Dogs, dinosaurs, and empanadas worth the drive

THE WEEK AHEAD · OCTOBER 13–18

Saturday gives you plenty of reasons to get out: dogs downtown, dinosaurs at the museum, and a pumpkin walk after dark.

Good stuff is coming up before the weekend, too. A free sports-history talk, an evening in the gardens, and a few chances to meet your neighbors. Here’s your week ahead.

Around town and on stage, October 13–18. Halloween plans are in the orange box below.

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13

Remembering the Radio · 10–11:30 AM · McFaddin-Ward House Visitor Center, 1906 Calder Ave., Beaumont · Free. Homeschool workshop for ages 8–12. Children must attend with an adult. No registration required; seating is limited.

Día de los Muertos craft evening · 5–7 PM · Groves Public Library meeting room, 5600 W. Washington, Groves · Free; all ages. Decorate a glass candle holder, make paper marigolds, and learn about the tradition. Snacks and drinks provided.

Jefferson County Candidate Debate & Meet and Greet · Tuesday, 5:30–7:30 PM · Betty Greenberg Center, 4155 Laurel Ave. · Free and nonpartisan. Meet candidates at 5:30; debates at 6:15. RSVP encouraged: [email protected].

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14

Port Arthur Fall Career Connection 2026 · 10 AM–1 PM · Robert A. (Bob) Bower Civic Center, 3401 Cultural Center Dr., Port Arthur · Cost not listed. Meet employers face-to-face at this public hiring event hosted by the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce.

Open Mic Night · 8–11 PM · Logon Cafe, 3805 Calder Ave., Beaumont · No cover. Sign-up begins at 7:30 PM.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15

The Texas Sports Revolution · 6:30–8 PM · McFaddin-Ward House Visitor Center, 1906 Calder Ave., Beaumont · Free. Historian Frank A. Guridy explores Texas's role in changing American sports.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16

The CoverUps · 8 PM · Logon Cafe, 3805 Calder Ave., Beaumont · Cost not listed. Dance, pop, and rock from a local party band.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17

Beaumont Farmers Market · 8–11 AM · 6525 College St., Beaumont · Purchases priced by vendor; entry price not separately listed. Produce, baked goods, and locally made foods.

Yoga at Cattail Marsh · 9:30–10:30 AM · Wetlands Education Center, 4233 Babe Zaharias Dr., Beaumont · Free; online registration requested on the city page.

Free Family Arts Day · 10 AM–2 PM · Art Museum of Southeast Texas, 500 Main St., Beaumont · Free. Hands-on art activities for children of all ages.

Touch-a-Truck & S.T.E.A.M. Fair · 10 AM–4 PM · Beaumont Children’s Museum, 701 Main St., Beaumont · $10; annual members and Museums for All members $5. Includes trucks and hands-on activities, plus museum admission. Online registration closes Friday at noon; Museums for All tickets must be purchased in person.

ON STAGE

Big Thicket Hogs and Strings Music Fest & Cook-off · 10:30 AM–9 PM · Indian Springs Campground, 6106 Holland Cemetery Rd., Kountze · Cost not listed. Music and barbecue benefit Indian Springs Camp's work supporting wounded veterans, disabled children, and first responders. Country and Americana music, barbecue, and a fundraiser for Indian Springs Camp. Check tickets and individual set times.

Ron Barrett at Pine Tree Lodge · 7 PM · Pine Tree Lodge, 3296 Pine Tree Rd., Beaumont · Cost not listed. Country music from Ron Barrett.

The Rick Show's final show · 8 PM · Logon Cafe, 3805 Calder Ave., Beaumont · Cost not listed. Rick Busby and Rick Danna reunite with Stephen Doc Watson, Kenny Wiebusch, and Josh Courts.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18

Hoo's There? Owl workshop · 2:30–4:30 PM · Tyrrell Park Nature & Visitor Center, 3930 Babe Zaharias Dr., Beaumont · Free; advance registration required. Dissect an owl pellet with guided instruction. An adult chaperone must stay; check available seats.

THROUGHOUT THE WEEK

Scarecrow Festival · Tuesday–Saturday, 9 AM–5 PM, through October 24 · Shangri La Gardens, 2111 W. Park Ave., Orange · Free. Walk the scarecrow displays and vote for your favorite. Last entry is 4:30 PM.

Falling for Flower Arrangement · Tuesday, October 20, 10–11:30 AM · McFaddin-Ward House Visitor Center, 1906 Calder Ave., Beaumont · Free; ages 21 and up. No registration required; limited seating.

Wine Down with Rotary · Thursday, October 22, 6–8:30 PM · The Event Centre, 700 Crockett St., downtown Beaumont · $40 in advance; $50 at the door. Hosted by The Rotary Club of Beaumont, with live entertainment by Hunter Courts. For tickets and info, call (409) 842-1913.

Cardinal Jazz Orchestra · Thursday, October 22, 7:30–9 PM · Rothwell Recital Hall, Susan and Jimmy Simmons Music Building, Lamar University, Beaumont · Free and open to the public. Guest tenor saxophonist Adam Larson.

Waitress · Saturday, October 24, 7 PM · Lutcher Theater, 707 Main Ave., Orange · $68–$128 including fees. Touring musical with music by Sara Bareilles. Mature content noted by the theater.

Somewhere good to eat this week.

Get the empanadas. Trust Frankie on the rest.

If you've driven past BB's Tex-Orleans on Calder and wondered what's back there, here's the answer: a big outdoor courtyard, a huge game-day screen, covered seating, and a little play area for the kids.

I stopped in on a Monday right when they opened, sat at the bar while I waited on my to-go order, and met Frankie. She made me feel welcome from the minute I walked in.

I ordered enough food to try a little of everything, but here's what I'd tell you to get first: the Cajun empanadas. Shrimp and crawfish in a creamy filling, with avocado ranch for dipping. I ate every single one.

Frankie recommended the stuffed flounder, something I never would have picked on my own. It was tasty, and the portion was generous. The collard greens were spicy, just like she warned me. We also tried the fried shrimp basket, which was a hit.

Would I go back? Absolutely. And those empanadas are going back on my order.

Good to know: BB's lists Tuesday kids' meal specials on its website. Check the current details before you go.

BB's Tex-Orleans · 2325 Calder Ave., Beaumont · See the Beaumont menu and hours.

That's the week. Go see something good.

I'd go. You should too,
Jenny

Jenny Lee · Locally written. Community trusted.