DATEBOOK

 The Center for Jewish Life will host a Hanukkah carnival on Dec. 6 from noon to 2 p.m. at 176 Route 79 North, Marlboro. There will be sports, arts and crafts, face painting, game booths, tattoos, moon bounces, donut decorating, a menorah lighting and a special performance by Hebrew school pupils. Admission: $15 for each child ages 2-12, which includes admission to all games and a pizza lunch. Details: 732- 316-7600.

 Hope for the Holidays will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township. Cost is $35 and includes an information session, “Better Tomorrows for the Homeless!” Plus brunch, live music and a gift auction. Details: www.destinysbridge.org.

 The Manalapan High School Marching Band will host breakfast with Santa from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Dec. 12 at the high school, 20 Church Lane, Manalapan. The cost for tickets purchased at the door is $10 for adults and $7 for children 2 to 12 years old. The event will include breakfast, photos with Santa, a craft, games, storytelling and a gift basket auction. Details MaryBethCrowley@MSN.com or boop211 @aol.com

 The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold its regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15 at the Lafayette Mills School, 66 Maxwell Lane, Manalapan. The meeting is open to the public. Details: 732-786-2500.

 The Reformed Church of Freehold, 67 W. Main St., Freehold, will host a “Holly Berry All Seasons Boutique” from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-1717.

 A book club meeting for children ages 8 to 12 will take place from 5:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 4 at JEI Learning Center, 45 N. Main St. (Route 79), Marlboro. Jenna’s Book Club: To learn … to love … to read! is a free event that includes a book discussion, related craft and snack. For more information, visit www.jeimarlboro.com.

 The St. Petersburg Russian Men’s Ensemble will perform at the First Presbyterian Church of Freehold, 118 W. Main St., Freehold, at 7 p.m. Dec. 16. The ensemble will present “The All-Night Vigil” Opus 37 by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Russian folk songs. Tickets are $20. Details: 732-333- 0699.

 The Essential Tremor Support Group will meet from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Jack Aaronson Conference Center at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Details: 732-462-8304, after 10 a.m.

 iPlay America, 110 Schanck Road, Freehold Township, will host a breakfast buffet with Santa Claus from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 5 and Dec. 19. The event will include photos with Santa, story time and interactive activities. The cost is $24.95 for adults and $14.95 for children 12 and younger. Each child’s ticket comes with a $5 game card, a candy cane and coloring book. Children 2 and younger are admitted free. For more information, visit iPlayAmerica.com/Meet-Santa