Dr. Afra Ahmad, Mason Director of Master of Professional Studies in Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Addresses Her Research in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace, February 10
OLLI Personal Computer User Group (OPCUG) meeting, 1:00 on February 19 (tomorrow). Zoom link appears in the OLLI Daily Schedule email for February 18/19. (Zoom session begins at 12:45.)
Priority registration for spring term 2022 is February 22 – March 2. The catalog is online at this link.
For a list of canceled, changed, and added courses for the spring term, click here.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, March 4; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, March 1, at 6:00.
By Bob Heyer, Board Member and Nominating Committee Chair
The OLLI Board of Directors Nominating Committee is recruiting members to be candidates for election to the Board of Directors. Every year, some new members are elected to the Board to replace members whose terms are ending. Being a Board member is a good way to learn more about the inner workings of OLLI, meet other members, and play an active role in helping OLLI transition to the future “new normal."
The Board meets monthly during the year except December, August, and our Annual Membership meeting in May. The only prerequisites to become a candidate for election to the Board are being an OLLI member desiring to contribute ideas and enjoying volunteering.
If you are interested in being a Board member, want further information, or would like to nominate another OLLI member to the Board, please contact Nominating Committee Chair Bob Heyer at rheyer@verizon.net.
Editor’s Note: This item appeared in last week’s issue. It is repeated here to encourage nominations to the Board.
By Kosmo Tatalias, Art and Music Program Planning Group Co-chair
Please bring your ideas for classes to a friendly Zoom meeting of fellow OLLI enthusiasts about creating and appreciating art works, music, dance, photography, and film. If art and music are among your passions but you do not have any specific suggestions at this time, you might enjoy seeing and communicating with fellow OLLI classmates with whom we have been unable to meet in person for such a long time!
Mark your calendar!
Topic: Art and Music Program Planning Group Meeting
Time: March 1, 2022, 10:00 Eastern Time!
If you cannot attend the meeting at that time but would like to suggest course topics or instructors, please send your ideas to Chris Narbut, nickelpickel.chris@cox.net.
To join the Zoom Meeting, click here. The link will also appear in the OLLI Daily Schedule email. Use meeting ID 899 8548 5941, passcode 654321, or dial in at 301-715-8592.
By Marianne Metz, Music and Art Program Planning Group Co-chair
You may have read about Brendan Slocumb in the newspaper or heard him on the radio. You may even know him personally, as several OLLI members do, from his long career teaching in Fairfax County schools and playing in the NOVA-Annandale Symphony Orchestra. Now this extraordinary musician and educator has also become an author, with the publication of his debut novel The Violin Conspiracy.
Slocumb’s thriller has a protagonist inspired by the author’s own life. When he was nine, Slocumb started playing violin through a public-school music program. It saved his life, he said. Friends he grew up with are today sitting in jail; when they were out running the streets, he was in rehearsals. When they were breaking into people’s houses, he was practicing Dvorak and Mozart. His violin opened the door to opportunity, and he ran through it. The same is true for his novel’s hero, whose added complications involve the theft of his Stradivarius and revelations about his own family.
As you can imagine, Brendan Slocumb is busier now than ever. OLLI’s staff and program planners are trying to arrange for his teaching an OLLI class in a future term. In the meantime, you can hear him at a Fall for the Book event on February 24. He’ll talk about The Violin Conspiracy and perform on his own violin along with a string ensemble of local musicians. Sponsored by Fairfax County Public Libraries, this FREE event will be held at the Sherwood Center(on Old Lee Highway in Fairfax City), from 7:15 to 8:45, with pre-registration required. You can reserve your free tickets at this link.
The virtual March meeting of the History Club will take place on Wednesday, March 2. Because classes are not in session,the meeting will take place at 10:00.
Jim Triesler will be speaking on The Women of the 6888 Postal Battalion and Mail During World War II. Mail delivery, censorship, family codes, and V‑mail made correspondence during the war a very complicated matter. A little-known fact about the mail is the work done by the 6888 Postal Directory Battalion—the only all-Black, all-female group to serve overseas during World War II. All of this will be new and of great interest to many of us.
Jim Triesler serves as the director of education for the Virginia War Memorial and is historian for the National Battle of the Bulge Association. His enthusiasm for his subject has taken him to towns, battlefields, and beaches in Europe where soldiers fought. Jim’s is a subject that will shed light on a different, unique aspect of WWII.
All OLLI members and their guests are welcome to attend History Club meetings. We can always promise you a different take on what may be a familiar subject.
The February 2022 Photo of the Month theme was Two Things. We selected Rosemary Lubinski's photo "Stop staring!" 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 John Olsen and Ed Marion,Photography Club Coordinators
As I enter my seventies,
I apportion my possessions
And my late husband’s
To children and grandchildren,
Family and dear friends.
Not the last will and testament,
Nor the small estate draws my attention,
No rare trinkets that merit appraisal.
It’s our gifts exchanged –
Messages of love penned in birthday,
Anniversary, and Valentine cards.
The first poem he wrote for me.
The pewter mug from the bookstore,
A gift when I enrolled at his
Alma mater at his advice.
My college photo he carried
In his wallet for thirty years.
His little black address book,
Found under a box, after
He mailed strangers searching for me.
A ring he bought for a high school love,
The girl he thought he would marry,
Now mine, after skipping
Two previous wives.
The bride and groom teddy bears
Presented to each other upon
Our long-delayed engagement.
A pair of ticket stubs for Star Trek 2009.
The first jewelry he bought me –
A freshwater pearl necklace.
When we moved, a bouquet and card
To welcome me to our “new nest.”
All things Guinness from our trip
To the Emerald Isle.
Most of all, a toy glass slipper
Found in a Hallmark store,
Fit for his Cinderella –
From my Prince Charming.
Nothing envied by anyone else,
Their cost minuscule or nothing,
Compelling value only to us
When we meet again in stardust.
As Mason’s campuses reopen, programs are offered at both Fairfax and Manassas campuses, along with virtual events. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result is required for all audience members. 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 send an email to Brianna Schoen atbschoen@gmu.edu. 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.
Popovich Comedy Pet Theater
Sat, Feb 19, 11:00 and 2:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $15 Adults; $10 children.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: Pieces by Rouse, Dvorak, Hailstork, Part, and Elgar
Sat, Feb 19, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $70, $60, $45.
Pilobolus: Big Five-Oh!
Sun, Feb 20, 7:00
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.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Mason Jazz Festival
Sat, Feb 26, 8:00 to 8:00 (all day)
Festival in Harris Theatre and throughout deLaski Performing Arts Building United States Army Blues Jazz Ensemble
at 7:00 in Harris Theatre Admission: Free.
Mark Morris Dance Group
Sat, Feb 26, 2:00 and 8:00
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.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Sun, Feb 27, 7:00
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.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Mason Student & Faculty Performances (see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)
Dewberry Faculty Artist Series:
(The information below is taken from the list of events at https://music.gmu.edu/events/. Note that although the events listed below are free, the site above provides a link to register for tickets to attend in person, and another to watch livestreams.)
Kathleen Mulcahy, clarinet; Sophia Kim Cook, piano
Sun, Feb 20, 3:00
Harris Theater
Admission: Free
Gallery Exhibit: 10th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Through Fri, Feb 20
Hylton Performing Arts Center
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Ballet Hispánico
Sat, Feb 19, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $53, $46, $34.
Gallery Exhibit: Jenny Wu
Tue, Feb 22 – Sun, Apr 3
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Va National Ballet - The Beatles! Tango Nights; and For those we lost
Sat, Feb 26, 2:00 and 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $40 Adults; $25 children.
Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised information.
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 Feb 19
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Feb 21
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Club
Tue Feb 22
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Feb 23
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
Tom Crooker’s Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu Feb 24
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 25
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Sat Feb 26
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Feb 28
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Mar 1
9:30 am
10:00 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art Music & Art Program Planning Group
Tai Chi Club
Wed Mar 2
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
CANCELED Mah Jongg Club
Tom Crooker’s Investment Forum
History Club
Thu Mar 3
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Mar 4
9:15 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
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, Tom Appich, Roz Stark, 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.
Please bring your ideas for classes to a friendly Zoom meeting of fellow OLLI enthusiasts about creating and appreciating art works, music, dance, photography, and film. If art and music are among your passions but you do not have any specific suggestions at this time, you might enjoy seeing and communicating with fellow OLLI classmates with whom we have been unable to meet in person for such a long time!
Mark your calendar!
