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November is Military Family Month

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Military Family Month dedicates November to military families around the world. The observance recognizes the commitment and dedication these families make to their service members. Their sacrifices make it possible for our military to remain organized and strong.

While servicemen and women are actively serving, deployed or training, their families provide a vital foundation at home that allows confidence in the field. Spouses and children are often separated from their service members for long periods of time and over great distances. Communication can be patchy and under stressful conditions. And they frequently move, uprooting children and jobs. But, military families are adaptable.

During November, the country honors the military families who make the U.S. Armed Forces strong.

HOW TO OBSERVE #MilitaryFamilyMonth

Thank a veteran, active duty, reserve or national guard service member or family member for their service by giving back. Ask your military families how you can support them. Many will not ask when they need it. In many cases, through deployments or other circumstances, military families will band together. But even then that may not be enough.

  • Adopt a military family for the holidays. You can also sponsor a Food Basket or Toys for junior enlisted military families through the ASYMCA’s Operation Holiday Joy.
  • Offer to run errands for military spouses who may have their hands full with their children or even their pets.
  • Volunteer or donate services to military organizations.
  • Read upcoming legislation and learn how it impacts our military, veterans, and their families. Then write and call your legislators.
  • Families, participate in events all month long in your honor. Many organizations will be hosting dinners, webinars, educational opportunities, and more.
  • Donate a Thanksgiving gift to junior-enlisted members and their families through the USO-Metro’s Turkeys for Troops!
  • Create a Spouse or Service Member Care Package with items that would help either ease stress during a deployment.
  • Adopt-a-Soldier for the Holidays
  • Create a spouse care package for them to enjoy and help reduce stress during training, deployment, and PCS moves and relocations.
  • Thank an Active-Duty Member, Veteran, Military Spouse, or Military Child for their service.
  • Visit war memorials with your family to teach your children the value of service.
  • Fly the U.S. Flag.
  • Contact your nearest military base Morale, Welfare, And Recreation (MWR) office to see what events or activities might be planned on-post honoring families including special events, contests, or discounts for local businesses or attractions. Sometimes just showing up for an event or ceremony creates a stronger bond in the community.
  • Volunteer at a local chapter of a Veterans Service Organization (VSO) such as the Red Cross, AmVets, Disabled American Veterans (DAV), American Legion, etc.
  • Donate professional services to military communities. Are you a professional counselor, psychologist, social worker, therapist, child care professional, or community organizer? Private and chartered organizations serving military families may need your expertise to make an impact in military communities whether active duty, Guard, Reserve, retirees, etc.
  • Contact your nearest chapter of the Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society, Air Force Aid Society, Army Emergency Relief, or Coast Guard Mutual Assistance, to volunteer or participate in scheduled events to support their efforts. The winter months are prime fundraising and support time for these societies as they gear up to assist military families over the holiday season. The annual Toys For Tots drives and similar efforts held by these agencies are always in need of volunteer help.
  • Visit a veteran receiving care in a VA hospital or nursing home.
  • Offer a military neighbor a bit of respite with volunteer childcare to get errands accomplished or to even enjoy a few hours to recharge.
  • See someone in uniform? Thank them for their service or surprise them with a free coffee, dessert or drink if they are in line behind you.
  • Make a donation or volunteer with a military assistance organization like the Armed Services YMCA.

Use #MilitaryFamilyMonth to post on social media.

MILITARY FAMILY MONTH HISTORY

The Armed Services YMCA along with the U.S. Government established Military Family Month in 1996 by expanding Military Family Week. Each year, the President declares the month through a signed proclamation.

Article originally published at https://nationaldaycalendar.com/military-family-month-november/. With excerpts from https://militarybenefits.info/military-family-month/.

Local Update – El Paso County Enacting Stricter COVID-19 Guidelines

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From KRDO:  El Paso County Commissioner Chairman Mark Waller says the county will move to Safer At Home Level 2 restrictions on Nov. 4 due to rising COVID-19 rates.

Under Safer at Home Level 2 guidelines, offices must move to 50% capacity, indoor events are capped at 100 people, outdoor events are capped at 175 people, retail stores must operate at 50% capacity, restaurants must operate at 50% capacity or 50 people (or 100 with calculator) with six feet between parties.

All schools can be in-person, hybrid, or remote as appropriate under Level 2.

Waller tells KRDO that Gov. Jared Polis’ office made the decision to increase the coronavirus restriction level in El Paso County.

The move comes as El Paso County’s two-week coronavirus incidence rate has climbed over 270 per 100,000. According to state guidelines, that number should put the county at Level 3 restrictions, however, the state made the decision to only bump the county up from Level 1 to Level 2.

Waller says the restrictions take effect on Nov. 4 so that it doesn’t affect Election Day.

Starting in early October, the number of COVID-19 cases in El Paso County began to spike up, with two of the highest daily-count days since the pandemic started happening this month. County officials had said they were meeting with state health officials to discuss mitigation efforts, but Waller expressed displeasure with the lack of time given to come up with a new plan.

Waller also argues the restrictions on businesses likely won’t make a difference, because — according to scientists — the spike is largely due to house parties where people aren’t wearing a mask or social distancing.

“We want to have the opportunity and the ability to try to figure out where this is coming from so then we can take appropriate actions, because this shot in the dark kind of solution that we’re using right now just isn’t what we need moving forward,” Commissioner Waller explained.

However, public health officials insist we need to make do with the restrictions we can implement, and encourage people to follow guidelines at home, too.

“It is the cumulative effect of all of our individual actions that will have the impact that we need,” said Medical Director Dr. Robin Johnson.

 

Article originally published at https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2020/10/30/el-paso-county-enacting-stricter-covid-19-guidelines-after-election/.

Colorado Springs – Tejon Street Named “Great Streets” 2020 Winner

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Dine Out Downtown (credit CSBJ)

Tejon Street named “Great Street” as part of the 2020 “Great Places” Colorado program

The American Planning Association of Colorado named Tejon Street as the “Great Streets” 2020 winner of the Great Places Colorado program. Winners in the program represent the gold standard in terms of having a true sense of place, cultural and historical interest, community involvement and a vision for tomorrow.

“I am thrilled Tejon Street has been selected as one of the 2020 American Planning Association ‘Great Places in Colorado.’ Over the last 50 years local planning efforts have focused on creating a vibrant Downtown, centered around Tejon Street,” said Mayor John Suthers. “This vibrancy is the direct result of interventions over decades by planners, economic developers, and local organizations seeking to create a place that is memorable and important. Tejon Street is truly an unparalleled atmosphere that makes Colorado unique.”

As a result of intentional planning and programming by the City of Colorado Springs and Downtown Partnership, Tejon Street hosts activity that is not seen in any other part of Colorado Springs.

Tejon Street exemplifies four key criteria evaluated by the American Planning Association of Colorado for the award:

  • Livable built environment: including wide sidewalks, patio dining and updated streetscaping.
  • In harmony with nature: integrating with Acacia Park and Alamo Square, connectivity to a robust trail system and use of natural landscaping.
  • Supporting a resilient economy: a mix of businesses and promotion of cultural programming, such as engaging festivals, parades and activities like Dine Out Downtown, as well as building and façade enhancement grants.
  • Fostering a healthy community: promoting walkability with walking tours, outdoor activities like Skate in the Park, and robust public art that enhances the pedestrian experience.
  • Tejon Street has been guided by master plans since 1971, with updates in 1992, 2009, and the Experience Downtown Master Plan in 2016. As a Form-Based Zone (FBZ) district and a state-certified creative district, specific public space standards are realized as new developments continue to occur Downtown, ensuring the spirit of a pedestrian friendly “Main Street” endures.

 

About Downtown Partnership

Downtown Partnership is the lead nonprofit organization ensuring that Downtown Colorado Springs serves as the economic, cultural, and civic heart of the city. For more information visit www.downtowncs.com, or contact Downtown Colorado Springs at 719.886.0088.

 

Article originally published at https://coloradosprings.gov/mayors-office/article/news/tejon-street-named-great-street-part-2020.

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Sincerely,

Claire and Jeff Garlick of Blessings Realty