• Capitol Hill Village has a plan to help members Thrive. It’s a year-long initiative that will focus on creating plans for aging—Getting Your Papers in Order, the Ready or Not workbook, and Solo Aging. Participants will interact with their peers through facilitated discussions on a variety of topics. See page 1.
  
• The annual Gala concluded on a high note with a successful auction and Salon Event lineup (see page 13 for some Salon that still have a few seats available). Thank you to all of our sponsors, the volunteers, and DJ Jim, all who made the event memorable. See pages 6–8.
  
• The DC Coalition for Long-Term Care secured responses from the leading DC Mayoral candidates on their views on the Coalition’s core priorities which include increasing wages for care workers and implementing the Certified Nurse Aide Amendment Act. See page 9.
  
• Villagers know Trudy Peterson from the monthly Voices programs, which hit a milestone this year with the 100^th speaker.  But there is more to this Iowa farm-girl who is known world-wide for her archival expertise and once served as acting Archivist of the United States. Learn more on pages 10-11.  

Capitol Hill Village is seeking a full-time Volunteer and Administrative Coordinator to join our staff. Please submit applications by Monday, March 23. To learn more about the position and how to apply, click here.

• The Online Auction opens March 3 . The auction offers vacation homes, gift certificates, events and services, and more! You can also purchase Gala tickets and sponsorships on the auction site.
  
• All Roads Lead to the annual CHV Gala on March 21. Attend the Gala to meet up with friends (or make new ones), enjoy fun activities, dancing, and food and drink. The Gala is the first chance to sign up for Salon Events, many of which sell out quickly. This is an important fundraiser that supports the programs and services that CHV members love.
  
• Capitol Hill Village will offer a fall prevention course called Matter of Balance. There will be nine virtual sessions, weekly on Tuesdays starting March 10.
  
• Second Wind season opens March 11, with a new conductor and new accompanist. Come March 11 if you wish to give Second Wind a try. The group rehearses Wednesdays from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, 545 Seventh St. SE.

• It might be freezing outside, but things are really heating up for the annual CHV Gala on March 21. We have vacation homes, salon dinner guests, and the opportunity to buy tickets. This is an important fundraiser that supports the programs and services that CHV members love.
  
• February is Black History Month, and there’s no shortage of activities in the Village and around
  town. Join the Capitol Hill Towers celebration, enjoy a musical presentation from the
  Washington Jazz Institute, or take part in other educational programs.
  
• Learn how DC was forged by activists, educators, artists, intellectuals, and brave citizens who
  struggled to secure Home Rule and continue to push for statehood.
  
• Board member Susan Sarfati introduces us to Ray Oldenburg’s book “Celebrating the Third
  Place,” which are spaces that are not home or work, but essential for community building,
  social interaction, and a sense of belonging. She posits that CHV is a welcoming “third place”
  for older adults.
  
• Sophia Ross talks with two facilitators for Silver Circles, support groups for LGBT+ folks 60 and
  older, focusing on mental health and socialization. Right now, they are dealing with the
  political turmoil that is creating extra stress for the community.

• Two must-reads on page 1:
  • The Executive Director provides the Annual Report: the fiscal year was a mixed bag, but CHV remains stable, and membership continues to grow.
  • CHV is focusing on improved mobility options for members to help them maintain independence, confidence, and choice.
    
• CHV has programs to help members navigate challenging aspects of elderhood: Solo Aging, Getting Your Papers in Order, and Ready or Not. Members relate their experiences with the programs, and we provide an update on future plans.
  
• Vira Sisolak was a founding member of CHV, and has contributed mightily to improving living for older adults on Capitol Hill as an advocate for parks and recreation facilities and her latest activity involving advocacy for deaf and hard of hearing members.
  
• The New Year means it’s time to start thinking about the CHV Gala on March 21—join us in remembering Route 66 on its 100th anniversary, while we have fun together and build a brighter future for our older neighbors!

• It’s a trying time for anyone who doesn’t have access to an adequate food supply, and CHV has information on sources where food assistance is available. It can also be a difficult time  for those who actually dread the holiday season. Executive Director Judy Berman reminds us that CHV is here to help, and she has some suggestions to manage the challenge.
  
• It was a happy day for 50 CHV households on the day before Thanksgiving when Village volunteers packed and delivered a traditional turkey dinner with all the fixings.
  
• Hope you are getting ready for your road trip on March 21. That’s when the annual Gala opens its doors and takes the opportunity to celebrate the 100-year-old Route 66, a road that remains both iconic and historic.
  
• Nancy Lee is known for her needlework skills, and now she is demonstrating percussion skills as well. She’s in the Community Drum Circle and also displays her collection of percussion instruments.

• Capitol Hill Village wants you to Get Your Move On!  For emphasis, exercisers gathered at Eastern Market for the GYMO!@ kickoff—with some line dancing, the drum circle, and some yoga moves.  But it doesn’t stop there—check the Events List for ways you can get moving all year long with CHV affinity groups.
  
• The CHV Board begins a new year with three new Board members, new committee chairs, and a new Executive Committee lineup.
  
• CHV has plans for assisting members and others in the basics of estate planning and helping people to start or to refine their end-of-life documents including wills and financial and health powers-of-attorney.
  
• The annual CHV Gala is an important fundraiser, but also opportunity for fun and fellowship in a community gathering.  This year, we’re going on the road, figuratively speaking, in a salute to the 100th Anniversary of Route 66. There are plenty of fun opportunities for volunteering to help between now and the March 21 Gala.
  
• Download the PDF here.

Click here to download a PDF of the October News.

• CHV has long encouraged us get our papers in order—and along those lines is sponsoring an Estate Planning Seminar. Learn about the experts who will provide advice on starting or updating your estate plan.
  
• Need to burn off some energy? Perhaps drumming is the answer, and Villagers are inviting you to join in starting a CHV Drum Circle where you can move to the rhythms of drums and connect with others.
  
• It’s heartbreaking to lose a friend to Alzheimer’s and even more difficult when the person’s friends no longer visit and provide support. Jane Lang, writing of her experience with her father, provides advice on how to be a friend to a friend with Alzheimer’s.
  
• National Ageism Awareness Day is October 9, and the CHV Care Services interns explain its ramifications for older adults and make suggestions for how participation in CHV activities and affinity groups can help fight ageism.
  
• We’re Taking a Road Trip… to the 2026 CHV Gala. Mark your calendars for March 21 at St. Mark’s Church, 301 A St. SE.

Click here to download a PDF of the September News.

• Ready to get moving? Capitol Hill Village wants everyone to take a cue from Get Your Move On! in recognition of the health benefits of movement. Lots of opportunities with CHV and other Capitol Hill groups. The kickoff is September 27, but every day is a good day to get active.
  
• Capitol Hill Village’s long-awaited report on LGBT inclusion in DC senior living facilities is now available providing a resource for LBGT older adults, caregivers, and loved ones to make informed decisions when navigating senior living options.
  
• CHV Board President Maury Stern wants CHV to consider how we can shape the redevelopment of the RFK site to benefit our members and other older adults, particularly with housing and recreational opportunities.
  
• CHV’s Memory Studio, an art and music workshop for persons with memory loss, resumes in September. Jane Lang describes its evolution, the activities, and the effects on the participants.

Capitol Hill Village has released DC Senior Living Communities: A Resource On LGBT Inclusion a comprehensive and user-friendly resource designed to help LGBTQ+ older adults, caregivers, and loved ones make informed decisions when navigating senior living options.

The Resource On LGBT Inclusion was developed from two years of surveys, interviews, and educational programming. It offers information on LGBTQ+ inclusion, resident rights, and practical steps for evaluating senior living facilities.

The resource is available online at https://capitolhillvillage.org/lgbt-inclusion-project/. Physical copies are available upon request, contact info@capitolhillvillage.org or call 202-543-1778
for more information.