• A holiday bake sale will take place at AMF Strathmore Bowling Lanes, Route 34, Aberdeen Township, from 7-10 p.m. Dec. 14, 1-8 p.m. Dec. 15 and noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 16. All are welcome to attend. Proceeds will assist a 4-year-old girl who has a medulloblastoma brain tumor; the Kortney Rose Foundation, which funds research for pediatric brain tumors; and the Jamie Levy Memorial Scholarship for Volunteerism and Community Service.
• Companion Animal Rescue and Education will hold a puppy adoption event at Petco, 95 Route 9 South, Marlboro (Whole Foods) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 15. For more information and updates, or to see available puppies, visit www.carenj.com
• “Lights and Carols for a ‘Claus” will be held on the front lawn of 43 Heather Drive (off Wickatunk Road), Manalapan, at 7 p.m. Dec. 16. This is a free event. Donations are encouraged to support CentraState Medical Center’s pediatric services and Special Strides. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present for photos. Entertainment by the Rock N Roll Chorus and students from Howell High School’s Rebel Yell, Reverb A Capella and Rebelation. All are invited to attend. Details: 732-294-7030.
• The National Council of Jewish Women will hold a general membership meeting at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Road, Manalapan, from noon to 2 p.m. Dec. 19. Caryn Alter, registered dietician and nutrition instructor at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, will speak about how people can eat healthy. The public is invited and light refreshments will be served.
• Seniors at Mattison Crossing, 93 Manalapan Ave., Freehold Borough, will host a holiday open house and pet food drive to benefit the Monmouth County SPCA. The dog-friendly event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 16 will include refreshments, raffles, vendors selling holiday gifts, free gift wrapping and more. All community members are invited to donate pet food for local homeless pets. Details: dsm@mattisoncrossing.com
• The First Baptist Church of Freehold, 81 W. Main St., Freehold, will hold “Longest Night” at 7 p.m. Dec. 21. There will be a service of lessons and songs, moving attendees from the dark to the light. Details: 732-462-1105.
• New Jersey Blood Services will conduct a blood drive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 30 at Dunkin Donuts, 285 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan. All blood types are needed. To donate blood or for information about how to organize a blood drive, call 1-800-933-2566.
• The Alan Broadbent Trio will perform at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Drive, Manalapan, at 2 p.m. Dec. 16, sponsored by the Friends of the Library. Broadbent leads the trio which features bassist Harvie S in a jazz presentation. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. and seating is on a first come, first served basis. Details: www.monmouthcountylib.org
• A holiday variety show, “Holiday Cheer,” will be presented by LT Productions at the Colts Neck library, 1 Winthrop Drive, Colts Neck, at 7 p.m. Dec. 20. The group will feature songs, poetry and comedy in celebration of Christmas and Hanukkah. Details: www.monmouthcountylib.org
• A Wandering Winter Bird Walk will take place at 9 a.m. Dec. 13 at Freneau Woods Park, 360 Monastary Lane, Aberdeen Township. Search for winter birds with a Monmouth County Park System naturalist. This walk is intended for any level birder and is a great introduction for new birders. The activity is free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A visit with Santa will be held at Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel, from noon to 3 p.m. Dec. 22-23. Enjoy an old-fashioned Victorian Christmas at the farm. Children can visit with Santa, then take a walk to the farmhouse and have a cup of cider. The activity is free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A “Wondrous Winter Walk” will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 20 at Big Brook Park, Route 520, Marlboro. Meet in Elsa’s Lodge parking lot. Tag along with a Monmouth County Park System naturalist and explore the serenity that is nature in the wintertime. The program is free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• “Political Correctness from a Jewish Prospective” will be presented by Professor Dr.
George Zilbergeld at the Freehold Jewish Center, Freehold Borough, at 10 a.m. Dec. 16.
Zilbergeld will provide attendees with the information they will need to understand the
“politically correct” point of view. All community members are invited to attend. An $8 donation is requested to cover the cost of breakfast. Call 732-462-0254 to confirm attendance.
• DeBows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson, invites community members to celebrate Advent and Christmas. Sunday worship is at 9:30 a.m. and the Christmas Cantata will be presented during the Dec. 16 service. On Dec. 24, there will be a Christmas Eve candlelight service at 6 p.m. All are welcome to attend. Details: 732-928-4475 or debowsumc.org
• The Chelsea at Manalapan, Route 9, Manalapan, will host Victorian carolers from 2-3 p.m. Dec. 20. Community members are welcome to attend. Holiday refreshments will be served. Details: Laura, 732-972-6200.
• The Hebrew Academy, Marlboro, in conjunction with the Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, Marlboro Jewish Center, Congregation Ahavat Olam, Temple Rodeph Torah and Camp Louemma, will host a Winter Wonderland event on Dec. 16 from 4-6 p.m. The dance is for students in grades five through eight. The $5 admission includes music, games, dinner and snacks. All area students who attend a Jewish day school or are a member of any synagogue, or Jewish youth group, are invited to attend. Advance registration is required. RSVP to linda@thanj.org and provide name, grade, school, youth group, address, and phone number. Reservations may also be made by calling the individual synagogue youth group office or Linda Glickstein at 732-431-5525.
• 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 meets at 7 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month. Caregivers of all ages seeking support, resources and a Jewish perspective on managing their responsibilities are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Details: Avrum, 732-202-1000, ext. 4012.
• Temple Beth Ahm, 550 Lloyd Road, Aberdeen, will host a meet and greet on Dec. 26 at 7:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to come and learn about the synagogue. Refreshments will be served. Details: Email info@templebethahm.org or call 732-583-1700.
• The Manalapan-Englishtown Community Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse has launched its Project Zero website at projectzeromanalapan.com. Project Zero is the alliance’s initiative to reset the narrative in Englishtown and Manalapan regarding substance abuse. The website contains information about where residents can go for assistance.
• 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@thenewstranscript.com. Please send items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
