Learn About Fossil Hunting in Clute
Fossil hunting is a popular practice for many people, whether amateurs or professional paleontologists. It offers the intrigue of literally digging up the past, figuring out ancient mysteries, and being able to hold small pieces of history in your hands.The state of Texas has many interesting sites that are rich in fossils, making it a great place for beginners or seasoned pros to head out on the hunt.
If you have an interest in fossil hunting but don’t quite know how to get started, check out the Bryan Cooney Hall of Paleontology at the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science. This great exhibit houses a wealth of fossils and plenty of information for the fossil-hunting enthusiast. In addition, the Museum’s website has made available a series of fossil-hunting diaries packed with great stories about the adventures of a local fossil hunter named Dan Woehr. Dan has uncovered thousands of fossils across Texas – some as old as the dinosaurs that once lived here. To find the diaries, go to the Museum website and click the left-hand link for “Meanderings of a Texas Fossil Hunter”.
The Museum is located at 400 College Blvd. in Clute, Texas. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 – 4, and on Sunday from 2 – 5. Admission is free!
Texas Gulf Bank is proud to offer a variety of wealth management products and services to our banking customers. Whether you need assistance with estate planning and retirement accounts, are ready to set up a trust, or would like to discuss assigning Texas Gulf Bank executor of your estate, we can help. If you’re not sure which direction is the best for your unique situation, contact TGB to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our professional wealth management officers.
The Brazoria County Association for Citizens with Handicaps (BACH) is holding their annual BACH Barn Bash this year on June 2nd at the Brazoria County Fairgrounds Auditorium. Festivities begin at 5 PM and there is a $15 donation for entry. A great meal of catfish and fixin’s will be served, and children under the age of 13 eat for free. In addition to pony rides, games and activities for the kids, adults will be treated to both a silent and live auction, plus music and dancing until 10 PM.
BACH has been helping children with special needs since their organization was created in 1973. They have worked since then to promote child development programs and also to help support the families of special needs children. Their programs are many, including a parent support group, recreational outings for the kids and their parents, therapeutic sensory integration for children with a variety of disorders, and early childhood intervention.All BACH programs are designed to help the children and their families in different yet critical ways. Check out the BACH website for additional information about the wealth of services provided by BACH for children with special needs. In addition to information about the organization and the events and services they offer, there is also information about how to donate or volunteer your time.
The Fairgrounds Auditorium is located at 901 S. Downing Street in Angleton. Proceeds go to help fund the efforts of BACH. So grab your dancing shoes and head out to the Fairgrounds Auditorium in Angleton. It will be a great night in support of a great organization!
Texas Gulf Bank has a banking center in Angleton, as well as throughout Brazoria, Galveston and Harris Counties. Contact any one of our 8 banking centers to find out how you and your family can save money for future health expenses by opening a health savings account (HSA) today.
Annual Mosquito Festival Creating Buzz in Clute
Clute is once again gearing up for their annual “Great Texas Mosquito Festival”, to be held this year from July 26th through July 28th at Clute Municipal Park. As usual, the festival will include some great music, carnival games, food and lots more.
Just a few acts on this year’s entertainment roster include:
David Allan Coe, with his special brand of outlaw country music.
Ziggy Moonshine & The Bootleggers, who play a great mix of country, folk, blues, rock and roots and bring lots of personality to the stage.
Kevin Fowler, who describes his music as “It’s country with a bad attitude. It’s country with an edge.”
Once again, you and your family can participate in the baby crawling contest (well, selected members of your family) or the washer pitching contest, or horseshoes. There is also the ever-popular BBQ & Fajita cook-off, or try your luck in the mosquito calling contest.
Admission prices vary with your age, which day you choose to attend, and what kind of admission you want. Choose general admission or opt for a carnival armband, which allows free access to all carnival rides from 5 PM to carnival closing time.
Interested in entering the events, sponsoring the festival, being a vendor or helping out as a volunteer? Information about all these worthy pursuits can be found on the Festival website, or you can email buzz@mosquitofestival.com (yes, really).
Texas Gulf Bank is a part of the Clute community and proud to be an annual sponsor of the Mosquito Festival. Our business banking products can help your venture succeed. Our cash management banking services can assist you with better cash flow, payables and receivables management. Learn more about TGB Cash Management Services for business online. We’ll see you at the festival!
Hurricane Preparedness Starts Now in Sweeny!
Hurricane season begins in June, and the city of Sweeny has compiled an online resource for residents to use to get prepared for the upcoming hurricane season. When a storm is on the way, sometimes there isn’t much time to put together your plan – so it pays to be prepared as much as possible in advance. First posted several years ago, the hurricane preparedness information available from the City of Sweeny is well worth revisiting for several reasons:
- Familiarize yourself with local Evacuation Routes, find out if you should plan to leave early, and reference the online checklist for securing your home before you go.
- Make sure your hurricane supplies are up-to-date, and check your kit against the items listed in the Sweeny ‘disaster supplies kit’ to make sure you’re not missing anything essential.
- Check out the Brazoria County Hurricane and Flood risk maps to determine how vulnerable your home, your children’s schools and your workplace are to storm damage.
- Find out the difference between a Category 1 and a Category 5 storm, with sustained wind levels as well as potential damage assessments.
- Review the glossary of storm-related terms to make sure you know how to interpret news broadcasts and online storm tracking information.
- Links to additional information about hurricanes, from Texas and national sources.
Texas has been in the path of many dangerous hurricanes over the years, and we have suffered extensive damage and loss of life. Make sure you and your loved ones are as prepared as possible before the next storm!
Texas Gulf Bank has eight banking centers located throughout Brazoria, Harris and Galveston counties. Our community bank helps to protect your family’s financial future through a wide variety of banking services and products. Utilize our mobile and online banking services for access to your banking needs wherever you are, whenever you need.
The Lake Jackson Historical Museum is all about history and how it progressed from prehistoric times up through the founding of the modern town of Lake Jackson. With 12,000 square feet populated with interactive exhibits and high-tech displays, there is always something new to discover about Lake Jackson. Learn about the creatures that inhabited the area long before the first human, or learn why the streets of the city are named “This Way”, “That Way” and “Circle Way”. Lake Jackson has a fascinating history and the museum is the place to enrich your education.
But the history lesson doesn’t stop at the museum exit; also managed by the Lake Jackson Historical Association, the Jackson Plantation site is open to the public the first Saturday of each month from 10 AM – 6 PM. Learn the history of this once busy and successful pre-Civil War sugar plantation. Learn how to make sugar or just imagine yourself as one of the plantation workers during the 19th century. Admission is by donation, and you can visit the plantation site by utilizing the Park and Ride on FM 2004 near Hwy 332 in Lake Jackson.
The museum is located at 249 Circle Way in Lake Jackson, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM. Sunday hours are from 1 PM to 4 PM, and it is closed on Mondays. Admission is free! For additional information about the museum, including how to become a historical society supporter or volunteer your time, visit the Museum’s website.
Texas Gulf Bank has a banking center located on the famous “This Way” in Lake Jackson. Visit us there or at any of our 8 locations in Brazoria, Galveston and Harris County. With almost 100 years of serving Texas, our history is your history,
Angleton Residents Stay Fit At Local Recreation Center
Angleton residents can take advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities available to them at the local Angleton Recreation Center, located at 1601 N. Valderas. The center includes something for everyone, whether your favorite workout is in the pool, lifting weights or participating in fitness classes.
The Natatorium houses a mini-water park for the kids, with water slides, blasters and a giant tipping bucket that spills water upon the swimmers periodically. A 25 meter pool is available for the more serious swimmer, set up especially for laps and fitness programs. With a zero-depth entry, the pool facilities are easily accessible to all.
The large workout area is fully equipped with cardio-fitness equipment, free weights, treadmills and stationary bicycles for diverse workout opportunities, and the center houses a full gymnasium with basketball and volleyball. And in addition, there are many fitness and dance classes scheduled throughout the week. Some examples include yoga classes for athletes, Zumba dance sessions, and aqua fitness training. There are many more to choose from!
For general information about the facility, plus links to find out about fitness class schedules and other information about the center, browse online at the Angleton “Where the Heart is” website.
For physical fitness, the place to be in Angleton is the Angleton Recreation Center. For financial fitness, Texas Gulf Bank has a variety of products and services to assist our customers in Angleton and throughout South Texas. Learn more about our savings and retirement plans, or discover how our business loans can help your venture take advantage of great opportunities.
Business owners with locations in the downtown Angleton business district can now take advantage of a grant program available since the summer of 2011. The program is available to downtown commercial property owners or business lessees (with written authorization from the property owner). The Facade Grant program promises up to $4,000 in matching funds to assist local businesses with the appearance of their building facades – those visible to the public right-of-way. The overall goal of the program is to promote the development and expansion of Angleton businesses, increasing employment opportunities and economic stability within the local community.
Business owners interested in applying can find information about the Angleton Facade Grant eligibility requirements and program specifics on the Angleton website, and there can also find links to download an application and brochure about the grants. Applications are also available at Angleton City Hall and at the Angleton Chamber of Commerce. Several Angleton businesses have already taken advantage of this great opportunity and the Angleton business district is sure to continue its facelift in the months to come!
Texas Gulf Bank is also a great resource for local business, whether just starting out or looking to expand. In addition to a large variety of business loans, TGB also offers cash management services for local businesses.
West Columbia, Texas – A Certified Retirement Community
You’ve worked hard your entire life, raised a family, and are now looking forward to taking it easy during your retirement. If you’re looking for a great place to call home after you retire, West Columbia, Texas invites you to consider relocating to beautiful Brazoria County, Texas. The West Columbia community has quite a lot to offer the active retiree, including a full schedule of community events, a low cost of living and a favorable tax structure.
The West Columbia government website provides a full list of all the many reasons to consider West Columbia, a “Certified Retirement Community”. Peruse the links to critical information concerning continuing education, housing options, health services, public transportation and a variety of entertainment options. The first capital of the Republic of Texas welcomes you and invites you to learn more about all that awaits you in South Texas!
Texas Gulf Bank is a proud member of the West Columbia community with our banking center located at 109 East Brazos. We have provided a full spectrum of banking products and services to South Texas since opening our first branch in 1913. TGB currently has eight banking centers in three Texas counties to serve our Texas customers; find out how we can help solidify your financial future.
Wonderland in Friendswood?
“Curiouser and curiouser” as Alice said, and if you are the least bit curious about the Teen presentation of Alice In Wonderland being presented at the Purple Box Theater in Friendswood, then quell that curiosity and go see the show! Alice In Wonderland is a classic enjoyed by children of all ages. It will be presented by Teens Onstage in late April with shows on Friday the 27th at 7:30 PM, Saturday the 28th at 7:30 PM and Sunday, the 29th at 3 PM. Admission is $10 or $5 for children 8 years and younger. Tickets are available online (includes a surcharge) or at the theater box office.
Come reconnect with Alice, the Caterpillar, Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the March Hare and all your Wonderland favorite characters and discover how much sense can be derived from nonsense. Remember why this story has been beloved by generations since it was written by Lewis Carroll in 1865.
The Purple Box is located at 1309 Parkwood in Friendswood, and additional information can be found on their website. In addition to Alice and other great shows, the theater provides acting lessons for kids, teens and adults and a large number of other community acting programs and opportunities. Support this community gem by volunteering, attending shows, advertising or participating!
The Texas Gulf Bank-Friendswood banking center recently relocated to its new, permanent home at 1003 Friendswood Drive. TGB continues to be a stable, financially secure community banking institution offering services to both individuals and businesses. We’re proud to call Friendswood home and hope you’ll join us at The Purple Box to watch the incomparable adventures of Alice.
Spring Concert Series Comes To Lake Jackson
Spring in Lake Jackson brings with it the Spring Concert Series, free to the public! Come join us on Friday evenings from April 20th through May 18th for some great music under the stars. Concerts are held at the Lake Jackson Civic Center Memorial Plaza, at 25 Oak Drive in Lake Jackson. All shows are from 7 – 9 PM, rain or shine. Feel free to bring lawn chairs and refreshments, but no glass containers please!
This year’s talent line-up includes:
- To kick-off the season, Texas singer/songwriter Mike Blakely shares his version of TexAmericana music, and Woody Eastman performs original Folk and Americana tunes on April 20th.
- April 27th brings the Dennis Davis band to the stage, with their unique blend of Country, Folk Rock and Tropical sounds.
- Local favorite the Intercoastal Pirates perform on May 4th, with high-energy favorites from Texas Country, Blues, Rock from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, plus original tunes.
- Checkered Past will get the crowd moving on May 11th, with Classic Rock and Dance favorites, plus Modern Rock.
- Rounding out the concert series will be the Buck Yeager Band with their Country, Folk and Rock sound.
Come join your Lake Jackson neighbors for some great music and beautiful Texas spring weather. Additional information about the concert series can be found on the website of the City of Lake Jackson.
Texas Gulf Bank is just around the corner from the Memorial Plaza with our banking center at 203 This Way in Lake Jackson, and invites you to stop by to discuss our financial products and services. We have been a member of the Lake Jackson banking community since 1994 and a Brazoria County community business since 1913.
