BEST IN THE BUSINESS

Health Quarters appoints Haverhill clinic nurse

Health Quarters, a regional nonprofit provider of reproductive health care for low-income and underinsured women, men and teens, has hired Glenda Peguero at its Haverhill health center, 215 Summer St., Peguero, who speaks Spanish and English, will provide direct reproductive care, including health screenings and counseling. She previously was employeed at Greater Lawrence Family Health Center and currently works at Baldpate Hospital as well as Health Quarters.

Coat collection continues to grow

Haverhill resdient Pam Wentworth and her colleagues at Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates in Medford are participating in the Coats for Kids clothing drive led by Anton's Cleaners.

Now in its 14th year, Coats for Kids has collected and donated more than 500,000 coats, which the dry-cleaner has cleaned at no charge. The coats are distributed to those in need through a network of social service agencies in eastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

The collection runs through Dec. 31. For more information, or to find an Anton's location, log on to 222.antons.com.

Business briefcase

SCORE offers advice

If you are planning to start a new business or currently and business and need advice, the Service Core of Resourceful Executives (S.C.O.R.E.), an affiliate of the Small Business Administration, offers free and confidential advice. Call 978-373-5663 at the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce for an appointment. Consultations are currently being offered at the Chamber's temporary office at the Landmark Building while the Chamber's headquarters on Winter Street undergoes renovations.

Network at NECC to aid nonprofits

Nonprofit organizations in the Merrimack Valley, struggling more than ever because of the downturn in the nation's economy, are able to access premier grant research databases as well as attend professional grant research and grant writing workshops at a newly created Grants Resource Network in the library of the Lawrence campus of Northern Essex Community College on Franklin Street. All access is free. The Grant Resource Network is a partnership between the Associated Grant Makers of Massachusetts, Jericho Road Lawrence Inc., and Northern Essex Community College.

Business networking group

The Haverhill chapter of Business Network International has a free networking breakfast every Friday at 7 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Haverhill at 346 Broadway. New businesses are welcome. BNI is a business and professional networking organization whose purpose is to exchange qualified business referrals. For information, call Dianne McDermott at 978-394-5166.

Post your business card

The Haverhill Public Library provides a bulletin board for local businesses to display 3-by-5-inch cards. Cards will be dated and posted for six months. For information, call 978-317-1586.

Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce news

Business after hours: George's at The Vault, Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 77 Washington Street in Haverhill.

Volunteers are needed new committees: Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce members are asked to consider serving on one of these committees: Community Support, Economic Development, Government Affairs, Membership Services, and Safety, Security, Defense & Aerospace. To join a committee or for more information, call 978-373-5663 or visit www.haverhillchamber.com.

On the move: The chamber is taking up temporary residence on the second floor of the Landmark Building on Merrimack Street while its headquarters on Winter Street enjoys a bit of rejuvenation. Phone numbers and operating hours are the same.

2008 North Shore Business Plan Competition: Sponsored by the Chamber, it will showcase submitted business plans for a panel of judges. First place will receive a $10,000 cash prize. All applicants must be start-up companies that are not yet operational, or an emerging business less than 2 years old. For more information, visit www.enterpriser.org/bpc.

Free advice: Service Core of Retired Executives offers free and confidential advice and counseling to individuals starting a business or already in business. Sessions are on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, 87 Winter St.

Check the Web: The Chamber's Community calendar lists daily, weekly and monthly event information from all 14 Greater Haverhill communities on the Chamber's Web site. The public is invited to submit items to be included on the calendar. Listed events will include recreational activities, music programs, community dances and dinners, citywide parades and more. Go to www.haverhillchamber.com.

For information on all Greater Haverhill Chamber events, call 978-373-5663.

Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce news

Business before hours: MVCC presents a business before hours mixer on Thursday, Dec. 4 at All Things Sicilian, 500 A Merrimack Street in Lawrence from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. Admission is $10 for members, $25 for non-members.

Discover Your Memory Power: The MVCC's Human Resources Association presents Discovering Your Memory Power, a workshop with David Denis, a trainer with Freedom Personal Development on Thursday, Dec. 11 from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Chateau, 131 River Road, in Andover. Admission is $22 for MVHRA members, $25 for MVCC members and $35 non-members.

Business directory: Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce is putting together its business directory, which is professionally printed to help reach a target audience. For more information, contact Wil Carpenter at 978-686-0900, or wcarpenter@merrimackvalleychamber.com.

To make a reservation or for more information about chamber events, call 978-686-0900.