• The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders will host a blood drive at the Monmouth County Agricultural Building, Freehold Township, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 11. The Central Jersey Blood Center is offering $10 gasoline cards or Amazon gift cards to every person who donates blood that day. The CJBC reminds donors they must eat before donating. Donors must be healthy, at least 17 years old and weigh at least 120 pounds. Appointments are encouraged, but not necessary. Call 732-842-5750, ext. 243 and ask for Karen McGowan to make an appointment.
• Coastal Jersey Parrot Head Club is presenting a fundraiser, “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer,” an evening with Peter Mayer, lead guitarist and vocalist for Jimmy Buffet’s Coral Reefer Band, and Brendan Mayer on July 14 at 7 p.m. at Lakewood Elks Lodge No. 1432, 711 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Lakewood. Tickets cost $45 and include entertainment and a barbecue dinner. Doors open at 4 p.m. Send checks made out to CJPHC-PM, P.O. Box 4038, Brick, NJ 08723 or www.itickets.com/events/ 399825.html. Other entertainers include Suburban Relics with guest Boomer Blake, Magic Twangers, and Nicky Fabbz. Details: Art Chikofsky, 732-929-1708.
• Vacation Bible School will be held at the Jackson Baptist Church, 366 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, from 9 a.m. to noon July 9-13. Vacation Bible School is for children ages 3 to 12 and attendance is free. The theme of the week is “Shipwrecked” and children will learn that Jesus rescues. Register a child or volunteer at https://vbspro.events/p/event s/fe0cbd
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host a variety of programs for adults during July. “How to Understand and Improve Credit Score and Become a Home Owner” will be held at 7 p.m. July 9. A movie will be shown at 2:30 p.m. July 12. Call the library for film details. “Coloring for Adults” will be held at 10 a.m. July 17. Coloring sheets and art supplies will be provided along with light refreshments and relaxing music. A movie will be shown at 6 p.m. July 23. Call the library for film details. “Mindfulness Meditation: On Letting Go” will be held at 11 a.m. July 26. Learn the gentle art of “letting go” through guided meditation. This session is open to novice and skilled practitioners. Registration is required for these free events. To register, call the library at 732-928-4400.
• Discover a variety of fish, crabs and other sea creatures when the Monmouth County Park System hosts Seining Along Sandy Hook Bay at Bayshore Waterfront Park, Port Monmouth, Middletown, from 11 a.m. to noon, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, June 25 through Aug. 24. This program invites area residents to join park system naturalists as they seine the water and identify the aquatic creatures caught. This free program is open to all ages, under 18 with adult. Participants should meet on the beach. Closed-toe shoes are required. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Fair will be held at the East Freehold Showgrounds, Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, from July 25-27, 5-11 p.m., July 28, 3-11 p.m., and July 29, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will be 4-H exhibits, amusement rides, entertainment, home and garden competitions, opening night fireworks, and more. Admission is $8 per person; age 12 and under enter free.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus invites women of all ages to “Christmas in July.” Women are invited to join the chorus members as they learn new holiday music. A holiday show will be performed on Dec. 9. The chorus rehearses at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Details: 732-446-9782.
• 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.
• 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.