• The reunion committee for the Allentown High School Class of 1980/81 is starting to form and would like any members of the class of 1980/81 who would be interested in attending the event (date TBA) or helping out to contact Todd Schmitt at [email protected]
• The League of Women Voters will hold a webinar about voting in the time of COVID entitled “The Truth About Vote By Mail” at 7 p.m. Sept. 22. Guest speakers from the NYU Brennan Center and the Monmouth County Board of Elections will discuss the safety of voting by mail. Interested participants must register at lwvsmc.org by clicking on the big red “Forums and Webinars Register” button and choosing “Hot Topic: The Truth about Vote-by-Mail.” A chat function will enable everyone to ask questions.
• A virtual art show aimed specifically for the interest of teenagers (12 to 18) invites Monmouth County Library members to create their own artwork in any medium, art, poetry, video, music or sculpture, to be showcased on the library’s digital display. Designs should be submitted as a jpeg file and forwarded to [email protected] with the subject line Teen Art Show. Deadline is Oct. 15. All entries become the property of the library for reproduction and distribution, and sharing on the library’s website and social media. Details: [email protected]
• The Monmouth County Library is offering a weekly virtual bereavement meeting for all
those who have lost a loved one and are navigating the maze of emotions and trying to make decisions in a new way. The virtual meetings are led by Beth Stamp, a support facilitator, and provide an opportunity for people to share experiences, feelings and ideas.
Sessions are conducted on Webex and registration is possible on Eventkeeper in order to receive information on how to access the meetings, held Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m.
Details: Email [email protected]
• The Monmouth County Library, in partnership with Literacy New Jersey, is offering free
English as a Second Language virtual classes and one-on-one tutoring through Literacy New Jersey Monmouth. The program is open to all persons 18 years of age and older. Details: Email Jhanna Even at jeven@literacynj/.org or call her at 732-702-1895.
• Erica Torsiello, a Borough Council candidate in Allentown, will host a “Coffee with the Candidate” event on her front lawn, 34 Waldron Road, from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 26. Residents are invited to stop by, ask questions, express concerns, or just grab some coffee to go. Social distancing will be practiced. Rain date is Sept. 27. Details: www.allentownfirst.com or [email protected]
• “Need a plant? Take a plant. Have a plant? ‘Leaf’ a plant!” That is the theme of a free plant swap sponsored by the Allentown Garden Club starting Sept. 21. Garden plants and house plants donated by local gardeners will be displayed in front of the Allentown Public Library on Main Street. All are welcome to take what they can use (whether or not they are donating something), or to leave extras for others. Label donated plants to help people decide.
• Participating in yoga benefits physical and mental health and influences positive thought. It alleviates mental stress, develops better physicality and enhances emotional well-being. Yoga postures are a form of meditation in motion that help release tension and emotional stress. Honor Yoga is offering free classes at 8 a.m. Tuesdays and 6 p.m. Thursdays with instructor Michelle Gerdes. To register, visit http://honoryoga.com/yfew
• The fall issue of the Monmouth County Park System’s Parks & Programs Guide contains a complete listing of upcoming arts and crafts, nature, recreation and sports programs planned for September, October and November. The fall issue is available at most county parks and online at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. Registration is underway and is available online 24/7; by phone (732-842-4000, ext. 1) or by mail using the registration form found at the back of the guide.
• New Jersey Blood Services, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for volunteers whose tasks will include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Must have transportation. All training is provided. Details: Call or text Sharon Zetts at 732-850-8906, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• CentraState Medical Center’s 44th annual Band Aid Open, “Golf Fore Kids,” will be held at the Metedeconk National Golf Club, Jackson, on Oct. 13. The event will benefit enhanced pediatric services at the hospital. Tee times will be assisgned based on morning/afternoon preference on a first-come, first-served basis. Details: 732-294-7030 or email [email protected]
• Residents struggling with substance use issues may call 1-844-ReachNJ to speak with counselors ready to offer assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ReachNJ is a free, confidential hotline that provides individuals with concerns about their own or a family member’s substance use immediate help and treatment referrals. The help line is always answered by a live specialist.
• CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, offers a Movement Disorder Program that provides specialized treatment to patients with Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, tics, tremors, ataxia, dystonia and other similar syndromes. The program is held in the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus. To request a consultation to help manage Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders, call 732-637-6316 or email [email protected]
• Monmouth County will hold backyard composting workshops for county residents. The free 45-minute workshop will teach residents how to reduce household waste, improve the soil for plants and reduce landfill waste. The workshops to be held at the Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, on Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. and Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. Participants may purchase the Earth Machine backyard composting bin at the session for $35. Advance registration is required. Call 732-683-8686, ext. 8967.
• 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. 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.