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.

Monday, Oct. 25 NARFE to meet

The National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), Chapter 287, will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Building, 211 W. Third Ave. Shelly Henderson, a representative from Blue Cross and Blue Shield will discuss the upcoming 2022 health insurance changes. Other healthcare information will also be provided, according to a news release.

McGehee School Board to meet

The McGehee School Board will meet at 5 p.m. Monday at the middle school library at McGehee. The agenda includes a public hearing on the facilities master plan, financial statement, Surveillance Cameras Bids for Contact Tracing and covid-19 update, according to a news release.

Extension clubs plan centerpiece craft class

Jefferson County Extension Homemakers Clubs will host craft classes to teach people to make fall centerpieces, according to a news release. Classes will be held at local library branches and registration is $1. The next session is at Redfield Library, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m. Participants may register by calling the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension Service at (870) 534-1033.

A&P plans finance meeting

The Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission’s Finance Committee will meet at noon Oct. 25 at the offices of the A&P Commission at The ARTSpace, 623 S. Main St. Details: A&P Commission, (870) 534-2121.

Beginning Monday, Oct. 25 Salvation Army holds registration for holiday assistance

The Pine Bluff Corps of the Salvation Army will conduct family registration for its annual Christmas/Angel Tree Drive on Oct. 25-27 at the Salvation Army Corps Community Center Gymnasium, 501 E. 12th Ave. Registration will be held from 9-11:45 a.m. and 1:15-3:15 p.m. each day, according to a news release. Registration days are scheduled by last names, alphabetically: A-H – Oct. 25; I-Q – Oct. 26; R-Z – Oct. 27. Only children 12 years old and younger are eligible for this program. A birth certificate is required for each child that is registered, along with clothing and shoe sizes, according to a Salvation Army spokesman. Only the head of household or designee with written approval will be allowed to register. No children will be allowed at the registration, the spokesman said. Proof of identification, proof of income and proof of residence are required. Masks are required. Social distancing and the Arkansas Department of Health directives will be followed. Details: Salvation Army, (870) 534-0504.

Tuesday, Oct. 26 Division of Rural Services accepting education grant forms

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. The deadline to apply is Oct. 26. 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.

Civic panel to meet

The Civic Auditorium Complex Commission meeting will be held by conference call at noon Oct. 26, according to a news release. Details: Pine Bluff Convention Center, (870) 536-7600.

Through Tuesday, Oct. 26 Auditions set for Charlie Brown Christmas and Seussified Christmas Carol

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will continue auditions for A Charlie Brown Christmas and A Seussified Christmas Carol on Oct. 25-26. Auditions are open to ages 10 and older. Performers must be available for showtimes on 7 p.m. Dec. 10, 11, 17, and 18, and 2 p.m. Dec. 12 and 19, 2021. Script selections will be available at the Catherine M. Bellamy Theater at the main ASC facility, 701 S. Main St. To request a selection before auditions, email Theatre Programs Manager Lindsey Collins at lcollins@asc701.org. Domestic abuse topic of virtual sessions

Community organizations will sponsor a virtual series about domestic abuse, according to Melrita Johnson, a licensed social worker, ACES Inc. national grand president/organizer and founder of REFORM Inc. October is Domestic Abuse/Intimate Partner Violence Awareness Month. The theme is “Sorry Not Sorry: Asking for a Myself and a Friend.” The sessions will be held by Zoom at 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, through Oct. 26. Presenters will be licensed clinicians. Registration is required. Zoom meetings can be found at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85200780406?pwd=WGh3ay8xdytyYTNEOTVtYmJ2WTVBQT09. Use Meeting ID: 852 0078 0406 and Passcode: 271955. Details: Melrita M. Johnson at info@acessocialworkinc.org or www.acessocialworkinc.org and Facebook and Instagram pages.

Wednesday, Oct. 27 A&P plans meeting

The Pine Bluff Advertising and Promotion Commission will will at 4 p.m. Oct. 27 at The ARTSpace, 623 S. Main St. The agenda includes reports, A&P business audits, and 2022 grant funding, according to a news release. Details: Betty Brown, A&P administrative assistant, (870) 534-2121 or bbrown@explorepinebluff.com.

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. Column writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Articles should be submitted by email to shope@pbcommercial.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.

Through Wednesday, Oct. 27 Pine Bluff Library events set

The Pine Bluff/Jefferson County Library System recently announced programs for October. Events at the main library, 600 S. Main St., include: Tweens and Teens (Ages: 11-17) — Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 12, 19 and 26; Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 19 — Candy Olympics — Who is up for the challenge? Are you agile? Fast? Steady hands? Let’s find out with some Candy Olympics. Oct. 26 – Lego Night — Are you up for the challenge? Can you handle the pressure? Find out on Lego Night for Tweens and Teens. Toddler Sensory Play (Ages: 1-3) — Dates: Monday, Wednesday and Friday; Time: 10:30-11 a.m. Interactive free play with games, blocks and crafts. Homeschooler’s Corner (Ages: 0-18) — Dates: Tuesdays and Thursdays; Time: 2-3 p.m. A chance for parents or caregivers to bring their children for a quiet study time, or to socialize with other parents and caregivers. Afterschool (Ages: 5-10) — Dates: Wednesdays, Oct. 13, 20 and 27; Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 13 — Crafts: Monster-Themed Air-Dry Clay Planter. Create unique, goofy, funny, scary, one-of-a-kind monster faces using clay wrapped around a planter. Oct. 20 — Fall Scavenger Hunt. Search for fallthemed items. Find all the items on the page and receive a fun prize. Oct. 27 — STEAM Zombie Dolls Workshop. Love zombies? This is your chance to create the scariest, funniest, goofiest zombie you can imagine. Prizes will be given out for the best in each category. Adults — Bingo — Dates: Mondays, Oct. 18 and 25; Time: 1-2 p.m. Come down and play a few rounds of Bingo and see what kind of prizes you could win. Adult Crafts — Dates: Mondays and Fridays; Time: 2-3 p.m. Crafts with adults two times a week. Details: www.pineblufflibrary.org or (870) 534-4802.

DRA accepting workforce grant applications

The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) opened the application cycle for the 2021 Delta Workforce Grant Program (DWP). The program invests federal resources across the Mississippi River Delta and Alabama Black Belt regions particularly hard hit by industrial downsizing, business closures, and job losses as a result of the public health and economic crises, according to a news release. To submit a grant application, visit the Delta Workforce Grant Program portal at https://workforce.dra.gov. All applications must be submitted in the portal by Oct. 27.

Thursday, Oct. 28 VA virtual claims clinic set

Little Rock VA Regional Office holds its next virtual claims clinic for Arkansas Veterans from 4-6 p.m. Oct. 28. To reserve a timeslot to speak one-on-one with a VA benefits representative, veterans should call (501) 370-3829 by Oct. 27 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to a news release. Veterans may speak to staff who are ready to assist them with specific questions regarding VA benefits claims. VA Regional Offices provide financial and other forms of assistance to veterans and their dependents. For more details about VA’s benefits, visit http://benefits.va.gov/benefits/ or call 800-827-1000.

Chamber to host farmers appreciation fish fry

The 2021 Jefferson County Farm Family of the Year is the Draper Family of S&L Farms. The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce will honor the family during the 69th annual Farmers Appreciation Fish Fry set for 5 p.m. Oct. 28 at Hestand Stadium at Pine Bluff. This year’s event will be drive-thru due to current covid-19 conditions, according to the Chamber newsletter. King Kat will provide catfish or chicken strips with all the fixins. Tickets are $20 each. Sponsorships are $400. For details or to volunteer to serve food, contact Jennifer Kline, jennifer@jeffersoncountyalliance.com or (870) 535-0110.

Delta Sigma Theta webinar to address census data

The social action committee of the Pine Bluff Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. will host a webinar on Zoom entitled “The Nuts and Bolts of Gerrymandering and Redistricting,” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28. The purpose is to inform residents of the 2020 data and the impact it has on all facets of the community’s wellbeing. The presenter will be Deborah Pitchford, data dissemination specialist with the Custom Liaison and Marketing Services Office/ Data Dissemination Training Branch of the U.S. Census Bureau, according to a news release. Pritchford will focus on 2020 Decennial population numbers. Details are available at Data.census.gov. The public is invited to attend via Zoom with webinar ID: 827 0999 3629 and passcode: 483888. Nicolette Laurent is the chapter president.

‘Common Ground’ speaker to address Political Animals

The Southeast Arkansas Political Animals Club will meet at noon Oct. 28 at the Monticello Western Sizzlin. State Sen. Jim Hendren (I-Gravette) will be the featured speaker. He will discuss Common Ground Arkansas — a newly formed political coalition that has garnered statewide and national attention, according to a news release. Those planning to attend the meeting should RSVP by emailing John Davis at searkpoliticalanimals@gmail.com.

Corn and cotton virtual field day set

Corn and cotton are the topics for the next virtual field day presented by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. Beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, researchers and extension specialists will offer results on the latest corn and cotton studies, including weed control, fertilizer use and soil fertility, variety choices, and yield monitoring. The online field day is free, but registration is required. Register online at https://aaes.uada.edu/corncotton-field-day until Oct. 28, according to a news release.

Beginning Thursday, Oct. 28 Drew County NAACP sets domestic violence awareness, college aid prep, gala

Drew County Branch NAACP 6042 slate October events including: Oct. 28, College Financial Prep — A College Financial Prep Night will be held at the Monticello Branch Library; 7 p.m. Oct. 29, Freedom Fund Virtual Gala — The 2021 Freedom Fund Virtual Gala will be held via Zoom and Facebook Live. The guest speaker is Bessie Lancelin, co-interim president and CEO and director of clinical services of the Southeast Arkansas Behavioral Healthcare Inc. of Pine Bluff. The community is asked to make a $30 contribution online at www.dcnaacp6042.org/freedomfund or contact Peggy Orr at (870) 224-2416. Details: NAACP President Clarissa Pace, clpace@sbcglobal.net.

Friday, Oct. 29

Boys and Girls Club reschedules golf tourney

The third annual 4-man scramble golf tournament for the Boys and Girls Club of Jefferson County has been rescheduled for Oct. 29 at Harbor Oaks golf course. Registration will start at 8 a.m. The registration deadline is Oct. 15 and the fee is $400 per team. The event is held in observance of the club’s 75th anniversary. Details: Boys and Girls Club, (870) 850-7500, ext. 102, or info@boysgirlsclubjc.org or www.boysgirlsclubjc.com.

Covid-19 booster shot clinics set

Pfizer covid-19 booster shots will be given in Pine Bluff during community clinics sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Health’s Office of Health Equity, according to a news release. The clinics are for those who have had the Pfizer shot six months ago and for those who need their first shot. The next event will be held Friday, Oct. 29 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center from 9 a.m.-noon. To schedule an appointment, call (501) 2460127. Walk-in appointments are also available. For details or the state list of clinics, visit healthy.arkansas.gov.

Beginning Friday, Oct. 29 ASC to perform ‘You Have the Right to Remain Dead’

The Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas will present “You Have the Right to Remain Dead,” an audience participation murder mystery comedy. Martin Carty will direct the production at the Adam B. Robinson Jr. Black Box Theater, 627 S. Main St. Performances are 7 p.m. Oct. 2930, and 2 p.m. Oct. 31. There will be a costume contest with prizes at the Friday and Saturday night performances. Tickets are $13 for ASC members and seniors, $18 for nonmembers and $10 for students. Tickets may be purchased at asc701.org or by calling (870) 536-3375.

PBHS class of 1971 hosts events

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of their graduation, the Pine Bluff High School Class of 1971 will hold a virtual celebration and scholarship fundraiser. Zebra Zoom, a virtual gathering, will be held Oct. 29. Any 1971 PBHS graduate who hasn’t provided their information may contact the committee to receive the link to the Zebra Zoom. Details: Facebook at Pine Bluff High School Class of 1971 and on Dropbox. Also, the Class of ‘71 has established the PBHS Class of 1971 Zebra Fund to endow a scholarship. The scholarship will be managed by Arkansas Community Foundation. Checks should be payable to “PBHS Class of 1971 Zebra Fund” and mailed to: Arkansas Community Foundation, 5 Allied Drive, Suite 51110, Little Rock, AR 72202. Online donations can be made by visiting ARCF. ORG/PBHS71 and following the prompts. Jeff Smith is the Zebra Fund advisor.

Saturday, Oct. 30 Community yard sale set

Saracen Landing will host a community wide yard sale from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 30. Participants can hold their own pop-up shop at the event, according to a news release. People will be selling antiques, paintings, office furniture, housewares, clothe4s and other items. For vendor and food registration, call Pine Bluff Parks and Recreation Department at (870) 536-0920 or (870) 536-0925.