April Headlines from The Beacon

Political Advocates Make a Mark
Whether it's stumping for presidential candidates, advocating for the needy, or volunteering for a legislator, older adults across the Washington area are finding ways to make a difference in the political arena as unpaid activists.

Expo to Help workers 50+ Find Jobs
The 50+ Employment Expo returns in May to the Marriott Bethesda North Hotel & Conference Center. More than 60 employers eager to fill vacancies with mature workers will be in attendance, and JC Hayward will be the keynote speaker. In addition to booths where employers and potential employees can meet and exchange information, there will be seminars throughout the day and resource tools to help those over 50 find a job. The Expo will take place on Monday, May 12 from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Create your Own Personal Health Records
Just like with do-it-yourself taxes, a growing software industry lets patients create their own "personal health records." No more answering 10-page questionnaires every time you visit a new doctor - just hit the print button before leaving home to arrive armed with your life's medical history.

Selected Beacon Bits
Apr. Tax Assistance at your service
AARP volunteers are again providing income tax assistance at Culpepper Garden Senior Center, by appointment only. The center is located at 4435 N. Pershing Dr., Arlington, Va. The free service is available on Tuesdays and Fridays through April 15 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Call (703) 228-4403 for more information.

Apr. Play Ball
The Golden Girls of Northern Virginia, a senior women's softball league, is looking for players. Anyone over the age of 40 is encouraged to join. All skill levels are welcome. Games are on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings in Vienna, Va. For more information or to sign up, call Donna at (703) 938-0387 or visit www.goldengirls.org.

April Capitol Hill arts classes
The Capitol Hill Arts Workshop offers a variety of weekly workshops for adults on the subjects of photography, dance, knitting, drawing, computer graphics, Pilates, sculpture and more. For a complete schedule of upcoming classes, call (202) 547-6389 or visit www.chaw.org.

Apr. Jazz all over the world
Meridian International Center has organized an exhibition entitled "Jam Session: America's Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World" opening on Friday, April 4. It will feature more than 80 historic photographs of jazz greats on tours of the world during the Cold War era. For more information including cost, call (202) 939-5869.

Apr. Senior art exhibit
The Senior Artists Alliance will be showing off original works of art between April 4 and 29 at the Rockville Unitarian Universalist Church located at 100 Welsh Park Dr. in Rockville, Md. A free reception for the public will be held on Sunday, April 27 between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on site. For more information, call (301) 762-7666.

Ongoing - The Art of Aging
The Jewish Council of Aging will host an exhibit titled "The Art of Aging" through the end of May at Misler Adult Day Center, 1801 E. Jefferson St., Rockville, Md. It is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $5 per person. For more information, call (301) 255-4200.

Apr. 7 Stay Forever Young
Attend a luncheon on Monday, April 7 at 12:30 p.m. at Fuddrucker's Restaurant in Annandale, Va. sponsored by the Forever Young TV show. Enjoy a free performance by members of the Vienna Falls Chorus, the local chapter of Sweet Adelines and get a 10 percent senior discount on your lunch. The next lunch will be held on May 5 with a Cinco de Mayo theme. For more information, call (703) 655-4205 or visit www.ForeverYoungTV.org.

Apr. 9 Get in Focus
Focus Rockville will feature Amy Speace and the Tearjerks on Wednesday, April 9 at 8 p.m. at O'Brien's BBQ, 387 E. Gude Dr. in Rockville, Md. The cost is $15 general admission, $12 for members. For more information about this event or other upcoming events, call (301) 275-7459 or visit www.focusmusic.com.

Apr. 9 Street Smarts
Safety expert Clifford Thomas will present a workshop to build up your confidence to protect yourself from being a victim of a scam. Thomas is also a trained martial artist who will teach you to fend off criminals of all types. The workshop is free and will take place at the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, Md. For more information, call (301) 681-1255.

Apr. 10 Parkinson's 101
Learn all about Parkinson's Disease during National Parkinson's Awareness Month. Sibley Senior Association will hold a program on Thursday, April 10 from 10:30 a.m. to noon in the Ernst Auditorium at Sibley Hospital, 5255 Loughboro Rd., N.W., Washington, D.C. Call (202) 364-7602 for more information.

Apr. 11 The Report from Richmond
Senator Mary Margaret Whipple will present her report on the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond at a meeting on Friday, April 11. The free event, sponsored by Chapter 7 NARFE, will take place at Culpepper Garden Senior Center, 4435 N. Pershing Dr., Arlington, Va. For more information, call (703) 228-4403.

Apr. 11+ Craft Weekend
Attend the James Renwick Alliance's presentation of events honoring leaders in American craft from Friday, April 11 to Sunday, April 13. There will be a symposium on Saturday, April 12 in conjunction with the exhibit. A special dinner, brunch and silent auction are also being planned to coincide with the weekend celebration. For more information about Spring Craft Weekend 2008, event tickets and membership in the James Renwick Alliance, visit www.jra.org or call (301) 907-3888.

Apr. 12 Support Your Community
Join a half-day community forum on Saturday, April 12 to discuss "Reinventing Your Neighborhood: Creating Supportive Communities for All Ages." This event will take place at the Fairfax County Government Center in Fairfax, Va., and will feature speakers from several supportive neighborhood organizations that help seniors age in place, including the pioneering Beacon Hill Village from Boston. For more information, call (703) 324-5277 or e-mail grace.lynch@fairfaxcounty.gov.

Apr. 13 Pursue your Fashion
Come to the Bouquet of Fashions XVII presented by Catholic Daughters of the Americas on Sunday, April 13 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Church of the Nativity Colonnade Room, 6008 Georgia Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. Fashions by Lovely Lady Boutique. Buffet catered by Roberson Catering Services. Cost to attend is $35 per person. Door prizes will be awarded. Call Margaret Pope at (202) 882-9148 for more information.

Apr. 13 Remembering Julia Child
See a living history presentation about Julia Child's life on Sunday, April 13 at 4 p.m. at the Beall-Dawson House, 103 West Montgomery Ave., Rockville, Md. No cost to attend. Registration is required by calling (301) 762-1492.

Apr. 15 Arthritis Alternative Treatments
Learn about alternative therapies for arthritis at an HCR Manor-Care Alexandria event on Tuesday, April 15 at 5 p.m. It will be held at 1510 Collingwood Rd., Alexandria, Va. This is part of a monthly arthritis educational forum series. For more information about this forum or other events, call (877) 444-6276.

Apr. 16+ Medication Safety
Use your medications safely. The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy presents two sessions given by a doctoral candidate on Wednesdays, April 16 and 23 at 12:45 p.m. Both sessions will be held at the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, Md. Call (301) 681-1255 for more information.

Apr. 16 Time for a Replacement?
A board-certified orthopedic surgeon will discuss osteoarthritis and advancement in joint replacements at a seminar on Wednesday, April 16 at 7 p.m. at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, 2501 Parker's Ln., Alexandria, Va. To register for this free class, call (703) 204-3366 or log onto www.inova.org and click "Health Info & Classes".

Apr. 17 Shoulder the Weight
Learn how to treat common shoulder problems at a seminar on Thursday, April 17 at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital, 2501 Parker's Ln., Alexandria, Va. Call (703) 204-3366 to attend this free lecture.

Apr. 17 Give Yourself Some Credit
Figure out where your credit stands at a workshop titled "Managing Your Credit." It will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on April 17 at the Montgomery County Commission for Women's Counseling and Career Center, 401 N. Washington St., Suite 100, Rockville, Md. Fee is $16. To sign up, call (240) 777-8300.

Apr. 17 State's Overview and Duties
Deputy Secretary of State, Brian R. Moe, will give an overview about the duties of the office, including the Charitable Organizations Division. They annually register, regulate and renew charitable organizations, professional solicitors and fund-raising counsel doing business in the State of Maryland. This includes the review of a charitable organization's financial and governing documents, as well as the review of all fund-raising contracts. This is a free seminar at the Margaret Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring, Md. Call (301) 681-1255 for more information.

Apr. 19 Lions and Flea Together
The Springfield Lions Club will hold a flea market in the VRE parking lot at 5701 Backlick Rd. in Springfield, Va. It will take place on Saturday, April 19 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Free admission. Vendors are asked to pay $15 for a table. Call (703) 960-6739 for more information, or see www.sfhostlions.org.

Apr. 22 Viagra and Beyond
Attend a lecture on the subject of "Sexual Dysfunctions: Effective Treatment Options" on Tuesday, April 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Doctors Community Hospital, 8118 Good Luck Rd., Lanham, Md. For more information, call (301) 552-8118.

Apr. 22+ Caregivers Find Help
National Family Caregiver Support Program offers caregiver workshops on Tuesdays, April 22, 29 and May 6 from 1 to 3 p.m., at 8402 Brock Ridge Rd., Laurel Md. The first workshop will cover resources and services available to financially help care for your loved one beyond what Medicare can cover. For more information or to register, call (410) 222-4464, ext. 3043.

Apr. 24+ Invest in Your Retirement
Learn how to invest after retirement at a free two-part seminar hosted by Lee Senior Center, 5722 Lee Hwy. in Arlington, Va. The first part will be on Thursday, April 24 and the second on Thursday, May 8. Register by Monday, April 21. For more information, including time, call (703) 228-0555.

Apr. 25+ Show up for the Art
There will be an art show and sale on Friday, April 25 from 5 to 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Falls Church Community Center, located at 223 Little Falls St., Falls Church, Va. It is open to all city artists. It is free to attend. To show off your work there or for more information, call (703) 248-5077.

Apr. 26 Find the Joy in Caregiving
Attend a Caregivers' Conference run by the Prince William Area Agency on Aging on Saturday, April 26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is $25 per person, $40 for a couple. The theme for the conference is "Steps in Caregiving: Finding Joy in the Journey." For more information or to register, call (703) 792-6374.

Apr. 27 The Power of Cinema
See the French film The Comedy of Power on Sunday, April 27 at 10 a.m. at Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema, 7235 Woodmont Ave. This showing is part of a monthly series called Cinema Art Bethesda. The movie will be followed by a discussion led by a local film expert. Tickets are $14. For more information, call (301) 365-3679 or see www.CinemaArtBethesda.org.

Apr. 27 Get Bach
New Dominion Chorale and Orchestra presents J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 27 at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center on the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College, located at 3001 N. Beauregard St. Tickets are $25, $20 for seniors, $5 for students. For tickets, call (703) 442-9404 or see www.newdominion.org.

Apr. 30 Gain Cancer Support
Join a monthly cancer support group at Montgomery General Hospital, 18101 Prince Philip Dr. in Olney Md. It meets on the last Wednesday of each month and is free. Call (301) 774-8881 or go to www.montgomerygeneral.com for more information.

May 1 The Story of Your Life
Come to a symposium titled "Honoring Our Lives By Telling Our Stories" on Thursday, May 1 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Vienna Community Center. Participants will be led in writing activities addressing various aspects of personal history writing and will learn about places to get published. Cost is $20 plus $6 for a boxed lunch. The center is located at 120 Cherry St., S.E., Vienna, Va. For more information, call (703) 255-6360.

May 4 War Vets Meeting
The Jewish War Veterans Post 58 will meet on Sunday, May 4 at 9:30 a.m. at Ohr Kodesh Congregation, 8300 Meadowbrook Ln., Chevy Chase, Md. The speaker will be Ellen Greenberg, Director of Information Services at the Jewish Council for the Aging. Brunch is free to members and spouses; $5 for guests. For more information, call (202) 265-6280.

May 12 The Many Sides of Dementia
Plan to come to an Alzheimer's Association town hall meeting for people with dementia to talk about their experiences living with the disease. It is free and open to all those who have been diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's or other dementias. Caregivers are also welcome to attend. It will be on Monday, May 12 at the Grand Hyatt Washington Hotel from 9 a.m. to noon. A continental breakfast will be served. For more information, call (703) 766-9008 or see www.alz.org.