business briefs 

The Counseling Center at Freehold, a professional outpatient counseling center, has opened in the Pond Road shopping center, 4345 Route 9 north, Freehold Township.

Mike Karl, director of operations, said demographic studies show a need for the Counseling Center at Freehold.

“There is a burgeoning pandemic of prescription medicine abuse in many parts of New Jersey, including Monmouth County,” he said. “We are at the grassroots level here, working to help solve the problem from within, and to serve as a resource for many who thought there was nowhere safe for them to go.”

The center is staffed by two doctors and three addiction counselors. The center accepts most health insurance plans. For more information, go to http://thecounselingcenter.com.

Wells Fargo Advisors has announced that Joseph Xerri, AAMS, vice presidentinvestment officer, has once again received the FIVE STAR Wealth ManagerSM award.

Less than 2 percent of wealth managers in the New Jersey area have received this honor for 2013 from the FIVE STAR Wealth ManagerSM Award Program. Five Star Professional relied on a range of sources, including firms, peers and regulatory authorities, in order to identify wealth managers who provide quality services to their clients.

Xerri is a financial adviser in the firm’s East Brunswick office. Xerri has been a financial adviser for more than 26 years. He joined A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc., a predecessor firm of Wells Fargo Advisors, in 1994. Xerri is president of the Rotary Club of South River-East Brunswick. He and his wife, Connie, reside in Freehold.

Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson, is hiring more than 4,000 employees, including 200 interns, for the 2013 season. The park will host a job fair on Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Six Flags offers a variety of positions and paid internships and offers team members many benefits including flexible hours, advancement opportunities, health and medical benefits, reward and recognition programs, scholarships, free park admission, incentives from area businesses and more.

Six Flags has positions open in the following areas: merchandise, games, park services, loss prevention and security, landscaping, human resources, food service, safari, marketing, cash control, ride operations, lifeguards, entertainment, admissions and guest relations.

Six Flags is looking for enthusiastic candidates of all ages and backgrounds, including teachers, stay-at-home parents, retirees and second-wage earners interested in pursuing careers in occupations such as marketing, accounting, criminal justice, theater arts, human resources, hospitality and business management, horticulture and zoology.

Prior to attending, all applicants must visit www.sixflagsjobs.com to complete an online application. The Six Flags employment center, 1 Six Flags Blvd., is open Monday through Friday 1-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. beginning Feb. 4. Those attending should use the employment/ service entrance.

OceanFirst Bank, in an effort to help fight local hunger, will team up with the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties for a food drive Feb. 13-20. All nonperishable items may be dropped off at the following OceanFirst branches in Freehold Township: Freehold Poet’s Square, 48 Thoreau Drive, and Freehold Marketplace, 308 W. Main St. Details: 888-OCEAN33.

The Greater Monmouth Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professional Group will hold its sixth annual “Caring with Karaoke” fundraiser 7-10 p.m. Feb. 13 at Park 33, 618 Park Ave., Freehold. All proceeds from the event will go to Breast Intentions, a local nonprofit that provides crisis intervention for women who are facing financial hardship as they battle breast cancer.

Park 33 will provide passed hors d’oeuvres as well as a dinner buffet station setup. There will be a cash bar with drink specials. The event will feature a karaoke competition, hula-hoop contest, raffle prizes, entertainment and more. Tickets are $25 per person. Details: 732-462-3030.

Dr. Neal Hammer, Freehold dentist, will provide one day of free preventive and emergency dental care and, if necessary, make referrals for continuing treatment for children age 12 and under as part of National Children’s Dental Health Month. The one-day program, called Give Kids a Smile, will take place Feb. 1 and is part of the American Dental Association’s annual push to bring attention to the No. 1 childhood disease, tooth decay.

Children who come to Dr. Hammer’s office that day will receive a comprehensive dental exam, oral health care instruction, fluoride treatments and free dental hygiene materials. Dr. Neal Hammer & Associates is at 505 Stillwells Corner Road, Freehold Township.

Avalon Carpet Tile and Flooring has moved from its former Eatontown location to a new showroom at 1500 Route 35, Ocean Township.

The new Monmouth County showroom will serve the designer, builder and retail trade with convenient access to the burgeoning Monmouth County shopping area.

According to a press release, Avalon Carpet Tile and Flooring is the seventh largest floor-covering retailer in the nation, providing full-service sales, installation of high-quality flooring products, and window treatments.

Established in 1958, Avalon Carpet Tile and Flooring has stores in Brick Township, Burlington, Cherry Hill, Deptford, Egg Harbor Township, Manahawkin, Ocean City, Rio Grande, and Toms River. It also has stores in Philadelphia, Pa., King of Prussia, Pa., Warrington, Pa. and Wilmington, Del. For more information, visit www.avaloncarpettile.com.