Datebook

• Polish Night Dinner — pirogi, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa, dessert, coffee or tea — will be hosted by Freehold Elks Lodge 1454 Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m., at the lodge, 73 E. Main St., Freehold. The cost is $10 per person; proceeds will go to Elks charities. Details: (732) 431-8707 after 4 p.m.

• Gamblers Anonymous will meet Oct. 14, 21 and 28, 8-9:30 p.m., at Hope Lutheran Church, 211 Elton-Adelphia Road, Freehold Township. No fees.

• “Trash or treasure” and bake sale will be held Oct. 15, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Reformed Church of Freehold, 67 W. Main St. Details: (732) 462-1717.

• Fire Prevention Day and open house, featuring activities, demonstrations, will be held Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the Robertsville Volunteer Fire Company, 94 Route 520 (between Route 9 and Tennent Road), Marlboro.

•A baby-sitting clinic for boys and girls ages 11-15 will be offered by CentraState Healthcare System, Oct. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fee is $30; bring a bag lunch. Register at (732) 294-0011.

• Garden State Horror Writers will meet Oct. 15, 11 a.m., at Monmouth County Library Headquarters, Symmes Drive, Manalapan. At noon, author/editor Nick Mamatas will discuss “Making the Most of Small Press Publication.” The group is dedicated to helping writers of all types of fiction perfect their skills. New members, guests are welcome. Details: (848) 992-2230 or visit the Web site www.gshw.net.

• A spaghetti dinner will be held Oct. 15, 4-8 p.m., at the Adelphia Fire Company, Route 524, Howell. The cost is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $5 for ages 5-10, and free for children under 5. Delivery available by calling (732) 462-8846. Details: (732) 577-1781.

• Sunday breakfast will be served Oct. 16, 9 a.m. to noon, at the Freehold Elks Lodge, 73 E. Main St. The cost is $5 for adults, $3 for ages 12 and under. Details: (732) 431-8707.

• A Katrina fund-raiser will be hosted by Style Barber & Beauty Shop, South Freehold (ShopRite) Shopping Center, Route 9, Oct. 16, 10 a.m. to noon. All proceeds will go to American Red Cross. Complimentary coffee and continental breakfast. Appointments requested, but walk-ins will also be welcome. Details: (732) 462-0447.

• Multiple sclerosis support groups will meet Oct. 17, 1-3 p.m., at Centra-State Health Awareness Center, Gibson Place, Freehold Township, call Michelle, (732) 294-2505; and most Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon at the Marlboro library, Wyncrest Road, Marlboro, call Dianne, (732) 536-3033.

• “Low Back Pain” and its causes and treatments will be presented by John O’Connell, M.D., Oct. 17, 7:30-8:30 p.m., at the CentraState Health Aware-ness Center in Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township. Free lecture, but preregistration is required: (732) 294-0011.

• GFWC Molly Pitcher Woman’s Club of Freehold Township will meet Oct. 18, 11 a.m., at Marco Polo restaurant in the Pathmark shopping center, Freehold Township. Linda Callert of the Daughters of the American Revolution will speak at 1 p.m. New members are welcome. Reservations: (732) 462-7233.

• Hurricane Katrina benefit concert, sponsored by Clifton T. Barkalow Middle School, Oct. 18, 7-9 p.m. at the West Freehold School, Castronova Way, off Route 537, Freehold Township, featuring music by Rob Caputo and Joe Lyttle, and a gift auction. Admission $5; all proceeds to be donated to the Red Cross.

• Toughlove, a support group for parents of children of any age whose behavior is unacceptable, will meet Oct. 18 (every Tuesday) at 7:30 p.m. at the Church of the Master, 110 Salem Hill Road, Howell. Call Ruth, (732) 536-9324, or Susan, (732) 431-1740.

• “Living Wills and Advance Directives” will be presented by Ben Weinstein, M.D., Ph.D., Oct. 18, 7:30-8:30 p.m., at CentraState Health Awareness Center, Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township. Free, but registration required: (732) 294-0011.

• Marlboro K-8 Board of Education will hold a regular meeting Oct. 18 at 8 p.m., at 1980 Township Drive, Marlboro. Details: (732) 972-2000.

• A Weight Loss and Fitness Fair for all ages will be held Oct. 19, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at CentraState Medical Center’s Zwerling Auditorium, Route 537, Free-hold Township. Lecture at 6 p.m., followed by free screenings for blood pressure, body mass index, body fat and glucose, for adults. To register, call (732) 308-0570.

• An hour of music appreciation will be held Oct. 19, 7 p.m., at 14 Horse Shoe Lane, Freehold Township. Students, community members and teachers are invited; free and open to the public. To register, call Alan Wasserman, (732) 303-0060.

• Western Monmouth Newcomers Club will meet Oct. 19, 8 p.m., at the Freehold Elks Lodge, 73 E. Main St., Freehold. New and established residents are always welcome. Details: Anne, (732) 938-2041.

• “Helping the Stressed-out Masses Relax … One Breath at a Time” will be presented by Kellye Davis, yoga instructor and stress management lifestyle counselor, Oct. 20, 7 p.m., at CentraState Medical Center’s Zwerling Auditorium, Route 537, Freehold Township. Tickets are $15. To register, call Friends’ Health Connection, (800) 483-7436.

• “Identity Theft: It Could Happen to You” will be presented by Jan Allen at the Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. meeting of the Freehold Area Branch of American Association of University Women at Barkalow Middle School, Stillwells Corner Road, Freehold Township. Guests are welcome. Membership is now extended to graduates holding an associate or equivalent degree of at least 60 hours as well as a four-year degree. Details: Barbara, (732) 462-6308.

• “Managing Your Finances on a Computer” will be the topic of the Brookdale Computer Users Group meeting Oct. 21, 7 p.m., at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, in Room NAS 100. Details: www.bcug.com.

• A psychic fair, featuring several psychics with various specialties, will be hosted by the Women’s Auxiliary of Freehold Elks Lodge 1454 Oct. 21, 7-10 p.m., at the lodge, 73 E. Main St., Freehold. All are welcome. Readings are $10 each; admission is $10 and includes refreshments. Details: Patty, (732) 577-9536, or the Elks lodge, (732) 431-8707 after 4 p.m.