• Bagels, Brownies, and Books: A Home-schooler's Book Club will meet at the Howell library, 318 Old Tavern Road, to discuss "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. The club meets monthly and is open to students in grades five through 12. Details: (732) 938-2300.

• An English conversation group will be conducted at the Plumsted library, Evergreen Road, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. The free group provides the opportunity to practice speaking English. Details: (609) 758-7888.

• The chess club will meet to play chess at the Howell library, 318 Old Tavern Road, 10 a.m. to noon, Nov. 3, 10 and 24. All ages welcome. Details: (732) 938- 2300.

• A holiday bazaar hosted by the Ardena Baptist Helping Hand will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Ardena Baptist Church, Route 524, Howell. Details: (732) 462-7831.

• The Girl Scouts will host a pancake breakfast Nov. 3, 8 a.m. to noon, at Prince of Peace Church, Aldrich Road, Howell. Tickets are $5 in advance and $7 at the door. No charge for children age 2 and under. Proceeds will benefit Girl Scout Troop 370's trip to Europe. Details and tickets: (732) 370-9730.

• First United Methodist Church, 8 Main St., Farmingdale, will offer full course roast chicken and baked ziti dinners, Nov. 3, 4-7 p.m. Cost: $9 for adults and $4.50 for children under age 6. Take out or eat in. Details: (732) 938-9181.

• A holiday shopping extravaganza will be held Nov. 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Congregation Ahavat Achim, 106 Windeler Road, Howell. Details: (732) 367- 1677 or (732) 303-0198.

• Fried oyster and chicken salad dinner will be served family style Nov. 4 beginning at noon at the New Egypt Volunteer Fire Company, Main Street, New Egypt. Price: $24 for adults, $10 for children ages 5-12, and free under age 5, take-out is $24, delivery is $25. Details: (609) 758-2350.

• Sons of the American Legion will host a breakfast, Nov. 4, 7-11 a.m. at the American Legion Post 455, 2 Meadowbrook Lane, New Egypt. Cost: $6 for adults, $3 for children ages 5-12, free under age 5. Details: (609) 758-8131.

• The Mah Jongg Club will meet at the Howell library, 318 Old Tavern Road, at 1 p.m. Nov. 5, 19 and 26. Details: (732) 938-2300.

• Used book sale, Nov. 9, 2-7 p.m. Nov. 10, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at New Egypt High School, 117 Evergreen Road, Plumsted. Books for all ages, jigsaw puzzles and videos will be available. Details: (609) 758-0009.

• Congregation Ahavat Achim, Howell, and Congregation Ahavat Shalom, 1075 Forest Ave., Lakewood, will jointly present services in observance of Veterans Day, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m. at Congregation Ahavat Shalom. The public is welcome. Volunteers are needed. Details: (732) 833-2694.

• Alex and The Kaleidoscope Band will perform a free concert Nov. 10, 2 p.m., at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive. For ages 3 and up. Details: (732) 928-4400, option 6.

• Mayor Mark Seda and the Jackson Township Council will host a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Jackson Senior Center, 45 Don Connor Blvd., Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. Lunch in the senior center will follow the ceremony. Details: (732) 928-1200, ext. 255.

• "Invest in Your Debt," a one-night workshop hosted by the Lakewood Community School in cooperation with J. David Flagg Financial, will be held at Lakewood High School, 855 Somerset Ave., Nov. 13, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Students will learn how to pay off all consumer debts in one to three years and home mortgages in three to five years. Students should bring a calculator and list of debts to class. The fee is $35 per person or $45 per couple. Details and registration: (732) 905-3685.

• A self-defense seminar for women will be held at Jackson Memorial High School, Don Connor Boulevard, Nov. 13, 7- 9 p.m. Sgt. Edward Bennett, self-defense instructor for the Jackson Police Department, will conduct the seminar. Details: (732) 833-4700, ext. 7223.

• Parents Without Partners chapter 1382 will meet Nov. 14 at Cool Beans (Seacourt Pavilion), Toms River, at 7:30 p.m. Single parents who are divorced, widowed or separated are welcome. Children may attend. Details: (609) 660-7718.

• Family Hour with Presley and Melody, Nov. 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive. Interactive musical concert for children and parents. Details: (732) 928-4400.

• The Women of Words Book Club will discuss "The Ditch-Digger's Daughter: A Black Family's Astonishing Success Story" by Yvonne S. Thornton, 7 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Howell library, 318 Old Tavern Road. Details and registration: (732) 938- 2300.