Initial Impact, Spring Lake, Wins National Design Award
Donna and Dale Szakats, owners of Initial Impact, a custom embroidery, screen-printing, and promotional products business, Spring Lake, and Sue Peckman, coordinator of sales and marketing, were named national winners in Stitches magazine’s sixth annual Golden Needle Awards for excellence in embroidery and digitizing. The Szakats’ received the national Design of the Year in the Technical, Corporate category for creating custom chefs’ coats for the 20th reunion celebration of Princeton University’s class of 1992.
Donna Szakats said, “Each class has a theme and they were the Tiger Chefs. They came to us with the idea and we had to figure out a way to come up with a very intricate and very colorful design that would ‘pop’ on the back of a chef’s coat. We chose to combine embroidery with appliqué, which is very technical and shows the extent of our experience.”
The intricate full-back design called “Tiger Chef 20th Reunion” was made up of 11 appliqué pieces and about 47,000 stitches. Initial Impact created about 600 of the decorated coats and t-shirts, which 100s of Ivy League alumni wore, marching in a parade at their reunion event.
Ginny Fineberg, a member of Stitches’ advisory board and a judge, said, “This is absolutely clean perfectly sewn embroidery. It was very appealing. You can’t help but smile when you look at this chef coat!”
According to Stitches, a monthly magazine for the commercial embroidery industry, judges based their awards on “overall sewing quality, including thread breaks; proper use of underlay; proper punching and registration; use of pathing, trims and color changes; and overall artistic merit, including design elements and aesthetic appeal.”
For further information, contact Donna or Dale Szakats at 732-449-4922.
About Initial Impact: Initial Impact, family-owned and operated company since 1984, offers customized embroidered corporate apparel, including corporate logos for golf shirts, team jackets, baseball caps, sports bags, among others; embroidered and screen printed t-shirts; imprinted team uniforms; promotional products; fundraisers, and personalized gifts for all occasions.
Shoppers can make purchases at 732-449-4922, or www.initialimpact.net or at Initial Impact, 516 Warren Avenue, Spring Lake, N.J. Store hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed on Saturday and Sunday.
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Xplosive Entertainment Hosts Party Showcase
Explore the options in entertainment, photography, décor, invitations, food, and more for any upcoming sweet sixteen parties, and bar and bat mitzvahs at the Party Showcase hosted by Xplosive Entertainment Company, a DJ entertainment firm, Marlboro, Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Battleground Country Club, Covenhoven Road, Manalapan, N.J., from noon to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public, including children.
Future celebrants are encouraged to attend to speak directly to professionals to gather ideas, information, and planning tips for their event or private party. The Party Showcase will feature DJs, dancers, emcee talent, and entertainment by Xplosive. The culinary team at Battleground Country Club will provide a sampling of menu items.
For questions or information call Michael Langsner, vice president of Xplosive Entertainment at 732-866-1620 or visit www.XEevents.com.
About Xplosive Entertainment: Xplosive Entertainment is a DJ-based entertainment company in Marlboro, N.J., that hosts events throughout N.J., N.Y. and Penn. Xplosive Entertainment focuses primarily on high energy events, including weddings, bar and bat mitzvahs, Sweet 16s and corporate events. In additional to DJ and emcee services, Xplosive also offers many unique professional talents, such as dancers, event motivators, live musicians, and games. Sound, video and lighting are always integrated into events. Xplosive can also provide a wide selection of photo booths and photo stations to enhance events.
Win a Free 2014 “Dream Wedding” Package
Jumping Brook Country Club, 210 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune, N.J. 07753 is hosting a “Dream Wedding”* contest that will give the winning couple a free wedding valued at $15,000. The contest deadline is January 24, 2014. The names of the lucky couple who will receive a free “Dream Wedding” at the Jumping Brook Country Club during 2014 will be announced February 3, 2014.
To enter the Dream Wedding Giveaway, couples, who must be at least 18 years of age, must submit the story of their engagement along with two photos of the bride and groom to-be. Visit http://www.jumpingbrookcc.com/dreamwedding for all details of the contest and to submit an entry.
The public will be asked to vote for their favorite couple during three rounds of voting. Each person can only vote once per round. The vendors who have donated their services include Elite Entertainment, Galis Photography/ Videographer, Arrow Limo, Wildflowers, Holiday Inn Express, and Tinton Falls Pastry Chef.
For questions, email Ron Podhirny at rpodhirny@jumpingbrookcc.com or call 732-922-8200 ext. 37. Find Jumping Brook Country Club on Facebook.com/jumpingbrookgolf, Twitter.com/ jumpingbrookcc or Instagram.com/jumpingbrookcc.
The winning couple will be expected to pay sales tax and service charges for the wedding. The couple can choose the date of their wedding in 2014, subject to availability. Only new bookings for weddings will be considered.
*The Free Jumping Brook “Dream Wedding” Package includes: Cocktail Hour with elaborate cold displays and chef-attended stations; Three course dinner with wedding cake; Five-hour open premium bar; Fresh floral centerpieces; Floor length ivory linens; Private Bridal Suite; Entertainment and DJ provided by Elite Entertainment; Photography provided by Galis Photography/ Videographer; Limo Service provided by Arrow Limo; Flowers provided by Wildflowers; Hotel: Holiday Inn Express ;Wedding cake from Tinton Falls Pastry Chef
About Jumping Brook Country Club: Jumping Brook Country Club is a private Neptune, N.J. golf country club featuring golf membership plans and charming banquet facilities accommodating over 400 guests. For a most memorable event from weddings to golf outings to kosher events, Jumping Brook Country Club in Monmouth County offers casual elegance and stunning ambiance that will make a lasting impression. The Club’s finely manicured golf course has made it the choice of clubs to join at the Jersey Shore. Jumping Brook is the best private Club selection you’ll ever make.
OHI Kicks Off National Blood Donor Month with Blood Drive Jan. 10
Donate blood on January 10 and receive a $5.00 gift card AND be entered in the Super Bowl Sweepstakes. OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives), a federally qualified health care center, with locations in Lakewood, Toms River, and Manahawkin, and the Central Jersey Blood Center are holding a blood drive Friday, January 10, 2014, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at OHI’s Lakewood site, 101 Second Street.
Each donor will receive a $5.00 gift card and be automatically entered in the 2014 Super Bowl Sweepstakes to win a pair of Super Bowl tickets to the February 2, 2014, game at Met Life Stadium.
Donors are encouraged to make an appointment. Donors must present a valid photo or a signature ID, be 16 years of age with parental consent, be healthy and weigh at least 120 pounds. Please drink water before donating.
During the blood drive, OHI’s Health Exchange Marketplace counselors will be providing information, by appointment, about affordable health insurance coverage (Affordable Healthcare Act). Counselors will take walk ins if time is available. Light refreshments will be provided. For more information, contact Carmen Lopez at 732-966-3749 (cell) or 732-363-6655 Ext. 8363 or visit ww2w.cjbcblood.org and click on Donate Now.
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.
New Year – Old Problems: Balancing Your Life, Your Work and Family Issues
Dr. Dan Cruoglio, CEO of Life Adjustments Coaching, Brick, and a board-certified chiropractor, will present “New Year – Old Problems: Balancing Your Life, Your Work, and Family Issues” at the monthly meeting of Jersey Shore Business Leaders (JSBL), Tuscany Restaurant, 1490 Route 88, Brick New Jersey 08723, Thursday, January 9, 2014, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. The cost is $20.00 and includes appetizers and a cash bar. Bring plenty of business cards.
Proceeds from this event will benefit Lunch Break, a 30-year-old charitable organization in Red Bank that provides meals, emergency food, clothing, and special services, including job postings, bilingual assistance, and a visiting nurse associate, among others.
To register, email jerseyshorebusinessleaders@gmail.com or call Arielle Bandes, Woodlake Country Club, at 732-278-4834. Find JSBL on Facebook.com/ JerseyShoreBusinessLeaders and on Twitter at twitter.com/JSBLNetworking.
About Dr. Cruoglio: Dr. Cruoglio, a 2011 graduate of iPEC (Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching), is a certified professional coach and master practitioner who uses the Energy Leadership Index. He was graduated from New York Chiropractic College, Long Island, in 1980, completed post graduate work in Neurophysiological, Biomechanical, and Clinical Advances in Chiropractic at New York Chiropractic College, and holds a graduate studies certificate from the Parker Chiropractic Research Foundation.
Some of Dr. Cruoglio’s awards include Professional Excellence & Commitment to Excellence from Breakthrough Coaching, National Practice Development; Service Award from the Council of N.J. Chiropractors; and Award of Distinction for Dedication and Devotion from the former Koslow Practice Management. Contact Dr. Cruoglio at 732-690-4054 or dan.lifeadjustmentscoaching.com
Leading Expert Employees – Jan. Meeting of HR Group
What motivates the expert employees or “technical professionals” in your organization – the market researchers, software developers, product designers, accountants, mathematicians, process engineers, physical therapists, psychologists, behavioral counselors, quality control statisticians, registered nurses, and lab technicians? How do HR professionals retain expert employees that are hard to replace?
Scott Mason, executive coach and leader in personal and professional development, will present “Leading Expert Employees,” the current research on the learning preferences of technical professionals, the challenges of leading them, and the insights on how to engage this highly skilled population on Thursday, January 9, 2014, Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources (JSAHR) meeting, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., Jumping Brook Country Club, 210 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune, N.J., sponsored by Blessing White and The Exceptional HR Leader.
Attendees will learn how to identify “expert employees” and understand why organizations depend on them so heavily; describe the challenges and pitfalls that leaders, especially new leaders, face when managing expert employees; appreciate the learning preferences of expert professionals and how to incorporate this knowledge in designing leadership development programs.
The registration fee, 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 email jsahr.shrm@gmail.com. JSAHR is a Silver Excel award winner of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management). This meeting is pending HRCI re-certification credit.
About the Speaker: Scott Mason has worked as an account manager, executive coach, facilitator, consultant, and leader in personal and professional development, employee engagement and talent management. Mason has been a featured speaker at conferences of ASTD, NJ Organizational Development Network (NJODN), SHRM, and the Society of Pharmaceutical and Biotech Trainers (SPBT).
Community Groups Make Christmas Magical for Ill and Hospitalized Children and Their Families
The Committee to Benefit the Children (CBC) at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, volunteers from LaSalle College High School, and the generosity of Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services of New Jersey and Pennsylvania make Christmas magical for children with life-threatening illnesses.
Families struggling with medical bills, loss of income and family separation often do not have the extra money for holiday gifts during a difficult time. Through the annual Secret Santa Project, close to 60 families, children and their parents, will receive gifts through the efforts of LaSalle College High School students, CBC, and Preferred Home Health Care.
Stephanie Kulak, director of nursing for Preferred Home Health Care at the Bala Cynwyd Pennsylvania office who serves on the board of CBC, said, “Each year Santas go to every home with the gifts and a full ‘meal in a bag,’ including a turkey and all the fixings, provided by Preferred. We realized a few years ago that while everyone received gifts, they didn’t have anything as basic as a dinner to enjoy.”
Last year, more than 800 gifts were collected, an additional $8,000 in donations was raised to purchase additional gifts, and over 20 percent of the students at La Salle College High School spent their Christmas Eve delivering presents.
For more information, contact Lisa Gallicchio, marketing executive, at 800-603-2273. Also visit PreferredCares.com.
About Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services:
Since 1987, Preferred Home Health Care & Nursing Services (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 New Jersey and Pennsylvania. 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.
About St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children (SCHC), Philiadelphia: SCHC is a children’s specialty hospital, offering a wide range of health care services for children from birth through 21 years of age. With the expertise of 220 pediatric specialists, medical services include developmental disorders, orthopedic disabilities, heart conditions, or debilitating allergies or chest colds, earaches, school physicals or scheduled immunizations. SCHC is provider of inpatient, outpatient and emergency pediatric care to children of the Delaware Valley, Lehigh Valley and Southern/Central New Jersey communities, as well as a teaching site for future pediatric providers.
OHI Extends Open Enrollment Help Days — Open to the Public
OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives), a federally qualified health care center, is extending the hours of its Open Enrollment Help Days in Lakewood, Toms River, and Manahawkin to accommodate the growing need of the general public and OHI patients to enroll in health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
Bilingual Certified Application Counselors in the OHI Health Exchange Marketplace department will be available by appointment only from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the rest of December through March 31, 2014 as follows (OHI offices are closed December 25 and January 1, New Year’s Day, for the holidays.):
1. Toms River, 301 Lakehurst Road: Mondays and Thursdays
2. Lakewood, 101 Second Street: Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays
3. Manahawkin at 333 Haywood Road: Tuesdays
Beatriz C. Patino, the coordinator of the Health Exchange Marketplace Department, and Carmen E. Lopez and Sasha Andino, associates, and other qualified staff will answer questions, explain any changes, and help individuals sign up for health insurance.
For Open Enrollment Day appointments and questions, call Health Exchange Marketplace Department at 732-363-6655.
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.
Red Bank Business Owner Wins Six Prestigious Awards for Video Production at JSPRAA Ceremony
Frank Farrell, founder of Custom Video Productions Inc., Red Bank, took home six gold and silver awards at 39th annual JASPER awards ceremony sponsored by JSPRAA (Jersey Shore Public Relations and Advertising Association), held recently at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel.
Farrell won two gold awards for his television/video productions. He won gold for Kohl’s Solar Initiative, a commercial campaign in the Television/Internet Video category; and Bartlett Survivor Tree Program, a short documentary/promo for Television/Video.
In the Television/Video category, Farrell also won silver awards for AT&T Mobile Security and Coach Alex, product or trade show videos used for infomercials and promotions; Veriscript a consumer digital ad or campaign in the digital/interactive media category; and Metallix Refining Website, the website design category for consumers.
Farrell’s interest in AV (audio-visual) recording equipment, electronics, and amateur radio began in Forestdale Grade School, Rumson, when teachers there cultivated his curiosity. Farrell knew what his life’s love and work were going to be when his elementary music teacher Mrs. Guthrie had him figure out how to use the equipment and film his music class while they lip-synced to popular music, such as the Beach Boys, the Beatles, and others.
In 1978 at age 16, Farrell had already started his company in the basement of his parents’ home, producing mainly wedding videos. At Rumson-Far Haven Regional High School, from where he graduated in 1980, Farrell filmed football games; and at the very beginning of the personal and business film production industry, he started filming family events, wedding videos, and then corporate videos.
It was at Brookdale Community College that Farrell met Richard Moose of Bell Laboratories who hired Farrell to help with their corporate video production. Farrell later worked for AT&T, videotaping engineer lectures about video technology and the Internet, among other classified projects. “These experiences are the foundation of where I am at today,” said Farrell.
Farrell earned certification in video production at Sony Technical Trade School, California. He now does work for Kohl’s department stores; Bayer Corporation; the cancer research facility Imclone Systems, Somerville, N.J., and AT&T, among others.
Farrell’s other awards include a Silver at the 2013 ADCNJ (Art Directors Club of New Jersey) 50th Annual Awards ceremony for the video Veriscript, which describes a process that law enforcement officials use to analyze people’s handwriting to determine if they are being truthful; First Place in the 2012 NJAD (New Jersey Advertising) Club Jersey Awards contest for Veriscript; and a gold award from JSPRAA in 2010 for a television/video documentary and promo for the U.S. Army entitled, VIS (Vehicular Intercom Systems): Situational Awareness for the Tactical Vehicle Crewman.
Farrell is a member of JSPRAA since 2005, and the Monmouth Ocean Development Council (MODC) where he serves on the marketing committee. Farrell is also a member of Navesink Business Group, the Eastern Monmouth Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Middlesex County Regional Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, call 732-299-9811 or visit www.cvpnj.com.
About Custom Video Productions Inc.
We create, design, and develop every aspect of video production from concept development to scriptwriting, shooting, editing, DVD authoring, DVD duplication, and more. We are the one-stop media shop for video production. The hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit www.cvpnj.com for more information.
Business Group Collects 2,000 Toys and Food for 80 Food Boxes
The Ocean County Business Association (OCBA) is still accepting new toys and non perishable food for CAREing (sic) for Children. Since 2001, OCBA has supported this 501(c)3 charity with holiday gifts and food that benefit needy area families.
Throughout the year, Clare Bojus, the owner of The Creative Basket and Devil Brownies, collects money, voluntary donations, from OCBA members. This year she collected $6,000.00, which she used to purchase toys at trade shows to supply organizations with presents. Bojus stores hundreds of toys at her facility in the Northampton Business Park, 1575 Route 37 West, Suite 11, Toms River, 08755.
Just before the holiday, members of area organizations visit Bojus’ facility to take gifts for needy families. Those organizations include the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department; State of New Jersey, Department of Children, DYFS of Toms River and Lakewood; The Hope Center, Toms River; Providence House; Sea Side Heights Police Department, Ocean Inc. of Barnegat and Toms River; St. Joseph’s Church, Toms River; Morning Star Presbyterian Church, Bayville, and the Lakehurst Police Department.
Bojus said, “Something of this size could never happen without the help of my outstanding team: Sheree Robinson of Shaklee Health and Wellness Products and her husband Bob; and Mike Moran, Able Home Inspections, who acts as our distribution manager. They shop for food, stuff about 80 food boxes, and organize the toys.”
Moran also calls the charities and organizes the pickups. The Kellogg Company, from which Bob Robinson retired, donates products, such as crackers, cookies, breakfast items for the food boxes.
Anyone who would like to make a donation should contact Bojus at 732-503-4428 or email her at CMB@thecreativebasket.com.
About Ocean County Business Association: OCBA is an Ocean County-based professional networking organization for business owners and corporate decision-makers. For further information, call 866-606-6222 or visit www.OceanCountyBusinessAssociation.