Congressman Gerry Connolly (D) and former Congressman Tom Davis (R) from Virginia Present “The Tom and Gerry Show:” Bipartisan Perspectives on Issues Before the Congress, F705, July 6
Christmas in July, Texas style; today (July 14) at Tallwood, 1:00 to 3:00. Register for special event 1102. You may also bring your donation of canned meat (meat only, e.g., tuna, chicken, turkey) to help restock the food pantry at Britepaths. The truck for other items will be gone, but you can still bring the meat to the 1:00 event.
Reminder: Computer Club meeting, Windows 10, Preparing for sun eclipse; 3rd Saturday, July 15, Tallwood, 12:30. Click here for details.
Program Planning Group Meetings coming up:
Monday, July 17, 10:00 in Tallwood Annex–Humanities and Social Sciences;
Last year the upper parking lot at Tallwood was totally overhauled and redesigned to offer more handicap spaces, ADA ramping, and full railing support for the entire length of the building. OLLI members have been very pleased with the increased access, improved aesthetics (no more sandbags!!), and elimination of drainage issues that once wreaked havoc on the TA‑1 foundation from flooding. Although these improvements are wonderful, some members requested more spaces for members with mobility issues. In answer to this request, “Priority Parking” signage has been installed in the upper lot; reserving four more spaces for folks with mobility issues. These spaces can be utilized by anyone with a handicap tag or by folks that may be experiencing a temporary mobility issue, i.e., a broken leg or temporary need for a walker.
Tom and Gerry Show at OLLI Offers Insight into Partisan Divide By Alice Slayton Clark, Communications and Programming AssociateThe Tom and Gerry Show came to OLLI last week though it provided no “cat and mouse” program on political gamesmanship. Instead, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and former Representative Tom Davis (R-VA) came together for a refreshingly respectful and constructive discussion on the current issues before the 115th Congress. The event was a revival of their old cable network show and demonstrated that civility can still be found in political discourse today. (The photo shows Rep. Connolly, left, and former Rep. Davis, right, with OLLI Executive Director Jennifer Disano.)Representative Davis, who also serves as rector for George Mason University, launched the program with an insightful presentation linking gerrymandering and the increased partisan divide in Congress. The parties have never been more polarized, he said. Representative Connolly suggested that these divisions can be overcome by reaching across the aisle to colleagues, particularly on less controversial issues like technology or infrastructure. Having worked together at the local level, Representatives Davis and Connolly have been able to transcend the partisan fray because, as Representative Connolly joked, “there is no such thing as a Republican or Democratic pothole” in Northern Virginia.The officials also addressed questions from the audience regarding healthcare, Korea, Syria, the President’s budget, and “fake news,” among other things. While they provided different perspectives on many of the concerns, their discourse was friendly, and they even admitted they would be able to find compromise on most if they took the time to sit down and sincerely hash them out together. Sage advice coming from seasoned statesmen, and a message more of our elected officials should heed.
The Perks of OLLI Membership By Alice Slayton Clark, Communications and Programming AssociateAre you aware of the wonderful George Mason University perks you can enjoy as a full OLLI member? Benefits include:
reduced rates at recreation facilities;
lower prices on some performances at the EagleBank Arena and Center for the Arts;
discounts at the book store, Johnson Center Cinema ($1 movies), certain dining facilities;
To start enjoying your benefits, all you have to do is apply for a G Number and get a Mason photo ID; click here for instructions. G number applications are available in the OLLI office and in the “Doc Store” of the OLLI website; click this link for application for G number and photo ID.
Take note: the process for getting a G Number and Mason ID can take several weeks. Act now to start enjoying the Mason perks of OLLI membership!
By Martha Powers, Board Member and Trip Coordinator
Three dozen OLLI members hit the road with Virginia’s senior statesman (and long-time OLLI member) Ken Plum last Friday, enjoying his in-depth knowledge of Thomas Jefferson as well as his off-the-cuff recommendations of various eateries along Route 29. After a drive-by viewing of the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, the day-trippers enjoyed a bountiful repast at Michie Tavern (c. 1784), where docents in colonial garb offered generous portions of fried chicken, sundry side dishes, and peach cobbler.
The afternoon was spent at nearby Monticello, where top-notch guides offered tours of the house, after which OLLI members strolled the grounds and took other tours during their three-hour visit.
Inside OLLI-MasonUnderstanding the OLLI Budget Part Four: Facilities By Paul Howard, Board Member and OLLI Finance Committee MemberEd. Note: This is part four 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 facilities expenses projected for this year. Coincidentally, the fourth largest line item in the OLLI budget at $80,800 for 2017, the Facilities expense category is dominated by rental costs for UCP at Reston, pool parking adjacent to Tallwood, and Lord of Life facilities in Fairfax and Clifton. Following the Board's directive to reducing wait-listing for classes, other locations, such as the Church of the Good Shepherd, hotel space in Loudoun, and others are rented as needed. Included here are capital leasehold improvements, such as the installation of new heating and air conditioning units in TA1, and maintenance and supplies expense. It is noteworthy that, at 2.6% of this budget category, $2,100 is projected for the appreciation luncheon for Mason's Facilities folks and others at the university who support our activities. On a recent Sunday afternoon a circuit breaker tripped while OLLI's AV team was configuring new equipment. A Mason electrician responded within five minutes, repaired the cause of the short circuit, and restored the breaker. We'd be hard put to find budget money better spent!
By Kathryn Mitchell, OLLI Member and Literary Potpourri Class Liaison
Nicole Kelleher, a local writer in the historical fantasy/romance genre and a finalist in two literary contests, talked about the ins and outs of writing and promoting Wild Lavender and The Queen's Dance, two books in her Aurelian Guard Series, at OLLI's Literary Potpourri class on July 6. A graduate of the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and Arts, she is a 2017 Golden Quill winner for best fantasy romance and 3rd-place winner of the New England Readers' Choice contest for historical romance. Her presentation addressed her personal experience, choice of genre (historical romance/historical fantasy) and how it ties to the new feminist movement, use of fact vs. artistic license, pitfalls, epiphanies encountered, dealing with agents/editors, and the rewards/burdens of social media.
Performances, July 14 through July 24By 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.
Gallery Exhibit: Sacred Feminine
Jun 6 - Jul 15
The Gallery is open to the public Tue-Sat, 10:00 - 6:00, Thu, 10:00 - 8:00 and two hours before performances.
For more information, visit https://cvpa.gmu.edu/gands.
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
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.
Gallery Exhibit: Marti Patchell, Botanical Fusion
Jul 18 - Aug 26
The Gallery is open to the public Tue-Sat, 10:00 - 6:00, Thu, 10:00 - 8:00 and two hours before performances.
For more information, visit https://cvpa.gmu.edu/gands.
Gallery reception: Thu, Aug 3, 6:00 - 8:00. Wines by Stone Tower Winery. Gallery Receptions are free and open to the public, but an RSVP is required. RSVP to spavia@gmu.edu.
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
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).
Sat Jul 15
10:30am
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
Crafts and Conversation–Annex Board of Directors Meeting–TA-1
Cooking Club–Lord of Life Fairfax
Homer, etc.–Annex
Dr. Who Club–TA-2
Sat Jul 22
10:30am
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Mon Jul 24
10:00am
10:30am
Bridge Club–TA-3
What’s in the Daily News, cont’d.–TA-1
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.
The Tom and Gerry Show came to OLLI last week though it provided no “cat and mouse” program on political gamesmanship. Instead, Representative Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and former Representative Tom Davis (R-VA) came together for a refreshingly respectful and constructive discussion on the current issues before the 115th Congress. The event was a revival of their old cable network show and demonstrated that civility can still be found in political discourse today. (The photo shows Rep. Connolly, left, and former Rep. Davis, right, with OLLI Executive Director Jennifer Disano.)
The officials also addressed questions from the audience regarding healthcare, Korea, Syria, the President’s budget, and “fake news,” among other things. While they provided different perspectives on many of the concerns, their discourse was friendly, and they even admitted they would be able to find compromise on most if they took the time to sit down and sincerely hash them out together. Sage advice coming from seasoned statesmen, and a message more of our elected officials should heed.
Three dozen OLLI members hit the road with Virginia’s senior statesman (and long-time OLLI member) Ken Plum last Friday, enjoying his in-depth knowledge of Thomas Jefferson as well as his off-the-cuff recommendations of various eateries along Route 29. After a drive-by viewing of the Rotunda at the University of Virginia, the day-trippers enjoyed a bountiful repast at Michie Tavern (c. 1784), where docents in colonial garb offered generous portions of fried chicken, sundry side dishes, and peach cobbler.
The afternoon was spent at nearby Monticello, where top-notch guides offered tours of the house, after which OLLI members strolled the grounds and took other tours during their three-hour visit.
Nicole Kelleher, a local writer in the historical fantasy/romance genre and a finalist in two literary contests, talked about the ins and outs of writing and promoting Wild Lavender and The Queen's Dance, two books in her Aurelian Guard Series, at OLLI's Literary Potpourri class on July 6. A graduate of the University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and Arts, she is a 2017 Golden Quill winner for best fantasy romance and 3rd-place winner of the New England Readers' Choice contest for historical romance. Her presentation addressed her personal experience, choice of genre (historical romance/historical fantasy) and how it ties to the new feminist movement, use of fact vs. artistic license, pitfalls, epiphanies encountered, dealing with agents/editors, and the rewards/burdens of social media.