Richmond Times-Dispatch, Va., business briefs.

Aug. 16--MONDAY: Career-Prospectors, www.career-prospectors.com, a job search networking group, meets at 7:30 a.m., in the Conference Room at Long & Foster, 9321 Midlothian Turnpike. Jim Roman with BNI speaks on "Selling Yourself Through Networking." Details: Michael Soden, 594-7065, Charlie Wood, 360-1489 or Mary Beth Enderle, 399-1906.

--Hanover County's Department of Economic Development and the Richmond Area Small Business Development Center offer a weekly one-on-one small business counseling service to county businesses needing information on business startups, marketing plan development and financing options at 8:30 a.m., Lockwood Business Center, Suite 304, 9097 Atlee Station Road. Counselor: Michael A. Leonard. Counseling is by appointment only. Details/appointments: 783-9314.

--Greater Richmond Small Business Development Center offers a "Business Plan Overview" at 11:30 a.m., Hanover Department of Economic Development, 9097 Atlee Station Road, #304. Cost: $25. RSVP: 783-9314 or register online: www.grsbdc.com.

--Mid-Town Toastmasters meet at noon, Bull & Bear Club, One James Center Plaza, 901 E. Cary St. Details: Gary Robertson, 649-6346.

--Merrill Lynch and William Kavanagh offer "Retirement Planning and 401(K) Rollover Options" at noon, 8th and Main Building, sixth floor. Registration: William Kavanagh, 343-4226.

--The Planning Group and Smith Barney present "Alternative Investments: Do They Belong in Your Portfolio?" at 2 p.m., Three James Center, 1051 E. Cary St., second floor. Details: Anne Southworth, 780-3389.

--West End Toastmasters meet at 6:30 p.m., Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield building, 2015 Staples Mill Road. Details: Bob Dunlavey, 358-1135, 677-7312 or visit the Web site: www.westendtoastmasters.com.

--Chesterfield Toastmaster's Club meets at 6:30 p.m., Shoney's Family Restaurant, 9963 Hull Street Road. Details: Julio Del Corso, 320-4423.

TUESDAY: The Greater Richmond Human Resources Industrial Partnership meets at 7:30 a.m., Aunt Sarah's Restaurant, 4005 W. Broad St. Topic: "A Roundtable Discussion of Current Human Resource Issues." Registration: Carol Robertson, 743-9600, Ext. 108.

--Innsbrook Toastmasters meet at 7:45 a.m., Markel/Essex Building, 4521 Highwood Parkway in Innsbrook. Details: Carolyn Steffen, 357-0004 or visit the Web site: www.Innsbrooktm.com.

--Greater Richmond Small Business Development Center offers a Business Plan Overview at 11:30 a.m., Henrico Economic Authority, 4300 E. Parham Road. Cost: $25. RSVP: 783-9314 or register online: www.grsbdc.com.

--Richmond Chapter of Institute of Management Accountants meets at noon, Bull & Bear, 901 E. Cary St., 21st floor. Mason Cockrell with Morgan Stanley gives "An Overview of the Current Market." Cost: $18 for members with reservations, $20 for guests and members without reservations. Reservations: IMA Hotline, 342-0654, e-mail: IMARICHMOND@THEIMA.ORG or register online: www.imarichmond.org.

--The Lunch Club Toastmasters meet at noon, Deep Run 1 Building at Circuit City Corporate Offices. Details: Tina Markoff, 527-4000, Ext. 3008.

--Synergy Business Club meets at noon, Beauregard's Thai Room, 103 E. Cary St. Details: Jim Stewart, 539-7408.

--Henrico Business Council meets at noon, Jefferson Lakeside Country Club, 1700 Lakeside Ave. The meetings are open and informal discussions with individual board members on topics of general interest. Speaker: Jim Donati with the Varina District. Reservations are required. RSVP: Ashley Hession, 783-9347 or e-mail: ashley.hession@grcc.com.

--Merrill Lynch and William Kavanagh offer "Choosing the Right Investment Strategy in a Difficult Market" …