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Community Update (7/1/26)

Coffee and Conversation Ideas

Help shape the future of Coffee & Conversations! We invite you to join a lively brainstorming session to help identify topics, ideas, and potential speakers for upcoming programs. What issues are you curious about? What conversations would inspire, inform, or engage our ANV community? Whether you have a single idea or a long wish list, your perspective can help create a dynamic and meaningful series for the months ahead. Join us on Tuesday, July 21, at 10:00 am in the ANV Office at 4000 Lorcom Lane as we collaborate to plan the next six months of Coffee & Conversations. We look forward to hearing your ideas and building an exciting lineup together! We are also looking for another volunteer to work with Carolyn Johnson to book our speakers. Questions?  Come to the meeting or email Office@ANVarlington.org .

USA Birthday Celebration, Saturday, July 18,

Arlington Public Library is hosting an all-ages celebration at the Central Library (1015 N. Quincy Street) to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary. Experience multiple back-to-back musical and spoken word performances, a large LEGO sculpture of the U.S. Constitution, DIY arts and crafts activities, singing story times about America, genealogy and digitization workshops, and cultural and historical demonstrations. More information is available on the library’s website.

Office Closed

The ANV Office is closed for the Independence Day Holiday on Friday, July 3.

Welcome

New Members

  • Margaret Bourne
  • Lance King
  • Nancy Michelitch
  • Margo Nelson
  • Susan Wild
  • Joseph Zimmer

New Volunteers

  • Tabitha Hendershot
  • Hua Liu
  • Jean O Connor
  • Hannah Ogbomo

In Memoriam

Please join us in fondly remembering Shokoofeh Mackinnon, Diane Micker and Lutz Prager.

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

  • July 1: Phone Cameras
  • July 8: Social Security Reform
  • July 15: Caregiver Support Services
  • July 22: Cherry Blossom Pace
  • July 29: Living Well

Special Events

Weekly Groups

  • Tai Chi
  • Bocce and Boules
  • Happy Hour
  • Board Games
  • Bowling
  • Billiards (summer hiatus)

Monthly Groups

  • Men’s Lunch Bunch
  • Ladies Lunch
  • Crafts Group
  • Low Vision Group
  • Pop Up Picnic

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, July 1: How to Get the Most from Your Phone’s Camera. We all use our phone’s camera to take pictures of our families, friends, and vacations, but what else can it do?  With a little know-how, your phone can help increase your productivity, enhance your personal safety, and even keep track of where you parked your car! Linda Scholl with the Alliance for Arlington Senior Programs will explore the myriad of ways our smart phones can assist us in our everyday lives.

Wednesday, July 8: Social Security Reform. The future of Social Security is one of the most pressing policy challenges facing Americans today. With projections showing the program’s trust fund reserves could be depleted within the next decade absent legislative action, the stakes are high for current retirees, future beneficiaries, and taxpayers alike. Join John Turner, Director of the Pension Policy Center and coauthor of Social Security for Generations, for a timely discussion of the forces shaping the future of Social Security. Drawing on decades of research and international experience, Turner will explore the difficult choices policymakers face and explain why lasting reform must do more than balance the books—it must also protect retirement security, reduce poverty, and preserve broad access to benefits for generations to come.

Wednesday, July 15: Caregiver Support Services. At some point in life, most of us will find ourselves caring for someone we love. While caregiving can be one of the most rewarding roles we take on, it often comes with significant emotional, physical, and financial challenges. Gelareh Bassiry from Arlington’s Aging and Disability Services Department will discuss the many resources and support services available to help caregivers stay informed, connected, and supported, ensuring they can care for themselves while caring for others.

Wednesday, July 22: Cherry Blossom Pace. From their facility in Alexandria, VA, Cherry Blossom Pace provides a wide range of medical, emotional and support services to meet the needs of seniors with complex health needs.  Cynthia Shannon, Director of Business Development, will introduce us to their care model; and provide an overview of the services they provide including primary and specialty physician services, adult day care, and family caregiver support.

Wednesday, July 29: Living Well: Aligning Health Care with What Matters Most to You. Kizzy Hernandez-Bigos, Research Associate & Associate Coordinator, Yale University School of Medicine, Internal Medicine/Geriatrics introduces My Health Priorities, a free online tool that helps people identify what matters most to them and use those priorities to guide health care decisions. You’ll learn how to clarify your values, set meaningful health goals, identify symptoms or challenges that interfere with those goals, and communicate effectively with your health care team. The webinar also demonstrates how to create and share a personalized Health Priorities Summary to support conversations with doctors, caregivers, and other health professionals, helping ensure that your care aligns with what is most important to you.

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

Kristen Patterson of Sacred Journey is offering ANV members and volunteers a discount for two workshops planned for this summer:

Legacy Letter (aka Ethical Will)

What is it, and how do I write one? An online, 90-minute workshop on Monday, July 27 or Tuesday, August 25 from 7:00-8:30 pm on Zoom. Join Arlington-based death doula Kristen Patterson to craft a letter to share your memories, values, and hopes with the people you love. Normally, this class costs $25, but Kristen is offering a discount to ANV members and volunteers: use the ANVLEGACY coupon code when registering for $15 off. Registration and payment information.

End-of-Life Planning 101

Curious about what end-of-life planning entails? An online, 60-minute workshop Tuesday, July 14 or Tuesday, August 4 from 7:30-8:30 pm on Zoom. Join Arlington-based death doula Kristen Patterson to discuss the documents, conversations, and decisions to help you and your loved ones feel prepared now and avoid chaotic decisions later. Normally, this class costs $20, but Kristen is offering a discount to ANV members and volunteers; use the ANVEOLP coupon code when registering for $10 off. Registration and payment information.

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 warm 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 5:15 pm

Bocce and boules are played every Monday afternoon on the courts at the corner of N. Randolph St & N. Glebe Rd (behind the Ballston Quarter parking garage, and across from Harris Teeter). No prior bocce experience necessary, all are welcome and everyone gets to play. Contact John Thomas for more information at thomas-johnr@comcast.net.

ANV Board Games Day: Thursday, July 9 and July 23, 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, July 7 and July 21 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, Summer Hiatus

Billiards will be on a summer hiatus in July and August since the Thomas Jefferson Community Center is reserved for summer camps. Look for billiards to return in September.

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, July 10 at noon

The Ladies and Men’s lunch groups will be dining together for our annual excursion to the Island Time Grill at Columbia Island Marina. The restaurant is located at Columbia Island Marina on the Pentagon Lagoon. Accessible from the Southbound Side of the George Washington Memorial Parkway between Memorial Bridge and the 14th Street Bridge. 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.

Calling All Crafters, Monday, July 13 at 1:00 – 2:00 pm

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. No need to register, just show up.

Low-vision Group, Monday, July 20, at 1:00 pm

Amber Pontorno, vocational rehabilitation counselor with the VA Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, had to cancel her June visit because of illness, but now she will come to our July 20 meeting to discuss services and assistance her office provides. Please join us! 

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.

Pop Up Picnic in the Park (PPP), July 31, at noon

The July PPP will be at Jennie Dean Park, located at 3630 27th St. South. The entrance to the park, where there is plenty of free parking, is at the corner of 27th St. South & Shirlington Rd. There is a picnic shelter with picnic tables and a restroom. The park entrance is next to Beenie Weenie where you can pick up your lunch if desired. Plan to join us and bring your own lunch for an outdoor picnic. PPPs are a chance to enjoy fresh air and light conversation and to discover a different Arlington neighborhood park. PPPs are scheduled every last Friday of the month, weather permitting. 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

VHC: Feet Facts: Top Five Common Causes of Foot & Ankle Pain

Friday, July 17, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

Walk into summer with expert advice on good foot and ankle health. Join orthopedic surgeon Dr. Brian Gallagher as he discusses the top five common causes of foot and ankle pain, treatment options to help relieve discomfort, and practical approaches to prevent future injuries. Whether you’re dealing with ongoing pain or simply want to keep your feet healthy for the long-term, this session will provide valuable strategies to keep you active on your feet. Registration required. Questions? 703.558.6859 or seniorhealth@vhchealth.org. 

Summer: What Type of Sunscreen Should I Use?

By Joan M. Smith

Summer! How wonderful to shed our heavy coats and boots, and wear lighter clothes and sandals for the next several months! While we are gifted with many sunny days in Virginia, we do need to remember about damage the sun can cause us. While a slight color on our skin makes us think “healthy”, it is also true that most skin cancers are linked to sun exposure. But thankfully, sunscreen is our friend.

A Mayo Clinic online article (April 28, 2026) reminds us to daily use a sunscreen with a ‘sun protection factor’ (SPF) of at least 30. But as for which type you choose, it really seems to depend on what you are most comfortable with, and especially which type you will actually use and reliably reapply throughout the day.

Sunscreens come in many types of substances: creams, lotions, mousses, gels, sticks and sprays. If your skin tends to be dry, then perhaps a cream or lotion would feel better. Or if you dislike the feel of those, then an airy mousse may be your choice.  There are also “water- and sweat-resistant” sunscreens, which should be good for up to 40 minutes while swimming or sweating. And those marked “very water resistant” should retain their SPF integrity for up to 80 minutes. Some face makeup types include an SPF of 30, however it is difficult to know how much you are applying (as makeup is usually not applied as thickly as sunscreen), so additional sunscreen would be needed.

What is the best way to apply sunscreen?  First, it is important to apply it to dry skin, about 20 minutes prior to sun exposure. Mayo recommends one tablespoon for the face and neck, and one ounce (as in one shot glass) for the remaining body. Coat every body part that may be exposed to the sun, including the ears, scalp, hands and feet.  After two hours a reapplication is needed. And remember even clouds as well as sand, water and snow, can reflect and scatter harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, so don’t neglect your SPF just because the day is not sunny.

NEWS FLASH!  On June 9, 2026, the FDA announced a new addition to sunscreen active ingredients. Bemotrizinol has now completed FDA testing and is the first new over-the-counter active ingredient since 1999! This ingredient protects against ultraviolet rays and has low absorption through the skin into the body. This ingredient has been used in Europe and other world areas for many years with positive results.  So, keep an eye out for Bemotrizinol on your sunscreen containers, and seek it out if you travel to other sunny areas of the world!

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 or Read

Here are TV shows, movies, or books recommended by ANV members and volunteers. Enjoy!

           Books

Coded Justice by Stacey Abrams (Fiction, thriller)

The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh (Fiction/Mystery)

Liar’s Kingdom:  How to stop Trump’s deceit and Save America by Andrew Weissman (nonfiction)

Take me to Your Leader, Perspectives on your first Alien Encounter by Neil Degrasse Tyson (nonfiction) 

           TV

           Song Sung Blue (Netflix)

Biblio+. The Arlington Library has free and unlimited access to groundbreaking film and captivating television. All you need is a library card and you can stream on any device, including the Roku stick. Visit https://biblioplus.com/  

Please share your recommendations for TV shows, films, or books 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.

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