American Legion Post No. 44, VFW Post No. 4264 and the VA Tele Health Clinic in Craig will provide flu shots for Routt County veterans from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2 at the Steamboat Springs Community Center.

In addition to flu shots, veterans will have an opportunity to learn about the changes in the new VA health care law and how it may affect them and to sign up for coverage.

Flu shots will be offered on a walk-in basis; no appointment is necessary. However, veterans should bring proof of military service or an American Legion or VFW membership card to the clinic. Those serving in the Reserves or National Guard are also eligible for free shots if their units were deployed to a war zone during a military conflict.

Call Jim Stanko at 970-879-3936 for more information.

Low-interest loans can help start, expand farms

Farmers and ranchers still have time to apply for low interest loans available through the FSA direct farm ownership program, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture Colorado Farm Service Agency Director Leland Swenson. Applications must be approved by today to take advantage of the funding available.

Eligible farmers and ranchers can borrow up to $300,000 to buy farmland, construct or repair buildings, pay closing costs or promote soil and water conservation. The interest rate can be as low as 1.5 percent with up to 40 years to repay.

“If you are thinking about purchasing or expanding your farm or ranch, our affordable loans can help,” Swenson said. “There are no backlogs or waiting for funds, so give us a call today.”

New farmers and ranchers, military veterans and underserved farmers and ranchers also are encouraged to apply. Each year, Congress targets 80 percent of available loan funds to beginning and targeted underserved farmers and ranchers. 

For more information about the farm loan program, visit fsa.usda.gov/farmloans or contact the local FSA office. 

World music band Todo Mundo to visit local schools

Strings Music Festival welcomes world music band Todo Mundo for the first music education programs this school year Thursday, Oct. 15.

Todo Mundo will visit Soroco and Hayden Valley Elementary to present the program “Escucha Que,” which promotes cross-cultural learning and the potential for music to build relationships.

The band will also perform a matinee at the pavilion for Steamboat Elementary School students. Students will be prepped with a pre-show guide, “Musical Notes,” before the field trip to the pavilion. Todo Mundo was voted “Best World Music” band at the 2014 San Diego Music Awards in 2014. Read more about Strings’ school education programs at stringsmusicfestival.com/for-students-and-teachers.

Overdue fines waived for teens to celebrate reading

As part of Teen Read Week, Bud Werner Memorial Library in Steamboat Springs will waive overdue fines for teens ages 13 to 18 who visit the library from Oct. 18 to 24. Teen Read Week is an annual event sponsored by the American Library Association that encourages teens to read just for the fun of it. 

Tread of Pioneers in need of sponsors for Festival of Trees

The Tread of Pioneers Museum is seeking tree sponsors for its 21st annual Festival of Trees fundraising event, which will be held Nov. 14 to 23 at the museum. Call 970-879-2214 or email topmuseum@springsip.com for more information.