Community Update (3/1/26)
Lunar New Year Dinner, March 4
Last Chance to RSVP to join ANV at Mama Chang’s in Fairfax for a spectacular meal! A few seats remain. 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 there are just a few seats left. See below for details.
Community Engagement Forum on Aging
The annual Arlington County Community Forum on Aging is Monday, March 16 from 9:30am – 12:30pm. This year’s theme is Your Journey Matters – safe reliable and accessible transportation. Learn about different ways to get around Arlington and share your ideas on how to make transportation better in our community. This is a hybrid event, online, and in person at Lubber Run Community Center and Macedonia Baptist Church. See details below.
Seasonal Walk
Carlin Springs Park, Thursday, March 19 at 11:00am
ANV’s seasonal strolls are a good way to enjoy nature in company with neighbors, family, and friends. The next stroll will be on Thursday, March 19, at 11:00am at Carlin Springs Park in South Arlington. We are taking a brief vacation from our usual walks at Teddy Roosevelt Island due to expected traffic delays there while the nearby highway bridge is being repaired. See details below.
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.
Welcome
New Members
- Sally Bird
- Lou Lorscheider
New Volunteers
- Mia Paschuck
- Alyson Speer
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
- March 4: Northern Virginia Family Services
- March 11: Arlington Public Health Director
- March 18: Medical Cannabis
- March 25: Estate Planning 101
Special Events
- Lunar New Year Dinner
- Community Engagement Forum
- Seasonal Walk
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, 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.
Wednesday, March 18: The Do’s and Don’ts of Medical Cannabis. Whether it’s from cancer, a fall, osteoarthritis, or neuropathy, many senior citizens live with pain. Over-the-counter pain medications are often ineffective, and prescription medications may carry a risk of addiction and other side effects. Dr. Leah Sera, Associate Professor in the Department of Practice, Sciences, and Health Outcomes Research at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, will introduce us to medical cannabis and what you need to know before talking to your doctor.
Wednesday, March 25: Estate Planning 101. This presentation by Christopher T. Leighton, Partner, Hughes & Leighton PLLC, focused on older adults, will provide a clear, practical overview of the basics of estate planning. Participants will learn the purpose and key components of essential documents, including a will, durable power of attorney, advance healthcare directive, revocable living trust, and beneficiary designations. The session will explain how these tools help protect assets, ensure healthcare wishes are honored, and reduce stress for loved ones. Common misconceptions, the importance of keeping documents updated, and steps for getting started will also be discussed. Attendees will leave with a better understanding of how thoughtful estate planning supports independence, dignity, and peace of mind for themselves and their families.
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
Last Chance to RSVP today. Limited seats available. 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. 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. There is ample parking and the restaurant is handicap accessible.
Community Engagement Forum on Aging
Monday, March 16 at 9:30am – 12:30pm
The annual Arlington County Community Forum on Aging is Monday, March 16 from 9:30am – 12:30pm. This year’s theme is Your Journey Matters – safe reliable and accessible transportation. Learn about different ways to get around Arlington and share your ideas on how to make transportation better in our community. Explore tools and connect with transportation providers. This is a hybrid event, online via Teams, and in person at Lubber Run Community Center (300 N. Park Drive) and Macedonia Baptist Church (3412 22 Street South). Free parking at both locations. Registration requested.
Seasonal Walk
Carlin Springs Park, Thursday, March 19 at 11:00am
ANV’s seasonal strolls are a good way to enjoy nature in company with neighbors, family, and friends. The next stroll will be on Thursday, March 19, at 11:00am at Carlin Springs Park in South Arlington. We are taking a brief vacation from our usual walks at Teddy Roosevelt Island due to expected traffic delays there while the nearby highway bridge is being repaired.
Our meeting place is at the Long Branch Nature Center at 625 South Carlin Springs Road, which shares a road entry with the Northern Virginia Medical Center at 611 South Carlin Springs Road. Long Branch provides the advantages of centralized location, easy (though somewhat limited) parking, and several pathways for our walk, after which participants are free to visit the Nature Center. “Long Branch stream flows through the woods, past two ponds full of frogs and turtles. Long Branch’s wooded stream valley is home to a diverse population of wildlife including raccoons, foxes, flying squirrels, salamanders and more.” The Nature Center itself boasts an ornamental garden, as well as indoor interpretive exhibits, including reptile and amphibian terrariums.
This is a rain-or-shine event–there is no rain date. RSVP is requested on this occasion for those joining the seasonal walks for the first time. We ask this solely to ensure adequate parking at this new location. Carpooling, if possible, is appreciated by the Nature Center staff. RSVP to Allan Williams at allanwilliams@anvarlington.org .
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, March 5 and March 19, 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, March 3 and March 17 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, March 12 and March 26, 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, March 16, at 1:00pm
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, March 26 at 11:00am
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
Move Better, Feel Better: Understanding Arthritis and Joint Health
March 20, 12 PM – 1 PM
Are your hips or knees slowing you down? Join Dr. Kurtis Carlock, MD, an experienced orthopedic surgeon with Nirschl Orthopedic Center, for an informative talk about arthritis and joint health. Dr. Carlock will discuss: what causes arthritis and how to recognize the symptoms; simple, non-surgical ways to ease pain and keep moving; and when hip or knee replacement might be the next step. Whether you’re already managing arthritis or simply want to keep your joints healthy for years to come, this presentation will prepare you to take charge of your mobility and comfort. Registration required.
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.
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.
February—Such a Busy (Bonding) Month in 2026!
By Joan Smith
February was a whirlwind of celebrations, commemorations, and gatherings! Starting on Feb. 1, the entire month is Black History Month, and many special exhibits, events, and movies were available. Then onto February 2 and our collective curiosity about groundhogs predicting more winter (he turned out to be right). And we watched in awe and hopefulness as 19 Buddhist monks completed their Walk for Peace from Texas to D.C.
The bonanza week began Saturday, February 14, as Valentine’s Day (no longer a saint) pushed us to rush to buy candy, write love poems, and wear red. ANV delivered special Valentine’s Day mailboxes to 35 of our members and volunteers had a chance to visit on that special day. February 17 was a trifecta, with Mardi Gras (aka Fat Tuesday, or Shrove Tuesday, or pancake Tuesday) celebrants heralding the beginning of Lent. But Lunar New Year also arrived, trumpeting the beginning of a new year. And then the month of Ramadan (and fasting) began! So many celebrations, so many gatherings, so much food, love, and group acknowledgment of important cultural and/or religious events.
But wait, there is more! The Olympics were upon us, as we in groups or singly watched for hours the infectious optimism of young people (and some more mature) who had practiced and honed their skills for so very long and now got to test them against the best in the world!!
Whew! You will note that I stressed the gathering phenomenon of events. There is something unspoken that brings us together at these times. Mutual enjoyment, mutual love, mutual joy. I reflect here on the Washington Post article (Feb. 13, 2026) that looks at the secret of happiness, stating generally that it is feeling loved by others. Psycholo-gists Sonja Lyubomirsky and Harry Reis (UC Riverside and U. Rochester, respectively) published a book on their findings, “How to Feel Loved: The Five Mindsets That Get You More of What Matters Most”. A big mouthful to be sure, but some highlights from the book offer sage advice.
They point out that humans need to feel loved to thrive, as babies, children, and as adults. When we are isolated and lonely, our mental health suffers. A lonely moment is one in which you don’t feel loved, where your social bonds are not as strong as they need be. When one recognizes this feeling (and everyone has it at some time), we can take two paths. The unhelpful one is in withdrawing even more, perhaps thinking “no one likes me, I am not likeable”; the helpful path is to seek out feeling loved. And yes, loneliness can be changed!!!
When it stimulates corrective action, loneliness creates an opportunity. While it seems counter-intuitive, “if you want to feel loved, the first step is that you make the other person feel loved first”. How to do this? Start with curiosity, actually showing interest in her/his inner life, in their world, in the details of their day. It was said that it is very rare when someone shows genuine curiosity about you. As the person opens up, be truly listening, and not just waiting for a turn to speak. From this beginning, a “relationship seesaw” kicks off, so when you lift somebody up, then they are going to lift you up because reciprocity is a strong norm of human behavior. They then become interested/ curious about you, and a bond begins to form. When you truly give, they give back.
Celebrating events can provide us with a wonderful opportunity to share and bond with others, and perhaps begin a “relationship seesaw”! So, watch for ANV events and celebrations, many highlighted in this newsletter, and join whenever you are able. Let the bonding begin!!
What to Watch
Here are TV shows or movies recommended by ANV members and volunteers. Enjoy!
Black Mirror (Netflix)
The Great British Baking Show (Netflix)
Signature Dish (WETA)
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.
