Want to hear more about the Charlie Smith Award winner and nominees? Attend the banquet Friday, Nov. 1 at the Minneapolis Airport Marriott in Bloomington. Tickets are on sale now and menu choices have been announced.

Cost is $45 per person or $325 for an 8-person table (save $35) in advance. Tickets are $50 per person day of the event, at the doors.

There are several ways to reserve tickets. Go to www.testing.accesspress.org  and click on the line for the awards event. Or, Mail your check(s) to: Access Press, Attn: Dawn, 161 St. Anthony Ave., Suite 910, St. Paul, MN 55103. A third way is to call the office and do the transaction over the phone, at 651-644-2133

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a silent auction starting at 5:30 p.m. Mingle with friends and enjoy a cash bar. Non-alcoholic beverages are available. The sit-down dinner and award ceremony start at 7:00 pm.

Food choices for 2013 are vegetarian, chicken piccata or beef bourguignon. If mailing in one’s reservation without an official RSVP card, please note accordingly so the proper dinner is ordered.

The venue is fully accessible and has ample parking for people with disabilities. Opportunities are still available for banquet sponsorships, table hosts and silent auction donations. That information is available on the newspaper website or by calling the office at 651-644-2133. Sponsors help make the banquet a success and get recognition on a variety of levels. Table sponsors are also honored at the banquet and in some cases can purchase tickets for those who might not otherwise be able to attend.

Past prizes have included theater and sports tickets, gift certificates, art and more.

Access Press Office Manager Dawn Frederick handles the sponsor, silent auction and raffle. Contact Dawn at [email protected]  or at 651-644-2133 to be a sponsor or to make a donation.