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.
Underway
A&P accepting grant applications
The Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission is accepting applications from non-profit organizations for its 2026 funding cycle. The deadline to apply is 3 p.m. Nov. 21. These grants aim to support activities, events, and facilities that promote tourism and drive economic activity within the Pine Bluff city limits, according to a news release. Interested non-profit organizations and public commissions must complete an application to be considered for funding. The application can be found at www.ExplorePineBluf,com under the “A&P Commission” tab. You may also request an application by calling (870) 534-2121.
Extension internships available
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Applications are open for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s 2026 county extension agent internship. The paid, 10-week summer program offers college students an immersive, handson look at life as an extension agent. The internship is offered by the Cooperative Extension Service, the outreach and education arm of the Division of Agriculture.
College juniors and seniors studying agriculture, horticulture or family and consumer sciences-related fields are encouraged to apply. The deadline for applications is Dec. 31, 2025, and those selected for the program will be notified by mid-January 2026. Apply online at bit.ly/apply-county-agent-internship.
Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 4
New Jerusalem conducts revival
New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1317 S. Texas St., will have revival a three day revival at 6:30 nightly. The Rev. Glenn Barnes Sr., pastor of Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church, will be the speaker Nov. 4. The Rev. Donnell McTyer, pastor of Kings Highway Missionary Baptist Church will be the speaker Nov. 5. The Rev. Raeshawn Howard, pastor of New Morning Missionary Baptist Church will be the speaker on Nov. 6. Everyone is invited to attend these services. The Rev. Marc Kriston Wilson is the pastor of New Jerusalem.
Ivy Center plans events
The Ivy Center for Education announces events. Nov. 4 — Club Scrub: From 6-7 p.m., students will meet at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences South Central, 1601 W. 40th Ave. Topic: “Career in Pharmacy” — UAMS College of Pharmacy Student Ambassadors. Students in 7th-12th grade are encouraged to attend. (Everyone should enter from the rear of the building), according to a news release. Nov. 11 — Future Engineers: From 6-7 p.m., students will meet at the Generator, 435 S. Main St. Activity: Scholars will work with Robots and UAPB students. Seventh-12th graders are encouraged to attend. Following the Future Engineers workshop, the 2026 College Tour Interest Meeting will be held from 7:15-7:45 p.m. Eighth-11 graders may attend with their parents. Nov. 18 — Girl/ Guy Talk — From 6-7:30 p.m., at the Generator on Main, 7-12th graders will meet with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Alpha Rho Chapter at UAPB, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., the Delta Sigma Lambda Chapter, and Pi Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity. Those who cannot attend these sessions in person may join via Zoom with ID 856 8296 4187 and Password 351061. Details: Ivy Center President Mattie Collins, mattie1908@gmail.com.
Wednesday, Nov. 5
PB Chamber sets luncheon
Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its monthly luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 5 at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Business Support Incubator. The event sponsor is Pine Bluff Career Council and STAR (Seamless Transition for Arkansas). The panel will feature the career council, according to the Chamber newsletter. Grider Field restaurant will cater lunch. Lunch is $10 per person and
must be paid in advance at the Chamber. To RSVP, contact the Chamber, (870) 535-0110.
The Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Fridays. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesdays. 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 are accepted by email to Sandra Hope at shope@ adgnewsroom.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.
Thursday, Nov. 6
Author to read poetry, sign books
Indigo Blue Coffeehouse, 212 W. Barraque St., invites the community to a poetry reading and book signing with Mary Hester-Clifton. This free event will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. Nov. 6. A native of Helena, Hester-Clifton is an award-winning author, podcaster, photographer, videographer and editor who writes under the pen name
Debra Hester, according to StuffinTheBluff.com. Also during the event at Indigo Bluff, an open mic segment will take place from 7-8 p.m. Participants can catch a free ride on the trolley car at the corner of Pine and Barraque streets for a tour of downtown Pine Bluff starting at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 6 and every Thursday. For details or to sign up for the open mic segment, send a text message to (870) 718-5330 or an email to manager@indigobluepba.com.
Beginning Thursday, Nov. 6
Auditions set for Miracle on Main
The ARTx3 Campus is hosting auditions for its holiday show from 5-8 p.m. Nov. 6 and Nov. 8 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St. This community talent show is open to ages 6 and older. Performers may audition for these categories: Specialty acts, readers theater, and community choir. Performances are at 7 p.m. Dec. 12 and Dec. 13. Kayla Earnest and Bethany Gere direct. The show is sponsored by Relyance Bank. Details: artx3.org/ all-events/auditions-miracle-on-main or contact Bethany Gere, theater and programs coordinator, at bgere@artx3.org or (870) 536-3375.
Friday, Nov. 7
Live@5 features Darnell Cann-Ward
Darnell Cann-Ward will perform during the monthly Live@5 concert series from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 7, in the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St. “Enjoy soulful jazz and R&B tunes with the smooth saxophonist,” according to the news release. Entry is $10 for ARTx3 members and $15 for nonmembers. Complimentary beer, wine and nonalcoholic beverages are included. The event is for ages 21 and older. Details: Shakeelah Rahmaan, programs director, at srahmaan@artx3.org or (870) 536-3375.
Art League sets workshop
The Pine Bluff Art League will host a new painting party from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. Pam Wooley will present an acrylic workshop and teach step by step how to use the paint medium, develop brush techniques and blend colors. The cost is $35. Materials and appetizers are included. The event is for ages 15 and older. Participants may make a check out to the Pine Bluff Art League and mail it to Pine Bluff Art League, Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave., Box 8, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. Details: Pam Wooley at (870) 357-2328 or Pine Bluff Art League Treasurer Permelia Huffman at (870) 543-0225. Class size is limited.
EHC Holiday Foods Show set
The annual Jefferson County Extension Homemakers Holiday Foods Show will be held at 10 a.m. Nov. 7 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 412 W. Sixth Ave. The doors will open at 9 a.m. Tickets are $25 and are available by texting (870) 718-1846 or contacting any Jefferson County Extension Homemaker for assistance in getting tickets, according to a news release.
Through Friday, Nov. 7
AGFC offers schools grants
More than three-quarters of a million dollars is available for Arkansas schools to teach conservation education this year, thanks to a partnership between the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services to turn poaching violations into education opportunities. All wildlife and fishing fine money collected last year has been set aside by the AGFC specifically for education grants that teachers may use to increase conservation education efforts in their schools, according to a news release. Teachers and administrators have until Nov. 7 to apply for a conservation education grant at www.arkansasedc.com/rural-services/division/grants/ wildlife-education-grant.
Saturday, Nov. 8
Pilgrim MBC to give away food
Raven’s Nest Food Pantry at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., will give away food Nov. 8 from 8-10 a.m. or until all the food has been handed out. Food will be given away on a first come, first-served basis. Participants must bring a picture identification. The pantry is a U.S. Department of Agriculture distribution site and an equal opportunity provider, according to a news release.
ARTX3 presents Cookin’ for a Cause
The ARTx3 Campus will host Cookin’ for a Cause for its next Second Saturday Family FunDay from 1-3 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St. The event is free and open to the public. Participants of all ages are invited to help cook for others. The campus is collaborating with House of Bread Deliverance Church to aid families in need. For more information, contact Shakeelah Rahmaan, programs director, at srahmaan@ artx3.org or call (870) 536-3375 or see artx3.org/all-events/ family-funday-nov-2025.
WHHS JROTC dinner, auction set
The White Hall High School Junior ROTC Booster Club will host its Fall Dinner and Auction from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 8 at White Hall Community Center. Dinner will be catered by Texas Roadhouse and participants may choose steak or chicken, according to the flier. “Support our cadets — strengthen our program,” the flier said. Tickets are $25 each. Tickets won’t be sold at the door. Details: White Hall High School, (870) 247-3255 or see Facebook.