• AARP will have counselors available to offer tax advice to residents through April 15 at the following locations by appointment only: Jackson Senior Center, Don Connor Boulevard, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays (732-928-2313) and Tuesdays at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. (732-928-4400); Lakewood municipal building, Fourth Street, Lakewood, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (732-363-1435, ext. 14); and Plumsted library, 10 Evergreen Road, Plumsted, noon to 4 p.m. (609-758-7888).
• The food pantry at the DeBows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 537 and Route 571, Jackson, will be open from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Feb. 23. Details: 732- 928-4475.
• Biblical discussions will be conducted by John Crowell at Countryside Brokers, 706 Route 539, Plumsted, every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome. Details: 609- 758-7845 or 609-638-0291.
• Jackson Gives Back, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to helping Jackson residents in times of crisis, will sponsor its second annual Father-Daughter and Mother-Son Valentine’s Dance. The event will take place from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Amvets building, 1290 Toms River Road (Route 571), Jackson. Ticket price of $25 per adult and $20 per child will include a buffet dinner, dancing and games with DJ music and prizes. Details and reservations: 732-905-7898.
• A fish fry sponsored by the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road, New Egypt, will be held Feb. 13 from 6-8 p.m. at the lodge. The cost for a fish dinner is $9 (two pieces) and $10 (three pieces). Chicken will 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.
• “Consumer Awareness – Identity Theft,” a free three-part program, will be presented to the public by the Department of Banking and Insurance at 10 a.m. Feb. 13, 20 and 27 at Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details and registration: 732-928-4400.
• Hope Cathedral will host a blood drive from 1-6 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson. Details: 732-928-9072 or 732-833-8808.
• A Valentine’s Day social will be held from 7-10 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Solar Lounge on the campus of Ocean County College, Toms River. Guests should park in parking lot No. 2. Admission: $5. There will be light refreshments, door prizes and a DJ. The event is open to the public. Sponsored by Women of Purpose Ministries and the Office of Multicultural Services. Details: 732- 522-3917.
• A Valentines Night Dance will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at the Central Jersey ItalianAmerican Club, 36 Cpl. Luigi Marciante Jr. Memorial Drive, in Jackson. The admission fee of $25 per person will include a seated dinner, music and dancing. Tickets: 732-370-9820 or 732-905-0602.
• Howell Township Cultural Arts will present free winter concerts on Sundays at the Howell library, 318 Old Tavern Road, Howell. Concerts will take place Feb. 15, Mirror Image (Barbershop Quartet); and March 15 Jennifer Mylod (traditional Irish songs and tunes). Concerts will begin at 3 p.m., with free refreshments following the concert. Details: 732-938-4500, ext. 2501.
• The American Cancer Society, Jersey Shore Region, is sponsoring a free program for women who are undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy. The program offers education on makeup, skin care and wigs to help improve self-esteem and promote a positive outlook. “Look Good, Feel Better” will be held at Kimball Medical Center’s Center for Healthy Living, 198 Prospect St., Lakewood, from 1-3 p.m. Feb. 16, May 18 and Nov. 23. Details and registration: 800-ACS-2345.
• Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Christian Johnson, will give insight into the country’s great emancipator at 7 p.m. Feb. 17 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. The program is offered to the public at no charge through the Horizons Speakers Bureau of the New Jersey Council of the Humanities, a state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Details and registration: 732-928-4400.
• The Orchards at Bartley, 100 North County Line Road, Jackson, will host a free presentation about depression from 1:30- 2:30 p.m. Feb. 19. Dr. Adedayo Aderibigbe will speak about the forms of depression and why it is difficult to recognize this illness in older adults. He will also discuss how depression is diagnosed, treatment options and medications. To reserve a space, call 732-730-1700 no later than Feb. 16.
• A benefit concert will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Church of St. Monica, 679 West Veterans Highway, Jackson. Entertainment will feature the Princeton Tigertones a cappella group, Monmouth Battleground Barbershop Chorus, Mark Hoeler singing Broadway tunes, Pete Fitzpatrick and Company performing country and bluegrass music, and Town and Country performing sing-a-long folk songs. Proceeds will help the Diocese of Trenton Jail and Prison Ministries send assistance to Kasana- Luweero in Uganda and to Redeem-Her in Point Pleasant. Tickets: $15. Details and reservations: 732-928-5314.
• Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, invites the community to enjoy family-friendly Christian music on the third Saturday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Admission is a free-will offering. Doors open at 7 p.m. The following performers are scheduled: Dan and Ruth Ann Schaeffer on Feb. 21, and Landing Lane on March 21. Details: 732-833-8808 or e-mail [email protected].
• One-day boating safety courses will be offered at Point Pleasant Boro High School, Point Pleasant, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Feb. 21, March 14 and April 18. Those who complete the course will receive the New Jersey State certificate needed by law for all boaters and personal water craft operators. Cost: $50 per person ($40 for age 15 and under). Details and registration: 732- 785-2618.
• An American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 21 at the New Egypt Middle School cafeteria, 117 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Individuals must be 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds to donate. Bring photo ID. Details and appointments: 609-758-8445.
• The Lakewood Community School is offering a 10-week ballroom dance class for couples from 7-8 p.m. on Mondays beginning Feb. 23 at Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Ave., Lakewood. There is a $55 fee. Also offered will be an eight-week belly dancing-Zumba class beginning Feb. 24 to be held at Broadway Bound Dance School, Lakewood. Details: 732-905-3685.
• Sewing classes will be offered at Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Ave., Lakewood, from 6:30-9 p.m. beginning Feb. 23 as part of the Lakewood Community School’s adult enrichment program. The fee for the eight-week class is $45. Students will be taught how to choose correct fabric, read and cut patterns, and to size, measure and sew a garment. Details and registration: 732-905-3685.
• Computers for Beginners, a twoweek class being offered by the Lakewood Community School program, will be held from 7-9 p.m. beginning Feb. 24 at Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Ave., Lakewood. The class is specifically designed for the adult with little or no knowledge of computers. There is a $25 fee. Details: 732-905-3685.
• The Lakewood Community School is holding registration for woodcarving classes to be held at Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Ave., Lakewood, on Thursday evenings from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Feb. 26 through April 30. The fee is $46. To register, call 732-905-3685.
• Registration is being accepted for yoga classes scheduled to be held at the Lakewood High School library, 855 Somerset Ave., Lakewood, on Thursday evenings from 7-8:15 p.m. commencing Feb. 26. The classes are being offered as part of the Lakewood Community School Spring Semester. The fee for the 10-week program is $60. Details and registration: 732-905-3685.
• The Jackson Liberty High School Parent-Teacher-Student Network (PTSN) will host a used clothing and household items collection Feb. 27 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Jackson Liberty High School, 125 North Hope Chapel Road, Jackson. Dropoff is at the rear of the building. Clothing, accessories (shoes, purses, etc.), household items (blankets, drapery, etc.) and gently used toys may be dropped off at the rear of the building. Details: 732-370-1699.