Homer Saw and Cycle has announced a monthly drawing for a massage. In an effort to encourage personal fitness, the Ocean Drive business will enter the name of anyone who logs one hour of exercise each week into its monthly drawing.

For more information, call Claire Waxman at 235-8406.

2003 charter logbooks available

Saltwater charter logbooks for 2003 are now available at the Homer office of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Proof of registration and vessel licensing is required in order to pick up a logbook.

Sport fishing charter businesses operating in salt waters are required by law to maintain a logbook for each vessel. Logbooks are to be filled out daily, and the white copies returned to Fish and Game on a weekly basis, even if the charter vessel is inactive that week. Timely completion and delivery of logbook pages will be strictly enforced. Charter operators who are found in violation will be subject to investigation by Alaska State Troopers.

For more information, call Fish and Game at 235-8191.

New chamber officers installed

The Homer Chamber of Commerce held its annual meeting Tuesday and introduced its new board of directors. The new board officers are: president, Julie Woodworth, from Wells Fargo Bank; vice president, Mary Ann Rowe, from First American Title; and secretary-treasurer, Mike McHone, from Heritage Hotel.

Chamber Mixer features awards

The Homer Chamber of Commerce will announce its annual citizen and business of the year at its monthly mixer on Friday. This month's mixer is hosted by Era Aviation and will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center on the Sterling Highway. The event, which features door prizes, will be catered by Don Jose's and is open to chamber members or anyone wishing to join the chamber. Call 235-7740 for more information.

Awards banquet Saturday

The Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Community Awards Banquet at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the Anchor River Inn. A no-host social opens the event, and is followed by a no-host dinner, available for $20. The award presentation will begin at 8 p.m.

Department of Defense honors bank

Wells Fargo & Company has been recognized as a "Patriotic Employer" by the Department of Defense (DOD) for practicing personnel policies that go above and beyond the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) to support employee participation in the National Guard and Reserve.

"Wells Fargo clearly goes above and beyond its duty in serving its military members and their families with differential pay and extended benefits," said Ken Wilson, chair of Northern California Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. "By providing encouragement and support for Wells Fargo members in the armed forces, Wells Fargo sets an outstanding example for other companies".

The nomination makes Wells Fargo eligible for the 2003 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, to be announced in June. This award recognizes the nation's top employers who provide the highest standard of civic responsibility and unique support to National Guard and Reserve employees.

Unemployment tax refunds available

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development has announced that some Alaska workers may be eligible for unemployment tax refunds.

Greg O'Claray, commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development, said any employee who worked for more than one employer in 2002 and had in excess of $130 in unemployment taxes deducted for the year can apply to the department for a refund of any overage.

The Employment Security Division of Labor and Workforce Development collects taxes for the unemployment insurance program. Alaska is one of only three states where both the employer and the worker contribute to the fund from which unemployment benefits are paid. State statutes provide for a refund for any worker who contributes more than $130, which is the per-employee maximum, based on the taxable wage base of $26,000.

Forms to apply for a refund can be obtained by contacting the Employment Security Tax office in Juneau at (888) 448-3527 or by writing to the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Employment Security Tax Office, P.O. Box 25509, Juneau, AK 99802-5509.

Refund forms are also available online at www.labor.state.ak.us/estax/forms/toc-forms.htm and can be downloaded, filled out and e-mailed to esd_tax@labor.state.ak.us.

Requests for refunds must be made by Dec. 31.

KPEDD board meets

The Kenai Peninsula Economic Development District and Kenai Peninsula Opportunities, Inc. held its annual board of directors meeting last week in Kenai. Newly elected officers included Randy Daly, president, Brandll Ohlsen, vice president, Craig Chapman, treasurer and Scott McLane, secretary. For further information regarding board meetings call 283-3335.