Pelican Pool, Spa and Patio shops will hold their annual Spring Fling Kick-off event on May 4-5 at its locations in Morris Plains, East Brunswick, Whitehouse, Quakertown and Langhorne. Pa. The event will include free outdoor cooking demonstrations on new grills and free hot dogs for the entire family beginning at 11 a.m. both days. Pelican will have company reps on hand to explain the features of many of the products they carry, from the best in Weber Grills to build-your-own custom outdoor kitchens. Hot tub representatives will be on hand to answer questions and offer special pricing. Details: www.pelicanshops.com.
The Huntington Learning Center is joining communities, educators, students and families on May 7 to celebrate National Teacher Day, which honors teachers and the critical role they play to ensure students receive a quality education.
Eileen Huntington, co-founder of the Huntington Learning Center, offers several ideas to celebrate teachers and to show appreciation, such as uploading a video (www.parenting.com/my-amazing-teacher), sending a letter of thanks (www.teacher thankyoucard.org), posting an appreciation message on Twitter or Facebook (#thankateacher), hosting an event honoring teachers in the community, writing a note to a teacher who has left an impact, hanging signs in businesses or schools recognizing teachers, and more. For more information about Huntington Learning Center, visit www.huntingtonhelps.com.
A meet-and-greet book signing with Lisa Lillien, chef and author of “Hungry Girl 200 Under 200 Just Desserts: 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories” will be held 6-8 p.m. May 9 at Wegmans, 55 Route 9 south, Manalapan. The event is free, but space is limited. To reserve a space, pick up a voucher at the service desk. Wegmans will begin selling the book on May 7 for $13.99, a 30 percent discount off the list price. A selection of Lillien’s previous books will be available at a 20 percent discount. Books may be purchased in advance or on the day of the event. Details: 732-625-4100.
James F. King Jr., an independent financial adviser at LPL Financial, Manalapan, was recognized as a top financial adviser and named to the LPL Financial Chairman’s Club. This distinction is based on a ranking of all registered advisers supported by LPL Financial LLC and is awarded to less than 6 percent of the firm’s 13,100 advisers nationwide. King is affiliated with LPL Financial and provides access to independent financial planning services, investment advice and asset management services to more than 250 clients in the tri-state area.
New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas H. Fisher kicked off the spring planting season by encouraging residents and businesses to patronize the state’s nurseries and garden centers. Fisher visited Brock Farms Home and Garden World, Freehold Township, one of central New Jersey’s largest garden centers and a longtime supporter of the Department of Agriculture’s Jersey Grown marketing program. Fisher also announced the launch of the New Jersey Grown website at www.jerseygrown. nj.gov. The site has information about the program and industry, including a search function for nurseries and garden centers and more.
The Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources will host Merrick Rosenberg, cofounder of Team Builders Plus, at its monthly meeting 8-10 a.m. May 9 at Jumping Brook Country Club, Neptune. Rosenberg will help participants discover their own behavioral styles and those of their co-workers with a simple four-style model of behavior. The registration fee for the seminar and a full buffet breakfast is $30 for JSAHR members, $40 for nonmembers, $25 for those in (job) transition, and $10 for full-time students. To register, call Kathi Evans, 732-270-5204.
Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik has launched Navesink River Capital, a private lending firm offering real estate financing of $75,000 to $2 million.
“With the downturn in the economy and drop in real estate values beginning back in 2007, transactions just weren’t happening,” Hornik said. “Most private lenders became workout shops and stopped making new loans and providing capital, so I decided it was time to launch Navesink to do new loan transactions.”
Prior to launching Navesink River Capital, Hornik served as general counsel and executive vice president, sat on the credit committee, and was involved in the business direction of one of the largest private lenders in the country. He remains an active partner in the law firm of LaRocca Hornik Rosen Greenberg and Blaha.
Navesink River Capital will fund all property types, including property acquisition, the acquisition of distressed debt, notes and mortgages secured by real estate, restructuring, discounted payoffs, property improvements, construction, pay-down of other debts and taxes, and will provide loans to operating businesses.
For 25 years, the Goddard School has collaborated with families to nurture children into respectful, confident and joyful learners. To kick off this milestone year, the Goddard School of Morganville has participated in a fundraiser and collected donations for the local Ronald McDonald House totaling $1,250.
Graduating seniors planning to pursue a business career are invited to apply for the 2013 William Barlow Memorial Scholarship offered by the Jersey Shore Business Network. JSBN is an organization of business professionals dedicated to honest, ethical and moral business standards on the Jersey Shore. In addition to the application, a 500-word essay on the topic “The Role of Small Business In a Recovering Economy” is required. Application deadline is May 15 and available in high school guidance offices, online at www.JSBN.org or by calling Ken Malagiere at 732-281-0333.