Phoenix AM Breakfast Discussion Series, Tom's Restaurant & Tavern, 1 Renaissance Square, 2 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Maricopa Integrated Health System CEO Betsey Bayless and Maricopa County Special Health Care District board of directors member Paulina Morris will talk about how services and specialties offered by MIHS benefit patients in the Phoenix area and throughout Arizona. Cost: Free; breakfast extra. Information/RSVP.: (602) 496-1000 or e-mail ASUlectures@asu.edu.

Home-based Business Council Meeting, ASBA Conference Center 4130 E. Van Buren St., Ste. 150, Phoenix. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This is a hands-on seminar presented by Sara Korn, founder of Triple E Creative, LLC, where participants will draft and refine their personal "30-second commercials." Cost: Free, members; $20, non-members. Information: (602) 265-4563.

Greater Phoenix Economic Council Luncheon, Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, Casa Grande Rm., 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The lunch is focused on increasing business connections between Arizona and Québec. Keynote speaker former Québec Premier Pierre-Marc Johnson will present: "Québec – Arizona: Hot Trade with the Cool North." Cost: $50. Information: www.gpec.org/quebec.html.

Valley Citizens League State Budget Luncheon, ASU Downtown Campus, Mercado, 502 W. Monroe, Phoenix. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Confirmed speakers include Senate President Tim Bee, House Speaker Jim Weiers, House Minority Leader Phil Lopes and Senate Assistant Minority Leader Jorge Luis Garcia. Cost: $15, members; $25, non-members. Information/RSVP: (602) 250-3747 or e-mail: rsvp@valleycitizensleague.org.

AASBO May Meeting, Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2532 W. Peoria Ave., Phoenix. 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. The Arizona Association of School Business Officials meeting will include and update from the Auditor General's Office and the Arizona Department of Education, a real estate presentation, tips on energy saving, a legislative update and more. Cost: Free, members; $18, non-members. Information/RSVP: Contact Ana Sanchez (602) 253-5576.

Project Civil Discourse Kick-Off Event, Virginia G. Piper Auditorium, 550 E. Van Buren, Phoenix. 6:30 p.m. The Arizona Humanities Council's new series will be kicked off with speaker Mike McCurry, former press secretary for President Bill Clinton. McCurry's topic is: "Improving Political Discourse in the Media: Fantasy or Reality?" Cost: Freee. Information/RSVP: (602) 257-0335.

AAED 2008 Spring Conference, Prescott Resort, 1500 Highway 69, Prescott. Three-day event. 9 a.m. The theme for the annual event is "Unspun: Revealing truths and myths behind global and local trends and what it means to Arizona.” The keynote speaker is Dr. David K. Foot, professor of economics at the University of Toronto and author of "Boom, Bust & Echo: How to Profit from the Coming Demographic Shift." Cost: $295-$445. Information: (602) 240-2233.

Governor’s Conference on Aging, Mesa Convention Center, 263 N. Center St., Mesa. Three-day event. The conference, focused on the state's workforce and civic engagement, will feature sessions geared toward employers in communities of all sizes, networking opportunities and interactive displays. Governor Napolitano and Attorney General Terry Goddard are the keynote speakers. Information: (602) 542-4710 or visit www.azagingconf.com.

NAWBO Luncheon, Phoenix Airport Marriott, 1101 N. 44th St., Phoenix. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Motivation speaker Lisa Howze will present "From Start-up to Stardom: 'The Power of Staging Your Own Success.'" Information: 480-282-5176. Information: 480-282-5176.

Goldwater Institute 2008 Speaker Series Luncheon, Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. Noon. Recognized internationally as an expert on world history and international affairs, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich will offer his unique perspective on what we can learn from the history of conservatism, in addition to provocative solutions to some of the most pressing public policy issues society faces today. Cost: $35, members; $50, non-members. Information: Contact Jenn Bryson (602)-462-5000 x229.

Women's Empowerment Retreat, Chaparral Suites Resort, 5001 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. Two-day event. 5:30 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Dr. Joel Martin, president of Triad West, Inc. and author of the book "How to Be a Positively Powerful Person" will be the keynote presenter at the event titled “Positively Powerful Women Celebrate!” Cost: $250; after May 1, $290. Information: (480) 563-5585 or visit www.triadwest.com.

Carnegie Center Lunchtime Speaker Series , Carnegie Center, 1101 W. Washington, Phoenix. Noon to 1p.m. Dr. Chris Marin, historian of the Chicano/a Research Collection at ASU's Hayden Library, provides examples of how Mexicanos made contributions to the history and development of early Phoenix. Cost: Free. Information: (602) 926-3368.

Arizona Green Party General Membership Meeting, First Christian Church, Room 109, 740 E. Speedway, Tucson. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The meeting will feature chapter reports, endorsements of statewide candidates, AZGP presidential preference results and selection of candidates to the national convention. Information: (602) 417-0213 or e-mail: info@azgp.org.

“Get Happy. Give Hope.” Happy Hour, Olive and Ivy Restaurant & Marketplace, 7135 E. Camelback Road, Ste. 195, Scottsdale. 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A fundraising event benefiting Arizona Women’s Education & Employment (AWEE) featuring networking, raffle prizes and a silent auction. The event is being put on by AWEE’s Special Projects Committee, a group of young professionals dedicated to raising community awareness about AWEE. Cost: $35. Information: (602) 223-4345.

2008 Workforce Development Conference, Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, 2400 E. Missouri Ave., Phoenix. 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event aimed at providing an open discussion with leaders in construction, education, healthcare, IT and manufacturing. The conference will conclude with Phoenix Forum speaker and author of "Generation Why" Eric Chester. Cost: $125. Information: (602) 495-2182.

Arizona Capitol Museum Lunch Bunch Series, Arizona Capitol Museum, 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix. 12:15 p.m. to 1 p.m. The ongoing series is offered the third Wednesday of each month. Arizona Legislative Wrap-up. Information: (602) 926-3620.

Arizona Contractors Association Educational Seminar, Auditorium, 3003 N. Central Ave., Phoenix. 8 a.m. to noon. Audrey McGhee of the Arizona Department of Revenue will discuss taxibility issues with contarcting classification. Todd Johnson of the Arizona Department of Homeland Security will discuss general worksite issues. Cost: $30, ACA members; $60, non-members. Information: (602) 246-8627.

2008 APRA Conference on Open Space, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) National Training Center, 9828 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix. 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The theme for the Arizona Parks and Recreation Association event, "Quality of Life Amidst Hypergrowth. It is Possible!" will tackle the questions: Do we need to slow down growth? Change our development model? Go vertical? Emulate Europe? and others. Cost: $100. Information: (800) 335-PARK.

BioBriefing, SkySong, 2nd Floor, 1475 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale. 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The class, promising to provide "industry knowledge for the non-scientist," will feature an overview of the players, the technology, the science and the future of the biotech industry in Arizona. Cost: $500, AzBio members; $545, non-members. Information: (410) 377-4429.

WIPP Instant Impact Team Kick-Off Meeting, Small Business Administration Arizona District Office, 2828 N. Central Ave., Ste. 800, Phoenix. 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The program is designed to enable and inspire small business owners and those focused on small business initiatives to take the next step to be proactively involved in advocacy on small and women’s business issues. Cost: $60. Information: (480) 282-5176.

Hispanic Business Magazine’s 6th Annual Woman of the Year Awards, JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, 5350 E. Marriott Drive, Phoenix. The event will feature a keynote address, interactive panel sessions and networking opportunities. The honoree will be chosen from 20 finalists. Cost: $250, general; $150, small business; $99, students. Information: (800) 205-9459.

Arizona Business Leadership Luncheon, The Phoenician Resort, 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. NASDAQ Chief Economist Dr. Frank M. Hatheway will discusses the current IPO environment and raising capital in today’s economy. Cost: $55, members; $60, non-members. Information: (480) 496-4229.

AZSAE Member Lunch Program, Jobing.com Headquarters, 4747 N. 22nd St., Ste. 100, Phoenix. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The topic for the Arizona Society of Association Executives' lunch is: "Beyond the Blog: Engaging Members & Building Community Using Social Media." Cost: $35, members; $45, non-members. Information: (602) 266-0133.

An Evening with John McCain Fundraiser, Phoenix Convention Center West Building, 100 N. Third St., Phoenix. 6:30 p.m. Special Guest President George W. Bush will honor Sen. John McCain at the event, which will feature a private reception and photo opportunities. Information: Contact Andrea Tyler Evans (602) 448-5959 or e-mail aevans@mccain08hq.com.