Summer 2017 Catalog

Below is a list of the courses, special events and ongoing Summer 2017 activities at all three locations (Fairfax, Reston and Loudoun). Unless otherwise noted, classes beginning with an F are held at Tallwood in Fairfax, an R at United Christian Parish in Reston, and an L at Mason's Loudoun County location in Sterling. To view non-course information in the catalog, click the following links for the Schedule of Classes (pdf) and Registration Form (pdf). If you plan to print the catalog rather than read it on your computer screen, you may prefer to print the Summer 2017 Catalog (pdf) in its normal two-column format. Class hours are 9:40–11:05, 11:50–1:15, and 2:15–3:40, unless otherwise noted.

100 Art and Music F101 The Female Trump? Austral F102 Smartphone Photography F103 Interior Designers' Secrets F104 All About Orchids F105 Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music R106 Understanding Barbershop Harmony: A Truly American Genre R107 The Recent Restoration of the United States Capitol Dome R108 Happy 100th to Dino! R109 I Love to Sing, but I Can't Carry a Tune R110 Frederic Bazille and the Birth of Impressionism R111 Homeless Songs: The Tunes Dropped from Broadway Musicals and Why L112 Unsung Stars: Standing in the Shadows L113 Errol Garner: Virtuoso Jazz Pianist L114 Fine Jewelry, Silver, and Coins: What Do We Do with Them? 200 Economics & Finance F201 The Tom Crooker Investment Forum F202 What Medicare Doesn't Cover F203 Political Economy of Modern Japan R204 Fraud/Identity Theft 300 History & International Studies F301 The Mummers: Fancy Brigades and String Bands F302 Japan's Biggest Secret during World War II F303 Rethinking the Russian Revolution of 1917 on its Centenary F304 The Five Greatest Games in Washington Nationals History F305 Wade Hampton: Wealthy Plantation Owner, Confederate General and Southern Politician F306 Park Rangers in Their Element R307 Martin Luther, the Great Reformer R308 Strange War Department Projects at Home and Overseas in World War II R309 Book Discussion with Matthew Davis, Author of When Things Get Dark: A Mongolian Winter's Tale L310 Germanic Peoples and the Roman Empire L311 The Golden Twenties in Berlin L312 Germany before Unification in 1871 L313 The Civil War Beyond the Battles 400 Literature, Theater & Writing F401 Family Storytelling Workshop F402 Poetry Workshop F403 The Boys in the Boat F404 Barsetshire 5: Trollope’s Small House at Allington F405 A Close Reading of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin F406 Literary Potpourri F407 "I Know That Face:" Great Character Actors from Hollywood's Golden Age F408 Finding the Music of Fairfax: A Guide to Writing Musicals R409 Those were the Days: Sitcoms of the '70s R410 Sense and Sensibility R411 Celebrating the Achievements of Joan Didion with A Year of Magical Thinking R412 Story and Writing Analysis: The Fire Escape R413 The History of the Joke R414 BYO Lunch & a Movie: The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! R415 Literary Roundtable R416 Hillbilly Elegy: Discussion Group L417 Only the Good Die Young: Movies about Real-Life Heroes   500 Languages 600 Religious Studies F601 Jesus at the Movies F602 Human and Divine Justice and Forgiveness F603 Bible "Heroes" and "Villains:" A Closer Look at Good and Evil F604 Holy Spirit: Fruit, Gifts, and Charisma R605 Introduction to Islam R606 Reading the Same Bible and GFinding Different Meanings: Four Case Studies L607 Where is God in a World of Sickness?

650 Humanities and Social Sciences F651 Caregiving Wisdom from an Ancient Sage F652 International Religious Freedom F653 Philosophical Case Study: What Makes a Good US Citizen? L654 TED Talk Discussion Group L655 Expats on the Payroll L656 India: A Cultural and Gastronomic Journey 700 Current Events F701 The Female Trump? Australian Senator Pauline Hanson is Frontrunner for the Title F702 Defeating ISIS: A Global Effort for a Global Threat F703 Buildig Resilient Communities to Address Migration and Marginalization F704 The Federal Law of Electronic Surveillance (ELSUR) for Criminal Investigations F705 "Tom and Gerry Show:" Bipartisan Perspectives on Issues Before the Congressv F706 Voter Fraud: Myth versus Reaity R707 All the News That's Fit to Print L708 America and the World: An Economic and business Perspective L709 State of the County Discussion with Loudoun Supervisor Ralph Buonav 800 Science, Technology & Health F801 chemistry for Those Who Hate or Flunked Chemistry, Part 2 F802 Bicycle Riding for the Chronologically Gifted F803 Does My Cat Have Cataracts? F804 Artificial Intelligence: Great Applications for Daily Living F805 Microsoft Windows 10 Made Simple F806 What Do We Need to Know About Addiction and the Recovery Process? R807 Gentle Yoga L808 Add Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years; Health the Right Way! 900 Other Topics F901 The Poor Man's Leftover Salad Goes Big Time: "The Caesar" F902  Building America's Only National Memorial to Military Women F903 Connecting with Grandchildren Via Technology R904 "I'm So Glad We Had this Time Together:" A Tribute to Carol Burnett R905 An Eye-Opening Walk Around Washington DC L906 Cruising the Rhone with a Viking by my Side</li> L907 Out of Sight of Land for 23 Days: Crossing the Atlantic with Family and a Cat in a Sailboat Special Events 950 951 A Visit to Two Great Mansions in Dupont Circle 952 National Museum of the Marine Corps Trip 953 Bus Trip tot he National Gallery of Art to see Frederic Bazille and the Birth of Impressionism 954 Michie Tavern and Monticello with Ken Plum 955 Supreme court Trip 1101 Grab 'n' Go Coffee Klatch 1102 Christmas in July (Texas Style!)   Ongoing Activities Annex Art Bridge Club Classic Literature Club Cooking Club Craft and Conversation Group Dirty Knee Club Doctor Who Club History Club Homer, etc. Mah Jongg Club Memoir--and More--Writing Group Personal Computer User Group Photography Club Recorder Consort Reston Book Club Spanish Club Tai Chi Club Tallwood Book Club Theater Lovers' Group The Tom Crooker Investment Forum Walking Group What’s in the Daily News? Continued

100 Art and Music

F101  Saints and Stories in Western Art

Tuesday, 11:50–1:15, June 28
One session
Instructor: Marion Deshmukh
Max Liebermann (1847-1935) is considered Germany’s premier impressionist painter. He both observed and participated in key historic events from Imperial Germany’s founding in 1870-71 to the Nazi dictatorship. His artistic talent, his leadership of alternative artists’ associations, his presidency of the Prussian Academy of Art during the tumultuous 1920s, and his cosmopolitanism, liberalism, and Judaism all fostered strong support among his admirers and intense animosities among his opponents. This illustrated talk will describe his critical cultural importance for Germany for over seven decades and his continued importance to Germany today.
Marion Deshmukh, Robert T. Hawkes Professor of History, Emerita, taught German and European cultural history and German art history at George Mason University, including courses on 19th and 20th century Germany, 19th and 20th century German and Austrian art, the Third Reich and Holocaust, Metropolitan Europe, and Western Civilization. She served as chair of the history and art history department from 1984-1995 and 2006-2007.

 

F102  Smartphone Photography

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, July 5–July 19
Three sessions
Instructor: Stan Schretter
Today the vast majority of photographs are created using cellphone cameras. This class is aimed at the beginning cellphone photographer. No previous knowledge of either photography or your cellphone camera is required. We will explore areas such as camera apps, how to create great pictures, and sharing your photos with others. As you know, there are many types of cellphones and each operates differently. The instructor will be using the iPhone/iPad to demonstrate the techniques covered in this class, but will try to answer questions about non-Apple devices. It will be helpful to bring your devices to class to follow the techniques we discuss. The instructor assumes that you know how to use your device and are able to download apps. Further information on those issues can be obtained either online or at a local Apple store.
Stan Schretter, an OLLI member, is an avid amateur photographer and has taught courses at OLLI for many years.

 

F103  Interior Designers’ Secrets

Wednesday, 11:50–1:15, July 12
One session
Instructor: Kim Johnson
Would you like to learn why some rooms just feel right while others never seem pulled together? Would you like to learn to upgrade your home by using basic principles of color and design? Kim Johnson is excited to share her 20 years of decoration, design, and renovation experience with you. This single session class delves into:

• finding the ideal color for a room and how best to use color
• understanding spatial balance
• accentuating the room’s focal point
• how to build a seamlessly layered room through consistency in style, color, and quality
• simple things to make your home more updated, reflective of your style and taste, and something to be proud of
• when and how to do a minor upgrade to a bathroom or kitchen, and what’s involved when it’s time for a major renovation
• current trends and styles
• how to best display your collections

Students are encouraged to bring photos to illustrate their particular design needs and questions—the last portion of the class will use their real-life examples to show interior design principles in action.
Kim Johnson became interested in interior design when she and her husband began renovating homes in the early ‘90s. After making naive mistakes with their first renovation, Johnson started studying interior design and what would make a house more salable and valuable. She knows about renovating spaces from an insider’s point of view. Over the years, she has transformed many spaces working with people on large and small projects. She enjoys discovering what will help homeowners love their home, and then making that happen. She has taught several classes on different aspects of design in her community over the past ten years.

 

F104 All About Orchids

Wednesday, 11:50–1:15, July 19
One session
Instructor: Jessica Goldman
While many believe that caring for an orchid can be challenging, it is actually just as simple as caring for any other indoor plant. In this class, you will learn everything you need to know about orchids, including the various types, proper maintenance, repotting after flowering, and of course, how to get your orchid to bloom again! You will soon be able to enjoy beautiful tropical flowers every year!
Jessica Goldman graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in costume design and theater technology. Finding passion in many forms of art, she is now a floral department manager. She has gained extensive knowledge by running a section of a business that includes weddings, special events and everyday design. She also has horticulture experience gained through several years as a member of 4-H.

 

F105  Soul Deep: The Story of Black Popular Music

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, June 15–July 20
Six sessions
Instructor: Michelle Blandburg
Soul music has conquered the world in the last 70 years. Growing from the raw, electric rhythms of the black underclass, it is now a billion-dollar industry with R&B and hip-hop dominating the world's music charts. It has been the soundtrack to some of the most extraordinary social, political, and cultural shifts. And, together with the civil rights movement, it has helped break down segregation and encourage the fight for racial equality. This six-part series, made by the British Broadcasting Corporation, charts the evolution of soul music with a fascinating combination of rare archive and contemporary interviews. From rhythm and blues to today's R&B, via gospel, southern soul, Motown, funk and hip-hop soul, Soul Deep tells the story of the rise of black popular music in the words of its greatest performers, producers, musicians and commentators.
Michelle Blandburg is an OLLI Board member, an avid lover of jazz and popular music, and an active member of the OLLI Players. She enjoys coordinating Readers’ Theater and all things theatrical.

 

R106 Understanding Barbershop Harmony: A Truly American Genre

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, June 12–June 26
Three sessions
Instructor: Cliff Shoemaker

• June 12: We will begin with a discussion of the history of barbershop music highlighted by video demonstrations.
• June 19: We will view Dave Stevens’ DVD about what barbershop music is.
• June 26: The final class will be a demonstration and sing-along with Retro barbershop quartet.

Cliff Shoemaker grew up singing “Sweet Adeline” with his three older sisters, and then sang in a barbershop quartet all four years of high school. After many years of singing in other choruses and church choirs, he returned to barbershop in 2009 when he joined the Fairfax Jubil-Aires. He has sung in six registered quartets, three of which have competed and won awards. His quartet, Retro, (http://www.fairfaxjubilaires.org/node/25) enjoys singing together, and as their bass is fond of saying, "So many great songs, and so little time to sing them!"

 

R107  The Recent Restoration of the United States Capitol Dome

Monday, 11:50–1:15, June 12
One session
Instructor: Walter Todenhoft
Just what happens when the historic dome of the Capitol is restored? How often is this done? Who does this kind of work? How long does it take? When will it be done again? How much did it cost?  These questions will be answered in this presentation, which includes pictures, a discussion, and a question and answer period. You will learn fascinating facts about the Capitol. This is an informative and informal presentation with questions from the audience encouraged.
Walter Todenhoft has been a tour guide at the US Capitol for the last four years. Through training and extensive study of the building, he has developed a unique insight into the Capitol, our nation’s beginnings, and what goes on in the building itself. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Maryland in clarinet performance and served in The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” for 30 years before coming to the Capitol.

 

R108  Happy 100th to Dino!

Monday, 9:40–11:05, July 17
One session
Instructor: Marianne Metz
Born in 1917, Dino Paul Crocetti was destined to become one of America’s most beloved entertainers. Better known as Dean Martin, he provided us with decades of music, comedy, and charm. Now, at his centennial, we let Dean entertain us again with some of his television work. We’ll get a taste of his celebrity roasts and then, during the last hour of the session, we’ll enjoy a full, uncut episode of The Dean Martin Variety Show from the late 1960s. Memories are made of this! (This substantially repeats Spring 2017 Between Term Event 1005BT previously presented at Tallwood.)
OLLI member Marianne Metz has offered classes on Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, Al, and classic American songwriters. She produces and hosts a weekly radio show, The Melody Lingers On, that features all of them and more.

 

R109  I Love to Sing, but I Can't Carry a Tune

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, June 13–June 27, July 18
Four sessions
Note dates
Instructor: Joette Alkire
The ability to carry a tune is a use it or lose it situation. But, if you have lost it or even if you  think you have never had it, this course can teach you how to carry a tune and sing in pitch. In a way, it is "magic" because there is a trick involved. In this class, you will have fun and will never be asked to sing by yourself in front of the rest of the class. Maximum enjoyment, minimum embarrassment. The goal is to start with classic tunes such as "Happy Birthday" and "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," singing them in pitch and with ease. As in The Sound of Music, we will start from the very beginning and yes, we will be singing "Do-Re-Mi" as well as easy folk songs and show tunes. This class might just change your life.
Joette Alkire loves to teach carrying a tune. She has taught voice since 1972, now specializing in vocal coaching for those auditioning for high school, college, and theatre. She has taught non-singers how to sing their lead roles; written and taught curricula for a middle school chorus and vocal arts (semi-private lessons); was a substitute music teacher for elementary/middle schools, including a long-term substitute music teacher for K-1 special needs and 3rd grades; and a director of church and synagogue choirs.has a BS in music education and a JD.

 

R110  Frédéric Bazille and the Birth of Impressionism

Thursday, 9:40–11:05, June 22
One session with optional bus trip
Instructor: Adrienne Wyman Kralick
Where would Monet or Renoir be today without Bazille? Really? Frédéric Bazille? He may not be a household name but without him, his generosity, and his family money, artists like Monet and Renoir may not have survived the “starving artist” years. Explore the work and life of “the pure hearted gentle giant” in this prelude to the current exhibit at the National Gallery of Art, Frédéric Bazille and the Birth of Impressionism. This thematic presentation of 75 works includes paintings by his friends, such as Claude Monet and Auguste Renoir. Several paintings from the National Gallery’s collection, which houses the largest group of Bazille’s works outside of France, will be featured in the first major American exhibition of the artist in 25 years. (See special event 953 on June 30 for a bus trip to visit the exhibit in person.) Despite his contributions to Impressionism, Frédéric Bazille (1841-1870) tragically died young, years before the first Impressionist exhibition, and he remains relatively unknown. In this lecture, instructor Adrienne Wyman Kralick will bring to light Bazille’s place as a central figure in the movement while entertaining you with the stories behind the paintings.
Adrienne Wyman Kralick is an accomplished oil painter, teacher, and exhibiting artist best known for lifelike portraits, intimate mother-and-child paintings, and vibrant African market scenes. Kralick is passionate about art history and is always searching to answer that age-old question, “How did they do that?” She gives museum tours from an artist’s perspective and teaches painting classes infused with lessons from art history for the Smithsonian Associates and other venues in the DC area and abroad. The Washington Postdescribed her portraits as elegant. More information and images of her work may be seen at www.adrienneartist.com.

 

R111  Homeless Songs: The Tunes Dropped from Broadway Musicals and Why

Thursday, 11:50–1:15, July 20
One session
Instructor: Daniel B. Moskowitz
We'll listen to some two dozen songs from Annie Get Your Gun, Fiddler on the Roof, My Fair Lady, On the Town, South Pacific, Chicago, and others by such composers as Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, George Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers, Jerry Herman, and Stephen Sondheim. But you won't remember hearing these songs when you saw the shows. That's because they weren't there; they were written for the shows but dropped some time between creation and opening night. As we discuss why they were turned out of their intended homes, we'll see how perhaps ruthless decisions can turn a so-so show into a successful musical.
Daniel B. Moskowitz is an award-winning journalist with a lifelong non-professional interest in American musical theatre. He has given many courses in American popular music at the American University OLLI, but this is his first venture for OLLI Mason.

 

L112  Unsung Stars: Standing in the Shadows

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, June 27, July 11
Two sessions
Note dates
Instructor: Michelle Blandburg  
Popular music has always utilized unsung and unknown talent. Join us for two excellent documentaries exploring the talent, joys, and frustrations of those in the background. What band played on more number-one hits than the Beatles, Elvis Presley, the Rolling Stones, and the Beach Boys combined? The Funk Brothers—a group of Detroit-based session musicians who were the background to most Motown recordings from 1959 to 1972. Although unknown beyond the show business world, they are considered one of the most successful groups of studio musicians in music history. Their story is told in the 2002 film Standing in the Shadows of Motown. The Funk Brothers were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007. The film 20 Feet from Stardom goes behind-the-scenes with back-up singers whose vocal talents supported stars like Michael Jackson, Bette Midler, Ray Charles, Mick Jagger, and Bruce Springsteen. This film was honored with numerous awards, including the 2014 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Michelle Blandburg is an OLLI Board member and officer, a music lover, and an active member of the OLLI Players. Her early childhood was spent in Detroit, within walking distance of Hitsville USA, Motown’s famous headquarters.

 

L113  Erroll Garner: Virtuoso Jazz Pianist

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, July 18–July 25
Two sessions
Instructor: Michelle Blandburg
Erroll Garner was an iconic American jazz pianist and composer. He has been described as a distinctive pianist, and a brilliant virtuoso. Jazz writer Scott Yanow said, “Using an orchestral approach straight from the swing era but open to the innovations of bop, his distinctive style could swing like no other.” But Garner was also skilled at creating ballads. His best-known composition, “Misty,” has become a jazz standard and was featured in Clint Eastwood’s 1971 film, Play Misty for Me. This class will feature music and DVDs of this brilliant musician in action. The instructor had a special connection to Erroll Garner. Her father, bassist Eddie Calhoun, was a member of Garner’s trio for more than ten years. She will share childhood memories of summer travels on the road with “the guys.” She will also read reminiscences about Garner from her father’s unpublished memoir, Big-Time Sharecroppers.
See L105 for instructor information.

 

L114  Fine Jewelry, Silver, and Coins: What Do We Do with Them?

Wednesday, 11:50–1:15, July 12
One session
Instructor: Jamie Grasso
Registrants will enjoy an interactive presentation where they are invited to bring one item (jewelry, silver and coins only) for evaluation. These items are used as teaching tools during the presentation to highlight different aspects of determining the monetary value of our possessions. This is very helpful to those who are thinking about downsizing or looking at what to pass on to relatives.
Jamie Grasso is a lifelong resident of Fairfax County and mother of two who loves jewelry, but what she loves most about her job is people. “I meet wonderful people and hear amazing stories every day.” Grasso is a Gemological Institute of America accredited jewelry and diamond professional who has been the owner and president of JG Jewelry and Estates for seven years. She brings 25+ years of sales, marketing and business experience to her company. She left her government career over a decade ago to address a crucial and growing need: honest, comprehensive valuation services for seniors. She knows that your things are more than just things. They are a part of your life.

 

200 Economics & Finance

 

F201 The Tom Crooker Investment Forum

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, June 14–June 21, July 5–July 19
Five sessions
Fairfax Lord of Life
Note dates
Moderator: Al Smuzynski
The Investment Forum, which meets weekly throughout the year, addresses investment topics of particular interest to retirees. A weekly agenda is distributed, and each session begins with open discussion of recent events in the economy and in financial markets, and their impact on investment decisions. Member presentations typically include such topics as: recent market indicators, stocks, bonds, funds (mutual, exchange-traded, and closed-end), real estate investment trusts (REITs), options, commodities, master limited partnerships, sectors, allocations, and investment strategies. We use analyses and data from the financial press.
Al Smuzynski is a retired bank regulator and an advocate of affordable housing. He currently serves on the boards of Virginia Community Capital and Community Capital Bank of Virginia.

F202  What Medicare Doesn't Cover

Wednesday, 9:40–11:05, July 12
One session
Instructors: Corey Allen, Kristian Sheils, Michelle Washington
Even when original Medicare covers your health care costs, you generally still have to pay a share of the medical expenses. Deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, outpatient services, and more can leave you exposed to significant out-of-pocket costs related to your health care needs. Medicare Supplement insurance can help you pay for the health care costs that Medicare doesn't cover. We'll discuss the pros and cons of various optionstoday.
Corey Allen has been an insurance agent for Bankers Life in Chantilly for the past year. He graduated with a BS in finance from Tuskegee University and has worked over 10 years in the pharmaceutical/medical sales industry.
Kristian “Krissy” Sheils is an insurance agent who joined Bankers Life in 2017. She has worked in the healthcare industry for over 20 years.
Michelle Washington has been a resident of Loudoun County for over 16 years. She has worked in the financial services industry since 2000, with the last ten years at Bankers Life.

 

F203  Political Economy of Modern Japan

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, June 22–July 13
Four sessions
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: Yong J. Yoon
Japan is the only non-Western country that has succeeded fully in modernizing economically and politically. This transformation was in response to the challenges posed by the West. The course will cover the political economy of modern Japan from the end of Tokugawa shogunate to the present.

• June 22: Covers the last decades of Tokugawa shogunate. Japan in the feudal Edo period (1600-1868) was a peaceful and orderly society, though somewhat backward.
• June 29: Will look at the revolution and transformation initiated by Meiji restoration (1868) until the end of Russo-Japanese war (1905). Japanese society had experienced innovations in commerce, political, and social institutions. The movement was toward a strong central government from a semi-feudal state to constitutional monarchy (1890).
• July 6: Examines the imperial Japan that ended with defeat in World War II.
• July 13: Considers the postwar political economy of Japan and contemporary Japan (1950-present). The end of the Pacific War in 1945 was a critical turning point. Many Japanese became reflective about their country, people, and history, and Kurosawa’s movie Rashomon captures the mood of the country well.

Yong J. Yoon has been teaching economics at Mason for the last 18 years. He is a senior research scholar at the Center for Study of Public Choice, and recently published a book, Individualism and Political Disorder (with James Buchanan). His current work includes ethics and economics.

 

R204  Fraud/Identity Theft

Monday, 11:50–1:15, June 19
One session
Instructor: Suba Saty
Con artists don’t care how hard you worked. They steal billions from Americans like you every year. We’re fighting back with the AARP Fraud Watch Network. AARP provides trained speakers to discuss fraud and identity theft. We’ll share an inside look at how scammers think, how to safeguard against identity theft and fraud, provide first-hand accounts from victims, and tell you what to do if you or someone you know has been a victim.
Suba Saty has been an AARP Community Ambassador for over two years. In that capacity, he provides presentations on fraud/identity theft and on HomeFit, smart solutions from AARP for making your home comfortable and safe. He also serves as an English conversation leader at Lorton Library and at Kingstowne Senior Center. He volunteers at Crestwood Elementary School to assist students with their reading and writing.

 

300 History & International Studies

 

F301 The Mummers: Fancy Brigades and String Bands

Tuesday, 9:40–11:05, June 20
One session
Instructor: Harriet Kaplan
Every New Year’s Day, Philadelphia hosts a Mummers Parade and performances at the Convention Center. These performances feature lavish costumes, music, scenery (in the Convention Center), and high spirits. Some of the marching brigades include highly decorated open vehicles from which children throw candy and other goodies to the waiting crowd. Mummery was brought to Philadelphia from Western Europe by South Philadelphia immigrants. The brigades are organized into clubs which prepare all year for the New Year’s Day festivities. Participants include children and adults of all ages. This class will discuss the history of mummery and the culture surrounding it.
Harriet Kaplan has been a member of OLLI since 1998. She is a retired audiologist and professor from Gallaudet University where she spent most of her professional life. Currently she is heavily involved with singing in two chorales and doing occasional solo work. She is also on the board of Friends of Music at George Mason University. A second passion is travel to all parts of the world. A recent trip to Philadelphia to see the Mummers Parade provided the motivation for this presentation.

 

F302  Japan’s Biggest Secret during World War II

Tuesday, 11:50–1:15, June 20
One session
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Jim Lewis
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor had gone better than they had planned. Although Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto had not destroyed any aircraft carriers, he had succeeded in knocking the United States out of the Pacific for six months. This bought precious time for Japan to conquer those nations with the most vital commodities, such as Indonesia, and to consolidate the gains behind a strong southern defensive perimeter. Yamamoto knew a protracted war against the United States would definitely not be in Japan’s interest. Therefore, he needed to find a way to take the war directly to the US mainland and, hopefully, deliver a knockout punch. How would they do that? Japan had a fully developed plan before the end of the war, but they were not able to implement it. Numerous diabolical plots had been planned and the results could have been devastating.
Jim Lewis is a noted Civil War and World War II historian, lecturer, and local Civil War site tour guide. He recently visited Europe to do in-depth research for his latest work, The Battle of Normandy through the Bulge. His works include: The Hunter Mill Road Civil War Self-Guided Tour, Forgotten Roads of the Hunter Mill Road Corridor, and Sunstroke and Ankle Deep Mud.

 

F303 Rethinking the Russian Revolution of 1917 on its Centenary

Tuesday, 9:40–11:05, July 11
One session
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Rex A. Wade
The Russian Revolution of 1917 is one of the most important events of modern history. Much of the world’s political, social, economic, and cultural life of the 20th century (and into the 21st) flowed out of or was profoundly affected by it. 2017 is its centenary. Our understanding of what happened that year has changed dramatically over the past half-century. This talk will look at the revolution with special emphasis on the new interpretations of what constituted the revolution. We will look at the political and social history, including groups not often discussed: women, front soldiers, and national minorities.
Rex A. Wade is professor of history, emeritus, at George Mason University. He is the author of multiple books on the revolution, most recently The Russian Revolution, 1917 (Cambridge University Press, Third Edition, 2017), as well as many scholarly articles.

 

F304  The Five Greatest Games in Washington Nationals History

Tuesday, 11:50–1:15, July 18
One session
Instructors: Jim Dunphy
The Nationals are now starting their 13th season bringing baseball back to the National Capital. One
of these years, they will win the World Series (or at least a playoff series) and everyone will acknowledge that win as the biggest game in Nationals history. But until then, what were the greatest games? We will discuss the five biggest games over the past years, and some that almost made the list. Take a stroll down memory lane to see if you agree with the choices—and let’s hear some alternates as OLLI takes you out to the ball game.
Jim Dunphy, who was born in Brooklyn shortly before the Dodgers left, had the misfortune of first being a Mets fan when he grew up, and then moving to the DC area shortly after the Senators decamped for Texas. He has been a partial season ticket holder for the Nationals since 2012 (and will take credit for the fact that during that year they were in the post-season for the first time.) Six years later, he is still waiting for the first post-season series win. He plans to teach a series of classes in the future about both the Nationals and baseball.

 

F305  Wade Hampton: Wealthy Plantation Owner, Confederate General and Southern Politician

Thursday, 9:40–11:05, June 15
One session
Instructor: Jim Crumley
This course focuses on the life of Wade Hampton III, one of the two South Carolinians represented in the National Statuary Hall in the US Capitol. Prior to the Civil War, Hampton was the wealthiest plantation owner in the south and one of the richest men in the country. During the war, he rose to the rank of lieutenant general in the Confederacy. After the war, broke and homeless, he became governor and then senator of his state with the support of the infamous “red shirts,” armed gangs who attempted to intimidate African American voters. Despite proclaiming himself “unreconstructed,” he pushed for equal education for all and ran a remarkably bipartisan administration. After being forced from office for being “too moderate” on race issues, he was named federal railroad commissioner by both Democratic and Republican administrations. Course attendees should find Hampton to be an interesting and complex man with traits and views ranging from the admirable to the contemptible.
Jim Crumley has been an OLLI member for six years. During a 24-year Air Force career, he served in a variety of positions as a pilot, commander, and staff officer, retiring in 1990. He then spent another 18 years as a senior executive with three different Fortune 500 companies before retiring for good in 2008.          Having studied the American Civil War virtually all of his life, this is his second presentation at OLLI.

 

F306  Park Rangers in Their Element

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, June 15–June 22, July 13–July 20
Four sessions
Fairfax Lord of Life Sanctuary
Note dates
Coordinators: Brad Berger, Emmett Fenlon
Over 400 units comprise the National Park Service, stretching from sea to shining sea. The rangers who serve at National Mall and Memorial Parks are veterans of many of these locales. A broad range of talented personnel have sharpened their skills at far-flung spots in the service, which they now bring to our nation’s capital. The stories they share will be sure to enlighten and entertain as they recount ranger life and operations at our natural wonders and historic landmarks.
National Park Service rangers have participated with OLLI in over 80 thematic courses, special events and trips since 2001.

 

R307  Martin Luther, the Great Reformer

Monday, 11:50–1:15, July 3
One session
Instructor: Almuth Payne
Martin Luther (1483-1546), a learned Augustinian monk in a backwater German city, had no intention of starting a new religion. He was unhappy with the many abuses and practices of the Catholic Church that had developed over time and which, he felt, distanced the people from their true faith. Five hundred years ago, he posted a list of these abuses on the church door at Wittenberg, where he taught theology, hoping to start a helpful discussion to “reform” the Church. Helped by the new printing press, his message spread rapidly to a receptive audience. As a faithful son of the Church, he never dreamed that this document would set the medieval world into an uproar, that he would be declared a heretic, in dangerous conflict with pope and emperor, and that the effects would linger into modern times. It was the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, which is being commemorated during this 500-year anniversary by special events in Protestant churches, especially in Germany. This talk will explore the life of Luther and how he changed the western world.
Almuth Payne is a native of Germany and grew up in California. She has a BA from UC Berkeley in German literature with a minor in history. She has worked as a teacher, reporter, and office assistant. She is an avid reader, enjoying both fiction and non-fiction, especially history.

 

R308  Strange War Department Projects at Home and Overseas in World War II

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, June 13–June 27
Three sessions
Instructor: Raoul Drapeau

● June 13, June 20: Wacky Weapons of World War II. Both the Allies and the Axis powers developed some truly strange weapons that showed their creativity—and their desperation. Some of them were very effective, and others failed spectacularly. This talk is illustrated extensively by photographs and vintage film clips. There will be a separate lecture about each side’s weapons.

● June 27: Homeland Defense—World War II-Style. The concept of a homeland defense effort is not a recent one. During World War II, the US military developed numerous schemes to involve the populace in the war effort and to detect and blunt any attempts at invasion or attack.

Raoul Drapeau graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a master’s degree in electrical engineering. He was most recently employed as a principal and co-founder of several high-tech firms in the Washington, DC area. He has an interest in the technology and history of World War II, and is a frequent lecturer on the subject and contributor to magazines in that field.

 

R309  Book Discussion with Matthew Davis, Author of When Things Get Dark: A Mongolian Winter’s Tale

Thursday, 9:40–11:05, June 29
One session
Instructor: Matthew Davis
Matthew Davis is the founding director of The Alan Cheuse International Writers Center at George Mason University. After graduating from college, Davis joined the Peace Corps in Mongolia from 2000-2002. His first book, When Things Get Dark: A Mongolian Winter’s Tale, was a direct result of his time in the Mongolian countryside. He will discuss his book, the wonderful country of Mongolia, and travel writing more broadly. Davis lived in Mongolia as the country underwent a dramatic transition from its pastoral, nomadic roots to a more urban lifestyle. Davis will also discuss The Cheuse Center at George Mason University, a new cultural diplomatic institution that celebrates the art of creative writing as a means of international dialogue, exchange, and understanding.
Matt Davis is an award-winning writer with a master of fine arts in creative writing from the University of Iowa and a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University. He has been a Fulbright Fellow to Syria and Jordan; a Tom and Mary Gallagher Fellow at the Black Mountain Institute at University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and is currently an Eric and Wendy Schmidt Fellow at New America in Washington, DC.

 

L310  Germanic Peoples and the Roman Empire

Tuesday, 11:50–1:15, July 25
One session
Instructor: Stephanie Campbell
The culture of Germanic peoples was shaped by their interactions with the Roman Empire, almost as much as Rome was influenced, and arguably dismantled, by Germanic “barbarian” culture. This lecture will explore the complex and often misunderstood history of ancient Germanic peoples, with special emphasis on their conflicts with and contributions to the Roman Empire. We’ll discuss Germanic influence in the Roman military from the perspective of Germans fighting both for and against Rome; Roman condescension toward “inferior barbarian peoples;” the degree to which Roman citizens assimilated to Germanic culture; and whether this Germanic/Roman culture clash helped facilitate the fall of the Roman Empire.
Stephanie Campbell received a BA in history and a BA in medieval and Renaissance studies from the College of William & Mary. She earned her MA in history at Catholic University. She is a history instructor at Northern Virginia Community College, and her expertise is in medieval history.

 

L311  The Golden Twenties in Berlin

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, June 28–July 5
Two sessions
Instructor: Vera Wentworth
The Golden Twenties marked the beginning of modernity. After the devastation of World War I, cultural life blossomed and old traditions gave way to a new age. Everything seemed possible; there were advances in technology, and radical new movements
in all aspects of the arts and literature, fashion, and lifestyle. Although often called the “Age of Excess,” the Twenties produced lasting achievements and ushered in modern society. We will examine how this first truly modern decade manifested itself in Berlin.
Vera Wentworth holds a PhD in English and has taught at the college level for 30 years, mostly at the University of Maryland and Prince George’s Community College. She has taught a variety of literature courses at OLLI.

 

L312  Germany before Unification in 1871

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, July 12–July 19
Two sessions
Instructor: Michael Kastle
This course explores the political entities that would eventually make up the nation state of Germany in 1871. We’ll answer the following questions:

● What did the area we now know as Germany look like before 1871?

● What happened in Europe after Charlemagne’s empire was divided upon his death?

● Who were the Germans that eventually made up the nation state in 1871?

Michael Kastle is an OLLI member. He has an engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology and is a registered professional engineer in the state of Illinois. He retired from US government service in 2007, having spent over half of his 25 years of service in overseas locations.

 

L313  The Civil War Beyond the Battles

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, July 6–July 27
Four sessions
Instructor: Jim Anderson
Each of the four lectures covers a different aspect of the American Civil War. We will avoid the usual focus on military campaigns or individual battles in favor of topics tangentially related to the fighting but rarely covered in the usual survey course.
· July 6: The Provost Marshal: Many Hats; Many Roles. Focuses on Marsena Patrick, Provost Marshal or military “policeman,” of the 130,000-man Union Army of the Potomac.

● July 13: Faith in the Fight: Civil War Chaplains. Examines the roles and duties of members of the faith community who volunteered to serve in the armies.

● July 20: Against All Odds: Civil War Medicine. Discusses medical advances made during the war and the impact of both battlefield wounds and disease.

● July 27: Women’s Roles: Plowing New Ground in Forbidden Fields. Explores advances made by women during the war in areas previously denied them, including medicine, administration, the clergy, industrial workforce, and the military by serving in combat.

Jim Anderson spent 27 years with the CIA, including tours in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Far East. He holds degrees in history from Rhodes College and the University of Memphis. For the past 11 years he has conducted corporate leadership training seminars featuring Civil War battlefield visits. He has been an instructor at OLLI for the past eight years, teaching courses and leading tours focusing on American history.

 

400 Literature, Theater, & Writing

F401  Family Storytelling Workshop

Tuesday, 9:40–11:05, June 13
One session
Instructor: Debra Lattanzi Shutika
This workshop will outline how to share and record family stories for children and grandchildren and how to preserve them for future generations using available technology (i.e., cell phones).
Dr. Debra Lattanzi Shutika, chair of the English department at George Mason University, is an ethnographer, writer, and folklorist. She is the author of Beyond the Borderlands: Migration and Belonging in the United States and Mexico, for which she was the winner of the Chicago Folklore Prize. Shutika teaches folklore, ethnographic writing, and ethnographic research methods at George Mason. University.

 

 

F402  Romancing 18th Century Historical Fiction

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, June 13–June 27, July 11–July 18
Five sessions
Note dates
Instructor: Ellen Moody
Class limit: 25
Our topic will be the nature of recent post-modern historical fiction and how it differs from traditional historical romance. We’ll read as examples the older traditional The King’s General by Daphne DuMaurier (1946) against the recent innovative The Volcano Lover (1992) by Susan Sontag. We'll explore how such books use documents and relics from an era, history, biography, life-writing, and fantasy, to reach and recreate the irretrievable, unknowable past. We’ll ask why historical fiction has become a central prestigious and popular genre in books and films in the last 40 years.
Ellen Moody holds a PhD in English literature from the Graduate School of City University of New York (CUNY). A lecturer for over 30 years, her last position was at Mason. She has published numerous essays, reviews, and editions of four texts on 18th century literature, women’s studies, and film adaptations.

 

F403  Poetry Workshop

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, June 13–June 27, July 11–July 18
Five sessions
Note dates
Moderators: Mike McNamara, Jan Bohall
Class limit: 16
This workshop allows both novice and experienced poets the opportunity to share their work and receive suggestions for improvement. Workshop members should bring an original poem in draft or revised form to each session. Two poems should be sent to the Tallwood office for duplication one week before the first class meeting and a third poem brought to the first session. The moderators will email students after registration to let them know exactly when and where to send their poems for the first class.
Mike McNamara, an OLLI member, has been published in several literary journals and magazines and has received awards from the Poetry Society of Virginia.
Jan Bohall, also an OLLI member, has had poems published in various periodicals and has won awards from the Poetry Society of Virginia.

 

F404  That “Scottish Play”

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, June 14–July 5
Four sessions
Instructor: Kathryn Russell
Shakespeare’s Macbeth bears the reputation as his unluckiest play, as actors throughout history have told tales of recurring mishaps on stage. The stories are so numerous that theater folk avoid uttering the title. Perhaps the aura of darkness and presence of the supernatural have combined to produce this tradition. Audiences, however, continue to be fascinated by the ghostly settings and tragic characters, thereby making Macbeth one of Shakespeare’s most popular plays. It features a tragic hero whose actions lead inexorably to widespread disaster. Macbeth's "vaulting ambition" and imaginative nature lead him to acts that assault his very soul. This ever-popular tragedy also features Lady Macbeth, who is her husband's equal in will and imagination. These characters populate a world of political intrigue and greed for power, a world that seems very modern, indeed. Through video scenes of several films and close reading of passages, we will probe the complexities of this play and compare various actors’ performances.
Kathryn Russell, a former high school English teacher, has taught several literature courses at OLLI. She is an avid Shakespeare fan and has taught several plays by the Bard, as well as works by some of her other favorite authors. She has also facilitated literature study groups. She currently serves as program committee co-chair.

 

F405  A Close Reading of Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, June 14–July 5
Four sessions
Instructor: Barbara Nelson
Class limit: 30
The first serialized chapter of Uncle Tom's Cabin appeared in the anti-slavery newspaper The National Era on June 5, 1851. By 1852 it was published as a two-volume book, which sold 300,000 copies in the United States and one million copies in Great Britain in that year alone. It was the best-selling novel of the 19th century and fueled the abolitionist movement of the 1850s. Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote this book in response to the 1850 Fugitive Slave Act. She said, “I wrote what I did because as a woman, a mother, I was oppressed and broken-hearted with the sorrows and injustice I saw, because as a Christian I felt the dishonor to Christianity—because as a lover of my country, I trembled at the coming day of wrath.” This course will closely read and discuss this important work, using the excellent resources available online at the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center and the University of Virginia's multi-media archive Uncle Tom's Cabin & American Culture. Both websites provide full text of the novel, and the UVA site also provides full text of Stowe's The Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin.
Barbara Nelson, an OLLI member, taught for over 30 years at the secondary level, the last 20 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. She has taught a number of literature classes at OLLI.

 

F406  Literary Potpourri

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, June 15–July 13
Five sessions
Coordinators: Rala Stone, Katie Mitchell, Jackie Gropman, Bill Taylor
Expand your literary orbit. Perk up the long hot, summer. Listen to a divergent group of speakers talk about specific books and fictional genres

● June 15: Fire Escape Stories, Vol. I and II. Hear the ins and outs of writing these coming-of-age stories of two Brooklyn cousins in the 1950s and how they use the fire escape, both literally and figuratively, for grappling with issues and challenges and ultimately making decisions about their life directions. Chuck Cascio is an award-winning journalist, educator, writer, and business leader with five published books.
● June 22: Jewish Women Authors. From literary to beach reads, mystery to history, and classic to contemporary, these authors present cultural insights and distinctive characters. Deborah Smith-Cohen is the assistant branch manager at Patrick Henry Library.
● June 29: Nancy Drew. A favorite of young readers from the 1930s through the recent revitalizations in spin-off series and on TV, the Girl Detective adventures offered telling glimpses of the values and concerns of their eras. Art Taylor teaches courses in crime fiction at George Mason University and is also an award-winning author (On the Road with Del and Louise).
● July 6: Local author, Nicole Kelleher, will discuss 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. Kelleher has published two books in the Medieval Fantasy Series: Wild Lavender and The Queen’s Dance.
● July 13: Selecting Books for Children and Teens at an Independent Bookstore. An examination of the issues considered when selecting trade books for the children and teen department at Politics and Prose. It necessary to provide a balance of backlist titles, popular titles and publishing trends. Booklets of current favorites will be available. Mary Alice Garber is a former Alexandria City public school teacher and is currently the head buyer for the children and teen department at Politics and Prose in Washington, DC.

 

F407  “I Know That Face:” Great Character Actors From Hollywood's Golden Age

Thursdays, 11:30–1:30, June 15–July 13
Five sessions
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: John Henkel
Walter Huston. Strother Martin. Alan Hale, Sr., and Ward Bond. They are not exactly household names, but you've seen them many times on the silver screen. They are the talented character actors who bring something special to some of the most beloved films of all time. Their presence in a movie is usually necessary to give the film character. They may portray evil baddies or clownish buffoons, and a film is regularly elevated by their skilled contributions. Their performances often earn Oscars and other film awards. In this class, we will view and discuss five classic films that feature prominent character actors:
● June 15: The Searchers
● June 22: The Adventures of Robin Hood
● June 29: Cool Hand Luke
● July 6: Arsenic and Old Lace
● July 13: The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
Besides learning more about character actors, we will have a good excuse to sit in a cool darkened room on a summer afternoon and watch five of Hollywood's best movies.
John Henkel is a lifelong movie buff who has previously taught six film history classes at OLLI. He has a background in journalism and public relations.

 

F408  Finding the Music of Fairfax: A Guide to Writing Musicals

Friday, 1:00–2:30, June 16
One session
Note time
Instructor: Alex Bulova
This summer, Fairfax County celebrates its 275th anniversary. What better way to commemorate the occasion than through the magic of musical comedy? Join writer-director Alex Bulova as he discusses his latest project, The Complete History of Fairfax: The Musical. The talk will summarize the entire creative process of putting on an original musical, including finding inspiration, writing musical numbers, and using improvisational theatre to connect with audiences. He will also discuss the surprise success of SuperNOVA, his previous musical, as well as his experiences doing high school, college, and professional theatre. Sneak previews of original music will be included throughout the discussion, and a question and answer session will follow the talk.
Alex Bulova is a graduate of Robinson Secondary School, and the winner of the NCA Cappie award for Best Comedic Actor in a Play. He currently studies film and government at the College of William & Mary. He is the ,co-composer,
co-writer, and director of SuperNOVA, the hit musical from last year’s DC Fringe Festival. His latest show, The Complete History of Fairfax: The Musical, premieres this summer. The play will be performed the evenings of July 6-8 at the James Lee Community Center in Falls Church. To purchase tickets, please visit the Fairfax275.org website.

 

R409  Those Were the Days: Sitcoms of the ‘70s

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, June 12–July 3
Four sessions
Instructor: Martha Powers
In 1973 and ’74, CBS aired four situation comedies back-to-back on Saturday nights: All in the Family, M*A*S*H, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Bob Newhart Show. If you miss that golden age of sitcoms when Saturday night TV was the highlight of the week, then you’ll enjoy this trip down memory lane. Each week, we’ll watch two of the very best episodes from these great series. We’ll have time for some up-front commentary before watching them, plus more time to share our thoughts after each.
Martha Powers is an OLLI member who enjoys sharing movies and TV shows with OLLI friends.

 

 

R410  Sense and Sensibility

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, July 3, July 17, July 24
Three sessions
Note dates
Instructor: Beth Lambert
Sense and Sensibility made its film debut in 1995, and it was an instant hit. Most people do not know that actress Emma Thompson was a passionate Jane Austen fan, and that she worked for five years writing the script for the film. It was worth that labor of love when the film Sense and Sensibility was nominated for seven Academy Awards. If you have never read the novel, this is your chance to see why Emma Thompson was willing to spend five years bringing this particular Austen novel to the screen. Sense and Sensibility is full of unforgettable characters who demonstrate Austen’s wit, humor, and deep grasp of human nature, as well as the dynamics of human relationships. All of this will provide material for lively discussion. Sense and Sensibility is an ideal novel for summer reading, and, of course, we will view the film.
Beth Lambert, an OLLI member, is a retired professor of English at Gettysburg College, where she taught courses on all aspects of 18th century England. At OLLI she teaches some of her favorite subjects (with Jane Austen’s novels ranking high among them), and she loves sharing them with OLLI members.

 

R411  Celebrating the Achievements of Joan Didion with A Year of Magical Thinking

Monday, 11:50–1:15, June 26
One session
Instructor: Patty Means
This presentation analyzes and deconstructs the literary style and prose of distinguished author and journalist Joan Didion, with an emphasis on her most celebrated work, A Year of Magical Thinking. This autobiographical bestseller about “a place none of us know until we reach it” will be the centerpiece of our class and discussion as we reflect on Didion’s observations that map the grief and memory associated with her own tragedy. Wrapped around this celebrated book will be a mini-lesson about Didion’s literary style and her ability to uniquely shape her ideas into single sentences that embed philosophy, symbolism, and historical reflections. OLLI members will leave this class with a better understanding of Didion’s literary style and journey as one of our nation's most prolific and respected writers.
Patty Z. Means is a film director and associate professor of English at Northern Virginia Community College, The George Washington University, and the University of Maryland’s University College.

 

R412  Story and Writing Analysis: The Fire Escape Stories

Tuesday, 9:40–11:05, June 13
One session
Instructor: Chuck Cascio
Fire Escape Stories, Vol. I and II. Hear the ins and outs of writing these coming-of-age stories of two Brooklyn cousins in the 50s and how they use the fire escape, both literally and figuratively, for grappling with issues and challenges, and ultimately making decisions about their life directions.
Chuck Cascio is an award-winning journalist, educator, writer, and business leader with five published books.

 

R413  The History of the Joke

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, June 13–June 20
Two sessions
Instructor: Michelle Blandburg
Where did comedy come from? Where is it going? Join us for a few laughs watching The History of the Joke, a video featuring acerbic comic Lewis Black as he tries to find the world’s funniest joke. Great comedians of yesterday, today, and tomorrow (over 50 funny men and women) will reveal what makes them, and in the process us, laugh! Black’s hilarious journey uncovers where jokes come from, what inspires comedians to make a career out of comedy, the nature of laughter, improvisation, the dirty joke, and the role of truth (and pain!) in comedy. Are men funnier than women? Do we laugh at the same things? Are people born funny? You may not find out the answers to these questions but you’ll have an awfully good time trying. Ponder these and other great mysteries of the comedy universe along with Dave Attell, George Carlin, Kathy Griffin, Robert Klein, George Lopez, Kathleen Madigan, Patton Oswalt, Penn & Teller, Robin Williams, and many, many more comedy greats!
See F105 for instructor information.

 

R414  BYO Lunch & a Movie: The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming!

Tuesday, 11:30–2:30, June 27
One session
Note time
Presenter: Martha Powers
Grab your sandwich and come to the OLLI screening of the 1966 movie, The Russians Are Coming! The Russians Are Coming! C’mon, admit it—you secretly miss the Cold War. So here’s your chance to relive those enthralling days in the 1960s, when you wondered what might happen next. For instance, what if a Soviet submarine ran aground just off the coast of the sleepy vacation town of Gloucester, MA? This hilarious movie addresses that possibility, and showcases the talents of Carl Reiner, Alan Arkin, Brian Keith, Jonathan Winters, and Eva Marie Saint, among others. It’s rarely aired on TV these days, so join us for this chance to see it on the big screen. Although this movie is definitely a comedy, it made a significant statement at the time of its release, since it questioned whether Russians and Americans were inherent enemies. If anything, this film showed how much we—and all people—have in common, and how much we will help each other when push comes to shove. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll shout, “DA!”
See F409 for presenter information.

 

R415  Literary Roundtable

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, June 14–July 19
Reston’s Used Book Shop at Lake Anne
Six sessions
Moderator: Ben Gold
Class limit: 21
This short-story discussion class will use the book Adaptations: From Short Story to Big Screen: 35 Great Stories That Have Inspired Great Films. Some of the well-known and much loved movies that began their lives as short stories include Memento, All About Eve, Rear Window, Rashomon, and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Decide for yourself whether the short story was better than the movie, or was it the other way around? The book is available online from Amazon or Barnes & Noble.
Ben Gold has a BA in political science from Stanford University and also holds an MS degree in computer science. He is taking on the moderator role after many years as a class participant.

 

R416  Hillbilly Elegy: Discussion Group

Thursday, 9:40–11:05, July 20
One session
Instructor: Nancy Scheeler
J.D. Vance’s Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and a Culture in Crisis headed The New York Times Hardcover Nonfiction Best Seller List for months. Why? The Times’ own review offers an explanation: “Now, along comes Mr. Vance, offering a compassionate, discerning sociological analysis of the white underclass that has helped drive the politics of rebellion, particularly the ascent of Donald J. Trump. Combining thoughtful inquiry with firsthand experience, Mr. Vance has inadvertently provided a civilized reference guide for an uncivilized election, and he’s done so in a vocabulary intelligible to both Democrats and Republicans.” Vance’s account of his life story to date raises questions that merit discussion. What exactly are the problems that are discouraging and angering so many Americans? What drives these problems? What can be done to alleviate them? How can we in Northern Virginia begin to understand the cultural upheaval that is our current political landscape? In the mode of a book club discussion, we will consider these questions. The intent is to use the book as a prism for understanding the major issues and identifying some possible ways forward.
Nancy Scheeler has no credentials in American political history, sociology, or American culture other than living in the United States for her whole life. She is the co-leader of the Reston Book Club, where OLLI members enjoy discussions of books based on their own observations and insights. She is hoping that OLLI members can tackle the questions raised by Hillbilly Elegy in a balanced and civilized manner.

 

L417  Only the Good Die Young: Movies about Real-Life Heroes

Thursdays, 11:30–1:30, June 29–July 27
Five sessions
Note time
Instructor: Martha Powers
If you’re over 55, then you’ve outlived the six individuals whose true stories are told in these highly-rated movies. Each shuffled off this mortal coil at a relatively young age, yet their courage and self-determination are admirable. Despite the sad endings, you’ll leave these movies uplifted and inspired.
● Brian’s Song: Based on the real-life relationship between football teammates Brian Piccolo and Gale Sayers, and the bond established when Piccolo discovers that he is dying. (James Caan, Billy Dee Williams)
● The Diving Bell and the Butterfly: Elle magazine editor Jean-Dominique Bauby suffered a stroke and lived with an almost totally paralyzed body—yet managed to write his memoir by blinking one eye. (Mathieu Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner; in French with subtitles)
● The Elephant Man: A terribly disfigured man is mistreated while scraping a living as a side-show freak, but behind his monstrous facade, there is a person of great intelligence and sensitivity. (Anthony Hopkins, John Hurt, Anne Bancroft)
● The Sea Inside: The true story of Spaniard Ramon Sampedro, who became a quadriplegic after a diving bell accident at age 25 and fought a 29-year campaign in favor of euthanasia and his own right to die. (Javier Bardem, Belén Rueda; in Spanish with subtitles)
● Pride of the Yankees: Baseball great Lou Gehrig’s name is still associated with the disease that took his life at age 37: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS. (Gary Cooper, Teresa Wright)
See R409 for instructor information.

 

500 Languages

 

600 Religious Studies

F601  Jesus at the Movies

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, June 13–June 27, July 11
Four sessions
Note dates
Instructor: Jack Dalby
Westerners know Jesus of Nazareth through a variety of sources: the canonical gospels, religious artwork, church hymns and sermons, secular histories, and creative novels. But perhaps the most compelling and ubiquitous images and understandings of Jesus come to us through his portrayal in cinema, where, since 1897, directors have attempted to bring the story of Jesus to life. In each of these sessions we will take a critical but lighthearted look at one of four representative movies: Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings, George Stevens’ The Greatest Story Ever Told, Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ, and Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. Rather than critiquing each film’s technical and artistic merits, we will instead discuss how the directors of these particular films chose to portray Jesus. Does the director follow any particular gospel or does he harmonize parts of multiple gospels? Does the film reflect the social environment of the year in which it was made? How does the director handle the historical gaps in the Jesus story? Thanks to the miracle of Amazon.com, our sessions will include watching portions of all four films during class. Viewing the film before each class is highly recommended since we will not be able to view the entire film in the class time allotted.
Jack Dalby holds a BS in communication arts from James Madison University and has taken graduate classes in history at Mason. He is president of White Oak Communications and an OLLI member who has taught classes on the historical Jesus, St. Paul, and the first Christians.

 

F602   Human and Divine Justice and Forgiveness

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, June 14–July 19
Six sessions
Instructor: Steve Goldman
Class Limit: 15
This seminar will explore the scope, meaning, and possible limits of forgiveness. Our principal text will be Simon Wiesenthal’s classic book The Sunflower: On the Possibilities and Limits of Forgiveness. Each session will begin with a 20-minute introduction by the instructor, followed by a discussion involving all of the participants. Some of the issues for discussion include:

• How do we understand the relationship between justice and forgiveness?
• Do we have the moral authority to forgive or ask forgiveness for offenses committed against others?
• Are some offenses so egregious that they should not be forgiven under any conditions? If so, what are these offenses and how do they differ from those which can be forgiven?
• Does forgiveness include absolution from payment for offenses committed?
• What do the sacred texts of different religious traditions teach about God’s willingness to forgive, and what do they say about the obligations of humans to forgive or withhold forgiveness?
  Steven C. Goldman serves as chair of OLLI’s Religious Studies Program Planning Group. He has taught numerous courses on alternative understandings of Biblical doctrine.

 

F603  Bible “Heroes” and “Villains:” A Closer Look at Good and Evil

Wednesday, 11:50–1:15, June 28
One session
Instructors: Steve Goldman, Stephen Ruth
We all know many Biblical figures generally considered to be either heroes or villains. However, on closer examination these dualistic categories may not be appropriate. Some “heroes” did wicked deeds, not only due to their own frailties, but also at God’s supposed command. Is it possible that God directed or condoned what the civilized world now considers evil, or do we need to reconsider our own values in light of Biblical teachings? Are persons generally considered “villains” the personification of pure evil, or do we need a more nuanced evaluation of their actions and intents? In this session, we will examine the portraits of a number of “heroes” and “villains” in an effort to better understand our own concepts of good and evil.
See F602 for instructor information on Steven C. Goldman.
Stephen Ruth is a professor of public policy at Mason, specializing in technology issues associated with globalization. He is also the director of the International Center for Applied Studies in Information Technology, a grant-supported research center. His book, One Year Trip through the Bible: A Layman’s Fresh View of the Complete Old and New Testaments, examines 73 books of the Hebrew Tanakh and the New Testament.

 

F604  Holy Spirit: Fruit, Gifts, and Charisma

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, June 29–July 20
Four sessions
Instructor: Jim Cantwell
Most Christian denominations affirm the belief in a triune Godhead composed of three co-equal persons all deserving of worship: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Most baptisms today in various Christian denominations are done in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. However, in the early days of Christianity, some believers did not even know that the Holy Spirit existed. Further, there is no text in the New Testament that specifically explains the doctrine known as “The Holy Trinity” as it is currently understood. In this course, we will examine the development of Christian thought regarding the nature, purpose, and functions of the Holy Spirit, including as expressed in the Christian creeds. Specifically, we will consider why some Christians place a great emphasis on the person, gifts (wisdom, knowledge, faith, prophesy, tongues, interpretation of tongues, the working of miracles, and the gifts of healing) and fruits (love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control) of the Holy Spirit, while others do not. In this process we will examine both Hebrew Scripture and New Testament texts and explore how they are understood in different ways by those who claim these texts are inspired by God, including perspectives on charisma, a divinely inspired gift, grace, or talent.
Jim Cantwell, a member of OLLI, is the Convener of the DC chapter of the International Society of the Order of St. Luke the Physician, an ecumenical organization dedicated to the Christian healing ministry.
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F605  Introduction to Islam

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, June 15–July 6
Four sessions
Instructor: Mohamed Hassan
Does religion represent a genuine need of humanity? We will discuss the definition of Islam as a harmonious whole that includes a just economic system, a well-balanced social organization, and codes of civil and criminal law. Other topics to be addressed include the role of women in Islam, including their rights and equality, and freedom of thought in Islam.
Mohamed E. Hassan has been the Imam of the Prince William Islamic Center for 15 years. He is a professional engineer and earned his PhD in civil, environmental and infrastructure engineering from George Mason University. He is also a licensed mediator.

 

R606   Reading the Same Bible and Finding Different Meanings: Four Case Studies

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, June 15–July 6
Four sessions
Instructor: Steve Goldman

· June 15: Biblical Prophecy and the Modern State of Israel. In this session, we will examine why some support modern Israel based on Biblical prophecy, while others assert that the Biblical texts proclaim the opposite.
· June 22: Mary, Mother of Jesus: Why Do Christians Disagree Regarding Her Person and Role? Immaculate Conception? Lived a life without sin? Perpetual virginity? Intercessor? Mother of Christ? Mother of God? Our mother? Assumed into heaven?
· June 29: The Resurrection of Jesus: Fact or Fiction? The apostle Paul wrote, “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”(1 Corinthians 15:14) If Christianity stands or falls on the historicity of the Resurrection, why are there conflicting accounts within the New Testament? Can the divergent accounts be reconciled? What do sources outside the New Testament record about the Resurrection? In this session, we will explore how believers, skeptics, and others approach this central doctrine of Christianity.
· July 6: Slavery, the Bible and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address. In his second inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln highlighted the irony that both the North and the South used the same Bible to declare their causes to be just. Who had the better case based on Biblical texts? How did Abraham Lincoln read the Bible and how did it influence his understanding of slavery and the Civil War? In this session, we will explore the answers to these questions and see how Lincoln crafted an elegant argument regarding the hand of God in human history.
See F602 for instructor information.

 

L607   Where is God in a World of Sickness?

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, July 5–July 19
Three sessions
Instructor: Laurence Packard
Class limit: 22
Where is God in a world of sickness? This timeless question confronts everyone. Join us to hear the personal story of Jennifer Durant—wife and mother, successful business leader turned Episcopal priest—who was stricken with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Jennifer wrote about her personal and spiritual challenges in Sparrow: A Journey of Grace and Miracles While Battling ALS, published posthumously. The class will read some of her writings, sermons, and poignant submissions. A penetrating question asks—If we all die someday, then is death really the enemy? What makes this seminar different is hearing from the priest who supervised Durant’s parish training during her earliest symptoms. His unique experience lifts stories from her humor, spirit, and faith as a gift for us. We all ride this merry-go-round of life, but we can choose which horse to see the ride from!
The Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Packard will offer an engaging seminar to hear, reflect and share—a welcoming environment to approach a difficult question. He retired recently as rector of Good Shepherd Episcopal in Burke, VA, and holds a doctorate in ministry from Princeton University—and loves to learn and teach!

 

650 Humanities and Social Sciences

 

F651 Caregiving Wisdom from an Ancient Sage

Wednesday, 9:40–11:05, July 12
One session
Instructors: Veronica Li
Confucius’ teachings on filial piety, the foundation of Chinese culture, contain nuggets of universal wisdom. Speaker Veronica Li will talk about her experience caring for her aging parents. As a Chinese daughter, she had been raised in the belief that she had to love and care for her parents above all else. After they passed away, she was haunted by questions: Had she done enough for them? And what was enough? Li wrote about her experience in a novel called Confucius Says. To put the story in cultural context, she read Confucius’ ideas of filial piety. To her surprise, Confucius says the first rule of filial piety is to take care of oneself. He also lays out the basic principles of caregiving. The ultimate goal of filial piety, he says, is to bring out the goodness in us.
Veronica Li, a resident of Vienna, VA, was a journalist and later an officer of the World Bank. She’s the author of Confucius Says, a novel on caring for aging parents, and two other books. There will be a book signing afterwards.

 

F652  International Religious Freedom

Tuesday, 9:40–11:05, June 27
One session
Instructor: Stacy Bernard Davis
People murdered for professing their faith; blasphemy laws prescribing harsh punishments for crimes such as the desecration of the Quran or insulting the Prophet Mohammad; non-state actors pursuing brutal strategies, including genocide, against religious and ethnic minorities; and the rise of anti-Semitism and anti-Muslim hatred—these are all violations of religious freedom. The Department of State’s Office of International Religious Freedom monitors religious persecution and discrimination worldwide, recommends and implements policies in respective regions or countries, and develops programs to promote religious freedom.
Stacy Bernard Davis received a master’s in law and diplomacy from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. She leads the team for Europe and Eurasia in the International Religious Freedom Office in the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. She will be joined by colleagues who lead other regional teams in her office to discuss the range of challenges and the US government’s commitment to promoting religious freedom as a core objective of US foreign policy.

 

F653  Philosophical Case Study: What Makes a Good US Citizen?

Thursday, 11:50–1:15, July 20
One session
Instructor: Chris Outlaw
What makes a good US citizen? It’s always the simplest questions that cause the biggest headaches. There are actually two questions: What is the definition of a good US citizen? And what is the process of creating a good US citizen? We will be comparing current American attitudes to those of traditional philosophers, US founders, and other American leaders.
Christopher Outlaw has a master’s in philosophy with a concentration in professional ethics from George Mason University. He currently works as a student help desk technician at Alexandria City Public Schools and as an adjunct professor of philosophy for Northern Virginia Community College. Christopher’s ideas regarding citizenship come from a combination of his positive experiences in organizations like the US Navy and the City of Alexandria Office of Human Rights versus the years of his life when he contributed no value to society.

 

L654  TED Talk Discussion Group

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, June 27, July 11–July 25
Four sessions
Note dates
Instructor: Barbara Wilan
Class limit: 20
TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design) is a growing collection of brief recorded talks on a wide range of topics. The speakers are leading figures chosen for their ability to express ideas clearly and succinctly. We will watch and discuss three or four related TED talks each week. The general topics will be:
· June 27: TED's Best of 2016
· July 11: Love
· July 18: The Brain
· July 25: The Arts
Barbara Wilan retired as a full-time English teacher at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College and is currently an adjunct there. She has also taught at the University of Maryland and for the University of Maryland’s European Division.

 

L655  Expats on the Payroll

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, June 28–July 26
Five sessions
Moderator: Ray Beery
Many OLLI members have had special career experiences spent in overseas locations. As expatriates from America, for a time, they enjoyed and observed cultures from which we can all learn quite a bit. This course is where we share our stories. Two class members will share each class period with a 20 to 30 minute talk and plenty of time for discussion.
Ray Beery, who became OLLI’s president in 2016, holds a score of OLLI teaching credits. His last presentation, in spring 2017, was “Public Policy Issues.” As an expat, he served in the military in Germany, France, and Vietnam, and later with a company in Venezuela.

 

L656  India: A Cultural and Gastronomic Journey

Wednesday, 11:50–1:15, July 5
One session
Instructor: Vinod Jain
This presentation, followed by lunch, explores the cultures, traditions, and cuisines of India. It’s a tragedy that the spice-filled splendor of Indian cuisines, which draw inspiration from dozens of ethnicities and centuries of history, has been sold to the Western world as simply “one butter chicken and one garlic naan.” But not on this adventure! It starts at OLLI with a lecture woven around the themes of India’s ancient civilization, evolving cultures, and India’s identities. The presentation will be followed by a North Indian-style buffet lunch at a local restaurant. Get a taste of one of India’s most famous culinary traditions, the North Indian cuisine. The lunch buffet typically offers an excellent array of dishes, including appetizers, salads, rice, breads, and main entrees—vegetarian, non-vegetarian, and vegan—as well as desserts. Participants are responsible for the cost of lunch. Carpool to restaurant.
Vinod Jain is currently a visiting professor at Rutgers Business School, Newark and New Brunswick. He has a PhD in strategy and international business from the University of Maryland, College Park, and master’s degrees from UCLA and Indian Statistical Institute. Having worked in industry for many years, Jain returned to academia in 1989 and has taught at several universities in the United States and abroad. He and his wife, Kamlesh, live in Loudoun County.

 

700 Current Events

F701  The Female Trump? Australian Senator Pauline Hanson is Frontrunner for the Title

Tuesday, 11:50–1:15, July 18
One session
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Kathleen Burns
Following the upheaval in the United States elections on November 8, 2016, Australian reporter Leith van Onselen asked the question, “Who will rise up to become Australia’s Trump?” The frontrunner is Queensland Senator Pauline Hanson, who, while declaring that “I don’t have a crush on Donald Trump,” noted that she fully supports his upheaval agenda. Celebrating his win, she added, “I just think it was a big change. We need change right across the world. This is a revolution. It’s called people power… People are fed up with what the major political parties have been dishing out for years and they are saying, ‘no, we want change.’” Hanson, who was elected to the Australian Senate in July, 2016, lost no time in mimicking Trump’s campaign policies, such as promising to ban Muslim immigrants and to put all mosques under surveillance. But she had a 20-year head start on Trump. In February, 1997, she co-founded the One Nation political party, with a populist and conservative outlook. Her initial policies called for zero net immigration, an end to multiculturalism, and a revival of Australia’s Anglo-Celtic cultural traditions. Economically, she supports protectionism and trade retaliation, restrictions on foreign capital, and a reversal of Australia’s global trade influence. For foreign policy, One Nation called for an end to foreign aid and a ban on foreigners owning Australian land. Based on his first few weeks in office, Trump seems to be borrowing heavily from Hanson’s playbook, and vice versa. This lecture will discuss the similarities in these two politicians.
Kathleen Burns, a long-time OLLI instructor, currently serves as president of the Washington chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. She spent five years in Australia as a member of the parliamentary press gallery and frequently returns “Down Under” to give lectures. She also served as program director for the Center for Australian and New Zealand Studies at Georgetown University.

 

F702  Defeating ISIS: A Global Effort for a Global Threat

Wednesday, 9:40–11:05, June 14
One session
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Michael Morrow
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is a unique terrorist threat, attracting tens of thousands of indoctrinated foreign fighters from over 100 countries. We have never faced a threat like this: a terrorist organization that seizes and administers territory, generates revenue and levies taxes, has a high-tech propaganda campaign, and is globally networked to affiliated terrorist groups in over a dozen countries. This threat has generated an unprecedented response—a US-led global coalition that works in partnership to shrink ISIS’s territory, suffocate its affiliates, and sever its global networks of fighters, funding, and propaganda. This class will explore the origins of ISIS, describe successes and challenges in the international campaign to defeat it, and outline the administration’s strategy for dealing ISIS a lasting defeat.
Michael K. Morrow is a senior foreign service officer at the US Department of State. His current assignment is Chief of Staff to the US Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIS. He has a master’s degree in international affairs from Columbia University.

 

F703  Building Resilient Communities to Address Migration and Marginalization

Wednesday, 9:40–11:05, July 19
One session
Instructor: Michael Hieb
A million migrants virtually overwhelmed European political systems in 2015, and by 2030 there will be millions of people under 35 in vulnerable youth bulge areas, where the population of 15-24 year-olds exceeds 20% of the total population. Instead of focusing on the threat of job loss to automation and artificial intelligence, how can the United States develop opportunities by building community-based, collaborative economies through public-private partnerships? This course will examine the issues of building resilient communities in the world (e.g. in destabilized countries in sub-Saharan Africa) and in the United States (e.g. in disadvantaged counties in southern West Virginia). The course uses a concept called BROCADE (Building Resilient Opportunities in Culturally Aligned, Diverse Environments) designed to reduce pressures for migration, radicalization, and marginalization. This course examines building sustainable economies with innovative technologies, as well as exploring the potential of new economic models such as the “sharing” economy.
Michael Hieb, PhD is a research associate professor at George Mason University’s Center for Excellence in C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence). He has worked with large Department of Defense simulation programs to improve C2 (Command and Control) modeling and has led NATO and IEEE working groups in this area. Hieb has more than 120 publications and has presented his research on command intent to many international C2 forums.

 

F704   The Federal Law of Electronic Surveillance (ELSUR) for Criminal Investigations

Thursday, 9:40–11:05, June 22
One session
Instructor: Wes Clark
A key focus will be upon Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (as amended), and we will discuss not only the requirements of Title III but the way that statute has been modified and added to by later public laws and court decisions. The different electronic surveillance (ELSUR) types, which include bugs, wiretaps, pen registers, trap and trace devices, trackers/beepers, and pole cameras, will be examined. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) plays an important role and we’ll examine the functions of “Main Justice” and those of the local Assistant US Attorney.
Wes Clark is an attorney who retired from the federal government in January 2015 with over 38 years of experience. He began his civilian legal career at DOJ reviewing applications to conduct wiretaps and bugs. Later, as a federal prosecutor, he made judicial application to conduct ELSUR. For the last 19+ years of his federal service, he worked in the Office of Chief Counsel, Drug Enforcement Administration . He has taught “Surveillance and Privacy” as an adjunct at George Mason University and has published ELSUR-related articles in the Valparaiso University Law Review and the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.

 

F705   “Tom and Gerry Show:” Bipartisan Perspectives on Issues Before the Congress

Thursday, 2:15–3:40, July 6
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructors: Gerald Connolly, Tom Davis
Join Virginia lawmakers for a bipartisan and friendly repartee on the policy issues confronting our country. Congressman Gerry Connolly (D) and former Congressman Tom Davis (R) are coming to OLLI for a special reprise of their “Tom and Gerry Show,” a program offered on cable television when Tom was in the US Congress and Gerry led the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Enjoy an informative afternoon of rare and constructive collegiality on topics such as immigration, environment, health care, and tax reform, or whatever issue strikes your fancy.
Congressman Gerald E. “Gerry” Connolly is serving his fifth term in the House of Representatives from Virginia’s 11th District, which includes Fairfax and Prince William Counties, the City of Fairfax, and the Towns of Herndon, Vienna, and Dumfries. Prior to his election to Congress, he served 14 years on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, including five years as chairman. Throughout his career, protecting and growing Northern Virginia’s economy has been his top priority. Connolly is vice ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Tom Davis currently serves as director for government affairs at accounting and professional services firm Deloitte in Washington, DC. He also is an adjunct professor of political science at George Mason University where he serves as rector of the Board of Visitors. He is a former seven-term member of the House of Representatives, where he served two cycles as chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee. He also served as chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

 

R706  Voter Fraud: Myth versus Reality

Tuesday, 9:40–11:05, July 18
One session
Instructor: Cameron Sasnett
Voter fraud is a term that is commonly used to describe a wide variety of election-related legal infractions. While there are several types of election-related crimes, this course will focus primarily on the election laws that pertain to voter registration and election day activities. Students in this course will gain an understanding of Virginia election laws through discussion of the statutes that currently exist, the actions that constitute an infraction of those laws, the penalties associated with infractions, and the enforcement mechanisms available to election administrators.
Cameron Glenn Sasnett is the general registrar and director of the Office of Elections for Fairfax County. Prior to his appointment, he served as a staff member at the Virginia State Board of Elections and Department of Elections. Sasnett began his election administration career in Stafford County as a special assistant registrar for technology, training, and site support. He has a BA in political science from Loyola University of New Orleans.

 

R707  All the News That’s Fit to Print

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, June 15–July 6, July 20
Five sessions
Note dates
Instructor: Glenn Kamber
We live in an age of abundant information from TV, radio, the Internet, magazines, bumper stickers, and newspapers. How should we filter these sources and evaluate information about world events, popular trends, and advances in science, business, sports, and entertainment? In this discussion group, we will look at some of the hot topics of the day. All viewpoints and opinions will be respected, appreciated, and welcomed. In a democracy agreement is not required, but participation is.
Glenn Kamber is an OLLI member and instructor. He has taught a number of courses at Reston over the past four years that focus on current events, as well as political and social issues that affect our lives. He is a retired senior executive from the US Department of Health and Human Services, where he managed policy and program development in the office of eight HHS secretaries.

 

L708  America and the World: An Economic and Business Perspective

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, July 19–July 26
Two sessions
Instructor: Vinod Jain
The course surveys America’s economic and business engagement with the world over the last several decades, and what we can learn from the experiences of other nations as they became wealthier (or poorer) through their own engagement (or lack thereof) with each other and the world. According to a 2016 Pew Research report, about 57% of Americans believe the United States should deal with its own problems and other countries should deal with theirs; just 37% think the United State should help other countries solve their problems. The report also shows that about half of Americans (49%) say that US involvement in the global economy is a bad thing because it lowers wages and costs jobs; only 44% think it is a good thing because it creates new markets and opportunities for growth and helps America retain its global leadership role. These are contentious issues, and the course will offer an opportunity to explore and discuss different viewpoints on these and related topics.
See L656 for instructor information.

 

L709   State of the County Discussion with Loudoun Supervisor Ralph Buona

Thursday, 11:50–1:15, July 13
One session
Instructor: Ralph M. Buona
Join Ralph M. Buona, vice chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, for a “State of the County” discussion, including an overview of transit, housing, schools, and economic development, among other local topics of interest. There will be plenty of opportunity for questions and answers.
Supervisor Ralph M. Buona has represented the Ashburn District since November 2011 and was elected vice chairman in January 2016. He is a member of the Board’s Finance/Government Operations and Economic Development Committee and a member of the Joint Board of Supervisors/School Board Committee. He represents Loudoun County on the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments’ Climate, Energy, and Environment Policy Committee and on the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority’s Planning Coordination Advisory Committee. He is the Board’s representative to the Loudoun County Fiscal Impact Committee, the Other Post-Employment Benefits Investment Committee and the Length of Service Awards Program Committee. In his private life, he is Telos Corporation’s senior vice president of corporate business development. He began his career as an Air Force officer, concluding his military service at Air Force Space Command and NORAD. He earned a BS in management from the US Air Force Academy and an MS in systems management from the University of Southern California.

 

800 Science, Technology & Health

F801  Chemistry for Those Who Hate or Flunked Chemistry, Part 2

Tuesday, 9:40–11:05, June 13
One session
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Lorrin Garson
What’s going in chemistry these days? How do chemistry and related sciences affect important issues such as energy, transportation, the environment, and our health? What are some controversial issues? How do some discoveries in the past impact us today? How do scientists communicate? Of course, some whimsical topics will be included. These and other themes will be addressed with emphasis on why chemistry matters.
OLLI member Lorrin R. Garson holds an MS and PhD in chemistry from the University of Maine. He retired from the American Chemical Society in 2004 as chief research scientist.

 

F802  Bicycle Riding for the Chronologically Gifted

Tuesday, 9:40–11:05, June 20
One session
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Lorrin Garson
Bicycle riding for older people can be a source of enjoyment and health benefits, or it can be an exhausting, aching, and miserable experience—depending on how you go about it. This presentation is aimed primarily toward those who haven’t ridden in years or have never mounted a bike. What are the risks and benefits? What are appropriate kinds of bikes and what do they cost? Where are good places to ride? How does one get started? How do you stay safe? The presenter has ridden more than 26,000 miles since retirement and will provide useful insights from experience.
See F801 for instructor information.

 

F803  Does My Cat Have Cataracts?

Tuesday, 11:50–1:15, July 11
One session
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructors: Martha Powers, Wanda Prather
Thanks to improvements in veterinary care, the average lifespan of an indoor felis catus is now around 15 years—and it’s not unusual for a cat to live to be 20 or older. The presenters of this class have dealt with elder-cat issues including feline diabetes, kidney disease, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, vision loss, hearing loss, allergies, hyper-acidity, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, and dementia—not to mention everyday concerns about dietary needs, declawing, hairballs, and litterbox issues. General cat care issues will be covered categorically in a slide show intended to catapult your knowledge of feline issues, and to serve as a catalyst for Q&A discussion afterward. NOTE: Class members are encouraged to send photos of their cats prior to class for display during the slide show.
Martha Powers is an OLLI member who worked with animal welfare organizations and founded Operation Happy Sock, which benefits homeless cats. She was certified as a veterinary assistant by Fairfax County in 2010.
Wanda Prather is a board member with OLLI at Johns Hopkins University in Columbia, MD, and has lived with, and learned from, 17 cats over her lifetime. She is especially familiar with geriatric cat issues. Both women deny being Crazy Cat Ladies.

 

F804  Artificial Intelligence: Great Applications for Daily Living

Wednesday, 9:40–11:05, June 21
One session
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Cherie Lejeune
Artificial Intelligence—friend or foe? AI, as it is called, is integrating into everyone's daily experiences. Will it be useful for your daily needs? You can talk to a digital device like a smartphone or tablet, or to Amazon's Alexa who “lives” in Amazon's Echo product line. These devices all have online capabilities to source information and even control your home systems, such as your thermostat. For seniors who no longer have the best eyesight or nimble fingers to type on a keyboard into a phone or computer, these new digital tools are wonderful. The class will explore verbal commands for phones and you will get a chance to try out the Amazon/Google products.
Cherie Lejeune found a third-act career as a champion for technology awareness and best use practices for older users. She has taught workshops, been a panelist for seminars, and worked one-on-one with cognitively-challenged adults and their caregivers. She consults to cutting edge gaming companies who are focusing on health applications, especially in the emerging virtual reality industry. She enjoys a variety of community leadership roles in the National Capital Area Garden Club, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Fairfax County’s Neighbor to Neighbor 50+ Initiative, the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, and the Fairfax Federation of Citizens’ Associations. She was part of AARP's Leadership “Aging 2.0: 2025 Workshop,” reinforcing her commitment to help integrate new digital tools into the fabric of everyday older users’ lives

 

F805  Microsoft Windows 10 Made Simple

Thursday, 9:40–11:05, June 15
One session
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: John Redmond
Microsoft Windows 10 was released almost two years ago, although half of the world’s PCs still run the Windows 7 operating system. But, as time passes, computers that are running Windows 7 today will eventually be upgraded or replaced by new machines running Windows 10. Change happens; get on board or be left behind. This presentation will cover what’s new with Windows 10 including: 1) web browsing; 2) cloud integration; 3) applications; 4) security settings; 5) email; and 6) Microsoft Office programs like Word.
John Redmond is owner of Keystone Computer in Arlington which has been serving computer users for over 30 years. He knows the problems and frustrations of computer users, and he knows what to do when trouble strikes, whether it is a hardware problem, software problem, network problem, or user problem.

 

F806  What Do We Need to Know About Addiction and the Recovery Process?

Friday, 11:00–12:30, June 23
One session
Note time
Instructor: Anita Gadhia-Smith
By many estimates, one in ten Americans may be addicted to alcohol or drugs. Addiction touches all of us. It may be a friend struggling to quit smoking, a colleague battling alcoholism, or a relative who can’t stop taking prescription drugs. Dr. Gadhia-Smith will discuss what the signs and symptoms of addiction are, what’s being abused, what a person with an addiction may be experiencing, possible treatments, and how to live and grow in recovery.
Dr. Anita Gadhia-Smith, a self-described “healed healer,” is a psychotherapist in Washington, DC, specializing in addictions, recovery, and relationship issues. She has served as a consultant to the US Congress regarding parity legislation for substance abuse treatment. She is the author of four books, and has spoken nationally and internationally on radio, TV, and other media. Dr. Gadhia-Smith earned a bachelor’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University, and graduate degrees from Catholic University and the University of Southern California. For more information, go to www.practicaltherapy.net.

 

R807 Gentle Yoga

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00–12:00, July 11–Aug. 17
Twelve sessions
Note dates and times
Reston Community Center Lake Anne
Instructor: RCC Staff
Class limit: 5
This traditional yoga class, designed for senior adults, incorporates both stretching and strength postures while focusing on balance. This class incorporates standing poses as well as poses on the floor. Participants should be comfortable getting up and down from the floor. Please bring a blanket, pillow, or beach towel to class. Registration for this class is on a first-come, first-served basis. The fee of $60 , payable to OLLI is due at the time of registration. (Refer to page 32 for “add to cart” instructions.) Those registering will also need to complete a Reston Community Center registration waiver form and bring it to class on the first day. The form can be found at http://www.restoncommunitycenter.com/docs/default-source/forms/registrationformfeb20177fa810d6df97699c883eff0000be6fe9.pdf?sfvrsn=4
Registration is not final until a completed RCC waiver is received.

 

L808  Add Years to Your Life and Life to Your Years: Health the Right Way!

Thursday, 9:40–11:05, June 29
One session
Instructor: Corey Malnikof
A study done at Harvard University indicates illness and medical expenses are the biggest cause of personal bankruptcy, representing 62% of all personal bankruptcies. We spend our whole life working to enjoy our retirement, and oftentimes health issues hamper that enjoyment. An assisted living facility is popping up on every corner because we are living longer, but we are getting sicker faster and ending up on more and more prescription drugs. What's causing this? Stress! Emotional, physical, and chemical stress! Come learn about healthy living. Learn to add years to your life and life to your years.
Corey Malnikof, DC, graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic and is the owner of eight Palmercare Chiropractic clinics. Malnikof is a published author and speaks around the country on health and wellness.

 

L809  The Daily Dozen for a Long and Healthy Life

Thursday, 11:50–1:15, July 20
One session
Instructor: Kamlesh Jain
Based on recent research on future life expectancy in 35 industrialized countries, South Korea ranks number one and the United States number 31 in terms of projected change in average life expectancy at birth from 2010 to 2030. The study was funded by the UK Medical Research Council and the US Environmental Protection Agency. According to the study, the United States has the highest child and maternal mortality, homicide rate, and body mass index of any high-income country, and is the only country in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) without universal health coverage. This course showcases a blueprint in the form of a “Daily Dozen” checklist of foods and activities to include in our daily routine to improve our life expectancy and quality of life. The presentation is based on Part 2 of the book How Not to Die, by Michael Greger, MD. In Part 1, based on scientific evidence, Greger discusses the rationale for what to eat to treat the top fifteen causes of death.
Kamlesh Jain has over three decades of professional experience, including positions with the federal government, universities in the United States and abroad, and major corporations. She has a PhD in business and management from the University of Maryland College Park and an MS from UCLA.

 

900 Other Topics

F901  The Poor Man’s Leftover Salad Goes Big Time: “The Caesar”

Tuesday, 11:50–1:15, June 13
One session
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Bob Coffin
Class limit: 50
“Hail Caesar!” The emperor of salads had a plebeian origin, but rose to royal heights. Get the full story about Caesar salad: its origins, its rise to fame, and a bowlful of backstories. Watch “Chef” Bob build a Caesar and then enjoy a plateful of the results—maybe topped with a little something extra. This salad makes a tempting base for add-ons, becoming a meal unto itself. Recipes will be provided. Coffin’s brother-in-law—who only burns food on a grill—discovered he could do this easily and be a hit. You can, too. Coffin normally serves this as a side—but for you we’ll do the “lunch” version. A fee of $10, payable to OLLI, is due at the time of registration.
Bob Coffin, an OLLI member, is a retired US Army foreign area officer and Fairfax County high school teacher. For 10 years he taught a quick-and-easy cooking class for alternative high school students. Coffin (aka the Cheese Tasting Guy) has been making Caesars since Larousse was a sous-chef. He frequently donates them for auctions, special events and dinners, and, on multiple occasions, has done the Caesar story for local groups. His five children have made the Caesar a ritual part of all holidays, birthdays, bring-a-boyfriend-over, and other special occasions. His son even likes it a day old.

 

F902  Building America’s Only National Memorial to Military Women

Tuesday, 9:40–11:05, July 11
One session
Instructor: Dee McWilliams
The Women in Military Service for America Memorial sits at the entrance of Arlington National Cemetery. How did it get there? Follow the efforts of women who served in WWII to energize Congress to authorize this memorial to US servicewomen, commonly known as the Women’s Memorial. This course discusses the site selection process, groundbreaking, construction, and dedication in 1997. The presentation will include photos, film clips, and historical vignettes of women veterans.
Dee McWilliams, president of the Women in Military Service for America Foundation, is a retired army major general and former OLLI participant. She has been on the boards of the Army Historical Foundation, Lon Morris College, and the Army Women's Foundation.

 

F903   Connecting with Grandchildren Via Technology

Friday, 1:00–2:30, July 21
One session
Note time
Instructor: Janice Brody
This session will teach participants how to create fun videos via YouTube using cellphones and tablets. Utilizing this method, grandparents are able to connect and build relationships via technology when family members live far away. Options for live video chats will also be discussed.
Janice Brody currently works for the Virginia Cooperative Extension in Prince William County as volunteer coordinator for their Parent Education program. Before moving to Virginia, she was family engagement specialist for Pasadena Independent School District, near Houston, Texas, from 2011 to 2014. Brody also worked in many capacities with Communities in Schools of Southeast Texas from 2003 to 2011. She is also a licensed grant writer and was instrumental in helping write and administer federal, state, and local grants. She is married and has three grown children and one grandchild, Keaton. Keaton is the inspiration for “Grandma and Grandpa TV” via YouTube. Innovative communication is key when building relationships across the miles!

 

R904  “I’m So Glad We Had this Time Together:” A Tribute to Carol Burnett

Monday, 11:50–1:15, July 17
One session
Coordinator: Martha Powers
Who can forget her Tarzan yell, that goodnight tug on the ear for her grandmother, or the Scarlett O’Hara dress (complete with curtain rod)? Carol Burnett is an amazing actress, comedian, writer, singer—and above all else, an American treasure. This class will feature an A&E Biography video about Carol Burnett’s life, and then we’ll view several clips from The Carol Burnett Show.
See R409 for instructor information.

 

R905   An Eye-Opening Walk Around Washington DC

Thursday, 9:40–11:05, June 15
One session
Instructor: Barbara Joan Saffir
Little-known fun facts, famous homes, culture, nature, history, architecture, politics, pop culture, and spies. That’s on the menu when author and journalist Barbara J. Saffir discusses three of her favorite walks from Walking Washington, DC, a new guidebook for natives and newbies. It’s part of the 30 Metro-friendly walks (with maps, parking, and directions) and 15 intriguing backstories in her unique guide to DC’s icons and trendy neighborhoods. Saffir also serves up her photos during the presentation as a tasty side dish.
Barbara Joan Saffir has been exploring DC’s urban treasures and its softer side for The Washington Post, other publications, and herself for three decades. As a former reporter, political researcher, architecture critic, and nature photographer, she has always adored sharing adventures and discoveries that inspire people to say, “Wow!” She lives in Fairfax, VA.

 

L906   Cruising the Rhone with a Viking by my Side

Thursday, 11:50–1:15, June 29
One session
Instructor: Roger Frost
Last fall Roger Frost took a trip on a Viking river-cruising long boat up the River Rhone in Southern France. Since then many friends and neighbors have asked what it was like, as they were interested in doing a river cruise also. This session will show a video of our experiences and a summation of what we thought—pluses and minuses. Would we do it again? We’ll tell you at the end of the session.
Roger Frost grew up in (Old) South Wales and spent a lot of his youth enjoying the beaches of the Gower Peninsula. He has a degree in economics from the University of Swansea and an MBA from Northwestern in Chicago. His multiple careers have encompassed consultancy, academia, business, and self-employment. Now retired, he is enjoying the world of video creation, grandkids, and gardening.

 

L907   Out of Sight of Land for 23 Days: Crossing the Atlantic with Family and a Cat in a Sailboat

Thursday, 11:50–1:15, July 6
One session
Instructor: Roger Frost
This is the story of a voyage across the Atlantic in a sailboat by a family and a cat in the early 1980s. Why did we do it? How did we plan it? What was the boat like? Did we have any storms and scary moments? (Spoiler alert—yes we did.) This will be a session of storytelling with some video.
See L906 for instructor information.

 

950 Special Events

 

951  A Visit to Two Great Mansions in Dupont Circle

Friday, 8:15–4:30, June 23
Bus trip; $44
Coordinator: Rita Way
Event limit: 40
At the beginning of the 20th century, Dupont Circle became a place of wealth, graced by imposing mansions. Only a few of these have survived and none are as intact as the Heurich House Museum. This mansion, which contains most of its original furnishings and decorations, reflects the life and times of Christian Heurich, a self-made businessman. He was the District’s second largest landowner and his Christian Heurich Brewing Company was its largest non-government employer. The house is a technological marvel, incorporating the most modern innovations of its day. But be aware there are lots of stairs! The Anderson House, formerly the winter home of American diplomat Larz Anderson III, has 50 rooms and cost $740,000 in 1905. Designated as a national historic landmark, it has been the headquarters of the Society of the Cincinnati since 1938 and houses a museum, library and the society’s central office. For this tour, we will split the group into two groups of 20. Each group will tour a different house first, then after lunch on their own, will tour the other house in the afternoon. There will be a leader assigned to each group to help guide members to their tours. The bus will leave promptly at 8:30 from Fair Oaks mall parking lot 57, which is outside the circular road in front of ManTech. Please be on the bus no later than 8:15. We will depart Dupont Circle at 3:30 to return to Fair Oaks mall. The fee of $44, payable to OLLI at time of registration, includes bus fare, driver gratuity, and admission.  Up to two tickets may be purchased, for OLLI Members Only.

 

 

952  National Museum of the Marine Corps Trip

Monday, 8:45–4:30, June 26
Bus trip; $32
Coordinator: Angie Talaber
Event limit: 56
Join your OLLI friends for a visit to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. A docent-led tour has been arranged, although you may view the galleries on your own. Lunch is on your own; dine in the restaurant, the cafeteria, or bring your own lunch. The National Museum of the Marine Corps is a tribute to all US Marines. The museum is adjacent to Marine Corps Base Quantico. Its design evokes the image of the flag-raisers of Iwo Jima, and the 120,000 square foot structure features world-class interactive exhibits using the latest innovative technology. The bus will leave promptly at 9:00 from Fair Oaks mall parking lot 57, which is outside the circular road in front of ManTech. Please be on the bus no later than 8:45. We will depart the museum at 3:00 to return to Fair Oaks mall. The fee of $32, payable to OLLI at time of registration, includes bus fare, driver gratuity, and a $5 donation to the National Museum of the Marine Corps.  Up to two tickets may be purchased, for OLLI Members Only.

 

953  Bus Trip to the National Gallery of Art to see Frédéric Bazille and the Birth of Impressionism

Friday, 9:15–3:00, June 30
Bus trip; $31
Coordinator: Ann Youngren
Event limit: 29
Join us for a trip to the National Gallery of Art to see the exhibit, Frédéric Bazille and the Birth of Impressionism. (See R110 on June 22 for a classroom lecture about this exhibit.) Adrienne Wyman Kralick will lead us on a tour of the exhibit, followed by lunch on our own at 12:30 in the museum cafeteria. There will be time to shop. The bus will leave promptly at 9:30 from Fair Oaks mall parking lot 57, which is outside the circular road in front of ManTech. Please be on the bus no later than 9:15. We will depart the museum at 2:00 to return to Fair Oaks mall. The fee of $31, payable to OLLI at time of registration, includes bus fare and driver gratuity. Up to two tickets may be purchased,  for OLLI Members Only.
See R110 for instructor information.

 

954  Michie Tavern and Monticello with Ken Plum

Friday, 8:00–6:00, July 7
Bus trip; $77
Instructor: Ken Plum
Coordinator: Martha Powers
Event limit: 37
Enjoy a trip to the past with OLLI member and senior statesman Ken Plum, who will regale us with tales of his Virginia experiences en route to the Charlottesville area, where we’ll visit two historical sites. After driving past The Rotunda at UVA, we’ll visit Michie Tavern (c. 1784), with its picturesque shops and outbuildings and docents in Colonial garb. The traditional Southern lunch buffet includes fried chicken, vegetables, biscuits, cornbread, and peach cobbler, plus a non-alcoholic beverage. Next, we’ll visit Monticello and take the Main House Tour. Your day pass also includes a short movie, access to the museum galleries, and tours of the gardens and grounds. NOTE: Because of the terrain at both Michie Tavern and Monticello, the outdoor tours are not handicap accessible. The all-inclusive fee of $77, payable to OLLI at time of registration, includes lunch, day pass at Monticello, bus fare, and gratuities. Up to two tickets may be purchased,  for OLLI Members Only. The bus will leave promptly at 8:15 from Fair Oaks mall parking lot 57, which is outside the circular road in front of ManTech. Please be on the bus no later than 8:00.

 

955  Supreme Court Trip

Friday, 9:45–3:30, July 21
Bus trip; $22
Coordinator: Ben Gold
Event limit: 50
Visit the Supreme Court, the most powerful and prestigious judicial institution in the world; attend a lecture in the courtroom; view an interesting short film of interviews with the current sitting justices; and tour areas of the building not seen by the general public. Lunch will be on your own in the Supreme Court cafeteria. There will be a three-block walk to the Court from the bus discharge point. The bus will leave promptly at 10:00 from Fair Oaks mall parking lot 57, which is outside the circular road in front of ManTech. Please be at the bus no later than 9:45. The fee of $22, payable to OLLI at time of registration, covers bus fare and driver gratuity. Please do not sign up if you’ve already had the opportunity to attend in the past. Enroll for this event using “add to cart.” Refer to page 32 for “add to cart” instructions. Up to two tickets may be purchased, for OLLI Members Only

1101  Grab ‘n’ Go Coffee Klatch

Friday, 9:30–10:45, June 16
Tallwood
Coordinator: Martha Powers
Event limit: 30
Grab a cup of coffee and some cookies, and kick off the new term in the social annex at this casual gathering. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the camaraderie—new members, old members, even Board members. Registration for this event is on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

1102  Christmas in July (Texas Style!)

Friday, 1:00–3:00, July 14
Tallwood
Coordinator: Martha Powers
Event limit: 85
Yeehaw! OLLI is going to celebrate Christmas in July again—this time with a western twist. We’ll begin with some Texan snacks (available in the Annex at 12:45), and after a few minutes of strappin’ on the feedbag, Santa will offer brief readings from The Night before Christmas (in Texas, that Is). Entertainment will include a live performance of the “Bonanza” theme (complete with horses), classic clips from western movies, and a chance to sing “Happy Trails” with Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. We’ll also play Texas Trivia Bingo, and view short videos about the world’s largest rattlesnake roundup and other Texas traditions. Space is limited, so sign up today—this is a first-come, first-served event.

 

Ongoing Activites

 

Annex Art

Tuesdays
June 6, July 25, Aug. 15–Aug. 29, 9:30–12:00
Tallwood
Coordinator:       Sue Goldstein............ ms.goldstein@verizon.net
All artists, whether you use pencil, ink, pastels, charcoal, or paint, are welcome to finish or to start pictures. The group consists of OLLI members at all skill levels. Join us!

 

Bridge Club

Mondays
June 5–July 24, Aug. 14–Aug. 28, 10:00–12:00
Tallwood
Coordinators: Susanne Zumbro............. 703-569-2750
    Gordon Canyock…………….703-425-4607
Drop in and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of “party bridge.” Skill levels vary from advanced beginner to aspiring expert. Partnerships are rotated every four hands. The Bridge Club meets in the morning between terms and in the summer, and in the afternoon during the other terms. For details on the Club’s rules and bidding system, see its web page on the OLLI website.

 

Classic Literature Club

Fridays (No meetings during summer term)
Tallwood
Coordinator: Bob Zener........................ 703-237-0492
This club was formed to discuss great works of world literature.

 

Cooking Club

Monthly dates to be determined
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinator: Ute Christoph-Hill........ utehill@cox.net
This is a club for OLLI members who enjoy preparing food and sharing hands-on, homemade dishes in a small-group setting. We meet during the day, sometimes in members’ homes and other times at Fairfax Lord of Life or alternative sites. We often have a theme for our meetings, but our format is flexible. We also participate in food-related events, such as ethnic cooking demonstrations and restaurant outings. If these activities appeal to you, please contact Ute for more information.

 

Craft and Conversation Group

Fridays
June 2–July 28, Aug. 18–Aug. 25, 9:30–11:00
Tallwood
Coordinators:
        Doris Bloch…………………...dbloch50@hotmail.com
Pam Cooper-Smuzynski...... pamcs2@verizon.net
We meet weekly to work on our craft projects and to share product sources, expertise, and inspiration. Our ongoing conversations encourage camaraderie, and a group setting motivates us to progress with our current projects. Interested OLLI members are invited to join us to see what we are creating. For more information, contact Doris Bloch or Pam Cooper-Smuzynski.

 

Dirty Knee Club

As needed during growing season
Tallwood
Coordinators: Sigrid Carlson……………....bigsig@cox.net
Sally Berman.....................skberman77@gmail.com
The OLLI Landscaping Committee, fondly known as the Dirty Knee Club, creates, plants, and maintains the gardens at Tallwood. Gardening expertise is not required, but willingness to get dirty knees is! Members are asked to participate in general garden workdays, primarily in the spring and fall, plus join another member in a team to water, weed, and maintain the gardens during the growing season. Each two-member team serves one week about every five weeks.

 

Doctor Who Club

First and third Fridays
June 2, June 23 (exception–June 23 is not the 3rd Friday), July 7, July 21, Aug. 18, 1:00–3:00
Tallwood
Coordinator:
        Wendy Campbell........... neoblivis@earthlink.net
This group is for those of you interested in Timey Wimey Stuff—we are meeting to watch Doctor Who on the “big screen” in a Tallwood classroom. We will follow each presentation with discussion. Some of us are new to Who; some of us are very longtime fans. Everyone is welcome. It’s going to be Fantastic—so Alons-y and may I just say—Geronimo!

 

History Club

First Wednesdays (no meetings during summer term)
Tallwood
Coordinator:
        Beth Lambert....... elizabethlambert7@gmail.com
This group does not meet in the summer, so the next meeting will be October 4. We welcome OLLI members who are interested in discussing historical events or sharing reviews of articles, books, or other interesting historical topics. Our meetings feature speakers who present on historical topics ranging from the Silk Road through the present crises in the Middle East—and everything in between. To receive emails about History Club meetings, contact Beth Lambert.

 

Homer, etc.

Fridays
June 2–July 28, Aug. 18–Aug. 25, 11:00–12:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Jan Bohall………….jbohall@verizon.net or 703-273-1146
Join us to read aloud a traditional or contemporary classic. Drop in at the Tallwood Annex any Friday morning; new members are always welcome.

 

Mah Jongg Club

First and third Mondays
June 5, June 19, July 3, July 17, Aug 7, Aug 21,
10:00–12:00
Tallwood
Coordinator: Margaret Massey ...newfdog22@mac.com
We welcome all members who want to learn Mah Jongg or already know how to play. Stretch your mind and have fun with a game that is (maybe) easier than bridge, but definitely challenging! For more information, contact Margaret or visit the Mah Jongg Club blog at https://ollidev2.earthcare.com/mah-jongg-club/.

 

Memoir—and More—Writing Group

Wednesdays
Tallwood
Coordinator: Betty Smith
We meet typically every other Wednesday, at or near Tallwood, except during the fall and spring terms when we meet twice. In addition to memoirs, we write fiction, poetry, and personal essays. Writing groups have to stay fairly small and we’re currently full, but if you are interested, sign up in the member portal and we will let you know when a space becomes available. For questions, please get in touch with Betty Smith.

 

Personal Computer User Group

Generally Third Saturdays
June 17, July 15, Aug. 19 1:00-3:00pm
Tallwood
Coordinator: Mel Goldfarb                  mgoldfarb5@gmail.com
In partnership with the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS), the OLLI PC User Group (OPCUG) focuses on Windows and Mac computers and software for enhancing our lives. Members and presenters also discuss smartphone and tablet apps across Android and iDevices, the Internet, digital photography, related technology, and open-source software. Our aim is to bring broad expertise about technology and topics of interest to attendees. PC clinics for members are offered twice yearly. Our target audience encompasses all computer users, from complete beginners to intermediate amateurs to experts. Our motto is “users helping users.” Club dues (currently $5 per year) are payable at the first meeting attended in each calendar year. Dues-paying members can view monthly sessions online via the Zoom cloud meeting service on a variety of devices from home or anywhere with an Internet connection. More details are available on the group’s website, www.olligmu.org/~opcug.

 

Photography Club

Second Fridays
June 9, July 14, 9:30–11:30
Fourth Fridays
June 23, July 28, Aug. 25, 12:00–2:00
Tallwood
Coordinators: Angie Talaber..... talaber@comcast.net
     Dave Talaber……..talaber@comcast.net
Meet with experts and others interested in photography and develop skills by participating in theme-based monthly photo submissions. The Photography Club welcomes all members, whether they use a basic camera or specialized equipment, and whether they are novice or experienced photographers. We discuss technical aspects of photography, as well as the artistic aspects of visual design. We have guest speakers on the second Friday of each month, and on the fourth Friday, workshops cover specific topics in detail. We also regularly plan field trips in the local area. Contact Angie or Dave Talaber for further information.

 

Recorder Consort

Fridays
June 2–July 28, Aug. 18–Aug. 25, 9:15–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinator:
        Helen Ackerman……..helenackerman@hotmail.com
If you have been part of the consort or have previously played the recorder and would like to expand your abilities, please join us on Fridays. There will be on- and off-campus performances. You may need to purchase music.

 

Reston Book Club

Thursdays (no meetings during summer term)
United Christian Parish
Coordinators: Luci Martel, Nancy Scheeler
This group does not meet in the summer. This is a book discussion club for OLLI members who find it convenient to meet on the OLLI Reston campus. The purpose is to focus on serious contemporary fiction, primarily—but not limited to—works by American or UK authors. We will avoid current bestsellers and look for good novels on the long lists, short lists, and winner lists of the US National Book Award and the UK Man Booker Prize. We hope you join us in the fall.

 

Spanish Club

Second and fourth Tuesdays (out of term)
May 23, 10:00–11:30
Second and fourth Wednesdays (in term)
June 14, June 28, 1:45–3:15
Tallwood
Coordinators:
        Dick Cheadle................. dbcheadle@verizon.net
Lois Lightfoot..................lelghtft@outlook.com
This club is designed for those who are in the intermediate stage of understanding and speaking Spanish–further along than 1-2-3 and A-B-C, but not fluent. The club members leading a particular class will choose the subject and prepare the lesson for that class. Members will not have to participate beyond their comfort level. NOTE: There will be one meeting in July, one meeting in August and one meeting in the first half of September prior to the fall term starting on September 18; date and times of these meetings to be determined.

 

Tai Chi Club

Saturdays
June 3–July 22, Aug. 19–Aug. 26, 10:30–11:30
Note dates
Tallwood
Coordinators: Russell Stone.................. 703-323-4428
Susanne Zumbro…………….703-569-2750
The Tai Chi Club meets almost every Saturday, year ‘round. It is open to all OLLI members.

 

Tallwood Book Club

Second Mondays
June 12, July 10, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Ceda McGrew.................. 703-323-9671
Our selection for June 12 is Yes Chef: A Memoir by Marcus Samuelson. On July 10, we plan to read The Girls of the Atomic City by Denise Kieran.

 

Theater Lovers' Group

Generally last Fridays
June 30, July 28, Aug. 25, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinators: Norma Reck................ njreck@cs.com
Nancy Scheeler
The Theater Lovers’ Group (TLG) aims to provide OLLI members with opportunities to participate in and learn about our local theater scene and the people who make it possible, by attending and discussing theater performances, hosting theatrical persons to speak at our monthly meetings, and pursuing interests as expressed by TLG members themselves.

 

The Tom Crooker Investment Forum

Wednesdays
June 7, July 26, Aug. 16–Aug. 30, 10:30–12:00
Moderator: Al Smuzynski
For activity description see course F201.

 

Walking Group

Weekly
Tallwood/Fairfax Swimming Pool Parking Lot
Coordinator: Jerry Remson………….yofidog@yahoo.com
When OLLI is in session, the Walking Group meets one morning each week, generally an hour before the first morning class. We gather in the Fairfax Pool parking lot next to Tallwood and walk for about 45 minutes, arriving back at Tallwood in time for the start of classes. Because our goal is camaraderie as well as exercise, all levels of walking ability and speed are accommodated. The day of the week is determined by our schedules and the weather, so it may change from week to week. Between terms we continue to walk on a weekly basis, but for longer distances and at more varied locations. Contact Jerry for more information.

 

What’s in the Daily News? Continued

Mondays
June 5-July 24, Aug. 14–Aug. 28, 10-11:30am
Tallwood
Facilitators: Don Allen.......................... 703-830-3060
Mel Axilbund................ maxilbund@verizon.net
Dorsey Chescavage.......... dchescavage@cox.net
Caroline Cochran............... ccochran50@aol.com
This is the between-term continuation of the discussion group for news junkies who can’t wait to express their opinions and discuss current events.