Senior Living

“Flourishing After 55”    

Office of 55+ Programs

Department of Parks and Recreation

300 N. Park Dr., Arlington, VA 22203 703-228-4747

55+ Programs are in person at 55+ Centers unless otherwise noted. A 55+ Pass is required to participate starting at a $20 annual fee. To join or register, go to registration.arlingtonva.us or call 703-228-4747.

Registration is open for 2024 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics to be held Sept. 14-29.

Register online at www.nvso.us. Cost $20 for multiple events. For more information, email nvso1982@gmail.com.

Scrabble games, friendly competition, new players welcome, Wednesday, Aug. 28, 1 p.m., Langston-Brown 55+ Center and Friday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m., Walter Reed 55+ Center. Both are drop-in.

Calling all Samba players, an intricate variation of canasta played with a partner and six decks of cards, Fri., Aug. 30, 1:30-4:30 p.m., Walter Reed 55+ Center. Beginners welcome. Drop-in.

Open art studio for artists who work at their own pace, no instruction or materials provided, Wednesday, Aug. 28 and Friday, Aug. 30, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Arlington Mill 55+ Center. Drop-in.

Learn to play Wingspan, fun board game for bird enthusiasts, Thursday, Aug. 29, 9:30 a.m., Walter Reed 55+ Center. Registration # 914600-02.

Jigsaw puzzle exchange at Lubber Run 55+ Center, Thursday, Aug. 29, 6 – 7 p.m. Bring new or second hand puzzles in good condition to swap with fellow 55+ participants. Registration # 914801-10.

Communication and hearing loss information presented by Bonnie O’Leary from Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons, Thursday, Aug. 29, 10 a.m. Discuss frustrations associated with late-onset hearing loss and more. Virtual presentation. Registration # 914500-16.

Series of virtual tours of South American countries concludes with Venezuela, Thursday, Aug. 29, 12:45 p.m. Presented by Ashley Gomez, Lubber Run 55+ Center director. Registration # 914400-42.

Afternoon meet-up with fellow 55+ participants for casual conversations, Friday, Aug. 30, 1:30-3 p.m., Langston-Brown 55+ Center. Drop-in.

Movie matinee, “Stand by Me” (1986) (R), Friday, Aug. 30, 12:30 p.m., Aurora Hills 55+ Center. 

   Registration # 914804-06.

September is National Senior Center Month and many new activities will take place at the five 55+ Centers in the County, the first of which is a latte lounge hosted by the Walter Reed 55+ Center’s Advisory Committee, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1 p.m. A discussion of ideas regarding new programs is on the agenda. Registration # 911801-01.

All Arlington 55+ centers will be collecting breakfast cereals through the month of September to assist  the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) in their drive to provide families and kids healthy breakfasts. Donation boxes will be at all 55+ centers. For more information check with 55+ center director.

Encore Chorale rehearsals begin Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1 p.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. 14 sessions run through Dec. 10. No audition required, newcomers welcome. Cost, $165 plus $25 materials fee. Registration # 911300-05.

55+ Travel group will tour the Antietam National Battlefield by bus plus a walking tour with John McNair, Sharpsburg, MD, Tuesday, Sept. 3. Cost $25, Arlington resident; $29, non-resident. Registration  # 902409-01.

Langston-Brown 55+ Center’s book club will feature “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” by Lisa See, Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1:30 p.m. Drop-in.

Playground clean-up at Lubber Run Community Center, Wednesday, Sept 4, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. In partnership  with Dept. of Parks and Recreation (DPR) and 55+ participants. Registration # 911899=01.

Get to know Arlington’s five 55+ centers and programs during National Senior Center Month, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m., Arlington Mill 55+ Center. Meet Center Director Carrie Conley to review  all programs and suggest new ones. Open to all ages; 55+ Pass not required. Registration # 911400-03.

Travel guru and long-time 55+ volunteer Mary Smolenski will share her experiences from a Mediterranean cruise to Greece, Turkey, Egypt and Israel, Wednesday.  Sept. 4, 1:30 p.m., Aurora Hills 55+ Center.

     Registration # 911400-26.

What is a Living Trust? Join Elder Law Attorney Ed Zetlin as he explains different types of trusts, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 11 a.m., virtual.  Registration # 911404-01.

Common cybersecurity threats presented by Sangeetha Puligella from Arlington’s Dept. of Technology Services, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 10 a.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center.  Discuss ways to protect yourself from threats and scams. Registration # 911403-01.

Opera appreciation group to discuss and hear musical selections from the Baroque Opera  “Agrippina” by George Frideric Handel, Wednesday, Sept. 4, 1:30 p.m., Lubber Run 5+ Center. Professional commentary by George Cecchetti. Registration # 911300-01.

55+ Travel group will travel to the Barnes in Philadelphia to visit the “Matisse & Renoir: New Encounters” exhibition, Thursday, Sept. 5. Cost $110, Arlington resident; $127, non-resident. Registration #902409-02.

Election 2024 and what you need to know, Thursday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m., Langston-Brown 55+ Center. Presented by Gretchen Reinemeyer, Director of Elections at the Voter Registration Office. Registration # 911400-10.

Walk Fit, free weekly walking program offered by VHC Health, Thursday, Sept. 5-Nov. 21 8:30 a.m., Lubber Run Community Center. 45-minute walk on indoor track and 15-minute guided stretching to promote balance,  flexibility and mobility. Open to all ages; 55+ Pass not required. Registration # 911106-14.

Fitness equipment orientation to learn how to use equipment safely and effectively at Madison, Thomas Jefferson and Lubber Run Community Centers, Thursday, Sept. 5, 11 a.m., Madison Center. Registration # 911100-11.

Retro fun and games social to celebrate the 70th anniversary of  Arlington’s 55+ Program, includes snacks and games from the past, Friday, Sept. 6, 1 p.m.,Arlington Mill 55+ Center. Registration # 911899-03.

Traveler and 55+ volunteer Lowell Nelson will discuss his recent trip to Nepal and physical challenges to trekking, Friday, Sept. 6, 1:30 p.m., Aurora Hills 55+ Center. Registration # 911400-27.

55+ Travel group will visit the Mushroom Festival at Kennett Square, PA, the Mushroom Capital of the World, Saturday, Sept. 7. 

55+ Travel group will journey to Ronks, PA for the Fall Doo Wop Cavalcade at the American Music Theatre,  Sunday, Sept. 8. Music from the 50s and 60s. Cost $173, Arlington resident; $199, non-resident. Registration  # 902409-04. Lunch included.

Original Medicare versus Medicare Advantage, Monday, Sept. 9, 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., virtual. Presented by counselors from Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP). Register by calling 703-228-1725 or email, MedicareHelp@arlingtonva.us.

Advanced care planning 101, two-part series presented by the Coalition to Improve Advanced Care (CIAC), Mondays, Sept. 9 and Sept 16, 10 a.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. Lean the process of communicating your healthcare wishes in an advance directive. Led by Kathleen Garces-Foley, PhD, director of CIAC. Must attend first session to attend second. Registration # 911404-02.

Memoir writing with writer Mim Placke, informal, exchange ideas, share memories, Mondays, Sept. 9 through Nov. 18, 10:15 a.m., Langston-Brown 55+ Center. Registration # 911300-06.

Mosquito and tick management presented by Regional Master Naturalist Kasha Helget, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 7 p.m., virtual. Registration # 911400-39.

Performance parking with Parking and Curbside Manager Melissa McMahon, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 11:15 a.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. Hear options to find available parking and the most affordable parking options. Registration # 911400-08.

Haiku workshop to learn the basics of Japanese poetry, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 12 p.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center.

     Presented by award winning haiku poet Rick Black. Registration # 911300-07.

Socializing as you age, presented by Insight Memory Care team, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 6 p.m., Arlington Mill 55+ Center. Registration # 911500-07.

Cooking with the power out, presented by Virginia Cooperative Extension Maser Food Volunteers, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 1:30 p.m., Aurora Hills 55+ Center. Registration # 911501-01.

Learn about owls that call Arlington County home, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 4 p.m., Arlington Mill 55+ Center. Take a short walk to meet a live owl. Presented by Gulf Branch Nature Center naturalist Gabby Hrycyshyn. Registration # 911400-40.

History roundtable participants will discuss the impact of famines in history, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 11:15 a.m., virtual. Registration # 911402-04.

Join Energy Masters for a fun bingo event focusing on energy and water efficiency, Thursday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m., Langston-Brown 55+ Center. Energy Masters is a joint program with Virginia Cooperative Extension and EcoAction Arlington. Registration # 911401-01.

The art of downsizing, interactive course with licensed realtor Philippa Main, Thursday, Sept. 12, 1:30 p.m., Langston-Brown 55+ Center. Registration # 911404-03.

A Day in Annapolis for the 55+ Travel group, Thursday, Sept. 12. Visit historic sites, stroll the City Dock, dine at a popular restaurant. Cost $12, Arlington resident; $14, non-resident. Registration # 902409-06.

55+ Travel group will attend the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis, Saturday, Sept. 14. Cost $33, Arlington resident; $38, non-resident. Registration # 902409-07.

“Saving Claire: The Story of  Denying Gravity,” a documentary  film that explores the complexities of aging, Friday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m., Arlington Mill 55+ Center. View the film and listen to an expert panel discussion afterwards. Presented by VHC Health. Registration # 911502-01.

Senior Olympics social and pep rally for participants and supporters, open to all ages, no 55+ pass needed, Friday, Sept. 13, 11 a.m., Walter Reed 55+ Center. Registration # 911899-04. NVSO opens Saturday, Sept. 14, 9:30 a.m., Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Open to the public.

The Alliance for Arlington Senior Programs (AASP) is sponsoring a BBQ picnic to celebrate the  70th Anniversary of Arlington County’s 55+ Program, Wednesday, Oct. 2, 12-3 p.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. Deadline to register is Friday, Sept. 13.  Cost $10. Check with local 55+ centers for details. 

     Registration # 911899-10.

Northern Virginia Senior Olympics opens Saturday, Sept. 14, 9:30 a.m., Thomas Jefferson Community Center. Open to the public. Track events follow opening ceremonies. Over 70 events will take place at 26 different venues through Sept. 29. Full schedule of events is on the website: www.nvso.us.