Datebook

• Practice speaking English and connect with people in the community. An English conversation group will meet every Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Plumsted library, Evergreen Road, Plumsted. All are welcome. The group is informal and will be led by trained volunteers. No registration is required. Details: 609-758-7888.

• Cruise Nights will be held at the Jackson Crossing shopping center, Hope Chapel Road and East Veterans Highway, Jackson, at 6 p.m. on the second Friday of each month through October. The events will feature classic cars, music of the 1950s and prizes. Jackson Crossing invites members of the public to bring their own classic cars (pre-1984 American-made models only) for display. Details: 732-747-7846.

• Cub Scouts Special Needs Pack 178 will meet on the first and third Monday of each month from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Jackson AMVETS, 1290 Toms River Road, Jackson. The group is open to children between the ages of 7 and 10. Details: 732-833-0268.

• Dr. Michael Rushnak of Jackson, author of "Terminal Neglect," will conduct a book signing at Barnes and Noble, Lanes Mills Marketplace, 4831 Route 9 North, Howell, from 2-4 p.m. Sept. 27. The book discusses FDA-approved drugs that cause more harm than good. Details: 732-730- 2838.

• Jackson AMVETS (American Veterans) Ladies Auxiliary Post 2 will host an indoor/ outdoor flea market and craft show from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 at the post home, 1290 Toms River Road (Route 571), Jackson. Vendors are needed. The cost for tables is $10 each. Details and reservations: 732-657-0894. A breakfast fundraiser that day will be sponsored by the Sons of AMVETS.

• Howell-Jackson Knights of Columbus Council, Bartley Road, Jackson, will hold its first charity Texas Hold 'em tournament at 6 p.m. Sept. 27. Cost is $100, and additional re-buys and add-ons will be available during the event. Proceeds benefit local organizations. Grand prize is roundtrip airfare and a week's stay in Aruba for two. To sign up or to be a sponsor, visit www.kofc6201.com or call Mick Washington at 732-300-3166.

• The Acoustic Musicians Guild will present its annual Harvest Harmony Festival from noon to 7 p.m. Sept. 27 at Silverton Organic Farm, Silverton Road, Toms River. The event will feature a day of acoustic music by Mary Lutton, Mike Conaghan, Tom Geary, Mike Baine and the Woodzmen, The Bog Iron Band, The Tm Daily Trio, Michele Grace, The Jersey Shore Harp Ensemble, Smoking Aces, and Warm Hearted Country. The Lakewood High School ROTC will be the food vendor. Other crafters will also be on hand. Fee: $7 for adults, $5 for seniors, free for ages 12 and under.

• Susan Mendelson of Jews for Jesus will speak at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church, 124 East Pleasant Grove Road, Jackson, at 11 a.m. Sept. 28. Free program. Details: 732-691-6792.

• A motorcycle/car Poker Run and Cruise Day, sponsored by the Ocean County Foundation for Vocational Technical Education and Harley Davidson of Ocean County, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 28. The 100-plus mile poker run will start at Naval Air Engineering Station, Lakehurst, at 7 p.m. and end at Harley Davidson of Ocean County, 300 Route 70, Lakewood. Donation to participate: $15. Riders will draw cards at each of the five stops around the county. A car and motorcycle show will be held at the end of the run, with entertainment, vendors and activities. Details: 732-367-7000 or 732-240- 6414, ext. 3339.

• Don Buchwald and Associates, New York, will hold its second annual open casting call for talented children on Oct. 4 at the Marriott Lincroft Red Bank, 245 Half Mile Road, Red Bank. Several of last year's casting call picks are currently in major commercials. There is no charge to attend. Actors, singers and dancers are welcome to audition. Further details will be supplied upon registration. Contact kidscasting@ gmail.com. Appointments must be made in advance by e-mail. No phone calls.

• Molle Management Talent and Model Agency, Manasquan, will host open talent calls from 4-8 p.m. Oct. 4 and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5 at Music University, 3585 Route 9 North, Freehold. The agency refers clients ages 5-19 to auditions for film, television, commercials, print, musical theater and voiceovers. Personal management for teen bands and solo acts is also offered. Details: 732-303-1100 or 848-469- 9438.

• Bartley Healthcare, North County Line Road and Bartley Road, Jackson, will host its eighth annual Family Fun Day for families in the community from noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 4 (rain date Oct 5).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.

• The Howell Historical Society will hold its "Heat the Old Ardena School" yard sale from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Mackenzie Museum, 427 Farmingdale- Lakewood Road, Howell. Home baked goods, canned fruits and vegetables will be available. Donations may be left on the side porch. Vendors may reserve tables for $10. Details: 732-462-8610. Rain date: Oct. 11.

• The New Egypt Elks Lodge, 105 Lakewood Road, New Egypt, will host an Octoberfest/flea market on Oct. 4. The event will feature pumpkin painting, hayrides, games, apple dunking and a chili cookoff. Food and beverages will be available. For chili cookoff entries, flea market space or other information, call 609-351- 3428.

• Hope Presbyterian Church, 617 Hope Chapel Road, Lakewood, will host its 105th annual Harvest Home Dinner on Oct. 4 at 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. A family style turkey dinner with side dishes will be served. Charge: $10.95 for adults, $5.95 for children. Reservations: 732-276-2651.

• A craft and vendor fair will be held at Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Station 55, 113 N. New Prospect Road, Jackson, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 5. Craft/vendor spaces are available. Details: 732-370-2180.

• The Special Education Parent Advisory Council together with the Claudia Lives on Memorial Fund, will honor Claudia Thomas and Gina Sgambati on Oct. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at a family event to benefit both organizations at Howell Lanes, Route 9 South, Howell. The cost of $20 per adult and $12 per child will include two games of bowling and shoes. Refreshments, appetizers, snacks, desserts and a raffle will be available. Clowns will entertain. Details and tickets: 732-256-4763 or e-mail lovelivingkw@ aol.com. Checks payable to SEPAC can be mailed to SEPAC, 46 Grand Teton Ave., Howell 07731.

• Tip a Fireman Night will be held from 5-9 p.m. Oct. 7 at Applebee's, 4721 Route 9 North, Howell. At that time, the firemen of the Southard Fire Department will be delivering food to benefit their organization. Tips will help the firemen in their efforts to keep the community safe. Details: 732-685-3600.

• Jackson Township Friends of the Handicapped gift basket auction will be held from 1-5 p.m. Oct. 5 at the Melvin Cottrell Center for Senior Citizens and the Disabled, 45 Don Connor Blvd., Jackson. The event, which will benefit the special needs population in Jackson, will feature gift baskets, coffee, tea, cake and cookies. Admission: $5. Calling will begin at 2:30 p.m. Details: 732-928-5835.

• A multi-year reunion celebration for Newark Central High School class of 1968 will be held from Oct. 10-12 at the Newark- Robert Treat Hotel, Newark. Details: www.cent ralhs-class68.party.homepagenow. com.

• A fish fry sponsored by the New Egypt Elks, 105 Lakewood Road, New Egypt, will be held from 6-8 p.m. Oct. 10. The cost for fish dinner is $9 (two pieces) and $10 (three pieces). Chicken will be available for $8 (two pieces) and $9 (three pieces). All children's dinners are $5. Proceeds benefit charities supported by the Elks. Details: 609-351-3428.

• A blood drive will be conducted by the American Red Cross from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Six Flags Great Adventure's employment center, off Route 537, Jackson. All donors will receive a free ticket to Fright Fest, a Halloween celebration held Saturdays and Sundays at the amusement park Oct. 4 through Nov. 2 and Oct. 13 (Columbus Day) as well as Fridays, Oct. 10-31. Details and reservations: 732-928-2000, ext. 2831. Donors must be 17 years old or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.

• The Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, will host an evening of Irish and Scottish music and dance at 7 p.m. Oct. 13. Members of the Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch will present the program. The program is free and open to the public. Reservations: 732-928-4400.

• Horror and dark fantasy short story writer Rita Oakes will present an overview of some of her favorite scary tales, talk about what it takes to write and get published, and read a selection from one of her latest stories at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. The program will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 14 and is free and open to teens in grades 9-12; adults are also welcome. Register by calling the Jackson library at 732-928-4400.

• The Jackson Mills Volunteer Fire Company Station No. 54 of Jackson will hold its first "Halfway to Saint Patrick's Day" golf outing on Oct. 15 at the Cream Ridge Golf Club, Cream Ridge. Registration and continental breakfast begins at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start to follow at 9 a.m. Registration fee of $125 includes golf, golf cart, gift bag, contest prizes, continental breakfast and lunch afterward at the fire company. Details: Mike Corrigan, 732-522- 0877, or Barry MacNeil, 732-928-8649.

• The Jackson Liberty High School Parent-Teacher-Student Network will host a psychic night fundraiser from 6-10 p.m. Oct. 17 at Jackson Liberty High School, 125 North Hope Chapel Road, Jackson. Early bird tickets are $22 and tickets at the door will be $25, which will include one psychic reading, coffee, tea and desserts. Entrance without psychic reading is $5 and includes dessert. There will be vendors and craft tables on hand. For ticket or vendor information, call 732-961-7522.

• Christian Music Saturdays will be held on the third Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. at Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson. Dave Pettigrew will perform on Oct. 18 (same day as Pumpkin Patch and crafter/vendor fair); Breaking the Bondage Blues Band will perform on Nov. 15. Details: 732-833-8808.

• Unravel the secrets and the glory of ancient Egypt and what really killed King Tut at 2 p.m. Oct. 18 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. This program is free and open to the public. Details and registration: 732-928-4400.

• The Smart Discipline for Parents Seminar will be presented from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Carl Goetz Middle School Library, 389 Paterson Road, Jackson. This fun-filled, information-packed two-hour seminar is based on the best-selling book, "Smart Discipline" and will be presented by the author, Dr. Larry Koenig. The program has been featured on PBS, NPR and in Parents Magazine. Details and reservations: 732-363-3555 or 732-363-1599. Admission is $15 per person or $25 per couple.