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.

Tuesday, March 9 Library board to meet

The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System will host a library board of trustees meeting at the new library at 5:15 p.m. today, according to a news release.

TOPPS to give away food

TOPPS (Targeting Our People’s Priorties with Service) Inc. will give away food at 10 a.m. today at TOPPS, 1000 Townsend Drive. Food boxes will be given away in a drive through method until all boxes are gone, according to a news release. Details: TOPPS, (870) 850-6011.

Kennel Club to host dog obedience class

The Southeast Arkansas Kennel Club is sponsoring a dog obedience class at Hestand Stadium each Tuesday from 7-8 p.m. for eight weeks. Sessions began March 2. The cost is $65, according to a news release. Details: (870) 879-3384.

Beginning Tuesday, March 9 Workshops to address doing business with government

The Generator will host two workshops about doing business with the government. The presenter will be Liz Russell, procurement counselor with the Arkansas Procurement Technical Center. Due to covid-19, seats will be limited, according to a news release. Today — from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Introduction to Government Contracting will be held. March 30 – 6-7 p.m. Marketing to the Government will be held. Interested participants may register at https://goforwardpinebluff.org/the-generator/#doingbizwgovt. Details: Mildred Franco, executive director, at francomildred@goforwardpb.org.

Clearing the Air Conference, Cancer Summit set

The 18th Clearing the Air Communities of Color Conference and 22nd Arkansas Cancer Summit will be held virtually from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 10. The Minority Initiative Sub-Recipient Grant Office (MISRGO) at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and the Arkansas Cancer Coalition (ACC) will host the events, according to a news release. The virtual conferences are open to the public. Registration is required and is available through March 4 at http://www.arcancersummit.org/register. Details: http://www.arcancersummit.org/agenda-2 or contact Marian S. Lothery, MISRGO coordinator, at evansm@uapb.edu or (870) 575-8923.

Wednesday, March 10 First Baptist observes Lenten Services

The public is invited to attend Lenten Services at First Baptist Church of Pine Bluff, 6501 S. Hazel St., Wednesdays at 12 noon in the sanctuary. The pastor, Ken Thornton, is speaking on the “Seven Sayings of Jesus From the Cross.” These services are in preparation for the Easter celebration and will continue through March 31. Worship services are Sundays at 11 a.m., according to a news release. Details: www.fbcpinebluff.org/media/ or (870) 534-4741.

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. Announcements can be for in-person services or online services as well as other ministry events. 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, March 11 March veterans legal clinic set at Pine Bluff

The Pine Bluff Veterans Legal Clinic will be open from 9-11 a.m. Thursday at the Pine Bluff First Assembly Life Center – West Campus, 3206 S. Hazel St. Walk-ins are welcome. A mask or face covering is required and social distancing guidelines are followed, according to a news release. Arkansas veterans who need help can speak to a lawyer. Representatives from the Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS), Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs and the Little Rock VA Medical Center’s Justice Outreach Program will be available to consult with veterans. Veterans may also contact the CALS Help Line at 1-800-950-5817. Details: Pine Bluff Mayor’s Office, 870-7302000 ext. 7.

Pine Bluff NAACP sets Zoom meeting

The Pine Bluff NAACP Branch will hold its regular monthly membership meeting via Zoom at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 11, according to a news release. Members who gave the branch valid email addresses will be sent the Zoom link to join the meeting. Others wishing to attend may email pbnaacp@yahoo.com to request the link. Details: NAACP Branch President Wanda V. Neal, (870) 536-3141.

Veterans’ benefit clinic set

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs will conduct s walk-in veterans’ benefit clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, March 11, at the Arkansas County Bank building in DeWitt. Veterans will be seen on a first come, first served basis.

Friday, March 12 Covid-19 vaccines available on March 12

Covid-19 vaccinations will be offered at the Pine Bluff Convention Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, March 12. This vaccine clinic is for individuals who are 65 years or older, who require the first dose. People should schedule appointments online at https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule. php?Owner=21601052&appointmentType=20878882. Those without internet access and need help with scheduling an appointment may call Indiana Street Missionary Baptist Church at 870-534-6944; Pine Bluff City Hall at (870) 730-2145 (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.); Pine Bluff First Assembly of God at (870) 535-0371 (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.); and First United Methodist Church at (870) 535-0935 (from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) Volunteers are needed to help at the clinic. All volunteers may receive a vaccine at the end of their shifts. For more information on how to sign up to volunteer people may contact Mary Liddell at 870-643-2383.

Highway officials seek public input about U.S. 65 plans

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) will conduct an online public involvement meeting to gather input on the proposed plans to add 8-foot paved shoulders along U.S. 65 between Interstate 530 and U.S. 425 at Pine Bluff. The public is invited to listen, view meeting materials, and provide written comments. The website will be available for comments until 4:30 p.m. March 12. To access the online public meeting, participants should go to this link: https://vpiph01-job020716-i530-hwy-425-hwy-65ardot.hub.arcgis.com/ Those who don’t have internet access can contact Karla Sims at 501-569-2000 or by email at karla.sims@ardot.gov, to ask questions about the proposed project and how to access project information.