• The Monmouth County Park System has announced that at Seven Presidents Oceanfront Park, Long Branch, daily guarded swimming began on June 13. Daily and seasonal park access passes are available. Visit www.MonmouthCountyParks.com. Daily park capacity will be limited to achieve mandated social distancing objectives (this applies to parking and walk-in visitors). Purchasing a season pass, or a daily access pass, does not guarantee visitors entry into the park if capacity is reached. Restrooms will be open, but are subject to periodic extended closings for cleanings throughout the day. Tony’s Place Playground and the Skateplex are currently closed.
• New Jersey Blood Services, which provides blood for local patients, is looking for volunteers whose tasks will include assisting donors with registration and/or at the refreshment area. No medical background necessary. Must have transportation. All training is provided. Details: Call or text Sharon Zetts at 732-850-8906, Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The Allentown Lions Club will host a free fishing tournament for chidren from 8-11 a.m. June 27 at Pete Sensi Park on Conine’s Millpond. Walk-in participants are welcome. There will be fun, food and prizes. There will be age group and overall prizes for a Shore Division and a Boat Division. Participants can fish on the lake or from Sensi Park and Dr. Farmer’s Park. Personal flotation devices are required on the lake and there is no fishing allowed behind the Old Mill.
• The following Millstone Township parks are open for passive recreation: Abate Park, Brandywine Park, Rocky Brook Park and Wagner Farm Park. Passive recreational areas and horse trails are also open. Social distancing restrictions are still to be maintained. Bathroom facilities and playgrounds will remain closed. Anyone walking a dog is required to pick up after their dog and to keep the dog leashed at all times.
• Residents struggling with substance use issues may call 1-844-ReachNJ to speak with counselors ready to offer assistance 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ReachNJ is a free, confidential hotline that provides individuals with concerns about their own or a family member’s substance use immediate help and treatment referrals. The help line is always answered by a live specialist.
• CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, offers a Movement Disorder Program that provides specialized treatment to patients with Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, tics, tremors, ataxia, dystonia and other similar syndromes. The program is held in the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus. To request a consultation to help manage Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders, call 732-637-6316 or email Parkinsons@centrastate.com
• Monmouth County will hold backyard composting workshops for county residents. The free 45-minute workshop will teach residents how to reduce household waste, improve the soil for plants and reduce landfill waste. The workshops to be held at the Agriculture Building, 4000 Kozloski Road, Freehold Township, on Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. and Nov. 14 at 9 a.m. Participants may purchase the Earth Machine backyard composting bin at the session for $35. Advance registration is required. Call 732-683-8686, ext. 8967.
• Samaritan Center, a joint ministry of St. Thomas More and Old Tennent Presbyterian churches, operates a food pantry to provide supplementary food for those in need in Manalapan, Marlboro, Englishtown and Millstone Township. For information, call 732-446-1142 and make an appointment. Donations of funds and food are gratefully accepted to support the operation of the center. Volunteers are always welcome.
Items for the Datebook may be sent to news@njexaminer.com. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.
