Business Briefs

Business Briefs

Business Network International (BNI), Freehold Area Chapter, holds a breakfast meeting each Wednesday morning from 7-8:30 a.m. at the Cornerstone Cafe, Main and South streets, Freehold. The purpose of BNI is to assist members in growing their businesses by networking leads within the membership. Entrepreneurs as well as established business owners are invited to attend. For further information, call Rob Friedman, membership chairman, at (732) 845-5200.

CentraState Healthcare System and Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey have partnered to provide enhanced health care services and outreach programs to the community.

"Preparing to return home after a stay in the hospital, nursing home or other health care facility an be stressful for patients and their families, who often have many questions about care in the home setting," said Maryann Roper, R.N., director of the CentraState Health Awareness Center.

Combining CentraState and VNA resources will help make the transition to home care as smooth as possible, according to Lucille Richards, vice president for home care at VNA of Central Jersey.

For more information, call VNA of Central Jersey, (800) 862-3330, or CentraState (732) 294-2835.

Susskind & Almallah Eye Associates P.A., with offices in Marlboro and Toms River, has expanded its office hours and physician staffing at the Marlboro office. Doctors Omar Almallah, M.D., Robert Rosenfeld, M.D., Christopher D’Alterio, O.D., Erik Mohaber, O.D., and Catherine Felicia, O.D., will be available to see patients during the week.

Susskind & Almallah Eye Associates also offers laser vision correction at its Toms River location, which is now equipped with a permanently affixed VISX S4 laser with eye tracking, as well as CustomVue Lasik and WaveFront-guided technology to treat subtle abnormalities associated with the cornea.

Dr. Almallah is now available for consultations for laser vision correction and cataract surgery in the Marlboro office. Almallah was selected by the Consumers Research Council of America to be listed in the 2002-03 edition of the Guide to America’s Top Ophthalmologists.

Cold Stone Creamery, an ice cream franchise headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., will open its first store in Marlboro in December. The newest creamery will be located in the Lowe’s Center, Routes 9 and 520.

Neither soft serve nor hard packed, Cold Stone ice cream is made fresh daily at each creamery, according to a press release from the company. Guests can customize ice cream and frozen yogurt with one or more of a variety of mix-ins. Crew members fold the mix-ins and ice cream together on a frozen granite stone set at 16 degrees, ensuring that the concoctions are blended evenly.

Cold Stone Creamery has more than 500 stores operating in the Unites States and the Caribbean, with plans to establish 1,000 stores by 2004. The company’s Web site is www.coldstonecreamery.com.

Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry, Manalapan, will present an expanded collection of signature creations from jewelry designer Michael B. (Bogosian) of California, Nov. 29 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Michael B. is best known for his bridal jewelry, engagement rings, wedding bands and anniversary rings. His collection also includes necklaces, bracelets and earrings with lace and pave diamond settings.

The "Michael B. Trunk Show" will be held at Gary Michael Fine Jewelry, Route 9 south, next to Wegmans.

Hightstown/East Windsor Business & Professional Women is accepting applications for its Career Development awards. The awards are given to women age 25 or over who are continuing or return to school in a two- or four-year college or vocational training program. The application deadline is Feb. 28.

The organization promotes full participation, equity and economic self-sufficiency for working women, and extends opportunities for all women to continue their personal development through networking, educational, leadership and organizational activities. For an application and more information, call (609) 448-6954.

PostNet has announced the opening of its newest store, at 118 Route 9 north in Marlboro Plaza (Pathmark shopping center). Services include shipping via FedEx, UPS and USPS; private mailbox rentals with 24-hour access and parcel receiving service; worldwide fax service; photocopying; printing; laminating; notary; and Internet service. PostNet offers bulk mailing setup for business, and customers can purchase stamps, office supplies and gift wrap materials.

The store also is a Peanut Hotline collection center for plastic packaging loose fill — or "peanuts." PostNet will accept clean plastic peanuts from local residents and reuse them in their outgoing packages. The Plastic Loose Fill Council, a national trade association, maintains the Peanut Hotline, (800) 828-2214, and the Web site loosefillpackaging.com, which provides information on the use and reuse of plastic loose fill.

Store hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. During the holiday season, the store will have extended hours, and will also be open on Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. Owned by David Frons and Mike Elias, PostNet has more than 350 locations worldwide. For further information, call (732) 972-4100.