In tune with the holiday spirit, Monmouth Torah Links, Marlboro, sponsored a Sukkot party at which the highlight was the creation of a 120-foot-long paper chain.
Zachary Lehrer, a fourth-grader, said, “I enjoyed all the activities at the Sukkah party, especially the paper chain.”
Participants at the Sukkot party were treated to goodies in the sukkah and the students enjoyed cotton candy and build-yourself edible sukkahs as well as their giant chain.
In the words of Jack Litsky, the parent of a Hebrew school pupil, “It was a very enjoyable outing for the whole family and a great opportunity to get to talk with the rabbi and his family in a relaxed and happy atmosphere.”
For more information about the Mon-mouth Torah Links Hebrew school, call (732) 617-7117 or visit www.monmouthtorahlinks.org.
The U.S. Small Business Adminis-tration (SBA) announced that New Jersey small business owners received 3,687 loans for $707 million during the agency’s fiscal year 2005, the period from Oct. 1, 2004, through Sept. 30, 2005. Nationally, the New Jersey district office ranked fifth in loan approvals among SBA’s 68 district offices.
During this period, SBA loan approvals in New Jersey were up 29 percent over the 2,865 loans the SBA approved in 2004, according to James A. Kocsi, New Jersey District director. The dollars loaned were also up 17 percent over the $602 million that state small business owners received last year.
Small businesses have generated 60 to 80 percent of the new jobs annually over the past decade, and that trend is expected to continue, Kocsi said.
Minority and women-owned businesses also shared in the increased SBA loan activity during fiscal year 2005.
SBA loan approvals to New Jersey minority small business owners totaled 1,431 for $273.4 million compared to 1,110 for $197 million approved during fiscal year 2004. This represented a 29 percent increase in the number of loan approvals to minority-owned firms as well as a 39 percent increase in dollar volume.
Of the 1,431 loan approvals to minority-owned small businesses, Asian-Amer-icans received 894 loans for $198.3 million, African Americans received 188 loans for $26 million, and Hispanic Americans received 303 loans for $41.6 million. Loan approvals to Asian-Amer-icans were up 35 percent, loan approvals to African Americans were up 20 percent, and loans to Hispanic Americans also increased by 49 percent.
According to Kocsi, women business owners received 886 loans for $113 million compared to 569 loans for $109 million approved during fiscal year 2004, representing a 56 percent increase in the number of loan approvals to women-owned businesses, as well as a 4 percent increase in dollars.
Bergen County small businesses led the way in 2005 by receiving 589 SBA loans for $92.1 million, Essex County businesses followed with 294 loans for $51.3 million, and Camden County businesses received 288 loans for $49.0 million. Rounding out the top five counties were Monmouth County businesses with 272 loans for $67.1 million, and Middlesex County businesses with 260 loans for $50.5 million.
Kocsi said the average SBA loan in New Jersey was $191,175 and that a sizable number of loans were well under that average. He noted that more lenders are using the SBAExpress loan program, which offers a revolving line of credit and allows lenders to expedite the SBA loan process by using their own forms and procedures. This year, 68 percent of the SBA’s loans were approved under this program, for an average amount of $56,000, he said.
The SBA New Jersey District Office also provided New Jersey small disadvantaged companies with 136 federal government contracts worth $117.3 million. The contracts were issued under the agency’s 8(a) Business Development Program.
In addition to its lending activities, the SBA provided entrepreneurial development assistance to more than 42,000 businesses and start-up companies through its statewide network of resources partners, including SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) counselors, the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers, and the Women’s Business Center.
Jill Schiff of Freehold has been appointed to the Middlesex County Workforce Investment Board (WIB). She is membership services director for the Building Contractors Association of New Jersey.
Schiff will serve as a member of the state-certified Middlesex County WIB, one of 33 volunteer members who plan to oversee local workforce development and job training programs. The WIB’s goals include developing a comprehensive and integrated workforce system that serves employers, adults and youths, linking training to skill sets that are relevant to business, and putting workers on a career path.
Schiff is a 15-year veteran of the contractor trade association and is directly responsible for workforce development programs for the Building Contractors Association of New Jersey. Her duties include handling education issues and facilitating association programs.
Paul Zuckerman of Marlboro was presented with the Governor’s Office of Employees Relations’ Workforce Cham-pions Award, which recognizes New York State employees who have worked together to improve significantly state governmental operations.
Ten New York State Insurance Department (NYSID) employees and five from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) were honored for their successful efforts to reduce New York’s automobile insurance rates. The two agencies employed a multi-faceted strategy in recent years to bring cost savings to millions of drivers statewide. Zuckerman is a principal attorney with NYSID.
Business After Hours, sponsored by the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce, will be hosted by Commerce Bank, 600 W. Main St., Freehold, Nov. 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The fee is $10 per person and includes refreshments. Attendees should bring business cards. For more information or to register, call the chamber, (732) 462-3030.
Freehold Music Center, Freehold Township, has been chosen as one of the tour sites for Yamaha’s Elton John Signature Series Red Piano.
Freehold Music Center will be among only a handful of piano dealers nationwide to offer a “performance” by the piano. The high-tech piano’s keys and pedals recreate note-for-note performances recorded earlier by John. No more than 50 pianos will be made, all of which will be signed by the artist.
The piano will be on display Nov. 16-30 at the store, 3681 Route 9 north. Store hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.
Cold Stone Creamery announced that it will be offering free holiday cake tastings Nov. 11-13 at three stores in the local area: 327 W. Main St. in Freehold Township, 67 Route 9 south in Marlboro, and 4707 Route 9 north in Howell.
Style Barber Shop, Freehold Township, hosted a fundraiser for victims of Hurricane Katrina recently. Ten employees along with the shop owner, Lori DeFalco, opened the shop’s doors on Oct. 16 for two hours of cuts and color, donating their time and the entire proceeds from the day. The shop also offered complimentary coffee, bagels, muffins and doughnuts.
Kelly Estenes and Christina Masitti, daughters of two employees, also hosted a bake sale.
The grand total was $744.
The staff includes Dawne Estenes, Lynn Raskin, Danielle DeGruccio, Michael Bogar, Donna Burke, Robin Masitti, Debbie Manning, Roxanne Wilson, Janet Mura and Jennifer Schneider.
Babies “R” Us in Manalapan will host a free “Baby Fest,” Nov. 12 from noon to 4 p.m. The event will feature exhibitors where customers can ask questions and receive information about the products and services on display. The Manalapan store is at 17 Route 9 south. For more information, call the store at (732) 845-2861 or visit the company’s Web site, www.babiesrus.com.
The fitness club WOW! Work Out World with 38 locations worldwide, recently awarded a master license to Alex Moisescu of Wojian Sports Devel-opment Co., LTD, the People’s Republic of China, with the new facility opening next month in Dalian, China. The clubs offer services such as basketball, racquetball, and chiropractic services. Local WOW facilities are in Middletown, Freehold Township, Brick, Tinton Falls, Red Bank and East Brunswick.
The Central Jersey Women’s Network will hold its monthly dinner meeting and program Nov. 10 from 6-9 p.m. at Holiday Inn at Tinton Falls, 700 Hope Road. Speaker Cynthia Palka, M.S., C.E.C., will present “Mastering Change From the Inside Out: Using Core Values to Make Smart Choices.” Registration is requested, but walk-ins are welcome. Cost is $44 for nonmembers, and $35 for members. To register, call (908) 281-9234.
The Monmouth-Ocean Chapter of the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners will hold its annual holiday auction Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Eatontown. A variety of gifts and services, which have been donated by area businesses and retailers, will be auctioned off through silent and live auctions. Admission is $40, with proceeds to fund the chapter’s education and legislative activities and support scholarship funds and outreach programs. For further details, or to donate an item for the auction, call Sheryl Gambarella, (732) 370-7047, or Dawn Nakash, (732) 901-7836.