The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is searching for New Jersey small business owners to be honored during National Small Business Week next April. Deadline for nominations is Dec. 6. Nominations are being sought for New Jersey’s Small Business Person of the Year and outstanding SBA Small Business Champions in the areas of minority, women, veteran, financial services, home-based business; Small Business Journalist of the Year; Small Business Exporter of the Year; Young Entrepreneur of the Year; and SBA Family Owned Business of the Year. Nominations may be submitted to the SBA Newark District Office, 2 Gateway Center, 15th floor, Newark 07102. For more information on eligibility criteria and guidelines and a copy of a nomination form, call Harry Menta at (973) 645-6064 or e-mail harry.menta@sba.gov.

Investment Advisors & Consultants Inc., Ocean, has announced it has retained Phyllis Kessel as its public relations/marketing consultant. Kessel was the founder of the public relations and multimedia firm Phyllis Kessel Associates, Oakhurst section of Ocean Township. She has a career in broadcast that spanned more than 30 years. Investment Advisors, which specializes in financial planning and asset management for individuals, small businesses and corporations, also has an office in Easton, Pa.

Greater Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce will hold its holiday luncheon Dec. 20 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at Manhattan Steakhouse, 2105 Route 35 north, Oakhurst section of Ocean Township. The cost is $25 for nonmembers, $22 for members, and $5 extra for walk-ins. Menu choices will be steak, chicken or salmon. Ricky Riccardi will provide musical entertainment, and door prizes will be distributed. For more information, call the Chamber at (732) 728-1888.

Visiting Physician Services, Eatontown, announced that Denise Schaff, Toms River, has joined its staff as a nurse practitioner. She will treat elderly and homebound patients in Ocean County. Prior to joining Visiting Physician, Schaff was an adult nurse practitioner in wound care with Wound Healing Associates, Moorestown and Stratford. She has more than 17 years’ experience in the nursing and health care field, and has worked at several New York hospitals. Visiting Physician Services is a physician-based organization that provides house-call services to elderly and homebound patients in Monmouth, Ocean, Union, Middlesex, Essex and Somerset counties.

True Physical Therapy at Promenade Beach and Fitness Club, Ocean Boulevard, Long Branch, is sponsoring a charity toy drive for the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Holy Trinity Church in Long Branch through Dec. 23. Individuals may drop off wrapped, age-appropriate toys at from 6 a.m.-10 p.m. For more information, call Allison at (732) 728-2270.

The Greater Ocean Township Chamber of Commerce will hold a holiday luncheon Dec. 20 from noon-1:30 p.m. at Manhattan Steakhouse, 2105 Route 35 north, Oakhurst section of Ocean Township. Price is $25 for nonmembers, $22 for members, and $5 extra for walk-ins. The menu will consist of hors d’oeuvres, salad, a glass of wine, dessert, and choice of steak, chicken or salmon. There will also be door prizes, and musical entertainment by Ricky Riccardi. For more information, call Marsha at (732) 728-1888.

The American Association of University Women, Northern Monmouth County Branch, is seeking new members. Its current members are from areas as far south as Sea Girt, north to Aberdeen, and west to Colts Neck. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month at the Eatontown Community Center, 58 Broad St., or at the Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, 128 Ocean Ave. For more information, call (732) 747-3635.