House of Bread to give away food
House of Bread Deliverance Church, 1501 W. Second Ave., will hold its monthly food giveaway Jan. 17 from 11 a.m. until all the food has been distributed. Participants must show proof of address which must be at least one of these: a driver’s license, identification, or utility bills. All new clients will fill out a new client intake form on site, according to a news release. Details: Saint Mary Harris, senior pastor, House of Bread, (870) 872-2196.
Sheraton Park residents to meet
Sheraton Park Neighborhood Watch & Taylor Association will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at Grace Episcopal Church, 4101 S. Hazel St., in the Brown building located in the back of the church. The guest speaker will be a representative from the county judge’s office speaking about recycling. Everyone is welcomed to attend, according to a news release.
Orders due Friday for Chamber dinner
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Orders are due Friday for tickets or table sponsorships for the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.
“Join us as we celebrate the accomplishments of the Chamber and Alliance in 2025 and look ahead to an exciting year of growth and opportunity for Pine Bluff at the 2026 Annual Dinner,” according to a news release.
The event will be held Jan. 22 at the4 Pine Bluff Country Club. From 6- 6:30 p.m. cocktails will be served and dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $60 for members and $65 non-members. Table sponsorships are $600 for a seated table for eight people.
This year’s featured speaker is Bill Jones, CEO of Sissy’s Log Cabin and a member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
“Commissioner Jones has generously donated property for the Bayou Bartholomew water trail project, a transformative effort designed to bring tourism and outdoor recreation to Pine Bluff. Don’t miss the chance to hear more about this initiative and the opportunities it will bring to our region,” according to the release.
For tickets or details, contact Chamber Director Jennifer Kline at jennifer@jeffersoncountyalliance.com or (870) 535-0110.
Art League plans workshop
The Pine Bluff Art League (PBAL) will host a monoprinting workshop led by league member Dell Gorman from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 16. The league invites area artists and beginners to attend at the session at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. Participants will learn from start to finish how to produce a unique monoprint, according to a news release.
The workshop is open to anyone ages 15 and older. The cost is $25 for nonmembers, with a $5 discount for members. Artists can mail checks to the Pine Bluff Art League, Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building, 211 W. Third Ave., Box 8, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. For a list of materials and more information, contact Co-President Gerry DeLongchamp at (870) 692-5001.
Yearly membership dues for the art league are $40 until March 15. Artists can mail it to Pine Bluff Art League. Members may have their work shown at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas during the annual Pine Bluff Art League Juried Exhibition. Details: pbal.org or mediapinebluffartleague@gmail.com.
Kingfest begins, Justice Sunday set
Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration began the 42nd PBICVR Original KingFest™ MLK Celebration Week on Monday, honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the National Mentoring Month.
KICKOFF/PARADE
The celebration was scheduled to begin at Watson Chapel High School featuring Third Ward Council Member William Fells addressing the Watson Chapel High School Wildcat Society Gentlemen Club.
There will also be a Birthday Bash on Jan. 15, celebrating King’s birthday at Coleman Elementary School and Friendship Aspire Academy Elementary School, promoting the message of nonviolence.
The Watson Chapel High School Wildcat Society will lead the KingFest Parade/Marade at 2 p.m. Jan. 19, joined by the Pine Bluff High School Gentlemen Club and families of homicide victims, in a community-wide effort to call for an end to gun violence in Pine Bluff, according to a news release.
The Kingfest poster contest will be held and trophies will be awarded. Participants should create a poster that shows how people in the city can come together through peace, respect, and nonviolence. Clearly reflect the theme “Uniting Our City the Nonviolent Way.”
JUSTICE SUNDAY
PBICVR, in collaboration with the National Alliance of Faith and Justice, announces the 21st annual Justice Sunday 2026 will take place at 6 p.m. Jan. 18 at New Life Church, 2801 S. Olive St., according to Stuff in The Bluff.com.
The Justice Sunday program focuses on themes of unity, mentorship, and the significant contributions of the faith community to civil rights progress.
Actor and producer, the Rev. Clifton Davis, co-star of the CBS daytime series, “Beyond the Gates,” serves as the national honorary chair of Justice Sunday. Details: PBICVR, (870) 730-1131 or (870) 413-6345 or Facebook.