• Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township, will host a Bridal Expo from 7-9:30 p.m. May 8. Admission to the expo is free. There will be live entertainment, a fashion show, door prizes, food, cake tasting and 25 specialty wedding vendors. Details and registration: https://www.elegantbridal.com/bridalshow/1794/
• New Jersey Blood Services will host a blood drive from 2-8 p.m. May 23 at the Howell Elks, 84 Ramtown‑Greenville Road, Howell. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call toll free, 1-800-933-2566, or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• All branches of the Ocean County Library will be closed May 26-27 in observance of Memorial Day. All branches will reopen at regular hours May 28. Beginning June 2, all branches of the Ocean County Library will be closed on Sunday. Beginning Sept, 8, Sunday hours will resume. The library’s online resources (databases, ebooks, emagazines and online classes) are available through theoceancountylibrary.org
• DowntownFreehold.com has announced its 2019 Thursdays Rock concert lineup. The free concerts take place at the Monmouth County Hall of Records Plaza from 7:30-9:30 p.m. All ages welcome. The bands are: June 6, Moroccan Sheepherders; June 13, The Snakes; June 20, Mission Dance; June 27, Motor City Revue; July 4, Eddie Testa Band with special guest; July 11, Rockit Fish; July 18, Soul Project NOLO; July 25, The Springsteen Experience; Aug. 1, Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer Band; Aug. 8, Joe Baracata Band; Aug. 15, Stephen Martines; and Aug. 22, Full Throttle. Details: DowntownFreehold.com
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host a job fair from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 11. Individuals who are looking for a job can connect with employers and businesses from diverse industries. Employment opportunities include office and administration, retail, healthcare and more. Registration is required for this free event. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• Tickets are available for the Ms. New Jersey Senior America Pageant 2019 to be held at 1 p.m. June 5 at Harrahs Resort Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City. The 12 contestants will be judged in four categories: Evening Gown; Philosophy of Life; Talent; and Private Judges Interview. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased in advance by calling 908-216-8534 or 609-412-4980, or at the box office, which opens at noon June 5. The pageant is rated general and is for senior citizens, but can also be enjoyed by the entire family. The winner will compete in the Ms. Senior America Pageant 2019 in October. Details: www.newjerseysenioramerica.org or www.senioramerica.org
• The Jackson Library will host various programs during May: “Brain Joggers” at 10:30 a.m. May 13. Exercise your mind by playing games and working puzzles; “Armchair Traveling Series: Philippines” at 10:30 a.m. May 16. Explore the world without leaving the library. This documentary will take participants through the Philippines; “Chinese Chicken Corn Soup: Cooking Demonstration” at 3 p.m. May 17. Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month by making and tasting Chinese chicken corn soup. Please alert library staff of any food allergies when registering; “Jackson Police: A Look Back” at 2 p.m. May 18. Celebrate National Police Week with local author and retired Deputy Chief of Police, Major Borden Applegate, who will present his latest publication, “Jackson Police: A Look Back,” a historical account about the Jackson Police; “Evening Film” at 6 p.m. May 20. Watch a movie on the big screen; no admission fee. Call the branch or visit the website for film information; “Coloring for Adults: Asian Pacific Art” at 10 a.m. May 21. Rediscover the joy of coloring, celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month, and explore art from Asian Pacific cultures. Coloring sheets and art supplies will be provided; “Mindfulness Meditation: On Finding Yourself” at 3 p.m. May 24. This program is open to novice and advanced practitioners. Comfortable clothes required. Registration is required for these free programs; call 732-928-4400.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Educators will be held at 11 a.m. June 11 at the Spring Lake Manor, Spring Lake. The group’s annual philanthropic award will be presented. The retired educators are collecting backpacks and school supplies for Bridges At The Shore for distribution prior to the upcoming school year, as well as non-perishable donations to the food bank. New members are welcome. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732-995-7754 or email [email protected] before May 24.
• The Jackson Library will host “Website Design Tips for Your Business” at 6:30 p.m. May 22. Internet marketing specialist Maureen Rushalski will review design techniques and tips to take a website from ho-hum to a lead generating business builder. This program is presented in partnership with SCORE of Ocean County. Registration is required for this free program; call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host an exhibit titled “Chromosome” in honor of National DNA Day. The exhibit will be open to the public from April 25 through May 25 in the meeting room. The exhibit will feature paintings by local artist Meg Ruisch, based on the results of her DNA testing. The meeting room may be closed at certain times. Call 732-928-4400 to ensure access to the room.
• “Your Show of Shows, Part II,” a look at the 1950-54 live variety television show starring Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca, will be presented by Barry Jacobsen at 2 p.m. May 19 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Cost is $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-252-6990.
• Members of the 1994 New York Rangers Stanley Cup championship team – Mark Messier, Brian Leetch, Adam Graves and Mike Richter – will appear at the Event Center at iPlay America, Freehold Township, on June 30. All ticket holders will have access to a Q&A experience with the former players. Doors open at 2:00 p.m. and the Q&A will start at 3 p.m. Various packages are available for purchase at https://www.iplayamerica.com/core4
• The seventh annual Chhange Golf Classic will be held on June 11 at Forsgate Country Club, Monroe Township. Chhange is the Center for Holocaust, Human Rights and Genocide Education at Brookdale Community College. Cost to participate is $300 (individual) or $1,110 (foursome). Sponsorship opportunities are available. The event is co-chaired by Mike Yellin and Lloyd Stone. Non-playing volunteers are needed to help run the event. Details: Email [email protected] or the [email protected] or call Chhange at 732-224-1889.
• Rutgers Master Gardeners of Monmouth County will host their Spring Garden Days Plant Sale from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 17 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 18 (rain or shine) at the Rutgers Cooperative Extension Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township. Cash or check only (no credit cards). There will be plants available for purchase, gardening presentations, garden tours, and a gardening Q&A with Master Gardeners. Details: 732-303-7614.
• Monmouth County will hold a paper shredding event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 18 the Memorial/Adelphia schools, 485 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell. County residents may bring up to 100 pounds of documents to be shredded. Details: See the recycling section of the county website at www.VisitMonmouth.com or call 732-683-8686, ext. 6721.
• The Friends of the Howell Municipal Alliance meets on the first Monday of each quarter at 7 p.m. at the Echo Lake Pavilion, Howell. Attendees may share their ideas and perspective in an informal environment to enrich the community’s commitment to substance abuse prevention. No membership is necessary. Details: 732-938-4500, ext. 4012.
• The Jackson Library will host “Knit-Chat-Chain Volunteers” on Mondays. Guests are welcome to join fellow hook and needle enthusiasts and create items to donate to charitable organizations, and to work on their own projects. Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels are welcome. Yarn will be provided. Meeting times alternate between 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call 732-928-4400, check the monthly brochure, or visit theoceancountylibrary.org/events for specific dates and times.
• John P. Stevens High School, Edison, Class of 1969 will hold its 50-year reunion on Aug. 10 at Galloping Hills Caterers, Union. Cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m., dinner from 7-11 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. Payment and RSVP to Donna Ciccone, 9 Anita Ave., Edison, NJ 08820. Details: Debbie DeMauro Bava, email [email protected]
• The Jackson group of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Ocean County, will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. each Wednesday at the Brighter Days Community Wellness Center, 268 Bennett’s Mills Road, Jackson. DBSA is dedicated to helping those who suffer from depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Supportive family members or friends of people who suffer from mental health difficulties are also welcome to attend. No registration, dues or fees are necessary. Details: Maureen, 732-536-5826, or [email protected]
• Ocean County veterans meet monthly to discuss relevant subjects and to plan recreation opportunities. Topics include the transition to civilian life, the VA system, substance use, PTSD/other mental health issues and more. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at Journey to Wellness Center, 25 S. Shore Drive, Toms River. Details: 732-244-0940 or 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.