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MAYORAL SPEECH, MARDI GRAS FUN, CLASSES LEAD WEEK

BY THE COMMERCIAL STAFF
Monday, January 29, 2007 9:57 AM CST

Pine Bluff Mayor Carl Redus Jr. will deliver his state of the city address today, St. Peter’s Catholic Church is planning to celebrate Mardi Gras and the Shepherd Centers of America will hold spring classes.

Redus has invited all residents to attend his annual address on city government. The address will begin at 10 a.m. today at the Pine Bluff Convention Center.

In last year’s message, the mayor stressed the city’s crime rate as one of the top issues, saying the crime rate was “horrible” and “we can’t continue to exist” unless crime in the city is brought under control.

“Pine Bluffians will no longer settle for anything less than a higher standard of living, a better quality of life. Safety, success and self-respect are essential components of that higher quality of life,” Redus said last year.

It’s time for a Mardi Gras celebration at St. Peter’s Catholic Church this week.

The 14th annual Mardi Gras Ball will feature Cajun food, colorful beads, traditional second-line dancing and the crowning of the 2007 king and queen.

The event will be held from 9 p.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. in the St. Peter’s School gymnasium, 16th Avenue and State Street.

Through the vision of Nola Harrison and the late Jean Giblin, parishioners at St. Peter’s, the annual Mardi Gras Ball has been a fun-filled event, as well as a fund-raiser to benefit the school’s educational programs.

Mardi Gras — French for “Fat Tuesday” — is the single culminating day of the Carnival season. The celebration of Mardi Gras dates back to 1837, when the first street parade took place. It is always celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday.

The members of the Altar and Rosary Society of St. Peter’s are sponsoring the event. Ilona Fontenette is the president of the organization. Details: Call Mae Dean Ryles at 534-0725.

This week at Lakeside United Methodist Church, 15th Avenue and Olive Street, the Pine Bluff Chapter of Shepherd Centers of America will begin spring classes Wednesday. Registration will be in the classrooms and there will be a $10 class fee. Classes are held from 9:45 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays for eight weeks.

The classes include Mexican train dominoes, Canasta, art workshops, basket weaving, chair weaving, beginning computers plus using your computer for digital photography (this class will be held from 9 to 10:30 a.m.) knitting and crocheting, beginning organ, uilting, line dancing, bird watching.

Also this week:

Frank Anthony, superintendent of Pine Bluff School District, will be the guest speaker at the Pine Bluff Rotary Club meeting on Tuesday at noon at the Pine Bluff Country Club. Anthony is expected to give an update on the district’s building programs.

The West Pine Bluff Rotary Club is scheduled to meet at noon Thursday at the Pine Bluff Country Club.

Pine Bluff High School is hosting a Financial Aid Night for seniors and their parents or guardians at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Little Theater. Donna Cox, financial aid officer at Southeast Arkansas College, will make a presentation on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and will provide scholarship information. Ester Chapman from Simmons First National Bank will also be available to discuss student loans.

Survivors of Hurricane Katrina who have not registered with an Arkansas Workforce Center should do so by Jan. 31 to receive help for job searches, employment training and referrals for other resources. Assistance is available at workforce centers for evacuees in Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson and Lincoln counties. Details: visit the Arkansas Workforce Center at Regency Square or call 575-9797.

On Saturday, beginning at 6:30 p.m., the Evergreen Music Group of Jefferson County will present a Southern gospel music concert at South Side Baptist Church, 23rd Avenue and Poplar Street. This will be the first in a series of concerts promoted by Evergreen. The nationally known group, the Mark Trammell Trio, will headline the event. Tickets are $10 and may be purchased in advance or at the door through South Side Baptist. Seating is limited. Details: Call the church at 534-6301.

The Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will host a book signing by author Laura Parker Castoro of Pine Bluff at 6 p.m. Thursday at the center. The book, “Icing on the Cake,” is Castoro’s newest release. Refreshments will be served. There is no cost to attend, but the book will be available for purchase that evening at the center. Details: Call 536-3375 or visit the center at 701 S. Main St. Additional information is also available at the center’s Web site at www.artssciencecenter.org

The Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will present Live at Five from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s Jazz Ensemble will bring the life and times of Duke Ellington to life via spoken words, images and dance. This special presentation is in recognition of Black History Month. Live at Five is a monthly offering at the center, where entertainers perform live and locals gather to mix and mingle in a safe, comfortable atmosphere. The cost is $5 per person, which includes refreshments. Anyone who is interested in performing at future Live at Five events or who wishes to sponsor an evening of entertainment may contact Pat Hopkins at the center. Details: Call 536-3375 or visit the center at 701 S. Main St. Additional information is available by visiting the Web site at www.artssciencecenter.org.

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