Datebook

• The Central Jersey Blood Center will host a blood drive at the Lakewood Elks Lodge No. 1432, 711 W. Kennedy Blvd., Aug. 31, 4-8 p.m. The event is being held on behalf of a young girl from Jackson who was diagnosed with a rare bone marrow disorder and needs transfusions every two to three weeks. Donors are encouraged to sign up at (732) 901-7167.

• Blessing of Backpacks will be offered Sept. 2 at the 10:30 a.m. service at All Saints Episcopal Church, Second Street and Route 9, Lakewood. Children, teens and adults are invited to bring backpacks, briefcases, laptop totes, or hobby totes for a special blessing to kick off the new school year. Details: (732) 367-0933.

• Yoga classes will be held at Calgo Gardens, 84 Cross St., Lakewood, at 5:30 p.m. for six Wednesdays, beginning Sept. 5. Dawn Keen, a certified Yoga instructor, will conduct a yoga classes for beginners. The cost is $75. Call (732) 905-6606 to register.

• "Soulsaving: Common Threads of Kindness," a documentary film, will be presented by the Center for Holocaust Studies at Brookdale Community College and the Ocean County Library at 7 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Toms River library, 101 Washington St., Toms River. Details and registration: (732) 349-6200.

• An indoor flea market will be held at St. Aloysius Church, Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, Sept. 8, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Vendor tables are available for $15. Call (732) 901-6594 or (732) 928-3145.

• Cruise Night hosted by the Freehold Kruisers Car Club and Acme markets takes place every Friday evening in the Adelphia Plaza parking lot, Route 9 and Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township, from 6-9 p.m. A special benefit car show will be held Sept. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to benefit Christopher Ennis, of Howell, a toddler who underwent a heart transplant. Music will be provided by Wolfman Jerry. Preregistration is $10 before Sept. 4 and $15 the day of the show. Details: (732) 863-6501.

• A fish fry sponsored by the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road, Plumsted, will be held Sept. 14, 6-8 p.m. at the lodge. The cost for a fish dinner is $9 (two pieces) and $10 (three pieces). Chicken will also be available for $8 (two pieces) and $9 (three pieces). All children's dinners are $5. Proceeds benefit charities supported by the Elks. Details: (609) 351- 3428.

• Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, invites the community to a night of familyfriendly entertainment with music, food and drinks, Sept. 15, at 7 p.m. Paul Raucci, a Christian rock musician, will provide the entertainment. A love offering will be collected. Details: (732) 833-8808. Those who attend are asked to bring a dessert to share.

• A knitting and crocheting service group will meet Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m., at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive. Volunteers craft items to be donated to local hospitals. Beginners to advanced. Meets monthly. Details: (732) 928-4400.

Items for the Tri-Town News Datebook may be faxed to (732) 780-4192. Please submit items at least two weeks prior to a scheduled event.