Editor's Note: At press time, the following events and meetings were known to be still scheduled. Organizers or appropriate officials are encouraged to contact Sandra Hope at [email protected] or use our newsroom email [email protected] to make additions or changes.
Wednesday, March 20
Lawn and Garden workshop set
The Jefferson County Extension Horticulture Department, in partnership with the Jefferson County Master Gardeners, will present Homeowner Workshop 101: Lawn and Garden – How to Fertilize Your Lawn -- at 10 a.m. March 20 at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service, 500 Idaho St. The community is invited to attend. Details: County Agent Timothy Wallace, (870) 534-1033 or [email protected]
Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesday. Pastors, ministers or others interested in writing for the Devotional Page may also submit columns for consideration. Column writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Articles should be submitted by email to Sandra Hope at [email protected] or [email protected]. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Beginning Wednesday, March 20
Gould church holds revival
Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church of Gould will conduct spring revival at 7 p.m. March 20-21. The speaker will be the Rev. Walter Witherspoon, pastor of the True Harvest Missionary Baptist Church of Dumas, accompanied by his congregation. Everyone is welcomed to worship with the church in this revival. The Rev. Phillip Puckett is the pastor at Mt. Moriah.
Thursday, March 21
Retired Teachers Group to meet
The Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association will meet at 11:30 a.m. March 21 in the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave., according to a news release. The program will focus on a healthy lifestyle and exercises for retirees led by Jason Rogers from the Jefferson Regional Medical Center Wellness Center, Louis Moss with the LM Striders, and Jeremy Matthews from the Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas. Reservations are required for the luncheon provided by Rice First Class Catering at $12 per person. Members are asked to bring a can of baked beans to be donated to Neighbor to Neighbor to assist families in need. For details and to make luncheon reservations call (870) 543-0127.
Friday, March 22
Catfish Friday Blues & Soul Night set
Chris Pitts will be featured at the Catfish Friday Blues & Soul Night monthly series at 7 p.m. March 22. The free event will be held at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator, 615 S. Main St. The doors open at 6 p.m. This event is sponsored by the Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission and co-sponsored by the UAPB Business Support Incubator and Delta Rhythm & Bayous Alliance, according to a news release. Now performing as Chris Pitts in the Memphis Prime as lead vocalist and guitarist, he is joined by friends Tay, Russ, and Courtney. Details: www.ExplorePineBluff.com.
Reception set for Quotidian Moments display
The ARTx3 Campus will host an opening reception for "Quotidian Moments: Different Lenses," an exhibition by Rhaelene Lowther and Anna Zusman, from 5-7 p.m. March 22. The exhibition will be in the Ben J. Altheimer Gallery at the Arts & Science Center. "This collaborative exhibition was born from the scenic walks the two Magnolia-based artists took together during the pandemic," according to the release. "They discovered that they responded most to transformation and directed to subject matter related to seasons, lighting, weather and lifecycles." The exhibition will be on view through June 29. For more information, contact Kevin Haynie, curator of collections and exhibitions, at [email protected] or call (870) 536-3375. Visit artx3.org/exhibitions for a list of current and coming exhibitions.
Through Friday, March 22
Chamber seeks Expo Award nominations
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations for the 2024 Business Person of the Year and Non-Profit of the Year awards. The awards will be announced during the Business Expo Breakfast beginning at 7:30 a.m. May 2 at Pine Bluff Convention Center. All nomination forms are due by March 22 at 5 p.m., according to a news release. Award winners from the past 10 years aren't eligible for 2024 awards. Those individuals and organizations are listed on the nomination form. Details: https://files.constantcontact.com/91329166001/b9a0a7c2-968a-4af4-a9d1-7347216f932d.pdf?rdr=true.
LIHEAP applications available
The Winter 2024 Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funding is available to help households with their home energy costs. The Central Delta Community Action Agency began accepting applications Jan. 8. The Jefferson County office is located at 511 Commerce Road, Suite 3, in Pine Bluff. No short forms were mailed out this season, and all applicants will be required to complete a long form and submit all required documents, according to a news release. These documents include copies of driver's licenses and Social Security cards for all household members over the age of 18, proof of income for all household members over the age of 18, and copies of all utility bills. The program will be open for regular applications through March 22. Crisis applications will continue to be accepted beyond that until the program closes for the season. To apply, people may visit a Central Delta Community Action Agency office in Arkansas, Cleveland, Grant, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties or apply by email to [email protected]. Details: (870) 536-0046.
Lenten Fish Fry dinners set
The Knights of Columbus Annual Lenten Fish Fry is being held from 5-7 p.m. every Friday through March (except Good Friday, March 29) at St. Joseph Catholic Church, West Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street. People can eat in for the all-you-can-eat dinner or get carry out plates, according to a news release. Dinners for adults are $15 and children $8.
Saturday, March 23
Game On Main set
The ARTx3 Campus is bringing back Game on Main, a program providing space for youths in grades 5-12 to play games and socialize. The first Game on Main of 2024 is March 23. The monthly program will be on the fourth Saturday of the month from 1-3 p.m. at The ARTSpace on Main. Participants can enjoy classic board games like Monopoly and chess and get into STEAM activities in the computer lab. This is a free event facilitated by ARTx3 staff. No registration is required. For more information, contact Bethany Gere at [email protected].
Sunday, March 24
New Community hosts Kingdom Builders
New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St., will present its Kingdom Builders program at 6 p.m. March 24. The featured speaker will be the Rev. David Morgan. New Community invites everyone to attend. The church also has prayer at noon on weekdays and children's church at 11 a.m. Sundays and guests are welcome to attend. The pastor/apostle at New Community is Patrick Lockett.
Monday, March 25
PB school board to meet
Pine Bluff School Board will hold its regularly scheduled board meeting at 6:30 p.m. March 25 in the boardroom of the Jordan Chanay Administrative Center, 1215 W. Pullen St. Details: (870) 543-4203.
GVI University set in Pine Bluff
The Pine Bluff Group Violence Intervention will conduct GVI University from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. March 25 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. GVI University is a one-day working session to educate key city partners and stakeholders on the key components of the Group Violence Intervention. The public is invited to attend, according to a news release. GVI University is a seminar-style discussion with key executive stakeholders from the city such as multi-agency law enforcement leadership, community leadership, and committed social service providers.Led by Kevin Johnson and Debra Higens, National Network for Safe Communities (NNSC) staff, GVI University provides a comprehensive overview of GVI. The session is also an opportunity for NNSC to begin to discuss with key stakeholders how the framework can be tailored to suit Pine Bluff's particular on-the-ground violence dynamics. Kevin Crumpton Sr. is the director of the Pine Bluff Group Violence Intervention.
Tuesday, March 26
Runoff election, early voting set
The Jefferson County Clerk's Office announced election related dates regarding the April 2 runoff. Early voting will be held March 26 through April 1. Two races will be on the ballot: Pine Bluff mayoral race between Mayor Shirley Washington and state Rep. Vivian Flowers as well as 3rd Ward city council position between Council Member Glen Brown Sr. and William Fells. For details on absenttee ballot applications or other information, contact the Jefferson County Clerk's Office at (870) 541-5322.
Thursday, March 28
Simmons plans ribbon cutting
Simmons Bank will host a ribbon cutting celebration from 2-3 p.m. March 28 at its new branch, 1400 E. Harding Ave. Refreshments will be served after the ribbon cutting. RSVP by March 20 to Samantha Robertson at [email protected], according to a flier.
Adult art classes set at Grand Prairie
The Arts Center of the Grand Prairie at Stuttgart announces classes for adults. Senior art 65 class will be held from 3-5 p.m. March 28. Participants complete a painting covering a wide variety of mediums with artist Monica Petter. The tuition is $5. To attend classes, contact the arts center at (870) 673-1781 and or [email protected].
VA sets date for virtual claims clinic
The Little Rock VA Regional Office will hold a virtual claims clinic for Arkansas veterans from 4-6 p.m. March 28. To reserve a timeslot, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 before 4 p.m. March 27, according to a news release. Veterans may speak one-on-one to staff of the Little Rock VA Regional Office regarding their current claims or to file new claims for VA benefits. VA disability compensation offers a monthly tax-free payment to veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to veterans whose service made an existing condition worse, according to the release. For more details, visit http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ or call 800-827-1000.
GOP to meet
The Jefferson County Republican Committee will host its monthly meeting at 6 p.m. March 28 at Larry's Pizza in White Hall, according to a news release.
Through Friday, March 29
Lybrand scholarship available
The Jerry and Glenda Lybrand Memorial Scholarship will be awarded by the White Hall Sports Hall of Fame Committee. Completed applications must be submitted to the high school counselor's office by March 29, according to a post on the Chamber's Facebook page.
Saturday, March 30
Pleasant Grove offers food
Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1801 Indiana St., will give away food to those in need from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30. The effort will be provided by the church's soup kitchen and pantry, according to a news release.
Sunday, March 31
Grant applications open for educators
Arkansas public-school personnel are encouraged to apply for the 2024 Arkansas Retired Teachers Association (ARTA) Grants Program. Applications must be submitted online and the deadline is March 31, according to a news release. The program funds grants in two categories. The Parsons-Burnett Grant is awarded to certified personnel to help further their education. The Mitchell-Fair Grant is awarded to classified personnel for the purpose of obtaining an Arkansas teaching license. Details: www.artanow.com.
Through Sunday, March 31
Arsenal announces controlled burns
The Arkansas Forestry Division will be conducting controlled burns at the Pine Bluff Arsenal today until the end of March, depending on the weather. The community should not be alarmed if they see large plumes of smoke coming from the Arsenal during this time, according to a news release. These burns serve as an environmental benefit, not only to reduce wildfire risk by removing fuel levels and loading from the forest floor, but also act as timber stand and wildlife habitat improvements.
Through Monday, April 1
Deadline set for architecture camp
The Alex Foundation is accepting applications for its architecture and design summer camp recognized by the American Institute of Architects. The free commuter camp will be held for rising 7th graders from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 15-19 and July 22-26. The deadline to apply is April 1, according to a news release. Students will design and build small scale models of structures and historic buildings and create three-dimensional computer models. They will also learn to use drones to make STEM connections, learn engineering and allied professions of architecture. For details and to apply, visit www.alex-foundation.org.
Through Thursday, April 4
Synergy Forum offers grants
Synergy Forum Inc. is accepting grant applications for its 2024 grant cycle. Registered non-profit organizations -- IRS 501(c)(3) public charities, public schools, government agencies, and the hospital in Jefferson County -- are eligible to apply. Synergy grants fund projects for the benefit of residents in Jefferson County in the areas of the arts, education, and social services, according to a news release. Applications should be requested by March 12, completed and then submitted by April 4. For an applications and details, email [email protected]. Applications will only be accepted by email.
Through Friday, April 5
Applications available for AgDiscovery
Applications are being accepted for AgDiscovery, a residential career and science exploration program for teens, said Christopher C. Mathis Jr., AgDiscovery program director. The program is scheduled for June 8-21 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. April 5 is the application deadline, according to a news release. "There are 20 universities participating in AgDiscovery 2024," Mathis said. "During the application process, students can select their host university." A complete list of host universities, application forms and details are available at www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery. Mathis said the program allows participants ages 14-17 to live on the UAPB campus and learn about agricultural science, environmental biology, industrial health and safety, plant and soil science, animal science, aquaculture and fisheries, and human sciences from university professors, practicing veterinarians and U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service professionals.
4-H Poster Art contest set
The Jefferson County 4-H Poster Art Contest is open to all 4-H members ages 9-19. Posters should be submitted to the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service by April 5. Posters can be horizontal or vertical and can be created using any of the following mediums: ink, crayon, acrylic, charcoal, colored pencil, collage or digital. Posters should only contain original creations. "Please refrain from using any copyrighted material," county agent Timothy Wallace said in a news release. Details: Timothy Wallace at (870) 534-1033 or [email protected].
Beginning Friday, April 5
Heart and SoulAr Eclipse Festival set
The Heart and SoulAr Eclipse Festival will be held from April 5-8 and coincides with the solar eclipse April 8. The Heart and SoulAr Eclipse Festival will feature events including the Eclipse Golf Tournament, Oil Painting with artist Brenda Lawrence, the Riverfront Jazz Festival -- Sooth Your Soul, SoulAR Time with Jesus, and the Shells & Shadows Solar Crawfish Boil, and will culminate with Eclipse Viewing Parties at Saracen Landing and Pine Bluff's Main Library.
Saturday, April 6
Area Agency announces Bass Tournament
The Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will host the 26th annual AAASEA Reeling for Meals Bass Tournament on April 6 at Pine Bluff Regional Park. Boats will launch according to their paid registration numbers. The early entry fee is $110 per two-person team, which also puts the participant in the $500 Big Bass Pot. The entry fee includes two tickets to the King Kat Fish Fry immediately following the weigh-in, according to a news release. The tournament winners will receive a $2,500 cash prize, and the top 10 places are guaranteed cash prizes, as well. Additionally, the first 75 registered teams will receive a free official tournament shirt. Area Agency provides many services to seniors and those with disabilities including home care, transportation, senior centers, and Meals on Wheels. For detaials, call Area Agency at (870) 543-6300 or toll-free at 800-264-3260 or email Samantha Stichert at [email protected] or Lauren Bland at [email protected].
Through Saturday, April 6
Unified scholarships available
Unified Christian Alliance Inc. is accepting applications for its 2024-2025 Academic Scholarship Program for high school seniors planning to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The deadline for submission is April 6. Scholarships will be granted based on submitted short essays, and applicants should meet UAPB grade point requirements, according to a news release. Interested students may obtain application forms and guidelines from their counselors' offices or visit the link at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfyMCN8ddqsTSx0f2IyVfCYL__98C_HtOJLBSdm6jlU0sB4lA/viewform. Applications and essays may also be mailed to Unified Christian Alliance Inc., 1709 E. Eighth Ave., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601. Inquiries or email submissions can be directed to Jennifer Lee, Unified Christian Alliance president, at jenniferlee1321@sbcglobal or call (870) 692-0257 or Deborah Thomas, committee member, at [email protected].
Sunday, April 7
Chamber sets eclipse crawfish boil
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold a "Shells & Shadows" Solar Crawfish Boil before the historic solar eclipse that will leave many parts of Arkansas in complete darkness. The crawfish boil will be held from 3-6 p.m. April 7 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas/ARTx3, 701 S. Main St., in the alleyway and parking lot. Tickets are $50 per person. "Desert Rose," a group made up of teenagers from the area, will provide entertainment. "While Pine Bluff will not be in complete darkness, we will be close at 98% totality, and we anticipate and influx of visitors to lodge and dine in our city," according to the Chamber newsletter. There will be crawfish, music and beverages. For tickets or details, call the Chamber at (870) 535-0110 or email Jennifer Kline at [email protected].
Beginning Saturday, April 6
Blues concert series set
The Port City Blues Society will host the third "Blues By Budweiser" concert series at RJ's Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main Street. The doors open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. Port City members are admitted free. There is a $5 cover charge for non-members. MK Distributors is the sponsor, according to a news release. Concerts for 2024-2025 include: April 6, Duwayne Burnside; May 4, Tina Cossey Band; June 1, Kent Burnside Band; July 6, Ghost Town Blues Band; Aug. 3, Amanda Fish; Sept. 7, Garry Burnside Band; Oct. 5, Dirty Red and the Soul Shakers; Nov. 2, Jerry McCoy and the Groove Diggers; Dec. 7, Fonky Donkey; Jan. 4, 2025, Trey Johnson and Jason Willmon; and Feb. 1, 2025, Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain.
Saturday, April 13
Redix Project sets gala at WH
The Benjamen Redix Project will hold its first gala at 7 p.m. April 13 at the White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road. The doors will open at 6 p.m. The speaker will be Officer Tommy Norman, according to a flier on the center's Facebook page. "Benjamen Redix was a 2023 senior of White Hall High School. He tragically died the night before graduation. He was a star athlete and was loved and respected by many. After his death, his mother started a foundation called the Benjamen Redix Project," according to the flier. Tickets to the gala are $100 and available at Carpe Diem, 7105 Dollarway Road, #120, or on Eventbrite. Sponsorships are available. Details: [email protected] or (870) 718-8775.
Lakeport to host Reading Retreat
Readers who are interested in delving into the history of the Mississippi River may be interested in attending a retreat at the Lakeport Plantation Museum in Lake Village from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. April 13. Attendees will read Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi," published in 1883, and Rinker Buck's book by the same name, published in 2022. Both authors traveled down the Mississippi River and chronicled their experiences, according to a news release. For details or to register, contact Lakeport Plantation at (870) 265-6031 or email Ruth O'Loughlin, [email protected].
Through Friday, April 19
Small museum grants available
Arkansas Heritage, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, is accepting grant applications for the Small Museum Grants Program. Applications are accepted at ArkansasHeritage.com. The program funds projects of up to $2,500 for Arkansas history museums, historical societies, military museums and historic houses and sites. The spring deadline for applications is April 19, according to a news release. Eligible organizations must have an annual operating budget of $250,000 or less; must have a staff of at least one person, either paid or volunteer; and must be open to the public at least 90 days per year. Details: Debra Fithen, grants manager for Arkansas Heritage, at [email protected].
Saturday, April 20
Home & Garden Show set at WH
The Jefferson County Master Gardeners will present Delta Bloooms & Bees, the 2024 Home & Garden Show, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20 at the White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road. Admission is free, according to a flier. Speakers and topics will include Janet Carson, Gardening in the Natural State; Obadiah Njue, Comparison Planting; and Yong Park, Native Pollinators & Beekeeping. The event will feature family oriented activities, a plant sale, Kids Zone, Ask the Plant Doctor (with a free diagnosis of plant problems), raffles, and vendors. Details: Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service, (870) 534-1033 or Master Gardeners.
Through Tuesday, April 30
UAPB LIONS open to freshman
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is inviting incoming freshmen to apply for its Learning Institute and Opportunities for New Students (LIONS) Program. The LIONS Program prepares incoming freshmen for collegiate life through classes, workshops, and on-campus living. The residential program will be held July 8 through Aug. 9. The deadline to apply is April 30. For details, contact Carolyn Mills at (870) 575-8362 or [email protected] or visit www.uapb.edu/lionsprogram or www.uapb.edu and click on the LIONS Program tab. For information about financial assistance, call (870) 575-8302 or email [email protected].
Thursday, May 2
Chamber sets Business Expo
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its Business Expo 2024 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on May 2. The Business Expo Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and the program starts at 8 a.m. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Austin Booth will be the Business Expo Breakfast keynote speaker. Booth will discuss outdoor recreation and its impact on Arkansas' economy. Breakfast tickets are $25 each and a table for eight is $300 each, according to a news release. Simmons Bank is the breakfast sponsor. The Business Expo trade show at the convention center will open with a VIP Hour from 9-10 a.m. and opens to public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The booth fee is $250 for members and $360 non-members. "This year's theme, 'We're Wild About Pine Bluff,' celebrates the beautiful landscape of the delta region from the piney timbers to the winding water of Bayou Bartholomew, the world's longest bayou," according to the release. Details: Chamber Director Jennifer Kline at [email protected] or (870) 535-0110.
Through Friday, May 10
Registration open for college Ag Leaders
Registration for the 2024 Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour is now open for college juniors and seniors. This year's tour, from May 13-17, will give participants an overview of the agriculture industry in Arkansas, plus an opportunity to make key connections with future employers or collaborators, according to a news release. Juniors and seniors enrolled in colleges of agriculture or pursuing agriculture-related majors in Arkansas can register for one of 50 spots. There is no cost to participate. The registration deadline is May 10. Participants can register at https://uada.formstack.com/forms/aragleaders.
Through Friday, May 31
Transportation, trails forms available
Applications for the Arkansas Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Arkansas Recreational Trails Program (RTP) are available, according to the Arkansas Highway Commission. Virtual seminars will occur on March 14 and April 2 to inform potential eligible applicants of TAP and RTP requirements and responsibilities. Project applications and registration are available at ardot.gov/TAP or ardot.gov/RTP. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. May 31. Also, applications may be submitted year-round for Motorized RTP projects. Details: ardot.gov/RTP.
Century Farm applications available
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2024 Arkansas Century Farm Program until May 31. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. The program is voluntary and there is no cost to apply, according to a news release. Online and printable applications are available at agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-services/arkansas-century-farm-program/. Applications must be received via email at [email protected] or postmarked by May 31 to be eligible for designation as a 2024 inductee. Details: Beth Moore, (501) 539-4027.
Underway
Covid-19 vaccines, testing available
The Arkansas Department of Health, various pharmacies and healthcare providers offer the covid-19 vaccine, tests and other information about coronavirus. Details: Call the Arkansas Department of Health at (800) 985-6030, visit the website at healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-vaccination-plan or contact area medical professionals, according to spokesmen.
Tuesdays
Unity Christian offers free financial classes
Unity Christian Fellowship Church (UCFC), 2712 S. Bay St., invites the community to its free Small Business and Personal Financial Education classes at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Recent subjects included "The Importance of Having a Financial Plan" and "Financial Literacy," according to Stuff in the Bluff website. "You cannot afford to miss out on these life-changing classes. We are practicing social distancing and will have hand sanitizer wipes available," according to the site. Anthony Armstrong is the senior pastor. Details: [email protected] or (870) 329-1182.