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.
Saturday, April 17 Boys & Girls Club sets telethon Saturday
As part of its 75th anniversary celebration, the Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County will host a telethon from noon to 2 p.m. today live on Facebook @ BGC.JEFFERSON.COUNTY. The club is calling all alumni and friends to help them reach their goal of at least $75,000 for 75 years of service, according to a news release. All proceeds will benefit the youth programs of the Boys and Girls Club. Details: (870) 850-7500, ext. 102 or visit their website at https://www.boysgirlsclubjc.org/ Donors may give by cash app at $BGCJC, mail payments to P.O. Box 6027 Pine Bluff, AR 71611 or pay through their website. All checks should be payable to The Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County.
Beginning Today
St. John AME hosts virtual Women’s Day events
St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St., will present Women’s Day events virtually. At 10 a.m. today, a health and wellness webinar will feature Bessie Lancelin, co-interim CEO/ president at Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare Inc. At 11 a.m. April 18, the featured speaker will be the Rev. Lanette R. Frazier, pastor of St. Peter AME Church at McGehee and Soldier’s Chapel AME Church at Hamburg. The service can be seen at www. stjohnamepinebluff.org or https://www.facebook.com/ St.JohnPineBluff/ or Zoom with ID# 4322086226 and password: 1117 or audio at 1-312-626-6799 (access code: 4322086226# then when prompted enter 1117#).
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.
Monday, April 19 House of Bread to give away food
House of Bread Deliverance Church, 500 S. Main St., will open its food pantry in a drive-thru setting Monday, April 19, from 1-4:30 p.m. or until the 250 food boxes run out. Only one box per household will be given away on a first come, first served basis, according to a news release. Everyone must bring proof of address (utility bills and driver’s licenses.) Everyone is required to wear a mask. All clients must fill out new intake forms for 2021. Pine Bluff police will be on duty to direct traffic. Details: Saint Mary Harris, apostle at House of Bread Deliverance Church, (870) 872-2196.
Caregivers Alzheimer’s supporters to meet virtually
The Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will host the Caregivers Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting from 11 a.m. to noon Monday, April 19, on Zoom. The topic will be Covid and Caregiving. The speaker will be Tonya Boyce, community educator and faith representative for the Arkansas Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Participants may join the Zoom meeting at https://alz-org. zoom.us/j/96837472468?pwd=cmVOUnpCTm9taGdqemx5d1dFZTROQT09. The meeting ID is 968 3747 2468 and passcode is 848988. To join the meeting by phone, participants may call 1-888788-0099 toll-free and use the same meeting ID and passcode. Those who plan to join should call Carolyn Ferguson at Area Agency, (870) 543-6300.
Wednesday, April 21 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@ pbcom mercial.com.
Monday, April 26 Veterans invited to virtual listening session
The Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System will hold a virtual listening session from 12:30 to 2 p.m. April 26 to hear from veterans and the communities VA serves. These listening sessions represent an opportunity for veterans to help VA reimagine how VA delivers care in an equitable, high quality, veteran-centered manner and develop a plan for investing in VA’s aging infrastructure, according to a news release. Veterans and stakeholders may register for CAVHS’ listening session at https://www.va.gov/ HEALTHPOLICYPLANNING/listening.asp.
Through Wednesday, April 28 Library continues free computer classes
The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Public Library System is offering free computer classes. This basic computer and software training will continue Mondays: April 19 and 26, and Wednesdays: April 21 and 28 from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Registration is required by calling 534-4802, ext. 140, or online at https://pinebluffli brary.libcal.com.
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) 571-9428 or williamska@uapb.edu or Brandon Hawkins, Prairie View Extension agent, at 903-6286702 or brhawkins@ pvamu.edu.
Friday, April 30
City holds vaccine clinic for ages 16 and older
Covid-19 vaccines will be administered from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 30 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center through a partnership between Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy and the city of Pine Bluff, according to a news release. Teens ages 16 and 17 will be eligible to receive a first dose of the Pfizer vaccine at this clinic. Adults 18 and older will be eligible to receive the Johnson & Johnson one dose vaccine. For teens ages 16 and 17, appointments can be scheduled at https:// app.acuityscheduling. com/schedule.php?owner=21601052&appointmentType=21735720. For ages 18 and older, appointments are available at https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule. php?owner=21601052&appointmentType=21734181. Individuals without internet access may schedule appointments by calling: Indiana Street Missionary Baptist Church at (870) 5346944; Pine Bluff First Assembly of God at (870) 535-0371 (from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.); First United Methodist Church at (870) 535-0935 (from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) or Pine Bluff City Hall at (870) 730-2145 (from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
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.
Grand Prairie Decorative Arts on exhibit
The Grand Prairie Festival of the Arts is hosting its Decorative Artsfestival exhibition through April 30 at the Arts Center of the Grand Prairie at Stuttgart. All entries can be viewed at www.grandprairiearts.com, according to a news release. Small groups and individuals may visit the center by emailing for an appointment at arts001@centurytel.net. The center and Grand Prairie Arts Council are following guidelines as directed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.) Details: www.grandprairiearts.com or arts001@ centurytel.net.