Hurricane HYPE Fun Day set
New St. Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church, 3319 S. Ohio St., announces a fun day will be held at the Hurricane HYPE Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 24. The center is located near the church. The event is designed especially for middle and elementary school students, according to StuffinTheBluff.com.
“This event is all about bringing our young community together for a memorable day filled with thrilling activities, games and opportunities to make new friends,” a spokesman said.
Registration is available at https://tinyurl.com/hucatmmt. Details: newsthurricane.org or https://www.facebook.com/NewStHurricane/.
Namaste and Gourmet event set
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The community is invited to join an event featuring gourmet snacks and a discussion about wellness and academic success June 2 at 10 a.m. at the McGeorge Hall Seminar room of Southeast Arkansas College.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s Department of Human Sciences and the 100 Families Initiative of Jefferson County are hosting this event titled Namaste and Gourmet.
“Attendees will taste gourmet snacks prepared by a world-class chef, participate in stretching exercises and listen to discussions about the importance of food security and nutrition for mental wellness,” according to a news release.
Speakers include Sylvia Blain, CEO of Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance, and Leonardo Glover, director of wellness and counseling at UAPB. Details: Kimberly Haynie, associate professor of nutrition and food science, at hayniek@uapb.edu.
Edible Garden Conference set
The annual Edible Garden Conference will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 22 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Agriculture Demonstration Outreach Center in Marianna. Registration is free and will take place on-site. The community is invited to attend, according to a flier. Details: Karen Lee, (870) 575-7225.
Locals among new leader class
Fifty-three Arkansans representing diverse industries, backgrounds and regions completed Leadership Arkansas Class XIX and celebrated their graduation Friday at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum in Little Rock.
Southeast Arkansas participants included:
Travis Mosler – Central Moloney – Pine Bluff;
Chris Cook – Entergy Arkansas – Wilmar.
Leadership Arkansas is a nine-month leadership development program operated by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas (State Chamber/AIA). Through on-site tours, immersive discussions, and cultural experiences, the program connects business and civic leaders while exploring the state’s key issues, assets, and opportunities.
“These graduates are better prepared than ever to lead in their communities and industries,” Randy Zook, president and CEO of the State Chamber/AIA, said in a news release. “They leave this program with lifelong connections and a deeper understanding of what drives Arkansas forward.”
Details: www.arkansasstatechamber.com/leadershiparkansas.
Benefit to provide farms ‘seed money’
A Fayetteville fundraiser featuring food by Atlas restaurant chef and owner Elliot Hunt, beverages by Sommelier Aleks Berry and live music by Buddy Shute & the Motivators will provide seed money and other financial support for small farms.
The June 12 benefit for the Farmers for Tomorrow grant will serve up music, food and beverages all for a good cause. The benefit will be held at the Center for Arkansas Farms and Food Farm, 1005 Meade Ave., in Fayetteville. Tickets are $75 each, with discounts for groups of six or more.
The event is presented by CAFF whose mission is to increase the number of thriving farms and farmers in Arkansas. All proceeds directly benefit the Farmers for Tomorrow grant program which helps new local farms launched by CAFF program graduates.
These funds help purchase seeds, tools, structures, and equipment, helping folks like Lucy Bautista fulfill their dream of farming. Bautista is a CAFF graduate who launched Blooming Hope Mushroom Farm with her husband, Rodrigo.
“The Farmers for Tomorrow Grant provided the essential tools and supplies we needed to cultivate our dream as mushroom farmers,” Lucy Bautista said. “Our heartfelt gratitude goes out to CAFF and all of the sponsors of this grant for believing in our potential, empowering our beginnings, and providing the tangible support that continues to nourish our growth.”
In addition to the food, beverages and live music, there will be a silent auction and tour of the farm.
CAFF is a program of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the research arm of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.
Details: https://aaes.uada.edu/ or https://farmandfoodsystem.uada.edu/farmers-for-tomorrow/.