or scholarship coordinator.  Applications are also available at 

https://orangecountymoms.aggienetwork.com/scholarships/  .

 

Cooking Class for adults

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office of Orange County is holding a Cooking Class for Adults with Rocky Bridges.  This will be held on Saturday, February 23 at 10 a.m. and costs $25.  You will be having fun while cooking healthy recipes and preparing a 3-course meal.  There will also be door prizes.  Payment is due by February 15.  It will be held at the Orange County Extension Office on 1442 in Orange.  Make your reservations today by calling 409-882-7010 as the class size is limited!

 

Be a Census Taker

Join the 2020 Census team by applying online at 2020census.gov/jobs 2020 Census jobs provide great pay, flexible hours, weekly pay and paid training. For more information call 1-855-JOB-2020 (1-855-562-2020). The U.S. Census Bureau is an equal opportunity employer.

 

Project Gold

Is your child struggling with anxiety, depression or behavioral problems? Did they experience Hurricane Harvey? Project Gold provides evidence-based mental health services for children and adolescents in your area.

We are looking for children ages 5-17 affected by Hurricane Harvey or its aftermath who currently exhibit anxiety, depression and/or behavioral problems. Therapy will be provided using telehealth services (using a Wi-Fi enabled computer or phone) directly in your home. For more information on Project Gold, please contact Hetal Modi at projectgoldbcm.edu Project Gold is sponsored by Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children’s Hospital.

 

Fly-Ins

Orange County Radio Control Club meets each Tuesday and Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the club’s airfield located at 10623 Farm to Market Road 1442 in Orange. Guests are welcome as long as club members are present. Learn more about building and flying remote-controlled airplanes with other enthusiasts.

 

GOALS

GOALS (Greater Orange Area Literacy Services) is interested in replacing several spots on the Board due to some who have moved or plan to move.  The mission of GOALS is to help those in Orange County who are unable to read to learn to read, to assist ESL (English as a Second Language) students with the learning of English, and to provide tutoring for those wishing to take the GED (General Educational Development) equivalency test to obtain a high school diploma.  GOALS is a nonprofit organization founded by Bonnie Hopperton 25 years ago.  The GOALS office may be contacted at 409.886.4311 and asking for Rhonda Powell, Director.  Powell also can give guidelines for those wishing to volunteer to tutor or possibly secure a spot on Board. 

Hand Quilting Demonstration

Thrift and Gift Shop holds a free Hand Quilting demonstration from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., every Tues. and Thurs. at 350 South 37th Street in Orange (located in the old Salk School). For more information call 409-886-7649.

 

Clay Shoot

Mark your calendars for the Samaritan Counseling Center of Southeast Texas 8th Annual Charity Clay Shoot on Saturday, April 27, 2019, at 1-In-100 Gun Club. Funds provide services for children’s programming. For more information, call 409-727-6400

 

NAACP meeting

NAACP meets at 7 p.m., every fourth Thursday, at the WOCCISD Administration Building located at 902 West Park Ave. in Orange. All are encouraged to attend and join. To join, contact Franklin Gans at 409-221-8438.