Community Update (3/1/2023)
Bingo at Ballston Quarter
Bingo is coming back to Ballston Quarter on Wednesday’s in March, and ANV will be featured on March 8! Join ANV Guest Emcees Beverly Cannizzaro, Cindy Schultz and Wendy Zenker, from 6:00-7:30pm on Wednesday March 8 in the Ballston Quarter Market for fun, prizes, giveaways and flagrant promotion of ANV. The weekly bingo series kicks off on March 1 on the lower level, food court area. Nonprofit emcees begin hosting with ANV (March 8), the Arlington Food Assistance Center (March 15), Culpepper Gardens (March 22) and Doorways (March 29). It’s free, and registration is not required.
Arlington Community Forum on Aging, March 20
On Monday, March 20, from 9:30am – 12:30pm, you have a chance to offer your opinion on aging services in Arlington either at an in-person event or online via Zoom. For those attending in person, the Forum is at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4444 Arlington Blvd. Registration is required. See below for more information.
Planetarium Tour, March 15
A special program for ANV members and volunteers will be held Wednesday, March 15 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the David M. Brown Planetarium, 1426 N. Quincy Street. See below for more details.
Roosevelt Island Walk, Thursday, March 16
The next seasonal walk at Theodore Roosevelt Island will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 16. Please note: Walks this year will be on Thursday, not Saturday. Details below.
Tax Aide
AARP Tax Aide for low- and middle-income taxpayers is available at the Arlington Library now through April 15. Appointments are available at the Central Library and appointments and walk-in help is available in Spanish and English at the Columbia Pike Branch. Please visit the AARP website to learn more about what you need to do.
Welcome
New Members
- Leslie Dildy
- Carol Ismalun
- Bill and Mary Ann Oakley
- Nancy Wenger
New Volunteers
- Justin Boesel
- William Kane
- Sarah Lewis
- Catherine Taylor
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
- March 1: Arlington Neighborhood Village Update
- March 8: What is ….?
- March 15: Lost Dog
- March 22: Colorectal Cancer Awareness
- March 29: The Women of the Suffragist Movement
Special Events
Weekly Groups
- Tai Chi
- Bocce
- Happy Hour
- Board Games
Monthly Groups
- Men’s Lunch Bunch
- Ladies Lunch
- Pop Up Picnic (on hiatus)
- 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, March 1: Arlington Neighborhood Village Update Wendy Zenker, Executive Director, will provide an update on Arlington Neighborhood Village including updates on membership, volunteer opportunities, services, and programs.
Wednesday, March 8: What is….?. Your team always comes in first at trivia nights, and your friends constantly tell you you’re a walking encyclopedia of obscure facts. Think you have what it takes to be on Jeopardy!? Luigi de Guzman, the local Arlington attorney who won more than $140,000 over six days on the show, will share his experiences and tell us what it takes to be a winner.
Wednesday, March 15: Lost Dog & Cat Rescue. Thinking about bringing a furry friend into your home? Wondering how to incorporate a pet into your life without making a long-term commitment? Dawn Wallace, Executive Director of the Lost Dog & Cat Rescue Foundation will join us to talk about their mission to help homeless animals find loving homes.
Wednesday, March 22: Colorectal Cancer Awareness. We don’t like to talk about it, and we hate getting screened for it, but colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the United States, affecting 1 out of every 24 people. Dr. Cynthia Yoshinda, a gastroenterologist and medical lead for the University of Virginia Cancer Center CRC Screening program and co-chair of the Virginia Colorectal Cancer Roundtable will talk to us about what we need to know about colon cancer and the importance of getting screened.
Wednesday, March 29: The Women of the Suffragist Movement. Historic re-enactor Lynne Garvey Hodge will bring to life the story of Mrs. Robert Walker, a suffragist from Baltimore who was instrumental in the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution giving women the right to vote. She will describe the indignities women endured in their fight, her arrest at the White House, and her incarceration at the Occoquan Workhouse.
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
ANV’s Own Star Trek at the Arlington Planetarium, March 15
A special program for ANV members and volunteers will be held Wednesday, March 15 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the David M. Brown Planetarium, 1426 N. Quincy Street, Arlington VA 22207. We will meet Mary Clendenning, Planetarium Specialist for Arlington Public Schools, to learn about how our newly renovated planetarium continues to provide a special learning experience for students of all ages. Dr. Jennifer Bartlett, President, Friends of Arlington’s David M. Brown Planetarium, will take us on an armchair journey through “March Skies” using the new, state-of-the-art Digistar 7 projector. If you wish to attend, please RSVP by Monday, March 13 to the ANV office by calling 703-509-8057 or emailing Office@arlnvil.org and let the office know if you need transportation.
Roosevelt Island Walk, Thursday, March 16
The next seasonal walk at Theodore Roosevelt Island will take place at 11:00am on Thursday, March 16. Please note that the walks this year will be on Thursday’s 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 11am 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.
Arlington Community Forum on Aging, March 20
Join key County staff, Commission on Aging members and community partners for the 2023 Community Engagement Forum on Aging Issues on Monday, March 20 from 9:30am to 12:30pm. You have a chance to offer your opinion on aging services in Arlington either at an in-person event or online via Zoom This event will feature an interactive discussion on what matters most to older Arlingtonians, including:
- Keynote Speaker: Susan Ryan, Senior Director, The Green House Project
- Update on Age Friendly Arlington initiatives
- Opportunities to share what matters to you!
The in-person Forum will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 4444 Arlington Blvd or you can join via Zoom. Either way, Registration is required. You can learn more at 2023 Community Engagement Forum on Aging Issues.
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, Friday, March 3 and March 17
Bocce has moved indoors for the winter. And it is on a new winter schedule (every other Friday). Join the ANV Bocce team at Pinstripes in Georgetown at 1064 Wisconsin Avenue NW. Pinstripes is offering ANV bocce for free – a $7 per person value – provided the group stays for lunch. For most players, getting there is easiest when taking the 38B Metro Bus from Ballston, departing at 11:30. 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, March 2 and March 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 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
Men’s Lunch Bunch: Friday, March 10 at noon
The Men’s Lunch Bunch will get together to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Friday, March 10 at Mattie and Eddie’s located in Pentagon City at 1303 South Joyce Street. Metered parking is available in the lot next to the shops (the first hour is free) and metered parking is also available on the street. Mattie and Eddie’s is an Irish bar with a contemporary twist. All of your Irish favorites can be found on the menu and you can view the menu at http://www.mattieandeddies.com. Wear your green and join in on the fun on March 10. Please RSVP to Tim Burns at tfxb23@yahoo.com or by calling him at 571-224-4546.
Ladies Lunch: Friday, March 10 at noon
Join us on Friday, March 10 at noon at the Celtic House located at 2500 Columbia Pike and South Barton Street in South Arlington. The cozy restaurant offers traditional Irish fare and drink. Parking is available in their front, side, and back lots and the adjacent gravel lot. Please rsvp to Roslyn at roslynva@gmail.com so she may have an accurate count. The Ladies Lunch will meet the second Friday of the month going forward.
Page Turners March 23 at 11am on Zoom
Page Turners is back! 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. Read the February Book List at the end of this newsletter.
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 Picnics
Pop Up Picnics are on hiatus until the Spring.
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 interest.
New Exhibits Opening
National Gallery of Art, “Phillip Guston Now.” This retrospective show spans the 50 year career of this influential American modern artist through more than 150 paintings and drawings. Through August 27. Sixth Street and Constitution Ave. NW.
Renwick Gallery “This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World.” In honor of the gallery’s 50th anniversary, this exhibit highlights overlooked histories and contributions of women, people of color and other marginalized groups.
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.
March 4: Listeners’ Choice: Great Met Broadcasts
March 11: Verdi’s La Traviata
March 18: 12 pm Wagner’s Lohengrin (New Production)
March 25: 12 pm Bellini’s Norma
Do You Want to Learn More About the Irish in America?
Offered by 55+ on March 16 at Lubber Run Community Center from 11:30am-12:45pm, in person and virtual, a presentation, Irish in America, featuring a speaker from the Irish Cultural Society of Virginia. For registration go to Spring 55+ guide Social Fun, Page 4.
Wellness
COVID Booster shots and Flu Vaccine for Adults
Now is the time to get your COVID booster shot and flu vaccine. Opportunities to get COVID-19 vaccines and boosters and your flu shot are available in and around Arlington through pharmacies and other medical providers—visit vaccines.gov to find a location near you.
Virginia Hospital Center Senior Associates Program
If you plan to be a “Frequent flier” at Virginia Hospital, you should be aware of the Senior Associates Program for those 60 and older. For $65 a year ($90 for a couple), the benefits are well worth it: 50 free parking passes, 10% off pharmacy Over the Counter items, 20% off at the food court, 15% off hospital exercises classes and fitness programs, and discounted monthly fee for Lifeline medical alert system. For more information call 703-558-6970.
Also of Interest
Real Estate Tax Relief
Arlington homeowners age 65 and older, and/or totally and permanently disabled homeowners, may qualify for Real Estate Tax Relief. There are additional eligibility requirements. The Department of Human Services, which manages the eligibility process, recommends that you submit your application as early as possible (applications for 2023 taxes are available now), so that your application status can be reflected on the first installment (June 15) Real Estate tax bill. Applications are still accepted, however, until the final deadline of November 15, 2023. You can call 703-228-1350 or visit the web page for more information.
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.
Page Turners Book List February 23
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult
The Spy and the Traitor by Ben McIntyre
The Foster Family by Nicole Trope
Before It’s Too Late by Sara Driscoll
The Gentile Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson
Jesus of Nazareth the Infancy Narratives by Pope Benedict the 16th
Love Letters by Debbie McComber
Unthinkable by Jamie Raskin
Correction: The Ear of the Heart: An Actress’ Journey from Hollywood to Holy Vows by Delores Hart
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.
One event on March 14 at 11am is interesting: Washington Post columnist Philip Bump’s book, The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boon and the Future of Power in America, is a sweeping assessment of how the baby boom created modern America, and where power, wealth, and politics will shift as the boom ends. How much longer will Boomers control wealth? Will millennials get shortchanged for jobs and capital as Gen Z rises? What kind of pressure will Boomers exert on the health care system? How do generations and parties overlap? When will regional identity trump age or ethnic or racial identity? Who will the future GOP voter be, and how does that affect Democratic strategies? What does the Census get right — and wrong? This is a Zoom event hosted by Northwest Neighbors Village; Registration is required by March 13.
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.
