Community Update (8/15/2023)
County Fair, August 16-20
The Arlington County Fair is August 16 to August 20 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center at 3501 Second Street South. On Thursday, August 17, there will be a Night Market of local artisans and their handmade goods. On Saturday, August 19 at noon, you can watch the pie-eating contest in the Fitness Center. Of special interest, ANV will host an information table in the Exhibit Hall on Friday evening August 18 and Saturday and Sunday August 19-20. Visit us at Booth F14.
Volunteer and Member Surveys
Please complete the Volunteer and Member Surveys that were emailed to you in early August. We are looking for your feedback to help us assess our performance and plan for the future. Your input is valued. We will take extra steps to get the Member Survey to ANV members who do not use email.
Registration is August 16 for the 55+ Fall Program
The 55+ Fall Guide is available. Registration for Fall Classes is Wednesday, August 16 at 10 am for Arlington County residents.
Save the (NEW) Date, 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 last had an in-person All Hands meeting on February 29, 2020 right before the pandemic forced us all indoors. More information will be shared in upcoming newsletters.
Walking School Bus
The Alliance for Arlington Senior Programs is looking for adult volunteers to help lead Walking School Buses at elementary schools around the Arlington County. Walking School Buses are a great way to make walking to school easier for families while maximizing the health benefits of walking for students and reducing congestion and pollution in neighborhoods around schools. After seeing success at Oakridge Elementary, the program is looking to expand around the County. Each “bus” requires only one hour of your time.
Home Safety Assessment
Home Safety is crucial for successful aging-in-place! Yet, certain Arlington homes were not designed to meet the safety needs that emerge in our older years. Many of us notice safety concerns within our homes and wonder how to address these – such as difficulty seeing in dimly-lit areas, unsteadiness when accessing the tub/shower and toilet, slipping on rugs, trouble balancing on stairs, and more. ANV can help! Our Home Safety Assessment service is provided in-person in your home by trained and experienced volunteers. We identify potential safety hazards and discuss possible solutions with you. Depending on the situation, solutions may be implemented by you, ANV volunteers, or professional contractors. You have full control over the scope and pacing of both the assessment and any modifications you choose to make. We look forward to working with you to increase safety in your home, enhancing your ability to live well, independently. Full members can learn more or request a Home Safety Assessment by contacting the ANV Office at 703-509-8057 or office@arlnvil.org.
Arlington Commission on Aging seeking members
The Arlington Commission on Aging is a 17-member County Board-appointed advisory body comprised of individuals who are interested in and knowledgeable about aging issues and services. The Commission is seeking new members; if you are interested, please submit an application. The Commission meets on the 3rd Monday of the month March through December and the 4th Monday in January, February, and June from 9:00 am – 11:00 am.
Welcome
New Members
- Mark Hepworth
- Marybeth Jones
- Bob & Jane Munsey
- Ray Pisney
New Volunteers
- Bill Brady
- Annalise Capalbo
- David Klepper
- Emily Rogers
- Linda Scott
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
- August 16: Arlington County Public Library
- August 23 and 30: Summer Hiatus
- September 6: Arlington’s Poet Laureate
- September 13: Capital Caring Hospice
- September 20: Saving Claire
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, August 16: Arlington County Public Library Director Diane Kresh will speak about the role public libraries play in the life of our community. She also will describe her 40-year library career which included a 31-year stint at the Library of Congress. Since she joined Arlington as Director of Libraries in April 2006, Diane has championed literacy, community engagement, intergenerational participation, and the rights of women in the workplace. Learn more about Diane at the Library’s website,
Wednesday, August 23 and 30: Coffee and Conversation will take a summer break. Please join us next on September 6.
Wednesday, September 6: Arlington’s Poet Laureate. Recently Courtney Le Blanc was appointed Poet Laureate for Arlington County. But what is a Poet Laureate and what do they do? Dan Brady, Literary Specialist for Arlington Cultural Affairs, and Courtney Le Blanc will join us to talk about the program and share some of Courtney’s writings.
Wednesday, September 13: Capital Caring Hospice. Increasingly people are choosing hospice care and focusing more on quality of life. But what is hospice care? And how does it differ from palliative care? Steve Cone from Capital Caring will talk to us about hospice care and provide an update on the renovation of the Halquist Center.
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.
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
County Fair, August 16-20
The Arlington County Fair will be held August 16 to August 20 at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center at 3501 Second Street South. On Thursday, August 17, there will be a Night Market of local artisans and their handmade goods. On Saturday, August 19 at noon, you can watch the pie-eating contest in the Fitness Center. Of special interest, ANV will host an information table in the Exhibit Hall on Friday evening August 18 and Saturday and Sunday August 19-20. Please come visit us at Booth F14.
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, August 24 and September 7 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 Scrabble, Mexican Train Dominoes, Cribbage, 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, September 8 at noon
The Ladies Lunch will gather at Ragtime, 1345 N. Courthouse Road. Ragtime is a neighborhood favorite. Street parking is available and also at the County parking lots nearby. Please rsvp to roslynva@gmail.com so we may have an accurate count of attendees for our reservation.
Men’s Lunch Bunch Friday, September 8 at noon
Please join us for the Men’s Lunch at the Brass Rabbit Pub, 1210 North Garfield Street in the heart of Clarendon. The Brass Rabbit offers a pub menu including burgers, sandwiches, salads and even lettuce wraps. Metered parking can be found on the street and the pub is in easy walking distance from the Clarendon metro. Please RSVP to Tim Burns at tfxb23@yahoo.com or by calling him at 571-224-4546.
Page Turners – August 24 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.
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 August 25 at noon
Our next Pop Up Picnic will be Friday, August 25 at Douglas Park, located at 1718 S. Quincy St (corner of S. Quincy St & 16th St S). This park has picnic tables, shade, a shelter, and free street 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 August; 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
SAIL Class-Falls Prevention
Consider enrolling in the SAIL (Staying Active and Independent for Life) class. SAIL is a strength, balance and fitness class for older adults. SAIL is an evidence-based intervention for preventing falls in older adults. There are two classes offered: Lubber Run (911502-03) is scheduled to begin September 11 and run through November 30 from 1:00pm-2:00 pm (Mondays and Thursdays); and Aurora Hills (911502-04) is scheduled September 1 through November 21 (Tuesdays and Fridays). Registration is through Arlington County 55+ programs, starting on August 16. You can register online, in person or by calling 703-228-4747.
Water walking for Wellness: What, Why, Where and When??
So many older people have recently discovered the pleasures and benefits of doing exercise in water. Why is this, and why do they seem to be having so much fun, while exerting effort?
The New York Times describes aquatic exercise as a workout in chest-deep water, so you can push off the bottom or jog in place while benefiting from full-body resistance. Various equipment, such as plastic barbells, and noodles, can be added to increase the challenge. And, while it may not seem like one is working out, research indicates strength increases to upper body, lower body, and your core.
Doing water aerobics (preferably in a heated pool) offers “360 degrees of resistance in every direction,” according to water fitness experts in the NYTimes (July 12, 2023). “Whether you move up, down, left, right, circling, you are always working against resistance.” Exercises such as Jumping Jacks, “cheerleader” kicks, and running seem so much easier in water, and have the benefit of cushioning you if you lose your balance. As with any exercise, listen to your body, and take a break if you need to. Much humor and cheerful interaction has the added benefit of making a class a social event; participants are always warmly welcoming to newcomers, and many enduring friendships are borne in classes in local pools!
The Washington Post (July 25, 2023) also points out that one can “aqua jog” in water, and runners may do this safely while recovering from a jogging injury. But one does not need to “jog.” Indeed, walking in water is also very beneficial, again as it uses the resistance of water to develop strength and get your heartrate up. Again, it is more fun to do with company, so if you are not in a class, talk a friend into trying it with you. Then go to lunch together! Facilities have lockers (bring your own lock), and showers, and supply the exercise equipment used in classes. There is a lifeguard on duty.
Arlington County offers water exercise programs, one through Parks and Rec (55+) at the new Long Bridge pool, and two through Arlington Aquatics at Washington-Liberty High School and Wakefield High School pools. Check them out, and try it once—and I bet you will return!
Contact Information: (call for prices; recently changed)
Long Bridge 703-228-3338, 333 Long Bridge Drive. Classes Mon and Tues 11-12 noon, Fri 10-11. Ten sessions in a course; no refunds for missed sessions.
Washington-Liberty (Aquatics Center office) 703-228-6262. 1301 N. Quincy St. Mon, Wed, Fri 8:30-9:30, Tues and Thurs 12:30-1:30. Pack of 8 passes to use over time.
Wakefield: 703-228-2395. 1325 S. Dinwiddie Rd. Mon, Wed, Fri 8:30-9:30. Pack of 8 passes.
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.
Remember as an ANV member, you also receive membership in Arlington’s 55+ Program. During COVID, many programs are on-line, and the Guide is now published quarterly. The Fall Guide is available online.
