Senior Living

Flourishing After 55

Office of 55+ Programs

Department of Parks and Recreation

300 N. Park Dr., Arlington, VA 22203

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.

Opera appreciation, the spotlight is on composer Richard Wagner’s “Die Walkure,” the second of his Ring Cycle, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1:30 p.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. Volunteer George Cecchetti provides professional commentary. Registration # 912300-05 

Music from The Sondheim Songbook performed by pianist Ken Schellenberg and singers Judy Lewis and Jane Petkovsky, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2:30 p.m., Aurora Hills 55+ Center. Registration # 912301-09. 

Birds wintering in Arlington and how to support migratory birds, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 5 p.m., Arlington Mill 55+ Center. Presented by volunteers from Arlington Regional Master Naturalists. Registration # 912400-26. 

55+ Travel group will tour the National Museum of African 02.American History and Culture, D.C., Wednesday, Feb. 5. Cost $11, Arlington resident; $13, non-resident. Registration # 902502- 

Black History Month program, “107th U.S. Colored Troops in Arlington, presented by local history expert John McNair, Thursday, Feb. 6, 3 p.m., virtual. Registration # 912400-09. 

 Strategic competition in Africa and U.S. efforts to promote democracy and peace through the integration of elements of national power, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2:30 p.m., virtual. Registration # 912400-35. Presented by Opher Heymann, a student at the U.S. Army War College. 

Pianist Ken Schellenberg and singers Judy Lewis and Jane Petrovsky will perform music composed by Stephen Sondheim, Thursday, Feb. 6, 1 p.m., Walter Reed 55+ Center. Registration # 912301-10. 

Paint along with Community Arts Programmers Jennifer Droblyen and Jim Halloran and recreate artwork on display at area museums, Thursday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m., virtual. Registration # 912303-09. 

Bring your banjo, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and dulcimer and join volunteer Fred Winter, co-founder of NYC’s Old Time Music Project, for an open “jam” of Appalachian old time (pre-blue grass) and string band music, Thursday, Feb. 6, 5 p.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. All skill levels welcome. Registration # 912304-20. 

Maryland Live! Casino, Hanover, MD plus the Arundel Mills Outlets are on the agenda for the 55+ Travel group, Friday, Feb. 7. Cost $13, Arlington residents; $15, non-residents. Registration # 902502-03. 

In honor of Black History Month, 55+ Operations Supervisor Cory Cox will discuss African American Women Inventors, Friday, Feb. 7, 2 p.m., Aurora Hills 55+ Center. Registration # 912400-10. 

Painting demonstration by a Community Arts Programmer using a detailed step-by-step process, Monday, Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m., virtual. Registration # 912303-03. 

Reader’s Theater, act in fun readings of vintage radio plays along with sound effects, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 5:30 p.m., Walter Reed 55+ Center. Registration # 912301-14. 

Spellbinders of Arlington to hold an information session for adults 55+ and older to learn more about oral storytelling, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2:30 p.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. Registration # 912301-24. 

Tiny valentines, pair up with one of Lubber Run’s preschoolers to create valentine cards to take home, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 10 a.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. Supplies provided. Registration # 912310-10. 

It Takes a Village in Arlington, Wendy Zenker, executive director of Arlington Neighborhood Village (ANV) will describe the village concept and ways to get involved, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 11:30 a.m., via Zoom at Lubber Run 55+ Center, registration # 912400-01 or virtual, registration # 912400-02. 

Winter survivors, slide show presentation by Bobbi Farley, Arlington Park Naturalist to learn how animals survive in cold and harsh conditions in Arlington, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 7 p.m., virtual. Registration # 912400-27. 

How to make chocolate covered strawberries, presented by Carrie Conley, Director, Arlington Mill 55+ Center, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 6 p.m. Registration # 912501-10. 

History roundtable, participate in discussions about pivotal events in history. February’s topic is major war resistance movements, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 11:15 a.m., virtual, Registration # 912402-06. 

The study of words and the history of English, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 10:30 a.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center., Registration # 912402-13 or virtual, registration # 912402-14. 

Acoustic afternoon with music performed by local residents Phil Rosen, Ed Girovasi and friends, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2 p.m., Langston-Brown 55+ Center. Featuring classic pop, folk and blues from across the decades. Registration # 912301-11. 

55+ Travel group will visit the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond, to view an exhibit on the educational initiatives spearheaded by Booker T. Washington, a Black educator and Julius Rosenwald, a Jewish businessman and philanthropist, Wednesday, Feb. 12. Cost $34, Arlington resident; $39, non-resident. Registration # 902502-05. 

Virginia’s Green Book that helped many African Americans travel safely during the Jim Crow era discussed Thursday, Feb. 13, 2:30 p.m., virtual. Pre-recorded lecture by Susan Hellman, principal planner with the City of Alexandria Planning and Zoning Historic Preservation Division. Registration # 912400-11. 

Explore the rich history and contributions of Arlington’s Black community with Scott Taylor, president, Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, Thursday, Feb. 13, 3 p.m., virtual. Registration # 912400-12. 

Virtual Central America Tour, learn about Paraguay’s history, culture, geography and more, Thursday, Feb.13, 1 p.m. Presented by Ashley Gomez, Director, Lubber Run 55+ Center. Registration # 912400-40. 

Beginner quilling, use a few basic tools to wind paper strips into coils and create shapes to embellish note cards, Thursday, Feb. 13, 1:30 p.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. Supplies provided. Cost $18. Registration #912310-07. 

Valentine’s Day soiree, Friday, Feb. 14, 1 p.m., Aurora Hills 55+ Center. Enjoy an assortment of sweets and classic love songs by pianist Valerie Welsh. Registration # 912890-05. 

Valentine’s Day social, Friday, Feb. 14, 1:30 p.m., Langston-Brown 55+ Center. Treats, music, games and fun. Registration # 912890-06. 

Inclusion is for everyone, join Robyn Mitchell from the Therapeutic Recreation Office for a discussion and interactive session on how the 55+ community can ensure that all are included, Friday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m., Walter Reed 55+ Center. Registration # 912400-04. 

Introduction to the ukulele, Tuesday, Feb.18, 4 p.m., Walter Reed 55+ Center. Taught by Sandy O’Shea. Limited ukuleles available. Registration # 912304-06.

Genealogy 101, learn to use primary sources, family records, and DNA services like Ancestry.com, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 11:30 a.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. Led by experienced genealogist Eileen Bogdanoff. Registration # 912402-03.

Be an internet Jack-of-All-Trades with the help of Jennifer Weber, Director of Walter Reed 55+ Center, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 5:30 p.m. Learn to use online tools like Google, YouTube, educational platforms and become proficient in multiple tasks. Registration # 912403-03.

Piano lounge and sing-along of favorite love songs with pianist Valerie Welsh, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 4 p.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center.  Registration # 912304-27.

Game Guild, play boardgames with third through eighth grade students from Aspire Afterschool Learning Academy, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 4 p.m., Arlington Mill 55+ Center. Registration # 912600-05.

Black inventors in American history, presented by 55+ Operations Supervisor Cory Cox, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2 p.m., Aurora Hills 55+ Center. Registration # 912400-13.

Opera appreciation presented by George Cecchetti, discuss storyline and watch video of Richard Wagner’s “Die Walkure,” the second opera of the Ring Cycle, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 1:30 p.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. Registration # 912300-06.

Library of Virginia’s digital records presentation by the Library’s Outreach Specialist Peter North plus how to access valuable historical records and archives, Thursday, Feb. 20, 3 p.m., virtual. Registration # 912400-19. 

Coral reef crochet project to raise awareness of the effects of climate change, Thursday, Feb. 20, 4 p.m., Lubber Run 55+ Center. Bring yarn and crochet hooks (some will be available). Basic skills helpful; some instruction by 55+ volunteer will be available. Drop-in.

Eurogames, a genre of tabletop games emphasizing strategy, skill and player interaction over luck and conflict, Thursday, Feb. 20, 9:30 a.m. – 12 p.m., Walter Reed 55+ Center. Play a rotation of games including Wingspan, Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan and more. Registration # 912600-03

55+ Travel group will journey to the College Park Aviation Museum for a one hour guided tour, Friday, Feb. 21. Cost $19, Arlington resident; $22, non-resident. Registration # 902502-08.

Just beneath the surface and behind the scenes of three professional artists, Friday, Feb. 21, 10:30 a.m., virtual. Presented by Community Arts Programmer Jim Halloran. Registration # 912302-08.