THIS WEEK

- Today: Columbia County Chamber annual banquet, VIP Reception and Business Showcase; 4:30-6:30 p.m. cocktail reception, 6:30 p.m. dinner meeting and awards, Doubletree Hotel, 2651 Perimeter Parkway; $50 members, $65 nonmembers; showcase booths available; R.S.V.P. to Tammy Shepherd at (706) 651-0018 or tammy@ columbiacountychamber.com.

- Tuesday: Augusta Metro Chamber Women in Business Luncheon; 11:30 a.m. registration and lunch, program begins noon, Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites, 2 10th St.; discussion of effects of stress in the workplace; $20 members, $25 nonmembers; (706) 821-1300.

- Tuesday: Starting Your Own Business; 6-9 p.m., University of Georgia Small Business Devel-opment Center, Enterprise Mill, Granite Mill Suite 3500, 1450 Greene St.; topics for discussion include financial feasibility, legal obligations and estimating startup costs; $69; R.S.V.P. by Monday at (706) 721-4554.

- Thursday: Augusta Metro Chamber Business After Hours; 5:30-7:30 p.m., Peter S. Knox Conference Center, 326 Greene St.; host is United Way of the CSRA; free for members, $10 nonmembers; (706) 821-1300.

- Friday-Sunday: ReQoop Consignment Show; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Social Inc., Village West Shopping Center, 3157 Washington Road; fine home decor on sale at show; (706) 394-3108.

UPCOMING

l Jan. 21: Business Learning Tools: The Economy and Small Businesses; 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, Enterprise Mill, Granite Mill Suite 3500, 1450 Greene St.; discussion of current economic situation with local economist Mark Thompson; R.S.V.P. by noon Monday, Jan. 19 at (706) 721-4545.

- Jan. 28: North Augusta Chamber A.M. Connection; 7:15 a.m., North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside Ave., North Augusta; speaker Brian Tucker, president and CEO of Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce; $10 members, $12 at door, $15 nonmembers; reservations required; Judy Whaley at (803) 279-2323 or judy@north augustachamber.org.

- Jan. 29: Augusta Metro Chamber annual meeting; 6:30 p.m., Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites, 2 10th St.; speaker David Ratcliffe, president and CEO of Southern Co.; $50 members, $65 nonmembers; (706) 821-1300.

- Feb. 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19 and 24: Entrepreneur Success Series; 6 p.m., University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, Enterprise Mill, Granite Mill Suite 3500, 1450 Greene St.; seven-part series includes recommendations, research ideas and an overview of the important areas of business operation from a practical perspective; $349 for seven-class series, $69 per individual class; R.S.V.P. by Friday, Jan. 30, at (706) 721-4545 or visit www.georgiasbdc.org.

- Feb. 11: Women in Business luncheon; 11:30 a.m., North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside Ave., North Augusta; speaker Dr. Ron Eaker; $20 members, $25 nonmembers; sponsorships available; R.S.V.P. to Judy Whaley at (803) 279-2323 or judy@northaugustachamber. org.

- Feb. 17: North Augusta Chamber of Commerce annual meeting; 6 p.m. social, 6:30 p.m. dinner, North Augusta Community Center, 495 Brookside Ave., North Augusta; $40 individual, $375 corporate table of eight; R.S.V.P. to Judy Whaley at (803) 279-2323 or judy@northaugustachamber.org.

ONGOING

- Networking on the MIC; 5:30-7:30 p.m. second Thursdays; Club Night Life, 2849 Deans Bridge Road; hostess is Helen Blocker-Adams; for tickets call (706) 267-0579.

- The Kiwanis Club of Uptown Augusta meets Tuesdays at 1 p.m. at The Partridge Inn, 2110 Walton Way. The club is actively seeking members interested in fellowship and community involvement. Contact Bill Bates at (706) 306-6328 or billbates@ dhbailieagency.com for more information.

- 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, 936 Broad St., Suite 2003; (706) 432-0040.

- Third Thursdays networking and social hour; UGA Alumni Association, Augusta chapter; 6 p.m., Vallarta's, 2808 Washington Road; free; go to www.alumni.uga.edu/alumni/RegAug.html for information.

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

- 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.

- 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.

- Personal financial pitfalls for seniors; AARP Georgia seminar on protecting your 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 Riverwalk; visit www.todays-working-network. com 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 Tuesdays 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.

- Business Network International Referrals & More chapter; Wednesdays at 11:30 a.m., T-Bonz Steakhouse on Washington Road; 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.; 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.

- 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. Complete 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.

- 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 Interna-tional Business & Breakfast chapter; Wednesdays at 7 a.m.; contact Dennis Lam at dennis@ csrabni.com or (706) 722-0000, ext. 232.

- 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 real estate investing; 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 available Monday through Saturday; Computer Link, 596 Bobby Jones Expressway; call (706) 860-8313.

- Prometric Testing Center: MCSA, MCSE, MCP, and Comp-TIA exams, Microsoft Office Specialist exams; 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; 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 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; advance registration required because space is limited; call Dr. Constance J. Pritchard at (706) 627-3540 or e-mail cdftraining@pritchard group.com.

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

- How to Get Started in Real Estate; Sherman and Hemstreet GMAC; call Tom Horner at (706) 738-6641.

- 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.

- Business Opportunity: free seminar for people who have considered being their own boss; call Gail Amstutz at (706) 790-8771 for times and appointments.

- Help Others and Work from Home; free one-hour information and question session; Tuesdays, 7:30 p.m., call Arlene at (706) 364-2373.