• Psychic, author and empath Linda Shields, known as “The Jersey Shore Medium,” will be at The Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on Nov. 14. Doors open at 5 p.m. Show begins 7 p.m. Ticket includes buffet and admission. Details: www.iplayamerica.com/event/jersey-shore-medium-linda-shields
• The League of Women Voters will hold a candidates forum for the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan. The candidates running for one full three-year term are Republican Susan M. Kiley, Democrat Amber Gesslein, independent candidate Brendan Maroney and independent candidate John P. Curley. The candidates running for a one-year
unexpired term are Republican Gerard P. Scharfenberger and Democrat Larry Luttrell. Community members are invited to come and listen to the candidates’ views on the issues.
• The Allentown Business Community Association will present a Witches’ Night Out from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 25 in Allentown. A $35 ticket includes a scavenger hunt, psychic readings, psychic medium, palm readers, tarot readers, witches hat contest, gift basket drawing and refreshments. Register at Bruno’s One Sweet Ride, 19 S. Main St., Allentown. Details: 609-208-0544 or email [email protected]
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a nature walk at Clayton Park, Upper Freehold Township, at 9 a.m. Oct. 27. Meet in the Emley’s Hill Road parking lot.
Join a roving naturalist for a walk and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify a bird or two. This is a 90-minute to two-hour program, but feel free to join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather as light rain is not a deterrent. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will sponsor Climb Time from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 20 at the
Clayton Park Activity Center, Upper Freehold Township. Try the park system’s 25-foot-tall portable climbing wall. Climbers must be at least 42 inches and age 8 or older; under 18 with adult. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a mill demonstration on Oct. 20-21 and 27-28 from 1-4 p.m. at Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township. See the 19th century gristmill in action. Demonstrations run through November. Free.
• Vendors are wanted for a holiday boutique to be held at Old Tennent Presbyterian Church, Manalapan, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10. Vendors should call by Oct. 26 to reserve a spot. Details: 732-446-6299.
• A “What’s it Worth” event will be held at the Allentown Public Library from 1-4 p.m. Oct.
28. Joe Bodnar of Bodnar Auction House, Edison, will assess the value of dolls, furniture, costumes, fine jewelry, toys, art works and more. Tickets are $20 per item to be appraised and are on sale at the library. All proceeds benefit the library. Only 100 tickets (items to be appraised) will be sold.
• The sixth annual Howell/Farmingdale 5K run and race walk benefiting CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline will be held on Oct. 21 at Howell High School, Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, Howell. The course is now certified. The 5K will begin at 9:30 a.m. All ages welcome. Awards to top male and female overall, plus age group awards for 5K run. Special pricing for ages 19 and under. All registration fees discounted when registered by Oct. 17. Details: 732-240-6104 for registration and/or info on becoming a sponsor. Visit www.contactoceanmonmouth.org for race application form or register online at https://register.compuscore.com/contact5k
• The Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township, will host a craft show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 10. Tables are available for $15. There will be a variety of craft and holiday items. Details: 732-294-2029.
• Marty’s Place Senior Dog Sanctuary will host its annual Howl-O-Ween Family Fest from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 21 (rain date, Oct. 28) at 118 Route 526, Upper Freehold. This fun-filled event is open to the public and anyone can come with children of all ages and dogs of all sizes. There will be a Ruff Mudder Canine Obstacle Course. Dogs of all skill levels are welcome to participate with their owners. There will also be a costume contest for dogs, plus other activities. Details: 609-259-1278 or www.martysplace.org
• Saint Gabriel’s Church, Marlboro, will host a juried craft and vendor fair on Nov. 11 from
10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Prospective vendors should send name, business name, email, mailing address, phone number and a description of their work with four to six high-quality photos demonstrating sample crafts and wares and table set-ups to Julia A. Oliver at
[email protected]. The table fee is $45. Vendors should not mail payment until they are notified they have been selected to participate.
• The Allentown Public Library has announced that the Allentown afghans, which were created and sold by the Women’s Association of Allentown, are now available for the first time since 2008. The afghans were designed by Joanne Tourine and show nine historic structures, including the Imlay Mansion, Gov. Newell’s home, the Presbyterian Church, Abel Cafferty’s Mill house and the iconic mill and the Allentown Baptist Church that is now home to the library. The afghans are available in hunter green, cranberry and colonial blue. They are available for purchase at the library, 16 S. Main Street. All proceeds benefit the Allentown Public Library Association in support of the library building.
• 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.