PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel, will host the “Ultrasonic Super Fantastic Kids Day Weekend” Oct. 8 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Oct. 9 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission is free, as are several of the activities.

Free activities include the “Garden State’s largest sand box” with sand sculptures, a doll hospital, kite workshops, a petting zoo, hay rides, and face painting. Entertainment will include children’s singer Mr. Ray, The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Will the Juggler, and the Ronald McDonald Magic Show

For more information, visit www.kidsdayweekend.com or call (201) 653-2699.

African American history

event to begin Oct. 12

The Monmouth County Park System will offer programs for schoolchildren during its “African American History Celebration” at Tatum Park Red Hill Activity Center, Red Hill Road, Middletown.

“Out of Africa Fabulous Folktales” will be presented to students in grades one through three Oct. 12.

Members of the New Jersey Buffalo Soldier Motorcycle Club will discuss the accomplishments of “The Buffalo Soldiers After the Civil War” Oct. 13 for students in grades seven and eight.

“The Lady from Philadelphia” will be presented Oct. 14. Deborah Ford of The Greater Trenton Symphony Orchestra will give a musical narrative of singer Marian Anderson’s life to students in grades nine through 12.

Cynthia A. Todd, co-author with her sister of “Watch Out for the Elephants,” will be the celebration’s keynote speaker at the event’s conclusion Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. at Tatum Park. Todd will discuss her experiences growing up as the daughter of one of the first African Americans appointed to the U.S. Foreign Service.

Presentations are free, but preregistration is required. For more information or to preregister school groups, call the park system at (732) 842-4000. The TDD number for persons with hearing impairment is 711.

Walks, tours at Sandy Hook during October

Sandy Hook will offer several programs during October, beginning with a Nike missile launch area tour Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. at the Ajax Nike missile at Fort Hancock. No reservations needed.

A monarch butterfly walk will be Oct. 8 at 2 p.m. “Brunch with the Birds” will be Oct. 9 at 9 a.m. at the Brookdale Community College Ocean Institute, building 53, Fort Hancock. A moonwalk will be Oct. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Ocean Institute. A fee is required for the Brookdale programs. For reservations, call (732) 224-2435. “Junior Rangers” will be presented Oct. 16 at 2 p.m. The program for children age 7-12 will feature a walk along a beach trail with a park ranger. Children should dress for the weather.

Clean Ocean Action will present “Make a Difference Day” Oct. 22 at 9 a.m. at beach area E. Attendees will clean beaches and help plant dune grasses. Individuals should bring gloves. To register, call (732) 872-0111. “Nike Missile Defense of Sandy Hook” will be Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. at the Nike Ajax missile. “Battery Gunnison in World War II” will be Oct. 29 and 30 from noon-4 p.m., and feature volunteers in WWII uniforms giving tours and demonstrations on how the gunnison’s guns were fired. A night prowl will be Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. Fort Hancock Day will be Oct. 30 from noon-4 p.m. and will mark the 1895 anniversary of the establishment of the fort. The event will feature tours and open houses.

Reservations are required for the above, which begin at the visitor center, unless otherwise noted. For more information, call the center at (732) 872-5970, unless otherwise noted.

Deadline for JCP&L school grants Sept. 30

Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has announced the deadline is Sept. 30 for educators and youth group leaders in New Jersey to apply for FirstEnergy math, science and technology grants. The grants support classroom projects and teacher professional development initiatives for grades K-12.

Creative projects dealing with math, science and technology will be considered, and grants may also be used to compensate professionals who come to work with students. Preferred projects will involve students directly, incorporate matching funds, community resources, interdisciplinary or team-building, and involve various age groups. Teacher training and professional development projects are also favored, but applications should not be submitted to pay fees for workshops.

For an application or more information, visit www.firstenergycorp.com, choose Community Involvement, click on Education, then Educational Grants.

Nominations under way for historic sites list

Preservation New Jersey, Trenton, is accepting nominations for its 2006 list of the “10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey,” with application deadline Nov. 30.

The list, and related programs, aid local efforts through public awareness of historic preservation issues, resources and opportunities. Criteria for consideration is architectural integrity and/or historical significance, an identifiable threat, and the likelihood that inclusion on the list will have a positive effect on preservation efforts of the site. The 2006 list will be announced in May.

To receive a nomination form, call Preservation New Jersey at (609) 392-6409 or visit www.pnj10most.org.

Nominations now taken for historic sites list

Preservation New Jersey, Trenton, is accepting nominations for its 2006 list of “10 Most Endangered Historic Sites in New Jersey,” with application deadline Nov. 30.

The list, and related programs aid local efforts through public awareness of historic preservation issues, resources and opportunities. Criteria for consideration is architectural integrity and/or historical significance, an identifiable threat, and likelihood that inclusion on the list will have a positive effect on preservation efforts of the site. The 2006 list will be announced in May.

To receive a nomination form, call Preservation New Jersey at (609) 392-6409 or visit www.pnj10most.org.

SPCA annual Pet

Walk & Fair Oct. 1

Animal lovers are invited to leash up their precious pooches and join hundreds of other animal lovers on Oct. 1 at Marine Park in Red Bank from 8:30 a.m. to noon for the Monmouth County SPCA’s Annual Pet Walk & Fair.

Dogs only are welcome in the park. A minimum pledge of $25 is required and entitles participants to a Pet Walk commemorative bandanna. Those raising a minimum of $50 will also receive a T-shirt.

Participate in the 1-mile course (with or without a dog) through downtown Red Bank, or relax in the park to the music of The Wag, browse the merchandise of the many pet-related vendors, enjoy canine demonstrations, pet caricatures, purchase digital pictures of pets, the ever-popular doggie wedding chapel, clowns, face-painting and more.

Prizes for top fund-raisers include: airline tickets to anywhere in the continental U.S. with three nights in a Hilton Hotel. Winners of contests for the best costume, best ball catcher and best vocal performance receive prizes as well.

All proceeds benefit the animals at the Monmouth County SPCA, a not-for-profit organization that relies on donations from the public to help care for thousands of homeless, abused and abandoned animals every year.

Call (732) 542-2030 Monday through Friday for more information or to obtain a brochure.