■ The Soldotna Chamber of Commerce meets at noon today at Froso’s Restaurant in Soldotna. Lt. Dane Gilmore with the Alaska State Troopers will give a presentation on background checks and your business. RSVP to 262-9814. A free workshop on background checks also is scheduled for 2-4 p.m. today at the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge visitors center.

■ The Kenai Chamber of Commerce meets at noon Wednesday at the Kenai Visitors Center. Heidi Chay, Kenai Soil and Water Conservation District Manager, will provide an update. RSVP to 283-1991.

AAA Auto is pleased to announce the Grand Opening of its new facility, Boston’s Auto, on Jan. 4, 2016, located at, 36210 Kenai Spur Highway in Soldotna, across the street from its current facility. Thanks to its loyal customer base, AAA Auto has outgrown its old shop and is building a new 9 bay, 8,000 square foot facility to continue to meet all of your Subaru repair needs. Boston’s Auto is family owned and operated with a combined total of over 80 years of Subaru repair experience by its Master Mechanics.

Kenai and Soldotna area banks and credit unions are hosting an annual “Barrels in Every Branch” food and fund drive for the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank. When doing your banking, please consider making a deposit to the Food Bank — just ask you teller how it works and or bring canned items to deposit in a barrel. Many businesses are also having Food Drives.

In Soldotna: Midas; Gamas Designs; Safeway “Buy a Bag” campaign; Save U More; Safe & Sound.

In Kenai: Golden Tan; IGA Country Foods; Safeway “Buy a Bag” campaign; Three Bears.

If anyone would like to join in with a food drive to help our hungry neighbors please call 262-3111 or visit www.kpfoodbank.org.

Alaska’s Top Forty Under 40, sponsored by the Alaska Journal of Commerce, recognizes the state’s top professionals younger than age 40 who have demonstrated professional excellence and a commitment to their community. Nominees must be younger than age 40 before Jan. 1, 2016, must live and work in Alaska year-round, must have demonstrated professional excellence in their field, and must display a commitment to the community.

To make a nomination, go to www.alaskajournal.com/webform/top-40-under-40.

The deadline to receive entries is 5 p.m., Jan. 15, 2016. Winners will be announced Jan. 29. Employees and family members of Morris Communications are not eligible.

The Top Forty Under 40 recipients will be recognized in a special publication by the Alaska Journal of Commerce and during an awards reception and dinner beginning at 6 p.m. on April 8, 2016, at the Hotel Captain Cook. For additional information, contact Managing Editor Andrew Jensen at editor@alaskajournal.com or 907-275-2165. Event sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Advertising Director Jada Nowling at 907-275-2154 or jada.nowling@morris.com.

The U.S. Small Business Administration is now accepting nominations for its 2016 National Small Business Week Awards, including the annual Small Business Person of the Year. Since 1963, National Small Business Week has recognized the outstanding achievements of America’s small businesses for their contributions to their local communities, and to our nation’s economy.

The dedicated website http://awards.sba.gov provides criteria and guidelines for submitting a nomination.

All nominations must be submitted no later than 3 p.m. EST, Jan. 11, 2016. In addition to the website, nominations can also be sent directly to an SBA District Office. For contact information and other District Office information visit online at http://www.sba.gov/districtoffices.

Have you opened a new business, moved to a new location, hired a new person or promoted an employee? Send us your information at news@peninsulaclarion.com, fax it to 907-283-3299, or drop it by the Clarion at 150 Trading Bay in Kenai.

Questions? Call 907-335-1251.

Business announcements may be submitted to news@peninsulaclarion.com. Items should be submitted by 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to publication.