A blessing of pets will be held 10 a.m. Oct. 4 at DeBows United Methodist Church, Jackson. All owners will receive a certificate and a picture of their pet being blessed by the pastor. Organizations that deal with rescue animals are welcome to set up a table and display literature. The church is at the intersection of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson. Advance registration is not necessary, but can be made by calling the church office at 732-928-4475.
Aleksandr Vasin, an accordionist from the former Soviet Union, will perform a one-hour concert of Brazilian, Cuban, Moldavian, Russian and jazz genres at 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. Space is limited, so register early by calling 732-928-4400 or by visiting www.theoceancountylibrary.org.
“Ten Legal and Financial Planning Traps for the Sandwich Generation,” a presentation for those individuals taking care of parents and children, will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. A lawyer and a financial adviser will give a presentation on how preparing the right legal documents and other important tips can help one avoid jeopardizing their own financial future. To register for the presentation, call 732-928- 4400, option 4.
Congregation Ahavat Olam, 106 Windler Road, Howell, will hold a community wide Yizkor service at 3 p.m. Oct. 4 on Yom Kippur. Details: 732 363 5190.
Knit-Chat-Chain, a volunteer knitting and crochet group that crafts and donates items to local charities, will meet at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 and 14 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details: 732-928- 4400, ext. 3808.
Fire station 55 Explorers in Jackson will host a spaghetti dinner on Oct. 3 from 7-10 p.m. at the fire station, 113 N. New Prospect Road, Jackson. The event will benefit Joey Weikel, 8, who has been diagnosed with leukemia. Proceeds will go to his family. Tickets: $20. There will be raffles and live entertainment. Details: 848-373-6230.
Historic Walnford, Walnford Road, Upper Freehold Township, will host an afternoon event focusing on harness racing history. The event will be held on Oct. 5 from 1-4 p.m. Meet trainers, owners and drivers who have made the standardbred horse an important part of New Jersey’s past, present and future. The event is free. Details: 609-259-6275.
The Jackson Memorial High School cheerleaders will hold a gift auction on Nov. 15 at the Amvets hall, 1290 Toms River Road. The event is a fundraiser to help support the program. Last year the team won the Large Varsity Division at the Americheer Internationals cheer competition in Orlando, Fla., and they hope to defend their title in March. The presale cost of tickets is $10 and tickets will be available at the door for $12. Details: 201-424-5614 or 732-547- 6928 after 4 p.m.
Boy Scout Troop 152, Jackson, is holding a flea market fundraiser on Oct. 11- 12 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Jackson Elks Lodge, 1059 E. Veterans Highway, Jackson. All proceeds will benefit the troop. If you have items you would like to donate to be sold, or for more information, call Krista Albano at 908-770-1768.
Bartley Healthcare will host its 14th annual Family Fun Day on Oct. 4 (rain date Oct. 5) from noon to 4 p.m. on the Bartley Healthcare campus at the corner of North County Line Road and Bartley Road, Jackson. Guests are asked to bring a bag of nonperishable food items or to make a monetary donation to benefit the Jackson Food Pantry. Children will receive a free T-shirt with the donation of a bag of food. Bartley Healthcare with match the monetary donations received for the food pantry. The event will have a carnival theme. Boy Scout Troop 204 will be selling hamburgers, hot dogs, soda and water.
The Howell Women’s Club Member Tea will be held on Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m. at the Taunton School. This is an annual tradition open to women who live in the Howell community, including residents of Jackson, Freehold and Lakewood. Club members work on community programs that make a difference in the lives of others. Details: Laura, 732-938-9190, or Teresa, 732-919- 1720.
Jackson Detachment 1369 of the Marine Corps League seeks members for its newly formed detachment. The group will meet on the second Monday of each month at the Jackson VFW 4703, 54 Magnolia Drive, Jackson. Details: Richard Hyjack, 732-202-8700.