Datebook

• The Freehold Art Society will hold a meeting and demonstration at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, at 7 p.m. March 25. Ruth Bie Brown, a folk artist and teacher from Millstone Township, will present a demonstration of portrait painting. The meeting is free and open to the public. Attendees are asked to park in the lower lot and to use the Alexandria Drive entrance. Details: 732-780-4926.

• A community luncheon will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Freehold, 118 West Main St., Freehold, on March 27, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Donation of $7 will provide a choice of two - soup, sandwich, salad bar - plus beverage and dessert. Take-outs are available for parties of five or more. Details: 732-462-9667.

• Manalapan's holiday egg hunt for children ages 2-8 will be held March 28 at 1 p.m. sharp (rain date April 4) on the Manalapan Recreation Center soccer fields G, H and J. Groups will be separated by age. Children age 5 and under must have adult supervision. Children over age 5 will not require parents to assist them during the event. All participants should bring their own basket. Details: 732-446-8355. In case of inclement weather on the day of the event call 732-446-8398 for cancellation information.

• The Monmouth County Library's "Polar Expedition: 2009 Children's Book Fair" will be held from 1-4 p.m. March 28 at the Headquarters Library, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan. Readers of all ages are invited to join in the Arctic and Antarctic antics such as tossing snowballs at a polar bear, going ice fishing, and making a snowflake crown. Mr. Scott "The Music Man" will provide musical entertainment and lead a freeze dance session. Jenkinson's Aquarium will give a "Penguin Pointers" talk, highlighted by a live penguin visit. This annual celebration of reading will also feature a read-a-thon, crafts, movies and book displays. Free admission; no prior registration. Details: 732-431-7226.

• Sandy's Scrappers will offer assistance in photo organization and album making from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 28 at the Morganville United Methodist Church, 215 Conover Road, Marlboro. Beverages and light snacks will be provided. Attendees may bring their own lunch. Reserve a space by making out a check to Morganville United Methodist Church by March 25. Details: 732-780-1647.

• The Monmouth Audubon Society will sponsor a beginner bird walk March 28 at Turkey Swamp Park, Freehold Township. The group will meet at the ranger station on Georgia Road at 9 a.m. The activities are free and the public is invited. Registration is not required. Details: 732-USA-BIRD.

• Congregation Sons of Israel, 33 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, will present "Yippee: A Journey to Jewish Joy" as part of the synagogue's Adult Education Jewish Film Series. The film will be shown at 6:30 p.m. March 29. Admission of $3 per person includes pizza and popcorn. Directed by award-winning American filmmaker, actor and scriptwriter Paul Mazursky, "Yippee" chronicles the director's whirlwind journey to Uman, a small Ukrainian town that is the site of a unique annual gathering of Jewish men making pilgrimages to the burial place of Rabbi Nachman. Details: 732-446-3000.

• Artisan Studios, 9 North Main St. (Route 79), Marlboro, will host an exhibit called "ANimaLgination" to raise funds for the Monmouth County SPCA. Many items on display will be of animals to remind people to support the SPCA. Donations will go directly to the Monmouth County SPCA in Eatontown. Details: 732-294-0234.

• The Manalapan-Englishtown Regional School District Board of Education will meet at 7:30 p.m. March 31 in the board offices, 54 Main St., Englishtown. The board will hold a public hearing on the 2009-10 school year budget.

• The Marlboro K-8 Board of Education will meet at 8 p.m. March 31 for a public hearing and budget adoption at 1980 Township Drive.

• A workshop on prescription drug abuse by young people will be presented at the Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan, at 6:30 p.m. April 2. Adults and children ages 12 and up are encouraged to attend. Details: 732-446-8417.

• The Freehold Fire Department will hold a spaghetti dinner April 4 from 5-10 p.m. in honor and support of its junior member Steve Correia, who suffered critical injuries from a motor vehicle accident. Money raised from the dinner and donations will go to assist in paying bills for his recovery. All are invited to enjoy a full spaghetti dinner at the Freehold Knights of Columbus on East Main Street. Cost is $7 for adults and $5 for children 12 and younger. To donate funds call 732-462-0164 or info@gwhlfire.org.

• The MOMS Club of Morganville- Marlboro will host a "Baby and Beyond Yard Sale" from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 4 at 479 Central Mall in Morganville (corner of Route 79 and Tennent Road). Details: Donna, 732-801-7538.

• Yosi Levin, children's rocker, will host a concert and dance party April 5 at 2:30 p.m. at Temple Rodeph Torah, 15 Mohawk Drive, Marlboro. Tickets are $5 per person, in advance. For tickets, call 732-642-7556. This family event is open to everyone.

• A flashlight egg hunt will be held at the Kateri Environmental Center, Conover Road, Marlboro, April 7 at 8 p.m. The "eggciting" event is for anyone ages 5 and up. Participants will search in a giant field for more than 2,000 real colored eggs. The event will take place in the dark, so participants should bring a flashlight. The fee for this event is $8. Preregistration is required. Call 732 946-9694 for tickets.