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.
Underway
Election-related dates set
The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office reminds voters of upcoming dates in preparation for the primary election: Early voting underway at the courthouse through Friday, May 13, (8 a.m.-6 p.m.); Saturday, May 14, (10 a.m.-4 p.m.); Monday, May 16, through Friday, May 20, (8 a.m.-6 p.m.); Saturday, May 21, (10 a.m.-4 p.m.); Monday, May 23, (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) May 17 — Last day to receive applications for absentee voting by mail, fax, or email; and last day to mail absentee ballots. May 20 — Last day to transfer voters into Jefferson County. May 24 — Election day (7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. at the polling locations). Details: Jefferson County Clerk’s Office, (870) 541-5322.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Wednesday, May 11
Arsenal destroys items
Residents living close to Pine Bluff Arsenal should not be alarmed if they hear small explosions or see smoke coming from the arsenal today. Personnel from the Little Rock Air Force Base Explosive Ordnance Detachment will be destroying obsolete production items during the morning, according to a news release.
Event set for minority,
women-owned firms
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) will host its annual Matchmaker Event for minority and women-owned businesses from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 11 at the Heifer International headquarters at Little Rock. Business owners will have 15-minute scheduled matchmaking appointments with private and public sector vendors to discuss possible contracts for their goods and services. Sidney Moncrief, a five-time NBA All-Star, former Arkansas Razorback, author, and founder of One Team and Game Changers, Inc., will be the keynote speaker, according to a news release. For details or to register, visit https://info.arkansasedc.com/2022Matchmaking.
Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesday. 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 should be submitted by email to shope@pbcommercial.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Thursday, May 12
Summit to host band
concert
The Pine Bluff Community Band will present a spring concert at 6 p.m. Thursday at Summit Baptist Church, 901 Ridgway Road. A variety of music will be played from marches to “big band” swing. The public is invited to attend and the concert is free, according to a news release.
Veterans Legal Clinic set
The Veterans Legal Clinic will be open from 9-11 a.m. May 12 at the Sgt. Elga Lee Roberts Veterans Center, 114 S. State St. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services conducts the free clinic, according to a news release. The clinic may help veterans with issues such as VA benefits, child support issues, domestic violence protection, collections, filing bankruptcy, housing, expungement of criminal records, and assistance with seeking SNAP or other public benefits. The city of Pine Bluff hosts the clinic the second Thursday of the month. Details: (870) 541-5495.
Harrington, Penister
reception set at ASC
The public is invited to a free artist reception for the exhibitions “In Between” by Tammy Harrington and “Life’s a Card Game” by Rashawn Penister. The reception will be 5-7 p.m. May 12 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. “‘In Between combines Harrington’s sensibilities as a printmaker with the Chinese folk art of paper cut,” according to the news release. Harrington exhibition will be at ASC from May 5 through July 30. Penister’s “Life’s a Card Game” exhibition features mixed-media portraits inspired by the idiom “to play the cards you’re dealt.” Penister’s exhibition will be at ASC from May 12 through June 25.
ASC slates Art Night on The Block
People are invited to join the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas for Art Night on The Block, an activity for all ages from 5-7 p.m. May 12. At ASC’s home facility, patrons should stop by for a drop-in reception and to view work by exhibiting artists Tammy Harrington and Rashawn Penister. The ARTSpace on Main will feature a collaborative art project created by Pine Bluff High School, Dollarway High School and Robert Morehead Middle School students, who have been working with ASC’s Arts in Integration residency artists, Elly Bates, Aida Ayers and Brie Boyce. People can participate in science experiments and learn about the summer camps. Visit ART WORKS on Main to play games in the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater.
Beginning Thursday, May 12
Graduation dates set
Area graduations are being held. Watson Chapel High School’s commencement was May 10 and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s was May 7. The upcoming graduations include: Thursday, May 12: White Hall High School, 7 p.m., Bulldog Stadium; Friday, May 13: Southeast Arkansas College, 7 p.m., Pine Bluff Convention Center; Tuesday, May 17: Dollarway High School, 6 p.m., UAPB’s H.O. Clemmons Arena; Wednesday, May 18: Friendship Aspire Academy Southeast Campus, noon, school gymnasium; and Friday, May 20: Pine Bluff High School, 7 p.m., Pine Bluff Convention Center.
Friday, May 13
UAM plans commencement
The University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) will hold its spring commencement in two ceremonies May 13 in the Steelman Field House at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., according to a news release. The 10 a.m. ceremony will include the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, the School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, the School of Nursing, the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences and the Division of General Studies. The 2 p.m. ceremony will include the School of Arts and Humanities, the School of Business, the School of Computer Information Systems and the School of Education. Commencement will be livestreamed on YouTube. Details: www.uamont.edu or the Office of Academic Affairs, (870) 460-1033.