AARP Online Community: AARPDC - My Journals & Blogs

July 31 Grand Opening for New One-Stop Center!

Come join the Grand Opening for the new DC Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC).

Thursday July 31, 11am -12pm

1134 11th Street NW, Washington, DC 20001

Individual 5-minute tours will be provided

RSVP by Monday, July 28 to anne.williams@dc.gov or 202-741-5887

The ADRC is a one-stop center for services assisting residents age 55 and older, and young adults with disabilities age 18 and older, with a primary focus on:

Housing, in-home care, legal, medical and transportation services
Counseling, outreach and support for social workers
Guidance, information and support groups for caregivers
Information on aging in place, independent living and programs & events

For to access ADRC services, call 202-724-5626, visit 1134 11th Street NW or log on to www.adrcdc.org

Added: July 24, 2008
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Wanted! Senior Basketball Players

The Project Keen Hoopsters a group of energetic senior basketball players from Model Cities Wellness Center and Project Keen (at Fort Davis Recreation Center) are seeking new members to play in the Senior Olympics National game in San Francisco, CA in August 2009.

The current group is comprised of individuals ranging in age from 55 to 80 years old. Many of the members are medal winners after competing in D.C.’s Golden Olympics held May 6, 2008 at Emery Recreation Center. On June 11, 2008 at the Annual Senior Picnic the players demonstrated their skills to Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton.

They practice four times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday) from 1-2 pm at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center (1100 Michigan Avenue N.E.). The members are coached by Herbert Starks and Bernice Oden.

If you have prior basketball experience, have a willingness or desire to play, or want to begin an active healthy lifestyle, please contact Juanita Conley at Jayce1148@hotmail.com or Herbert Starks at 202/576-9238 (Turkey Thicket Recreation Center) for more information.

As with any new exercise regime, please contact your health care professional before proceeding.

Added: June 23, 2008
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Metro Offers New Senior SmarTrip Card

Metro offers new senior SmarTrip® card

Metro is making it easier for people age 65 and older to get their discount when riding Metrobus and Metrorail. New senior SmarTrip® cards will be available beginning Tuesday, July 1.

Metro will eliminate the senior ID card currently required to purchase a reduced fare SmarTrip® card. People age 65+ will be able to purchase the senior SmarTrip® card simply by showing a valid, government-issued photo ID that includes their date of birth and completing a required registration form at the place of purchase.

Those who currently have the senior ID card will be able to continue to use their card until it expires. However, cards will not be renewed or replaced after they expire. Metro will no longer accept applications for senior ID cards effective June 29.

The new senior SmarTrip® card is bright yellow, which makes it easy to identify as a reduced fare SmarTrip® card. Reduced fare is automatically deducted from the card. To get the senior SmarTrip® card, you must show proof of age such as a valid driver’s license, government-issued photo ID or passport with date of birth.

Senior SmarTrip® cards will be available for purchase at all Metro sales outlets, regional commuter stores and public libraries in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties. Once customers purchase a senior SmarTrip® card for $5, they can add value to the card at any Metrorail station and on any Metrobus.

Please note: People who currently use a reduced fare SmarTrip® card should not purchase a new senior SmarTrip® card unless their card is lost, stolen or damaged.

For more information about using SmarTrip®, please visit www.wmata.com/riding/smartrip.cfm or call the SmarTrip® Office at 1-888-762-7874 between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Added: June 18, 2008
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Free Heart Screenings for Medicare-Only Participants July 14-17

Sister to Sister Foundation is offering blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose tests with results on the spot for Medicare-only participants. You can also participate in group exercise, join nutrition discussions and learn more about Medicare services. Here are the dates and times:

July 14

10am – 2pm

Fort Lincoln New Town

Building #3

3298 Fort Lincoln Drive, NE

202-269-4530

July 15

10am -2pm

Fort Lincoln New Town

Building #1

3001 Bladensburg Road, NE

202-529-7730

July 15

10am-2pm

Fort Lincoln New Town

Building #2

3005 Bladensburg Road, NE

202-529-7731

July 17

10am-2pm

EOFULA Spanish Senior Center

1842 Calvert Street NW

202-483-5800

Added: June 17, 2008
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Is $300 Waiting for You?

YES, this time it is really free money from the IRS!!!

A new online tool from AARP Tax-Aide and NCOA Benefits Check Up will help you receive your Economic Stimulus Payment at www.aarp.org/stimulushelp

This online tool is for individuals who know that they do NOT otherwise have to file a 2007 federal income tax return. Individuals who regularly file a return do NOT have to do anything to receive their stimulus payment. Individuals who do not normally file a tax return to the IRS may be eligible for a payment if they receive at least $3,000 in 2007 from Social Security, certain Railroad Retirement benefits, veterans’ disability compensation, pensnion or survivors’ benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs or work income.

Complete a few questions online and the tool fills in the IRS 1040A tax form, using information individuals provide. Just print it out, sign it, mail it in, and receive the stimulus payment check. It is quick and easy to do! www.aarp.org/stimulushelp

Make sure you have the following….

Computer with on-line capabilities
Valid Social Security number
Annual amount of your Social Security, Railroad Retirement and/or Veterans Benefits
W2 from an employer

Where to go for help:

If you are 60 or older, call the AARP Legal Counsel for the Elderly stimulus payment assistance line at 202-434-2111
Visit www.aarp.org/taxaide
Call Community Tax Aid Inc. at 202-547-7773
Call or visit the Internal Revenue Service at 1-800-829-1040 or www.irs.gov

Added: June 16, 2008
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Participate in 100 Black Men's Family Health Day on June 28

100 Black Men of Washington, DC’s

5^th Annual Family Health Day

Saturday, June 28

10am – 2pm

Sherwood Recreation Center

640 10^th Street NE

Come for:

Free Health Screenings and Testing
Free Health Education and Information
Free Refreshments
Door Prizes

Box Lunch Provided

For more information, please call 202-289-8884 or visit 100blackmendc.org

Added: June 12, 2008
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AARP Welcomes Community to State-of-the-Art Home

Renovated House in NE is Model for Residents, Businesses

Free Tours Available in June

Washington, D.C. – Imagine extra-wide doorways, talking appliances, kitchen cabinets that eliminate the need to bend and reach, and door handles and light switches that make coming home with arms full of packages less stressful. These are just some of the innovations associated with universal design - invisible elements that make homes safer and more user-friendly. Today AARP unveiled a model house in Northeast Washington that exhibits these and many more cutting edge features.

The AARP Andrus House is open to all and will be a dynamic space where local residents, businesses, architects, contractors, re-modelers and policymakers can learn about universal design. It will also serve as a home to six low-income DC residents who are 60 or over. In collaboration with the DC Office on Aging, Christian Communities Group Homes (CCGH) -- a program of Episcopal Senior Ministries (ESM), Clark Construction Group, LLC, Rebuilding Together of Washington, DC, and a host of other contributors, AARP celebrated the grand opening of the Andrus House and welcomed the community to see its top-of-the-line universal design features first-hand.

“What we have built together is a house that Ethel Percy Andrus, the founder of AARP, would be proud of,” said William S. Novelli, Chief Executive Officer of AARP. “What we have built is a place where people of all ages and abilities can thrive in safety and comfort. What we have built is not just a house, but very much a home.”

The AARP Andrus House will be open to the public throughout the month of June. Free tours will run from 10 am to 2 pm on June 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21. To make a reservation, call 202-434-7715. After they end, six seniors will move into the Andrus House and call it home. It will be run by CCGH, which helps local residents age safely and comfortably in their own homes and communities.

“Home is the one place someone should feel safe and secure,” said James McSpadden, Director of CCGH. “The Andrus House will no doubt be a comforting place to six individuals who will benefit tremendously from its universal design elements, but it will also serve as an example for other homeowners in the region. The very simple features in the house can easily and inexpensively be adapted elsewhere.”

“Remodeling this vacant house and turning it into the showcase it is today has been a true learning experience and one that I will continue to draw upon for future projects,” said Kelly Wallace, Vice President of Clark Construction, LLC. “Incorporating elements of universal design into homes and other buildings opens doors for so many people and creates spaces that are truly accessible. I strongly encourage others in the field to explore universal design options in their work. It’s something we will be seeing more of in the future.”

To help local businesses be on the cutting edge of their profession, AARP is joining with the National Association of Home Builders to offer “Certified Aging in Place Specialist” classes in DC that will lead to certification. AARP DC will offer 20 scholarships to local small and minority owned businesses to attend these classes.

“This project is evidence that it takes a village to build a house. The Andrus House exists because of the remarkable commitment and hard work of dozens and dozens of community businesses and organizations,” said AARP President Denise Rolark Barnes. “It took the strength of the community to build this project, and we hope the entire community will come out and enjoy and learn from it.”

The AARP Andrus House commemorates AARP’s 50^th anniversary and honors the legacy of its founder, Ethel Percy Andrus, who built a model universal design home in the District in 1961 in conjunction with the first ever White House Conference on Aging. The current AARP Andrus House is located at 2635 18^th Street, NE, in Washington, DC.

Continuing the celebration later in the evening, ESM will host the Leadership in Aging Awards Gala, a benefit to support ESM’s cutting edge services and programs and highlight outstanding service to senior citizens in the greater Washington area. Elizabeth Fox, former director of IONA Senior Services and founder of CCGH and Experience Corps, and AARP’s Novelli will be honored with the second annual Leadership in Aging awards.

# # #

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. There are 90,000 members of AARP in the District of Columbia.

Added: June 10, 2008
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Call to Architects, Engineers, Subcontractors and Builders

Become one of the District area’s first Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS).

Visit www.mncbia.org to register for the first 2 parts of a 3-part certification program, June 10 and 11 (7:30am – 4:30pm) at AARP, 601 E Street NW.

According to a recent AARP study, 90 percent of District residents want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. For many, doing so safely and comfortably will require some home updates or modifications. Professionals trained in this area will have an opportunity to tap into one of the fastest growing marketplace segments in remodeling and related industries.

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has developed a 3-part program to certify Aging in Place Specialists who “get” this market, can interact effectively with customers and understand the requirements for accessibility. Currently, few architect/building professionals from the District have completed the program. AARP DC is committed to changing that – and ensuring that older District residents have a cadre of trained experts to turn to for their housing modification needs.

We are joining with NAHB to offer the first 2 of the classes required for certification – Marketing & Communications Strategies for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS I) on June 10 and Design/Build Solutions for Aging and Accessibility (CAPS II) on June 11. Together, the cost of the classes is $300, but AARP DC will offer 20 scholarships for small or minority-owned businesses in the District. Time is limited. To find out more about the scholarship, email dcaarp@aarp.org today.

Added: April 24, 2008
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DC Retiree Wins AARP Dream Job Contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Johanna Diaz

March 26, 2008 202-371-1999

Grier Mendel

202-434-7704

71 Year Old DC Retiree Wins

AARP’s National “Dream Job” Contest

DC Resident, Five Others Win Job Search Package

Plus Perks, Will Share Stories Online

Washington, D.C. - Darryl Dillingham, 71, of Capitol Hill is one of only six winners in AARP’s national My Dream Job contest, which invited people 50 and older to share their visions of the perfect job. Winners are getting AARP’s support to make their “dream” jobs a reality. Dillingham won in the category “Retired and Restless” for his eloquent essay about why he would like a second career in the media. In addition to professional support, Dillingham and the other winners are chronicling their experiences as they seek their dream jobs on a journal at The Water Cooler, an AARP online community website for job seekers who are 50+.

“Some years ago, I thought I was ‘retiring’ and took a series of jobs in the hospitality industry to stay active. When I saw the announcement for the AARP My Dream Job contest I entered it, frankly, without any expectations of winning. Now that I am a winner, I am excited to have the chance to go out and find something new and challenging,” Dillingham said. “Even though I’m retired, like the category says, I’m still restless and am looking forward to starting a new part time career in the media/communications field. I’m especially excited to share my experience, network and meet new people through my online journal. It’s all a wonderful new adventure and I’m grateful to AARP for giving me the opportunity to explore.”

Dillingham and other winnersreceive a career coaching or business start-up package from RetirementJobs.com, a laptop computer, a $500.00 American Express gift card, and a trip for two to the 2008 AARP Life@50+ National Event & Expo in the District in September. Winners are chronicling their job seeking experiences every two weeks on The Water Cooler (www.aarp.org/mydreamjob). Dillingham, also known as “Jazzman” (his online name), has posted a personal profile on The Water Cooler, where visitors can join his social network and follow his progress.

At The Water Cooler, older workers can seek and share advice about how to find a job, jump-start a career or business, survive a job loss, return to work after retirement, confront age bias, and more.

More than 7,000 jobseekers age 50 and older applied to the contest. Contestants submitted brief essays about their work aspirations and described how journaling about the pursuit of their dream jobs would help others. The winners were chosen, in part, because their dream job pursuits resonate with other jobseekers who are 50+, and can inspire and affect others in a meaningful way, especially through online journaling of their experiences.

# # #

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not have a political action committee (PAC), endorse political candidates or contribute money to political parities or political candidates' campaigns. We produce AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our bimonthly magazine in Spanish and English; NRTA Live & Learn, our quarterly newsletter for 50+ educators; and our website, www.aarp.org. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There are more than 90,000 members of AARP in the District of Columbia.

Added: March 27, 2008
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Become an Experience Corps Reading Tutor

Experience Corps is an award-winning national program that engages people over 55 in meeting their communities’ greatest challenges. Today, 2,000 Experience Corps members in 19 cities, including Washington, DC, tutor elementary students struggling to learn to read.

Experience Corps/DC utilizes over 90 volunteers in 9 DC Public Schools. Members receive comprehensive training, support, and can serve between 5 and 16 hours per week

All that is needed is a willingness to work with children who need a caring adult in their lives.

New member trainings are scheduled throughout the year.

Sign up now by calling 202-332-4200 x126 or email slea@centronia.org

Experience Corps together with CentroNía

Added: March 27, 2008
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My Journals (21)