Click here to download the November Village News.

• Sidewalk Safety. According to the Centers for Disease Control, falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among people 65 and older. The CHV Sidewalk Safety Team is making progress in getting the city to remove hazards to walkers, but is asking for more volunteers for the project. See pages 1 & 2.

• Dominic Elliott has arrived with his guitar; meet CHV’s new social work intern. See page 6.

• The question of whether Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) make LGBT folks feel welcome and safe has led to a panel discussion with three of the city’s CCRCs. See page 9.

• The History & Biography book Group has a full schedule of books for the year and also plans to hear from prominent authors. See page 5.

Click here to download the October Village News.

• CHV begins its 16th year with a new slate of officers ready to build on accomplishments of the past year and encouraging members to get involved with the Board committees. See pages 1 & 4.

• Executive Director Judy Berman cautions that COVID is still with us, and encourages members to stay up-to-date on their vaccines. Two vaccine clinics—for COVID, flu, and RSV—are scheduled in October with more planned. See pages 1–2 and 3–4.

• When you get a donation request from CHV, it’s good to know why. Board member Bruce Brennan explains the organization’s finances and how support and endorsement from members and the Capitol Hill community are instrumental in securing grants from government agencies and philanthropic foundations, an important income source for CHV. See page 6.

• Villagers didn’t stop moving in September when they racked up points in search of one of the prizes awarded at the Genderson Fund Wine Reception. Get Your Move On! hasn’t ended, however; CHV affinity groups and other activities offer plenty of opportunity for continuing to stay active. See page 8 for GYMO! and the October events list starting on page 12.

Click here to download the September Village News.
In this issue, we are looking out for your physical and mental well-being:

• It’s time to GET YOUR MOVE ON! Start your Wellness Journey on the CHRS Art Walk, pages 6-7, (featuring many CHV members), take advantage of activities offered through CHV affinity groups, start your own activity, or join friends to get moving. We have ideas and information about signing up for the Walker Tracker app. See Pages 1–2 and 26.
  
• The CHV Theater Group is introducing a new format focusing on discussions around selected plays. The plays have been selected for the upcoming year. See the Sept. 26 entry on page 21.
  
• The Second Wind chorus has a good time singing, and research indicates that choral singing and participation in arts programs generally bring other benefits leading to better health outcomes. See Pages 12–13.
  
• Two old favorites—Potluck dinners (page 14) and Wellness Cafés (page 16)—are back on the calendar!

Join Capitol Hill Village on November 2^nd from 1pm to 3pm for an informative and engaging virtual panel discussion on LGBT+ inclusion in senior living communities and CCRCs! We will have representatives from three communities: Riderwood (Silver Spring, Maryland), Ingleside (NW DC), and Sunrise on Connecticut Avenue (NW DC) participating in our panel. This panel will address what these communities doing and working on to ensure LGBT+ residents are welcomed and affirmed. Attendees will have the opportunity for Q and A. Our moderater will be Amera Bilal, the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Broadmead retirement community in Maryland.

This event is part of Capitol Hill Village’s multi-year project focused on LGBT inclusion among long-term care communities in the DC area. To learn more go to: https://capitolhillvillage.org/ccrc-lgbt-inclusion-project/ 

Capitol Hill Village is holding our first vaccine clinic of the season on October 6th from 10am to 3pm at Eastern Market’s North Hall (located at 225 7th St SE). The clinic is open to all and we will have Safeway professionals on site administering vaccines. COVID-19 booster, Flu shots, and RSV vaccines will be available.

Please note: the RSV vaccine is not currently covered by all insurances: only certain Medicare Part D plans are covering it, and neither DC Medicaid nor Medicare Part B are confirmed. A Safeway representative will check to see if your insurance will cover before the vaccine is administered, so you can choose if you prefer to pay out of pocket ($322) or wait until coverage can be confirmed. You can also check with your insurance plan directly and plan accordingly. We have asked Safeway to conduct this check before hand but they’re not able to do so. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience.

Sign up for the clinic by contacting us at 202-543-1778 or email info@capitolhillvillage.org.

Registration is now open for the Capitol Hill Village 2023 LGBTQ Intergenerational Symposium!

Anyone is welcome to attend this free virtual event—which includes an array of fantastic LGBT+ speakers and session leaders. The Symposium kicks off the night before, on September 22nd, with an evening full of fun featuring the marvelous Tara Hoot. Our main event will be from 11:00am to 3:30pm on September 23rd via Zoom and consists of a keynote speaker, a wellness session, a panel, and a breakout session.

You can register here and can learn more about our speakers by going to: https://capitolhillvillage.org/programs-advocacy/pride/lgbtq-symposium/

Click here to download the July-August 2023 News.

• Get Your Move On! Is back and better than ever! Signups begin August 1. The kickoff party is Sept. 9, preceding two weeks of individual—and possibly team—physical activities that we hope will add a new source of movement and joy to your routines. See Pages 3–4 and 24.
  
• The CHV Theater Group is introducing a new format focusing on discussions around selected plays. The plays have been selected for the upcoming year. See page 8.
  
• Yes, it’s not too early to think about snow shoveling. If you are 65 or older and would like an exemption from the shoveling requirements at your home, now is the time to think about submitting an application. See page 13.
  
• The Southeast Library is scheduled to closed for renovation, and we have information on Library by Mail that can take up slack the in checking out books. See pages 1–2.
  
• CHV and the National Council on Aging are teaming up in a campaign to increase vaccination rates among older adults. See pages 1–2.

Click here to download the June 2023 News.

• Villages Have Impact: across the city, Village volunteers are providing critical services that engage and inform older Americans, provide in-home support, and in other ways address social isolation. The numbers are in the DC Villages FY2022 impact report. See page 1.
  
• Lots of opportunities for CHV members to engage: the Advocacy Team is looking for a researcher and help with Parks advocacy; join others to check out pickleball; the Friends of Virginia Avenue Park are looking for help.
  
• And take a look at these new activities: the NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) group is having its first meeting, and a solo aging program opens in June.
  
• Get details for the all-member meeting June 20 where more of the new Strategic Plan will be discussed.

What is Capitol Hill Village doing for Pride this year? We have a few exciting events on the calendar, including….

The Mt. Pleasant PRIDE Alley Concert on June 3rd from 3pm to 7pm at 1910 Park Road NW. This event will feature live music from the Will Stephens Quintet, food, beverages, and tons of fun! Anyone is welcome to attend.

Join us for a virtual LGBTQ Social Hour on June 20th from 6pm to 7:15pm (for LGBT* individuals only). 

A special pride month collaboration with DMV Queers for “More Than Strangers”. This LGBT speed friending event will take place in-person on June 23rd from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at As You Are Bar (located at 500 8th Street SE). This event is a great opportunity to meet LGBT folks from different generations, create meaningful connections, and have fun!

Contact sross@capitolhillvillage.org or call 202-543-1778 x204 if you would like to learn more about any of these events or register. Check out our pride webpage at: https://capitolhillvillage.org/programs-advocacy/pride/

In recognition of LGBT Elders Day (May 16th), Capitol Hill Village created a one-pager with information about the Day and LGBT elders and a Zine which includes art submissions, pictures, and quotes from LGBT elders. To view these in full or download either document go to: https://capitolhillvillage.org/programs-advocacy/pride/.