Business Briefs

Norman Perlmutter, a certified public accountant with Perlmutter & Associates LLC, Freehold Township, recently published “How to Settle Your Debts,” a manual to help individuals and businesses work their way out of debt without filing bankruptcy. The book furnishes a workable system to get out of debt while limiting further credit damage. Perlmutter practices as a certified public accountant focusing his services on assisting individuals and businesses with debt management, financial rehabilitation, credit repair, and IRS problem resolution. Previously, he ran a collection agency for 18 years, and presented seminars and workshops on credit and collection subjects. For more information, visit the Web site www.howtosettleyourdebts.com.

Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey was recently awarded a three-year grant in the amount of $300,000 for its “Bridge Builders” program to improve access to reproductive health care for minority and immigrant women in Red Bank, Perth Amboy, Freehold and New Brunswick. The program provides outreach, education and medical care for the women, and is funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation through its New Jersey health initiatives program. Planned Parenthood has six health centers in Monmouth and Middlesex counties, and is headquartered in Shrewsbury.

Business After Hours of the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce will be hosted by CentraState Healthcare System’s Health Awareness Center, 65 Gibson Place, Freehold Township. The center will present information on how companies can help their employees become healthier and more productive with the Corporate Wellness Program. The center will also provide free blood pressure checks and body fat screenings for chamber members and their guests. The program will be held Nov. 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The fee is $10 per person and includes refreshments. To register or for further details, call (732) 462-3030; fax (732) 462-2123; or e-mail [email protected].

Central Jersey Women’s Network will hold a dinner-meeting Nov. 11, 6-9 p.m., at the Tinton Falls Holiday Inn, 700 Hope Road. Dennis Brewer, a certified personal trainer, will present a program on exercise and weight loss. The cost is $30 for members and $39 for guests if registered by Nov. 3; thereafter, the cost will be $35 and $44, respectively.

Central Jersey Women’s Network is a local network affiliate of the National Association for Female Executives and holds monthly meetings featuring guest speakers. For reservations or more information, call (908) 281-9234 or e-mail [email protected]. Payment by check may be made at the door.

LeTip, a networking group, is now forming in Manalapan. A free breakfast mixer will be held to provide an opportunity to meet and network with fellow business contacts in the area. The event will be held Nov. 18, 7-8:30 a.m. at Manalapan Diner, 48 Route 9 north, Manalapan. R.S.V.P. by Nov. 5 to Judy, (732) 972-8290. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. Attendees should bring business cards. For more information, visit www.Letip.com.

Bill Murray’s Auto Body, Freehold, has moved to a new location in the borough, 17 Jackson St. Serving the borough since 1969, the company has worked on police cars, fire trucks and school buses; its wrecker becomes a float for the borough’s Halloween and high school homecoming parades each fall. The company’s telephone number, (732) 462-0058, remains the same.

Professional and Business Singles Network has scheduled the following events. Membership is not required.

After-hours socials will be held Nov. 11, 5:30-9 p.m., at the Shadowbrook, Shrewsbury, in the Victorian Suite Lounge; and Nov. 18, 5:30-9 p.m., at the Cranbury Inn, 21 S. Main St., Cranbury. The cover fee for each event is $10. No reservations are required, and walk-ins are welcome.

A special regional event — “Speed Dating” — will be held Nov. 21 at 4:30 p.m. at the Somerset Hills Hotel, 200 Liberty Corner Road, Warren, Somerset County. The afternoon event will feature three-minute social introductions, with three age-group rotations. Reservations are required, and the fee is $45 prepaid admission.

For more information, call Ralph, (888) 348-5544 or visit www.PBSNinfo.com.

Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly general meeting Nov. 18, 8:30 a.m. at the chamber office, 17 Broad St., Freehold.

Guest speaker Joan Verplanck, president of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, will be discuss the national and state elections and programs that will shape the local business climate.

The fee is $10 per person and includes continental breakfast. To register or for further details, call the chamber office, (732) 462-3030; fax (732) 462-2123; or e-mail [email protected].

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey formally opened the company’s new office building located at 1427 Wyckoff Road in Wall Township. BCBSNJ executives and Wall Township officials, including Horizon BCBSNJ President and CEO William J. Marino and Wall Mayor Robert D. Peters, attended the Oct. 28 opening.

The facility will house a call center, mail processing operations, and customer service employees. The site also will provide continuity of service in case of any disruption at Horizon BCBSNJ’s headquarters in Newark. The 200,000-square-foot complex will house 800 employees initially and could grow to more than 1,000 employees, according to company officials. Horizon BCBSNJ employs more than 4,400 people. The company’s Internet Web site is www.horizonblue.com.