By Pat McDaniel, Patch Staff

HOWELL, NJ — A walk-in, urgent care practice for your cat or dog has opened in Howell, and it’s inviting the community to celebrate at a grand opening event on Sunday.

PriorityVet-Pet Urgent Care offers services seven days a week from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., the company says. You can view its website here.

The urgent care concept helps pet owners deal with a familiar dilemma: Your pet seems sick or has a minor injury and your regular vet is closed. Animal hospitals that are open 24/7 can be few and far between.

But PriorityVet can medically stabilize your pet – and give you peace of mind – so you can take your cat or dog to your regular vet the next business day, says Carmen Di Clemente, marketing/referral coordinator for PriorityVet.

The practice has had a soft opening for the past two months, but is now having a grand opening with tours, music and pet prizes this Sunday.

The facility is independently owned and has one other location in Toms River that it opened in 2017, Di Clemente said.

He said PriorityVet doesn’t require an appointment. “You can be seen quickly, there is less stress and it’s generally closer to home,” he said.

He said Dr. Steve Cudia is the founder of PriorityVet and formerly was a veterinary surgeon.

“Veterinary urgent care is intended to bridge the gap between primary care and emergency or specialty care,” explained Cudia in a news release.

He said that his approach – “only focusing on the urgent care needs of pets without distraction or delay – expedites pet care, keeps fees down and ensures that world class urgent care is provided.”

He said that for veterinarians, PriorityVet can become an extension of their own hours and services.

“We are an integral element in the continuum of care that cats and dogs need – exactly like their human counterpart,” Cudia said.

PriorityVet solely concentrates on afterhours urgent care. By not offering routine services, it does not compete with the pet owner’s regular veterinarian, the company says.

The practice is having the grand opening event in Howell on Sunday, April 16, at Howell Plaza from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

There will be a ribbon-cutting, giveaways, tours and free food from Howell Plaza restaurants.

Plus, there are hospital tours and staff on hand to answer questions. There are pet prizes, too, and leashed dogs are welcome to join their humans at the event.

Beginning at noon there is a ribbon cutting and remarks from town officials in attendance – Councilpersons Susan Fischer, Fred Gasior and Ian Nadel and Township Manager Joseph Clark.

Also starting at noon, WRAT Radio Station 95.9 FM will be broadcasting on site.

Just go to the PriorityVet-Pet Urgent Care storefront and adjacent parking area at 4012 Route 9, Howell, 07731, next to Harbor Freight within the Howell Plaza Shopping Center. The shopping center is at the corner of Route 9 South and Aldrich Road. Visit www.HowellPlaza.com.

Express Employment Professionals in Howell Plaza doubles its office space to serve clients in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

Pat McDaniel, Patch Staff

HOWELL, N.J.— A celebration of helping workers find jobs — and employers find workers — happened Thursday, June 2, at Express Employment Professionals, which is doubling its space at the Howell Plaza shopping center.

Since 2015, more than 2,000 people have landed jobs at 350 local companies through the company, whose franchise is owned and managed by Anna Santucci-Braun.

And the company needed room to grow. So at noon Thursday, June 2, a ribbon-cutting officially marked the office expansion, said spokesperson Katherine Winkleman.

Santucci-Braun said in a statement that she is delighted that her vision to enhance the experience for job seekers, her team and he business clients has been realized.

“When visitors walk into the bright reception area, their attention is immediately drawn to the oversized aquarium filled with calmly swimming, colorful fish.” The tank serves as a natural privacy “wall” between the reception, onboarding and interviewing areas, she said.
“If a job seeker comes in they train that job seeker in a number of ways to improve their chances of success, ” Winkleman said. “The team can help you find the thing you love.”

Howell Mayor Theresa Berger, Lakewood Deputy Mayor Menashe P. Miller, and Councilman John Bonevich of Howell were the officials to be attending the event. And others in attendance were to include business owners and workers.

“Howell is in the middle between Monmouth County and Ocean County,” Winkleman said, so the event reflects that wider area of service.
By doubling the square footage with a lease of the office next door, utilizing a modern and meaningful interior design and adding more staff, the Express Team is hoping to accommodate the growing need for job placement services, she said in a press statement.
And Winkleman said the company is actively seeking employers from the Shore area, such as Neptune and Asbury Park, to help link up residents in those towns with good jobs.

The company handles workers in a range of employment areas, from hands on industrial to white collar positions, she added. Employment solutions include full-time, temporary and part-time employment in a wide range of positions, including professional, commercial and administrative, company literature says.

Applicants can call (732) 806-9562 or stop by the office.

Owner Santucci-Braun is fluent in English and Russian and lives in Ocean County. Director of Sales and Recruitment Kimberly Vargas is fluent in Spanish and English and, grew up in Howell Township.

Together, along with the entire Express Team at Howell, they are committed to every person’s success and serve as a partner and coach to accomplish those financial and career goals, the company statement said.

Express Employment Professionals is at 4142 U.S. 9, Howell NJ 07731 at Howell Plaza Shopping Center at the corner of Route 9 South and Aldrich Road.

This local smoothie shop is offering discounts to military personnel and their families, from one service member to another. Ready, Set, Juice, owned by husband-and-wife team Johnny and Mangeli Rodriquez, will be offering a 15 percent discount on all juices and smoothies at Ready, Set Juice on Route 9 from May 29 to 31.

Ready Set Juice will open April 30 on Route 9 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Learn more for grand opening discounts.

Ready Set Juice! is having their Grand Opening this Friday, April 30 at Howell Plaza. According to the husband/wife owners Johnny and Mangeli Rodriquez, Ready Set Juice! is “on a quest to improve health.” Mangeli came up with name and tagline, Drink What Your Body Deserves, to convey energy, exercise and a nutritious way of life.

When entering the private world of one-on-one fitness training at And Fitness for All, be prepared for a workout that combines the ordinary with the unexpected. Former Marine and personal trainer Cory LeClaire is the owner and pivotal presence in this recently opened fitness center. “My concept is simple: flexible sessions within a dynamic and exciting space.”

Code Ninjas, opened on Halloween, is a safe haven where children ages 7-14 are learning how to code by building their own video games in a fun, safe and inspiring environment. With a nine-belt curriculum inspired by martial arts, Code Ninjas keeps kids excited and engaged while parents see their children gain life-changing STEM skills.

On Saturday and Sunday, November 2-3, Ctrl V will be hosting a 24-Hour Virtual Reality Charity Event. All locations across North America and Central America will be participating! Ctrl V is also hosting a Beat Saber Tournament as part of the event.

How to Help?
• Buy a session and play over that weekend; the proceeds will be donated!
• Purchase a Ctrl V Extra Life T-Shirt, and Ctrl V will give 100% of all profits directly to Extra Life in support of the Children’s Miracle Network of Hospitals.

Win a Trip for Two to Costa Rica (value $4,500)
Imagine: you and a friend can go to sunny San José for six (6) nights and seven (7) days on a date of your choosing. Visit active volcanoes, sample the world’s finest coffee and even play VR at Ctrl V Costa Rica! A personal concierge will pick you up from the airport and then the rest of the trip’s itinerary is entirely up to you!

Two Ways to Earn one (1) Contest Entry:
• Buy two (2) Virtual Reality sessions for either or both of the event days; and/or
• Make a donation to any Ctrl V Extra Life team

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open September 1, 2019 to November 3, 2019 to legal residents of Canada (excluding Quebec) and U.S. who are 13+. One trip to Costa Rica for two (2) available approx. value $4,500 CAD, based on sample Toronto departure). Odds of winning depend on number of eligible entries received. Rules: https://www.ctrlv.ca/contest/contest-rules-ctrl-v/.

For more information, visit https://www.ctrlvarcade.com/ctrl-v-howell-howell-plaza/ or drop by the Ctrl V store at Howell Plaza Shopping Center.

Harbor Freight Tools is a discount retailer that sells tools and equipment, including hand tools, tools for outdoor and home use, as well as tools for various occupations, including plumbers, electricians, welders and automotive technicians.