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.

Monday, April 5 Westerman to visit Pine Bluff, 4th District

U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) will kick off a tour Monday of the Fourth District centered on the those who served their communities in the midst of the covid-19 pandemic. The tour includes: 9:30 a.m. – Meet Betty Cook, who delivered meals to children in need when schools were closed at Sheridan; 10 a.m. – Meet Lisa Grove; who uses social media to spotlight local businesses at Sheridan; 11 a.m. – Meet Melrita Johnson, who mentors young social workers and collects food, toiletry, and infant necessities donations and meet Lynette Bloomberg, who used her sewing machine to make hundreds of masks, both at Southeast Arkansas College at Pine Bluff; 1:30 p.m. – Visit Rison Pharmacy, whose owners and employees organized charitable drives at Rison; and 2:45 p.m. – Meet Nathan Greeley, Bearden Police Chief, who bought essentials for the homebound with his own money at Bearden. Other visits are also scheduled in the district.

Beginning Monday, April 5 Library offers free computer classes

The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Public Library System is offering free computer classes. This basic computer and software training will be held Mondays: April 5, 12, 19 and 26, and Wednesdays: April 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Registration is required by calling 534-4802, ext. 140, or online at https://pineblufflibrary.libcal.com.

Grand Prairie Decorative Arts on exhibit

The Grand Prairie Festival of the Arts is hosting its arts festival exhibitions online. The Decorative Arts exhibit will be open April 5-30. An artists’ reception open house will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. April 6. Entry pick ups will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30 and May 1. To enter art work and for details, visit www.grandprairiearts.com. For questions, participants may send emails to arts001@centurytel.net.

Wednesday, April 7 Pine Bluff Commercial sets church news deadline

Church news is printed in The Commercial on Friday. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesday. Announcements can be for in-person services or online events. Pastors, ministers or others interested in writing for the Devotional Page may also submit columns for consideration. Articles should be submitted by email to shope@pbcommercial.com.

Thursday, April 8 Pine Bluff NAACP sets Zoom meeting

The Pine Bluff Branch of the NAACP will hold its regular monthly membership meeting via Zoom at 6 p.m. April 8. Participants must have the Zoom link to join the meeting, according to a news release. Members who provided the branch with valid email addresses will be sent the link. Other individuals wishing to attend may email pbnaacp@yahoo.com to request the Zoom link. Details: NAACP Branch President Wanda V. Neal, (870) 536-3141.

Veterans Legal Clinic open

The Pine Bluff Veterans Legal Clinic will be open from 9-11 a.m. April 8 at the Pine Bluff First Assembly Life Center-West Campus, 3206 S. Hazel St. Walk-ins are welcome, according to a news release. Veterans will be able to receive free consultations on civil legal issues, including family law, consumer protection law, landlord tenant, public benefits, and criminal record sealing. The Center for Arkansas Legal Services (CALS), the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs and the Little Rock VA Medical Center’s Justice Outreach Program will have representatives available to consult with veterans. Veterans may also contact the CALS Help Line at 1 (800)950-5817. A mask or face covering is required at the legal clinic. Social distancing guidelines are followed. Details: Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington’s Office, (870) 730-2000, ext. 7.

Beginning Thursday, April 8 ASC hosts Defining Home: Mixed Media and Sculpture

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will host the “Defining Home: Mixed Media and Sculpture by Yelena Petroukhina” exhibition April 8-July 10. Visitors may meet with the artist to discuss her work during a drop-in reception from 5-7 p.m. April 8. Patrons can enjoy on-the-go complimentary snack packs as part of the event. This exhibition is sponsored by Simmons Bank. “Petroukhina explores ideas of home and comfort and incorporates physical, emotional, and spiritual qualities within personal spaces,” according to the release. Details: asc701.org.

Unified Christian Alliance extends scholarship deadline

The Unified Christian Alliance Scholarship application deadline has been extended until April 9 for high school seniors from the Pine Bluff/Jefferson County area. The scholarship is for students to attend the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, according to a news release. Applications don’t require the usual grade point average. Donations for these local scholarships are tax exempt and still being accepted. Applications are available at area high school counselors’ offices or from Jennifer Lee, president and founder of Unified Christian Alliance. Details: Jennifer Lee at jenniferlee1321@sbcglobal or (870) 692-0257.

Beginning Saturday, April 10 Second Saturday Family FunDay set at ASC

People may explore sensory leaf painting at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas during Second Saturday Family FunDay from 1-3 p.m. April 10. This activity examines the changing colors of spring, engages the senses, and encourages the development of motor skills. This event is free and open to the community. ASC will continue to provide free “take & make” kits at its main entrance for those wanting to participate from home. Participants can pick u a few kits from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 9, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 10. An instructional video will be posted at 1 p.m. April 10 on ASC’s Facebook page, facebook. com/asc701/.

Through Saturday, April 10 ASC slates exhibits

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas announces two new exhibits. “New Territory: Paintings by Michelle Fair” will be open at ASC 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. The exhibition, “Feeling Through: Examine Emotion in the Midst of Unrest,” by photographer Catherine Elizabeth Patton will be open 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. Details: asc701.org.

Wednesday, April 14 Grand Prairie Quilt Society to meet

Grand Prairie Quilt Society will meet at 10 a.m. April 14 at First Christian Church, 10th and Main at Stuttgart. The group meets the second Wednesday of the month , according to a news release.

Circus coming to Pine Bluff

The Carden International Circus will host its Spectacular Circus at 6:30 p.m. April 14 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The two-hour performance will include acrobats, aerialists, animals, daredevils, clowns and animals, according to a news release. Acts are subject to change without notice. The doors will open one hour before show time for the preshow festivities. General admission tickets are $10 for children 12 and under. Adult tickets are $20, however they are available for $9.99 online while supplies last. Tickets are available at www.spectacularcircus.com or one hour before show time at the convention center.

Thursday, April 15 JRMC to host reception for staff

Jefferson Regional Medical Center is hosting a dropin welcome reception for the newest members of its medical staff from 5-7 p.m. April 15 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. The attire is Business Casual and refreshments will be served, according to the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce newsletter.

Beginning Thursday, April 15 2021 Annual Pine Bluff High School Exhibition

The Arts & Science Center will host its annual exhibition of artwork by Pine Bluff High School students April 15 through June 12. Art teacher Shalisha Thomas has worked with young artists for almost a decade and ASC looks forward to sharing the students’ work with the public. This exhibition is sponsored by Pine Bluff Sand & Gravel Co., according to the release.

Friday, April 16 White Hall scholarship deadline set

The White Hall Chamber of Commerce will award three $1,000 scholarships to three White Hall High School seniors. Any interested White Hall senior can pick up an application from the high school counselor’s office. The application must be completed and postmarked by April 16.

Beginning Sunday, April 18 ASC sets Auditions for ‘9 to 5 The Musical’

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast ArkansasASC is seeking people ages 16 and older to audition for its theatrical production, “9 to 5 The Musical.” Audition dates are April 18-20. To sign up, visit asc701.org/auditions. Performances will be 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6-7, 13-14, and Aug. 20-21; and 2 p.m. Aug. 8, 15, and 22. Cast must be available for all performances. Details: asc701.org.

Thursday, April 29 UAPB farm program announces virtual conference

The 11th annual Bi-States Cooperative Extension Program Small Scale Producer Conference will be held virtually April 29 beginning at 9:25 a.m. The conference is sponsored by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Small Farm Program and Prairie View A&M University Agriculture and Natural Resources Program. Topics will include the Natural Resources Conservation Service EQIP cost-share program, silviculture, timber management, beef herd health, best practices for co-grazing goats and cattle, virtual farm tourism and timber exemption, according to a news release. To register, interested producers should visit https://pvpanther.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqc-qqqjIvGdAqXFllZa-n0rgYquuRgk05. Details: Kandi Williams, UAPB Extension program aide, at (870) 5719428 or williamska@uapb.edu or Brandon Hawkins, Prairie View Extension agent, at 903-6286702 or brhawkins@pvamu.edu.

Through Friday, April 30 First Electric accepting scholarship applications

First Electric Cooperative is accepting scholarship applications. High school seniors whose parents or guardians are First Electric members may apply for one of nine $2,000 scholarships available each year, according to a news release. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and after graduation, they must attend an accredited institute of higher learning in Arkansas on a full-time basis. The deadline to apply is April 30. For an application and details, visit online at www.firstelectric.coop/ scholarship or contact any First Electric office.

Friday, May 7 Jefferson Regional sets golf tournament

Jefferson Regional Foundation will host its first golf tournament May 7 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. Lunch begins at 11:30 a.m. and the tournament starts at 1 p.m. A morning event will be added if needed, according to a news release. The team cost is $500. Proceeds will benefit nursing scholarships and special projects, according to a news release. Sponsorships are available. Details: Laura Beth Shaner, at shanerl@jrmc.org or (870) 541-7210.