Remember to stop by The Fiesta Store, 2611 Broadway, when you're out doing your Christmas shopping this year.

The store will be open weekdays Nov. 30-Dec. 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., for your shopping pleasure. The staff has selected some special new items on sale for the first time. Look for a Fiesta throw, a matching table runner and what looks like a Santa Claus suit wine bottle cozy. It's actually a gift bag.

You can look for big gifts or stocking stuffers--whatever will fill out your shopping list.

And remember that the Fiesta Commission office is a dropoff point this year for unwrapped toys for Elf Louise!

Fiesta volunteers and friends are haunting the Fiesta Commission office this afternoon at our annual Halloween Open House. Many are in spooky or just funny costumes.

Staff provided great snacks for all.

Did you know that the Fiesta San Antonio Commission has published two cookbooks?

The first volume, Las Cocinitas de Fiesta, is out of print right now. But Volume II, The Little Kitchens of Fiesta, is still available, both in the store at 2611 Broadway and on line.

The book features more than 150 pages of recipes donated by Fiesta friends and volunteers. They cover everything from appetizers (antarctic slush, cheesy egg puffs, lots more) through desserts (better than sex cake, Sweetie's orange sunrise pie, etc.). The section divider pages carry photos of 10 of the oldest Fiesta events.

Interested? You can get the book for just $19.99. If you're a Fiesta Commission member, take 15 percent off that price.

The book can be a great gift for birthdays or the upcoming holidays. So come visit the Fiesta Commission office weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

P.S. The store will be open for holiday shopping Nov. 30-Dec. 18. Again, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

As we've said, Fiesta's going green. Plans are under way. Today Fiesta folks met with some city officials to talk about options. From Fiesta: President Mary Begia, Executive Director Chuck Blische, public relations manager Anne Keever Cannon and Fiesta Verde Committee chair Randy Bear. Representing the city were Paula Stallcup, director of Downtown Operations; Richard Barnes, chief information officer of the Office of Environmental Policy; David McCary and David Newman of the Solid Waste Management Department; and W. Laurence Doxsey, environmental policy director.

This first session was a "getting to know you" time. The group kicked around some ideas and how to take them to the commission's 100 nonprofit participating member organizations.

The commission's Fiesta Verde Committee has its first meeting tomorrow. We'll keep you posted on progress.

Representatives of many of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission's 100 nonprofit member groups are coming today to hear speakers talk about ways to make our great Fiesta events even better.

The audience will hear Janet Holliday, president of CE Group, tell how to position, plan, promote and produce events. The CE Group, a longtime Fiesta supporter, is one of the premier special events companies in Texas. Janet is a Fiesta Commission elected commissioner.

Randy Bear, a Fiesta volunteer and former elected commissioner, will help the participants get started using social media to help their organizations and events. He'll talk about Facebook and Twitter, among other topics.

Anne Keever Cannon, APR, the commission's public relations manager, will give tips on how to prepare entries in the competitions sponsored by the Texas Festivals and Events Association and the International Festivals and Events Association. Those are professional groups for festival staff and volunteers.

After the session, the participants will visit a "mini trade fair" of Fiesta sponsors and members who offer products and services that the nonprofit members may be able to benefit from.

The commission puts on four free professional development seminars each year for its participating member organizations.