With the Surprise Home Preservation Forum fast approaching, interested homeowners are reminded that they must attend the event in order to make an appointment for free, one-on-one mortgage-related counseling.

"Our partnership with Credit Union West has produced this very generous offer of free one-on-one counseling," said Ad Hoc Foreclosure Committee chairwoman Monica Davis. "For three days following the Sept. 3 forum, HUD-certified counselors will be available to meet with interested people. But you have to make your appointment at the forum on Sept. 3."

The Home Preservation Forum will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 3 at Radiant Church, Reems Road and Paradise Lane in Surprise. The forum will feature a four-member panel of experts speaking on the numerous issues faced by homeowners struggling with their mortgages, moderated by a host. It is free and open to the public.

Audience participation is encouraged, Davis said. 

"As the conversation gets rolling and people think of questions they would like to ask, they will have the opportunity to put those questions to the panel," she said. 

Attendees can write their questions on cards, which will be passed up to the host. 

People unable to attend can e-mail questions through the city Web site at www.surpriseaz.com. The event is organized by the city council-appointed Ad Hoc Committee on Foreclosure, working in conjunction with a number of city departments.

The forum will be taped for later broadcast on Surprise 11 and will be posted as a downloadable video on www.surprise.az.com.