Community Update (3/1/25)
Community Engagement Forum on Aging
Arlington’s Community Engagement Forum on Aging is Monday, March 17 at 9:30 am to 12:30 pm. This year’s theme is Safe at Home and features speakers from True Ground Housing Partners, Arlington Fire Department, Arlington Child and Family Services, and RAFT. Registration and details below.
Theodore Island Seasonal Walk
The next seasonal stroll at Theodore Roosevelt Island will be on Thursday, March 20, at 11:00 am. It’s a good way to enjoy nature in company with neighbors, family, and friends. And this year, it’s held on the Spring equinox. See details below.
55+ Program
The new Spring Guide for the 55+ Program is now available.
Save the Date for Planet Word Museum visit, Friday, May 23
Are you interested in visiting this interactive museum – the only one of its type dedicated to renewing and inspiring a love of words and language? Planet Word opened in 2020 and is located in the historic Franklin School at the corner of 13th and K Streets NW in downtown D.C. It is an immersive language experience with interactive galleries and exhibits bringing words and language to life in all sorts of fun ways. We have to do some advance planning to reserve tickets; see details below.
Tax Aide
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation service. Volunteers are trained on tax law and are IRS certified at advanced level. The program focus is on low and moderate income taxpayers, and seniors. The national program helped over 1.7 million taxpayers in Tax Year 2024, with over 28,000 volunteers at over 3,300 sites. In Arlington, tax aide help is available at the Central and Columbia Pike Libraries. Please review these websites for more information on appointments and needed paperwork. Appointments take priority but walk-in service is available.
Welcome
New Members
- Mary Davis
- Linda Lippner
- Lisa Nelson
- Peggy Peterson
- Barbara Schulman
New Volunteers
- Jerry de la Cruz
- Sean Dotson
- Trevor Edwards
- Megan Kross
- Ana Maravai
- Elizabeth O’Reilly
- Rachel Reynolds
- Alison Schiller
- John Seymour
- Anne Svendsen
- Nancy Wilck
In Memoriam
Please join us in remembering Sara DeWalt, a beloved member and volunteer.
Activities
ANV Events are posted on our online calendar at www.ANVarlington.org/events so you can always easily find the Zoom link for any scheduled event.
Coffee and Conversation on Wednesdays at 10 am
- March 5: What’s New on the Pike?
- March 12: Casa Mariflor
- March 19: Avoiding Common Healthcare Scams
- March 26: Handling Pet Loss
Special Events
Weekly Groups
- Tai Chi
- Bocce and Boules
- Happy Hour
- Board Games
Monthly Groups
- Men’s Lunch Bunch
- Ladies Lunch
- Low Vision Group
- Pop Up Picnic
- Page Turners
Educational Activities
Wellness
Also of Interest
ANV Activities
Coffee and Conversation: Wednesdays at 10 am
This ANV Speaker Series is held each Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00am. Join our weekly conversations via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88948577106?pwd=eW0rN1RTTU5ITmJ5NnF2QXZINmdUQT09
You also have the option to dial in by phone to participate without video. For that, dial: 929-205-6099. The meeting ID is 889 4857 7106 and the passcode is 872327.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025: What’s New on the Pike? The Columbia Pike Partnership is dedicated to creating a sense of place and shared community among businesses, residents and visitors to the corridor by capitalizing on its assets, inspiration and unique identity within South Arlington. Andrew Schneider with the Columbia Pike Partnership will provide an update on this thriving corridor.
Wednesday, March 12, 2025: Casa Mariflor. With the rise of the Coronavirus pandemic, Mariflor Ventura was stunned by her community’s struggle to afford rent and pay bills. What began as a Facebook group to provide needed supplies such as diapers and formula blossomed into Casa Mariflor, a resource for Latinx immigrants and their children to gain access to the services and support they need. Mariflor was recognized by the Biden-Harris administration for her outstanding volunteer work, and by the Virginia democrat’s Arlington Latino Caucus for her service to the Latino Community. She will join us to talk about Casa Mariflor, its mission, and how you can help.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025: Avoiding Common Healthcare Scams. Seniors are targeted for a variety of scams, many of them associated with their insurance or healthcare accounts. This session is designed to teach seniors how to prevent, detect, and report those scams so they can keep their benefits, identity, and finances safe. Shawn Smith, State Director, Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol, will update us on the latest healthcare scams, discuss ways to manage scam phone calls, identify scammer tactics, and understand various marketing ploys scammers use to trap seniors. He will also discuss the free resources that are available to assist you should you become a victim of healthcare fraud.
Wednesday, March 26, 2025: Handling Pet Loss. Pets often play a key role for older adults by making them feel needed and providing them with unconditional love and companionship. Problems may arise, however, when an older adult must give up a pet to move into an assisted living facility. Anne Marie Farage-Smith, LMHC, www.farage-smith.com, pet loss grief counseling professional, and author, Healing Wisdom for Pet Loss, An Animal Lover’s Guide to Grief, talks about emotional challenges older adults face when relocating and parting with beloved pets, and ways to adjust to life without a pet.
ANV’s YouTube channel
If you miss a Coffee and Conversation speaker, be sure to check out ANV’s YouTube channel where we post some of our Coffee and Conversation speakers and other special events. Sit back and enjoy!
Special Events
Community Engagement Forum on Aging, Monday March 17
Arlington’s Community Engagement Forum on Aging is Monday, March 17 at 9:30 am -12:30 pm, at Macedonia Baptist Church at 3412 22nd Street South. You can also attend in person at the satellite site at Clarendon Presbyterian Church, 1350 North Jackson Street or virtually via Teams. This year’s theme is Safe at Home and features speakers from True Ground Housing Partners, Arlington Fire Department, Arlington Child and Family Services, and RAFT. Following the speakers, there will be break-out sessions for further discussion and feedback opportunities. Registration requested.
Theodore Roosevelt Island Seasonal Walk, Thursday March 20
The next seasonal walk at Theodore Roosevelt Island is on Thursday, March 20, at 11:00 am. It’s a good way to enjoy nature in company with neighbors, family, and friends. And this year, it’s held on the Spring equinox. Our meeting place is at the end of the parking lot closest to the pedestrian footbridge to the island. This easy one-mile walk (on an unpaved nature trail) takes about one hour, but you are free to extend your visit to the memorial itself, if desired. This is a rain-or-shine event–there is no rain date. RSVP is not necessary.
The island’s parking lot is accessible by car from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Parkway. Alternatively, you could metro or drive to Rosslyn and walk to Roosevelt Island using the Mount Vernon Trail, as follows: from the Rosslyn Metro station, walk toward Key Bridge and access the trailhead which is just past the intersection of N. Lynn Street and Langston Boulevard (outbound); follow the trail downhill to the Roosevelt Island parking lot. (Given construction in Rosslyn, it may be best to walk across the Rosslyn Metro station plaza down to the Lynn Street sidewalk, turn left to walk along Lynn Street, then cross Langston Blvd to reach the trailhead.)
Planet World Museum Tour
Are you interested in visiting this interactive museum, the only one of its type dedicated to renewing and inspiring a love of words and language? ANV is planning an excursion to the Museum on May 23 at 10:00am and we need to do advance planning to be able to get tickets. ANV will request passes for up to 15 members and volunteers. Entry passes are free, but a $15 donation is strongly encouraged and can be made in cash at the door. RSVP to the ANV office by March 30 by email at Office@ANVarlington.org or calling 703-509-8057. Passes become available April 1, giving us the chance to reserve our tickets for our visit on May 23.
Planet Word opened in 2020 and is located in the historic Franklin School at the corner of 13th and K Streets NW in downtown D.C. It is an immersive language experience with interactive galleries and exhibits bringing words and language to life in all sorts of fun ways. Attendees will meet at the museum entrance for a self-guided walking tour. Once inside you can proceed at your own pace. Plan on up to 90 minutes for a good experience. Immigrant Food is located in the museum for lunch afterwards. Planet Word is a private, non-government museum, supported primarily by the generosity of donors.
Weekly Events
For more information on an event or to request transportation for an activity/event, please email Office@ANVarlington.org or call the ANV Office at 703-509-8057.
Tai Chi: Tuesdays at 9:30am
ANV Tai Chi practice meets outdoors every week, weather permitting. Meet the group in the parking lot at Museum of Contemporary Art (formerly Arlington Arts Center) at 3550 Wilson Blvd. If the forecast is too cold or wet, we will meet indoors. If you are interested in joining this practice (not instruction), please contact Anita Wallgren at awallgren@gmail.com or (202) 674-5553 to get the weekly location email.
Indoor Bocce and Lunch
Check back on March 15 for updates on Indoor Winter Bocce at Pinstripes in Georgetown (1064 Wisconsin Ave, NW). Play a game of bocce, followed by lunch in the Pinstripes Bistro. Bocce can be played for free (a $9 value) when combined with lunch. Getting there is convenient when taking the 38B Metro Bus from Ballston. Players who want to skip the lunch must pay for their bocce separately. Contact John Thomas for more information at thomas-johnr@comcast.net. If you don’t use email, please call ANV Office and request a call-back from John.
ANV Board Games Day: March 6 and March 20
Do you like board games? Join ANV members and volunteers for Games Day at Ballston Quarter Food Hall (lower level). Look for players at the tables near the elevators. Play games like Rummikub, Mexican Train Dominoes, Ticket to Ride, Quiddler and more. We play every other Thursday at 2pm. Parking is available in the Ballston Quarter for $1. Contact John Thomas for more information at thomas-johnr@comcast.net. If you don’t use email, please call ANV Office and request a call-back from John.
Happy Hour: Thursdays, 5–7pm
Join the ANV Happy Hour Group. The Happy Hour Group will try locations in the Ballston area. For more information and to know the weekly plan, contact Mike Murtha, Happy Hour Coordinator at dmmurtha@verizon.net. Mike will add you to his email list and let you know the weekly location on Thursday morning. If you don’t use email, please call ANV Office and request a call-back from Mike.
Monthly Events
Ladies and Men’s Lunch, March 14 at noon
The Ladies and Men will dine together on Friday March 14 at noon at the Celtic House to celebrate an early St. Patrick’s Day. The Celtic House features classic Irish fare and is located at 2500 Columbia Pike in Arlington. Parking is available in their private lot as well as free street parking. Celtic House is wheelchair accessible. Attendees pay for their own meals by separate check, using cash or credit card. Please RSVP to roslynva@gmail.com so we may have an accurate count. If you don’t use email, please call the ANV Office and request a call-back from Roslyn.
Low-vision Group: Monday, March 17 at 1 pm
Do you experience low vision or want to learn more about it? Join us in the conference room at the ANV Office (St. Andrew’s Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane). Participants are invited to share conversation, exchange experiences and useful tips, discuss helpful resources, recommend presentation/ speaker topics, and brainstorm future field trips. Please bring your ideas, experiences, and thoughts to share with others who experience low vision. Beverages and snacks will be served. If you need a ride, please call the ANV Office to place your request. To learn more, contact facilitator (and ANV member/volunteer) Susan Wallace at susanbwallace@gmail.com or 703-241-8686.
Page Turners, March 27 at 11:00am
Please join us to share a book that you have read, and you think would be interesting for other people to read. It can be something you are reading now, or a book you enjoyed in the past. Meet up with your fellow bibliophiles, share opinions, and learn about new books to add to your reading list.
Join the conversation via Zoom:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89666785566?pwd=WFFpTlY2SkJMQlJjN0NWNEUraFhEQT09
You also have the option to dial in by phone to participate without video. For that, dial: 301-715-8592. The meeting ID is 896 6678 5566 and the passcode is 007241.
Pop Up Picnic in the Park (PPP)
Pop Up Picnics will be on a winter hiatus until the return of warm weather. Stay tuned for updates. For information, contact John Thomas at Thomas-johnr@comcast.net.
Educational Activities
Arlington Public Library Programs
The Library has curated events from the 55+ Program, Encore Learning and elsewhere to make it easy to find something that will pique your interest. There are craft programs, book clubs, and more. It’s worth 5 minutes of your time to click on the calendar of events and see what’s happening at your local branch of the library.
Wellness
Please enjoy this article from the RAFT, the Northern Virginia Regional Older Adults Facility Team.
February was American Heart Month!
Did you know that loneliness and social isolation can increase your risk for heart disease? The Heart Association reports that those who are socially isolated or feel lonely have a 29% increased risk of having a heart attack or dying from heart disease and a 32% increased risk of having a stroke. A recent study demonstrated that less participation in social and leisure activities was associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease (Yang et al., 2025), whereas participation in group activities was associated with a decreased risk.
Older adults have an increased risk of social isolation and loneliness due to changes in their social environment. Other factors such as retirement, experiencing the loss of loved ones, and moving can all contribute to changes in social relationships and lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation. While we can’t always prevent life’s challenges and changes, we can take steps to care for our heart health. Knowing the connection between social isolation and heart disease, a first step could be calling a loved one, joining a hobby group, or meeting a friend for coffee! Joining ANV activities or participating in a 55+ Program at your local Community Center are other good options.
Regardless of your age or life stage, other ways you can support your heart health include:
- Take a walk! Even just 10 minutes a day can be beneficial.
- Eat fruits and vegetables.
- Snack on nuts: Add them to a salad or grab a handful.
- Swap out red meat once a week for seafood.
- Breathe deeply: Slow, deep breaths can help lower blood pressure.
- Practice gratitude: Positive feelings that come when we stop and consider what we are thankful for have been linked with better health and longevity.
Be sure to show some love to your heart! Simply by meeting up with others who have similar interests or regularly meeting up with a friend and caring for your body, you can reduce your risk of heart disease.
Also of Interest
Aging Matters Radio and TV
Aging Matters radio is a weekly podcast, hosted by Cheryl Beversdorf, and features interviews with experts on topics impacting the lives of older adults, their care partners, and families. Every Tuesday at 3 pm, a new Aging Matters broadcast is posted on Apple, Spotify and RedCircle podcast sites. Aging Matters TV Show offers interviews with aging experts, including demonstrations of aging related subjects. Stories of Life programs feature interviews with older adults who have made a difference in their communities.
Free Classical Music – FMMC
The Friday Morning Music Club (FMMC) invites everyone to live classical music concerts the first and second Fridays of the month at Saint George’s Church, 915 N. Oakland St., one block from Virginia Square Metro Station. You can see the musical program here. The one-hour concerts start at noon. Free, no ticket required.
Complimentary membership in Arlington’s 55+ Program is available as an ANV membership benefit. If you haven’t yet opted-in and would like to do so, contact our Member Services Director at 703-509-8057. 55+ Program offerings are posted in the quarterly catalogue available online.
ANV Events are posted on our online calendar so you can always easily find the Zoom link for any scheduled event.
