Business Briefs

Dr. Miryam Bookman has announced the opening of her new dental practice in Jackson. The practice features chairmounted TVs/monitors in each room, digital X-rays, and intra-oral cameras so the patient can see what the doctor sees. The mission of her practice is to provide the finest-quality dental care in a friendly, caring and comfortable atmosphere. Bookman is committed to providing a lifetime of optimum oral health to her patients through treatment of current dental needs and prevention of future disease. It is her goal to develop long-term relationships with her patients and for them to feel at ease when they walk through her door. Bookman treats adults and children and has extensive experience in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit her Web site at www.bookmandentistry. com or call 732-942-0909.

The Howell Chamber of Commerce will host a Breakfast Bonanza Networking Event at Big City Bagel, 4007 Route 9 north, Howell, 8:30-9:30 a.m. Dec. 19. This event offers an opportunity for chamber members and nonmembers who have local businesses to get together to learn about marketing and networking strategies as well as what services other businesses provide. Attendees are encouraged to bring an ample supply of business cards. The fee to attend is $5 for nonmembers and free for chamber members (food and drinks not included). Details: 732-363-4114. The January event will be held 8:30-9:30 a.m. Jan. 9 at Dunkin' Donuts, 4862 Route 9 south, Howell.

MaryAnn Troiano, Middletown, a board-certified family nurse practitioner and child health care consultant, recently joined the staff of OHI (Ocean Health Initiatives), a federally qualified health center (FQHC) with locations at 101 Second St., Lakewood, and 301 Lakehurst Road, Toms River. Troiano has extensive experience in family and women's health in clinical settings, and emergency and critical care nursing. Her duties will include adolescent well care and adolescent gynecology, among other areas.

Tina Malinak of Howell was recognized by her employer, PSEG, at the company's headquarters in Newark as well as by New Jersey Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells, who was part of the festivities to help the company award a total of $34,000 in grants to nonprofits as part of its annual Recognizing Excellence in Volunteerism program. Malinak was recognized for her exemplary efforts in giving back to help make her community better and received $1,000 on behalf of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. She will be helping to educate people about marine mammals and sea turtles in an effort to empower individuals to help protect the environment.

Dana Keegan of Freehold and Thomas Hanily of Howell have joined Tastefully Simple, a home taste-testing company, as independent consultants. They will offer the company's gourmet foods and beverages to guests at home taste-testing parties. Guests will receive samples, meal ideas, recipes and serving suggestions. For details, e-mail Dana Keegan at msfc718@aol.com or Thomas Hanily at tomsts4u@yahoo.com.

Herb Marinari of Big Woods Farm and Nursery, and president of the Plumsted Business and Merchants Association, announced that the Plumsted Business and Merchants Association in conjunction with the Plumsted Township School District is collecting food for 30 families in the Plumsted school district. This effort by the Plumsted businesses is their effort to give back to the community that they live and work in. The following businesses and friends have donated money, food and time to this effort: Big Woods Nursery, Bomar Printing, B&R Realty, Broken Porch, Pam and Jim Clyne, Curves, eStreet Designs, Patricia Gale, Growing Smiles - Dr. Victoria Roeder, iNet eBiz, Main Street U.S.A., Don E. Miller Septic Service, New Egypt Dry Cleaners, New Egypt Market Place, Dr. John O'Connor, PNC, Primerica, Up Front Dog Training, The Bank, Tilghman Funeral Home, and TR Autobody. Organizers of the food drive thanked all the members of the community who have contacted Marinari to offer their help and food donations to make this drive a success. Each holiday meal will be accompanied by a canned ham, donated by the Plumsted Business and Merchants Association.

Healing Spirits Massage of Jackson is offering reiki classes. Reiki is a Japanese technique designed for stress reduction, emotional balancing and promotion of healing. It is administered by they laying on of hands and can be learned by anyone. Monthly reiki classes are being offered to the public; the fee is $150 for an eight-hour class. Details: Healing Spirits Massage, 732-901-0899.

H&R Block representatives will visit the Jackson library, 2 Jackson Drive, Jackson, at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 14 for National Tax Week. Topics to be discussed will be tax advice on earned income credit, capital gains, first-time homebuyer credit, senior issues and more. The program is free and open to the public, but registration is requested. Details: 732-928-4400 or www.theoceancountylibrary. org. Registration will begin Dec. 30.

The Lakewood BlueClaws have received the For Kids' Sake Award from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ocean County. It was presented at the team's annual "Thanks for Giving" gala at the Crystal Point Yacht Club in Point Pleasant recently. The award is given to an organization that substantially impacts the youth of Ocean County over the previous year. The BlueClaws' involvement included arranging for area children to enjoy BlueClaws games and donating items to Big Brothers Big Sisters charitable events. This year the BlueClaws have also been honored by the Monmouth Foundation for Education, the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council of Ocean County, the Jersey Shore Boy Scouts, and the Ocean County YMCA. The Lakewood BlueClaws are the single A minor league affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Items for the business section may be submitted by fax at 732-780-4192.