“Locals Helping Locals” at Restore the Shore Concert Series This Saturday
Super storm Sandy destroyed much of the shore and the possessions of the people who live here, but through the spirit of “locals helping locals” and our own Hometown Heroes, there is an opportunity to help those in dire need.
Join a group of local Hometown Heroes for a night of live music at a Restore the Shore Concert Series – Coming Together, Saturday, January 26, 2013, at 7:00 to 11:30 p.m. at the historic Strand Theatre, 400 Clifton Avenue, Lakewood, N.J. The proceeds will benefit families from Seaside and Toms River who lost everything to Sandy’s wrath.
Performing live on stage will be the Shorty Long Band; international recording artist Chris Leone; the Eddie Testa Band; Gary “The Bangs” Roupenian; Vin-Taze; the Nick Clemons Band; Edison’s Children; and Surrender Darcy.
Concert only tickets cost $25.00, plus service charge. Buy tickets online at www.strand.org or call 732-367-7789 for more information.
VIP tickets cost $40.00, plus a service charge, and include a special reception from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. with a DJ; dinner; drink specials; a cake from Cake Boss Buddy Valastro; and meet and greets with Artie Pasquale (The Sopranos), Joe Sernio (All My Children), Rick Zahn (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia), and more! ###
The Strand is supported by the Ocean County Board of Chosen Freeholders, the township of Lakewood, The New Jersey Council on the Arts, OceanFirst Foundation, Investors Savings Bank Charitable Foundation, Birdsall Services Group, Harrogate Retirement Community, the Florian J. Lombardi Foundation, and the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, along with many businesses, organizations and supporters.
Townsquare Media Group is a diversified media, entertainment and digital marketing services company that owns and operates radio, digital and live event properties. The Company specializes in creating and distributing original entertainment, music and lifestyle content. Additionally, Townsquare Media also operates Townsquare Cares, a non-profit organization that seeks to better the lives of troops and their families.
The main purpose of Hometown Heroes is to foster an environment of goodwill, generosity, and encouragement by supporting local communities when unexpected needs arise during a crisis without discrimination towards an individual’s ethnicity, gender, and age. The organization provides an opportunity for all of us to give back to the community through professional assistance, financial assistance, and advocacy. Hometown Heroes helps those in need, often with little or no time, to find a solution to a problem that at the time appears overwhelming
Kidney Donors to Be Recognized at Lakewood Township Meeting
At the Lakewood Township Committee Meeting, February 7, 2013, at 7:30 p.m., the Lakewood Township Committee will recognize individuals who have been involved with kidney donations, a gift of life, and those who have been kidney donors.
Menachem Friedman, the program director of Renewal will talk about Renewal, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting people suffering from kidney disease and saving lives through kidney donations. (http://www.life-renewal.org/aboutus). Renewal, which began six years ago, has already made possible 150 kidney transplants, without which kidney-disease sufferers of all ages would have died.
Representatives from Barnabas Health, transplant division, will be present. Pastor Glenn Wilson, Lakewood, knows first-hand how important kidney donations are. After his son’s kidneys failed from the effects of childhood diabetes and a stroke, Robert’s younger brother, Glenn Wilson Jr., saved his brother’s life, a father of two, by donating one of his kidneys to him.
Lakewood Deputy Mayor Steven Langert, whose wife Sharon donated a kidney, said, “People on a list waiting for a kidney donation are facing a death-sentence unless someone steps forward to donate a kidney. By making these presentations, I am hoping to make the public aware of what happens when one is a kidney donor. Personally, I am so proud of my wife for what she has done to help another human being.”
Anyone who is a kidney donor should contact Deputy Mayor Langert at 732-364-2500 Ext. 5973 so a proclamation can be prepared in their honor. Anyone who is considering becoming a donor should attend the Township meeting to learn more.
Join JSBL for a New Year, New Connections
Start the New Year by joining Jersey Shore Business Leaders for an evening of business networking Thursday, January 31, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at 709 Restaurant, 709 Arnold Avenue, Pt. Pleasant, N.J. 08742. Registration is $15.00 for members; $20.00 for non members and includes light appetizers, cash bar, and a chance to win multiple door prizes.
A portion of fundraising efforts will benefit the Jersey Shore Animal Center.
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.
OHI Fetes Senator Singer and Barry Ostrowsky at Its 10th Anniversary Dinner Dance
OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives) is celebrating its 10th Anniversary as a federally qualified health center in Ocean County by honoring Senator Robert W. Singer and Barry H. Ostrowsky Esq., the president and CEO of the Barnabas Health, with a dinner dance and a silent auction, Friday, February 8 from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. at The Mill, 101 Old Mill Road, Spring Lake, N.J. 07762.
Dr. Theresa Berger, CEO of OHI, said, “Senator Singer and Barry Ostrowsky saw the need for healthcare for the medically underserved and were instrumental in bringing the first federally qualified health center to Ocean County.”
Tickets are $125 per person. All donations and contributions, which are tax deductible, will help continue OHI’s mission of providing affordable, accessible healthcare to Ocean County seniors, adults and children regardless of insurance. Sponsorships, donations, journal ads, items for the gift auction, and premium ticket packages are available.
The increasing number of Ocean County families needing access to healthcare has resulted in OHI’s growth from one community health center in Lakewood ten years ago to two additional health centers in Toms River and Stafford, and the first school-based health center at the Clifton Avenue Grade School, Lakewood. In 2012, OHI provided more than 79,000 patient visits to medically underserved families in Ocean County, including the delivery of approximately 1,000 newborns and over 10,000 same day appointments.
Visit www.ohinj.org for more information or contact Douglas Clark, marketing coordinator, at 732-363-6655 or promotionsdept@ohinj.org.
About Ocean Health Initiatives
OHI, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; and 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; and 333 Haywood Road Manahawkin, provides comprehensive preventative and primary care, including pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, and dental health to the area’s uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented residents on a sliding-fee scale, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. 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 Parking Is Free but Has Limits
Lakewood is fortunate to have a vibrant and exciting downtown with many unique stores and places to shop. Township officials and Lakewood shop owners want everyone to have a great experience shopping in Lakewood, rather than driving somewhere else. That is why some parking regulations will be taking effect.
Lakewood Township officials with the urging of downtown shop owners have adopted Downtown Parking Regulations, setting specific time limits for on-street parking spaces during normal business hours to enhance visitors’ and shoppers’ experiences in Downtown Lakewood.
To accommodate shoppers and visitors to the Municipal complex, Lakewood has numerous municipal parking lots with free all-day parking and just a few spaces with specific parking time limits. Although Lakewood is one of the few towns that offer free parking in its Downtown as well, there is a limit, from one to three-hours, determining how long vehicles can remain in on-streets parking spaces.
Drivers who park in the Downtown are urged to take note of the signage or pavement markings in the Downtown. In the next month, Lakewood personnel will be giving out warnings to make everyone aware of the Downtown Parking Regulations. After that, vehicles in violation of parking ordinances will be subject to fines.
Mayor Albert Akerman said, “Once again, we appreciate your patronage of Lakewood businesses, and we encourage your support and assistance of our efforts to make every visitor’s experience to Downtown Lakewood a good one. Thank you for your cooperation.”
OHI Gives Kids a Smile February 1
In recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month, OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives) under the auspices of New Jersey Dental Association is providing free dental screenings to children 12 and under, regardless of insurance, on Give Kids a Smile Day, Friday, February 1, 2013, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Dentists can see children at one of two locations: OHI’s Lakewood office, 101 Second Street or OHI’s Toms River office, 301 Lakehurst Road. Because space is limited, appointments must be scheduled two weeks ahead of time. School nurses will provide a consent form and a medical history form, which children must bring to their appointment. Call the OHI Call Center at 732-363-6655 to schedule an appointment in either English or Spanish.
American Dental Association’s Give Kids a Smile program, now celebrating its 11th year, is designed to raise awareness about the importance of dental care and provides oral health education to all children despite their economic status.
The free screening includes a dental exam, oral healthcare instruction, fluoride treatments, and free dental hygiene materials, such as toothbrushes, floss and toothpaste.
Throughout the year, OHI offers dental cleanings and full checkups, including X-rays and other screening procedures for children and adults. Dentists are available at the Lakewood and Toms River sites Monday through Friday, beginning at 8:00 a.m.
For more information, visit www.ohinj.org. For questions, contact Douglas Clark at 732-363-6655 or promotionsdept@ohinj.org.
About Ocean Health Initiatives
OHI, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), with locations at 101 Second Street, Lakewood; and 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River; and 333 Haywood Road Manahawkin, provides comprehensive preventative and primary care, including pediatrics, maternal and child health, prenatal, WIC, universal immunizations, and dental health to the area’s uninsured, underinsured, and undocumented residents on a sliding-fee scale, based on an individual’s or family’s ability to pay. 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.
Avoid the Five Common Mistakes Most Employers Make — Free Seminar
If you manage any employees, are in charge of HR, or are responsible for your company’s insurance, join Robin Campbell, a commercial insurance agent, and employment law attorney William Healey for a free business seminar, Wednesday, January 23, 2013, 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., at the DoubleTree, by Hilton Hotel Tinton Falls, 700 Hope Road, Eatontown, N.J. An expanded continental breakfast is included.
Campbell, a Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) at the Pavese-McCormick Insurance Agency, Monmouth Junction, will explain basic insurance coverage options, how to know which options are best for your business, and how to correct any gaps in your insurance.
William H. Healey, a Certified Civil Trial Attorney and member of Kluger Healey, LLC, Red Bank, will present common employment practices that may expose businesses and their managers to expensive and time-consuming claims. Healey will offer solutions aimed at minimizing the likelihood of employment litigations.
To register, contact Sharon Danzi at 732-852-7500 or sdanzi@klugerhealey.com.
About Pavese-McCormick: Pavese McCormick Insurance Agency, 3759 U.S. Hwy South, Monmouth Junction, N.J., is an independent insurance agency founded in 1933. In addition, Pavese McCormick is a founding member of Consolidated Insurance Agents, LLC, an agency that is made up of other insurance agencies. Pavese-McCormick prides itself on not only providing traditional insurance protection in the commercial and personal property-casualty, life & health insurance and financial services industries, but also for catering to such growing fields as manufacturing, technology, restaurants and hospitality, schools, and contracting.
About Kluger Healey: Kluger Healey, LLC, 219 Broad Street, Red Bank, N.J., specializes in areas of law that impact every business and offers a comprehensive range of labor and employment law services for corporations of all sizes, business owners and managers. Kluger Healey provides solutions for issues involving employees: from human resources counseling, policy development, and the defense of employment litigation to union avoidance strategies. The firm has also been successful in the pursuit and defense of a broad array of commercial litigations.
Contracting Company Will Donate to YOUR Charity
Affordable Home Renovations, LLC, Toms River, a licensed and fully insured contracting company, will either donate up to $1000.00 for its contracting work to a charity or relief fund designated by the business or home owner OR reduce the cost of its work by the amount of a homeowner’s or business’s deductible up to a maximum of $2500.
Any business or home owners who get an estimate and sign a contract for renovations with Affordable Home Renovations before February 14 can choose to have up to $1000.00 donated to a charity or relief fund of their choice or apply a reduction of up to $2500 for the amount of the insured person’s deductible.
Renovations offered by Affordable Home Renovations include kitchen or bathrooms; sheetrock, framing, or flooring; trim tile, cabinets or vanities; house-raising; demolition of any kind; plumbing and electrical work, and even kennel repairs, among others. Affordable Home Renovations works with insurance adjusters.
“If no charitable recipient is chosen,” says owner Domenick Raimondo, “then we will donate up to $1000.00 to the American Red Cross.”
Visit Affordable Home Renovations at www.ahr-contracting.com or call 732-684-3807 for estimates or questions. The N.J. Contractor’s License is 13VH07102000.
Healthcare Reform-How Will HR Handle the Changes? Jan. JSAHR Meeting
Healthcare reform is here to stay. How will HR handle the changes? Join the Jersey Shore Association for Human Resources (JSAHR), a Superior Merit Award Chapter of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management), 8:00 to 10:00 a.m., Jumping Brook Country Club, 210 Jumping Brook Road, Neptune, N.J., Thursday, January 10, 2013, to learn how the law is being implemented and how it changes the landscape of offering employer sponsored medical insurance.
Desmond Slattery, senior vice president of Bollinger Inc., an insurance agency, will explain the complexities of the healthcare law, how it is being implemented, and the tax penalties for failure to comply, among other vital information.
Participants will learn what changes a company needs to make to determine who is eligible for coverage; how contributions need to be structured in order to avoid penalties and additional taxes; timelines showing when which parts of the law go into effect; “Essential Benefits” and how they affect one’s health plan; “Health Exchanges,” the new health plans for individuals and small companies; and when and how to notify your employees.
The registration fee and a full buffet breakfast is $25.00 for JSAHR members; $40.00 for nonmembers; $20.00 for those in-transition, and $10.00 for full-time students. To register, call Kathi Evans, JSAHR administrator, at 732-270-5204 email jsahr.shrm@gmail.com.
About Desmond X. Slattery
Slattery, a graduate of North Carolina State University, with a B.S. in business, began his career in the health industry as a broker account executive with Horizon BCBSNJ. In 1990, he joined Professional Group Marketing, N.Y., as an account executive working with brokers in N.Y., N.J., and Conn. In 1994, Slattery created John J. Slattery Associations, a family-owned general agency. In 2010, this agency merged with Bollinger, Inc., one of the largest privately owned insurance agencies in N.Y., N.J., Penn., and Conn.
As senior vice president of Bollinger, Inc., Slattery oversees Bollinger’s general agency division, Slattery GA. Slattery GA offers sales and service support to brokers and their clients for individual, small, and large group medical and ancillary benefit plans. During his 30 years of experience, he has monitored legislative and regulatory updates as chairman of the Legislative Council for the New Jersey Association of Health Underwriters (NJAHU). Slattery lobbies before elected officials in both Trenton, N.J., and Washington, D.C., on behalf of NJAHU.
Lakewood UEZ Increases Disaster Assistance Loan Funds by $500,000
As part of its disaster assistance loan program, the Lakewood Development Corporation (LDC) with the support of the Lakewood Township Committee approved another $500,000 for Lakewood Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ) businesses impacted by super storm Sandy. Originally the LDC had set aside one million dollars.
Patricia Komsa, the executive director of the UEZ, says, “The disaster assistance loan program was well-received. So far we have approved about 40 loans, totaling $1.2 million dollars. Once the disaster assistance loan committee met with applicants and realized the extent of their losses, we decided to allocate an additional $500,000 beyond the $1 million already set aside to meet the critical financial needs of our business.”
Many businesses in Lakewood’s UEZ zone were without power for two weeks or more. In addition to the storm damage caused by Sandy, restaurants and grocery stores were especially hard hit, having lost groceries, other perishable items, in addition to their overall loss of business revenue.
The disaster assistance loans granted are being used to replace equipment and inventory, and provide money for cash-flow shortages.
The loan program, a two-tiered system, provides initial approvals for loans up to $10,000, with no interest for three (3) years. Businesses may also apply for extended assistance loans of an additional $25,000 at two percent (2%) interest for 10 years.
Loan applications can be found online at www.lakewoodnj.gov/department/uez or at the Lakewood Municipal Building, 231 Third Street, Lakewood, 2nd Floor, Room 12. Assistance is available in filling out the application forms. Businesses located within the UEZ but not yet certified can still become UEZ certified in order to become eligible for disaster assistance.
For further information, call Patricia Komsa at 732-364-2500 x5257.
About the UEZ: The Urban Enterprise Zone program was designed to foster economic growth to revitalize and stimulate designated urban communities. The program encourages businesses to create private-sector jobs though public and private investment. More than 8,000 businesses throughout the state and more than 500 businesses in Lakewood benefit from tax and financial incentives. Personnel from the Lakewood UEZ are available to discuss program eligibility and answer questions.