The Homer Chamber of Commerce has awarded Fritz Creek General Store the 2002 business of the year award and Mark Robinson the 2002 citizen of the year award. The recipients were honored at the annual chamber awards mixer last Friday. Robinson, who has been teaching music at Homer area schools for 18 years, was recognized for his efforts to organize and conduct the Mozart Requiem Memorial as well as his work with the Kenai Peninsula Orchestra.

The Fritz Creek Store, owned and operated by Sean Maryott and Diana Carbonell since 2000, was recognized for its increased quality home-cooking as well as its neighborhood atmosphere. In addition, the store was recognized for its support of ski trail grooming, McNeil Canyon School and other community efforts. The store was selected from the following nominees: Bay Realty, The Fringe and Smoky Bay Natural Foods.

Nominees for the citizen of the year were Jill Berryman, Dave Brann and Deb Germano.

Business moves

Buckley and Associates, PC has moved to its new location at 3691 Ben Walters Lane, No. 1. For more information, call 235-2464.

Business workshop offered

The Homer Chamber of Commerce and Kenai Peninsula Small Business Development Center are putting on a workshop entitled, "Quick Marketing on a Shoestring." Its focus will be on attracting new customers without breaking the bank and will teach basic opportunities for maximizing business exposure on a minimal budget.

The workshop, facilitated by Mark Gregory, is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Homer chamber office. The cost is $15 for chamber members, $25 for nonmembers.

For more information, call Lou at 262-7497.

Bank announces staff promotions

First National Bank Alaska has announced a series of statewide staff promotions, including one in its Homer branch, where Operations Supervisor Sun Felthauser has been promoted to assistant cashier.

Established in 1922, First National is Alaska's largest Alaskan-owned and operated bank, with 27 branches throughout Alaska and ATMs in 17 rural communities.

SBS offers scholarship

Applications are now available for high school seniors to apply for the Spenard Builders Supply scholarship. A $2,000 to $4,000 scholarship will be awarded to assist an Alaska high school senior in pursing a vocational career for the benefit of Alaska's future. The SBS Scholarship Foundation works with VICA, an organization for students involved in trade, industrial, technical and health occupations.

"SBS realizes the importance of a well-educated work force," said SBS President Ed Waite in a press release. "Our hope is that this scholarship will assist an Alaska student in getting a good education that he or she can later apply to a career in a trade specialty."

High school seniors who are graduating from any Alaska public secondary school are eligible to apply for the scholarship.

They must have at least a 2.6 grade-point-average, be currently enrolled in or have completed vocational courses, and have well-defined vocational goals with realistic plans to achieve those goals.

Deadline for applying for the 2003 SBS scholarship is April 15, and a recipient will be announced no later than May 15. Applications can be obtained through scholarship advisers at Alaska's high schools. Applications also can be picked up at all Spenard Builders Supply stores. For more information, call Pat Anderson at 261-9150.

Spenard Builders Supply is Alaska's largest building materials supplier, with 11 locations throughout the state, from Barrow to Sitka.

Monument fund-raiser under way

Limited edition acrylic prints by Kenai Peninsula artist Ed Tussey are being sold to help offset the cost of the United States Coast Guard Buoy Tender Monument, which is planned for the Homer Spit. The print, entitled "Next Watch," pictures the recently decommissioned cutter Sedge and its replacement, the Hickory, which will arrive in Homer soon. There are 225 signed and numbered prints available for $125 each. Call 235-7076 for more information.