• The Jackson Library will host “Knit-Chat-Chain Volunteers” on Mondays. Guests are welcome to join fellow hook and needle enthusiasts and create items to donate to charitable organizations, and to work on their own projects. Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels are welcome. Yarn will be provided. Meeting times alternate between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call 732-928-4400, check the monthly brochure, or visit theoceancountylibrary.org/events for specific dates and times.
• The Jackson Library will host AARP tax assistance from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 7, 14, 21 and 28. Receive free tax assistance from members of AARP. There is no age requirement, but appointments are required. Bring previous year(s) returns, photo ID, Social Security or I-Tin card, and all relevant tax documents related to the tax years to be prepared. To make an appointment, call 732-928-4400, ext. 3808.
• The Jackson Library will present “Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis: Preservation and Grace, and American Legacy” at 2 p.m. March 16. Actress Jill Lawrence brings Jackie to life in this live performance. The program is free, but registration is required. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will present “How to Break Up with Your Clutter” at 3 p.m. March 18. Jamie Novak of HGTV will show how to overcome common obstacles to getting organized. The program is free, but registration is required. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will host “Coloring for Adults: Vincent Van Gogh” at 10 a.m. March 26. Rediscover the joy of coloring and celebrate Van Gogh’s birthday. Art supplies provided. The program is free, but registration is required. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will present “Mindfulness Meditation: On Acceptance” at 11 a.m. March 27. Explore the art of acceptance through mindfulness meditation techniques. Comfortable clothes are required. The program is free, but registration is required. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Monmouth County Park System will hold its annual E. Murray Todd Half Marathon on March 10. The 13.1-mile race will take runners through Lincroft, Holmdel and Colts Neck. The race begins at 8:30 a.m. at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. Pre-registration is accepted online or through the mail until March 6 and costs $40 per person. Race day registration is available beginning at 7 a.m. ($60 per person). Details: Email Jeffrey.Papcun@ monmouthcountyparks.com or call 732-542-1642, ext. 27.
• Lynn and Jan Dash will discuss the latest warnings of UN/IPCC studies that find
climate changes are accelerating at faster rates than previously predicted. Their free presentation will take place at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 in the Warner Student Life Center
Twin Lights Rooms I and II at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft. Use parking lot 7 (if full, use lots 5 or 6). A campus map is at http://www.brookdalecc.edu/PDFFiles/MAPS/MAP_04_08.pdf
• The Lakewood BlueClaws will host a job fair from 5-8 p.m. Feb. 26 at FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood. There are positions available in the Food and Beverage Department, on the Clean Team, in the Kids Zone and in the parking lot. All those who attend will be interviewed and anyone interested in a position for the 2019 season must attend the job fair. Applications are available at http://www.milb.com/documents/0/6/6/108752066/Job_Application_mit0z26t.pdf and may be filled out in advance and returned to the BlueClaws or be filled out at the job fair. All positions are part-time and run from April through the last home game. Applicants must be at least 16. Details: Steve Woloshin, 732-901-7000 ext 120.
• Local author Rick Geffken will present an overview of the history and legacy of slavery and its abolition at the Howell Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, at 2 p.m. Feb. 23. Geffken will examine and illuminate the Quaker Abolition Movement in Monmouth County, highlighting the influential early activities of the Shrewsbury and Manasquan meetings. No advance reservations are needed for the free program, which is sponsored by the Howell Historical Society and the Friends of the Howell Library. Details: www.monmouthcountylib.org
• The Homebound and Volunteer Services Department of the Ocean County Library is collecting toiletries for foster children. Donations of toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, hand sanitizer (small size), soap, shampoo, conditioner, combs, brushes, socks and feminine products will be accepted at the Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, during February. A donation box is available at the library. Details: 732-928-4400.
• Volunteer genealogy specialists Richard and Angela Wood will explain “How to Navigate the FamilySearch Website” at the 1:30 p.m. March 10 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Admission is free and the public is welcome. Details: 732-747-0090.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host “Achieving Financial Fitness” at 2 p.m. March 4. Laura Reeves, owner of LJR Financial, will present a fun and interactive approach to organizing one’s finances. A question and session will follow the free program. Registration is required; call 732-928-4400.
• “The History of the Italian Jews,” a talk by Rabbi Michael Klein (rabbi emeritus, Congregation Ahavat Olam, Howell), will be held at 2 p.m. March 31 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Cost to attend is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. To reserve a space, call
732-252-6990.
• The Navy JROTC – Area 4 Academic, Athletic and Drill Championship will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 at Colts Neck High School, 59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck. The event is open to the public, free admission. The event will feature Navy JROTC units from the northeast. There will be a gift basket auction and raffle. Details: [email protected]
• The New Jersey 782nd Air Force JROTC from Jackson Memorial and Liberty high schools will host its gift auction on March 30 at the Jackson Memorial High School Clayton cafeteria, 101 Don Conner Blvd., Jackson. Doors open at 6 p.m., first prize called at 7:15 p.m. Coffee, tea and cookies will be served; attendees may bring food and non-alcoholic beverages. Entry: $40 per person in advance or $50 at door (both include raffle tickets valued at $50). Additional pre-sale bundles are available for $50. Bundles include raffle tickets valued at $75 and can only be purchased until Feb. 15. To purchase tickets, contact Danielle Balliatico at 732-977-5183 or [email protected]
• John P. Stevens High School, Edison, Class of 1969 will hold its 50-year reunion on Aug. 10 at Galloping Hills Caterers, Union. Cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m., dinner from 7-11 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Payment and RSVP to Donna Ciccone, 9 Anita Ave., Edison, NJ 08820. Details: Debbie DeMauro Bava, email [email protected]
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society is seeking volunteers to join its board. New volunteers are needed to assist the organization with its newsletter, website, publicity, program planning, and/or assist with the organization’s scholarship program. Details:
www.monmouthaudubon.org or email [email protected]
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Nature Story Time from 11-11:30 a.m. Feb. 27 at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell. There will be nature-themed items related to each story. Open to ages 2-5 with an adult. This is a free activity. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant will be held at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City on June 5. The pageant seeks ladies, age 60 and over, who best exemplify the dignity, maturity and inner beauty of all senior Americans. Judging categories are Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Judges Interview. The winner will participate in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2019. Women who are interested in becoming a contestant may contact Terry Meade at 609-443-3039, 908-216-8534, or by email at [email protected]. Details: www.newjerseysenioramerica.org
• The Fresh Air Fund is seeking area residents willing to volunteer to host a child from New York City this summer through the Friendly Towns Program. Children are boys and girls, ages 7-18. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or www.freshair.org
• The Friends of the Howell Municipal Alliance meets on the first Monday of each quarter at 7 p.m. at the Echo Lake Pavilion, Howell. Attendees may share their ideas and perspective in an informal environment to enrich the community’s commitment to substance abuse prevention. No membership is necessary. Details: 732-938-4500, ext. 4012.
• The Jackson group of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Ocean County, will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. each Wednesday at the Brighter Days Community Wellness Center, 268 Bennett’s Mills Road, Jackson. DBSA is dedicated to helping those who suffer from depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Supportive family members or friends of people who suffer from mental health difficulties are also welcome to attend. No registration, dues or fees are necessary. Details: Maureen, 732-536-5826, or [email protected]
• Ocean County veterans meet monthly to discuss relevant subjects and to plan recreation opportunities. Topics include the transition to civilian life, the VA system, substance use, PTSD/other mental health issues and more. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at Journey to Wellness Center, 25 S. Shore Drive, Toms River. Details: 732-244-0940 or email [email protected]
• 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.
• 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 meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Details: Avrum at 732-202-1000, ext. 4012.
• 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.