• Bird feeding stations can be viewed with a naturalist at Cattus Island County Park, Toms River, Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30-11 a.m. in the Cooper Environmental Center exhibit room on the grounds of the park at 1170 Cattus Island Blvd., Toms River. Details: (732) 270-6960.

• Free tax assistance will be provided by AARP representatives at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, on Tuesday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon now through April 15. There is no age requirement and there are no appointments. Details: (732) 928-4400.

• The chess club will meet to play chess at the Howell library, 318 Old Tavern Road, Howell, from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 16 and Feb. 23. The program is open to all ages and is free of charge. Details: (732) 938-2300.

• An expectant grandparents class will take place Feb. 15, 7:30-9:30 p.m., at CentraState Medical Center's Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center, 901W.Main St., Freehold Township. Cost: $15 per person. Details and registration: (732) 308-0570.

• A fish fry hosted by Jackson Veterans of Foreign War Post 4703, 54 Magnolia Drive, Jackson, will be held Feb. 15, 3-7 p.m. Cost: $8 for adults, $4 for children 10 and under. Proceeds will help veterans. Details: (732) 928-0077.

• AValentine's Day dinner dance will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Central Jersey Italian American Club, 35 Cpl. Luigi Marciante Jr. Memorial Drive (formerly Christopher Columbus Boulevard), Jackson. Tickets are $30 per couple and include buffet, dancing and door prizes. Details: (732) 370-9820.

• A baby-sitting clinic for girls and boys ages 11-15 will be given Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CentraState Medical Center's Star and Barry Tobias Health Awareness Center, 901 W. Main St., Freehold Township. Cost: $35 per person. Details and registration: (732) 308-1850.

• Music, food and beverages for the family will be offered at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at the Jackson United Methodist Church, 68 BennettsMills Road, Jackson.All are welcome. Bring a dessert to share. A love offering will be collected. Details: (732) 928-948 or (732) 833-8808.

• A Meet the Mayor session with Jackson Mayor Mark A. Seda will be held on Feb. 20 from 6-7 p.m. at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Residents are welcome to attend and ask questions of the mayor. Details: (732) 928- 4400.

• Senior law will be discussed Feb. 20, 1-3 p.m., at The Orchards at Bartley, 100 North County Line Road, Jackson. Elder law, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, estate planning and reverse mortgages will be discussed. Details: (732) 730-1700.

• Zonta Club of Ocean County, Toms River, and Leisure Park, Lakewood, will co-host "HowMuch Do You LoveMe? Stepping into the Role of a Caregiver," Feb. 21 at 10 p.m. at Leisure Park assisted living facility, 1400 Route 70 east, Lakewood. Free program includes lunch. For reservations call (732) 505-2273 by Feb. 15.

• Jackson Venture Crew 400 will host a chicken dinner Feb. 22 from 6-8 p.m. at the Jackson Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4703, 54 Magnolia Drive, Jackson. Tickets can be purchased at the door: $10 for adults and $3 for children age 10 and under. Proceeds will benefit Jackson Venture Crew 400, the first special-needs Scout troop in New Jersey. Details: (732) 928-5835.

• ACD release party for the band The Riverwinds will be held Feb. 22 at 6 p.m. at the New Egypt Elks Lodge, 105 Lakewood Road, New Egypt. The party will also feature the bands Belafonte, Respond and Can You Keep a Secret, along with stand-up comedian Mike Kirshenbaum.

• TheAmerican Association of University Women, Northern Ocean County Branch, will hold its annual gift auction Feb. 23 at the Old Guard of Point Pleasant, Duchess Lane and Sullivan Road, Brick Township. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. Admission includes one sheet of prize tickets, cake, coffee and tea. Doors open at 1 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the AAUW's Education Foundation. Details and tickets: (732) 899-3267.

• AZydeco dancing workshop will be held at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. The workshop will touch on the history, culture and moves of Zydeco dancing, an American dance that originated among the African-American Creoles of Louisiana. Zydeco music draws on traditional Cajun elements as well as jazz, country western and blues.Although Zydeco is couples dancing, no partner is necessary for the lessons that will be presented at this workshop. All are welcome. Details and registration: (732) 928-4400.

• "Kids in Motion," a free program for children ages 5-12, will be offered by congregationsAhavatAchim, Howell, and Ahavat Shalom, Lakewood, Feb. 24, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at CongregationAhavat Achim, 344 Windeler Road, Howell. Personal trainers will work out with the children. All are welcome, but RSVPs are required by Feb. 20. Call (732) 367-1677. Refreshments will be served.

• Pilates classes are offered Monday afternoons and Tuesday or Thursday evenings at the Howell Recreation Department, beginning Feb. 25. Pilates provides total body toning and strengthening. Details: (732) 938-4500, ext. 2501.

• The Lakewood Board of Education will hold a general consultation meeting for non-public school administrators, staff, parents and guardians Feb. 25, 9:30-11 a.m., in the Board of Education building, 655 Princeton Ave., Lakewood. Individual meetings will take place following the meeting from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in addition to Feb. 26 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Comments regarding the No Child Left Behind Title I Program will provide valuable input to improve student success. For details and appointments for individual consultations call (732) 905-3686.

• The New Egypt First Aid and Emergency Squad will host an American Red Cross blood drive at the New Egypt High School cafeteria, Evergreen Road, Plumsted, Feb. 25 from 3-8 p.m. Donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds to donate. Photo identification is required. Details and appointments: (609) 758-8445.

• "The Other Boleyn Girl," a novel by Philippa Gregory, will be discussed by the Women ofWords book discussion group at the Howell library, 318 Old Tavern Road, Howell, Feb. 27 at 7 pm. The program is free and open to the public. Details and registration: (732) 938-2300.

• An art auction will be held at Congregation Achavat Achim, 344 Windeler Road, Howell, March 1 at 8 p.m. Preview will begin at 7 p.m.Admission: $10.Amini gift basket drawing will also take place. Details and tickets: (732) 367-1677.

• Tai Chi Chuan classes will be held at Ocean County Park Beach Complex, Route 88, Lakewood, March 12 through April 30, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Fee: $40 per person. Registration: (877) OCPARKS or www.oceancountyparks.org. Refer to program 433484-1A when registering.

• A flea market hosted by the Jackson Liberty High School Key Club will be held March 29 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Jackson Liberty High School, 125 North Hope Chapel Road, Jackson. Vendor setup begins at 8:30 a.m. The Key Club raises money for many charities and is also currently fundraising to send representatives to the International Key Club convention. The fee for a vendor's table is $15. Details and vendor's forms: (732) 300- 8311 or e-mail sbscalzo@jacksonsd.org.

• Junior Ceramics, a program for Jackson children ages 8-12, will be offered by the Jackson Department of Recreation and Senior Services, March 29 from 10- 11:30 a.m. at the Jackson public works building on Don Connor Boulevard. Fee: $12 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 Optimist Club of Jackson will host "Jackson's Got Talent," a show featuring Jackson's talented residents, on March 29. The performance will be held from 2-5 p.m. at the Jackson Memorial High School Fine Arts Center, Don Connor Boulevard. Tickets at the door will be $7. Details: (732) 928-1827"

• The Howell United Republican Club meets on the third Monday of every month at 8 p.m. at the Howell First Aid Squad building on Kent Road. Details: (848) 525-8454.