There were lots of questions about Dearborn’s city calendar at Monday night’s City Council meeting so we thought we’d remind readers again about what needs to be done if you’d like to receive a free city calendar for 2012.

Residents who want a calendar mailed to their homes must have their order in by Nov. 4. The preferred method to order is through the city’s website, www.cityofdearborn.org

The direct link to the request form is HERE. Ordering the calendar at www.cityofdearborn.org ensures accuracy and reduces the cost to taxpayers.

As an alternative method only, residents without Internet access can order a calendar by calling 943-3003 and leaving a mailing address.

As a cost-saving measure, it is no longer mailed to every household automatically.

The 2012 City Calendar will also be found at www.cityofdearborn.org in January and can be viewed or printed in its entirety or by individual pages.

Those who order a calendar should receive it in the mail before Dec. 23, 2011. Additional copies will be available in December at public buildings while supplies last.

The Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter (FFDAS) will host the 11th anniversary of their annual Black Tie & Tails fundraiser dinner and auction event on Friday, October 21st, at the historic Dearborn Inn.

Going green this year, the event highlights the ultimate recycling gift of finding homes for adoptable animals. Many aspects of the event this year incorporate green-friendly initiatives from eco-printing invitations, hosting the evening in a Leeds certified venue and donating any leftover food to a local food bank.

“We are concerned with leaving gentle pawprints everywhere we step as an organization, including in the care of animals,” said Elaine Greene, executive director of FFDAS.

Black Tie & Tails is the premier fund-raising event hosted by FFDAS. Since its inception Black Tie has raised over $850,000, which has directly benefited 20,000 rescues. This year, the organization strives to achieve the $1,000,000 mark for an 11 year total. The proceeds are much needed funds for the shelter, as a steady stream of homeless kittens and puppies continue to flow through its doors.

This elegant evening for four-footed friends is emceed by Dan Miller, Fox 2 sports director and FFDAS adopter. It includes: a champagne reception, hors d’ oeuvres, dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions, and a “green”carpet promenade for adoptable animals. For the first time, auction items can be previewed online.

The evening event is sponsored this year by MaryAnn Wright and Bob Sayles. Special guest stars include honorary co-chairs Congressman John and Mrs. Debbie Dingell, Detroit Lions quarterback Drew Stanton and Mrs. Kristin Stanton and Detroit Lions long snapper Don and Mrs.Alix Muhlbach.

Tickets for Black Tie & Tails are $175 per person. The event will take place from 7 p.m. until midnight at the Dearborn Inn. Tickets are available online or by calling the Dearborn Animal Shelter.

Learn more about this and other upcoming events, volunteering, donating or to view the Shelter’s adoptable animals online. The Dearborn Animal Shelter is located at 2661 Greenfield Road, Dearborn, and is operated by the Friends For the Dearborn Animal Shelter, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Main phone: 313-943-2697 and on the web www.DearbornAnimals.org, you can follow the Shelter on Facebook or Twitter.