SMOKE ON THE WATER, 2 NEW EXHIBITS HIGHLIGHT WEEK

BY THE COMMERCIAL STAFF

The arts and science Center will celebrate the opening of two new exhibits and the Smoke on the Water Festival will be featured this week.

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will celebrate the grand opening of two new exhibits, “Las Artes de Mexico” and “Mystery of the Mayan Medallion” with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the center. The reception will include music and dancing.

“Las Artes de Mexico,” on loan from the Gilcrease Museum at Tulsa, Okla., will be on view through Nov. 4. It celebrates the rich and diverse artistic traditions of Mexico and examines more than 3,500 years of art and culture, from the ancient worlds of the Mayans and Aztecs to the 20th-century works of Miguel Covarrubias and Diego Rivera.

“Mystery of the Mayan Medallion,” provided by the Arkansas Discovery Network, is an intuitive, hands-on exhibit that takes its participants deep into the South American jungles to decipher and uncover a series of clues that will ultimately lead them to a treasure of great knowledge. The exhibit will continue through Nov. 15.

Details: Call the center at 536-3375 or visit the Web site at www.artssciencecenter.org.

Organizers of Pine Bluff’s annual Smoke on the Water Festival, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Regional Park expect about 200 barbecue teams to participate this year.

“By offering a total of $50,000 in prize money,” said Ron Cates, who conceived the signature cook-off, “we will attract the best competition cooks in the United States.”

A Jimmy Buffett tribute from Parrots of the Caribbean and a show by the legendary Dennis DeYoung, former lead vocalist for Styx, will highlight this year’s music festival.

Admission Friday is $5. Saturday’s admission is $5 from noon to 5 p.m. and $10 thereafter. Children under 12 will be admitted free.

Also this week:

  • Norm Lavers will present a program on insects at the meeting of the Three Rivers Chapter of the National Audubon Society at the Pine Bluff Country Club Thursday starting at 6 p.m. with a Dutch-treat dinner and the program at 7:30 p.m. No reservations are needed; guests will order from a selected menu. The program, a slide show, explodes with a startling opening and showcases the colorful world of insects, which most do not know exists the spokesman said.

  • In honor of National Assisted Living Week, which continues through Saturday, the Whispering Knoll and Garden Pointe Assisted Living Facilities will host a week-long celebration. Festivities will end with an open house/free health screenings from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and a performance by the Southeast Arkansas Male Chorus at 1 p.m.

  • Members of the Jefferson County Republican Women are reminded to bring donations for their Troops’ Project when they meet Thursday. The meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. at The Spot, 2520 W. 28th Ave. Visitors are welcome, according to a spokesman for the group. Details: Call 541-0519 or 267-1909.

  • The Pine Bluff Chapter of Shepherd Centers of America will begin its fall session of classes Wednesday and continue through Oct. 31. Classes will be held from 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. Wednesdays at Lakeside United Methodist Church, 15th Avenue and Olive Street. A registration fee of $10 will be charged for all classes. More information is available by calling Moore at (870) 329-3042.

  • The Shooting Sports Club of the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Jefferson County 4-H will meet Tuesday at 5 p.m. This program is for youth, 9-19 years old. Organizers are seeking youth interested in participating and volunteer adult leaders for this program. Shooting sports is a good way for youth to learn teamwork, leadership skills, communication skills, conservation, decision making skills, self discipline, and ethical behavior. Details: Call Eric Howard at the extension office, 534-1033.

  • A trial is scheduled to begin Tuesday at the federal courthouse in Pine Bluff in a lawsuit filed by three Watson Chapel School District students and their parents last year. Jury selection is expected to begin at 8:45 a.m.

  • Watson Chapel School Board will meet at 7 p.m. today at the district administration building.

  • Dollarway School Board will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the district administation building.

  • White Hall School Board will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the district administration building.

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