DeBows United Methodist Church, Jackson, will offer a vacation Bible school Aug. 22-26 from 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. Classes will be available for ages 2 years through adult, and the community is welcome to attend. The theme is “The Circle G. Ranch.”

The church is located at the corner of routes 571 and 537. To register, call (732) 928-4475.

Perrineville Jewish Center slates open house

The Perrineville Jewish Center will hold a Membership and Hebrew School Open House Sept. 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.; coffee and danish will be served.

The synagogue serves all of Monmouth, Mercer and Middlesex counties. Sabbath services are conducted every Friday evening and Saturday morning, with the children often leading the services with the rabbi. There is a monthly Tot Shabbat program as well as a full-service Hebrew school for ages 8-13; a Hebrew high school for those who already had their bar/bat mitzvah, through high school age; a men’s club and a sisterhood; social functions; youth activities; and adult education, including kaballah classes. The synagogue also allows the bar/bat mitzvah family to choose their date, there is no sharing of dates, and the service can be on a Saturday, Sunday or a Havdallah service. Contact Lori Feibus at (609) 259-6479 or e-mail PERRINEJC@aol.com

Cook College offers horse management course

Cook College at Rutgers University will offer a semester-long horse management course for continuing education students in the fall semester.

This course is designed for new or potential horse owners and horse enthusiasts, and is offered in two modes: classroom and online. The classroom course will be held Tuesday and Thursday evenings from Sept. 1 to Dec. 13. Access to the Internet is required for the online version and recommended for the “traditional” course, since class notes will be available online.

The 14-week class provides an introduction to the anatomy, physiology, nutrition and behavior of a horse. Management techniques and the practical aspects of horse care, including stabling, shoeing/hoof care, common diseases and emergency care, will be discussed in classroom lectures. Students will further benefit from live demonstrations and hands-on training. In addition to the classroom lectures and demonstrations, optional field trips may be offered throughout the program schedule.

For both versions of the class, registrants must have a high school diploma in order to enroll. The cost is $475 for single registration or $455 for multi-person registration if paid prior to Aug. 18. After Aug. 18, the fee is $515. For more information, or to register, call (732) 932-9271 or visit www.esc.rutgers.edu and click on the Horse Management Course headline.

County court system

seeks volunteers

The courts of Monmouth County are seeking volunteers for various programs involving children and families in crisis, juvenile offenders, and courthouse operations. Comprehensive training will be provided. Bilingual applicants are especially encouraged to apply, and opportunities are available countywide. Contact the Monmouth Vicinage Volunteer Coordinator, 71 Monument Park, Freehold 07728; call (732) 677-4471; e-mail MonmouthVolunteer.mailbox@judiciary.state.nj.us; or visit the Web site www.judiciary.state.nj.us/volunteer/monmouth.htm.

Republican Women to

host ‘Day at the Races’

The New Jersey Federation of Republican Women will host “A Day at the Races” on Sunday, July 24, beginning at 11:30 a.m. The event will be held in the Omnibus Room at Monmouth Park Racetrack on Oceanport Avenue, Oceanport. Tickets are $38. and include a buffet luncheon. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Barbara Fedorchak, president of the Monmouth County Chapter, at (732) 303-1341.

NJN to televise programs

on bear population

NJN Public Television will present two programs that take a look at the growing bear population in New Jersey

“Bears: Too Close for Comfort” will be televised July 25 at 9 p.m., followed by “The Bear Facts: What We Should Know,” a panel discussion on bears in New Jersey, hosted by attorney Raymond Brown, at 9:30 p.m. “The Bear Facts” will also be Web cast on the NJN Web site at www.njn.net.

Bands invited to compete

at summer event

Keyport’s third annual Battle of the Bands will be held July 30 at the Mini Park, Main and West Front streets. All New Jersey bands are welcome to apply.

Winning bands will be judged on musicianship, showmanship, and fan interaction. Prizes include recording studio time, and featured appearances at future festivals, street fairs and special events in Keyport and other locations.

To eligible to compete, bands must send tapes or CDs, press kits, photographs, résumés or bios, and at least two references, to Allen Consulting Inc., Attn: Battle of the Bands, 89 Middletown Road, Holmdel 07733.

Ivy League Day Camp

plans 35-year reunion

Ivy League Day Camp alumni campers and staff are invited to a 35th anniversary reunion Aug. 13 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the camp, 140 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan. Former members of Holiday Club are also welcome. The event will feature games, food, swimming and activities. Attendees are asked to bring their own lounge chairs; picnic tables will be provided. Alumni are also encouraged to bring camp shirts, hats, arts and crafts projects, photos and other memorabilia. R.S.V.P. to jon@ivyleaguedaycamp.com.

Host families needed

for students from Spain

Twenty-two students from Spain will be visiting the local area for the month of August. Global Friendships is looking for families to host each of the students, who range in age from 15 to 18. The students will be attending classes three days a week and will have planned activities. Students need to have their own bed, three meals a day, and transportation to and from activities (car pooling is invited.). Call Ann Suraci at (732) 792-8020 or (800) 762-2918.

Early Americana concert,

cemetery tour Aug. 6

Charlie Zahm, an interpreter of American folk songs, will appear at the Olde Yellow Meeting House Aug. 6 from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is free to this Early Americana concert.

A guided tour of the historic cemetery, focusing on the graves of Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers, will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The tour and concert are sponsored by the Friends of the Olde Yellow Meeting House and the Upper Freehold Baptist Church.

The Olde Yellow Meeting House is located at 72 Yellow Meeting House Road, in Upper Freehold Township, off Route 526. For more information, call Bill Wentzien at (609) 259-2534 or e-mail billwentzien@netzero.net.

Festival of Horses to be

held at Horse Park of NJ

The annual Festival of Horses will be held Aug. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Horse Park of New Jersey, Upper Freehold Township. Admission and parking are free, and the public is welcome to attend.

The event is sponsored by the N.J. Department of Agriculture, the N.J. Equine Advisory Board, and the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey.

A petting farm, face painting, pony rides, mare and foal shows, and refreshments will be featured. Information on Adopt-A-Horse programs will be available for standardbred horses (Standardbred Retirement Association) and thoroughbred horses (Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation).

A mounted drill team competition will also be held. A group of riders working in unison to create a “dance” on horseback with emphasis on spacing, timing and precision of moves of the entire team will be judged on a point system.

The Horse Park of New Jersey is located on Route 524. For more information, call (609) 984-4389.

Jewish center to offer

Hebrew H.S. classes

Perrineville Jewish Center, Millstone, is starting Hebrew High School classes for any bar/bat mitzvah graduate. Classes will be held from 11 a.m. to noon one Sunday each month, starting in September. Rabbi Sheldon Schevelowitz will lead the classes.

For more information, call Wendy Heifetz at (732) 303-0087.