ACO plans fish fry fundraiser
Arkansas Community Organizations will have a fish fry fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 pm. Saturday at the National Trusted Partners Church, 2101 E. Sixth Ave. The dinners will cost $15. Details: Rosetta Madison, (870) 360-1934.
Grace church to bless animals
Grace Episcopal Church, 4101 S. Hazel St., will host a celebration event for the Blessing of the Animals Sunday service at 2 p.m. Oct. 6 on the front lawn of the church grounds.
Grace has hosted this event for more than 25 years to honor the patron saint of animals, St. Francis of Assisi, and the church welcomes any owner and animal, according to a news release.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Pets should be on leashes or in carriers during the event. There will be refreshments for adults, children, and pets.
Participants are asked to bring a donation of animal food to help support and benefit the Jefferson Humane Society.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be held inside Milwee Hall behind the church. Details: (870) 535-3852 or gracechurchpb@gmail.com.
Farmers should burn debris safely
The Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas are urging farmers to exercise caution and follow all safety measures before burning harvest field debris, brush piles, fence rows or other fires of similar nature.
Failure to follow burning safety practices can result in inconvenience for consumers and added expenses for farmers. Poles and power line infrastructure damage can cause power outages for consumers and farmers will be charged for the damage, according to a news release.
Burning stubble is a quick and efficient way of prepping the land for planting, and most farmers do take precautions to avoid igniting power poles. Unfortunately, a recent incident in northeast Arkansas resulted in damaging a wooden utility structure. The integrity of the structure was assessed and it will have to be replaced. Damages were estimated to be at least $15,000. Details: www.ecark.org.
Caregivers Alzheimer’s supporters to meet
The Caregivers Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting will be held at Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas, 709 E. Eighth Ave., from 11 a.m. to noon Monday.
The topic will be Dementia Conversation. The presenter via Zoom will be Tonya Boyce, Community Education and Faith Outreach representative for the Alzheimer’s Association.
The Zoom link is https://alzorg.zoom.us/j/95891694583?pwd=KzifMAzwBPG52ctFCJdtClQS5USbpz.1 with Meeting ID: 958 9169 4583 and Passcode: 849251. Participants may also dial-in to +1 646 931 3860#849251.
Details: Carolyn Ferguson at Area Agency, (870) 543-6309.
Shade Tree program accepts applications
The Arkansas Department of Agriculture’s Forestry Division is accepting applications for the 2024 Shade Trees on Playgrounds program through Sept. 27.
Selected schools receive up to five Arkansas native shade trees, mulch, watering supplies, and planting guidelines. Forestry division staff will help plant the trees during a ceremony with students this fall, according to a news release.
The STOP program started 22 years ago to help lower adult skin cancer risk by reducing childhood exposure to direct sunlight on school playgrounds and outdoor learning areas. Since then, approximately 175 Arkansas schools have received trees. The STOP program also provides teachers with curriculum resources about the environmental benefits of trees, how shade reduces skin cancer risks, and tips for keeping trees healthy.
To participate in the STOP program, a school must meet the criteria below:
mHave a lack of shade on a school playground or outdoor learning area.
mParticipate in a STOP workshop to be held virtually on Oct. 10, 2024.
mUse provided curriculum resource materials to emphasize the importance of trees during the weeks leading up to the tree-planting event.
mInvolve students in tree-related projects that culminate with a school-wide tree-planting ceremony.
mHold a tree-planting ceremony prior to Dec. 20, 2024.
mHave a plan for maintaining the trees after planting.
Applicants may be any public or private Arkansas school serving grades pre-K through 12, or a non-traditional educational facility such as a juvenile detention center, residential childcare institution, or long-term care facility.
Arkansas schools needing additional shade on playgrounds can find the STOP program application and guidelines at https://www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/forestry/urban-community-forestry/stop-program/