Community Briefs for the 13th Week of 2019. Send your announcements to news@orangeleader.com, place “community briefs” in the subject line

Book signing

Spencer Scogin will hold a book signing at Barnes & Noble, 4155 Dowlen Road in Beaumont, from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, March 30. The event will begin at 1 p.m. -1:45 p.m. with a Meet and Greet, followed at 2p.m.-4p.m. with the Book Signing and 4p.m.-5p.m. with a Q&A. Scogin was born in Port Arthur and an Orangefield graduate. He also attended Lamar State College-Orange.

Free Booster Seat Safety

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is teaming up with Philpott Ford and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to host a FREE Booster Seat Safety Check on April 6 from 10 a.m. -12 p.m.  This event is to bring awareness to the proper use of Booster Seats. Many parents/caregivers place children in booster seats too early, which could possibly cause serious injury or death in the event of a motor vehicle crash.

Parents and Caregivers are asked to set up an appointment with me to have their current booster seat checked for free and replace any booster seats that are damaged or under a recall notice.  If a parent or caregiver needs a booster seat for a child ages 4-8, they can also contact me to be registered for the FREE booster seat.

Registration deadline is Friday, March 29.

Employment Courses

Vidor ISD Community Education and the Vidor Chamber of Commerce are hosting a series of courses to help you get a job.  Classes are only $5 each, so join us on Thursday evenings in the Vidor High School library at 6:30.  Coming up:  March 28 Interview Skills and Dress, April 4 QuickBooks, April 11 Phones and Digital Services in the Workplace, April 18 Facebook for Business and Beyond, and April 25 Customer Service. 

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, 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 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.

LCM Advanced Placement Exams

Students who are planning to take Advanced Placement exams in May must sign up in the LCM High School counselors’ office between now and March 28. The cost is $94 per exam. The price is reduced to $25 per exam for students who qualify for free or reduced meals. Upon registration, payment must be made by cash or check. Checks must include the driver license number of the person who signed the check. 

AP Exam dates and times are set by the College Board as follows:

• May 6 – U.S. Government – 8:00 AM
• May 8 – English Literature and Composition (English 4) – 8:00 AM
• May 14 – Calculus AB – 8:00 AM
• May 15 – English Language and Composition (English 3) – 8:00 AM
• May 16 – Statistics – 12:00 PM
• May 17 – Music Theory – 8:00 AM

For additional information, call 409.886.5821

 

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.

Boot Scootin

Boot Scootin is from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. on April 13, 2019, at the Brown Estate. LSCO Foundation annual fundraiser for scholarships. For more information contact Phyllis Ford at 409-553-6955

Day of Caring

United Way of Orange County has partnered with iConnect Outreach, Nehemiah’s Vision, and Orange County Disaster Rebuild to coordinate volunteers from our community to work on Harvey damaged homes. Volunteers will paint, construct, cleanup, and help make a difference for some Orange County families. Day of Caring will begin at 7:45 a.m. and conclude by 4 p.m. Breakfast and lunch will be provided. 

Volunteers who can only work half a day are still encouraged to signup.

The deadline to signup is Monday, April 15.

Sign up forms can be found HERE

For questions, contact Maureen McAllister at 409-883-3591 or mmcallister@unitedwayorangecounty.org.

Parenting Class

Wells of Agape is holding a Parenting Class from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at Life Church Orange located at 18389 Hwy. 62 in Orange. (Near the Hwy. 62 and Hwy. 105 intersection). Lunch is provided. The requirement to receive a Certificate of Completion is $30 per person, cash only. One must attend from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. to receive the certificate. To register or more information visit our Website and select Services Tab or call or text Donna Wells at 4099-221-5425. If no answer, leave a message or text. Childcare is not provided.

AAUW Annual Book Sale

The AAUW (American Association of University Women) will have its annual used book sale on the porch of the Lutcher Theater at Art in the Park, Sat., April 6, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Book donations may be made at Looking Good Salon in the Northway Shopping Center next to Market Basket until March 31.  The owner of the salon, Paul Burch, volunteered to be a drop-off point this year.  For further information, please phone 409-886-5739 or 409-882-1679.

Donations accepted include gently used books, puzzles, board games, reference books, cookbooks, children’s books, religious books, mysteries, nonfiction, biographies, fiction, DVDs, CDs, etc.

All proceeds go for college scholarships for both a West Orange-Stark High School and a Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School female graduate.  The Orange AAUW Scholarship applications will be available in the counseling office of each high school in the near future.

Sherriff’s Posse scholarships

Attention all Orange County Public school seniors. The Orange County Sherriff’s Posse is pleased to announce they will be awarding scholarships to seniors in Orange County. Applications are available at the student’s high school counselor’s office. Completed applications should be returned to the respective high school counselor by the date on the application. For more information, contact the high school counselor of the respective school.

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:

• Walk and Talk

Raymond Gould Walking Track

Beginning at 9 a.m.

March 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.

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.

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.

 

Upcoming Orange County Master Gardener events

For more information check our website  or call 409 882-7010

• 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.

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 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

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.  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 HERE.

 

Judge James B. Scales Memorial Golf Tournament

The Bridge City Chamber will hold the Judge James B. Scales Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 26, 2018, at Babe Zaharias Golf Course in Port Arthur.  Tee time is 8 a.m. for this four person scramble. The cost is $60 per player which includes green fees, cart, beverages, food, and door prizes. Mulligans may be purchased for $5 each with a limit of two per player.     Hole sponsorships in the form of tee box signs are available for $100 each. All proceeds go to the Bridge City Chamber and Historical Museum formerly the Prairie View Teacherage. For more information or to register, call the chamber at (409) 735-5671 or Golf Tournament Chairman Jerry Jones at (409) 735-6801.  Registration forms can be found on the chamber’s website: www.bridgecitychamber.com.

 

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.

SE Texas Hospice Mystery Dinner

The Fifth Gospel is the Southeast Texas Hospice Annual Mystery Dinner to be held at 6:30 p.m. for two nights only on Monday, April 8 and Tuesday, April 9 at St. Mary’s Parish Hall. To make your reservations today, call 409-886-0622 or 800-749-3497.

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.

CASA informational meeting

The second Tuesday of each month, CASA holds an information meeting to answer questions on how to become a CASA representative. The meetings are at 6 p.m. at the CASA office located at 2120 Gloria Drive in Orange. To reserve a seat, call 409-886-2272.

 

Orange County senior citizens meeting

Orange County senior citizens are meeting on the 2nd Monday every month at 9:30 a. m. at Salvation Army Bldg. on the corner of MLK and Highway 90 in Orange. Bingo, Prizes, Pot luck Lunch. All are invited to attend. For more information please call, Dermal at 730-5722.

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

Noon Lion’s Club meeting

Noon Lion’s Club meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month in the Domino’s Meeting/Party room located at 2107 MacArthur Drive in Orange.

NAACP meeting

NAACP meet 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.

 

Friends of the Bridge City Public Library meeting

Friends of the Bridge City Public Library meets once a month on the fourth Thursday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Join today for only $5 per year. As a member of the Friends, you can help with fundraisers, the summer reading program, decorate Library for the holidays, scrapbook events from the year and Bayou Buddy Storytime.