Business briefly Oct. 16

Speaker at networking breakfast to explain move

Nevada Business Connections will host its monthly networking breakfast at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa in Reno on Wednesday with a "special mystery guest" who will explain why he's moving a 60-employee business to the Carson City area.

The mystery guest runs a high-tech machine shop in the Bay Area, according to a Nevada Business Connections release.

The other highlighted speaker is Krys Bart, president and CEO of the Reno-Tahoe International Airport.

Doors open at 7:30 a.m. with the meeting running from 8 to 9 a.m. Cost is $20 for Nevada Business Connections members and $30 for guests. RSVP to the organization's executive director, Kris Holt, at 882-8306 or kris@nvbizconncect.com.

City National Bank promises no monthly debit card fees

City National Bank is promising it won't follow the trend of monthly debit card fees.

The bank, which has branches from Carson City to New York City, made the announcement earlier this week.

The change comes after passage of federal financial reform laws in January that capped the "swipe fee" banks could charge retailers for debit card use.

"Given its fundamental focus on its clients and communities, City National believes that the right thing to do for its clients in this economic and political environment is to absorb the significant added costs that have been unfairly imposed on all banks by the Durbin Amendment," said Chairman and CEO Russell Goldsmith in a statement, referring to the author of the swipe fee limit, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.

JOIN to host employment workshops

Job Opportunities in Nevada, a nonprofit short-term job training agency, is offering a free four-day life skills and employment-preperation workshop beginning Oct. 24.

The classes will cover basic time management and financial planning up to how to successfully interview for a job. The classes run from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Oct. 24 through 27 at the Carson City Job Connect office, 1929 North Carson St. The topics are as follows: Oct. 24: life skills; Oct. 25: the 60-second-me, where participants will practice presentations to market themselves; Oct. 26: resume and application writing; Oct. 27: how to interview.

To RSVP or learn more, call 283-0125. RSVPs must be received at least three days before the session.

Laughlin Associates to host workshop for business owners

Laughlin Associates, a Carson City-based incorporation services provider, will host a free open house for small business owners looking at incorporating or forming a limited liability company and those who have incorporated and want to learn more about the possibilities it opens up.

The Wednesday open house will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Laughlin Associates' offices, 2533 N. Carson St. The workshop will feature two-20 minute presentations and free consultations for all attendees. Attendees also will receive a free USB drive with resource guides, webinars and videos and other resources.

To RSVP, call Shannon John at 1-800-648-0966.

Tax-Aide seeks volunteers for free tax service

Tax-Aide, a free tax preparation program, is seeking Carson City-area volunteers to help prepare tax returns.

The program is sponsored by the AARP and is aimed at helping lower- and middle-income taxpayers fill out their taxforms. In 2011, more than 21,000 Nevadans were helped by 214 volunteers, according to a press release.

Volunteers do not need to be AARP members or tax professionals - tax training is provided.

For more information, visit www.aarp.org/tavolunteers or call 1-888-687-2277. Or contact local Tax Aide Coordinator Gil Yanuck at 841-3675 or gilcalif@att.net.

City National Bank offers grants for literacy projects

Full-time teachers, librarians and school administrators in Carson City and Douglas and Washoe counties are eligible for up to $500 in grants from City National Bank to create or expand literacy projects.

Past grants have been used to create literacy computer programs and art/reading projects and field trips. This year, about 100 grants will be available. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 30.

For more information on the grants, visit www.readingisthewayup.org or send an email to rwu@cnb.com.

BAWN hosts general membership meeting

The Builders' Association of Western Nevada will host a general membership meeting Tuesday at 5 p.m. at Red's Old 395 Grill, 1055 S. Carson St.

The meeting have a question and answer session with Nevada State Contractors Board representatives Gary Hoid, Fred Schoenfeldt and Susan Kamesh.

The association is a professional organization representing members of the building industry with the goal of promoting the highest standards in construction, education and legislation.