Shaken or stirred?
Southeast Texas’ Pioneering Women is hosting a mixer to train attendees in the finer art of mixing martinis – three different kinds, to be exact – on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 4 p.m.
The event, dubbed “Ladies Mixing Martinis,” will be held at Revues Event Venue, 3690 S. 11th St. in Beaumont.
Tickets are $25. Cashapp $LavenderLadies, or call Pioneering Women founder Georgine Guillory at (409) 842-1577, to get in on the fun.
Nederland native headlines at Lutcher
Nederland native Tim Foust is returning “home” with his fellow all-vocal Country entertainers Home Free for one show only on Sunday, Feb. 19, at 7 p.m. at the Lutcher Theater.
Home Free released their first major label album, “Crazy Life,” in February 2014. Their most recent album, “So Long Dixie,” was released in November 2022.
Tickets for Home Free are available at lutcher.org or by calling the Lutcher Box Office at (409) 886-5535. The Lutcher Theater is located at 707 Main Ave. in Orange.
Music: It’s elementary
Students from Beaumont ISD elementary schools merged to perform at the 2023 BISD Elementary Art and Music Showcase on Feb. 7 at the West Brook Performing Arts Center.
The rhythm of the night was set by the Homer Drive Elementary Band, followed by “Snow,” “Red Bird,” “Kumbaya” and more, performed by the BISD Elementary Honor Choir, composed of singers from the district’s elementary schools. “The Bells of Liberty” also featured the Dishman Tone Chime Choir.
Each student sported an event shirt sponsored by CommonCents Credit Union. For a complete look at the program, visit https://express.adobe.com/page/3eSerCMtl08uL/.
Grants to get ’em here
The Jefferson County Tourism Committee is now accepting applications for grants awarded to tourism related projects and events benefiting Jefferson County. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, March 3, to Ben J. Rogers Regional Visitors Center Director Kathi Hughes.
Applications may be obtained online at www.co.jefferson.tx.us or by calling (409) 842-0500. The usage of the awarded grant funds is limited to use for tourism and other guidelines set forth by the Office of the Attorney General. These grants are awarded bi-annually.
Criminal Justice Club impresses judges
Vidor High School Criminal Justice Club members recently competed at the Texas Public Safety Association Regional Competition in Channelview, challenging 150 students from the Houston and Southeast Texas area in areas of expertise.
Kamryn Hoffmeyer, Ethan Sanchez, Emma Lindsey, and Z. Haley captured first place in Felony Traffic Stop.
Kaiden Welch, Maya Nielson, Karrsen Bivins, Aryel Haynes, Alexis Simmons, and Kooper Franklin each placed second in Cell Extraction, while Franklin, Noah Harrington, Dominick Skiles, and Zachary Whittington each were second in Building Search.
Hoffmeyer and Lindsey also took second in Disturbance Call.
The club completed a clean sweep of Misdemeanor Traffic Stop as Nielson, Harrington and Haynes finished first, second and third, respectively.
Community garage sale for H-JHS seniors
The Hardin-Jefferson High School Class of 2023 will host a garage sale on Saturday, Feb. 18, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sour Lake Community Center, 250 North Ann St.
Taste of the Triangle
The 41st annual Taste of the Triangle is set for Fat Tuesday, Feb. 21, at the downtown Beaumont Civic Center. VIP entrance is open at 5:30 p.m.; General Admission begins at 6:30 p.m.
Billed as the “Largest Food Event of the Year,” the Mardi Gras-themed extravaganza of foods from all flavors of the community boasts not only food booths with tantalizing offerings, but is also home to live music, food trucks, spirits and more.
West Brook Debate wins tourney – again
The West Brook High School Cross-Examination (CX) Debate team participated in the District 21-6A meet at North Shore High School on Feb. 8, and brought home the tournament championship for a second year in a row.
“The team had an outstanding day and the best results in recent history,” said Candace LeMasters, West Brook teacher/debate coach. “This will be Mason Scales' fourth consecutive year to qualify for the 6A State CX meet and will be Sam Marchand’s third year to qualify.”
The team won both state qualifying spots, beating out other high schools in the district, as well as cinching the district championship. The state meet will be held in March on the campus of The University of Texas.
LeMasters explained the road has been challenging since they have had to manage practice times around STARS, band, NJROTC and other school activities.
“They have spent a lot of time practicing outside of the school day, on nights and weekends,” she said. “Hard work pays off!”
Winners are: First Place - Sam Marchand and Biraj Nainabaste; Second Place - Mason Scales and Roshan Tomov; and Fourth Place - Hailey Renick and Beatrice Hernandez-Dailey
“I'm really proud of the kids and the hard work that they've put into this year's debate season. This is the best we’ve ever done since I’ve been the coach,” said LeMasters. “All three of our teams placed and we won the meet plaque for the second year in a row.”
Presidents’ Day volunteer planting event set
Big Thicket National Preserve is looking for volunteers on Presidents’ Day, Monday, Feb. 20, for the final winter volunteer planting event. Resource managers are hoping volunteer
s will be able to plant a mixture of native grasses and longleaf pine seedlings as the park continues to restore native longleaf pine forest.
To sign up for the event, volunteers can sign up online at volunteer.gov, or by calling the Big Thicket Visitor Center at (409) 951-6700 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., seven days a week.
Once registered, volunteers will receive the location of the event and volunteer paperwork to be filled out prior to arrival.
SETX swine succeed in San Antonio show
Three members of the Lumberton FFA Swine show team exhibited their hogs at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and received ribbons for the prized pigs, on Feb. 8.
Placing were Anna Highinbotham, who was 10th in Berkshire Gilt; Zoey Laughlin, eighth in Crossbred Gilt; and Emily Smith, 10th in Duroc Gilt.
Silsbee HS places at state robotics meet
The Silsbee High School GOLD! Robotics team brought home first and second place trophies at the UIL State Competition on Feb. 11.
Reese Rodgers and Clayton Eyre places first, while Bobby Barton and Jenny Tu were second. Barton and Tu also won the Solo Skills Challenge Trophy.
Other team members are Tristin Bell, Nathan Pyne and Audie Miller.
Purse & Pistol Bingo set for Kirbyville FFA
Kirbyville FFA Alumni are bringing back, by popular demand, a Purse & Pistol Bingo event to benefit students of Kirbyville High School.
Join the campus support group on Saturday, Feb. 18, for a night of fun at the KHS Cafeteria. There will be door prize
s, raffle items and a silent auction. Ten games will be played, and the 11th game is a buy-in game. Dobbers will be available at the door, and a meal will be provided.
Tickets are $40 per ticket, or $300 for a table for 8 people. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the games start at 6:30 p.m. Contact an alumni member for tickets or more information, or stop by the Kirbyville Veterinary Clinic for tickets.
Farmers Market makes a comeback in Port Neches
The Riverfront Farmers Market in Port Neches is returning on Feb. 18 for a new season of seasoned favorites, as well as added amenities. According to Riverfront Farmers Market organizers, most original vendors are returning – and bringing in fresh fare furnishers, too.
Riverfront Park is located at 600 Grigsby Ave. in Port Neches. For more information, call (409) 727-2182.
Band Night
Join The Art Studio Inc. (TASI) on Saturday, Feb. 25, for an all-ages welcome band night, featuring Switchblvde Gvng, 3D Friends, Sick! Goblin, and Lil Malibu. A suggested donation of $5 is appreciated for admittance. Doors open at 7 p.m.; music starts at 8 p.m.
Attendees will receive free toast. The event is hosted by Magician Cory Neyland. TASI is located at 720 Franklin in Beaumont.