Business Briefs

Aruna G. Patel, M.D., a board-certified radiation oncologist, has rejoined the Regional Cancer Center at Kimball Medical Center, Lakewood.

Patel completed a fellowship in therapeutic radiology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York. She is affiliated with the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

From 1991 to 2004, Patel was a member of Kimball’s department of Radiation Oncology. For the past year she has been working at City Hospital in Martinsburg, W.Va. Her areas of expertise in radiation oncology include breast cancer treatment and prostate seed implantation.

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar is inviting children, their friends and families to enjoy Breakfast With Santa on Dec. 3, 8:30-10:30 a.m. With the $10 per person donation to Toys for Tots, guests get breakfast compliments of Applebee’s and receive goodies. Children under 2 are admitted free. Raffle prizes will be awarded. All of the proceeds will benefit the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program. Advance reservations are required. Local participating Applebee’s locations are at Brick Plaza, Route 70 and Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, (732) 262-9876; and Route 9 at Locust Road, in Howell, (732) 961-9400.

The Central Jersey Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) has named Dawn Nakash, president and founder of Day-break Marketing Services, Jackson, as the chapter’s nominee for the Western Monmouth Chamber of Commerce’s 2005 Athena Award. The Athena Award recognizes an individual for business or professional accomplishments, for community service, and especially for mentoring others and providing a role model to encourage women to achieve their full leadership potential. All of the nominees for this year’s Athena Award will be honored at a luncheon Nov. 4 at 11 a.m. at Branches in West Long Branch. Nakash currently services as vice president of marketing for the NAWBO Central Jersey Chapter.

OceanFirst Bank is sponsoring its annual holiday food drive to meet the growing demand at local food banks. Residents may donate nonperishable Thanksgiving foods at the Jackson branch, 260 North County Line Road.

Suited for Success Boutique has moved to 521 Princeton Ave., Lakewood. The program, funded by Ocean County Private Industries Council and sponsored by the Lakewood Board of Education, provides career clothing for qualified women entering the workforce. For shopping or donating information, call (732) 905-3685.

Harrogate Retirement Community, 400 Locust St., Lakewood, will host a Lakewood Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” networking event Nov. 15, 5-7:30 p.m. Attendees are advised to bring business cards and network with other people in the business community. The cost to attend is $5 per person. Reservations are required. Call (732) 363-0012.

The New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners Monmouth-Ocean Chapter will host its annual holiday auction Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at the Sheraton Eatontown. The organization is seeking gift donations, sponsors and advertisers for the holiday auction journal to be distributed at the event.

More than 150 people are expected to attend the holiday auction, which will feature live bidding on the donated gifts. All proceeds from the event will fund the NJAWBO Monmouth-Ocean Chapter’s education and legislative activities and support scholarship funds and outreach programs.

The United States Small Business Administration (SBA) is searching for outstanding New Jersey small-business owners and small-business champions who will be honored during National Small Business Week next spring. Winners will be presented with awards at the ninth annual New Jersey Small Business Conference at the Hyatt Hotel in New Brunswick.

Nominations are being sought for New Jersey’s Small Business Person of the Year and for outstanding SBA Small Business Champions in the areas of minority, women, veteran, financial services, home-based business, and Small Business Journalist of the Year.

In addition, candidates are being sought for Small Business Exporter of the Year, Young Entrepreneur of the Year and an SBA Family-Owned Business of the Year.

Nominations should be submitted to the SMA New Jersey District Office at 2 Gateway Center, 15th Floor, Newark 07102. The deadline for nominations is Nov. 21. Details: (973) 645-6064.