I am sure that I have an internal mechanism that attracts trouble. No matter how hard I try to stay out of things, I always seem to get myself in up to my chin. Today, I’m asking for it.

Here goes.

There is a certain local computer company that has just installed a new automated voice mail system. Instead of getting a person when you call, you get an automated attendant that gives you a selection of choices via the pressing of keys on your telephone. This month’s cartoon (see the Media Page), is dedicated to that computer company. Good luck with your voice mail. Bleck.

I received two e-mails this past month that were of strong conviction. I am not reprinting either of them for two reasons. If I reprint the first one, I will surely see myself in lawsuits (up to my chin), and I won’t reprint the second one because it is sentence after sentence of MODE bashing, and quite frankly, it was plain mean.

I do want to tell you that in the first e-mail the person related some information to me about a local merchant that is almost positively selling alcohol to minors, and if this is a cause that stirs you, please let me know. I plan to pursue it. The second e-mail dismissed the print edition of MODE as pure "trash" and the Internet edition as "boring". What bothered me the most, was that this charming and intellectual author went on to say that Harrisburg was a "cultural void". Hello? Living in a box somewhere? Anyway, I think all you nice folk out there that have had kind things to say about MODE deserve a note of recognition. THANK YOU!

There are a few features in this issue that are well worth checking out.

The business theme for this month is interpersonal communications. I believe this issue contains some of the our best writing to date. Please let me know if you agree. My interview with the owner of the local Dale Carnegie Training office was very informative, and re-reading How to Win Friends and Influence People was a pure pleasure. It’s a great book, especially when you find out it was written in 1937!

On the entertainment front, this month hosts Halloween. We hope you enjoy our First Annual Unoffical Halloween Party Guide. It’s chock full ’o great things to do at the end of October. Tear it out and tape it to your breakroom wall. I would like to thank all the restaurant and bar folk that took the time to respond to our FREE offer. Keep an eye out for the New Year’s Eve Party Guide offer too!

Two other big events taking place this month are the Taste of South Central Pennsylvania, and the Red Hot Strawberry Ball. There’s an ad for the "Taste" on page 7 and an article about the "Ball" on page 14. Both will be real treats!

Even our regular features One Tank Getaway and A Matter of Taste are extraordinarily good this month. Our One Tank takes you to New Hope, PA, and A Matter of Taste visits the all-new Catalano’s.

Finally, there’s this tiny little new feature (not really worth mentioning really), called Scot vs. the Pit of Despair. This 6 month series spawned from my "auto attract trouble" mechanism, and I know I’ll never live it down. It is very important for me, though, to share this information with others in the same situation as I, and that is why it appears on the pages of MODE. If you suffer from the same affliction, or know someone that does, this will be a very serious, well documented monthly feature for the next half year. Anyone interested in doing the same I personally encourage to call, or e-mail me. It sure ain’t easy.

Thanks again for reading, and have a terrific October!

       Scot Giambalvo, Publisher