• Jackson United Methodist Church’s pumpkin patch is open through October and benefits the Jackson Food Pantry and Church World Service. Patch hours are noon to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, Family Fun Day will be held Oct. 24, with face painting and pumpkin painting. Details: 732-833-8808
• Free health risk assessments will be offered Oct. 22, 2-6 p.m., and Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Family Healthcare at Bartley Corner, Jackson. The practice, affiliated with CentraState Healthcare System, accepts most insurance plans. Visitors will get a blood pressure reading, find out body mass index and receive a guide to prevent primary heart disease. They can also receive a seasonal flu shot. Details: 732-363-6140.
• A Parents’ Night Out for parents with special-needs children and their siblings will be held Oct. 23 from 6-9 p.m. at De- Bows United Methodist Church, corner of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson. Trained teachers have planned a special evening for the children. To register for the evening, contact 732-928-4475. The program is open to the community at no charge.
• A Comedy Night fundraiser starring Paul Venier, hosted by the Cassville Volunteer Fire Company, Jackson, will be held Oct. 24 at the Miller Avenue Fire Station, 785 Miller Ave., Jackson. Tickets are $25 and include two free drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased at the door, but advance ticket purchase receives preferred seating. Details: 732-928-3045 or email [email protected].
• Connie Briscoe, New York Times best-selling author of “Sisters & Lovers” and her newest book, “Sisters & Husbands,” will visit the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. Details and registration: 732-928-4400 or www.theoceancountylibrary.org. For more information, www.conniebriscoe.com.
• A spaghetti dinner sponsored by the Adelphia Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary will be held 4-8 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Adelphia Firehouse, 925 Adelphia Road, Howell. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for children ages 10 and under, and free for children under age 5. BYOB. Details: 732- 577-1781.
• The New Jersey Outdoor Alliance, a coalition of New Jersey hunters, fishermen and conservationists, will host a statewide rally at New Egypt Speedway, Route 539, Plumsted, at 2 p.m. Oct. 24. Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Christie will be the featured speaker. Appearing with Christie will be the area’s 30th Legislative District assemblymen, Ron Dancer and Joe Malone, as well as other state and local representatives. Details: Visit the Internet website at www.njoutdooralliance.org.
• An October-Fest sponsored by the Church of the Master Sunday School will be held Oct. 25, 2-4 p.m., at the church, 110 Salem Hill Road, Howell. The event will feature games, treats, crafts and stories for children in preschool through fifth grade. Children may dress in costume as long as it is church appropriate (no scary or gruesome costumes). A $3 per-child donation will be collected, and all proceeds will go to UNICEF. To help/donate, call the church at 732-364-3456.
• A Soccer Shoot hosted by the New Egypt Elks will be held Oct. 25 at the New Egypt soccer fields at 121 Evergreen Road, Plumsted, behind the municipal building. Registration is at 1:30 p.m. with the shoot beginning at 2 p.m. Boys and girls categories will be separate, with the top three finishers in age groups 7 and under, 8-9, 10- 11 and 12-13 advancing to the districts in Marlton. Children’s ages must be as of Aug. 1, 2009. A copy of the child’s birth certificate will be required. Details: Send an email to [email protected].
• Energy savings and efficiencies for home and business will be the topic of an outreach program presented by the Jackson Going Green Committee 7-9 p.m. Oct. 26 in the community room at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive. Offered through the New Jersey Natural Gas Co.’s Save Green Project, speaker Renee M. Amellio will discuss NJNG’s conservation and high-efficiency rebate programs, as well as energy assistance and no- or low-cost tips on ways to reduce energy bills. Details: Call Peggi at 732-657-2190 or send an email to psturmfels@ cleanwater.org.
• Gregory Christie, award-winning illustrator, will host a meet-and-greet event at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, as part of the library’s celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Coretta Scott King Awards. The event is for children age 7 and up and their families. Details and registration: 732-928-4400 or visit the website at www.theoceancountylibrary.org.
• A sign language course for those in grades 1 and up will be offered at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, at 7 p.m. Oct. 28. Details and registration: 732-928-4400 or www.theoceancountylibrary.org.