SMALL BUSINESS

TUESDAY, JAN. 5

SCORE CONSULTATION: Bring your small-business idea for one-on-one confidential counseling. 1-4 p.m. Free. Ridgedale Library, 12601 Ridgedale Dr., Minnetonka.

BUSINESS OWNER ADVISORY COUNCIL MEETING: Advance registration required. the-meridian-group.com. 7:30 a.m.-noon. $99. Crowne Plaza Bloomington, 5401 Green Valley Dr., Bloomington. 952-942-8560.

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 6

PATENT WORKSHOP: Learn about intellectual property, the patent process and how to do a preliminary patent search. Advance registration required. 4:30-5:30 p.m. Free. Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-543-8000.

THURSDAY, JAN. 7

SMALL BUSINESS SEMINAR: Learn the basics for starting a business. Presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Noon-1 p.m. Free. James J. Hill Center, 80 W. 4th St., St. Paul. 612-370-2324.

SATURDAY, JAN. 9

LEGALCORPS WORKSHOP: "Choosing the Right Form of Business Ownership." 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.

MONDAY, JAN. 11

SCORE CONSULTATION: Bring your small-business idea for one-on-one confidential counseling. 4-6 p.m. Free. Southdale Library, 7001 York Av. S., Edina. 952-938-4570.

SMALL BUSINESS COUNSELING: One-to-one counseling presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration. 4-6 p.m. Free. Southdale Library, 7001 York Av. S., Edina.

TUESDAY, JAN. 12

LEGALCORPS CONSULTATION: Legal advice from volunteer attorneys. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-543-8000.

SCORE CONSULTATION: Bring your small-business idea for one-on-one confidential counseling. 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Free. Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-543-8000.

SMALL BUSINESS COUNSELING: Presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration. 10 a.m.-noon. Free. Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls.

THURSDAY, JAN. 14

BASIC BUSINESS STEPS SESSION: A representative from the U.S. Small Business Administration will speak. Advance registration required. 3-4 p.m. Free. Minneapolis Central Library, 300 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-543-8000.