Seniors in Action
<lst>The Arlington County Seniors in Action program offers a wide range of activities for seniors 55 and over. Fitness programs include aerobic exercise classes, strength training, walking groups, water aerobics, line dancing, square dancing, tennis, bowling, golf, yoga and Tai Chi. Seniors may join the Senior Adult Programs for $5 annually and access all activities. In some instances, an additional cost, such as $2 a class, may be necessary. Call 703-228-4744.
* Computer Classes. The Office of Senior Adult Programs and Arlington County Adult Education have collaborated in designing computer classes for seniors. A five-class session is available at $25 per class, or separate classes at $28 per class. The classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Clarendon Education Center (old Sears building). Call 703-228-7200 to register.
* Cyber Seniors/Cyber Teens is a program where young people teach seniors how to use the computer, Internet and e-mail. Each course consists of four 1-hour sessions taught at a local school or senior center. Currently there are three basic instruction courses being offered and classes in Word and Excel. Individuals over 50 are eligible to register for the classes. Call for details and for class fees at 703-228-6425.
* Senior Wellness. Kirsten Taranto, senior wellness programmer, Office of Senior Adult Programs, meets weekly with seniors at Aurora Hills and Lee senior action centers. Taranto discusses ways to access county services and programs available to seniors. She will be at Aurora Hills, 735 S. 18th St., on Mondays at 10 a.m., and at Lee, 5722 Lee Highway, on Tuesdays at 11:30 a.m. There is no fee.
* Fitness and Exercise. Seniors who belong to the county's Office of Senior Adult Programs, Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services, are eligible to use the fitness and exercise equipment at Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 S. Second St., free of charge. Hours are Monday-Friday, from 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Participants pay a $5 annual registration fee, which allows them access to the fitness programs, as well as any program at senior centers countywide.
* Bingo is held Mondays and Fridays at 1 p.m. at Culpepper Garden Senior Action Center. Bilingual bingo on Fridays at 11:15 a.m. at Gunston/Drew and Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m. at Dawson Terrace. Call 703-228-4744.
* Bridge, poker and canasta are available at Lee Senior Action Center, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Call 703-228-0555.
* Tai Chi classes for seniors are held weekly at four senior centers. Call for a schedule and location of nearest center at 703-228-4744.
* French classes for seniors are held every Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. at Culpepper Garden Senior Action Center. Call 703-228-4403.
* Senior Singles Chorale meets Tuesdays at 2 p.m. at the Lee Senior Action Center. Call 703-228-0555.
* Blood pressure screenings for seniors are held the first and second Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. at Dawson Terrace Senior Center, and the second Tuesday of the month at 11 a.m. at Lee Senior Center. Call 703-228-4744.
* Survival English classes are held Wednesdays at 11 a.m. at Dawson Terrace Senior Center (703-228-6300) and Saturdays at 11 a.m. at the Culpepper Garden Senior Center (703-228-4403). No fee. Call to register.
<lst>The Arlington Agency on Aging is offering a series of free information sessions, "Ask an Expert," for Arlington residents who are assisting elders or who are nearing retirement themselves. The scheduled topic for Tuesday, Oct. 1 is "Coping with Day to Day Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease," but questions will be fielded on any community resources or issues affecting elders in Arlington. The session will be held at the Department of Human Services building at 3033 Wilson Blvd. (Clarendon Metro stop), in room 7A at 6:30 p.m. Free parking is available under the building (entrance on N. Highland St.). Pre-registration is preferred, but not required. For further information or to register, call 703-228-1700, (TTY) 703-228-1788, or email arlaaa@co.arlington.va.us. An interpreter for hearing impaired persons may be requested at least 5 business days in advance.
Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., will present a program entitled "Become a Proactive Health Consumer," on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Learn how to search for physicians' credentials, diseases/disorders, medication, nutrition and fitness. A guided online tour of Internet and database sources. For prerequisites and to register, call the CyberCenter at 703-228-6346.
Virginia Hospital Center will present "Health Talks," a free series of informative discussions and screenings led by doctors and other health professionals at the John T. Hazel, M.D., Conference Center, 1701 N. George Mason Drive. Space is limited. Call 1-877-633-6483 or visit us at www.virginiahospitalcenter.com.
* Monday, Sept. 30
"How to Eat Out Vegetarian Style"
Lise Glode, RD
As the numbers of vegetarians grow, so do the number of restaurants offering a vegetarian menu. During this lecture, catering from various restaurants in the Arlington area will be provided to help residents enjoy the best vegetarian meals in the area. Cost is $10 per person. (Program will be held at Arlington Urgent Care, 1311 S. Fern St.)
* Monday, Oct. 7
"Hormone Therapy When Treating Breast Cancer"
Dr. Tom Butler
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Tom Butler, MD will talk about new techniques in hormone therapy.
The Arlington Center for Well-Being, at 3800 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 5, offers workshops throughout the year. Call 703-522-7710 to register, confirm times and for fees:
* Inner Transformation, a weekly support group for people who want to look at personal issues that get in the way of healthy relationships. Requires a minimum six-week commitment on Sundays at 5 p.m. Cost is $45 per session.
* Depressives Action Group meets during the day on Wednesdays for people with mild depression. The group provides emotional support and a task support system will help get through the week. Cost is $30 per session.
* Being Heard, Being Healed is a weekly group that gives members a place to share their stories and experiences for a healing transformation. Meets Thursdays, from 8-10 p.m.
* Heart Circle, on Saturday, Sept. 28, seeks to help individuals to keep their hearts open and flexible by asking for what they need and meeting the needs of others. Cost is $10.
* Wellness Plus "Wellness and Weight Management" helps individuals make lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of disease, restore health and increase energy as eating habits are adjusted to managed weight and diet. Participants receive training in nutrition, label reading, food preparation, stress reduction and fitness. Cost is $89. Class dates are Mondays, through Oct. 7, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; and Wednesdays, through Oct. 9, from 7-9 p.m.
* Making Changes is an ongoing program to explore how to overcome anxiety and "move on with confidence and joy." Cost is $45. Fridays, through Oct. 4, from 7-9 p.m.
* GoalBuddies, a community of people working with each other to achieve their personal goals, meet regularly to discuss achievements. Mondays, through Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m.
Narcotics Anonymous is a support group for people who want to turn their life around from using drugs. The group meets at Drew Community Center, 3500 S. 24th St., on Tuesdays from 7:30-9 p.m. Call John Robinson at 703-979-7300.
Dr. Ethan Kirchner, D.C., of the Arlington Chiropractic Wellness Center, will give free health talks to local organizations, clubs or teams. Call Dr. Kirchner at 703-522-7788.
Support for People with Mental Disabilities:
* The Children and Adolescents Network Support Group. Call Ellen Storck at 703-534-3440.
* Arlington Alliance for the Mentally Ill will host its monthly support group meeting for family members and friends of persons suffering mental illness at 7:30 p.m. June 25 at Mount Olivet Methodist Church, 1500 N. Glebe Road. Call Richard and Betsy Greer at 703-525-8616.
* Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorders. Meets weekly on Wednesdays, from 7-9 p.m., at the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute, 3302 Gallows Road in Falls Church. Call Shannon Flynn at 703-527-0370.
* Depressive and Manic Depressives. Meets the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 7 p.m. at Falls Church Community Center, 223 N. Little Falls St. in Falls Church. Call Barbara Solow at 703-620-5538 or Marshall Epstein at 703-849-9401.
* Northern Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association. Meets the first Sunday of each month, at 4 p.m., at Independence Center, 3100 Clarendon Blvd. Call 703-978-3017, Ext. 30.