Business Briefs Amper, Politziner & Mattia, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, Edison, has announced Jennifer Sai, Nupur Tripathi and Feng Cai Zhang have joined the firm. Sai, a resident of the Colonia section of Woodbridge, is a staff accountant in the audit and accounting group. She received a bachelor of science degree in accounting at The College of New Jersey, Ewing. Aberdeen resident Tripathi is a staff accountant in the audit and accounting group. She received a bachelor of science degree in accounting at Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Zhang, a resident of the Monmouth Junction section of South Brunswick, is a staff accountant in the emerging business department. He received a bachelor of science degree in accounting at Rutgers University. The Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) will present the workshop "Starting and Managing Your Own Business" Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at SCORE Office, 2 Gateway Center, 15th floor, Newark. Topics include business plans, tax obligations and financing recordkeeping. Fee is $35, which includes a copy of the book "Starting and Managing Your Own Business," and registration is required. To register, call SCORE at (973) 645-3982. The New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants will present "Do It Herself: A Journey to Financial Freedom" Jan. 27" at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m., and closing remarks and prize drawings conclude at 3:15 p.m. Keynote address will be given by Kendra Todd, winner of "The Apprentice 3." She will offer her perspective on reality TV. There will be sessions on topics such as investing, starting a business, and estate planning. Financial columnist Warren Boroson will also present "Investing Like Warren Buffet." There will also be a luncheon, and fashion show. Registration is $20 for two individuals, or $15 for one. To register, visit www.MoneyMattersNJ.com/seminars or call Jeanette at (973) 226-4494, ext. 246. Carolyn Broderick of the West Keansburg section of Hazlet, Meredith Henriques of Matawan, and Gerrilynn Noboa of the Oakhurst section of Ocean Township are all recipients of Prudential CARES Volunteer Grants Award of $250. Broderick - a diversity specialist for Prudential Human Resources and Community Resources, Newark - received the grant for Meal at Noon. She volunteered 45 hours in 2005 with Meal at Noon, during which she purchased items, prepared and provided bagged lunches, and also prepared and provided Halloween goody bags for children. Henriques - a senior actuarial associate for Prudential Investments, Newark - received a grant for the Aberdeen/Matawan Repertory Theatre. She dedicated 150 hours to the theater in 2005 as a volunteer for the program Spotlight. She was also part of the associates' board, played flute in the pit orchestra and was a vocal coach/rehearsal coordinator. Noboa - a systems analysis and development analyst for Prudential Corporate Operations and Systems, Newark - received a grant for Ocean Township Pop Warner. During 2005, she devoted 74 hours to the organization by coordinating submissions to the yearbook, coordinating a fundraising effort and assisting cheerleader practices. The Matawan-Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce will hold a breakfast meeting on Jan. 16 from 8-9 a.m. at the Synergy Bank, 168 Main St., Matawan. Renata Bonelli, Synergy Bank manager, will speak on the safety of Internet banking. The cost is $3 for members, $5 for nonmembers, and includes breakfast. For more information, call (732) 290-1125 or (732) 583-4959. Amper, Politziner & Mattia, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, Wall Township, announced that Nupur Tripathi, Aberdeen, has joined the firm. Tripathi is a staff accountant in the audit and accounting group. She received her bachelor of science degree in accounting from Rutgers University, New Brunswick. Peter R. Velez, M.P.H., Belford section of Middletown, has been named to the New Jersey Commission on Rationalizing New Jersey's Health Care Resources by Gov. Jon S. Corzine. The panel works to ensure the state's supply of hospital and other health care services appropriately responds to community needs for affordable and accessible care. The 17 annual Mac Events "Jersey Shore Home Show" will take place Jan. 12-14 at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft section of Middletown. Participants include Siperstein's Paint & Decorating, and Artisan Kitchen & Bath Studio, both Long Branch. The show will feature approximately 125 manufacturers and sellers of home furnishings, window treatments, cabinetry, appliances and other items. Professionals will also be available to answer questions. For hours or more information, call Jack at (800) 332-3976, ext. 122 or visit www.macevents.com. Barbara Davis Employment Services, Red Bank, marked its 19th anniversary by presenting an annual corporate contribution to 180 Turning Lives Around, Hazlet, its 2006 charitable recipient. The agency received a $1,700 check, and is the seventh charitable foundation to benefit from the Davis' annual milestone celebration. Barbara Davis Employment Services places full-time regular and temporary employees to meet the needs of its client base. The New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium (NJMSC), Sandy Hook, has been honored with a 2006 Governor's Environmental Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding environmental performance, programs and projects in the state. NJMSC received the Healthy Ecosystem Award category for its Habitat Initiative. The project includes research, education and outreach to advance the science and practice of restoration ecology and links habitat restoration to the secondary production of managed species and its forage base. The initiative's success has helped make New Jersey a leader in restoration ecology. The nonprofit NJMSC is dedicated to advancing knowledge of New Jersey's marine and coastal environment. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local Union No. 164, Paramus, recently graduated 105 local men and women from its electrical and telecommunications apprenticeship training programs. Local telecommunications graduate was Bruce Hockenberry, Keyport; and electrical graduates were Mark Cassidy, Hazlet, and Joseph Crivelli, Little Silver. The electrical apprentice program was a five-year program, and the telecommunications program four years. Applicants must be age 17 or older, possess a high school diploma or GED, have one year of algebra, and a valid driver's license. The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Central Jersey Chapter will hold a luncheon Jan. 18 at Clifton's Restaurant, 618 Park Ave., Freehold. Consultant and personal stylist Janet Cargill will present "The Art of Looking Good….10 Steps From Frumpy to Fabulous." Cost is $25 for nonmembers, and $20 for members; $25/nonmembers. Reservations are required. For reservations or time, call (732) 370-7047 or visit www.nawbocentraljersey.org. SCORE Chapter 36 of Monmouth County will present the workshop, "Buying a Business or a Franchise" Jan. 23 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Middletown Library, 55 New Monmouth Road, Middletown. William Belgard, a franchise specialist, and Joseph Wasilewski, a CPA, will give advice in finding good business opportunities and what to avoid. SCORE members will also discuss experiences. For more information, contact SCORE at www.score36.org or (732) 219-9119 or the library at (732) 671-3700, ext. 320.