Some of the best adult learning opportunities in the country are available this fall in Fairfax County. Contact these programs early for best choice of courses, clubs, lectures and tours.

Adult and Community Education, Fairfax County Public Schools.

The fall line-up features cooking classes (Mediterranean Diet, French Desserts, Japanese Soups), a series on Alzheimer’s Disease, as well as classes on Social Security and Baby Boomer Retirement Planning. Check out their wide range of classes focusing on job training and personal enrichment offered throughout the county or online.

703-658-1201, https://aceclasses.fcps.edu

Fairfax County Park Authority offers a wide array of classes including genealogy, golf, gardening, dance, sewing, fitness and more. Classes are held throughout the county. Check out the popular fall tours including one to the Shenandoah Skyline. 703-222-4664

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes

Fairfax County Public Library provides workshops on a variety of topics as well as author talks, wellness activities, reading programs, lectures, technology workshops and more. Call your local library for class availability or visit the library webpage.

703-324-3100, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library

Fairfax County Senior Centers offer classes, trips and tours, health and wellness programs and opportunities to socialize with neighbors.

703-324-4600, www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ncs

Green Spring Gardens offers programs in arts and crafts, gardening, yoga, historical workshops, tastings and teas, social programs, trips and more. Classes are held throughout the year.

703-642-5173

www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/greenspring

Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia’s Adult Learning Institute offers social and self-development programs and activities for adults of all backgrounds and ages. 703-323-0880, www.jccnv.org

Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia begins a new season of classes (from Understanding Opera to Remodeling for Retirement), lectures and tours this fall. Classes include health, art, science, Learning Opportunities personal development and more.

703-503-0600, http://lli.nova.org

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University offers diverse intellectual, social and cultural experiences with daytime courses and special events. After Aug., 24, registration is still available but selection may be limited. 703-503-3384, https://olli.gmu.edu

Shepherd’s Centers of Fairfax/Burke, Oakton/ Vienna and Annandale/Springfield offer the popular Adventures in Learning programs and Lunch n’ Life lectures. Topics cover the gamut of art, travel computer skills, financial security issues and more.

Workhouse Arts Center offers courses in visual, performing and culinary arts, as well as art events and lectures. 703-584-2900, www.workhousearts.org

Free Medicare 101 Workshops

Register now for the county’s free Medicare 101 Workshops and learn how to get the most out of the 2019 Medicare coverage. Medicare’s annual election season for changing health and prescription plans runs Oct. 15–Dec. 7. Registration required. Use the phone numbers below to register. For more information and dates, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/familyservices/older-adults and click Insurance Counseling–VICAP.

Thursday, Oct. 11, 7 – 8:30 p.m.

Chesterbrook Residences, Falls Church

Rita Evrony, 703-896-7910 or

revrony@jssa.org

Friday, Oct. 12, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

Reston Community Center, Reston

Karen Brutsché, 703-390-6157

Thursday, Oct. 18, 9:30 – 11 a.m.

Unitarian Church, Oakton

Shep. Center, Oakton/Vienna, 703-281-0538

Tuesday, Oct. 23, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

McLean Community Center, McLean

Sydney Duberstein, 703-790-0123

Thursday, Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m. – Noon

Dar Al-Hijrah, Falls Church

Social Services Office, 703-531-2905

Leave a message.

Thursday, Nov. 15, 12:30 – 2 p.m. Providence Community Center, Fairfax

Robert Webster, 703-865-0520

Friday, Nov. 16, 1 – 3 p.m.

Sherwood Regional Library, Alexandria

VICAP, 703-324-5851

Encore Chorale

Registration is open for the fall session of Encore Chorale and Encore ROCKS in the county. Singers age 55+ are invited to join without an audition. Weekly rehearsals began the first week of September and continue for 15 weeks. The session ends with free community concerts in December. The fee is $175 and includes rehearsals, sheet music, a practice CD and performing in community concerts in December. Register in person at the first rehearsal or online at www.EncoreCreativity.org.

For further information including locations, email info@EncoreCreativity.org or call 301-261-5747.

Fairfax County Access Services Library—

The Access Services branch removes barriers to library services for people with disabilities. Our many services include: providing opportunities to learn about assistive technology and equipment, providing books in alternative formats to people with vision impairments and delivering books to readers who cannot visit a local library. We welcome invitations to present informational programs and participate in community events.

If you or someone you know cannot read standard printed materials or cannot get to a library, the county’s Access Services Library can help. Located in the Fairfax County Government Center at 12000 Government Center Parkway, Suite 123, Fairfax, its mission is to remove barriers for library services for people with permanent and temporary disabilities.

Here are some of the services:

• Assistive Technology

Visitors to Access Services may use screen reader software, screen magnification software, text-to-speech reading equipment, a refreshable Braille display, and tabletop and portable CCTV

magnification devices. We have a selection of hand-held lighted magnifiers and portable

assistive listening systems available for borrowing.

Demonstrations are available by appointment. Please call to reserve lighted magnifiers and assistive listening systems two weeks in advance.

• Deposit Collection Service

Access Services provides rotating collections of large print and regular print library books to

senior centers, retirement communities, hospitals, and other eligible organizations located in Fairfax County. Titles are selected to match reading interests of clients in each institutional setting.

• Home Delivery Service

Readers in Fairfax County who are unable to travel to a local library due to disability, illness, or frailty may be eligible for free home delivery of library materials. Written certification may be required.

• Newsletter

Our free newsletter, Loud & Clear, is distributed in Braille, audio and email formats.

• Presentations

Access Services staff members are available by appointment to present free talks and workshops about our specialized library services. Topics can be tailored to meet the needs of your group. Please request programs at least two weeks in advance. We also welcome invitations to exhibit at wellness fairs and other community events.

• Special Library Collections in Access Services

The Disability Awareness Collection offers books and other materials related to learning about and managing disabilities. Our Audio-Described DVDs are classic, popular, and award-winning movies containing special descriptive narration for people with low vision or blindness. We also lend a variety of multimedia nostalgia kits designed for use by groups of older adults.

• Talking Book Program

Our talking book service provides audio books and playing equipment free of charge by mail.

Individuals of all ages who are unable to read or use standard print due to blindness, visual

impairment, or physical limitations are eligible for the program. Access Services administers the Talking Book Program for Fairfax County and for the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church on behalf of the Library of Congress. An application is required for certification.

• Vision Support Groups and Book Discussion Groups

We sponsor support groups and assist book discussion groups for adults who are coping with

the loss of sight. Groups meet at libraries and other locations throughout Fairfax County.

• Volunteers

For a rewarding and fun experience, become an Access Services volunteer. Our wonderful volunteers help us by leading book discussions and support groups, processing audio and large print materials, performing data entry and office support tasks, serving on our Friends group, and much more.

For details, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/library/branches/access-services.

For information on services, recreational activities and volunteer opportunities, go to www.fairfaxcounty.gov/OlderAdults. You will also find a subscription link to the free monthly Golden Gazette.