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.

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.

Leaders to recognize No Menthol Sunday

A group of interfaith leaders and grassroots advocates will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. Friday at the Main Street Plaza, 601 S. Main St., to recognize May 16 as No Menthol Sunday. In the event of rain, the press conference will be moved to the public library across the street. No Menthol Sunday is the annual observance that highlights the targeted marketing of mentholated commercial tobacco products to the African-American community and to Arkansas youth, according to a news release on StuffintheBluff.com. The Pine Bluff Wellness and Health Equity Coalition and the Coalition for a Tobacco Free Arkansas will recognize No Menthol Sunday. The community is invited to attend the event while observing covid-19 protocols. Speakers will include Pebbles Fagan, Ph.D, director of the Center for the Study of Tobacco at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; District 17 state Rep. Vivian Flowers, D-Pine Bluff; and faith leaders Travis Harden, Victor

Patterson, Johnny Smith, Michael Heisler and Joe Brown.

Beginning Friday, May 14

Progressive Women fundraiser to benefit scholarship

The Progressive Women’s Association will host a fundraising rummage sale at the White Hall Museum, 9009 Dollarway Road at White Hall beginning at 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The event will include furniture, clothes, and nicknacks. All proceeds will benefit the Progressive Women’s Scholarship Fund, according to a news release.

Through Friday, May 14

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).

Saturday, May 15

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.

Pop-up event to include entertainment

Delta Educational Opportunity Center is hosting a popup event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Saracen Landing at Pine Bluff. The community is invited to attend the event. The Delta center is a U.S. Department of Education TRIO program, according to a flyer. In addition to offering information about seeking a college degree or GED, the popup event will also feature live entertainment, free food truck meals and giveaways.

Virtual youth event includes national, local speakers

Resiliency Empowerment Faith Overcomer (REFORM) Inc., a local nonprofit organization, announces speakers for the free National Youth Teen and Young Adult Virtual Empowerment Summit. The event will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The keynote speaker will be Kevin Hines, an award-winning brain/mental health and suicide prevention activist. Presenters will also include Steven Bloomberg, president at Southeast Arkansas College; Lynette Bloomberg, director for the SEARK Leadership Academy; Cleveland Miles, deputy director in the Division of Forensic Sciences at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Laboratory; Cne’ Hamilton, a trauma-informed certified yoga instructor; and Furonda Brasfield, owner of the Law Office of Furonda Brasfield, PLLC, at Stuttgart. The conference is geared toward young people 14-29 years old and their families coming together for education, mental health wellness, enrichment activities and speakers. Melrita M. Johnson, a licensed clinical social worker, is the REFORM founder. The event will be live streamed on Zoom, Facebook and other social media sites. To register or for details, visit reformarkansas@yahoo.com or www.reformincarkansas.org.

Storage facility to host grand opening

Storage Plus of Pine Bluff, 3900 Pullen St., will host a grand opening from 1-3 p.m. Saturday. The community is invited to attend the event, which will include free food and activities, according to a newsletter from the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce. The chamber and Pine Bluff Fire and Emergency Services officials will be among participants in the celebration with former NFL football player Roderick “Rod” Robinson, a major investor in the property. Robinson was also a quarterback at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Attendees may enter a drawing for a football signed by Robinson.

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) 626-6799. Everyone is welcome to participate.

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.

Sunday, May 16 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.

Monday, May 17

Caregivers Alzheimer’s supporters to meet

The Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will host their Caregivers Alzheimer’s Support Group Meeting on Zoom at 11 a.m. Monday. The topic will be “Dementia” by the Schmieding Home Caregiver Training Program, a program of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS.) Guest speakers will be Charlotte Clausen and Nicole Bates of UAMS. The Zoom link is https://zoom.us/j/99330040287?pwd=WUdsUzZhVStjNVRaU3lIR1B3VHNpQT09 with meeting ID: 993 3004 0287 and passcode: 6300. For One tap mobile for iPhone users: +13126266799,,99330040287# or dial by phone: 1 (346) 2487799 in the U.S. Participants who plan to join should contact Carolyn Ferguson at Area Agency, (870) 543-6300.

House of Bread pantry open

House of Bread Deliverance Church, 500 S. Main St., will open its food pantry in a drive-thru setting Monday 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 Department officers will be on duty to direct traffic. Details: Saint Mary Harris, apostle at House of Bread Deliverance Church, (870) 872-2196.

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.

Wednesday, May 19

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.

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.