Datebook

• Teen Dance for Jackson residents in grades six and seven, March 12, 7-10 p.m. at the Jackson Senior Center. Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the Recreation Department in the Public Works Building on Don Connor Boulevard daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with proof of grade. Tickets will not be sold at the door. Details: (732) 928-1200, ext. 255.

• The League of Women Voters of Ocean County will conduct a meeting on "Smart Growth," March 13, 10:30 a.m. at the main branch of the Ocean County Library, Washington Street, Toms River. Professor Robert W. Burchell of Rutgers University will be the guest speaker. The public is welcome to attend. Call the library at (732) 349-6200 to register.

• St. Patrick’s Day celebration, March 13, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., at the Jackson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4703, 54 Magnolia Road, Jackson. Cost is $15. Tickets can be bought at the post or at the door. Details (732) 928-0077.

• Book discussion sponsored by Temple Beth Am, 400 Carey St., Lake-wood, March 14 and 28, 10:15-11:45 a.m. Rabbi Stephen Gold will discuss "Abra-ham" by Bruce Fieler. Fee for temple members is $5 and $10 for all others. Advance registration required. Call: (732) 363-2800.

• Green Thumb Garden Club of Jackson monthly meeting 7 p.m., March 16 at the Jackson Library, 2 Jackson Drive. Bill Young, president of the Native Plant Society and owner of Young Environmental, Jackson, will explain how to turn small patches of land into thriving ecosystems. Details: (732) 833-1858. All are welcome.

• Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) meeting, March 18, 7:30 p.m., at Taunton School Media Center, Taunton Road, Howell. Speaker Thomas Cornine, a financial planner, will speak about planning for the future adult with special needs. Details: (732) 942-1516.

• St. Patrick’s Dinner, March 20 6:30 p.m. at Central Jersey Italian American Club, Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Jackson. Cost of $5 for children 5-12 and $12 for adults includes corned beef and cabbage and trimmings. There will be no Friday night dinner that week. Details: (732) 370-9820 or (732) 363-3070.

• Free spring hike, March 20 at Allaire State Park, Route 524, Wall Township. The hike will begin at 10 a.m. at the Hospital Road parking lot and will last about 90 minutes at a moderate pace. Details, (732) 938-2003.

• Fish Fry Dinner, March 19, hosted by the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road, Plumsted, 6-8 p.m. The cost for adults is $8, and $4 for children ages 5-10. Children 4 and under are free. Details: (609)758-8700.

• Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a nonprofit weight-loss support group with 240,000 members worldwide, will host a free open house March 23, 6:15 p.m. at Oak Hill Mobile Home Park Clubhouse, Club House Lane, Howell. Adults and teens are invited. Details: (732) 863-0065.

• Glaucoma eye screenings offered to the public March 25, 10 a.m. to noon at Kimball Medical Center’s Center for Healthy Living, 198 Prospect St., Lakewood. Dr. Marc Von Roemer, a staff ophthalmologist at Kimball, will perform the free screenings and answer questions. Details: (732) 730-1236.

• Jackson Chapter of Deborah "Tricky Tray," March 26, 6 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Lodge, Magnolia Drive, Jackson. No one under 18 admitted. Donation, $3. Refreshments served. Details: (609) 893-3372.

• "Night at the Cinema," March 27, 7:30 p.m. hosted by the Adult Academy of Temple Beth Am, 400 Carey St., Lakewood. Movie: "Tangled Roots" focuses on the life of a Jewish family growing up in Germany after World War II. Cost: $6 for members and $8 for non-members. Details: (732) 363-2800.

• Interfaith Couple discussion, March 28, 10 a.m. to noon at The Quality Inn, 815 Route 37, Toms River. Presented by Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Ocean County. R.S.V.P. by March 20. Details: (732) 363-8010.

• Land O’Pines School, Howell, gift auc­tion and fund-raiser April 16 at The Excelsior, Manalapan. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The cost of $35 includes dinner and a sheet of auction tickets. Tickets are on sale now. Details: (732) 942-7450.

• Friday night dinners offered at the Jackson Elks Lodge, East Veterans Highway, Doors open 6:30 p.m. Charge: $6 per person, Reservations: (732) 363-4101.

• Need a Friend, a social group for singles ages 40-65, will hold a "meet and eat" every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at the Golden Bell Diner, Route 9, Freehold Township. The group will also meet for lunch every Saturday at 2 p.m. at Old Country Buffet, Pond Road shopping cen­ter, Route 9, Freehold Township. Details: Joyce, (732) 625-0605, or call (609) 371-2113.