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, May 10

ARDOT seeks public input on road work plans

The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) will conduct an online public involvement meeting about the proposed plans to add two sets of passing lanes along sections of Highway 270 between Prattsville (Grant County) and the Jefferson County line. 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. May 10, according to a news release. The link to the virtual meeting is available at https://vpiph01-job-020717-prattsville-jefferson-co-linehwy-270-ardot.hub.arcgis.com/ There will also be an option to send online comment forms to ARDOT staff or people can print the form and mail it to Environmental Division, 10324 Interstate 30, Little Rock, AR 72209. Those without internet access may call Karla Sims at 501-569-2000 or email her at karla.sims@ardot.gov.

Beginning Monday, May 10

Comprehensive Care offers vaccines

Jefferson Comprehensive Care System Inc. (JCCSI) will offer free covid-19 vaccinations to anyone 16 years old and up starting Monday at the JCCSI Pine Bluff Clinic, 1101 Tennessee St. Covid-19 vaccinations will be available from 4-6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It will be an on-going program, according to a news release. JCCSI’s medical team will provide the Moderna vaccine. People should call (870) 543-2380 to make an appointment but walkins are welcome.

Senior citizen centers offer lunches

Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas is serving lunches from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the senior citizens centers. Although the centers aren’t open for activities, grab-and-go lunches are available, according to a news release. The menu is: Monday — Chili and beans with corn chips, shredded cheese, coleslaw, emerald pears, and milk. Tuesday — Meatloaf with gravy, mashed potatoes, zesty squash, hot roll, berries, and milk. Wednesday — Sweet and sour chicken with rice, Chinese mixed vegetables, egg roll, Mandarin oranges, fortune cookie, and milk. Thursday — Ham and cheese sandwich, broccoli and cauliflower salad, apricots, brownie, and milk. Friday — Oven fried chicken, Au Gratin potatoes, spinach, pineapples, and milk (roll optional.)

Tuesday, May 11 Dollarway holds graduation

Dollarway High School will hold graduation at 6 p.m. May 11 at Cardinal Stadium on the old Dollarway High campus at 4900 Dollarway Road. Students will be seated on the football field, and social distancing and wearing of face masks will be enforced.

Watson Chapel hosts graduation

Watson Chapel High School will conduct its graduation at 7 p.m. at the Pine Bluff Convention Center arena. Face masks will be required.

Wednesday, May 12

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, May 13 PBHS Class of 1960 to meet

The Pine Bluff High School Class of 1960 will meet at noon May 13 at Wright’s Ranch House, 6224 Dollarway Road. All 1960 classmates and class members of other years are welcomed to join the gathering, according to a news release. For questions or to give updates on classmates, people may contact Norma Ray at (870) 535-0303 or nlrharper@hotmail.com.

Pine Bluff NAACP meets by Zoom

The Pine Bluff NAACP Branch will meeting via Zoom at 6 p.m. May 13. Charles McGhee, Entergy’s senior manager of region distribution operations, will make a presentation. NAACP members who provided the branch with 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.

Friday, May 14

SEARK to hold virtual graduation

Southeast Arkansas College will conduct a virtual commencement at 7 p.m. May 14. The ceremony will be released on SEARK’s social media feeds and the school app.

Saturday, May 15

Women’s Institute to meet virtually

The Pine Bluff District No. 1 Women’s Institute will meet virtually from 10:30 a.m. to noon May 15. The featured presenter will be Rosie Clayton and the topic will be “Helping Students Get Ahead in Virtual and In-Person Learning.” The women’s institute is sponsored by Pine Bluff District No. 1 Women’s Department of the Church of God in Christ, Arkansas First Jurisdiction, according to a news release. Participants may sign in at 10:15 a.m. Saturday at the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86476242465 with meeting ID: 864 7624 2465. People may also call in at 1 (301) 715-8592 or 1 (312) 6266799. Everyone is welcome to participate.

Community fishing day set at MLK park

A free community fishing day will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 15 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Park Pond, 629 Jaycee Drive. The community is invited to attend the event, which will include music, prizes, free health screenings and free food and water for the first 100 registrants, according to a news release. Participants should have their fishing gear. Those 16 years old and older must have a valid fishing license. To register or for details, visit gofish.agfc. com. Sponsors include the Pine Bluff Parksand Recreation Commission, Jefferson County sheriff’s office, My Sisters Keeper, and Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.

Summer Youth Employment Program to Resume

The city of Pine Bluff will resume its annual Summer Youth Employee Program (SYEP). The program will be held from June 7 to July 16. Interviews will be held at the Pine Bluff Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 15, according to a news release. An applicant must be between 16 and 21 years old, live in Jefferson County and a full time college or high school student. Applicants should complete the SYEP Worksite Form online at http://tinyurl.com/SYEPWorksite21. To protect the safety of all workers, the SYEP will adhere to public health guidelines as a precaution against covid-19. Details: (870) 717-4920.

Beginning Sunday, May 16

One Pine Bluff Praying events set

One Pine Bluff Praying Together Services have been scheduled for people to gather one hour and pray for the growth and prosperity of the city at 6 p.m. Sundays in May. On May 16, prayers will be held by conference call at (978) 990-5000, access code: 127365# at Kingdom Builders Outreach Church of God in Christ, 3105 S. Apple St. Live prayer events following health guidelines and mask wearing will be held May 23 at St. Peter’s Rock Baptist Church, 1201 S. Catalpa St.; and May 30 at New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St. On May 2, New St. Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church was the host.

Through Sunday, May 16

Cemetery association announces plans

Due to the covid-19 concerns, the Grapevine Cemetery Association won’t have the Memorial 2021 public meeting this year but members will still decorate the cemetery and remember loved ones, according to a news release. Members encouraged to put the decorations on the graves by May 16 and perhaps do this as a family time. Grapevine Cemetery Association is a registered tax-exempt organization and donations are tax deductible. People may send offerings or donations to 9310 Grant 14, Pine Bluff, AR, 71603. Details: Roger Taylor, president, Grapevine Cemetery Board of Directors, (870) 917-7169 Roger Taylor.

Deacon to be ordained

New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St., will conduct the deacon ordination service for Errick Davis Sr. at 11 a.m. May 16. The church also invites people to worship services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. Sundays. New Community follows health guidelines and practices social distancing. Hand sanitizer stations are located at the entrances of the church. Masks are still required and ushers have them for people who need masks.

Beginning Tuesday, May 18

UAPB co-hosts virtual nutrition conference

A virtual, multi-state conference on community nutrition education will be held May 18-20. The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Tennessee State University (TSU) and Alabama A&M University (AAMU), will each host one day of the conference: TSU on May 18, UAPB on May 19, and AAMU on May 20, according to a news release. To register or to view the agenda, participants may visit www.multi-state-conference.com. To receive updates, participants may follow the conference Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/1890SNAPEd. Details: Teresa Henson, UAPB Extension specialist-nutrition outreach coordinator, at (870) 575-7227 or hensont@uapb.edu.

Beginning Thursday, May 20

ASC hosts Jerry Colburn exhibition

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will host a multi-media retrospective exhibition. “1995-2021: A Retrospective of Jerry Colburn” opens with a drop-in reception from 5-7 p.m. May 20. Featuring Colburn’s inkblots, collages and music, this exhibition will be an immersive experience for all audiences, according to the news release. Visitors may view the work through Aug. 28.

Friday, May 21

Pine Bluff High School slates graduation

Pine Bluff High School will conduct graduation at 7 p.m. May 21 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center arena. Each graduate will receive 10 tickets for family and friends, and each group will be separated by 6 feet of space. A row will be left empty in between each group.

White Hall to hold graduation

White Hall High School will host its graduation at 7 p.m. May 21 at Bulldog Stadium. There will be 10 tickets per student and the ceremony will be streamed on the school’s website. Groups will be asked to be seated 6 feet apart from each other, and masks will be required.

Monday, May 31

Century Farm applications due

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for the 2021 Arkansas Century Farm program. This program recognizes Arkansas families who have owned and farmed the same land for at least 100 years. To apply, the same family must have owned the farm for 100 years by Dec. 31, 2021. The line of ownership from the original settler or buyer may be through children, grandchildren, siblings, nephews or nieces, including through marriage and adoption. The farm must be at least 10 acres of the original land acquisition and make a financial contribution to the overall farm income. There is no cost to apply. Online applications are available at: www.agriculture.arkansas.gov/arkansas-department-of-agriculture-services/arkansas-century-farm-program/. Details: Beth Moore, (501) 539-4027 or beth.moore@agriculture.arkansas.gov.

Through Monday, May 31 GYM sponsors free meals

GYM is giving away free supper and snack grab meals in a youth feeding program until May 31, according to a news release. Meals can be picked up Monday through Thursday at Watson Chapel High School Cafeteria, 4000

S. Camden Road, from 4:305:15 p.m.; Coleman Intermediate School Cafeteria, 4600 W. 13th Ave., from 3:30-5 p.m.; and Cherry Street Memorial AME Zion Church, 800 S. Cherry St., from 4:155:45 p.m. GYM is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The director is Antoinette Burks.

TOPPS hosts food program

TOPPS Inc., 1000 Townsend Drive, is participating in the At Risk Grab and Go and Parent Pick Up Food Program. Meals will be provided free to children ages 18 and under. TOPPS doesn’t discriminate, according to the news release. Meals will be provided at TOPPS Teen Center, 1000 Townsend Drive, through May 2021. The Grab and Go and Parent Pick Up meals will be available Monday through Thursday, 1-4:30 p.m. Details: TOPPS, (870) 850-6011.

Boys & Girls Club hosting food program

The Boys & Girls Club of Jefferson County is participating in the At Risk Grab and Go Food Program through May. Meals will be provided free to children ages 18 and under, according to the news release from TOPPS Inc. Meals will be provided at the club at 2701 S. Reeker St. from 4:30-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Children may come by and sign for a supper and snack. For details contact Paulette Purchase at TOPPS, (870) 850-6011.

Friday, June 4

Veterans’ vaccine clinic set at Monticello

A covid-19 vaccine clinic will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 4 at the VFW #4515 at 148 Veterans Drive, Monticello. The clinic is for all veterans and their spouses, partners and caregivers, according to a news release from Sue Harper, District 9 Veteran Service Officer, Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs.

Saturday, June 5

Pine Bluff-Altheimer Blues Festival set

The Pine Bluff-Altheimer 2021 Blues Festival is happening June 5 at Cook Family Park, 11712 N. U.S. 79 at Altheimer. The gates will open at 4 p.m., according to Stuff in The Bluff.com. The hosts will be Broadway Joe and Comedian Keith Glason. The special guest will be Calvin Richardson. A special tribute to Arkansas legend Billy “Soul” Bonds will be featured. Guests will also include Ms. Jody, Nathaniel Kimble, Summer Wolfe, Mo Bo, Big John Miller and Willie P. They will all be performing with live bands. Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the gate. A

VIP seat at a table is available for $30. Tickets can be purchased at the usual outlets or online at https://tickets.impacttickets.com/event/pine-bluff-altheimer2021-blues-festival.

Sunday, June 6

School garden contest entries being accepted

Entries are being accepted for the eighth annual Arkansas Grown School Garden of the Year Contest until June 6. The contest is sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Agriculture and the Farm Credit Associations of Arkansas, according to a news release. Applicants may be any school, early childhood education facility, or alternative learning environment that had a school garden during the 2020-2021 school year or is planning to start a garden in the 2021-2022 school year. Winners will be announced at the beginning of the 20212022 school year. Details: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ArkansasAgriculture1/ArkansasGrownSchoolGardenOfTheYearContest2021.

Through Sunday, June 6

Arts center invites artists to enter Rosenzweig Exhibition

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (ASC), 701 S. Main St., seeks submissions to its Irene Rosenzweig Biennial Juried Exhibition for 2021. The deadline to enter is 11:59 p.m. June 6. The exhibition runs July 22 through Oct. 6, according to a news release. The exhibition is open to artists 18 or older who live in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Texas. Details: asc701.org/rosenzweig or call (870) 536-3375.

Beginning Monday, June 7

TOPPS plans summer camp

TOPPS Inc. will host the Break Out youth summer camp from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 7 through Aug 6. Guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be enforced. Slots will be limited, according to a news release. TOPPS will conduct reading, math and creative writing sessions in the mornings and enrichment activities in the afternoon, including physical fitness, swimming, skating, karate, robotics, music, crafts, cooking, fishing, sewing, tours and golf. Teens will be introduced to Junior Toastmasters, financial literacy, job training skills and entrepreneurship. For the application fee, weekly fee or details, interested participants should call TOPPS at (870) 850-6011 between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Annette Dove is TOPPS’ executive director.