FEBRUARY 2012
HEALTH BITS
Feb. 11 Heart Health Screening
The African American Health Program and the Holy Cross Hospital Community Health Department invite you to the Fifth Annual Heart Health Screening and Education event on Saturday, Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (snow date Feb. 18). The event and all screenings are free. Screenings include blood pressure, body fat, glucose, cholesterol and oral cancer. The event is held in the Holy Cross Hospital Professional & Community Education Center (Main Building), 1500 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, Md. Free parking is available in the Dameron Garage, located off Dameron Drive.
Feb. 15 Creativity and Brain Health
In the free community seminar, "Creativity, Longevity and Brain Health,” Michael Patterson, a brain health educator and board member of the National Center for Creative Aging, will discuss the creative brain and why engagement in creative activities can help ward off dementia and cognitive decline. The event on Wednesday, Feb. 15 begins with a complimentary light supper at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, 18131 Slade School Rd., Sandy Spring, Md. RSVP to Toni Davis at (301) 924-2811 or tdavis@bgf.org.
Feb. 15+ Women’s Over-50 Basketball
Register by Wednesday, Feb. 15 to participate in the winter/spring session of the senior women’s 3-on-3 half court intramural basketball program for ages 50 and above. Register as a team or an individual. Cost is $96 for 8 weekly sessions ($80 with 55+ Pass), which begin Wednesday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. at Langston-Brown Senior Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St., Arlington, Va. For more information, call (703) 228-4771 or email hmwhite@arlingtonva.us.
Feb. 19 Glaucoma Awareness
If you are over 60 and have a family history of glaucoma, or are African American over 40, you are at greater risk for vision loss from glaucoma. Learn more about the disease from Dr. Andrew Adelson, adult screening medical advisor for Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington, at the Macular Degeneration Network’s meeting on Sunday, Feb. 19 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Sibley Memorial Hospital Medical Building, 5255 Loughboro Rd., N.W. Washington, D.C. Free garage parking is available. For more information, call (202) 234-1010.
Ongoing Telephone Caregiver Support
In support of spousal caregivers unable to leave home, Holy Cross Hospital is offering a new support group via telephone facilitated by Sister Kathy Weber on Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. To become part of this group and receive the dial-in number and password, call (301) 754-7152 to register.
Ongoing Senior Softball
The Golden Girls Senior Softball League is looking for players over 40 years of age. The league plays on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings in Vienna, Va. Visit www.goldengirls.org or call Donna at (703) 615-4563 for more information.
Ongoing Stroke Support
The Montgomery County Stroke Association holds monthly support groups for patients and caregivers in four locations around the county. To find the meeting nearest you and the next date, see www.mcstroke.org or call (301) 681-6272.
Mar. 3 Healthy Eating Shopping Tour
Certified natural foods chef Ebeth Johnson takes you on a tour of Whole Foods to learn which produce offers the best value, when produce is at its peak, what’s local, how to read food labels and more. The tour will take place on Saturday, March 3 at 10:30 a.m. at the P Street Whole Foods Market, 1440 P St., N.W., Washington, D.C. The tour, sponsored by the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts, is free. For more information, call (202) 483-8600.
Feb. 11+ Knock Out Nicotine
Inova Health Source offers a support group for those trying to quit smoking. The group meets the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 11 a.m. to noon. The group is held at 2700 Prosperity Ave., Suite 100, Room 12, Fairfax, Va. No registration is required. For more information, call 1-855-694-6682.
EVENT BITS
Feb. 16+ Making the Right Move
Ring House presents two programs in February as part of its new “Live Smart, Plan Smart” series. On Thursday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m. Eric Stewart, Realtor and WMAL radio host, will give tips on selling your home in today’s market. At 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, he and Susie Danick of Transitional Assistance and Design will present “Right-sizing: Getting ready for a simpler life.” Ring House is located at 1801 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, Md. To RSVP, call (301) 816-5052.
Feb. 18 Indoor Flea Market
Find that special treasure at the 6th annual flea market hosted by the Young at Heart Seniors of the City of Fairfax Senior Center. The indoor flea market will be held on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the City of Fairfax Senior Center, Green Acres Center Cafeteria, 4401 Sideburn Rd., Fairfax, Va. For more information or questions about space rental, call (703) 359-2487.
Feb. 12+ Learn English Country Dancing
Jane Austen and George Washington did English country dancing and so can you. A new series of lessons on this 16th century dance form is light-hearted and fun, and specifically geared toward new dancers and dancers of other dance forms, such as contra or swing. Michael Barraclough, who has danced and called in England for 40 years, will teach and call the dances the second Sunday of the month from 2.30 to 5.30 p.m. in the Spanish Ballroom Annex at Glen Echo Park in Glen Echo, Md. Admission is $10. For more information, call (703) 992-0752 or see www.michaelbarraclough.com/ECD4FUN.
Feb. 28 It Takes a Village
Learn more about the planned aging in place village for residents of the Foggy Bottom and West End neighborhoods in DC at a meeting of the Foggy Bottom Association on Tuesday, Feb. 28. A social will be at 7 p.m. and the meeting begins at 7:30 at St. Stephen Martyr Church Parish Hall, 25th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. For more information, contact Jackie Lemire at (202) 337-2167 or jglemire@aol.com.
Feb. 23 The Stars over Greenbelt
The Greenbelt Astronomy Club invites you to join them on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m. as several speakers give information about astronomy and its discoveries in 1937. The event occurs at the Howard B. Owens Science Center, 9601 Greenbelt Rd., Lanham, Md. For more information, contact Doug Love at dlove@douglove.info.
Feb. 25 African American Heritage
Celebrate African-American culture at the 20th annual Feel the Heritage Festival, Sat., Feb. 25, noon to 5 p.m. at the Langston-Brown Senior Center, 2121 N. Culpeper St., Arlington, Va. The event will feature music and dance performances, food, dozens of vendors and more. Free admission. For more information, call (703) 228-3329 or visit www.arlingtonva.us/prcr.
Feb. 22 Author Talk
Hear Kenneth T. Walsh speak about his book, Family of
Freedom: Presidents and African-Americans in the White House, at the Beatley Central Library, 5005 Duke St., Alexandria, Va. The presentation will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. For more information, call (703) 746-1753.
Feb. 28 Consider Conifers
Take a brisk stroll led by master gardener docents at Green Spring Gardens, who will identify and describe some of Green Spring’s evergreen trees. Be inspired to consider conifers to brighten and define your winter landscape at home. Then step into the warmth of the historic house for refreshments. The event, which costs $12, takes place Saturday, Feb. 28 from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd., Alexandria, Va. For more information, call (703) 642-5173.
Mar. 7 The 1940 Census
The Prince George’s County Genealogical Society will meet Wednesday, March 7 at 7 p.m., in the New Carrollton Municipal Building, 6016 Princess Garden Parkway, New Carollton, Md. After a brief business meeting, Sandra Clunies will present "Countdown to April 2: Release of the 1940 Federal Census." All are welcome to attend this free presentation. For additional information, see www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mdpgcgsor call (301) 262-2063.
MONEY BITS
Ongoing Free Weatherization Assistance
The Prince George’s County Department of Housing and Community Development is offering free weatherization assistance to eligible low income households in Prince George’s County. Free installation of energy conservation measures to reduce heat loss will be made to households that meet income requirements and who are elderly, disabled or have a family with children less than 5 years old. The county can provide up to $6,500 per home in energy efficiency measures. For more information or to schedule a home energy audit, call (301) 883-5491.
Feb. 8+ Organize your important papers
“The Family Love Letter” is a free workshop that guides seniors through the steps of making an inventory of information that will help loved ones find important papers and legal documents in case of a sudden need. The program is presented by financial advisor Elizabeth Schwartzman at three senior centers in Arlington: Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. at Langston-Brown, 2121 N. Culpeper St.; Thursday, Feb. 9 at 1 p.m. at Walter Reed Senior Center, 2909 S. 16th St.; and Monday, Feb. 13 at 11 a.m. at Culpepper Garden, 4435 N. Pershing Dr. Call (703) 228-4403 to register.
Feb. 27 To Move or Not to Move
A discussion of the pros and cons of moving to a retirement community will take place Monday, Feb. 27 at 1:30 p.m. at the Aurora Hills Senior Center, 735 S. 18th St., Arlington, Va. The free discussion includes retirement and care options, as well as costs and benefits, and is presented by Washington House marketing director Heidi Garvis. To register, call (703) 228-5722.
Ongoing Free Income Tax Filing Help
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax preparation assistance to low- and moderate-income individuals who earn less than $50,000 per year and who are filing the standard 1040 form. Preparation is done by IRS-trained volunteers throughout the Washington area. To find the location nearest you, call 1-800-906-9887.
Ongoing Fairfax Tax Relief
Older adults and people with disabilities may qualify for Fairfax County real estate and car tax relief. Residents must file an application for relief between Jan. 1 and April 1, 2012 if they have filed before. New applicants have until December 31, 2012 to file. To receive tax relief, applicants must be 65 or older and have an income of no more than $72,000. Find out more at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dta/taxrelief_home.htm or by calling (703) 222-8234.
Ongoing Unemployed and Facing Foreclosure?
The DC government, through theHomesaver Program, now offers forgivable loans to homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgages because of unemployment. If you own a home in D.C., are receiving or have received unemployment benefits at any time during the last six months, and are behind on your mortgage because you were laid off, you may be eligible for a loan to help bring your mortgage current. Call (202) 667-7006 or attend a free foreclosure clinic on Wednesdays, Feb. 1, 8, 15 or 22 at noon at Housing Counseling Services, 2410 17th St., N.W., Suite #100, Washington, D.C.
Ongoing Curbing Medicare Fraud
The Virginia Association of Area Agencies on Aging has introduced a website that aims to curb Medicare errors, fraud and abuse. The Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol Program website provides information and education to older Virginians and caregivers, including how to prevent, identify and report health care fraud and abuse. The website’s address is www.virginiasmp.org.
ART BITS
Feb. 4+ Dance Concert
The Jane Franklin Dance troupe Forty+ presents a show with its community-based dancers over the age of 40. There will be two shows: Feb. 4 at 5 p.m. at the Athenaeum, 201 Prince St., Alexandra, Va. and Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. at Theatre on the Run, 3700 S. Four Mile Run Drive, Arlington, Va. Tickets are $20. For more information, call (703) 933-1111 or see www.janefranklin.com.
Feb. 19 Barbershop Chorus Concert
The Harmony Heritage Singers, a 40-member men's barbershop chorus, will present a concert of patriotic music along with popular songs from days gone by. Bix Doughty, 98 years old, is scheduled to sing an audience favorite, "Old Bones." There is no admission charge, but a free-will offering will be taken to benefit United Community Ministries. The Sunday, Feb. 19 concert starts at 3 p.m. at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, Va. For more information, call (703) 765-4779.
Feb. 9 Jewish Culture in Poland
B’nai Israel Congregation presents an afternoon at the movies with a documentary about Jewish culture in Poland, followed by a concert by two cantors on Thursday, Feb. 9. The meeting starts at noon and the program at 12:30 p.m. Bring a dairy lunch; refreshments will be served. The free program takes place at 6301 Montrose Rd., Rockville, Md. For more information, call Jo at (301) 881 6550.
Ongoing Snowy Day World Premier Musical
In honor of the 50th anniversary of the children’s book The Snowy Day, the first picture book to feature an African-American child as the main character, the Adventure Theatre will perform a world-premier musical with music and lyrics by Howard University’s Darius Smith. The show will be performed through Feb. 12 at 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Md. Tickets are $18 each and can be purchased through the box office by calling (301) 634-2270 or online at www.adventuretheatre.org.
Feb. 11 The Complete Chopin
Pianist Brian Ganz began his “Extreme Chopin” quest to perform all of Frédéric Chopin’s works in January 2010 at the Music Center at Strathmore. The sold-out recital marked the start of Ganz’s ambitious endeavor to perform the approximately 250 works of Chopin over the next decade. Ganz will explore the theme of “Dances and Fantasies” in his second Chopin recital at the Music Center at Strathmore on Feb. 11 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $24 to $46; kids 7 to 17 are free. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.nationalphilharmonic.org or call (301) 581-5100.
Feb. 16+ Play Casts a Spell
Georgetown University’s Mask and Bauble Dramatic Society presents the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which follows six neurotic kids as they compete for the treasured prize of becoming the winner of their county spelling bee. The one-act show will be playingFeb. 16 through 25 on the Poulton Hall Stage III, 1421 37th St., N.W., Washington, D.C. Tickets are $12. For more information, see http://performingarts.georgetown.edu or call (202) 687-ARTS (2787).
Feb. 23 Sheet Music from Stage and Screen
Sharon McKinley of the Library of Congress’s Music Division presents a free lecture, “It’s Show Time: Sheet Music From Stage and Screen,” at noon on Thursday, Feb. 23 in the Whittall Pavilion, ground floor of the Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C. For more information, call (202) 707-5502.
Feb. 15 Cathedral Choir Festival
On Wednesday, February 15, the Cathedral Choral Society will bring together choirs from D.C. public, charter and independent schools, and members of the D.C. Youth Orchestra for its Seventh Annual Celebrate Youth! High School Choir Festival. The festival concert in Washington National Cathedral, 3101 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., at 7 p.m. is free and open to the public. Each of the groups performs on its own, and all 350 young people participate in a grand finale. For more information, call (202) 537-5527 or see www.cathedralchoralsociety.org.
VOLUNTEER BITS
Feb. 7 Make Blankets for Children
Volunteers are needed to knit, crochet or quilt blankets for sick and needy children. Yarn and fabric are provided. Stop in any time from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at the Extension Office, 18410 Muncaster Rd., Derwood, Md. Also, donations of acrylic yarn are being accepted. Call Pat at (301) 460-5451 for more information or for directions.
Mar. 4+ Help at a Hospice
JSSA (Jewish Social Service Agency), a non-sectarian community agency, is seeking volunteers to help enhance the quality of life of individuals and families facing life-threatening or terminal illness. Russian speakers and massage therapists are especially needed. The next training course is scheduled for Sunday to Tuesday, March 4 to 6 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day at 6123 Montrose Rd., Rockville, Md. Applications and interviews are required for those interested in the volunteer training. For more information and to sign up for the course, contact Amy Kaufman Goott at (301) 816-2650, agoott@jssa.org, no later than five days prior to the start of the course.
Apr. 3+ Serve as an Election Judge
Montgomery County’s Board of Elections is seeking individuals to serve as election judges at polling places for the presidential elections to be held on April 3 and Nov. 6, 2012. Judges must be registered to vote in the state of Maryland. To apply, or for more information, visit www.777vote.org and select the Election Judge Program link. You may also call (240) 777-8533.
Ongoing Advocate for Long-Term Care Residents
Help residents of nursing and assisted living facilitiesin Northern Virginia advocate for their rights, resolve conflicts and improve their quality of life. The Northern Virginia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteers to commit four hours a week for one year. Volunteers set their own schedules and receive training and support. Visits usually occur between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays. Apply now for the spring 2012 training. Call (703) 324-5861 or e-mail lisa.callahan@fairfaxcounty.gov.
TRAVEL BITS
Mar. 5 Philadelphia Flower Show
Take a day trip with the McLean Community Center to the Philadelphia Flower show on Monday, March 5, leaving at 6:45 a.m. and returning at 8 p.m. This year’s flower show theme is “Hawaii: Islands of Aloha.” The cost of the trip is $132, which includes motor coach transportation, tickets to the flower show, morning snack and a driver’s tip. The trip leaves from the center, 1234 Ingleside Ave., McLean, Va. Call (703) 790-0123 or see www.mcleancenter.org for more information.
May 3+ Bermuda and Boston
Take Royal Caribbean’s Enchantment of the Seas from Baltimore to both Boston and Bermuda on this Fun and Fitness Cruise from May 3 to 11. Ballroom dance, water aerobics, tai chi and yoga classes are offered on the cruise. Prices start at $799 each for double occupancy. For more information, see www.fun-fitness.com/cruises/boston-bermuda-2012.html or call 1-800-955-9942.
Mar. 22+ Civil Rights Bus Tour
The Montgomery County Office of Human Rights is hosting a six-day bus tour that retraces the steps of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights heroes. The bus tour will travel to Greensboro, N.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; Birmingham, Montgomery, Selma and Tuskegee, Ala. and other locations, leaving Rockville, Md. on April 2 and returning on April 7. The cost starts at $445 per person including hotel, transportation, some meals and snacks, and all museum/tour fees. A pre-tour meeting will be held on Thursday, March 22 at 6:30 p.m. in the Human Rights Conference and Mediation Center, Suite 330, 21 Maryland Ave., Rockville. Individuals and groups may email Beverly.marshall@montgomerycountymd.gov for more information, or go to www.montgomerycountymd.gov/humanrights.
Feb. 25 George Marshall Home Tour
Visit the home of George and Katherine Marshall in Leesburg, Va., and see how the military hero and statesman lived. View exhibits highlighting his pre- and post-WWII military planning and diplomacy on this tour on Saturday, Feb. 25 with Arlington Recreation’s 55+ program. The trip leaves at 9 a.m. and returns at 4 p.m. and costs $18 for Arlington residents and $22 for non-residents. For more information, see www.arlingtonva.us/prcr or call (703) 228-4748.
Mar. 3 Mid-Atlantic Migratory Birds
Observe the many species of sea birds, ducks geese and birds of prey that winter in the mid-Atlantic region on this trip to Delaware sponsored by the Smithsonian Resident Associates program. The trip begins at 7 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Capitol, 550 C St., S.W with a pickup stop at the New Carrollton Metro at 7:25 a.m. on Saturday, March. 3. The trip returns at 7:30 p.m. and costs $124 for Resident Associates members and $170 for the general public. To register, go to www.residentassociates.or or call (202) 633-3030. The code is 1ND-016.