Community Update (12/1/25)
Holiday Lunch, Friday December 19
ANV’s popular Holiday Lunch is Friday, December 19 at noon at St. Andrew’s. ANV members, volunteers and supporters are invited to join us for our holiday lunch at St. Andrew’s, 4000 Lorcom Lane. Lunch is at noon; doors open at 11:30am so please join us early to enjoy good cheer and holiday wishes. We welcome your sharing your favorite dessert item. Please RSVP by December 15 so we have a good count by calling the ANV office at 703-509-8057 or email office@ANVarlington.org. Details below.
Theodore Roosevelt Island Seasonal Walk
Join the seasonal stroll at Theodore Roosevelt Island on Thursday, December 18, at 11:00am. It’s a good way to enjoy nature in company with neighbors, family, and friends. See details below.
Welcome
New Members
- Ned Booker
- Steve Cordle
- Judith Johnson
- Joanna Taylor
New Volunteers
- Rosario Aguirre-Mijares
- Elizabeth de Lucia
- Nancy Rotunno
- Ron Salazar
Activities
ANV Events are posted on our online calendar at www.ANVarlington.org/events including the Zoom links for virtual events.
Coffee and Conversation on Wednesdays at 10 am
- December 3: George Marshall True American Hero
- December 10: World War I Living History
- December 17: Smart Supplement Use for Healthy Aging
- December 24: Taking a Break!
- December 31: In person get together, location to be announced
Special Events
Weekly Groups
- Tai Chi
- Bocce and Boules on winter hiatus
- Happy Hour
- Board Games
- Bowling
Monthly Groups
- Men’s Lunch Bunch
- Ladies Lunch
- Low Vision Group (December break)
- Pop Up Picnic (winter hiatus)
- Page Turners (Holiday hiatus)
Educational Activities
Wellness
Also of Interest
ANV Activities
Coffee and Conversation: Wednesdays at 10 am
This ANV Speaker Series is held each Wednesday from 10:00 – 11:00am. 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, December 3: George Marshall True American Hero. Soldier, statesman, and humanitarian, Marshall spearheaded the Allied Victory in World War II, created the Marshall Plan for the recovery of Europe, and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953. The George Marshall Foundation is a fully private non-profit, that offers a world-class research library, public programs, educational initiatives, and a host of digital offerings documenting George Marshall’s visionary ideas and achievements. In this presentation, Melissa Davis, the Marshall Foundation’s Director of Library and Archives, will explain how the Foundation is promoting and preserving Marshall’s legacy.
Wednesday, December 10, 2025: World War One Living History Journey of Navel Engineer Michael Bosworth. Mike will highlight his living history journey for the WWI Centennial. He will focus on the U.S. involvement late in the war and the U.S. Marine Corps. 5th Regiment. Mike is a living history volunteer who does historical lectures and reenactments. He founded the very popular Ship’s Company Chanteymen sea & tavern music performing troupe. A naval architect and marine engineer with degrees from the U.S. Naval Academy and MIT, Mike spent his career as a U.S. Navy civil service engineer.
Wednesday, December 17: Smart Supplement Use for Healthy Aging. Many older adults turn to vitamins, minerals, and herbal supplements to support their health—but not all supplements are safe or effective. Kathy Cameron is a retired, Senior Director of Health Promotion at National Council on Aging. Her presentation explores the role of dietary supplements in promoting health and wellness among older adults, including easy-to-understand guidance on questions to ask doctors and pharmacists, choosing common supplements wisely, avoiding harmful interactions, and recognizing when supplements may or may not be needed.
Wednesday, December 24: Enjoy the peace and quiet the day before Christmas. No Coffee and Conversation.
Wednesday, December 31: We will have a in-person get-together on New Year’s Eve at a location to be announced. Just simple coffee and pastries to welcome the new year.
ANV’s YouTube channel
If you miss a Coffee and Conversation speaker, be sure to check out ANV’s YouTube channel where we post some of our Coffee and Conversation speakers and other special events. Sit back and enjoy!
Special Events
Holiday Lunch
Friday, December 19 at noon – 2:00 pm
ANV members, volunteers and supporters are invited to join us for our Holiday lunch on Friday, December 19, at noon at St. Andrew’s, 4000 Lorcom Lane. The meal will be catered but we welcome your sharing your favorite dessert item. Lunch will be at noon; doors open at 11:30 am so please join us early to enjoy good cheer and share Holiday wishes. Please register by December 15 by calling the ANV office at 703-509-8057 or email office@ANVarlington.org.
If you need a ride, let the Office know. Our celebration will be held in St Andrews’ Undercroft, which is wheelchair-accessible (ramp from the driveway, and restrooms on the same level).
Roosevelt Island Walk
Thursday, December 18 at 11:00 am
The next seasonal walk at Theodore Roosevelt Island is Thursday, December 18, at 11:00 am. It’s a good way to enjoy nature in company with neighbors, family, and friends. Our meeting place is at the end of the parking lot closest to the pedestrian footbridge to the island. This easy one-mile walk (on an unpaved nature trail) takes about one hour, but you are free to extend your visit to the memorial itself, if desired. This is a rain-or-shine event–there is no rain date. RSVP is not necessary.
The island’s parking lot is accessible by car from the northbound lanes of the George Washington Parkway. Alternatively, you could metro or drive to Rosslyn and walk to Roosevelt Island using the Mount Vernon Trail, as follows: from the Rosslyn Metro station, walk toward Key Bridge and access the trailhead which is just past the intersection of N. Lynn Street and Langston Boulevard (outbound); follow the trail downhill to the Roosevelt Island parking lot. (Given construction in Rosslyn, it may be best to walk across the Rosslyn Metro station plaza down to the Lynn Street sidewalk, turn left to walk along Lynn Street, then cross Langston Blvd to reach the trailhead.)
Weekly Events
For more information on an event or to request transportation for an activity/event, please email Office@ANVarlington.org or call the ANV Office at 703-509-8057.
Tai Chi: Tuesdays at 9:30am
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, Winter Hiatus
ANV bocce and boules is on winter hiatus and will return in the Spring. The Bocce group will plan a few indoor winter events over the next few months so keep your eye on the bi-weekly newsletter as events unfold.
ANV Board Games Day: Thursday, December 11, at 2:00pm
Due to the Holiday schedule, Games will be less frequent than usual. 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 for $1. Contact John Thomas for more information at thomas-johnr@comcast.net. If you don’t use email, please call ANV Office and request a call-back from John.
Bowling: NEW DAY – Friday, December 5 at 3:00pm
Again, due to the holiday schedule, bowling will next get together on December 5 and will start up again on January 2, 2026. ANV will bowl at Bowl America in Falls Church,140 S Maple Ave, every first and third Friday of the month. Free parking. No leagues, just fun and recreation. All levels of skill and experience are welcome. Bowl one, two or as many games as you like for $5.99 per game, or choose the three-game special for a discounted price of $22, including shoe rental. Contact John Thomas at thomas-johnr@comcast.net for more information.
Happy Hour: Thursdays, 5–7pm
Join the ANV Happy Hour Group. A trio of regular Happy Hour volunteers facilitates this popular get-together: Gary Eiserman, Linda Reck, and Roslyn Rubin. They will send the traditional weekly email on Thursday mornings to let participants know the location for that evening’s Happy Hour. For more information and/or to be added to the email distribution, contact Roslyn at roslynva@gmail.com. If you don’t use email, contact ANV Office at 703-509-8057 and request a call back from Roslyn. The Happy Hour group meets at restaurants around Arlington.
Monthly Events
Mens Lunch
The Mens Lunch will take a hiatus in December and invites everyone to join the ANV Holiday Lunch on Friday, December 19 at noon.
Ladies Lunch
The Ladies Lunch will take a hiatus in December and invites everyone to join the ANV Holiday Lunch on Friday, December 19 at noon.
Low-vision Group – Taking a Break in December
The low-vision group will meet again on January 26, 2026. Please note that this is a different date than usual due to the MLK Day holiday.
Page Turners, On Hiatus in December
Page Turners will be taking a holiday break. Please plan to join us again in January to 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.
Pop Up Picnic in the Park (PPP), Winter Hiatus
Pop Up Picnics will be on hiatus for the winter. Plan to join us again when warm weather returns. PPPs are a chance to enjoy fresh air and light conversation and to discover a different Arlington neighborhood park. For information, contact John Thomas at Thomas-johnr@comcast.net.
Educational Activities
Arlington Public Library Programs
The Library has 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 of events and see what’s happening at your local branch of the library.
Wellness
Medicare Open Enrollment October 15 – December 7
Medicare’s Annual Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is the one time each year when Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to the Medicare plan enrollment. The OEP is available between October 15-December 7, with plan changes taking effect January 1.
- Point 1: Plans may change their costs, the drugs they cover, or withdraw out of Medicare entirely each calendar year. When a plan stops covering a drug, it shifts the financial cost to the client, leaving the client responsible for the full cost of the drug, if they remain enrolled in the same plan.
- Point 2: During OEP, using the Medicare Plan Finder, beneficiaries can assess and make changes to their health insurance coverage, to include adding, dropping, or changing their Medicare Advantage or Part D Prescription Drug Plan. They can also assess Medigap policies.
- Point 3: The Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP) can provide you with FREE, unbiased, confidential and personal assistance. You can speak to a trained counselor who will walk you through the steps to maximize your benefits Get in touch with VICAP 1 of 3 ways:
- By calling 703-228-1725
- By sending an email to MedicareHelp@arlingtonva.us
- By visiting https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/DHS/Aging-Disability/Programs/VICAP
Also of Interest
Aging Matters Radio and TV
Aging Matters radio is a weekly podcast, hosted by Cheryl Beversdorf, and features interviews with experts on topics impacting the lives of older adults, their care partners, and families. Every Tuesday at 3 pm, a new Aging Matters broadcast is posted on Apple, Spotify and RedCircle podcast sites. 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.
What to Watch
Here are TV shows or movies recommended by ANV members and volunteers. Enjoy!
The Great Escaper (PBS Masterpiece Theater)
The Diplomat (3 seasons on Netflix)
Please share your recommendations with us for the next issue by sending an email to Office@ANVarlington.org.
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.
ANV Events are posted on our online calendar including the Zoom links for virtual events.
