Weekly Planner: Township Council Meeting, Midweek Jazz and Hawks Homecoming

Monday, Oct. 10

• Manchester and Lakehurst schools are closed for the Columbus Day holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday.
• The Ocean County Board of Social Services will be at the Community Connection in the Ocean County Mall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to talk to eligible residents about assistance programs. Call 732-288-7777 for more information.

Tuesday, Oct. 11

• Manchester's will meet at 6 p.m. at the Municipal Complex on Colonial Drive. Meetings are typically held on Mondays, but the Columbus Day holiday meant a change of schedule for the body. The 2012 fiscal year municipal budget will be introduced, according to the agenda.
• The Hakws girls soccer team will face Brick Township for a home game at the Lakehurst/Manchester Soccer Association complex on Colonial Drive at 3:45 p.m.
• Local author Julia Spencer and her seeing eye dog Irene will visit Manchester's branch of the Ocean County Library for a book discussion and signing at 2 p.m. Spencer will talk about "Looking Through a Keyhole," her motivational memoir. For more information, call 732-657-7600.

Wednesday, Oct. 12

• The Midweek Jazz Series at Ocean County College will present Kevin Dorn and The Big 72 at the school's Arts and Community Center at 8 p.m. Call 732-255-0500 for more information.
• "Jane Eyre" will be shown at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. at Manchester's branch of the Ocean County Library as part of its Featured Film Festival. The PG-13 rated film runs 121 minutes. Call 732-657-7600 for more information.
• Manchester high school students will take the PSAT test from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• The field hockey team will travel to Matawan Regional for a 6:30 p.m. match.

Thursday, Oct. 13

• Free blood pressure screenings are offered today by the Ocean County Health Department. Stop by the County Connection in the Ocean County Mall from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for testing.
• The Chicks with Sticks knitting and crocheting group will meet at the from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. to share ideas, patterns and make new friends. For more information, call 732-657-7600.
• "Owls: Hunters in the Night," will be presented by Fred Lesser of the Ocean County Parks and Recreation department at Tuckerton Seaport at 7 p.m. Call 609-812-0649 for details. 

Friday, Oct. 14

• The Hawks football team will host Jackson Liberty for the school's homecoming game at 7 p.m.
• Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to attend the Chess Club at  from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. The library asks that participants bring their own boards. Call 732-657-7600 for more information.
• Also at the library, quilters can drop in for the Quilting Bee group from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to share ideas, techniques and patterns. Call 732-657-7600 for more information.
• Cruise Night at the Jackson Crossing Shopping Center, 21 S. Hope Rd., will begin at 6 p.m. More information is available by calling 732-747-7846.

Saturday, Oct. 15

• Manchester Township High School students will celebrate homecoming with a dance from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in the school's gym. Parents are asked to ensure that their children are picked up by 10 p.m. and no guests are allowed unless they are MTHS graduates.
• Manchester's branch of the Ocean County Library, in partnership with Community Medical Center, will hold its Cancer Awareness Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local doctors and health care providers will be available to speak about cancer prevention, care and treatment. Derek Pierre will perform jazz, a raffle will be held and refreshments will be served. Call 732-657-7600 for more information.