OBAMA, ELDERS LIVEN PB’S WEEK

By The Commercial Staff

A book by President Barack Obama will be the topic of the Community Read event, the Pine Bluff Planning Commission will hold a meeting and two Gospel groups will perform concerts this week.

Nearly 200 copies of Obama’s book, “The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream,” have been checked out in response to the countywide Community Read sponsored by the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas and the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Public Library. The purpose of a Community Read is to bring residents together reading and talking about one book.

A review and discussion of the book will be held at 5 p.m. Friday at the Arts & Science Center, 701 Main St. A reception will follow at 6 p.m. Residents are encouraged to come and share their thoughts on the book. Door prizes, including several books and calendars about Obama, also will be given away by the library during the evening.

Meanwhile, the Pine Bluff Planning Commission will meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the City Council chambers. The agenda includes:

  • Use Permit on Review request by Second CHANGE Recovery Center to operate homeless drug and alcohol treatment and transitional housing at 2002 W. 27th and 2003 W.. 28th avenues in a B-1 Neighborhood Business zone

  • Use Permit on Review request by Curtis Smith to reside in a single family dwelling and operate a furniture business out of it in a B-3 Commercial zone, located at 331 S. Blake St.

  • Use Permit on Review request by LANCAM Towing & Transportation to operate a towing facility and salvage yard in an I-3 Industrial zone, located at 2110 W. Sixth Ave.

  • Use Permit on Review request by College Heights Church of Christ to construct a new church facility in an R-4 Residential zone on property located at 1313 N. Magnolia St.

    On the Gospel music scene in the Pine Bluff area, two groups are hosting concerts this week.

    Friday at 7 p.m., Dedric Jones and Chosen Praise will conduct a live CD/DVD recording at St. James United Methodist Church.

    The Pine Bluff ensemble has appeared in numerous venues including performances on the national scene with well-known artists.

    The critically acclaimed group will present their second recording which focuses on the theme of being healed in every area of one's life.

    The Voices of Praise at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff will host their first Unity in Praise Gospel Explosion at 6 p.m. Saturday at St. John A.M.E. Church. Guests include singers from the University of Central Arkansas , Henderson State University , Southern Arkansas University, Philander Smith College, and UAPB.

    Also this week:

  • Pine Bluff 20/20's education forums will feature a meeting with students today beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center.

  • The United Way of Southeast Arkansas will hold a public meeting at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in rooms A&B of the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center to announce results of its fall 2008 fund-raising campaign.

  • Pine Bluff Rotary Club will meet at noon Tuesday at the Pine Bluff Country Club. During Farmer Appreciation Day, the speaker will be Stanley E. Reed, president of the Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance of Arkansas.

  • West Pine Bluff Rotary Club will meet Thursday at Pine Bluff Country Club. Stuart Jones, a Rotary scholar from Pine Bluff who studied at St. Andrews University in Scotland, will be the speaker.

  • UAPB will host its Youth Motivation Task Force program with professionals from companies throughout the country visiting classrooms and talking with students. The program will also feature a visit by nationally known speaker and author Michael Eric Dyson at 11 a.m. Wednesday during the YMTF assembly. Details: Call 575-8000.

  • Dr. Joycelyn Elders, former U.S. Surgeon General, will be the featured speaker during a Black History program at 10 a.m. Thursday at Jack Robey Junior High School . Details: Call 543-4289.

  • The Center of Compassion , 1210 S. Cherry St ., Suite 19, a program that helps people recovering from susbstance abuse, holds a "Keep It Real Cocaine Anonymous Group" meeting from 6-7:30 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The agency will also host a free HIV Awareness Seminar at Jefferson Comprehensive Care System, today from 10 a.m. to noon. Details: Call Shirley Sanders, chief executive officer of the Center of Compassion, at 540-6779.

  • A poultry producers meeting will be held Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the new meeting room at the Cleveland County Fairgrounds at Rison.

    A $5 fee will be charged to cover the cost of materials. The event will allow local producers to discuss litter moisture management, ventilation, and bird health. Dr. Susan Watkins, a University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension poultry specialist, will speak at the meeting. Participants may call the Cleveland County Extension office at 325-6321 to reserve a seat.

  • The Jefferson County Spelling Bee for students in kindergarten to 3rd grade will be held at the Pine Bluff High School Little Theater at 5:30 p.m. today.

  • The 2009 Fordyce Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual meeting and awards banquet at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Fordyce High School cafeteria. The keynote speaker will be U.S. Rep. Mike Ross of the 4th Congressional District. Tickets are available at the Fordyce Chamber at 119 W. Third St. in Fordyce, as well from any chamber director for $20 each. Details: Call (870) 352-3520.

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