• The Colts Neck Shade Tree Commission will hold public meetings at 7:30 p.m. on the following dates in the meeting room at Town Hall, 124 Cedar Drive, Colts Neck: Aug. 1, Sept. 5, Oct. 3, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5. Details: 732-462-5470.
• No Stigma Network will host a Flapjacks Fundraiser Breakfast from 8-10 a.m. Aug. 3 at Applebee’s, 55 Route 9 South (the Epicentre), Manalapan. The cost is $10 per person. No Stigma Network is a nonprofit organization that provides free programs for young adults who live with mental health challenges. Call 732-259-1445 for details and reservations.
• Freehold Art Gallery, 7 W. Main St. (second floor), Freehold Borough, will open a new exhibit on Aug. 3, running through Sept. 15, featuring Kortez and Easton Davy in conjunction with the African Diaspora Arts Festival. The theme, “Sankofa,” celebrates the past and the ancestors and elders of the African culture in America. Gallery hours: Thursday and Friday evenings prior to Downtown Freehold’s music events; noon to 2 p.m. during the Friday Farmers’ Market; Sundays, noon to 2 p.m.; and by appointment. Details: https://freeholdartgallery.com
• The Manalapan Police Department will host a National Night Out event from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 6 at P.C. Richard & Son, Route 9, Manalapan (the Epicentre shopping center). The event will generate support for and participation in local anti-crime programs, and strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships. All are welcome to attend National Night Out.
• A PJ Library Family Summer Snow Ball will take place at the Hebrew Academy, Marlboro, from 10-11:30 a.m. Aug. 25. The “beat the heat” carnival will feature inflatable water activities, snowball making, hands-on cooking and fun “winter” activities. An RSVP is required. Admission is free. Details: Linda Glickstein, 732-431-5525. The PJ Library sends free Jewish children’s books to children and is funded by the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey. Details: www.jewishheartnj.org
• The Casual Birder, sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System, will be held at 9 a.m. Aug. 29 at the Dorbrook Recreation Area, Route 537, Colts Neck (meet in parking area across from main entrance). Join a park system naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. Open to ages 11 and up; under 16 with adult. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Roving Golfzilla will be at Big Brook Park, 521 Route 520, Marlboro, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 24, sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. Participants will try to hit golf balls through the hands, feet or mouth of Golfzilla. All are welcome. This is a non-instructional offering. All equipment is provided. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Learn about the life history of woodpeckers in Monmouth County from 11 a.m. to noon Aug. 4 at the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center, Aberdeen Township. A Monmouth County Park System naturalist will discuss the natural history of woodpeckers commonly found in Monmouth County and describe local conservation efforts. Open to ages 12 and up; under 18 with adult. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold the following meetings: Aug. 6, 7:30 p.m., regular action meeting, district administration building, 54 Main St., Englishtown; Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m., regular action meeting, district administration building, 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meetings are open to the public. Details: 732-786-2500.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse will host its annual Project Zero car show from 6-8 p.m. Aug. 12 at Manalapan High School, Church Lane. The event will offer a free ice cream sundae to the first 500 participants and attendees. There is no cost for car show participants or spectators. Registration forms for car show participants are available at www.projectzeromanalapan.org or www.mtnj.org. On-site registration will be accepted (pending space) starting at 5 p.m.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood drive from 2:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 9 at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Brandeis University Harmony Chapter of Four Seasons Metedeconk Lakes, Jackson, will sponsor a Holiday Vendor Faire and Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Radisson Hotel, Freehold Township. Vendors are needed, tables/space is $50. Brunch is $35 per person. All proceeds will be designated to the Brandeis National Committee’s “Sustaining the Mind Fund” to support faculty research into neurodegenerative diseases. Details: Marie Santoro, 732-276-5393, or Vickie Vitale, 732-299-9745.
• Ongoing sessions of “Dancing by the Peddie Lake with Candace-Woodward-Clough,” offering instruction in swing, foxtrot, waltz and Latin dancing, will be held at 112 Etra Road, Hightstown. Classes will run continuously on Thursdays and Fridays. Beginner/Intermediate classes start at 7:30 p.m. The cost is $60 per person for the four-week session. Woodward-Clough is a choreographer, teacher and exercise consultant who has been teaching ballroom, Latin and swing dance for more than 30 years. Pre-register by calling 732-995-4284 or email [email protected]
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, 1151 W. Main St. (in the Pond View Professional Park), Freehold Township, hosts 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. Kosher refreshments served. Details: Jolie, 732-202-1000 or email [email protected]
• WWE superstars Peyton Royce and Billie Kay, also known as The IIconics, will appear at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on Aug. 16. The IIconics are the WWE women’s tag team champions. The two Aussies will pose for professional photos and sign personal items for those in attendance. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the event will begin at 7 p.m. Details: https://www.iplayamerica.com/event/wwe-superstars-the-iiconics/
• Center Players Dessert Theater will hold auditions for a production of “Lend Me A Tenor” at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold. Audition dates are Aug. 5-6 from 6:30-9 p.m.
Performance dates are Oct. 11 through Nov. 11 (Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and
Sunday at 2 p.m.). Sides from the play will be provided; bring resume and headshot if available; non-union, no pay. A complete character list is available at www.centerplayers.org/auditions
• The Society of St. Vincent de Paul presents “One Summer Night,” Volume IV, an evening of doo wop featuring the Nostalgix at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 3 at St. Thomas More Parish, Petri Hall, 186 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan. Jersey Mike’s subs, dessert buffet, BYOB and wine. No outside food permitted. Tickets: $30 per person, must be purchased in advance. Tables of 10. The event is a fundraiser for individuals in need in the community. For reservations and information, call Carl and Jane, 732-972-4181.
• Join the Rutgers Master Gardeners at a free festival for children of all ages from noon to 4 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Monmouth County Agricultural Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. There will be nature inspired activities, crafts and educational exhibits, live butterflies, ladybugs, rabbits, snakes, bees and more. Food, ice cream, fresh produce and other vendors will be on hand. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Details: 732-303-7614.
• See a 19th century gristmill in action at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold, from 1-4 p.m. Aug. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31, and Sept. 1. Sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The New Jersey State Museum, 205 W. State St., Trenton, is presenting “Many Inspired Steps” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing that took place on July 21, 1969. Currently on view through Nov. 10, the exhibition uses a variety of objects and images to examine the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, the pioneers of space travel and other state connections to the landing and the space program. Admission is free; donations requested. Details: 609-292-5420 or visit statemuseumnj.gov
• “New Jersey Baseball: From the Cradle to the Major Leagues” is on exhibit at the Morven Museum and Garden, Princeton, until Oct. 27. The exhibition tells the story of New Jersey’s role in the history of early organized baseball through artifacts, text, images and other visuals. There are interactives that offer educational opportunities, as well as demonstrations with hands-on experiences. Details: morven.org
• Fishing 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 7, 14, 21 and 28 at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell (meet at the visitor center’s bait shop). Learn how to rig, bait, cast and, hopefully, catch a fish at the reservoir. Come and go at any time. Bait and tackle provided. Open to all ages; under 14 with adult. Fishing license required for ages 16-69. No groups. This is a free event. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Monmouth Worship Center, Marlboro, will host a Mega Sports Camp “Breaking Free” from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 5-9 at the Marlboro Recreation Community Center football field. Children entering first through sixth grade can learn techniques in soccer, baseball and football while they learn to put their faith into action on and off the field. Registration fee is $25 per child before July 21 ($30 after). Details: 732-332-9600.
• Monmouth Worship Center, 37 Vanderburg Road, Marlboro, will host Vacation Bible School for children entering kindergarten through sixth grade from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 19-23. With this year’s theme, “To Mars and Beyond,” children will explore “where God’s power can take you.” Registration fee is $25 per child by July 31 ($35 after). Details: 732-332-9600.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus is looking for members in all voice parts. Open rehearsals are being held during the summer. The chorus rehearses Wednesday from 7:30-10 p.m. at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Details: Visit honj.org or call 732-446-9782.
• DowntownFreehold.com has announced its 2019 Thursdays Rock concert lineup. The free concerts take place at the Monmouth County Hall of Records Plaza from 7:30-9:30 p.m. All ages welcome. The bands are: Aug. 1, Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band; Aug. 8, Joe Baracata Band; Aug. 15, Stephen Martines; and Aug. 22, Full Throttle. Details: DowntownFreehold.com
• Samaritan Center, a joint ministry of St. Thomas More and Old Tennent Presbyterian churches, operates a food pantry to provide supplementary food for those in need in Manalapan, Marlboro, Englishtown and Millstone Township. For information, call 732-446-1142 and make an appointment. Pickup dates are Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-11:15 a.m. and Saturday from 9-11 a.m. Volunteers will gladly carry food to a client’s vehicle. Donations of funds and food are gratefully accepted to support the operation of the center. Volunteers are always welcome.
• Monmouth County will hold a paper shredding event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 12 at Colts Neck Town Hall, 124 Cedar Drive, Colts Neck. County residents may bring up to 100 pounds of documents to be shredded. Details: See the recycling section of the county website at www.VisitMonmouth.com or call 732-683-8686, ext. 6721.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.