Datebook

• Parents Night Out for parents with special needs children and their siblings will be held on Jan. 11 from6-9 p.m. at Debows United Methodist Church. There is no cost. To register, call the church at (732) 928-4475, The church is at the intersection of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson.

• The Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus Council 6201 will host a blood drive on Jan. 11 from 4:30- 8:30 p.m. at the council home on Bartley Road, Jackson. To support this cause, call Diane at (732) 905-0370 to schedule an appointment, or feel free to stop by at any time during the blood drive hours. The Knights will also be sponsoring a screening program to identify potential bone marrow donors. Contact Kevin at (732) 252-5789 for more information.

• "Baby Ballerina and Kiddie Ballet at the Library" will be presented Jan. 11 at the Plumsted library, 119 Evergreen Road, New Egypt. Toddlers will be encouraged to develop an appreciation of music and rhythmthrough dance, creativemovement, imagery and role play. The toddler programfor ages 2-3 will be held at 10 a.m. A pre-school program for ages 4-5 will follow at 11 a.m. during which the youngsters will be introduced to traditional ballet. Children should dress in loose comfortable clothing or dancewear. A craft activity will follow the dance portion of both programs. Details and registration: (609) 758-7888.

• National Tax Advice Day will help taxpayers understand the latest tax law changes, Jan. 12, 2-3 p.m. at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Presented by Harold Boom of H&R Block, Manchester. Details: (732) 928-4400.

• The food pantry at the DeBows United Methodist Church will be open on Jan. 14 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to the community. The church is at the intersection of Route 571 and Route 537, Jackson. Details: (732)-928-4475,

• Basket Bingo will be offered Jan. 13, 1 p.m., at the New Egypt Elks lodge, 105 Lakewood Road (Route 528), Plumsted. Doors open at 11 a.m. Tickets are $25. Baskets, food, tricky tray and door gifts. Must be 18 to play. Details: (609) 351-3428.

• The American Association of University Women, Northern Ocean County branch, willmeet at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 in the Veterans Memorial Middle School library, Hendrickson Avenue, Brick Township. There will be a presentation by a forensic examiner about Haunted New Jersey. Guests welcome. Details: (732) 295-3926.

• Ablood drive will be held at Kimball Medical Center, 600 River Ave., Lakewood, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, Jan. 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details and appointments: (732) 363-1900, ext. 22065. or (800) GIVE-LIFE.

• Kindercraft for preschoolers will be offered by Jackson Department of Recreation and Senior Services to residents of Jackson. Classes will be held at the Jackson public works building on Don Connor Boulevard, Jan. 15 to June 4. Participants may choose between 10-11 a.m. or 1-2 p.m. on either Tuesday orWednesday. The fee is $18. Children must be at least 3-and-a-half years old and proof of age is required for first-time registrants. Register at the public works building Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Details: (732) 928- 1200, ext. 255.

• The Green Thumb Garden Club of Jackson has invited Margo Reynolds to speak at its meeting Jan. 15 at the Whitesville firehouse onHope Chapel Road at 7 p.m. Reynolds will discuss "Ponderrific Perennials." Details: (732) 928-0878.

• Jackson residents can meet with MayorMarkA. Seda and express their concerns about local issues on Jan. 16 from 6- 7 p.m. at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. No appointment needed. Details: (732) 928-4400.

• "Me and Mom," a program for Jackson preschoolers and an adult, will be offered by the Jackson Department of Recreation and Senior Services, Jan. 17, Feb. 14, March 20, April 17 and May 22. Classes will be held at the Jackson public works building on Don Connor Boulevard from10-11:30 a.m. or 12:30-2 p.m. Fee: $10 per class. Proof of age and residency required. Register at the public works building Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Details: (732) 928-1200, ext. 255.

• The NewEgypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road, Plumsted, will host a fish fry on Jan. 18 from 6-8 p.m. Take-out and children's meals will be available. Details: (609) 351- 3428.

• The Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host a quilt display and talk about the history of quilting, Jan. 19 at 2 p.m. Suzanne Rogalsky will conduct the discussion and illustrate her presentation with quilts from her personal collection. People of all ages are invited to this free event. No registration is necessary. Details: (732) 928-4400.

•Adanceworkshop will be presented by Elizabeth Scro, Jan. 19, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Scro is the artistic director and coowner of Once Upon a Dance School, Toms River, The gentle class is designed for adults of all ages and all stages of fitness. Improve flexibility and strengthen muscle tone with Pilates and basic ballet moves designed to improve posture. Details and registration: (732) 928-4400.

• Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson, invites the public to enjoymusic byDave Pettigrew, Christian musician, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. Food and drinks will be available.Alove offering will be collected. Details: (732) 928-9485 or (732) 833-8808. Bring a dessert to share. Coffee and tea will be provided.

• The annual Martin Luther King Jr. program, sponsored by the Lakewood Township Committee and the Lakewood Clergy Association, will be held Jan. 21 at 9 a.m. at the Strand Theatre, Fourth Street and CliftonAvenue, Lakewood. StateAssemblyman Ronald Dancer will be the guest speaker. Light refreshments will be served. Details: (732) 730-0444.

• The Jackson Elks will hold its annual SpecialNeeds Children's Charity Ball, Feb. 9 at 7 p.m. at the lodge, 1059 East Veterans Highway, Jackson. All proceeds will benefit the Special Needs Children's Committee, which enables themto provide services to children as well as send them to the Elks' Camp Moore for special needs children. Tickets for the ball are $30 per person. Details and tickets: (732) 547-7988.