Coming up DEC. 3 “Is Owning Your Own Franchise Business for You?,“ 9 a.m., 5101 Monument Ave. Presenters: Tom Kranz of The Franchise Mentor, Jim Wilson of Wilson Stoyanoff and Wendy Jewell of Deeper Insights Financial & Educational Resources. RSVP: (804) 915-9485.  DEC. 12 Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority and Capital One offer a homeownership education workshop, “Renovation Tax Credits,“ 10 a.m., Black History Museum, 00 Clay St. Details/registration: (804) 780-4293 or .

MONDAY, NOV. 9 Next Steps offers a workshop to help “Richmonders Leverage Transition to Create a Satisfying Future,“ today and tomorrow, 9 a.m., Holiday Inn Express, 201 E. Cary St. Cost: $199. Registration: http://www.floricane.com.  TUESDAY, NOV. 10 Dominion Virginia Power holds an information session, 10 a.m., at Henrico Hall in the Richmond Raceway Complex as part of the Virginia Employment Commission’s 2009 Veterans Day Career Fair, to help low-income customers and those in financial distress. Details on EnergyShare or Conservation: http://www.dom.com.

SALES Thalhimer/Cushman & Wakefield reports the sale of 0.37 acre at 600-606 Commerce Road in Richmond for $225,000 to French Acquisitions Co. LLC. R. Scott Douglas and Lindsey C. Floyd handled the sale negotiations. LEASES CB Richard Ellis reports the following leases:

• 27,488 square feet at 5640 Cox Road in Henrico County to LSP (Lawyers Title).

Coming up NOV. 18 PRSA Richmond meets at Sheraton Richmond West Hotel, 6624 W. Broad St. Luncheon networking begins at 11:45 a.m. and lunch starts at 12:15 p.m. Speaker: Tammy D. Hawley, press secretary for Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones, discusses “How the City of Richmond Communicates with City Residents.“ Cost: Free for members, $35 for nonmembers and $15 for students. Register online by next Monday: http://www.prsarichmond.org.

Coming up NOV. 10 National Association of Women Business Owners-Richmond meets at 11 a.m., Willow Oaks Country Club, 6228 Forest Hill Ave. Topic: “Increasing Your Bottom Line.“ Cost: $25 for members and $30 for guests. Registration: (804) 346-5644.  NOV. 11 Virginia Franchise Forum meets at 7:30 a.m., the Westwood Club, 6200 West Club Lane. Topic: “Moving from Survival to Growth.“ Speaker: Kate Dunn with Digital Innovation Group. Cost: $20. Details/reservations: Jackie Carter, (804) 783-9314 or

This week, Virginians have a new way to address their tax questions, Dominion Virginia Power applies for a federal stimulus grant, and the Martin Agency wins a new big account.

A University of Richmond economics professor will discuss the financial crisis and its impact on women during a seminar Friday. “Women feel the financial stress to a much greater degree,“ said KimMarie McGoldrick the key speaker at the Women in the Know conference at the Jepson Alumni Center. Women hold the highest amount—32 percent—of subprime mortgages, which increases the risk of defaulting on mortgages. They also are less likely to get unemployment insurance if they lose a job because many work part-time. Women also don’t tend to save as much for retirement as men do, McGoldrick said.

Robert T. Skunda has no training in biosciences, technology or medicine. The 62-year-old does have a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s in urban planning.

For nearly 23 years, Metro Business has been the Monday go-to place for business news, trends, and stories about businesspeople and their companies in the Richmond region. It has a devoted following in the business community and among general readers. Businesspeople say Metro Business lets them keep up with colleagues and competitors and develop strong contacts. Everyday readers say they like learning about business developments in their community and the people behind them.

After more than 20 years, the Metro Business section is getting a remake. Get an early look kat the chnages coming to the weekly section for and about business people.

If you’re thinking about using your severance package to buy a franchise, think twice. That might not be the right option for you, warned Tom Lawrence, president of FranNet of Greater Richmond, a franchise consultant.

One way to generate attention for a businesses is to come up with a company name that tantalizes customers. It’s hard to imagine something getting more noticed—especially just before Valentine’s Day—than Better Than Chocolate Boutique.

As organizers prepare the glass ball that rises over the Byrd Theatre to ring in 2009, Carytown merchants wonder what the new year will bring.

The average family in Virginia now is spending about $200 less each month to fill up compared with in July, when gas reached its peak, officials with the AAA Mid-Atlantic motor club said, based on government estimates of average household gasoline use.

Mark Landa and his staff at Boulevard Flower Gardens in Colonial Heights are busy preparing the company’s more than 10,000plant poinsettia crop for the upcoming holidays. The colorful plants, everything from red to a Jinglebell mix, take up nine greenhouses. The company grows poinsettias along with in-season bedding plants and vegetables.