– St. Joseph Council 3402 of the Knights of Columbus will host a Beefsteak Fundraiser Dinner from 6-9 p.m. April 25 at 54 Route 35, Keyport. Proceeds will be used to purchase books for local students attending their first year of college.
The cost of the buffet dinner is $40 and includes filet mignon, tap beer, wine, soda, coffee and tea.
– Author to speak about herbal use, remedies
The public is invited to the annual meeting of the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought (MCWRET) at 7 p.m. April 30 at the Unitarian meetinghouse, 1475 W. Front St., Lincroft.
The featured speaker will be Uma Swaminathan, author of the newly published book, “Herbal Transformations, Ancient Wisdom Revealed for Health and Longevity.” Swaminathan is an anthropologist and educator and serves as an MCWRET board advisor. Growing up in the Himalayas, she learned about medicinal and healthy recipes and has studied the traditions of southern India. She will discuss the use of potions and remedies for daily cooking and present information on the true meaning of yoga. There will also be a food tasting and book signing.
All are welcome to this free event. For more information, contact Liz Congdon at 609-954-1450 or visit www.interfaith-mcwret.org.
– Safety workshop set for farmers, gardeners
MIDDLETOWN — The Northeast Organic Farming Association of New Jersey (NOFA-NJ), a statewide organic food nonprofit, is offering a farm and garden tools training workshop from 2-4 p.m. April 26 at Oasis TLC’s farm at 89 Sleepy Hollow Road, Middletown.
The workshop is targeted for new farmers, gardeners and farm interns and employees who are interested in correct hand-held tool use and maintenance. Tony Sloan of Oasis TLC will discuss how to select tools and maintain them and how to reduce injures while performing common tasks in the field. The training will take place outdoors and end with a hands-on demonstration.
The registration fee is $15 for NOFA-NJ members and $20 for non-members. Pre-registration is required, and discounts are available for NOFA-NJ farm and business members. To register or learn more, visit www.nofanj.org.
To learn more about Oasis TLC, which provides continuing education and housing for people with autism, visit www.oasistlc.org.
– Charity concert to feature two stages
The annual charity concert, Harpin’ Help, will take place from 12-9 p.m. April 26 at Bar Anticipation, 703 16th Ave., Lake Como. The concert will benefit the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation and Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry.
All ages are welcome to the concert, which will feature nine hours of music, acoustic and electric stages and raffles. Food will be available for purchase.
Local musician Sandy Mack organized the concert in conjunction with the Jersey Shore Jazz and Blues Foundation. Musical guests will include the Nick Clemons Band, Matt O’Ree Band, Predator Dub Assassins, Stolen Rhodes, Eddie Testa Band, Citizens Band Radio, The Union, Goodnightmorning, Arlan Feiles and many more.
Admission is $20 at the door or $15 and two cans of nonperishable food items for the Keyport Ministerium Food Pantry.
For more information, visit www.jsjbf.org/index.php.
– Bard’s birthday bash slated at Brookdale
LINCROFT — Brookdale Community College will host the celebration of William Shakespeare’s 451st birthday with its fifth annual Read-A-Thon from 6-7:30 p.m. April 23 at the Performing Arts Center, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.
Community members are invited to dress as their favorite Shakespearean villain and join Brookdale’s students and faculty members in reading from the bard’s works for a full 90 minutes.
Individual and group readings of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets are all encouraged. Spectators are welcome as well.
“This event motivates people to try out their reading and acting skills, but more so to conquer their apprehension over Shakespeare’s language,” said Brookdale English Professor James Cody in a press release. “It demonstrates that Shakespeare can be fun.”
Refreshments will be served. Parking will be available in Lot 1. For more information, contact Professor James Cody at jcody@brookdalecc.edu or 732-224-2681.
– Park system to sponsor plant swap, craft show
MIDDLETOWN — The Monmouth County Park System will host its Great Spring Perennial Plant Swap 8 a.m.-2 p.m. April 25 at Deep Cut Gardens, 152 Red Hill Road, Middletown.
Gardeners are invited to bring labeled plants in 1-quart and 1- or 2-gallon containers and take home the same size and number of plants. Herb and vegetable seedlings are allowed. To allow for plant inspection as per New Jersey Department of Agriculture regulations, plant drop-off will be held between 8-10 a.m. Plants may be selected and taken home between 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Between plant drop-off and pickup times, visitors can cross the street to attend the Park System’s Spring Craft Show taking place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center on Red Hill Road. The event will feature handcrafted items such as jewelry, greeting cards, herbal products, tutus and fairy wands, doll clothing, macramé and more.
Admission and parking for both events are free.
For more information, call 732-842-4000 or visit www.monmouthcountyparks.com. For persons with hearing impairment, the TTY/TDD number is 711.
– Library seeks public’s input via survey
The Matawan-Aberdeen Public Library at 165 Main St. is currently undertaking a strategic planning process to set goals and make plans for the future. Input from members of both communities is sought to help the library make decisions about the direction it should take.
To participate, complete the library’s online survey at www.matawanaberdeenlibrary.com. It should take about 10 minutes to complete.
For those who do not have access to a computer, stop by the library and complete it on the library’s computer or fill out a paper copy. The survey will be open until April 30.
Since the last strategic plan was put in place, a space for teens was created, the lower level meeting area was fully renovated, electronic resources have been made available and new and varied programs for children, teens and adults have been offered. Input will help the library continue to provide resources and services that community members seek.
For more information, call the library at 732-583-9100.
– Paleontologist to speak about fossil dig
Dr. Ken Lacovara, a paleontologist from Drexel University, will discuss his excavations of prehistoric dinosaur fossils in New Jersey at 6:30 p.m. April 27 at Brookdale Community College’s Twin Lights Rooms 1 and 2 at the Warner Student Life Center, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.
The talk is open to the public and will include students and members of the college’s Environmental Club and the Jersey Shore (Monmouth) Sierra Group.
Lacovara has been working with a team of student researchers and over a thousand volunteers for the last six years at a marl pit in Mantua Township. Excavation work there has unearthed many fossils, including a 7-foot-long prehistoric crocodile and a bus-sized predator. Mantua Township plans to purchase the tract and maintain it as a fossil park if funds become available, according to a press release.
A pizza and subs buffet will precede the talk at 6 p.m. Parking is available in lots 5-7. For a campus map, visit www.brookdalecc.edu/PDFFiles/MAPS/MAP_04_08.pdf.
– Conference on environment April 25
LINCROFT — Clean Water Action will hold its 29th annual conference, “Act4CleanWater,” from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 25 at the Warner Student Life Center at Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.
The conference will feature an environmental roundtable session with New Jersey’s top reporters and political leaders. Senators Ray Lesniak (D-Union) and Tom Kean Jr. (R-Morris), Assemblyman Dan Benson (D-Mercer) and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande (R-Monmouth) are scheduled to speak on the panel.
There will be eight skills and issue workshops, networking opportunities and green vendors and organizations on site.
Environmental awards will be given to Ken Dolsky of the Coalition to Stop Pilgrim Pipeline (CAPP), Paul Miller of Franciscan Charities, Pinelands Commissioner D’Arcy Rohan-Green and Louise Usechak of the Monmouth County League of Women Voters.
Registration is $30 for adults and $15 for students. A continental breakfast and lunch are included. Low-income scholarships are available. For more information or to register, contact Jenny Vickers at 732-963-9714 or visit www.cleanwateraction.org/act4cleanwater.
– Medication to be collected for disposal
The Middletown Police Department is accepting unwanted or expired medications from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 25 at its headquarters at Town Hall, 1 Kings Highway.
This program is for medications only. Residents can call the Health Department at 732-615-2095 for needle disposal information.
For other information, call 732-615-2039 or visit www.middletownnj.org.
– Maternal mental health topic of film
Births, Babies and Beyond will host a screening of the documentary, “Dark Side of the Full Moon,” at 6 p.m. April 29 at 620 Tinton Ave., Building A, Suite 203, Tinton Falls.
The film focuses on maternal mental health and the inconsistencies of care when new motherhood meets complications, such as postpartum mood and anxiety disorders and psychosis. The film also addresses the failure of the medical community to effectively screen, refer and treat the more than 1.3 million mothers who suffer from mental health complications each year in the United States.
Coleen Markey, LCSW, will lead a post-film discussion. Refreshments will be served.
Tickets are $15 and available at www.tugg.com/events/13576. For more information, call 732-460-1300, ext. 302 or visit www.birthsbabiesandbeyond.com.
– Sandy Hook Lighthouse 5K slated
The 10th annual Sandy Hook Lighthouse Run/Walk for the Blind will kick off 9:30 a.m. May 2 from the Sandy Hook Lighthouse at Fort Hancock, 26 Hudson Ave., Highlands. Check-in time is 8 a.m. on day of race.
The 5K is sponsored by the Eatontown Lions Club and Jersey Shore Running Club. All proceeds will benefit the New Jersey Blind Citizens Association and Camp Happiness, which provides services to children and adults who are blind or visually impaired.
Awards will be presented to the top three male and female runners. Awards will also be given to various age groups. Random prize drawings will be held at the end of the race. Special guests will include seeing-eye puppies.
There will be a Kid Dash, which is a new event featuring age group prizes. All participants will receive medals.
The entry fee for adults is $25 by April 25 or $30 after that date and includes a T-shirt while supplies last. The fee for children in the Kid Dash is $10. To register, visit www.jerseyrunner.com or www.jsrc.org.
– Dog walk, pet fair slated for April 25
The Monmouth County SPCA will hold its 21st annual Spring Dog Walk and Pet Fair 10 a.m.-3 p.m. April 25 at Brookdale Community College, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.
The event is held in conjunction with corporate partner Red Bank Veterinary Hospital and raises funds to provide care and find forever homes for the thousands of homeless animals at the Monmouth County SPCA.
The event will feature over 150 vendors, live music by The Wag, on-site adoptions, a microchip clinic, food trucks and a 50/50 raffle. Liz Jeressi of 94.3 The Point will be the master of ceremonies.
Individuals and teams can help raise money for homeless animals by registering at mcspcadogwalk.org and collecting pledges from family, friends and co-workers.
For information about sponsorship and vendor opportunities, contact tricia@monmouthcountyspca.org or call 732-440-1558.
The Monmouth County SPCA has adoption centers in Eatontown, Freehold and Middletown. For more information, visit monmouthcountyspca.org.