Business Briefs

The Central Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO-Central Jersey) will host an educational workshop on improving communication skills 6-9 p.m. May 17 at the Asbury Park Press in Neptune, 3601 Route 66. “Connections: Higher-Level Communication Skills to Grow Your Business” will be presented by Jim Gober. The cost is $25 for NAWBO members and $30 for nonmembers. To register, call (732) 370-7047 or visit www.nawbocentraljersey.org.

BNI, a business networking group dedicated to the exchange of qualified business referrals, is looking for new members. Meetings are held at the Cornerstone Cafe in Freehold on Friday mornings from 7 to 8:30. For more information, call Peter Joffe at (732) 995-8966.

Dr. Peter Joffe of Joffe Family Chiropractic, Manalapan, will host Kids Day America, a health, safety and environmental awareness day for children ages 1-10, May 20 from noon to 3 p.m.

Joffe will provide information on crime prevention, child safety, and environmental awareness. The office will donate child identification booklets to every child who attends, and the Manalapan Police Department will be on hand to provide free fingerprinting of all the children.

The Gordons Corner Fire Department will teach fire safety tips to the children, and Drs. Kerry Gallagher Moran and David Moran of Manalapan will provide free tooth prints, a form of dental identification.

Joffe will provide free spinal exams and scoliosis screenings, and there will be balloons, snacks. giveaways and prize drawings. Joffe is also looking for volunteers for the event. For more information, call (732) 536-9191.

Norkus Foodtown will host its first Summer Kickoff Family Fun Days May 20 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Park Avenue, Freehold, location.

The event will feature a fire truck from the Freehold Fire Department, bicycle safety lessons from the Freehold Borough Police Department, information on alcohol awareness, prizes and giveaways, radio broadcasts, face painting, hot dogs and Italian sausage sandwiches, soda and water, and 25-foot inflatable slides for the children.

New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners, Monmouth/Ocean chapter, will host a dinner networking meeting with the chapter’s officer installation May 18 at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton in Eatontown. All are welcome to attend. The cost is $35 for members and $40 for all others, and reservations are required by May 12. For information and reservations, call Jill Caren at (732) 264-8838 or e-mail [email protected].

SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) Chapter 36 of Monmouth County, an affiliate of the U.S. Small Business Administration, is offering a free workshop, “How to Buy a Business or a Franchise,” 6:30-8:30 p.m. May 17 at Monmouth County Library Headquarters, 125 Symmes Drive, Manalapan. Registration is urged but not required.

Bill Belgard and Joseph Wasilewski, two experts in business development, will offer information on the legal and financial steps of buying a business or a franchise, including the formal business plan, start-up costs, and the not-always-obvious pitfalls.

Belgard holds a bachelor of science degree in business administration and founded Radiant Lamp Co., a division of Philips Lighting, in 1985. He was responsible for developing and implementing a national franchise business called Ameritron for Radiant Lamp. He retired in 2001 as vice president of Philips and an officer of the corporation.

Wasilewski, a certified public accountant who holds a master of business administration degree, served as chief financial officer for several corporations before owning and operating his own CPA firm in 1989. He focuses on putting together buyers and sellers of business properties.

To register, call (732) 219-9119. For further details, visit www.score36.org.

Vince Scanelli of Colts Neck, an exclusive agent with the Bridgewater-based Allstate New Jersey Insurance Co., recently presented a special-needs financial planning program during a seminar sponsored by the Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community (COSAC). The seminar was held at the Branchburg Child’s Play Center in Branchburg Commons.

Scanelli, a longtime volunteer with the nonprofit COSAC and the parent of a child with autism, also presented a special-needs financial planning workshop recently at The Arc of Monmouth, Tinton Falls. He also serves on COSAC’s board of trustees.

Through Scanelli’s volunteer activities, the Allstate Foundation supports COSAC’s efforts to promote economic empowerment and special-needs financial planning, and in 2005 awarded a $4,800 grant to the Ewing-based nonprofit.