• CentraState Medical Center will host a free Baby Fair for parents, parents to be and those considering a pregnancy from 6-8 p.m. May 11 at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus, 901 W. Main Street, Freehold Township. Attendees can meet CentraState’s obstetricians, pediatricians, and childbirth and parenting class instructors. Mother/baby service and product vendors will provide information and free gifts. Educational lectures offered will be Pregnancy Myth Busters at 6:30 p.m.; What to Know About Breastfeeding at 6:50 p.m.; and Car Safety for Your Baby at 7:10 p.m. To register for the Baby Fair, call 732-308-0570.
CentraState also offers a wide range of prenatal and parenting classes through its Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center. Expectant and new mothers can find classes to help plan for a healthy pregnancy, prepare for childbirth, or learn how to comfort a newborn through infant massage, among others. Receive a 10% discount on any one class when you register at the Baby Fair. For more information and a complete list of classes and programs, call (732) 308-0570 or visit centrastate.com/healthprograms .
CentraState Healthcare System is a nonprofit community health organization consisting of an acute-care hospital, a health and wellness campus, three senior living communities, a Family Medicine Residency Program, and a charitable foundation. CentraState’s teaching program is sponsored by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.
• The Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee in conjunction with Federici’s, El Mason and the Court Jester restaurants in downtown Freehold will hold three donation days. From May 15-17, the restaurants will give 20 percent of a guest’s check to the parade (not including tax or alcohol). Guests must present a flier which may be downloaded at www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com
• The Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township, will host a presentation by legendary New York Jets defensive lineman Joe Klecko and author and well-known investment commentator Peter Grandich on May 4 at 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. There is no charge and reservations are not needed. The event is the spring kickoff of the Catholic Conversation series. Details: 732-462-7429, ext 160.
• Singer Bob Kulik of the 1950s and 1960s group the Happenings, will perform at Congregation Ahavat Olam, 106 Windeler Road, Howell, at 3:30 p.m. May 21. A Chinese buffet will follow the show. Dinner and show, $25; Children 12 and under, $15; Show only, $18; Children 12 and under $10. RSVP by May 15. Reservations not needed for show only, but are appreciated. Details: 732-719-3500.
• The Project Matters will present its seventh benefit show to raise funds for its mission of helping young New Jersey musicians at 7 p.m. May 6 at the Wonder Bar, Asbury Park. The headline act will be Cymbals Eat Guitars, with local talent Colton Kayser and The Project Matters supported Tyler Sarfert rounding out the bill. The Project Matters helps New Jersey artists age 5 and under with the purchase of instruments, education, music and video production costs, and other musical expenses. Tickets available at https://goo.gl/BZR6Nu
• Look for turtles, egrets, herons, ospreys and other wildlife during a boat tour of the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Each 45-minute tour leaves from the Visitor Center, Windeler Road, Howell. Tours are offered at the top of the hour from 2-5 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays, May 6 through Sept. 4. Wednesday tours are offered at 2, 3 and 4 p.m. from July 5 through Aug. 30. Evening tours are offered on the first Friday of each month May through September; call 732-751-9453 as times vary for the evening tours. All tours are weather and water level dependent. The fee is $6 per adult and $4 per child age 12 and under.
• The Deep Cut Orchid Society meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of every month (May 9) at the Monmouth Reform Temple, 332 Hance Ave., Tinton Falls. There is a speaker, refreshments and a discussion of plants on the show table. There is no cost to attend and everyone is welcome.
• Kathy Lo Bue, managing director of Glen Eagle Advisors, LLC, and host of the 2017
Discussion Series, will speak about the Fundamentals of Investing – Yesterday, Today and in the Future from 7-9 p.m. May 10 at the St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Center, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Adults of all ages are invited to the presentation. The series is free, nonsectarian and open to the community. Lo Bue is an investment adviser with more than 30 years of experience. Call 732-866- 6660 to register.
• The American Association of University Women Freehold Branch is accepting book donations for its 2017 used book sale. With the exception of Reader’s Digest condensed books and textbooks, all books in good condition are appreciated. Books may be dropped off only between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays at the Freehold Savings Bank, 65 W. Main St., Freehold, or call Joan at 732-431-2297 for drop-off instructions.
• The Italian American Cultural Society of New Jersey will host a dinner meeting on May 11 at 7 p.m. at Mamma Mia Focacceria, 345 Route 9 South, Manalapan. The guest speaker will be portrait, sports and wildlife artist James Fiorentino. BYOB. All are invited. The cost is $35 per person for society members and $45 for non-members. Cash is preferred, no credit cards. To reserve seating, call Anthony Grassi at 917-743-3311 or Richard Favara at 732-861-9465.
• St. Vincent de Paul Society parish of St. Thomas More, Manalapan, will hold a clothing drive from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 13 at the Manalapan Recreation Center, Route 522. Donations accepted are clothing, shoes, accessories (belts, purses), backpacks, hats, linens, soft toys and hard toys (less than 14 inches). Proceeds will assist people of all faiths in Manalapan and Englishtown who are experiencing financial difficulties. Pack sneakers separately. Individuals who have clothing to donate, but who cannot get to the recreation center may call Peggy at 732-580-9832.
• The Colts Neck Community Band band will perform on May 18 at 7:30 p.m. at Colts Neck High School; on June 8 at 7:30 p.m. at Thompson Park, Lincroft; and on July 3 for the fireworks and Independence Day celebration at the Bucks Mill Recreation Area, Colts Neck. All are invited to the concerts. Details: www.coltsneckband.org
• A Day for Danny fundraiser will be held from 7-9 p.m. May 13 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine Parish Hall, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Funds raised will benefit Danny Scerbo, a parishioner who is battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma. There will be entertainment, coffee, tea and dessert. Admission is free; donations will be accepted. All are invited to attend.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold a regular action meeting at 7:30 p.m. May 9 at the district administration building, 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meeting is open to the public.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold a regular action meeting at 7:30 p.m. May 23 at the district administration building, 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meeting is open to the public.
• A Mother’s Day flower sale will be held by the Marlboro Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 13 at the Marlboro firehouse, corner of Route 79 and School Road West, Marlboro. Hand-painted flower pots, hanging baskets and other Mother’s Day plants will be available. Details: Marlboro Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary on Facebook.
• On May 4, Monmouth Worship Center, Marlboro, will host three events to celebrate the National Day of Prayer: at 11 a.m. at the monument in front of the Monmouth County Court House, Freehold; a mid-day prayer service at noon at the church, 37 Vanderburg Road, Marlboro; prayer and worship at 7:30 p.m. at the church. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-332-9600.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will unveil its new permanent exhibit, “Three Centuries of Growth & Change: A History of the Jews of Monmouth County” on May 7 during the county’s Weekend In Old Monmouth event. The museum will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. Details: www.jhmomc.org
• The Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro, will host a spring Nearly New Rummage Sale on May 5-6. Donations for the event are accepted until April 30. Items for purchase will include men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and shoes; toys, games and books; bed and bath linens, and more. Sale times are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 5 and 9 a.m. to noon May 6. Proceeds benefit the various missions of the church. Details: 732-946-4247.
• A Mommy and Me Mother’s Day Tea will be held at the Manalapan Community Center, 114 Route 33, Manalapan, from 1-3 p.m. May 7. Dress for tea. Come make a bonnet, jewelry and flowers. Menu features tea, apple juice, tea sandwiches, fancy fruit and fancy dessert. Cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration required by May 1. E-mail [email protected] for registration.
• The Freehold and Old Bridge YMCAs will co-host an outdoor yoga and meditation day retreat on June 3 from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at Camp Topanemus, Route 537, Millstone Township. Registration is open now. To view the retreat schedule, visit www.ymcanj.org. Details: Denise Bucciero, 732-727-0704.
• “Get More Organized” will be the theme of the May 7 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Beverly Yackel will explain her techniques for organizing genealogy research at 1:30 p.m. The program is free and the public is welcome. Details: 732-747-0090.
• The Marlboro Library will welcome Reed Farrel Coleman, author of Robert B. Parker’s Jesse Stone series and the author of the Gus Murphy series, at 1 p.m. May 10 for a reading and book signing. Coleman is a three-time recipient of the Shamus Award for Best PI Novel of the Year and a three-time Edgar Award nominee in three different categories. Registration is requested as seating is limited. Call 732-536-9406 to reserve a seat. Guests should indicate if they are interested in purchasing a book.
• CentraState Healthcare Foundation will host the eighth annual “Paulette’s C of Blue Run/Walk” on May 7 at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. The outdoor event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be a 5K, 1-mile and children’s fun run in addition to food, music, awards and local vendors. The cost for the run/walk is adults, $20, and children under 10, $10, before April 24. Event proceeds benefit cancer services and programs at CentraState Medical Center. To Register, visit www.centrastatefoundation.org/Paulette
• The annual Spirit of the Jerseys State History Fair will be held on May 13 at Monmouth Battlefield State Park, Route 33, Manalapan, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., rain or shine. Five centuries of New Jersey’s history will be represented by exhibitors and re-enactors. Activities include 19th century baseball, plowing demonstrations, period music, and historical figures from New Jersey’s past. Free admission/suggested $10 parking donation. Details: www.njhistoryfair.org
• The Essential Tremor Support Group meets from 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month (May 4) at the Jack Aaronson Conference Center at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Details: 732-462-8304, after 10 a.m.
• The Adelphia Fire Company, 925 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell, will hold its annual Steak Bake and Gift Auction on May 6. Doors open at 6 p.m. Dinner from 7-9 p.m. Ticket donation: $35. Includes all you can eat steak, fries, salad, dessert, soda/tea and beer. For tickets, email Mark or Katie at [email protected]
• New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.
• The Marlboro Jewish Center will sponsor an Israel Adventure for Women from June 25 through July 6, 2017. The tour will visit traditional and off-the-beaten-path sites, and include Shabbat in Jerusalem and a stop in Tel Aviv. The itinerary includes talks with Israeli women who will bring their experiences and passions to life. Details: [email protected]
• A new cancer support group will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Monmouth Worship Center, 37 Vanderburg Road, Marlboro. A prayer group will meet at 8:30 p.m. Details: 732-332-9600.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance will meet in the spiritual center of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, from 7:30-9 p.m. every Thursday. Details: 732-536-5826 or 732-320-0029.
Items for the Datebook may be sent via email to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.