Feb. 28

The Mid-South Small Business Chamber of Commerce presents a speed networking meeting titled "How to Effectively Work a Room" from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Owen Brennan's restaurant, 6150 Poplar Ave. Call 259-1093 or visit www.smallbusinesschamber.com.

The Association for Women in Communications meets at 11:45 a.m. in the sunroom of the Junior League of Memphis, 3475 Central Ave. Lillian F. Johnson, Memphis Public Library & Information Center public relations supervisor, is the guest speaker. Cost is $12 for members and $15 for non-members. For reservations, e-mail Dianne Calhoun at calhoun@memphis.edu.

The Memphis Botanic Garden presents a Tuesdays on the Terrace wine tasting from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the garden, 750 Cherry Road. The event, titled "Wine Country Safari," features wines, food and music from around the world. Cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. Call 685-1566, Ext. 130, for reservations.

March 2

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development's Energy Division and the U.S. Department of Energy sponsor "Optimization of Chillers and Cooling Towers" from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Memphis Light, Gas & Water Training Center, 4949 Raleigh-LaGrange Road. Cost is $15. To register, visit www.state.tn.us/ecd/whatsnew.htm or contact Glenn T. Cunningham at (931) 372-3826 or gcunningham@tntech.edu.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals meets from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the east lounge of the Thomas Center at Christian Brothers University, 640 East Parkway South. Courtney Murrah, president of the Junior League of Memphis, is the guest speaker. Cost is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Visit www.afpmemphis.org.

The Mid-South Small Business Chamber of Commerce holds a "Chamber in Action" meeting from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in Building C of Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road. Call 259-1093 or visit www.smallbusinesschamber.com.

The Memphis Botanic Garden hosts an opening reception for "Current Paintings by The Memphis 10" from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the garden, 750 Cherry Road. The exhibit will be on display through April 3. Call 685-1566, Ext. 130, or visit www.memphisbotanicgarden.com.

The Rhodes College English Department and Creative Writing Program present Tom Bissell, author of "Chasing the Sea" and "God Lives in St. Petersburg," at 7:30 p.m. in the Frazier Jelke building, Room A, on Rhodes' campus, 2000 N. Parkway. Bissell will read from his works and sign books. Call 843-3979.

March 3

The Memphis Area Home Builders Association presents the 2006 Vesta Home Expo from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through March 5 at Agricenter International, 7777 Walnut Grove Road. Call 756-4500.

March 4

The Memphis Investors Group offers "The Art of Real Estate Investing: A Key Foundation to Investing in Single Family Properties" from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Memphis Fogelman Executive Center, 330 Innovation Drive, Room 330. Cost is $295. Visit www.memphisinvestorsgroup.com to register.

March 5

The Memphis Jewish Community Center Shainberg Gallery holds an opening reception for "Windows of Our Soul" from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the center, 6560 Poplar Ave. The exhibit will be on display through March 30.

The Pink Palace Family of Museums and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Memphis Inc. present "Oscar Night America 2006" from 6 p.m. to midnight at the museum, 3050 Central Ave. The fund-raiser will feature the Academy Awards telecast in the Crew Training International IMAX Theater. For ticket information, call 320-6362.