• The Fresh Air Fund is seeking area residents willing to volunteer to host a child from New York City this summer through the Friendly Towns Program. Children are boys and girls, ages 7-18. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or www.freshair.org
• The Monmouth County Park System is looking for lifeguards, camp counselors, park and golf course maintenance workers, and other seasonal employees. A seasonal job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, 2566 Guam Lane, Tinton Falls. Prospective employees must be at least 16 and be a county resident. A full listing of seasonal job openings can be found at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. Details: 732-842-4000, ext. 4339.
• The Monmouth County Genealogy Society will host Melissa Johnson, who will speak about “Sources and Strategies for Discovering Immigrant Origins” at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Her talk will cover immigration, naturalization and alien records. The meeting is free and open to the public. Details: 732-747-0090.
• Dr. Mike VanClef, program director and co-founder of the New Jersey Invasive Species Strike Team, will speak at the Jan. 10 meeting of the Allentown Garden Club. His topic will be “Invasive Species Impact and Identification.” VanClef has a doctorate in ecology from Rutgers and 25 years of experience in the field. The meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at the Allentown Methodist Church, Church Street. All are welcome to attend.
• CentraState Healthcare Foundation will host its 57th annual Celebration Ball, “Through the Decades,” from 6-11 p.m. Feb. 2 at South Gate Manor, Freehold. Proceeds will support the Rutgers/RWJ Family Medicine Residency Program at CentraState in the new Freehold Family Health Center. The event will honor the VNA Health Group, Special Strides and Joseph Iantosca for their commitment to CentraState Healthcare System and the entire community. The event will include a silent auction, a live auction, and the winning ticket for the “A Year of Great Taste Dining Raffle” will be pulled. Details: 732-294-7030.
• Millstone Township residents who are interested in history, heritage, research and education are invited to apply for membership on the Millstone Township Historic Preservation Commission. Interested individuals may complete a talent bank application on the township’s website or in the municipal offices.
• Millstone Township will host a free rabies clinic from 1-2 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Department of Public Works garage, 899 Perrineville Road, Millstone Township. For more information, call 732-446-7414.
• A roving naturalist program will be held at 9 a.m. Jan. 12, sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System at the Crosswicks Creek Greenway, meet in the Province Line Road parking lot in Allentown. Join a naturalist for a walk and discuss seasonal points of interest, search for signs of wildlife, and identify a bird or two. This is a 90-minute to two-hour program, but participants may join in or drop out at any point. Dress for the weather as light rain and snow are not deterrents. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• “Historic Myths Busted” will be held at Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold Township, from 1-4 p.m. Jan. 12, 13, 19 and 20, sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. Learn to sort fact from fiction, explore common historical misunderstandings and share fun facts and credible accounts about the past. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A “Wondrous Winter Walk” will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. Jan. 17 at Clayton Park, Upper Freehold Township, meet in the Emley’s Hill parking lot. Tag along with a Monmouth County Park System naturalist and explore the serenity that is nature in the wintertime. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Millstone Township Recreation invites students in grades eight through 12 to volunteer for its sports programs and special events. Young adults may complete community service hours for school, religious organizations or clubs. To see volunteer opportunities, visit www.millstonerec.org
• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Freehold Township, a new skilled rehabilitation and nursing facility serving the Jewish community, is hosting a free monthly support group called The Jewish Caregiver’s Experience. The group meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Call Avrum at 732-202-1000, ext. 4012, or email [email protected] for more information.
• The Allentown Public Library has announced that the Allentown afghans, which were created and sold by the Women’s Association of Allentown, are now available for the first time since 2008. The afghans were designed by Joanne Tourine and show nine historic structures, including the Imlay Mansion, Gov. Newell’s home, the Presbyterian Church, Abel Cafferty’s Mill house and the iconic mill and the Allentown Baptist Church that is now home to the library. The afghans are available in hunter green, cranberry and colonial blue. They are available for purchase at the library, 16 S. Main Street. All proceeds benefit the Allentown Public Library Association in support of the library building.
• 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.