LRRC and STEPS to Sponsor a Free Homebuyer Program
The LLRC (Lakewood Resource and Referral Center) and STEPS (Solution to End Poverty Soon) are sponsoring a free program for first-time Ocean County homebuyers Sunday, April 27, 2014, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. in the Main Auditorium of the Lakewood Municipal Building, 231 Third Street, Lakewood, NJ 08701.
Representatives with expertise in the housing market will discuss many topics related to the home-buying process, with a special emphasis on building, improving and maintaining credit. Participants will have the opportunity to hear about the current and upcoming affordable housing opportunities in Ocean County. Attendees will also have the opportunity to speak individually to vendors, and to LRRC and STEPS representatives.
Sarah Rothenberg, the director of the LLRC said, “The LRRC and STEPS are sponsoring this program because we recognize that first-time and all homebuyers need the understanding and skills to make appropriate and educated decisions during the home buying process.”
LRRC provides homeownership seminars and counseling that is required by many lenders to enable clients to take advantage of first-time homebuyer mortgage products. The seminars are given once a week by NW (Neighborhood Works) certified housing counselors at the LRRC. An LRRC representative will be available during the Sunday, April 27 program to give guests the opportunity to schedule a seminar at a date convenient for them. Participants receive a certificate upon completion.
Rothenberg said, “We look forward to greeting you personally and helping you become an educated, responsible and happy homeowner! Remember, we can only build our communities, our towns and our state with strong neighborhoods that are created by safe and secure homeownership and family stability!”
For more information contact the Lakewood Resource & Referral Center (LRRC) and Solution To End Poverty Soon (STEPS), 212 Second Street, Lakewood at 732-942-9292.
Reflecter Belts Aid Safety in Lakewood
Lakewood will be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists, thanks to the donation of 1,000 reflector belts by the Rothenberg Law Firm, with offices in New York, Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, Hackensack and Lakewood.
“The Rothenberg family had the vision and foresight to say we want to help out Lakewood in a meaningful way. We want to help out by making the town safer,” Mayor Menashe Miller said, who presented a plaque to the family during a recent Township Committee meeting.
Miller said the family of lawyers contacted Yehuda Abraham, Lakewood’s director of purchasing who has been at the forefront of safety in town after being struck by a vehicle. The Rothenbergs decided they could make a difference by donating the reflector belts.
“We’ve had a pedestrian safety program for quite some time,” Miller said, noting that former Ocean County Traffic Safety Engineer Roden Lightbody provided the township with the first reflector belts a number of years ago. “The program took off in the sense of giving people reflector belts and having them wear them; however, as time goes on, the reflector belts may have been lost or misplaced.”
Miller said that a large segment of the population wears dark clothing, making it difficult for motorists to see people who walk at dusk or during the evening.
Allen L. Rothenberg, who founded the law firm in 1969, said the safety campaign is close to his family’s hearts. “I’ve been handling personal injury cases for decades, involving catastrophic injuries, involving loss of limbs and loss of lives. We recover a lot of money, hundreds and hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, and I’ve never seen one client, not one client who wouldn’t take every single cent that they’ve gotten in a settlement or in a verdict, and give it right back if they could be restored to the condition they were before,” he said.
Rothenberg, his wife Barbara and six of their eight children, Harry, Marc, Beth, Ross, Scott, and Melissa, are all lawyers with the firm. “We hope these reflector belts will stop people from being injured,” said Rothenberg, whose daughter Beth Rothenberg Halperin, her husband Rabbi Dov Halperin, and their eight children live in Lakewood.
“Lakewood is a growing and vibrant community with many young people and many children, but the danger is there on the highways. Before our Sabbath many, many people are hurrying to get to the Synagogue before sundown so we need to get the word out to slow down,” he said.
Abraham said he is looking for other large companies to follow the example of the Rothenberg Law Firm so additional belts can be purchased to help keep the accident statistics down.
“It is my hope that these reflectors will be an incentive to further promote this important safety campaign throughout Lakewood,” Miller said.
Anyone who would like a reflector belt or would like to donate additional reflector belts should email Yehuda Abraham yabraham@lakewoodnj.gov .
OHI Expands Its Pediatric Hours at Lakewood and Toms River Offices
Everyone knows that babies and children don’t only get sick during the day and parents often have to work. That is why Ocean Health Initiatives, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), is expanding its pediatric appointment hours.
The expanded pediatric hours at the Lakewood and Toms River sites began earlier this month so parents can call during the day and receive a same day or next day appointment, whichever is more convenient.
Dr. Theresa Berger, CEO of OHI, said, “We also want to make sure that your child sees the same doctor during every visit so please ask for your doctor by name when calling for your appointment. We will make every effort to schedule you with that doctor. We love caring for your children, and your families can anticipate personalized care as always.”
The expanded hours for the Lakewood office, 101 Second Street, are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; and 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday.
The expanded hours for the Toms River office, 301 Lakehurst Road, are 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Wednesday; and 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday and Friday.
To make a pediatric appointment, call 732-363-6655.
OHI provides comprehensive primary preventive care, including well baby, well child, and adolescent visits; comprehensive care for minor, serious and chronic pediatric illnesses; immunizations, and physicals for sports, school or working papers.
OHI also provides referrals for WIC (the Women, Infants and Children Nutritional Program); developmental assessments, and growth charting, and screening services, including hearing, vision, anemia, cholesterol, HIV, STD, Tuberculosis, and EPSTD (Early-Periodic Screening and Diagnostic Testing).
About Ocean Health Initiatives
OHI is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; 333 Haywood Road, Manahawkin; Clifton Avenue Elementary School, 625 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood; and the Mobile Medical Unit outside the George J. Mitchell Elementary School, 950 N. Green Street, Little Egg Harbor.
OHI provides comprehensive preventative and primary health and dental care to Ocean County uninsured and underinsured populations on a sliding-fee scale, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. Services include pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, behavioral health, dental, family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN, podiatry and social services.
OHI has a bilingual staff available to assist patients and callers. To become a patient of OHI, call a representative in the Call Center at either 732-552-0377, Toms River, or 732-363-6655, Lakewood. Visit www.ohinj.org. for further information.
Lakewood Arbor Day Ceremony to Take Place at the Spruce Street School
An Arbor Day ceremony will take place at the Spruce Street School, Lakewood, at 9:00 a.m. on April 24 for the kindergartners who attend school there. Mayor Menashe Miller will read a proclamation in honor of Arbor Day and the Students of the Month will be recognized.
Dr. Michael Gross, the chairman of the Lakewood Shade Tree Commission for the past three years, and Kurt Ceresnak, the principal of the Spruce Street School, decided that the large, enclosed courtyard at the school would be the best location to plant a Star Magnolia, which will have a sign designating that it was planted on Arbor Day 2014.
In past years, trees have been planted at township fire companies, EMS, Lakewood Public Works and the BlueClaws’ stadium. Two years ago, the Arbor Day ceremony took place at the Clark School; last year it was at the Oak Street School.
Dr. Gross said, “Recently we decided to hold the Arbor Day ceremony at schools so we could educate the children about the holiday. We decided to plant the tree in the courtyard because there are always lots of classes around it, and we thought that in future years teachers could plan some activities around the Arbor Day planting.”
Dr. Gross, a full-time administrator and biology professor at Georgian Court University (GCU), is also the director of the university’s arboretum.
The first celebration of Arbor Day in the United States took place in 1872. The holiday, held on the last Friday in April, was created to encourage individuals and groups to plant trees and realize their importance.
Lakewood has embraced that concept, holding Arbor Day ceremonies and planting hundreds of trees over the years. “This is the 33rd year Lakewood is among 172 New Jersey municipalities that hold the distinction of being designated a Tree City USA,” said Craig J. Theibault, former chairman of the Lakewood Shade Tree Commission from 1994 to 2010 and a current member.
“You know what they say: “The best time to plant a tree is 30 years ago; the second best time is today’,” said Theibault, who holds a B. S. degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture.
Besides serving on the Shade Tree Commission locally, Theibault has been a member of the Ocean County Shade Tree Commission since 1992. He has also served as a member of the N.J. Community Forestry Council, a 20-member advisory board to the State Forester, since 1999.
The media is invited to cover the Arbor Day Program, which starts at 9:00 a.m., April 24. Call Principal Ceresnak at the Spruce Street School (732-905-3660) if you plan to attend.
Aqua Flow Gutters Expands Thanks to UEZ Microloan
Drive past a home and business anywhere in Lakewood and look up. If it has a rain gutter on it, chances are that Aqua Flow Gutters installed the system.
“The core of our business is right here in Lakewood,” said Jack Lench, the owner, who started Aqua Flow in 2006. “A large percentage of builders, home owners, property management companies, and health care and nursing facilities in town come to us for gutters.”
Aqua Flow, 40 Clifton Ave., Lakewood, was one of eight local certified Lakewood UEZ businesses recently awarded microloans ranging from $20,000 to $35,000 each. Lench said he received a $35,000 microloan, which he plans to use to expand his business so he can accommodate larger commercial jobs.
Lench said that his original vision for his business was to operate all over the tri-state area.
“But I realized I have plenty of business right in Lakewood, which is where the core of my business is now,” he said.
At this point three Aqua Flow crews do gutter installation and metal-related work on a daily basis. Two crews are dedicated to service, repairs and gutter cleanings.
Aqua Flow performs all kinds of siding and roofing work, including but not limited to general construction, rehabilitation, siding, soffits, fascia, gutters, gutter cleaning, roofing, and flat roofing for residential and commercial customers. For information, call 732-363-3346 or email jack@aquaflownj.com.
About Microloans: The Microloan program, a subdivision of the Financial Assistance Program, was cited as a model program across the state by the Urban Enterprise Zone Authority, Trenton. The microloans have a 3 ½ percent interest amortized from 5 to 10 years for loans ranging from $5,000 to $35,000.
They are designed to facilitate small business growth and development, and job creation in Lakewood. Microloans are available for businesses seeking to establish, expand, or redevelop their companies. Funds may also be utilized used for working capital, supplies and machinery, the purchase of inventory, and to refurbish existing facilities. Patricia Komsa, executive director of the Lakewood Development Corporation (LDC) said, “Microloans, however, cannot be used to refinance existing debt.”
Rabbi Moshe Weisberg, treasurer of the Lakewood Development Corporation (LDC) said that to-date the LDC has awarded close to 100 Microloans. Although it is well-known that statistically over half of all business fail, the Lakewood Microloan program has a better than 95 percent success rate since its inception in 1998.
The repayment of previous microloans has resulted in “second-generation funds” that are now being used to award the new Microloans. Rabbi Weisberg said, “In this way, the program is self-perpetuating. It does not cost Lakewood taxpayers anything. We are very proud of this program because it is a home-run for the Township, a home-run for the LDC, and a home-run for businesses. The Microloan program brings energy to the township and it brings revitalization to the downtown and other commercial areas. We need to keep this program and the economic development it fosters.”
The Lakewood UEZ Microloan Program is now accepting applications for loans up to $35,000 a year. Businesses interested in applying for a Microloan can pick up applications at the UEZ office, Room 12 of the Lakewood Municipal, 231 Third Street, Lakewood, or contact Patricia Komsa, executive director of the Lakewood Development Corporation at 732-364-2500 Ext. 5257 or visit lakewoodnj.gov/department/uez for more information.
If a business is not UEZ certified or for further questions or to learn how to become certified, call Patricia Komsa in the Lakewood UEZ office at 732-364-2500 Ext. 5257. Lakewood businesses can also contact Eli Josephson of the LCSC (Lakewood Community Services Corporation), who provides UEZ loan consultation services for Lakewood businesses.
Andrea Frank to Head New Department of Compliance
Andrea Frank, Brick, New Jersey, has been promoted to the director of Regulatory Standards, a new Department of Compliance at Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, with headquarters in Eatontown.
Jonathan Herman, COO of Preferred, said the Department of Compliance was created “in order to stay abreast of and be compliant with all of the new regulations confronting the home health care industry.”
Frank will be working closely with Angie Bonelli, director of human resources, to spearhead new initiatives, including drafting new internal employee training manuals and videos, and developing a disaster recovery plan. Frank, a nine-year employee of Preferred, was previously the manager of accounts receivable.
Frank received her Master’s in Therapeutic Administration from NYU. She is a member of the Home Care Association of New Jersey.
For more information, contact Lisa Gallicchio, director of community relations for Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, at 732-840-5566.
About Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services: Since 1987, Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services, Inc. (PHHC), 45 Main Street, Eatontown, N.J., has provided a wide range of medical and non-medical home health care services from pediatric to geriatric care throughout N.J. and Penn. PHHC is accredited by CHAP (Community Health Accreditation Program), an accrediting organization for the home health care industry.
Preferred works collaboratively with physicians, hospitals, nursing homes and facilities to ensure a smooth transition to one’s home. In-house services include skilled nursing care for infants, children, adults, and seniors; personal care services, including bathing, grooming, dressing, feeding, etc.; private duty nursing services; and at-home physical therapy, among others. All of the care can be provided in-house and is coordinated by registered nurses, with clinical supervision available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit Preferred at PreferredCares.com for more information.
Key Strategies to Communicate with Influence and Impact — April HR Meeting
Recent surveys show people are now spending about 40 percent of their time at work influencing others, which they consider crucial to their success. What is the best way to communicate effectively?
Jennifer L. Smith, an executive leadership coach, will explain the seven key communication strategies that will help you have greater influence and impact when communicating with senior leaders, employees, and peers.
Smith will present these strategies at the Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources (JSAHR) meeting, Thursday, April 10, 2014, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., at Jumping Brook Country Club, 210 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune, N.J.
The registration fee for the April meeting, including a full buffet breakfast, is $30.00 for JSAHR members; $40.00 for nonmembers; $25.00 for those in-transition, and $10.00 for full-time students. This program is pending HRCI credits. To register, call Kathi Evans, JSAHR administrator, at 732-270-5204, or email jsahr.shrm@gmail.com. JSAHR is a Silver Excel award winner of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management).
About the Speaker: Jennifer L. Smith is an executive leadership coach and facilitator who works with results-focused leaders in organizations. She has coached and trained leaders internationally, which has allowed her to learn the cultural nuances of effective communication. Jennifer has held senior organization development leadership positions at and has consulted with Fortune Global 500 companies.
Fire Department SUV Gets New Life as First Responder Vehicle for First Aid Squad
The 2005 Chevy Tahoe SUV once used by Lakewood Fire Chief Steve McNamara to respond to fires will soon be used by the Lakewood First Aid Emergency Volunteer Squad to respond to medical emergencies in the township.
The Board of Fire Commissioners recently donated the pre-owned vehicle to the 43-member volunteer First Aid Squad, with headquarters at 1555 Pine Street, Lakewood. Fire Commissioners Juan Ortiz, chairman, and Mike D’Elia, vice chairman, presented the vehicle and keys to Moe Heinemann, captain of the Lakewood first aid squad, and Yehuda Shvartzblatt, the first aid squad president.
“The vehicle will be used as a medical emergency first responder vehicle that will benefit the residents of our town who rely on us for a prompt response in the time of a medical emergency,” said Heinemann. “We are very grateful to the Board of Fire Commissioners who chose to donate this vehicle to us, as we solely operate and rely on donations.”
Shvartzblatt said the squad has been in need of a new first responder vehicle for a long time but was unable to purchase one because of the lack of funds.
Heinemann said that the fire department was retiring the Tahoe and replacing it with a new vehicle. Although the 2005 vehicle needed some mechanical work, repainting and lettering, the first aid squad was very happy to receive it. Arkady’s Auto Repair, Lakewood, did the maintenance and mechanical work on the vehicle for free and Tilton Bodyworks, Lakewood, will be repainting the vehicle, Heinemann said.
“We hope to have it in service within the next two months after we stock it with emergency equipment like the AED (automatic external defibrillator) and a Trauma Bag,” he said.
“We cherish the great working relationship we have with the Lakewood Fire Department and Board of Fire Commissioners, and we are very thankful to them,” Shvartzblatt added.
Heinemann said that the volunteer squad goes on 1,000 calls per year and serves as the backup to the Lakewood Township EMS.
“We also serve as the principal extrication team for Lakewood and recently established a surface water rescue team with the police department and EMS to do water and ice rescue,” he said.
Heinemann said twice a year the squad sends out a mailer seeking donations. “But donations are always helpful and welcome any time of the year,” he said.
For more information about the first aid squad or to donate to the squad, visit www.lakewoodfirstaid.org
General Hospital Stars Hit the East Coast for GH Fantasy Weekend
Fans of ABC’s General Hospital are invited to attend the largest soap opera event in the Northeast on April 5 and April 6, 2014, when the GH Fantasy Weekend kicks off. Linda Rohe of Coastal Entertainment Productions, Astoria, N.Y., and Dino Ibelli of Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club, 518 Arnold Avenue, Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., are producing the event, featuring 10 of General Hospital’s most popular stars.
Laura Wright, who plays “Carly,” and Tyler Christopher, who is “Nikolas,” will host the weekend of events, featuring Maura West “Ava,” Michael Easton “Silas,” Lisa LoCicero “Olivia,” Dom Zamprogna “Dante,” Kristen Alderson “Kiki,” Chad Duell “Michael,” Kelly Thiebaud “Britt,” and Bryan Craig “Morgan.”
On Saturday, April 5, fans will have a chance to mingle with their favorite stars, watch an amazing two hour show, and even get into a group photo with the actors at the Montclair State University Conference Center, 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, N.J. On Sunday, April 6, all stars will travel to Boston to appear at the Wilbur Theatre, 246 Tremont St., Boston, Mass.
Tickets for the Montclair show are available through www.ghfantasyweekend.eventbrite.com and cost $310 for a Platinum ticket, which includes a 90-minute meet and greet with the stars, an opportunity for autographs and photos, and the two-hour show; $183 for a VIP ticket, which includes the two-hour show followed by a photo opportunity with the cast and one photo per person; and $107 for General Admission, which includes the two-hour show, a question and answer session, and fan fun. The event runs 3:30 to 10:00 p.m., depending on the ticket type.
On Sunday, April 6, all stars will travel to Boston to appear at the Wilbur Theatre for the second half of GH Fantasy Weekend. Tickets for the event are available through http://thewilbur.com/artist/general-hospital-fantasy-weekend/ and cost $302 for Platinum tickets, $177 for VIP, and $82 for General Admission. The event runs 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
To schedule a press interview with talent or for any questions, please call (718) 728-8581. For more information, contact Dino at Uncle Vinnie’s Comedy Club (732-899-3900.
About General Hospital: It is an American daytime television medical drama filled with passion, intrigue and adventure that is set in the fictional seaport town of Port Charles in upstate New York. It premiered on ABC television network on April 1, 1963, and is listed in Guinness World Records as the longest-running American soap opera in production and the third longest-running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns.
It is the longest-running serial produced in Hollywood, and the longest-running entertainment program in ABC television history. It holds the record for most Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, with 11 wins.
Barry Farber, Nat’l Consultant, to Speak Locally at Ocean County Business Assn.
Barry Farber, a national trainer and consultant to Fortune 500 corporations, business owners, professional athletes and entertainers, will be the featured speaker at the Ocean County Business Association’s (OCBA) annual open house, Thursday, April 3, 2014, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 815 Route 37 West, Toms River.
Farber, president of Farber Training Systems Inc. and The Diamond Group, will speak about “Generating New Business.” Named “Top Speaker of the Year” by Successful Meetings magazine, Farber is the bestselling author of 12 books, including his latest release Success Secrets of Sales Superstars, which was published in April 2013 by Entrepreneur Press.
Farber’s programs include an action plan checklist of practical ideas that can be implemented for measurable results utilizing examples from his own successes as a broker and agent for Six Flags’ $7 million Evel Knieval roller coaster, and marketer and co-inventor of the FoldzFlat ™ Pen, which sold millions in promotional, direct response and retail markets.
The luncheon and meeting are open to members of the OCBA, their employees and guests: prospective members and members of the media. A buffet lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m.; Farber’s program will begin at noon.
The luncheon costs $20.00, but is free for prospective members and the media. Reservations are required. To register, contact Stephanie Slevin at info@OceanCountyBusinessAssociation.com. For further information, call 866-606-6222 or visit www.OceanCountyBusinessAssociation.com.