December Headlines From The Beacon
How to branch out your family tree
With easy access to online records and to the National Archives, many area residents are researching their roots with great success.
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Holiday visit dos and don'ts
Reduce the stress of family visits, particularly to older parents, by following these tips. You can learn a lot by listening and asking the right questions.
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Job boards abound for the mature worker
More than dozen online services focus on workers 50 and over, enabling them to search job listings, post their resume, and learn how to prepare and compete for available jobs.
For the full article, click here.
HEALTH BEACON BITS
From The Beacon Newspaper
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Ongoing - Pickleball for Beginners
Pickleball, a sport similar to badminton and tennis, has been called "the wave of the future." It's easy to learn and fun to play - and now is your chance to get involved. The Walter Reed Senior Center, 2909 16th Street S., Arlington, Va., invites newcomers to learn pickleball at free sessions on Tuesday and Thursdays from 1 to 3 p.m. For more information, call the center at (703) 228-0955.
Dec. 11, 18 - Keeping Your Skin Health
Aging changes the skin in a variety of ways. Some are normal parts of aging, while others may be signs of problems that should be addressed. Margie Cockrill, R.N. will address these issues at two free classes at senior centers in Arlington, Va. The first is on Thursday, Dec. 11 at 10:30 a.m. at the Langston-Brown Senior Center, 2121 Culpeper St., Arlington, Va. Call (703) 228-5321 for more information. The second class is on Thursday, Dec. 18 from 10:15 to 11:15 a.m. at the Walter Reed Senior Center, 2909 16th Street S., Arlington, Va. Call (703) 228-0955 for more information.
Dec. 19+ - Natural Colon Care
Dr. Vanetta Kalu will give a lecture called "Disease Begins in the Colon" on Friday, Dec. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Hyattsville Seventh-Day Adventist Church. The following day, Saturday, Dec. 20, she returns to demonstrate some of the vegan recipes from her newly published cookbook and talk more about how to make healthy lifestyle changes a reality. The Saturday session starts at 3 p.m. The church is located at 4807 42nd Pl., Hyattsville, Md. For more information, call Leuanna Matheson at (202) 437-4867.
MONEY BEACON BITS
From The Beacon Newspaper
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Dec. 16 - Resume writing
Is your resume effectively marketing you to employers? Learn how to design a resume that is best suited for your skills and employment goals at the Commission for Women's Counseling and Career Center. The resume class will be held Tuesday, Dec. 16 from 6:45 to 8:45 p.m. Admission is $20. For more information, call (240) 777-8300 or visit www.montgomerycountymd.gov/cfw.
Planning for your healthcare in Maryland
The Maryland Department of Aging is launching a statewide distribution of "Five Wishes" - a document that enables individuals to specify exactly how they wish to be treated if they become seriously ill and unable to speak for themselves. "Five Wishes" is an advance health directive that guides individuals through the process of healthcare decision-making and assists families and healthcare providers in ensuring that a person's wishes are respected and followed. The document is available in English, Spanish, Korean and Russian. For more information, contact the Department of Aging at 1-800-243-3425, or visit the department's Web site at www.mdoa.state.md.us.
Free legal services in N. Va.
Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) visits senior centers to offer advice, counsel and services on a range of issues, including Social Security retirement, Medicare, Medicaid, consumer and housing law, SSI, insurance matters and more. LSNV representatives meet with individuals in a confidential setting for free. They will be visiting several centers on Tuesdays this month. For more information, call the Arlington County Office of Adult Senior Programs at (703) 228-4744.
Lower Medicare costs in D.C.
You can save hundreds of dollars a year by applying for the D.C. Medicare Savings Program. You qualify if you are a District resident who is eligible for Medicare, and your monthly income is below $2,620/single or $3,520/married. Call the Washington Health Insurance Counseling Project at (202) 739-0688 to learn more.
TRAVEL BEACON BITS
From The Beacon Newspaper
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Dec. 16 - Brookside Gardens and Mall Trip
Marvel at the holiday flower display in Brookside's greenhouse, then travel on to White Flint Mall for shopping, browsing or eating at your choice of restaurants, with the Long Branch Senior Center on Tuesday, Dec. 16, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call the center at (301) 431-5708 for more information.
Dec. 20 - Remembering Bing
Head up to Brooklyn Park, Md., just south of Baltimore, for the Chesapeake Arts Center's Remembering Bing, a one-man musical cabaret performance reliving the era when Bing Crosby dominated radio, television and Hollywood. The show takes place on Saturday, Dec. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the CAC Hammonds Lane Theatre, 194 Hammond's Lane, Brooklyn Park, Md. Tickets are $18 ($15 for CAC members) and are available by calling (410) 636-6597 or visiting www.chesapeakearts.org.
2009 - Cruise to Alaska
For $859, you can book an eight day/seven night trip on Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas ship, which explores the beautiful natural sights of Alaska. The price includes food, fun and exercise programs with Jim Seeley and the Fun & Fitness Travel Club. The voyage runs from Aug. 28 to Sept. 4, 2009. For more information, call (703) 827-0414 or 1-800-955-9942, or visit www.fun-fitness.com.
VOLUNTEER BEACON BITS
From The Beacon Newspaper
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Fairfax Meals on Wheels
Fairfax County is recruiting Meals on Wheels volunteers to deliver meals from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in or near their own neighborhoods on a weekly, biweekly, monthly or substitute schedule. A valid driver's license is required and mileage reimbursement is available. For more information, call (703) 324-5406 or e-mail DFSAAAvolunteer@fairfaxccounty.gov. For information about Meals on Wheels or other aging, disability and caregiving resources, call (703) 324-7948 or visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/aaa.
Make Items For Kids
The Retired Senior Volunteers Program makes items for children to help them learn their numbers, colors and letters. For those who knit and crochet, items are made for children and infants. Come lend a hand to help a child, Thursdays at 10 a.m. at the Long Branch Senior Center, 8700 Piney Branch Rd., Silver Spring, Md. Call (301) 431-5708 for more information.
Be a Child's Secret Santa
The City of Gaithersburg seeks generous residents, businesses and organizations to be Secret Santas for children in need this holiday season. Pick one or more recipients, then shop for, wrap and deliver your gift to the child's school by Dec. 12. Donations of new gifts, gift cards and financial contributions are also appreciated. For more information, contact Sarah Messier in the City of Gaithersburg Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture at (301) 258-6350 or smessier@gaithersburgmd.gov.
EVENT BEACON BITS
From The Beacon Newspaper
Dec. 13 - Grandparents' Day Off
Fairfax County is sponsoring a Kinship Respite Day on Saturday, Dec. 13 to provide grandparents and other relatives who are raising a child for another family member a rare day off. Grandparents can drop off grandchildren at one of three community centers, and the children will be bused to a community center for a day of fun activities. Lunch and snacks will be provided. This event will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. There is no cost, but pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, call (703) 324-3517.
Dec. 13+ - Russian Winter Festival
Experience an Old Russian-style Christmas at Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 14 from 1 to 5 p.m. Visitors will meet Grandfather Frost, hear lively winter songs, and watch traditional Russian folk dances. Visitors can also create their own kokoshnik, a lady's headdress, or traditional Russian gentleman's hat. General admission is $18; $12 for Hillwood Friends; $7 college students; $5 children. Hillwood is located at 4155 Linnean Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. For more information, call (202) 686-5807 or visit www.hillwoodmuseum.org.
Dec. 23 - Chanukah Luncheon
The National Council of Jewish Women invites anyone interested to attend its annual Chanukah luncheon on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at 11:30 a.m. at the Jewish Community Center, 6125 Montrose Road, Rockville, Md. The deadline for reservations is Dec. 16; the cost is $18. To reserve your spot, mail your check to Muriel Seid, 15115 Interlachen Dr., Apt. 117, Silver Spring, Md. For more information, call Dee Sennett at (301) 598-5398.
ARTS BEACON BITS
From The Beacon Newspaper
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Dec. 12 - The Sounds of Bali
The University of Maryland's gamelan ensemble will perform exotic Balinese music on glittering gongs, drums, metallaphones and other bronze instruments, accompanied by dance, at a show on Friday, Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. The free event will be held in the Kay Theatre at UM Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park, Maryland. For more information, call (301) 405-7794 or visit www.claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.
Dec. 13 - Songs of the Season
The 60-member Gaithersburg Community Chorus will perform songs of the holiday season on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. at the Gaithersburg High School Auditorium, 314 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, Md. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. For more information, call (301) 258-6350 or visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov.
Dec. 13+ - Follow Dickens' Footsteps
Enjoy a strolling "Dickens of a Tour" featuring historical anecdotes about Charles Dickens's visits to Washington in the 19th century. While passing buildings that Dickens visited, you'll see scenes from his yuletide classic being performed in doorways and archways. The 90-minute tours are on Saturdays, Dec. 13, 20 and 27 at noon. They begin at 10th and E Streets N.W., Washington, D.C. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children 6-16 (children under 6 are free). For more information, call (301) 588-9255 or visit www.historicstrolls.com.
Dec. 16 - An Elvis Christmas
Elvis impersonator Randy Roe will perform all of Elvis' favorite Christmas songs on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. at the Culpepper Garden Senior Center, 4435 N. Pershing Dr., Arlington, Va. Admission is $5. Pre-registration and payment due by Friday, Dec. 12. For more information, call (703) 228-4403.
