• Jackson's Independence Day celebration will be held on July 3 at John F. Johnson Jr. Memorial Park, Kierych Drive, Jackson. Entertainment by Dr. Cheeko (island and popular music) at 6:30 p.m. and a fireworks display at dusk. Rain date July 5. Parking and facilities for handicapped persons will be available onsite. Details: 732-928-1200, ext. 255.

• Howell's Independence Day celebration will begin at 6 p.m. July 3 at Oak Glen Park, Preventorium Road, Howell. Music, games, food, family entertainment and a fireworks display. Shuttle buses will be available at Howell High School, Squankum-Yellowbrook Road, and at the Aldrich Road Park and Ride lot, Route 9, beginning at 5:45 p.m. Details: 732-938- 4500, ext. 2501.

• Lakewood's Independence Day concert and fireworks will be held at 8 p.m. July 3 at Lake Carasaljo, Route 9 and North Lake Drive, Lakewood.

• A blood drive will be conducted by the American Red Cross from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 7 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details: 732-928-4400.

• "Cool Cooking," a program for children in fifth grade and up, will be offered at 7 p.m. July 7 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details: 732- 928-4400.

• A smoking cessation orientation session will be held at 7 p.m. July 8 at Kimball Medical Center's Center for Healthy Living, 198 Prospect St., Lakewood. No charge. Details: 732-914-1688.

• Jersey Shore PFLAG will conduct its monthly support group 7-9 p.m. July 9 at the Point Pleasant Borough library, 834 Beaver Dam Road, Point Pleasant Borough. The meetings offer support, education and advocacy for people who have lesbians and gays, bisexuals, transgender and intersex people in their lives. Details: 908-814-2155.

• St. Aloysius-St. Monica summer carnival will be held July 9-12 at St. Aloysius Church, 935 Bennetts Mills Road, Jackson. Entertainment, food, games, rides, raffles. Open 6-10 p.m. July 9 and 10 and 6-11 p.m. July 11 and 12. Pay one price ($20) for rides on wristband night, July 9.

• A dementia "lunch and learn" program will be held 12:30-1:30 p.m. July 9 at Kimball Medical Center's Center for Healthy Living, 198 Prospect St., Lakewood. No charge. Details and registration: 888-724-7123.

• "Duck on a Bike," a live puppet show based on the book by David Shannon, will be performed at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, at 10 a.m. July 10. For ages 2 and up. Details: 732-928-4400.

• Self-defense techniques for older adults will be taught 12:15-1:15 p.m. July 10 and July 24 at the Center for Healthy Living, 198 Prospect St, Lakewood. Cost: $3 per session. Details and registration: 888-724-7123.

• A benefit spaghetti dinner hosted by the Jackson Elks Lodge 2744 will be held 5-9 p.m. July 11 at the Elks lodge, 1059 East Veterans Highway, Jackson. Proceeds from admission of $10 per person and donations will benefit Larry Stanecki, who sustained extensive injuries on June 20 when he was rear-ended by an 18- wheel tanker truck and ultimately run over and pinned under his own 10-wheel crane truck. Karaoke entertainment will be provided by The Karaoke Chicks from 8 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are available at the Jackson Elks Lodge and at Surf Taco in the Jackson Crossings shopping center on Hope Chapel Road, Jackson, or by calling 732-547-7988.

• Yoga classes (classic and gentle) will be offered at the Center for Healthy Living, 198 Prospect St., Lakewood, July 11, 18 and 25. Cost: $5 per session. Details and registration: 888-724-7123.

• An Arthritis Foundation exercise program will be held 2-3 p.m. Fridays, July 11 through Aug. 15 at the Center for Healthy Living, 198 Prospect St., Lakewood. Cost: $2 per session. Details and registration: 888-724-7123.

• New Egypt United Methodist Church will hold a coffeehouse 6-8 p.m. July 12 at the church, 38 N. Main St., New Egypt. Inspirational live music, dinner and dessert, fellowship. This is a free event. All are welcome. Details: 609-758- 2147.

• Allaire Village Inc. will host its annual summer crafters market fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 12 at the Historic Village at Allaire State Park, Route 524 (Atlantic Avenue), Wall Township. Free admission; parking, $5 per car. More than 125 craftspeople and artisans will be present. Rain date: July 13. Details: www.allairevillage.org or 732-919-3500.

• "In Search of the Reading Bug," with original music with Rick Waterhouse, will be presented to children ages 4 and up at 11 a.m. July 14 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Details: 732-928-4400.

• Meet the Mayor of Jackson, Mark A. Seda, 6-7 p.m. July 16 at the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson. Residents are invited to address their concerns to the mayor.

• Kim Brown, sister of Marc Brown, the author of the "Arthur" series of books and the inspiration for D.W., Arthur's sister, will visit the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, at 1 p.m. July 17. For children in first grade and up. Details: 732-928-4400.

• Central Jersey Blood Center will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 19 at Harley-Davidson of Ocean County, 300 Route 70, Lakewood. All donors will receive a T-shirt and be entered into a weekly drawing for a $500 gas card. Donors must be at least 17 years old and must weigh at least 120 pounds. Bring ID. Details: 732-842-5750 or cjbcblood.org.

• All-you-can-eat breakfast, July 19, 8-11 a.m. at the New Egypt United Methodist Church, 38 N. Main St., New Egypt. Pancakes, eggs made to order, french toast, home fries, sausage, bacon, orange juice, coffee, tea and fruit. Adults: $6; children 5 and under, $3. Details: 609- 758-2147.

• A yard sale conducted by the Howell Historical Society will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 19 at the McKenzie Museum, 427 Farmingdale- Lakewood Road, Howell. Rain date: July 26. A $10 donation will hold a space. Donated items can be left on the side porch of the museum after July 13. The yard sale will offer baked goods, books, toys, light lunch and more. Details: 732-431-4117.

• A scrapbooking crop/fundraiser will be held 2-9 p.m. July 19 at the Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, Station 55, 113 North New Prospect Road, Jackson. All proceeds will benefit Station 55. The cost of $30 per person includes dinner and giveaways. Details and registration: 732-370-2180.