• The Jackson Food Pantry will be open 9-11 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. Those wishing to volunteer or drop off donations can come during this time (March 13 and 27). Special arrangements should be made in advance for large food drives. Call 732-833-6800 or email [email protected] for more information.
• Easter in the Park will be conducted by the Howell Recreation Department from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 20 at Oak Glen Park, Howell. Children age 12 and under are invited to attend and participate in the egg hunt. Activities will include face painting, cookie decorating, petting zoo, and a visit from the Easter Bunny. Egg hunt times are as followed: 10:30-11:30 a.m. for ages 5 and under, 11 a.m. for ages 6-9, and 11:30 a.m. for ages 10-12. Bring a camera and basket. Details: 732-938-4500, ext 2501.
• Cub Scout special-needs Pack 178 meets on the first and third Monday of each month 6:30-8 p.m. at the AMVETS building, 1290 Toms River Road (Route 571), Jackson. The group is open to children ages 7-10. Details: 732-833-0268 or email rogerdownin@ gmail.com.
• A fish fry sponsored by the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road, New Egypt, will be held March 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost for a fish dinner is $9 (two pieces) and $10 (three pieces). Chicken will also be available for $8 (two pieces) and $9 (three pieces). All children’s dinners are $5. Includes sides, desserts and beverages. Take-out is available. Proceeds benefit charities supported by the Elks. Details: 609- 304-8469.
• “Self-Defense for Women and Girls — Don’t Be a Target!” will be offered to girls ages 12 and older from 10 a.m. to noon March 13 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Attendees will learn to protect themselves from street attacks and personal assaults using leverage techniques for self-defense. Daughter-and-mother pairs are welcome, too. This free two-hour class will be taught by black-belt instructor Walter Miller. The program is open to the public. Details and registration: 732-928-4400, or online at www.theoceancountylibrary.org.
• “About Boating Safety” will be offered by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 16-05 of Brick Township on March 13, May 8, May 15, June 5 and Oct. 2. All of the classes will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and all will be held at the Brick Civic Plaza, Chambers Bridge Road and Sprucewood Drive, Brick. All state law requirements for boat and Jet-Ski operators will be satisfied by taking and passing this course. The $50 per-person fee includes the textbook, handouts and all materials used in the class. Must be at least 16 years old; Participants must preregister by calling 732-899-0368.
• A pancake breakfast that includes scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausage, orange juice, coffee or tea will be held from 9 a.m. to noon March 14 at the Jackson VFW Post, 54 Magnolia Drive, Jackson. Tickets: $6 per adult and $3 for children under 10. Details: 732-928-0077.
• A blood drive will be conducted at the Greenville School, 210 Ramtown-Greenville Road, Howell, from 3 to 8 p.m. March 16. Donors must present a signature ID and must be healthy, at least 16 years old, and weigh at least 120 pounds. Call 732-303- 5069 or 732-845-9648 for appointments.
• The Alzheimer’s Association, Greater New Jersey Chapter will present “Understanding Memory Loss,” a free educational program for family caregivers, 2-3 p.m. March 18 at Bella Terra, 2 Kathleen Drive, Jackson. This program will explore the difference between normal age-related memory changes and abnormal changes that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia disorders. It will also address the importance of receiving a thorough diagnostic evaluation when symptoms first arise, current treatment options, and research advances. Details and reservations: 973-586-4300.
• The Brick Township Marching Dragons annual spring craft fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 20 at Brick Township High School, 346 Chambers Bridge Road, Brick. A variety of crafts will be sold, including hand-made jewelry, painted glass, wooden items, clothes and food. A gift basket and silent auction will be held. A bake table and hot food service will be available as well. Vendors may contact 732-920-8634 or email [email protected] for a registration form.
• The Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, will host live music performances of various genres on the third Saturday of each month. A light meal will be served. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are asked to bring a dessert to share. A freewill offering will be accepted. All ages are welcome. Upcoming lineup of entertainment: March 20, Paige Strackman; April 17, Jeff and Karen Penque; May 15, John Finkleday.
• “Walking With the Stars,” a fundraiser for Stand Up to Cancer hosted by the Jackson Liberty High School Key Club, will be held March 21 at Jackson Liberty High School, 125 N. Hope Chapel Road, Jackson. A Celebration of Life, which includes family-friendly inflatable activities for children, face painting, and more, will be held 3-5 p.m., followed by the walk from 5 to 7 p.m. There is no fee for participation in the walk, but donations of $10 or more will be appreciated. Details: 732-861-3923.
• The United Republican Club of Howell is celebrating its 40th anniversary with a pasta dinner March 21. The event will take place at the Kent Road first aid station 3-7 p.m. A donation of $10 per adult and $3 for each child under age 10 will be greatly appreciated. All are welcome. For tickets and details, call 917-684-1153 or 732-977-4603 or visit www.howellrepublicans.org.
• Monmouth County Children and Adults with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (CHADD) will conduct a parent support group meeting and adult AD/HD support group meeting 6:30-8:45 p.m. March 22 at the Howell library, 318 Old Tavern Road, Howell. Register at: www.meetup.com/Monmouth-County- CHADD-Daytime-Meetup. Details: 732- 552-8012.
• “Eve’s Diary,” a monologue adapted by Gayle Stahlhuth, will be presented by Michele LaRue at 7 p.m. March 22 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. The monologue interweaves highlights of several Mark Twain stories and essays, including “Eve’s Diary,” “Extract From Eve’s Diary” and “Papers of the Adams Family,” setting them “a long time ago, in Heaven.” The program is free and open to the public. Register online at www.theoceancountylibrary. org or call 732-928-4400.
• The Ocean County Department of Parks and Recreation will conduct a new program at Bounce U, 1920 Swarthmore Ave., Lakewood. Parents will be able to join their children ages 3-6 on the slides, bouncers, boxing ring and more during the program. Children must be at least 34 inches tall to participate. The fee is $8 per child. The program will be held March 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. To register, send a check made payable to the “County of Ocean” to: Ocean County Parks and Recreation, 1198 Bandon Road, Toms River, NJ 08753. Refer to program No. 423326-3C. Provide name, address and daytime telephone number, along with program number when registering. Details: 732-506-9090 or visit www.oceancountyparks. org.
• A property tax reimbursement seminar will take place 1-2 p.m. March 26 at the Melvin Cottrell Center for Senior Citizens and the Disabled, 45 Don Connor Blvd., Jackson. Tax collector Michael Campbell along with guest speaker Jacob Foy from the New Jersey Division of Taxation will present information and answer questions. Details: 732-928-1200, ext. 211, or visit the Internet website at www.jacksontwpnj. net/Townhall/Collector/Rebates. html.
• The Blue Moon Kruizers will begin its 2010 car cruise season 5-8 p.m. each Saturday beginning April 24 and running through Sept. 25 at Chick-fil-A, 4881 Route 9, Howell. The cruise is open to classic cars from 1980 and earlier and to special-interest vehicles from 1981 to 2010. Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item and yarn each week that will benefit the Howell Food Pantry and the Howell Senior Center Knitting for the Needy, respectively. Details: Visit www.bluemoonkruizers.freehosting. net.