Laurita Winery, New Egypt, recently won two gold medals at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition held in Rochester, N.Y. The winery won gold medals for its Cabernet Sauvignon and Naked Chardonnay. Apanel of 60 wine specialists judged 3,285 wines in all classes. The 753 entries came from 15 countries, from every state and from the six provinces of Canada.
Guitar Center, the world’s largest musical instrument retailer, recently launched its fifth annual King of the Blues, the nationwide search for the next great undiscovered blues guitar player. Guitarists can sign up at any of Guitar Center’s 216 stores across the country for the chance to compete for more than $50,000 in prizes, including studio time with Grammy Award-winning producer Pete Anderson. The winner will also receive a deluxe copy of blues legend Robert Johnson’s centennial box set, celebrating his 100th birthday on May 8, which features the original masters of his legendary recording sessions from the 1930s. Local competitions will be held at each of the 216 Guitar Center locations nationwide, beginning May 5. Details: Visit www.guitarcenter.com, click on Events.
TLC Family Chiropractic, 1200 Route 9 south, Howell, invites members of the community to a community networking/flea market to benefit the Japanese Disaster Relief Fund, to be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 14 (rain date May 21). This event will showcase local businesses and community members selling their goods. There will be demonstrations by the following: karate, yoga, tai chi, chair massage and more. Other activities include a chalk drawing contest and face painting for children, food, music, and gift card raffles donated by local merchants. Anyone interested in participating as a vendor to promote a business or sell goods can send a $25 check payable to the American Red Cross, specifying the Japanese Disaster Relief Fund. Gift donations are still being accepted for the raffle. Call 732-409- 3445 to reserve a spot (exhibitors must bring their own table and chair).
Georgian Court University, Lakewood, announced it was recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the 2010-11 Individual Conference Champion for using more green power than any other school in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC). Since April 2006, EPA’s Green Power Partnership has tracked and recognized the collegiate athletic conferences with the highest combined green power purchases in the nation. The Individual Conference ChampionAward recognizes the school that has made the largest individual purchase of green power within a qualifying conference. Georgian Court University beat its conference rivals by purchasing more than 6 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, representing 110 percent of the school’s annual electricity usage. Georgian Court University purchases a utility green power product from NextEra Energy Resources, which helps to reduce the environmental impacts associated with the campus’ electricity use.
Hal Ornstein, physician and managing partner at Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center LLP, Howell, will be inducted into the Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine (OCPM) Hall of Fame Society on May 21 at the college’s “Glass Slipper Fete” at the Embassy Suites Cleveland-Rockside Hotel in Independence, Ohio. Ornstein is a graduate of the class of 1987. Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine will honor three alumni and induct them into the OCPM Hall of Fame Society at this year’s event. The OCPM Hall of Fame Society is the highest honor given to an OCPM alumnus . Ornstein is recognized for his dedication to the podiatric profession, specifically his involvement in the American Academy of Podiatric Practice Management (AAPPM). Ornstein serves as an adjunct faculty member and coordinator for the four-year full curriculum practice management course at OCPM. In addition, Ornstein developed the first full practice management curriculum for three-year residency programs; he is the physician coordinator of Student Chapters of the AAPPM. Ornstein was also a recipient of the Podiatry Management Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award. Ornstein resides in Howell with his wife and two children. He has been in private practice for more than 20 years and currently is the owner/medical director of Affiliated Foot and Ankle Center LLP, with locations in Howell, Edison and Monroe.
The Howell Chamber of Commerce will host a speed networking event from 5:30-8:30 p.m. May 12 at the Howell First Aid Squad, 16 Kent Road, Howell. Cost is $7 per chamber member or two for $10, with prospective chamber members paying $5 more. Call 732-363-4114 for more information.
A Breakfast Bonanza networking event hosted by the Howell Chamber of Commerce will be held from 8-9:30 a.m. May 13 at the Ivy League Restaurant, 5E. Third St. (at Route 9) in Howell. An open discussion forum will also be held. Call 732-363-4114 for more information.
The Center for Health Education, Medicine and Dentistry, a federally qualified health care center at 1771 Madison Ave., Lakewood, has just expanded its dental facility, making it the largest in Ocean County, with 15 exam rooms, according to a press release. Joseph Tricarico, the dental director of CHEMED, said that as a result of many people not having dental insurance, dental services for the uninsured and underinsured are in huge demand. This dental facility was established through the efforts of state, county and local officials. Along with the opening of the dental wing, CHEMED has hired several dentists. The hours of operation for dental services are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 732-364-6666 for appointments.
Items for Business Briefs may be submitted by email to [email protected].