ONGOING

BUSINESS PLANS | COUNTYWIDE – The Monterey Bay Regional Business Plan Competition is accepting applications for start-ups that show how they will create jobs. The competition hopes to attract investors to the region and encourage entrepreneurship. Prizes range from $1,000 for the winning student team to $50,000 for the winning venture-play company. Applications due Feb. 28, available at www.MBRcompetition.com.

HOSPICE VOLUNTEERS | MONTEREY – CHOMP’s Hospice of the Central Coast is seeking volunteers to help provide respite to caregivers and patients. Hairstylists and massage therapists are particularly needed, but a variety of administrative, transportation and other tasks can help. Volunteer application due Feb. 28 for a training session beginning March 15. 649-7755. www.chomp.org.

THURSDAY 2|17

NGO STRATEGIES | MONTEREY – Middlebury international relations professor Sarah Stroup speaks on the roots of international nongovernmental organizations as part of the Monterey-Middlebury lecture series. 5:15pm. MIIS, McGowan Building Room 100, 411 Pacific St. Free.

SATURDAY 2|19

DUST BOWL TALES | SALINAS – The Salinas Public Library and California Council for the Humanities Making a Difference Project invite locals to share and listen to stories of Salinas and the Alisal in the 1930s. Participants are encouraged to bring photographs and artifacts. 1pm. Steinbeck Library, 350 Lincoln Ave. Free. For information, 758-7302. www.salinaspubliclibrary.org.

SUNDAY 2|20

LIGHTHOUSE VOLUNTEERS | MONTEREY – Central Coast Lighthouse Keepers seeks volunteers for Pt. Pinos and Pt. Sur to greet visitors and lead tours. Details at this introductory meeting. 1pm. State Park Headquarters, 211 Garden Rd. For information, 624-7570 or www.pointsur.org.

IMPACTS OF WAR | SEASIDE – The Peace Coalition presents the HBO documentary WARTORN, 1861-2010, on troops and family members coping with PTSD. A VA health clinician will lead discussion after the screening. 3pm. Peace Resource Center, 1364 Fremont Blvd. Free, with donations welcome. www.peacemonterey.org.