Community Update (11/1/2023)
Thanksgiving Celebration, Friday November 17
ANV Members and Volunteers are invited to join us for our Thanksgiving celebration dinner on Friday, November 17, at 5:00pm at the Church of the Covenant Fellowship Hall, 2666 Military Road. The meal will be catered but we welcome your sharing your favorite appetizer or dessert item. Dinner will be at 5pm; please join us early to enjoy good cheer and thanksgiving wishes. Please register by calling the ANV office at 703 509-8057 or email office@ANVarlington.org. Details below.
Crystal City Water Park Excursion and Lunch
Visit the newly reopened Crystal City Water Park on November 3 from 11:00am to 12:30pm. Join ANV members and volunteers to discover the Crystal City Water Park and get your lunch from one (or two!) of 11 different indoor and outdoor food vendors & restaurants. Details below.
Recipes Wanted
If you have a favorite dessert recipe, please share it with Noel. She is putting together an ANV Cookbook and desserts will be the first (and best!) chapter. We plan to create a printed version that we can share with attendees at the St. Mary’s Advent Market on December 10 and at ANV’s Holiday celebration on December 15.
Early Voting
Early Voting for the November 7, 2023 General Election will be open at three locations: Courthouse, Madison Community Center, and Walter Reed Community Center. All Arlington voters are eligible to vote early at any location. Arlington has four different ballots depending on where you live for the November 7, 2023 General Election. Find your ballot here. Early Voting hours and locations can be found at here. Note, hours vary based on location.
Medicare Open Enrollment Season
Medicare Open Enrollment runs from October 15 to December 7. Take some time to ensure that your Medicare Prescription Drug coverage is right for you. Your needs change and plan offerings change each year so it is important to do an annual “checkup.” Arlington offers free Medicare counseling from well-trained volunteers through VICAP (Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program). Learn how to use the Medicare Plan finder and other tools to maximize savings. Please sign up by visiting this website, emailing Medicarehelp@arlingtonva.us or calling 703-228-1725.
Open Enrollment events held at the community centers are open to the public and appointments are scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. Programs are planned for Tuesday, October 24 at Arlington Mill and November 14 at Walter Reed.
Welcome
New Members
- Gerry Bernier
- John Faulkner
- Marvin Hurley
- Dot Perry
- June Pierce
- Nancy Rhoades
New Volunteers
- Kanuj Bains
- Lincoln Calfee
- Lottie Coleman
- Lisa Gordon
- Jean Lynn
- Eden Slone
In Memoriam
Please remember Joanne Petras in your prayers.
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
- November 1: SPARK business academy
- November 8: RSV
- November 15: English Empowerment Center
- November 22: ANV
- November 29: Trees
Special Events
Weekly Groups
- Tai Chi
- Bocce and Boules
- Happy Hour
- Board Games
Monthly Groups
- Men’s Lunch Bunch
- Ladies Lunch
- Pop Up Picnic
- Page Turners
Educational Activities
- Wellness
Also of Interest
ANV Activities
Coffee and Conversation: Wednesdays at 10 am
Coffee and Conversation occurs on Wednesdays, 10–11 am. 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, November 1: SPARK business academy. Unfortunately, one of life’s most important lessons is not taught in schools. Financial literacy is often learned the hard way through crushing debt and unrealized goals. SPARK business academy, based here in Arlington, aims to change that by teaching financial literacy and entrepreneur-ship to students in grades K-12 via empowering summer camps and after-school enrichment classes at many local private and public schools. Chuchi Arevalo, CFA, CFE, founder and CEO of SPARK business academy, will talk about their programs and the effect they are having on young people.
Wednesday, November 8: RSV. Respiratory syncytial virus has been a typical childhood disease. However, it can cause serious illness in older adults. A new vaccine specifically targeted to this population has recently been approved by the FDA. Dr. Michelle Crank, an allergist, immunologist, and internist, will join us to speak about the disease and the development of this new vaccine.
Wednesday, November 15: English Empowerment Center. Imagine not being able to read, write or speak English. Even the simplest tasks like grocery shopping, navigating a bus schedule, or filling out a job application would be insurmountable. Amy Tristan, Volunteer and Outreach Manager with the English Empowerment Center will talk about their mission to improve English literacy among non-speakers in our region so they can become active members of our community.
Wednesday, November 22: What’s New at Arlington Neighborhood Village. Missed the All-Hands Meeting? Wendy Zenker will fill us in on what happened at the meeting and bring us up-to-date on what’s new at Arlington Neighborhood Village.
Wednesday, November 29, 2023: Caring For and Enjoying Trees – The benefits of trees are many. They help reduce cooling and heating costs, filter air pollution, generate oxygen, provide shade in the summer and protection from winds in the winter, provide habitats for wildlife and can increase home values. Jessica Strother, an ANV member, and retired Fairfax County Urban Forester and ISA Certified Arborist will talk to us about the value of trees in our community and provide tips for maintaining the trees on your property. As an added bonus, she will also talk about how to maintain your holiday tree so it lasts the season!
ANV’s YouTube channel
If you miss a Coffee and Conversation speaker, be sure to check out ANV’s YouTube channel where we are posting some of our Coffee and Conversation speakers and other special events. Sit back and enjoy!
Special Events
Crystal City Water Park Excursion and Lunch, November 3 at 11:00am
Visit the newly reopened Crystal City Water Park on November 3 from 11:00am to 12:30pm. Join ANV members and volunteers to discover the Crystal City Water Park at 1601 Crystal Drive. Get your lunch from a possibility of 11 different indoor and outdoor food vendors & restaurants with choices ranging from plant-based burgers, to Indian street food, to Thai and Mediterranean specialties. We will meet at the street level of the Crystal City Metro Station at 11:00am then walk to the Park, only a 4 minute walk. For more information, contact John Thomas at thomas-johnr@comcast.net.
THANKSGIVING Celebration
Friday, November 17 at 5:00 – 7:00pm
How does a year go by so quickly? ANV Members and Volunteers are invited to join us to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday on Friday, November 17 at 5:00 pm at the ANV office at the Church of the Covenant, 2666 Military Road. (Note new location.) The meal will be catered, a traditional Thanksgiving feast. We welcome your bringing an appetizer or dessert item to share.
Dinner will be at 5pm, but please join us early to enjoy good cheer and thanksgiving wishes.
If you would like to bring an appetizer or dessert to share with friends, please do.
Call the ANV office to register at 703-509-8057 or email office@ANVarlington.org to let us know if you plan to attend and if you are bringing a dessert or appetizer.
Weekly Events
Zoom Practice Session
If you need some extra help getting familiar with ZOOM, just call or email office@ANVarlington.org and we will set you up with a volunteer who can help you.
Tai Chi: Tuesdays at 9:30 am
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.
Bocce and Boules, Mondays at 5:00pm
ANV members, volunteers, and friends enjoy weekly outdoor bocce every Monday in Ballston at 5:00pm. Games last approximately one hour. In addition to the two sets of bocce balls, we have two sets of boules. Bocce is played at the courts on the corner of Randolph St. & N. Glebe Rd. Parking is available in the Ballston Quarter parking garage for $1. All levels of bocce skills and experience are welcome. Everyone gets to play. Contact John Thomas for more information at thomas-johnr@comcast.net.
ANV Board Games Day, Thursday, November 2 and November 16 at 2pm
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 parking garage for $1. Contact John Thomas for more information at thomas-johnr@comcast.net .
Happy Hour: Thursdays, 5–7 pm
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.
Monthly Events
Ladies Lunch Bunch (no lunch in November)
The Ladies Lunch is not gathering in November and hopes to see everyone at the ANV Thanksgiving celebration on November 17.
Men’s Lunch Bunch Friday, November 10 at noon
Please join us for the Men’s Lunch at The Union, 3811 Fairfax Drive. Please take a look at the menu, but know that the burgers get huge raves. The Union is a casual, family owned restaurant whose mission is to invite you into a warm, familiar neighborhood space where you can enjoy food inspired from the world around us. The Union is a one block walk from the Virginia Square metro. Metered parking is also available on Fairfax Drive. Please RSVP to Tim Burns at tfxb23@yahoo.com or by calling him at 571-224-4546.
Page Turners – November 30 at 11am on Zoom
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. The group is hosted by Donna Pastore and Beverly Cannizzaro. Please note that Page Turners is meeting on a different day – November 30 – this month.
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)
PPPs will be on hiatus for the winter months. We hope to see you again as soon as the weather warms up. There are two other events to join this month — the November 3 Crystal City Water Park tour and the Thanksgiving celebration on November 17.
Educational Activities
Arlington Public Library Programs
The Library has several events planned for October; please visit their website to see the calendar of events. The Library staff have 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 and see what’s happening at your local branch of the library.
More Library Resources
The Library offers a wealth of resources to help you connect with the world. All available with a free library card.
- Press Reader provides online access to over 5,000 local, regional and international newspapers and magazines from over 100 countries in 60 languages, displayed in their original format and accessible by country, language, or title.
- Language Conversation classes meet regularly; for example, French classes meet Sunday afternoon at Central Library and Italian on Monday evenings at Aurora Hills. Visit the Library Events calendar to see if there is a class for you!
- Using your Arlington Public Library card, you can now access Kanopy, a new-to-Arlington streaming service offering an extensive collection of narrative and documentary films, TV series, kids content and digital courses.
Wellness
Digestive Issues & Aging
Friday, November 17
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
This free webinar is sponsored by the VHC Senior Health Department. Please join Dr. Ami Patel, DO, MBA to learn about the digestive process, and common issues encountered as we age. Dr. Patel is a board-certified Gastroenterologist with VHC Health Physicians. Registration required.
COVID Annual Vaccination
Getting vaccinated or boosted is an important way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19. But if it’s been a while since you got the shot, your protection may need a boost. Updated COVID-19 vaccines are available now and protect against the Omicron variant. Other vaccines, including this year’s flu vaccine, are also available. Staying up to date with your COVID vaccine can reduce the risk that you’ll:
- Get seriously ill, need hospital care, or die from COVID-19
- Develop long COVID-19
- Spread the disease to others, putting their health and lives at risk.
Learn more about COVID-19 and the updated vaccines from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Can Oral Health Affect Your Brain? Read On
October is oral health month, and a timely article by Richard Sima (Washington Post, 10/3/23) highlighted an association that perhaps most of us were not aware. He cited many pieces of scientific research that pointed to a relationship between gum disease and risk of dementia.
First, what is periodontal (i.e. gum) disease? The American Periodontal Association defines this as “an inflammation of the gums that, if severe, can lead to the loss of tissues that hold teeth in place caused by plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms constantly on teeth.” The APA describes three stages of gum disease, beginning with gingivitis, which causes irritation, redness, swelling and bleeding of gums especially when you brush your teeth. As gums wear away, deep pockets form between teeth, trapping even more bacteria; periodontists may plant antibiotics in these pockets, as the body’s own infection fighters become overwhelmed.
The American Dental Association echoes the warnings of the APA, and may refer you to the gum specialist, the periodontist, for alternate visits.
But, Mr. Sima’s highlights, concerning the high probability of the relationship of gum disease to dementia is startling. Along with myriad other problems including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and early death, that have been proven to be linked to severe gum disease, the dementia link has been the result of multiple researches around the globe. And, as gum disease progresses, it leads to bone loss, tooth loss, leading to poor nutrition as well. A 2019 study (Science Advances) reported that the DNA of P. gingivalis bacteria, key in gum disease, could be found in brain biopsies from Alzheimer’s patients; this DNA was also found in the cerebrospinal fluid of people living with a probable Alzheimer’s diagnosis. A leading researcher, Dioguardi, has said “raising awareness among the population about the increased risk of Alzheimer’s associated with tooth loss and periodontitis can lead to heightened attention towards oral health.”
So, how do we deal with this? All the “oral” experts agree—brush teeth with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste twice a day, floss between/around teeth once a day. Sometimes an antibacterial mouthwash may be recommended. Most importantly, keep up those 6 month checkups/cleanings with your dentist, and if he/she refers you to a periodontist, GO, as this can help reverse and/or stop progression of any gum disease you may have. We all see more of this as we age, and if we were cigarette smokers, know we are more prone to this.
It is such a relief to know gum disease can be treated, and reversed or halted, with the right care. So, let’s do this! Remember, you can request transportation to your dentist and/or periodontist appointments.
Also of Interest
Case Studies in Stormwater Management
Friday, November 10, 2023, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., ONLINE
Tired of parts of your yard flooding when it rains? Have you ever wondered what you can do to control stormwater on your property? Maybe you experience property damage from excessive water runoff, live in a community that floods frequently, or care about the health of local streams. Join Extension Master Gardeners Cindy Robertson, Bev Johnston, and Kathryn Kellam, who will share helpful advice and lessons learned in managing and capturing stormwater in their Northern Virginia yards. Free. RSVP required to receive a link to participate.
Aging Matters Radio and TV
Aging Matters radio is a weekly program on Arlington’s community radio station WERA Arlington 96.7 FM. Every Tuesday at 2 pm and Friday at 2 pm, host Cheryl Beversdorf interviews experts on topics impacting the lives of older adults and their families. All Aging Matters broadcasts can be found on Apple and Spotify. 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.
Shared Area Village Events Calendar
The Washington Area Villages are sharing their speaker series for all of us to enjoy. Please visit their calendar to see what’s available.
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 at Fall Guide.
ANV Events are posted on our online calendar so you can always easily find the Zoom link for any scheduled event.