Community Update (4/15/26)
April is National Volunteer Month
This is the perfect opportunity to celebrate and recognize the contributions of ANV’s invaluable volunteers. Quite literally, volunteers make our village work, creating a caring community where older adults can thrive. Through their service, volunteers don’t just complete tasks — they build genuine human connections that transform daily interactions into meaningful relationships. To all our volunteers – from those who help members directly, to those who support social and educational programming, and everyone who provides behind-the-scenes power to our village – you make a critical difference in the lives of our neighbors. Thank you.
ANV Outing to Nationals Park May 21
RSVP to indicate your interest in joining us on May 21 for an afternoon of Major League Baseball at Nationals Park to see the Washington Nationals play against the New York Mets starting at 4:05pm. We are joining with other area Villages to go to the ballgame to celebrate Older Americans Month. See details below.
Early Voting for Constitutional Amendment
Early Voting for the April 21 Special Election for a Proposed Constitutional Amendment started March 6 at Courthouse Plaza, 2100 Clarendon Blvd, Suite 320. At Courthouse, Early Voting will be open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Other early voting locations are at Walter Reed Community Center and Madison Community Center (check hours and additional information). All registered voters in Arlington are eligible to vote in this special election.
Aurora Hills Trash and Treasure Sale
Saturday, April 18, 10 am – 1 pm
The general public is invited to this annual neighborhood rummage sale held at the Aurora Hills 55+ Center at 735 18th Street South. There will be household goods, decorative items, small appliances, games & toys, jewelry, luggage and craft supplies galore. All proceeds benefit the Aurora Hills 55+ special events and programs.
St. Andrew’s Players Spring Production
The St. Andrew’s Players’ 2026 Spring Production is a Musical Revue to be held on the evenings of April 17 and April 18. The show features a collection of iconic Broadway songs centered around the theme of “Hope Amid Hardship.” See details below.
Bocce and PopUp Picnics
These two Summer time favorites return at the end of April. See details below.
Welcome
New Members
- Michael Daren
- Lisa Johnson
- Jane Miller
- Oscar Molano
- Johnny Myagmar
New Volunteers
- Ralph Arosemena
In Memoriam
Please join us in remembering fondly Tim Burns, David Cook and John Lacey.
Tim Burns was a well-loved and respected pioneer and ambassador for ANV. From the very beginning of our village in 2014, Tim served ANV in many ways including chairing the Board Nominations Committee, launching the Men’s Lunch Bunch, and supporting ANV activities from the annual picnic through the seasonal and special events. Always ready to make a new friend, Tim was an outstanding ambassador for ANV and will be greatly missed by Elise and all of our community.
John Lacey, an early ANV staff member and afterwards, longtime volunteer with ANV, passed away on March 30. John was a tireless volunteer who supported so many members of our community; he will be missed.
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
- April 15: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
- April 22: Arlington Historical Society
- April 29: Homes Renewed
- May 6: Folklore Society of Greater Washington
- May 13: Advance Care Planning
- May 20: In-person Health Fair
Special Events
- St Andrew’s Players
- Nationals Baseball Game
Weekly Groups
- Tai Chi
- Bocce and Boules (It’s Back!)
- Happy Hour
- Board Games
- Bowling
- Billiards
Monthly Groups
- Men’s Lunch Bunch
- Ladies Lunch
- Crafts Group (new)
- Low Vision Group
- Pop Up Picnic (It’s Back!)
- 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, April 15: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Briggs Horman will share about the iconic temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that we see from Interstate 495 in Chevy Chase, Maryland. The temple was originally dedicated in 1974 and rededicated in 2022 following major renovations. Briggs will share several events from the history of this landmark and discuss (Q&A) why temples are important within his faith.
Wednesday, April 22: The Arlington Historical Society (AHS) is the lead organizer of the county-wide effort to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. AHS is partnering with over 60 civic, service, arts, school, government, and religious organizations. Peter Vaselopulos, Arlington Historical Society President and Chair of the Arlington VA250 Committee will outline plans for Arlington’s 250th celebration which include HistoryFest 250, a free, family-friendly, one-day outdoor festival. It will be held on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kenmore Middle School.
Wednesday, April 29: Planning to Age in Place? Simple changes for safe, comfortable, and confident aging-in-place. Learn how small, practical home modifications can make a big difference in your safety, comfort, and independence as you age. Louis Tennenbaum of Homes Renewed will highlight easy, affordable changes that reduce fall risk and make everyday activities easier throughout your home. Discover how creating a safer, more functional living space can help you stay in the home you love longer with confidence. Learn about local resources to help you assess and make the changes to your home that are right for you.
Wednesday, May 6: Folklore Society of Greater Washington. The word “folklore” often conjures up images of ogres, hobbits, and trolls. But in reality, folklore is the sharing of the traditional beliefs of a community passed on through word of mouth, dance, and art. Ms. Ingrid Gorman with the Folklore Society of Greater Washington will talk about their mission to preserve local traditions through sing-alongs, dances, and storytelling.
Wednesday, May 13: Advance Care Planning, What it is (and isn’t). You finally got your will or trust in order, but what about all those other forms your lawyer sent you? Have you planned for your medical care if you become seriously ill or unable to communicate your wishes? Aaron Zajdel, Care Connections Manager with Goodwin Living will help us understand the differences between an advance directive, DNR, medical POA and POLST and provide us with the tools we need to document and communicate our healthcare wishes.
Wednesday, May 20: In Person Health Fair. Please join us to celebrate National Health & Fitness Day on Wednesday, May 20 at 11:00am – 1:00pm at the Lubber Run Community Center, 300 N. Park Drive. Mini presentations on a variety of topics and information and screenings for: Blood Pressure, Vision, Hearing, Falls Risk, Cognitive Screening, Home Care Resources, Fitness Class Demonstrations, Senior Olympics, Insurance Counseling and Assistance, Mobility Equipment and Community Services. Free parking. Everyone is welcome.
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
St. Andrew’s Players Spring Production
The St. Andrew’s Players’ 2026 Spring Production is a Musical Revue to be held on the evenings of April 17 and April 18. The show features a collection of iconic Broadway songs centered around the theme of “Hope Amid Hardship.” Dinner starts at 6:00 pm and the show at 7:00 pm. Reservations are required for the dinner, but not for the “show only.” Make reservations via email to Jane Massant (jwmassant@gmail.com).
The cost of the Dinner and Show is $25 for adults and $12.50 for age 12 and under. The show only costs $10 for adults and $5 for children. The production is at St. Andrew’s, 4000 Lorcom Lane.
Take me out to the Ballgame
ANV outing to Nationals Park on May 21 at 4:05pm. Nats vs New York Mets
RSVP to let us know if you are interested in going to a ballgame at Nats Park. Step up to the plate at Nationals Park on Thursday, May 21 for an unforgettable celebration honoring older adults during Older Americans Month! This event brings together seniors, their caregivers and families, aging services organizations, and residents from the region’s senior living communities for a day filled with joy, connection, and community spirit. ANV members and volunteers are invited to join the event and cheer your favorite team. There will be a Resource Fair Before the game, hosted by the DC Senior Resource Group. All ticket holders for the game can attend the Fair starting at 2:45 pm until the first pitch at 4:05 pm. ANV will assist with purchasing tickets so that we can all sit together. Ticket prices are $53 to $65 depending on seat location and availability (taxes and fees included). To ensure that we all arrive and enter the Ballpark together, ANV will arrange round-trip charter bus transportation to and from the ANV office. More details will be forthcoming, but what is needed now is an indication of how many ANV members and volunteers plan to attend. Friends and caregivers are also welcome. Call (703-509-8057) or email the ANV Office (Office@ANVarlington.org) before April 30 to RSVP.
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, Mondays at 4:30pm
ANV bocce and boules is restarting after a long winter hiatus. The first game of the 2026 season will be April 27. Bocce and Boules is played every Monday afternoon on the courts behind the Ballston Quarter parking garage throughout the summer. Contact John Thomas for more information at thomas-johnr@comcast.net.
ANV Board Games Day: Thursday, April 16 and April 30, 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, April 28 and May 12 at 3:00 pm
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, Thursday, April 23 and May 7, at 11:00 am
ANV has started a new billiards (or “Pool”) group that meets every other Thursday at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. 2nd Street. ANV members and volunteers are enjoying 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 Lunch, May 8 at noon
The Ladies lunch will be at A Modo Mio (formerly Joe’s Pizza), 5555 Langston Boulevard. The lunch menu at A Modo Mio offers a nice selection of paninis, pastas and of course, neopolitan-style pizzas. Free parking is available in the adjacent lot. 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.
Men’s Lunch, May 8 at noon
Please join the Men’s Lunch at Himalayan Wild Yak Restaurant, 1010 North Glebe Road. The restaurant specializes in traditional Nepalese dishes. There is a parking garage on Glebe Road or limited street parking. Attendees pay for their own meals by separate check, using cash or credit card. Please RSVP to Gary Eiserman at Geiserman1@verizon.net so we may have an accurate count. If you don’t use email, please call the ANV Office and request a call back.
Crafts Group, Monday, May 11 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, April 20, at 1:00pm
Brigid Doherty of MetroAccess will present information about the accessibility programs offered by Metro and how to access them. She was supposed to address our March meeting but it was canceled because of the possible tornado.
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, April 23 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 from 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), April 24 at noon
Pop Up Picnics are back. PPPs are planned every last Friday of the month, weather permitting. The first PPP this year will be at Oakland Park, 3705 Wilson Blvd. Oakland Park has tables and chairs. Metered street parking is steps away. Plan to join us and bring your lunch for an outdoor picnic. 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
Your Voice, Your Wishes: National Healthcare Decisions Day April 16
Most people know that advance care planning is important. What’s harder is knowing where to start. If this keeps getting bumped to the bottom of the list in favor of literally anything else, you’re not alone. The good news is you don’t need to do everything at once. You just need a place to start.
National Healthcare Decisions Day is meant to help with exactly that. It’s a reminder to take a few clear steps toward putting your healthcare wishes in writing and making sure the right people know what those wishes are.
Why Planning Ahead Matters
When someone becomes seriously ill or can no longer speak for themselves, medical decisions often need to be made quickly. Family members are asked to step in, sometimes without clear guidance. Advance care planning helps prevent that uncertainty. It gives families and care teams something concrete to work from, so they are not left guessing in difficult moments. Planning ahead is about making sure your voice is part of the conversation, even if you aren’t able to speak for yourself later on.
Clearing Up Commonly Confused Documents
A lot of hesitation around advance care planning comes from confusion about the documents themselves. The names are similar, the roles are different, and it’s not always clear which ones apply to you. One reassuring thing to know: none of these documents require a lawyer. Most require nothing more than your signature and either two witnesses or a notary.
Advance Directive
An advance directive is the legal document that records your healthcare wishes. It is completed by you. It does not lock you into decisions, it simply gives others a place to start if they ever need one. In Virginia, an advance directive includes two parts:
- A living will, which outlines preferences for treatments such as life prolonging measures; and
- A healthcare agent, the person you choose to speak for you if you cannot make decisions yourself.
The document must be signed in front of two adult witnesses or notarized. Once completed, copies should go to your healthcare agent, your physician, and somewhere accessible at home. Be sure to let close family know where the document is stored.
Healthcare Agent (also called a Proxy)
This is the person you trust to make medical decisions if you’re unable to do so. You name them within your advance directive. No separate paperwork is required.
What matters most is that this person understands your values and priorities. This requires meaningful conversation with your healthcare proxy.
We will share more on this topic in the next Community Update. Aaron Zajdel, from Goodwin Living’s Care Connections program, will share more about advance care planning and answer questions in the May 13 Coffee and Conversation.
Reminiscence Memory Care Support Group
The Jefferson, at 900 N. Taylor Street, is starting a Reminiscence Memory Care Support Group. Meetings will be held on the third Thursday of every month, with the first session taking place on Thursday, April 23, from 6:00 pm. to 7:00 pm. The goal is to provide a safe space for families to meet and discuss the challenges they may be experiencing with loved ones navigating the journey of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Each month will feature a speaker and a focused topic for discussion. The topic for April will be “From Care to Connection: Supporting Your Loved Ones as They Age.” The speakers will be Shelly Douglas from Theris and Nkese Williams-Hayes, Clinical Director for Virginia. Appetizers and beverages will be provided. Please RSVP to Sean Wallace at 703-741-7562 or thejefferson.smd2@sunriseseniorliving.com. There is limited garage parking or street parking. For those taking metro, Ballston metro is a block away from the Jefferson.
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.
Suggested Book List
The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yamboa (Fantasy)
Exit Strategy by Lee Child and Andrew Child (Detective)
The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wing. (Historical Fiction)
The Golden Boy by Patricia Finn (Fiction)
What to Watch
Here are TV shows or movies recommended by ANV members and volunteers. Enjoy!
The Reacher Series (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.
