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.
Covid-19 vaccines available
Coronavirus vaccinations are available for Phase 1-B for Arkansans who are 70 or older as well as those who work in education including K-12, child care and higher ed. To schedule a vaccination, contact Doctor's Orders Pharmacy by calling (870) 218-1718 or emailing dopcovidvaccine@gmail.com. People may also get on a waiting list at Jefferson Regional Medical Center which plans to begin giving vaccines in February to those 70 and older, those who work in schools, food and agriculture workers, firefighters and police officers who were not included in Phase 1A, postal service workers, gssential government workers, and people who work in manufacturing, grocery stores, transit and childcare. To get on the waiting list, visit www.jrmc.org/covid-19-vaccination-waiting-list/. Vaccinations are also continuing for Phase 1-A. Details: Arkansas Department of Health website at https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-vaccination-plan.
Beginning Sunday, Jan. 24
One Pine Bluff Praying continues
One Pine Bluff Praying Together Services will continue to be held in 2021, according to a news release. The prayer initiative started in 2017 and was intended for participants to meet at area churches to pray for the growth and prosperity of the city. Due to Covid-19, sessions are held by conference call or Zoom on Sundays during the months that have five Sundays. The following churches will host the prayer sessions in January from 6-7 p.m. Sundays: Jan. 24 -- Trinity Episcopal Church, 703 W. Third Ave.; and Jan. 31 -- First Assembly of God, 1002 Ridgway Road. The conference call number is #1.978.990.5000 with access code 127365#
Monday, Jan. 25
UAPB farm program, local agency set virtual financial workshop
A virtual workshop on credit and financial management will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 25. The co-hosts are the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Small Farm Program and Shekinah Services LLC, according to a news release. The training will inform landowners and producers about financial management, credit and credit repair. Updates on financial opportunities related to covid-19 will be covered. The Zoom link is https://uapb-edu.zoom.us/j/92644595979. Participants can also call in at (346) 248-7799 (Meeting ID: 92644595979#) or contact Karen Lee, UAPB Extension assistant, at leek@uapb.edu or (870) 575-7225 to have the link emailed.
Beginning Monday, Jan. 25
Arsenal to destroy old items, hold forestry burns
The Pine Bluff Arsenal announces plans to destroy old production items and hold controlled forestry burns. Residents living close to the Arsenal should not be alarmed if they hear small explosions or see smoke coming from the installation. On Monday, Jan. 25, personnel from the Little Rock Air Force Base Explosive Ordnance Detachment will be destroying obsolete production items during the morning, according to a news release. Also, beginning in January, the Arkansas Forestry Commission will conduct multiple prescribed and controlled burns at the Arsenal, depending on the weather. The community shouldn't be alarmed if they see large plumes of smoke coming from the Arsenal during this time.
Tuesday, Jan. 26
Crews to work on Arkansas River Bridge
Maintenance work on the U.S. 79B Arkansas River Bridge between Pine Bluff and Altheimer means temporary lane closures Tuesday, Jan. 26, according to the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT.) Weather permitting, crews will reduce traffic to a single lane in each direction between Island Harbor Marina Road and Earl Chadick Road between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesday. The work will shift southbound traffic into the inside northbound lane. Traffic will be controlled by traffic drums and signage. Details: IDriveArkansas.com, ARDOT.gov or @myARDOT.
Altheimer church to give away food
Union Missionary Baptist Church, 2911 U.S. 63 North at Altheimer, will give away food in a drive-thru event Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 11 a.m. until all the food is gone. Everyone must wear a mask and stay in their vehicles, according to a news release.
Urban Renewal Agency board to meet
Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency board will hold its monthly meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26, at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building, 211 W. Third Ave. Details: Jimmy Dill, board president, (870) 536-4943.
Civic Auditorium conference call set
The Civic Auditorium Complex Commission Conference Call Meeting will be held at noon Tuesday, Jan. 26. Details: Teresa Rash at tlrash@pinebluff.com or (870) 536-7600.
Wednesday, Jan. 27
Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline
Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday. The deadine 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, Jan. 28
Arkansas Fair Housing Commission hosts virtual training
Arkansas Fair Housing Commission will host a virtual Management and Best Practices training from 1-5 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28. The training qualified for 4 hours of continuing education credits, according to a news release. Participants will be introduced to the Do's and Don'ts of fair housing marketing and management; fair housing sensitivity; an overview of federal and state fair housing laws; reasonable accommodations land modifications; and compliance. The cost is $100. For details or to register, see Upcoming Trainings at www.fairhousing.arkansas.gov or call (501) 682-3247 or (844) 952-8248.
Sunday, Jan. 31
Deadline set for USDA/1890 Scholarship applications
The application deadline for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)/1890 National Scholars Program is Jan. 31, said Belinda Demmings Bell, USDA liaison for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The program awards scholarships to students attending one of 19 historically black land-grant universities. High school seniors entering their freshman year of college and rising college sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. USDA/1890 National Scholars receive full tuition toward a bachelor's degree, books and the cost of room and board, Bell said in a news release. Details: https://www.usda.gov/partnerships/1890NationalScholars.
Thursday, Feb. 4
Neighbor to Neighbor plans Souper Bowl Soup Sale
Neighbor to Neighbor Inc. will host its annual Souper Bowl Soup Sale in a drive-thru setting bfrom 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at First United Methodist Church, 200 W. Sixth Ave. Regular soups are $10 per quart and seafood soups, chowders or gumbos are $15 per quart, according to a news release. This is a covid-safe event. Masks and social distancing will be practiced. Details: Pat Tate, Neighbor to Neighbor executive director, (870) 534-2883.
Beginning Saturday, Feb. 6
CrEATe Lab set Feb. 6, Feb. 20
The Arts & Science Center's nutritious cooking program for youth, CrEATe Lab with Faith Anaya, will be held from 1-3 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 6 and Feb. 20. The program is open to ages 10-17, with a maximum of seven students. The cost is $35 for all three sessions. Partial scholarships are available. ASC has partnered with Anaya and her Kids Cook! team for the series. To register for the cooking program, visit asc701.org/create-lab or call ASC at (870) 536-3375.
Thursday, Feb. 18
Mayor to give State of the City Address Feb. 18
Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley M. Washington will deliver the State of the City Address at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Washington will share major accomplishments of the city from the past year as well as its goals for 2021, according to a news release. Due to Covid-19, capacity at the convention center will be limited. Safeguards such as social distancing and mask wearing will be implemented. The address will also be streamed online.
Chamber to host drive-thru annual dinner
The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its annual dinner as a drive-thru event from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, at the Pine Bluff Country Club. Tickets are $50 each, according to the Chamber newsletter. The event will feature two pasta dinner options, Chamber swag bags and the chance to briefly meet new Chamber staff members. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. Details: Jennifer Kline, events and marketing manager at the Chamber, (870) 535-0110.
Through Saturday, April 10
ASC slates new exhibits
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas announces two new exhibits. The exhibition, "Feeling Through: Examine Emotion in the Midst of Unrest," by photographer Catherine Elizabeth Patton will be open Jan. 14 through April 10. The display is a self-reflection of the artist's emotions and her attempt to examine and understand them during covid-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement. "New Territory: Paintings by Michelle Fair" will be open at ASC Jan. 14 through April 3. The display conceptualizes figures interacting with their environment autonomously, giving the subjects of the paintings a home, yet allows the subjects and spaces to disconnect, reflecting a new stage in Fair's life, according to a news release. Details: asc701.org.
Through Sunday, June 6
Arts center invites artists to enter Rosenzweig Exhibition
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (ASC), 701 S. Main St., seeks submissions to its Irene Rosenzweig Biennial Juried Exhibition for 2021. The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. June 6. The exhibition runs July 22 through Oct. 6, according to a news release. The exhibition is open to artists 18 or older who live in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Texas. Details: asc701.org/rosenzweig or call (870) 536-3375.
Events underway
Weekdays
New library offering curbside service
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System is offering curbside service at the new main library, Sixth Avenue and Main Street. The library is checking out materials with curbside service from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Library staff and patrons will follow social distancing and public health recommendations during pickup. Patrons may use their library cards to access the online catalog or call the main library at (870) 534-4802 for curbside service. A staff member will contact the patron to arrange a curbside pickup time.
Neighbor to Neighbor open 5 days a week
Neighbor to Neighbor, 1419 S. Pine St., has reopened five days a week. The agency will be open Monday through Friday from 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m. For the sake of safety, Neighbor to Neighbor will continue serving to-go lunches at the door from noon to 1 p.m. and are available to anyone who is hungry. Masks are required to enter the building and hand sanitizer will be available at the door, according to a news release. New clients or those seeking assistance with bills or medications should call (870) 534-2883 for an appointment.
Fathers & Sons collects clothes for Neighbor to Neighbor
Fathers & Sons Clothier in Jefferson Square is partnering with Neighbor to Neighbor to assist people in the community who need winter clothes, according to a news release. The store management is asking for the community to donate new socks, gently worn used coats, blankets, knit hats, scarves, gloves or other winter items. For anyone living outside the community who can't bring in donations but want to contribute, they can send an email to Fathersandsons@att.net or call the store. Details: David Maddox, owner of Fathers & Sons, or Brandon Maddox or (870) 536-7848.
Tuesdays
Unity Christian Fellowship offers free financial classes
Unity Christian Fellowship Church (UCFC), 2712 S. Bay St., invites the community to its free Small Business and Personal Financial Education classes at 7 p.m. Tuesdays. Recent subjects included "The Importance of Having a Financial Plan" and "Financial Literacy," according to Stuff in the Bluff website. "You cannot afford to miss out on these life-changing classes. We are practicing social distancing and will have hand sanitizer wipes available," according to the site. Anthony Armstrong is the senior pastor. Details: unitychristianfellowship@live.com or (870) 329-1182.
Fridays
St. John hosts weekly prayer calls
St. John AME Church at Pine Bluff invites the community to join them in a weekly conference call prayer for deliverance from the coronavirus crisis. The conference call will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, according to the pastor, Cecil L. Williams Jr. Participants must call in by 6:25 p.m. at 1-720-650-3030. The access code is 144-0205#. Details: www.facebook.com/St.JohnPineBluff.