Liberty postpones event
Liberty Utilities, 1100 State St., will host a water education and conservation fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4. It was postponed from Saturday because of rain in the forecast, according to a spokesman.
There will be food trucks, demonstrations, vendors, community partners, and giveaways (while supplies last.) “Join us for an educational family day to learn about your water service, water-efficient landscaping and conservation,” according to a flier.
Summit band plans concert
The Summit Soundz Celebration Band will present a spring concert at 6 p.m. Saturday in the worship center of Summit Baptist Church, 901 Ridgway Road.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
The program will include arrangements such as the chorale-style hymn “Nearer My God To Thee” and the Dixieland swing tune “Just A Closer Walk With Thee,” according to a news release.
The 2024 graduating band seniors will be recognized and the summer band camp scholarship recipients will be announced. This will also include awarding for the first time the Al Wimberly Scholarship.
“This will be a very enjoyable program,” said Lewis Hinkle, director of Summit Soundz. “There will be music that appeals to every music lover! Bring your family and friends!”
The public is invited to attend. The concert is free but there will be an opportunity to contribute to the scholarship fund.
Sunday set as special prayer day
Gov. Sarah Sanders issued a proclamation calling for a special day of prayer for Arkansas on April 28.
“Therefore, as president of the Pine Bluff Faith Community Coalition Ministerial Alliance, we call on all Christians in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County to join Gov. Sarah Sanders to pray for our state,” the Rev. Jesse Turner said in a news release.
Turner encourages faith leaders to adopt Sunday as A Day of Prayer Together’ (A.D.O.P.T) and for churches to place ADOPT on their marquees.
“Through prayer and with open hearts we can come before the almighty God, seeking divine grace. Putting aside our differences and embrace the ties that bind us together, as we let love and understanding flourish among us, so that we may stand strong as one, facing the challenges of our city, county and state that come our way with a united spirit,” said Turner, Jefferson County coordinator with the Family Council Action Committee.
Faith leaders are asked to pray during church service or other times Sunday for concerns, such as schools, families, children, single-parent households, marriage, adoption and foster care, crime and violence, race relations, faith leaders, government officials, sanctity of human life, gender issues, drugs, or other issues affecting the community. Details: ARDayOfPrayer.com.
Small Works display opens in Van Buren
The Arkansas Arts Council’s annual touring visual arts exhibition, Small Works on Paper, will open May 8 at Arts on Main in Van Buren.
Participating local artists include Matthew Howard, Kimiara Johnson, and Alexia Lams, all of Pine Bluff, and Crystal Jennings of Rison.
The artwork will be on view May 8 through June 24. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A reception will be held May 17 from 6-8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
This year’s Small Works on Paper entries were juried by Laura Blereau, curator at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Blereau reviewed more than 200 entries to select the 40 pieces that are part of the Small Works on Paper exhibition.
Six artists’ pieces were selected as purchase awards and will become part of the Small Works on Paper permanent collection. The artists receive cash awards that are equivalent to the value of their artwork. Artwork by the following artists were selected: Ryan Howard of Little Rock; Milan Jilka of Springdale; Alexia Lams of Pine Bluff; Madeline McMahan of Paragould; Vianny Nolasco of Rogers; and Sondra Strong of Bryant.
Now in its 37th year, the exhibition spotlights Arkansas artists who are members of the Arkansas Artist Registry, an online gallery maintained by the Arkansas Arts Council. The 2024 tour features 39 artists from across Arkansas and will make stops at nine venues statewide. Most works will be available for sale with all proceeds benefiting the artists.
International Trade Court judge to speak
The National Ag Law Center’s 2nd annual Western Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference will feature a keynote on agricultural policy from a judge who deals with the matters first-hand, according to a news release.
Judge Stephen Vaden of the U.S. Court of International Trade will deliver the keynote address, “From Regulation to Adjudication: Perspectives on Agriculture & Trade.” The conference will be held June 13-14 at the University of Nevada, Reno.
The program offers educational sessions and networking opportunities for attorneys, students and other agriculture professionals.
Vaden will examine recent trends in agricultural trade and the factors influencing the new structural trade deficit American farmers are facing. Additionally, he will review options to address trade in the Farm Bill and discuss how any Farm Bill passed in 2024 might affect both the agricultural and trade policy options available to the next presidential administration.
The NALC’s Western Conference also covers numerous other topics that are especially relevant to the Western agricultural industry, such as pesticides, foreign ownership of agricultural land, water law and more.