Be on the lookout for the December issue of Scene in SA. It contains a four-page spread from the Fiesta Commission. The content includes a story on how Fiesta gives back to the community and promotions for The Fiesta Store's holiday sale and the 2010 Fiesta membership drive.

Remember that Fiesta Commission membership has benefits, including a 15 percent discount on all official Fiesta merchandise at the store, 2611 Broadway. You can join when you visit the store to do your holiday shopping Nov. 30 through Dec. 18 (weekdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Have a great Thanksgiving week!

More and more Fiesta organizations are turning to social media as a way to get the word out about their great April events. We encourage those of you who are on Facebook and Twitter to seek them out.

The Fiesta Commission has been active on both sites since March. Our Facebook page now has more than 5,600 fans, and we have 815 Twitter followers.

Other Fiesta nonprofit groups with Facebook pages include:

• Miss Fiesta San Antonio Scholarship Pageant.
• Fiesta Oyster Bake.
• San Antonio Zulu Association (A Taste of New Orleans).
• San Antonio AIDS Foundation (WEBB Party).
• San Antonio Museum of Art.
• Witte Museum (annual exhibit including Fiesta royalty gowns).
• Southwest School of Art and Craft (Fiesta Arts Fair).
• Miss Bexar County Organization (Miss San Antonio Scholarship Pageant).
• Port San Antonio (Fiesta de los Ninos).
  

There may be more. If you know of other Fiesta events or nonprofits on Facebook, let us know, and we'll add them to our Favorites list.

Same with Twitter. Besides @FiestaSA, what other groups are tweeting? Tell us!

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.