Grape Beginnings Wine School, 54 W. Main St., Freehold, is a winemaking center that teaches people the art and science of winemaking. The entire process takes about nine months. Grape Beginnings is getting ready for grapes to arrive from Chile and to start the new crush season. Grape Beginnings will host its annual barrel sampling party on April 2 from 5-8 p.m. Guests will be able to sample wines from barrels currently being produced. Anyone who is interested in making wine may call and reserve grapes. For more information call (732) 431-3313, (732) 586-3572, (732) 618-8308 or visit www.grapebeginningswineschool.com.
The Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association will meet at 11:30 a.m. April 1 at Palumbo’s Restaur-ant, Tinton Falls. Tom DeSanto, executive vice president of creative services for Aloysius, Butler & Clark, will discuss the future of health care marketing.
DeSanto has more than 20 years of experience in health care marketing as a copywriter, creative director and strategist, working with hospitals, health systems, insurers and other health care organizations.
The cost is $25 for members and $30 for nonmembers if reserved before March 29, and $35 thereafter. Registra-tion can be completed online at www.jspraa.com. For further details, call (732) 842-3311.
The Inner Circle Alliance, a networking group for businesses in Mon-mouth and Ocean counties, will meet at 7:30 a.m. April 5 at Perkins Restaurant, Route 34, Colts Neck. To register, call Guy Paredes, (732) 578-1900, ext. 14.
William Itinger, chief of the Monmouth County Fire Academy, has completed training by the U.S. Depart-ment of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency National Emergency Training Center.
Homeland Security trains thousands of firefighters, emergency service personnel, government officials and private citizens at the facility each year, to enhance the ability of communities to manage significant emergencies and disasters, both man-made and natural.
Itinger completed the Command and Control of Fire Department Operations at Target Hazards course in Emmits-burg, Md., at the National Fire Academy. The six-day course is designed to introduce command officers to the complexities involved in commanding incidents in high-risk areas. Students are taught advanced applications in the Incident Command System, command and control, decision-making, strategic and tactical considerations, pre-incident preparation documentation, and post-incident analysis.
GBH Consulting LLC announced that it has moved into new offices in the Ginesi Drive office complex in Marlboro. GBH Consulting provides business and individual income tax planning and preparation services. The company also offers PrimePlus and elder care services, focusing on the special needs of active adults, including income/expense monitoring, estate planning, long-term care planning and resource management.
The new office is located at 704 Ginesi Drive, Suite 11F, and can be reached at (732) 972-1170.
Curves for Women, a ladies-only fitness and weight-loss center that offers a complete workout in 30 minutes, announced that it is celebrating the first anniversary of its Freehold Township location, at 329 W. Main St. The center will mark the anniversary the week of March 21.
Frank A. Campione, former Monmouth County freeholder and deputy mayor of Freehold Township, has been selected by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Business Advisory Council (BAC) as the 2004 Businessman of the Year from New Jersey. The award was presented on March 15 in Washington, D.C., featuring special guests President George W. Bush, and radio and television personality Sean Hannity. Recipients are selected based on their business leadership and entrepreneurial spirit.
Campione is the founder of the International Education Consortium Inc., an educational organization promoting international summer study programs throughout Italy for American students and nonstudents. He has served as the former deputy mayor of Freehold Township, as the director of economic development for Monmouth County, and as a member of the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders.
Campione currently serves as the president of the New Jersey Coalition of Italian-Americans and was appointed by the governor to serve on the New Jersey Ethnic Advisory Council.
Campione teaches courses in Italian, Italian cinema and Italian cooking at Ocean County College, Toms River; Georgian Court University, Lakewood; Brookdale Community College, Lincroft; and Williams-Sonoma stores. He has earned the title of “bon vivant” from the New Jersey Supreme Court and is completing his first Italian Cookbook, “Italian Cooking by the Legal Gourmet.”
DCH Freehold Nissan has been recognized for excellence by J.D. Power and Associates by earning the Certified Retailer Award for 2005.
The program identifies retailers that are among the best, from a shopping and buying experience to vehicle delivery. To be chosen as a certified dealer, DCH Freehold Nissan exceeded the national benchmark score for excellence in vehicle selection, price and overall customer satisfaction.
David Power, chairman of the board of J.D. Power and Associates, presented the awards at the DCH Auto Group’s Chinese New Year Celebration.
The sales excellence distinction was determined by surveying a random sample of customers who either purchased a vehicle or shopped the dealership, on their perceptions of their overall dealership experience. The results were then compared to the national benchmark established by the J.D. Power and Associates annual Certified Dealership Performance Study.
DCH Freehold Nissan is on Route 9 south, Freehold Township.
Rita’s Ices has opened for the 2005 season. The company will be introducing new flavors developed specifically for a particular region. The local stores are at 342 Route 9 north in Manalapan, and 47 W. Main St. in Freehold.
June Nikola of Colts Neck has been nominated by acting Gov. Richard J. Codey for appointment to the New Jersey Cemetery Board. The nomination is subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate.