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 to make additions or changes.
Underway
Covid-19 testing sites available
Details for getting the covid-19 test are available at the Jefferson County Health Department -- 870-535-2142; and Arkansas Department of Health's website -- https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-guidance-for-getting-tested . Scroll down until you see the map and enlarge the map. Click on each star to see where each testing site is located.
Early voting underway thru Nov. 2
Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election is underway at the Jefferson County Courthouse. Dates include Oct. 19-23 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.); Oct. 24 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.); Oct. 26 through Oct. 30 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.); Oct. 31 (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.); and Nov. 2 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Other election-related dates include:
• Oct. 27 -- Last day to request an absentee ballot at the county clerk's office.
• Oct. 30 -- Last day for a voter to transfer into Jefferson County.
• Nov. 3 -- Election Day (voters may go to polling sites between 7:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.)
Details: Jefferson County Clerk's Office website: jeffersoncountyar.gov/county-clerk or call 870-541-5322.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Virtual UAPB event to address farm record keeping
A virtual workshop on agricultural record keeping is set for 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. The meeting will provide an opportunity for landowners to improve the profitability of their operations, according to a news release. The host will be the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) "Keeping it in the Family" (KIITF) Sustainable Forestry and African-American Land Retention Program. The virtual meeting will take place on the Zoom videoconferencing platform. The link to the meeting is https://uapb-edu.zoom.us/j/94066476594. Producers can also contact Karen Lee, UAPB Extension assistant, at leek@uapb.edu or (870) 575-7225 to have the link sent to their email address.
Colonial Dames, USD, state society to meet
Three organizations will meet at the Pine Bluff Country Club at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21. The organizations are the John Eliot Chapter, Colonial Dames 17th Century; Simon Bradford Chapter, United States Daughters of 1812, and the State Society, Daughters of Colonial Wars, according to a news release. The theme will be "Veterans Winter Weather Clothing Shower." All attendees are asked to bring an item for the indigent and homeless veterans at the Veterans Affairs hospital and housed at St. Francis House. Reservations are required. Details: Sheila Beatty at beattykrout@suddenlink.net.
Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday and the deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesday. Articles may be submitted by email to shope@adgnewsroom.com. Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing a religion column may submit articles for consideration by email. Please include your phone number, the name and location of your ministry or city where you reside, and your photo. Photos may also accompany church news by email.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Chamber sets drive-thru Farmers Appreciation Fish Fry
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce has tickets available for its 68th annual Farmers Appreciation Fish Fry. The drive-thru event will be Thursday, Oct. 22, at Hestand Stadium. The gates open at 5 p.m., according to the Chamber newsletter. The celebration will honor Jefferson County's agribusinesses and the Chad Render family, named the Jefferson County and Southeast Arkansas 2020 Farm Family of the Year. Tickets for the King Kat catfish and all the trimmings are $15 per plate. Sponsorship opportunities are available. The Chamber is also seeking members who will volunteer as food servers at the event. Food workers will be required to buy tickets, according to the newsletter. Tickets are available at the Chamber. Details: Mandy Owens, mowens@pinebluffchamber.com or 870-535-0110.
Watson Chapel Junior High gives annual report
Watson Chapel Junior High School will have a virtual annual report to the public Thursday, Oct. 22, at 4:30 p.m. Details: 870-879-4420.
UAM plans pre-vet, animal science virtual event
The University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources will host a virtual interest meeting via zoom about the Pre-Vet and Animal Science degree programs. The event will be from 2:15-2:45 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, according to a news release. Participants must RSVP to hammockj@uamont.edu with the name and/or school name, email address, and a mailing address. A confirmation email will be sent with the zoom session link and passcode.
Friday, Oct. 23
First Trinity to give away food, coats at drive-thru event
First Trinity Church of God in Christ, 800 S. Catalpa St., will give away food and coats to the community in a drive-thru distribution from 1-3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23. Food will be given away on a first come-first served basis until all food is gone. All participants are required to wear masks and remain in their vehicles during the drive-thru process. The food distribution is in partnership with the Arkansas Food Bank, according to a news release. Winter coats will be given to those in need of one. For details, call First Trinity office at 870-534-2873.
Deadline set for 4-H Great Pumpkin Family Challenge
Registration is available for the 4-H Great Pumpkin Family Challenge. The challenge is open to officially enrolled 4-H members in Jefferson and Pulaski counties, according to a news release. Registration for the Great Pumpkin Challenge is open through noon, Friday, Oct. 23. Pumpkins will be provided to those registered and may be picked up Monday, Oct. 26, at the respective county Extension office. A photograph of the entry is due back in the county offices by the close of business, Thursday, Oct. 29. Participants must send a picture of their family with their completed pumpkin to pwoods@uaex.edu (Jefferson County) or ewilliams@uaex.edu (Pulaski County). There are three categories: painted, carved, or decorated. The winner in each challenge category will receive a Walmart gift card, according to Woods. Membership in 4-H is free and open to youth ages 5-19 years old and member enrollment can be completed at https://4h.uaex.edu/join/default.aspx.
Beginning Friday, Oct. 23
ASC to present 'Clue: Stay-At-Home' virtual production
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will present its next theater production virtually with "Clue: Stay-At-Home." Viewers may watch the stage production online at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24. Tickets are $15 each. The production is sponsored by Simmons Bank. Based on the 1985 Paramount movie which was inspired by the classic Hasbro board game, "Clue" is a farce-meets-murder mystery. Details: ASC Theater Education Coordinator Lindsey Collins at lcollins@asc701.org or call 870-536-3375.
Through Friday, Oct. 23
A&P panel accepting requests for funds
The Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission is accepting funding requests for individual events and organizational programming for 2021. Applications for the 2021 funding cycle will be accepted until noon Friday, Oct. 23. Funding recipients will be voted on at the A&P Commission's Nov. 18 meeting, according to a news release. Applicants' planned events and programming must take place in the city of Pine Bluff during the 2021 calendar year and must fit within at least one of the following focus areas: visual arts, culinary arts, Delta Heritage, performing arts, sports and recreation. Applications can be obtained at www.ExplorePineBluff.com (under the "A&P Information" tab), by calling 870-534-2121, or by emailing sstorie@ExplorePineBluff.com.