CALENDAR

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-guidancefor-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 Oct. 22-23 (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.)

Candidates on various ballots in Jefferson County include:

Circuit judge District 11-West Division 3, Subdistrict 11.2, the nonpartisan judicial runoff race — Mac Norton and Therese Free.

Jefferson County Justice of the Peace District 8 — Incumbent Roy Agee, R, and David Dinwiddie, L.

Pine Bluff Ward 2 Position 1 City Council — Steven Shaner (D) and Yvonne Denton (I).

Pine Bluff Ward 3 Position 1 City Council — Glen Brown Sr. (D) and Bill Brumett (I).

U.S. Senate — Ricky Dale Harrington Jr. (L) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R)

U.S. Congress District 4 — Rep. Bruce Westerman (R) William H. Hanson, (D) and Frank Gilbert, (L)

State Senate District 27 — Sen. Trent Garner (R) and Keidra Burrell (D).

State Representative District 14 — Rep. Roger Dale Lynch (R) Rick Bransford (D) and Christia Jones (I).

State Representative District 15 — Rep. Ken Bragg, (R) Wayne Willems, (L).

Altheimer City Council District 1 Position 2 — Joycette Laws Strong, (I) and Jewel Vanderbilt (I)

Altheimer City Council District 2 Position 2 — Crystal Gridley (I) and Essie Robertson (I).

Wabbaseka Ward 1 Position 1 City Council — Melony J. Darrough (I) and Edward Spears Sr.(I). Issues on ballots: Issue 1 – Making permanent a 0.5% state sales tax that currently funds state, county and city road work; Issue 2 – the Arkansas Term Limits Amendment; and Issue 3 – Changing Arkansas’ Citizen Initiative Process, Votes Required for Legislative Ballot Issue Proposals and Publication Requirements.

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: jeffersoncountyar.gov/county-clerk or 870-541-5322; University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture ballot guide, www.uaex.edu/ballot or the Secretary of State’s office, www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-information.

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 870535-0110.

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: 870-8794420.

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: StayAt-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 870-5342121, or by emailing sstorie@ ExplorePineBluff.com.

Saturday, Oct. 24

Pilgrim church pantry to open

Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., will open its Raven’s Nest Food Pantry on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 8-9:30 a.m. or until all the food has been given away. Food will be handed out on a first come, first-served basis. Participants must bring a picture identification. The pantry is a USDA distribution site and an equal opportunity provider, according to a news release.

Domestic Violence Awareness observance set

A balloon release and observance will be held to commemorate National Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Pine Bluff. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Regional Park Amphitheater. The community is invited to join author Jason Irby, state Sen. Stephanie Flowers and Dorcas Vangilst, executive director of Dorcas House, in the observance, according to a news release. Coronavirus safety guidelines will be followed from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Social distancing and wearing masks will be required. A blue and white balloon will be released to honor the late Det. Kevin Collins, who was a panelist during the 2019 observance. Details: jasonirby.wordpress.com or jasonirbyinnovationfoundation@gmail.com.

Sheriff’s office, agencies hosting Drug Takeback Day

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Tri-County Drug Task Force, and the Drug Enforcement Administration invite residents to safely dispose of unwanted and expired medicines during Arkansas’ Drug Takeback Day. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24, at Super 1 Foods, 2800 S. Hazel St. Also partnering with these agencies is the Community Empowerment Council Inc., a registered substance abuse prevention provider in Arkansas for Region 12. Region 12 includes Arkansas, Cleveland, Grant, Lincoln and Jefferson counties, according to a news release. The service is free and anonymous, with no questions asked. Residents should remain in their vehicles and hand their items to officers during the event.

White Hall Police host Drug Take Back Day

The White Hall Police Department, 8204 Dollarway Road, will be a collection site for the 19th Arkansas Drug Take Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24. The police department partnered with the the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in this effort, according to a news release from White Hall Police Chief Greg Shapiro. The Arkansas Drug Take Back Day will include more than 250 locations across the state. Hundreds of volunteers and first responders will be at those locations encouraging citizens to dispose of unused or expired medications and officers won’t ask for any identification or other questions regarding the prescriptions being dropped off. Jefferson County Mutual Aid Association sets firefighter training

The Jefferson County Mutual Aid Association will hold training on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Jefferson County. The mutual aid association will be conducting classroom and practical skills training for fire departments participating with the county’s Water Tanker Task Force, according to a news release from Eddie Anderson, mutual aid president. Residents should be aware that fire apparatus and man power will be operating near the Family Life Church parking lot at Interstate 530 and Highway 104. Residents should be cautious while training occurs in the area, Anderson said. This training has been approved by the Arkansas Fire Training Academy and will allow these departments to practice together to sharpen water tanker shuttle operations, Anderson said.

ASC to host CrEATe Lab with Faith Anaya

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas concludes its CrEATe Lab, nutritious cooking 2020 series, with a fall workshop Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1-3 p.m. A limit of eight students ages 1017 may attend. The cost is $35. Partial scholarships are available. To register, participants may visit asc701.org/ create-lab or call ASC at 870-536-3375. ASC has partnered with Faith Anaya and her Kids Cook! team for the series. Anaya has more than a decade’s experience cultivating children’s knowledge of healthy eating habits. Through Saturday, Oct. 24

Arts center displays Small Works on Paper exhibition

The 2020 Small Works on Paper exhibition is on display at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., at Pine Bluff. Small Works on Paper will be on display through Oct. 24 in the International Paper Gallery at ASC, which is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Among the selected pieces is “Nola Reception Couture Gown” by Pine Bluff artist Kimiara Johnson. Admission is free but is limited to 10 guests at a time. Reservations are encouraged but not required. The Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of Arkansas Heritage, coordinates the annual touring visual arts exhibition that showcases the work of Arkansas artists, according to an Aug. 19 news release.

Monday, Oct. 26

Federal retiree group to meet

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 26, at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building, 211 W. Third Ave. The meeting focus will be Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB), according to a news release. Shelly Henderson, representing Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) will present BCBS coverages and/or changes plus BCBS packets. A representative from GEHA will also present for information about insurance coverage. Onsite lunch won’t be available at this meeting. Billie Minton is president of the local NARFE.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 26

New library begins curbside service

The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System will offer curbside service at the new main library, Sixth Avenue and Main Street, beginning Monday, Oct. 26. The new library will begin 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. The facilities are still closed to the public as a precaution against Covid-19, according to a news release. 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.

Tuesday, Oct. 27

Ivy Center hosts Zoom workshops

The Ivy Center for Education announces workshops by Zoom primarily for students in 7-12th grades. Tuesday, Oct. 27 — 6 p.m. — Go Forward Pine Bluff (Youth Involvement) will be presented by Ryan Watley, Ph.D, and chief executive officer of Go Forward Pine Bluff. From 6:45-7 p.m. — A College Readiness Workshop will be presented by Derrick Newby of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock recruitment office. To participate in the Ivy Center Zoom workshops, enter meeting ID: 856 8296 4187 and Passcode: 351061. For details, contact Mattie Collins at mattie1908@gmail.com or Patricia Berry at Pberry867@gmail.com.

Through Tuesday, Oct. 27

Absentee ballot applications available at Jefferson County Clerk’s Office

The Jefferson County Clerk’s Office has absentee ballot applications available to the public Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. for people who would like to vote by mail. Voters may also download an application on the website at www.jeffersoncountyar.gov/county-clerk, according to a news release. The general election will be held Tuesday, Nov. 3. The last day to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 27. The completed absentee ballot application can be mailed, faxed, or scanned and emailed to the Jefferson County Clerk’s Office. The mailing address is: Shawndra Taggart, Jefferson County Clerk, 101 W. Barraque St., Suite 101, Pine Bluff, AR 71601. The fax number is 870541-5324. The email address is jeffersonclerk@arkansasclerks.com. Residents have until Monday, Oct. 5, to register to vote in the November election. For questions or concerns, contact the county clerk’s office. Details: Jefferson County Clerk Shawndra Taggart, 870-541-5322.