Business Briefs

Advisors Mortgage Group, Shrewsbury, announced that due to the Dec. 25 fire that destroyed its headquarters on Shrewsbury Avenue, the company has shifted its services to the Toms River office, 1 Robbins Parkway, Suite 4.

Steven Meyer, president of Advisors Mortgage Group, announced that the company anticipates that interruption of services, if any, will be minimal during the company’s temporary relocation. The main telephone number, (732) 212-0111, will remain in service, as will the fax number, (732) 212-0113. The Toms River office telephone numbers are (732) 736-0440 and (888) 736-0440, and the fax number is (732) 736-5525.

PNC Bank has provided a boost to New Jersey’s efforts to foster the growth of small businesses by making a $50,000 contribution to the Entrepreneurial Training Institute (ETI).

The ETI program is an eight-week course offered twice each year by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and the New Jersey Development Authority for Small Businesses, Minorities’ and Women’s Enterprises, whose programs are managed by the EDA. The program offers practical information and guidance that is designed to help attendees develop a strategic, organized, step-by-step development plan for their own business or not-for-profit entity.

According to a press release from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority, part of the funds will be used to support Hispanic outreach efforts to identify and assist Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs being carried out in conjunction with the UCEDC, a Union County-based economic development agency serving Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties. The rest will support postgraduate mentoring services being provided to not-for-profit organizations through the Seton Hall University Institute on Work by the National Executive Service Corps.

The ETI program began in 1992, with 136 individuals successfully completing the fall 2003 and spring 2004 sessions. Spring 2005 classes will begin in February and March in Jersey City, Lakewood, Mount Laurel, Newark, Pleasantville, Somerville, Trenton, Union, West Paterson and Woodstown. For information about the program, visit the EDA’s Web site at www.njeda.com or call the ETI at (609) 292-9279.

PEP (People Empowering People) — for business owners and professionals in the Monmouth County area — meets on the second Monday of each month. There is no cost to attend, and refreshments are served at the meetings. For more information, call Sandy Franco, (732) 863-9955.

Bruce Schoengood, CEO of King Media Inc., announced the publication of New Jersey Home & Style, which has launched its premier January/February ’05 issue.

The glossy, full-color magazine takes readers inside a number of New Jersey homes. Each issue spotlights New Jersey-based interior and landscape designers, artists, retailers, home renovation specialists and showrooms to supply readers with the education and insight to tackle any home project. Every issue will feature a pictorial of a New Jersey celebrity home — Gloria Gaynor will be featured in the first issue. The magazine will be on sale in bookstores, on newsstands and in retail chains throughout the state.

Schoengood has been publishing national magazines from his Manalapan-based publishing company for 12 years. In addition to producing New Jersey Home & Style, King Media produces several magazines covering a number of subjects, including food, beauty, travel, children’s entertainment, sports, comic books and other subjects. In addition to his publishing ventures, Schoengood has been contracted to develop a game show for network television.

The Solomon Schechter Day School of Greater Monmouth County, Marlboro, will open a new nursery program for 3-year-olds in September. Following the philosophy of the existing early childhood program, with its emphasis on experiential, child-centered education, the program will be housed in the Early Childhood Center of the nursery-through-grade-eight school.

The school’s curriculum includes music, creative art, storytelling, and Jewish holidays, and will also introduce the children to the Hebrew language. The program is staffed by licensed professionals experienced in early childhood education, and offers a low teacher-student ratio.

The new nursery program offers a five-day and a three-day option, from 10:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. In addition, the school offers before- and after-school care through its Kids’ Care program. Kids’ Care is available from 7 a.m. through 6 p.m. daily and for an hour after the end of school on Fridays. For details, call Susan Yellin, (732) 431-5525, or e-mail [email protected].