• Jackson Mayor Michael Reina will host a session of Meet the Mayor at 7 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Jackson municipal building, 95 West Veterans Highway. Residents are invited to stop by to chat with the mayor.
• New Jersey Blood Services, a division of New York Blood Center, will conduct blood drives which are open to the public. The following drives are scheduled: Nov. 1, Howell Donor Center, 4068 Route 9 South, Howell, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Nov. 2, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Nov. 3, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Nov. 8, Howell Donor 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Nov. 9, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Nov. 10, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Nov. 15, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Nov. 16, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Nov. 17, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Nov. 22, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Nov. 23, Howell Donor Center, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.; Nov. 29, Howell Donor Center, 1:30-8:30 p.m.; Nov. 30, 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 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• Ed Goldberg and the Odessa Klezmer Band will perform at the Ocean County Library
Jackson Branch, 2 Jackson Drive, at 7 p.m. Oct. 25. The evening will be filled with polkas, czardas, Ladino tunes, and dance tunes with roots in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The New Jersey band has released more than 160 recordings of Klezmer, Israeli, Polish, Ukrainian and country music, many of which can be heard at www.odessaklezmer.com. Registration at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events is required for this free program.
Details: 732-928-4400.
• “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will be shown at 8 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Grunin Center, Toms River. The 1975 rock musical movie is a parody tribute to science fiction and B horror movies. The film features memorable songs and audience participation. Tickets are $25 and include a pre-show costume contest and a live performance from shadow cast Friday Nite Specials. Approved prop bags will be available for purchase before the show. No outside props will be permitted. The movie is rated R (age 17 and over). For tickets, visit grunincenter.org or call 732-255-0500.
• Understand the beginnings of Alzheimer’s Disease and know the steps for effective, compassionate care through a virtual program series by the Alzheimer’s Association
Greater New Jersey Chapter, to be presented by the Ocean County Library. “Living with Alzheimer’s for Caregivers: Understanding Early Stage” will take place online at 2 p.m. Nov. 2, 9 and 16. Debby Montone will explain signal symptoms, effective resource planning, describe components of a care team and strategies for collaboration among team individuals. Registration at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events is required to attend this free virtual program. Registrants will receive links to the Zoom presentation by email.
• The Jay and Linda Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College, Toms River, will present Ephrat Asherie Dance – UnderScored on Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. Join Ephrat Asherie Dance on a journey through the ever-changing physical landscape of New York City’s underground dance community. Created and performed by members of the company along with special guest artists from New York City’s underground scene, UnderScored is inspired by the intergenerational memories of club dancers. Tickets are $25 to $30. Purchase online at grunincenter.org or call 732-255-0500.
• The Howell Alliance and the Howell Police Department are participating in the DEA’s National Drug Take-Back Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Howell Police Department, 300 Old Tavern Road, Howell. Individuals may bring unwanted, unused and expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications to the police department, no questions asked. Electronic cigarettes can also be disposed of at the DEA collection. The drop-off is anonymous. Remove or black out names from prescriptions. Batteries must be removed from e-cigarettes before drop-off, and needles and syringes cannot be accepted. Details: Christa Riddle, 732-938-4500, ext. 4012, or email [email protected]
• The Ocean County College Foundation will welcome award-winning writer Jamaica
Kincaid to the Jay and Linda Grunin Center at 11 a.m. Oct. 24. The event, part of the Blauvelt Speaker Series, is free and open to the public. Kincaid’s essays, stories and novels address such universal themes as family relationships, coming of age and establishing one’s personal identity. She currently teaches at Harvard University. Advance registration is required. For tickets, register at grunincenter.org or call the box office at 732-255-0500.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Cookstove Demonstration on Oct. 22 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. See what’s cooking on the woodstove and discover how recipes, cooking techniques and kitchens have changed since the 1890s. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Piano Ballads from the Turn of the Century on Oct. 22 from 1-3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. Tap your feet, dance a one-step or sing-along to popular turn-of-the-19th-century ballads as they are played in the farmhouse. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host Nature on the Move on Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. at the Manasquan River Greenway, Howell (meet at the Winter Run Activity Center). Look for the park system’s colorful Nature on the Move van and join a park system naturalist for a 30-minute to 45-minute hands-on interactive program. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a 19th Century Woodworking Demonstration on Oct. 29 from noon to 3 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel.
See how a woodworker studies his materials, plies his tools and crafts beautiful and functional items. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Ocean County Library will host archivist-historian Mickey DiCamillo’s presentation, “When There Were Witches: An Exploration of the Salem Witch Trials,” at the Manchester Branch, 21 Colonial Drive, at 7 p.m. Oct. 24. Program attendees will have the opportunity to take part in reading transcripts of the interrogations undergone by suspected witches. Registration at www.theoceancountylibrary.org/events is required for this free program.
• The Holiday Made in Monmouth event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 in the Robert J. Collins Arena on the campus of Brookdale Community College, Route 520, Lincroft (the original date was Dec. 3). Vendor registration will open at 10 a.m. Sept. 27. Details: 732-431-7387.
• Marty’s Place Howl-o-Ween Family Fest will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Oct. 22 at Marty’s Place, 118 Route 526, Upper Freehold Township. All proceeds will benefit the senior dogs cared for by Marty’s Place. This is a dog-friendly event. Highlights will include canine costume contests, a leisurely walk, agility demonstrations, hayrides, a pet photo booth, police dog demonstrations, live music from AlterEgo, vendors, food trucks and more. All humans and canines are welcome to dress in costume. Prizes will be awarded in several categories. Admission is $5 for adults; children under 6 are free.
• Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey is seeking volunteers who are willing to make a difference with individuals who are experiencing the challenge of end-of-life. Volunteers dedicate a small amount of time each month to provide companionship-friendly visits; play cards; sewing, knitting or craft projects; music enrichment; pet therapy; and office or administrative assistance. Dove Hospice Services is also seeking veterans who are interested in providing compassion, support and outreach to fellow veterans and their families. Visits can be made to individuals living in facilities or private homes. Ongoing training is provided. Volunteers must be 18 or older and a COVID vaccine is required. Details: Michelle Rutigliano, 732-405-3035.
• 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 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 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]
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.