The Portsmouth Public Education Foundation (PPEF) celebrates ten years of making a difference in the quality of education in our community with a Fall Showcase and Social on Thursday, November 3 at Glen Manor House in Portsmouth. You can get your tickets at the PPEF web site.

Everyone is welcome to stop by between 6-8pm to enjoy appetizers and a cash bar while you view exhibits by last year's grant recipient teachers, who come from all of Portsmouth's schools. And if you get your tickets online before October 24, there's a special early-bird discount.

This year's event will be in one of Portsmouth's gems, the Glen Manor House at 3 Frank Coelho Drive. Many local businesses have generously offered their support to public education by donating exciting offerings for our Silent Auction. Offerings include 6 day free dockage at Brewers Marinas, Golf packages from Green Valley, Newport National and Montaup Country Clubs, Season tickets to the Gulls plus a week of baseball camp, Theatre tickets, Museum tickets, Portsmouth Holly Ball tickets and much more.

Why not get your tickets now? Advance tickets (if you don't use the web site) may also be purchased for $15 per person or $25 per couple by contacting Marilyn Brockway at 683-3021 or mlbrockway@cox.net or Eileen LaCazette at ejtl@verizon.net. The night of the event, tickets will be $20/$35 per couple.

Over the past ten years, PPEF has awarded 149 grants totaling nearly $84,000 which have directly impacted thousands of Portsmouth public school students, parents and community members. If you can't make it to this event, I hope you'll consider making a donation.

Full disclosure: I serve on the board of PPEF.