• “American Idol” Season Eight winner Kris Allen will perform his new Christmas album at Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, (outside near Cheesecake Factory), from 5-6 p.m. Nov. 13. Free performance.
• The Italian American Cultural Society of New Jersey will host a dinner meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 10 at Christie’s Italian Seafood Grill, Howell. The cost is $35 per person for members and $45 for non-members (BYOB). Cash is preferred, no credit cards. To reserve seating, call Anthony Grassi at 917-743-3311.
• Howell Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9691 and Auxiliary will hold Veterans Day services with Farmingdale American Legion Post 178 on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. Members of the public are welcome to attend services at the former municipal complex on Preventorium Road, Howell, at 11 a.m. and at Lutz Park, Farmingdale, at 11:30 a.m.
• Score a strike against the stigma of mental illness at No Stigma Network’s bowling party fundraiser from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 13 at Howell Lanes, Route 9, Howell. A $15 ticket per person (in advance) includes two hours of bowling, shoe rental, pizza and soft drink. Tickets will be $20 on the day of the event. Details: Shrabanee, 732-533-7632, or Linda, 732-939-2092, or email [email protected]
• A Christmas artisan and craft fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the New Egypt United Methodist Church, Atkinson Hall, 38 N. Main St., New Egypt. Free admission. All welcome to attend. Featuring local artists, crafters, vendors and baked goods. Lunch available. Visit from Santa from 10-11 a.m. To reserve a space, email Dottie Johns at [email protected]
• Turtle Dance Music for ages 2 and over will be held at the Plumsted library at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11. The show features music, stories and games and is crafted to be inclusive for all children and fun for parents and caregivers. Each song is accompanied by hands-on visual and sensory experiences.
• Meet local author Rita Oakes and hear her share tales of her world travels at the Plumsted library, Evergreen Road, at 3 p.m. Nov. 21 in the Book Café.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present “Turkey Tales” at 11 a.m. Nov. 19-20 at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell. Discover what turkeys eat for Thanksgiving during this story and craft. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• New Jersey United Christian Academy, 73 Holmes Mill Road, Cream Ridge, will host a challenging Gobble Gobble 3-mile mud run on its 43-acre campus at 9 a.m. Nov. 26. The cost is $30 and pre-registration information can be sent to [email protected]. Details: 609-738-2121.
• “Tunneling Through German Immigrant Research: A Case Study” will be the topic of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society meeting at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. The speaker will be Richard Haberstroh, a founding member of the New York-based German Genealogy Group. The meeting is free and the public is welcome.
• The Jackson library is collecting donations for the Jersey Shore Animal Shelter during November. Donations can be brought in during library hours. To view a “wish list” of materials the shelter needs, stop by the library or visit www.jerseyshoreanimalshelter.org
• The Jersey Shore Animal Shelter will present a free program called “Pets are Awesome: Pet Care for Kids” at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 11 for children ages 3 and up at the Jackson library. Shelter representatives will bring in a few friendly animals to meet the program participants and explain ways to care for family pets. Registration is required. Call the library to register.
• The Jackson Rotary Club will host a pancake breakfast to benefit the Jackson Food Pantry from 9 a.m. to noon Nov. 13 at the Jackson Senior Center, 45 Don Connor Blvd., Jackson. Guests are asked to bring a donation for the food pantry. Suggested items include peanut butter, tuna, pasta, children’s juices, soups, toothpaste, toilet paper, laundry detergent and bar soap.
• A knitting group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Sabbath House, 8 Front St., New Egypt. Members are knitting and crocheting scarves for the Seaman’s Church Institute in Newark. Patterns, yarn and help is available.
• The Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a trip to the Brenda Lee Christmas Show at Caesar’s, Atlantic City, on Dec. 1. Cost of $95 includes show ticket, lunch buffet, $25 in slot play, bus transportation, beverages on the bus and gratuity for the driver. Bus leaves Jackson at 10:30 a.m. and returns at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds support Rotary Club charities. Reserve space now by calling Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• From now through Nov. 27, Girl Scouts in Monmouth and Ocean counties will sell nuts, candy, magazines and photo keepsake books. Customers may go online to buy any product sold nationwide during the fall product sale even if it is not available on the local order sheet. Customers should ask a Girl Scout for a link to her personal online store. Details: www.jerseyshoregirlscouts.com
• The Howell Women’s Club will meet on Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. in the Taunton School media center. The evening’s program will include planning to prepare Thanksgiving meals for homebound seniors who receive Meals on Wheels. All area ladies are welcome to attend. Coffee and refreshments will be served. The club meets on the second Tuesday of the month from September through May. Details: Laura, 732-938-9190 or [email protected]
• St. Aloysius Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, offers support groups to help people better understand their feelings and to meet others who are dealing with the same life issues. A bereavement support group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. and a divorced and separated support group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Both meetings are held in the parish office. A freewill donation of $5 is requested. Details: Email [email protected].
• The United Republican Club of Howell will meet at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Howell First Aid Squad building, 16 Kent Road, Howell. All are welcome to attend. Details: Email [email protected]
• Monmouth County Audubon Society will tour a banding station on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County to learn about the process. The group will meet at 8 a.m. Nov. 12 on Sandy Hook near M lot, the most northerly parking lot. Sandy Hook attracts migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds due to the abundance of food and areas of suitable habitat. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• 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: 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
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.