Federal retirees to meet Monday
Chapter 287 of NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees) will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building, 211 W. Third Ave. The guest speaker will be Ella Geisler, the newly elected president of the Arkansas Federation of NARFE. Waymond Meins is the Chapter 287 president.
Group slates BBQ fundraiser
Arkansas Community Organizations, 3712 W. 34th Ave., will hold a rib tip dinner fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The dinners will include rib tips, potato salad or cole slaw, baked beans, dessert, water or a drink. The cost of each dinner is $12, according to a news release. Details: (870) 536-6300.
Martha Mitchell House celebration set
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The grand opening of the Martha Mitchell House and Foundation Inc. will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 2 at the home, 902 W. Fourth Ave. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony and reception, according to a news release.
The community is invited to attend and take part in the festivities with many Pine Bluff community leaders and others.
Mitchell, known as a whistle blower in the 1970s, was the wife of John Mitchell, attorney general during the Nixon Administration.
“Martha Mitchell had a philosophy of ‘The only way change happens is if we are all open and equal partners.’ This event celebrates that philosophy and helps promote the revitalization and resurrection of our small and powerful community,” a spokesman said.
VA sets Virtual Claims Clinic
The Little Rock VA Regional Office will hold a virtual claims clinic for Arkansas Veterans from 4-6 p.m. Aug. 25. To reserve a timeslot, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 before 4 p.m. Aug. 24, according to a news release.
During the claims clinic, veterans may speak one-on-one to staff of the Little Rock VA Regional Office regarding their claims for VA benefits. The staff is is available to answer questions about existing VA benefits claims and how to file a new one.
These clinics are held monthly. The Little Rock VA Regional Office is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The offices provide financial and other forms of assistance to veterans and their dependents.
Stormwater program seeks artists
The Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Office and the Southeast Arkansas Stormwater Education Program are seeking artists to paint storm drain murals in Pine Bluff and White Hall. Sept. 23 is the application deadline, according to a news release.
“This a great individual project for middle school students and adults,” said Kevin Harris, county extension agent with the urban stormwater program. “The main idea with the storm drain murals is that observers will stop to think about where water flows after it enters the storm drain. Observers will also think about the function and importance of storm drains in Jefferson County.”
All painting supplies will be provided to the artist by the stormwater education program. For detauks or an application packet contact Kevin Harris at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Office, (870) 534-1033 or klharris@uada.edu.
Fire department urges school safety
The Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services Department issued back-to-school safety tips:
FOR DRIVERS
Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing at a crosswalk or intersection.
Never go around a school bus that has its lights activated and stop sign out.
Always stop for a crossing guard holding up a stop sign.
Take extra care to look out for children.
Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians.
FOR STUDENTS
Never walk while texting. If you need to respond to a text, move out of the way of others and stop on the sidewalk.
Never cross the street while using an electronic device.
Look left, right, then left again before crossing the street. Only cross at crosswalks.
Do not wear earbuds while walking across the street and stay alert.