Community Briefs for the 14th Week of 2019. Send our announcements to news@orangeleader.com, put “community briefs” in the subject line.

Shoe Drive

A Shoe Drive benefiting the CPS Rainbow Room will continue thru April 3. New, closed shoes in Toddlers Size – Size 13 or Adult sizes 1-8. Wipes or Toddler size clothing also accepted. Drop off locations are Orange County District’s Attorney’s Office, Orange County Courthouse or Orange Chamber of Commerce.

 

LCMISD Kindergarten Round Up

If you who have or know of a child who will begin kindergarten in the fall, please take note of and share these dates.

• Mauriceville Elementary, 409-745-1615: April 2 – 9 a.m.-10 a.m. or 5:30- 6:30 p.m.
• Little Cypress Elementary, 409-886-2838: April 11, 9 a.m.-10 a.m. or 6 p.m.-7 p.m.

Those with questions should contact the school your child will attend by calling the number listed beside the school’s name above.

Parents or guardians must provide the following when registering their children: The child’s birth certificate, child’s social security card, child’s shot record, parent’s driver’s license, and a proof of residence, such as an electric or other utility bills.

 

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.

 

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:  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.

 

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 for 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

 

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 www.wellsofagape.org 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.

 

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.

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.

 

Upcoming Orange County Master Gardener events

For more information check our website https://txmg.org/orange 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

 

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.