THIS WEEK

- Tuesday: Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Luncheon; 11:30 a.m. registration, noon lunch and program, Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites, 2 10th St.; topic is Bringing Business Back to Georgia; $20 members, $25 nonmembers; reservations required; contact (706) 821-1300 or www.augustagausa.com.

UPCOMING

- Aug. 27: Augusta Area Society for Human Resources meeting; 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Washington Hall Catering at T-Bonz, 3853 Washington Road; presentation on increasing workplace efficiency; free for members, $15 guests; R.S.V.P. by Friday to Traci Hall at (706) 421-4860 or thall@goodwillworks.org.

- Aug. 28: Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Professional Development Luncheon; 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Savannah Rapids Pavilion, 3300 Evans to Locks Road, Martinez; topic is marketing your company through community involvement; $20 members, $25 first-time visitors to a chamber event; R.S.V.P. to Tammy Shepherd at (706) 651-0018 with reservation and credit card information.

- Sept. 9: Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament; 10:30 a.m., Champions Retreat Golf Club, 37 Champions Parkway, Evans; tournament with great prizes; various golf packages available; nonmembers can be invited by members; call the chamber office at (706) 651-0018 for cost.

- Sept. 11: North Augusta Chamber of Commerce Business Expo and Business After Hours event; 4-8 p.m., North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside Ave.; free to public; sponsorships and tabletops available for purchase; call (803) 279-2323.

- Sept. 15: Columbia County Chamber SuCCess Columbia County Style; 5-7 p.m., First Citizens Bank, 4065 Columbia Road, Martinez; networking event; members only; call the chamber office at (706) 651-0018.

- Sept. 18: Team Creativity Disney Style business development workshop; 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Aiken Technical College Student Activities Center, 2276 Jefferson Davis Highway, Graniteville; $399 person, $349 groups of four or more; contact Joel Smith (803) 593-9954, ext. 1242, or smithj@atc.com to register.

- Sept. 25: Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Economic Club Luncheon; 11:30 a.m. registration, noon lunch and program, Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites, 2 Tenth St.; $45 members, $55 nonmembers; R.S.V.P. to (706) 821-1300 or www.augustagausa.com.

- Sept. 25: Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours; 5:30-7:30 p.m., Jameson Suites, 1062 Claussen Road; networking event; free for members, $10 nonmembers; R.S.V.P. to (706) 821-1300 or www.augustagausa.com.

- Sept. 25: Columbia County Chamber of Commerce Speed Networking; 8 a.m., Center for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 671 N. Belair Road, Evans; networking event similar to speed dating; R.S.V.P. required, contact Tammy Shepherd at (706) 651-0018 or tammy@columbiacounty chamber.com.

- Oct. 8: North Augusta Women in Business The Voice of Working Women Luncheon; 11:30 a.m., North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside Ave.; speaker will be Dr. Randy Cooper; $20 members, $25 nonmembers; contact Judy Whaley (803) 279-2323 or judy@northaugustachamber.org.

- Nov. 21: Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Signature Event; 6:30 p.m. registration and cocktails, 7:30 p.m. dinner and program; Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites, 2 Tenth St.; $50 members, $60 nonmembers; corporate tables and sponsorships available; contact Terra Carroll at (706) 821-1318 or register online at www.augustagausa.com.

ONGOING

- Free counseling for small-business owners and entrepreneurs; SCORE Associates, a nonprofit volunteer organization; call (706) 793-9998 in Augusta, (803) 641-1111 in Aiken and (803) 279-2323 in North Augusta for an appointment.

- Free and low-cost classes and seminars for entrepreneurs and small business owners; University of Georgia Augusta Small Business Development Center, 1450 Greene St., Suite 3500; call (706) 721-4545.

- Introduction to e-mail; free computer course, Wednesdays, 1-2 p.m.; Goodwill Industries' South Augusta One Stop Career Center; call (706) 790-8500.

- Job Searching on the Web; free computer course, Wednesdays and Thursdays: Goodwill Industries' South Augusta One Stop Career Center; call (706) 790-8500.

- Keyboarding; free computer course; Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 8-9 a.m.; Goodwill Industries' South Augusta One Stop Career Center; call (706) 790-8500.

- Free educational programs on personal money management and ID theft to public/private schools, community, civic groups, employers, organizations, churches etc. Consumer Credit Counseling Services CSRA, a non profit organization contact (706) 736 2090, extension 204 ctesch@cccsaugusta.org.

- Home Buyer Workshops; Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America; Saturdays, free; sign up at www.naca.com or call (706) 855-7464 or (888) 302-NACA.

- United Way Helpline; dial 211 to speak with a specialist who can help you with information and referrals to day care providers, free back-to-school supplies, senior citizen programs, rent and utility assistance programs, food pantries, housing, prescription assistance and more; 24 hours a day, seven days a week; out of area residents can call toll free (877) 292-5211; some mobile phone callers might need to call (706) 826-1495.

- Born Learning educational materials are provided free to parents, caregivers & health care agencies to ensure early learning and development of children ages birth to 5 years; 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; dial 2-1-1 or (706) 826-1495

- Instructor-led online courses; Augusta State University Education to Go program; call (706) 736-1636 for schedule or go to www.ced.aug.edu and click on "courses."

- Personal financial pitfalls for seniors; AARP Georgia seminar demonstrating how consumers can protect their assets from financial fraud and marketplace abuses; call the CSRA Area Agency on Aging at (706) 210-2000 or (888) 922-4464.

- Networking forum; Today's Working Network; Wednesdays, 2:30-4:30 p.m.; 209 Musical Lounge on the River Walk; visit www.todays-working-network.com for more information.

- Third Thursdays networking and social hour; UGA Alumni Association Augusta Chapter; 6 p.m., Vallarta's, Washington Road, Augusta; free; got to www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/RegAug.html for more information.

- The NoonTime Networkers, area chapter of Business Network International; meets every Thursday at 11:30 a.m., T-Bonz Banquet Hall, 2858 Washington Road; contact Angela Brock at angi@csrabni.com or (706) 288-2800.

- The Leads at Lunch chapter of Business Network International meets every Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. at Golden Corral, Bobby Jones Expressway; contact John Raborn at john@csrabni.com or (706) 394-2605.

- Business Network International AikeNet Works! chapter; lunch on Thursdays; contact Dena Thomas at dena@csrabni.com or (803) 867-9190.

- The Referrals at Breakfast meeting of Business Network International, Thursdays at 7 a.m. at Athens Restaurant on Bobby Jones Expressway; call Chuck Ellison at (706) 294-5502.

- Business Network International Referrals & More chapter; Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. at Ryan's Steak House on Bobby Jones Expwy. ; contact Bob Kendra at rjkendra@ft. newyorklife.com or (706) 364-1477.

- Business Network International Pro-Active Professionals chapter; meets Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m. at Cleveland & Anderson CPAs on Davis Road; call Angela Brock at (706) 868-5916 for details.

- Business Network International First Things First chapter; meets for breakfast Tuesdays at 7 a.m. at Athens Restaurant on Bobby Jones Expressway; contact John Raborn at john@csrabni.com or (706) 394-2605.

- Business Network International BNI2 chapter; lunch Thursday at The Clubhouse; contact Dennis Lam at dennis@csrabni.com or (706) 726-1446.

- North Augusta Networkers; Business Network International group; Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m., North Augusta Community Center; contact Karen Claeys at karen@csrabni.com or (706) 731-8415.

- Business Network International Referrals at Work chapter; Wednesdays for lunch, 11:30 a.m. at Baird & Co.; John Raborn, john@csrabni.com or (706) 394-2605.

- Business Network International Business & Breakfast chapter; Wednesdays at 7 a.m. at Athens Restaurant on Bobby Jones Expressway; contact Dennis Lam at dennis@csrabni.com or (706) 722-0000, extension 232.

- President's Club; reinforcement of sales training systems for business owners, sales representatives and managers; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8:30 a.m., 699 Broad St., Suite 1001; call (706) 432-0040.

- Word of Mouth Network, group seeks 200 entrepreneurs and businesspeople for a referral network; call Richard Banks at (706) 736-5020 for an e-mail providing a concise overview.

- Determine whether a career in the insurance industry fits you. Take the first step by completing the Harrison Assessment; contact Sarah D. Johnston at sarah.d.johnston @nmfn.com.

- Georgia-Carolina Investment Club is looking for members. If you are interested in real estate investing, call Bert Ellis for details at (803) 645-7883.

- President's Club & Foundations Classes; ongoing reinforcement of Sandler Training for business owners, managers, and serious sales representatives; 8:30 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays: Sandler Sales Institute, Wachovia Building, 699 Broad St.; (706) 432-0040

- Income Opportunities in real estate, mortgages and investment services; Thursdays, 7 p.m., Clarion Suites 3038 Washington Road; free; call to reserve seats, (706) 564-5885.

- Georgia Real Estate Investors Association; education on the topic of real estate investing for newcomers and the experienced; 7 p.m., second Thursday each month; Columbia County Library Performing Arts Center; $5 members; $10 nonmembers; call Debbie at (706) 364-6612.

- Hands-On Computer Training: programs on Microsoft Office, Word, Excel and more; morning, afternoon and evening classes; Marketable Skills Training Center, 2321 Peach Orchard Road, Suite E; $120 per six weeks, per class; call Gwen Watts at (706) 729-0941.

- Software training for Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office and other applications; daytime and evening classes offered Monday through Saturday; Computer Link, 596 Bobby Jones Expressway; call (706) 860-8313.

- Prometric Testing Center: MCSA, MCSE, MCP, and CompTIA exams as well as Microsoft Office Specialist exams; Located at Savannah River College; contact Amy Barnett at (706) 738-5046.

- Microsoft Small Business Server; install-it-yourself workshop for small-business owners by Network Consultants; $99; visit augustasoftwaretraining.com for details.

- Work From Home; one-hour seminar on being your own boss; The Guest House Inn; Tuesdays; call (877) 821-5542.

- Foreign Accent and Southern Accent Reduction; classes for improving business and professional skills; Snyder Speech Therapy Services; to register, call (706) 860-9385.

- Construction management; learn the process and potential risks before hiring a contractor for commercial construction project; PCM Construction Consultants; pcmgtgroup@comcast.net or (706) 373-0585.

- Global Career Development Facilitator Training class leading to National Career Development Association certification; The Pritchard Group Inc.; classes will be held in Augusta; pre-registration required as space is limited; call Dr. Constance J. Pritchard at (706) 627-3540 or e-mail cdftraining@pritchardgroup.com.

- Keller Williams Realty; personalized sessions for anyone considering a real estate career; The Atrium, 3633 Wheeler Road; call (706) 868-3772.

- Marketable Skills Training Center; hands-on software training for Microsoft Office and other applications; 2321 Peach Orchard Road, Suite E; weekday daytime and evening classes available; Gwen Watts, watts32@comcast.net or (706) 729-0941 or 790-4253.