Community Update (9/15/2023)
ANV All Hands Meeting, Saturday September 23
ANV is hosting an in-person All Hands meeting on Saturday, September 23; this is your opportunity to share your perspective on ANV operations and plans for the future. We will gather at our offices at the Church of the Covenant Fellowship Hall at 2666 Military Road. The meeting will run from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm and coffee will be available at 9:30 am for those who would like a little extra time to socialize. If you plan to attend, please email or call the ANV Office at 703-509-8057 by September 19. Members who need a ride should let us know.
Falls Prevention Health Fair, TODAY Friday September 15
Come to the Falls Prevention Health Fair at Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N. Park Drive. Learn from experts about fall risks and prevention strategies. Details below.
Jewish Holidays
The Jewish High Holy Days are here. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and starts on Friday evening, September 15. Yom Kippur, often referred to as the Day of Atonement, begins at sunset on Sunday, September 24 and ends at sunset September 25. According to Jewish tradition, on Rosh Hashanah God inscribes each person’s fate for the coming year into the Book of Life and waits until Yom Kippur to “seal” the verdict.
Roosevelt Island Walk: September 21
The summer seasonal walk at Theodore Roosevelt Island takes place September 21 at 11:00 am. Remember, walks this year are on Thursday, not Saturday. Details below.
Hispanic Heritage Month
On September 15, 1821, five Central American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua – declared independence from Spain. Mexico achieved its independence 11 years earlier, on September 16, 1810, and two days later, Chile became independent on September 18, 1810. Today, in the United States, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in September to coincide with this history.
Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, and President Ronald Reagan expanded it in 1988 to cover 30 days, beginning on September 15 and ending on October 15. Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
Tax Payments
In addition to the normal payment options (online, mail, Courthouse), you can also make convenient, in person payment of your Arlington County real estate and vehicle personal property taxes at Arlington Mill (909 S. Dinwiddie Street) and Lubber Run (300 N. Park Drive) Community Centers. You can pay in person, Monday through Friday, September 25-29, from 10am to 6pm and Saturday, September 30 from 8am to 1pm.
Welcome
New Members
- Charles and Louise Blivin
- Paul Curtis
- Lorna Green
- Stephen Kalms
- Tim Pardon
New Volunteers
- Marigo Dulaku
- Julie Farnam
- Catherine Ginther
- Thomas Griffith
- Shannon Hope
- Jennifer Lunger
- Keara Sanderson
- Kristen Wilcox
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
- September 20: Saving Claire
- September 27: Pirouette Café & Wine Bar
- October 4: The Military Women’s Memorial
- October 11: Arc of Northern Virginia
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, September 20: September 18-22 is National Falls Prevention Awareness Week! Join us for a screening of the groundbreaking documentary, Saving Claire, followed by an interactive Q&A with local experts. The film explores the complex nature of aging, resistance to change and all the relatable patterns that increase fall risk. Claire’s journey is a cautionary tale. The film explores Claire’s attitudes and actions, the spiral after her fall, and the dramatic events that follow. ANV is proud to be a sponsor of this important project in our region.
Wednesday, September 27: Pirouette Café & Wine Bar – Many of us dream of owning our own business, but few of us ever do. Philippe and Jackie Loustaunau will join us to talk about how they combined their love of food and wine with their friendships with suppliers to go all-in to create their own restaurant and wine bar in Ballston.
Wednesday, October 4: The Military Women’s Memorial. Marilla J. Cushman, a 25-year Army veteran and senior advisor to the Memorial’s president, will provide an overview of America’s only major national memorial to honor all of the women who have served in the U.S. Military. The Memorial’s staff operates and maintains the 33,000 sq. ft. memorial and education center. They also manage an archive of items relating to women’s service and compile and maintain a growing registry of women’s service records.
Wednesday, October 11: Arc of Northern Virginia. Planning for the support of a loved one with disabilities after one’s own death can create tremendous anxiety. Resources such as special needs trusts are fairly new and baffling to many. Larry Rockwell, the Arc’s Director of Communications & Community Relations, will describe the resources the Arc offers for people with disabilities and their families throughout Northern Virginia.
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
Falls Prevention Health Fair
Friday, September 15, 2023
10 AM – 12 PM
Come to the Falls Prevention Health Fair at Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N. Park Drive. Learn from experts about fall risks and prevention strategies. Informational booths, activities and screenings will be available, including fall risk assessment, balance screening, medication review with a pharmacist (bring a list of prescriptions and supplements), home modification techniques, grip strength assessment, exercise demos, blood pressure and vision screening. The fair is hosted in partnership with VHC Health, the Northern Virginia Falls Prevention Alliance and the Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation. No registration required; free; 4 hour free parking available in Lubber Run garage.
Roosevelt Island Walk, September 21 at 11:00 am
The fall seasonal walk at Theodore Roosevelt Island takes place at 11:00 am on Thursday, September 21. Please note that the walks this year are on Thursdays not Saturday. This easy community walk takes about one hour. You, your family, friends and nice dogs on leash are invited and RSVP is not needed. The 11:00 am meeting point is at the landward end of the footbridge to the island. Access by auto to the island parking lot is only from the northbound George Washington Parkway. In addition, paid parking is available in Rosslyn on the street and in garages. The meeting point is a 15-minute walk from the Rosslyn Metro and bus stop. As usual this is a rain-or-shine event; no rain date. Questions, call David Christian at 703-785-3434 or email daveycc910@gmail.com.
Weekly Events
Zoom Practice Session
If you need some extra help getting familiar with ZOOM, just call or email office@arlnvil.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 6:00pm
ANV members, volunteers, and friends enjoy weekly outdoor bocce every Monday in Ballston at 6:00pm. 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, September 21 and October 5 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 Friday, October 13 at noon
The Ladies Lunch will gather at the Celebrity Deli, 7263A Arlington Blvd, Fall Church.
The Deli features traditional Jewish fare with a new age fusion menu. They were recently featured on the series Kitchen Comando. There is ample parking in the shopping center. Please rsvp to roslynva@gmail.com so we may have an accurate count of attendees for our reservation.
Men’s Lunch Bunch Friday, October 13 at noon
Please join us for the Men’s Lunch at Pupatella in the Bluemont neighborhood, 5104 Wilson Boulevard. Pupatella is well-known for its Neapolitan-style pizza and is frequently on best pizza lists in DC. If it’s nice weather, we can sit on their outdoor patio. Please RSVP to Tim Burns at tfxb23@yahoo.com or by calling him at 571-224-4546.
Page Turners – September 28 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. See August booklist below.
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), Friday September 29 at noon
Our next Pop Up Picnic will be Friday, September 29 at Arlington Hall West Park, located at 290 S. Taylor St, from noon to 1:00 pm. This neighborhood park is easy to get to. Find it near the intersection of Arlington Blvd & South George Mason Dr. Plenty of free parking. PPPs are scheduled the last Friday of the month at a different Arlington neighborhood park. ANV members and volunteers enjoy PPPs for casual outdoor conversation and fresh air. Bring your own lunch and something to drink. Contact John Thomas, thomas-johnr@comcast.net, if you have any questions.
Educational Activities
Arlington Public Library Programs
The Library has several events planned for September; 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.
Wellness
Frequent Visitor to VHC?
Learn about the Senior Associates Program that offers a variety of exclusive Hospital benefits for a low annual membership fee, including complimentary parking and discounts on health classes, the Lifeline program and food court purchases.
Are You Experiencing Eye Strain?
As I sit at my computer writing this, I am noticing that my eyes feel weary and dry. I had been researching information on “blue light” problems, and ironically, realize that I have done just what experts say to avoid!
But first, what is “blue light” and why is it a problem? Blue light refers to a range of wavelengths of light around us; the light is emitted by the sun, and also by fluorescent and LED lights, and back-lit electronic screens on televisions, computers, tablets and cell phones. Light color can affect our circadian rhythms, that is our body’s 24 hour internal “clock.” Other colors of lights vary in their effects; white light during the day stimulates us and can elevate our mood, while red, yellow and orange light do not affect our circadian rhythms (so dim light of these colors are ok to use as nightlights).
However, blue light has a strong effect making it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep. And concerning eyesight, some researchers have blamed blue light for such problems as headaches, difficulty sleeping, and blurred vision. Some have recommended wearing blue-light-filtering eyeglasses to prevent these symptoms, while others dismiss this altogether.
The New York Times (Dani Blum, August 29, 2023) has looked at many studies, and finds very mixed results regarding the use of those eyeglasses to curb eye strain. One expert contended that the amount of blue light that a phone or computer emits is quite low, but if you are on a screen for four or more hours a day you are at risk for screen-induced eye strain. Dr. Laura Downie of the University of Melbourne was one who reviewed the many researches, and she and other experts had the following tips to help reduce/avoid eyestrain.
- Lubricate your eyes. Since we tend to blink less often when looking at a screen, the eyes dry out more easily. Using lubricant eye drops a few times a day can help.
- Give yourself a break. A common method is the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20 second break to look at an object 20 feet away. Some researchers say that longer than 20 seconds would be more helpful.
- Reduce glare. Position the lighting in your room to reduce reflections and glare on your screen and position the computer away from reflective windows and glass doors.
- Use optimal position of your computer. The center of the screen should be just below eye level, and 20-30 inches away from your head.
Of course, if your eyestrain continues, seek medical assessment and intervention
Also of Interest
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.
