Mark Rozell, Dean of Mason’s Schar School of Policy and Government, Visited OLLI on September 30 to Address Virginia Politics, the Youngkin Administration, and the New South
Lifetime OLLI Membership for Fairfax City Mayor From the Desk of the Executive Director
By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director
On December 13, it was my pleasure to award lifetime OLLI membership to David L. Meyer, mayor of Fairfax, for his steadfast support of OLLI and its collaboration with the city of Fairfax.
Teach at OLLI Mason Summer 2023
By Camille Hodges, Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Program Planning Group Chair
As you relax during this holiday season why not consider teaching at OLLI during the upcoming summer 2023 session? If you have been thinking of sharing your expertise, you can start by teaching a single-session course during the summer and then progress to a multi-session course if you wish. 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 are always popular topics 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.
We are looking forward to seeing your name in the OLLI catalog as a presenter!
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in the December 9 issue of OLLI E-News. It is repeated here at the author’s request to encourage member participation in OLLI program development.
A County Program to Combat Social Isolation Among Older and Disabled Adults, and a Volunteer Opportunity
By Yashoda Premysler, CARE Mobile Program Manager
On August 1, 2022, ServiceSource launched CARE (Community Access to Resources and Engagement) Mobile, a program to reduce social isolation among older adults and adults with disabilities and to improve community and social connections. ServiceSource is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to facilitate services, resources, and partnerships to support older adults and adults with disabilities, families, their caregivers, and community members, to build more inclusive communities.
CARE Mobile is a 100% mobile program based on a public-private partnership model which provides free, roving, on-site, outdoor health and wellness programming; engaging community activities; and entertainment for older adults (age 50+) and adults with disabilities. Local community resources and consultation are also available to connect individuals to organizations for support. This program helps eliminate transportation and technological barriers by going directly to neighborhoods identified by Fairfax County’s One Fairfax initiative. Areas include Mount Vernon, Springfield, Bailey’s Crossroads, Annandale, Falls Church, Herndon, and Chantilly. Events are held outside when the weather permits.
Services include wellness checks such as:
screenings for blood pressure, diabetes, vision and hearing;
vaccine clinics such as flu and COVID boosters;
activities such as expressive music, dance, Tai-chi, yoga, creative arts, and crafts; and
entertainment, such as bingo, movies, games, and karaoke.
Other services, activities, entertainment, and educational programming are available upon request. Click here to see our website for additional information and to request CARE Mobile in your neighborhood!
We also welcome volunteers to provide or assist with any of the activities above or to contribute additional ideas. Thank you.
On a breezy October morning
I tramp through familiar woods
entranced by hundreds of brilliantly colored leaves
sailing, drifting, and spinning through the freshly washed sky,
before sifting softly to the ground.
I hike the trail around the pond;
the surrounding area is so blanketed with leaves,
I can't tell where land ends and water begins.
I spot an unusual leaf, so perfectly shaped
and intensely yellow that I want to touch it,
but it's several feet away from the path.
Time was when I would wander without hesitation,
through uncharted territory covered thickly with leaves
that hide dangers like roots, rocks, or tangled branches,
dangers that could send me flying.
I'm a risk manager now.
I tell myself that one gorgeous leaf
isn't worth a trip to the emergency room.
I feel a drop; it's starting to rain.
I turn my face to the sky and stick my tongue out,
then pop open my bright yellow umbrella and give it a twirl,
just like the ingenue in an old movie.
I head home stepping carefully along the wet trail
singing out loud. I remember the words.
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.
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.
U.S. Navy Concert Band
Fri, Jan 13, 8:00
Center for the Arts Concert Hall
Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets required.
U.S. Navy Band Commodores with special guest Melissa Aldana
Sat, Jan 14, 8:00
Center for the Arts Concert Hall
Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets required.
Gallery Exhibit: Elizabeth Hall: Viriditas
Through Jan 8
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
11th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Jan 10 – Feb 18
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Please note: For winter term 2023, OLLI clubs and scheduled activities are meeting online. Accordingly, the course or event numbers for such events and activities (except clubs) meeting only online show the identification "Z" (for Zoom). 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. 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 31
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jan 2
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Jan 3
9:00 am
9:30 am
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Walk & Talk
Annex Art
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jan 4
10:00 am
10:30 am
Mah Jongg Club
Investment Forum
Thu Jan 5
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jan 6
9:30 am
11:00 am
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Sat Jan 7
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jan 9
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Jan 10
9:30 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jan 11
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
6:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Ethnic Eats Club
Thu Jan 12
10:00 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Walk & Talk
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jan 13
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
2:30 pm
Photography Club
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Tallwood Book Club
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.
pleasure to award lifetime OLLI membership to David L. Meyer, mayor of Fairfax, for his steadfast support of OLLI and its collaboration with the city of Fairfax.
