• The Ashley Lauren Foundation will host its sixth annual Butterfly Ball on Feb. 25 at the Ocean Place Resort and Spa in Long Branch. The theme will be “Dancing For Our Stars.” The goal of the Ashley Lauren Foundation is to ease the journey when pediatric cancer is diagnosed by providing direct financial assistance, material assistance, emotional support and more. Details: www.ashleylaurenfoundation.org or 732-414-1625.
• 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.
• The Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, will host a session of Babies at Play (ages newborn to 18 months) at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 10. Music, rhymes, stories. Caregiver must accompany child. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, will host an artists’ workshop (adults) at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 12. Participants may work on knitting, crocheting, quilting projects, or other forms of art. Chat and share ideas. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, will host a sock snowmen craft for children age 4 and up at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 14. All materials for the craft will be provided by the library. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, will present the documentary “Gellman American Dream” at 6 p.m. Jan. 16. Gary Gellman will discuss how to create family archives. The program is for adults. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, will host Brain Games (adults) at 11:15 a.m. Jan. 17. Participants will have fun exercising their brain. All materials provided by the library. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, will host a session of Lego Club (ages 5-11) at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 20. Lego bricks are supplied by the library. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, will host a session of Storytime and Sensory Play (ages 3-5) at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 24. There will be stories and “snow.” Dress to make a mess. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, will host an artists’ workshop (adults) at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 26. Participants may work on knitting, crocheting, quilting projects, or other forms of art. Chat and share ideas. Details: 609-758-7888.
• The Plumsted Library, Evergreen Road, will host a Teen Anime Club (grades 7-12) from 6-7:30 p.m. Jan. 30. Individuals who like anime, manga or Japanese culture are invited to join the Anime Club. Details: 609-758-7888.
• An Introduction to Tai Chi with Kit Lau will be presented at 9:30 a.m. Jan. 18 at the Jackson Library. The program is for adults. Tai Chi is an exercise that originated from Chinese martial arts and is now practiced as a health-enhancing exercise. Participants will learn how to increase flexibility, improve balance and enhance physical and mental health. No equipment is necessary, wear comfortable clothing. To register for this free program, call 732-928-4400 (option 4).
• 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.
• The Howell K-8 School District kindergarten registration process for children who will be 5 years old on or before Oct. 1, 2017, is underway online. Parents may complete the online pre-registration from any computer/device with Internet access. Parents will then be asked to select an appointment time for an in-person verification session. Further details for the registration process can be found at https://www.howell.k12.nj.us/k-reg
• A program about the Art of Meditation: For Beginners (adults) will be presented at 10 a.m. Jan. 17 at the Jackson library. Learn about different techniques of meditation. Various meditation exercises will be practiced. Wear comfortable clothes, socks required. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• 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 Italian American Cultural Society of New Jersey invites members of the public to its January dinner meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 12 at L’Antica Trattoria, 184 Route 9 North, Marlboro. The guest speaker will be Robert DiBiase, chairman of the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission. The cost is $35 per person for members and $45 for non-members (BYOB). Cash is preferred, no credit cards. To reserve seating, call Anthony Grassi at 917-743-3311 or Richard Favara at 732-861-9465.
• The Shrewsbury Chorale, directed by Neil Brown, will host open rehearsals on Jan. 17 and Jan. 24 from 7:45-10 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, 1475 West Front St., Lincroft. Former and new singers are invited to learn about the chorale as its members prepare for two 60th anniversary concerts this spring. Scores provided. Events are free. Details: 732-747-1362 or www.shrewsburychorale.org. To audition, call 732-216-3907.
• Rabies vaccinations for cats and dogs will be provided on the following dates: Jan. 14, 9-11 a.m., North Hanover Township, 41 Schoolhouse Road, Jacobstown, 609-758-2522; Jan. 14, 2-4 p.m., Upper Freehold Township garage, 314 Route 539, Upper Freehold Township, 609-758-7738; Jan. 21, 10 a.m. to noon, New Hanover Township, public works, Hockamick Road, Cookstown, 609-758-7149. Residents of all towns may bring an animal to any rabies clinic.
• 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to gmntnews@gmnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
