Deliveries of the new 2014 edition of the Fountain Hills and Verde Communities Telephone Directory are under way.

Residents should be watching for the bagged books at their front doors. We did the covers a little differently this year. Instead of just a scenic photo of a landscape feature in the area we have made the cover more representative of its purpose.

Oh yes, there is a pretty photo of the fountain, but there are also inset photos of activities for which you may be using the phone book. There is a woman taking delivery of the pizza she ordered, a man doing roof repairs after a storm, a couple talking to a Realtor and a couple using the book to find a telephone number.

We know that the Fountain Hills Telephone Directory is still used by residents and business people. When they need a service, they turn to their Fountain Hills phone book to find it.

If they do use a computer, all of the business listings are listed by category on line. Just go to www.fhphonebook.com.

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We’re all breathing a lot easier around The Times office.

That’s because House Bill 2554 was defeated by the state representatives last week.

The vote was 24 Yes and 33 No.

The piece of legislation introduced by Rep. John Kavanagh would have required the Arizona Corporation Commission to post corporation and LLC formation public notices on its website instead of requiring that they be published in newspapers.

That would have meant a loss of approximately $50,000 in revenue for The Times. That would have meant elimination of one position and a cutback on donations to local organizations. I’m glad we aren’t faced with doing that.

I strongly feel that community newspapers such as ours are well read and the chance of someone recognizing a potential problem with the possible formation of a business has more potential for being seen in a newspaper than on a government website. You just don’t casually read a government website.

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It’s going to be a busy, but fun, weekend!

The second annual WisconsinFest is set to start at 11 a.m. at the Community Center.

The event is a fund-raising and awareness promotion of the River of Time Museum.

Event Chairman Kurt Pare promises this year’s WisconsinFest will be bigger and better than last year. And that was a big success.

There will be plenty of Johnsonville Brats with kraut and chips, Leinenkugel and Miller Lite beers, soft drinks, flown–in cheddar cheese curds, a raffle and a silent auction of Wisconsin items. It’s all topped off with a live band. You can bet there will be some polka music.

Then on Sunday, we’ll be seeing plenty of green as the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration gets started at 10 a.m.

The Sons of AMVETS Squadron 7 will continue the tradition of turning the world-famous fountain emerald great at 1 p.m. In addition there will be traditional Irish food drink and entertainment available.

Proceeds will benefit veterans and community charities. Sponsors are MidFirst Bank and Crescent Crown Distributing in cooperation with the Town of Fountain Hills.