Datebook

+ ASPEN, a support group for families dealing with Asperger’s syndrome (a form of high-functioning autism), will meet May 17, 7-9 p.m., at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Drive, Manalapan. Sensory integration therapy will be discussed. Details: (732) 446-7610 or [email protected].

+ National Council of Jewish Women, Central Jersey section, will meet May 18 at noon at Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Drive, Manal-apan. At 1 p.m., Dr. Allan Tiedrich will discuss stem cell research. Free and open to the public (park in back lot). Details: Helen, (732) 536-6597, or Barbara, (732) 308-3431.

+ Blood drives will be conducted by Central Jersey Blood Center on May 18, 3-8 p.m. at Land O’ Pines School, Howell, and 6-8:30 p.m. at CentraState Medical Center’s Greenhouse Cafe, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township. Also, May 21, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Marlboro First Aid Squad, Wyncrest Road, Marlboro. Details: (732) 842-5750.

+ Max’s Handcrafted Jewelry will be featured at a fundraiser by the Freehold Borough and Freehold Township Auxiliary of CentraState Medical Center, May 19, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., in the medical center’s lobby, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township. Details: (732) 845-9377.

+ “Dine & Learn,” a program on Torah study, will be conducted by Rabbi Brooks Susman of Congregation Kol Am, May 19, 6:15-7:30 p.m., at West Freehold School, Castronova Way, Freehold Town-ship. All are welcome; it is not necessary to understand Hebrew. The May 19 session will be followed by an open house Shabbat service (pack a Shabbat dinner). Details: (732) 792-8000 or www.congregationkolam.org.

+ A medevac helicopter will land at the Marlboro First Aid and Rescue Squad, Wyncrest Road, Marlboro, May 20 during an open house to celebrate EMS Week. The open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the MONOC helicopter will land its new helicopter at 10:30 a.m. for its inaugural flight. Details: (732) 536-1166.

+ Garden State Horror Writers will meet May 20, 11 a.m., at Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Drive, Manalapan. At noon, author John Passarella will discuss the differences in writing media tie-in fiction, series books, and a stand-alone novel. The group is open to writers of all types of fiction. Details: (848) 992-2230 or ww.gshw.net.

+ “Kids Day America,” a national event, will be observed locally May 20, noon to 3 p.m., at Joffe Family Chiroprac-tic, 61 Pease Road, Manalapan, featuring information on crime prevention, child safety, free child identification booklets, free fingerprinting by Manalapan Police Department, fire safety tips from the Gordons Corner Fire Company, free toothprint dental identification, free spinal exams and scoliosis screenings, balloons, snacks, giveaways and prize drawings. Details: (732) 536-9191.

+ Brown Bag a Short Story, a literary discussion group, will meet May 22, 11 a.m., at the Marlboro Library, Wyncrest Road, Marlboro. “The Doctor’s Divorce” by S.Y. Agnon will be discussed. Bring a bag lunch; the library will provide beverages and dessert. Details: (732) 536-9406.

+ Living With Loss bereavement support group will meet May 22 and 29, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at CentraState Medical Center, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Town-ship. Open to all adults. Details: (732) 617-2221.

+ Marlboro K-8 Board of Education will hold a workshop meeting May 22, 8 p.m., at the Marlboro Middle School, 355 Route 520. There will be a public presentation on the findings of the Citizens Advisory Committee and an opportunity for residents to respond. A special meeting is tentatively scheduled for May 23 at 8 p.m. at 1980 Township Drive, Marlboro. Details: (732) 972-2000.

+ The Sierra Club, Jersey Shore Group, will meet May 22, 8 p.m., at Unitarian Universalist Meeting House, 1475 W. Front St., Lincroft. The topic is “Cool Cities: Solving Global Warming One City at a Time.” Details: Mary Lanko, (732) 462-2199.

+ Parents Anonymous, a professionally facilitated self-help group for any parent or grandparent wishing to improve their parenting skills, will meet May 23 and 30 (every Tuesday), 10 a.m. to noon, at Monmouth County Division of Social Services, Kozloski Road, Freehold Town-ship. No fees. Details: (732) 845-2073.

+ Mothers of Multiples, Mid-Jersey chapter, will meet May 23, 8 p.m., at the Jackson Street Firehouse, Matawan. Mothers or expectant mothers of twins or other multiples are welcome to attend as a guest. This month’s program will be an ice cream social and game night; elections will be held for next year’s board. This is the last meeting until September. Details: www.midjerseymoms.org.

+ “Signs of Learning Disabilities” will be presented by Robert Klein, director of the Marlboro School District’s Depart-ment of Special Services, at 6:15 p.m. at the Goddard School in Marlboro, 15 School Road East, which is sponsoring the free event. Details: (732) 303-8445.

+ “Aging Parents and Memory Loss: What Are the Options?,” an open forum seminar, will be sponsored by CentraState Healthcare System, May 24, 7-8:30 p.m., at Monmouth Crossing, 560 Iron Bridge Road, Freehold Township. Free and open to the public, but preregistration is required; call Debra Walling, (732) 303-8600.

+ Freehold Art Society will meet May 24, 7:30 p.m., at the Freehold Town-ship municipal building, room 114, Still-wells Corner and Schanck roads. Barbara Rivolta will conduct a workshop, and attendees will have the opportunity to make a pot using a colored clay technique as well as clay monotype print. All are welcome. Details: Visit the Internet Web site www.FreeholdArtSociety.homestead.com or write P.O Box 792, Farmingdale 07727.

+ “Sending Your Child to College Without Going Broke” will be presented by Chuck Drawbaugh, a consumer advocate, May 25, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Marl-boro Library, Wyncrest Road. Free, but reservations requested; (732) 224-1496.

+ The Mourning After, a grief counseling program led by licensed professional counselors from the Contemporary Coun-seling Center and ActionArtz Training Institute of Marlboro, will meet May 26, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold. Designed for recent as well as not-so-recent losses. No fees. New attendees are asked to call in ad-vance, (732) 577-1076.