Military Appreciation, Medicare Muddle, And Homeless Hospitality

1. Weather.com is predicting a cloudy morning and a sunny afternoon with a high temperature of 68 degrees and an overnight low of 57 degrees. There's just a 10 percent chance of rain today.

2. The balmy weather is delightful but, as we all know, winters around here can be frightful. With that in mind, New London's Homeless Hospitality Center opens its new shelter today with speakers, an open house, and a special dedication. 

3. October 15 was the first day of open enrollment for people looking to sign up for Medicare Part D supplemental insurance plans. It can be a complicated process but to add to the confusion this year, many people are wondering what impact the Affordable Care Act may have on their existing Medicare benefits.

The short answer is existing government health care benefits such as Medicare are not affected at all. The longer answer is that the debate over "Obamacare" has created a stalemate in Congress that has brought government to a halt, which is directly impacting anyone trying to enroll for Medicare Part D. 

If people thought dealing with government red tape was complicated, trying to cut through that red tape when the government is in shutdown mode is even more difficult. 

Many people turn to the website www.medicare.gov to help explain the options available and to determine their eligibility for benefits based on social security benefits. And when they go to the website now, they're seeing the following message: 

"Due to the government shutdown, information on this website may not be up to date. For information about available government services, visit USA.gov." 

Hardly helpful. People have until December 7 to sign up for Medicare Part D. Let's hope our elected officials can get their act together before then.  

4. That's not the only way the government shutdown is being felt locally. Yesterday, The Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut announced it had to postpone the military appreciation breakfast it had scheduled for October 18 because of the affect government furloughs are having on the military. 

One thing that isn't being affected, however, is military appreciation week in New London. Through October 20, New London businesses will be offering discounts and giving special recognition to active duty military and veterans.

5. There's just one municipal meeting in New London today. The Port Authority will meet at 4 p.m. in the City Council Ante Room.