- Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 434 Aldrich Road, Howell, will host the Nocturnes, recreating the swinging jazz sound of the Big Band era at 3 p.m. Dec. 4. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets: $10 suggested donation. Details: 732-363-0732.
- The Christians Friends Forever fellowship group will present a living Nativity on Dec. 10 at the Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 Bennetts Mills Rd, Jackson. Free soups and bread will be served at 6 p.m. and the living Nativity will start at 7 p.m., with dessert to follow. Donations for the food pantry would be appreciated. The Christians Friends Forever is a special needs adult fellowship that meets at the church the first and second Mondays of each month at 7 p.m.
• Plumsted Township will hold its annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at the municipal building, 121 Evergreen Road. The New Egypt Volunteer Fire Company will transport Santa Claus to his stop in the community. Photos with Santa will be available at no charge. Non-perishable food items for the Plumsted Business Merchants Association’s food drive will be collected. The Plumsted Townshp Council for the Arts will host a gingerbread contest from 6:30-8 p.m.immediately following the tree lighting ceremony. For information about how to obtain an entry form, e-mail Rebecca Nowalski at d4nova@gmail.com
• The Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, will show the documentary “Screenagers” at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 12. “Screenagers” explores the vulnerable corners of family life, social media, video game and Internet addiction. “Screenagers” reveals insights concerning the amount of time young people and adults spend on their devices. It provides parents with solutions about how young people can be empowered to best navigate the digital world. A discussion will follow the screening. The program is free, but registration is required. Details: 609-758-7888.
• A Red Cross blood drive will be held at the Jackson Library from 2-7 p.m. Dec. 28. Anyone who is at least 17 years old, weighs a minimum of 110 pounds and is in generally good health can donate blood. The entire process takes about an hour and all blood types are needed. Donors should bring a photo ID. Visit www.redcross.org to schedule an appointment to donate blood. Walk-ins are also welcome.
• A hands-on tour of the New Jersey Career Connections website will be presented at the Jackson Library from 2-4 p.m. Jan. 10. Topics include personal budgeting, filing for unemployment, drafting cover letters and resumes, completing online applications, interviewing, and more. Participants may bring their resume to work on. Registration is required. Details: 732-928-4400.
• 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.
• 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.
• “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.
• 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 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
• 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.
