Calendar

Next week, experts offer economic forecasts

With a new year looming, economists and other experts are ready to share their predictions for the national, state and local pictures in 2008. Expect much discussion of the housing market's woes, interest rates and fuel costs.

On Wednesday, the N.C. Chamber and N.C. Bankers Association's 2008 Economic Forecast will feature RBC Centura CEO Scott Custer, U.S. Comptroller General David Walker and National Association of Home Builders chief economist David Seiders. The event is at noon at the Sheraton Imperial RTP in Durham. $60. For more information, call (800) 662-7044 or visit www.ncbankers.org.

On Thursday, the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce's 2008 Economic Forecast will include John Silvia, chief economist at Wachovia, and Matthew Martin, an economist with the Federal Reserve Bank's Charlotte branch. The event is 7 to 10 a.m., Fletcher Opera Theater, Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh. Members $40, nonmembers $50. For more information, call 664-7082 or visit www.raleighchamber.org.

COMING UP

ENERGY MANAGEMENT I: MANAGING ENERGY FOR GREATER PROFITABILITY: offered by N.C. State University, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 7-11, Raleigh. $1,795. To register: 515-2261 or www.ies.ncsu.edu/events.

GRE, GMAT, LSAT EXAM PREP COURSES: free information session, 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 7, in RTP. GRE and GMAT prep courses begin Jan. 12-14; LSAT prep begins Feb. 21; Attend classes in the Triangle or by live Web cast, www.prepsuccess.com or 791-0810.

RALEIGH SENIORNET: computer classes for seniors, beginning Jan. 7, American Red Cross, 100 N. Peartree Lane, Raleigh. Contact: 954-3688 or www.raleighseniornet.org.

MASTER BLACK BELT MODULE -- STATISTICAL TOOLS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCT RELIABILITY: offered by N.C. State University, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 8 to 11, Raleigh. $2,495. To register: 515-2261 or www.ies.ncsu.edu/ events.

CFA NORTH CAROLINA SOCIETY: an association of investment professionals, presenting its 2008 Forecast Dinner, 5 p.m. Jan. 8, Grand Ballroom, Omni Hotel, 132 E. Trade St., Charlotte. Featuring market experts who will share their views on what's in store for the economy and the equity and fixed income markets. Contact: 676-3577.

APICS, THE ASSOCIATION FOR OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: Triangle chapter meeting, 6 p.m. Jan. 8, Tekelec, 5200 Paramount Parkway, Morrisville. Professor James W. Dean Jr. on "Why Do Some People Work So Hard While Others Are Hardly Working?" Members $20, nonmembers $30, students $10. Reservations by Jan. 4, 269-8560 or www.apics-triangle.org.

AMERICAN BUSINESS WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION: Tar Heel Capital chapter, 6:15 p.m. Jan. 8, N.C. State University Club, 4200 Hillsborough St., Raleigh. Featured speaker is Shellie Y. Pfohl, vice president of strategic development for Be Active North Carolina. $13 for dinner. Register by Jan. 3, Sydney Armstrong, sydney@tribeagles.org or 787-4743.

SIX SIGMA EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW: offered by N.C. State University, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 9, Raleigh. $145. To register: 515-2261 or www.ies. ncsu.edu/events.

WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS NETWORK OF CARY: 11:30 a.m. Jan. 9, Matthews House, 317 W. Chatham St., Cary. Julie Bernier of Lasting Impressions on "New Year -- New You! Dress Slim Solutions -- How to Lose 15 lbs. in 5 Minutes ... and Create a Visually Slimming Appearance for the New Year." Reservations: www.wbon-cary.org or Ruth Drum, 424-3801.

INTERNATIONAL FACILITY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION: Greater Triangle chapter meeting, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 9, N.C. Museum of Art. Program topic is "New Museum Expansion Project." Members $20, nonmembers $40. Reservations: 606-1262 or www.ifmatriangle.org.