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Drop by the Tanana Valley State Fair today for some fancy footwork.

I’m pleased to tell you I am not part of “Dancing with the Fairbanks Stars” this year. My 15 minutes of fame at the fairgrounds last year was quite enough, thank you.

This year, the competition will take place in the big tent, with the preliminary round from 1-2 p.m. The finals are from 8-10 p.m.

In this competition, it’s OK to buy votes. The proceeds benefit the Lathrop High School Ballroom Dance Team, which is coached by Stefani Brown.

The dance card features Lathrop students and alumni, who know how to dance.

Their partners are various local celebrities of note, some of whom know how to dance.

The “stars” include: Megan Lewis, sports director at KTVF and morning DJ at 104.7 FM; Chuck Lemke, a culinary arts instructor, local business owner, president of the Fairbanks Symphony and president of the Fairbanks Northstar Educational Foundation; Robinson Duffy, communications coordinator at the school district; Thomas Van Dorp, owner of Tom’s Dental Lab, president of the Fairbanks Drama Association board and a veteran actor; Heather Blanchard, manager of the North Pole Boys and Girls Club; Dr. Charles Steiner of the Tanana Valley Clinic; Darryl Lewis Sr., news reporter and director at KTVF; and Rocky Barnette, afternoon DJ at Magic 101.1.

Here’s my preview: I know that Lemke can dance. Darryl Lewis, the “D Train,” can dance his way around almost any topic. Barnette has more moves than E.T. Barnette. Van Dorp is quick on his feet. Duffy is young enough to move with grace. Steiner will prescribe laughter as the best medicine.

All of which is reason enough to go to the fairgrounds today and support the Lathrop Ballroom Dance Team.

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GAS PRICES: What’s up with gas prices?

In fact, the question for Safeway, Fred Meyer and Sam’s Club, the three big local entities that pump the most gallons, is this: Why is the price for gasoline in Fairbanks so out of line with the rest of these United States?

I am willing to give a lot of slack to the locally owned gas stations where the owners do much more than pump gas. They repair cars and help keep people on the road. The mom-and-pop stores we have also should be granted some leeway.

They don’t have the flexibility the big companies do.

The big box stores are not in the full-service car repair business.

According to AAA, the average price for regular unleaded in Fairbanks on Wednesday was $4.52. Some of the big stores I just mentioned are a nickel or a dime less than that.

But the national average, according to AAA, was $3.86 on Wednesday.

I don’t know that we’ve ever had to pay 66 cents a gallon more than the national average during the past few decades.

I don’t have exact figures, but the wholesale prices have come down repeatedly in the past couple of weeks, along with the price of crude oil.

It’s almost as if the three big companies stick to their inflated prices because all of them are sticking to inflated prices.

Competition anyone?

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READY TO RUN: Old St. Nick, the ultimate marathon man, is the namesake for the 15th annual Santa Claus Half Marathon set for Saturday. North Pole is more or less on the level, so the course is mostly flat, on paved roads and dirt trails.

The contest starts at the Flint Hills Refinery, with walkers taking off at 8 a.m. and runners at 9 a.m.

Late registration may be made in person on race day from 7:15 a.m. until 7:45 a.m. for walkers and until 8:30 a.m. for runners. Registration fees are $30 on race day.

Participants and volunteers are invited to a barbecue after the race to make up for the calories expended in the race.

All proceeds from the race go to the North Pole High School cross country team. The Santa Claus Half Marathon is the sixth race in the Flint Hills Resources Running Cup Series. For more information, call race director Joe Trubacz at 488-9888.

•••  BIG DEBATE: The forum among 14 congressional candidates Tuesday at the Chamber of Commerce meeting in the Carlson Center is expected to include a diverse mix. The doors open at 11 a.m., and the verbal exchange will start at 11:30. The admission fee of $15 includes a buffet lunch.

The Senate candidates include: Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, Bob Bird, Michael Corey, Dave Cuddy, Dave Haase, Gerald Heikes, Rick Sikma, Vic Vickers and incumbent Sen. Ted Stevens.

The U.S. House candidates include: Diane Benson, Ethan Berkowitz, State Rep. Gabrielle LeDoux, Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell and incumbent Rep. Don Young.