• Citizens for Informed Land Use, in conjunction with Holmdel’s Green Team, will host a Zoom talk about New Jersey’s Plastic Pollution Reduction Act on Feb. 15 at 7:30 p.m. Nandini Checko, project director at the Association of New Jersey Environmental Commissions, will explain components of the nation’s strictest single-use plastics law which will take effect in May 2022. The event is free and open to the public. Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_IewZO85jRMGU-qTWTf0hHQ to register. The talk will also be live-streamed and recorded on CILU’s YouTube channel (search CILU Holmdel). Details: Email [email protected]
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Stargazing and Nighttime Walk from 7-8 p.m. Feb. 6 at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen Township. Explore the night sky and the natural world during this evening walk. Discover some of the wildlife that call the park home during the winter, and find out what animals might do to survive the coldest season of the year. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Winter Nature Walk in the Woods from 1-2 p.m. Feb. 7 at Freneau Woods Park, Aberdeen Township. Join the park system on a winter nature walk through the woods. Wear boots and suitable clothing for walking outside. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host The Casual Birder on Feb. 9 at 9 a.m. at Dorbrook Recreation Area, Colts Neck, meet in the soccer field parking area; and on Feb. 23 at 9 a.m. at Crosswicks Creek Park, meet in the Province Line Road parking area in Allentown (Upper Freehold Township). Join a park system naturalist for a laid-back morning bird walk. The event will take place in light rain or snow, so dress for the weather. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Wondrous Winter Walk on Feb. 10 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Clayton Park, Upper Freehold Township, and on Feb. 24 from 10-11:30 a.m. at Big Brook Park, Marlboro, meet in the parking lot. Join a park system naturalist and explore a park in wintertime. Open to all ages; under 18 with adult. Sturdy footwear is recommended; trails may have inclines or tree roots to step over. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will present Cutting, Splitting and Hewing on Feb. 13 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel. See the farm staff prepare firewood and learn about the tools they use. Open to adults. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Monmouth County Park System will host a Winter Beach Walk on Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Fisherman’s Cove Conservation Area, Manasquan. Take a guided walk with a park system naturalist along the beach while collecting and identifying some of the ocean’s natural treasures. Dress in warm clothing and bring something to carry shells. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold regular action meetings on the following dates at the Manalapan Englishtown Middle School, 155 Millhurst Road, Manalapan: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16. The meetings are open to the public. Social distancing protocols to be followed.
• Join N.J. Health Care Networking Group for a Feb. 10 Zoom meeting from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The networking group is a free organization for anyone in the health care industry, including those who provide ancillary products and services. Harmony Village at CareOne Jackson is hosting the Feb. 10 meeting. To register, email [email protected] to receive the Zoom code to join the meeting. For more information, visit www.njhcnet.com. Meetings take place once a month.
• “Relationships During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” a Zoom Talk by Dr. Jay Levin, will be presented by the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township. at 2 p.m. Feb. 21. Admission is $7 for museum members and $10 for non-members. For reservations, ca;; 732-252-6990. A Zoom link will be provided by email upon registration.
• Dove Hospice Services of New Jersey is seeking volunteers to provide support to hospice patients and their families throughout Monmouth County. Volunteers visit with patients in their home, which can also be nursing facilities and/or assisted living facilities, at least once a week. Visits can also be virtual and are during the day or early evening. Details: Deborah Adams, 732-405-3035, or email [email protected]
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America – Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. The organization welcomes stitchers of all levels. Evening stitchers will meet via Zoom on the first Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Day stitchers will meet via Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540, or visit website:www.mcega.org
• The Monmouth County Library is offering a weekly virtual bereavement meeting for all
those who have lost a loved one and are navigating the maze of emotions and trying to make decisions in a new way. The virtual meetings provide an opportunity for people to share experiences, feelings and ideas. Sessions are conducted on Webex and registration is possible on Eventkeeper in order to receive information on how to access the meetings, held Wednesdays at 6:45 p.m. Details: Email [email protected]
• Residents struggling with substance use issues may call 1-844-ReachNJ to speak with counselors ready to offer assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ReachNJ is a free, confidential hotline that provides individuals with concerns about their own or a family member’s substance use immediate help and treatment referrals. The help line is always answered by a live specialist.
• CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, offers a Movement Disorder Program that provides specialized treatment to patients with Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, tics, tremors, ataxia, dystonia and other similar syndromes. The program is held in the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus. To request a consultation to help manage Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders, call 732-637-6316 or email [email protected]
• Samaritan Center, a joint ministry of St. Thomas More and Old Tennent Presbyterian churches, operates a food pantry to provide supplementary food for those in need in Manalapan, Marlboro, Englishtown and Millstone Township. For information, call 732-446-1142 and make an appointment. Volunteers will gladly carry food to a client’s vehicle. Donations of funds and food are gratefully accepted to support the operation of the center. Volunteers are always welcome.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to [email protected]. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.