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 or use our newsroom email pbcnews@pbcommercial.com to make additions or changes.
Wednesday, Aug. 2
PBSD chief, board to discuss millage
The community is invited to hear Pine Bluff School District Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree and Pine Bluff School Board members answer questions on the Aug. 8 millage election for the proposed high school. The meeting will be held from 6-7 p.m. Aug. 2 at Dollarway High School, 2602 Fluker Ave. Details: (870) 543.4203.
Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
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 shope@adgnewsroom.com or shope@pbcommercial.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Underway
Early voting happening in PBSD election
Early voting for the Pine Bluff School District Special Election will be held Aug. 1-7 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jefferson County Courthouse, according to a news release. Election day is Aug. 8 and polls will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. that day. Voters will decide whether to increase the existing millage rates to 47.7, which would represent a 6-mill increase in the old PBSD and 6.9-mill increase in the old Dollarway School District. Proceeds will go toward construction of a new high school, according to a recent article in The Commercial. Aug. 1 is also the last day to receive applications for absentee voting by mail, fax, or email. Voters must contact the county clerk’s office for a new absentee ballot application if they want to vote absentee. People may also visit the website at www.jeffersoncountyar.gov/elections-voter-registration to download an application. Details: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, (870) 541-5322.
Watson District holds congress
The Watson District Congress of Christian Education will be held at Union Missionary Baptist Church at Dumas. Monday through Thursday sessions will begin with 4 p.m. registration and classes from 4:30-6 p.m. The lecture will be by the Rev. Larry Alexander at 6:10 p.m. and evening worship at 7:15 p.m. On Monday there will be youth classes at 9 a.m. and an evening program. Tuesday will feature the Dean’s Address. Wednesday features the President’s Address. Thursday will feature the Commencement Address by the Rev. Johnny Smith Jr. The moderator is the Rev. Edward Demery. The president is the Rev. Isom Cross Jr. The dean is Barbara Williams Dixon.
Redfield court offers amnesty
The Redfield District Court will offer an amnesty period to people with active Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay warrants. The amnesty period began July 24. Until Aug. 4, people will be able to resolve outstanding warrants without the risk of being arrested or having to post a professional bond, according to a news release. People with active Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay warrants may go to the Redfield District Court Clerk’s office, 113 River Road at the Redfield Police Department from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or call (501) 397-6111. They may schedule a new appearance for court on Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon to resolve their outstanding warrant. Tickets can also be paid online at www.arcourtpay.org or by calling 1-844-507-3631.
LIHEAP available for utility bill help
Entergy Arkansas customers who need help paying their summer utility bills can apply now for up to $475 through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program’s application period is open through Sept. 30 or until funds are depleted, according to a news release. The program is offered in all 75 counties in the state through community-based organizations, which can be found online at https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/energy/assistance/caad.aspx, along with a complete list of eligibility and required documentation to complete the application. In Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Energy & Environment manages the program, but applications for assistance must be made through a community-based organization. Eligibility is determined by household size and income. For example, a single individual with a maximum monthly countable income of $1,859 and a family of four with $3,574 would both be eligible.
Beginning Friday, Aug. 4
Church sets fish dinner fundraiser
National Trust Partners for Christ Church, 2106 E. Sixth Ave., will have a fish fry fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The dinner includes two sides, dessert, soda or water. Menu side choices are greens, fries, baked beans, macaroni and cheese, cole slaw and potato salad. The price is $14, according to a news release.
Martin/Altheimer School Reunion set
Alumni and Friends of the Martin/Altheimer schools will celebrate their 2023 All School Reunion the weekend of Aug. 4-6, according to a news release. Activities will include: A meet and greet reception Aug. 4 from 7 p.m. to midnight at PJ’s Event Center in Pine Bluff. A community picnic at Jones Park in Altheimer Aug. 5 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The reunion banquet will be held at 7 p.m. Aug. 5 at PJ’s Event Center. The Rev. William “Sonny” Scales (Altheimer Class of 1972) will be the featured speaker. Scales is an associate pastor of the True Faith Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, Calif. The memorial worship service will be held Aug. 6 at 11 a.m. at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church at Altheimer. The featured speaker will be the Rev. Bobby W. Jones (Altheimer Class of 1979), a retired Army colonel and pastor of Thankful Missionary Baptist Church in Savannah, Ga. A farewell reception will be held Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at PJ’s Event Center.
Through Friday, Aug. 4
Redfield court offers amnesty
The Redfield District Court will offer an amnesty period to people with active Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay warrants. The amnesty period began July 24. Until Aug. 4, people will be able to resolve outstanding warrants without the risk of being arrested or having to post a professional bond, according to a news release. People with active Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay warrants may go to the Redfield District Court Clerk’s office, 113 River Road at the Redfield Police Department from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or call (501) 397-6111. They may schedule a new appearance for court on Aug. 9 from 11 a.m. to noon to resolve their outstanding warrant. Tickets can also be paid online at www.arcourtpay.org or by calling 1-844-507-3631.
Saturday, Aug. 5
Local woman to be honored
Dee Clay, the Gospel Angel, will be honored in an Appreciation Program at 5 p.m. Aug. 5 at Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church, 900 S. Grant St. The theme is “My Job is Working for Jesus” (John 9:4). “Guests are coming from near and far to honor this great woman of God. Let’s show our love,” a spokesman said. The community is invited to attend. The Rev. Anthony Craig is pastor of Mt. Carmel.
Beginning Saturday, Aug. 5
UAPB alumni set conference
The 2023 National Alumni Association Summer Conference will be hosted by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff/AM&N National Alumni Association. Registration is $150. The conference will take place Aug. 3-5 at Pine Bluff and the theme is “UAPB EVERYDAY: One Alumni, One University.” A reception at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Pine Bluff will kick off the three-day event. Informative workshops presented by various speakers will take place at the STEM Conference Center at UAPB. Participants will receive updates about the National Alumni Association and UAPB. The conference will be accentuated by a tour of the UAPB Athletic Department and semi-formal Gala at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Details: UAPB/AM&N National Alumni Association Office at (870) 536-2309 or summerconference@uapbalumni.org.
Blues concert series gets 2nd season
The “Blues By Budweiser” concert series will be back for a second season. In collaboration with MK Distributors and RJ’s Grill & Bar, Port City Blues Society will again host live blues concerts the first Saturday of the month at RJ’s 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 free. It’s a $5 cover charge for non-members. The 2023-2024 concerts include: Aug. 5 — Fonky Donkey; Sept. 2 — Robert Kimbrough Sr. Bluesconnection; Oct. 7 — Garry Burnside Band; Nov. 4 — Big “A” and the Allstars Blues Band; Dec. 2 — Johnie B and Queen Iretta Sanders Blues Review; Jan. 6, 2024 — Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain; and Feb. 3 — Chad Marshall Band. Details: pc-blues.com or facebook.com/PCBluesSociety.
Sunday, Aug. 6
Art league to feature water color artist
The Pine Bluff Art League will host its monthly meeting from 2-4 p.m. Aug. 6 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. Artist Marlene Gremillion will demonstrate how to do a mini abstract in watercolor and mixed media. The public is invited to attend.
Tuesday, Aug. 8
Business After Hours set
Business After Hours will be held at the Pine Bluff Country Club from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 8. Hosts are Southeast Arkansas College and the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce, according to the Chamber newsletter.
TOPPS to give away food
TOPPS (Targeting Our People’s Priorities with Service) Inc., 1000 Townsend Drive, will hold a drive-thru food giveaway Aug. 8 from 10 a.m. until all boxes are distributed. Only one food box per household is allowed. Individuals must complete a registration form and must be present to receive the food, according to a news release. Details: Annette Howard Dove, TOPPS founder/director, (870) 850-6011.
PBSD holds special election
The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office reminds all voters that they must contact the clerk’s office for a new absentee ballot application if they want to vote absentee. The Pine Bluff School District Special Election will be held Aug. 8 and polls will be open at polling sites 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters in the district will decide whether to increase the existing millage rates to 47.7, which would represent a 6-mill increase in the old PBSD and 6.9-mill increase in the old Dollarway School District. Proceeds will go toward construction of a new high school, according to a recent article in The Commercial. The county clerk’s office has absentee ballot applications available to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. People may also visit the website at www.jeffersoncountyar.gov/elections-voter-registration to download an application.The application can be mailed, faxed, or scanned and emailed to the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office at the Jefferson County Courthouse, 101 W. Barraque Ave., Ste. 101, Pine Bluff, AR, 71601. Details: County Clerk’s office, (870) 541-5322.
Friday, Aug. 10
GOP to host senator
The Jefferson County Republican Committee will host U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., as the guest speaker during the 2023 Lincoln-Reagan Dinner. The dinner will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 10 at the White Hall Community Center. Ticket are $60 each. Reserved tables for 8 guests are $480 or tables for 10 guests are $600, according to a news release. For tickets, contact Mandi Martin, (870) 510-4183 or Susan Over, (870) 692-1804. Checks should be payable to JCRC. Mail payments to 5602 Shannon Road, Pine Bluff, Ark., 71603. Tickets can also be purchased at Cycle and Marine Super Center or directly from committee members. Catering will be by The Wood Shed. Details: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064939320107.
Through Thursday, Aug. 10
Foundationm offers grants
Community foundation seeks grant requests nonprofits in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County may download an application for Giving Tree Grants through the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of Arkansas Community Foundation. Applications are available at arcf.org/givingtree. The application period began July 10. The deadline to submit applications is Aug. 10, according to a news release.
Through Friday, Aug. 11
Trinity sets summer camp
Registration is underway for Trinity’s Learning Center Summer Camp 2023 to be held at Trinity’s Annex Building, 2900 W. Sixth Ave. The camp will take place Monday through Friday, June 5 through Aug. 11. Daily sessions will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Breakfast, lunch and a snack will be served, according to a news release. There is a participant limit of 30 to 40 students. The registration fee is $25 per child plus $10 weekly. Details: (870) 534-5669 or (870) 692-1127.
Thursday, Aug. 17
Christian Women’s luncheon set
The Christian Women’s Connection luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Pine Bluff Country Club.The speaker will be Shannon Roberts of Family Church, Pine Bluff. Lauren Robertson, a health coach of LBR Fitness of Pine Bluff will make a presentation. The luncheon costs $21, which includes the meal, tax and gratuity. Everyone is invited to attend. For reservations or cancellations, call Jennifer Keahey at (870) 540-9302. All reservations must be made three days in advance and participants will be charged for reservations not kept, according to a news release.
Saturday, Aug. 19
Sounds of Blue to feature DK Harrell
Port City Blues Society will host a special presentation, “Sounds of Blue–Blues Along the Bayou Bartholomew,” at 8 p.m. Aug. 19 at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The event is free for all. The event will feature the award winning blues artist, DK Harrell. Harrell recently released an album on Little Village Records, signed with Intrepid Artists International and is now touring in Brazil. At 7 p.m. before the concert, there will be an informal meet and greet, followed by a special Delta art exhibit and presentation on the blues and bayou culture of the region with updates on various cultural projects.
Tuesday, Aug. 22
Civic panel to meet
The Civic Auditorium Complex Commission’s regularly scheduled meeting will be held Aug. 22 at noon. The July 25 meeting has been cancelled, according to a news release. Details: Pine Bluff Convention Center, (870) 536-7600.
Town Hall to address GVI plans for youth
The community is invited to a special town hall on the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) Program and how it connects to law enforcement and the community to help youth. The meeting will be held at 6 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The city of Pine Bluff is hosting GVI in partnership with the Pine Bluff and Watson Chapel school districts, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Sixth Division Juvenile Court, Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Health, and the Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. GVI will be responsible for going into schools, juvenile court, and streets to connect with young people. GVI workers and volunteers aim to find out the needs of youth on a personal case-by-case basis, and guide them to resources they need, according to the mayor’s office.
Tuesday, Aug. 29
Active shooter topic at free seminar
Ed Monk will host a free educational presentation on “The Active Shooter Problem & How to Minimize Victims” from 6-9 p.m. Aug. 29 at the White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road.Monk has been researching and providing training on countering the active shooter threat for more than 15 years, according to a news release. The event is free, but attendees must reserve their seats on Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lecture-the-active-shooter-problem-how-to-reducevictims-tickets-624099958777.
Friday, Sept. 29
Taste of Southeast Arkansas set
The Taste of Southeast Arkansas will be held Sept. 29 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The cocktail hour is from 5:30-6:30 p.m. and tasting starts at 6:30 p.m., according to the newsletter from the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce. The event features dishes from southeast Arkansas chefs. The Jefferson County Young Professionals host the fundraiser. For tickets or details, call the Chamber, (870) 535-0110 or visit www.jeffersoncountyalliance.com.
Through Saturday, Oct. 14
ASC hosts Rosenzweig exhibition
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas is hosting the 2023 Irene Rosenzweig Biennial Juried Exhibition. The exhibition will be on view in ASC’s William H. Kennedy Jr. Gallery through Oct. 14. Admission to ASC’s galleries is always free, according to a news release.
Friday, Oct. 20
UAPB alumni plan ceremonies
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff/AM&N National Alumni Association will recognize its Hall of Fame Class of 2023 and hold other ceremonies at 12:30 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place in conjunction with the Alumni Luncheon and General Membership Meeting and Alumni King and Queen Presentation, according to a news release. Details: https://uapbalumni.org/
Underway
I-530 work requires lane closures
Overnight lane closures were scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. July 9 as crews work to resurface a section of Interstate 530. The estimated completion date is early fall, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation. The project (Job # 020734) includes resurfacing 11 miles of I-530 from Stagecoach Road in Jefferson to Highway 65B in Pine Bluff. The contract was awarded to Cranford Construction Co. for $9.6 million. Lane closures will be in place from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. until the job is complete. All lanes northbound and southbound are part of this project, but only one lane will be closed at a time.Additional travel information can be found at IDriveArkansas.com.
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.