• The Jewish Home for Rehabilitation and Nursing, Freehold Township, a new skilled rehabilitation and nursing facility serving the Jewish community, is hosting a free monthly support group called The Jewish Caregiver’s Experience. The group will meet at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month, starting Nov. 27. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Call Avrum at 732-202-1000, ext. 4012, or email aglassoff@jewishhomefreehold.org for more information.
• New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Christine McCabe will discuss the DEP’s accomplishment during the first year of Gov. Phil Murphy’s administration and outline her future plans for the department during a presentation at 6 p.m. Nov. 26 at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, in the Warner Student Life Center, Twin Lights Rooms I and II (first level). The presentation is sponsored by Brookdale Community College and the Sierra Group. McCabe’s presentation is open to the public.
• The Freehold Borough Arts Council invites area artists and crafters to participate in its sixth annual Freehold Borough Arts and Crafts Show to be held on Dec. 1 at the Park Avenue Elementary School from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Registration is on a first come, first served basis. Reserve a space by sending a $35 check made out to FBAC, c/o Lynn Reich, 6 Hance Blvd. Freehold, NJ 07728. Registration fee includes one lunch. Details: Lynn Reich, 732-230-7494.
• The Jackson Liberty High School Lion band’s sixth annual vendor and craft fair will be held at the high school, 125 North Hope Chapel Road, Jackson, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 2. All are invited to attend the event. Free admission, free parking. More than 100 vendors and crafters. Refreshments. Details: vendorfair4libertylionband@gmail.com
• Bartley Healthcare, Jackson, will host a vendor shopping bazaar from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Nov. 15. The event will take place in the main dining room of Bartley Healthcare. To become a vendor, call 732-370-4700 and ask for Ida Tomaselli.
• A meeting of the Monmouth County Retired Teachers Association will be held at 11 a.m. Dec. 11 at Shadowbrook, 1 Obre Place, Shrewsbury. Members are asked to bring non-perishable donations for the food bank and an unwrapped new book, toy or gift card for Bridges At The Shore. For luncheon reservations, contact Sue at 732 995-7754 or email sueshrott@gmail.com before Nov. 30. New members are always welcome.
• The Jackson Library will screen the “Ultimate Australia” episode of the travel docuseries “Globe Trekker” at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 13. This screening is part of the library’s “Armchair Traveling” series of programs. This film is available through the Ocean County Library database Access Video On Demand. Registration is required for this free program. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will host “Stress Relief Using Essential Oils” at 7 p.m. Dec. 5. Lauren Gitlin of Legitoils will show attendees how to mitigate stress using essential oils in a daily routine. Registration is required for this free program. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Library will host the following programs: “Brain Joggers” at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 26. Exercise your mind by playing games and working puzzles; “All About Autism Discussion and Support Group” at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28. Explore the ways in which autism affects people’s lives in a group setting. Registration is required for these free programs. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The HOPE One mobile outreach unit will visit Howell from 3:30-6:30 p.m. Nov. 20 in the Walmart parking lot, 4900 Route 9 South. HOPE One offers mobile treatment and recovery support in Monmouth County municipalities in an effort to save lives from drug overdoses and combat the opioid epidemic, bringing with it a peer recovery specialist, a licensed clinician, and a sheriff’s officer to help connect individuals and concerned loved ones with treatment and recovery options and resources, as well as Naloxone training.
• The Heart of New Jersey Chorus presents “Jukebox Jingles” with special guests The Trentones at 2 p.m. Dec. 9 at the Millstone Township Primary School, 18 Schoolhouse Road, Millstone Township. Call for tickets, 732-474-8529, or online at https://honj.org/node/1659
• Bat Shalom Hadassah will celebrate the 13th annual lighting of the Jackson Hanukkah menorah from 4:30-6 p.m. Dec. 5. All community members are welcome to attend the event. There will be kosher holiday refreshments, greetings from local officials and Hanukkah songs. Details: 732-833-0799.
• The Jackson Library will host “How to Launch a Small Business” at 6 p.m. Nov. 28. Glenn Harris of Ocean County SCORE will talk about skills that are critical to launch a business, including a financial plan, a marketing plan and a business plan. Registration is required for this free program. To register, call 732-928-4400.
• The Jackson Rotary Club will sponsor a bus trip to the Tropicana Casino, Atlantic City, for the Christmas show on Dec. 3. Cost of the trip is $57 (includes transportation, show ticket, luncheon buffet, $15 in slot play and gratuity for the driver). Bus will leave from Brookwood Plaza at 10:30 a.m. and return at 7:45 p.m. Proceeds benefit Rotary Club charities. Space is limited. Details: Tom Barchie, 732-207-4029 or 732-849-6309.
• Ocean County veterans meet monthly to discuss relevant subjects and to plan recreation opportunities. Topics include the transition to civilian life, the VA system, substance use, PTSD/other mental health issues and more. The group meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month at Journey to Wellness Center, 25 S. Shore Drive, Toms River. Details: 732-244-0940 or email johnny@re-calibrate.us
• The Jackson Library’s knitting group, Knit-Chat-Chain, is seeking donations of yarn and wool. The members of the group create sweaters, hats, scarves and blankets to donate to charity. Yarn donations may be brought to the Circulation Desk during library hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 732-928-4400.
• 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.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to news@thetritownnews.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
