Ongoing

FOOD DRIVE | MONTEREY – The Hope Center at the McGowan House is holding food drives. Collections are taking place at: Monterey Church, 423 Alvarado St., Sundays until Easter; Santa Catalina School, 1500 Mark Thomas Drive; St. James Episcopal Church, 381 High St., Sundays. Kids in the Deer Flats neighborhood will collect non-perishable food items from neighbors on Sunday, March 28 from 2-4pm. 915-9160.

CENSUS TAKERS | MONTEREY COUNTY – The U.S. Census Bureau is testing applicants to conduct the 2010 Census. Census takers are paid $15.50 an hour plus 50 cents per mile. www.2010.census.gov/2010censusjobs. 866-861-2010.

Thursday 3|25

BUSINESS FORUM | MONTEREY – The Monterey County Young Professionals Group presents a business speaker event with Tonya Antle, Earthbound Farm vice president of sales; Bill Barr, Professor of Leadership at UC Berkeley; and Gill Campbell, CEO of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. 6pm. The Clement, 750 Cannery Row, Monterey. $10. www.mcypg.org.

Saturday 3|27

HEBBRON CLEANUP | SALINAS – The Hebbron Family Center presents a spring neighborhood cleanup event. 9am-noon cleanup. 11am-3pm activities. Hebbron Family Center, 683 Fremont St., Salinas. 775-4234.

PARK BEAUTIFICATION | MARINA – Return of the Natives invites volunteers to help plant native vegetation and pick up litter at Locke-Paddon Community Park. Water, snacks and tools provided. 10am-noon. Reservation Road at Del Monte Boulevard, Marina. Follow the signs to behind the library. http://watershed.csumb.edu/ron.

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT | SEASIDE – The Women’s Empowerment Retreat seeks to “empower women by raising consciousness of health, self awareness, economic, education, and relationship issues affecting our community.” Noon-5pm. Oldemeyer Center, 986 Hilby Ave., Seaside. Free. www.montereydst.com/register.

Wednesday 3|31

GPU5 REVIEW | SALINAS – The Monterey County Planning Commission begins review of the county’s general plan and environmental impact report. 9am. Board of Supervisors Chambers, 168 W. Alisal St., Salinas. 755-5066.