Winter-Term Collaboration, OLLI and AARP:
Fritz Gearhart, Professor of Violin at University of Oregon, Talks on Beethoven’s Life and Music, February16, 2022
[Note: Zoom on image with Ctrl-mouse scroll wheel or, on Mac, Cmd-"+/=" to zoom in and (Cmd-"-_" to zoom out)]
OLLI President's Message, March 18:
Return to Campus
By Paul Howard, President
OLLI is committed to the health and well-being of our members. Towards that end, we’ve acquired air-cleaning units with HEPA filtration and UV light purification technology that we’re placing in Tallwood classrooms and other spaces. We are eager to get back in-person to see our friends, but we have an obligation to each other to keep our friends safe. Requirements for attending classes include all of us to be fully vaccinated and boosted, not coming to class or activities with symptoms of COVID, cold, or flu, and completing the GMU daily health check. We’ve wrestled with how to confirm the results of the check and decided that the best approach is affirming our personal obligation to each other by showing our seatmates in class the ‘green flag’ approval of the Mason health check.
As background, on January 31st, George Mason University President Gregory Washington announced that the university is “winning the battle against COVID-19” and reported that the university will no longer require proof of COVID vaccination. In addition, Dr. Washington on March 4threduced university-wide masking requirements, although Mason will continue to require masking in classrooms.
However, OLLI will still require verification of vaccination against COVID and masking of all individuals at our venues regardless of capacity. After conference with the University Provost Office, Executive Director Jennifer Disano has confirmed that OLLI will, independent of the University, follow our own health and safety criteria to protect our sensitive population.
Have some free time on March 24? Want to know what’s happening at OLLI this spring—updates on our facilities, latest health requirements for coming to campus, new classes? New members—we’re sure you have many questions, especially since most of you will be coming to campus for the first time! “Newbies” and longtime members—reconnect with friends and make new friends in our breakout sessions.
If this sounds like a good way to spend the morning of March 24, join us at the Spring Kick-Off Coffee from 10:00 to 11:30. Register online for class 1201Z OLLI Virtual Kick-Off Coffee or contact the registrar. Hope to see you there!
By Michelle Blandburg and Linda Harber, OLLI Players and Friends of Music at Mason Members
Do you swoon when you hear a song or lyrics from those Golden Oldie times? Do love remembering Nat King Cole and Elvis and Patsy Cline and Broadway shows from the 1940's-1970's? Then this is the Zoom event for you!
Reminisce with OLLI’s premier performing group, The OLLI Players, at an afternoon of musical entertainment! On Wednesday, March 30 at 2:15, we will present “The Golden Oldies Show” – a trip down memory lane with songs and skits from the 40’s through the 70’s. Join the Players as we tell the stories, as well as sing or recite our favorite numbers, from pop music to Broadway hits. You will hear classic favorites and have lots of fun. It will feel like the "good old days" by the record player or television.
We miss our OLLI friends and appreciate you joining our virtual audience on March 30. You don’t want to miss the fun! This event is 1001Z; be sure to register in advance.
As we move swiftly—far too swiftly, it seems—through our lives, we sometimes forget how we got here, that our whole existence is layered with a rich and often fantastic past. This is a chance to look at some of those layers that have brought us thus far and, hopefully, will carry us further.
For almost 30 years, I identified as a field archaeologist. The field had been my focus since my first paid job as an archaeologist at age 19. In recent years, I have spoken to this group about the many field projects I led in my role as senior archaeologist with the Fairfax County Park Authority. However, at the end of 2020 I accepted a position as the historic preservation planner in the Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning. I traded in a long commute and identity as a field archaeologist for more time at home and a purely bureaucratic role. Or so I thought. It turns out that a historic preservation planner must wear several hats and, in a small jurisdiction, the work of saving our past for current and future generations requires a more personal touch.
I hope you will register for Event 955Z, The Many Hats of a Historic Preservationist: Life in Planning and Zoning, and join me virtually on March 30 at 2:15. I will discuss the use of technology to rediscover lost pasts and even share the "fun" of fighting tides in a kayak while mapping a vernacular boat. Success in this work definitely requires developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships.
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, March 19, via Zoom. Program activities begin at 1:00; the Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Add NAS to Your Router – Presented by John Krout
Network Attached Storage (NAS) is any drive connected to your home Local Area Network (LAN) and is available for storing computer backups and sharing files with any computer, smart phone, or tablet connected to the same LAN. In this presentation, you will learn how to attach inexpensive flash drives, portable hard drives or portable Solid‑State Drives (SSDs) to your router, and to check that the router recognizes the attached NAS. Also, you will learn how to configure Windows, iOS, and Android devices to use the NAS.
John has been using NAS with his home router for more than six months, and his router model price has recently fallen by 50% on Amazon and at Microcenter.
Learn in 30: Wi-Fi and Routers – Presented by Lorrin Garson
Wi-Fi 6 was released on September 1, 2020, and there are now many products that can accommodate this wireless technology. What is Wi-Fi 6? What are the advantages of Wi-Fi 6 over previous versions of wireless communications standards? What is the difference between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E? And, what features should you look for in a wireless router?
Lorrin's presentations to our computer groups are famous for their thorough research and clarity in explaining topics such as cryptography, encryption of personal data, cloud storage, and the origins of personal computers.
Attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45. Please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 951 528 or enter meeting ID 831 7741 9580 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode.
By Norma Jean Reck,
Theater Lovers’ Group Coordinator
Here's your chance to go to Capital One Hall, located at 7750 Capital One Towers Road, Tysons, 22102, for free. On Sunday, March 20, at 3:00, Capital One Hall is offering a free concert titled "Celebration." It is in honor of John Williams and features works of American composers. For directions, a list of musical offerings, and to get your free ticket, go to www.capitalonehall.com. Feel free to invite friends to enjoy a concert with you.
Join Djola Branner, director of Mason's School of Theater, on Monday, March 28, for a curated series of conversations with artists exploring race and power in their work. These conversations draw people from across the United States who have extensive experience in theater and are quite knowledgeable. Their questions and comments add value to the conversation.
Director Branner will be speaking with Mary Kathryn Nagle, a Native American playwright and a partner at Pipestem Law, a firm that specializes in tribal sovereignty of Native nations and people. After being commissioned by Arena Stage to write Sovereignty, Ms. Nagle became the first Native American playwright to ever have their work featured in the venue. The event is free, virtual, and open to all. To sign up for the event, email Nick Horner at Mason and tell him you want to sign up for the event: nhorner@gmu.edu.
The Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) meeting for Wednesday, March 23, at 4:00, has been canceled and rescheduled for Wednesday, April 27, at 4:00. Stay tuned for further details. Questions? Email njreck@cs.com.
To receive all emails about TLG events, be sure to sign up for TLG online at the OLLI member portal or email the registrar at ollireg@gmu.edu.
By Dr. Darden Purcell, Mason Director of Jazz Studies
Join the Mason Jazz Ensemble, with director Jim Carroll, the Jazz Workshop, with director John Kocur, and special guests, the Loudoun Jazz Ensemble, with director John Lewis, for an evening that celebrates the hot sounds and swinging beats of the Big Band era!
The performance is at the Center for the Arts, March 28, 8:00; click here to purchase tickets. Tickets are $12 general public, $8 seniors, $5 students.
The OLLI Photo Club members selected Lynne Cline's photo, "River Otter" as the March Photo of the Month. It 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
The poems I love best are the ones that lay themselves out
on the page like a willing paramour, arms and legs akimbo,
waiting for me to draw back the sheet and reveal their loveliness.
The poems I hate most are the ones unable or unwilling to arrange
themselves neatly to fit into the forms I favor and have mastered.
I love them when they arrive unbidden and confirm my cleverness.
Hate them when they refuse to appear like a temperamental diva.
Hate them when they are seduced by the latest fads and fashions.
Hate them when they stare back at me and ask is that all you’ve got?
Love them when they wait for me to say let’s try again.
Previously announced vaccination, testing, and masking policies for audience members remain in effect as of February 22 for both the Center for the Arts and Hylton Performing Arts Center. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result is required for all audience members. The venues are committed to staying current with evolving public health recommendations regarding safety and comfort and following industry best practices, in accordance with guidance from George Mason University. If these policies change, they will be updated on the Center’s webpage: 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 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.
SW!NG OUT: A Joyce Theater Production
Sat, Mar 19, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Edgar Meyer and the Scottish Ensemble
Sun, Mar 27, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Camille A. Brown & Dancers
Sat, Apr 2, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $46, $39, $28.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Evocative Visions
Sun, Apr 3, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Gallery Exhibit: Jenny Wu
Through Sun, Apr 3
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Prince William Little Theatre: Sister Act
Fri, Mar 18, 8:00
Sat, Mar 19, 2:00 and 8:00
Sun, Mar 20, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adults; $20 Seniors, $15 Children.
Manassas Chorale: Wonder, Love and Praise
Sat, Mar 19, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25.
The Okee Dokee Brothers
Sun, Mar 20, 1:00 and 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $15.
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 Mar 19
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Mar 21
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Club
Tue Mar 22
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Mar 23
10:30 am
12:00 noon
2:00 pm
Tom Crooker’s Investment Forum
Spring Pre-term Staff Meeting
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Mar 24
10:00 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Kick-off Coffee
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Mar 25
9:15 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Sat Mar 26
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Mar 29
2:15 pm
4:30 pm
Loudoun Non-Fiction Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Mar 30
1:45 pm
Bridge Club
Thu Mar 31
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri Apr 1
9:15 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
Recorder Consort
Craft and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
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, Roz Stark,
Jane Hassell
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: 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.
Reminisce with OLLI’s premier performing group, The OLLI Players, at an afternoon of musical entertainment! On Wednesday, March 30 at 2:15, we will present “The Golden Oldies Show” – a trip down memory lane with songs and skits from the 40’s through the 70’s. Join the Players as we tell the stories, as well as sing or recite our favorite numbers, from pop music to Broadway hits. You will hear classic favorites and have lots of fun. It will feel like the "good old days" by the record player or television.
