Community Update (4/15/2023)
Anniversary Celebration and Volunteer Recognition – All in One!
All are welcome to join us for our 9th Anniversary Celebration and Volunteer Recognition on Saturday, May 6 at noon-2:00pm at the Church of the Covenant. It’s a rain or shine event – in the Church parking lot for good weather, and if it rains, we’ll be inside in the Fellowship Hall. Join us to recognize our amazing volunteers and all that they do to make ANV a success. Details below.
Pop Up Picnic – Special Event April 28
Expanded Silver Line Excursions
ANV members and volunteers will travel together to explore exciting new (and old) destinations along the Metro Silver Line extension. The first destination on Friday, April 28 will be to Perch & Putt at the McLean stop where putt-putt golf, bocce, and food is served on the Capital One Center rooftop. See below for details.
Welcome
New Members
- Kit Britton
- Leone Hanson
- Scott Marshall
New Volunteers
- Daniel Blair
- Michelle Dunning
- Missy Haney
- James Owen
- Robert Roll
- Tap Sriburi
In Memoriam
Please remember Roy Massie 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 Conversations on Wednesdays at 10 am
- April 19: Virginia Native Plants
- April 26: Dermatology Issues for Older People
- May 3: Heart Health as we Age
- May 10: Creating Your Own World
Special Events
Weekly Groups
- Tai Chi
- Bocce
- 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, April 19: It’s almost Earth Day and what is better than learning about Virginia Native Plants? Joanne Hutton, Master Naturalist, will talk with us about Plant NOVA Trees, just one initiative of the Plant NOVA Natives program. This collective effort of hundreds of individuals and organizations works to reverse the decline of native plants and wildlife in Northern Virginia.
Wednesday, April 26: The biggest organ in the human body? Our skin! ANV’s Health and Wellness Committee will host a talk about dermatology, focusing on issues for older people, cancer detection and prevention, and new care treatments.
Wednesday, May 3: Heart Health as we Age. We all know that as we age we are more likely to have heart attacks, strokes, coronary heart disease or heart failure. In fact, heart disease is a major cause of disabilities in older adults. Najah Amani, a current medical student at the University of California, and volunteer with the American Heart Association will help us understand what happens to our hearts as we age, and how we can improve our heart health.
Wednesday, May 10: Creating Your Own World. The war in Ukraine, climate change, the banking crisis, politics – with all that is going on in the world, it can be hard to find a sense of purpose or well-being. Dr. Charles Toftoy, author and professor emeritus at George Washington University, will guide an open discussion in pursuit of happiness in this complicated and unstable world.
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
Anniversary Celebration and Volunteer Recognition – All in One!
Saturday, May 6 from noon-2:00pm, Church of the Covenant
All are welcome to join us for our 9th Anniversary Celebration and Volunteer Recognition on Saturday, May 6 from noon-2:00 pm at the Church of the Covenant, 2666 Military Road (ANV’s home). It’s a rain or shine event – in the Church parking lot for good weather, and if it rains, we’ll be inside in the Fellowship Hall. Join us to recognize our amazing volunteers and all that they do to make ANV a success. We will be serving a light lunch, including the return of the Ice Cream truck, and hosting a brief program at 1:00pm to recognize our volunteers. RSVP at Office@arlnvil.org or calling the Office at 703-509-8057 so we can get a good count of attendees.
Spring Cleaning
Do you have household items you’d like to donate or recycle? Maybe a couple of boxes of books or clothing you no longer need, but others could use? On April 21 from 10 am to noon, volunteers will pick up items that members want to donate to Goodwill or the Arlington Public Library. If you need help getting these items ready for pickup, let the Office know and we will find a volunteer to help you. Space is limited to 25 members. Questions, contact the ANV Office at 703-509-8057 or Office@arlnvil.org.
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, Monday’s at 5:00pm
Welcome back outdoor Bocce. Join weekly Bocce on Monday afternoons at 5:00 pm; games last approximately one hour. In addition to the two sets of bocce balls, we now have two new sets of boules. Bocce is played every Monday 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, April 20 and May 4 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
Men’s Lunch Bunch: Friday, May 12 at noon
The Men’s Lunch Bunch will get together at Texas Jack’s Barbecue located at 2761 Washington Boulevard (map) on Friday, May 12 at Noon. Texas Jack’s is known for its delicious smoked meats including beef ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, pork spare ribs and smoked turkey and chicken. A complete menu can be found online. Please RSVP to Tim Burns at tfxb23@yahoo.com or by calling him at 571-224-4546. Parking is available in the restaurant’s lot adjacent to Texas Jack’s and can be accessed off Washington Boulevard.
Ladies Lunch: Friday, May 12 at noon
Our May Ladies Lunch will be at Clare and Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N Washington St, Falls Church City on Friday, May 12. Clare and Don’s is a casual beach themed spot. Our reservation is outside so wear your flip flops and enjoy a variety of seafood and vegetarian fare. Parking is behind the State Theater in two public outside parking lots. Limited street parking is also available. Please rsvp to roslynva@gmail.com so we may have an accurate count.
Page Turners April 27 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 – Special Event April 28
Expanded Silver Line Excursions
ANV members and volunteers will travel together to explore exciting new (and old) destinations along the Metro Silver Line extension. The first destination on Friday, April 28 will be to Perch & Putt at the McLean stop where putt-putt golf and bocce is played on the Capital One Center rooftop. There is a Wegman’s on the ground floor where you can pick up food items either before or after. Two uniquely designed food trucks open for business at 3:00pm serving Jamaican dishes and traditional street tacos. Parking is available in the Wegman’s underground parking garage, but you are encouraged to join other ANV friends as we ride together on the Metro Silver Line to McLean. Meet inside on the lower level platform at the Ballston Metro at 2:30pm for the first trip. Questions? Email thomas-johnr@comcast.net .
Educational Activities
Arlington Public Library Programs
The Library has several events planned for February; 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 E
Special Photography Exhibit Celebrating Arlington Volunteers
Acclaimed local photographer Mac Cosgrove-Davies employed the historic wet plate collodion (or tintype) photography technique to create one-of-a-kind portraits featuring scores of Arlington volunteers. Representing over 30 local organizations and causes, this exhibit spotlights in a creative and unique way Arlington’s rich collection of experienced and dedicated volunteers.
Metropolitan Opera Saturday Matinee Broadcasts
Available every Saturday on our local radio station WETA, broadcast channel 90.9 FM at 1 PM. Find more information on broadcasts online.
April 22: Mozart’s Idomeneo
April 29: Britten’s Peter Grimes
May 6: Puccini’s La Boheme
Wellness
Taking a Closer Look at Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Please take a moment to read new materials from the Alliance for Aging Research.
Vision helps us navigate our everyday lives and experience the world around us. But for over 15 million Americans suffering from age-related macular degeneration (AMD), everyday tasks, like reading and driving, can be difficult. AMD is a progressive disease and a leading cause of vision loss in adults over the age of 65. Consisting of two types, wet and dry, it reduces the ability to see centrally, both near and far. It rarely causes complete blindness, but legal blindness can occur without proper treatment. Some people go for years without noticeable symptoms, while others experience rapid vision loss. Eye-care professionals can detect AMD and monitor its progress with a dilated eye exam.
While AMD is more common with age, both genetic and environmental risk factors can increase your risk. Though you can’t change your genetic risks, there are several things you can do to protect your eyes. The Alliance has updated and released its highly successful educational brochure – Taking a Closer Look at Age-Related Macular Degeneration. This is the 5th edition of the brochure and has been updated to reflect the latest advances in detection, prevention, and treatment. The widely used Amsler Grid can also be found on the back cover.
In addition to the educational brochure, the Alliance has a short film that gives an overview of the disease—including risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment options, and the role nutrition and lifestyle plan in protecting eyesight. It also addresses some of the challenges of living with AMD and encourages those diagnosed with the disease to take control of their sight.
From diagnosis to choosing the right treatment (if any), patients diagnosed with AMD have a lot on their plate. To help them learn more about their disease and treatment options, the updated brochure and film guide readers through the latest information on symptoms and risk factors, while offering ways to reduce risk.
Also of Interest
Encore Chorale of Washington, DC
Join the Encore Chorale for a free concert on April 21 at 7:00pm at the Church of the Epiphany, 1317 G Street NW, Washington, DC., to usher in the warmth of Spring with songs of light and love, conducted by Stephen Harouff. The Chorale is on a mission to recruit more singers, 55 years of age or older, no auditions. For more information, email info@encorecreativity.org .
2023 Sourcebook Is Available in Print and Online
The new 2023 edition of the Positive Aging Sourcebook is available online or in print for FREE. You can browse the online edition or request a free print copy. The Sourcebook has good articles and exhaustive lists of different services available to older adults.
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.
The Aging Eye: What to Expect and What You Can Do
Tuesday, April 18, 3-4 pm on Zoom
As we age, our eyes will change. This may include needing glasses, more floaters, or even cataracts. However, there are other, more severe eye conditions to be on the lookout for. Join Little Falls Village to discuss normal aging eye conditions, what to be on the lookout for when it comes to more significant eye conditions, and ways you can ensure your eyes stay as healthy as possible! The speaker is Narmien Murdock, MD. She is a third-year resident in Georgetown University’s Ophthalmology Residency Program. This program is in partnership with the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington. Registration is required.
Gilded Age Mansions of Dupont Circle
April 27 at 1pm
Around the turn of the 20th century, the Dupont Circle area was transformed from an outpost of the federal city to the preserve of the wealthy, who built immense mansions in a variety of ornate styles. In his talk, Ralph Buglass will draw on vintage photos to tell stories of these extravagant residences–most of them surviving today for other purposes–and the equally flamboyant characters who once lived in them–though often just part of the year. Please Register by April 26.
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 Spring Guide is available online.
ANV Events are posted on our online calendar so you can always easily find the Zoom link for any scheduled event.
