• Knights of Columbus Council 11529 will host a social event, “Sanctity of Life – Alternatives to Abortion,” at 7 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Church of Saint Monica, 679 W. Veterans Highway, Jackson. The director of the Open Door Pregnancy Center will present the services the agency provides. Donations to the Open Door Pregnancy Center will be accepted after the social. The Knights will dedicate October for a campaign drive to raise money for the Open Door Pregnancy Center.
• Residents of all communities are welcome to attend a monthly all you can eat breakfast sponsored by Sons of American Legion Post 455, 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt, and held on the first Sunday of every month (Oct. 1) from 7-11 a.m. The cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children (under 3 free). Breakfast features eggs, omelette station, pancakes, French toast, sausage, bacon, pork roll, potatoes, coffee, tea, juice.
• LADACIN Network will hold its annual Casino Night and Gift Auction at Eagle Oaks Golf and Country Club, Howell, at 6 p.m. Oct. 6. The event will support LADACIN’s mission of providing a continuum of care to infants, children and adults with complex physical and developmental disabilities and delays living in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Tickets are $75 and include a $60 chip voucher, buffet dinner and soft drinks. Advance purchase is required. Co-chairs are Bonnie Hogan of Neptune and Marlene Bell of Marlboro. Details: Cathy Claps, 732-493-5900, ext. 263.
• A session of Coloring for Adults will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. Oct. 3 at the Jackson Library. Rediscover the joy of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies provided along with light refreshments and relaxing music. The program is free and advance registration is required. Call 732-928-4400 to register.
• An informational session will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 3 at the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Center, 2500 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. Sheriff Shaun Golden has filed a charter application with the Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America to form the Teen CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) Explorer Post No. 2. The program is a National Homeland Security initiative aimed at making communities safer by training teens to assist in preparing for, responding to and recovering from emergencies or disasters. Teen CERT is open to county residents between the ages of 14 and 20 and adults over 21 who may be interested in serving as an adult leader. Interested participants are asked to RSVP for the Oct. 3 event by emailing [email protected] or by calling 732-431-7400, ext. 1801.
• Healing medium Anysia Marcell Kiel will present an author talk and book signing for adults at 2 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Jackson Library. Kiel will share her experience teaching people how to clear illnesses and ailments in a non-invasive, peaceful way. The program is free and advance registration is required. Call 732-928-4400 to register.
• Meditation with Visualization: An Intermediate Practice for adults will take place from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at the Jackson Library. Meditation practitioner Shazia Zaman will share tips and techniques on visualizing during meditation. Wear comfortable clothing and socks. Seating is limited. The program is free and advance registration is required (registration begins Sept. 25). Call 732-928-4400 to register.
• On Oct. 7 from noon to 8 p.m., the Monmouth Council, Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 100-year anniversary of serving boys and girls throughout Monmouth, Ocean and Middlesex counties with a Centennial Camp-o-ree featuring a scout skills demonstration, rides, food and entertainment. The event will take place at Quail Hill Scout Reservation, 56 La Valley Drive, Manalapan. All are welcome to attend and participate. Ride tickets may be ordered online at Monmouthbsa.org/100day
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 10 at the Double Tree Tinton Falls, 700 Hope Road, Eatontown. A meet and greet with candidates running for office will begin at 10:30 a.m. Members are requested to donate new white bath towels and wash cloths for the Ronald McDonald House in Long Branch as well as a non-perishable food donation for the food bank. New members are welcome. For reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email [email protected] before Oct. 1.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus is seeking new members who love to sing and perform. Interested individuals are invited to attend a rehearsal. The chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Details: 732-446-9782.
• Farmingdale will host its annual town-wide yard sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 30 (rain date, Oct. 1). All are welcome to attend. Residents who wish to be included on the yard sale map are asked to contact Borough Hall at 732-938-4077.
• Create shrink plastic earrings in a feather design at 2 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Jackson Library. The program is for adults (18 and over). Supplies will be provided. Registration opens Oct. 2. Details: 732-928-4400.
• Alzheimer’s New Jersey will host “Elder Law: What You Need to Know” at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, from 10-11 a.m. Oct. 4. Bill Moran, an elder law attorney, will address legal issues affecting seniors. To register, call 732-928-4400, ext. 4.
• Joan’s Reach will host its sixth annual Chili Cook-Off from 2-6 p.m. Oct. 14 at VFW Post 4374, 50 Waterworks Road, Freehold. Joan’s Reach raises awareness for perinatal hospice care and provides resources and support for families continuing a pregnancy with a life-limiting prenatal diagnosis. Tickets are $30 per adult, $5 per child (ages 4-12), or $60 per family (parents and immediate children). The cook-off will feature original chili dishes, beverages and additional food. Details: www.joansreach.org
• Zoologist Robert Somes will present “The New Jersey Bald Eagle Project” at the Monmouth County Audubon Society meeting at 8 p.m. Oct. 11 at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome; admission is free. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host an autumn bird walk on Oct. 14 on the Sandy Hook peninsula in northern Monmouth County. Meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot by the now-closed visitors center. The peninsula attracts migrating raptors, shorebirds and songbirds due to the abundance of food and areas of suitable habitat. The walk is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• “All About Autism” will be held at the Jackson Library from 2-3:30 p.m. Oct. 2. Two documentaries will depict what it is like to have autism. A discussion will follow the screenings. The program is open to everyone. Participants are asked to register. Details: 732-928-4400, ext. 4.
• The 22nd annual Monmouth County Archives and History Day will be held on Oct. 14 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Manalapan. The event will focus on the history of Monmouth County inventors and innovators and will feature movie screenings and seminars for people of all ages. The deadline for New Jersey historical organizations to sign up for an exhibitor table is Oct. 2. Details: 732-308-3771.
• The Jackson Library will present Maker Monday! Homemade Sugar Scrub at 2 p.m. Oct. 23. Participants will make a small jar of sugar scrub with herbs and essential oils. Supplies provided. The program is for adults (18 and over). Registration opens Oct. 4. Details: 732-928-4400.
• To commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation, the Jackson Library will present a lecture and interfaith dialogue with Tia Kolbaba, Department of Religion, Rutgers University, at 2 p.m. Oct. 12. Kolbaba will discuss the impact of the reformation on current day Christianity. The program is free and open to the public. Register now by calling 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, is offering free career building programs for job seekers. All are welcome. Advance registration is required. Programs are: Oct. 4, 2-4 p.m., Top-Notch Resumes I – The Basics; Oct. 16, 7-8 p.m., Career Connection: Dress for Success; Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to noon, New Jersey Career Connections: Navigating the Path to Employment; Oct. 25, 6-8:30 p.m., Job Fair, open to all; Oct. 30, 2-4 p.m., Top-Notch Resumes II – Advanced. To register for a program, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library’s knitting group, Knit-Chat-Chain, is seeking donations of yarn and wool. The members of the group create sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets to donate to charity. Yarn donations may be brought to the Circulation Desk during library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.
• 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.