Celebrate Christmas in July, Texas style: Friday, July 14, 1:00 to 3:00, at Tallwood. For more information or to sign up (special event 1102), click this link.
Program Planning Meetings coming up: Monday, July 10, 1:00 in TA-1–Language, Literature, Theater; Wednesday, July 12, 1:45, Tallwood Annex–Program Committee; Thursday, July 13, 11:05, Loudoun Room 209–Loudoun Program.
The Benefits of OLLI Membership By Alice Slayton Clark, Communications and Program AssociateHow much of a value is your OLLI membership? Some may have asked this question in light of recent dues increases. The answer is simple—OLLI is a great deal!
Just take a look at what OLLI members pay per class. The average OLLI member takes four courses per term, or 16 classes over the year (four terms). That amounts to just $26 per class. It doesn’t get much cheaper than that.
That amount doesn't take into account all of the other benefits you get from OLLI membership. Do you participate in any of our 21 clubs? Do you go to OLLI’s regular coffees and socials? Do you enjoy coffee and cookies in the social room or borrow books from our lending library? How about Mason benefits—discounts at the recreation facilities, performing arts, stores, restaurants, and parking?
You cannot even begin to measure the mental and physical health benefits of our membership. At OLLI you nourish your mind through leadership, cultural, and educational opportunities; you fuel your soul through social and volunteer activities; and you exercise your body through club activities, excursions, and an outside daily routine.
3rd Saturday, July 15 Windows 10: Gripes, Tips, Secrets, Resources Preparing for the Eclipse; Expert Panel
The Computer Club (OLLI Personal Computer User Group, or OPCUG) will meet with its partner, the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS), on Saturday, July 15, at Tallwood. Join us at 12:30 for soft drinks and socializing in the social room. Program activities begin at 1:00.
Windows 10: Gripes, Tips, Secrets, Resources—Presented by Ray Parker
Ray will illuminate some features and foibles of the Windows 10 operating system. He hopes to tailor his presentation to your areas of interest; send your questions and issues with Windows 10 to Ray at: spkrquestions@patacs.org.
Ray Parker is a knowledgeable technician and longtime advocate of software that works for people who are not knowledgeable technicians. He has broken software many times and fixed it nearly as often. You can find him on LinkedIn.
Learn in 30: Preparing for the Eclipse—Presented by Bill Walsh
Bill will provide a brief discussion of suggestions for observing the first full eclipse of the sun visible in the US in 99 years.
An expert team will address attendee technical questions and problems during an extended Q & A session.
See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG website. OPCUG dues of $5 for 2017 will be collected at this meeting.
Can't make the meeting in person? Dues-paid club members may attend via Zoom's cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45. Send a message to webinarhosts@patacs.org if you plan to attend in this way. To join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android; click https://zoom.us/j/837739712 (Zoom Meeting ID: 837 739 712).
Staff Change is in the Air at OLLI By Alice Slayton Clark, Communications and Program
Associate
The OLLI family will lose one of its long-standing and cherished staff members next month. After nine successful years with programming, Beth Davis has decided to shelve her Excel spreadsheets, instructor lists, and catalog schedules to launch an exciting new career as a life coach. Instead of cultivating courses, Beth will be nurturing clients to better identify and achieve their personal goals. The parallels are clear and the new job is a natural for her.
This change comes as no surprise, as Beth recently completed a “Positive Leadership and Leadership Coaching for Organizational Well-Being” certification at George Mason University. It also comes at the right time, as Beth sees her youngest off to college this fall. As empty nesters, Beth and husband Derek plan to make more time to visit their children scattered about the U.S.: Emma at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in Texas; Sarah and son-in-law Thomas in Chicago; and Becky, son-in-law Jacob, and grandson Aaron in Alabama. New granddaughter Lydia arrives at the end of July.
Beth leaves an impressive programming legacy at OLLI. Not only did she enhance the quality of classes, she facilitated a huge surge in course offerings when membership climbed over 1200. She is a true professional and friend to fellow staff and program planners alike. As Beth begins this new chapter in life, she will consult for OLLI as needed to smooth the transition for program staffing. Thank you, Beth, for your fabulous service. You will be greatly missed!
“Change Always Comes Bearing Gifts," saidbusiness writer Price Pritchett.
Welcome to our new program associate, Jennifer McMahon. Jen comes to OLLI with an impressive background in education. She worked for the US Department of Education as part of the New Leaders for Federal Government Program, helping establish programs to support national education reform initiatives relating to facilities’ financing, charter schools, and teacher preparation and professional development. She is also an educator, and taught fourth grade and special education at schools in Northern Virginia.
As happens to many a wonderful OLLI professional, life interrupted work and Jen found herself taking a career pause to raise her three lovely children—Zoe (17), Aidan (14), and Finn (10)—and to adopt her sweet dog, Ginger. The OLLI job provides Jen the perfect opportunity to continue to nurture her family yet stay engaged with career interests.
Jen was born and educated in Pennsylvania, graduating with a bachelors' in education from Penn State Honors College and a masters' in special education from George Mason University. In 1999, she married Jim McMahon, a government contractor in the education and health fields. Jen is an avid reader, yoga enthusiast, and wine connoisseur who recently acquired a knack for glass blowing.
Jen is filling the shoes of Beth Davis, working on program planning for multi-session courses. She will be at OLLI sporadically throughout July, attending program planning meetings as needed, and will assume her regular workload the last week of August. Please stop in the cottage and welcome Jen to the OLLI family!
Inside OLLI-Mason Understanding the OLLI Budget Part Three: Equipment By Paul Howard, Board Member and OLLI Finance Committee MemberEd. Note: This is part three of a series of six articles on the OLLI budget prepared by the Finance Committee to provide insight into the OLLI budget process for E-News readers.This figure shows a breakout of equipment expenses projected for this year.
Equipment constitutes a $29,500 item in OLLI's 2017 budget. It includes expenses associated with maintaining office copiers and phone systems; administrative and instructional computers; LAN gear audiovisual projector, and media players; and sound equipment in our classrooms and in remote locations. The largest item in this category is the Capital Technology Fund, which provides money to replace defective or obsolete equipment in our $155,000 inventory (e.g., replacement of Tallwood's phone system after an electrical storm damaged it last summer and acquisition of BluRay players for Reston, Tallwood, and Lord of Life locations).
Restock the Food Pantry at Britepaths By Martha Powers, Board Member
Please help us restock the food pantry at Britepaths, formerly known as Our Daily Bread.
Donate only canned meat the week of July 10–14. Boxes will be available in cookie/coffee zones at all three OLLI locations.
A Britepaths collection van will be in the front parking lot at Tallwood only from 9:00–1:00 on Friday, July 14. During these four hours only, your donations of the following items will be very welcome:
• Rice
• Flour
• Sugar
• Jam/jelly
• Fruit cups/applesauce cups
• Granola bars and healthful individually-wrapped snacks
• Pancake mix and syrup
• Paper towels
• Diapers, all sizes, and baby wipes
• Laundry detergent
• Cleaning supplies
• Deodorant
• Razors
• Grocery store gift cards
Let’s show Britepaths that OLLI’s heart is in the right place!
Performances, July 7 through July 17By 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 pageor the Hyltonticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues Chun In Kwon Band: 30th Anniversary US Tour
Sat, Jul 8, 7:30
Concert Hall
Admission: $150, $100, $80.
Gallery Exhibit: Sacred Feminine
Jun 6–Jul 15
The gallery is open to the public Tue 10:00–6:00, Thu at 10:00–8:00 and two hours before performances.
For more information, visit https://cvpa.gmu.edu/gands.
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Latin Ballet of Virginia: Alma Latina
Wed, Jul 12, 11:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $15.
Prince William Little Theatre: Oklahoma!
Fri, Jul 14, and Sat, Jul 15, 8:00
Sun, Jul 16, 2:00
Fri, Jul 21, and Sat, Jul 22, 8:00
Sat, Jul 22, and Sun, Jul 23, 2:00
Fri, Jul 28, and Sat, Jul 29, 8:00
Sun, Jul 30, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: Adults, $25; seniors, $20.
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 any time 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).
Mon Jul 10
10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
1:00pm
Bridge Club–TA-3
Tallwood Book Club–TA-2
What’s in the Daily News, cont’d–TA-1 Language, Literature and Arts Program Committee–TA-1
Tue Jul 11
1:30pm
Arts and Music Program Planning–Annex
Wed Jul 12
1:45pm
Program Committee–Annex
Fri Jul 14
9:15am
9:30am
9:30am
11:00am
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Photography Club–TA-1
Craft and Conversation Club–Annex
Homer, etc.–Annex
Sat Jul 15
10:00am
1:00pm
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Computer Club–TA-1
Mon Jul 17
10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
10:00am12:30pm
Bridge Club–TA-3
Mah Jongg Club–TA-2
What’s in the Daily News, cont’d.–TA-1 Humanities and Social Science Program Planning Group–Annex History and Current Events Program Planning Group–TA-1
Wed Jul 19
2:00pm
A/V Committee–TA-1
Thu Jul 20
2:00pm
Reston Program Planning Group– Reston Regional Library Meeting Rm. 1
Fri Jul 21
9:15am
9:30am
10:00am
11:00am
11:00am
1:00pm
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation Club–Annex
Board of Directors Meeting–TA-1
Cooking Club–Lord of Life Fairfax
Homer, etc.–Annex
Dr. Who Club–TA-3
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Technical Editor: Irene Osterman
Associate Editor: Sheri Siesseger
Weekly Editor Team: Jean Boltz, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Leslie Vandivere,
Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Polly Johnsen, Shirley Springfloat
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.
ise her three lovely children—Zoe (17), Aidan (14), and Finn (10)—and to adopt her sweet dog, Ginger. The OLLI job provides Jen the perfect opportunity to continue to nurture her family yet stay engaged with career interests.
