Tickets are still available for the Access Press Charlie Smith Award banquet, planned for Friday, Nov. 6 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott in Bloomington. Tickets are $45 per person or $325 for a table of eight. The event is open to all in the disability community but tickets do sell quickly, so get your today. Call 651-644-2133 or email Dawn for information.

This year’s banquet will not only feature music, a talk and the Charlie Smith Award presentation, it will include a silent auction and raffle. Proceeds from the silent auction and raffle will be used to support the operations of Access Press, Minnesota’s disability community newspaper.

Win gift certificates, tickets, a handmade bird house, original art, a garden seat, collectibles, a basket of Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products and other items and support the newspaper. Donations are still needed and are tax-deductible. Gift cards, phone cards, new merchandise and handmade items are needed. Or why not donate a bottle of wine, a handmade afghan, books or things that you like? Access Press is also offering organizations, businesses and individuals the opportunities to sponsor a table or tables. Rates are $1,000 and $500. Contact the newspaper if you would like to sponsor a table.

Contact the newspaper at 651-644-2133 or email Dawn if you would like to donate. All donors will be recognized at the event, in the newspaper and on the Web site at www.testing.accesspress.org