Steamboat Pilot & Today

The Department of the Treasury announced a new rule that will phase out paper checks for federal benefits by March 1, 2013. Officials at the Department of Veterans Affairs urge veterans to sign up for electronic payment of their benefits.

On March 1, 2013, the VA will stop issuing paper checks. People who do not have electronic payments for their federal benefits by that time will receive their funds via a prepaid debit card, according to a news release. Called the Direct Express card, it is issued by Comerica Bank as the financial agent of the U.S. Treasury.

Another deadline affects people receiving VA’s compensation or pensions for the first time after May 1, 2011. Those people automatically will receive the benefits electronically.

Anyone already receiving federal benefit payments electronically will be unaffected by the changes. To learn more about the federal government’s switch to direct deposit — or to change VA benefits to direct deposit — visit www.godirect.org. Information about the campaign also is available at 1-800-333-1795.

The change also will affect recipients of payments from Social Security, Supplemental Security In­come, Railroad Retirement Board and Office of Personnel Man­age­ment.

For more information about VA benefits and programs, visit www.va.gov or call 1-800-827-1000.

Dance theater accepting scholarship applications

Steamboat Dance Theatre is accepting applications for the Amy Flint Memorial Scholarship Fund for Dance and Technical Production Training. This fund provides assistance for dancers of all ability levels who want to pursue their love of dance, or for those interested in training in technical production. For more information and an application, visit www.steamboatdancetheatre.org.

Local groups reach out to returning service members

The Routt County Veterans Affairs, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4264 in Steamboat Springs and American Legion Post 44 in Steamboat would like to meet and greet local sons and daughters returning from military service. For more information, call VFW Post Commander Tony Weiss at 970-846-5035, Jim Stanko at 970-879-3936 or the Routt County veterans service officer Michael T. Condie at 970-879-5489.

Library looking for former Peace Corps volunteers

Did you serve as a Peace Corps volunteer at any time in the past 50 years? The Bud Werner Memorial Library is seeking Yampa Valley locals, including anyone who grew up here but may have moved away, who are returning Peace Corps volunteers who want to share their stories. Contact adult programs coordinator Jennie Lay at jlay@steamboatlibrary.org or 970-367-4917 for more information.

Aging Well calendar photo journals available for $5

Aging Well calendar journals, featuring color photos of 60 active older adults in Northwest Colorado, are available with a minimum $5 donation to the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association. Proceeds go toward Healthier Living Colorado. Calendar journals are available at VNA offices. For more information, call 970-871-7676.