• The Plumsted Municipal Utilities Authority will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. May 17 on a proposed rate adjustment for the PMUA’s scheduled service charges for solid waste and recycling collection services. The hearing will take place at the Plumsted municipal building. The quarterly service charge is proposed to increase from $74 per quarter to $80 per quarter. Members of the public may question any witnesses presented and provide testimony.
• The Jackson Rotary Club is sponsoring a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino
in Atlantic City on June 12. Cost of $32 includes bus transportation, lunch and
beverages on the bus, $25 back in slot play and gratuity for the driver.
Bus will leave Brookwood Plaza at noon and return at 9 p.m. All proceeds from the trip will go to Rotary Club charities. To reserve a seat, call Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-367-6284.
• The Friends of the Jackson Library book sale will continue through May 7. Books of all genres will be sold, along with audio books, DVD movies and music CDs. Proceeds from the book sale are used by the Jackson branch for programs and other services that will benefit library services. Book sale hours are as follows: May 5, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; May 6, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and May 7, the final day, will feature a bag sale from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The book sale will be on the first floor of the library in the meeting room.
• Knights of Pythias, Grand Lodge Domain of New Jersey, invites men of all ages and from all communities to learn about the organization at a complimentary buffet breakfast and orientation to be held at 10 a.m. May 15 at the Monroe Township Senior Center, 12 Halsey Reed Road, Monroe Township. Guests will learn about the charitable work provided by the Knights and the social activities the group offers. Reservations are required. Details: 609-851-0914 or email [email protected]
• The Jackson library will host a paper cutting workshop with master paper cutting artist Hou-Tien Cheng on May 12 at 7 p.m. and on May 21 at 2 p.m. Cheng will demonstrate the traditional art of Chinese paper cutting. Attendees will learn tips and techniques to make their own creations. Workshops are for individuals 18 and older. All supplies will be provided. Advance registration is required. Call 732-928-4400.
• The Plumsted library will show the film “Big Stone Gap” on May 6 at 2 p.m. The film is based on author Adriana Trigiani’s story of proud working people and their lives. The film stars Ashley Judd and is rated PG-13. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted library will host Find Your Ancestor on May 9 at 6 p.m. Genealogy expert Dawn Heyson will share insights on how to search for one’s ancestors. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted library will host a book cafe with author Lo Anne Mayer on May 16 at 3 p.m. Mayer will present her book “Celestial Conversations.” Light refreshments will be served. Books will be available for purchase. Details: 609-758-7888
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will present a screening of the nature film “The Messenger” at 8 p.m. May 11 at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome and admission is free. “The Messenger” is about what birds have to tell people about the state of the Earth and people’s shared future. Seating is limited. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair will be take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14 (rain or shine) at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan. The event is a historical festival for all ages. Five centuries of New Jersey’s history will be represented by exhibitors from all 21 New Jersey counties, plus Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. Activities include 19th century baseball, plowing demonstrations, Lenape foodways, antique cars and historical figures from New Jersey’s past. There is a $10 parking fee. Details: www.njhistoryfair.org or call 732 462-9616.
• The Howell Public Works Department, in conjunction with the Howell Shade Tree Commission, will give away free tree seedlings on May 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The tree seedlings will be given away at the Howell public works garage, 278 Old Tavern Road, Howell.
• The Jackson Township Democratic Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday (May 18) of every month, unless otherwise noted, at Bella Terra, 2 Kathleen Drive, Jackson. All are welcome to attend the meeting.
• “Genealogy: It’s Not a Tree or a Chart, It’s a Story” will be the topic of the May 15 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society. Author and genealogist Maureen Wlodaczyk will explain how to breathe life into a family tree. The presentation will be at 1:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 72 Broad Street, Eatontown, and is free of charge. All are welcome to attend.
• Bat Shalom Hadassah of Jackson-Howell will sponsor a “Meet, Greet and Eat” event at the White Butterfly, County Line Road, Jackson, from 9-11 a.m. May 25. The cost of $22 per person includes an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet, demonstrations, workshops and fashions. Make check payable to Bat Shalom Hadassah and send to P. Guberman, 89 Cypress Point Lane, Jackson, NJ 08527.
• The Veterans Community Alliance of New Jersey will sponsor “Fishing For Heroes” on the Royal Miss Belmar from 4:30-8:30 p.m. May 21. Attendees must be at the marina by 3:30 p.m. The cost is $105 per person and includes fishing rods, bait and food. There will be a Biggest Fish tournament and a 50/50 raffle. Details: 917-747-4312.
• The Taunton School PTA will host an outdoor flea market and food trucks event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 21 at the school, Taunton Road, Howell. Flea market participants, as well as vendors, crafters and food trucks are needed. Participants must provide their own table. Tables are $20 for Taunton PTA members and $35 for non-Taunton PTA members. Food truck spaces are $75. Details: 908-331-0645.
• Vendors are wanted for an Italian festival to be held from June 29 through July 2, 6-11 p.m., at Freehold Raceway. The event is sponsored by the Italian American Association of Monmouth County. There will be rides, games, entertainment, crafters and food. Details: Cheryl Scuorzo, 732-536-5832.
• The Jackson Library will host retired professor Paul Zigo who will speak about Operation Barbarossa – the assault on the USSR by Nazi Germany that began on June 22, 1941, and lasted for the duration of World War II and claimed the life of 25 million Soviets. The event will take place at 7 p.m. May 11. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is requested by calling 732-928-4400, Option 4.
• The Jackson Writers Group will hold a spring showcase of local authors on May 14 from 1-4 p.m. at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. The keynote speaker will be Nikki Rae Colligan, the author of seven novels. All are invited to attend. Registration is required at www.theoceancountylibrary.org. The Jackson Writers Group meets on the fourth Thursday of every month from 6:30-9 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host a free paper cutting workshop for adults from 7-8 p.m. May 12 and from 2-3 p.m. May 21. Master paper cutting artist Hou-Tien Cheng will lead this hands-on class and will demonstrate the traditional art of Chinese paper cutting. All supplies will be provided. Registration is required for limited spaces in this workshop. Details: 732-928-4400, option 4, or www.theoceancountylibrary.org
• The Friends of the Plumsted Library will collect used books for a book sale. Donate fiction, nonfiction, large print, children’s books, CDs, DVDs, audio books, and puzzles. No soiled or mildewed items. No video tapes, Reader’s Digest condensed books, magazines or encyclopedias. Drop off books behind the Plumsted Library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month – May 7, June 4, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, and Oct. 1. Do not leave items if no one is present. Details: 609-758-0009 or 732-580-5600 or [email protected]
• The United Republican Club of Howell will meet at 7:30 p.m. May 17 at the Howell First Aid building, 16 Kent Road, Howell. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-773-5204 or [email protected].
• The Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority will hold its public meetings at 5:30 p.m. in its administrative offices at 135 Manhattan St., Jackson, on the following dates in 2016: May 26, June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22, Oct. 27, Nov. 17, Dec. 15; and on the following dates in 2017: Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 (reorganization).
• The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or dementia will meet at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details: 1-800-272-3900 or www.alz.org/nj
• The Jackson Library Knit-Chat-Chain is in need of yarn donations. All types of wool and synthetic yarn in any amount will be accepted. The group uses the donations to make small lap blankets, chemotherapy caps and newborn caps for patients at local health centers. The library is located at 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details: 732-928-4400.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.