Community Update (1/15/26)
ANV at MLK Day of Service: Monday, January 19
We are proud to partner with Volunteer Arlington for the 2026 MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 19 at 9:00 am. This day of service helps strengthen and empower our community through hands-on volunteer opportunities; visit their website to learn more and register to participate. ANV will be doing a service project on-site at Washington-Liberty High School at 10 am. If you would like to help with ANV’s service project that day, please contact Cindy Salavantis.
ANV Office Closed MLK Jr. Day
The ANV Office is closed on Monday, January 19, 2026 in honor of MLK Day.
New Billiards Group
ANV is starting a billiards (or “Pool”) group for members and volunteers who want to enjoy an indoor recreational activity that is a lot of fun and easy to learn. Games will be played at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. 2nd Street, every other Thursday (for now) starting January 15 and then again on January 29. See details below.
Private Tour of Arlington Historical Museum, Thursday, February 5
Join us for a private tour of the Arlington Historical Museum led by Arlington Historical Society President, Peter Vaselopulos. The museum is housed in the historic Hume School, the oldest surviving school building in Arlington County. See details below.
A Look Back at 2025
We are pulling data for 2025 and our preliminary stats show us ending the year with 503 members and about 350 active volunteers. Our volunteers fulfilled 4,625 member requests, including 2,364 rides! Our volunteers donated at least 12,000 hours of their time and talent and drove more than 48,700 miles at their own expense. We were able to fill 95.6% of our members’ requests. As we continue to “scrub” the data, we will share final metrics in a few weeks. Thank you to all who make this possible.
Encore Learning
Encore Learning will host a fantastic lineup of 42 courses, including 32 brand-new offerings, this spring. Discover a vibrant selection of courses in fine arts, theatre, music, health and wellness, history, law, politics, literature, science and technology, and social sciences. The 42 courses include 24 in-person, 13 virtual, and 5 hybrid courses, with 16 classes being recorded. See details below.
Welcome
New Members
- David Powers
New Volunteers
- Stephanie Dillemuth*
- Sue Edwards*
- John Gunn
- Anna Hauser
- Shawn Russell
- Michael Sullivan
- Margaret Walters
- Marcella Williams
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
- January 21: Vision Zero Transportation Safety
- January 28: The Cost of Home Care
- February 4: American Eldercare
- February 11: Hearing Loss
Special Events
- MLK Day of Service
- Private Tour of the Arlington Historical Museum: February 5 at 10:30 am
Weekly Groups
- Tai Chi
- Bocce and Boules on winter hiatus
- Happy Hour
- Board Games
- Bowling
- Billiards (new)
Monthly Groups
- Men’s Lunch Bunch
- Ladies Lunch
- Low Vision Group
- Pop Up Picnic (winter hiatus)
- Page Turners
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, January 21, 2026: Vision Zero Transportation Safety. Vision Zero is a collaborative, community-wide strategy to eliminate traffic injuries and fatalities while increasing safety and mobility. Originally introduced in Sweden in the 1990s, the Vision Zero network encompasses more than 60 communities nationwide. In 2019, Arlington County adopted a policy committing to Vision Zero. Christine Baker, Arlington’s Vision Zero program manager, will discuss the County’s Vision Zero Action Plan, share progress that has been made towards improving safety on our roads, and lead us in an interactive quiz on new, innovative traffic safety tools.
Wednesday, January 28: The Cost of Home Care. James Lindsay, President and CEO, ACCfamily and AKOTA Home Care. As more and more people are choosing to stay in their homes as they age, the need for home care becomes more important. The cost of home care is shaped by multiple factors, including the level and type of care required, the number of hours and duration of services, workforce and labor costs, and whether care is provided through an agency or by independent caregivers. Costs increase with more complex medical needs, longer hours, and compliance with labor regulations, and they vary widely by geographic location. Insurance and public funding options such as Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance may offset some expenses but are often limited, while additional and hidden costs—such as medical supplies, home modifications, and care coordination—are frequently overlooked.
Wednesday, February 4: American Eldercare. Twenty percent of Americans who died of COVID in 2020 were older, indigent adults, mostly women, living in nursing facilities – though they make up less than 1% of the population. In her latest book, American Eldercide: How It Happened, How to Prevent It, Margaret Morganroth Gullette explains how an elder-hostile administration and a youth-focused bias in lifesaving care prematurely killed this vulnerable population. She outlines changes in policy and culture to address ageist indifference and lethal ageism. Dr. Gulllette is a Scholar at the Women’s Studies research Center at Brandeis.
Wednesday, February 11: Hearing Loss. Untreated hearing loss is linked to social isolation, depression, loneliness, and cognitive decline. Learn about hearing aids and other strategies for living with hearing loss from Bonnie O’Leary, hearing loss support specialist from the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons. Bonnie will discuss hearing loss in general: hearing evaluations, how to interpret an audiogram, the difference between an audiologist and a hearing instrument specialist, differences between over the counter and prescription hearing aids, and some useful apps.
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
ANV at MLK Day of Service: Monday, January 19
We are proud to partner with Volunteer Arlington for the 2026 MLK Day of Service on Monday, January 19 at 9:00 am. This day of service helps strengthen and empower our community through hands-on volunteer opportunities; visit their website to learn more and register to participate. ANV will be doing a service project on-site at Washington-Liberty High School at 10 am.
Private Tour of the Arlington Historical Museum
Thursday, February 5, 10:30 am to noon
Join us for a private tour of the Arlington Historical Museum led by Arlington Historical Society President, Peter Vaselopulos. The museum is housed in the historic Hume School, the oldest surviving school building in Arlington County. Renovated and reopened in May 2025, the Hume School now serves as a vibrant museum that showcases Arlington’s history, including exhibits on the county’s indigenous peoples, early American settlers, the Civil War, Arlington’s urban development, and its evolving population. Visitors can explore the original school architecture and furnishings and learn about the property’s historical importance. In addition, Peter will provide an overview of the county’s 250th commemoration activities.
The museum is located at 1805 South Arlington Ridge Road. Free parking on site. The building is not ADA accessible and there is no elevator to the second floor, but most of the exhibits are on the first floor where access to the building is step free. Interested attendees should RSVP with the ANV Office no later than Friday, January 30 by email at Office@ANVarlington.org or calling 703-509-8057.
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, January 22 and February 5, at 2:00pm
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, Friday, January 16 at 3:00pm
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.
Billiards (new), Thursday, January 15 and 29, at 11:00 am
Thomas Jefferson Community Center
ANV is starting a billiards (or “Pool”) group for members and volunteers who want to enjoy an indoor recreational activity that is a lot of fun and easy to learn. Billiards is a fantastic social game for seniors because it keeps you moving, improves hand-eye coordination, and requires a good bit of strategy without being physically taxing. Games will be played at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. 2nd Street, every other Thursday (for now) starting January 15 and then again on January 29. 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, Friday, February 13, noon
Please join the Men’s Lunch at Lebanese Taverna in Westover located at 5900 Washington Boulevard. Enjoy all of your favorite Lebanese mezzas including hummus, baba ghanoush, kibbeh and grape leaves and entrees such as kabobs, falafel, and shawarma. Free on-street parking is available adjacent to the restaurant and also in the parking area in front of and behind the shops on Washington. Attendees pay for their own meals by separate check, using cash or credit card. Please RSVP to Tim Burns at tfxb23@yahoo.com so we may have an accurate count. If you don’t use email, please call the ANV Office and request a call back from Tim.
Ladies Lunch, Friday February 13, noon
The Ladies Lunch will gather at Sabores located at 2401 Columbia Pike. Sabores is a tapas bar featuring cuisine from Latin America and Spain. Free parking is available in the retail parking garage where Giant is also located – behind the restaurant. Attendees pay for their own meals by separate check, using cash or credit card. Please RSVP to roslynva@gmail.com so we may have an accurate count. If you don’t use email, please call the ANV Office and request a call-back from Roslyn.
Low-vision Group, Monday, January 26 at 1:00pm
The low-vision group will meet January 26, 2026. Please note that this is a different date than usual due to the MLK Day holiday. For the January meeting we are lucky to have Briget Doherty, a very dynamic speaker, join us to discuss the expanded services offered by Metro Access, which now includes rides by Metro train and busses.
Do you experience low vision or want to learn more about it? Please join us in the conference room at the ANV Office, St. Andrew’s Church, 4000 Lorcom Lane (lower level of the church, entrance off of Military Road). Participants are invited to share conversation, exchange experiences and useful tips, discuss helpful resources, recommend presentation/ speaker topics, and brainstorm future field trips. Please bring your ideas, experiences, and thoughts to share with others who experience low vision. If needed, call the ANV Office to request transportation. For location and other information, contact facilitator (and ANV member/volunteer) Susan Wallace at susanbwallace@gmail.com or 703-241-8686.
Page Turners, January 22 at 11:00am
Page Turners is back and we hope that you can share all the books you enjoyed during the holiday season. Please join us 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.
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), 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
Wellness Reset: The Clinical Power of Lifestyle Medicine
January 23 at 11:00 am – noon
This presentation will explore the transformative power of Lifestyle Medicine, a medical specialty that uses evidence-based lifestyle interventions to prevent, manage, and treat chronic health conditions. Dr. Linda Lang, Medical Director of Behavioral Health at VHC Health will discuss the research and clinic application associated with each lifestyle pillar, as well as the intersection between mental wellness and the pillars. Registration required.
VHC Health’s Free Walking Program: WALK FIT
Walk Fit is an intergenerational walking program and is open to anyone looking for free, low-impact, and climate-controlled exercise. Participants enjoy great company while exercising in a safe environment. Each morning’s walk is followed by a brief cool down and flexibility session led by VHC Health staff.
Walk Fit Details:
- Every Thursday, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m.
- Lubber Run Community Center, Indoor Track Upper Level
- 300 N Park Dr, Arlington
For more information, please call 703-558-6859 or email seniorhealth@vhchealth.org
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.
Encore Learning
Encore Learning will host a fantastic lineup of 42 courses, including 32 brand-new offerings, this spring. Discover a vibrant selection of courses in fine arts, theatre, music, health and wellness, history, law, politics, literature, science and technology, and social sciences. The 42 courses include 24 in-person, 13 virtual, and 5 hybrid courses, with 16 classes being recorded.
The Spring Course Preview is Thursday, January 29th at 9:30 am. This is where you can learn more about courses you are interested in and meet your instructors. You can view this on Zoom or you can watch the virtual presentation with others at Van Metre Hall. Course registration begins on Monday, February 2 at 10:00 AM sharp. Classes will begin on March 2.
What to Watch
Here are TV shows or movies recommended by ANV members and volunteers. Enjoy!
Share your recommendations with us!
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.
