Don't forget to exercise one of the most important privileges we have as U.S. citizens -- the right to vote. Today is Election Day. Be sure to vote.

October has been a busy month as we observed Breast Cancer Awareness Month with a proclamation, many fundraising activities and the Pink Moon Run/Walk on Sunday. This event benefited a multitude of charity organizations, but it was primarily to benefit breast cancer research. Cathy Seabaugh organizes this and other events in honor of her sister, Sheila, a breast cancer survivor.

The Uptown Jackson Revitalization Organization sponsored another very popular Oktoberfest. Even though the weather was not that great, we still had a good crowd, and they all seemed to be having a good time. Oktoberfest organizers are already planning next year's event.

November will be another busy month! I am proud to say we have many activities to honor our veterans. The St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad has its "salute to veterans" train on Saturday. Veterans ride free, are all recognized individually, and will be entertained with patriotic songs and refreshments.

On Tuesday (Veterans Day), the Jackson High School Music Department will present its annual program honoring our vets. It will be at 9 a.m. in the auditorium, and the public is invited. If you haven't had an opportunity to attend, try to make it. This is a really great program!

The American Legion is again organizing the Veterans Day Parade through Uptown Jackson starting at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Immediately following the parade, there will be a program honoring our veterans at New McKendree Methodist Church. To recognize our past veterans during our bicentennial year, there will be a display of old uniforms in the window at Ross Furniture. A big "thank you" goes to Eddie Ross, Larry and Tammy Koenig, David Hitt, and especially Red Clifton, as many of the uniforms are from his collection.

We also observe American Education Week from Nov. 17 through 21. The program to start the week will be at Orchard Elementary and will feature a flag-raising ceremony, reading of the proclamation and entertainment. There will be a variety of activities in all the schools at various times during the week to celebrate American Education Week.

The Jackson Police Department has started a new program to reach out to senior citizens. They will be presenting a short, informative program on topics of interest to the seniors, which is followed by a question-and-answer format.

The senior citizens can give input on the topics to be discussed. The first presentation was at the Jackson Senior Center on Oct. 18 and provided information on how 911 calls from a cellphone must be handled differently by our communications officers in order to make sure they get the correct location from the cellphone caller.

The next program is scheduled Nov. 18 at the Senior Center and will be on telephone-related scams, which we know often target older people.

Again, this will be an informal program with an opportunity for questions. These programs will be scheduled once a month and may include other departments, depending on the topic requested by the seniors.

Barbara Lohr is the mayor of Jackson.