The University of Memphis will host international financial expert Lynn Turner today at 7:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis, 3700 Central Ave. Turner's talk, "What Makes Markets Work or Not Work," is part of the Fogelman College of Business & Economics' 2008 Distinguished Speaker Series. Admission to the breakfast is $25 and can be paid at the door. For more information or to make a reservation, e-mail Tarranda Silas at tsilas@memphis.edu.

The Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence will host "Boards of Directors: Myths and Realities" today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Memphis Jewish Community Center, 6560 Poplar Ave. For cost information or to register, contact April DeBerry at 684-6605 or adeberry@npexcellence.org, or visit www.npexcellence.org.

The Small Business Chamber will host the Starbucks Memphis Business Fair & Conference today from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road, Suite 11. For more information, visit www.memphisbusinessfair.com or call Mario Bartagna at 488-8666.

The American Heart Association will host the Fifth Annual Go Red for Women Luncheon today from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Peabody, 149 Union Ave. The Go Red for Women luncheon aims to raise awareness and funds for local research on heart disease and stroke. Lunch, a fashion show and healthy cooking demonstrations will be offered. Tickets are $75 and can be bought by calling 383-5400.

Porter-Leath will host a balloon launch today at 10:30 a.m. at 868 N. Manassas St. to kick off the organization's observance of National Foster Care Month. The balloons released will represent children in the organization's foster care and adoption programs.

The Mid-South Peace and Justice Center will host former United Nations Chief Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter today from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Christian Brothers University, 650 East Parkway. Ritter will speak on "U.S. Policy in the Middle East: Iraq Occupation and Target Iran." This event is free and open to the public. For more information, e-mail jacob@midsouthpeace.org.

Les Passees Inc. will host its first Family Night Friday from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Golf & Games Family Park, 5484 Summer Ave. Patrons with a Les Passees wristband will have unlimited access to games, rides and putt-putt. Proceeds from the wristband sales will go to the organizations Les Passees supports via grants. Wristbands will cost $15 in advance and $25 at the door. For more information, contact Sally Gentry at 867-7467 or sallygentry@comcast.net.

Weichert, Realtors-Chapman & Associates will host a free public seminar titled "Operation Renovation" Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at The Home Depot, 800 Truse Parkway. Attendees will learn about home renovation. For more information, visit www.weichertchapman.com or call 850-2282.

HOPE NOW, a partnership between lenders and nonprofit housing counselors, is offering a free Homeownership Preservation Event Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Pipkin Building at the Mid-South Fairgrounds, 940 Early Maxwell Blvd. People facing foreclosure can meet one-on-one with their lender and discuss workout options. Clients should bring all relevant income and expense information to the event. For more information, call the Memphis Bar Association at 527-3573.