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.
Wednesday, May 26
A&P commission to meet
The Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion (A&P) Commission meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Details: (870) 534-2121.
Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesday. Announcements can be for in-person services or online events. Pastors, ministers or others interested in writing for the Devotional Page may also submit columns for consideration. Articles should be submitted by email to shope@pbcommercial.com.
Beginning Thursday, May 27
Virtual VA claims clinic set
The Little Rock Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office will begin monthly Virtual VA Claims Clinics for Arkansas veterans who have questions about their VA claims, according to a news release. The first claims clinic will be held from 4-6 p.m. May 27. Participants must make an appointment. To schedule a virtual appointment, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. before May 26. The virtual clinics will be staffed by VA Regional Office employees ready to assist veterans one-on-one with specific questions regarding VA claims, according to the release. For details about VA benefits, visit http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ or call 800-827-1000.
Sunday, May 30
One Pine Bluff Praying
continues
One Pine Bluff Praying Together Services for people to gather one hour and pray for the growth and prosperity of the city will continue at 6 p.m. Sunday at New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St. The event will follow health guidelines and mask wearing.
Through Sunday, May 30
UAPB LIONS Program
applications available
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff will conduct its 2021 Learning Institute and Opportunities for New Students (LIONS) Program in-person. The last year’s session was virtual. The LIONS Program is a five-week summer residential academic enrichment experience that assists new UAPB freshmen in making a successful transition from high school and home to college life, according to a news release. Applications for the 2021 LIONS Program are still available and the deadline to apply is May 30. The summer program starts July 6. Details: Carolyn Mills, LIONS Program director, 870-575-8362.
Monday, May 31
White Hall Museum hosts Memorial Day event
At 10 a.m. May 31, the White Hall Museum, 9009 Dollarway Road, will hold a ceremony in honor of local veterans who have served in the military. The Pine Bluff Community Band will play and the names of those killed or missing in action will be read aloud and the sacrifice of Gold Star Families will be acknowledged. Refreshments will be served.
State Memorial Day event to be live-streamed
The Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock will be the site for the state’s live-streamed Memorial Day ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday, May 31. Congressman French Hill and Attorney General Leslie Rutledge are scheduled to speak. While the ceremony is by invitation only, the cemetery will be open to the public to visit graves Memorial Day, according to a news release. The public can view the ceremony on the cemetery’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ASVCNLR/
Century Farm applications due
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2021 Arkansas Century Farm program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. To apply, the same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2021. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption. The farm must be at least 10 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income. There is no cost to apply. Online applications are available at: www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-services/arkansas-century-farm-program/. Details: Beth Moore, (501) 539-4027 or beth.moore@agriculture.arkansas.gov.
Through Monday, May 31
UAM Kids University set
The sixth UAM Kids’ University will be held July 12-15, at the University of Arkansas at Monticello. The day camp for students entering 1st through 6th grades in the fall aims to cultivate new interests, expand knowledge, and spark imagination and creativity, according to a news release. Sessions for students in grades 1-3 will be held from 9 a.m. to noon. Sessions for 4-6th graders will be held from 1-5 p.m. Early registration before May 31: Single-day rate — $25 per day; all four days: $80. Registration fees: Single-day rate increases to $30 per day after May 31. The price for all four days increases to $100 after May 31. Register online at https://www.uamont.edu/about/kids-university.html. Details: Rebecca Newton at newtonr@uamont.edu or call (870) 460-1596.
GYM sponsors free meals
GYM is giving away free supper and snack grab meals in a youth feeding program until May 31, according to a news release. Meals can be picked up Monday through Thursday at Watson Chapel High School Cafeteria, 4000 S. Camden Road, from 4:30-5:15 p.m.; Coleman Intermediate School Cafeteria, 4600 W. 13th Ave., from 3:30-5 p.m.; and Cherry Street Memorial AME Zion Church, 800 S. Cherry St., from 4:15-5:45 p.m. GYM is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The director is Antoinette Burks.
TOPPS hosts food program
TOPPS Inc., 1000 Townsend Drive, is participating in the At Risk Grab and Go and Parent Pick Up Food Program. Meals will be provided free to children ages 18 and under. TOPPS doesn’t discriminate, according to the news release. Meals will be provided at TOPPS Teen Center, 1000 Townsend Drive, through May 2021. The Grab and Go and Parent Pick Up meals will be available Monday through Thursday, 1-4:30 p.m. Details: TOPPS, (870) 850-6011.
Boys & Girls Club hosting food program
The Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County is participating in the At Risk Grab and Go Food Program through May. Meals will be provided free to children ages 18 and under, according to the news release from TOPPS Inc. Meals will be provided at the club at 2701 S. Reeker St. from 4:30-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Children may come by and sign for a supper and snack. For details contact Paulette Purchase at TOPPS, (870) 850-6011.
Beginning Wednesday, June 2
First Trinity sets food giveaway, vaccine clinic
First Trinity Church of God in Christ, 800 S. Catalpa St., will host two events. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 2 food will be given away on a first come-first served basis until all food is distributed. All participants are encouraged to wear masks. For details, call the church office at (870) 534-2873. From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 5, First Trinity will hold a covid-19 vaccine clinic. ExpressRX Pharmacy will administer the Moderna vaccine. Anyone 16 years or older can register at ExpressRX.net or call the store at (870) 850-0159 to set an appointment, according to a news release.
Thursday, June 3
New business sets ribbon cutting
Child Care Aware WCA, 1301 Ridgway Road, Suite 1A, will host an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 3. The ribbon cutting will be held at 11 a.m., according to a newsletter from the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Friday, June 4
Veterans’ vaccine clinic set at Monticello
A covid-19 vaccine clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 4 at the VFW #4515 at 148 Veterans Drive, Monticello. The clinic is for all veterans and their spouses, partners and caregivers, according to a news release from Sue Harper, District 9 Veteran Service Officer, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.
Beginning Friday, June 4
Gloves Not Guns plans Pine Bluff boxing events
Gloves Not Guns is planning to host two qualifying tournaments at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The Arkansas State Silver Gloves is set for June 4-5. Winners from that tournament will compete in the Region 6 Silver Gloves, set for July 24-26 in Pine Bluff. The region is made up of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas, according to a spokesman. For details or to become a sponsor, contact Albert Brewer, club founder and director at (870) 329-3875.
Saturday, June 5
Pine Bluff-Altheimer Blues Festival set
The Pine Bluff-Altheimer 2021 Blues Festival is happening June 5 at Cook Family Park, 11712 N. U.S. 79 at Altheimer. The gates will open at 4 p.m., according to Stuff in The Bluff.com. The hosts will be Broadway Joe and Comedian Keith Glason. The special guest will be Calvin Richardson. A special tribute to Arkansas legend Billy “Soul” Bonds will be featured. Guests will also include Ms. Jody, Nathaniel Kimble, Summer Wolfe, Mo Bo, Big John Miller and Willie P. They will all be performing with live bands. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the gate. A VIP seat at a table is available for $30. Tickets can be purchased at the usual outlets or online at https://tickets.impacttickets.com/event/pine-bluff-altheimer-2021-blues-festival.
Agencies plan dinner
fundraiser
Arkansas Community Organizations and Women of Grace of the National Trusted Partners for Christ will host a fish dinner fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. June 5 at 2101 E. Sixth Ave. Meals will include fish and side items, according to a news release. Details: (870) 536-6300 or 360-1934.
Through Sunday, June 6
School garden contest
entries being accepted
Entries are being accepted for the eighth annual Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest until June 6. The contest is sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas, according to a news release. Applicants may be any school, early childhood education facility, or alternative learning environment that had a school garden during the 2020-2021 school year or is planning to start a garden in the 2021-2022 school year. Winners will be announced at the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year. Details: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ArkansasAgriculture1/ArkansasGrownSchoolGardenOfTheYearContest2021.
Arts center invites artists to enter Rosenzweig Exhibition
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (ASC), 701 S. Main St., seeks submissions to its Irene Rosenzweig Biennial Juried Exhibition for 2021. The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. June 6. The exhibition runs July 22 through Oct. 6, according to a news release. The exhibition is open to artists 18 or older who live in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Texas. Details: asc701.org/rosenzweig or call (870) 536-3375.
Beginning Monday, June 7
TOPPS plans summer camp
TOPPS Inc. will host the Break Out youth summer camp from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 7 through Aug 6. Guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be enforced. Slots will be limited, according to a news release. TOPPS will conduct reading, math and creative writing sessions in the mornings and enrichment activities in the afternoon, including physical fitness, swimming, skating, karate, robotics, music, crafts, cooking, fishing, sewing, tours and golf. Teens will be introduced to Junior Toastmasters, financial literacy, job training skills and entrepreneurship. For the application fee, weekly fee or details, interested participants should call TOPPS at (870) 850-6011 between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Annette Dove is TOPPS’ executive director.
Arts center hosts youth summer camps
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., offers summer camp sessions for youth. Camps include: THEATER CAMP: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday–Friday, June 7–18; ages 12–17; THEATRE JR. CAMP: 1–4 p.m. Monday–Friday, June 21–25; ages 7–11; ART I CAMP: 9 a.m.–noon Monday–Friday, June 21–25; ages 7–11; CERAMICS CAMP: 1–4 p.m. Monday–Friday, June 28–July 2, July 5; ages 12–17; STEAM CAMP: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday–Friday, July 12-16; ages 12–17; CREATE LAB: 1–4 p.m. Monday–Friday, July 19–23; ages 10-17; DANCE CAMP: 9 a.m.–noon Monday–Friday, July 19–23; ages 7–17. Income-based scholarships are available, according to a news release. For registration, scholarship applications or details, interested participants should visit asc701.org/summer-camps or contact Public Programs Coordinator Shakeelah Rahmaan at srahmaan@asc701.org or (870) 536-3375.
Wednesday, June 9
Foundation sets free grant writing event
Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation will host a free virtual grant writing workshop for local nonprofits. Participants are urged to attend the one-hour event via Zoom at noon June 9 to learn how to write and apply for grants. Foundation representatives will include Pine Bluff area executive director, Lawrence Fikes; Pine Bluff area affiliate board members MaryRoss Taylor and Ginger Casteel; and Shannon Williams, affiliate officer, according to a news release. The Zoom meeting ID is 841 8676 5061 and the passcode is pinebluff. For the Zoom link or to RSVP, emails should be sent to pinebluffarea@arcf.org. Details: Lawrence Fikes, (870) 850-7934 or email pinebluffarea@arcf.org.
Friday, June 11
Little Miss Pink Tomato Competition set
The 2021 Little Miss Pink Tomato competition is set for 2:30 p.m. June 11 in the First Baptist Church Activity Center on Main Street at Warren. Seating will be limited. Applications are still being accepted for the pageant, according to a news release. Eligible participants must be 4, 5 or 6 years old by June 1 and must live in Bradley, Ashley, Dallas, Drew, Calhoun, Cleveland, Lincoln or Union counties. The entry fee for the pageant is $25. Entry forms are available at the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce office or applications may be downloaded at www.pinktomatofestival.com. The deadline to apply is June 4. Details: (870) 226-5457 or (870) 226-5758.
Through Saturday, June 12
2021 Annual Pine Bluff High School Exhibition
The Arts & Science Center will host its annual exhibition of artwork by Pine Bluff High School students through June 12. Art teacher Shalisha Thomas has worked with young artists for almost a decade and ASC looks forward to sharing the students’ work with the public. This exhibition is sponsored by Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co., according to the release.
Beginning Saturday, June 12
Church hosts family portrait fundraiser
New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St., invites the community to participate in a Family Portrait Day fundraiser June 12-13. Participants will receive one 8X10, two 5X7 and eight wallet size photos for $10. For details and appointment times, call (870) 643-3937.
Sunday, June 13
Old St. James church sets vaccine clinic
Old St. James Missionary Baptist Church, 4512 S. Ohio St., will host a covid-19 vaccination clinic from noon until 2 p.m. June 13. Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy will offer the first dose of the Pfizer vaccine for people 12 years old and older, according to a news release. People may register with Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy online at https://appacuityschedling.com/schedule.phi?owner=2160152&appointmentType=22537587 or just come by the church for the vaccination. Details: Billie Dorn, Old St. James church secretary, at 870-536-7654.
Beginning Monday, June 14
Generator plans youth
digital camp
The Generator, 435 S. Main St., an innovation hub of Go Forward Pine Bluff, will host a summer camp entited Building Digital Skills Forward. The camp will be held June 14-July 2, July 5-23 and July 26-Aug. 13, according to the newsletter of the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce. Building Digital Skills Forward is a summer, engaging, rigorous, multi-track program for 6-12th graders to develop their inherent digital and digital-related skills. For details and registration, visit https://goforwardpinebluff.org/the-generator/