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April is not only the month of hope but national recognitions include observations for the English language, Scottish-American heritage, humor, cannabis, and canine fitness. There are awareness campaigns for interns and volunteers, inventors, welding, occupational therapy, distracted driving, donors, fair housing, records and information, and the military child. Homage also is paid for everything from the guitar, jazz appreciation, and poetry to pecans, soft pretzel, soy foods, fresh celery, and the straw hat. Also on the list are ‘Keeping America Beautiful,’ lawn and garden, decorating, landscape architecture, and safe digging, but this is the month we recognize Autism Awareness, Parkinson’s disease, stress awareness, child abuse, and sexual assault awareness.

Below is this week’s list of calendar events fall in line with the national awareness campaigns; and a few others:

Free Yoga

Dean’s Natural Food Market, located at 1119 Route 35 in Ocean Township, will launch a new free monthly yoga class 6 p.m. Tuesday. All levels of are welcome to participate in the interactive class being held every second Tuesday in the natural foodstore community room. Led by Certified Yoga Teacher Loretta Nelson, participants should bring a mat and water. For more information, visit deansnaturalfoodmarket.com.

Guitar String Exchange

Russo Music, located at 619 Lake Ave in Asbury Park, is hosting a 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday restring and recycle event. Musicians can bring in their old strings for recycling, as well as get their electric or acoustic guitars restrung for free, with new strings courtesy of D’Addario. Old strings will be recycled through Playback, D’Addario’s free national recycling program and participants can choose between D’Addario’s NYXL or Nickel Bronze Acoustic strings. For more information, click here.

Candlelight Vigil

In honor of national crime victims’ awareness week, a community vigil will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Springwood Avenue Park, located at the corner of Atkins and Springwood avenues. Aimed at honoring the victims and survivors, guests speakers include Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Assistant Prosecutor Christopher J. Decker, Assistant Prosecutor of the Major Crimes Bureau and Victims’ Rights; Assistant Prosecutor Barbara Suppa of the Family Division and victims’ Advocate; and Lt. Delisa Brazile. Victim and survivors Kelly Cullari and Penny Dees; Asbury Park Chaplaincy Survivors’ and Victims’ Support Team; Cindi Westendorf of 180 -Turning Lives Around Amanda’s Easel program. Held in collaboration with the Mercy Center, Greater Asbury Park Community Development Initiative, and the City of Asbury Park, the event features a community prayer, information and resources for victims of all crimes, and performance by the Shiloh Community Fellowship Ministries Choir. The free event is funded by the Victims of Crime Act and will include the distribution of T-shirts and glow sticks. For more information, click here.

Pinwheel Garden

Join Prevent Child Abuse 11 a.m. Friday at the Beach Bar in Convention Hall, located at 1300 Ocean Ave, in planting the state’s Pinwheels for Prevention garden in support of Child Abuse Prevention Month. Participants will plant the whimsical symbol in support of safe, happy, and healthy childhoods, free of abuse and neglect. Community and business leaders, government officials, nonprofit executives, students, advocates, and service organizations are invited to wave their pinwheels in the spring breeze before planting and formation of the state’s Big Pinwheel Garden. For more information, visit preventchildabusenj.org.

Lake Cleanups

Asbury Park celebrates Spring with a joint clean-up of its lakes. The Deal Lake and Sunset Lake commissions, in conjunction with the Sunset Lake Park Conservancy, are hosting lake clean-ups from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Meet at the Asbury Park Boat Ramp [next to 7-Eleven on Main Street] or at Sunset Avenue and Bond Street. Dress for the conditions and bring gloves, organizers say all other supplies will be provided. Those with small boats and kayaks are invited to pitch in. For more information, visit the organizations’ Facebook pages.

Expungement Workshop

The Asbury Park Community Action Network sponsored Expungement Workshop continues at St Stephen AME Zion Church, located at 1001 Springwood Ave in Asbury Park. Volunteers offer those looking to clear criminal records free guidance through the two-step process. Those interested should bring court dispositions and criminal background checks to the 11 a.m. Saturday workshop.

Big Brothers Big Sisters Campaign

Foodtown Supermarkets across the region are raising money this month in support of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Monmouth & Middlesex Counties, located at 305 Bond St in Asbury Park. Through its Donate-A-Dollar campaign, participants can donate at any of the Food Circus participating venues to support and sustain the one-to-one volunteer mentoring program. For more information, click here.

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