ONGOING

SMALL BUSINESS AWARDS  | COUNTYWIDE – Nominations now accepted for the second annual Salute to Small Business awards program. A gala awards luncheon on Oct. 18 will feature a keynote speech by motivational speaker Vince Lombardi, Jr. Companies must be at least 3 years old with headquarters in Monterey County. They must also be independent and privately owned and have annual sales no greater than $5 million. Find nomination forms at unionbank.com/salute2biz, or at Union Bank branches: 1890 North Main St., Salinas; 531 South Main St., Salinas; 1400 Munras Ave., Monterey; 1957 Fremont Blvd., Seaside; 580 Lighthouse Ave., Pacific Grove; and 8071 San Miguel Canyon Rd., Prunedale. 722-3976.

7|19THURS

LATINO NETWORK LUNCHEON | SALINAS – Natividad Medical Center CEO William Foley discusses the hospital’s road to recovery. Reservations recommended. Noon-1pm. Chapala Restaurant, 438 Salinas St., Salinas. $10 buffet lunch. 757-4959.

7|20FRI

DEMOCRATIC CLUB MEETS | SALINAS – The Salinas Valley Democratic Club holds its general membership meeting, including audio and video clips of presidential candidates, along with presentations by delegates to the recent State Democratic Convention. 6pm/potluck dinner; 7pm/program. Teamsters Hall, 931 East Market St., Salinas. Free. 758-9503.

7|23MON

CARMEL GENERAL PLAN | CARMEL – The last of three public workshops on Carmel’s General Plan, today’s meeting includes a dialogue on traffic circulation and noise. 4pm. Carmel Women’s Club, San Carlos at Eighth, Carmel. Free. 620-2010.

DEMOCRATIC FUNDRAISER | SAND CITY – Join Barack Obama supporters to watch the CNN Democratic candidates debate. Refreshments provided. 7:30pm. Ol’ Factory Café, 1725 Contra Costa St., Sand City. $25 suggested donation. 583-0693.

7|25WEDS

ADOPTION SUPPORT GROUP | SALINAS – The Kinship Center, a nonprofit adoption and foster care agency, hosts monthly support groups for birth parents and adult adoptees. Attendees must be 18, unless accompanied by a parent. 7-9pm. Kinship Center, 124 River Rd., Salinas. Free. 455-4702.