First, let me talk to members of our business community.

We have two important deadlines coming up in the next few days. The first is Oct. 14.That is the advertising deadline for our annual HOME edition.

It features stories on the latest building projects in the Fountain Hills, north Scottsdale and Verde areas.

We will be talking about the recent upturn in single family homes in Fountain Hills. There will be tips on preparing your house for sale and much more.

The HOME edition began as a tabloid printed on newsprint. Last year, we decided to print it on glossy paper and the response was most favorable.

Due to the acceptance of the HOME’s new glossy format, as well as the very favorable comments we received on the Fountain Hills Community Guide, with its new glossy format, has prompted us to also change the format of the Fountain Hills Telephone Directory. We will be printing the Yellow Page business listing section on glossy paper, also. The glossy paper allows more detail on the ads.

The phone book is the second important deadline I mentioned. The early-bird discount (10 percent off) is Oct. 17.

Remember, this is our 40th anniversary edition of the directory and we had discounted all of the ad prices to begin with. That means you could receive up to a 20 percent reduction in price if you pay by the 17th.

-------

Can you believe it is mid-October already? The Oktoberfest was a success.

Now we are coming into the season of activities.

On Oct. 22, it is “Make a Difference Day.” It’s a day residents are asked to help the most vulnerable in the community by providing their service for four hours at designated projects in the community.

Work projects include raking and cleaning up landscaping debris, building wheelchair ramps for homebound residents, small minor repairs, planting groundcover, painting, tile cleaning, repairing leaks, deep cleaning in kitchens and more.

For more information, call Heather Ware, town volunteer coordinator, 480-816-5108.

-------

The Chamber of Commerce has announced the theme for this year’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

It is “Hollywood Holidays.”

That’s a good theme whereby you can get quite creative. Oct. 24 is the registration deadline. For more information, call Paige Lorentzen at the Chamber, 837-1654, ext. 232.