Business Briefs

The Orchards at Bartley is hosting an AARP Drivers Refresher Course for seniors in the community. The two-day class will be held on May 10 and May 11, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at The Orchards at Bartley in Jackson.

The program is a classroom-style refresher course designed to meet the needs of senior drivers over the age of 50. Participants will update their driving knowledge and skills, learn to avoid traffic violations, and prevent accidents. The class will help senior drivers become safer and more alert behind the wheel. In addition, participants who successfully complete the course are eligible to receive discounts on auto insurance.

Preregistration is required and the class size is limited to 10 students. Students will receive light refreshments, compliments of The Orchards at Bartley, during the course days. There is a $10 enrollment fee, payable to AARP. For more information and to enroll, contact Carole Kuntz at The Orchards at Bartley (732) 730-1700.

Kiddie Academy, which provides comprehensive, education-based child-care programs, has just opened its newest location in Jackson. According to Mark Meade, owner of Kiddie Academy of Jackson, the company has been successfully combining learning with child care for more than 25 years.

The Jackson location uses a curriculum created to promote each child’s intellectual, social, physical and emotional growth. According to Meade, the programs emphasize continuous, open communication between teachers and parents concerning each child’s development.

The Entrepreneur’s Source has opened a new location in Jackson. The goal of the business is to make the entrepreneurial dream of business ownership easier to attain for aspiring local entrepreneurs.

The Jackson office, owned by Virgil Hollender, is part of an international network of business ownership consultants who work with individuals and companies considering franchising as a career alternative or a method of expansion.

Prior to opening the Jackson branch office, Hollender, a nine-year resident of Jackson, worked for 25 years as an application development consultant, providing a background in business management and development.

The mission of the Entrepreneur’s Source is to help people and companies grow through the exploration of possibilities, options and dreams, according to Terry Powell, founder and chief executive officer of The Entrepreneur’s Source.

Jazzercise, a dance-fitness program, recently honored local instructor and Howell resident Kellyann Skorupski with the Pacesetter Elite award. Jazzercise has five income categories that merit an award when reached by franchisees: Pacesetter Elite, Pacesetter, Superstar, Achiever and Rising Star. As a Pacesetter Elite, Skorupski is one of the top money earners in the Jazzercise franchise operation. Skorupski’s sales contributed to Jazzercise Inc.’s record $76 million in system-wide sales in 2006. She is the only Pacesetter Elite in Monmouth and Ocean counties and has been an instructor in the Wall Township area for more than seven years.