The Lakewood Development Corporation, the administrative arm of the Urban Enterprise Zone (UEZ), is offering the public a free small business seminar, "Doing Business With the Government: How to Get Your Foot in the Door," on Aug. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Conference Room C at the Lakewood municipal building, 231 Third St., Lakewood. All businesses are welcome, whether or not they are participating in a UEZ program. To register or find out about UEZ programs and seminars, call Patricia Komsa at 732-364-2500, ext. 5257.

Donna Weeks, a perinatal clinical specialist with the Department of Clinical Education and Nursing Research at Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, and a resident of Jackson, has received the Peplau Writing Award. The award is given once a year by the College of Nursing of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, for outstanding writing ability by an undergraduate or graduate student in the area of psychiatric/mental health nursing.

Weeks, a 2009 graduate of the Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Rutgers, was nominated for her Capstone Project, which evaluated an antepartum inpatient support group she initiated at Saint Peter's University Hospital last June. The qualitative study focuses on four issues: socialization, extended social bonding and mutual support achieved through a shared lived experience, the impact of interpersonal connectedness resulting from reduced confinement, and comparing self to other.

"The support group has been very well received among our high-risk antepartum patients, who may remain with us for several weeks or months before delivering their babies," said Dr. Weeks. "The group meets weekly, and it gives women an opportunity to get out of their rooms and to socialize with others who are in similar situations. There is a great deal of discussion that takes place during our sessions, and feedback from these women has been tremendously positive."

Anderson and Collins Inc., an independent clinical research site dedicated to full-service care, is looking for volunteers for its clinical trials. Trials that are available now are: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis; migraine; menstrual migraine; osteoporosis; fibromyalgia; and hypertension and flu vaccine.

The research facility, founded by registered nurse Marcia Collins in 1995, works in collaboration with pharmaceutical company sponsors and Contract Research Organizations (CRO) to conduct clinical drug studies for various illnesses, as well as wellness and vaccine trials. Investigational medications or approved drugs seeking an added indication are tested on participants who meet the criteria for the specific study.

All medical expenses related to the study, such as the physician's time, the participant's blood work and medication, are rendered free of charge, and eligible participants are compensated for their time and travel. Volunteers who do not qualify for a clinical trial will be kept on the company's database for future trials. The research firm's Internet website is www.accrinc.com. For more information, call 732-287-5130.