Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

ENews25-14

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OLLI E-News September 5, 2014
Print a condensed .pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
Photo Club Members Hang Pictures for Fall 2014 Abstract Photo Expo, August 28, 2014

September 5, 2014


Editor of the Week:  Leslie Vandivere
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

We will resume weekly publication on September 26.

The Tallwood office will be open from 9:00 to noon until the start of the fall term.

Mark your calendars and make sure to come out for the OLLI fall term kick-off coffee! Meet and greet the new OLLI members, socialize with long-standing friends and staff, and have the opportunity to sign up for OLLI volunteer opportunities. This is a great chance for all members to step up and become more involved in OLLI’s operations. Coffee and snacks will be served. Friday, September 26, at 10:00 in TA-1.
Welcome!

By Glenn Kamber, President, Board of Directors

I am pleased to welcome you to the OLLI 2014 fall session. It is filled with wonderful classes, activities, and special events—all brought to you through the dedication and hard work of hundreds of member volunteers and our small paid staff. Just within the next several weeks, we will be honored by a visit and presentation by Dr. Angel Cabrera, the sixth president of George Mason, on September 18 at Tallwood; the opening of classes at our new Loudoun facility, also on September 18; and a guest lecture by George Mason Provost Emeritus Dr. Peter Stearns on September 19.
 
Whether you are joining OLLI for the first time or are a returning, "seasoned" participant, I encourage you to explore and take advantage of the many opportunities OLLI offers to enrich our lives, to share life interests and experiences, and to connect and engage with others. In addition to taking courses, joining clubs or participating in special events and field trips, consider volunteering your time and talents to help sustain our programs. Right now, for example, we need a volunteer to help create and edit our quarterly OLLI catalogs. The OLLI Outreach Committee is looking for someone with public relations experience to develop and place information about OLLI in various local, regional, and national print and electronic media. If either of these opportunities speaks to you, please let me know.
 
Finally, our OLLI-Mason program tries to serve the program requests of the broadest number of members. We seek to calibrate course demand with available classroom space, including additional, off-site rental of classrooms when needed. While we cannot guarantee that all members will be able to attend all the courses for which they register, we strive to meet priority requests and achieve that broader goal when feasible. We depend upon members to help us know when course space is or is not available. So, if you have signed up for and been admitted to a course or other activity for which you decide not to participate, please notify OLLI staff or withdraw from the course in the online registration system as soon as possible, so that your seat may be made available to someone on a waiting list. Otherwise, we will continue to have empty seats in classes for which fellow members have been registered and told they cannot attend.
 
Have a great session! 

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Help Needed

By Rosemary McDonald, Arts and Music Co-Chair

Needed for Meet the Artists—a few volunteers to assist with registration for the six Meet the Artists concerts. You need to volunteer for just one concert starting September 25 to meet, greet, and have attendees sign the sheets for members and nonmembers attending the concert. Materials are provided. The time would be on Thursdays, September 25 to October 30, from 1:45 to 2:15, at the Mason Fairfax campus. It is best done with two people working together.
 
Please respond to Rosemary McDonald at 703-709-2510 or RosemaryMcDonald@comcast.net. 

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OLLI Loudoun Open House

By Maria Buczek, Loudoun Site Administrator

The move is complete and George Mason at Loudoun is officially open! We are excited to show OLLI members the new facility, so please join us for an open house on Thursday, September 18, from 10:30 to 2:15. Here is a look at some of what we have planned.
 
From 10:30 to 11:45:
  • Tour the new facility and classrooms
  • Enjoy delicious finger foods catered by Wegmans
  • Pick up your free parking pass to attend classes in Loudoun
  • Visit information tables for the Hylton Center, Road Scholar, and NOVA and learn what programs they have that will interest OLLI members
  • If you have a Mason student ID number (G#), but still need your Mason ID, get your picture taken to enjoy the many university privileges provided with your OLLI membership. See them listed here. 
  • Learn about the many fun ways you can become more involved at OLLI by joining a committee
  • Pick up your OLLI name tag
  • Register for door prizes and get free OLLI stuff!
 From 11:50 to 1:15:
  • Attend the live video conference with George Mason president Angel Cabrera on Being Global: How to Think, Act and Lead in a Transformed World. Please note that due to classroom capacity, this event is space limited. Please contact the OLLI registrar Alice Clark at aclark24@gmu.edu or 703-503-3384 to reserve your space! 
From 1:15 to 2:15: 
  • Visit any tables you missed and socialize with OLLI members and staff
 RSVP is preferred, but not required, at ollirsvp@gmu.edu.
 

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OLLI Book Club

By Ceda McGrew, Club Coordinator 

The OLLI Book Club will meet on Wednesday, September 10, at 10:00 at Tallwood. The book for discussion is Yellow Star by Jennifer Roy. It is the account of a Jewish family, one of the few who survived life in the ghetto in Lodz, Poland, during World War II. The story is told through the diary of the younger daughter, who is the aunt of the author. At the time of the book's publication the aunt was living in Maryland and working as a volunteer at the Holocaust Museum. All OLLI members are welcome.

The book for October is The Light Between the Oceans by M. L. Stedman.
 

Computer Club


by Paul Howard, Computer Club Coordinator

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, September 20, at Tallwood. Presentations will begin at 1:00.
 
The Internet of Things presented by Gary Arlen—Industry Analyst
 
The Internet of Things (IoT), depending on whom you believe, will be an industry generating $300 billion (Gartner) or $7.1 trillion (International Data Corp.) in revenues by 2020. Or maybe something bigger, smaller, or in between.
 
As devices—from connected wearables to smart-home products—expand their presence worldwide, the opportunities in IoT loom large. Interconnectedness is at the core of IoT, raising important questions about how well companies can play together to exploit the promise of this emerging business. The evolving IoT ecosystem encompasses consumer electronics, computing, telecommunications (wired and wireless) plus countless variables, including human interfaces and market acceptance.
 
Gary Arlen is president of Arlen Communications LLC, a Bethesda research and analysis firm specializing in converging media, telecommunications, and information services. For more than 30 years, Gary has conducted extensive research on business development and customer acceptance of new media/telecom technologies.
 
Learn 30: Overcoming the Physical Stresses of Computer Use presented by Rolston James—Reston YMCA Wellness and Fitness Trainer
 
The computer has become one of the most powerful forces in society today and has had a significant effect on organizations, organizational structure, and the workforce. Despite the numerous benefits and advantages that are available to us because of computers, using them causes potential problems. In corporate America, adult Americans now spend most of their waking hours sitting at desks, crouched over them for prolonged periods of time. The result is health issues, such as lower and upper back problems, muscle spasms, overly tight neck and shoulder muscles, headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
 
Reston YMCA Wellness and Fitness Instructor Rolston James is a former certified Army Master Fitness Trainer and has over 12 years of experience managing various army fitness training programs. Rolston is a graduate of the National Massage Therapy Institute of Therapeutic Massage, and is also a certified Performance Enhancement Specialist—an advanced certification by the National Academy of Sports Medicine. His concept of fitness is to defy aging and enhance functional performance for everyday life.
 
Bring your yoga bands, stretching straps, or six-foot pieces of rope for participatory demonstrations to ease those computer-induced aches and pains!
 
See full details on this meeting by clicking here.  For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG website. OPCUG dues of $5 for 2014 will be collected at this meeting.

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Russia Discussion Club

By Gordon Canyock, Moderator

Formed in May as an offshoot of What’s in the Daily News?, the club meets for an hour on an irregular schedule to discuss developments related to Russia, primarily its conflict with Ukraine. There are no lectures or specific homework, but anyone who wishes to drop in is expected to have been reading articles in major newspapers on events in Russia and Ukraine.
 
When the club first met on May 19 we had no idea how frequently or for how many months we would be meeting. Since the crisis in Ukraine continues to ferment, we will continue to meet, but not as often as we did in June and July. Our next scheduled meetings, as listed in the OLLI Calendar, are on September 15 at noon in TA-1, then at 9:30 on September 26, October 10, and October 24 in the Tallwood Annex. If events warrant, I will call for an additional meeting when I can arrange a time and place with the staff and post the announcement on my blog.
 
Further information on news sources and updates on our meeting schedule will be posted on the Russian Discussion Club blog, 
 

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Interested in technology? Learn with us!


by Paul Howard, Audiovisual Support Committee

OLLI'S AUDIOVISUAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE (a.k.a. the Tom Swift Squad) seeks additional volunteers to help ensure the smooth employment of OLLI's audiovisual resources. Our primary mission is to help instructors, liaisons, and staff with any audiovisual issues that might arise during the classes we attend. Our team is learning to use the LifeSize videoconferencing systems that offer the ability to share classes and meetings between OLLI locations.

We'll be meeting at 1:00 on Wednesday, September 17, in Tallwood Cottage. We'll offer hands-on training on our classroom audiovisual equipment, discuss future activities, and undertake a storage enhancement project.

Please let me know if you're planning to attend or would like to become a "Swiftie" even if you can't come to this meeting. Contact me by email at  phoward@gmu.edu (preferred) or phone (703-860-9246).

For more information on the Audiovisual Support Committee, see its web page. 

Photo of the Month
The August Photo of the Month theme was open (i.e., unspecified). We selected Rita Gustin's photo Barn Kittens, which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's website.

By Dan Feighery, Photography Club  Club Coordinator

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Old Folks
 
When I was a child
the old folks seemed
to move so slowly
deliberately
whatever they were doing
answering the ringing phone
turning down the boiling pot
hanging laundry on the line.
 
With effort, a grunt or a sigh
they hefted their bulk
from a chair or collapsed
onto the couch.
 
Come here, child and pick up
that pin, spoon, dime for me
hurry up and bring me
that thing over there
they ordered, pointing.
 
My aunt used to say
My mind takes off
but my feet don’t follow.
 
Now I finally get it.
 
                        Carolyn F. Wyatt

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Arts & Music at George Mason

Performances, next two weeks

By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer

For tickets for either 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.

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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
Sat, Sep 20, 8
Alexander Schimpf, piano
Brahms: Symphony No. 2
Grieg: Piano Concerto
Glinka: Overture Ruslan and Ludmilla 
Admission: $60, $45, $25
Concert Hall
 
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Classics Go Pop!
Sun, Sep 21, 7
Admission: $40, $34, $24
Concert Hall
 
Arts by George
Sat, Sep 27, 5
Includes dinner, drinks, entertainment, concert and post-concert reception with Patti LuPone. See web site. 
Admission: $250 ($80 tax deductible)
Concert Hall
 
Patti LuPone: COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA….Played That Part
Sat, Sep 27, 8
Part of the Arts by George , which begins at 5. Admission is $250 and includes dinner, drinks, entertainment, concert and post-concert reception with artist. See web site.
Admission: $100, $85, $60
Concert Hall
Mason Student & Faculty Performances

Grand Piano Celebration
Sun, Sep 21, 3
Linda Monson with faculty and student scholarship recipients
Admission: $20
Concert Hall
 
Mason Jazz Combos Recital
Wed, Sep 24, 12:30
Admission: Free
Harris Theatre
 
David Zerkel: Visiting Artist Tuba Recital
Wed, Sep 24, 8
Admission: Free
Harris Theatre

.

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At the Hylton Center

Relationship: Tom Neel & Linda Neel, Artists
Sep 3–Sep 28
Gallery Reception: Sep 4, 6–8
The Buchanan Partners Art Gallery is open to the public Tue–Sat, 10–6; Thur, 10–8; and two hours before performances. For more information about the current exhibit, visit HyltonCenter.org/gallery.
For reception RSVP to Hylton@gmu.edu.
Admission: Free
 
Dailey & Vincent LIVE: A Live Recording Event
Sat, Sep 13, 7
Sun, Sep 14, 6
Bluegrass. Sep 13 performance already sold out.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20
 
Broadway's Next Hit Musical
Sat: Sep 20, 8
Improvisational musical comedy.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $44, $37, $26
 
Degrees of Insanity: Jimmy Merit Live
Sat, Sep 27, 8:30
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $18.00
 
Nature Visions Photo Expo
Sep 28–Nov 16
The Buchanan Partners Art Gallery is open to the public Tue–Sat, 10–6; Thur, 10–8; and two hours before performances. Gallery Reception: Thur, Oct 2, 6–8. For more information about the current exhibit, visit HyltonCenter.org/gallery. For reception RSVP to Hylton@gmu.edu.
Admission: Free
 

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For further details on any of the above events, please see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar

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Mason Highlights

Other Mason events, next two weeks

By Helen Ackerman, OLLI E-News Staff Writer
Ballroom Club Dance Practice. Try a wide variety of partner dances such as waltz, salsa, tango, and fox trot. The Ballroom Club offers free social dance practice, including general instruction in social dance as well as introductory lessons, every Tuesday. Open to all Mason students, faculty, and staff of all experience levels. No partner required. The Hub, Back Ballroom. Tue, Sep 9 and 16, 6 to 9. Free.

Seminar: Israeli Water Resources at a Crossroads. Dr. Alon Tal, a leading Israeli environmental activist, discusses whether Israel's management of water resources, a model for the world, is sustainable. Tue, Sep 9, 3 to 4. Exploratory Hall, Room 3301. Free and open to the public. The event will also be live at https://www.youtube.com/user/masonwaterforum.

Book Festival. Fall for the Book. Enjoy a week’s worth of literary events featuring writers from Jodi Picault to Richard Russo. Thu, Sep 11 to Thu, Sep 18. Most events are free. For schedule details, see http://fallforthebook.org/.

Book Sale. Mason Libraries annual book sale provides a chance to find a variety of unusual books. Thu, Sep 11, 10 to 7; Fri, Sep 12, 10 to 7; and Mon, Sep 15, 10 to 4. Johnson Center, Rooms 234, 243, 244.


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Meetings & Clubs

The following list covering the next three 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 Sep 6 10:30am Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Mon Sep 8 10:00am What’s in the Daily News? cont’d–TA-1
Tue Sep 9   9:30am
10:00am
10:00am		 Cottage Art–Cottage
Knitting and Needlework Club–Panera, Herndon
Program Planning Committee–TA-1
Wed Sep 10 10:00am
10:00am
10:30am		 Book Club–TA-2
Bridge Club–TA-3
Tom Crooker Investment Forum–TA-1
Thu Sep 11 10:00am
10:30am		 Liaison Committee–Annex
Loudoun Program Planning Group-
Fri Sep 12   9:00am
  9:30am
10:00am
11:00am		 Recorder Consort–TA-3
Photography Club–TA-1
Craft and Conversation–Cottage
Homer, etc–Annex
Sat Sep 13 10:30am Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Mon Sep 15 10:00am
12:00pm		 What’s in the Daily News? cont’d–TA-1
Russia Discussion Group–TA-1
Tue Sep 16   9:30am
10:00am		 Cottage Art-Cottage
Knitting and Needlework Club–Panera, Herndon
Wed Sep 17 10:00am
10:00am
10:30am
 1:00pm		 Mah Jongg Club–TA-2
Bridge Club–TA-3
Tom Crooker Investment Forum–TA-1
AV Committee–Cottage
Fri Sep 19  9:00am
10:00am
10:00am
11:00am
12:00pm		 Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation Group–Cottage
Board of Directors–TA-1
Homer, etc–Annex
Cooking Club–Cottage
Sat Sep 20 10:30am
 1:00pm		 Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Computer Club-TA-1
Tue Sep 23 10:00am Knitting and Needlework Club–Panera, Herndon
Wed Sep 24  1:45pm Bridge Club–TA-3
Fri Sep 26  9:00am
 9:00am
 9:30am
11:00am
11:00am
12:00pm		 Recorder Consort-TA-3
Travel Club–TA-2
Russia Discussion Group-Annex
Homer, etc–Annex
Moby Dick Club­–TA-2
Photography Club–TA-1

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About OLLI E-News

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:
Weekly Editorial Team: Paul Van Hemel, Sheri Siesseger, Leslie Vandivere,
Proofreaders:  John West, Gordon Canyock, Susan Van Hemel
Backup Chief Editor: Sheri Siesseger

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 pm Tuesday for that week's issue (6:00 pm 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.

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OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

4210 Roberts Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone: (703) 503-3384
Email: olli@gmu.edu

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