1) At Town of Taos Town Hall, Executive Management has installed a ‘comments/suggestions’ box for everyone’s usage in the hallway near the Utility Payment window/offices.  Those interested are encouraged to submit constructive suggestions (signed or anonymous) on how to improve the Town of Taos – comment cards and pens are available next to the box.  The Town of Taos Manager/Assistant Town Manager will personally pick up these comment cards weekly on Fridays, and address each issue.  Constituents, Town staff, and visitors are encouraged to use this means of communication as issues warrant — in addition to the ability to make an appointment for a meeting to discuss an issue or idea, call in a thought 575-751-2003, and/or use email cconnelly@taosgov.com.

2) Town of Taos Regular Council Meeting, tomorrow, 9:30 a.m., Tuesday, August 19^th, 2008, Council chambers, Civic Plaza Dr. – agenda attached.

3) Taos tourism free media coverage clip: Taos’ inclusion in the September 2008 issue of Oprah Magazine, attached.  See page 6.  Average readership is around 2.4 million.

4) Town of Taos Tax Revenue Update:  The following numbers reflect year-over-year Town of Taos Lodgers Tax and Gross Receipt Taxes revenue comparisons through July 2008.  Reminder: The month they’re paid, recorded and reported to you as Town revenues for tracking purposes reflects ONE month lag for Lodgers Tax (so July numbers are from June), and a TWO month lag for gross receipts taxes (July’s numbers are from May).  July 2008 reflects Lodgers’ Tax is up 7.45% year-over-year (2008 compared to 2007), and Gross Receipts are down -1.15%.

5) Remember to register to vote: The Taos School Bond election is September 23^rd, 2008 and deadline for voter registration for this is August 26th. Voter registration deadline for the Presidential, November, 2008 election is October 7, 2008.  Register at the Taos County Offices, Bureau of Elections 105 Albright, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

6) Town of Taos community partner — Holy Cross Hospital Foundation, 2008.  Health Fair, Saturday, September 13^th — 8:00 to 12 noon, Town of Taos Convention Center, Civic Plaza Dr.  Free Blood Tests/Free Eye Health Exams/Free Health Screening/Free Samples/Free Health Education

Contact Sally Trigg, Executive Director of Holy Cross Hospital Foundation, for additional information: 575-751-5811

7) Town of Taos community partner — The Harwood Museum of Art presents the final Curatorial Candidate Lecture on Tuesday, August 19^th at 6pm with Colin Thompson. For his program, Thompson will discuss the exhibitions and projects he has been involved with while Curator at the Huntsville Museum of Art in Alabama, in addition to details of his background.  This free lecture provides an opportunity for members of the community to meet Harwood Curatorial Candidates and provide input into the future direction of the Museum. For more information call 758-9826 x 105.  The Harwood Museum of Art of the University of New Mexico, 238 Ledoux Street, Taos, NM 87571, www.harwoodmuseum.org.