Local Roundup - page 8

Early voting in the November 5, 2024, election begins Monday, October 21, 2024, across Texas, giving Orange County residents two weeks to cast their ballots ahead of Election Day. Voters will have the chance to participate in significant national, state, and local elections that will shape the future of both Texas and the country.

This year, voters will decide if Vice President Kamala Harris will ascend to the presidency or if former President Donald Trump will return to office. Additionally, one of the most closely-watched races in Texas is for the U.S. Senate, where Sen. Ted Cruz (R) is in a tight contest with Congressman Colin Allred (D).

Orange County voters will also be making important decisions on U.S. House District 14, two Emergency Services District commissioner elections, a school board race, and a $98.4 million school bond for the Vidor Independent School District.

Vidor ISD’s Proposition A aims to provide much-needed upgrades to Pine Forest and two other elementary campuses in the district, improving education facilities for local students.

In the Orangefield school board race, three candidates – Richard Lasseigne Jr., Dustin Loga, and Jude Graffagnino – are competing for a single seat. Additionally, Orange County Emergency Services Districts One and Three are each holding elections to select two new commissioners.

Early Voting Information:

Early voting will be available at multiple locations throughout Orange County. The schedule is as follows:

• Monday, Oct. 21 to Friday, Oct. 25: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 26: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Sunday, Oct. 27: 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
• Monday, Oct. 28 to Friday, Nov. 1: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Early Voting Locations:

• Orange Public Library (Main Location) – 220 N 5th Street, Orange, TX 77630
• Mauriceville Community Center – 7441 Cohenour Road, Orange, TX 77632
• Orange County Airport – 2640 S Hwy 87, Orange, TX 77630
• Raymond Gould Community Center – 385 Claiborne Street, Vidor, TX 77662

Election Day Voting Locations (November 5):

On Election Day, November 5, polling stations will be open at the following locations from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.:

• DOW Business Center – 2601 Irving Street, Orange
• Orange County Expo Center – 11475 FM 1442, Orange
• WOC-CISD Admin/Education Building – 902 W Park Avenue, Orange
• Mauriceville Community Center – 7441 Cohenour Road, Mauriceville
• Orange Public Library – 220 N 5th Street, Orange
• St. Paul Methodist Church – 1155 W Roundbunch Road, Bridge City
• St. Francis Catholic Church – 4300 Meeks Drive, Orange
• Bridge City Knights of Columbus – 495 W Roundbunch Road, Bridge City
• LCM-CISD Administration Building – 6586 FM 1130, Orange
• Orangefield Cormier Museum – 9908 FM 105, Orangefield
• Sabine River Authority – 12777 N Hwy 87, Orange
• Vidor ISD Administration Building – 1255 N Main Street, Vidor
• Salvation Army – 1950 Martin Luther King Drive, Orange
• The Oaks Event Center – 2110 S Main Street, Vidor
• Orange County Airport – 2640 Hwy 87 S, Orange
• Pecan Acres Baptist Church – 14795 Duncan Woods Lane, Vidor
• Orange County Drainage District – 8081 Old Hwy 90, Orange
• Pine Forest Baptist Church – 4800 N Main Street, Vidor
• West Orange City Hall – 2700 Western Avenue, Orange
• Raymond Gould Community Center – 385 Claiborne Street, Vidor

For more details about voting in Orange County, including ballot information and voter eligibility, please contact the Orange County Elections Office at 409-882-7973 or visit their website.

One of the Golden Triangle’s premier educational events for safety professionals is nearing, and attendees can learn best practices, leadership skills, and the latest technology advancements.

The 34^th Annual ASSP Sabine Neches Professional Development Conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 23, 2024, at the LIT Szuch Multi-Purpose Center.

Organizers highlight that the event is open to safety professionals, project managers, engineers, salespeople, and more and is a great way to broaden networking, professional education, and tangible resources.

Located at 803 E. Lavaca St. in Beaumont, the event kicks off with registration and breakfast from 8 to 9 a.m., followed by an opening from keynote speaker Arlis Drake concerning operational learning and A HOP approach.

Admission is available through a $100 ASSP member fee, $150 non-member fee, or $30 student registration. There are also exhibitors through gold sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $300 to $1,500.

For questions, send an email to sabinenecheschapterassp@gmail.com.

ASSP is IACET-accredited and provides continuing education credits for those with certifications, such as the ASP/CSP through BCSP.

Vice President Melissa Rohrer said attendees of this year’s conference will learn the differences between OSHA 1910 (General Industry) and OSHA 1926 (Construction), confined space best practices and techniques, communication, leadership, and organizational learning/HOP approach methods.

“These subjects enhance the knowledge and growth of leaders and practitioners in the field and leadership for others to benefit from while growing the attendee into a more proficient safety professional and safety partner, which benefits the organization,” Rohrer said.

“The PDC continues to grow each year by ensuring the vendor partners attending are industry leaders exhibiting the latest safety products and solutions to share with attendees, as well as providing speakers who deliver safety and leadership topics relevant to all.”

American Society of Safety Professionals Treasurer Quais “Q” Savoir said safety professionals who attend can utilize key leaders’ knowledge to advance internal programs around safety.

He stressed that safety is, and always will be, at the forefront of every project.

“Taking the time to learn and understand potential risks will provide you with extensive knowledge on how to be proactive in managing these risks,” according to Savoir. “This proactive approach not only ensures a safer working environment but also contributes to the successful completion of the project. As a Project Manager, it is crucial to integrate safety measures into every aspect of the project plan, from the initial stages of development to the final execution.

“Similarly, as a Sales Representative, knowing about potential risks allows you to communicate and address safety concerns with clients and stakeholders effectively. By prioritizing safety and understanding risks, you can enhance the overall quality and success of any project or business endeavor.”

Event highlights include the Bobby Lane Scholarship Presentation and numerous breaks with exhibitors.

Guest speaker Randall Armstrong is speaking on “Communicate, Lead, and Listen.” The Lunch/Leadership Speaker is Dalton Howard, who will address “Construction in Safety 1910 vs 1926.”

Guest Speaker Abby Holovach will also address “Tales from the Crypt – A Collection of Confined Space Case Studies & Lessons Learned.”

The Closing Keynote Speaker is Ian S. Madison, who will speak on “Safety Leadership: Donuts and Cheeseburgers” from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The closing remarks/raffle giveaway is planned at 3:30 p.m.

Organizers maintain the collective expertise, dedication, and diverse perspectives at the development conference to continue to enrich the opportunities, ensuring all messages resonate with a wide audience. This collaborative approach strengthens the event’s content and fosters a sense of inclusivity and belonging within the business community.

The Stark Museum of Art invites art enthusiasts to unleash their creativity in an exciting two-session Clay Frame Studio Workshop led by guest teaching artist Randy Eakin. Participants will design and craft their own bisque-fired clay photo frames.

In the first session, attendees will model and create a unique clay frame, which will be fired between classes. The second session will focus on applying an antique finish and completing the design, leaving each participant with a beautiful, personalized clay frame to take home. The workshop offers a hands-on and rewarding artistic experience suitable for all skill levels.

The sessions will be held on Thursday, November 7 and 21, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Stark Museum of Art. Spaces are limited to just 12 participants to ensure a personalized learning experience. The registration fee is $40 per person, which covers all materials and firing costs.

“This workshop offers a wonderful chance to create something truly special with guidance from an experienced artist,” said Kyra Odom-Hall, Education Coordinator at Stark Museum of Art. “Participants will leave with not just a piece of art but the joy of having created it themselves.”

The workshop is expected to fill up quickly, and advance registration is required. Please note that due to the cost of materials, refunds cannot be issued and registrations are non-transferable.

For more information or to register, please visit starkmuseum.org or contact Kyra Odom-Hall at kodomhall@starkmuseum.org or 409-886-2787.

The Lutcher Theater is thrilled to welcome The Bacon Brothers to its stage on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 7:30 p.m. for an unforgettable night of music and storytelling. Kevin and Michael Bacon will present their acclaimed performance, Ballad of the Brothers, featuring award-winning songs along with their signature blend of genres.

The Bacon Brothers have spent the better part of three decades exploring their own mix of folk, rock, soul and country music. They call that diverse sound “forosoco,” and it has taken them around the world, from headlining gigs in Japan to American performances at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall, the Grand Ole Opry, and Gruene Hall.

The exploration continues with the band’s 12th release, Ballad of the Brothers. It’s a record that highlights the similarities between Kevin Bacon, known worldwide as an A-list Hollywood actor, and Michael Bacon, celebrated as an Emmy-winning composer, and the differences, too. The two brothers may be bound together by blood and a mutual love of American roots music, but they’ve grown into sharp songwriters and cinematic storytellers with their own distinct approaches, offering a mix of edgy alt-rock (Take Off This Tattoo), Motown-inspired soul (Put Your Hand-Up), finger-picked folk (Let That Be Enough) and everything in between.

The album also marks the continuation of a musical partnership that began long ago in Philadelphia, where the Bacons were raised on a soundtrack of 1970s singer/songwriters, Philly soul bands, and classic rock acts. Multiple decades and countless shows later, they’re creating their own soundtrack and saluting their old-school influences, while making music that’s undeniably modern.

“We’re two musicians who write songs very differently, and we’ve grown to really appreciate those differences,” says Michael Bacon. “Whenever I go see a band play live, I’d much rather see them do a thousand things than just one thing. We take a similar approach to our albums.”

Like much of the Bacon Brothers’ work, Ballad Of The Brothers offers a mix of autobiography and richly-detailed fiction. The tongue-in-cheek Old Bronco finds Kevin turning a song about his 1969 Bronco truck into a metaphor for aging. Airport Bar, one of the most beautifully written tracks in the Bacons’ catalog, compares a doomed relationship to a sports bar in an airport terminal. On the album’s title track, inspired by Gruene Hall, the brothers deliver a Wild West narrative about two East Coast city slickers who take a road trip to Texas. Whether by fate or by Faust, they find themselves on stage at a Texas honky-tonk, blessed with musical talent they didn’t know they had.

“I wanted to write a Faustian story set in one of my favorite states ever,” says Michael. “It’s sort of like Texas’ own version of Charlie Daniels’ The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”

Tickets for The Bacon Brothers Ballad of the Brothers range in price from $45 to $120 and are available for purchase by visiting lutcher.org or by calling the Lutcher Theater Box Office at 409.886.5535.

The Lutcher Theater is located at 707 Main Avenue in Orange, Texas.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is excited to announce the start of registration for the 2024 Blue Santa Program. This annual community initiative, led by Sheriff Lane Mooney, aims to bring holiday cheer to families in need by providing gifts and support during the Christmas season.

From September 16 through October 24, 2024,, Orange County residents are encouraged to pick up registration forms from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, located at 205 S. Border Street, Orange, Texas. All applicants must bring a current and valid form of identification. Completed applications must be submitted no later than October 24th, 2024, by 4:00 P.M. to be eligible.

The Blue Santa Program welcomes all monetary donations, which help fund the gifts for the community’s families. Donations can be dropped off at the Orange County Sheriff’s Office or made payable to the Orange County Blue Santa Program.

For more information, please contact Deputy R. Mojica at 409-238-9263 or Deputy R. Guzman at 409-238-9290.

Join us in spreading joy this holiday season and making a difference in the lives of those who need it most.