■ The Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce will hold a joint luncheon at noon on Aug. 20 at the Kenai Visitor Center. An update on Washington, D.C. with Senator Lisa Murkowski is scheduled. RSVP to 262-9814 or 283-1991.

■ The Kenai and Soldotna Chambers of Commerce will host a joint luncheon at noon on Aug. 26 at the Soldotna Regional Sports Complex. A forum with candidates for state House is scheduled. RSVP to 262-9814 or 283-1991.

Doug Jung, Kenai Safeway, recently presented a check for $1,500 to Linda Swarner, Kenai Peninsula Food Bank Executive Director, because Kenai Safeway was one of the top sellers in the Western Region of the Buy a Bag program during the 2013 Campaign. Shoppers purchased prepackaged bags for $10 as they completed their grocery shopping in November and December. Bags included peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, noodles, tuna and vegetables. In 2013, central Kenai Peninsula shoppers purchased 15,851 pounds of food which produced over 10,500 meals. Be ready to purchase your 2014 Buy a Bag in November at your neighborhood Safeway.

The Kenai Soil & Water Conservation District has a wide variety of agricultural equipment for rent, including manual and mechanized tools for soil preparation (Meri Crusher), tillage, re-seeding, planting, pesticide and fertilizer application and bale wrapping. For information, see the “Equipment Rental” page at www.kenaisoilandwater.org or call 283-8732 ext. 5.

Marketing Your Business Seminar — What is advertising? What is marketing? Both are important and on Aug. 19 from 1 to 4 p.m., Bryan Zak will show you why, with tips that will help you plan your sales strategy to get your company’s service or product information to your buyers — while keeping within your budget! You need more than passion to succeed in business and both advertising and marketing should be on your list! The $50 seminar is here in Suite 12 in the Red Diamond Center on Kalifornsky Beach Road and is free to our U.S. Veterans. If you are a Veteran, contact Bunny at 260-5629. Deadline to register is Aug. 15. Payment may be made via cash, check, or using the online UPAY for credit cards.

Starting a Business Seminar — If you want to put your idea to work, attend a free 2-hour “Starting a Business” seminar on Aug. 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Red Diamond Center, Suite 12, where Bryan Zak will answer your basic questions and offer helpful resources to give you tools to start your own business on the Kenai Peninsula. Bryan will prepare you for a productive relationship with Alaska Small Business Development Center and our partner programs, and explain the value of our free counseling services. Deadline to register online is Aug. 21.

For more information or to register, call 907-260-5629 or visit http://aksbdc.ecenterdirect.com.

The following job skills workshops will be offered at the Peninsula Job Center the week of Aug. 18:

Monday, Aug. 18 — 10:30 a.m., Introduction to ALEXsys and the Job Center; 2:30 p.m., Interviewing Skills Workshop

Tuesday, Aug. 19 — 10:30 a.m. CareerReady 101 Lab.

Wednesday, Aug. 20 — 1:30 p.m., WorkKeys® Testing; 3:00 p.m., Job Search Strategies for the Ex-Offender

Thursday, Aug. 21 — 9:30 a.m., Resume Writing Workshop; 3:30 p.m. Vocational Rehabilitation Orientation.

Friday, Aug. 22 — No workshops offered.

All workshop are free of charge to the public.

Those interested in attending any workshops offered at the Peninsula Job Center can call 335-3010 or visit the job center located in Kenai at 11312 Kenai Spur Hwy., Suite No. 2. Business hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. excluding state and federal holidays.

You can also reserve space by clicking on the “Schedule Workshops” option located on the main screen in your ALEXsys account www.jobs.alaska.gov.

Business announcements may be submitted to news@peninsulaclarion.com.