See the USA through Sports
Sept. 11, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Ever catch yourself considering playing sports again? In this information session, learn about how you can participate in, or even just watch, senior games at venues located all across the country. // Walter Reed Community & Senior Center: 2909 16th St. S, Arlington
Raising Grandkids
Sept. 11, 7-8:30 p.m.
Grandma? Grandpa? Nana? Pappy? Whatever the little ones call you, if you are helping your child co-parent, this discussion, lead by a presenter who is helping raise four grandsons, may give you some insights into successful child-rearing. // Burke Centre Library: 5935 Freds Oak Road, Burke
Book Talk: Lenin, Hitler and Me
Sept. 11, 7-8:30 p.m.
Interested in history, especially when it concerns WWII? Author Boris J. Kochanowsky’s daughter will read from his memoir and also sign copies of the book. // Chantilly Regional Library: 4000 Stringfellow Road, Chantilly
Beginner Spanish (Part 1)
Sept. 12, 10-11 a.m.
It’s never too late to learn a new language. Get started on learning Spanish from instructor Isabel Deegan at this beginner class, then keep with it through May. // Walter Reed Community & Senior Center: 2909 16th St. S, Arlington
Getting the Most out of Medicare
Sept. 12, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Get your Medicare questions answered by a certified counselor from the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program, or simply attend and find out what benefits you may be missing. // Aurora Hills Community & Senior Center: 735 18th St. S, Arlington
Saving Spaces Book Release
Sept. 12, 7-9 p.m.
Passionate about land conservation or historic preservation? Consider checking out author John Sprinkle’s new book, Saving Spaces: Historic Land Conservation in the United States, at this event, which concludes with a book signing. // Lloyd House: 220 N. Washington St., Alexandria
Elvis Presley Performance
Sept. 13 & 20, 12:30 p.m.
If you’re a big fan of “The King,” listen to the Golden Ukesters on Sept. 13 and Vinny & The Leesburg Line Dancers on Sept. 20 attempt to recreate Elvis’ iconic tunes. // The Senior Center of Leesburg: 102 North St. NW, Leesburg
Garden Tour & Tea
Sept. 13, 1 p.m.
Stroll through lush fall gardens lead by a master gardener, who will likewise inform guests about the grounds’ history before concluding with a traditional English tea. // Green Spring Gardens: 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria
iPhone Basics Class
Sept. 14, 10-11:30 a.m.
Technology is constantly changing, and it’s no wonder why people struggle to keep up. Lowell Nelson, an Apple product instructor, will get event goers up to speed on all that their iPhone can do, from changes in the new operating system to managing your Apple ID. // Walter Reed Community & Senior Center: 2909 16th St. S, Arlington
Emergency Preparedness Fair
Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
September is National Preparedness Month, so now is your chance to stock up on potentially life-saving goods. Grab an emergency preparedness kit, then stick around to learn hands-only CPR or find out how you can volunteer in the area. // Market Square in front of City Hall: 301 King St., Alexandria
AARP Safe Driving Class
Sept. 14 & 17, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
For $20, ($15 for AARP members) brush up on your road skills and, upon completion of both sessions, walk away with a certificate. // Prince William Senior Center: 9320 Mosby St., Manassas
Ittie Bitte Doggie Dive
Sept. 14, 4-7 p.m.
Have a small dog (less than 50 pounds) and want to officially say goodbye to summer? Let them splash around in the pool, then participate in activities and take in pet-friendly demonstrations. Your pup must have proof or registration and current vaccinations. // Charles Houston Recreation Center: 901 Wythe St., Alexandria
Families Unplugged: Fun Fall Recipes
Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-noon
Spend some quality time with the grandkids, sans cellphone, and learn how to make baked apple crisp, butternut squash mac and cheese and pumpkin pie parfaits at this cooking class. // Walter Reed Community & Senior Center: 2909 16th St. S, Arlington
Big Dog Day Swim
Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
“Man’s best friend” on the larger side? No worries, because they too can end their summer swimming. // Old Town Pool: 1609 Cameron St., Alexandria
Healthy Cooking Demonstration
Sept. 15, 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
From the Virginia Cooperative Extension, find a few new healthy meals and snacks to try out, and leave with a recipe card in hand. // Market Square in front of City Hall: 301 King St., Alexandria
Civil War Shelter Day
Sept. 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Put your Civil War history to the test by trying to properly identify who sought shelter in certain kinds of tents. Union military interpreters will be there to fill in the blanks. // Fort Ward Museum & Historic Site: 4301 W. Braddock Road, Alexandria
Firefighting History Walking Tour
Sept. 15, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
There’s no shortage of local history in Alexandria, and here’s yet another opportunity to learn little-known things about the area. On this walking tour, learn about three devastating fires, plus how volunteer firefighting has evolved over the years. // Friendship Firehouse Museum: 107 S. Alfred St., Alexandria
Northern Virginia Senior Olympics
Sept. 15-26
Registration closed on Sept. 3, but those that missed the sign-up deadline can still see fellow 50-plus seniors go face-to-face in an assortment of sports including swimming, high jump, biking, rowing, basketball, bowling and much more. Volleyball was cancelled this year, but new additions include croquet, beach ball wallyball and canasta. // Locations vary by event
Historical Arlington
Sept. 17, 11 a.m.-noon
Did you know that the shape of Arlington matches that of Washington, D.C.? In this presentation, the president of the Arlington Historical Society will explain why that is, plus share other interesting facts about the area. // Arlington Mill Community & Senior Center: 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington
Harmony Heritage Singers
Sept. 18, 11 a.m.-noon
Take in the classic barbershop quartet musical stylings of the Harmony Heritage Singers’ Mount Vernon Chapter at this special event. // Arlington Mill Community & Senior Center: 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington
Let’s Make a Deal
Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m.
This is your chance to (pretend to) be on the game show Let’s Make a Deal. Come in costume and see if you can win prizes. // Prince William Senior Center: 13850 Church Hill Drive, Woodbridge
Introduction to Genealogy
Sept. 19, 1-3 p.m.
Eileen Bogdanoff, who volunteers in the Lee Center’s Genealogy 101 class, will bring her knowledge and help guests get started on building their family tree. // Arlington Mill Community & Senior Center: 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington
Health Care and Your Retirement
Sept. 19, 7-8 p.m.
Edward Jones financial advisor Chelsi Dildine will be on-hand to talk about how to address uncovered expenses and grapple with the rising costs of health care. // Arlington Mill Community & Senior Center: 909 S. Dinwiddie St., Arlington
Wellness Book Club: September
Sept. 22, 11 a.m.
At this book club meeting, a fitness and wellness expert from the Fairfax County Park Authority will discuss the September selection: Vitamania by Catherine Price. // Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library: 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church
Upcoming Senior Trips
On the list of trips Loudoun County is offering this month is one to the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Sept. 18, followed by one to see the musical South Pacific at Maryland’s Olney Theatre on Sept. 19. Then on Sept. 22, seniors are invited to visit the nearby Franklin Park Arts Center to see a tribute to “Take Me Home, Country Roads” singer John Denver, then, also close to home, see Passion performed at Shirlington’s Signature Theater on Sept. 23. Closing out the month is a trip to Nationals Park to see the Washington Nationals take on the Marlins on Sept. 26, and then on Sept. 27 a chance for people feeling lucky to visit the Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia.
As for Fairfax, seniors can soak up what’s left of the summer sun by taking a trip to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Sept. 12, but for those that are over summer and are ready for fall, there’s a trip to Delaplane’s Cobbler Mountain Cellars on Sept. 19, where attendees can tour the cidery, enjoy an included barbecue lunch and take in views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On Sept. 26, while checking out multiple covered bridges in Frederick, Maryland, seniors can be on the lookout for signs of that beloved fall foliage.
Arlington seniors can also head to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, on Sept. 14, or check out the Dulles Day Festival and Plane Pull the next day, Sept. 15. Museum lovers may enjoy a Sept. 17 trip to the Museum of the Bible, while art lovers and outdoorsy individuals alike may be interested in the Sept. 18 trip to the Grounds for Sculpture in New Jersey. Catering to aquatic interests, there’s a Sept. 19 Bay Lighthouse Cruise around Annapolis, a trip to the National Aquarium on Sept. 20, and on Sept. 26 a cruise from Annapolis to St. Michaels, Maryland. There will also be a chance to take in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, along the Strasburg Rail Road on Sept. 25, plus a chance to tour the Sotterly Plantation in Hollywood, Maryland, on Sept. 27.
