NAACP plans meeting
The Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP will hold its annual End of the Year Membership Meeting at 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at Bethany Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, 1923 S. Olive St., according to a news release.
Summit plans Christmas concert
Summit Baptist Church, 901 Ridgway Road, will host the Summit Soundz Celebration Band in a special Christmas concert at 6 p.m. Dec. 16. Special vocalists will include Trisha Small, Kathy Smoke, and Barry and Vicki Bates. Many holiday favorites, sacred and secular music, will be included in the program.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
“We want this to be a true celebration of the Christmas season, said Lewis Hinkle, director of Summit Soundz. “This program is designed to bring joy and goodwill to every person.”
The concert is dedicated to the memory of Al “Big Saxy” Wimberly, former band director at Warson Chapel High School, and member of Summit Soundz. The public is invited to attend, according to a news release.
ARDOT announces funded projects
The Arkansas Department of Transportation announced award recipients for the 2023 Transportation Alternatives Program and Recreational Trails Program.
Forty seven TAP projects were awarded for approximately $15 million and 14 RTP projects were awarded for approximately $2 million, according to a news release.
Southeast Arkansas projects awarded include:
City of Warren — West Central Street Sidewalks, $155,000;
Desha County — Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism Delta Heritage Trail – Mozart to White River “Benzal” Bridge, $500,000;
Desha County — City of McGehee North Adams Avenue and West Oak Street Sidewalk Improvements, $213,000;
City of Monticello — Lake Monticello Trail Phase 3, $414,000;
City of Sheridan — Museum and Post Office North Sidewalk, $500,000.
The TAP was reauthorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and provides funding for programs and projects defined as “transportation alternatives” for pedestrians, bicyclists and other non-motorized forms of transportation. The TAP is a reimbursement-type grant program that provides for an 80% federal share and a 20% local match from eligible applicants.
The RTP is funded through a portion of TAP funds set aside specifically for recreational trails. These funds are eligible for maintenance and restoration of existing trails, development and rehabilitation of trailside and trailhead facilities and trail linkages, and construction of new trails.
Entergy shares decorative lighting safety tips
When it comes to putting up decorations, it’s important to understand the risks of hanging lights, according to an Entergy Arkansas news release.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas lights alarmingly cause 40% of Christmas tree fires. U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 790 home structure fires caused by seasonal decorations each year, the agency said. Without proper preparation and installation, a fun, holiday activity can turn tragic.
Entergy offers the following safety tips:
INSIDE LIGHTING
If your family plans to have a live Christmas tree, make sure it is fresh with needles that are hard to pull from the branches.
Place the live tree in a stand with water away from heaters or the fireplace. Be sure to check on the water daily.
Examine all lights before putting them on the tree or using them for other holiday displays. Do not use lights with frayed wiring or loose sockets, and make sure they have been tested for safety by an independent testing laboratory.
Save energy and money on your bill by using smaller, cool-burning LED lights.
Make sure all light sockets have bulbs in them and keep bulbs from touching tree branches.
Never burn candles on or near the tree and never use flammable decorations.
Never use lights on a metallic tree. If the lights become faulty, the entire tree could be electrified.
Be careful not to overload extension cords, outlets or even whole circuits in the house.
Turn off decorative lighting when you leave the room.
Place wires where they cannot trip anyone, and do not run wires under rugs.
OUTSIDE LIGHTING
Make sure the lights are designated for outdoor use.
Use a non-conducting fiberglass or wooden ladder when working with strings of lights. Be sure to stay clear of all overhead wires.
Do not replace bulbs when the electricity is on.
Never let light bulbs touch flammable materials such as plastic or dry grass and leaves.
For outside use, work only with three-wire grounded extension cords.
Use rubber gaskets in light sockets or hang sockets downward to keep water out.
Keep connections and lights off the ground by hanging them over wooden stakes. Turn outside holiday lights off when away from home or asleep.
For more tips on how to practice lighting and decoration safety during the holiday season, visit the National Fire Protection Association website.