• Guitarist and singer Gary Nokes will perform “Sounds of the Shore” at the Ocean County Library Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Drive, at 2 p.m. Aug 20. Nokes will perform classic beach ballads, nautical numbers and coastal country favorites. Registration at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events is required to attend this free program.
• The Monmouth County Park System is seeking entries into its upcoming Autumn Terrains exhibit. The exhibit, to be held from Sept. 16 through Nov. 19 at the Gallery in the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Lincroft, will reflect the palette, essence and aesthetics of the autumn season. Nontraditional and traditional renderings are welcome. Additional information and an entry form are available on The Gallery at Thompson Park page at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. Entry deadline is Aug. 26.
• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, is conducting blood drives which are open to the public. The following drives are scheduled: Sept. 1, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9, Howell, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 6, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 7, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Sept. 8, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 13, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 14, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Sept. 15, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 20, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 21, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., Sept. 22, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 27, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 28, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Sept. 29, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Fishing 101 – A Beginner’s Guide to Fishing, Aug. 18 and 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Manasquan Reservoir, Howell. Learn how to rig, bait, cast and, hopefully, catch a fish. Come and go at any time. Bait and tackle provided. Open to all ages; under 14 with adult. Fishing license required for ages 16 to 69. Stop by the Bait Shop to register. No groups. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Naturalist Walks on Aug. 28 at 9 a.m. at the Manasquan River Greenway, Howell, meet at the Winter Run Activity Center. Join a park system naturalist at the new Winter Run Activity Center property, part of the Manasquan River Greenway and adjacent to the Manasquan Reservoir. Walks are about 45 minutes and 1 mile in length. Sturdy shoes and bug spray are highly recommended. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Concert in the Park: Jukebox Heroes Live with the Mahoney Brothers on Aug. 26 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Thompson Park Theater Barn, Lincroft. The show includes tributes to the Beatles, Willie Nelson, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and more. Bring lawn chairs or blankets, food and soft drinks. The concert is outdoors; however, if the weather is inclement, the concert will be moved indoors. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Women of Color discussion group is an online meeting held once a month (third Tuesday at 5:30 pm) to discuss issues, coping strategies and resources relevant to women of color. Offered by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey. Upcoming meeting dates are Sept. 20, Oct. 18, Nov. 22 and Dec. 20. Email [email protected] to receive a link.
• “A Gathering of Womyn of Color” is an online group that meets once a month for all LGBTQ womyn of color in the Black, Indigenous, People of Color community. The group is an open discussion of multiple topics. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Upcoming dates are Sept. 1, Oct. 6, Nov. 3 and Dec. 1. Offered by the Mental Health Association in New Jersey, the agency’s PEWS program and the Emotional Support for Families of Color Initiative. To receive a link, email [email protected]
• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, will conduct the following blood drives: Aug. 17, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Aug. 18, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Aug. 23, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Aug. 24, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Aug. 25, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Aug. 30, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Aug. 31, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. To donate blood or for information on how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566. Details: www.nybloodcenter.org
• The DowntownFreehold.com Thursdays Rock concert series takes place each Thursday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. at the Monmouth County Hall of Records plaza, Main Street, Freehold Borough. The concerts are free; bring a lawn chair. The schedule is as follows: Aug. 18, Pat Guadagno and Friends; Aug. 25, Turnstyles.
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council 2022 Jazz, Blues and More Summer Concert Series will take place every Sunday through August (June 5 through Aug. 28) from 7-9 p.m. at the Downtown Freehold Gazebo, Main Street, Freehold Borough. The concerts are free; bring a lawn chair.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.