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.
Tuesday, Oct. 28
Civic panel to meet
The Civic Auditorium Complex Commission meeting will be held in person and via Zoom on Tuesday at noon. Participants are asked to RSVP to confirm attendance. To attend by conference call, dial (978) 990-5002 with access code: 7020010, according to a news release. Details: Pine Bluff Convention Center, (870) 536-7600.
Wednesday, Oct. 29
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Fridays. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesdays. 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 are accepted by email to Sandra Hope at shope@adgnewsroom.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Thursday, Oct. 30
Fair housing officials to meet
The Arkansas Fair Housing Commission will hold a free community education outreach event from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 30 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. “Learn who we are, what we do and how we serve you,” according to a flier. Iverson Jackson is director and Rosalyn Miller is deputy director of the agency. To RSVP, call (501) 537-9221 or rosalyn.miller@arkansas.gov.
Health agency plans fall festival
ArchWell Health, 2801 S. Olive St., will present a fall festival from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 30. People are urged to join the agency and other vendors for people 60 and older to discover local resources available as well as visit with other residents. Refreshments will be served and participants may wear costumes, according to a flier. To RSVP or for details, contact Sarah Ann Bost (501) 484-9552 or sarahann.bost@archwellhealth.com.
Free shredding event set
A free fall shredding event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 30 at Saracen Landing. People can shred old papers safely and securely. There’s a limit of 10 boxes per person and items must be sorted and metal free, according to a flier. The event is hosted by the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Clean and Beautiful Commission. Details: Kelli Kennedy, Clean and Beautiful director, (870) 543-4901 or cbcommissionpb@gmail.com.
Friday, Oct. 31
Pantry to give lunch to first responders
The First Ward Living Grace Pantry, 1201 Commerce Road, will give a free hot lunch to first responders from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Oct. 31. All first responders are invited to join the pantry for lunch. “This is our way of saying thank you to the everyday heroes who protect and serve our city and surrounding areas,” said Executive Director Debra Strickland Allen of the First Ward Living Grace Pantry. “Their commitment to safety, courage, and community deserves recognition and gratitude.”
Police change site of Fall Festival
The Pine Bluff Police Department’s annual Fall Festival will be held from 6:30-9 p.m. Oct. 31 at 120 W. Fifth Ave. (former Bank of America building) at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Pine Street. There will be food, prizes, games and other activities. Attendees are welcome to wear family-appropriate costumes to the event, according to a news release. Details: (870) 730-2042.
Shekinah Glory sets fall festival
Shekinah Glory Global Ministries, 1800 W. 73rd Ave., will hold a fall festival from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 31. The community is invited to attend. There will be music, food, candy and more, according to a flier.
Beginning Friday, Oct. 31
Stuttgart church sets fall fest
A fall fest will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at First Christian Church in Stuttgart. There will be craft vendors, a soup and chili luncheon, bake sale, silent auction and other activities, according to a news release. To rent a table or for more details, call Jeannie Teaney at (870) 267-8450.
Through Friday, Oct. 31
EHC set pecan fundraiser
The Jefferson County Extension Homemakers are selling pecans and chocolate covered peanuts, according to a news release. The fundraiser includes: 1 pound bag of Fancy Mammoth (Georgia) Pecan Halves for $15; 1 pound bag chocolate double-dipped peanuts for $15; and New Holiday Foods Cookbooks for $5. All orders must be placed and paid for by Oct. 31. Forms can be picked up at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Office, 500 Idaho St. EHC members will call participants when the pecans and peanuts arrive. Details: Brenda Robinson, Jefferson County EHC president-elect and pecan sale chairman at (870) 540-6970.
Great Arkansas Cleanup set
Keep Arkansas Beautiful has opened registration for the 2025 Great Arkansas Cleanup, Arkansas’ largest fall community improvement initiative. The campaign runs through Oct. 31. KAB asks Arkansans to do their part and help the agency reach its goal of having all 75 counties participate again this year. Volunteers, including civic groups, businesses, local governments and individuals, are encouraged to register their cleanup events at www.keeparkansasbeautiful.com to receive free supplies such as trash bags, gloves, safety vests and shirts while supplies last.
Saturday, Nov. 1
Agri Hall of Fame seeks nominees
The Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame is seeking nominations for its next class of inductees. The nomination deadline is Nov. 1. The Agriculture Hall of Fame recognizes Arkansans who have contributed significantly to the state’s largest industry while spotlighting their contributions to the state’s economic development. Since its first class was selected in 1987, a total of 198 men and women have been inducted, according to a news release. Debbie Moreland, chair of the Arkansas Agriculture Hall of Fame, says anyone can nominate a person believed worthy of the honor. The nomination form is available at https://www.arkansasaghalloffame.org/pages/member-nomination-form/. Forms can also be requested by calling (501) 228-1609.
Blues by Budweiser concerts set
The 2025 Blues by Budweiser concert series will be held at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St. The doors open at 7 p.m. and concerts begin at 8 p.m. Port City Blues Society members are admitted free. There is a $5 cover charge for non-members, according to a news release. The line-up includes Nov. 1 — Charlotte Taylor & Gypsy Rain, who have won numerous blues competitions across the mid-south. The concert series is sponsored by MK Distributors.
Sunday, Nov. 2
Judah honors bishop and wife
Judah Restoration Worship Center, 2401 S. Main St., will celebrate the 33rd Pastoral Anniversary of the bishop and wife, Esau Watson Jr. and Paula Watson, on Nov. 2. At 11 a.m., the featured speaker will be the Rev. Darrell Martin. At 3 p.m., the guest speaker will be the bishop, Anthony Martin.
New Faith honors pastor, wife
New Faith Missionary Baptist Church, 3800 Fir St., will celebrate the 14th Pastoral Anniversary of the Rev. S.E. and Cassandra Shaw at 3 p.m. Nov. 2. The Rev. Silas Roaf Sr., pastor of St. Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, will be the guest speaker and the Rev. William A. Shaw, pastor of Pleasant View Ministries, will be the worship leader. Music will be featured by the Mt. Nebo Mass Choir. This year’s theme is “Guided by Grace, Leading with Love” (Jeremiah 3:15), according to Stuff in The Bluff.com.
Friday, Nov. 7
EHC Holiday Foods Show set
The annual Jefferson County Extension Homemakers Holiday Foods Show will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 7 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 412 W. Sixth Ave. The doors will open at 9 a.m. Tickets are $25 and are available by texting (870) 718-1846 or contacting any Jefferson County Extension Homemaker for assistance in getting tickets, according to a news release.
Through Friday, Nov. 7
AGFC offers schools grants
More than three-quarters of a million dollars is available for Arkansas schools to teach conservation education this year, thanks to a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services to turn poaching violations into education opportunities. All wildlife and fishing fine money collected last year has been set aside by the AGFC specifically for education grants that teachers may use to increase conservation education efforts in their schools, according to a news release. Teachers and administrators have until Nov. 7 to apply for a conservation education grant at www.arkansasedc.com/rural-services/division/grants/wildlife-education-grant.
Saturday, Nov. 8
WHHS JROTC dinner, auction set
The White Hall High School Junior ROTC Booster Club will host its Fall Dinner and Auction from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 8 at White Hall Community Center. Dinner will be catered by Texas Roadhouse and participants may choose steak or chicken, according to the flier. “Support our cadets — strengthen our program,” the flier said. Tickets are $25 each. Tickets won’t be sold at the door. Details: White Hall High School, (870) 247-3255 or see Facebook.
Saturday, Nov. 15
Vaughns to lead Veterans Parade
U.S. veteran and Tuskegee Airman Thomas Franklin Vaughns has been named the grand marshal for the Pine Bluff Regional Veterans Parade, scheduled for 10 a.m. Nov. 15 in downtown Pine Bluff.
Sponsors include the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff Arsenal, city of Pine Bluff, Pine Bluff Convention Center, MK Distributors, Pine Bluff Military and Veterans Museum, Saracen Casino Resort and ExplorePineBluff.com.
Through Saturday, Nov. 15
Brian Wolf exhibit on display
The ARTx3 Campus is hosting the 24-piece exhibition “Strange Awakening” by Brian Wolf at the Loft Gallery at The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. “Strange Awakening,” his latest body of work, is the culmination of self-discovery, acceptance and artistic transformation that began in 2023. “Strange Awakening” will be on view through Nov. 15 by appointment. The exhibition is sponsored by the Kline Family Foundation, according to a news release.
Through Friday, Dec. 5
Farmer grants available
Farmers and ranchers have until Dec. 5 to apply for the Producer Grant Program, according to Henry English, director of the Small Farm Program at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The initiative is part of the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SSARE) program, according to a news release. English said producer grants are used to conduct sustainable agriculture research projects that address timely agricultural production challenges. Producers can apply for the program at https://southern.sare.org. Announcement of funded proposals will take place in late February 2026. Details: UAPB Small Farm Program, (870) 575-7225.