This week

The Camden Conference is offering several programs at various locations this week.

• Noon Monday: Bob Rackmales will discuss the new book by John Lewis Gaddis; held at the Unitarian Universalist Parish House, Castine.

• 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday: “U.S. difficulties and the prospect of revival — will China rule?” with Professor Seth Singleton at Camden Public Library.

• 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday: Part of a discussion series: “The U.S. in a 21st Century World,” also held Jan. 31, Feb. 7 and 28, all at Blue Hill Public Library. Registration for this series is limited to 15 participants.

• 6:30 p.m. Thursday: Former Foreign Service Officer Louis Sell will discuss “The Collapse of the Soviet Union and Its Implications for the U.S.,” at Ellsworth Public Library. Free and open to all.

For details visit www.camdenconference.org or call 236-1034.

Tuesday

Small Business Matters, 7 a.m., Portland Regional Chamber program with guest speaker Les Otten at the Marriott at Sable Oaks in South Portland. The cost is $12 which includes a buffet breakfast. To register, visit www.portlandregion.com. If space is available, registrations will be taken at the door.

“Writing a Business Plan: Why you need one and when to revise it,” 2 to 5 p.m. at SCORE Offices, 100 Middle St., Second Floor, East Tower, Portland. The cost is $35 with online registration. For more information and reservations, visit www.scoremaine.com or call 772-1147, weekday mornings.

Wednesday

Lunch and Learn: Seed Grant and Tech Grants, noon to 2 p.m., webinar with Shane Beckim from Maine Technology Institute. Wishcamper, room 133, University of Southern Maine, Portland. Attendance is free for this program. To register or for more information, visit www.mced.biz or call 228-8524. It is recommended that attendees visit the TechStart Grant and Seed Grant pages of the MTI website at www.mainetechnology/fund/seed-grants and www.mainetechnology/fund/techstart-grants.

“China Revisited: Economic Overview and Key Trade Resources,” 1:30 to 4:30 p.m., Maine International Trade Center presentation at The Inn at Brunswick Station, 4 Noble St., Brunswick. The cost is $35 for MITC members and $45 for non-members. For details and to register, visit http://www.mitc.com/programs/details.asp?ProgramID=60

Wednesday and Thursday

Maine State Bar Association annual meeting and concurrent public symposium, “Changing Maine,” a look at justice for the elderly and immigrant populations. Held at Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks, South Portland. Registration is $50 for both days and $35 for Wednesday only. Students may attend any part of the Symposium for $15. Maine CLE credits are available. For more information or to register, visit http://mainelaw.maine.edu/news/conferences/justice/2012/index.html

Thursday

Maine Real Estate and Development Association (MEREDA), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., annual Real Estate Forecast Conference and eighth annual Member Showcase with Gov. Paul LePage opening the conference. Holiday Inn By the Bay, Spring Street, Portland. For more information or to register, go to www.mereda.org

“How to Work a Room!” 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., followed by a social. The event is presented by Women in Family Business with Maddy Corson and Colleen McCracken. Held at the Cumberland Club in Portland. The cost is $35. Register at www.fambusiness.org or call Gina Weathersby at 798-2667 for details.

Friday

Social Media Breakfast Maine (SMBME 30), 7:30 to 10 a.m., at the Masonic Temple, Congress Street, Portland. Several event marketers will explain how to use social media to plan good events. For more information and to register, visit www.socialmediabreakfastmaine.com.

Coming Up

First-Time Homebuyer Seminar, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 4 and Feb. 11, at Money Management International, South Portland. The course is accredited by Fannie Mae and Maine State Housing Authority. The non-refundable fee is $30 per person or $50 per couple. Pre-registration is required by Jan. 30 and space is limited. Call Coastal Enterprises Inc. at 882-7552, Ext. 177, for details and to register.

Other

SafetyWorks! Safety Training Institute, the state’s new training center for Maine workers, has dedicated its new space in Augusta. There is classroom space for safety and health courses and an indoor facility for hands-on training in areas such as fall protection, forklift operation, scaffolding, electrical hazards and ladder safety. The program has more than 129 safety and health classes scheduled around the state in 2012. For more information call 623-7900 (TTY: 1-800-794-1110) or visit www.safetyworksmaine.com.

Tax workshops for small businesses and the self-employed will be held at Central Maine Community College in Auburn. Future programs will be held in conjunction with Maine Internal Revenue Service’s Small Business/Self Employed Division. For more information contact Shawn Savage, IRS senior stakeholder liaison at 491-1888 or by email: shawn.s.savage@irs.gov or Nancy Bradbury, CMCC administrative assistant at 755-5280 or by email: nbradbury@cmcc.edu.