CACC meeting postponed
The Civic Auditorium Complex Commission in-person meeting scheduled for today has been postponed. Details: Pine Bluff Convention Center (870) 536-7600.
Christmas in the Bluff set
Christmas in the Bluff, a free event created in partnership with Turning Point Youth Centers, will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 21 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. The community is invited to attend, according to a news release.
There will be festive activities for all. Children will have the chance to take pictures with Santa and receive a special gift.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“Enjoy engaging activities to entertain the little ones. Come together with friends and neighbors to make this holiday season unforgettable, filled with laughter, love, and the true spirit of Christmas,” according to the release.
Alphas offer scholarships
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter and the Southeast Arkansas Jewel Foundation, are offering $1,000 scholarships to 2025 graduating seniors who reside in and attend a high school in Jefferson County. The deadline to apply is Dec. 20, according to a news release.
Criteria includes that the applicant has enrolled or will enroll as a full time student at a two or four year college or university by August 2025 with at least a 2.5 grade point average. (Legacy scholarships may have other criteria as listed by the donor.) Upon receipt of proof of enrollment, the scholarship may be awarded directly to the college on behalf the recruitment or directly the recipient.
Applications are available at Jefferson County high school counselors’ offices or by contacting Scholarship Co-Chair James Word at (870) 329-4738.
Alpha Week 2024 underway
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter is celebrating Alpha Week 2024.
“The fraternity’s commitment to manly deeds, scholarship and love for all mankind will be highlighted,” according to Stuff in The Bluff.com. The theme is “Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc: 118 years of Empowering Change Through Scholarship and Service to and for our Community.”
Events include:
Today: Alphas will participate in a mentoring program at Watson Chapel High School.
Wednesday: A Founders Day Program will be held at 7:06 p.m. at Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 W. Pullen St. The keynote speaker will be Tyrone Jackson, Ed.D, president of Southeast Arkansas College.
Events held already included Sunday: Brothers gathered for a worship service at Pleasant View Ministries where the Rev. William A. Shaw Jr. is the pastor. Monday, the men promoted the support of Black owned businesses.
Area Agency tells menus
Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas is serving lunches from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. weekdays at the senior centers. Next week’s menu and includes:
Dec. 9 — Baked mushroom burger, stewed tomatoes, Au gratin potatoes, pineapples, and milk.
Dec. 10 — Homemade chicken soup, broccoli and cauliflower salad, crackers, Jell-O cake, and milk.
Dec. 11 — Spaghetti with meat sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic biscuit, orange wedges, and milk.
Dec. 12 — Open face roast beef sandwich with gravy, mashed potatoes, California blend vegetable, fruit, and milk.
Dec. 13 — BBQ on bun, coleslaw, roasted potatoes, hot applesauce, and milk. Details: Strachota Senior Center, (870) 543-6323.
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. Dec. 19. To reserve a timeslot, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 before 4 p.m. Dec. 18, 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.
The main office of the Little Rock VA Regional Office is located at 2200 Fort Roots Drive in North Little Rock and open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Veteran Assist Phone Line, (501) 370-3829, is staffed Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Veterans and their family members may also take advantage of VA’s online tool, Visitor Reporting Engagement Application (VERA), to schedule in-person or virtual appointments with VA benefits counselors. Details: http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ or call 800-827-1000.
Women’s Connection plans luncheon
The Christian Women’s Connection invites the community to its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Pine Bluff Country Club.
The special feature will be Lewis Hinkle, singer from Summit Church in Pine Bluff. The speaker will be Iris May of Lancaster, Texas. Her Topic will be “100,000 Miles to Home,” according to a news release.
May is a hospice nurse, writer, and speaker. May is also a former military spouse, who continued her nursing career during her husband’s deployments and was awarded an accommodation by the Army for her support of mental health for spouses during Operation Desert Storm, according to a news release.
She uses life experiences, such as adopting a baby at age 52, having too many surgeries to count, and including world travel to write books, devotionals, and short stories, according to the release.
“Her new release, ‘100,000 Miles to Home,’ started during a blizzard on the Pennsylvania turnpike. Her military background being almost deft, and using that to cross the borders into China with a Bible courier, is a big part in a future book. She is still doing hospice care and read to her patients for both relaxation and refreshment,” according to the release.
The Women’s Connection 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 not kept.