The Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South hosts Talk Shoppe today from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the BBB, 3693 Tyndale Drive. The topic is "Getting to Success Using the Mastermind Principle." Admission is free. For more information, call 759-1300.

The Core City Initiatives Ad Hoc Committee hosts a meeting today at 1:30 p.m. in the fourth-floor conference room in the Shelby County Administrative Building, 160 N. Main St.

The eWomen Business Network presents the Business Magnet Workshop Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at The Crescent Club, 6075 Poplar Ave. The cost is $45 for eWomen members and $55 for nonmembers. Call 210-9582 for more information.

The Collierville Chamber of Commerce hosts Mark Taylor, business counselor from the Tennessee Small Business Development Center, for business counseling sessions Thursday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the chamber, 485 Halle Park Drive. Appointments must be made in advance by calling 853-1949.

The Memphis chapter of the Public Relations Society of America presents Leanne Kleinmann of iDiva, a Commercial Appeal blog, who will speak on "An In-Depth Look at Blogging" Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the auditorium at the First Tennessee Oak Court Building, 4385 Poplar Ave. Cost is $30 for PRSA members and $35 for nonmembers. Register online at www.prsamemphis.org.

The Entrepreneurs Roundtable hosts a lunch and discussion with Bob Levey, Hardin Chair of Excellence in the Department of Journalism at the University of Memphis, Thursday at noon at The Crescent Club, 6075 Poplar Ave.

MPACT Memphis hosts "Casino Royale," its Party of the Year, Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at the Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road. The party will feature a silent auction, casino tables and gourmet dining, and all proceeds will benefit MPACT Memphis' outreach programs. Tickets are $40 and are available at www.mpactmemphis.org.

MidSouthCon presents its 25th annual science fiction convention Friday through Sunday at Holiday Inn Select Airport, 2240 Democrat Road. The event hosts authors, editors and artists, along with scientists who work with or for NASA. The featured guest is Terry Pratchett, Britain's top-selling male author. Registration begins Friday at noon and the event kicks off with an opening ceremony Friday at 8 p.m. For a complete schedule, visit www.midsouthcon.org. Admission is $45 at the door. Call 493-0275 for more information.

Peria Inc., a Midtown boutique offering upscale women's shoes and accessories, is in partnership with the local Memphis nonprofit Dress for Success, which promotes the independence of disadvantaged women. The store will donate $5 from every pair of shoes sold through the end of the month to Dress for Success.