The Matagorda County Chapter of the American Red Cross is pleased to announce the following Health and Safety courses for January:  Adult CPR, Jan. 8; and First Aid Basics, Jan. 22.  These classes will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 1909 Peach St., Bay City.  The cost is $16.50 for Adult CPR and $18 for First Aid Basics.  For more information, call 979-245-3056.

The Matagorda County Fair Association is hosting the 2002 Mutton Bustin' contest on March 7-9 during the 2002 Matagorda County Fair, Livestock Show and Rodeo.  Entries are being accepted at the fair office.  Entry fee is $20.  For more information, 979-245-2454.

The Matagorda County American Cancer Society will hold a support group meeting on Feb. 19 starting at 7 p.m.  The meeting will be held at First National Bank in Bay City.  For more information, call 979-245-9233.

The Blackcat Band Boosters will meet on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. at the Bay City High School band hall.  For more information, call 979-323-1391.

Matagorda County Teen Court is sponsoring a Roast and Toast Banquet in honor of Bay City Blackcat athletic director Chad Morris.  The event will be held Feb. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bay City Civic Center.  Tickets are $15.  For more information, cal 979-245-1401 or 979-244-4417.

The Chamber Board of Directors returned Market Days back to the downtown square.  Booth spaces are available for $30.  The next Market Day will be Feb. 16.  For more information, call 979-245-8333.

Rhema Fellowship Church is collecting clothes for underprivileged elementary children in Laredo.  Clothes can be dropped of at Rhema Fellowship Church, 2227 Ave. F, Bay City.  For more information, call 979-245-2053.

Blackcat Band Boosters Club will host a gumbo dinner on Feb. 19 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bay City Service Center.  Dine-in and carry-out service will be available.  Band students are currently selling tickets for $5.  A limited number of tickets will be sold at the door.  For more information, call 979-323-1391.

The Texas Gospel Music Barn is hosting a series of gospel concerts at the Railroad Depot in Bay City.  Shows this year include:  March 16, De De; May 18, Steve Couch; July 20, Gospel Express; Sept. 21, Peacemakers; Nov. 16, Relations Quartet.  Admission in free.

The Bay City Blackcat All-Sports Booster Club is currently having its annual membership drive.  The club supports all boys and girls sports, and gave $10,800 in scholarships last year.  Memberships range from $15 to $100.  For more information, call 979-245-5141.

The Victoria College and the University of Houston-Victoria are sponsoring a Health Awareness Fair on Thursday, Feb. 21, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Victoria College Student Center.  This fair is to inform students and the public of available health related community services.  For more information, call 361-582-2416.

Teen Court is looking for volunteers the first second and third Tuesday of each month.  Teen Court meets from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bay City Municipal Court Building on 6th Street.  For more information contact B. J. Wise at 979-245-1401.

The Blessing American Legion Cecil Lee Post 249 holds bingo at 2 p.m. each Sunday.  The public is invited to attend.  For more information, call 979-245-6321.

The Matagorda County Crime Stoppers needs the public's help in solving crimes.  Anyone with information about a crime in Matagorda County is asked to call 979-244-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-299-BUST (2878).  Information leading to a felony arrest and/or a grand jury indictment may earn the caller a cash reward.  Callers to Crime Stoppers do not have to give their names.

Project Rio is an employment service program specifically for ex-offenders.  The Texas Workforce in cooperation with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Texas Youth Commission provides special services designed to reintegrate ex-offenders into the workforce.  Project Rio provides incentives and benefits to employers who hire ex-offenders.  For more information on Project Rio contact Kay Roberts at Gulf Coast Careers, 3501 Ave. F in Bay City, or call 979-245-4808, Ext. 205.

The Crisis Center needs your tax-deductible donations for its resale shop.  Proceeds from the resale shop to go to help maintain the shelter and also help clothe those in need.  Donations may be brought by 2805 4th St., Bay  City, from 8:30 p.m.  Monday through Friday.  All items must be in good usable condition.

The Bay City Evening Lions Club is seeking new members.  The club meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month at Cattleman's Restaurant.  If you are interested in becoming a member of Lions, contact Helen Wagner at 979-244-1777.

The Bay City Lioness Club is a service organization that meets from noon to 1 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays, of each month at the Cattlemen's Restaurant.  To make reservations, or for information on joining, call Jamie Hoffman at 979-245-1572.

The Friends of the Bay City Public Library celebrate 25 years on March 1 with an Appreciation Luncheon starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Bay City Country Club.  Mail payment of $15 per person to Christiane Peters., 24 Timberline Dr. by Feb. 15 to reserve your seat.

Friends of Elder Citizens will host a Valentine's dinner and dance from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 at the Prep and Eva Graham Activity Center.  Cost is $3 and will include a meal.  For more information, call 979-245-7400.

The Matagorda VFW Post 4459 will host a Valentine's Dance Friday, Feb. 15.  Entertainment provided by Justice III with doors opening at 6 p.m.  The band will perform at 8 p.m.  Cost is $5 a person or $8 a couple.  For more information, call 979-863-2263.

Holy Cross School is having Lenten Fish Fry fundraisers on the dates of Feb. 15 and 22 and March 1, 8, 15, and 22 from 5-7 p.m. in the Holy Cross Cafeteria.  Child plates are $4, and adult plates are $6.

Matagorda County SPCA will host an adoptathon on the square in Bay City during Market Day, Feb. 16.  A great assortment of animals that need homes will be on hand.  The next SPCA meeting is set at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14 at the Bay City Service Center.  Everyone is invited.

The Daughters In Progress Club invites everyone to attend its annual contribution to Black History Month.  Club members will host a memorial banquet at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at the Best Western Matagorda Hotel.  Donations are $12.

The Van Vleck Boy Scouts troop 219 and pack 1219 are having a barbecue find-raiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16 at Van Vleck's First United Methodist Church.  Servings will include half-chicken and the fixings.  Tickets are $6 each and are available from any Boy Scout.

The VFW Post 2412 is having a Blood Drive Feb. 16 from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the VFW Hall of Hwy. 457 in Sargent.

February 14 - Wednesday

To submit information from your group to be posted on the County Calendar, please fill out our FORM.  The Calendar area of the MAN is maintained by Steven Sumners.