Today

Small-Business Management Program: COCC’s Business Development Center is accepting applications for the 2006 program. This monthly, yearlong program offers a combination of practical, hands-on classroom instruction and one-on-one business counseling customized to individual business needs. The program works with businesses that have operated for one year with at least one employee. Cost is $495. Contact: 383-7290.

Saturday

January 7

CPE Tax Update Seminar: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Riverhouse, 3075 N. Highway 97, Bend. Sponsored by the High Desert Unit of Oregon Society of Tax Consultants. Speakers include Brian Wozniak from the IRS and Theresa Schuh from Oregon Department of Revenue. There also will be a two-hour presentation for e-file. Cost is $25 for OSTC members and $45 for nonmembers. Register by Jan. 3. Contact: Alice McCullough at 382-1685.

Tuesday

January 10

”How to Start a Business”: Noon to 2 p.m. at the Boyle Education Center at COCC’s Bend Campus. This two-hour workshop is for people who are contemplating business ownership. The session will cover all the basic steps for opening and owning your own business. There will also be two other opportunities to attend: one on Thursday, Jan. 19, in the MATC building at COCC’s Redmond campus, and again on Tuesday, Jan. 31, in Bend. Cost is $15. Preregistration is required. Contact: 383-7290 or www. cocc.edu.

Deschutes and Jefferson County Town Hall Meetings: 10 a.m. at Redmond High School, 675 SW Rimrock Drive, Redmond, and 1 p.m., Jefferson County Courthouse Annex, 66 SE D St., Madras. U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden will host the meetings. Residents are invited to attend the open forums to voice their questions and concerns.

Wednesday

January 11

”Time Management – Scheduling Your Chaos”: A Bend Chamber Professional Development series called ”Power Morning.” 7 to 8:30 a.m. in the Bend-La Pine School District Administration Building, Room 314. Speaker Greg Phillips will focus on performance insights, explaining the tools you need to prioritize in order to get the most out of life. The event is free and open to the public. Register at www.bendchamber.org or contact the Chamber at 382-3221.

Tuesdays

January 17 and 24

”Getting Down to Business”: 6 to 9 p.m. at COCC’s Business Development Center. Participants will learn how to evaluate business ideas, target their market and understand the essential elements of a bookkeeping system. Cost is $49. Preregistration required. Contact: 383-7290 or www.cocc.edu.

Wednesday

January 18

Call for Entries Party: 5 to 7 p.m. Advertising Federation of Central Oregon seeks nominees for the 2006 Drake Awards for best advertising. The event will be held at Brooks Resources, 409 NW Franklin Ave., Bend. Free. Contact: 788-0336.

Thursday

January 19

”Learn and Earn Breakfast Workshop”: A Bend Chamber Professional Development series. 7 to 10 a.m. at the Bend Golf and Country Club, 61045 Country Club Dr. Speaker Ali King will discuss ”What is WOW Customer Service.” Cost is $25 for Chamber members and $35 for nonmembers. A hot breakfast is included. Register at www.bend chamber.org or contact the Chamber at 382-3221.

Tuesday

January 24

Search Engine Strategies: Held at COCC in Bend, this class helps optimize your Web site for the major search engines as part of a marketing challenge. Includes key-word marketing, site content best practices, internal links, link popularity, paid inclusion, pay-for-placement and submitting your Web site. Cost is $59. To register, contact: 383-7290.

Wednesday

January 25

Accounting 101: 6 to 9 p.m. This course offered at COCC in Bend will help business owners or managers understand the accounting process, including the basic transactions that any business encounters, ways to manage cash and its flow through your business and how to create and understand the balance sheet, income and cash flow statements. Cost is: $39. To register, contact: 383-7290.

Thursday

January 26

Work Smarter with Business Coaching: COCC is offering a six-month program that provides business owners and leaders with a comprehensive business design, integrating best practices of successful entrepreneurs. The program includes a manual, workshop, group sessions and individual coaching. Cost is $1,995. To register, contact: 383-7290.

Monday

January 30

Mid-Oregon Construction Safety Summit: Hosted by the Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Division. 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eagle Crest Resort 1522 Cline Falls Road, Redmond. The workshop will address the needs of the construction industry in Central Oregon. Thirteen workshop topics are scheduled, including fall protection, safe scaffold use, excavation safety and vehicle/driving safety. Cost is $35 ($45 if registering after Jan. 23). Contact: 322-7104.

Friday

February 10

Fiesta of the Year: 5:30 to 9 p.m. Advertising Federation of Central Oregon 2006 Drake Awards will be held at Sunriver Resort 1 Center Drive, Sunriver, in the Homestead Room. The best advertising in Central Oregon will be honored. Cost is $60 for individuals, $30 for students, $500 for a table of 10. Contact: 788-0336.