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, Nov. 18
Ivy Center plans Girl/Guy Talk
The Ivy Center for Education announces events. Nov. 18 — Girl/Guy Talk is set from 6-7:30 p.m., at the Generator, 435 S. Main St. Seventh-12th graders will meet with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Alpha Rho Chapter at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter, and Pi Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Those who cannot attend in person may join via Zoom with ID 856 8296 4187 and Password 351061. Details: Ivy Center President Mattie Collins, mattie1908@gmail.com.
Wednesday, Nov. 19
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Barrque Street church hosts concert
Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 W. Pullen St., will present “A Night of Thanks” concert, Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m. Featured choirs will include Old St. James Voices of Victory, Kings Highway Baptist Church Choir and Barraque Street Sanctuary Choir. Also featured will be Nora Celestine, a psalmist; Keenon Coleman, a minister; and Elder Maurice Tatum, Minister of Music at Barraque Street. Barraque Street’s interim pastor is Gary Noble.
Thursday, Nov. 20
Sheraton Park neighbors to meet
The Sheraton Park Neighborhood Watch/Taylor Association Watch will meet Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. in Grace Episcopal Church’s Brown Hall, 4101 S. Hazel St. Brown Hall is located at the back of the church. The speaker will be Joyce Campbell, chief of staff for Mayor Vivian Flowers. The Neighborhood Watch meetings enable Pine Bluff residents to receive information concerning different areas of the city. The meeting is open to Ward 2 residents as well as everyone else, according to a news release.
Christian Women’s luncheon set
The Christian Women’s Connection will host its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The feature and speaker will be Jan Preston of Plano, Texas. Her topics will be “How to Write Your Memoirs” and “The memories of your life,” according to a news release. Preston has worked in the cosmetic industry for more than 30 years, traveling to more than 16 states. The Christian Women’s luncheon is $20. Everyone is invited to attend. All participants are asked to honor their reservations. For reservations or cancellations, contact Jennifer Keahey at (870) 540-9302.
PBHS students showcase art
The ARTx3 Campus will host an opening reception for an exhibition of work by Pine Bluff High School students from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. The event is free and open to the public. “It Was All A Dream” invites viewers to step into a world where imagination and reality intertwine. The exhibition will be on view in the Loft Gallery through Feb. 26. For more information or to schedule a viewing, contact Shakeelah Rahmaan, interim curator and programs director, at srahmaan@artx3.org or call (870) 536-3375 or visit artx3.org/exhibitions/2025-pine-bluff-high-school.
Friday, Nov. 21
Open Mic Poetry set at ARTx3
The ARTx3 Campus will present ART WORKS Presents: Open Mic Poetry, from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 21 in the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater at ART WORKS on Main, 627 S. Main St. Tru Poet hosts. “Ages 16 and older are invited to share their spoken-word selections and original creations in an encouraging and inspiring environment that celebrates the art of poetry and storytelling,” according to the release. No registration is required. Participants can enter for a chance to win door prizes. Drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. Entry is $10 for ARTx3 members and students, and $15 for nonmembers. For more information, contact Bethany Gere, theater and programs coordinator, at bgere@artx3.org or call (870) 536-3375.
Through Friday, Nov. 21
A&P accepting grant applications
The Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission is accepting applications from non-profit organizations for its 2026 funding cycle. The deadline to apply is 3 p.m. Nov. 21. These grants aim to support activities, events, and facilities that promote tourism and drive economic activity within the Pine Bluff city limits, according to a news release. Interested non-profit organizations and public commissions must complete an application to be considered for funding. The application can be found at www.ExplorePineBluf,com under the “A&P Commission” tab. You may also request an application by calling (870) 534-2121.
Saturday, Nov. 22
New Community to open pantry
New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St., will give away food Nov. 22 from 8-9:30 a.m. The community is invited to participate.
Faith church plans bazaar
Faith Community Church, 3703 Ryburn Road, in the Watson Chapel community, will hold its Christmas bazaar from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 22, the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The bazaar will include handmade crafts, decorations, baked goods, candies, frozen casseroles, soups, wreaths and other items, according to a flier. Participants may also register to win four gift cards. The drawings for the cards will be made hourly between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Winners must be present to receive the gift. Details: (870) 879-3360.
St. John to give away food
St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St., will give away food boxes to those who are in need, Nov. 22, from 9 a.m. until all food is gone. Pickup will be in front of the church on Cherry Street. For safety reasons, recipients are asked to stay in their vehicles and open their trunks. State ID’s are required to receive one box per family, according to a news release.
Monday, Nov. 24
EHC holding pecan fundraiser
The Jefferson County Extension Homemakers Club members will meet at the Jefferson County Extension Office, 500 Idaho St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 24, to sell pecans and other items for their fundraiser. Items for sale are: 1 pound bag Fancy Mammoth Pecan Halves for $15; 1 pound bag chocolate double-dipped peanuts for $15; and new Holiday Foods Cookbooks for $5. For details, call Brenda Robinson, Jefferson County EHC president-elect and pecan sale chairman, at (870) 540-6970, or Mary Ann Kizer, Jefferson County Family and Consumer Sciences agent, at the extension office, (870) 534-1033.
Thursday, Dec. 4
Alphas to observe 119th Founders’ Day
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter will celebrate its 119th Founders’ Day at 7:06 p.m. Dec. 4 at Barraque Street Missionary Baptist Church, 1800 W. Pullen Ave. The guest speaker will be Chancellor Anthony Graham of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The general public is welcomed to attend this free event, according to a Stuff in The Bluff.com.
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.
Saturday, Dec. 6
Blues concert to feature Fuzzy Jeffries
Port City Blues Society will host an edition of the Midtown Blues concert series at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St., at 8 p.m. Dec. 6. The event will feature award winning blues artist, Fuzzy Jeffries and the Kings of Memphis. The Midtown Blues series is made possible by Midtown Tire & Auto and Explore Pine Bluff. The doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free for Port City Blues Society members and $5 for others, according to a news release.
Downtown property group to meet
The Pine Bluff Downtown Property Owners Association Group meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 6 at the Hen House, 204 S. Main St. The purpose is to discuss restarting the group and what they would like to accomplish. Coffee, hot chocolate, hot cider, juice and donuts will be served. “Please come and bring your ideas,” Jan Robinson said in a news release. Details: Jan Robinson, (512) 461-3983.
Sunday, Dec. 14
Compassionate Friends plan event
The Desha County Chapter of the Compassionate Friends will hold its 29th annual Candle Lighting Remembrance at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Dumas Community Center in Dumas. The community is invited to attend. The program will honor the memories of all children who have died, but will never be forgotten, according to a news release. The event will consist of a memorial display, greetings, readings, poems, music selections and a candle lighting ceremony. “At 7 p.m. participants will light candles in memory of all our children gone too soon … that their light will always shine,” according to the release. A reception will follow the program. There is no admission fee, however donations are appreciated. Details: (870) 866-6985, (870) 377-4299, or (972) 365-1930. Brenda Norman is the co-leader and event planner.
Through Friday, Dec. 19
Leadership 2026 seeks applicants
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominations and applications for the 2026 Leadership Pine Bluff program. All completed applications are due by Dec. 19 and must include a $35 registration fee. “Founded in 1981, Leadership Pine Bluff was the very first leadership program established in the state of Arkansas,” according to a news release. “Its mission is to expose business and community leaders to all sectors of the community — helping them learn, network, and develop the skills needed to take on future leadership roles in Pine Bluff and beyond.” For details, contact the Chamber at (870) 535-0110, email jennifer@jeffersoncountyalliance.ccsend.com or see the application at https://files.constantcontact.com/91329166001/9f2b5345-9617-4281-84b8-d1455cbf68c8.pdf?rdr=true
Through Wednesday, Dec. 31
Extension internships available
Applications are open for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s 2026 county extension agent internship. The paid, 10-week summer program offers college students an immersive, hands-on look at life as an extension agent. The internship is offered by the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach and education arm of the Division of Agriculture. College juniors and seniors studying agriculture, horticulture or family and consumer sciences-related fields are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is Dec. 31, 2025, and those selected for the program will be notified by mid-January 2026. Apply online at bit.ly/apply-county-agent-internship.
Saturday, Feb. 28
Hospital foundation sets gala
Jefferson Regional Foundation will present the Winter Wonderland Ball 2026 on Feb. 28 at the White Hall Community Center. There will be live entertainment, according to a flier. Tickets are $250. For tickets and sponsorship information, contact Laura Beth Shaner at (870) 541-7210.