Business Briefs

Meridian Hospice, a member of the Meridian Health family, is hosting a Victorian Social at the Historical Society’s Centennial Cottage located on the corner of McClintock Street and Central Avenue, Ocean Grove, on Aug. 8 from 1 to 4 p.m. The reception will begin at 1 p.m. and the program will begin at 2 p.m.

The afternoon is an informational event where members of the community who are interested in learning more about hospice services can speak to those involved with the program. Chaplains and nurses from Meridian Hospice will speak about their experiences. Music and refreshments will be part of the afternoon and the cottage gardens will be open and available to the guests.

The cost for the afternoon is $15 and includes entrance to the Centennial Cottage’s Historical Museum. All are welcome. An interpreter for the deaf will be present. For more information, or to RSVP for the event, call Meridian Hospice at (732) 751-3750.

Soundwaves, located on Chambers Bridge Road, Brick, was awarded a Neighborhood Preservation Program Grant in the amount of $5,000 to reimburse its owner for the improvement of his business. The $5,000 is a matching grant that reimburses the owner for the completed renovation of the building’s facade.

The NPP is a five-year program administered by the N.J. Department of Community Affairs. It provides state grants to Brick Township to establish partnerships with residents and businesses to revitalize and redevelop the Chambers Bridge Road corridor. The township disburses the grants to homeowners and business owners in the corridor to make improvements to their homes and businesses.

Diane Turton, founder, president and broker of record at Diane Turton, Realtors, has announced her newest venture, Turton Commercial Real Estate. Rosemarie Caruso is the managing director of Turton Commercial Real Estate, which will provide a wide range of services. Caruso has recruited a team of commercial sales associates who are working in office locations throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Real estate services will be provided to owners of prime, commercially zoned land as well as office and retail space, warehousing and assembly facilities, mixed-use properties and hospitality/entertainment space. Turton Commercial Real Estate sells or leases all types of commercial property, including retail, office and industrial space and represents the buyers or sellers of land, investment property and mixed-use facilities.

Visitors to the company’s Web site, www.turtoncommercial.com, can review the company’s properties for sale and for lease, read about industry information in the "Resources and Trends" section, and find links to other helpful Web sites. The main office of Turton Commercial Real Estate is located in Brick. The company also maintains branch offices in Lacey, Manahawkin, Middletown, Ocean Township and Toms River.

FirstEnergy Corp. has introduced an enhanced military leave policy, retroactive to Sept. 11, 2001, for employees on active duty in the armed services to reflect the extended periods of time that many are being asked to serve.

The new program increases the period that employees receive differential pay and health care benefits from 180 days up to 18 months. In addition, employees in the National Guard or Reserve will receive differential pay for up to 15 days annually for training or domestic service. Under the previous program, employees received differential pay for up to 10 days annually.

FirstEnergy has more than 70 employees who have reported for military duty since Sept. 11, 2001.