• The Monmouth County Park System will host its annual Student/Instructor Show and Sale from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 3-4 at the Thompson Park Creative Arts Center, Route 520, Lincroft. This event celebrates the original artwork of the arts center’s students and instructors. Items will be available for purchase in all price ranges (cash or check only). Details: 732-842-4000.
• Nurture Environmental Stewardship Today (NEST) will hold a holiday wreath workshop at The Moth Coffee House, 42 S. Main St., Allentown, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 26. Each wreath, for a suggested $20 donation, should not take more than 30 minutes from start to finish. NEST will provide one grapevine wreath, holly twigs and pine twigs. Participants may bring ribbons, ornaments and/or bows. Details: 609) 775-7134.
• Harpist Elaine Christy will perform in concert at Christ United Methodist Church, 678 5th St., Lakewood, at 4 p.m. Dec. 3. Christy is a harp instructor at Princeton University. The concert will include jazz, traditional and seasonal music. Tickets are $15. Children under 8 are free. Details: 732-330-6292.
• A session of coloring for adults will begin at 10 a.m. Dec. 20 at the Jackson library. Rediscover the joy of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies provided, along with light refreshments and relaxing music. The program is free. Advance registration is required and registration is now open. Details: 732-928-4400.
• The Allentown Art Guild will host a show and sale from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 26-27 at 55 N. Main St., Allentown. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Allentown High School art program. Small works and jewelry will be available for purchase. All are welcome to attend.
• “Tuberculosis Preventorium for Children” will be presented by Virginia Brandl at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at the Howell Library, 318 Old Tavern Road, Howell. The Preventorium, in Howell, was the first preventative facility for children who had been exposed to tuberculosis. Brandl worked at the Preventorium as a young adult and will share her experiences. The public is invited to this free program which is co-sponsored by the Heritage Group of Howell and The Friends of the Howell Library. Light refreshments will be served.
• The Plumsted library will present a holiday concert on Dec. 14 at 5 p.m. The concert will feature Marjorie Koharski on flute and classical guitarist Keith Calmes. All are welcome to attend. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted library will present a teen craft, Snow Globes, on Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m. Participants will make a festive snow globe. Ages 12-18. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted library will present an adult crafternoon on Dec. 14 at 3:30 p.m. Turn a plain mason jar into a snow-clad candle holder. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted library will present Science Time on Dec. 20 at 10:30 a.m. Join library staff for special winter themed stories and experiments. Ages 4-6. Details: 609-758-7888. • The Plumsted library will host a Noon Year’s Eve Party on Dec. at 11:30 a.m. Dance, make crafts, make noise and count down to noon. Ages 2-5. Details: 609-758-7888.
• Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 434 Aldrich Road, Howell, will hold an indoor attic treasures flea market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 10. Free admission. Vendor space is $20 per table. Vendor forms available at church, 732-363-0732, or at www.princeofpeacehowellnj.org
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will sponsor a bird walk on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County on Dec. 10. The trip will be led by members of the Audubon Society. Anyone interested in participating can meet at 10 a.m. in the parking lot by the old Visitor Center. Participation is free. Advance registration is not required. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• Authors Kevin Karlson and Dale Rosselet will present “Birding by Impression: A Different Approach to Knowing and Identifying Birds” at the Monmouth County Audubon Society meeting at 8 p.m. Dec. 14 at the Knights of Columbus hall, 200 Fair Haven Road, Fair Haven. The public is welcome; admission is free. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• The Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a trip to the Brenda Lee Christmas Show at Caesar’s, Atlantic City, on Dec. 1. Cost of $95 includes show ticket, lunch buffet, $25 in slot play, bus transportation, beverages on the bus and gratuity for the driver. Bus leaves Jackson at 10:30 a.m. and returns at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds support Rotary Club charities. Reserve space now by calling Tom Barchie at 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• The Jackson library is collecting donations for the Jersey Shore Animal Shelter during November. Donations can be brought in during library hours. To view a “wish list” of materials the shelter needs, stop by the library or visit www.jerseyshoreanimalshelter.org
• The Monmouth County Retired Educators Association will meet at 11 a.m. Dec. 13 at the Shadowbrook, Shrewsbury. New members are welcome. Members are asked to bring a nonperishable donation for the food bank and an unwrapped book, toy or gift card for Bridges At The Shore. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue, 732-995-7754, or email sueshrott@gmail.com before Dec. 2.
• The 11th annual Jackson Hanukkah menorah lighting will take place from 4:30-6 p.m. Dec. 29 at town hall. All are invited to attend the event, which is presented by Bat Shalom Hadassah and the township. Kosher holiday refreshments at 4:30 p.m., followed by greetings and Hanukkah songs. Menorah lighting at 5 p.m. with members of Hadassah and the Yiddish Heritage Club, and community representatives lighting the menorah.
• The Adelphia Fire Company, Howell, will present Breakfast with Santa from 8 a.m. to noon Dec. 4 at the firehouse, 925 Adelphia Road (Route 524), Howell. All are invited for all you can eat pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, orange juice, coffee, tea and cocoa. Adults, $8, children, $6.
• A Christmas artisan and craft fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 3 at the New Egypt United Methodist Church, Atkinson Hall, 38 N. Main St., New Egypt. Free admission. All welcome to attend. Featuring local artists, crafters, vendors and baked goods. Lunch available. Visit from Santa from 10-11 a.m. To reserve a space, email Dottie Johns at pastordot@hotmail.com
• New Jersey United Christian Academy, 73 Holmes Mill Road, Cream Ridge, will host a challenging Gobble Gobble 3-mile mud run on its 43-acre campus at 9 a.m. Nov. 26. The cost is $30 and pre-registration information can be sent to tcostello@njuca.org. Details: 609-738-2121.
• A knitting group meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Sabbath House, 8 Front St., New Egypt. Members are knitting and crocheting scarves for the Seaman’s Church Institute in Newark. Patterns, yarn and help is available.
• St. Aloysius Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, offers support groups to help people better understand their feelings and to meet others who are dealing with the same life issues. A bereavement support group meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. and a divorced and separated support group meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. Both meetings are held in the parish office. A freewill donation of $5 is requested. Details: Email StAloysiusGonzagaGroup@gmail.com.
• The Jackson Township Municipal Utilities Authority will hold its public meetings at 5:30 p.m. in its administrative offices at 135 Manhattan St., Jackson, on the following dates in 2016: Dec. 15; and on the following dates in 2017: Jan. 26 and Feb. 2 (reorganization).
• The Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support Group for caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s or dementia will meet at 10 a.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details: 1-800-272-3900 or www.alz.org/nj
Items for the Datebook may be sent to gmntnews@gmnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
