Georgette Keenan, owner of necessities for the heart, a "lifestyle" shop at 28 South Main St. in Allentown, announced the celebration of the shop’s third anniversary as well as the opening of a second location in Point Pleasant Beach. An anniversary celebration — luau-style — is planned for the Allentown location May 8 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring prizes, refreshments, in-store specials and a hula lesson (fellas are welcome, too).
The Point Pleasant Beach location is designed with a different "flavor," with favorites such as Brighton, Anne Koplik jewelry, and Broken China jewelry among new team players such as Hobo International, Jaqua Girls Bath and Spa as well as boutique apparel. The shop, located at 503 Bay Ave., is planned for a test run beginning May 1. The grand opening is being planned for mid-June.
For more information, call (609) 208-1198.
The U.S. Navy is offering sponsorship opportunities to local businesses. Sponsorships of activities and programs at Naval Weapons Station Earle are being offered by the MWR (Morale, Welfare, Recreation) department of the Colts Neck and Leonardo facility.
"MWR plans many activities for the military and their families stationed at Earle," said Marketing Director Tony DiFlumeri in a press release, "and while federal regulations prevent us from accepting any donations, we do have the ability to offer sponsorships.
"Sponsorship of an NWS Earle activity is an opportunity for the businessman to show his appreciation of our military, as well as promote his own business," DiFlumeri said. "In exchange for sponsorship, we recognize the business through banners displayed at events as well as in our media releases. By the company partnering with MWR, they not only show their patriotism but also have the opportunity to promote a local business in a military venue."
"Reaching a target market of active duty military, who are 100 per cent employed, offers prospective sponsors unique opportunities to open new markets," said MWR Director Mary Borree, "and we provide services for the sailors’ off-time as well as for other adult activities."
According to the press release, sponsorships are available in the area of the Liberty program, which offers trips and activities for the single sailor. The family programs, also available for sponsorship, include a Holiday Village and visit with Santa and holiday characters in December, breakfast with the Easter Bunny at Easter, a Halloween festival in October, and regularly scheduled Kids’ Café nights at the main facility. MWR also offers a variety of health and fitness opportunities for the wide range of age groups associated with NWS Earle, including single sailors, active duty military and their families, and Department of Defense civilians and contractors. Earle recently opened a new fitness and health center with a full-time fitness coordinator.
Under such a sponsorship program, businesses, professionals or individuals who offer goods or finances to underwrite portions of specific events can receive from MWR public recognition and advertising or product promotions for their sponsorship.
"It’s always difficult to raise the funds it takes to stage a party for 200 to 300 people, but it would be disappointing if we could not do something for the families of our military who are overseas," DiFlumeri said. "Many of the sailors on the ships that are deployed leave their wives and families at home on base, and while they feel secure their families are protected and cared for there, they also look for the letters and photos from their children that show them participating in a variety of just plain fun activities."
Companies or individuals interested in learning more about the sponsorships can contact DiFlumeri at (732) 866-2608, or by e-mail at [email protected].
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) New Jersey District Office reported a 14 percent increase in the number of SBA loans approved for women business owners throughout the state during the agency’s first five months of fiscal year 2004 (Oct. 1, 2003, through Feb. 29, 2004).
The district office approved 165 loans for women-owned small businesses for a total of $26.3 million. This was up from the 145 loans for $27.2 million approved during the same period in fiscal year 2003.
According to James A. Kocsi, SBA New Jersey District director, Bergen County led the way in SBA loan approvals to women business owners with 27 loans for $2.6 million, followed by Essex County with 14 loans for $2.4 million, Morris County with 12 loans for $1.9 million, Camden County with 12 loans for $871,000, and Hudson County with 11 loans for $2.2 million.
The following businesses owned by women obtained the most SBA-backed loans: hair salons, 15 loans for $1.1 million; day care centers, 10 loans for $2.5 million; limited-service restaurants, 10 loans for $1.9 million; full-service restaurants, eight loans for $2.3 million; and gift shops, seven loans for $250,000.
For more information on SBA programs and services for women entrepreneurs, call the SBA New Jersey District Office at (973) 645-2434, or visit the Web site www.sba.gov/nj or the SBA’s Online Women’s Business Center at www.onlinewbc.gov.
Amper, Politziner & Mattia, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, will sponsor a free seminar to address issues and strategies for businesses considering staying public or going private.
According to a press release from AP&M, the costs and resources required to meet the standards of increased scrutiny and regulatory oversight have public company CEOs, CFOs and boards of directors considering the possibility of going private. The seminar will address these concerns and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each course. Representatives from Sills Cummis Epstein & Gross, Globix Corp., Wolff & Samson, Stenton Leigh Group, and AP&M will present.
The program will be held May 18, 5-8:30 p.m. at the Woodbridge Hilton in Iselin. For reservations, call Geri Zannetti at (732) 287-1000, ext. 362. To register by e-mail, contact [email protected].
Amper, Politziner & Mattia has offices in New York and in Edison, Flemington, Princeton, Hackensack and Wall.
The seventh annual New Jersey Small Business Conference will be held May 7, 8 a.m. to 2:45 p.m., at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick. Sponsored by Fleet Bank, the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the conference will offer an array of breakout sessions and will also match attendees with purchasing agents from government agencies, colleges and corporations. Throughout the day, agents will be available to teach the proper procedures for obtaining government and corporate contracts. Representatives from the SBA and the N.J. Small Business Development Center will also be on hand to discuss the availability of loans.
The cost to attend is $49 for state Chamber members and $79 for all others. For more information, visit www.njchamber.com or call Carol Gabel (609) 989-7888.