Register to vote

The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office Elections Department has been nationally recognized for their professional expertise conducting elections. Register to vote and keep your voter record up to date at http://www.GoVoteColorado.gov. Make sure you update any address changes, as ballots cannot be forwarded. Ballots will be mailed October 9. Please vote early, and return your ballot at one of the 37 secure, 24-hour ballot drop box locations. Ballots must be received by the Clerk’s office by 7 p.m. Election Night, November 3. Remember, if you return your ballot by mail postmarks do not count. Locations of ballot drop boxes are available at http://www.epcvotes.com. For more information or questions, email the elections staff at elections@elpasoco.com or call 719-575-VOTE (8683).

Medicare Monday goes virtual

Trying to learn or keep up with Medicare’s changes? Colorado Gerontological Society’s virtual Medicare Monday on October 19 offers educational programs and other support services on 2021 changes. Sessions will repeat on November 2, 9, and 16. New this year is the Wednesday Lunch and Learn, scheduled at noon on October 21 & 28, and November 4, 11 and 18. Both Medicare Monday and the Wednesday Lunch and Learns feature representatives from health insurance companies sharing their 2021 products and services. Register at www.senioranswers.org for all programs. Participants can also schedule individual counseling sessions with Society experts between October 15 and December 7. Stop by Colorado Gerontological Society at 1129 Pennsylvania St., Denver, to grab a packet of Medicare information on October 9 and 16 or on November 2, 9 or 16. Visit www.senioranswers.org for other locations throughout the state.

Westside Community Center reopens

The Westside Community Center at 1628 W. Bijou St. has reopened its doors with health safety precautions. Due to COVID-19, the following measures have been put in place: limited group size, hand washing, physical distancing, daily sanitizing and masks required except during exercise or for health reasons. The center is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and between the hours of 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Senior Lounge is open 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday for adults age 60 and over. Senior activities include:

• Crafts Unlimited: Bring materials for the project you are working on, enjoy a beverage, good conversation and share creative ideas with other crafters on Fridays, 9-11:30 a.m.
• Silver Key Connections Café: Due to COVID, the café offers curbside pickup for five frozen meals on Tuesday, 10-11 a.m. Reservations must be made 24 hours in advance by calling 719-884-2340.
• SilverSneakers Classic: This fitness class is designed for seniors who want to improve their general health and well-being, and it’s fun! Held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9-10 a.m., as well as Fridays 10-11 a.m. For more information, call 719-385-7920 ext. 100. Cost is $5 per class if your insurance does not cover it.
• Active Adults Fitness Class: Come on Wednesday 10:15-11:15 a.m. for low impact cardio and stretching. Cost is $1; no reservation required.
• Brain and Balance Class: Reduce your risk of falling! Challenge your brain and body to improve motor skills, agility, coordination, posture and balance. The class is especially beneficial for those who have had a stroke or head injury. Meets Thursdays 1-2 p.m. with a $1 participation fee. Reservations not required.
• Pickleball, table tennis, line dance and various other programs are also offered. Visit http://www.ourwestside.org for more information.

Manitou Springs Library to relocate

Library lovers in Manitou Springs will have a wealth of new resources at their fingertips this December.
Manitou Springs Library and Manitou Art Center (MAC) will officially collocate their services beginning in December of 2020. The new library will be housed inside of the MAC while still providing access and use for MAC supporters, local artists and tenant community partners. Pikes Peak Library District will provide staff support, a physical collection of books and other library materials and access to meeting rooms and creative spaces for library patrons. MAC members and artists will still maintain benefits while gaining more opportunities and exposure.

Support the 150 Tree Challenge

To celebrate Colorado Springs’ 150th anniversary in 2021 and carry on General William Palmer’s vision of a tree-lined city, the city of Colorado Springs is challenging the community to help plant 18,071 new trees by next summer. So far 1,724 trees have been planted by 241 participants and the forestry department seeks more volunteers to help. Those interested can purchase a young tree and plant it at home or on an approved city property. To participate or learn more about planting a tree, visit www.coloradosprings.gov/tree150.

Silver Key continues grab and go meals

Due to COVID-19, Silver Key’s Connections Café will continue to provide five frozen meals for diners to pick up curbside on Tuesdays. Meals must be requested in advance for the following week by calling 719-884-2300. Home delivered meals are also available for $9.75 per meal. For your safety, drivers are following a strict no-contact policy. To register for home delivered meals, call 719-884-2300 or email info@silverkey.org. Visit www.silverkey.org/services/connections-cafe for a list of pickup locations. The menu for the remainder of the month includes:

Oct. 12 – Baked ziti, sausage and marinara, Bahama vegetables, orange, cookie

Oct. 13 – Chicken carbonara, broccoli, fruit, oatmeal raisin, cookie

Oct. 14 – Hamburger, lettuce, tomato, onion, carrots, pear, cookie

Oct. 15 – Roast turkey with gravy, mashed potatoes, California vegetables, whole wheat bread, apple, cookie

Oct. 16 – Stuffed pasta shells, meat sauce, green beans, garlic bread stick, pear, cookie

Oct. 19 – Chicken tacos, sour cream, cheese, salsa, black beans, orange, cookie

Oct. 20 – Sweet and sour pork, jasmine rice, Asian vegetables, fruit, high-fiber cookie

Oct. 21 – Beef chili with cheese, baked potato with sour cream, orange, cookie

Oct. 22 – Smothered pork chop, onions and peppers, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, fruit, high-fiber cookie

Oct. 23 – Manicotti, Bahama vegetables, broccoli, apple, cookie

Oct. 26 – Seasoned baked salmon, brown rice pilaf, broccoli, pear, cookie

Oct. 27 – Broccoli stuffed chicken breast, green beans, sweet potatoes, fruit, high-fiber cookie

Oct. 28 – Stuffed bell pepper, baby baked potato, cauliflower, fruit, cookie

Oct. 29 – Salmon burger with lettuce and tomato, cream of mushroom soup, banana, cookie

Oct. 30 – Lasagna roll, broccoli, whole wheat roll, fruit, cookie.