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Dennis Vanlangen

ENews December 09, 2022

December 8, 2022 by Dennis Vanlangen

OLLI E-News December 9, 2022
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
Website   Quick Links  Catalog   DocStore   Facebook  Officials   Member Portal   Contact Us
OLLI Holiday Party – a Social Occasion, December 1, Country Club of Fairfax

December 9, 2022


Editor of the Week: David Gundry
Table of Contents
  • Alerts & Notices
  • OLLI Walk & Talk at Lake Mercer
  • Teach at OLLI Mason Summer 2023
  • Winter Is Coming
  • OLLI Weekly Conversations Continue - December 14
  • Tallwood Book Club
  • Poet's Corner
  • Arts & Music at George Mason
  • Meetings & Clubs
  • About OLLI E-News

Alerts & Notices

  • There will be a meeting of the OLLI Personal Computer User Group (OPCUG) on Saturday, December 10 (tomorrow), at 1:00 via Zoom and in person in TA-1 at Tallwood; more information at this link.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, December 30 (skipping two weeks); the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, December 27, at 6:00.

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OLLI Walk & Talk at Lake Mercer
 

By Marilyn Harriman and Bob Heyer, OLLI Walk & Talk
Co-Chairs



On Tuesday, November 22, the OLLI Walk & Talk Club met at South Run Park and walked the trail around Lake Mercer. The path on the south side hilly trail was covered with fallen leaves as it led through a long passage of beautiful tall trees and some undergrowth for small critters and birds in the forest. Approaching the lake, we looked down and saw three deer in the shallow end of the lake. There were also half a dozen mallard ducks on the lake.

Lake Mercer was created by cutting many trees down and building a 30-foot-high dam as the creek was flowing to the Occoquan River. As we walked down to a lower level, we found cranes, a pair of eagles, and other water birds perched on stumps in the water. Walking a bit further, we saw more than a dozen seagulls resting on the lake. Climbing back upward to the dam height, we found a beautiful grass runoff plain. The dam is about a quarter mile long and led to the other side trail which is actually in Springfield, with the riverbank on one side and the back of townhomes on the other side. At the beginning of the lake is a low area where lots of croaking frogs rest during the summertime

We arrived back at the cars in South Run Park after trekking 4.2 miles. We then headed out to the Chesapeake Bagel Factory in Burke Center for conversations and great bagel nourishments. Consensus was that this was one of the best and most rewarding Fairfax County Park walks.

The club’s final walk for 2022 will be Monday, December 12, in Vienna at 9:00. Walkers will meet at the Vienna Community Center Parking lot, 120 Cherry Street SE. Afterward, we’ll have an optional meet-up at Caffe Amouri (parking lot behind cafe), 107 Church Street NE, Vienna. If you’d like to walk December 12 and haven't signed up for the club, please register. In addition, please contact one of the cochairs (mlwharriman74@gmail.com; rheyerw64@gmail.com), so we’ll know to look for you on Monday.

Walks will resume in January. Schedules and locations will be sent out through the OLLI Walk & Talk Club member portal.

Are you interested in getting fresh air, conversation, and exercise this winter? If yes, sign up through the registration portal: type in OLLI Walk Talk Club to register. We’d love to have you join us.
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Teach at OLLI Mason Summer 2023


By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Chair


As you relax during the upcoming holiday season why not consider teaching at OLLI during the upcoming summer 2023 session? If you have been thinking of sharing your area(s) of expertise, you can start by teaching a single class during the summer and then progressing to a multi-class course if you so desire. Those who have presented classes at OLLI have commented on the value of the experience and the thoughtful questions of OLLI members. Our in-person, “hybrid,” and virtual-only classes will all be in effect in the spring 2023 session. The Humanities and Social Sciences cover a range of topics including psychology, philosophy, literature, culture, political science, geography, and law. Current Events is always a popular topic as well.

We would love to hear from you. To obtain a course proposal form, click on this link.

Submissions to the OLLI Program Associates are due:
  • January 17 for the summer 2023 session
  • April 10 for the fall 2023 session.

For a multi-session class, submit your proposal to Shannon Morrow at smorrow4@gmu.edu. For a single-session class, submit your proposal to Nancy Klein at nklein4@gmu.edu.

Looking forward to seeing your name in the OLLI catalog as a presenter!
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Winter Is Coming


By Michele Romano, Health Advisory Work Group Chair




December has arrived with all those nasty winter viruses: flu, RSV (primarily in children), colds, and, of course, more COVID19 Omicron variants. This happens every year.

So far, the variants are following a typical pattern: more contagious but less severe illness. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines severe COVID illness as hospitalization or death. So far, the vast majority of people are just getting symptoms of the common cold. As is common with infectious diseases, the people that die are the most vulnerable: the very young and the elderly who already have underlying conditions that weaken the immune system.

The CDC predicts that the flu season may be worse this year—we haven’t really had a flu season in over two years. Therefore, our immunity to the flu is lower because it has not been challenged.

So, what should you do? Live your lives, but be smart about it. The CDC is placing the emphasis on personal responsibility. Wash your hands…a lot. Carry hand sanitizer and a good mask (N95 or KN95) with you. Wear a mask if you feel more comfortable or are in a high-risk environment (e.g., public transportation). Stay home if you don’t feel well, test, and check with your provider. Get your ‘CoFlu’ (COVID bivalent booster and high dose flu) vaccines. You can get them both at the same time. Do. It. Now. It takes two weeks to build up immunity. It’s not too late. The flu season usually lasts from December until early March.

Keep in mind that COVID boosters do not prevent COVID19. They are meant to prevent you from getting seriously ill or dying. You don’t want to be sick and have to isolate over the holidays because you didn’t take a few simple steps.

But there is good news. Hospitalizations and deaths linked to COVID19 in Fairfax County are still very low because we take care of ourselves and others. Give your friends and family the greatest gift of all this season – the gift of health. Happy Holidays. We’ll see you in person in the spring.
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OLLI Weekly Conversations Continue -
December 14
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch,
Co-Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations Series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate a Zoom discussion on December 14 at 4:00. Our chosen topic this week is Elon Musk.

 

December 14: What do you think of Musk? Genius? Villain? Everyone seems to have an opinion. Will he be successful sorting out Twitter? Join us and share your thoughts.

 

The Weekly Conversation Series will take a break between December 15 – mid‑January. See you in January.

 

Check your Daily Schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch.
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Tallwood Book Club


By Betty Ellerbee, Tallwood Book Club Coordinator




The Tallwood Book Club will meet on Friday, December 9, at 2:30, via Zoom. The club will discuss My Antonia by Willa Cather. The Zoom link will appear in the emailed OLLI Daily Schedule.
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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Miracle Tree

There were other miracles in the yard
But none so self-confident as
the gnarled old crabapple tree in spring

Canopied with pink-tinged white blossoms
Gradually growing into small sour ill-shaped apples
Peeled, quartered, cooked in a summer-hot kitchen
to become delicious jelly for winter toast.

Who then wouldn’t believe fairies lived among the blossoms?
                      
                                        Betty Smith

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, December 9 through January 12


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, 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 Center ticket purchase page.

Current vaccination policy for the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center is summarized as follows:
Audience members are not currently required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID19 test result for most events, except when required by the event organizer or artist. If proof of vaccination or a negative COVID19 test result is required for a specific event, it will be indicated on the web page with event details.
Specific requirements are detailed and any future policy changes may be found here: 
https://cfa.gmu.edu/plan-your-visit/vaccination-policy.

Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Vienna Boys Choir
Fri, Dec 9, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, on the third level of the Center for the Arts lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Admission: $55, $47, $33.

American Festival Pops Orchestra
Sat, Dec 10, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, on the third level of the Center for the Arts lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Admission: $60, $51, $36.

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker
Sat, Dec 17 at 4:00
Sun, Dec 18 at 4:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $89, $69, $49.

 
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Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

No performances scheduled
 
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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Gallery Exhibit: Elizabeth Hall: Viriditas
Through Jan 8
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.

American Festival Pops Orchestra
Fri, Dec 9, 8:00
Merchant Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Admission: $60, $51, $36.

Prince William Little Theatre: The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge
Fri, Dec 9, 8:00
Sat, Dec 10, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Dec 11, 2:00
Fri, Dec 16, 8:00
Sat, Dec 17, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Dec 18, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: Adult $20, senior $17.

Manassas Symphony Orchestra Family Concert: Explorations
Sat, Dec 10, 3:30

Merchant Hall
Admission: $25.

A Celtic Christmas with Seán Heely
Sun, Dec 11, 4:00
Merchant Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Admission: $46, $39, $28.

Manassas Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker
Fri, Dec 16 at 7:30
Sat, Dec 17 at 3:00 and 7:30
Sun – Fri, Dec 18 – 23 at 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $75, $65, $55, $45, $35.

Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra: Messiah Sing-A-Long
Sat, Dec 17 at 8:00
Sold Out


 

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

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Meetings & Clubs

Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.

The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming 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, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
 
Sat Dec 10
 
10:30 am
 1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Dec 12
 
 
 9:00 am
 9:30 am
11:00 am
Walk and Talk
What’s in the Daily News
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Dec 13
 
 9:30 am
 4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Dec 14
 
 
 
 
 
10:00 am
10:30 am
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 6:00 pm
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Conversations with Brenda and Doris
Ethnic Eats Club
Thu Dec 15
 
 
10:00 am
11:50 am
 4:30 pm
P5 Program Committee Meeting
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Dec 16
 
 
 9:15 am
 9:30 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Sat Dec 17 10:30 am Tai Chi Club
Mon Dec 19
 
 9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Dec 20
 
 
 9:30 am
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm
Annex Art
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Dec 21  4:00 pm Conversations with Brenda and Doris
Thu Dec 22
 
11:50 am
 4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Dec 23
 
 9:15 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Homer, etc.
Sat Dec 24 10:30 am Tai Chi Club

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About OLLI E-News

OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.

Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger
, Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell

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: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words.
Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:ollidev.earthcare.com/” without the quotes.
An Amazon Smile Link appears here. When you shop using the Smile link designating OLLI as your charitable choice, we'll receive a 0.5 % donation, based on the value of your purchase.

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Filed Under: OLLI E-News (Weekly Newsletter)

E-News-November-11-2022

November 11, 2022 by Dennis Vanlangen

OLLI E-News November 11, 2022
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.
Website   Quick Links  Catalog   DocStore   Facebook  Officials   Member Portal   Contact Us
OLLI Town Hall Meeting, November 4

November 11, 2022


Editor of the Week: John Nash
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • Reminder: OLLI Annual Veterans Day celebration is November 11 (today!) at 1:00 on Zoom. More information is available in last week’s E-News issue at this link.
  • Reminder: Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group meeting, Thursday, November 17, 10:00 (Zoom).
  • Board of Directors meeting, Friday, November 18, 10:00; Tallwood TA‑1 and Zoom. All members welcome.
  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, November 25; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, November 22, at 6:00.

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From the Desk of the Executive Director


By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director



OLLI members please note the opportunity for a great upcoming event below!

Mason Provost and Center for Humanities Research Co-sponsored Symposium: Thinking Through American Polarization on Friday, November 18, 1:00-5:00, EST.

The symposium will be a hybrid event. The in-person portion will be in Mason’s Merton Hall, Room 1201, or you may join virtually on Zoom. Registration is required for both.

The symposium, addressing the histories, causes, and mechanisms of polarization, will combine a panel of external presentations, each about 15-20 minutes, and a conversation with a second panel led by Mason faculty. Panel One will be chaired by Alison Landsberg, professor of history and art history and cultural studies, and director of the Center for Humanities Research at Mason. Panel Two will be chaired by Peter Stearns, professor of history and art history and provost emeritus at Mason.

For more information, including the schedule, speakers, and a registration link, click here.

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Start the Holiday Season with the OLLI Holiday Party

 

By Elaine Leonard, Hospitality Committee Chair



After the pandemic interruption, a highly-anticipated OLLI tradition lives again! Come and enjoy OLLI’s biggest in-person social event of the season;
The OLLI Annual Holiday Party will be on Thursday, December 1 from 11:30 to 2:30 at the Country Club of Fairfax, located at 5110 Ox Road in Fairfax. The event will begin at 11:30 as you gather over drinks (cash bar) and check in at the registration table.

Seeing our OLLI friends is not the only good thing. There will be an outstanding menu available. Entrées include pasta primavera, chicken piccata, and spinach salad with grilled chicken. The chicken and pasta entrées include rolls and salad; all meals include beverage and dessert. You can indicate your choice of entrée and pay the $50 when you register on the OLLI member portal. After lunch you will be entertained with a performance by the Tallwood Trio. A drawing for door prizes will follow. OLLI members are welcome to bring a guest; a $50 charge per person applies.

Registration will end on Monday, November 14. To register for the party, click here.

Editor’s note: This announcement appeared in the last couple of issues of E-News. It is repeated here encourage participation.

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OLLI Veterans Day Program...Is Today!

 

By John Nash, E-News editor



Don't forget that today, November 11, at 1:00, OLLI will present its annual Veterans Day program. This year's featured speaker will be the commander of the 3rd US Infantry Regiment, also known as The Old Guard. You will learn more about the responsibilities of this military unit and the stringent requirements for those selected to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

Check the daily listing for the Zoom codes and spend a little time to honor the service of our OLLI military members and all veterans.
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Save the Date: December 6 for the Literature, Language, and Theater (LLT) Program Planning Group Meeting

 

By Patricia Bangs, LLT Program Planning Group Co-chair



Date: Tuesday, December 6
Time: 10:30-noon
What: LLT Program Planning Committee Meeting
Via Zoom: See link below

Whether you enjoy the classics or spy novels, sci-fi, memoir, poetry, want to learn a language, or want to explore playwrights and the world of theater, we need your thoughts and ideas.

Please join us for our semi-annual all campus program planning group meeting for literature, theater, writing, and language program planning on Tuesday, December 6 at 10:30, via Zoom.

We will be reviewing past terms and looking forward to planning summer 2023 and beyond. All OLLI members can contribute to the excellent programming offered to our membership. Bring ideas for literature, theater, poetry, writing, or language programs, and possible resources, such as individuals you may know who might want to teach, or any other thoughts on this popular OLLI program area. And, of course, if you or anyone you know would like to join our planning group, here is your opportunity to see the process in action. Spread the word. See you on December 6.

The meeting Zoom link from Shannon Morrow, our staff program associate, is below. We will resend again closer to the meeting. If you would like to be added to our LLT mailing list for a reminder, please email me at: pbangs68@gmail.com.

Please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 385003 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 968 1639 9431 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode. You may also dial in at +1 301 715 8592 or join by Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) by clicking here.

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More Upcoming Mason Jazz Concerts

 

By Darden Purcell, D.M.A, Mason Director of Jazz Studies,
Jazz Voice



Mason Jazz concerts this November offer lots of variety. Two concerts were addressed in the last issue of E-News. The following announcements are for two concerts coming up on November 16 and November 18.

The Jazz Workshop - Wednesday, November 16, 8:00, at the Center for the Arts. The concert is free and open to the public; no tickets are required.

Directed by John Kocur, the Jazz Workshop explores the intersection of improvisation and composition in an atypical jazz ensemble. This performance will feature some rare gems and jazz classics by Oliver Nelson, Ella Fitzgerald, Charles Mingus, Mary Lou Williams, and Cannonball Adderley.

Jazz4Justice™ – Jazz & Blues In America - Monday, November 18, 8:00, at the Center for the Arts. Tickets: $20 Adults, $15 Seniors and Students (click here). 

Join Mason Jazz and Friends as we explore the roots and development of America's greatest contribution to the Arts—Jazz.

Established in 2001 by Fairfax attorney Edward L. Weiner, Esq. and Jim Carroll, founder of Mason Jazz Studies, Jazz4Justice™ is an award-winning annual concert presented by Legal Services of Northern Virginia (LSNV) and Mason Jazz Studies. Proceeds from the evening benefit LSNV to continue its mission of service to the Northern Virginia community as well as providing financial support for the Mason Jazz Studies department for scholarships, trips, and recordings. Jam session immediately following the concert, so bring your instrument (or voice) and sit in!

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Weekly Conversations Continue – November 16 HOLIDAY PLANS

By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch,
Co-Moderators

Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, we (Team Bloch) will moderate a Zoom discussion on November 16 at 4:00, where every OLLI member is most welcome to join us to talk about our chosen topic for the week: Share Your Holiday Plans. We encourage an informal interactive exchange. No sign-ups needed; participation is totally ad hoc. Check the Daily Schedule or just use the OLLI Chat Line meeting ID.

Holiday season is coming up fast: Thanksgiving, Hannukah, Christmas, New Year's. Some of us have plans for celebrating; others will be happy to ignore the whole season. Where do you stand? Looking forward to family get-together(s)? Traveling? Preparing and eating traditional foods? Decorating? Staying away from crowds and super-spreader events another year? And – most important – what's your favorite flavor of pie? Share your thoughts with us for a jolly session or perhaps a serious one of reflection.

 Heads up for the next Conversation: note that we will skip November 23. On November 30, our topic probably will be Downsizing and "DeAcquiring"—suggested by an OLLI member.

Each week, we pre-select a topic and advertise it in the OLLI E-News, the OLLI E-Blast, and the OLLI Daily Schedule email (so it will be “in your face” and hard to miss.) If you have a suggestion for a topic that will be of interest, please send it to one of us: (Bblochyoung@gmail.com or dbloch50@hotmail.com). 

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Computer Club

3rd Saturday, November 19 In-Person and Zoom
Backups

Learn in 30: Downloading Videos from the Web

 

By Paul Howard, OPCUG Program Chair



The Computer Club (OLLI Personal Computer User Group, or OPCUG) will meet with its partner, the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS), on Saturday, November 19, in person and via Zoom. You must observe OLLI/GMU Health protocols (see this link). Program activities begin at 1:00; the Zoom session usually opens at 12:45. Coffee, soda, and individual snack packages will be available.


Backups – Presented by Uwe Dotzauer

Every day, we hear about data breaches, ransomware attacks, and catastrophic destruction of business and homes. But untold is the loss of information like digital documents, pictures, and information. In today's world where we live in digital times, who has all their "e-data" property in a safe place?

In his presentation, “The Computer Backup, your lifeline in case of digital emergency,” Mr. Dotzauer will explain the different technologies, media, and methods that you need to succeed! He will talk about several key factors that are important for a worry-free, data-retaining world!

Uwe Dotzauer is a network engineer and computer consultant with more than 20 years of experience. He has specialized in Apple Macintosh technology since 1998 and enjoys educating users about the daily challenges in the "IT World" around us. He graduated from George Mason University with a masters degree in telecommunication and network forensics.


Learn in 30: Downloading Videos from the Web – Presented by John Krout

This Learn in 30 presentation will introduce a free computer application that, given a web page address (URL) for a video, will download a video to local storage on your computer, such as a hard drive, flash drive, or solid-state drive (SSD). It works for both YouTube videos and the educational videos on the PATACS Recent Meetings page. The application is available for Windows, Macintosh, and Ubuntu Linux. After downloading a video, you can copy it to other computers and smartphones and tablets.

John Krout is a frequent presenter at our meetings on a wide range of computer, technology and photography topics, and author of many articles for the PATACS Posts newsletter.


See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 for 2022—see http://olligmu.org/opcug/comm.html for details on making payment.

To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 085407 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 885 2504 2358 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method) or dial in – 301-715-8592.

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Looking for OLLI Survey Participants!

 

By Charlotte Joannidis, Mason Environmental Science and Policy Department Master’s Student


As a master’s student in the Environmental Science and Policy Department at Mason, I would like to invite OLLI members to participate in a survey about sustainable packaging. The goal of the survey is to understand how consumers view ten key sustainable packaging concepts used within the personal care product/cosmetics industry and to determine which concepts consumers prefer. This survey is for research purposes only.

If you would like to participate in the survey to be used for research, please click the link below. If you choose to participate you will be asked about your general personal care product/cosmetics use, your willingness to buy packages based on specific features, how you rank the ten packaging concepts against each other, and demographic questions. This survey should take under 15 minutes to complete. The survey will be open for responses until Friday, December 16.

You must be 18 years or older in order to participate.

To take the survey, please click this link. Thank you.

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

November Perspectives                                              
                                                       
Giving up their gold,
trees float it down in streams
piling up blessings
below, where the old house
dreams a dream of new shingles
coated in gold leaf,
and the patient ground,
taking on its cloth of gold,
pities the bare trees.
              Caroline McNeil

 

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances, November 11 through November 28


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer

 

For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, 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 Center ticket purchase page.

Current vaccination policy for the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center is summarized as follows:

Audience members are not currently required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result for most events except when required by the event organizer or artist. If proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result is required for a specific event, it will be indicated on the webpage with event details.

Specific requirements are detailed and any future policy changes may be found here: https://cfa.gmu.edu/plan-your-visit/vaccination-policy.

Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just sign up at this link to stay in touch. Also, the Center for the Arts has a website, Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances. Information can also be found at CFA ticket purchase page, Center for the Arts YouTube Channel, or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
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At the Fairfax Campus Venues
 

Virginia Opera: The Pirates of Penzance
Sat, Nov 12, 8:00
Sun, Nov 13, 2:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Admission: $110, $70, $40.

Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Immortal Impromptus
Sun, Nov 20, 7:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance “Young Artist Musicale,” featuring piano students of Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association members, will take place from 6:00-6:30 lobby.
An interactive question and answer session will conclude this program.
Admission: $50, $43, $29.

The 5 Browns
Sat, Nov 26, 8:00
Concert Hall
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, which is located on the third level of the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Admission: $50, $43, $30.

The Queen’s Cartoonists
Sun, Nov. 27, 3:00
Concert Hall
Before the performance there will be family-friendly craft activities in the lobby.
Admission: $15.

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Mason Student and Faculty Performances

(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)
 

New Sound Collective: Fall Reflections
Fri, Nov 11, 8:00
deLaski 3001
Admission: Free.

Mason School of Dance: New Dances
Fri, Nov 11, 8:00
Sat, Nov 12, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Adult $15, senior $10.

Brass Day
Sat, Nov 12, 8:00 to 6:00
DeLaski
Admission: Free, but register at https://music.gmu.edu/visit-us/brass-day/.

Double Reed Day
Sun, Nov 13, 1:00 to 5:00
deLaski
Admission: Free, but register at https://music.gmu.edu/double-reed-day/.

Mason Jazz Vocal Night
Mon, Nov 14, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Adult $12, senior $8.

Percussion Ensemble Concert
Tue, Nov 15, 7:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.

Jazz Workshop Concert
Wed, Nov 16, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Free.

Jazz4Justice™
Fri, Nov 18, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Adult $20, senior $15.

Mason School of Theater: Sutta
Fri, Nov 18, 8:00
Sat, Nov 19, 8:00
Sun, Nov 20, 2:00
TheaterSpace
Admission: Adult $20, senior $10.

Symphonic Band Concert
Mon, Nov 21, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Adult $12, senior $8.

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At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Gallery Exhibit: Elizabeth Hall: Viriditas
Nov 8 – Jan 8
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.

Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra: Salute to the Military
Sat, Nov 12, 8:00
Merchant Hall
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Admission: $48, $41, $28.

Hylton Family Series: SUGAR SKULL! A Día de los Muertos Musical Adventure
Sun, Nov 13, 1:00 and 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $15.

Company 360 Dance Theatre: AWAY
Sat, Nov 19, 2:00 and 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adult $35, senior $25, student and military (active and retired) $20, child
$15.

The Seldom Scene
Sat, Nov 19, 5:30 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30.

Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker
Fri, Nov 25, 2:00 and 6:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adult $45, $40, $35; child $30, $25, $20.

Northern Virginia Ballet: The Nutcracker
Sat, Nov 26, 2:00 and 6:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adult $35, senior, youth, and military $25.

Chanticleer
Sun, Nov 27, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.

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

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Meetings & Clubs

Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. OLLI events and activities meeting online bear the identification "Z" in their course or event number (except clubs; you may need to check the OLLI calendar and daily schedule email for location and other event information). Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates.

The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming 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, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
 
Sat Nov 12
 
12:00 noon
10:30 am
Board of Directors Retreat
Tai Chi Club
Mon Nov 14
 
 9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Nov 15
 
 9:30 am
 4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Nov 16
 
 
 
 
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
 2:00 pm
 6:00 pm
Bridge Club
Mah Jongg Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Ethnic Eats Club
Thu Nov 17
 
 
 
10:00 am
 
11:50 am
 4:30 pm
Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events (HSS/CE) Program Planning Group Meeting (Zoom)
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Nov 18
 
 
 
 9:15 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc.
Sat Nov 19
 
10:30 am
 1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Nov 21
 
 9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Nov 22
 
 9:30 am
 4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Thu Nov 24  4:30 pm Tai Chi Club
Fri Nov 25
 
 
 9:15 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Recorder Consort
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Sat Nov 26 10:30 am Tai Chi Club
 

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About OLLI E-News

OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.

Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger
, Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell

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: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words.
Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:ollidev.earthcare.com/” without the quotes.
An Amazon Smile Link appears here. When you shop using the Smile link designating OLLI as your charitable choice, we'll receive a 0.5 % donation, based on the value of your purchase.

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Filed Under: OLLI E-News (Weekly Newsletter)

Book Readings

November 14, 2020 by Dennis Vanlangen

Books read aloud to each other in Homer

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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