Northwest Neighbors Village - Weekly Bulletin

Weekly Bulletin

Aging Well Takes a Village: Everyone Belongs

Office Phone: (202) 935-6060

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9am-3pm

Email: [email protected]

Black and White photo of a man facing the camera

Me at my desk about 35
years ago (when I had hair!)

Retirement: What Will I Do Now?
By Richard Avidon

As of June 30th, 2025, after 37 years teaching high school at the same institution, I retired from Georgetown Day School. When I began in the classroom, the Berlin Wall still divided that city, there were no cell phones or laptops, and Bowers v Hardwick (in which the Supreme Court allowed states to criminalize homosexual acts) was the law of the land. At the time of my retirement, a single Germany is looked on as a savior of Europe, personal electronics rule, and same-sex marriage is general and happily celebrated throughout the United States.

It is not surprising that the world vastly changed since I began teaching. The question for me now, one so many of you have already answered, is: "How will my world change as a result of my work ending?"

Photo of a teacher surrounded by students in a classroom

Me with two students who
graduated 25 years ago
at a recent alumni weekend

Why did I retire? I recall that my dad, who grew up the poor child of immigrants from Eastern Europe and started working full-time after he graduated from high school, retired relatively young and wished the same for me. As much as I liked teaching and my students, the profession and the school were not what they were when I started. In particular, there's artificial intelligence. Need I say more?

On the other hand, there were reasons to stay. I am sure you have all heard similar advice to that repeated to me by a colleague whose dad practiced medicine into his upper 80s. "Keep working," dad always warned him. "Retirement in the kiss of death." (In spite of the advice, that colleague recently retired at 70.) I liked my job, my colleagues, the kids, and my subject matter. In the last few years, I had taught upper level US History and a course in Constitutional Law I had developed over the decades. I felt a new level of urgency in teaching the events and truths of these subjects as they had come under significant attack by a man who managed to regain power in this country.

Black and white photo of a man with a grasshopper hat on

Me about 35 years ago
wearing a grasshopper
thing on my head
(the Hopper is the GDS mascot)

But I chose to leave.

"What will you do now?" I am asked. I am sure many of you faced that.. And you each answered it in many ways. Sure, I hope to travel more. I want to spend more time with my wife. (No grandkids yet, and probably not for a while.) There are hobbies: reading, woodworking. DIY stuff in the house presents itself. And maybe I will take up teaching again in some other form (or be a student); OLLI at American University is a very popular option.

I am neither worried nor regretful. I actually think that staying at the same task as you age can also be a sign of giving in, of running away. The French (perhaps?) call retirement a "second life." So, it is time to take that up. I'm just in no rush to decide.

Me with some members of my last
US History class on one of our last days

But some demand a plan... So, I have come up with a response, one so off-putting, so hard to challenge, so… well, strange and unexpected, I figure it will leave no room for follow-up questions. When asked about my future, I puff myself up, put on a big smile, and announce, loud and clear: "Beekeeping!"

This is part of an occasional series of Weekly Update articles by NNV Board Members on topics of interest. Richard Avidon joined the NNV board in 2020. First trained as an attorney, he left the practice of law after two years, looking for something more satisfying, which he found at GDS. Click here to read more about Richard and all of our other Board Members.

P.S. We have been contacted by the Education Coordinator at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum in Downtown DC about a program coming up that might be of interest. On Sunday, July 27^th they are hosting an open-house style event, We Want Your Stuff: Help Us Tell Your Story, encouraging Jewish Washingtonians to learn more about the Museum's collecting efforts and share photographs of potential donations.

From 11:30 am - 12:00 pm, visitors will hear from Director of Curatorial Affairs Dr. Sarah Leavitt to learn about CJM’s archives, what types of artifacts are collected, and best practices for preserving items at home. Then from 12 - 2 pm, attendees can visit the Meet the Collection Table for an up-close look at artifacts in the current collection.

Interested attendees can make an appointment ahead of time with Collections Curator Jonathan Edelman to share photographs of artifacts and learn if they would be a good fit for the Museum’s collection.

Click here to sign up for the talk and/or make an appointment.

A New Way to Stay Safe from Scams: Pause. Reflect. Protect.

Thanks to our friends at Georgetown Village for giving us permission to share these useful tips to help prevent becoming a victim of a scam.

Outsmarting Scammers with One Simple Habit - Keeping track of every new scam and the countless warning signs can be overwhelming. That's why AARP's Fraud Watch Network has worked with global experts to simplify things by focusing on a core idea that's easier to remember.

Recognizing the Scam "Trigger" - Just like kids are taught to "stop, drop, and roll" in case of fire, adults can learn a similar reaction when faced with a potential scam. Most scams share three common traits — these act as a "trigger" that should prompt a specific response, called the "Active Pause."

What Is the Active Pause? - The "Active Pause" isn't just about hesitating. It's a deliberate choice to step back and think critically about what's happening. For instance, imagine getting a late-night call from someone claiming to be your grandson, saying he's in jail and urgently needs money. This situation involves three red flags:

1. Unexpected contact
2. An emotional jolt
3. A sense of urgency

Instead of reacting immediately, the Active Pause encourages you to stop and question the situation. Why would your grandson call you and not his parents? Is it even possible he's in another state when you just saw him? Taking a moment to reflect lets logic take over from emotion. You end the call and check in with him directly — turns out he's safe at home. You just avoided a scam.

A Trusted Tactic in High-Stakes Professions - The Active Pause technique is already used in high-pressure careers like aviation, medicine, and the military. Now, it's being applied to help people handle the stress of fraud attempts.

Pause. Reflect. Protect - By recognizing the three triggers and taking time to pause, you give yourself space to evaluate whether something seems off. If it does, stopping the conversation could save you from being scammed.

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Another handy hint - The Federal Trade Commission has a Consumer Alert page on their website (Click here to access it) - which provides tips to avoid current scams making the rounds. If you scroll about halfway down that page, there is a sign up box to receive consumer alerts via email.

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In 1852, as the abolitionist movement was expanding across the United States, a ladies anti-slavery group in Rochester, NY asked famed abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass to deliver a Fourth of July address. Douglass agreed on the condition that he could speak on July 5^th, for reasons he would explain in the address. He proceeded to deliver what would become one of his most famous orations and an important contribution to American literature, "What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?". Although he was among supporters, Douglass was powerfully frank with his mostly white audience: "This Fourth of July is yours, not mine; you may rejoice, I must mourn…"

On Saturday, July 5, 2025, NNV members Jewel Hill, Merilee Janssen, and Gretchen Jennings attended a multifaceted reenactment of the speech at Cedar Hill, Anacostia, where Douglass spent the last 17 years of his life. The program began with winners of a nation-wide oratorical contest sponsored by the National Park Service. The photos show three of the winners, ages six through middle school, reciting from memory some of the most stirring excerpts from the speech. They brought down the house. Next on the program was the presentation of the entire ninety-minute oration, with NPS staff and audience members reading in turn. Jewel was asked to participate, and the photo shows her at the podium calmly reading words she had had only a few minutes to rehearse. Read by ordinary men, women, teens, and children, Black, White, and Asian, these presentations drew the audience in despite the heat and humidity. This powerful program is an outstanding example of the essential role that historic sites and museums play in bringing the full breadth of American history alive.

Photo of a woman behind a podium, speaking into a microphone Photo of a boy speaking into a microphone Photo of a girl speaking into a microphone with a woman next to her

NNV member Jewel Hill and some of the children who recited portions of Frederick Douglass' famous speech.

Next week at NNV

Monday,
July 14th

Tuesday,
July 15th

Wednesday,
July 16th

Thursday,
July 17th

Friday,
July 18th

10 am Tenleytown Walk (Meet at City Ridge, 14 Ridge Sq NW)

2 pm Yoga with Mayu (Zoom)

1 pm Coping with Uncertainty (Zoom)

3:30 pm Village French Conversation Group (Private home in Woodley Park)

10 am Rock Creek Park walk (meet at Albemarle & Connecticut)

Monday, July 14th

Tenleytown Walk

Join Noah Getz, Executive Director of Tenleytown Main Street for a stroll through the local business district. This walk that roughly follows Wisconsin Avenue, will provide the opportunity to witness the changes in this part of the city. As we walk, come learn about the businesses and culture of Tenleytown.

This 1.3 mile walk is downhill, beginning at the new City Ridge area and continuing north toward Fessenden Park. At the end of the walk, please stick around for coffee and snacks at Coffee Nature. Coffee Nature's Menu can be found here.

After the walk, you are free to walk back to your car or we will get the bus back as a group.

When: 10 am
Where: Meet at City Ridge, 14 Ridge Square NW
Details and registration: https://nwnv.helpfulvillage.com/events/4733

The Virtual Speaker Series is taking a break for the summer.
Please join us for more great speakers when we return in September!
Visit our archive of speaker videos here to watch any you might have missed.

Virtual Community Conversation on July 22 at 11 am - Staying Ahead of Fraud: Understanding Trends and Protecting Yourself Learn from Consumer Protection Advocate Sudi Tasissa from the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking how you can recognize and avoid common schemes that could compromise your identity and finances. This presentation will provide an overview of current trends in fraud, highlighting the most prevalent and costliest types that fraudsters are using to target consumers. We will cover strategies that could help in detecting and preventing fraud, including tools and best practices. Special focus will be given to five common types of fraud, with practical tips on how to recognize and avoid them. Lastly, we’ll offer guidance on what steps to take if you become a victim of fraud, including how to report it to maximize your chances of recovering any money you might have lost.

Capitol Hill Village:
Mondays, 10 am - DC Ctr for Aging LGBTQ+ Monday Coffee and Conversation (Zoom-Free sign up required for the link)
Mondays & Thursdays, 4-5 pm - Chair Yoga (Zoom - Click here to join the class)
First Wednesday of each month, 3:30-4:30 - What We're Hearing (Zoom-Free sign up required)

Cleveland Woodley Park Village:
Mondays, 10-10:30 am - Gentle Yoga Stretch (Zoom - Click here to join the class)
First Monday of each month, 11:30 am - Coffee & Conversation Current Events Discussion Group (Dolan, 3518 Connecticut Ave NW)
Wednesdays, 10-10:30 am - Gentle Yoga Stretch (Zoom - Click here to join the class)
Fridays, 10-10:30 am - Gentle Yoga Stretch (Zoom - Click here to join the class)
Saturdays, 9:30-10:30 am - Village Walkers (Cathedral Commons)

Dupont Circle Village:
Mondays, 3:30 pm - Accessible Mat Yoga (Zoom-Free sign up required for the link)
Tuesdays, 10:30 am - Chair Yoga (Zoom-Free sign up required for the link)
Mondays and Thursdays, 9:00 am - Meditation with Patricia Ullman (Zoom-Free sign up required for the link)

Foggy Bottom West End Village:
Friday, July 11th, 2 pm - Aging in Place - Home Care Services and Resources (St Paul's Church dining room, 2430 K St NW)
Wednesdays, 10:45 am - Strength and Stability Yoga (free trial class, $10/class). (St Paul's Church dining room, 2430 K St NW)
Fridays, 11:45 am - Essentials of Tai Chi and Qigong ($70 for each six class session). (St Paul's Church atrium, 2430 K St NW)

More local village events are listed on the DCVC (DC Villages Collective) calendar
and the WAVE (Washington Area Village Exchange) calendar.
More community events are listed on our events calendar.

A Workshop on Fall Recovery & How to Decrease Your Risk of Falls

Hear from experts at George Washington University Hospital and Safe at Home about how to get up from a fall, decrease your risk of injury, make a fall recovery plan, and ways to decrease your risk of falls. (Both meetings are on Zoom).

July 11, 1-2:30 pm - Click here to register --- August 22, 1-2:30 pm - Click here to register

Discover How Iona Can Support You - Tuesday, July 15^th 10am-11am Zoom

Samantha Henson, LICSW, Iona's Senior Manager of Information, Referral, and Resources/Community Outreach Coordinator, is giving a presentation about Iona Senior Services. Iona has been a trusted resource for older adults and caregivers in the DC area for over 40 years. We provide support to help individuals age with dignity and connection through:

Therapeutic Adult Day Health Programs
Support Groups and Mental Health Therapy
Nutrition Counseling and Wellness Services
Dementia Navigation and Caregiver Support
A Loan Closet for Durable Medical Equipment
A Helpline for Guidance and Resources

With locations in Tenleytown and Congress Heights, Iona offers personalized, compassionate care to enhance the quality of life for older adults and their families. Come ready with your questions and learn how Iona can help you or someone you care about! For more information about Iona, visit www.iona.org. This program is open to DC residents 60+.

To register, email [email protected].

Avalon Senior Cinema

Thursday, July 17th, 10:30 am - $6 - This month's feature is Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore!

Senior Cinema Thursday is a monthly event where the Avalon screens a current feature at a special discounted price for seniors - held every third Thursday at 10:30am.

Senior communities and organizations are invited to take advantage of the special $6 ticket price to bring groups to this program. The Avalon Theatre is wheelchair accessible and provides assisted listening devices to guests with hearing and visual impairments.

July’s screening is generously supported by Georgetown Village.

Words on a brick wall background: "District Fringe. Uninhibited, Unafraid, Unstoppable. July 11-27. www.districtfringe.com."

The inaugural District Fringe Festival is just days away, and we have front row seats here on Van Ness Main Street (VNMS)! District Fringe is a 3-week celebration of the independent theater and performance scene here in DC.

The festival will take place over three weekends on VNMS from July 11 to 27, with performances every Wednesday to Sunday. It truly has something for everyone: from established producers to first-time playwrights, these shows feature local artists and highlight the incredible creative diversity we get to celebrate in DC:

There are more than 20 FREE performances at the Firefly Stage at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) Amphitheater. Tickets for indoor performances start at just $15. You can also purchase festival passes that give you access to multiple performances during the festival.

For a full schedule and tickets, visit www.districtfringe.com.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Any additions to the Weekly Update are required by 10 am Thursday.
Submissions will be included based on editor's discretion and available space.

NNV is a community based non-profit that gives residents the confidence and practical help to grow older at home while staying healthy, engaged, and connected to neighbors and friends.