Clark County business calendar

Tuesday

Meeting Professionals International Oregon Chapter: Overview of what is happening in the meeting industry and “bring your boss for free” meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Holiday Inn – Portland Airport, 8439 N.E. Columbia Blvd., Portland. Carl Winston of L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality & Tourism at San Diego State University will lead the session. Admission is $30 members; $37 others; fee is $42 for everyone. * Register at http://www.mpioc.org.

Disaster recovery webinar: The Small Business Administration will hold a disaster recovery year-in-review webinar, 11 a.m. The hourlong discussion will include a summary of lessons learned, tips on how to prepare for unforeseen catastrophes and new trends influencing business continuity planning. SBA has partnered with Agility Recovery Solutions to offer business continuity strategies for small-business owners. * Register, http://www.gotomeeting.com/register/503703376.

Thursday

Social Security 101: Alan Edwards, public affairs specialist with the Social Security Administration, will speak at a workshop explaining benefits, eligibility and how to get the most from Social Security, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Cascade Park Community Library, 600 N.E. 136th Ave. Edwards has more than 17 years as a bilingual claims representative and information officer. Free. The event is sponsored by the Social Security Administration and Laurus Financial Group, LLC. * Sally James, 360-260-8500.

Vancouver SCORE: “Business Startup Basics,” a half-day workshop, 8:45 a.m. to noon at iQ Credit Union, 305 N.E. 81st St. Topics include new business opportunities and ideas on the startup process. Free. Seating is limited. * http://www.scorevancouver.org, 360-699-1079.

Tax-free investing: Vicki Fitzsimmons, a financial adviser with Edward Jones, will host a free educational seminar, “Tax-free Investing: It’s Not What you Make, It’s What you Keep” at 5:30 p.m., 9901 N.E. Seventh Ave., Suite A-102. Seating is limited; please make reservation. * Teresa, 360-573-6604.

Free tax workshop: The Vancouver office of the Washington State Department of Revenue is hosting a free workshop for new and small-business owners, 9 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. at 8008 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Suite 340, Vancouver. Participants will learn about Washington excise taxes, reporting classifications, deductions, tax incentives, sales tax collection and record-keeping requirements. Space is limited. A complete schedule of workshops statewide and short streaming video version of the workshop in English and Spanish are available on the website. * Register http://www.dor.wa.gov or 360-256-2060.

Ongoing classes

Free tax help for low income: Free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low and moderate income of all ages, with special attention to those age 60 and older, is available from AARP Tax-Aide through April 18. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, will offer assistance with personal income tax returns at the following sites:

• First Baptist Church, 108 W. 27th St., 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Mondays and Fridays.

• Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd., noon to 4 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays.

• Vancouver Community Library, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., 1 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays (except April 6, 8, 9).

• Cascade Park Community Library, 600 N.E. 136th Ave., noon to 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

• Camas Public Library, 625 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas, 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 2 to 5 p.m. Thursdays.

• Battle Ground Community Library, 1207 S.E. Eighth St., Battle Ground, 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays and 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays.

• Three Creeks Community Library, 800-C E. Tenney Road, 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays and 3 to 7 p.m. Thursdays.

888-687-2277 or http://www.aarp-tax-aide-sw-washington.org/.

Financial Peace University: Two sessions of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, a 13-week program that teaches families how to eliminate debt, save for the future and build wealth have begun. Columbia Credit Union sponsors the classes in which each begin with a video taught by Ramsey, a personal money management expert. Following the video, credit union staff will answer questions and facilitate small-group discussion. Fee of $99 per family for a lifetime membership to the course and the required materials. Tuesday sessions continue through April 26 and Wednesday sessions through April 27, all at the Operation Center, 200 S.E. Park Plaza Drive. Classes are from 6:30-8:30 p.m. * Register: http://www.columbiacu.org or 360-891-4000.

Southwest Washington Human Resource Management Association: Certification and a re-certification in weekly study group format, 6 p.m. through April 14 at Dick Hannah Lincoln Mercury Subaru, 7407 N.E. Vancouver Plaza Drive. Cost $55-$200. Reservations required. * http://www.swhrma.org, Tracy Whitmore, 360-944-3364.

Upcoming

Estate planning questions: Attorney Margaret Madison Phelan will answer estate planning questions from Clark County seniors from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 22. Free. * For location and reservations, 360-696-2069.

Business fair: Washington State University Vancouver offers a free Career and Internship Fair, 3-5:30 p.m. Feb. 22-23 in the Firstenburg student commons, Salmon Creek campus, 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave. Employers and students will have the chance to meet and chat during the event, which will focus on general business on Feb. 22 and on nonprofit, government, science and engineering on Feb. 23. * Companies can register online at http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/; questions, 360-546-9155.

Mortgages with Wells Fargo: Homeowners who have mortgages with Wells Fargo may want to attend the company’s two-day workshop for people facing mortgage payment challenges, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Feb. 23 and 24, in Hall E at the Oregon Convention Center, 777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Portland. The workshop is for clients of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Wells Fargo Financial, Wachovia Mortgage and Wells Fargo Home Equity. The workshop will offer one-on-one meetings with home preservation specialists. Register by Feb. 21. * Call 800-405-8067.

2011 Vancouver Port Report: A report on the Port of Vancouver 2010 and a look into the future, 7:30-9 a.m. Feb. 24 at Red Lion Hotel at the Quay, 100 Columbia St. Cost is $25. * Reservations, http://www.vancouverusa.com, 360-696-2069.

Chemical reporting workshop: Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency is sponsoring a chemical reporting workshop, 2-3 p.m. Feb. 24 at Northwest Regional Training Center, 11606 N.E. 66th St. Specialists from the Washington State Department of Ecology and the Environmental Protection Agency will conduct the workshop. Inventories of certain chemicals must be reported to the fire department and to other state and local officials each year. No registration is required.

Christmas tree education: The Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association will have its annual short course, 9 a.m. Feb. 25 at the Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St. There will be information about selecting seed sources for desired characteristics and an update on the 2010 association marketing program. * Registration, 503-364-2942.

Financial projections workshop: Vancouver SCORE offers a business workshop to help entrepreneurs create financial projections for their business, 9 a.m. to noon Feb. 26 at Vancouver Housing Authority, Hough Room, 2500 Main St. This program is principally designed for individuals considering starting a small business. Seating is limited. $35 per person. * http://www.scorevancouver.org, 360-699-1079.

The Columbian welcomes submissions about Clark County residents or businesses as well as regional business events. Information must be received by noon Tuesday preceding the intended Sunday publication date. Send to mary.ricks@columbian.com or fax 360-735-4491. Sales awards are not published.