Western Washington University librarian Rob Lopresti is this year's winner of the Black Orchid Novella Award for his novella "The Red Envelope," set in Greenwich Village in 1958.

The award is the major prize for mysteries of novella length (15,000 to 20,000 words). It's presented each year by Wolfe Pack, in cooperation with Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. Wolfe Pack is the organization of admirers of author Rex Stout and his most famous character, Nero Wolfe.

The prize consists of $1,000 and publication in the Mystery Magazine. "The Red Envelope" will appear in the July/August 2013 issue; it will be Lopresti's 22nd appearance in the magazine.

"Rex Stout is my favorite author of detective fiction, so it is a great honor to be recognized for writing in his tradition," Lopresti, who is a librarian for environmental sciences, environmental studies, Canadian-American Studies, and government information and maps at Western Libraries, said in a press release.

For more about Lopresti, see home.nas.com/lopresti.

FIREHOUSE SEEKS SHORT PERFORMANCES PIECES

Mandy Pidgeon and Matt and Alona Christman are inviting choreographers and other artists to submit works for the upcoming performance of "12 Minutes Max Bellingham," to take place Feb. 22-23 at Firehouse Performing Arts Center.

The group is looking for pieces less than 12 minutes in length in a variety of disciplines, including dance, theater, music, performance art and film. Mandy says they are aware that production costs add up quickly, so once a piece is complete and has gone through the audition process, the expense of theater rental, posters and tickets will be covered.

Applications are due by Jan. 7 for an audition slot the evening of Jan. 17. Auditions will be adjudicated by two local artists, who will pick five to seven pieces based on quality, show dynamics and technical feasibility. The adjudicators are Rich Brown from Western Washington University's theater department and Mandy, the founder of Local-Motion, which runs dance workshops and classes.

Applications are available at the Firehouse, at 12minutesmaxbellingham@gmail.com or at 360-296-3766. You can follow the group at facebook.com/12MinutesMaxBellingham.

INSIDE LOOK AT WORLD OF NORTHWEST BALLET OUT IN PAPERBACK

Seattle author Steve Manes wrote to let me know his 910-page book, "Where Snowflakes Dance and Swear: Inside the Land of Ballet," is out in paperback. It's $24.99 and exactly the same size (and, almost, the same weight, he jokes) as the original.

If you've ever been curious about what happens backstage and after-hours at Seattle's Pacific Northwest Ballet, one of the country's most prestigious companies, his book is packed with details about ongoing injuries (both physical and emotional) among company members, what goes on in the planning of a season's shows, and even a few references to Bellingham dancers. Details: wheresnowflakesdanceandswear.com.

LIGHTHOUSE MISSION SEEKS ART WORKS FOR ANNIVERSARY BENEFIT

Lighthouse Mission Ministries is looking for works in watercolor, oil, acrylic, pastels and mixed media collage for a private art show and reception Jan. 31 at Whatcom Museum's Old City Hall.

The show will be the kickoff event for the mission's "90 Days for 90 Years Celebration." Events include the unveiling of a mural that was designed by Bellingham artist Ben Mann and painted by mission guests for the mission's chapel.

It's preferable, but not essential, that art submitted or donated should reflect the theme of a lighthouse or the theme of the mission, which provides meals, shelter and hope. Donated art work will be auctioned at a later date, with proceeds going to support mission programs.

Digital copies should be submitted for review to susansutton@thelighthousemission.org by Jan. 14. If a work is chosen, the artist will be notified no later than Jan. 18.

For more information, see TheLighthouseMission.org/artists or call Susan Sutton at 360-671-1562.

NEW BOOK DETAILS HISTORY OF JAZZ IN WHATCOM COUNTY

Milt Krieger, a longtime Bellingham jazz fan, is promoting his new book, "The Less Subdued Excitement: A Century of Jazz in Bellingham and Whatcom County, Washington," published by Whatcom County Historical Society.

The comprehensive book covers local jazz from the early 20th century to mid-2012, with about 100 interviews and his local experience since 1970 (as an avid listener, though not a musician) at the book's core. Nearly 150 photos span more than 100 years, plus there are artist illustrations and poetry. Art and poetry contributors are Trish Harding (book cover), Anita Boyle, Sandra F. Lucke, Tom Sherwood, Tom Wood and Clayton Medeiros.

The book is available at Village Books, or can be ordered at Whatcom County Historical Society, P.O. Box 2116, Bellingham WA 98227. For orders, the cost is $32.17 for the first copy and $29.17 for each additional copy (includes tax and shipping; make checks payable to Bird Hill Books).

Krieger has two public readings planned where he will also sell and sign his book: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 10 at Whatcom Museum's Old City Hall, and 7 p.m. Jan. 11 at Village Books.

For more information, contact Milt at 360-733-0086 or miltandjudy@comcast.net.

KAVZ RADIO KEEPS ON TRUCKING IN SOUTH FORK VALLEY

KAVZ-102.5 LPFM is a division of South Fork Valley Community Association with a broadcast area that emanates from Van Zandt and extends for about nine miles. According to Van Zandt resident Jeff Margolis, the station's signal is easily distorted by mountains but is enhanced by rivers, so KAVZ can be heard as far as Maple Falls and Silver Lake Park to the east, Nooksack and Kelly Road to the north and west, and Acme to the south.

KAVZ has been going through growing pains for several years, but under the supervision of station chief Jim Abernathy it grows more organized every month.

The association founded the station with the conviction that community radio had to be beneficial and rewarding. The founders had no idea how expensive, and time-consuming for volunteers, running a radio station could be, but Jeff says the association had faith that such a noble pursuit would survive.

Currently, there are no DJs or announcers to introduce each segment, but the program schedule includes broadcasts of the Chuckanut Radio Hour, plus new-age music, country, honky-tonk, classical, blues, folk, and special music from South Fork Valley. To learn more, call 360-592-1329 or contact Abernathy at jim@missionaccomplishedacademy.com.

Reach MARGARET BIKMAN at margaret.bikman@bellinghamherald.com or 715-2273.