The Pine Creek Railroad at Historic Allaire Park, Route 524, Wall Township, will begin running its Christmas Express Nov. 25 and continue to run Saturdays and Sundays every half-hour from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Dec. 18. Santa will ride along on every trip and visit with all the youngsters. Train fare is $5 per person. Advance tickets are presently available.

Call (732) 938-5524 or visit www.njmt.org for details.

Pottery show and sale continues until Dec. 22

The 2005 Invitational Pottery Show and Sale is taking place at the Ocean County Artists’ Guild, Island Heights, now through Dec. 22. Thirteen artists from Monmouth and Ocean counties will be featured, including Mare Akana, Lauren Bellero, Barbara Bollman, Chin-Ling Chang, Barbara de la Cuesta, Kathryn Dorsey-Lucas, Lana Kessler, Greg la Placa, Florence McLaughlin, Donna Nicosia, Theresa Secks, Katie Stacy and Judy Tavill. Functional ware, vessels and sculptural work will be available for sale.

In addition to the pottery show, the Ocean County Artists’ Guild hosts the Gallery Gift Shop, where unique gifts made by local artists are for sale.

The Ocean County Artist’s Guild is at the corner of Ocean and Chestnut avenues in Island Heights, and is open from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.

For more information call (732) 270-3111.

Lakewood High School stages ‘The Odd Couple’

The Lakewood High School Drama Club will present “The Odd Couple,” the female version, on Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. and Dec. 4 at 2 p.m.

The comedy is the popular known story seen on TV for years and now on Broadway that was rewritten by Neil Simon for a predominately female cast.

The cast includes Erin Farnkopf as Olive (Oscar) and Ashley Riley as Florence (Felix). Other cast members include Jill Maxwell as Sylvie, Allison Eisenberg as Vera, Shayne Aquino as Renee, and Lawanda Frazer as Mickey.

The cast also includes the two Spanish brothers who live upstairs: Manolo, played by Mark Alpert, and Jesus, played by Tyler Clark.

The play is directed by Performing Arts teacher Angela Corenblith, who is assisted by junior Dana Dispoto. Tickets are $3 for students and $5 for adults and are available at the door.

Howell Twp. will run holiday gift collection

Are you looking to make a difference this holiday season for the less fortunate in the community? A collection of new or like-new clothing (all sizes), new shoes and boots, small household items, new toys, items for infants and toddlers, movie tickets and local store gift certificates is being held in Howell. Items must be unwrapped.

Drop off these items on Dec. 3 through Dec. 14 at Young’s Appliance, 4658 Route 9 South, just past Kmart, (732) 363-0466; Manasquan Savings Bank, Ram-town, (732) 206-0527; or at the Howell Recreation Building on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

This will serve as the official Howell holiday collection. Details: Anna Ornstein, (732) 961-0370.

Jackson Community School slates bus trips

Jackson Community School will host the following bus trips; buses will depart from Jackson Memorial High School, Don Connor Boulevard:

• Dec. 8, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Sight and Sound’s “The Miracle of Christmas.” The fee of $92 includes motor coach transportation, driver’s gratuity, lunch and theater seats at the Millennium Theater, Lancaster, Pa.

• Dec. 10, 1-11 p.m. – Cape May Candlelight Christmas Tour. Fee of $85 includes tour, dinner, motor coach transportation and a trip leader.

Call (732) 833-4647 for ticket information.

Santa Claus will land in Lakewood

Lakewood Mayor Charles Cunliffe announced that Santa Claus and one of his elves will be dropping in by parachute from 6,000 feet onto the Little League field at Ninth Street and Lexington Avenue Dec. 4 at 2:30 p.m. to participate in Lakewood’s annual holiday celebration.

Santa will join the holiday parade from Ninth Street to Town Square, where the annual Christmas tree and menorah lighting ceremony will take place. All children will have a chance to visit with Santa. In addition, the first 2,000 children, ages 12 and under, will receive gifts and Hanukkah candy (gelt) from Santa. The festivities also include refreshments and holiday music.

The “Santa Jump” is subject to weather conditions. In the event of inclement weather, Santa will distribute gifts in the municipal building auditorium, 231 Third St., Lakewood. Details: (732) 905-3685.

Fundraiser Dec. 3 for family of diver

HOWELL — A benefit will be held from 1-5 p.m. Dec. 3 at Our House Tavern, Route 524, to raise funds for the family of Chris Fabiano, of Brick, a diver who was lost at sea in October. He left behind his wife, Jackie, and their two daughters who are in college.

According to a press release, Chris and Jackie had just bought a new house and were learning to enjoy their life together with their daughters away at college.

Chris enjoyed fishing and diving and Jackie had started to pursue a career as a real estate agent. Chris had gone out diving alone one day and never returned. The Coast Guard, New Jersey State Police and many friends searched for him, to no avail.

Since his body was never found, Chris’ family cannot receive any life insurance funds. The fundraiser has been organized in an effort to help the family make ends meet and to celebrate Chris’ life.

The event will feature a gift auction, four bands, 95.9 WRAT-FM and give-aways from the radio station and local businesses. Every ticket holder over the age of 18 will get a chance to crack the code on a vault holding the keys to a classic 1965 Chevrolet Imapala provided by Greg’s Toy Shop of Lakewood. There will be a cash bar and a dinner buffet.

All are invited to attend. Donations of gifts for the auction would be appreciated. Tickets are $25 for adults and free for children. For more information call (732) 657-0780.

Celebrate holidays with a festival of light in Howell

Howell will celebrate the holidays with a festival of light 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7 at town hall, 251 Preventorium Road. The evening will include caroling, crafts and a large petting zoo.

Santa will be on hand for pictures. A collection of nonperishable foods will be held, to be donated to the local food pantry. Shuttle buses will be available at the Department of Public Works.

Details: (732) 938-4500, ext. 2501.

Charity event Jan. 21 to

celebrate Elvis’ birthday

Andrew J Howard and The Friends of Elvis Fan club, in cooperation with Elvis Enterprises, The Ocean County ARC, radio personality Chuck O’Brien, Zanzi-bar music DJs, and B&K enterprises, will present the third annual Elvis Birthday Bash for charity from noon to 5 p.m. Jan. 21. at the Toms River Elks Lodge, 600 Washington Street, Toms River. Tickets will be sold at the door starting at 11:30 am. The cost per person is $10 and 100 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Ocean County ARC, an organization that serves people who have developmental disabilities.

During the event Elvis fans will have a chance to meet Elvis impersonators from across the country as they sing away the afternoon in full costume. Elvis scarves and teddy bears will be given out. Guests will include Gene Dinapoli, Ray Hoffman, Paul Daniels, Chris Presley, Sammy J, Mike Ratcliffe, Barbara “Belvis” Del Piano and Momma Bee, Paul Aaron, Mike Marchitto and Ray Kaminski as Roy Orbison. Details: (732) 363-3335 or (732) 901-5413.