A final decision about a new Arby's restaurant in Homer could be made today, according to Mike Navarre, president of Arby's Inc. in Alaska.

Navarre, former borough mayor and state legislator, whose family owns Arby's franchises in Kenai, Soldotna, Wasilla, Eagle River and Anchorage, said Tuesday he will meet this morning with representatives of Petro Marine, which owns the Sterling Highway space vacated by Burger King in early December.

"I think we'll make a decision then," Navarre said from his company headquarters in Kenai. "It really boils down to whether we can make a good arrangement (with Petro Marine)."

Navarre said there is no target date identified yet for an opening, if the decision is made to move forward. But he added that the hope would be to "put the operation together in the first quarter (of this year)."

The Arby's chain specializes in roast beef

sandwiches.

Store leaves mark on nonprofits

The Fringe, Homer's clothing consignment store with a conscience, recently celebrated its first anniversary. The Pioneer Avenue business, which offers consignees the option to shares their profits with area nonprofit organizations, made donations in excess of $3,600 to 19 different nonprofits in 2002, with Women's Services receiving the bulk of the donations -- nearly $2,000, according to store owner Kari Multz-Howell.

"We're really excited about helping the community funnel their donations through The Fringe and turning their clothing into cash to contribute to causes they believe in," Multz-Howell said. "I feel such gratitude toward the community for being a part of The Fringe."

Multz-Howell also noted changes in store for the new year, including one to her staff, as store "womanager" Kammi Matson heads to school in New Mexico.

The Fringe, which offers a diverse collection of regular and vintage clothing and shoes, as well as locally made soaps, lotions, jewelry, T-shirts, art and wearble art, is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For questions or appointments to bring in clothing, call 235-4999.

Homer Exposure set for May

The Homer Chamber of Commerce has announced that this year's annual "Homer Exposure" weekend will be May 2-4. The event, with its "too good to be true" deals on tour and lodging packages, is designed to showcase the area as a tourist destination.

Businesses are invited to sign up for a spot in the Exposure booklet mailer listing a brief description of the business and its weekend offering. The mailer is circulated to more than 5,000 Alaskans and is distributed at sports shows in Anchorage and Fairbanks.

The listing will also be featured on the chamber Web site.

Application forms can be picked up at the Homer Chamber of Commerce office, 201 Sterling Highway. The fee is $30 for members, $50 for nonmembers.

For more information, call Amanda Hargett

at 235-7740.

New building open

The new Kachemak Bay Title building on Ben Walters Lane is officially open. Kachemak Bay Title is occupying the upper level, and attorney Michael Hough will be relocating to the building later this month. A single additional space is available, and will be built to suit the needs of the new tenant.

Homer chamber ballots available

The Homer Chamber of Commerce has ballots available to the public for selection of the 2002 person and business of the year.

Nominees for person of the year are Jill Berryman, Dave Brann, Deb Germano and Mark Robinson. Nominees for business of the year are Bay Realty, Fritz Creek General Store, The Fringe and Smoky Bay Natural Foods.

The final list of nominees was compiled by the chamber from suggestions received from the public in December.

Ballots and ballot boxes are located at the chamber office on the Sterling Highway, Homer City Hall, Wells Fargo, First National Bank Alaska, Eagle Quality Center, Fritz Creek General Store, Spenard Builders Supply and Ulmer's Drug and Hardware.

Ballots can also be found online at www.homeralaska.org, but they must be printed and faxed, mailed or dropped off.

Voting closes on Jan. 27, and winners will be announced at the January Chamber Mixer on Jan. 31.

For more information, call the chamber at

235-7740.

Anchor Point nominations sought

The Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce is also soliciting nominations for its annual community awards. Official forms are available at various businesses around town, and nominations are being sought for the following categories: youth of the year, senior of the year, business of the year, citizen of the year, and employee of the year.

The deadline for submission is Jan. 24. Any questions can be directed to Kathy Toms at 235-2411, or Joanne Collins at 235-2600.

Shellfish permits due

Residents are reminded that the 2002 Cook Inlet-Resurrection Bay shellfish permits are due in to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game by Jan. 31. This includes harvest information from the shellfish fishery in Cook Inlet Resurrection Bay saltwater areas, hardshell clams in the Kachemak Bay area and any shellfish taken with pots.

Please return your permit even if you did not fish. If you lost your permit, write your name, mailing address, fishing license number, driver's license number, names of household members, dates you went out for shellfish even if nothing was harvested, number of people on the permit who fished, and how many crab and or clams were harvested.

Specify the time of crab and clams. Send information to State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game -- Sportfish RTS, 333 Raspberry Road, Anchorage, AK, 99518-1599.

If you have your original permit you can also drop it off at the ADF&G office in Homer.