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
Breath of Life hosts youth service
Breath of Life Church, 1313 S. Pine St., will conduct its Youth Sunday services at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The speaker will be William Fells III, special projects coordinator for Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington’s office.
Kings Highway observes 101st anniversary
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Kings Highway Missionary Baptist Church, 2312 Fluker Ave., will celebrate its 101st anniversary at 10:45 a.m. Sunday in person and live-streamed on Facebook. The Rev. William Dwight McKissic, pastor of the Cornerstone Baptist Church at Arlington, Texas, will be the speaker. The Reunion Choir will sing.
New Community slates Kingdom Building
New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St., will also host its Kingdom Building program at 6 p.m. Sunday and the featured speaker will be Christine Allmond, a member of the church.
Beginning Monday, Aug. 29
Go Forward plans community sessions
Go Forward Pine Bluff will have community input sessions to discuss how citizens’ tax dollars are being used and to provide updates on projects, according to a news release. GFPB representatives will be available to answer questions from residents. Residents are welcome to attend any of the following sessions: Aug. 29 at 5:30 p.m. – New Life Church: 2801 S. Olive St., Ward 1; Aug. 30 at 5:30 p.m. – TOPPS, 1000 Townsend Drive, Ward 4; and Sept. 8 at 5:30 p.m. – Good Faith Carr United Methodist Church: 3703 Ryburn Road, Ward 3. Details: www.goforwardpinebluff.org.
Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 30
UAPB slates virtual land conference
The second annual Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Joint Regional Conference will be held virtually from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 30 and 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 31. The free event is co-sponsored by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Small Farm Program and Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) Cooperative Extension Program, according to a news release. Attendees will learn about timely forestry and conservation topics and receive educational resources that can help resolve heirs’ property issues and build generational wealth through forestland management, said Kandi Williams, UAPB Keeping it in the Family outreach coordinator. To register, visit https://bit.ly/3byg8XZ. To have the link to the registration form sent to an email address, email williamska@uapb.edu.
Ivy Center announces events
The Ivy Center for Education Inc. will host upcoming events. Aug. 30 – From 6-7:30 p.m., the center will have a welcome/introduction of Ivy Center board members, presenters, and facilitators (by Zoom.) Sept. 6 – 6-7 p.m. — The center will present Let’s Talk Scholarships with information on deadlines, essays, and college applications by Constance Castle of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff recruitment office. The event will be held at The Generator, 435 S. Main St., and on Zoom. Sept. 13 – 6-7 p.m. — A Career Development/Resume Building workshop will be presented by Cephoni Jackson and Tonya Mitchner on Zoom only. Sept. – 6-7 p.m. — The Future Engineers Focus on Coding session will be held in person and on Zoom with Karl Walker, chairman of the UAPB Mathematics and Computer Science Department. The session will be held at The Generator. Sept. 27 – 6-7 p.m. — The Jefferson County Teen and Young Adult Reproductive Educative Access and Life-Style Program will be held in person and on Zoom. The facilitator will be Laurell Hall and the location will be the Pine Bluff Main Library, 600 S. Main St. Masks are required for in-person events. For the Zoom log in, participants should email mattie1908@gmail.com.
Wednesday, Aug. 31
First Trinity to hold giveaway
The First Trinity CityServe Gift Ministry Giveaway will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 31 at First Trinity Church of God in Christ, 800 S. Catalpa St. The merchandise includes home decor, small kitchen appliances, clothes for women, men and children; lawn equipment and health care products. The gifts will be available on a first-come first-serve basis, according to a news release. Details: (870) 534-2873.
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 shope@pbcommercial.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Thursday, Sept. 1
Small business event set at library
The 2022 South Arkansas Small Business Development Conference will be held via Zoom and in-person from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 1. Up to 40 people will participate in person at the Pine Bluff Main Library, 600 S. Main St., and in the Fordyce Civic Center in Fordyce, according to a news release. The conference is free but registration is encouraged. The conference will bring together approximately 20 agencies focused on equipping existing and aspiring entrepreneurs with the resources to start and grow their businesses. Participants are also invited to join the group at 8:30 a.m. for a “Breakfast with the Lenders Roundtable,” where attendees will network with local, regional and statewide lenders. The roundtable will be facilitated by Herb Lawrence, lender relations specialist, Arkansas District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration. To register or for details, contact Arkansas Human Development Corp. at (800) 482-7641 or (501) 374-1103, ext. 10, or visit https://bit.ly/3zG1ne3.
PBHS Class of 1960 to meet
The Pine Bluff High School Class of 1960 will meet at noon Sept. 1 at Wright’s Ranch House restaurant, 6224 Dollarway Road. All 1960 classmates and members of other years are welcomed to attend. “For those attending the August meeting there was a lot of laughter and everyone had a good time,” according to a news release. “Come join your fellow classmates and enjoy good food and fellowship.” Updates on fellow class members may be given to Norma Ray at nlrharper@hotmail.com or (870) 535-0303.
VA Regional Office to open site at McClellan
The Little Rock VA Regional Office will open a satellite office Sept. 1 at the John L. McClellan VA Medical Center to assist veterans, spouses, and survivors with their VA benefits needs. The new Veterans Benefits Satellite Office will be in Room 1C-151B at the McClellan center, 4300 W. Seventh St., Little Rock. The hours of operation will be Tuesdays, 8 a.m.-noon, and Thursdays, noon-4 p.m. VA regional offices provide financial and other forms of assistance to veterans and their dependents. The main location of the Little Rock VA Regional Office is in Bldg. 111, 2200 Fort Roots Drive, North Little Rock. Details: (501) 370-382 or 800-827-1000 or http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/
Friday, Sept. 2
Martha Mitchell House celebration set
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.
Beginning Friday, Sept. 2
PBHS 1972 class reunion set
The Pine Bluff High School Class of 1972 is planning its 50th reunion for Sept. 2-3 at Pine Bluff, according to a news release. “If you were a member of this class and graduated in 1972, or if you were a member of this class but did not graduate with the class in 1972, we would love to celebrate our Golden Reunion with you. You are also welcome to join us for any future reunions that we may have,” according to the release. Participants are also urged to tell other class members about the event. Details: Gail Jenkins Sales, (870) 489-8527 or Mickey Shell, (870) 718-3930.
Beginning Saturday, Sept. 3
Blues concerts on tap for downtown
The Port City Blues Society will host “Blues By Budweiser,” live blues concerts on the first Saturday of each month through February 2023 at RJ’s Sports Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The doors open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. Port City Blues Society members are admitted for free. There’s a $5 cover charge for nonmembers, according to a news release. Performers include Sept. 3 — Chad Marshall Band; Oct. 1 — Deak Harp Duo; Nov. 5 — Kent Burnside; Dec. 3 — Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain; Jan. 7, 2023 — Sean Bad Apple; and Feb. 4, 2023 — Arkaholics. Details: portcitybluessociety.com or facebook.com/PCBluesSociety.
Beginning Wednesday, Sept. 7
UAM Center sets marketing series
Helping small businesses increase their appeal to modern audiences is the goal of the Modern Marketing training series at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The series will be presented in person and online by the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center at UAM, according to news release. Presenter Deborah Deras of Los Angeles is an international speaker, author and marketing strategist. Topics include How to Sell Online, Sept. 7; Grow Your Sales with Online Marketing, Sept. 14; Social Media Content Creation, Sept. 21; and Tik Tok for Small Business, Oct. 5. To register, visit asbtdc.org/uam-modern-marketing-series.
Friday, Sept. 9
Governor’s Arts Awards deadline set
The Arkansas Arts Council is accepting nominations for the 2023 Governor’s Arts Awards. Recipients are nominated by the public, then selected by an independent panel of arts professionals from around the state, according to a news release. Nominations are open in the following categories: Arts Community Development, Arts in Education, Corporate Sponsorship of the Arts, Folklife, Individual Artist, Patron and Lifetime Achievement. The nomination deadline is Sept. 9. Details: https://www.arkansasheritage.com/arkansas-art-council/aac-programs/governor’s-arts-awards .
Beginning Friday, Sept. 9
Tour de Bluff set
Novel-T’s will present Tour de Bluff 2022 Sept. 9-10 at Pine Bluff. Tour de Bluff is an annual bicycle-themed event produced and managed by Novel T’s ad specialty gallery. In-person and virtual activities will be offered. To participate onsite, participants should register online at www.TourDeBluff.com. Click the “Event Day Registration” button and select a route. Sept. 9, from 3-6 p.m. at the Pine Bluff Library, 600 S. Main St., the Spoke-Ghetti Social will be held featuring the Tour de Bluff early packet pick-up session. The $10 spaghetti dinners will be provided by J & T Catering and the event will include activities and entertainment, according to Tour de Bluff’s website. Check in and start will be at 601 Main St. beginning at 7 a.m. Sept. 10. Ride a selected route using safe riding practices, according to the website. Details: Novel T’s, 866-933-6366 or www.TourDeBluff.com.
Saturday, Sept. 10
UAPB to host High School Day
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will host High School Day at 3 p.m. Sept. 10. Activities will include college tours, a college fair, a football game, and a pre-game show featuring high school bands and UAPB’s band, known as “M4” (the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South), according to a news release from the UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association.
Preschool slates event
The Lily Pad Preschool Academy, 908 S. Cherry St., will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 10. The free community event will include food, games, and other activities. Shanara D. Armstrong is the executive director.
TOPPS sets clinic for routine kids’ shots
TOPPS, 1000 Townsend Park Drive, a non-profit community-based organization, will partner with Arkansas Children Hospital for a free vaccination clinic for children to receive routine vaccinations for back to school. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 10. TOPPS will distribute backpacks to students and food will be available at the event, according to a news release. ACH is hosting free immunization clinics to ensure all children are up to date on their routine vaccinations. Parents are asked to bring immunization records, but they’re not required, according to the release.
Monday, Sept. 12
TOPPS’ programs to begin
TOPPS, 1000 Townsend Park Drive, a non-profit community-based organization, is opening enrollment for several programs, according to a news release. The following sessions begin Sept. 12 and will be held 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday: After-school tutoring; Girls and Boys mentoring programs for ages 7-18; and Grab and Go food program for ages 5-18. Parents or guardians may enroll students starting at 10 a.m. Aug. 29 or Sept. 10. Details: TOPPS, (870) 850-6011.
Tuesday, Sept. 13
TOPPS to give away food
TOPPS, 1000 Townsend Park Drive, will hold its food distribution Sept. 13. Food will be given away from 10 a.m. until all food boxes are gone. Participants must be present to receive a food box, according to a news release.
Trinity Village sets style show, lunch
Trinity Village, 6400 Trinity Drive, will host a style show and luncheon at noon Sept. 13. The event will be held at the facility’s Great Hall. Tickets are $20 and proceeds will go toward upgrading their entertainment center, according to the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce’s newsletter. Details: (870) 879-8221.
Friday, Sept. 16
NAACP state conference set
The Arkansas State Conference of the NAACP will be held in person at Little Rock after more than two years, according to a news release. The Dr. Jerry Jewell Freedom Fund Banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 16 at Sheraton Four Points, 925 S University Ave., Little Rock. Fort Smith Mayor George B. McGill will be the keynote speaker. Banquet tickets are available for purchase for $40 per ticket or $400 per table. Details: Wanda V. Neal, banquet committee chair, (870) 540-7399 or wanda_v_neal@hotmail.com or Mary Liddell, (870) 643-2383 or marylddll@yahoo.com.
Saturday, Sept. 17
House of Bread pantry opens
House of Bread Deliverance Church will open its pantry at the church’s new location, 1501 W. Second Ave., on Sept. 17. Food will be handed out from 11 a.m. to noon or until all food boxes are gone, according to a news release.
Beginning Saturday, Sept. 17
VBS set at Bryant Street Park
St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church and Shannon Road Baptist Church will hold Vacation Bible School at Bryant Street Park from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 17 and Oct. 8. Lunch will be provided eacch day. The theme is Returning to the Value of Life, according to a news release.
Thursday, Sept. 22
Foundation slates golf tourney
The Jefferson Regional Foundation will host its second annual golf tournament Sept. 22 at the Pine Bluff Country Club, according to the newsletter of the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce.To register or for sponsorship details, contact Laura Beth Shaner at (870) 541-7210 or shanerl@jrmc.org.
Taste of Southeast Arkansas set
The Taste of Southeast Arkansas will be held Sept. 22 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The cocktail hour begins at 5:30 p.m. and the tasting starts at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50 each, according to the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce newsletter. “Join us for an evening of delicious food as you enjoy samplings from chefs from across Southeast Arkansas. This event is put on by the Jefferson County Young Professionals Network,” according to http://pinebluffchamber.chambermaster.com/ Details: Chamber: (870) 535-0110.
Friday, Sept. 23
Deadline set for storm drain 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. The main idea with the murals is that observers will stop to think about where water flows after it enters the storm drain. All painting supplies will be provided to the artist by the stormwater education program. For details or an application packet contact Kevin Harris at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Office, (870) 534-1033 or klharris@uada.edu.
Saturday, Sept. 24
Seals Suicide Prevention sets gala
The community is invited to the D’Andre Seals Suicide Prevention Outreach Project Inaugural Gala on Sept. 24 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. A silent auction will begin at 5 p.m. and the gala starts at 6 p.m. Gala tickets are $50 per person. Tables are $400. A souvenir journal with advertising opportunities will be available. Ads are $100 for a full page, $50 for a half page, $40 for a fourth page and $25 for a business card. The attire is semi-formal. Lorenzo Lewis of The Confess Project will be the keynote speaker and the Rodney Block Collective will provide entertainment. Honorary co-chairs are Calvin and Janetta Booker, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com. The deadline for all purchases is Sept. 1. Details: Kenetta Ridgell, at (870) 818-7993. “The D’Andre Seals Suicide Prevention Outreach Project (DSOP) is a non profit, 501c3 organization,” according to their Facebook page.
Through Friday, Sept. 30
LIHEAP available for utility aid
Officials with the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) began accepting applications July 25 for help with summer cooling bills, including those from Entergy Arkansas and other utilities. This assistance will be available through Sept. 30 or until funds run out. LIHEAP is funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and is designed to lower the energy burden for low-income households, according to a news release from Entergy. The program is offered in all 75 counties through community-based organizations. Details: https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/energy/assistance/caad.aspx .
Fire suppression applications available
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division is accepting applications for Wildland Fire Suppression Kits through Sept. 30. The forestry division received $293,600 through a U.S. Forest Service grant to provide 89 kits this year to rural volunteer fire departments across the state, according to a news release. Rural volunteer fire departments interested in applying should apply online and the applications is available at cognitoforms.com/ArkansasAgriculture1/ApplicationForWildlandFireSuppressionKit. Paper applications are available upon request. Details: Kathryn Mahan-Hooten at Kathryn.mahan@agriculture.arkansas.gov, (501)679-3183 or agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry/rural-fire-protection-program/.
Beginning Wednesday, Oct. 5
St. Joseph to honor covid victims, front-line staff
St. Joseph Catholic Church, 412 W. Sixth Ave., will hold services honoring covid victims and front-line workers, according to a news release. Oct. 5 — at 5:30 p.m., the church will host a service honoring everyone in the community who lost their lives to covid-19. “If you would like to bring a photo of your loved one, we would gladly display them at the front of the church. Please have them in a frame,” a spokesman said. Oct. 12 — at 5:30 p.m., St. Joseph is honoring all the healthcare and front line workers of the community who have come to the aid of those in need and saved so many lives. “We would love to see you and all your family on these days,” the spokesman said. Details: St. Joseph Church, (870) 534-4701.
Friday, Oct. 21
NAACP plans annual banquet
The Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP will present its 30th Dove Freedom Fund Banquet, in person, at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Pine Bluff Convention. The keynote speaker will be Jackie Harris, circuit judge-elect for 11th West Judicial District of Arkansas, 4th Division, Sub District 11w.1, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com. The attire is semi-formal. The cost of the banquet is $40 per person. Tables are available for $400. The deadline to purchase tickets and tables is Oct. 11. To purchase tickets, tables or for more details, contact event chairmen Sharon Sergeant at (870) 718-4164 or Marikka Bender at (256) 513-1667, or NAACP President Wanda V. Neal at (870) 536-3141.
Through Saturday, Oct. 22
ASC to open Casiano exhibit
A new exhibition filled with unique portraits by Batesville-based artist Eliseo Casiano is open at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. ASC will host the Color, Faces, People exhibit in the William H. Kennedy Jr. Gallery through Oct. 22. Details: asc701.org or eliseocasiano.com.
Through Thursday, Oct. 27
Conservation education grants available
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services will award $808,146.04 to Arkansas schools and educators to support conservation education programs in the 2022-23 school year. Grant funds come from wildlife fines collected by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, according to a news release. Any school or conservation district in Arkansas may apply through Oct. 27. Details: https://www.arkansasedc.com/Rural-Services/division/grants/wildlife-education-grant.
Underway
Farmer’s Market open Saturdays
The Farmer’s Market at Saracen Landing, 200 Lake Saracen Drive, will be open each Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., according to the Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page.
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: unitychristianfellowship@live.com or (870) 329-1182.