– Workshops offered for children with autism
VSA New Jersey has announced fall program offerings for children with autism ages 3-21 and their family members.
The Parent/Child Workshops in the Arts for Children with Autism offers weekly workshops in the visual and performing arts so that young people can enhance their understanding and appreciation of the arts.
The workshops will be offered in 1-hour sessions between the hours of 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 4 to Dec. 6, at VSA New Jersey, 703 Jersey Ave., New Brunswick.
For more information, call 732-745-3885 or 732-745-3913 (TTY), or email [email protected].
– Library has programs for kids, adults
The Eastern Branch Library is offering programs for children and adults during September at 1001 Route 35, Shrewsbury. Some programs require registration by visiting the library or calling 866-941-8188.
• “Family Fun Saturday: Aaarrgh! Talk Like a Pirate” for children age 2 and up will be at 11 a.m. Sept. 20. Enjoy pirate stories and a craft. Registration is required.
• “Monmouth County Hunt Club” will be at 2 p.m. Sept. 20. The Monmouth County Hunt Club was founded in 1885. Learn about preserving the Monmouth County Hunt legacy. Ann Jordan will be joined by several members of the club dressed in various types of hunting attire and by a pair of the club’s well-trained hunting hounds.
• “International Home Exchange” will be at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 27. Presenter Kerry Ascione will speak about her book, “Have Home Will Travel: The Ultimate International Home Exchange Guide for Families.” Learn about this intriguing way to arrange your vacation. Discover the huge variety of affordable travel options. Topics include the step-by-step nuts and bolts of home exchange, including a “No Trust, No Trade” policy. Explore home-exchange websites, how to choose one, how to create an appealing home-exchange listing and how to search for your first international home exchange partner. Ascione’s books will be available for purchase and signing.
For more information, visit www.monmouthcountylib.org.
– Golf outing to benefit teen with rare disorder
Golfers and sponsors are needed for the 16th annual Brandon Blair Golf Outing on Sept. 22 at Ocean Acres Country Club, 925 Buccaneer Lane, Manahawkin.
Registration begins at 11 a.m., with a shotgun start at 1 p.m.
The cost is $135 per golfer. It includes a barbecue lunch and buffet dinner.
Sponsorships range from $50 for a golf cart sponsor to $2,000 for the tournament sponsor. Any sponsorship of $1,000 or more includes a twosome or foursome of golf.
The golf outing will be held on the 18th birthday of Brandon Blair, a Beachwood teen who has a partial chromosome deletion. Funds will be put toward modifying the family van and possibly getting a hospital bed, in addition to paying medical bills.
To participate, call Harry Cupolo at 732-606-4032.
– Cooking event features chefs from White House
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will host “Forks and Corks: A White House Dinner” on Sept. 27 at Forsgate Country Club, Forsgate Drive, Monroe.
The event will offer culinary enthusiasts the opportunity to dine on some of the White House’s signature dishes prepared by former White House chefs Guy Mitchell and Woody Raber.
In addition, the chefs will explain presidential protocol for food preparation, share stories about presidents and unusual menu requests, and display mementos collected during their service to former presidents.
The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a champagne reception. The event will feature raffles; a silent auction; and an inspirational message c an author, singer-songwriter, talk show host, publisher, recording artist and certified life coach who is living with multiple sclerosis.
Tickets are $100 per person. All proceeds support the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
To order tickets, call Karen Drzik at 732-660-1005 or visit www.nationalmssociety.org/njm.
– The YMCA of Western Monmouth County and the Community YMCA are teaming up with Whole Foods Market to promote healthy living.
For those who shop at Whole Foods Market in Marlboro and Middletown on Sept. 23, 5 percent of net sales will be donated to both YMCAs to benefit the YMCA Financial Assistance Fund and community outreach programs, such as Teen Achievers.
Shoppers at Whole Foods Market who are not YMCA members will also be given an opportunity on Sept. 23 for a one-month free trial membership at the YMCA. To activate their trial membership, shoppers will need to bring their receipt from Sept. 23 to the YMCA in Freehold or Red Bank by Sept. 30. YMCA members can bring their receipts and receive up to four free guest passes. Some restrictions may apply.
– The West Long Branch Fire Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary will host a tea party from 1-4 p.m. Sept. 21 at 379 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch.
Enjoy an assortment of teas, delicious finger foods and light desserts. There will also be a fun, tea-themed game, hat contest and raffles.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children age 5-12. For more information, contact Karen Huhn at 732-229-0089.
– VSA New Jersey seeks writers for competition
The Unlimited Potential Theater Co., a project of VSA New Jersey, is seeking poems, essays, short stories and plays for its 21st annual Joyce Indik New Jersey Wordsmith Competition.
The contest is open to all New Jersey writers age 18 and over. Submissions by writers with disabilities are encouraged.
All works will be juried by a panel of judges, and winning works will be showcased at the New Jersey Readers Theatre in the spring of 2015.
In lieu of an entry fee, a donation of any amount is welcomed to cover the cost of the competition.
To request an application, contact VSA Arts of New Jersey, 703 Jersey Ave., New Brunswick, NJ 08901; call 732-745-3885 or 732-745-3913 (TTY); email [email protected]; or visit www.vsanj.org.
The deadline for submissions is Sept. 29.
– Palatines to celebrate New Jersey’s birthday
The Palatines of New Jersey will celebrate the state’s 350th birthday with a lecture at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at the Germans of New Jersey Stanton Grange in Stanton.
Lunch will be held at 11 a.m.
Attendees are encouraged to wear Germanic heritage outfits from the 18th to 21st centuries.
To volunteer, contact George Apgar of North Brunswick at 732-297-6686 or visit www.apgarfamily.org.
– Suicide-prevention walk set for Sept. 20
MANASQUAN — More than 400 people are expected to participate in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk at 10 a.m. Sept. 20 along the boardwalk in Manasquan. The fundraising walk will support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) by helping to support local and national suicide prevention and awareness programs.
The walk is one of more than 300 being held this fall nationwide. The walks are expected to unite more than 100,000 walkers nationally and raise more than $9.5 million for suicide-prevention efforts.
The walk will begin at Leggett’s Sand Bar on First Avenue. Registration and check-in will begin at 9 a.m. Participants will stroll along the boardwalk and return to Leggett’s for a buffet lunch. Participants can also enjoy music, snacks and raffle prizes.
To register for the walk or donate, visit www.afsp.org/centralnewjersey. For more information, contact Lorraine Mackin at 908-514-6028 or [email protected].
For more information about AFSP, visit www.afsp.org.
– GOTCC fundraiser to feature Bobby Collins
The Greater Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce (GOTCC) will hold its 27th annual scholarship fundraiser at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at Buona Sera Palazzo, 1033 W. Park Ave., Ocean.
Lou Russo, host of 94.3 FM The Point’s “Lou and Liz in the Morning” show, will emcee an evening that includes comedian Bobby Collins headlining the event.
Tickets are $60 and include music, unlimited beer, wine and soda, hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, dessert, coffee or tea and an optional gift auction. For tickets, visit www.gotcc.org/ecommerce/2014-comedy-night.html. Seating is general admission. For more information, call 732-660-1888.