A Zumba launch party with Christine Leone will be held at Step By Step Dance Studio, 490 Route 33 west, Millstone Township, on Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. Enjoy a fun and exciting workout full of high-energy and calorie-burning routines. Receive a discount and free Zumba gifts for signing up at the launch party. The cost is $12 a class or $60 for six classes. Details: Christine, 917-626- 3486.
Curves of Manalapan is encouraging women in the area to show their philanthropic strength by participating in the annual Curves Food Drive. The club is offering incentives for existing and potential members who participate from March 1-31. Curves of Manalapan will collect nonperishable items during that time and monetary donations for food banks in the area. The goal, according to Michelle Gomez of Curves of Manalapan, is for the community to come together to help families in need.
According to Gomez, members who donate a bag of groceries or make a minimum donation of $30 during March will receive a reusable Curves grocery freezer bag for free. Nonmembers who do likewise between March 8-20 can join Curves for free. Details: 732-863-6565.
Applewood Estates, Freehold Township, CentraState’s active continuing care retirement community, has been accredited for another five-year term by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CARF), the nation’s only system for accrediting continuing care retirement communities. Nationally, only 15 percent of all continuing care retirement communities have earned this recognition. Applewood Estates has been accredited by CARF since 1999 through its conformance to quality standards and ongoing commitment to improving the quality of life for residents.
To earn accreditation, CARF representatives conduct on-site surveys to determine the level to which the organization meets standards for resident care and fiscal and community management. CARF surveyors consult with staff members and offer suggestions for improving the quality of services.
Applewood Estates is a nonprofit, continuing care retirement community offering apartments and cottages for active, independent seniors and assisted living services and skilled nursing care, if ever needed. It is part of the CentraState Healthcare System which is a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Health Network.
Dr. Michael J. Greller, a board-certified and a fellowship-trained sports medicine orthopedic surgeon at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute (AOSMI), Freehold Township and Monroe Township, performed the first “custom-fit knee” replacement surgery ever in the Northeast (New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut) in January, using Patient Specific Instrumentation (PSI) manufactured by Zimmer, a leader in orthopedic reconstructive products.
Dr. Alan Nasar, an orthopedic surgeon at AOSMI who assisted Greller in the surgery, worked with the manufacturer in developing the design of this cutting-edge technology. Patient Specific Instruments streamline total knee replacement surgery by ensuring accurate and reproducible guide fixation, a process that simplifies the operative procedure by allowing the surgeon to implant a replacement that is a custom fit and designed specifically for an individual patient.
Manalapan general dentist Dr. Len Ciuffreda teamed up with several other dentists and support staff to provide charitable dental care on Give Kids a Smile Day on Feb. 5. Working out of a Mercer County facility, they collectively provided more than $11,000 worth of charitable care to 33 children.
“The most rewarding aspect of dentistry is being of service to others,” says Dr. Ciuffreda. “This happens in our office on a dayto day basis — whether we are alleviating pain, restoring functional chewing ability, or restoring or enhancing a smile that can be shared with others. It is a special privilege to be able to provide treatment for those who cannot afford quality dental care.”
The Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce will conduct a Business After Hours event at Pilates Space, 15 School Road east, Suite 4, Marlboro, from 5:30- 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24. Admission of $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers includes refreshments. A lecture/demonstration about the apparatus will be presented by Arlene Katz, certified Pilates instructor at the New York Pilates Studio. Details: 732-462- 3030.
Central Jersey Business Partners is a local networking group actively seeking members. Visit www.CentralJerseyBusinessPartners. com for more information. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 8 a.m. and on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., at Wegmans Café, Route 9, Manalapan. Learn how to grow a business through networking. Details: 732-804-3083.
Kiddie Academy of Freehold, 89 Village Center Drive, will host an open house from noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 20. All prospective students enrolled at the open house will receive a $600 tuition credit and a waived registration fee, a $60 value. Parents are invited to visit the center and meet the owners and the director and to learn about the staff and curriculum. Kiddie Academy provides developmentally appropriate educational programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, prekindergarten, kindergarten and schoolage children. Details: 732-683-2086.
The Howell Chamber of Commerce will host a breakfast bonanza networking event at 8:30 a.m. Feb. 19 at Big City Bagels, 4007 Route 9 north, Howell. The event features an informative presentation by Judy Ryan of International Physical Therapy, A Healing Touch and Gifts of Nature. Ryan will share information about preventative health care, such as flu fighters. For further information on presenting your business or attending, contact the Howell Chamber of Commerce at 732-363-4114.