• The Allentown Library will host “What to Do With All the Stuff!” at 7 p.m. May 8. The de-cluttering comedy show will feature author Jamie Novak sharing her laugh-out-loud approach to home organizing. Novak is the author of multiple best-sellers, including
“Keep This, Toss That.” She has appeared on HGTV, QVC and Better TV. Space for the program is limited and registration is required. Register in person, online or by calling 609-259-7565.
• “Using Catholic Sources” will be the topic of the 1:30 p.m. May 20 meeting of the Monmouth County Genealogy Society at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. The meeting is free and open to the public. Kathleen Feighery, director of archives at the Archdiocese of New York, will discuss expanding access to Roman Catholic records in the New York area and elsewhere. Details: 732-747-0090.
• The Tri-County Chapter of Brandeis National Committee is holding an open meeting at 2 p.m. May 15 at the Allentown First Aid Squad, 70 Route 526, Allentown. Dr. Robert W. Butts, an award-winning conductor, composer and educator, will discuss the topic “The World Changed, So Did the Music.” The program is free and open to the public. It is paid for by the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.
• No Stigma Network, a local nonprofit organization serving the needs of young adults living with mental illness, will begin Mental Health Awareness Month with a free program for the community, “Effective Communication for Mental Health and Wellness,” from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. May 5 at CentraState Healthcare System, Jack Aaronson Conference Center, Room C, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township. There will be speakers and a panel discussion including survivors of mental illness, caregivers and mental health therapists. All members of the community are invited. Contact NSN to reserve a seat. Email [email protected] or call Linda, 732-939-2092, or Shrabanee, 732-533-7632.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus will hold its “Friends and Family” performance at 8 p.m. May 9 at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. The members of the chorus are preparing for their annual competition in Albany, N.Y., in May. Refreshments will be served. Details: 732-446-9782.
• Center Players Dessert Theater will host an evening with Medium/Intuitive Leslie Lagani at 7:30 p.m. May 10 at Center Playhouse, Freehold. Seating is extremely limited, tickets are $40, and reservations are required. Checks should be made payable to Center Players and mailed to Center Players, 35 South St., Freehold, NJ 07728, Attention: Roberta. Include name, phone number and email address. No walk-ins. Not everyone present will receive a reading during the event. Details: Roberta, 732-757-6590.
• The United Presbyterian Church of Millstone, 211 Millstone Road, will host a Vacation Bible School, “The Water of Life,” from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the week of June 25. There will be games, music and crafts. The cost is $25 per child (children entering kindergarten through entering sixth grade). Campers must bring lunch. Snacks provided. Details: UPCM.org
• Memorial Day is a day to honor the sacrifice of those who have died in the United States armed forces in service to the nation. A Memorial Day parade will be held in Millstone Township on May 28 at 9:30 a.m. Any organization and/or group which has not already expressed interest in participating in the parade may contact Ray Dothard, chairman of the Millstone Veterans Memorial Council, to apply for registration or with any questions at [email protected]. The registration deadline is April 28.
• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host a Family Tombola (Italian Bingo)/Pasta Dinner (Pranzo) from 1-4 p.m. April 29 at the St. Rose of Lima School, Freehold. Cost is $10 for children ages 3-10 and $18 for adults. Price includes Tombola card, homemade pasta and meatballs, coffee, tea, baked goods. Lunch served from 1-2:30 p.m. Tombola will begin at 2:30 p.m. There will be an auction table, a 50/50, a pasta demonstration and Italian music. RSVP by April 26. Details: www.iaaofmc.com or Cheryl Scuorzo, 732-536-5832.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Monmouth County has scheduled paper shredding events so county residents have opportunities to get rid of old documents and confidential files safely. All shredding events will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. as follows: June 16, Upper Freehold Township, 314 Route 539, municipal building. County residents may bring up to 100 pounds to be shredded. All papers will be shredded on location in the mobile truck. Documents should be free of large binder clips; staples and paper clips may be left on documents. Details: 732-683-8686, ext. 6721.
• 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
• 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.
• Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold, will meet at 7 p.m. May xx at the American Legion, 62 W. Main St. Freehold. Chapter members, DAV members-at-large who are seeking a chapter and veterans with disabilities who are seeking assistance and advice are welcome to attend the meeting. Dinner of pizza and subs is provided.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.