• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Freehold Township, a new skilled rehabilitation and nursing facility serving the Jewish community, is hosting a free monthly support group called The Jewish Caregiver’s Experience. The group will meet at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month, starting Nov. 27. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Call Avrum at 732-202-1000, ext. 4012, or email [email protected] for more information.
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Christine McCabe will discuss the DEP’s accomplishment during the first year of Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration and outline her future plans for the department during a presentation at 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, in the Warner Student Life Center, Twin Lights Rooms I and II (first level). The presentation is sponsored by Brookdale Community College and the Sierra Group. McCabe’s presentation is open to the public.
• The Freehold Area Running Club will host its 33rd annual Born to Run 5-Mile Race on Nov. 23. Runners will make their way through downtown Freehold to Lake Topanemus in Freehold Township. There will be a vendor expo, kids dash and 1-mile race, live music, medals and T-shirts. A rebranding will include a new logo that will be prominent on red bandanas given to all participants. Since 2009, the race has contributed $42,000 to Freehold Area Open Door and will continue the tradition of fighting hunger in its hometown. Vendor expo starts at 9:30 a.m.; kids race starts at 10 a.m.; the 5-mile race starts at 11 a.m. Details: www.farcnj.com
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council invites area artists and crafters to participate in its sixth annual Freehold Borough Arts and Crafts Show to be held on Dec. 1 at the Park Avenue Elementary School from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Reserve a space by sending a $35 check made out to FBAC, c/o Lynn Reich, 6 Hance Blvd. Freehold, NJ 07728. Registration fee includes one lunch. Details: Lynn Reich, 732-230-7494.
• A tree lighting ceremony sponsored by the Allentown Economic Development Committee will be held at 5 p.m. Nov. 24 at Pete Sensi Park, across from the Old Mill. All are invited to attend the event.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Teachers Association will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at Shadowbrook, 1 Obre Place, Shrewsbury. Members are asked to bring non-perishable donations for the food bank and an unwrapped new book, toy or gift card for Bridges At The Shore. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email [email protected] before Nov. 30. New members are always welcome.
• The Millstone Township Agricultural Advisory Council and the Millstone Township fire official will host an meeting for commercial farms and farms that house labor or invite the public onto the premises. The state is enforcing policies and fire officials will explain the rules and answer questions about what they look for when performing annual inspections of commercial farms. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15 in the municipal court building, 215 Millstone Road. Details: Melissa Peerboom, 732-446-4249, ext. 1103.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus presents “Jukebox Jingles” with special guests The Trentones at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Call for tickets, 732-474-8529, or online at https://honj.org/node/1659
• 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.