Datebook

• Kids Day, hosted for the fourth year by the Knights of Columbus, Freehold Council, will be held at the council hall, 70 E. Main St., Freehold, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 13. Home Depot instructors will be conducting hands-on projects and activities will children who attend. In addition, a magic show will take place at 12:15 p.m. Admission is free and refreshments will be available for purchase. All are welcome. Details: 732-996-6950.

• The Manalapan Arts Council will be sponsoring a festival at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m. The afternoon of musical performances will include music from blues and jazz to hip-hop, plus music from spirituals to the forefathers of rock and roll. The festival will feature five headlining acts in addition to a variety of other music, including steel pan music, African drums, and hip hop. A sampling of American, African and Caribbean traditional foods will be available. Details: 732-

446-8303.

• The Freehold Art Society will exhibit at the Freehold Public Library, East Main Street, Freehold, during library hours from Feb. 9 to May 8. The exhibit is open to any artist, amateur or professional. Artists may contact the society at 732-431-1039 or at www.freeholdartsociety.homestead.com for a prospectus and entry information.

• The Chelsea at Manalapan, 445 Route 9 south, Manalapan, will host a fundraiser for the Haiti earthquake victims on Feb. 12 from 7-9 p.m. The Valentine’s Day get together will feature music, wine, cheese, desserts and a raffle. Admission donation is $10 per person. In addition, Hearts For Haiti will be sold at a cost of $2 each. Proceeds will benefit the Salvation Army’s Haiti relief fund. RSVP to 732-972-6200.

• The American Association of University Women Freehold chapter is accepting book donations for its annual book sale. With the exception of Reader’s Digest magazines and textbooks, all book donations are appreciated. The proceeds of the book sale support scholarships for women who are returning to college and senior girls from the Freehold Regional High School District. Call 732-431-2297 for drop-off instructions.

• “How to Appeal Your Property Taxes” will be presented by the Freehold Township Democratic Club from 7-8:30 p.m. Feb. 3 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan. The speaker will be Jeff Horn, a licensed New Jersey attorney, former president of the Ocean County Tax Board and a certified tax assessor. The event is free and open to the public RSVP to 732-616-8855 or send email to vegand@verizon.net. RSVPs are appreciated but not mandatory.

• The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 3 at Brandywine Assisted Living at Howell, 100 Meridian Place, Howell. Details: 1-800-883-1180.

“The Truth About Having Incredible Health and Function,” a free lecture about the latest health breakthroughs in several areas, will be presented by Russell Brokstein, D.C., from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 6 at Hometown Family Wellness Center, 9 Broadway, Freehold. Details: 732-780- 0044.

The Jewish History of New Jersey, a lecture by Rabbi Dr. Robert Feirstein, will be presented at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 7 at the Freehold Jewish Center, 59 Broad St., Freehold. The $5 donation includes lecture and refreshment. RSVP: 732-462-0254.

Marlboro K-8 Board of Education will meet at 8 p.m. at 1980 Township Drive, Marlboro, on the following dates: Feb. 9 (workshop meeting, budget discussion: special education, curriculum), Feb. 16 (regular meeting), Feb. 23 (workshop meeting, budget discussion: personnel, revenues), March 2 (special meeting: tentative adoption of the 2010-11 school year budget), March 16 (regular meeting).

A Manalapan Township H1N1 influenza vaccination clinic will be open to the public at no charge from 9-11 a.m. Feb. 9 at the Covered Bridge I clubhouse, 1 Amberly Drive, Manalapan. No preregistration is necessary. There are no longer any age group or priority group restrictions — any person, age 6 months and over, can get vaccinated. Details: www.mtnj.org. For determination of the type of vaccine you should be seeking, contact your private physician.

The Monmouth County Audubon Society will meet at 8 p.m. Feb. 10 at Church of the Nativity, 180 Ridge Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome and admission is free. Jeffrey Hall will present “Birds on the Rocks.” The program explores the birds that breed on the rocky coast of the Canadian Maritimes. Details: 732-872- 2473.

The Colts Neck Community Band will play at 7:30 p.m. Feb.11 at Colts Neck High School, Route 537 and Five Points Road, Colts Neck. Program includes selections from Giovanni, Rogers and Sousa. Admission is free. Rain date is Feb. 18.

• “Cash in the Bling” from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 15 at Salkin’s Jewel Case, 3585 Route 9 north, Freehold Township (opposite ShopRite supermarket) and help raise funds for the Freehold Township Marching Patriots band. Ten percent of all unwanted gold, silver and platinum jewelry traded in for cash will be donated by Salkin’s Jewel Case to the band. Details: 732-462-3311.

The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold a committee of the whole/regular board meeting at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 at 54 Main St., Englishtown.

The Manalapan Township MRCCERT is offering a free 20-hour FEMA-endorsed CERT training course. The sessions will begin at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 in Manalapan town hall and will use a combination of weekday evenings and Saturday mornings in order to meet the requirements. Preregistration is not required but appreciated. Details: 732-446-8345.

The Embroiderers’ Guild of America Monmouth Chapter daytime group will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 18 at St. Mary’s Parish Hall, Route 34 and Phalanx Road, Colts Neck. The guild welcomes anyone interested in needlework, and at all levels. Details: 732-679-6739.

• A Steak Night hosted by the Freehold Council Knights of Columbus will be held from 6-9 p.m. Feb 20 at the council hall, 70 E. Main St., Freehold. All are invited to attend. Donations are $22 and advance tickets are required. A cash bar will also be available. Details: 917-586-7349.

Kateri Environmental Center, 160 Conover Road, Marlboro, will present an interactive mystery adventure for children ages 7 and up on Feb. 20 when Collier School’s Smith Hall will be transformed into Frogwarts, a school for young wizards. Students will wander the halls searching for clues to help outsmart the villain during this family adventure. Along the way they can try magic spells, take a potions class and more. Shows will begin every 15 minutes between the hours of 5-9 p.m. Tickets are $10 per child ($8 for members of Kateri) and must be purchased in advance. Details: 732 946-9694.

The Monmouth County Audubon Society will hold a bird walk at 10 a.m. Feb. 20 beginning at the visitors center at Sandy Hook. The trip will be led by accomplished birders. Species that may be seen include snow buntings, northern harriers, and longtailed ducks. The free trip is open to Audubon members and to nonmembers. Binoculars are essential and a field guide is helpful. Details: 732-872-2473.

• A casino night hosted by the Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Marlboro Jewish Center, School Road West, Marlboro. The evening will feature professional casinostyle gaming, hors d’oeuvres, prizes, a dessert buffet and limited open bar. The cost is $150 per couple or $80 per person in advance, and $180 and $100, respectively, at the door. Details: 732-431-5525.

Families, friends and neighbors are welcome to attend Manalapan’s “Motown and More” dinner and dance party to be held at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Knob Hill Country Club, Manalapan. The $35 per person fee will include a four-course dinner and entertainment by DJ Adam. To reserve, call Susan at 732-446-8303.

A gift auction hosted by the Temple Shaari Emeth Early Learning Center, Manalapan, will be held March 11 at the American Hotel in Freehold. Admission is $40 per person and includes dinner and dancing. Attendees and donors are being sought. Details: 732-462-3264.