3rd Ward meeting set
The Third Ward Community Watch Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. April 15 at Destiny Worship Center, 4700 W. 28th Ave. All Third Ward residents are encouraged to attend, according to Kenneth Gray, president.
Genealogy Society to meet
The Jefferson County Genealogy Society will meet at 1 p.m. April 18 at the main Pine Bluff Library, 600 S. Main St. There will be a presentation by the library on the topic: Ellis Island Records. The public is invited to attend, according to Kenneth Gray, Jefferson County Genealogy director.
PBHS 1975 class to meet
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
There will be a reunion planning meeting for the Pine Bluff High Class of 1975 at 1 p.m. April 8 at Pine Bluff Country Club. Organizers ask that all members attend if possible, according to a news release. Details: Jim Simpson, (870) 692-3282.
Pilgrim pantry to give away food
Raven’s Nest Food Pantry at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., will give away food April 12 from 8-9:30 a.m. or until all the food has been distributed. Food will be given away on a first come, first-served basis.
Participants must bring a picture identification. The program is a U.S. Department of Agriculture distribution site and an equal opportunity provider, according to a news release.
Statewide education tour coming to PB
Education nonprofit The Reform Alliance will feature the Arkansas Department of Education Office of School Choice and Parent Empowerment at town hall-style meetings in Pine Bluff and Little Rock. Events are free.
Meetings include:
6 p.m. April 8, The Generator, 435 S. Main St., Pine Bluff;
6 p.m. April 10, Red & Blue Event Venue, 1415 W. Seventh St., Little Rock.
These meetings, part of a statewide tour, include a discussion of all K-12 educational options – public, private and nontraditional – with information about how to access these programs, as well as an opportunity for families to ask questions, according to a news release.
Whether families are considering moving between public school districts, curious about free public charter schools, or want to know more about the expanding Educational Freedom Account (EFA) program and how to use the funding it provides for private school or homeschool, these events will offer useful information to help make decisions about this fall.
Food will be provided for all guests who RSVP. Guests can find the full tour schedule and RSVP for any location at www.thereformalliance.org/events.
Locals win at Arts Across Arkansas
The Arkansas Arts Council hosted the 3rd annual Arts Across Arkansas state finals competition on March 29 at Westwind School for the Performing Arts.
This year’s competition featured 55 finalists from 16 counties across Arkansas. Eighteen students received awards in their respective categories, with first-place winners earning $1,000, second-place winners receiving $500, and third-place winners taking home $250.
Winners included locals in the photography category:
1st Place – Gracie Riley – “Reflection of a Queen” – Star City High School
2nd Place – Weston Dial – “Reaching Higher” – Star City High School.
UAM to host Jazz One Concert
The Division of Music at the University of Arkansas at Monticello will host a performance by UAM Jazz One on April 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the fine arts center. The concert, part of UAM Jazz Week, is free and open to the public, according to a news release.
Under the director of Kevin Bryson, assistant professor of music and director of jazz studies at UAM, the ensemble will play a tribute to the late Quincy Jones, noted record producer, composer, arranger, conductor, trumpeter and bandleader. Details: UAM Division of Music at (870) 460-1060.