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.

Beginning Thursday, Dec. 24 Local agencies to close for Christmas

Several local agencies will be closed in observance of Christmas: Jefferson County Courthouse — Closed today through Dec. 28; Pine Bluff City Hall — Closed today and Friday; White Hall City Hall — Closed today and Friday; Altheimer City Hall — Closed today and Friday; Liberty Utilities — Closed today and Friday; Waste Management — Closed Friday. Friday’s garbage will be picked up Saturday. Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will be closed today and Friday. Southeast Arkansas Transportation (SEAT) will pick up dialysis and cancer patients for appointments. The state Capitol offices and all state buildings will be closed today and Friday. The Capitol will be open to the public to view the holiday decorations or take self-guided tours from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. those days, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Thursday, Dec. 24 Fire department makes Holiday Santa Run

The Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services will make its annual Holiday Santa Run spreading holiday cheer throughout the city between 5-8 p.m. through Dec. 24. Fire department personnel and Carrington Electric Co. of Pine Bluff decorated one of the reserve fire trucks with Christmas lights, and with assistance from Stereo Junction, a sound system was added to play Christmas music as the fire truck drives throughout the neighborhoods. Details: Pine Bluff Fire & Emergency Services, (870) 730-2048, www.pineblufffire.com or follow the agency on Facebook.

Tuesday, Dec. 29 Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline

Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday and the deadine for the next edition is noon Tuesday because of the holiday. The normal deadline to submit church news 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.

Through Thursday, Dec. 31 Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends display open

The Enchanted Land of Lights and Legends is open from 6-9 p.m. every day through Dec. 31 at Pine Bluff’s Regional Park. The drive-through exhibit features more than 260 individual lighting displays, each one sponsored by an area business, family or individual. The light display stretches out for approximately 1.3 miles alongside the Arkansas River and includes exhibits such as Santa Claus and his reindeer, Nativity scenes, toy soldiers, ice skaters, carolers, sleigh rides and local landmarks, according to a spokesman.

Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 NAACP plans virtual Emancipation Proclamation Program

The Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP will host its annual Emancipation Proclamation Program virtually at noon Friday, Jan. 1. Due to the coronavirus, this event will take place by Zoom video conferencing, according to a news release. The theme will be “We Are Done Dying: Unified to Stand Strong.” Judge Waymond Brown will be the guest speaker.

Through Saturday, Jan. 2 ASC hosts ‘Brothers by One’ display

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., will display “Brothers by One: The Black Athlete and Social Justice” through Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021. An exhibit by Rex DeLoney, it is sponsored by Simmons Bank. This exhibition highlights the many ways that Black athletes used their celebrity status and media coverage to give attention to social justice issues; from boxer Muhammad Ali and his stance against the Vietnam War to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem as a statement against police brutality.

Thursday, Jan. 7 ASC reschedules Arkansas Political Cartoonist discussion

The Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas rescheduled the “Meet the Curator: Livestream Discussion of Arkansas Political Cartoonist George Fisher.” The event will be held Thursday, Jan. 7, at 5 p.m. on Instagram and Facebook. Adam D. Heien, processing archivist of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville’s Special Collections, and ASC Curator Chaney Jewell plan to discuss the importance of Fisher’s political cartoons.

Saturday, Jan. 16 Pine Bluff sets community cleanup for MLK Service Day

In honor of the 2021 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, the city of Pine Bluff will host a community cleanup Saturday, Jan. 16, from 8 a.m. to noon. Volunteers should meet at 8 a.m. at Good Faith Carr United Methodist, 3703 Ryburn Road, according to a news release. Supplies and cleanup assignments will be given out at Good Faith, however, volunteers should provide their own transportation to clean-up sites, which will be located throughout the community. To protect against Covid-19, public health measures will be implemented, including social distancing and mask wearing. Details: Mayor Shirley Washington’s office, 870-730-2004.

Through Saturday, Jan. 23

Arts center hosts Ballots & Laughs

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas 701 S. Main St., will host the “Ballots & Laughs: Political Cartoons of Ray Walters” exhibit. It will be on display and online through Jan. 23, 2021, featuring a light-hearted perspective of the 1930s and ’40s political and social climate.

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 870-5344802 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.