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 to make additions or changes.
Saturday, Feb. 13
ASC sets Valentine’s Day Activity at FunDay
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will feature Pine Bluff native and artist Kimiara Johnson in the Second Saturday Family FunDay. Johnson will lead a Valentine’s Day doll portfolio activity. ASC is offering both in-person and online participation in this event. Visitors can secure a spot between 12:30–3 p.m. Feb. 13 by registering at asc701.org/second-saturday-family-funday/, or calling (870) 536-3375. Walk-ins are also welcome. The session is limited to seven people per time slot. For those who prefer limited contact, free “take & make” kits will be available at ASC’s main entrance from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 12, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 13. An instructional video will be posted at 1 p.m. Feb. 13 on ASC’s Facebook page, facebook.com/asc701/.
Sunday, Feb. 14
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Kings Highway celebrates women’s day
Kings Highway Missionary Baptist Church, 2312 Fluker St., will celebrate women’s day at 10:45 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. The featured speaker will be Shere Morris, a member of Kings Highway. Due to covid-19, the church will celebrate virtually on the Kings Highway Missionary Baptist Church Facebook page.
Monday, Feb. 15
Holiday observance to close agencies
Several agencies will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, observed as President’s Day, Washington’s Birthday and Daisy Bates Day: Pine Bluff City Hall, Jefferson County Courthouse, White Hall City Hall, Pine Bluff School District and Watson Chapel School District.
House of Bread cancels food giveaway
House of Bread Deliverance Church, 500 S. Main St., canceled the food distribution for Monday Feb. 15, until the weather clears up. The church will reschedule this event as well as the Go Fresh event that had been planned for Feb. 11. Saint Mary Harris, House of Bread Apostle, will issue updates. Details: 870-872-2196.
PB school district close for President’s Day
The Pine Bluff School District will be closed Monday, in observance of President’s Day, according to a news release. Meals won’t be delivered to virtual learning students on that date. Classes will resume Feb. 16. Meal deliveries will resume Feb. 17.
Beginning Tuesday, Feb. 16
New Life Church continues food distribution
New Life Church, 2801 S. Olive St., is giving away food boxes in the Farmers to Families Food Drive. The next distributions will be Feb. 16 and Feb. 23. Volunteers are asked to sign up on the church’s Facebook page and be on the site at 12:15 p.m. “If you plan to pick up boxes for churches or other organizations or would like to volunteer to unload the truck, call Community Outreach Coordinator Mary Liddell at 870-643-2383 or email marylddll@yahoo.com,” according to the newsletter from the Pine Bluff Chamber of Commerce.
Thursday, Feb. 18
Mayor to give State of the City Address
Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley M. Washington will deliver the State of the City Address at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Washington will share major accomplishments of the city from the past year as well as its goals for 2021, according to a news release. Due to Covid-19, capacity at the convention center will be limited. Safeguards such as social distancing and mask wearing will be implemented. The address will also be streamed online.
Chamber to host drive-thru annual dinner
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its annual dinner as a drive-thru event from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Pine Bluff Country Club. Tickets are $50 each, according to the Chamber newsletter. The event will feature two pasta dinner options, Chamber swag bags and the chance to briefly meet new Chamber staff members. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Details: Jennifer Kline, events and marketing manager at the Chamber, (870) 535-0110.
Saturday, Feb. 20
CrEATe Lab set
The Arts & Science Center’s nutritious cooking program for youth, CrEATe Lab with Faith Anaya, will be held from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. The program is open to ages 10-17, with a maximum of seven students. The cost is $35. Partial scholarships are available. ASC has partnered with Anaya and her Kids Cook! team for the series. To register for the cooking program, visit asc701.org/create-lab or call ASC at (870) 536-3375.
Through Sunday, Feb. 28
Museum sets free virtual tours at site honoring Ebony founder
Friends of John H. Johnson Museum will offer free virtual tours of the historic John H. Johnson Museum and Educational Center at Arkansas City in observance of Black History Month. Johnson is the late founder of Johnson Publishing Co. which publications included Ebony and Jet magazines. During February, the virtual tours will guide visitors through the museum named for the Arkansas City native, according to a news release. For details on the tour, visitors can send an email to info@johnhjohnsonmuseum.org and they will provide a direct link. Details: www.johnhjohnsonmuseum.org.
Through Monday, March 15
Foundation accepting scholarship applications
Pine Bluff and Jefferson County students can apply for scholarships from the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation. The deadline to apply is March 15. Each scholarship has its own eligibility criteria. In general, the community foundation scholarships are for area students pursuing higher education at two- or four-year colleges or universities, vocational schools or technical training programs, according to a news release. Students can begin their application by visiting www.arcf.org/apply/scholarships/.
Through Monday, March 22
AKA, First Sisters seek scholarship applicants
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Delta Omega Omega Chapter, and First Sisters Outreach Inc. are accepting scholarship applications from graduating female high school seniors who will be attending the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. March 22, according to a news release. Applications and eligibility requirements are available online at akadeltaomegaomega.com/scholarship.html or by emailing Ka’Lisa Stanfield at akadooscholar@gmail.com.
Through Thursday, March 25
AgDiscovery teen program applications set at UAPB
Applications are being accepted for AgDiscovery, a residential career and science exploration program for teens. March 25 is the application deadline, said Willie Columbus, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff educational outreach coordinator and AgDiscovery program director. UAPB will host AgDiscovery June 12-25 on campus. UAPB is among 21 institutions to host the event. A complete list of host universities, brochures, information and application forms and instructions are available online at www.aphis.usda.gov/agdiscovery. Details: Willie Columbus at UAPB at (870) 575-7145 or columbusw@uapb.edu or the UAPB AgDiscovery Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/uapbagdiscovery/.
Through Friday, March 26
Homegrown By Heroes Scholarship forms available
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture and Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas are partnering to provide two $1,000 Homegrown by Heroes academic scholarships to military veterans and active military personnel, their spouses, and children who are pursuing degrees in agriculture. Funding for the scholarships is provided by Farm Credit. Applications are due March 26 and are available at agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-programs/. Details: arkansasgrown.org/homegrown-by-heroes/.
Through Saturday, April 10
ASC slates new exhibits
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas announces two new exhibits. “New Territory: Paintings by Michelle Fair” will be open at ASC through April 3. The display conceptualizes figures interacting with their environment autonomously, giving the subjects of the paintings a home, yet allows the subjects and spaces to disconnect, reflecting a new stage in Fair’s life, according to a news release. The exhibition, “Feeling Through: Examine Emotion in the Midst of Unrest,” by photographer Catherine Elizabeth Patton will be open through April 10. The display is a self-reflection of the artist’s emotions and her attempt to examine and understand them during covid-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement. Details: asc701.org.