• Sweet Tooth Candy & Gifts opened for business on Nov. 13. It is at 207 S. Third St., Geneva. For more information, contact Suzanne Caruso at (630) 232-2990.

• The Downtown St. Charles Partnership is inviting nominations for its Downtown Pride Award, given annually to individuals, businesses or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the revitalization of the downtown district. According to Laura Haule, chairman of the DSCP’s Organization Committee, the silver fox statuette has become one of the most coveted awards presented by any St. Charles organization. Nominees must fulfill several very specific qualifying criteria. Nomination forms must be submitted to the Partnership office by Dec. 31. For more information, call (630) 513-5386 or visit www.dtown.org.

• The Baird & Warner Fox Valley office chose a blood drive as its 2008 Make a Difference Day project. The theme of the blood drive was Just a Drop in the Bucket, in reference to the constant and immense need for this life-saving gift. Through a concerted effort that ranged from posted information in local businesses to e-mail and postcard messages to clients and friends, newspaper notices and roadside signs, the 100 sales associates of the St. Charles real estate office got the word out. Their grateful recognition is given to Sign-A-Rama of Batavia who contributed a full-size, color banner promoting the blood drive. On Oct. 28 the big red, white and blue Heartland Blood Centers donation coach pulled into the Baird & Warner parking lot at the corner of Bricher and Randall Roads. Five hours later the medical team had collected 26 units of blood with the potential of helping 78 people in need. For those 78 people, each donation is much more than just a drop in the bucket. Instead, it can make the biggest difference of all. For more information, call (630) 377-1855.