Charisma Salon will donate 20 percent of all profits to the Louise Stewart Scholarship Fund during the week of Feb. 22. An educator in the classroom as well at the salon for 25 years, Stewart lost her battle with ovarian cancer in 2002. The scholarship fund was established by her family to provide assistance to students at East Brunswick Vo-Tech. Charisma Salon is on Route 9 south in Marlboro. For more information, call (732) 536-9497.
Andrea and Harry Mesh announced that they have joined Century 21 Mack Morris Iris Lurie Realtors, Marlboro, as sales associates.
Red Bank resident Peter Bruckmann, a personal financial representative at Allstate Financial Services LLC, Colts Neck, recently received the Volunteer of the Year Award from Monmouth University, West Long Branch, of which he was a member of the class of 1970. Bruckmann has been an active member of the alumni board of directors since the mid-90s, and is treasurer of the alumni association and chairman of the Alumni Awareness Committee. Under his leadership, the committee has undertaken projects such as new alumni association banners for Kessler Field and Boylan Gymnasium, and sponsorship of children’s theater productions for the second year at the university’s Pollak Theatre. Bruckmann is certified in long-term care (CLTC). The CLTC designation focuses on giving insurance professionals the tools needed to meet clients’ long-term care needs.
The Mid-Jersey Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Oakhurst section of Ocean Township, recently received the Excellence in Emotional Health Programs award for its “Chase Away the Blues” program. The chapter also received the Excellence in Independent Living/Employment Programs award for its professional education program. The program provided professionals working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services for the State of New Jersey a better understanding of multiple sclerosis. The awards were presented at the Multiple Sclerosis Society’s national conference held in Denver.
The Institute of Management Accountants will meet at Tommy’s Inn, Route 537, Millstone. Feb. 9 for an update on Excel skills. Dinner will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by the guest speaker. The group’s March 9 meeting will discuss hand-held computer technology. For more information, call Peggy or Joe, (732) 683-2382.
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.
Jewel Ridge Estates in Cream Ridge, Upper Freehold Township, has sold out. J.A.C. Builders Inc. opened its sales model in the spring of 2004, followed by record-breaking sales of the 25 single-family homes on 1-acre home sites, according to Colleen McNulty, ERA Advantage Realtors of Manalapan.
Offering similar designs, J.A.C. broke ground in the fall of 2004 for 1-acre home sites in Manalapan, offering full brick
façades, three-car side-entry garages, and public utilities. The Ruby XL features a conservatory, daylight basement and approximately 3,800 square feet of living space, and will be available for a late-spring delivery. The Emerald model offers a little more, and will also be featured in the single cul-de-sac. For more information, call McNulty at (732) 536-2000.
J.H. Cohn’s Executive Women’s Forum will feature a program by Caryl Felicetta, COO of Single Throw Inc., at 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Sheraton Eatontown Hotel, Route 35. The program will discuss how the Internet has affected the way customers find and interact with business. There is no fee to attend, but reservations are required. New members are welcome; membership is open to women who are either senior business executives or business owners in the counties of Monmouth, Ocean or Middlesex. For more information, call Mike at (732) 380-8649.
Betty Laboska, a sales associate at the Marlboro Office of Century 21 Mack-Morris Iris Lurie, has been named Sales Associate of the Month for her industry achievements in listings for December.
Laboska, who recently joined Century 21 Mack-Morris Iris Lurie, led the office in listings. She qualified for the New Jersey Association of Realtors Circle of Excellence Sales Award at the silver level from 2000-03. She also received the Centurion Award, the highest level of achievement within the Century 21 system, for her sales record.
Laurin Manco, a sales associate at the Marlboro Office of Century 21 Mack-Morris Iris Lurie, has been named Sales Associate of the Month for her industry achievements in sales for December. Manco has been a sales associate with Century 21 Mack-Morris Iris Lurie for just over one year. She led the office in sales for the month of December.
The Goddard School, Marlboro, a preschool child-care center for ages 6 weeks to 6 years of age, opened Jan. 24. The on-site owner is Carol Vargo, and the education director is Ellen Levitt. The curriculum encourages learning through play, and the program offers extended hours from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as the flexibility of either half- or full-day schedules. Tours may be arranged by calling (732) 617-8181. The Goddard School is a nationwide franchise headquartered in King of Prussia, Pa.
Jennifer L. Volet of Manalapan has joined the law firm of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP as an associate in the corporate department.
Volet previously served as an associate with a Georgia law firm. She also served as a judicial intern for Judge Alfred M Wolin, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
Volet is a graduate of Rutgers College, Rutgers University, where she was a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society. She received her law degree cum laude from Cornell Law School, where she was an editor of the Cornell Law Review. Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP has offices in Woodbridge and Roseland. Volet works in the firm’s Woodbridge office.
New Jersey Shore Builders Association will hold its annual Fabulous Achievement in Marketing Excellence (FAME) Awards Gala Feb. 17, beginning with a cocktail hour at 6:30 p.m., at the Grand Marquis, Old Bridge. The event will honor those companies and individuals who represent outstanding achievement in the home-building industry as well as excellence in sales and marketing. For reservations or further information, call Michelle at (732) 364-2828.
ERA Advantage Realtors was awarded the 2004 J.D. Power & Associates Award for Highest Overall Satisfaction for First-time Home Buyers Among National Full-service Real Estate Firms.
Each year, J.D. Power & Associates surveys millions of consumers and business customers to understand their opinions and expectations regarding the products and services they purchase in a variety of industries including automotive, travel, finance, health care and real estate. The firm’s real estate awards were determined by measuring home-buyer satisfaction in 16 major markets throughout the United States. The results are based solely on consumers who have used the particular products and services being rated.
ERA Advantage Realtors has six offices serving Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington and Mercer counties.
Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly general meeting Feb. 17 at 8:30 a.m. at the chamber office, 17 Broad St., Freehold. Robert D. Clifton and William C. Barham, newly elected Monmouth County Freeholders, will discuss their hope and plans for Monmouth County in 2005, and the long-term economic outlook as envisioned by the two newest members of the board.
The cost is $10 per person and includes continental breakfast. For reservations, call (732) 462-3030; send an e-mail to [email protected]; or visit the Web site www.wmchamber.com.
Business After Hours, sponsored by the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, will be hosted by North Fork Bank, 91 South Main St., Marlboro, Feb. 23 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The fee is $10 per person and includes refreshments. For reservations, call (732) 462-3030; e-mail [email protected]; or visit the Web site www.wmchamber.com.
MG Institute LLC, Freehold, will offer seminars on asset protection at the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, 17 Broad St., Freehold. Attendees may earn two insurance continuing education credits or two accounting CPE credits.
“Personal Asset Protection” will be offered Feb. 23 from 5:15-7:15 p.m., and “Commercial Asset Protection” will be held Feb. 23 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
“Long-term Care Insurance and Long-term Care Benefits for Veterans will be offered Feb. 26 from 8:30-10:30 p.m., and “New Jersey Medicaid Rules” will be
offered Feb. 26 from 10:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
The fee for each program is $43, or all four for $146. To register, e-mail [email protected]; fax (732) 845-2143; or call (732) 409-3209.
Weed Man, a lawn-care franchise, has opened in central New Jersey. Owner Daniel Murphy recently purchased the franchise rights to Monmouth and Ocean counties. Services offered by Central Jersey Weed Man include fertilization, weed control, insect and tick control, mechanical core aeration, overseeding and disease prevention and treatment.
Weed Man started in Toronto in 1970 and started selling franchises in the United States in 1996. The local franchise is based in Millstone. For more information, call (732) 294-1934 or visit [email protected].
Professional and Business Singles Network will sponsor two Valentine’s Day events.
On Feb. 10, an after-hours social will be held at the Shadowbrook, Shrewsbury, from 5:30-9 p.m. The cover charge is $10. No reservation or membership is required. The group will meet in the Oak Room Bar.
On Feb. 13, dance instruction will be offered at 5:30 p.m., followed by a dance social at 7 p.m., at the Ramblewood Country Club, 200 Country Club Parkway, Mount Laurel. The fee is $20 for the dance instruction and admission to the dance, or $13 for just the dance. There will also be a cash bar.
For more information, call (800) 537-3859 or visit www.PBSNinfo.com.
My Gym Children’s Fitness Center, Manalapan, has launched a monthly “Fit & Fun” contest, a new Web-based quiz aimed at educating children about exercise and healthy eating habits.
Each month, through in-store announcements and promotional materials, My Gym children will be encouraged to visit the My Gym contest page and answer the month’s question about health and fitness. When children register online, they will become eligible to win prizes.
There are more than 135 My Gym locations nationwide. The local My Gym is owned by Tien Nguyen, and the contest Internet Web site is www.my-gym.com/kidscontest.
Investors Savings Bank, headquartered in Short Hills, announced that its employees have pledged $15,765.50 in its first United Way campaign. The amount
was matched by the bank to bring the total pledge to $31,531.
Investors Savings Bank joined the United Way of Monmouth County family of community partners this past year. Last year, Investors Savings Bank participated in Days of Caring by sending 14 volunteers to the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties. As a corporation, Investors Savings Bank also donated 100 backpacks to the Boys and Girls Club of Asbury Park through the School Time Wishes program in addition to running its first United Way campaign.
Weichert, Realtors announced that three sales associates at its Marlboro office were recognized for their industry successes in the month of December.
Joseph Dooling led the office in listings. Dooling has nine years of industry experience and earned a GRI (Graduate Realtor Institute) designation.
Clotilde Fiorica led the office in sales and revenue units. Fluent in English, Spanish and Italian, Fiorica is a member of Weichert’s International Division.
Christine Nadino led the office in dollar volume.
Weichert’s Marlboro office is located at 455 Route 9 south in Manalapan.
CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township, announced that James Matera, D.O., board-certified in internal medicine and nephrology, has been named a member of the board of trustees for CentraState Healthcare System. Dr. Matera is director of medical education and was chair of internal medicine from 201 to 2004. He was voted CentraState Physician of the Year in 2004 by the medical/dental staff.
Dr. Matera joined the medical staff of CentraState Medical Center in 1994. He earned his medical degree from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa.
Central Jersey Women’s Network will meet Feb. 10, 6-9 p.m. at the Holiday Inn at Tinton Falls, 700 Hope Road. Registration is requested, but walk-ins will also be welcome. Nancy Snell will present “Great Communication Yields High Dividends.” The cost for those who preregister is $35 for members and $44 for guests; for walk-ins, the cost is $44. To register, e-mail [email protected] or call (908) 291-9234, or visit the Web site www.cjwn.org.