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.
Today
Community Band sets Patriotic Concert
The Pine Bluff Community Band will present a patriotic concert at 6 p.m. Thursday at Summit Baptist Church, 901 Ridgway Road. A variety of music will be played from marches to “big band” swing. The public is invited to attend. The concert is free, according to a news release.
Pine Bluff School District group to meet
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Unified Stakeholders of the Pine Bluff School District will meet at 6 p.m. July 7 at The Generator, 435 S. Main St. “This community engagement committee consists of Pine Bluff School District personnel, community leaders, stakeholders and parents who act in the best interest of the district and supports it by lifting and linking the voices of the stakeholders,” a spokesman said.
Boys & Girls Club to honor heroes
The Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County will host its annual Heroes Banquet at 6:30 p.m. July 7 at First United Methodist Church, 200 W. Sixth Ave. The speaker will be Circuit Judge-elect Jackie Harris. The attire is semi-formal and tickets are $40. The community is invited to attend. Details: info@boysgirlsclubjc.org or (870) 850-7500.
Underway
ASC to host Small Works
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will host the 35th annual “Small Works on Paper” exhibition through Aug. 24. The 2022 exhibition features artwork from 28 artists from across the state with 39 pieces on display. ASC volunteer Crystal Jennings of Rison and Pine Bluff native and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff graduate Rashawn Penister are among featured artists, according to a news release.
Friday, July 8
ASC hosts Comic Relief
The community is invited to join the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas at ART WORKS on Main, 627 S. Main St., from 6-8 p.m. July 8 for ART Works Presents: Comic Relief. The event will be held in the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater. Beer and wine will be available for purchase for patrons over the age of 21. Non-alcoholic drinks and snacks will also be available. The cost is $5 for ASC members and $10 for nonmembers. Comedian Zach Hayes will host this improv event perfect for comic artists, creatives and all who just enjoy a good laugh. Attendees ages 16 and up can show off their comedic stylings through an open-mic forum. Attendees can also enter for a chance to win door prizes.
Through Friday, July 8
Water company to flush lines
Liberty has scheduled its annual Arkansas water system flushing, according to a news release. The schedule includes: Pine Bluff: June 14-24; White Hall: June 27-July 1; Woodson and Hensley: July 5-8. These dates are approximate and subject to change. Liberty’s annual flushing, required by the Arkansas Department of Health, helps ensure fire hydrants are working properly and improves the quality and reliability of its system. Liberty asks customers who may experience any water pressure or quality issues during the scheduled flushing times to run cold water from their faucet for 10 minutes. If the issue persists, they should call the Liberty Customer Care team at 1-855-382-6508. Details: www.libertyenergyandwater.com.
Saturday, July 9
Pilgrim church to open pantry
Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., will open its Raven’s Nest Food Pantry on July 9 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. This program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture distribution site and equal opportunity provider, according to a news release.
St. John AME to give away food
St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St., will provide food boxes for people in need from 9-11 a.m. July 9. The drive-thru giveaway will be held in front of the church on Cherry Street. State ID’s are required to receive one box per family. For safety reasons, recipients are asked to stay in their vehicles and open their trunks, according to a news release. Financial support can be mailed to St. John AME Church-Feeding Ministry, 1117 W. Pullen St., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601, or given electronically through Givelify St John AME Pine Bluff. To volunteer, people may email Pearl Matlock at pearl1948@sbcglobal.net.
Collage Coaster Workshop set
People can enjoy a collage workshop with instructor Chelle Moore from 1-3 p.m. July 9 at the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. The cost is $25 for ASC members and $35 for nonmembers. Participants will use collage techniques to add an artistic flair to their own set of four unique coasters. They can cut out a variety of magazine clippings, words and more. To register, visit asc701.org/adult-classes or call (870) 536-3375. The workshop is limited to 12 students ages 21 and older.
Funday: Magnetic Process Art set
Participants can merge process art and science to create paintings using magnets from 1-3 p.m. July 9 during the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas’s Second Saturday Family FunDay event. This abstract art focuses on creating something beautiful out of the unexpected.
El Dorado center sets art awards
The visual arts committee of the South Arkansas Arts Center at El Dorado invites the public to a reception for the annual Juried Art Competition Exhibit from 6-7:30 p.m. July 9. The exhibit includes 54 artists from around the country, according to a news release. Area winners include: Tom Richard — Monticello; Kelly Campbell — El Dorado; Rhaelene Lowther — Magnolia; Spencer Purinton — El Dorado; Marla Tomlinson — El Dorado; and Grace Wright — Crossett. Juror Taylor Jasper from The Momentary at Bentonville will present the awards at 6:30 p.m. This exhibit will be displayed through July 29 and is free and open to the public. Details: SAAC, (870) 862-5474 or www.saac-arts.org.
Sunday, July 10
Art league sets meeting
The Pine Bluff Art League will meet July 10 from 2-4 p.m. at the the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building, 211 W. Third Ave. The league encourages members to bring paintings to be judged by their peers. Two pieces will have the opportunity to be displayed at Simmons Bank and Relyance Bank until the following month when members will vote on new work, according to a news release.
Beginning Sunday, July 10
Community Foundation offers grants
Grant opportunities are available from the Arkansas Community Foundation. The agency’s Giving Tree Grant applications will be accepted July 10 through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 15, according to a news release. Area affiliates include the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation at Pine Bluff and the Delta Area Community Foundation at Dumas. All applications must be submitted on the online portal found at arcf.org/givingtree.
Beginning Monday, July 11
Bridge work to close Pickens road
Bridge maintenance to the Highway 159 Bridge over the Boeuf River requires temporary highway closure near Pickens, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT.) Weather permitting, ARDOT crews will close Highway 159 between Highways 65 and 138 from July 11 through July 21. Message boards and signs will guide drivers through the available detour. Eastbound travelers will use Highway 65 to Highway 138. Westbound travelers will use Highway 138 to Highway 65, according to the news release.