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@adgnewsroom.com to make additions or changes.
Thursday, Nov. 21
UAM plans choir concerts
The University of Arkansas at Monticello will host the UAM Concert and Chamber choirs in concert on Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Fine Arts Center at UAM. The concert is free and open to the public, according to a news release. Under the direction of Dana Ihm, associate professor of music and director of chorals at UAM, the choirs will perform selections from Eric Whitacre, Morten Lauridsen, Kim André Arnesen and Z. Randall Stroope, along with arrangements by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory. Details: UAM Division of Music at (870) 460-1060.
Retired teachers to meet
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. Nov. 21 at the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library, 600 S. Main St. Library Director Ricky Williams will speak to the group before leading a tour of the facility. Member reservations are required for the box lunch provided by Ms. Dee’s Diner. Lunch is $12 and includes a choice of a turkey or ham sandwich box lunch with condiments, chips, pickle, and cookie with water to drink. Please designate turkey or ham when making your reservation for lunch, according to the news release. For details on JCRTA and to make luncheon reservations, call Lura Campbell at (870) 543-0127.
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. Nov. 21. To reserve a timeslot, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 before 4 p.m. Nov. 20, according to a news release. Veterans may speak one-on-one to staff of the Little Rock VA Regional Office regarding their claims for VA benefits. Staff will also answer questions about PACT Act benefits, existing VA benefits claims and assist with filing new claims.
Christian Women’s group set luncheon
The Christian Women’s Connection invites the community to its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The speaker will be Patty Hullett of Ennis, Texas. Her Topic will be “Been There Done That Many Times.” Also, she will be baton twirling as a special presentation, according to a news release. The luncheon is $21, which includes the meal, drink, dessert, tax, and gratuity. 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 they don’t keep.
First Ward pantry sets Thanksgiving giveaway
First Ward Living Grace Food Pantry will present the 2024 Thanksgiving Giveaway from 1-3:30 p.m. Nov. 21 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The giveaway will be set up at the glass doors south arena by the handicapped signs, according to a flier. Supplies will include turkey or ham and groceries. Food will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis. The event will honor Summit Community Care. Partnerships also include LEAPS, Southeast Arkansas College, Tyson Foods, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Sixth Division Juvenile Court, Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Arkansas Food Bank, and four private partnerships. Details: Deborah Allen, executive director of First Ward Living Grace pantry, (479) 301-1096.
Beginning Thursday, Nov. 21
Ivy Center offers free ACT Boot Camps
The Ivy Center for Education will offer free ACT Boot Camps, presented by Charity Smith-Allen, principal associate for education at Fetterman and Associates, and her team. All workshops will be held on Zoom only. Students in 7-12th grades are encouraged to attend, according to a news release. The dates and subjects for the ACT Bootcamps include: Nov. 21 — 6-8 p.m. — Science and Reading; Dec. 5 — 6-8 p.m. — Math and English; and Dec. 12 — 6-8 p.m. — Science and Reading. To participate, use the Zoom Meeting ID: 856 8296 4187 and Passcode: 351061. Interested students should email Mattie Collins, president of the Ivy Center, at mattie1908@gmail.com.
Saturday, Nov. 23
New Jerusalem to give away dinners
The youth department of New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1317 S. Texas St., will have a Thanksgiving Give Back dinner for the needy. The dinner will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The meals are first come, first served. The Rev. M. Kriston Wilson is the pastor of New Jerusalem Baptist Church.
Faith church sets bazaar
Faith Community Church on U.S. 79 (across from McDonald’s) will hold its bazaar from 8 a.m. t0 2 p.m. Nov. 23. There will be casseroles, baked goods, soup, wreaths, wall art, jewelry, pillows, gift baskets, centerpieces and homemade items, according to a news release.
Lula Mae’s to provide Thanksgiving meals
Lula Mae’s Day Center Inc., 613 W. Eighth Ave., will provide free community Thanksgiving meals Nov. 23 from noon to 2 p.m. while supplies last. The event is the agency’s annual Thanksgiving Outreach. Lula Mae’s mission is to serve as a resource to support people and communities by providing the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to sustain a quality, self-sufficient lifestyle while becoming positive contributors to society, according to a news release. Details: Shaneka Hamilton, executive director, (870) 663-0472.
Monday, Nov. 25
A&P commission to meet
The Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission will meet at 4:30 p.m. Nov. 25 at the office of the A&P Commission at 623 S. Main St., according to a news release. Details: Betty Brown, A&P administrative assistant, (870) 534-2121.
Saturday, Nov. 30
Tractor Supply to host farmers’ market
Tractor Supply Co., 6903 Sheridan Road, will host a farmers’ market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 30. The event will feature locally-grown, fresh produce, as well as other seasonal products. People can stop in for homemade crafts, baked goods, arts and crafts and soaps, all produced by neighbors in the White Hall area, according to a news release.
Through Sunday, Dec. 1
Fund drive for artwork set
The Pine Bluff Art League will have a drawing for artwork by Richard Stephens titled “First Snow” valued at $1,000. The drawing will be held Dec. 1 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building. Funds generated from the fund drive will continue the funding of publicly accessible art league demonstrations, workshops and art recognition of community members in and around southeast Arkansas, according to a news release. For more on Stephens, visit raswatercolors.com/ and facebook.com/richard.stephens.545. Art collectors wishing to add this piece to their collection may purchase $5 raffle tickets by making a check to the Pine Bluff Art League. Mail the check and contact information, name, address, email, and phone number to the Pine Bluff Art League, Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building, 211 W. Third Ave., Box 8, Pine Bluff, AR 71601.
Tuesday, Dec. 3
Christmas Parade set Dec. 3
The city of Pine Bluff will present Mistletoe Magic, the annual Christmas Parade, at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 3 in downtown Pine Bluff. “The parade promises to be a spectacular showcase of holiday cheer, featuring beautifully decorated floats, lively marching bands, and local organizations,” according to the release. “Participants from across the community will bring this theme to life, offering family-friendly entertainment for all ages to enjoy.” Local businesses and organizations interested in participating in the parade are encouraged to sign up early, as spots fill quickly. For registration details and more information, contact Mary Liddell at (870) 643-2383 or marylddll@yahoo.com or Mar’Tavius Proctor at (870) 730-2004 or mproctor@cityofpinebluff-ar.gov .
Through Tuesday, Dec. 3
2025 Leadership Pine Bluff class open
Now is the time to nominate outstanding individuals or apply for the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Leadership Pine Bluff class. The deadline to apply is Dec. 3, according to the Chamber newsletter. Leadership Pine Bluff is designed to cultivate the next generation of leaders by offering participants a unique opportunity to network with community leaders and peers; learn about key sectors, including education, healthcare, law enforcement, tourism, and industry; connect with top executives from local businesses and organizations; and gain insights into the economic development and future growth of the region. Details: the Chamber at (870) 535-0110.
Thursday, Dec. 5
UAPB plans Shark Tank event
All high school and junior high school student entrepreneurs are invited to participate in a Shark Tank event at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff at 10 a.m. Dec. 5 at the Henderson-Young Hall auditorium. The event is sponsored by the UAPB Department of Human Sciences in collaboration with the Office of Recruitment, according to a news release. Students will have the chance to pitch their business ideas for a Shark Tank event. The grand prize of $100 will be announced at the end of the event. Registration ends Dec. 2. To register, students must fill out the form available at www.surveymonkey.com/r/VG8WVFM . Details: Marilyn Bailey at baileym@uapb.edu or Kimberly Haynie at hayniek@uapb.edu.
Saturday, Dec. 7
ASC to host Potpourri
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will host Potpourri: Spirit of the Arts gala from 6-11 p.m. Dec. 7 at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. Potpourri is the ASC’s fund-raising gala. The gala will feature dinner by Chef Jamie McAfee, drinks sponsored by MK Distributors, a silent art auction, a silent spirits auction, live music by Groove City, and a live auction with Master of Ceremonies Matt Soto. This year’s event is dedicated to longtime ARTx3 volunteer and Potpourri supporter Becky Loyd Simpson, who died in 2023. Tickets are $200 for members and $250 for nonmembers. They may be purchased at artx3.org/potpourri, by calling (870) 536-3375, or at the Arts & Science Center.
Beginning Saturday, Dec. 7
Blues concert series set
The Port City Blues Society will host the third “Blues By Budweiser” concert series 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 members are admitted free. There is a $5 cover charge for non-members. MK Distributors is the sponsor, according to a news release. Concerts for 2024-2025 include: Dec. 7, Fonky Donkey; Jan. 4, 2025, Trey Johnson and Jason Willmon; and Feb. 1, 2025, Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain.
Sunday, Dec. 8
Ceremony to honor deceased children
The Desha County Chapter of the Compassionate Friends invites the community to the 28th annual World-wide Candle Lighting Remembrance at 6 p.m. Dec. 8 at the Dumas Community Center, 18 Belmont Drive, in Dumas. At 7 p.m., participants will light candles in memory of all children “gone too soon … that their light will always shine,” a spokesman said in a news release. A short program of greetings, readings, poems, music and a candle light ceremony will be presented. If you plan to attend, please let the group know by Dec. 4. To RSVP or for more information, text or call (870) 866-6985, (870) 377-4299 or (870) 222-7836.
Friday, Feb. 14
Alphas plan scholarship fundraiser
The Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., in conjunction with the Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation, will present the Valentine’s Scholarship Fundraiser at 7:06 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The community is invited to attend the gala which funds thousands of dollars in scholarships for area students. The theme is “All Black Affair.” Tickets are $40 per person. Tables are $400 each, according to Stuff in The Bluff.com. Scholarship sponsorship opportunities are also available. The Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation and mailed by Feb. 10 to the Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation, P.O. Box 3159, Pine Bluff, AR 71611. Details: Arzo Knox, (501) 351-7336 or arzo.knox@hotmail.com.