The spring catalog has been mailed and is available, with the latest updates on cancellations and additions, on the OLLI website at this link. Registration is open until noon on Feb 25.
Note: The OLLI website offers a database of instructor profiles for most course instructors. It has more profile information than the brief biographical notes in the catalog listings. Click here for access to the profiles.
Reminder: Computer Club meeting Sat, Feb 20. See last week's issue of E-Newshere for details.
Spring Term Catalog Updates By Beth Davis, Program AssociatePlease note the following updates to the spring term catalog (for full class descriptions and to register, visit the member portal at the OLLI website):Date Change
The date for Dr. Rotolo’s presentation for L812 Health Care Topics has changed from Apr 14 to Mar 31.
Cancelled Class
F304 New Mexico: Past, Present, and Future
Additional Classes
L315 Jimmy Doolittle and the Japanese Americans
L665 Crime Theory and Crime Prevention: Myths vs. Reality
L813 The 1945 A-Bombings in Japan: Before, During, and 70 Years After
980 Dispelling the Vampire Stereotype
981 Book Talk: Debating Modern Revolution
982 Great Presidential Speeches and Great Conducting Performances
Welcome to Spring By Kathryn Russell, Program Committee Co-ChairWith the new spring catalog in our mailboxes, surely now we can say goodbye to gloves, snow boots, and shovels. You’ve probably noticed that this beautiful catalog appears to be the heftiest one yet, with more enticing courses and activities than ever. There’s a good chance that, like many OLLI members, you’re still browsing through the pages, trying to make choices and lamenting that you can’t squeeze more fabulous classes into your schedule. The reason for this pleasant dilemma? We have more than 140 classes and special events from which to choose, not counting all the ongoing activities. As you scan the catalog, you will notice OLLI’s 25th anniversary logo next to many course descriptions; these specifically reflect our anniversary theme, “Living Well, Aging Well.” In the Science, Technology, and Health section you’ll find many courses related to health. For example, “Advances in Health” (F801), by Mason faculty members, sheds light on an appealing array of health topics. Look also at the many courses aimed at fitness, such as “Gentle Yoga” (R809 and R810) and “Fourth Quarter Athletes” (F803). See the complete list on page 51 of the catalog.In addition to our thematic courses, we’re pleased to have so many other offerings this spring, and honored to welcome numerous Mason and NOVA instructors. Here are just a few of the courses and events featuring these faculty:
“Heroes Across Cultures and Eras” (F408) by Professor Amelia Rutledge from Mason’s English Department
“A Dozen Big Ideas: Let’s Discuss Them” (R662) by Steve Ruth, Mason professor of public policy
“Infectious Diseases, People, and Geography” (L663) by Barbara Crain, associate professor at NOVA
“James Joyce: An Introduction” (F405) by Cόilίn Owens, Mason professor emeritus
“Iran and Iranian Peoples” (961) by NOVA instructor Sheda Vasseghi
“How to Fix Health Reform” (969) by Mason Professor Len Nichols
You’ll also be delighted to find exciting new courses such as “Theater Potpourri” (R415) and “Adolescent Issues and the Juvenile Justice System” (F653). And we always welcome back our many wonderful OLLI instructors, who share with us their interests and expertise year after year.
Kudos again to all of our dedicated program planners and instructors for making this spring term the most exciting ever. Remember that, even if you’ve already submitted your selections, you can still add more on the website or in the OLLI office during this registration period. Don’t tarry too long making final selections, however, as registration ends at noon on February 25.
Fun Facts to Celebrate OLLI's 25th Anniversary By Ray Beery, Member, Board of DirectorsNew chairs for Tallwood were purchased in 1994 at approximately $25 each.OLLI is celebrating its 25th year of classes for seniors in 2016. We'll be publishing fun facts and interesting milestones about the Institute each week that OLLI E-News is published from now until the end of the fall term, 2016.
By Camille Hodges, Humanities/Social Sciences
Planning Group Member
Fresh from their winter break trip to Havana, Cuba, a panel of eight Mason graduate students shared their learning experiences with members of OLLI on Thursday, February 11, at the Church of the Good Shepherd.
Students presented information gleaned from participation in classes conducted by professors from the University of Havana as well as their personal experi-ences. Cuba was virtually closed to American visitors during 50 years of embargo until the United States began the process of opening relations in late 2014. During their 14-day stay, students studied the arts, politics, literature, and the impact of the 1959 Cuban Revolution on bilateral relations and island culture today. Topics of the presentation included population trends, women in Cuba, economic and monetary changes, literacy and education, and health care. The student study trip was organized and led by Dr. Lisa Breglia, Director of Global Affairs and Global Interdisciplinary Programs at Mason. Students presenting were Emily Ashtiani, Francesca Munoz, Jeffrey Daley, Mehmet Ozer, Candace Mobley, Aula Mohammed, Kenia Torres, and Eliot Wuhrman.
This student panel presentation was offered by the OLLI Humanities and Social Sciences Program Planning Group as part of a series on U.S.-Cuba relations offered starting with an OLLI winter-term class F655, Introduction to “What Now, Cuba?” The follow-on is an OLLI spring-term class (F658), an 8-week course on Cuba’s social, political, and economic development. Sign up for F658 now via the OLLI member portal.
Inside
OLLI-MasonGet Ready! Get Set! OLLI’s 2016 Board Election Is Coming! By Michelle Blandburg, Nominating Committee ChairThe nominating committee for the Board of Directors’ 2016 election was announced at the Board’s January meeting and tasked with recruiting qualified candidates. The election will be held in May, utilizing both online and written ballots. The committee is composed of Michelle Blandburg (chair), Toni Acton, Ray Beery, Camille Hodges, Beth Lambert, Dave Mason, Ted Parker, and Martha Powers.The Board consists of 18 members (directors), with six elected annually by the membership for three-year terms. Directors are responsible for providing leadership and vision to guide OLLI’s development while maintaining our core values, and enhancing service to our members now and in the future. What qualities does it take to be a good director? Most crucial are commitment to the mission of the organization and a demonstrated willingness to share energy and time supporting OLLI’s committees and functions. Working with fellow members, the directors strive to strengthen our outstanding organization.
OLLI is growing; membership is now more than 1,200. Many members have leadership and organizational skills that OLLI needs. We benefit from the valuable experience long-time members offer, as well as the fresh talents and skills newer members bring. We need all of YOU to think about what you could contribute to OLLI’s Board, as well as the satisfaction you would derive from involvement in our leadership.
If you are interested in being a candidate for election to the Board of Directors or if you have suggestions for members who could be considered as potential directors, please contact a member of the nominating committee before March 4. OLLI's Executive Director, Jennifer Disano, will also be pleased to pass along your suggestions to the committee.
OLLI is run by its members and would not exist without the dedication of those who volunteer to teach, serve, organize, and lead! The nominating committee may ask YOU to help lead OLLI into the future by running for the Board. If contacted, please give the offer careful consideration, ask questions, and then respond positively! Remember - it’s your OLLI!
The Theater Lovers' Group meeting has been rescheduled from Fri, Feb 26 to Fri, March 4 from 10:00 to 11:30 in TA-1.
Joe Kaplan, Hexagon president, will speak and show clips of Hexagon's past shows. Guaranteed to make you laugh! Hexagon, which turns 60 this year, is DC's first political satirical musical comedy review.
This year's show is titled "Red, White and Voters' Blues." Think Capitol Steps.
All OLLI members are invited to join Theater Lovers' Group for this unique event. You won't want to miss it.
The February 2016 Photo of the Month theme was "Monochrome." We selected Ed Parker's photo "Fight" which may also be viewed at this page. To view other photos by members of the Photography Club, visit the club's photo website. -- By Angela Talaber, Photography Club Coordinator
Taupe-dark shafts, arches,
thick, thin patterned
against pale gray sky,
against ice blue/gray snow,
black-brown, gray-brown limbs, twigs
transect, triangulate, rectangulate,
cross, circle, arc
dim-viewed through falling flakes, sleet,
colorless Mondrian angles
sometimes coaxed into curves
until spring-soft pale greens,
summer-deep emeralds,
gaudy autumn brilliants
take turns at hiding
winter’s stark staggering art
Performances, Feb 19 through Mar 7By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff WriterFor tickets for either Center for the Arts (CFA) or Hylton, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket page or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues
Mark Morris Dance Group Fri, Feb 19, and Sat, Feb 20, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company
Concert Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
TAO: Seventeen Samurai
Sun, Feb 21, 4:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company
Concert Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Czech National Symphony Orchestra: Disney FantasiaSat, Feb 27, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Walnut Street Theatre: A Moon for the Misbegotten
Sun, Feb 28, 7:00
Pre-performance discussion: Beth Hoffman, assistant professor in literature for performance studies
Concert Hall
Admission: $44, $37, $26.
A Fresh of Breath Air, Written and performed by Dale Stein
Thu, Mar 3, 8:00
TheaterSpace
Admission: Adults, $15; seniors, $10.
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra: Caribbean Rhythms – Journey to the Islands
Sat, Mar 5, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion: Member of the company
Concert Hall
Admission: 44, $37, $26.
Mason Student & Faculty Performances
(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)GMU Symphony Orchestra Concert with the Virginia Chamber Orchestra
Mon, Feb 22, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Adults, $12; seniors, $8.Cloud 9
Wed, Feb 24 - Sat, Feb 27, 8:00
Sat, Feb 27 and Sun, Feb 28, 2:00
TheaterSpace
Admission: Adults, $15; seniors, $10.Faculty Artist Series: Dr. John Healey, Piano
Sun, Feb 28, 7:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.Wind Symphony Concert
Tue, Mar 1, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Adults, $12; seniors, $8.
Jazz Combos/Steel Pan Ensemble
Wed, Mar 2, 8:00
de Laski - Room 3001
Admission: Free.
Mason Improv Show
Fri, Mar 4, 8:00
TheaterSpace
Admission: Free.
New Sound Collective Concert
Fri, Mar 4, 7:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
The 5th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Feb 1 - Mar 20
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
The Gallery is open to the public Tue-Sat, 10:00 - 6:00, Thu, 10:00 - 8:00 and two hours before performances. Gallery Reception: Sun, Feb 28 from 3:00 to 4:30. RSVP to jconnor8@gmu.edu.
Admission: Free.
Shaun Hopper
Fri, Feb 19, 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25.
Youth Orchestras of Prince William
Sun, Feb 21, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adults, $15; seniors, $12.
Frank Ferrante: An Evening with Groucho
Sat, Feb 27, 8:00
Pre-performance discussion: Frank Ferrante
Merchant Hall
Admission: $44, $37, $26.
Manassas Symphony Orchestra: From the British Isles
Sat, Mar 5, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adults, $20; seniors, $16.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: The Golden Age of Piano
Sun, Mar 7, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $40, $34, $24.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office, with direct web links added when available. The list is accurate as of mid-week but to check anytime for the latest information, please view the latest forecast of upcoming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kickoff coffees, etc. (bolded below).
Sat Feb 20
10:30am
1:00pm
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Computer Club–TA-1
Mon Feb 21
9:00am
Outreach Committee–TA-2
Tue Feb 23
9:30am
10:00am
Cottage Art–Cottage
Spanish Club–TA-2
Wed Feb 24
10:00am
10:30am
Bridge Club–TA-3
Tom Crooker Investment Forum–TA-1
Fri Feb 26
9:00am
10:00am
11:00am
11:30am
12:00pm
12:00pm
Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation–Cottage
Homer, etc.–Annex
Cooking Club–Cottage
Photography Club–TA-3
Religious Studies Club–TA-2
Sat Feb 27
10:30am
Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Mon Feb 28
10:00am
What’s in the Daily News–TA-1
Tue Mar 1
9:30am
Cottage Art–Cottage
Wed Mar 2
10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
10:00am
10:30am
Bridge Club–TA-3
Mah Jongg–Cottage
History Club–TA-2 Special Event Committee–Annex
Tom Crooker Investment Forum–TA-1
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor/Technical Editor: Irene Osterman
Associate Editor: Sheri Siesseger
Weekly Editorial Team: Jean Boltz, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, Leslie Vandivere, Paul Van Hemel Proofreaders: Nancy Michel, Marilyn O'Brien, Susan Van Hemel
Backup Chief Editor: Alice Slayton Clark
Submissions. Members are encouraged to submit letters to the editor, letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit (on etiquette matters), OLLI-related news items, articles and photos. Submit material to: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline – 6:00 Tuesday for that week's issue (6:00 Monday for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:ollidev.earthcare.com/" without the quotes.
Students presented information gleaned from participation in classes conducted by professors from the University of Havana as well as their personal experi-ences. Cuba was virtually closed to American visitors during 50 years of embargo until the United States began the process of opening relations in late 2014. During their 14-day stay, students studied the arts, politics, literature, and the impact of the 1959 Cuban Revolution on bilateral relations and island culture today. Topics of the presentation included population trends, women in Cuba, economic and monetary changes, literacy and education, and health care. The student study trip was organized and led by Dr. Lisa Breglia, Director of Global Affairs and Global Interdisciplinary Programs at Mason. Students presenting were Emily Ashtiani, Francesca Munoz, Jeffrey Daley, Mehmet Ozer, Candace Mobley, Aula Mohammed, Kenia Torres, and Eliot Wuhrman.
By Michelle Blandburg, Nominating Committee Chair
