Business Briefs

Blue Tulip, Chapel Hill Shopping Center, Route 35, Middletown, will welcome Junior Girl Scouts from Troop No. 2223 April 12 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. The Scouts from Harmony School, Middletown, and Ranney School, Tinton Falls, will work with the store's printing specialists to earn badges for prints and graphics.

We Care Adult Care, 500 Route 35 south, Middletown, will offer hearing tests performed by Total Hearing Care May 3 at 10 a.m. The tests are free, but individuals must R.S.V.P. by April 27. To register, call (732) 741-7363.

The Monmouth County Park System, Lincroft section of Middletown, has received an Agency Showcase Award from the New Jersey Recreation and Park Association for its Web site, monmouthcountyparks.com. The site contains information about the county's 36 regional parks, recreation areas, special use areas, greenways, conservation properties and golf courses, as well as approximately 4,000 programs it offers annually.

MediCheck Billing LLC recently opened its office at 111 Four Winds Drive, Middletown. The firm is a full-service medical claims filing and billing service that specializes in electronic claims filing and billing. The firm was founded by Caroline Fitzgerald.

Dr. Margaret Bowles Parker has been chosen by Brookdale Community College to receive an honorary associate of letters degree at the college's graduation ceremonies May 21. Parker began her career at Brookdale in 1969 and designed, created and delivered courses in history and intercultural communications. The granddaughter of a slave, she began her commitment to civil rights during her childhood. She and her husband, Dr. James Parker, moved to Red Bank in 1951. Parker is the founder of Parker Shore Enterprises, a human development resources company specializing in diversity and communications programs. She received her bachelor's degree cum laude from Howard University, Washington, D.C.; a master's degree in American civilization from Newark State College; and doctorate from Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

Bobbie Jo Ridgely, Middletown, was recently appointed to the position of chair of volunteers at the Jersey Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross, Tinton Falls. Her responsibilities will ensure effective volunteer administration practices are advocated, considered and implemented by the board. She has been with the Chapter since August 2002, and has served as the disaster action team lead and coordinator of disaster volunteers. She has 15 years' experience working in the Telecom industry, and is presently employed part time as an Avaya consultant. She and her husband Michael are parents of a daughter.

The Central Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners will host an educational workshop 6-9 p.m. April 25 at the Asbury Park Press, 3601 Route 66, Neptune. The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance will present "Identity Theft: It Could Happen to You!" The cost is $30 for nonmembers and $25 for members. To sign up or for more information, call (732) 370-7047 or visit www.nawbocentraljersey.org.

United Way of Monmouth County recently acknowledged 18 nonprofits that successfully completed the agency certification process. Certification was established to promote partnership and define a mutually beneficial relationship between United Way and certified agencies. A United Way volunteer team conducted a review that included an evaluation of the application and accompanying documentation, a mandatory site visit of the agency's facility, and an interview with the management staff and representatives from the agency's board of directors

Local agencies approved for certification were: CPC Behavioral Healthcare, Middletown, Family & Children's Service, Long Branch, FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Neptune; HABcore, Red Bank; National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Oakhurst section of Ocean Township; Prevention First, Ocean; and Homing Corp., Monmouth Housing Alliance, and Mental Health Association, all Eatontown.

Blue Tulip, Chapel Hill Shopping Center, Route 35, Middletown, will host a pre-Mother's Day workshop for children ages 4-12 April 30 from noon to 1 p.m. Children will create flower magnets and Mother's Day cards, and may gift wrap their creations. For fee information or to register, call (732) 345-0021.

Mike Murray, Middletown, an exclusive agent at Allstate New Jersey Insurance Co., Middletown, has achieved the Allstate Honor Ring Award for high standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention and financial service sales. For nearly 60 years, the ring has been Allstate's symbol of outstanding achievement.

Stephen Hutnik, a history teacher for the past 31 years at Raritan High School, Hazlet, has been named the 2006 local Educator of the Year by Caesarea Masonic Lodge No. 64, Keyport. Hutnik was selected as the teacher that best exemplifies the Masonic tenets of friendship, morality and brotherly love by volunteering his time and skills to extracurricular educational programs at his school and the community. An Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War, Hutnik arranges for local veterans to come into the school each year for Veteran's Day and speak to his students. The award was presented by Worshipful Master Timothy Touhey and Gilbert W. Maymon, chairman of the program. Hutnik's school activities include adviser to the environmental club, history and government clubs, and coaching the mock trial. He is also active in the Matawan Regional Teachers Association.

Students from Perna Dance Center, Hazlet, recently performed during halftime at the recent Harlem Globetrotters game at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown. The traveling troupe of 45 volunteer dancers was chosen to perform after an individual in the Globetrotters' organization saw the dancers' "Proud to Be an American" performance at Madison Square Garden. Dancers range in age from 7 to 17 and reside in the local towns of Hazlet, Holmdel, Middletown, North Middletown, Keyport, and the Leonardo section of Middletown.

New Jersey Affiliate of the National Human Resources Association will meet 6:30-8 p.m. April 18 at Old Orchard Manor, 54 Monmouth Road, Eatontown. The guest speaker will be author Eric Taylor presenting a talk on personal empowerment. Meetings are open to HR professionals and executives. For more information, call Judy at (732) 938-2421.

Theresa Little, Realtor associate of Woodward Realty Group, and attorney Keith A. Singer, owner of Precise Title Agency, Middletown, will present "New Possibilities," a seminar for first-time home buyers, 6:30-9:30 p.m. April 24 at Monmouth University's Young Auditorium, 400 Cedar Ave., West Long Branch. For reservations, call Precise at (732) 886-0535.