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, April 9
TOPPS to give away food
TOPPS (Targeting Our People’s Priorities with Service Inc.) will give away food at 10 a.m. April 9 at 1000 Townsend Drive. The monthly distribution is open to the Jefferson County area. One box per household will be given away. Proof of ID is required. TOPPS will use the drive-through method and ask that all persons remain in their vehicles, according to a news release. TOPPS is a non-profit community-based organization. Annette Howard Dove is the founder/director of TOPPS. Details: TOPPS, (870) 850-6011.
Wednesday, April 10
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Pharmacy to host after-hours event
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will present business after hours/open house at Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy headquarters, 205 E. Second Ave., at 5:30 p.m. April 10, according to the Chamber newsletter.
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 Sandra Hope at shope@adgnewsroom.com or shope@adgnewsroom.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Beginning Thursday, April 11
Progressive Women set fundraiser
The Progressive Women’s Association will host a rummage sale scholarship fundraiser at the White Hall Museum, 9009 Dollarway Road, in White Hall, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 11-13. All proceeds will go to the Progressive Women’s Association Scholarship Fund, according to a news release.
Thursday, April 11
Arsenal announces blood drive
A blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 11 at the Pine Bluff Arsenal’s Creasy/Plainview Complex, outside Plainview Gate. Participants should look for the Bloodmobile parked outside. The blood drive is being held with Our Blood Institute. Photo ID is required. All donors will receive a T-shirt. To make an appointment, visit obi.org or call 877-340-8777, according to a news release.
Ivy Center plans ACT Boot Camp
The Ivy Center for Education Inc. will host a free virtual ACT Boot Camp for 7-12 graders Thursday from 6-8 p.m. The presentation will be led byCharity Smith-Allen, principal associate for education at Fetterman & Associates and Team, according to a news release. Parents are also encouraged to join the workshop. To attend virtually, use Zoom ID: 856 8296 4187 and Passcode: 351061. Interested students may sign up by Wednesday by sending an email to Mattie Collins at mattie1908@gmail.com. Details: Follow the Ivy Center for Education on Facebook, Instagram and website ivycenterforeducation.com.
Saturday, April 13
St. John’s gives away food
St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St., will give away food boxes to those in need April 13 from 9 a.m. until all food has been distributed. State ID’s are required to receive one box per family. 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.
White Hall park to host Kids Fest
The Jefferson County Kids Fest 2024 will be held at White Hall City Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13. The event is free, according to a Facebook post from the White Hall Community Center. There will be carnival rides, a rock wall, inflatable slide, bounce house, face painting, games, refreshments, representatives from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as well as police, fire, and military.
Redix Project sets gala at WH
The Benjamen Redix Project will hold its first gala at 7 p.m. April 13 at the White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road. The doors will open at 6 p.m. The speaker will be Officer Tommy Norman, according to a flier on the center’s Facebook page. “Benjamen Redix was a 2023 senior of White Hall High School. He tragically died the night before graduation. He was a star athlete and was loved and respected by many. After his death, his mother started a foundation called the Benjamen Redix Project,” according to the flier. Tickets to the gala are $100 and available at Carpe Diem, 7105 Dollarway Road, #120, or on Eventbrite. Sponsorships are available. Details: benjamenredixproject@gmail.com or (870) 718-8775.
Lakeport to host Reading Retreat
Readers who are interested in delving into the history of the Mississippi River may be interested in attending a retreat at the Lakeport Plantation Museum in Lake Village from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. April 13. Attendees will read Mark Twain’s “Life on the Mississippi,” published in 1883, and Rinker Buck’s book by the same name, published in 2022. Both authors traveled down the Mississippi River and chronicled their experiences, according to a news release. For details or to register, contact Lakeport Plantation at (870) 265-6031 or email Ruth O’Loughlin, roloughlin@AState.edu.
Ministry hosts Coffee and Conversations
424 Ministries will present Coffee and Conversations with Aaron and Kae Spencer from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 13 at the Pine Bluff Main Library, 600 S. Main St. “We will provide a light brunch, introduce ourselves, and share more about our ministry’s vision, mission and more about our monthly meet-ups,” a spokesman said. “Come learn about the various activities and topics we will discuss monthly, community outreach events and more.” For details or to register, call (703) 231-1127 or visit https://momentswithkae.com/events. The event is open to the public.
Sunday, April 14
Liberty Hill slates pastoral anniversary
Liberty Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 6300 U.S. 79 South, will celebrate the 14th anniversary of the pastor and wife, the Rev. Aaron and Jamie Johnson, at 3 p.m. Sunday. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Christopher Briggs of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church.
New Hope has building fund program
New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at Moscow will hold its building fund program at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The guest speaker will be the Rev. Walter Witherspoon, pastor of True Harvest Missionary Baptist Church at Dumas. The Rev. Stanley Blair Sr. is pastor of New Hope.
Mt. Moriah to honor pastor, wife
Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church of Gould will celebrate the sixth pastoral anniversary of the Rev. Phillip and Jurmicka Puckett, at 2:30 p.m. April 14. The Rev. Curtis Gibson, pastor of the Bailey Chapel United Methodist Church of Gould, will be the 11 a.m. guest along with his congregation. The Rev. Eric Crowder-Jones, pastor of Another Chance Church of North Little Rock, will be the 2:30 p.m. guest along with his congregation. Everyone is welcome to attend this celebration.
Wednesday, April 17
SEARK to conduct career fair
A career fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. April 17 in the McGeorge Hall Seminar Room at Southeast Arkansas College, according to a flier. Details: Student Success Center at the Student Services Building, Room 160, or (870) 850-3075 or studentsuccess@seark.edu .
Thursday, April 18
Women’s Connection sets luncheon
The Christian Women’s Connection will host its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.April 18 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The speaker will be Ute Stalford of Norman, Okla. Her topic will be “Walking in Freedom and Forgiveness.” Presenting also will be Pat Tate, jewelry design of Pine Bluff. The luncheon cost is $21 (which includes meal, drink, dessert, tax, and gratuity.) Everyone is invited to attend, according to a news release. For reservations or cancellations, call Jennifer Keahey at (870) 540-9302. All reservations must be made three days in advance. Participants will be charged for reservations not kept.
Through Friday, April 19
Small museum grants available
Arkansas Heritage, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism, is accepting grant applications for the Small Museum Grants Program. Applications are accepted at ArkansasHeritage.com. The program funds projects of up to $2,500 for Arkansas history museums, historical societies, military museums and historic houses and sites. The spring deadline for applications is April 19, according to a news release. Eligible organizations must have an annual operating budget of $250,000 or less; must have a staff of at least one person, either paid or volunteer; and must be open to the public at least 90 days per year. Details: Debra Fithen, grants manager for Arkansas Heritage, at debra.fithen@arkansas.gov.
Saturday, April 20
Extension offers child care training
Free Best Care Child Care provider in-service training is set for 8 a.m. April 20 at St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Hall, 412 W. Sixth Ave. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. Participants are asked to bring their own lunch. Healthy snacks will be provided, according to a news release. This training session will be provided free by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture Jefferson, Cleveland, and Dallas County Extension Family and Consumer Sciences Agents. They are Mary Ann Kizer, Danielle Watson, Ronda Best, along with Arkansas Best Care Coordinator Rebecca Simon. A total of 10 credit hours can be earned for attending. The pre-registration deadline is April 17. Call Mary Ann Kizer at (870) 534-1033 or email mkizer@uada.edu to preregister.
Home & Garden Show set at WH
The Jefferson County Master Gardeners will present Delta Bloooms & Bees, the 2024 Home & Garden Show, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 20 at the White Hall Community Center, 9801 Dollarway Road. Admission is free, according to a flier. Speakers and topics will include Janet Carson, Gardening in the Natural State; Obadiah Njue, Comparison Planting; and Yong Park, Native Pollinators & Beekeeping. The event will feature family oriented activities, a plant sale, Kids Zone, Ask the Plant Doctor (with a free diagnosis of plant problems), raffles, and vendors. Details: Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service, (870) 534-1033 or Master Gardeners.
Suicide prevention event set for churches
The D’andre Seals Suicide Prevention Outreach Project will host Soul Shop™ for Black Churches from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20 at the main Pine Bluff Library, 600 S. Main St. Participants can learn how to talk about suicide from a faith perspective. Soul Shop™ for Black Churches is specifically designed for pastors, church staff, faith-based clinicians and other lay leaders in Black and African American churches. Admission is free. Workshop materials and lunch will be provided. Topics will include: The role of societal discrimination in suicide rates among black and brown young people; the prominent role of the church in African American communities and how that can be leveraged towards public health; statistics trends and rates of suicide among people of color; and challenges of and ideas for engaging issues of mental health and suicide in black churches. To register for this workshop, visit https://ssbcpinebluff.attendease.com/ For details, email Kymara Seals, DSOP founder and chair of the board, at kymaraseals@yahoo.com.
Wednesday, April 24
Hospice sets volunteer training in Pine Bluff
Arkansas Hospice will host a volunteer training session in Pine Bluff from noon to 2 p.m. April 24 in the Arkansas Hospice office, 1301 Ridgway Road, Suite 2A. Lunch will be provided. The event is for anyone wanting to learn about the organization and its volunteer opportunities, according to a news release. All Arkansas Hospice volunteers must be trained and certified. Individuals must pass a background check and driving record check and provide evidence of a current driver’s license and automobile insurance. A flu shot is also required if volunteering involves direct contact with patients. Linda Bateman is the volunteer coordinator. To register for the volunteer training, email lbateman@arkansashospice.org or call (870) 850-6195, or toll-free at 800-596-6195, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Details: www.ArkansasHospice.org/volunteer.
Thursday, April 25
VA sets date for virtual claims clinic
The Little Rock VA Regional Office will hold a virtual claims clinic for Arkansas veterans from 4-6 p.m. April 25. To reserve a timeslot, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 before 4 p.m. April 24, according to a news release. Veterans may speak one-on-one to staff of the Little Rock VA Regional Office regarding their claims for VA benefits. VA disability compensation offers a monthly tax-free payment to veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to veterans whose service made an existing condition worse, according to the release. The staff will be available to answer questions about existing VA benefits claims and how to file a new one. The main office of the Little Rock VA Regional Office is located at 2200 Fort Roots Drive in North Little Rock and open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Veteran Assist Phone Line, (501) 370-3829, is staffed Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more details, visit http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ or call 800-827-1000.
Saturday, April 27
Delta Sigma Theta plans youth session
The Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will present Dialoguing with Delta at 10 a.m. April 27 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Building, 615 S. Main St. Dialoguing with Delta is an annual educational activity for students from ages eight to 18. Featured presenters include Erika Evans, Torey Foote, Carla Martin, Jade Wilson and Leslie Woods, according to a news release. This year’s theme is “Elevate Your Preparation For Life Through Literacy, Friendships, and Finances.” Registration is available for individuals and groups. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/pbadwd24 .
Through Tuesday, April 30
UAPB LIONS open to freshman
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is inviting incoming freshmen to apply for its Learning Institute and Opportunities for New Students (LIONS) Program. The LIONS Program prepares incoming freshmen for collegiate life through classes, workshops, and on-campus living. The residential program will be held July 8 through Aug. 9. The deadline to apply is April 30. For details, contact Carolyn Mills at (870) 575-8362 or millsc@uapb.edu or visit www.uapb.edu/lionsprogram or www.uapb.edu and click on the LIONS Program tab. For information about financial assistance, call (870) 575-8302 or email finaid@uapb.edu.
Thursday, May 2
Chamber sets Business Expo
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will hold its Business Expo 2024 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center on May 2. The Business Expo Breakfast begins at 7:30 a.m. and the program starts at 8 a.m. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Director Austin Booth will be the Business Expo Breakfast keynote speaker. Booth will discuss outdoor recreation and its impact on Arkansas’ economy. Breakfast tickets are $25 each and a table for eight is $300 each, according to a news release. Simmons Bank is the breakfast sponsor. The Business Expo trade show at the convention center will open with a VIP Hour from 9-10 a.m. and opens to public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The booth fee is $250 for members and $360 non-members. “This year’s theme, ‘We’re Wild About Pine Bluff,’ celebrates the beautiful landscape of the delta region from the piney timbers to the winding water of Bayou Bartholomew, the world’s longest bayou,” according to the release. Details: Chamber Director Jennifer Kline at jennifer@jeffersoncountyalliance.com or (870) 535-0110.
Beginning Saturday, May 4
Blues concert series set
The Port City Blues Society will host the third “Blues By Budweiser” concert series at RJ’s Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main Street. The doors open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. Port City members are admitted free. There is a $5 cover charge for non-members. MK Distributors is the sponsor, according to a news release. Concerts for 2024-2025 include: May 4, Tina Cossey Band; June 1, Kent Burnside Band; July 6, Ghost Town Blues Band; Aug. 3, Amanda Fish; Sept. 7, Garry Burnside Band; Oct. 5, Dirty Red and the Soul Shakers; Nov. 2, Jerry McCoy and the Groove Diggers; Dec. 7, Fonky Donkey; Jan. 4, 2025, Trey Johnson and Jason Willmon; and Feb. 1, 2025, Charlotte Taylor and Gypsy Rain.
Through Friday, May 10
Registration open for college Ag Leaders
Registration for the 2024 Arkansas Future Ag Leaders Tour is now open for college juniors and seniors. This year’s tour, from May 13-17, will give participants an overview of the agriculture industry in Arkansas, plus an opportunity to make key connections with future employers or collaborators, according to a news release. Juniors and seniors enrolled in colleges of agriculture or pursuing agriculture-related majors in Arkansas can register for one of 50 spots. There is no cost to participate. The registration deadline is May 10. Participants can register at https://uada.formstack.com/forms/aragleaders.
Through Friday, May 31
Transportation, trails forms available
Applications for the Arkansas Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) and the Arkansas Recreational Trails Program (RTP) are available, according to the Arkansas Highway Commission. Virtual seminars will occur on March 14 and April 2 to inform potential eligible applicants of TAP and RTP requirements and responsibilities. Project applications and registration are available at ardot.gov/TAP or ardot.gov/RTP. Applications must be submitted by 4 p.m. May 31. Also, applications may be submitted year-round for Motorized RTP projects. Details: ardot.gov/RTP.
Century Farm applications available
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2024 Arkansas Century Farm Program until May 31. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. The program is voluntary and there is no cost to apply, according to a news release. Online and printable applications are available at agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-services/arkansas-century-farm-program/. Applications must be received via email at beth.moore@agriculture.arkansas.gov or postmarked by May 31 to be eligible for designation as a 2024 inductee. Details: Beth Moore, (501) 539-4027.
Underway
Covid-19 vaccines, testing available
The Arkansas Department of Health, various pharmacies and healthcare providers offer the covid-19 vaccine, tests and other information about coronavirus. Details: Call the Arkansas Department of Health at (800) 985-6030, visit the website at healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-vaccination-plan or contact area medical professionals, according to spokesmen.
Tuesdays
Unity Christian offers free financial classes
Unity Christian Fellowship Church (UCFC), 2712 S. Bay St., invites the community to its free Small Business and Personal Financial Education classes at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Recent subjects included “The Importance of Having a Financial Plan” and “Financial Literacy,” according to Stuff in the Bluff website. “You cannot afford to miss out on these life-changing classes. We are practicing social distancing and will have hand sanitizer wipes available,” according to the site. Anthony Armstrong is the senior pastor. Details: unitychristianfellowship@live.com or (870) 329-1182.