Joe Pipitone, founder of Coaching for Life, announced the premiere of Network Plus in the local area. The biweekly lunch-time gatherings for business executives, trades and crafts people, entrepreneurs and health care professionals, will hold its inaugural gathering at Nonna’s Family Restaurant, 190 Route 9 north, Marlboro, Dec. 17 from noon to 2 p.m.
The event will feature guest speakers as well as door prizes, including certificates for personal coaching programs.
The cost is $5 plus the cost of food. For information, call Pipitone, (732) 308-3813, or log on to www.joinnetworkplus.com.
Woodward Realty Group has announced it will hold a food drive through Dec. 23, with donations to be given to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Neptune. Woodward associates will either pick up contributions or the items may be dropped at the firm’s three locations: 114 Ave. of Two Rivers, Rumson; 6 Kings Highway, Middletown; or 31 Schanck Road, Suite 1B, Freehold. Office hours are Monday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For pickup requests or more information, call (732) 671-0100.
Starbucks is sponsoring its fifth annual Holiday Angels Joy Drive to benefit the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation.
Through Dec. 25, customers can donate gifts for seriously ill children served by the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation at all Starbucks retail locations in the tristate area. Customers are invited to drop off new, unwrapped books and toys at local Starbucks stores. Recommended gifts include books, board games, puzzles, hand-held games (including batteries), craft its, building toys, DVDs, compact discs, dolls and infant items. Customers who wish to make a financial donation can visit Starbucks.com or slsb.org. Donated toys will be distributed to local hospitals or to hospitals that are a part of Starlight Starbright’s network of medical facilities in North America.
The Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly meeting Dec. 16 at 8:30 a.m. at the Chamber office, 17 Broad St., Freehold. Dr. Samuel Krachman, director of the Sleep Center at CentraState Healthcare System, Freehold Township, will explain what sleeping disorders are and how we can recognize them, and what types of treatment options are available. The cost to attend is $10 per person and includes continental breakfast. For reservations or further information, call the chamber office at (732) 462-3030.
Dr. Michael Baskin, a local optometric physician whose office is at 4345 Route 9, Freehold Township, recently attended the fourth annual Primary Care Optometry News Symposium in New York City. More than 20 hours of optometric-related courses, lectures, panel discussions, hands-on workshops and information exchanges were presented at the event. This year’s program agenda included advanced clinical practice methods and research relative to glaucoma and macular degeneration therapy and management. Other topics included the treatment of dry eye and contemporary antibiotic treatment strategies.
Weichert, Realtors’ Marlboro office will hold its annual holiday party Dec. 16 at the Crown Palace in Marlboro. Hosted by Barbara Berg, manager, and chaired by Elaine Stumer, the event will include a 50/50 raffle for charity with this year’s proceeds benefiting the Valerie Fund. The Marlboro office also purchased food for a family of nine, chaired by Brenda Klauber, and ran a Toys for Tots campaign, chaired by Dolores Jenkins and Kathy Kwaak. Approximately 75 toys were collected and brought to the U.S. Marine Corps. The office also adopted needy children, providing each child with a wished-for toy, a project chaired by Lori Ragovin.
Shaping Zone for Women, Freehold Township, is collecting toys for the Marty Lyons Foundation’s annual children’s holiday party. Jade Zita, owner of Shaping Zone for Women, announced that toys can be dropped off at Shaping Zone, which is located in Poets Square Shopping Center, 62 Thoreau Drive. The toys will be donated to children who have life-threatening illnesses. The Shaping Zone’s Web site is www.shapingzone.com.
Josette Butehorn, branch manager of Weichert, Realtors Howell office, announced that three sales associates were recognized for their industry achievements in the month of November.
Kathy Pascocello led the office in listings. Pascocello qualified for the New Jersey Association of Realtors 2003 Circle of Excellence Sales Club at the bronze level.
Robert (Bob) Todd led the office in sales. A licensed real estate professional, Todd is a longtime resident of Freehold.
Patricia (Pat) Flynn qualified for the New Jersey Association of Realtors 2003 Circle of Excellence Sales Club at the bronze level.