• The Fresh Air Fund is seeking area residents willing to volunteer to host a child from New York City this summer through the Friendly Towns Program. Children are boys and girls, ages 7-18. Details: Karen Medlin, 732-740-0449, or www.freshair.org
• The Lakewood BlueClaws will host a job fair at FirstEnergy Park, Lakewood, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 19. Interviews for ushers, security, parking, food service, bat boys, merchandise, kids zone, clean team, ticket takers, production and promotions will take place. Anyone interested in a position for the 2019 season must attend the job fair. Applications may be filled out at the job fair. All positions are part-time and run from April through the team’s last home game. Applicants must be at least 16 years old by April 1. Each position pays $8.85 per hour. Details: Steve Woloshin, 732-901-7000, ext 120.
• The Monmouth County Park System is looking for lifeguards, camp counselors, park and golf course maintenance workers, and other seasonal employees. A seasonal job fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 12 at the Fort Monmouth Recreation Center, 2566 Guam Lane, Tinton Falls. Prospective employees must be at least 16 and be a county resident. A full listing of seasonal job openings can be found at www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. Details: 732-842-4000, ext. 4339.
• The Monmouth County Genealogy Society will host Melissa Johnson, who will speak about “Sources and Strategies for Discovering Immigrant Origins” at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 13 at the Community Center, 72 Broad St., Eatontown. Her talk will cover immigration, naturalization and alien records. The meeting is free and open to the public. Details: 732-747-0090.
• New Jersey Blood Services will host a blood drive from 3:30-8 p.m. Jan. 24 at the Howell Elks Club, 84 Ramtown‑Greenville Road, Howell. To donate blood, call toll free, 1-800-933-2566 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org
• The Father Cetkowski Council of the Knights of Columbus (Howell-Jackson) is sponsoring its annual basketball free throw contest. All boys and girls ages 9 through 14 are invited to participate. This event is free. The competition will be held on Jan. 12 at the St. Veronica School gymnasium, Route 9, Howell. Registration begins at 1 p.m. and the competition will begin at 1:30 p.m. Winners will advance to the district competition. All contestants on the local level will be recognized for their participation. Participants must provide proof of age (i.e., birth certificate) and written parental consent. For entry forms or more information, call Brian Curran at 908-415-4720.
• The Italian Americans Cultural Society of New Jersey will host a special new year’s 2019 annual membership drive open to the general public. Individuals who pay the $60 annual membership on or before Jan. 10 will attend the organization’s next dinner meeting at Christie’s Italian Restaurant, 2420 Route 9 South, Howell, on Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. for free (a $35 value). This one-time special offer will net the membership fee for 2019 to $25. Interested individuals may contact Mike Arato at 917-709-8008 or Rob DeSalvatore at 732-984-8482. Visit www.italianamericansnj.com for more information and a membership application.
• Singers who love choral music are invited to an open rehearsal of the Shrewsbury Chorale. Local singers of high school age and up (all voice parts) are invited to participate in open rehearsals on Jan. 15 and Jan. 22 from 7:45-10 p.m. The chorale is preparing for April and June concerts. Rehearsals are held weekly on Tuesday evenings at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, Lincroft. Scores will be provided and both events are free. Call 908-309-0602 to audition. Visit www.shrewsburychorale.org for more information.
• There will be a turtle meet and greet at 1 p.m. Jan. 19-20 at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell. The program is sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. Guests will meet resident turtles and learn about these creatures. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• Nature Story Time will be held on Jan. 16, 23 and 30 from 11-11:30 a.m. at the
Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell. The program is sponsored by the Monmouth County Park System. Enjoy nature-themed stories with children ages 2 to 5. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• A “Wondrous Winter Walk” will be held from 10-11:30 a.m. Jan. 31 at the Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, Howell, meet in the parking lot. Tag along with a Monmouth County Park System naturalist and explore the serenity that is nature in the wintertime. Free. Details: 732-842-4000.
• The Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive, will host the following programs: An “Afternoon Film” will be shown at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 11. Free. Call 732-928-4400 for film information (PG-13, 110 minutes); “Coloring for Adults” will be held at 10 a.m. Jan. 15. Rediscover the joy of coloring. Coloring sheets and art supplies will be provided; “Armchair Traveling Series: Jamaica” will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 17. This documentary will take attendees through Jamaica; “Brain Joggers” will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 21. Exercise your mind by playing games and working puzzles; “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: A Historical Perspective” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 21 (documentary, 52 minutes); “Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation” will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 24. This class is an introduction to mindfulness. It is open to novice and skilled practitioners; An “Evening Film” will be shown at 6 p.m. Jan. 28. Free. Call 732-928-4400 for film information (PG-13, 100 minutes). Registration is required for these free programs. To register, or for more information, call 732-928-4400.
• The Friends of the Howell Municipal Alliance meet on the first Monday of each quarter at 7 p.m. at the Echo Lake Pavilion, Howell. Attendees may share their ideas and perspective in an informal environment to enrich the community’s commitment to substance abuse prevention. No membership is necessary. Details: 732-938-4500, ext. 4012.
• The Harlem Wizards basketball team will play a team of teachers from the Crawford-Rodriguez, Holman, McAuliffe and Rosenauer schools of Jackson at 4 p.m. Jan. 20 at Jackson Liberty High School. Doors open at 3 p.m. Advance tickets are $10 for students and $12 for adults. At the door, tickets will be $12 and $15. Additional seating plans and premium packages are available. To purchase tickets and for more information, visit www.harlemwizards.com
• The Jackson group of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, Ocean County, will meet from 12:30-2 p.m. each Wednesday at the Brighter Days Community Wellness Center, 268 Bennett’s Mills Road, Jackson. DBSA is dedicated to helping those who suffer from depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Supportive family members or friends of people who suffer from mental health difficulties are also welcome to attend. No registration, dues or fees are necessary. Details: Maureen, 732-536-5826, or mfalkowitz27@gmail.com
• 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 at 732-202-1000, ext. 4012.
• 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.
