Today

PORTSMOUTH - WomenBiz Roundtable, a peer support community, will hold a seminar at Ocean National Bank, 1555 Lafayette Rd, Portsmouth, from 6 to 8 p.m. The cost is $7 and registrations are being accepted at www.WomenBiz.org. Janice Wayne, of The Joy of Speaking in Stratham, "Convey Your Business in 30 Seconds," will be the presenter.

PORTSMOUTH "" Members of the Seacoast community are invited to attend a public information night on improving health care access for divorced adults in New Hampshire.Organized by the Seacoast chapter of the National Organization for Women, the free event will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the Hilton Meeting Room of the Portsmouth Public Library at 175 Parrott Ave. Of all the issues facing Americans today, access to affordable quality health care is a top concern. Today, only two-thirds of divorced adults in New England have private health care coverage, compared to 85 percent of married adults. Senate Bill 197 will allow people who are getting divorced to remain eligible for insurance through a former spouses' group health plan, at no extra cost to employers or the state. Dr. Annie Farnsworth of the New Hampshire Women's Lobby Divorce-Health Access Project will explain more about the bill, followed by a Q&A session. Light refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is not required. For additional information, please contact Judith Stadtman Tucker, Co-Vice President, Seacoast NOW, at 436-2165 or e-mail editor@mothersmovement.org.

HAMPTON "" The Homeward Bound Program is offering eight hours of comprehensive homebuyer education to individuals thinking of buying a home. The program satisfies counseling requirements of many special loan programs including NHHFA, FHA, Fannie Mae, IDA Programs, and the city of Portsmouth's Hometown Program. The Homeward Bound Program is open to the public, regardless of household income. Topics include the Nine Steps to Home Ownership, Building Your Financial House, Understanding Your Credit Report, Understanding Mortgage Terms, Shopping for a Mortgage, Shopping for a Home, Home Inspections, Closing on Your Home, and Maintaining Your Home and Finances. The Hampton session will be held at Ocean National Bank, 853 Lafayette Road, Hampton from 6 to 8 p.m. over four evenings: April 10, 11, 17 and 18. To register, contact Terry Spires, program director, by e-mail at terry@housingpartnership.org or phone at 766-3120. Pre-registration is required.

Wednesday, April 11

PORTSMOUTH - The Homebuilders and Remodelers Association of the Seacoast, Inc. will hold a silent auction at the Sheraton Harborside Hotel. This event is open to the public from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 per person. Reservations are recommended. A buffet dinner and cash bar will be available. Contact Debbie Karpiak at 474-8880 or email info@seacoasthba.com.

DOVER "" The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce will hold its April Business Open House from 5 to 7 p.m., at the newly renovated McConnell Center, adjacent to the Dover Public Library at 61 Locust St. Attendees should enter through Door 2, head for the cafeteria and follow the signs. Parking will be available in the lot between the two buildings. Chamber members and guests (non-chamber members are welcome to attend as guests of members) will have an opportunity to make new business contacts, talk about their respective businesses, renew acquaintances and meet new members. Attendees are urged to bring a supply of business cards to exchange and to enter into the drawing for the door prizes. Pre-registration is required. Call the chamber at 742-2218 or visit www.dovernh.org/pages/eventcalendar.asp.

EAST HAMPSTEAD "" The RAM Companies will host New Hampshire Businesses for Social Responsibility's first "Go On Tour" of the year from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., at their facility located at 5 Commerce Park Drive in East Hampstead. Come learn about RAM Printing and how an environmentally friendly printing company operates! You will see how RAM's environmental practices can be good for the environment, the community, their clients and their employees. All are welcome to this free event. There will be plenty of time for networking with food and beverages provided, a presentation by RAM, and tours of their state of the art facility. Register online today at www.nhbsr.org or by calling 645-2605.

WOLFEBORO "" New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD) in partnership with the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association (NHLRA) and Yankee Publishing Inc., launched an online reservation system on visitnh.gov in September 2006. The system provides one-stop shopping for New Hampshire's visitors and consumers researching travel plans. To provide the state's tourism industry with comprehensive training sessions, two free workshops have been scheduled to take place at several locations throughout the state "" an Introduction to Online Reservations and Ticketing Sales and a Packaging Workshop. The workshops will be held at the Wolfboro Inn from 10 a.m. to noon, and from 1 to 3 p.m. Introduction to Online Reservations and Ticketing Sales: This workshop introduces interested properties to the ARES system and provides information on getting started. The session also outlines the advantages and benefits of online sales and e-ticketing. Workshop attendees will develop an online ticketing process that will be tailored to each attraction's needs. Packaging Workshop: The packaging workshop reviews the three fundamentals of packaging "" hotel fulfilled, shopping cart and dynamic packages. Attendees will also learn how to post packages on visitnh.gov and other YPI Affiliate sites. To register for these workshops, call Sean Ryan, online affiliate manager with Yankee Publishing Inc., at 924-4191, or send e-mail to seanr@Yankeepub.com.

Thursday, April 12

DOVER "" Members and guests of the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce are invited to attend the April Business Networking Exchange at The Comfort Inn and Suites at Weeks Crossing from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Speaker will be Stephen Viel of Seacoast Telecom with the topic of "Enhanced Communications in a Mobile World." Cost is $10 for members and includes continental breakfast. Pre-registration is required, so call the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce at 742-2218 to make a reservation. You can also register online at www.dovernh.org.

LONDONDERRY "" WomenBiz Roundtable, a peer support community, will hold a seminar called "Marketing With Tech Tools You Already Have" from 4 to 6 p.m. The cost is $32 for members and $47 for others. To register, go to www.WomenBiz.org.

Do you own a computer, but only use it to write e-mails and do spreadsheets? Would you like to turn it into a marketing machine for your business? Annette Hurman, of PC Help Center gives you real-life applications for using technology you already own to get your business out there! Class size is limited to 20, so register today.

PORTSMOUTH "" ITRC presents a seminar on payment methods from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the International Trade Resource Center. This workshop, sponsored by Citizens Bank in coordination with the International Trade Resource Center and Southern New Hampshire University, is aimed at small to medium-sized businesses that want to understand the different international payment options. The focus of the afternoon will be the Uniform Customs and Practice for Documentary Credits 2007 Revision (UCP600), which goes into effect July 1, 2007. The $95 fee for the seminar includes breakfast, lunch and all course materials. If you are interested in coming to only the afternoon session, relating to the New UCP600, the fee is $45. For more information or to register, contact Melissa Aho at the International Trade Resource Center at 334-6074 or via e-mail at maho@dred.state.nh.us.

PORTSMOUTH - The Seacoast Issues Forum is a coalition of seacoast area groups who wish to promote discussions on currently important topics for New Hampshire and our nation.

The Seacoast Issues Forum is hosting a talk: Growing Old in America and the "Merchants of Doom" by Dr. James H. Schulz

Dr. James H. Schulz, will speak on the so-called "crisis" of population aging and its impact on Social Security, employer pensions, health care costs and retirement policies. Dr. Schulz is co-author (with Dr. Robert H. Binstock) of the newly published book: "Aging Nation: The Economics and Politics of Growing Older in America."

Professor Schulz is an economist, past president of the Gerontological Society of America, and author of the widely acclaimed book, "The Economics of Aging" - currently in its seventh printing.

The talk will take place at 7 p.m., in the Levenson Room of the Portsmouth Public Library.

For more information contact Jack Chambers, 603-427-0774 or Pat Moreinis Dodge, 603-964-1534.

Monday, April 16

CONCORD "" Nonprofit Technology Conference: IT Strategies and Solutions.

Keynote speaker Katya Andresen, VP of Network for Good and author of Robin Hood Marketing: Stealing Corporate Savvy to Sell Just Causes, will outline four secrets to successful messages. Educational sessions follow including: Demystifying Selecting New Software; Choosing Consultants, Vendors and IT Service Providers; Using Technology for Effective Communication; and more.

Sponsored by the NH Center for Nonprofits, the conference will be held at the Grappone Conference Center. The cost is $75 for NHCN members, $125 Not-Yet-Members.

Get more information or register at 225-1947 or www.nhnonprofits.org.

Tuesday, April 17

DOVER "" The Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce will hold the second of its Federal Savings Bank Forum Series for 2007 "" "Strategies for Effective Networking." The event will be held at the Cocheco Country Club, 245 Gulf Road, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The presenter will be Jim Horne of Beacon Business Advantage. The cost of each forum is $15 for Dover Chamber of Commerce members, $18 for nonmembers, and breakfast is included. Preregistration is required. Sponsorships and presenter opportunities are still available. For more information, call the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce at 742-2218 or register online at www.dovernh.org.

PORTSMOUTH - NH Gov. John Lynch will travel to the Seacoast to share his State of the State message with Chamber members and guests. The special breakfast, part of the Bank of America Speaker Series, is set for 7:30 to 9 a.m. at the Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth Hotel.

Gov. Lynch is expected to cover a number of business-related topics including challenges to the state's continued economic prosperity. Some of those issues include finding ways to reduce high electricity rates, support for business priorities like the R&D Tax Credit updating the state's transportation infrastructure, workforce housing initiatives, education issues""both adequacy and funding""supporting a healthy environment and investment in higher education in particular community colleges.

Cost of the breakfast is $20 for members and their guests, and $27 for nonmembers. To RSVP visit www.portsmouthchamber.org/stateofstate2007.cfm or contact the Chamber (603) 610-5513 or info@portsmouthchamber.org.

MANCHESTER "" The Business and Industry Association and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services will hold a waste management seminar from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Center of New Hampshire, Manchester. The cost per person is $95 for BIA members and $125 for non members. To register, call 603.224.5388 x116 or go to acteva.com/go/nhbia.

Among the morning presenters will be NHDES Commissioner Tom Burack, Waste Management Division Director Tony Giunta and Waste Management Division Assistant Director Frederick McGarry.

Afternoon breakout sessions will address a variety of topics, including petroleum remediation, MtBE, hazardous waste, Brown fields, vapor mitigation technology, landfill re-use and arsenic contamination.

For more information about the BIA, go to http://www.nhbia.org.

EXETER "" The Exeter Rotary is proud to sponsor a Wine Tasting & Silent Auction from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Exeter Inn. There will be numerous vendors presenting their fine wines as well as such items as weekend getaways, golf and restaurant certificates being auctioned.

All proceeds will be donated towards the new Exeter Pavillion on the Swasey Parkway. Tickets for the event are $25.00 and may be purchased through any Rotarian, the Loaf & Ladle or by calling 603-431-6596.

The Exeter Rotary is a strong supporter of local charities and events, as well as the international community. To learn more about Rotary Club, come join us for lunch Mondays at 12:15 p.m at the Exeter Inn or visit www.rotary.org.

CONCORD - In the next decade, an estimated 39 percent of family-owned firms will experience a change in ownership. Yet all too often a family business is not able to meet the financial needs of the owners in their retirement years while continuing to meet the financial obligations for the business and the next generation.

The University of New Hampshire Center for Family Business will tackle this important issue at the its next business event. "The Next Generation, Siblings and Cousins: Taking Control of the Family Business" will be held at New Hampshire Distributers, 65 Regional Drive, Concord, NH.

The event begins at 8 a.m. Lunch is included.

RSVP to Barbara Draper at 603-862-1107, or barbara.draper@unh.edu. Special one-time non-member registration fee $99 per person, $250 per family.

Wednesday, April 18

PORTSMOUTH "" Too much stuff? The Spirit of Getting Organized will help participants develop a consistent level of organization, use criteria-setting skills to transform worry about letting go into peace-of-mind, and develop reliable storage and staging systems to find what you need when you need it.

The workshop, sponsored by the NH Center for Nonprofits and led by Pamela Kristan, author or The Spirit of Getting Organized: 12 Skills to Find Meaning and Power in Your Stuff, will take place from 1-4 p.m., at the Community Campus. The cost is $25 for NHCN Members, $50 Not-yet-members.

Get more information or register at 225-1947 or www.nhnonprofits.org.

KEENE - WOLFBORO - New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development (DTTD) in partnership with the New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association (NHLRA) and Yankee Publishing Inc., launched an online reservation system on visitnh.gov in September 2006. The system provides one stop shopping for New Hampshire's visitors and consumers researching travel plans.

To provide the state's tourism industry with comprehensive training sessions, two free workshops have been scheduled to take place at several locations throughout the state - an Introduction to Online Reservations and Ticketing Sales and a Packaging Workshop.

The workshops will be held at the EF Lane Hotel Inn from 10 a.m. to Noon, and 1-3 p.m., respectively.

Introduction to Online Reservations and Ticketing Sales - This workshop introduces interested properties to the ARES system and provides information on getting started. The session also outlines the advantages and benefits of online sales and e-ticketing. Workshop attendees will develop an online ticketing process that will be tailored to each attraction's needs.

Packaging Workshop - The packaging workshop reviews the three fundamentals of packaging - hotel fulfilled, shopping cart, and dynamic packages. Attendees will also learn how to post packages on visitnh.gov and other YPI Affiliate sites.

To register for these workshops please contact Sean Ryan, online affiliate manager with Yankee Publishing, Inc., at seanr@Yankeepub.com or 603-924-4191.

HAMPTON - Maureen Putney of TD Banknorth will speak on the topic "Your Credit Score" at the New Hampshire Chapter of the Institute of Management Accountants' April meeting. The meeting is open to the public and all IMA members.

Networking begins at 6 p.m. at The Old Salt Restaurant, Hampton, followed by dinner and Putney's presentation. The cost of this event is $27.

Registration, directions, and more information can be obtained from the NH Chapter's web site, www.imanh.com, or by calling (603) 659-8297.

Thursday, April 19

EXETER "" The third annual Toast to the Coast will be held at the Ashworth by the Sea, 295 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach. Hosted by the Exeter and Hampton Area Chambers of Commerce and underwritten by Ocean National Bank. Sample a variety of fine wines, noble brews and hors d'oeuvres from many of our Seacoast restaurants. VIP sampling from 6:30 to 7 p.m., general public 7 to 9 p.m. VIP tickets are $50; general public's tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at the door. Call 772-2411 or 926-9977, ext. 102, or visit www.exeterarea.org or www.hamptonchamber.com.

PORTSMOUTH - Innovate to Win; Be Bold or Go Home is the theme of a Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Year of Innovation Seminar set for 8-10 a.m., April 19 at the New Hampshire Community Technical College starts at 7:30 a.m. The session, underwritten by Federal Savings Bank, is the second in a two-part series on innovation.

Speakers for the seminar will feature Jim Jalbert, CEO of C&J Trailways and Tom Giovanniello, publisher of Portsmouth Magazine.

The series explores what successful members are doing differently in terms of internal processes and external programs and provides an opportunity for attendees to brainstorm with speakers on how to apply the presentation ideas to their own businesses.

Admission is $10 for members and their guests and $15 for nonmembers. Those interested may find more information, and sign up online, at www.portsmouthchamber.org/yoi2.cfm.

For more details, contact Griffith at (603) 610-5514 or ggriffith@portsmouthchamber.org.

Friday, April 20

PORTSMOUTH - WomenBiz Roundtable, a peer support community, will present The Breakfast Table - The Food Biz, from 7:30-9 a.m. The cost is $25 for members and $37 for others. Registration can be accomplished at www.WomenBiz.org.

The Breakfast Table is the first place to exchange ideas in your day, and the WBC brings you a stimulating and informative program to kick start your weekend. This program is presented quarterly and is sponsored by the Hilton Garden Inn of Portsmouth, where we'll enjoy a beautiful buffet breakfast before the speakers.

PORTSMOUTH - The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce invites members of the Seacoast business community to its monthly Mid-day Meet networking session. The next meet is set for 11:30-12:30 p.m., at Two International Group on the third floor.

The networking forum usually draws more than 30 people, so those interested should arrive early to get a seat. Those interested in attending should contact Kaarin Olofsson, the Chamber's marketing & events manager, to RSVP at (603) 610-5527 or kolofsson@portsmouthchamber.org.

The Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business advocacy organization serving approximately 1,000 member businesses in nine communities throughout the seacoast region of New Hampshire and Southern Maine.

For information on the month's schedule of activities, membership and other programs, call the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce at (603) 610-5513 or visit www.portsmouthchamber.org.

Saturday, April 21

The University of New Hampshire will honor Michael Leven, founder and former chairman of Atlanta-based US Franchise Systems, Inc. (USFS), for his outstanding achievements in and contributions to the hospitality management industry by awarding him the university's Hotelier of the Year Award.

The UNH Hotelier of the Year Award recognizes outstanding contributions of a leader in the hospitality management industry. It also is the highlight of the Gourmet Dinner, a seven-course meal organized by students at the nation's second-oldest hospitality management program at the Whittemore School of Business and Economics. The evening, which will feature cuisine from Northern Italy, begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour, and dinner starting at 7 p.m. in the Great Room of Huddleston Hall. The dinner also will be served Friday, April 20.

Leven, 69, has taught hospitality courses at UNH and recently retired after spending his entire 45-year career in the hotel industry.

Tickets for the Gourmet Dinner are $50 a person and 10-seat sponsor tables are $5,000. Tickets are on sale now and may be ordered at the UNH Memorial Union Building Ticket Office ticket office Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 603-862-2290.

To purchase a sponsor table, contact Donna Stickney at 603-862-3303 or Donna.Stickney@unh.edu.

Tuesday, April 24

PORTSMOUTH - SCORE, volunteer counselors to America's small business and a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration, will conduct an in-depth workshop: "How To Start Your Own Business."

The workshop is sponsored by TD BANKNORTH and will be held at the SCORE office at 195A Commerce Way, from 6-9 p.m.

Discuss the details of how to start your business with experienced executives and obtain valuable tools and reference materials to assist you.

The cost of the workshop is $30 for each individual, $20 each for groups of 2 or more and materials are included. Please mail a check to reserve your seat to SCORE, 195A Commerce Way, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, by April 20.

Score continues to provide free individual business counseling sessions; attendees will have also have the opportunity to schedule individual follow-up counseling.

For more information, call SCORE at (603) 433-0575 or visit our website.

CONCORD - NH Employment Security (NHES) will be partnering with the NH Banking and Insurance Departments to host the 1st Annual Finance and Insurance Industry Career Fair.

The event is being held at the Concord Armory from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This Career Fair will be targeting students from NH colleges and universities who will be graduating with either a Bachelor or graduate degree and who will be pursuing a career in the finance and insurance industry.

The Finance and Insurance Industry plays a vital role in New Hampshire's economy, employing roughly 30,000 people. According to the latest employment projections by New Hampshire's Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau, employment in this industry is projected to grow by 12.2 percent, adding another 3,700 jobs by 2014.

Admission is free to attendees and booth space is free for employers. For more information or to reserve a booth, contact Kristi Hartley with NH Employment Security at (603) 742-3600 ext 361 or Kristi.Hartley@nhes.nh.gov.

For directions and more information on this event visit our website at www.nhes.state.nh.us.

Wednesday, April 25

HAMPTON "" The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours networking event will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at The Old Salt Eating & Drinking Place, 490 Lafayette Road, Hampton. There will be hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar and door prizes. There is free parking and those attending should bring business cards for networking. The event is open to Hampton Area Chamber members, guests and those interested in the Seacoast business community. Call 926-8718 for more information.

Thursday, April 26

PORTSMOUTH - The team at Seacoast Ventures and Seacoast Media Group will host a Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours from 5-7 p.m., in their new corporate headerquarters at the Pease International Tradeport.

The group is excited about introducing the Seacoast business community to its new building, state-of-the-art Goss International Magnum press, and the staff. The SMG team has a great "house warming" planned to celebrate their move including a delectable assortment of hors d'oeuvres from Mahalos and music by the Ben Baldwin duo, so don't miss out on this coming-of-Spring bash.

SMG publishes Seacoast Ventures, the Portsmouth Herald and a host of other community papers throughout the southern New Hampshire and Maine. Seacoast Ventures and SeacoastVentures.net are fast becoming the local connections to business information on the Seacoast.

Door prizes for the evening will feature two tickets to Red Sox (Pavillion Seats with food service); two tickets to a performance of The Full Monty at the Ogunquit Playhouse and the after-show party with the cast including All In the Family celeb Sally Struthers; and a Seacoast Ventures print and online advertising package.

Admission to the event is a business card at the door. For more information on the event, visit www.portsmouthchamber.org/smgbah.cfm.

Tuesday, May 1

DOVER "" The Dover Chamber of Commerce will present the third in its Federal Savings Bank Series "" "Identify Theft and Fraud: Best Practices for Protecting Your Personal Information." It will be held at the Cocheco Country Club, 245 Gulf Road, from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. The presenter will be Carol Bailey, vice president of compliance and internal audit for Federal Savings Bank in Dover. Learn about identity theft, recent trends in phishing and pharming, and practices for protecting personal information. The cost of each forum is $15 for Dover Chamber of Commerce members and $18 for nonmembers, and breakfast is included. Preregistration is required. Sponsorships and presenter opportunities are still available. For more information, call the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce at 742-2218 or register online at www.dovernh.org.

DOVER - A Clear Channel Job Fair is scheduled from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Dover Ice Arena, 110 Portland Ave. It is hosted by Clear Channel Radio and sponsored by JOBSINNH.COM and The Employment Times.

This Job Fair promises to be huge for those looking for new or improved employment for the 2007 and going into the new year! Representatives from such diverse fields as computers, medical, sales, financial, Internet, manufacturing, and more will be there.

Vendors should call Tod Goede at (603) 436-7300 for more information.

Wednesday, May 2

HAMPTON - The Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce will hold the first in a series of monthly events called "CHAMBER CONNECTION: A Daytime Networking Event" at the Chamber office, One Lafayette Road, Hampton, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

This event is specifically geared for straightforward networking in a casual setting for Chamber members who cannot attend after hours events. There will be opportunity to introduce your business to others and build your contacts.

Steve Chaisson of Allegra Print & Imaging will give a short presentation, "Image is EVERYTHING."

Attendance is currently limited to 25 Hampton Area Chamber members, by reservation only. There is no charge. Call Katie Curran at 603-926-8718, ext. 104 or e-mail katie@hamptonchamber.com to secure a spot.

MANCHESTER - Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce - the world's largest business federation - will address business leaders at a breakfast in Manchester.

The event, presented in cooperation with the Greater Concord, Greater Laconia-Weirs Beach, Greater Portsmouth and Wolfeboro Area chambers of commerce, is part of the Business and Industry Association's National Leaders Forum, sponsored by Lincoln Financial Group.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce represents three million companies, associations, state and local chambers, and American chambers of commerce abroad. Since assuming leadership in 1997, Donohue has transformed the chamber into a lobbying and political force, expanding its influence in the United States and across the globe.

The breakfast will be held at the Center of New Hampshire, Manchester from 7:30-9:30 a.m. The cost to attend is $25. Advance registration is required.

To register, call 603.224.5388 x116 or visit acteva.com/go/nhbia.

For more information about the BIA, go to http://www.nhbia.org.

Thursday, May 3

PORTSMOUTH - The Greater Portsmouth Chamber invites the local high-tech community to its monthly eBrew set for 5-7 p.m., at The Press Room on Daniel St. in Portsmouth.

The event is open to the employees and guests of all local high-tech businesses and the local business community. The event features the opportunity to network with colleagues, pub food and refreshments. To find out more, please contact Ginny Griffith, the Chamber's business development manager, at (603) 610-5514 or ggriffith@portsmouthchamber.org.

For more on the monthly eBrew and Roundtable activities, surf over to the official web site at www.ecoast.org.

Tuesday, May 8

PORTSMOUTH - The Women's Business Center is well underway to making their 3rd Annual WomenBiz Auction a fun and fund-raising success when the gavel sounds at 5:30 p.m. at Portsmouth Country Club.

The Women's Business Center was established in 1995 and supports entrepreneurial women as they begin and grow their businesses. The WBC relies on the WomenBiz Auction to ensure its operating budget is funded.

WBC staff and volunteers have secured items for both the silent and live portions of the auction, to entice people with varying interests to bid high.

To take advantage of the WBC's WomenBiz Auction Early Special, two tickets for $40. Pre-registration can be done by visiting www.WomenBiz.org or by calling 430-2892 by April 13, 2007.

Thursday, May 10

BEDFORD - The New Hampshire Bar Foundation will celebrate its 30th Anniversary with a celebratory dinner at the C.R. Sparks event center in Bedford.

Former N.H. Sen. Warren B. Rudman (1980-1992) will keynote the 30th Anniversary Dinner. New Hampshire attorneys, judges, donors, bankers, legal services staff, grantees and others will attend the Bar Foundation's 30th Anniversary Dinner. Attorney Frederic K. Upton, of counsel to Upton & Hatfield, LLP, and a member of the NH Advisory Committee of Judicial Ethics, will receive the 2007 Frank Rowe Kenison Award at the dinner, and Attorney Joceline D. Champagne, coordinator of the Low Income Taxpayer Project at the NH Pro Bono Referral Program, will receive the Robert E. Kirby Award.

For more information, visit online www.nhbarfoundation.org or call the Executive Director of the New Hampshire Bar Foundation, David G. Snyder, at (603) 715-3255.

Saturday, May 12

EXETER "" The eighth annual Exeter Area Kitchen Tour will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Presented by the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce and underwritten by Dovetailed Kitchens. A self-guided map allows participants the opportunity to tour eight designer and/or remodeled kitchens in Exeter areas. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 day of the tour. For more information and/or to reserve tickets, call the Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce at 772-2411 or visit www.exeterarea.org.

PORTSMOUTH - Peter Bielagus, America's top expert on young people and their money, will hold his first College Money Management BootCamp at the Sheraton Harborside, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is for high school juniors and seniors.

Open to only 35 students, the College Money Management BootCamp is designed for those students who are serious about getting ahead financially. The event will cover everything college students need to know about money management from credit cards to identity theft.

For more information about the College Money Management BootCamp, call 603/606-5685 or visit www.collegemoneymanagementbootcamp.com

Wednesday, May 16

PORTSMOUTH - Sustainable practices, rezoning and Northern Tier development are just a few of the topics planned for the "State of the City" Breakfast Forum, scheduled for 7:30-9 a.m., at the Sheraton Harborside Portsmouth Hotel. The breakfast is part of the Bank of America Speaker Series.

Portsmouth City Manager John Bohenko will kick off the presentation with an overview of challenges facing the community like holding down taxes while moving forward on the Northern Tier development, implementing "green" practices and systems within city government and designing a new water treatment plant. He will also talk about the discussions the city is having with legislators concerning education funding.

Bob Lister, superintendent of Portsmouth Schools will cover progress on the Portsmouth Middle School building project and review the school department's upcoming activities and issues.

Portsmouth Fire Chief Chris LeClaire is expected to talk about public safety, the changing role of the fire service and the unique challenges facing the Portsmouth Fire Department. Police Chief Michael Magnant will present an overview of crime and calls for service in 2006, the rising trend of serious crimes and what his department is doing to reduce criminal victimization and hold offenders accountable.

Cost of the breakfast is $20 for Chamber members and $27 for nonmembers. Those interested in attending may signup online at www.portsmouthchamber.org/stateofthecity2006.cfm or RSVP by contacting the Chamber at (603) 610-5510 or via email at info@portsmouthchamber.org.

Wednesday, May 23

EXETER "" Exeter Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Hosted by The Inn at Spruce Wood, 25 Worthen Road, Durham. Open to Chamber members and guests. There is no charge. Bring plenty of business cards to exchange. For further information, call 772-2411 or visit www.exeterarea.org.