• Dan Nichols, a performer and composer of modern Jewish music, will appear at a Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, “Rock Shabbat” fundraising concert at 5 p.m. March 5. Concert-goers should come ready to sing, hum and clap their hands. Tickets are $18 for adults and $5 for children under 18. Children 5 and under are free. For tickets, visit concert.trt.org or call 732-308-0055.
• The YMCA of Western Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will host a pickleball tournament on March 16. The event is open to the community. Categories include men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Entry is $30 per team or $15 per individual. Proceeds will benefit the YCares financial assistance program. Details: Ken Cardullo, 732-727-0704, ext. 305.
• The 10th annual All Services Drill Team Competition sponsored by the Colts Neck High School Naval Junior ROTC will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 18 at the high school, 59 Five Points Road, Colts Neck. Students from schools in Massachusetts, New Jersey and Pennsylvania will compete. The public is welcome to attend. Free admission. Gift auction, refreshments, awards ceremony.
• Temple Rodeph Torah, Marlboro, will host two reservists from the Israeli Army who will speak during the synagogue’s Friday night service at 7 p.m. Feb. 17. The service is free and open to the public. Details: 732-308-0055.
• The spring sessions of “Dancing by the Peddie Lake with Candace Woodward-Clough,” offering instruction in swing, foxtrot, waltz and Latin dancing, will be held at 112 Etra Road, Hightstown. Classes begin March 2 and March 24 for four weeks. Classes start at 7:30 p.m. Register by calling 732-995-4284. The cost is $60 per person for the four-week session.
• The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, Freehold Township, will offer “Make Your Own Purim Grogger” for children ages 4-6 (accompanied by an adult) and ages 7-15 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. March 5. Admission is $10 per child (includes materials). To reserve a space, call 732-252-6990.
• The Monmouth County Audubon Society will sponsor an evening field trip to Big Brook Park, Route 520, Marlboro, in search of the American Woodcock on March 11. Participation is free. The group will meet at 5:30 pm in the parking lot of the park. The trip is open to members and non-members of the Audubon Society. Advance registration is not required. Details: http://www.monmouthaudubon.org
• Center Players will sponsor a professional voiceover workshop from 1-4 p.m. Feb. 18 at Center Playhouse, 35 South St., Freehold. Teens and adults will be instructed by Bryant Falk, a corporate producer, director and professional voiceover commercial coach and his technical team from Abacus Entertainment, New York. The fee is $40. Details: 732-333-0452.
• Freehold Borough will hold a free rabies vaccination clinic for cats and dogs from 10-11 a.m. Feb. 25 at the Freehold Fire Department annex, 49 W. Main St. The clinic is open to residents of all towns. Cats and dogs must be at least 3 months old to receive a vaccination. Dogs must be leashed and cats contained. No paperwork required. Details: 732-462-7057.
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome. Evening stitchers will meet on April 3 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Driver. Day stitchers will meet on April 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchants Way. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540 or www.mcega.org
• Embroiderers’ Guild of America-Monmouth Chapter is dedicated to teaching and sharing the joys of needlework. Stitchers of all levels are welcome. Evening stitchers will meet on March 6 from 7-9 p.m. at the Colts Neck Library, 1 Winthrop Drive. Day stitchers will meet on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Colts Neck Community Church, 25 Merchants Way. Details: Toni, 732-462-5540 or www.mcega.org
• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host Carnevale from 2-6 p.m. Feb. 26 at the Reception Center at St. Clement, Route 79, Matawan. Admission: $20 for children (4-10) and $40 for adults. Price for the family celebration will include buffet luncheon (cash bar available), face painting, balloon art, characters and puppet show, singing and traditional Italian music and dancing. Guests are encouraged to wear a costume. Masks will be distributed to adults and children will make their own. There will be an auction table and a 50-50 drawing. RSVP by Feb. 20. Details: Cheryl, 732-536-5832.
• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will sponsor a trip to visit Arthur Avenue (Little Italy in the Bronx) on April 8. Bus leaves Freehold Township at 9 a.m., returns at 5 p.m. All members and their immediate families are invited to attend. Cost is $30 for adults and children. RSVP by March 20. Details: Cheryl, 732-536-5832.
• Freehold Elks Lodge No. 1454 will host an “All You Can Eat, Cooked to Order Breakfast” on Feb. 19 at the lodge, 73 E. Main St., Freehold, from 9 a.m. to noon. Last seating is 11:30 a.m. Admission: $8 for adults, $5 for children under 12. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-431-8707.
• The Monmouth Community Climate Coalition will host a free viewing of the movie “Before the Flood” by Leonardo DeCaprio on Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. at the Holmdel Community Church, 40 Main St. (Route 520), Holmdel. Following the film, climate scientist Jan Dash will speak and take questions. Refreshments will be served. Details: www.monmouthclimate.org
• A Freehold Memorial Day Parade fundraiser night will be held at the Fireside Grill and Bar, 133 S. Main St. (Route 79), Marlboro, from 4-9 p.m. Feb. 21. The business will donate 15 percent of a guest’s pre-tax food bill to the parade. Visit www.freeholdmemorialdayparade.com for a flier.
• A gift basket auction to benefit the Manalapan High School Music Department will be held at the high school on Feb. 24. Doors open at 6 p.m. Drawing starts at 7 p.m. Tickets: $15 per person, includes one sheet of bronze level tickets, and coffee, tea, water and dessert (bring your own food; no alcohol). There will be multiple tiers with more than 200 baskets. Register in advance. Find form at http://bit.ly/2i50UsB or email mhsbandgiftauction@gmail.
• The Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold will host its annual Kylie Pinheiro Memorial Hot Shot Basketball Tournament on Feb. 26 at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County, 470 East Freehold Road, Freehold Township. The event, open to girls and boys from grades 4-9, will start at noon for girls of all grade levels, at 1 p.m. for boys grades 4 and 5, at 1:45 p.m. for boys grades 6 and 7, and at 2:45 p.m. for boys grades 8 and 9. The fee is $5 per entrant. The deadline to register is Feb. 24. Details: Scott, 732-754-8865.
• The American Association of University Women Freehold Branch is accepting book donations for its 2017 used book sale. With the exception of Reader’s Digest condensed books and textbooks, all books in good condition are appreciated. Books may be dropped off only between 10 a.m. and noon on Tuesdays at the Freehold Savings Bank, 65 W. Main St., Freehold, or call Joan at 732-431-2297 for drop-off instructions.
• The Reformed Church of Freehold, 67 W. Main St., Freehold, will host a roast beef dinner that is open to the community from 4-7 p.m. March 4. Full course dinner served family style. Tickets are $18 for adults and $6 for children ages 6-12. Take-out dinners will be available. Tickets will be available at the door or by calling the church office at 732-462-1717.
• Is There Morality Only When There Are Witnesses? a talk by Rabbi Brooks Susman will be presented at 2 p.m. March 19 at the Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County, 310 Mount’s Corner Drive, Freehold Township. Admission: $8 for museum members and $10 for non-members. Reservations (non-refundable) are recommended. Details: 732-252-6990.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will hold a regular action meeting at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 21 at 54 Main St., Englishtown. The meeting is open to the public.
• The Essential Tremor Support Group meets from 7-9 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month (March 2) at the Jack Aaronson Conference Center at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Details: 732-462-8304, after 10 a.m.
• 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.
• Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, will host a free PJ Library Character Breakfast and Pajama Party for children of all ages on Feb. 26 from 10-11:15 a.m. This program is free and open to the public. The children will play games with the Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig, Lego Batman and more. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas. RSVP required to Linda@schechtergmc.com or 732-431-5525.
• 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 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 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.
