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 or use our newsroom email pbcnews@pbcommercial.com to make additions or changes.

Today

New Hope to honor musicians

New Hope Missionary Baptist Church at Moscow will hold the appreciation program for their musicians, Stanley Blair Jr. and Kalebra Blair, at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 29. Special guests will include the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church Choir of Noble Lake and the Damascus Missionary Baptist Church Choir of Grady. Everyone is invited to attend, according to a news release.

Family and friends day set

Word of Faith Full Gospel Baptist Church, 1108 S. Poplar St., invites the community to its Family and Friends Day on Jan. 29. Sunday school starts at 9:45 a.m. Worship service begins at 10:45 a.m. The speaker will be Word of Faith’s pastor, Henry Land Jr., according to a news release.

Historical, Genealogy societies plan gathering

The Jefferson County Historical Society and the Genealogy Society will have a joint meeting at 2 p.m. Jan. 29 in the chapel at First Presbyterian Church, 717 W. 32nd Ave. The public is invited to attend. The meeting will feature Mark Christ of Little Rock, head of adult programming for the Central Arkansas Library System, and former community outreach director for the Arkansas Historic Preservation Program, according to a news release.

Underway

Applications available for USDA/1890 Scholars

The application deadline for the U.S. Department of Agriculture/1890 National Scholars Program is March 15, said Belinda Demmings, USDA liaison for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. The program awards scholarships to students attending one of 19 historically black land-grant universities. High school seniors entering their freshman year of college and rising college sophomores and juniors are eligible to apply. USDA/1890 National Scholars receive full tuition towards a bachelor’s degree, books and the cost of room and board, Demmings said. During the summer months while in college, the students will receive an internship with a USDA agency, including employee benefits. After graduation, all USDA/1890 National Scholars are employed by their selected agency and must commit to at least one year of service to USDA for each year of financial assistance provided. Applicants must apply using the e-application form, which can be found at https://www.usda. gov/partnerships/1890NationalScholars.

Junior Leadership spots available

The Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce has eight openings available for its Junior Leadership Pine Bluff Class set to begin this month. Junior Leadership Pine Bluff is for area high school juniors or sophomores looking to gain leadership experience. The program works to identify, inform and motivate young leaders who aspire to make a difference in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County, according to the Chamber newsletter. Details: Jennifer Kline or Jamal Gordon at the Chamber, (870) 5350110, or for an application visit https://files.constantcontact.com/91329166001/ 06f5a524-9780-4cdd-ba3262c2272bff84.pdf ?rdr=true.

WH softball registration open

White Hall Softball League registration is open until March 5 online at https:// whitehallsoftball.sportngin. com/register/form/115952577.

In person registration is available from 1-4 p.m. March 5 at the White Hal Softball Fields, a spokesman said. The fee is $125 per player. T-Ball, 8U, 10U, 12U, 14U/16U divisions are available.

Free tax assistance set

Free tax preparation is being held by appointment from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday at the Donald W. Reynolds Community Services Center, 211 W. Third Ave. A Super Saturday tax service will also be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 28. The tax preparation is provided through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Pine Bluff Interested Citizens for Voter Registration (PBICVR) and the United Way of Southeast Arkansas began offering this service in January, according to a news release. To make an appointment or for details, call (870) 730-1131.

Monday, Jan. 30 PB boards to meet

The Public Facilities Board and the Civic Auditorium Complex Commission will meet at 11 a.m. Monday. Details: Joseph McCorvey, Pine Bluff Convention Center director, or Kristy Wiley, at the center, (870) 536-7600.

Tuesday, Jan. 31

Food program extends deadline

The application deadline for the Future of Food: Opportunities and Careers for Undergraduate Students (F2OCUS) Fellowship Program has been extended to Jan. 31. Opening the realms of possibility in food science is a factor behind the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station’s new program. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 31 for the paid, summer program open to undergraduates in degree programs that can be complementary to food science like physics, biology, chemistry, animal science, consumer sciences, psychology and agricultural studies like horticulture. For more information and to apply, students should visit the F2OCUS Program website at https://futurefood-reeu.uada.edu/.

Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 31 Grand Prairie sets arts events

The 67th Grand Prairie Festival of the Arts 2023 will hold its Photography and Decorative Arts exhibits for adults and youth at the Arts Center of the Grand Prairie at Stuttgart. Exhibit dates are Jan. 26-Feb. 23 and a reception will be held Jan. 31 from 5-6:30 p.m., according to a news release. Entries may be picked up Feb. 24-25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Decorative Arts entries are to be delivered to the arts center on March 10 from noon to 5 p.m. and March 11 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Decorative Arts Exhibit will be at the center from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays March 17-19 and on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. The awards reception and presentation will be March 19 at 3 p.m., according to the news release. To register or for details visit www. grandprairiearts.com or email artscenter001@gmail.com.

Wednesday, Feb. 1

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.

Beginning Wednesday, Feb. 1

Foundation scholarships available

Beginning Feb. 1, Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation will accept applications for scholarships from high school seniors in Pine Bluff and Jefferson County. The deadline to apply is March 15. These scholarships are for local students pursuing higher education at two- or fouryear colleges or universities, vocational schools or technical training programs. Details: www.arcf. org/scholarships or Lawrence Fikes, executive director of Pine Bluff Area Community Foundation, at pinebluffarea@arcf.org or (870) 850-7934.

Through Wednesday, Feb. 1

NAACP sets ACT-SO deadline

The Pine Bluff Branch NAACP is accepting applications for the 2022-23 Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technology, Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) Program. ACT-SO is designed to support the academic achievements of African-American high school students. The completed form is due by Feb. 1, 2023, and should be submitted to Maryann Lee, 212 W. Barraque St., Pine Bluff, AR, 71601. Students win monetary prizes for first, second and third place in local competitions. First place winners receive an opportunity to participate at the national competition scheduled for July in Boston, Mass. Details: Maryann Lee, chair, (870) 718-5330 or mizmaryann@gmail.com. The application is available at https://files.constantcontact.com/585454b8001/ a14271de-8fa0-4a259fd9-45d64d950458.pdf ?rdr=true.

Thursday, Feb. 2 SEA concert set at UAM

The Southeast Arkansas Concert Association will present “Deliver Us!” by Ballet Magnificat! at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 at the University of Arkansas at Monticello Fine Arts Center. The performance tells the story of Moses through dance, according to a news release. “The show presents the story of the enslaved Jewish people, who cry out for help as they toil under the blazing Egyptian sun. One man, Moses, emerges as a challenger to the pharaoh and leads the people to freedom,” according to the release. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for veterans and $15 for children 12 and under. They can be purchased at the door, by calling the concert association office at (870) 460-1888, or online at searkconcert.org.

Saturday, Feb. 4

Blues concerts on tap for downtown

The Port City Blues Society will continue its “Blues By Budweiser,” live blues concerts at RJ’s Sports Grill & Bar, 128 S. Main St., on Feb. 4 with Arkadelics.The doors open at 7 p.m. and music begins at 8 p.m. Port City Blues Society members are admitted for free. There’s a $5 cover charge for nonmembers, according to a news release. Details: portcitybluessociety.com or facebook.com/PCBluesSociety.

Ceramics with Jennifer Solano set at ASC

Ages 18 and older are invited to participate in a hands-on ceramics workshop with artist Jennifer Solano from noon to 3 p.m. Feb. 4 at The ARTSpace on Main, a facility of the Arts & Science Center for Southeast Arkansas. The cost is $160 for ASC members and $180 for nonmembers. Class size is limited to six participants. To register, visit asc701.org/ adult-classes, call (870) 536-3375, or visit in person. Details: Kourtlynn Pinkins at kpinkins@asc701.org. Through Saturday, Feb. 4

Midst: Artwork by Nick Hobbs set

The Arts & Science