• The Jackson Police Department will present “Drug Education Awareness for Parents” at Jackson Memorial High School from 6:30-8 p.m. June 20. Topics to be covered include recognizing behavior associated with substance abuse, understanding what abuse is and how to obtain help. There will be access to local recovery resources and informational material. At the same time, a bicycle safety course will be conducted by the police department for children ages 8 to 15 whose parents attend the drug education program. Children who attend should bring their bicycle. Details: Email Lt. John Convery at [email protected]
• The Monmouth County 4-H Livestock Clubs and the Monmouth County Park System invite area residents to attend the Monmouth County 4-H Spring Livestock Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 16 at Thompson Park, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft. Children are invited to learn about livestock animals, play games, and make crafts. Activities are free and sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County 4-H Youth Development. Details: http://monmouth.njaes.rutgers.edu/ or call 732-431-7260, ext. 7264.
• The Monmouth County Genealogy Society invites the public to enjoy “Someone Must Wash the Dishes,” an anti-suffrage satire written in 1912 and performed by professional actress Michele LaRue at 2:30 p.m. during the July 8 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. The program is part of the genealogy society’s 30th anniversary celebration. Details: 732-747-0090.
• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host an Italian culture enrichment camp from July 23 to Aug. 3 (Monday-Friday) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (included-lunch made by camper on premises) at the Reformed Church of Freehold, 67 W. Main St., Freehold. Cost per camper: $250 for child/grandchild of current IAA members; $300 for non-members. Age groups: 5 years old to teenagers. Activities: Italian language lessons, Italian crafts, Italian games, Bocce, Scopa, Tombola, cooking lessons and more. Details: Cheryl Scuorzo, 732-536-5832 or www.iaaofmc.com and click on Events/Meetings.
• Calling eco/green/sustainable vendors. The Monmouth County Park System’s Eco-Elephant Family Flea Market is still accepting vendors. The flea market will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 16 at Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck. The flea market will feature new and used household items, antiques, crafts and more. Vendors must provide their own tables, tents and merchandise. Space permitting, prospective vendors are welcome up to and including the day of the event. The cost per spot in advance is $35; day of event, $40. Event day registration is cash or check only. Details: Al Weaver at [email protected] or 732-542-1642, ext. 31.
• No Stigma Network (NSN) offers free peer support meetings and social events for community members living with mental health challenges. All support meetings take place in the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus of the CentraState Health Complex, Freehold Township. Meeting dates for June are as follows: June 15, parents support group, 7-9 p.m.; June 16, young adults support group (ages 18-30), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; June 16, adults support group (over 30), 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information about NSN meetings and other events, or to RSVP, visit Meetup.com/Freehold-Wellness-Meetup/. Details: nostigmanetwork.com or call Shrabanee, 732-533-7632, or Linda, 732-939-2092.
• The Jackson Library will host programs for adults in June. Registration is required for these free programs. Register by calling 732-928-4400. “Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation” will take place at 3 p.m. June 18 and June 25. Registration required for each session. Evening film screenings will take place at 6 p.m. June 7 and June 25. “Coloring for Adults” will take place at 10 a.m. June 12. Rediscover the joy of coloring. An afternoon film screening will take place at 2:30 p.m. June 14. “Mindfulness Meditation: On Forgiveness” will take place at 2 p.m. June 28 (open to novice and skilled practitioners).
• Congregation Ahavat Olam, a Conservative Jewish congregation, will hold an open house from 10 a.m. to noon June 24 at 106 Windeler Road, Howell. There will be activities for children. The synagogue offers concerts, lectures, a religious school, adult education and more. On June 24, guests will have the opportunity to meet Rabbi David Amar. Guests are asked to call 732-719-3500 to confirm their attendance.
• A free workshop about college financial aid will be presented at Howell High School at 6:30 p.m. June 14 by Chuck Drawbaugh, founder and president of College Funding Associates, Rumson. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Call 732-224-1496, ext. 2300 to reserve a seat.
• The Italian American Cultural Society of New Jersey invites members of the public to its Comedy Night on June 14 at 7 p.m. at MJ’s (Buttonwood Manor), Matawan. This will be a dinner and a show featuring the comedy of Uncle Floyd and the vocal performance of the society’s own Lou Orrichio. The cost is $35 per person for members and $45 for non-members. Non-members must pay by June 11. Contact Mike Arato at 917-709-8008 or email [email protected] to reserve a spot. All non-members who attend will have the opportunity for half-price membership dues for the remainder of 2018.
• The Jackson Library will host a classical music concert at 2 p.m. June 16. This concert is a piano recital which will feature students from the Verity Academy. The performance will include selections from the baroque to modern eras. This is an all ages event and registration is required. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will host “All About Autism” at 6:30 p.m. June 13. “All About Autism” is a discussion and support group for caregivers of individuals affected by autism. Teen volunteers will run supervised activities for children 12 and under. Registration is required for this free event. Attendees are asked to notify the library when registering if they plan to bring children. To register, call librarian Wendi Smolowitz 732-928-4400, ext. 4.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will host a summer evening bird walk on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County at 6 p.m. June 21. Anyone interested in participating in the event can meet at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the old Sandy Hook Visitors Center, just north of Lot E (1.8 miles from the park entrance). The trip is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society and participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Dress appropriately for the weather. Insect repellent is recommended. The walk will take place light rain or shine. Pets are not permitted. Details: Email [email protected]
• The Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on June 24. Cost of the trip is $34, includes transportation, sandwich and beverage on bus, $25 in slot play from the casino, and gratuity for driver. Bus will leave from Brookwood Plaza at noon and return to Jackson at 9 p.m. Proceeds to benefit Rotary Club charities. To reserve a space, contact Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary, Upper Freehold Township, will host a flea market, craft sale and garage sale from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. June 23. All are welcome to attend; admission is free. Proceeds will benefit the senior dogs who reside at Marty’s Place.
A list of some of the items being sold will be available at http://www.martysplace.org beginning in early June. Individuals, families, organizations, crafters or businesses interested in participating may contact [email protected] for more information.
• 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.
• 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.