Bernards Chamber To Hold Blood Drive in Recognition of Boston Tragedy

Always a need of blood donations, especially in light of national tragedies, according to Blood Center of New Jersey.

The Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce has chosen to respond to the tragedy of this week's Boston Marathon bombings by putting together two upcoming blood drives and asking for community support. "Everyone watched in horror as the events unfolded in Boston, evil once again was brought to our streets," said Al LiCata, executive director of the regional Bernards chamber. "The best way for us to take act is to come together for the common good and make a positive difference." LiCata said the chamber partnered with Covenant Chapel of Basking Ridge and the Stirling Elks Lodge No. 2392, in conjunction with the Blood Center of New Jersey, to put together two blood drives and ask the community to donate. The drives are scheduled to …

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Mardi Gras Celebrations for Basking Ridge & Nearby

Senior Wellness Center invites residents from throughout the Somerset Hills; Bernards area chamber holding Mardi Gras networking event.

The snow and even Monday's ice may have put something of a crimp in the Somerset County Senior Wellness Center's workshop to make Mardi Gras masks, but the party itself still is scheduled to go on Wednesday, said Kristen Grieco, manager of the center. Musical entertainment will be provided by jazz musician Gordon James, she said. A "Fat Tuesday" networking event also is planned by the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce for Tuesday evening at the Vine Restaurant on Route 202 in Basking Ridge. The Senior Wellness Center's celebration will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Mardi Gras, at the center located at 202 Mt. Airy Road in Basking Ridge. The center is run by the Somerset County Office on Aging and attracts…

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Bernards Chamber Seeks Volunteers for 'Restore the Shore' Project

Group will head down the shore to pitch in on Saturday.

After already loading up and sending three tractor trailors of supplies to shore relief sites, the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce (BTCC) is hosting another project, Restore the Shore, and is seeking help for this Saturday. The Chamber Volunteer Team will head to Pompamora Park Beach in Highlands, near Sandy Hook to be part of a community clean up effort, said Al LiCata, chamber president. Volunteers will help clean up parts of Pompamora Park Beach's most damaged areas, including the beach and homes, he said. Volunteers will be asked to work from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. "The goal is to provide 50 volunteers to assist this hard-hit community," LiCata said. Those wishing to volunteer are asked to sign up with the Chamber either …

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Bernards Chamber to Collect Monday for Statewide Shelters

Truck will be in center of Basking Ridge.

The Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce will have a truck in the center of Basking Ridge from 9 a.m. to noon on Monday to accept donations for a shelter to be designated in cooperation with the state, the Chamber announced. Such items as non-perishable foods, diapers and baby supplies, books, DVD's, soap, shampoo, cleaning sup plies, tooth brushes and tooth paste, books, some winter clothes, tissues, facial cleanser, lotions, blankets will be accepted. Bottle water, box and bottled juices and bath towels will be accepted as well. The Chamber Box truck is donated by Chamber Member Pulse Stage Lighting of Union. For those with the means and wish to donate, the chamber asks that they bring donations to the center of town, and share…

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Halloween Activities Saturday in Basking Ridge Center

Put on that costume and hurry over to downtown Basking Ridge for some Halloween fun.

Saturday is the day that the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Bernards Township Library and the Bernards Township Department of Parks and Recreation mix together a brew of fun activities for local children to celebrate Halloween. All are free — it's a good chance to give your costume a dry run, to pick up some treats, and to meet friends for Halloween fun. For the chamber's annual safe Trick or Treat, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. local businesses will be open and tables will be set up along South Finley Ave to give out treats and information.

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Lt. Governor Guadagno Visits Basking Ridge

Bernards Chamber of Commerce hosts walking tour for state's Lt. Governor.

New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno visited Bernards Twp. on Monday to meet with business owners and discuss the state of business in Bernards, following an invitation from the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce, the chamber's executive director said. After receiving a call from the governor's staff, the chamber's executive director, Al LiCata said he arranged stops at several businesses in the downtown area to meet with the owners, a tour of downtown business area and a roundtable discussion with chamber members about "the state of business in Bernards." “Working with our President, Barbara Long, we set up the walking tour to include stops at Ava's Ice Cream Parlor, Wabba Travel and Gallery of Bliss, all in walking distance …

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5 Things to Know About National Night Out

Tuesday night is National Night Out across the U.S., and in some local communities, too.

Aug. 7 is National Night Out, a day designed throughout the country to bolster neighborhood spirit and police-community relations in an effort to keep everyone safer. So in honor of that celebration, we present five things to know about the yearly celebration. Information from nationalnightout.org.

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Ridge Grad Bottini Receives Bernards Chamber Scholarship

Julie Bottini is heading to Marist College in New York State, planning to major in business.

Bernards Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Al LiCata said the chamber had received a number of applications for its annual scholarship for a local student who will be going on to study business in college — but he added that Julie Bottini stood out. Bottini, who just graduated in June from Ridge High School, was presented on July 18 with the $500 scholarship award. The presentation, attended by Bottini and her mother, Louise Vivona Miller, was made during the chamber's networking event held at Kearns and Duffy Law Office in the Liberty Corner section of the township. Bottini said she is heading to Marist College this fall in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., where she will major in business. While living in Bernards Township — where she …

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Local National Night Out Returns to Basking Ridge

Bernards Township again bringing back program that invites community to meet their police, local businesses and emergency reponders.

The Bernards Township Police PBA is again presenting National Night Out, a national event designed to bring together police and their communities, at a new location at Ridge High School. Township Police Patrolman Alex McKnight said the event, to be held in conjunction with the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 7. The event had been held for several previous years, but was discontinued in 2008 because of budgetary reasons. It was revived again last August and held at Dewy Meadow Village. This year's event — drawing together police, firefighters and other emergency responders, and many local businesses — is being moved to the high school off South Finley Avenue because that property is right…

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Business News

Bernards Chamber of Commerce Summer Events

Networking meeting next week in Liberty Corner, Somerset Patriots excursion in August.

Members of the Bernards Township Regional Chamber of Commerce are invited to a monthly meeting and opportunity for socializing and networking from 6:30 to 8 p.m. next Wednesday at Kearns & Duffy Law Firm, 3648 Valley Road in the Liberty Corner section of Bernards Township. Chamber members are invited to introduce themselves and talk about what their business is up to, as well as networking with other business people from the area, according to an announcement from the chamber. The chamber's 2012 business scholarship winner, Julie Bottini, is scheduled to be at the meeting to meet chamber members. Refreshments will be provided courtesy of Kearns & Duffy, the announcement said. Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP at ren1co@aol.com. …

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