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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.

Print a condensed .pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper. Website   What's New   Catalog   DocStore   Facebook   Officials   Member Portal   Contact Us E-News Staff Irene Osterman (Left) and Paul Van Hemel Welcome Pat Bangs, Joining the Team of Editors   March 27, 2015 Editor of the Week: Leslie Vandivere Table of Contents Alerts & Notices FUN at OLLI in April Board Meeting Summary Candidates for the Board of Directors Virginia Task Force 1 Welcome New Members Thank-You Brunch Mason Scholar's Presentation An "Aha!" Moment Film Screening: Last Days of Vietnam Ask Uncle Olli History Club Photo of the Month Poet's Corner Arts & Music at George Mason Meetings & Clubs About OLLI E-News Alerts & Notices Correction: In last week's issue of OLLI E-News, Lord of Life Church Pastor Ron Qualley's name was misspelled. We apologize for the error. Back to Top of Page FUN at OLLI in April By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director During the month of April there are three social events planned—one for each OLLI venue! 982 Shakespeare’s Birthday Party, April 23 at 2:15 at Loudoun. April 23 is Shakespeare's birthday as well as the anniversary of his death. We're having a party! Our party will have cakes and ale (punch); Elizabethan music; videos of fools doing the Morris dance; a viewing of rare footage of the Bard himself in the office of Richard Burbage discussing one of Will's plays and; of course, camaraderie and some surprises. Registration is required. 983 Annual Business Meeting and Picnic, Friday, May 1 at Tallwood. The annual business meeting starts at 10:00, followed by the picnic at 11:00. At the annual business meeting you will learn about the programming and operations of OLLI, as well as hear from the candidates for the Board of Directors. Voting for the Board of Directors will also begin on this day. Following the meeting, join other members for the annual picnic and enjoy the beautiful gardens and landscaping at OLLI. Please bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to the event. The meeting is open to all members. Registration for the picnic portion of the event is required. 988 Super Salad Social, Friday, April 17, 12:00 at the RCC, Rose Gallery. Join us for lunch with your fellow OLLI members and for an opportunity to hear the Recorder Consort who will perform. Please bring a salad (green salad, pasta, or grain salad, fruit or fruit salad) or dessert to share. Registration is required. (corrected 3/28/15) Register for social events on the OLLI member portal. Go to the OLLI website at OLLI.gmu.edu and click on “Member Portal,” sign in, click on “View Current Offerings,” click on “Social Events” under the "Spotlighted" category, add the events you want to “Cart,” click “View Cart,” then “Checkout.” Back to Top of Page Board Meeting Summary By Irene Osterman, Board Secretary   At the Board of Director’s meeting on Friday, March 20, the Board approved the budget for 2015. Implementation of the new registration system and setting up two new venues both involved a considerable amount of work by staff and volunteers. Bonuses have been given to the executive director and the staff for work on the registration system. The Board also applauded Paul Howard for the many hours he has devoted to setting up the A/V equipment at the new venues. A list of issues is being put together for a discussion with Augusoft and Jennifer Disano welcomes comments from members. The Program Committee has been asked to examine the possibility of going to a three-term schedule.   Back to Top of Page Candidates for the Board of Directors By Martha Scanlon, Chair of Nominating Committee   The Nominating Committee is pleased to announce that the following members will stand for election to the Board of Directors: Carl Baxter Ray Beery Michelle Blandburg Emmett Fenlon Alan Glenn Martha Powers Corky Rainey Norma Jean Reck Bill Taylor Candidate biographies and pictures will be posted on the OLLI website and in social rooms in April. Please look for these candidates in your classes and around the campuses. Voting will take place May 1 to 15, when six of the candidates will be elected as directors.   Many thanks to the members of the Nominating Committee for their participation and thoughtful input to the selection of this strong slate of candidates. The committee members are Dave Mason, Russell Stone, Ted Parker, Paul Van Hemel, and Toni Acton. (Note: Petition candidates may be added until April 22.) Back to Top of Page Virginia Task Force 1 By Stephanie Trachtenberg, Coordinator   On Wednesday, April 29, OLLI members can meet personnel from Virginia Task Force 1 – International Urban Search and Rescue. The group comprises 200 trained workers, including doctors, structural engineers, and communications experts. They are known for their handling of highly skilled search dogs. Recently the canines have been trained in human remains detection, as seen last April in the Washington state mud slides. The members of TF1 will be sharing their mission of domestic and international disaster assistance in both natural or man-made catastrophic events, such as floods, typhoons, tornadoes, tsunamis, earthquakes, hurricanes, and cyclones, as well as bombings (Oklahoma City, Olympics) and events requiring security assistance. There are still seats available. Don’t miss this special presentation! Course 966B is on Wednesday, April 29, at 2:15 at Tallwood   Back to Top of Page Welcome New Members A special welcome to our new members! Look for RED DOTS on name tags and welcome these new members.   Robert Anderson, Reston Lesley Casula, Gainesville Norman Bayne, Springfield Janet Crumley, Fairfax Station James Beasley, Woodbridge James Dann, Fairfax Station Ellen Boyter, Springfield Suzanne Dann, Fairfax Station Mary Crisler, Fairfax Station Marilyn Dorn, Chantilly Louis Defalaise, Fairfax Bev Hirschfeld, Burke Niki Gamble, Annandale Paula Hollerbach, Fairfax Barbara Gillis, Fairfax Luise Krebel, Springfield Karen Hermansen, Herndon Robert Kreider, Potomac Falls Kristin Herzog, Fairfax Paige Lowther, Alexandria Dona Hill, Fairfax Judy Maginity, Clifton Ellen McCarthy, Haymarket Thomas McElwain, Springfield Doris McKee, Dumfries Esteban Molfino, Great Falls Leslie McNeill, Reston Sandra Passero, Reston Carolyn Radcliff, Alexandria Willa Pickering, Alexandria Abbey Siciliano, Reston Paula Nassen Poulos, Reston Elaine Sloan, Fairfax Carolyn Powers, Fairfax Sonia Stafko, Burke Joseph Puleo, Montclair Patrick Sullivan, Herndon Sarah Richard, Fairfax Karen Taimi, Clifton Gail Salo, Fairfax Susan Turner, McLean Michael Scott, Fairfax Byron Wong, Vienna Susan Shaw, Arlington Viktoria Allerdings, Burke Alice Svendson, Fairfax Elizabeth Bennett, Alexandria Cara Virchow, Fort Belvoir Brien Benson, Reston Mindi Weisenbloom, Burke Jessica Burmester, Fairfax Mary Woodson, Ashburn Cathleen Cameron, Haymarket     Back to Top of Page   Thank-You Brunch By Eleanor Pascale, OLLI Member and Contributor Lesley Bubenhofer held a brunch at her home on March 18 to thank all the volunteers on the Development Committee. The food was delicious and a grand time was had by all.   Back to Top of Page Mason Scholar's Presentation Members can sign up for this presentation on the Member Portal. Click on “Spotlighted” classes under “Added Courses” or go directly to the appropropriate page on the website by clicking here.   Back to Top of Page An "Aha!" Moment By Martha Powers, OLLI Member When I recently encountered a technical glitch on my laptop, I made a mental note to ask OLLI’s techno-guru Paul Howard about it. The next time I ran into him at Tallwood, I asked him about it and, in response, he asked me a question: “Did you Google it?” Then he added, “That’s why it’s called Lifelong Learning.” Aha! Teach a person to fish… Back to Top of Page Film Screening: Last Days of Vietnam By Jennifer Conors, Director of Military Services, George Mason University George Mason University, in partnership with local veterans organizations, is hosting a free screening of Rory Kennedy's 2014 Academy Award-nominated documentary film, Last Days in Vietnam. This screening coincides with Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, so the film will be preceded by a brief ceremony honoring veterans. It will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Professor Meredith Lair (a historian of the Vietnam War); Captain Paul Jacobs, who participated in the US evacuation of Saigon and is featured in the film; and Dave Nguyen, a prominent member of the Northern Virginia Vietnamese community who will speak to the impact of the fall of Saigon and the ensuing refugee crisis on South Vietnamese people. This event is also part of Mason's commitment to honor the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War as an official commemorative partner of the United States Vietnam War Commemoration, sponsored by the Department of Defense (http://www.vietnamwar50th.com/). The screening will be held at 6:30 on Sunday, March 29, in the Johnson Center Cinema on the Fairfax Campus.   Back to Top of Page Ask Uncle Olli By Uncle Olli, Driver Safety Consultant  Uncle Olli has lived in Northern Virginia most of his lifetime, and has encountered every traffic problem. But sometimes the little problems seem so trivial you are embarrassed to admit them. Easy. Ask Uncle Olli at ollienewseditor@gmail.com. He is embarrassed by nothing! I GOT A TICKET FOR PASSING A COP ON THE HIGHWAY WHO HAD SOMEONE PULLED OVER. WHAT GIVES? This is a fairly new rule, put in after too many highway police were injured by cars zooming by in the next lane. You must either shift a lane over or slow down, even if you are not exceeding the speed limit. Makes sense when you think about it. Back to Top of Page History Club By Beth Lambert, Reston Coordinator The History Club will meet on Wednesday, April 8, at 2:00 in TA1. Johnnie Hicks will speak on a subject that is very much in the news: “From Ancient Persia to Modern Iran . . .with a few interesting stories in between!” Johnnie has had extensive experience with world cultures and on two occasions was a teacher for the Teheran American School in Iran. Her OLLI courses on the Middle East have been thought provoking for many, and she is looking forward to a lively Q and A session at the meeting. All OLLI members are welcome to attend the History Club meetings. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, April 8, in TA1. Back to Top of Page Photo of the Month THE MARCH PHOTO  of the Month theme was open (i.e., unspecified). We selected Rita Gustin's photo "Norris Geyser Scenery" (from Yellowstone Park), which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website. By Dan Feighery, Photography Club Coordinator Back to Top of Page Poet's Corner Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop Elusive Spring                                                                                              Elusive spring, slow to come. Nature, that fickle woman, has one foot in winter the other nudging spring awake with little success. Spring, a recalcitrant child. Maples heavy with red flowerets crocus bulbs and daffodils springing up yet willow switches show no sign of yellow. Vines and grasses lie still dormant no hint of peepers’ song late snow blanketing our world.                                    Jan Bohall    Back to Top of Page Arts & Music at George Mason Performances, March 27 through April 6 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. At the Fairfax Campus Venues Mason Unplugged: Mary Lambert Thur, Apr 2, 8:00 Concert Hall Admission: $20   East Coast Dhamaka Sat, Apr 4, 7:00 Indian dance competition featuring 3 Fusion, 3 Raas, and 3 Bhangra teams. Concert Hall Admission: $20 Back to Top of Page Mason Student & Faculty Performances (see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals) An Experiment with an Air Pump Wed, Mar 25, 8:00 (Preview) Thur, Mar 26 - Sat, Mar 28, 8:00 Sat, Mar 28 and Sun, Mar 29, 2:00 Thur, Apr 2 - Sat, Apr 4, 8:00 Sat, Apr 4, 2:00 Harris Theatre Admission: Adults, $25; seniors, $15   Mason's School of Dance 2015 Gala Concert Fri, Mar 27 and Sat, Mar 28, 8:00 Sun, Mar 29, 4:00 (Hylton Center) Pupil Suite by Andrea Miller Lickety Split by Alejandro Cerrudo Vespers by Ulysses Dove Concert Hall Admission: Adults, $25; seniors, $15   Combined Choir Concert Sun, Mar 29, 7:00 Vienna Baptist Church 541 Marshall Road, SW, Vienna, VA Admission: Free   Symphony Orchestra Concert Mon, Mar 30, 8:00 Concert Hall Admission: Adults, $10; seniors, $5   Percussion Ensemble Concert Wed, Apr 1, 8:00 de Laski - Room 3001 Admission: Free   GMU Persian Club: Norouz Show 1394 Fri, Apr 3, 8:00 Merchant Hall Admission: $12   Back to Top of Page At the Hylton Center Mason School of Art Selected Faculty Exhibit Mar 9–Apr 20 Buchanan Partners Art Gallery Buchanan Partners Art Gallery is open to the public Tue-Sat, 10:00–6:00, Thur., 10:00–8:00 and two hours before performances. Gallery Reception: Thur, Mar 12, 6:00–8:00. For more information about the current exhibit, visit HyltonCenter.org/gallery. For reception RSVP to Hylton@gmu.edu. Admission: Free   Russian National Ballet Theatre: Cinderella Fri, Mar 27, 8:00 Pre-Performance Discussion: Alexander Daev, Assistant Artistic Director Merchant Hall Admission: $56, $48, $34   Black History Month Gala Fri, Mar 27, 6:00 (rescheduled from Feb 21) Gregory Family Theater Admission: $80 (includes dinner)   New Dominion Choraliers: A Musical Collaboration—From Schubert to the American Songbook! Sat, Mar 28, 7:30 Merchant Hall Admission: Adults, $20; seniors, $15 Back to Top of Page For further details on any of the above events, please see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar Back to Top of Page Mason Highlights Other Mason events, next two weeks By Helen Ackerman, OLLI E-News Staff Writer Film. Last Days in Vietnam. In the last days of the Vietnam War, American diplomats and military must decide if they can rescue any Vietnamese or must leave them behind.  Rory Kennedy's Academy Award-nominated documentary will be followed by a panel discussion. Sun, March 29, 6:30. Johnson Center, Cinema. Free. Film. Approaching the Elephant. Director Amanda Rose Wilder's feature film debut covers the inaugural year of the Teddy McArdle Free School in New Jersey, where all classes are voluntary and rules are determined by vote, adults and children have an equal say. The film observes founder Alex Khost and an indelible cast of outspoken young personalities as they form relationships, explore their surroundings and intensely debate the rules. Wed, Apr 1, 4:30 to 7:30. Johnson Center, Cinema. Free. Back to Top of Page Meetings & Clubs 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 Mar 28 10:30am Tai Chi Club­­–TA-3 Tue Mar 31 10:00am Knitting and Needlework Club­­–Panera, Herndon Wed Apr 1  1:30pm  1:45pm  1:45pm Mah Jongg Club–TA-2 Bridge Club–TA-3 Special Events Committee–Annex Fri Apr 3   9:00am 10:00am 11:00am 11:00am Recorder Consort–TA-3 Craft and Conversation–Cottage Classic Literature Club–TA-2 Homer etc–Annex Sat Apr 4 10:30am Tai Chi Club­­–TA-3 Tue Apr 7 10:00am Knitting and Needlework Club­­–Panera, Herndon Wed Apr 8   1:30pm   1:45pm   2:00pm Book Club–TA-2 Bridge Club–TA-3 History Club–TA-1 Fri Apr 10   9:00am   9:30am 10:00am 10:00am 11:00am 11:00am   Recorder Consort–TA-3 Photography Club–TA-1 Craft and Conversation–Cottage iPad User Group–UCP Reston Classic Literature Club–TA-2 Homer etc–Annex   Back to Top of Page