Datebook

• Manalapan Township will be participating in the 14th annual Jersey Cares Coat Drive. Gently used coats may be dropped off at the Manalapan Township municipal building, 120 Route 522 (corner of Taylors Mills Road) in the Administration office. Coats will be collected until Dec. 11. Details: 732-446-8303.

• A fundraising event to benefit the Freehold Memorial Day Parade Committee will be held at TGI Fridays, Route 9 south, Freehold Township, Dec. 7. To obtain the flier that is necessary to take part, email fmdpc@hotmail.com or go to www.freeholdmemorialdayparade. com.

• Artisan Studio, 9 N. Main St. (Route 79), Marlboro, will host a benefit art show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 22. The show "Our Favorite Foods" is multimedia works of the students, campers and teachers. The show is free, but they ask that visitors bring nonperishable food donations to benefit the food pantry that serves residents in need of food in Colts Neck, Freehold Borough, Freehold Township, Marlboro and Millstone Township. Details: 732-294-0234.

• A vendor night sponsored by the Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School Booster Club will be held from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 3 (snow date Dec. 4) in the MEMS cafeteria, 155 Millhurst Road, Manalapan. Vendor space is still available at $35 per table. For information, email Arlene at leeni629@optonline.net.

• Vendors are needed for a holiday boutique to be hosted by the Freehold Township Early Childhood Learning Center PTO from 6-10 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Barkalow Middle School, Stillwells Corner Road, Freehold Township. Details: 732-668-8887.

• Manalapan Township is conducting a food drive to benefit the Samaritan Center. All donations may be dropped off at the administration office in the Manalapan municipal building, 120 Route 522, corner of Taylors Mills Road, Manalapan. Contact Susan at 732-446-8303 for a list of items that are needed.

• CentraState Healthcare System and Friends' Health Connection have partnered to present a cooking demonstration, book sale and signing with acclaimed chef and restaurateur Tom Valenti on Nov. 18 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus, 901 W. Main Street, Freehold Township. Valenti, the chef/owner of New York's restaurants Ouest and The West Branch, was diagnosed with diabetes more than 14 years ago and created a diabetic cuisine and book, "You Don't Have to Be Diabetic to Love This Cookbook," a collection of 250 dishes from sandwiches to desserts. Tickets: $15 per person. Call 732- 294-2574.

• Dr. James F. Cozzarelli, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institutes of Freehold Township and Monroe Township, will present a free educational seminar, "Oh, My Aching Shoulder," from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus of CentraState Medical Center, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township. Cozzarelli will discuss the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of shoulder pain. A questionand answer period will follow. Call 732-308- 0570 to register and for details.

• "Cartilage Restoration and Joint Resurfacing of the Knee and Shoulder" will be presented by Dr. Michael J. Greller, a board-certified and a fellowship-trained sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute Freehold Township and Monroe Township, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Star and Barry Tobias Ambulatory Campus of CentraState Medical Center, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township. Greller will explain the latest techniques available through minimally invasive surgery. Registration is required. Call 732-308-0570 to register.

• A Holly Berry Boutique, an annual event of the Reformed Church, 67 W. Main St., Freehold, will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 20-21. Handmade crafts, antiques, collectibles, new items and baked goods will be available, as well as lunch of homemade soups, sandwiches and desserts.

• An annual holiday bazaar, hosted by St. Peter's Church, Throckmorton Street, Freehold, will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 21 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 22. Items for sale include baskets of jam and baked goods, historic Freehold afghans, the parish cookbook, Christmas crafts and decorative items. Details: www.stpetersfreehold. org.

• The Abundant Life Church of God, 632 Colts Neck Road (Route 537), Freehold Township, will host a one-year anniversary celebrating recovery from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Nov. 21. The evening will include food, fellowship, live music worship, testimony and prayer. A donation of $10 per person is requested. Two training modules will begin at 4 p.m. Details: 732-409-2923.

• A fundraising dinner sponsored by the Church of the Master Senior High Youth Group will be held at 6 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Church of the Master, 110 Salem Hill Road, Howell. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for children and free for under age 5. Proceeds will support the senior high youth. RSVP at 732-364-3456.

• The Freehold Knights of Columbus Council 1672 monthly buffet breakfast will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Nov. 22 at the council hall, 70 E. Main St., Freehold. Special of the Month is a western omelet. The donation is $7 per adult, $5 per child under 12. Donations support council charities. All are welcome. Details: 917-586-7349.

• Freehold Borough Senior Citizens will host a holiday party for Freehold Borough residents age 62 and older from 1-3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Elks Lodge, Main Street. Caregivers will be provided. No take-out orders or walk-ins will be permitted. Reservations are required. Must call 732-462-1259 Nov. 23 after 10 a.m. for reservations.

• A healthy fundraiser will be held at 5:15 p.m. Nov. 23 at the Freehold Yoga Center, 3 W. Main St., Freehold. All proceeds will be distributed to organizations to be decided upon by participants. Admission: $10. Details: 732-462-YOGA. All are welcome.

• Sons of Italy, Frank Sinatra Lodge 2621 will meet at Mezza Luna restaurant, Towne Pointe Shopping Center, Route 9, Manalapan, Nov. 24 at 7 p.m. RSVP: 732- 536-2318.

• The Freehold Borough YMCA Community Center, 41 Center St., Freehold. will host its seventh annual Thanksgiving dinner from 6-8 p.m. Nov. 25. This is a community event. Details 732-845-5273.

• Dessert with Santa will be offered from 7-9 p.m. Dec. 4 at the St. Rose of Lima School gymnasium, South Street, Freehold. In addition to dessert, pictures with Santa, raffles, merchandise, baked goods, hot chocolate and cider will be available. Free crafts for children. Free admission. Details: 732-462-2646.

• "A Drive Through the Christmas Story," a free annual display of 10 life-sized Bible scenes, including live characters and animals, will be presented from Nov. 27 through Dec. 6 at Sayre Woods Bible Church, Route 9 south, Old Bridge. Hours are 7:30-9:30 p.m. weekdays and 5-9:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Details: 732- 679-5989.

• The Italian American Association of Monmouth County will host a holiday craft fair from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 5 at St. Mary's Church, Route 34 and Phalanx Road, Colts Neck. The event will feature Tombola (Italian bingo) for children, pictures with Santa, family portraits and food. Details: 732-536-5832.

A community Hanukkah party for Jewish youths in grades four through six will be held from 4-6 p.m. Dec. 6 at Solomon Schechter Day School, 22 School Road East, Marlboro. The $5 admission fee includes dinner, snacks and DJ entertainment. New, unwrapped toys will be collected to benefit Chai Lifeline, an organization that provides toys for sick children. Register by Dec. 1 by calling 732- 431-5525.

• Mothers of Preschoolers, a group providing education, encouragement and support for mothers with children ages infant through kindergarten, will meet from 9:30 a.m. to noon on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from September to May, at Crossroads Assembly of God Church, Main Street, Englishtown. Upcoming meeting date: Dec. 8. Details: 732-446-0502.