business briefs

Free Motion Rehabilitation Center has been selected for the 2010 Best of Howell Award in the Physical Therapists category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA). The USCA “Best of Local Business” award program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country.

Each year, the USCA identifies companies that it believes have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2010 USCA award program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

The Howell Chamber of Commerce will host a Breakfast Bonanza networking event at 8:30 a.m. May 28 at Big City Bagels, 4007 Route 9 north, Howell. Jim Stanberry of Stanberry Insurance Agency will present pertinent information about insurance and the industry. Breakfast Bonanza networking events are held every other Friday at different locations in town. The event is free for Howell Chamber of Commerce members; nonmembers pay $5. Food and drinks can be purchased. Details: 732-363- 4114 or visit www.howellchamber.com.

The “Share Our Strengths Great American Bake Sale” will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 14 at Bartley Healthcare, 175 Bartley Road, Jackson. The event is part of a national campaign that works to help end childhood hunger in America by holding bake sales. The public is invited to get involved, either by purchasing baked goods or by donating money to the cause.

Dr. Jodi Kinney of Intrinsic Chiropractic Center will be a sponsor of the 15th annual Kids Day America/International, a children’s health, safety and environmental awareness day. The event will take place inside Jackson Fitness Center, 260 N. County Line Road, Jackson, from noon to 3 p.m. May 22.

This marks the seventh consecutive year that Kinney and her staff have organized this event to bring the Jackson community together. Kinney will provide information about crime prevention, child safety and environmental awareness.

The Jackson Police Department will be on hand to provide free fingerprinting of all the children. The Jackson First Aid Squad will also be there with their cadets.

Kinney will provide free spinal exams and scoliosis screenings and distribute information about health issues that affect children. There will also be dental identification, vision screenings and child fitness assessments, plus free face painting, balloons and snacks. Giveaways will be distributed, and prize drawings will be held every 15 minutes. Donations will be accepted for the DARE program to enable it to continue efforts for drug awareness. All are invited to attend. Details: 732-833-9000.

CentraState Healthcare System has been awarded 12th place in NJBIZ newspaper’s “Best Places to Work in New Jersey” annual statewide ranking, up from 17th place last year. The business publication’s survey and award program was designed to identify, recognize and honor the best places of employment in New Jersey, benefiting the state’s economy, its workforce and businesses.

The Best Places to Work in New Jersey award program is made up of 55 companies split into two groups: 30 medium-sized companies (25 to 249 employees) and 25 large-sized companies (more than 250 employees). CentraState has been named one of the Best Places to Work in New Jersey in the large category for the second straight year. CentraState earned similar recognition from healthcare trade journal Modern Healthcare magazine in 2008.

With nearly 2,500 employees, CentraState Healthcare System, Freehold Township, is a nonprofit community health organization consisting of an acute-care hospital, an ambulatory care campus, three senior living communities, a Family Medicine Residency Program, and a charitable foundation. It is a member of the Robert Wood Johnson Health Network and a clinical research affiliate of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

Howell Chamber of Commerce will host an after hours meet and greet from 5-7 p.m. May 17 at Stern Family Medicine, 2352 Route 9 south, Howell. Dr. Stern and the evening’s sponsor, CentraState Medical Center, will conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a wine and cheese reception/ networking opportunity at Stern Family Medicine, in the new Cherry Tree Plaza, just past Swingtime on Route 9 south in Howell. The event is free to Howell Chamber of Commerce members. Details: 732- 363-4114. Check www.howellchamber.com for updated information, since last-minute changes sometimes do occur.