Personal Best Karate in Norton, 250 East Main St., in partnership with New Hope, will be hosting its second self-defense seminar at 8 p.m. Monday as part of a series geared towards promoting personal safety and raising awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence.

Seminars are open to the public and the fee to attend is a $15 donation to New Hope. Individuals may attend one seminar or multiple seminars in order to build their confidence and self defense skills. Attendance at prior seminars or experience with self defense courses is not required. To register for the class, call 508-285-5425 or e-mail newhope@Personalbestkarate.com with your contact information. Future seminar dates will be posted at new-hope.org.

United Chamber events ...

United Regional Chamber of Commerce upcoming events include the following:

The chamber will host a Meet the Staff open house on Monday, June 8 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 3 Restaurant, 461 West Central St. in Franklin. The event will give business professionals a chance to learn about the chamber offices in Franklin, North Attleboro and Attleboro, and about upcoming events. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Call any of the chamber offices to register: 508-528-2800, 508-222-0801, or 508-695-6011. The chamber has organized a Business After Hours on June 10, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Wheaton College, Route 140, Norton, in the Balfour Hood Student Center. Cost is $5 for members; $10 for non-members. Register by calling 508-222-0801.

E The chamber will hold its Teacher of the Year and Scholarship Breakfast on June 16, at 8 a.m., at the Highland Country Club in Attleboro. In addition to teacher of the year, who will be named soon, several high school seniors will be awarded scholarships from the Jacqueline C. Stack Fund, the Foremen and Supervisors' Club, and Metalor Technologies. Cost is $20. Registration is required by June 12. Call any of the chamber offices to register: Attleboro, 508-222-0801; Franklin, 508-528-2800; or North Attleboro, 508-695-6011.

The 11th Annual Charity Open to benefit the Community VNA Hospice Care and The Arc of Northern Bristol County will be July 13 at Norton Country Club. Cost: $175. Register by calling: 508-222-0801.

Tri-Town Chamber ...

Here are some upcoming events being held by the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce. Events are free to chamber members and their guests; however guests who have attended more than two events will be charged $10. RSVP at 508-339-5655.

June 10, 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. - Business Over Breakfast Seminar: Developing a small business budget presented by Randy Smith of Management Financial Services.

June 10, all day. - Free business advice from Massachusetts Small Business Development Center's Tricia White at the chamber's offices. Appointments are confidential, schedule by calling: 508-673-9783 ext. 104.

June 19, 7:45 to 9:15 a.m. - Mini seminar: Learn how to used Advanced LinkedIn presented by Jen Vondenbrink.

June 19, 10 a.m. - Ribbon-cutting at The Shops at Chestnut Green, 16 Chestnut St., Foxboro.

Strike out cancer From June 10 to 30, customers at participating Taco Bell and KFC restaurants will be asked to "Strike Out Cancer" and contribute $1 to the Jimmy Fund. In return for their contribution, customers will receive a paper baseball icon to write their name on to be displayed in the restaurant.

Businesses, people

in the news ...

The June topic for "MAKING DOLLARS AND $EN$E," a monthly financial and estate planning program shown regularly on cable television, is A "Common Sense" Approach to Retirement Planning. Host for the show is Richard Kieltyka of RMK Associates, LLC, a financial and estate planning firm located in North Attleboro. Please check your local cable listing for dates and times "MAKING DOLLARS AND $EN$E" is broadcast in your area.

Julia Cowell, BSN, RN, of Franklin, has been presented with Norwood Hospital's 2009 Nurse of Distinction recognition in ceremonies honoring all nurses during National Nurses' Week.

The owner of Cape Cod Lumber, Harvey Hurvitz, was recently recognized by the military with the The Seven Seals Award for his support of employees in the military, including SSGT Michael Downing and his family.

Downing, a decorated wounded soldier, recently visited his son's class at the Falls School in North Attleboro. His wife Dawnalee works for Cape Cod Lumber in Mansfield.

The employees and sales associates of Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in New England were recently recognized with the United States President's Volunteer Service Award for their outstanding track record of community service presented by the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.

Selena's Interior Design and Personal Organizing, with Selena Nieto, has opened in Plainville.

RGB Architects, whose headquarters are in Providence, is opening an office in North Easton.

Wyona Lynch-McWhite has been named executive director of Fuller Craft Museum. She replaces Gretchen Keyworth, who will remain with the museum in the capacity of director emeritus and chief curator following a summer sabbatical.

Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island and Home Loan Bank recently recognized two nurses - M. Aimee Grause, of Barrington, and Ann Marie Lusignan, of Warren, R.I. - with its 2009 Unsung Hero Award for going above and beyond the call of duty for others.

Grause is a nurse in the day hospital and Lusiganan is a nurse on the labor/delivery/recovery floor.

The Meat House, a butcher shop and specialty grocer, recently opened its newest location in Franklin.

Kidz Wurld, a parent-supervised indoor play space, is planned to open in the Triboro Plaza, North Attleboro in early July. The 6,000-square-foot facility is expected to be full of activities for children from crawling age to 10 years old.

Caregivers acclaimed for exceptional compassion gathered at The Village at Willow Crossings recently for a luncheon and celebration in recognition of their work. The resident care associates were among 200 nominated by Benchmark Assisted Living residents and families, including those at The Village at Willow Crossing in Mansfield.

The State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance has renewed the certification of Katmandu Studio of North Attleboro as a woman-owned business enterprise in the graphic design category. It is owned by Louise Cote.

Sandra Medeiros and Shailyn Kelly, CNA, employees at Madonna Manor in North Attleboro and Amanda Borges, a senior dietary aide and Mary Balanos, employees at Marian Manor in Taunton, were recently recognized by the Diocesan Health Facilities system of skilled nursing and rehabilitative care facilities for their years of service.

More than $500 was raised for the Lions Club of Norton during the second annual Jeep Run, hosted by Chris Baker of Baker's Landscaping along with Emma's Pub and Pizza.

Wayne A. Budd, a senior counsel with the Boston law firm of Goodwin Procter and a member of the Board of Directors of AAA Southern New England, has been elected vice chairman of AAA's national board of directors. He also currently serves as a trustee of Wheaton College.

Dream Dinners in Plainville is celebrating its third year in business this month.

Morton Hospital and Medical Center will host its 18th Annual Golf Tournament on Aug. 17, at Segregansett Country Club in Taunton. The tournament will kick off with a 9:30 a.m. shotgun start. Participants can register as a single player or as a foursome. Questions? go to mortonhospital.org, or call 508-828-7010.

On medical front ...

A free educational session about colorectal cancer led by physician specialists will be held at Norwood Hospital on June 17, from noon to 1 p.m. in the hospital's Abraham-Sieracki conference room. Reserve by calling the Caritas DoctorFinder toll-free at 1-800-488-5959.

Also, four neurosurgery specialists from Neurosurgical Consultants in Norwood, affiliated with Norwood Hospital and Good Samaritan Medical Center in Brockton, are presenting seminars free to the public on spinal stenosis June 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the Abraham-Sieracki conference room at the hospital, 800 Washington St., Norwood and at Good Samaritan Medical Center June 29 at 5:30 p.m. in the J. Joseph Moakley Conference Center at the hospital, 235 North Pearl St., Brockton. RSVP by calling the Caritas DoctorFinder toll-free at 1-800-488-5959.

Learn about farms

Summer workshops on Massachusetts farms and a three-credit summer graduate course are available to teachers through Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, Inc.

Find out more by contacting Debi Hogan at 508-336-4426, write to Massachusetts Agriculture in the Classroom, P.O. Box 345 Seekonk, MA 02771, or go to: aginclassroom.org.

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