The Jackson Optimist Club will present “Denim and Diamonds,” the organization’s dinner-dance in which Family of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards will be presented. William Clayton and his sons, of Clayton Block Co., Lakewood, will be honored as the Family of the Year. The Jackson Volunteer First Aid Squad and volunteers of the Hurricane Katrina relief effort will be honored as Volunteers of the Year.

The event will be held at The View restaurant, Lakewood, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. The cost per person is $65 and includes dinner, dancing, a silent auction, five-hour open bar, and entertainment.

Proceeds will benefit Camp Quality and several local children’s charities. Call (732) 363-1346 or send an e-mail to info@Jacksonoptimists.org

College grads may seek

teaching certification

Those who possess a bachelor’s degree and have been thinking about becoming a teacher may want to consider the “New Pathways to Teaching in New Jersey” program available at Ocean County College, Toms River.

A free information session, “Alternate Route to Teaching Certification,” will be held Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Technology Building lecture hall on the main campus, College Drive, Toms River. Preregistration is required.

OCC has partnered with New Jersey City University to offer the program. Students attend classes at OCC and may choose to take the program as either a teacher certification requirement or for graduate-level credit toward a master of arts in teaching degree from NJCU. The same tuition is available to Ocean County and out-of-county residents.

Program candidates must have the following to qualify for the program: a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with either a major in an arts and sciences field for elementary education or a major in the field for subject area license; a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher for the last degree earned; a passing score on the Praxis II content area exam; a state-issued certificate of eligibility; four official transcripts; and a completed application. To register for the information session, call (732) 255-0477.

Free recreation program for Jackson residents

Jackson Recreation Department has announced that the following free programs still have available space:

“Kinder Craft” and “Me and Mom” (both for ages 3.5 to kindergarten age), and Junior Craft (for ages 6-14). The programs will be held at the Jackson Recreation Building, 95 West Veterans Highway.

Men’s Open Gym at Jackson High School, 101 Don Connor Blvd., is now open Mondays and Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m.

Girls’ Softball Registration will take place Jan. 17 and 20 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Jan. 21 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lucy Holman School located on Manhattan Street in Jackson.

Details: (732) 928-1200 ext. 255.

Special ed. parents group

to host Night Out

The Howell Township Special Edu-cation Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC) will sponsor its second annual Parents Night Out, Jan. 27 from 7:30 p.m. until midnight at the Woodlake Country Club, 25 New Hampshire Ave., Lakewood. The cost of $25 per person will include a sit-down dinner of chicken francaise, dancing, a gift basket auction, and live music. Details: (732) 901-1440. The deadline to register is Jan. 17.

Boating safety course

to be offered in Feb.

Flotilla 16-07 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering a boating safety course. The course is designed for the recreational boater. Content includes types of boats and engines, equipment for boats, navigation, rules on the water, boat handling, lines and knots, weather, and marine radio operation. The course satisfies the state requirement for a New Jersey State Boating Safety Certificate.

The eight-week course consists of 13 lessons conducted on consecutive Saturdays from 9-11 a.m beginning Feb. 4. The course will be held at the Manasquan Coast Guard Station Sail Loft in Point Pleasant Beach.

The fee of $60 covers the costs of books and materials. Call (732) 785-2618 to register.