Reminder: Computer Club meeting Saturday, December 9 (tomorrow), at 1:00, via Zoom and in person in TA-1 at Tallwood. See this link for more information.
The OLLI office will be closed for holiday break from December 16‑January 2.
Winter term registration is under way and continues throughout the term.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, December 22; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, December 19, at 6:00.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate a Zoom discussion on December 13 at 4:00.
The topic for December 13 is Preparations for Winter.
Are you ready for winter? The prognosticators have warned us about a snowy season ahead. First off, do you believe them? Do you think that the wooly caterpillars and the squirrels are perhaps better at forecasting? Secondly, it always helps to be prepared (see Boy Scout motto). So, how can each of us get ready for whatever ensues from Old Man Winter? Some of us are planning to relocate to warmer climates for a few months; some of us are stuck here. Do you hibernate like a bear in your cave? Do you stock up on provisions, chocolate, wine, etc., or on books and hobby supplies? Do you plan to organize your desk and file folders during winter storms? Do you lay in a pile of firewood or get a space heater? Sharpen your snow shovel or wax your cross-country skis? Or do you just get cozy with warm sweaters and blankets and enjoy the season?
Everyone has a different approach to winter and cold weather. At least, most of us are not living in northern Minnesota. Or if we are, it might be by choice, and we enjoy winter weather.
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesday and plan on discussing with Team Bloch on December 13.
By Sulaiha (Su) Mastan, Diversity Committee Member
Northern Virginia is home to residents from multiple cultural, racial, ethnic, and faith groups; the area is expected to become more diverse over time.
OLLI is forming a new committee whose primary focus will be to study diversifying its courses, events, activities, and memberships to be more reflective of the ever-changing cultural, racial, ethnic, and faith aspects of our community.
OLLI is seeking help from its membership, particularly members of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and members of other minority groups. We are inviting you to share your experiences at OLLI and share insights into how OLLI can diversify its curriculum and memberships.
Please contact me at 703-606-1832 or send an email to sayang9307@gmail.com. Information shared will be kept confidential.
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in a prior issue; it is repeated here to encourage members to share your experiences and insights.
that overcomes my reserve,
that imparts new energy to tired words,
that sculpts angles into curves,
that injects serenity into frayed nerves.
I want to write a poem
that shoots electricity through a dead wire,
to see what messages will be inspired,
that pumps air into a flat tire,
allowing it to roll again,
up and down mountains
and around bends,
just to see what’s what
and where the road might end,
a new metaphor begin.
I want to approach a closed door and see it open
to friends,
new friends.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this linktostay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops, Songs of the Season
Sat, Dec 9, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Mariachi Herencia de México: A Mariachi Christmas
Sun, Dec 10, 3:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet: Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker
Sat and Sun, Dec 16 – 17, 4:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $89, $69, $59, $49.
Ju Yun: Celestial Carnival
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Through Jan 6
Admission: Free.
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Songs of the Season
Sat, Dec 9, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance, featuring Bryan Kidd, composer and arranger-in-residence, American Festival Pops Orchestra.
Merchant Hall Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Prince William Little Theatre: Miss Bennet, Christmas at Pemberley
Sat-Sun, Dec 9-10, 2:00 and Sat Dec 9, 7:00
Fri, Dec 15, 8:00
Sat-Sun, Dec 16-17, 2:00 and Sat Dec 16, 7:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adult, $20 senior, $15 12 and under.
Manassas Chorale: Sounds of the Season
Sat, Dec 9, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25 Adult, $23 senior.
Vienna Boys Choir
Sun, Dec 10, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker
Thu, Dec 14, 7:30
Fri, Dec 15, 7:30
Sat, Dec 16, 3:00 and 7:30
Sun, Dec 17, 3:00
Tue, Dec 19, 7:30
Wed, Dec 20, 7:30
Thu, Dec 21, 3:00
Fri, Dec 22, 3:00
Sat, Dec 23, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $75, $65, $55, $45, $35.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week, but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat Dec 9
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Dec 11
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Dec 12
9:30 am
10:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Holiday Singing for Fun
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Caregiver Group
Tai Chi Club
Wed Dec 13
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Tallwood Book Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Dec 14
11:50 am
1:00 pm
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
All the News
Stay Active and Independent for Life
SAIL Assessment
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Dec 15
9:30 am
11:00 am
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Sat Dec 16
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Dec 18
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Family History/Genealogy Club
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger,Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
Submissions: Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles, and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:ollidev2.earthcare.com/" without the quotes.
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