Clark County Business Calendar

Today

Professional connections: Lynda Falkenstein, author of “Claim your Niche,” noon at a free networking group, Professional Connections, at Glenwood Place Senior Living, assisted living management room, 5500 N.E. 82nd Ave., Vancouver. Upcoming speakers include: Maureen Knutson, Oct. 20; and Jana Beeman, mastering success, Oct. 27. sandy.jensen@hotmail.com, professionalconnections.biz.

Today, upcoming

Training for home-based businesses: The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce offers a seven-week training series on topics related to operating home-based businesses, 6:30 to 8 p.m. every Monday beginning today at the chamber office, 1101 Broadway, Suite 100. Today Top Mistakes, facilitated by Amy Vance, Vance Family Soy Candles. Upcoming topics and speakers are: Time Management, with facilitator Kevin Hiebert, Resonate, Oct. 20; Sales Motivation, with facilitator Carole Parker Walsh of Silpada Designs Jewelry and adjunct professor at Goshen College, Oct. 27; Social Media, with facilitator Kevin Ketch of WebFor, Nov. 3; Alternative Funding, with facilitator Rebecca Kennedy, Community and Economic Development, city of Vancouver, Nov. 10. Free to chamber members, $25 non-members; registration required. www.vancouverusa.com.

Tuesday

Annual conference: Southwest Washington Society for Human Resource Management, Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St. Rick Howell, principal at Howell Management Consulting, Portland, will be the keynote speaker. Cost, $189 to $239. http://www.swshrm.org

Wednesday

Leads & Needs: Networking event, 7:30-9 a.m. at Beaches Restaurant and Bar, 1919 S.E. Columbia River Drive, $5. Coffee and tea provided. Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce members may bring a nonmember guest.

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, 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. All receive a workbook and a reference guide to Department of Revenue rules. Visit website for a complete schedule of workshops and short video version of the workshop. Register www.dor.wa.gov or 360-256-2060.

Business plan basics: Vancouver SCORE will present a three-hour workshop to learn the basics for writing your business plan, 9 a.m. to noon at SCORE offices, 4001 Main St., Suite 120, Vancouver. Cost is $55. Seating is limited. www.scorevancouver.org/training, 503-897-0275.

Thursday

Financial workshop: Vicki Fitzsimmons of Edward Jones Investments presents a free seminar, “Annuities and Your Retirement,” 5:30-6:15 p.m. at 9901 N.E. Seventh Ave., Suite A102, Vancouver. Understand the basics, benefits and risks of various types of annuities. Register: Debra, 360-573-6604.

Friday

Employment law lunch discussion: Attorney Linda E. Frischmeyer will hold a brown bag employment law lunch discussion, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Landerholm law offices, 805 Broadway, Suite 1000, Vancouver. Topic: “When is an employee who quits eligible for benefits?” Cost is $20 per person; bring cash or check. Reservations: linda.frischmeyer@landerholm.com or call 360-816-2475.

Upcoming

Clark County Pub Talk: The Continuum of Funding: the Right Investment at the Right Time, 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 21 at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, Artillery Barracks, 600 E. Hatheway Road, Vancouver. The program includes Eric Preisz of Garage Games and Ryan Jarvis of ShopBox. 360-567-1070.

Estate planning: Attorney Margaret Madison Phelan will present a seminar on what you need to know about estate planning, 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 21. Free. Location, necessary reservations, 360-696-2069.

Volunteers needed for 2014 tax season: Volunteers are needed to help taxpayers in Clark and Skamania counties who are seeking assistance preparing and filing their 2014 tax returns. Volunteers do not need to be an AARP member or retiree to participate. Tax-Aide is particularly in need of volunteers who are bilingual in English/Spanish. Volunteers receive free tax training and are reimbursed on a limited basis for qualified program-related expenses. aarp-tax-aide-sw-washington.org

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 Monday publication date. Send to mary.ricks@columbian.com or fax 360-735-4598.