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.
Beginning Thursday, Sept. 2
‘Deeply Rooted: A Glimpse into Southern Lifestyle’ exhibit open
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., will host “Deeply Rooted: A Glimpse into Southern Lifestyle,” an exhibition featuring work from its permanent collection, from Thursday through March 5, according to a news release. The exhibit was curated by Torri Richardson, the center’s curatorial intern and 2021 graduate of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. This exhibition will show southern lifestyle from various viewpoints.
UAPB Art Exhibition Featuring Amanei Johnson open
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s art department will host a new exhibition featuring paintings from student Amanei Johnson at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. An opening reception is set for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday. This exhibition will be on display in The ARTSpace on Main’s loft gallery at 623 S. Main St. Johnson recently received a $1,000 award from the national group Black Girls Who Paint. This exhibition will run through Nov. 6, according to a news release.
Conservation education grants available
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Division of Rural Services has more than $769,000 to give to Arkansas schools and educators for conservation education programs in the 2021-22 school year, thanks to fines from wildlife violations. Educators in every county are encouraged to apply for grants by the Oct. 26 application deadline to make use of these free dollars for education. Any school or conservation district in Arkansas may apply for these grants, according to the Arkansas Wildlife Weekly Newsletter. Details: visit www.agfc.com/conservationgrants.
Friday, Sept. 3
Live@5 featuring Wine & Roses in concert
The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will host Wine & Roses during its Live@5 concert series from 5-7 p.m. Friday. The group was a house band for the Peabody Hotel and currently plays live nostalgia music around Arkansas. The show will take place in the ART Yard at ASC’s The ARTSpace on Main, 623 S. Main St. Admission is $5 for center members and $10 for nonmembers. Complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages are provided and guests must be 21 or older to enter.
Beginning Friday, Sept. 3
City, county offices to close for Labor Day
City of Pine Bluff — City hall and related offices will be closed Friday through Monday, Sept. 3-6. Jefferson County Courthouse and related offices will be closed Friday through Monday, Sept. 3-6.
Tuesday, Sept. 7
Lowe’s, city to make old school men’s home
Pine Bluff Mayor Shirley Washington, Justin Roach of Lowe’s, and several company associates, will host a volunteer day from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 7 at the City of Pine Bluff’s Opportunity House, formerly First Ward School, at 1300 E. Fifth Ave. The city will host the event to work on one of Lowe’s 100 Hometowns projects. This project will turn the unused school building into a men’s only transitional housing center, according to a news release. Volunteers will come together to clean up the building to prepare it for building renovations and landscaping. The city of Pine Bluff was the only municipality in Arkansas to be awarded the grant.
Wednesday, Sept. 8 Flag retirement ceremony set
The city of Pine Bluff will host a flag retirement ceremony at noon Sept. 8 on the north lawn of the Pine Bluff Civic Center complex, 200 E. Eighth Ave. The American flag currently flown at the complex will be retired and a new banner raised, according to a news release from the mayor’s office. Arkansas Secretary of Veteran Affairs Nate Todd will discuss the significance of the flag and the values it represents. The public is invited to attend and refreshments will be served.
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.
Saturday, Sept. 11
St. John AME slates free food boxes
St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St., will give away food boxes to people in need from 9-11 a.m. Sept. 11. One food box per family will be provided in a drive thru event in front of the church on Cherry Street. Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles and open their trunks to receive the food. State ID’s are required, according to a news release. The sponsor is St. John’s Soul Food for the Mind, Body, and Spirit Feeding Ministry. To volunteer for this ministry people may email Pearl Matlock at pearl1948@sbcglobal.net. Financial donations may be sent to St. John AME Church-Feeding Ministry, 1117 W. Pullen St., Pine Bluff, Ark., 71601, or electronically through Givelify St John AME Pine Bluff.
Governor to speak at state’s 9-11 ceremony
Gov. Asa Hutchinson is scheduled to speak at the state commemoration of Patriots Day at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, on the steps of the Arkansas Capitol building. The ceremony is open to the public and will be broadcast via Facebook live at https://www.facebook.com/ADVAVets/ under events, according to a news release from Sue Harper, District 9 Veteran Service Officer.
Sunday, Sept. 12 Art league holds meeting
The monthly meeting of the Pine Bluff Art League will be held from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave., Room A & B. Crystal Jennings will present a new technique on framing without glass. The public is invited to attend. Due to the continued rise in covid-19 cases, the league will require all members and visitors to wear masks during the meeting. Social distancing is encouraged, according to a news release. Details: PBAL President Spainhour at mediapinebluffartleague@mediapinebluffartleague@gmail.com.
New Community honors pastor, wife
New Community Church, 321 N. Birch St., will present the 18th anniversary celebration of the pastor and wife, Apostle Patrick and Janice Lockett, at 4 p.m. Sept. 12. The guest speaker will be Bishop Jeff Davis of the Word Works Church of Chicago.
Monday, Sept. 13 Walk Across Arkansas begins
The fall edition of Walk Across Arkansas, a teambased event, runs from Sept. 13-Nov. 7 and uses friendly competition among teams to motivate exercise. There’s no cost to register at https://walk.uada.edu/walk/. The public health initiative is open to all who want to get into the habit of exercise or renew a commitment to fitness. The event isn’t limited to walking, according to a news release.
Wednesday, Sept. 15
Procurement topic of Generator session
The Generator, 435 S. Main St., program of Go Forward Pine Bluff, will host a workshop on Selling to the State of Arkansas from 5:307:30 p.m. Sept. 15. Participants will learn about state procurement regulations and procedures for submitting bids. Seats are limited due to covid-19. Details: Liz Russsell of the Arkansas Procurement Technical Assistance Center (AR PTAC) at erussell@uada.edu. Russell will also be available at The Generator on the third Tuesday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., according to a news release.
Thursday, Sept. 16
Retired teachers to meet virtually
The Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association will host monthly Zoom meetings until further notice. Members will receive Zoom information prior to the scheduled Sept. 16 meeting,, according to a news release. Details: Lura Campbell, (870) 247-4734.
Friday, Sept. 17
Deadline set for UAPB tobacco grant applications
The Minority Research Center on Tobacco & Addictions (MRC) at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is accepting applications to award four grants up to $9,999 to cover the cost of research. The deadline to apply is Sept. 17. MRC is offering grants that support researchers who are engaged in evidence-linked research that directly contributes to the elimination of smoking and tobacco use among minority populations, according to a news release. For applications or details, contact Earnette Sullivan, program manager, at sullivane@uapb.edu or (870) 730-1137.
Voices for Children sets golf tournament
The 17th annual Voices for Children Golf Tournament will be held Sept. 17 at the Pine Bluff Country Club. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and tee off at 12:30 p.m., according to a news release. The tournament is $400 per team or sponsorships of $2,500 for platinum, $1,000 for gold, $500 for silver and $150 for hole sponsor. All proceeds will help Voices for Children continue to provide Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for every foster child in Jefferson and Lincoln counties. Details: Voices of Children, (870) 536-5922 or vfc@vfcadvocates.org.
Beginning Friday, Sept. 17
‘The Miracle Worker’ at ASC open Sept. 17-19
Tickets are on sale for the Arts & Science Center’s production of “The Miracle Worker.” Kayla Ernest will direct the inaugural production for the center’s Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater, 627 S. Main St. Performances are 7 p.m. Sept. 1718, and 2 p.m. Sept. 19. Anna Grace Bailey of Monticello and Lily Jennings of Rison star as Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. “‘The Miracle Worker,’ written by William Gibson, dramatizes the classic true story and life of Anne Sullivan and her student Helen Keller. Tickets are $13 for center members and seniors, $18 for non-members and $10 for students. Tickets may be purchased at asc701.org or by calling (870) 536-3375.