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, May 8

UAPB slates spring graduation

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) will host its graduation at 9 a.m. Saturday at Simmons Bank Field with a limited audience. The ceremony will be livestreamed via YouTube and Facebook. Michael Eric Dyson, Ph.D, a globally renowned scholar of race, religion and contemporary culture, will be the commencement speaker, according to a news release. The processional will begin at 8:45 a.m. Spring 2021 graduates will participate alongside 2020 graduates from both fall and spring, whose commencement exercises were virtual in December. This is a ticketed event, and graduates who confirmed their attendance will receive their tickets during cap and gown pickup. In the event of inclement weather, commencement plans include ceremonies at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Details: UAPB.edu/commencement.aspx or contact the UAPB Registrar, Jeanese Outlaw, at (870) 575-8491 or outlawj@ uapb.edu.

First Trinity plans vaccine clinic

First Trinity Church of God in Christ, 800 S. Catalpa St., will hold a covid-19 vaccine clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 8. Vaccines will be administered by ExpressRX Pharmacy. Anyone 16 years old or older may register at ExpressRX.net or call the store at (870) 850-0159 to set an appointment, according to a news release.

Family FunDay: No-Sew Sock Animals

Fashionable sock pets will be made during the Second Saturday Family FunDay from 1-3 p.m. May 8 at the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. This craft is an art activity that will entertain visitors of all ages. This event is free. “Take & make” kits will be available at ASC’s main entrance for those wanting to participate at home. Participants may pick up a few kits from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 8. An instructional video will be posted at 1 p.m. May 8 at facebook.com/asc701/.

Sunday, May 9

Grady Class of 1971 announces 50th reunion

The Grady High School Class of 1971 Reunion Committee invites all its classmates to the 50th class reunion. A Zoom Class Reunion will be held at 5 p.m. May 9, (Mother’s Day), the day of graduation 50 years ago, according to a news release. Classmates should contact Barbara Johnson Wilborn at (501) 888-7812 or Barbara Williams Dixon at (501) 888-6604 to receive the access information for the reunion link. The first stop will be Imagination Hawaii. Participants should grab some bright colors and a “lei” and board the 50 year ride to the Virtual Hawaiian Imagination Excursion. Details: Facebook https://m.facebook.com/grady1971.

Beginning Sunday, May 9

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. Two events will be by conference call and two sessions in person. Prayers will be held by conference call at 978-990-5000, access code: 127365# on May 9 at Family Time Baptist Church and Ministries, 501 S. Ohio St.; and May 16 at Kingdom Builders Outreach Church of God in Christ, 3105 S. Apple St. Live 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.

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-line-hwy270-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.

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

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. 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.

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 4:15-5:45 p.m. GYM is an equal opportunity provider and employer. The director is Antoinette Burks.