• The Ocean County Library’s Cultural Awareness Team will host an autism resource fair at the Jackson Library from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 14. “Your Child Has Autism: Now What?” will focus on individuals who have been recently diagnosed. Families and caregivers can meet organizations, health care professionals and autism experts to help them navigate the beginning stages of their journey. The fair will feature activities for children. Registration is not required for this free event. Details: 732-928-4400, ext. 4.
• Master Gardeners of Monmouth County are offering scholarships of up to $2,000 to two Monmouth County college students or graduating high school seniors who will be studying horticulture, environmental sciences, or engineering, botany or other agriculture related fields at a state college or university this fall. Applicants must be county residents and must have demonstrated an interest in the fields of horticulture and agriculture, as well as landscape or environmental issues, through class work, employment, community service or extracurricular activities. Applications available at www.VisitMonmouth.com. The application, a high school transcript and a letter of recommendation are due by May 1 to the Master Gardeners of Monmouth County, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. Details: 732-431-7260.
• The Monmouth County Board of Elections is seeking poll workers. To qualify, an individual must be a registered voter in Monmouth County and attend a poll worker training class. Individuals will be paid $200 for working a primary election or a general election. Call 732-431-7802, ext. 7150 to register for a training class.
• Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden’s Citizen Police Academy/Law Enforcement Mini Academy offers county residents age 14 and above an opportunity to learn about the
roles of modern law enforcement agencies. Speakers will discuss their roles in law enforcement and the role of citizens in assisting in those agencies in the war against crime and terrorism. The course will be held at the Monmouth County Police Academy, Freehold Township, in six sessions, Thursdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m., May 3 through June 7. Details: Kathy Morrison, 732-431-6400, ext. 1122.
• Brookdale Community College will hold its annual spring open house on April 15 at noon in the Collins Arena, 765 Newman Springs Road (Route 520), Lincroft. High school students, career-changers and residents of all ages are invited to meet with Brookdale staff, ask questions and explore more than 50 degree and career training programs offered through the college. Attendees are encouraged to arrive at noon to participate in all open house activities. To register or learn more, visit www.brookdalecc.edu/openhouse or call 732-224-1857.
• Breakfast Bingo will be held at Bartley Healthcare, Jackson, at 8:30 a.m. March 23. Use the back door to access the multipurpose room where the event will be held. There will be bingo and a buffet breakfast. RSVP by March 20 to Lindsay Constantino, 732-370-4700, ext. 1368. Seats are limited.
• Howell American Youth Football and Cheerleading is holding fall youth football and cheerleading registration online at www.howell-ayfc.org. Sign up in March and take advantage of a payment plan. Programs offered: tackle Football, 7U, 8U, 9U, 10U, 11U, 12U, 14U; flag football, 5- and 6-year-olds; competitive cheerleading, all ages; game day cheerleading, all ages; NFL spring flag football, all ages, sign-up are open now.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will be held April 10 at Branches, 123 Monmouth Road, West Long Branch. A members benefit fair is scheduled before the general meeting, beginning at 10 a.m. Members are asked to bring a non-perishable donation for the local food bank. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email [email protected] before March 30. New members are always welcome.
• The Jackson Library will host several free tax assistance sessions provided by members of AARP. Sessions will take place on the following dates from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: March 29, April 5 and April 12. Attendees must bring previous years’ returns, photo ID, Social Security or ITIN card and all relevant documents related to the tax years to be prepared. There is no age requirement and an appointment is required. To make an appointment, call 732-928-4400, ext. 3808.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will collect donations for animal shelters in Ocean County throughout March. Items in great need include blankets and towels, dry and wet dog and cat food, sturdy dog toys, cat toys, Purina Kitten Chow, Baby Cat (kibble for kittens) and Blue Buffalo basic dry cat food for sensitive digestion.
• The Jackson Library will host weekly meetings of the Knit-Chat-Chain volunteers on the following dates: March 26, 10 a.m. to noon, April 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m., April 9, 10 a.m. to noon, April 16, 6:30-8:30 p.m., April 23, 10 a.m. to noon, April 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Individuals who like to knit or crochet can brush up on an old skill or learn a new one and make new friends. Details: 732-928- 4400.
• Girl Scout Brownie Troop 948, Howell, will hold a garage sale fundraiser from 8 a.m. to noon March 24 at 22 Bunker Hill Drive, Howell. Children’s toys, clothes, household items, books and more.
• Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, on April 22. The cost of $34 includes bus transportation, sandwich and beverage, $25 in slot play from the casino and gratuity for the driver. The bus will leave Jackson at noon and return at 9 p.m. Proceeds will assist Rotary Club charities. For reservations, call Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• Designer Handbag Bingo will be held at 7 p.m. March 23 at the Southard firehouse, 4611 Route 9, Howell. The event will benefit CONTACT of Ocean and Monmouth Counties’ 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention hotline. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Sandwiches, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are welcome. Tickets: $30 in advance; $35 at the door (cash only). No one under 18 admitted. Tickets can be purchased online at Designer Handbag Bingo – March 23, 2018. Details: 732-240-6104 or email [email protected]
• Basket and Bag Bingo will be presented by the Cookstown Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 Ladies Auxiliary on April 14 at the New Egypt Elks Lodge, 105 Lakewood Road (Route 528), New Egypt. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Bingo starts promptly at 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 per person. Call Karen Ivins at 609-668-2030 for tickets and more information.
• The Fresh Air Fund is seeking area residents who would like to host a child this summer through the fund’s Friendly Towns Program. The children participate in activities with their host family during their stay. The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer experiences to more than 1.8 million New York City children from low-income communities since 1877. Children are boys and girls, ages 7 to 18. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or visit www.freshair.org
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus is seeking new members who love to sing and perform. Interested individuals are invited to attend a rehearsal. The chorus rehearses at 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Details: 732-446-9782.
• The Jackson Library’s knitting group, Knit-Chat-Chain, is seeking donations of yarn and wool. The members of the group create sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets to donate to charity. Yarn donations may be brought to the Circulation Desk during library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.
• New Jersey Blood Services is in need of volunteers to work blood drives in Ocean and Monmouth counties. Tasks include assisting donors with registration, watching donors for post-donation reactions and responding to their needs. Details: Jan Zepka, 732-616-8741.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.