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, Aug. 10 TOPPS to hand out food

TOPPS Inc., 1000 Townsend Drive, will hold its monthly food distribution again beginning Aug. 10 from 10 a.m. until all food boxes are handed out, according to a news release. The event is a drive-through distribution. All participants are asked to stay in their vehicles and the food boxes will be placed inside their vehicles. TOPPS will hold its food distribution on the second Tuesday of each month. Details: TOPPS, (870) 850-6011.

Wednesday, Aug. 11 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. 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. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.

Through Thursday, Aug. 12 Highway officials seek input on funding proposal

A proposed amendment to the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s (ArDOT) Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) for Federal Fiscal Years 20222024 is available for public comment, according to a news release. The purpose of this proposed STIP amendment is to allocate and utilize funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) that were apportioned to the state for the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program (Section 5310). These funds will be utilized to purchase specialized transit vehicles for non-profit organizations and municipalities that serve seniors and individuals with disabilities. The public can review and comment on the proposal by Aug. 12. The amendment is available at https://www.ardot.gov/divisions/program-management/project-development/statewide-transportation-improvement-program/. Details: (501) 569-2262. Comments should be submitted to STIP@ardot.gov or to: Program Management Division, Arkansas Department of Transportation, P.O. Box 2261, Little Rock, Arkansas 72203.

Small Works on Paper on display at Stuttgart

The 2021 Small Works on Paper exhibition is on display at the Arts Center of the Grand Prairie at Stuttgart through Aug. 12. The annual touring visual arts exhibition showcases the work of Arkansas artists. Two area artists with works included in the exhibition are Crystal Jennings of Rison and Kimiara L. Johnson of Pine Bluff. Thirty eight pieces from various artists are part of the Small Works on Paper exhibition, according to a news release. The gallery is open with limited viewing hours, so visitors should call (870) 673-1781 to confirm a viewing time. No opening reception is planned. Details: www.arkansasarts.org.

Redistricting hearings to be held

Arkansas Board of Apportionment will hold redistricting hearings around state, according to a news release. In southeast Arkansas, hearings will continue Aug. 10 at Hempstead Hall at the University of Arkansas at Hope; and Aug. 12 at the fine arts center at Phillips County Community College at Helena. Former Chief Justice Betty C. Dickey, who was recently appointed as coordinator of the board of apportionment, and members of the board set eight hearings. For other sites and details visit www. arkansasredistricting.org or call (501) 534-5050.

Beginning Thursday, Aug. 12 PB school district on state board agenda

The Arkansas Board of Education will hold meetings at Little Rock next week and the agenda includes a legislative update for the Pine Bluff School District from April through June. The meetings will be held at 10 a.m. Aug. 12 and 9 a.m. Aug. 13 in the auditorium at the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education at Little Rock. This will be an onsite meeting with a virtual option for presenters, according to a news release. People are encouraged to watch via live stream at https://bit.ly/39EiaSY. The agendas for the meetings are available at https://bit.ly/3oI9bV2. The board will continue to receive written public comments. Public comments should be received by 10 a.m. Aug. 11 by email to ade.commissioner@ade.arkansas.gov or mailed to the Arkansas Department of Education, Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, Four Capitol Mall, Room 304-A, Little Rock, AR 72201.

Covid-19 recovery, resiliency seminars set

The Delta Center for Economic Development and Arkansas Economic Development Institute will offer Covid-19 Recovery and Resiliency Workshops for business and community leaders, according to a news release. In-person events are scheduled Aug. 12, Russellville; Aug. 26, Pine Bluff; Sept. 9, Harrison; Sept. 14, Wynne; Sept. 28, Hot Springs; Sept. 30, Hope; Oct. 12, Fort Smith; and Oct. 14, Batesville. Details: covidrecovery.youraedi.com, asbtdc. org or 800-862-2040.

Friday, Aug. 13 Boys and Girls Club hosts golf tourney

The third annual 4-man scramble golf tournament for the Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson County will begin at 8 a.m. Aug. 13 at Harbor Oaks golf course. The registration deadline is Aug. 6 and the fee is $400 per team. Held in observance of the club’s 75th anniversary, the event will include hole in 1 prize, games and raffle. Details: Boys and Girls Club, (870) 850-7500, ext. 102, or info@ boysgirlsclubjc.org or www. boysgirlsclubjc.com.

Beginning Friday, Aug. 13 ‘9 to 5’ The Musical open at ASC

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., is holding in-person performances of “9 to 5 the Musical.” Performances will continue at 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Aug. 13 and 20, Saturdays, Aug. 14 and 21, and 2 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 15, and 22. This production is sponsored by Simmons Bank. Tickets are available and cost $20 for ASC members and seniors, and $25 for nonmembers, according to a news release. This musical production is based on the 1980 movie. The book is by Patricia Resnick, who also wrote the film. Compositions are by Dolly Parton. To purchase tickets or for details, visit asc701.org or call (870) 536-3375.

Through Friday, Aug. 13 Generator hosts youth digital camp

The Generator, 435 S. Main St., an innovation hub of Go Forward Pine Bluff, will host a summer camp entited Building Digital Skills Forward. The camp will be held June 14-July 2, July 5-23 and July 26-Aug. 13, according to the newsletter of the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce. Building Digital Skills Forward is a summer, engaging, rigorous, multi-track program for 6-12th graders to develop their inherent digital and digital-related skills. For details and registration, visit https://goforwardpinebluff.org/the-generator/.

Saturday, Aug. 14 Pine Bluff to host covid-19 vaccination clinic

The Pine Bluff Convention Center will hold a covid-19 vaccination clinic from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 14. Appointments or walk-ins will be accepted. The Pfizer vaccine will be given to people 12 years old and older, according to the Pine Bluff Downtown Development newsletter. The goal is to get 1,000 people vaccinated on this day. Vaccinations are also administered regularly at various locations including the Jefferson County Health Department, Doctor’s Orders Pharmacy and Jefferson Comprehensive Care. For a list of vaccination sites, visit the Arkansas Department of Health website at https://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programs-services/topics/covid-19-vaccination-plan. For details on the Aug. 14 city clinic, people may call: Pine Bluff Mayor’s Office (870) 730-2000, ext. 7, or Mary Liddell, spokesman, (870) 6432383.

Shekinah Glory church to give school supplies

Shekinah Glory Global Ministries Church, 1800 W. 73rd Ave., will give away food and school supplies in a drive-thru event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The public is invited to participate, according to a news release. Organizers will give away food and 100 backpacks with supplies. For safety precautions, participants are asked to remain in their vehicles while driving through to pick up the items. Children must be present to receive backpacks. Sponsors are the Shekinah Glory ministries and HELPS (Helping Empower Lives with Purposeful Service.)

Through Saturday, Aug. 14 Arkansas Women to Watch 2021: Paper Routes on display

Paper Routes, an exhibition curated by Allison Glenn of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, will be on view through Aug. 14 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. This show features work by Arkansas women and is themed around inventive uses of paper. Joli Livaudais of Little Rock will represent Arkansas in the exhibition Women to Watch. Other artists include Kim Brewer, Linda Nguyen Lopez and Suzannah Schreckhise.

Beginning Sunday, Aug. 15 ASC holds ‘Macbeth’ auditions

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas (ASC), 701 S. Main St., will hold auditions for “Macbeth” at the center’s ART WORKS facility, 627 S. Main St., Aug. 15-17. Auditions are open to community members 18 years old and older. Interested participants should register for the auditions at asc701.org/auditions. Callbacks are scheduled for 6 p.m. Aug. 19, according to a news release. The play will be directed by Martin Carty. Performances will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22 and Oct. 29, Saturday, Oct. 23 and Oct. 30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31. This production is sponsored by Simmons Bank.

One Pine Bluff Praying events set

One Pine Bluff Praying Together services in August will be held with citizens and leaders of Pine Bluff praying for the growth and prosperity of the city. In-person services will be held from 6-7 p.m. Sundays at the following churches: Aug. 15 - New Jerusalem Baptist Church, 1317 S. Texas St.; Aug. 22 - City of Love Outreach & Restoration, 1801 W. 17th Ave.; Aug. 29 - St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St. Guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be observed for these in-person meetings, a spokesman said.

Through Sunday, Aug. 15 Agency offers scholarship to single parents

Living Vessels Organization (LVO) of Pine Bluff is offering a $500 scholarship for single parents. The deadline to apply is Aug. 15, according to a news release. An applicant must be a single parent with the primary responsibility of the children; live in the Pine Bluff, White Hall or Watson Chapel communities; be enrolled at Southeast Arkansas College or the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; and have a minimum of a 2.5 grade point average (GPA.) The application and details are available at www.livingvessels.com. The application may emailed to Livingvesselsorganization@gmail.com. LVO is a non-profit, charitable, tax-exempt organization, according to its website.

Grant applications being accepted for charitable programs

Nonprofits in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County may begin Saturday applying online for Giving Tree grants through the Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation (PBACF). Applications must be submitted by Aug. 15 at https://www.arcf.org/apply-forgiving-tree-grants/ Any IRS 501(c)(3) public charity, public school, government agency or hospital in Jefferson County is eligible to apply. Grants are not made to individuals. Applications will be reviewed by a grant-making committee from PBACF. Any nonprofit that received a grant in 2020 must complete a grant report to be considered for this current grant cycle, according to a news release.

Through Monday, Aug. 16 Small business virtual training set

The Small Business Strategies for Success online training series designed for entrepreneurs of color will be held from 6-8 p.m. Mondays, Aug. 9 and 16. Sessions are free but pre-registration is required, according to the newsletter from the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce. For details or to register, visit https://asbtdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/70371121 or the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) Lead Center at (800) 862-2040.

Wednesday, Aug. 18 Professional development workshop set

The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will present a professional development workshop from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Current job seekers are invited to participate, according to a news release. The Pine Bluff Commercial is the sponsor. Details: Chamber Director Ulanda Arnett at ulanda@jeffersoncountyalliance.com.

Thursday, Aug. 19 Chamber presents Business Expo

The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Business Expo on Aug. 19 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The Expo Breakfast speaker will be Chris Robinson, director of athletics at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Breakfast will be held from 7:30-9 a.m. Tickets are $20 per person or $250 to sponsor a table for eight people. The expo continues with the VIP hour from 9-10 a.m. The trade show floor will be open to the general public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring exhibits from area businesses and community organizations. For details or booth reservations, contact Jennifer Kline at jennifer@jeffersoncountyalliance.com.

JRMC health fair set at Expo

Jefferson Regional Medical Center will hold a health fair during the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce Biz Expo Aug. 19 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. The health fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and services and screenings will include cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, weight and body mass index and stroke awareness. Covid-19 vaccines will also be available, according to the Chamber newsletter.