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.

Friday, July 23

Meet and greet set for PB police chief

The community will have an opportunity to meet Pine Bluff Police Chief Lloyd Franklin Sr. at 6 p.m. today in the courtyard on the second level of the civic center at 200 E. Eighth Ave. Mayor Shirley Washington appointed Franklin, 69, interim police chief Monday. Franklin brings more than three decades of law enforcement experience to the post, all of which he gained at the Arkansas State Police. The public is invited to attend the gathering to meet Franklin and learn what his vision is for the Pine Bluff Police Department, according to a news release.

Saturday, July 24 Raven’s Nest pantry to offer food Saturday

Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, 2507 Hill St., will open its Raven’s Nest Food Pantry on Saturday from 8-9:30 a.m. or until all the food has been given away. Food will be handed out on a first come, first-served basis. Participants must bring a picture identification. The pantry is a U.S. Department of Agriculture distribution site and equal opportunity provider, according to a news release.

Summit Soundz plans band concert

The Summit Soundz Celebration Band will present a concert at 6 p.m. July 24 in the worship center of Summit Baptist Church, 901 Ridgway Road, at Pine Bluff. This 30 piece wind band includes high school and college students from southeast Arkansas as well as area band directors: Al Wimberly, Garry Henson and Kameron Willis, according to a news release. The concert is free and open to the public.

House of Bread hosts youth event

House of Bread Deliverance Church, 500 S. Main St., invites the community to attend the Youth Explosion from 1-3 p.m. July 24 at J.C. Jeffries Park, 1401 Belmont St. The event will include free food. Free backpacks with school supplies will be available for children who attend, according to a news release. Details: Marshell Foster or Saint Mary Harris, pastor/apostle, at houseofbread71601@outlook.com.

Beginning Saturday, July 24 ASC hosts The Miracle Worker auditions

The Arts & Science Centere for Southeast Arkansas, 701 S. Main St., is seeking people ages 11 and older to audition for its September theatrical production, The Miracle Worker. Audition dates are July 24-25. For more information and to sign up for an audition slot, visit asc701.org/auditions. This drama tells the story of Annie Sullivan and her student Helen Keller, who is blind and deaf. Performances are set for 7 p.m. Sept. 10, 11, 17 and 18, and 2 p.m. Sept. 12 and Sept. 19 at the Adam B. Robinson Black Box Theater in the ART WORKS on Main at 627 S. Main St.

Monday, July 26

A&P Finance Committee to meet

The Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission (A&P) Finance Committee will meet at noon July 26 at the A&P Office, 623 S. Main St. The agenda includes financial reports, according to a news release. Details: Betty Brown, A&P administrative assistant, at bbrown@explorepinebluff.com, or or Sheri Storie, A&P director, at sstorie@explorepinebluff.com.

Tuesday, July 27

Civic Auditorium panel to meet

The Pine Bluff Civic Auditorium Complex Commission will meet by conference call at noon July 27. To join the meeting or for details, contact the Pine Bluff Convention Center at (870) 536-7600 or email Teresa Rash at tlrash@pinebluff. com.

Korean War veterans to be honored

The 68th anniversary of the end of the Korean War is scheduled to be commemorated at 10 a.m. July 27 at the Korean War Monument at the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History at Little Rock. The ceremony will feature a wreath laying and presentation of the 2021 Korean War Commemorative book, according to a news release. Seating is limited, attendees are asked to bring lawn chairs as a precaution. The ceremony is open to the public and will be broadcast via Facebook live at https://www.facebook.com/ADVAVets/ under Events. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will move to the second floor of the museum.

Wednesday, July 28

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@pbcom

mercial.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5. Beginning Thurday, July 29

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 be held from 6:30-8 p.m. July 29 at the fine arts center of the University of Arkansas at Monticello; 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.

UAPB alumni group plans conference

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff/AM&N National Alumni Association invites alumni to register for the Virtual Alumni 2021 Summer Conference to be held July 29-31 via Zoom. The event will be hosted by the UAPB/ AM&N National Alumni Association, Pulaski County Alumni Chapter, according to a news release. Highlights include: speakers and presenters, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Day and Ask the Administration. On Ask the Administration, participants may submit a maximum of two questions to UAPBalumniconference@gmail.com to be addressed by either National Alumni President Kymara Seals or UAPB Chancellor Laurence B. Alexander or their appointees. Regular registration is $30 per person (through July 5). Alumni are also encouraged to make a donation for the Summer Conference Scholarship Fund to help a UAPB student in need of tuition or book assistance. Details: uapbalumni.org or the National Alumni Office at (870) 536-2309.

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 for July 29, North Little Rock (RSVP by July 23); 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. Through Friday, July 30

Area Agency fan drive ends

Area Agency on Aging of Southeast Arkansas will host its Beat the Heat Annual Fan Drive Monday through July 30. The fan drive will be held in the counties the agency serves: Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Grant, Lincoln and Jefferson, according to a news release. People interested in donating fans or air conditioners should call Area Agency. People who need fans must be disabled or 60 years old or older and contact the agency. Their names will be placed on a list waiting list. The applicants will be told when the fans may be picked up. Social distancing will be observed and masks must be worn when obtaining fans. Applicants will be asked to present ID. Details: Carolyn Ferguson or Pauline Jones at Area Agency, (870) 543-6300 or 1-800-264-3260.