General Events

• Registration Begins, St. John’s Nursery School, 2000 Florence Ave., Hazlet, (732)888-7886. The school offers classes for children ages 2.5-5. Programing includes kindergarten readiness, reading readiness, math and science activities, and weekly movement and music classes. Kids at the school also get to play on the two outdoor playgrounds and in the indoor gymnasium. 2/4.
• Open Houses, Dream Builders Academy, 613 Hope Road, Eatontown, www.dreambuildersacademy.com. Parents of prospective students can stop by to learn about this early childhood school that caters to children ages 6 weeks to kindergartner. 2/6-2/10, 9:30am-6:30pm.
• Free Photography Group, Belmar Arts Council, 601 Main St., Wall, jaberle1@verizon.net. The Belmar Arts Council hosts a photography group that meets on the first Monday of the month. 2/6, 7:30-9pm.
• Roses are Red, Violets are Blue..., Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold, (609)259-6275. The entire family can view historic examples of valentines and create keepsakes to bring home. 2/12, 1-4pm.
• “Art and Photography,” Leonard J. Buck Garden, 11 Layton Road, Far Hills, (908)234-2677. Admire the greenery and flora of the Leonard J. Buck Garden at this exhibit. Browse works by talented artists who used photos, paintings and drawings to showcase the four seasons at the locale. The free exhibit is open Monday to Friday from 10am-4pm in the Visitor Center. 2/27-3/16.

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Museums

• The Wonder Wing, The Monmouth Museum, 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, (732)747-2266. This is an ongoing, permanent exhibition for children 2-6 years old. Look out to sea from our brand new lighthouse. Explore the lively and colorful coral reef, discover a kelp forest or catch a fish, and take a slide through a great white whale. Be an adventurous sailor and board a pirate ship, or put on a costume and pretend in the Tiki Theater. Inquire about our WonderWing Birthday parties!  

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Puppets and Plays

• Jitney, Two River Theater Company, 1 Bridge Ave., Red Bank, (732)345-1400. Capturing the human condition, the story is set in the year 1977 at a makeshift storefront depot for gypsy cabbies. Watch as characters divulge stories of gossip, love, future aspirations and hardships in family matters. 1/31-2/19.
• Algonquin Arts Theatre, 60 Abe Voorhees Drive, Manasquan, (732)528-9211. Fancy Nancy and Other Story Books: An all-new musical revue based on bestselling children’s books. 2/9, 10am and 11:45am. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM: Produced by Shakespeare LIVE! Audience members experience the magic of this captivating adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic. 2/24, 10am.

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Ongoing: Support Groups, Workshops and More...

• Family Fun Days, Monmouth Park, Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, (732)222-5100. All activities are free with grandstand admission and include pony rides, face painters, clowns, bounce houses and live music. Every Sunday and holiday, noon-4pm.
• Piano Lessons, Scientific studies have proven that piano students outperform their non-music peers, especially when lessons are started before age 7. The following areas have proven to be effected: SAT scores, Elevated I.Q., Early Cognitive Development, Spatial and Distinct Reading Skills, Math, Science, and Reading Skills. Karen Mulhall has 30 years of experience as a private piano instructor teaching students of all ages in Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Lessons include music theory, ear training, and recitals, which include a dress-up Halloween recital and a formal recital in June. Her goals are for students to learn to read music, perform with ease, and develop a love for music. Karen is the recipient of the Laura R. Conover Pedagogy award for outstanding teaching in recognition of her students’ performances at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Call (732)600-5972.
• Strength Based Art Group, Higher Art LLC, 28 Plaza 9, Manalapan, (732)252-5489, www.higherartnj.com. Girls and teens ages 11-18 can enrich their self-esteem through art with this program.
• New Mommy and Me Program, Be Bop Parties, 980 Shrewsbury Ave., Tinton Falls, (732)544-2174. Wee Bop ‘Round the World program combines dance, songs, games and crafts. The newly expanded program offers one hour of play and included a snack for Mom and tot. Programs are offered at Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:30am and 12:30pm.
• MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) – Monmouth Worship Center, 176 Route 79, Marlboro, (732)332-9600, www.monmouthworship.org/mops. This group is for moms with kids ages 0 to 5. Come fellowship with other moms, get encouragement and a much needed break! Childcare is provided. Meeting are held on Fridays, 9/18, 2009-6/18, 2010, 9:30-11:30am.
• MOMS Club® (Moms Offering Moms Support), www.momsclub.org, MOMS Club® is an International non-profit organization specifically for at-home mothers. MOMS Club chapters have meetings with interesting speakers and discussions, play groups for children, activity groups and a monthly MOMS Night Out. We also perform service projects to help needy children in our community. Chapters meet during the day because that’s when mothers-at-home need support and we welcome children at all daytime activities. Visit www.momsclub.org for more information.
• Parent Education Classes/Infant Massage Instruction, (732)264-2088, Ongoing classes to allow parents to learn the art of infant massage from a certified instructor in the Monmouth and Middlesex areas. Call to sign up or for more information.
• ASSE International, (800)677-2773, www.asse.com, ASSE International, a non-profit organization is looking for volunteer families in this area to host high school exchange students from around the world. Hosts who welcome students into their homes are asked to provide room, board and guidance for the student during his or her stay. This is a once in a lifetime chance to experience a foreign culture, right at home! Call or log on for more information.
• Sensaria, Want to get together with your girlfriends for an in-home spa party—at no cost to you? Host a Sensaria Spa Party, for an evening of aromatherapy, facials and a foot soak, while learning about naturally based products. Your friends will thank you for hosting the hottest home party out there today. Hostesses may earn 20 percent in free spa products, based on party sales. Contact lauradorsibauman@mysensaria.com or call her at (732)332-1149. Check out the products at www.sensaria.com/lauradorsibauman.
• The Historic Village at Allaire, 4265 Atlantic Ave./Route 524, Wall, (732)919-3500, Visitors to the Historic Village at Allaire will step back in time and experience life in a 19th century bog iron producing community. Enjoy craftsmen in period garb who will demonstrate their skills for visitors.
• Battleview Orchards, 91 Wemrock Road, Freehold, (732)462-0756, www.battlevieworchards.com, Pick your own strawberries, sour cherries, peaches, nectarines, apples and pumpkins. Open year round 9am to 6pm.
• Donate Like a Rockstar, Cancer Patients Team Up at www.imermanangels.org, a free one-on-one cancer support group that connects a person fighting cancer with someone who has beaten the same disease. The relationship provides a fighter the opportunity to ask personal questions and receive encouragement from someone who is uniquely familiar with the situation. To sign up or to donate, log on now.
• Host Families Needed, The Fresh Air Fund is looking for Monmouth County families to open their hearts and home to a child from NYC for one week this July. Rediscover the beauty of Monmouth County and simple joys of summer with a child from NYC. Please call (800)637-0003 or visit www.freshair.org for more information. Help us celebrate the 132nd year of serving children!
• Open Readings, Center Players, Freehold, www.centerplayers.org, Staged readings of new and under-appreciate theatre are read out loud. Refreshments are free. Held the last Thursday of most months. Call for schedule. Begins at 7pm.
• Sunday Family Day, Monmouth Park Racetrack, Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport, (732)22-5100, www.monmouthpark.com, Every Sunday is Family Day at Monmouth Park. All throughout the park will be clowns, face painting stations, live music, pony rides, bounce houses and more. Every Sunday, noon-4pm.

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