Event 959 - The Monarch Butterfly, April 1; Rosemary and Bill Wright address the Monarch life cycle and their visit to Monarch winter roosts in Mexico in February 2014
- The presentation by Dr. Marco Overhaus on foreign policy priorities for US - German relations (mentioned in the April 1 OLLI E-News) will be held on Wednesday, April 13, 1:30 pm, at Mason in Room 1204, Merten Hall. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Rita Rowand at rrowand1@gmu.edu.
- The OLLI Book Club will meet at Tallwood on Wednesday, April 13 at 1:30. We will discuss the book A Man Called Ove by Swedish blogger, columnist, and author, Fredrik Backman. This is the story of a curmudgeonly, recently-retired widower coping with his grief and loneliness as well as the changes in his neighborhood and community. The book for discussion in May is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. All OLLI members are welcome. If questions, please contact Ceda McGrew, cedamcgrew@aol.com.
Making OLLI "Magic" Happen By Russell Stone and
Kathryn Russell, Program CochairsYou may be amazed as we are by the wonderful course catalog that arrives at each OLLI member’s home four times a year. We are in awe of the array of careful thought, planning, and creativity displayed in each edition. The choices in Spring 2016 amounted to 112 courses and 55 special events, with more than 20 clubs and ongoing activities.What brings forth all this opportunity for learning, enjoyment and intellectual growth? It is the enthusiastic dedication of nearly 25 members who chair OLLI’s ten Program Planning Groups. They reach out to many more of our 1200 members for ideas on future programming. But more are needed – more people, more ideas for courses and activities...and more suggestions.The Program Planning Committee currently is appealing to each OLLI member to contribute to this process by submitting ideas for:
a course/event others might find interesting,
a course you might enjoy teaching,
a course/event you might coordinate,
a one-time event you might organize.
Course/event proposals can be submitted easily online at: olli.gmu.edu/course-proposal-form/. Fall 2016 proposals are due April 15; winter 2017 proposals are needed by July 29.
Want to do more? Join a Program Planning Group and become part of the process. Groups and chairs are listed in the front of the catalogs (page iv). Each committee meets about three times a year and welcomes your participation. Also, watch for our annual Program Idea Questionnaire coming soon to your in-box.
OLLI’s success depends on a constant flow of new ideas, so please don’t leave the program development to others. Think of what you can do to make the magic happen: teach, coordinate, invite. If you contribute even one idea to OLLI programming, we will all benefit and be the richer for it.
Do You Know About Community Emergency Response Training (CERT)?
By Emily Clark, E-News Staff Writer
Have you ever wondered what would happen in your community if there were a catastrophic emergency? We have seen everything from tornados to terrorism in the news lately. While Fairfax County has wonderful services, it has more than 400 square miles and well over a million people served by just 38 fire & rescue stations. In a wide-spread emergency, what could you do while waiting for first responders to arrive?
That’s what more than 40 OLLI members learned on March 25 in an introductory Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) session given by James Sobecke, a Fairfax County CERT program volunteer training coordinator and a lead instructor. The CERT program trains members of communities to work together to assist neighbors or other victims in those critical early minutes, or hours, before the first responders arrive.
The discussion outlined family preparedness and provided guidelines for creating your own plan, gave a CERT program overview, identified different types of hazards and disasters and described how to sign up and participate in the eight-session CERT program.
Fun Facts to Celebrate OLLI's 25th Anniversary By Ray Beery, Member, Board of Directors
The slogan “Broadening Horizons Together” was approved for LRI in January 1995.
OLLI is celebrating its 25th year of classes for seniors in 2016. We'll be publishing fun facts and interesting milestones about the Institute each week that OLLI E-News is published from now until the end of the fall term, 2016.
By John Woods, with Suzanne Brooks, E-News Staff Writers
On Friday, April, 1, 25 OLLI members enjoyed lunch and visited the national Federation Aviation Administration (FAA) Command Center located in Vint Hill in Warrenton, VA.
Our FAA organizer was Frank Brody the meteorologist-in-charge of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration-National Weather Service National Aviation Meteorology Unit (NAM) at the Command Center. He leads a group of meteorologists that provide customized weather forecasts and decision support to the FAA for air traffic management throughout the United States.
Our other speaker, Tim McHale, FAA Command Center Training support specialist, gave a detailed description of the myriad of circumstances that guide FAA decisions in keeping our skies safe. He said the FAA is like an orchestra conductor. For example, if Colorado has a snow event that closes an airport, the center stays in contact with flights of all affected airlines going in or out of that area. These decisions are made by a few good people here in Virginia!
The Command Center oversees all the commercial aircraft flying in the United States (see photo with map) and communicates with the regional air traffic control centers - one of which is in Leesburg - which communicates with the airport traffic control centers (TRACON). The TRACON controllers communicate with the pilots. The Potomac TRACON, responsible for the three DC regional airports is next door to the national center. (The group picture is in front of the DC control center.) The national center also communicates with the traffic control systems of other countries. Their primary task is to provide information on the US air space for these foreign groups to act upon.
One of the most interesting items explained was what happened on 9/11 in 2001. After the New York and Boston regional centers closed their air space, the national center oversaw the first-ever closing of all U.S. air space, with more than 5,000 commercial planes in the air at the time. They were working with all the regional air traffic control centers, the airlines, and neighboring countries. For example, flights coming to the US from Europe were diverted to airports in Canada. (Photos by John Woods)
Voting for the OLLI Board of Directors Is
Your Privilege
By Michelle Blandburg, OLLI Board of Directors and Chair of the Nominating Committee
The 2016 election of OLLI’s Board of Directors is rapidly approaching. Your ballots can be cast online or by paper from May 6 through May 20 at 12 noon.
What does the BOD actually do? The Board provides for the governance of OLLI. The bylaws provide that the Board shall:
Propose changes in the bylaws.
Establish the policies of the Institute.
Determine the Institute's mission, purposes, and programs.
Ensure adequate resources and approve budgets.
Develop a vision for the Institute's future.
Provide strategic direction.
Determine qualifications, dues, terms, and other conditions of membership.
Establish the Institute’s fiscal year.
Designate a statutory office and agent.
Review and accept the annual audit report.
The Board consists of 18 members; one-third are elected each year for three-year terms. Directors and officers serve without compensation except for reasonable expenses as established by the Board. Monthly meetings are open to the membership (with the exception of executive sessions and retreats); you are always welcome to attend.
Candidates for the BOD are recruited by the Nominating Committee to stand for election (or they may become candidates by petition.) The qualifications for candidacy include a demonstrated or expressed active interest in OLLI, and willingness to contribute energy, ideas, and time. Candidates must be able to communicate and express ideas verbally and in writing, including accessing and using email and websites. They must also be willing to assume an active role in the governance of the Institute and assume the responsibilities expected of any nonprofit.
This year’s eleven candidates will speak to the membership on two occasions: at the Super Salad Social on April 29 in Reston, and the Annual Business Meeting & Picnic on May 6 at Tallwood. Please plan to attend one of these events to meet, greet, and question the candidates.
Information about the candidates is available on the OLLI website and on posters at our locations. These dedicated members will help to set the course of OLLI’s future, so your vote really matters. Remember, it’s YOUR OLLI!
One of "Pershing's Own" to Address Theater Lovers' Group
By Norma Jean Reck, OLLI Board Member
OLLI members and their guests are cordially invited to hear Walter Todenhoft, SGM, USA (ret.), talk about military music in the DC area and share some of his experiences with the U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own." He will speak to the Theater Lovers' Group on Friday, April 15, in TA-1 from 10 to 11:30.
Music lovers and non-music lovers alike who have seen and heard any of our military musicians perform know it doesn't get any better. So plan to join us and hear some of the stories about making such beautiful music! Everyone is welcome.
A special thanks to Susan Todenhoft for making this program possible.
We are sad to announce the passing of our dear friend William, who died of unknown causes in April 1616. According to John Ward, the Vicar of Holy Trinity Church in Stratford, William Shakespeare partook of a merry meeting with his friends and associates, Messrs Drayton and Ben Johnston, where it seems they drank too hard, for Shakespeare died of a fever there contracted. He had but 52 years (but a remarkable 52 years, we must admit).
A memorial gathering will take place at 11:50 on Wednesday, April 13, at the Loudoun campus. There will be cake to console our sadness. Register for special event 1105 on the OLLI website. If you have questions - such as how to behave at this somber occasion - contact the mournful Kathie West at kathie.k.west@gmail.com.
I think that I will never hear the sound of silence again.
I went out West to the National Parks,
Sat down at the edge of a cliff
To revel in the silence of solitude.
It was not to be. The murmur of Life
Splashed over the edge as if fleeing the onset of Death.
Wind swirled past my ear, my own blood raced my veins
Even hawks would resound with sharp cries.
Silence never will come while Life holds sway
Only the tomb holds the peace of life's passing.
Life is noisy! Enjoy! Make joyful ruckus while you can!
Only the silence of the grave can cease life's antic pace.
Performances, next ten daysBy Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff WriterFor tickets for either Center for the Arts (CFA) or Hylton, 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 page or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues
Moscow Festival Ballet: Giselle
Sat, Apr 16, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company
Concert Hall
Admission: $56, $48, $34.
Moscow Festival Ballet: Swan Lake
Sun, Apr 17, 4:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company
Concert Hall
Admission: $56, $48, $34.
Mason Student and Faculty Performances
(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)All-Virginia Concert, All-Virginia Symphonic Band Concert, and All-Virginia Orchestra Concert
Sat, Apr 9, 1:30
Each of the ensembles will perform 1 hour. Performances begin at 1:30, 2:45 and 4:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Free.Mason Opera: At Home & Abroad
Sun, Apr 10, 1:30
Benefit recital for students attending La Musica Lirica in Italy and a sneak peek at our Spring Opera productions: The Impresario, by Mozart, and L'Enfant et les Sortilèges, by Ravel.
PAB A323/Harris Theatre
Suggested donation: $20.Arts Jam Traditions: Flint Hill School Spring Music and Dance Show
Wed, Apr 13, 7:30
Concert Hall
Admission: Free.Jazz Combos/Afro-Cuban Ensemble/Traditional Ensemble Concert
Wed, Apr 13, 8:00
de Laski - Room 3001
Admission: Free.International Week Dance Competition 2016
Thu, Apr 14, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $10.Tuba & Euphonium Ensemble Concert
Fri, Apr 15, 8:00
de Laski - Room 3001
Admission: Free.
Mason Opera: The Impresario and L'Enfant et les Sortileges
Fri, Apr 15, and Sat, Apr 16, 8:00
Sat, Apr 16, 2:00
Sun, Apr 17, 3:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Adults, $20; seniors, $15.
Land Beyond the Water, Peter Stern, Artist
Mar 21 - May 15
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
The gallery is open to the public Tue-Sat, 10:00 - 6:00, Thur., 10:00 - 8:00 and two hours before performances.
Admission: Free.
Moscow Festival Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty
Fri, Apr 8, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion: Alexander Daev, assistant artistic director
Merchant Hall
Admission: $56, $48, $34.
The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Sun, Apr 17, 4:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company
Merchant Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office, with direct web links added when available. The list is accurate as of mid-week but to check anytime for the latest information, please view the latest forecast of upcoming 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, kickoff coffees, etc. (bolded below).
Sat Apr 8
10:30am
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Wed Apr 13
1:30pm
1:45pm
1:45pm
Book Club–TA-1
Bridge Club–TA-3
Spanish Club–TA-2
Fri Apr 15
9:00am
10:00am
10:00am
11:00am
11:00am
11:30am
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation–Cottage
Theater Lovers Group–TA-1
Classic Literature Club–TA-2
Homer, etc–Annex
Cooking Club–Cottage
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Travel Club–TA-2
Craft and Conversation–Cottage
Classic Literature Club–TA-2
Homer, etc–Annex
Photography Club–TA-1
Religious Studies Club–Cottage Member Services Committee–Annex
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor/Technical Editor: Irene Osterman
Associate Editor: Sheri Siesseger
Weekly Editorial Team: Jean Boltz, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Leslie Vandivere, Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Nancy Michel, Marilyn O'Brien, Susan Van Hemel
Backup Chief Editor: Alice Slayton Clark
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 – 6:00 Tuesday for that week's issue (6:00 Monday 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.
By Russell Stone and
March 25 in an introductory Community Emergency Response Training (CERT) session given by James Sobecke, a Fairfax County CERT program volunteer training coordinator and a lead instructor. The CERT program trains members of communities to work together to assist neighbors or other victims in those critical early minutes, or hours, before the first responders arrive.
National Aviation Meteorology Unit (NAM) at the Command Center. He leads a group of meteorologists that provide customized weather forecasts and decision support to the FAA for air traffic management throughout the United States.
Lovers' Group on Friday, April 15, in TA-1 from 10 to 11:30.
He had but 52 years (but a remarkable 52 years, we must admit).
