• Emile De Vito of the New Jersey Conservation Foundation will present “Restoring Ecological Relationships Within New Jersey’s Forested Ecosystems” at the Monmouth County Audubon Society meeting at 8 p.m. Feb. 8 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 Audubon Society will host a bird walk on Sandy Hook in northern Monmouth County on Feb. 11. The trip will be led by accomplished birders who are familiar with Sandy Hook and its birds. All are welcome; no cost to participate. Meet at 10 a.m. in parking lot near the Visitor Center (which is closed). Dress appropriately for cold temperatures and windy conditions. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• On Jan. 29 at 1:30 p.m., the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will present Make Your Own Bagels, a bagel-making demonstration and hands-on bagel making program for children (with an adult) age 4 and up. The fee is $5 per child. Participants will learn about the history of bagel making from Dean Ross, owner of Hole in One Bagel, Neptune. To make a reservation, call 732-252-6990 or visit www.jhmomc.org
• The Claudio Roditi Quartet will present a jazz concert at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, at 2 p.m. Jan. 22. Doors for the program will open at 12:30 p.m. and seating is on a first come, first served basis with no reservations available. Roditi is best known for his trumpet and flugelhorn, and for his warm, fluid sound which also combines post-bop and Brazilian elements.
• The Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold and the Sunrise Optimist Foundation will present “A Night of Comedy” at 8 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Freehold Township Senior Center, 116 Jackson Mills Road, Freehold Township. Doors open at 7 p.m. The headliner will be Tom Daddario, with John Clark and emcee Bobby Gaines. Tickets are $25 per person and may be purchased at the door. Coffee and dessert are included. Attendees may bring their own beverages and snacks. Proceeds will benefit programs sponsored by the Optimist Club.
• 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 Shrewsbury Chorale, directed by Neil Brown, will host an open rehearsal on 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.
• Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, will host a “Throwback Dance Night” from 7:30-11 p.m. Jan. 21. There will be music and dancing with hits from Motown to Madonna, Jackson 5 to Journey, plus trivia games and prizes. Guests are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to be donated to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. The cost is $25 at the door. To sign up, visit www.eighties.trt.org. Details: 732-308-0055.
• The Colts Neck Reformed Church, 139 Route 537, Colts Neck, will host a blood drive for the Central Jersey Blood Center from 3-8 p.m. Jan. 25 in the church’s Fellowship Hall, upstairs in the brick community center. Call the church, 732-462-4555, during the week to select a time to donate blood.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome. There are sit and stitch tables at each meeting, as well as special projects. Day stitchers will meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 19 at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchants Way. Details: 732-462-5540 or www.mcega.org
• The Marlboro Jewish Center will sponsor an Israel Adventure for Women from June 25 through July 6, 2017. The tour will visit traditional and off-the-beaten-path sites, and include Shabbat in Jerusalem and a stop in Tel Aviv. The itinerary includes talks with Israeli women who will bring their experiences and passions to life. Details: bethbankscohn@gmail.com
• A new cancer support group will meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Monmouth Worship Center, 37 Vanderburg Road, Marlboro. A prayer group will meet at 8:30 p.m. Details: 732-332-9600.
• Abraham Lincoln High School, Brooklyn, N.Y., Class of 1967 will reunite at 6 p.m. April 23, 2017 at Gargiulo’s Restaurant, Coney Island. Details: dlouie@davidjlouiec.com or 917-363-2500 or David Coleman at 732-547-2340.
• The Essential Tremor Support Group meets from 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month (Feb. 2) at the Jack Aaronson Conference Center at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Details: 732-462-8304, after 10 a.m.
• The Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance will meet in the spiritual center of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, 1 Phalanx Road, Colts Neck, from 7:30-9 p.m. every Thursday. Details: 732-536-5826 or 732-320-0029.
Items for the Datebook may be sent via email to gmntnews@gmnews.com. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
