Community Update (2/15/26)
Lunar New Year Dinner, March 4
RSVP to join ANV at Mama Chang’s in Fairfax for a spectacular meal! The menu is a combination of Hunan, Szechuan, and Hubei home-style cooking and will include numerous dishes only prepared by chefs at Mama Chang. The cost is $45.00 (including tax and tip) and we are limited to 40 attendees. See below for details.
Spring 55+ Guide and Registration
Explore the Spring 55+ Guide for three months of exciting activities! There are plenty of programs to keep you active and engaged, including art classes, fitness programs, social events and more. Registration begins on Tuesday, February 17 at 12 pm for Arlington County participants. Programs begin in March, but check the 55+ Guide for specific start dates.
Tax Aide
The AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax preparation service. Volunteers are trained on tax law and are IRS certified at an advanced level. The program focus is on low and moderate income taxpayers, and seniors. The national program helped over 1.7 million taxpayers in Tax Year 2024, with over 28,000 volunteers at over 3,300 sites. In Arlington, tax aide help is available at the Central and Columbia Pike Libraries. Please review these websites for more information on appointments and needed paperwork. Appointments take priority but walk-in service is available.
Calling all Crafters – Monday March 9 from 1:00 – 2:00
ANV members and volunteers are invited to join our own ANV Crafts Group on the second Monday of each month in the ANV Conference room, 4000 Lorcom Lane. Whatever you are working on – needlework, knitting, coloring, mending, etc. – bring what you have and enjoy the company of others. All crafters are welcome – beginners and experienced, alike. Join the conversation and share your projects. No need to register, just show up. Contact Mencit Thomas at mencit@comcast.net for more information.
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. See details below.
ANV Office Closed
The Office is closed on Monday, February 16 in observance of the Presidents Day Holiday.
Welcome
New Members
- Halima Alhadi
- Amy Everson
- Morgan Everson
- Cheryl Heywood
New Volunteers
- Carole Baker
- Lynn Hoover
- Daniel Israelsson
- Robert Mikulak
- Kyle Nelson
- Cliff Reed
- Stephanie Xian
In Memoriam
Please keep Cyndy Schneider, John Wagner, and Carol Wakefield in your thoughts and prayers.
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
- February 18: Virginia Hospice
- February 25: Driver Safety & Mobility as We Age
- March 4: Northern Virginia Family Services
- March 11: Arlington Public Health Director
Special Events
- Lunar New Year Dinner
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
- Crafts Group (new)
- 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, February 18: Virginia Hospice. For forty years, JSSA Hospice has been providing hospice in Montgomery County Maryland and now is pleased to announce the opening of their Northern Virginia branch. Chelsea Swink, RN, CHPN, Director of Nursing and Clinical Services with JSSA Hospice Northern Virginia will explain the reasons for this service expansion and give an overview of hospice and its history. Volunteering is a powerful way to help neighbors at end of life and Chelsea will also explain JSSA Hospice’s volunteer program and how you can get involved.
Wednesday, February 25: Driver Safety & Mobility as We Age. Are you planning for a driving retirement? It’s not easy to talk about, but as we get older, physical changes can make it harder to get around and do things we want or need to do – like driving, shopping, or doing household chores. Our expert guest speaker, Kurt E. Gray, KEG Consulting Driver Safety Services, encourages a comprehensive approach to addressing these issues that essentially impact independence and quality of life. Join us as we discuss the various challenges that aging drivers face – and the tools and resources to help them drive safer, and longer.
Wednesday, March 4: Northern Virginia Family Services. A Northern Virginia Family Services is a local non-profit that provides services to help families thrive at every stage of life. Ms. Kathleen McMahon, Executive Vice President, Development and Communications, will introduce us to the range of services they provide around health and well-being, homelessness and housing, immigration, workforce development, and more.
Wednesday, March 11: Meet Dr. Deidra D. Parrish, Director of the Arlington Public Health. Dr. Deidra D. Parrish was named Arlington County’s Public Health Director in the Department of Human Services (DHS) in late 2025. In this role, Dr. Parrish provides overall leadership and direction for public health programs and serves as the official health advisor for Arlington County. Dr. Parrish is a board-certified infectious diseases and preventive medicine physician with over two decades of public health experience at the local, state, national and international levels. Prior to joining Arlington Public Health, she served in the U.S. Agency for International Development as a Senior Advisor in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for HIV testing and treatment and co-led the interagency Global-Domestic HIV Bidirectional Learning Forum.
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
Lunar New Year Celebration, Wednesday March 4
Back by popular demand, this year’s celebration will be on Wednesday, March 4 at Mama Chang in Fairfax (3251 Blenheim Blvd., Fairfax). The menu is a combination of Hunan, Szechuan, and Hubei home-style cooking and will include numerous dishes only prepared by chefs at Mama Chang. Due to the type of menu, we cannot accommodate any food allergies or vegetarian diets. 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, associated with bold moves, independence, and overcoming challenges with perseverance.
Dinner will start at 5pm so please arrive between 4:30pm and 5:00pm. The cost for dinner is $45 per person, cash only, with tax and tip included, payable upon arrival. Please place your cash in an envelope with your name(s) and the amount on the front of the envelope. Please have the exact amount. No credit cards will be accepted for the dinner payment. A cash bar will be available, and a credit card can be used for bar payment.
RSVP to the Office by email at Office@ANVarlington.org or call 703-509-8057. We are limited to 40 seats, so RSVP early. Likewise, if you are registered, but decide not to attend, please notify the office promptly so people on the wait list can be offered your spot. Registration for this event will close Friday, February 27.
There is ample parking and the restaurant is handicap accessible.
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, February 19 and March 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, Tuesdays, February 17 and March 3 at 3:00 pm
Please note the new day and time – switching from Mondays to Tuesdays and from 4:00 to 3:00pm. ANV will bowl at Bowl America in Falls Church,140 S Maple Ave, every other Tuesday at 3:00pm. 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, February 26 and March 12, at 11:00 am
ANV is starting a billiards (or “Pool”) group every other Thursday at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. 2nd Street, 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. 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
Ladies and Men’s Lunch, March 13 at noon
The Ladies and Men will dine together on Friday, March 13 at noon at the Celtic House to celebrate an early St. Patrick’s Day. The Celtic House features classic Irish fare and is located at 2500 Columbia Pike in Arlington. Parking is available in their private lot as well as free street parking. Celtic House is wheelchair accessible. 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.
Crafts Group (new), Monday, March 9 at 1:00 – 2:00 pm
ANV now has a new affinity group for members and volunteers who like to work on crafts. Whatever your craft and experience, you are invited to meet on the second Monday of each month in the ANV Conference room, 4000 Lorcom Lane. Bring whatever you are working on – needlework, knitting, coloring, mending, etc. and enjoy the company of others. Join the conversation and share your projects. Crafting is thirsty work. You are welcome to bring your own coffee, tea, juice or whatever. No need to register, just show up. Contact Mencit Thomas at mencit@comcast.net for more information.
Low-vision Group, Monday, February 23, at 1:00pm (different day)
Due to the President’s Day holiday, the Low Vision group will meet on Monday, February 23. Katherine Novak has agreed to lead the group on the 23rd. She has a wealth of information about technical aids, so bring your questions and your devices
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.
Page Turners, February 26 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. See the list of books at the last meeting below.
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
Positive Approach to Care – Normal vs. Not Normal Aging
Tuesday, February 24, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Join RAFT for this interactive webinar, designed for care professionals and family caregivers. Register online
Workshop Objectives:
- Compare and contrast normal aging versus not normal aging related to various cognitive functions
- Describe the five sensory input and processing systems, highlighting the dominant role of vision, and the major differences between protective and discriminating sensation in each.
- Discuss the impact of changing sensory awareness and processing as dementia progresses
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
The annual Medicare Advantage (MA) Open Enrollment Period runs from January 1 through March 31 each year. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan as of January 1st may switch to another MA plan with or without drug coverage. Alternatively, the beneficiary may drop their MA plan and return to Original Medicare by enrolling in a Part D prescription drug plan.
Click here to view Arlington VICAP’s website to learn more and obtain help with Medicare plan options
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!
Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials (netflix)
Eleanor the Great (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.
