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 shope@pbcommercial.com to make additions or changes.
Underway
Covid-19 testing sites available
Details for getting the covid-19 test are available at the Jefferson County Health Department — 870-535-2142; and Arkansas Department of Health’s website — https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-guidance-for-getting-tested . Scroll down until you see the map and enlarge the map. Click on each star to see where each testing site is located.
Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends display open
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends is open from 6-9 p.m. every day through Dec. 31 at Pine Bluff’s Regional Park. The drive-through exhibit features more than 260 individual lighting displays, each one sponsored by an area business, family or individual. The light display stretches out for approximately 1.3 miles alongside the Arkansas River and includes exhibits such as Santa Claus and his reindeer, Nativity scenes, toy soldiers, ice skaters, carolers, sleigh rides and local landmarks, according to a spokesman.
Fire department makes Holiday Santa Run
The Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services will make its annual Holiday Santa Run spreading holiday cheer throughout the city between 5-8 p.m. daily through Dec. 24. Fire department personnel and Carrington Electric Co.of Pine Bluff decorated one of the reserve fire trucks with Christmas lights, and with assistance from Stereo Junction, a sound system was added to play Christmas music as the fire truck drives throughout the neighborhoods. Details: Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services, (870) 730-2048, www.pineblufffire.com or follow the agency on Facebook.
Friday, Dec. 18
UAPB virtual commencement to feature Smokie Norful
Smokie Norful, renowned gospel singer and pastor, will serve as the commencement speaker for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s 162nd ceremony. The ceremony, to be held virtually, on Friday, Dec. 18, at 6 p.m. via the University’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, will recognize both spring and fall 2020 graduates and include the commissioning of Army officers. Seventeen graduates will be awarded the Chancellor’s Medallion, an honor bestowed to students with the highest cumulative grade point average from each of the university’s five schools of study. Details: UAPB Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@uapb.edu or (870)575-8475.
Deadline set to apply for EQIP aid for high tunnel systems
The use of high tunnel systems – commonly called “hoop houses” – is a conservation practice for farmers used to protect crops from extreme weather and allow farmers to extend their growing seasons. Financial assistance for the structures is available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), according to a news release. The cutoff date for 2021 funding is Dec. 18, 2020. Producers can pick up and submit an application at their local NRCS office. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Small Farm Program Extension personnel can assist participants in filling out applications and selecting practices to apply for, if needed. Details: Karen Lee, UAPB Small Farm Program, at leek@uapb.edu or (870) 575-7225.
Saturday, Dec. 19
Raven’s Nest pantry opens at Pilgrim Church
Raven’s Nest Food Pantry at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., will open its pantry Saturday, Dec. 19, from 8-9:30 a.m. or until all the food has been given away. Food will be handed out on a first come, first-served basis. Participants must bring a picture identification. The site is a USDA distribution location and equal opportunity provider, according to a news release.
New Community to give away food in drive-thru event
New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St., will give away food in a drive-thru event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 19. They will also give out 100 ham shanks. Anyone is welcome to drive by and obtain food from the pantry, according to a news release. New Community follows health guidelines and practices social distancing.
Pine Bluff artist hosts holiday ornament class
Kimiara Johnson, an artist from Pine Bluff, will host a holiday ornament class by Zoom Saturday. The link is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holiday-ornament-class-tickets-132666309503. The community is invited to the Sensoiree Virtual Holiday Ornament Class for all ages as well as individuals with or without disabilities. Tickets, registration and details are available at eventbrite.com, according to a news release.
Monday, Dec. 21
House of Bread to give away food in drive-thru event
House of Bread Deliverance Church, 500 S. Main St., will give away food in a drive-thru session Monday, Dec. 21, from 1-4:30 p.m. or until the 250 boxes run out. Food will be handed out on a first come, first served basis and only one box per household will be distributed. Everyone must bring proof of address (utility bill and driver’s license.) Due to the pandemic, everyone is required to wear a mask. Police will be on duty to direct traffic. Details: House of Bread apostle, Saint Mary Harris, 870-872-2196.
Through Monday, Dec. 21
UAPB alumni raising scholarship funds
The community is invited to participate in the End of the Year Challenge to help the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff/AM&N National Alumni Association raise scholarship funds. The association’s goal is to raise $500,000 for scholarships by Dec. 21, according to a news release. These scholarships will directly benefit students at UAPB. To donate online visit https://www.uapbalumni.org/end-of-the-year-challenge.
Tuesday, Dec. 22
Altheimer church opens pantry Tuesday
Union Missionary Baptist Church, U.S. 63 north at Altheimer, will open its food pantry Tuesday, Dec. 22, from 11 a.m. until all food is gone, according to a news release. People can only pick up for themselves and one other person. For homebound people, call
(870) 413-8295 and the pantry workers will deliver, according to Ruthene Kelley.
Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday and the deadine for the next edition is noon Tuesday because of the holiday. The normal deadline to submit church news is noon Wednesday. Articles may be submitted by email to shope@adgnewsroom.com. Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing a religion column may submit articles for consideration by email. Please include your phone number, the name and location of your ministry or city where you reside, and your photo. Photos may also accompany church news by email.
Beginning Wednesday,
Dec. 23
County, city agencies set holiday closings
The Jefferson County Courthouse will be closed for Christmas Dec. 23-28. Pine Bluff City Hall will be closed Dec. 23-25 for Christmas, according to news releases.
Friday, Jan. 1, 2021
NAACP plans virtual Emancipation Proclamation Program
The Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP will host its annual Emancipation Proclamation Program virtually at noon Friday, Jan. 1. Due to the coronavirus, this event will take place by Zoom video conferencing, according to a news release. The theme will be “We Are Done Dying: Unified to Stand Strong.” Judge Waymond Brown will be the guest speaker.
Through Saturday, Jan. 2
ASC hosts ‘Brothers by One’ display
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., will display “Brothers by One: The Black Athlete and Social Justice” through Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. An exhibit by Rex DeLoney, it is sponsored by Simmons Bank. This exhibition highlights the many ways that Black athletes used their celebrity status and media coverage to give attention to social justice issues; from boxer Muhammad Ali and his stance against the Vietnam War to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem as a statement against police brutality.
Through Saturday, Jan. 23
Arts center hosts Ballots & Laughs
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas 701 S. Main St., will host the “Ballots & Laughs: Political Cartoons of Ray Walters” exhibit. It will be on display and online through Jan. 23, 2021, featuring a light-hearted perspective of the 1930s and ’40s political and social climate.
Events underway
Weekdays
New library offering curbside service
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System is offering curbside service at the new main library, Sixth Avenue and Main Street. The library is checking out materials with curbside service from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Library staff and patrons will follow social distancing and public health recommendations during pickup. Patrons may use their library cards to access the online catalog or call the main library at 870-534-4802 for curbside service. A staff member will contact the patron to arrange a curbside pickup time.
Neighbor to Neighbor open 5 days a week
Neighbor to Neighbor, 1419 S. Pine St., has reopened five days a week.The agency will be open Monday through Friday from 9-11:30 a.m.and 1-2:30 p.m.For the sake of safety, Neighbor to Neighbor will continue serving to-go lunches at the door from noon to 1 p.m. and are available to anyone who is hungry. Masks are required to enter the building and hand sanitizer will be available at the door, according to a news release. New clients or those seeking assistance with bills or medications should call 870-534-2883 for an appointment.
Fathers & Sons collects clothes for Neighbor to Neighbor
Fathers & Sons Clothier in Jefferson Square is partnering with Neighbor to Neighbor to assist people in the community who need winter clothes, according to a news release. The store management is asking for the community to donate new socks, gently worn used coats, blankets, knit hats, scarves, gloves or other winter items. For anyone living outside the community who can’t bring in donations but want to contribute, they can send an email to Fathersandsons@att.net or call the store. Details: David Maddox, owner of Fathers & Sons, or Brandon Maddox or (870) 536-7848.
Tuesdays
Unity Christian Fellowship 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: unitychristianfellowship@live.com or 870-329-1182.
Fridays
St. John hosts weekly prayer calls
St. John AME Church at Pine Bluff invites the community to join them in a weekly conference call prayer for deliverance from the coronavirus crisis. The conference call will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, according to the pastor, Cecil L. Williams Jr. Participants must call in by 6:25 p.m. at 1-720-650-3030. The access code is 144-0205# . Details: www.facebook.com/St.JohnPineBluff.