The merchants of Historic Allentown invite all to attend a Holiday Open House Dec. 6 and 7 sponsored by Allentown Business Community Association. Shoppers and visitors are invited to follow the red brick sidewalks to charming shops and enjoy shopping in an old-fashioned atmosphere. Shopkeepers have stocked distinctive gifts, from hand-painted furniture to jewelry, pottery and gourmet food items. Many shops will be offering complimentary refreshments and live entertainment.
The open house will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days; hours may vary from shop to shop. For more details, log on to www.allentownnj.com.
First Washington Community Foundation presented a check to Cookie Cutillo of St. Gabriel’s Church, Marlboro, to be used to purchase turkeys and dinner supplies for needy families in Marlboro and the surrounding area. The presentation was made by First Washington banking officer Barbara Wright.
Abraham Opatut, chairman of the board, stated that the funds will benefit needy families through Checkmate and Open Door of Freehold, Joshua House of Farmingdale, CPC in Morganville, and Performance Training Institute in Toms River.
Drivers are need to help shop, pack and deliver the food on Thanksgiving. To assist with the project or to make a donation, call Cutillo at (732) 577-0985.
The Institute of Management Accountants will meet Dec. 10 at the Greystone Manor, Freehold Township. The guest speaker’s topic will be "Tax Updates," and the dinner will be prime rib or salmon. For reservations or more information, call Peggy or Joe at (732) 683-2382.
Furniture On 9, a full-line furniture retailer, is open for business. The establishment features a 6,000-square-foot showroom as well as a full dinette/dining room and leather gallery, plus bedroom sets. The store provides free delivery and setup. Located at 3440 Route 9 south, Furniture On 9 is open seven days a week, and until 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays. For more information, call (732) 683-9999.
Old Monmouth Candies, a manufacturer and retailer of chocolates and other confections in Freehold since 1939, has announced the grand opening of its second location, 47 Broad St. in Red Bank.
The grand opening celebration was held Nov. 29. According to Neal Girandola, general manager and marketing director, the new location is different from the factory in Freehold. The Red Bank store is an upscale retail candy boutique that is designed to be an entertaining shopping experience where customers can see candy preparations such as hand-dipping and chocolate mixing.
Old Monmouth Candies in Red Bank is open seven days a week. For more information, call (732) 747-4445 or log on to www.oldmonmouthcandies.com.
AXA Advisors will present a free seminar, "Rebuilding Your Retirement Nest Egg," Dec. 16 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Marlboro Library. Bob Roman, of Marlboro, and Gary Brush will be the speakers. Roman specializes in retirement planning, and Brush specializes in financial planning and has given several seminars at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, and other institutions. Preregistration is requested; call (732) 292-3324.
It Figures! of Manalapan, a 30-minute workout facility for women, has moved and changed its name to Ultimate Fitness for Women.
Ultimate Fitness for Women, now at 285 Gordons Corner Road, Manalapan, has been serving women for the past three years. The new location has allowed the facility to expand to 4,300 square feet to accommodate a full cardio area, free weights, strength training equipment, spin classes, personal training, two weight-management programs, and a supervised baby-sitting room.
For every woman who joins the fitness center between Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 1, 2005, the facility will donate $5 toward the Monmouth County food bank.
Face2Face, located in Pine Creek Square on Route 9 south in Marlboro, held its grand opening recently. Owner Amy Hemming has owned a cosmetic business in the area for the past seven years, and now has expanded her business to include fashion jewelry, handbags, evening bags, skin care and makeup, specializing in makeup applications for all occasions.
Face2Face is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays until 7 p.m. Off-hour appointments are available. For more details, call (732) 536-4549.
CentraState Healthcare System, Freehold Township, was one of the top teams at the recent American Heart Association Monmouth County American Heart Walk. The collective feet of CentraState raised just over $10,000 to help fight heart disease and stroke and support the 2003 American Heart Walk theme, "Step Out, Save Lives – Exercise Your Heart."
John Lloyd, chief executive officer of Meridian Health System in Wall Township, was chairman of the 2003 Monmouth County American Heart Walk.
Monmouth Legal Secretaries Association will hold its holiday dinner party Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Tinton Falls. All are welcome to find out what the association has to offer. For more information, call Maryjane Trexler or Evelyn Eckhoff, (732) 462-7170.
Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry, Manalapan, will host two days of designer trunk shows Dec. 9 and 10. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment, and an opportunity to meet designer representatives.
The Dec. 9 event will feature collections of David Yurman, Aaron Basha, and Leslie Greene. On Dec. 10, the collections of Mikimoto, Roberto Coin, and John Hardy will be featured.
Gary Michaels Fine Jewelry is located on Route 9 south next to Wegmans.