Many people don’t seem to realize there’s a City Council election going on.

The Council of Senior Citizen Organizations (COSCO), a program of Pima Council on Aging, is hosting a forum for all official City Council candidates for Wards 3, 5, and 6 in the upcoming November 3rd general election. This forum will be on Thursday, October 15, 10 a.m. to 12 noon at the Armory Park Senior Center, 220 S. 5th Avenue, downtown between E. 12th and E. 13th Streets, south of Broadway Blvd.

Here’s who’s running:

Ward 3:

Ben Buehler-Garcia (Republican), www.buehler-garcia.com

Mary DeCamp (Green), www.decampcampaign.org

Karin Uhlich (Democrat incumbent), www.karin2009.com

Ward 5:

Richard Fimbres (Democrat), www.fimbresforcouncil.com

Shaun McClusky (Republican), www.voteshaun.com

Ward 6:

Steve Kozachik (Republican), www.votestevek.com

Nina Trasoff (Democrat incumbent), www.trasofffortucson.com

The Council of Senior Citizen Organizations is “committed to providing accurate, timely information about services, legislation and social and human service issues relevant to older adults and their caregivers.” You don’t have to be a senior citizen to show up and find out about these candidates and incumbent Councilmembers at this forum. Check out the candidates’ websites to find out more about them and why they want to represent the residents of Wards 3, 5, and 6.

I hope all the candidates show up to discuss aging issues with voters in our community, as there haven’t been many “meet the candidates” forums this fall. Since this forum is downtown, an obvious question to ask is also about progress on Rio Nuevo!

And remember to vote on November 3rd. The choice is yours.

There haven’t been a lot of forums/debates for City of Tucson voters to find out who is running for Council Wards 3, 5, and 6.

So the next best bet is to turn on the TV to KUAT Channel 6, Az Illustrated, 6:30 p.m.on the following evenings:

Sept. 30: Ward 3
Councilmember (1 term) Karin Uhlich vs. challengers Ben Buehler-Garcia and Mary DeCamp

October 5: Ward 5
Richard Fimbres and Shaun McClusky, both vying for the seat to be vacated by 5 term Councilmember Steve Leal

October 9: Ward 6
Councilmember (1 term) Nina Trasoff vs. challenger Steve Kozachik

Tune in and find out whom to vote for at the General Election on Nov. 3. I’m no longer sure if it’s politically correct to list their political parties, so I’m leaving that out for now. If you miss these shows, log onto Arizona Public Media’s website and use the “On Demand” link to locate the show you are interested in.

Feliz cumpleaños, Tucson. Happy 234th birthday today.

I wrote a previous blog on August 11 about some of the events happening today in the Old Pueblo. Start off with the 8 a.m. flag ceremony at the Presidio de San Agustin downtown on the SW corner of Church Avenue and Washington St., and perhaps end up for more free cake at the Hotel Congress tonight at 5 p.m.

For the children, head out to Reid Park Zoo today for a free day with the animals.

For everyone, the dedication of the 4th Avenue Underpass starts at 4 p.m.,with free trolley rides later from UA Main Gate, along 4th Avenue into downtown.

“This is a party you won’t want to miss. Tucson is invited to share in the excitement of this revitalization project. When: Aug. 20, 4 p.m. to 11p.m. Where: In the Fourth Avenue Underpass, along Fourth Avenue and throughout Downtown. Details: The celebration kicks off at 4 p.m. with a ribbon cutting ceremony featuring Tucson Mayor Bob Walkup, City Council members, city leaders and other dignitaries.”

“Special plans include officially opening the underpass by having the Old Pueblo trolley burst through the ribbon, an Antique and Hot Rod Car Show (Tucson Street Rod Association). The underpass will be closed during the official ceremony, but will be opened to pedestrian, vehicular and trolley traffic once those activities wrap up. The trolley will be running all evening, offering rides from UA’s Main Gate, along Fourth Avenue and into Downtown.”

“The fun continues through the night with live music at several venues, activities in Downtown and on Fourth Avenue and merchant specials on both sides of the underpass. It’s the perfect time to visit your favorite businesses and venues! A special Thank you to Sundt Construction Company who is on schedule and doing a beautiful job. We are all looking forward to the Old Pueble Trolley route extension to downtown.”

Read about the 4th Avenue underpass opening in previous Tucson Citizen blogs by “Artistic Tucson” and “Tucson Metromix”.

For more events and information on what’s happening today log onto www.tucsonsbirthday.org for details.

Be there to celebrate Tucson’s diverse community and its 234th birthday.