An initiative funded by a $240 million appropriation approved by Congress for fiscal year 2001 may benefit communities across Alaska in reducing the threat of wildfires. Thirty-eight Alaska communities were included on a list of country-wide communities initially proposed to be eligible for the program and published in the Jan. 4 Federal Register. Specific actions to reduce the threat of wildfires will vary in the communities that met the initial criteria for wildland-interface communities. Among the suggested actions are thinning dense stands of trees, reducing excessive undergrowth and working to reduce the most common causes of wildfire: escaped campfires, debris burning, land clearing, discarding of smoking materials and children playing with fire.

A report prepared by the International Pacific Halibut Commission, at the request of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, to identify options for monitoring the incidental catch of the endangered short-tailed albatross in the Pacific halibut fishery in federally-managed waters off Alaska is available. NOAA Fisheries will use the report to prepare and implement a monitoring plan for the seabirds. The report can be found at (www.fakr.noaa.gov/protectedresources/seabirds/IPHCrpt.pdf).

Kudos

As part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Small Business Development Program, the Association of Small Business Development Centers recognized an outstanding SBDC employee from each state/regional office in Miami Beach at the annual conference. The State Stars represent SBDC employees demonstrating exemplary performance, making significant contributions to their state's SBDC programs and showing a strong commitment to small business. The Association of Small Business Development Centers recognized Tim Sullivan, former director of the Mat-Su Borough Small Business Development Center, as the Jubilee 2000 State Star for Alaska.

More than 50,000 women-owned and minority businesses voted the U.S. Small Business Administration as America's top government agency for promoting multicultural business opportunities in an Internet poll geared towards businesses with a diversity focus. The four-day online poll was conducted by DIV2000 .com, a business portal providing the link between women- and minority-owned businesses, Fortune 1000 companies, government agencies, colleges and universities.

Northrim Bank's board of directors has declared a 5 cent per share dividend for shareholders of record at close of business Jan. 19 to be paid Jan. 30. This is the bank's 24th consecutive quarterly cash dividend.

The Alaska State Home Builders Association has recognized two members for achievement and dedication to the profession during 2000. Clai Porter of NCP Design/Build Ltd. was chosen the 2000 Builder of the Year. Evan Rowland of Alaska Homes Inc. was selected "Lead Dog" for 2000 for recruiting the most new members during the year.

The Alaska Club Network has been recognized by Fitness Management Magazine with a 2000 NOVA 7 Award for innovation in the area of promotions, sales and marketing. Judges recognized the Alaska Club's Millennium Mailer project that involved mailing an ice scraper and direct mail piece to 25,000 prospective members. The Alaska Club Network has won the award for the second year in a row.

Media

Earth, Fire and Fibre, a statewide craft exhibition which attracted hundreds of entries, will open to the public with a reception from 1-3 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Anchorage Museum of History and Art. The exhibit remains on view through March 25. It will then travel to Kenai, Fairbanks, Juneau and other communities around the state. Earth, Fire and Fibre was funded with grants from the Alaska State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Matching funds were made available by BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc., the Municipality of Anchorage and the Anchorage Museum Association.

TimeFrame, a digital printer in Anchorage, is holding the Great Alaska Computer Clip-art Contest and is seeking submissions from both amateur and professional graphic artists of Alaska-themed clip-art images. Contest rules and entry details are available at (www.tframe.com) or by calling 907-562-3822.

Much obliged

BP has increased its commitment to the Special Olympics movement with a $1.6 million guarantee to underwrite the national broadcast of the opening ceremony of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games Alaska. BP's commitment enables the Games Organizing Committee to buy television time for a national broadcast, then sell advertising to help fund the production. The committee is currently finalizing negotiations with celebrities to entertain at the ceremony.