Dr. Jane Flinn, Associate Professor of Psychology at Mason, Provided a Very Informative Review of the Causes, Consequences, and Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, February 2. Watch for the Recorded Video on the OLLI Website.
Nominations Open for 2023 Board of Directors Election
By Marilyn Harriman, Board Member, and Nominating Committee Chair
The OLLI Board of Directors Nominating Committee is recruiting candidates from our members for the 2023 Board of Directors. This year, five new board members will be elected to replace members whose terms are ending. Board members serve three-year terms of office.
The only prerequisite to becoming a candidate for election to the board is being an OLLI member who wants to contribute ideas and enjoys volunteering.
Being a Board member is a great way to play an active role in OLLI Mason's transition to our future “new normal.” It’s also a great way to learn more about the inner workings of OLLI and meet other members.
The Board meets monthly in person/on Zoom during the year except in December, May (annual membership meeting), and August.
Currently, Board members are working to increase membership and energize members in Northern Virginia to attend more in-person classes and events. Board members are planning ways to optimize our Zoom program planning. There is also a need in the areas of marketing, finance, and fundraising.
If you are interested in being a Board member, want further information, or would like to nominate another OLLI member, please contact the Nominating Chair, Marilyn Harriman, at mlwharriman74@gmail.com.
Friends, Countrymen, Give Us Your Ideas!
By Bernie Oppel, History Program Planning Group Co-Chair
The History Program Planning Group at OLLI has been fortunate over the years to receive many good course suggestions, and to have many excellent volunteer instructors, allowing for an extensive array of history courses offered each OLLI session.
Recent OLLI member surveys indicate strong interest in broadening the scope and depth of our history offerings, proposing courses in areas such as Greece and Rome, China, Japan, Australia, Russia, art history, and the Korean War.
These are great ideas to expand the list of compelling OLLI history courses! Ideas are good; we also need instructors! Do you have a topic that inspires you and that you believe would interest OLLI members? Are you willing to share your interest and knowledge and become a volunteer OLLI instructor? Do you have friends or acquaintances with unique knowledge about a topic who might be willing to be an OLLI instructor? Recruit them! We’re also looking for instructors to teach the topics in the areas listed above. Instructors get technical support from OLLI for both in-person and Zoom classes.
Planning for fall term 2023 and winter term 2024 is now in progress. We’d love your input!
Even better, if you’re willing to volunteer to teach a course, use the Course Proposal Form on the OLLI website.
Or send your suggestions to any of the History Program Planning Group members:
In December 2022, OLLI received three generous contributions from long-time members, of $4,000, $5,000, and $20,000. OLLI regularly receives contributions used to support Mason student scholarships and to support the OLLI budget. These large contributions will help OLLI navigate the changes to programming and delivering courses made necessary by the pandemic. We are grateful for these gifts.
OLLI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and contributions are tax deductible to the donors. Contributions can be made through Qualified Charitable Distributions from retirement accounts, Donor Advised Funds, or in your will. OLLI staff can assist donors using these methods to give. Donors of such gifts made to Osher Lifelong Institute at George Mason University are identified as “Friends of OLLI” (FOLLI).
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 February 15 at 4:00. Our chosen topic this week is “Centenarians.”
The Washington Post (WaPo) recently ran an article about folks who achieved the age of 100 and over. The oldest person in the world, a French nun, recently passed away at age 118, leaving two 115-year-olds as the current record holders. There are 593,000 known centenarians around the world as of 2022, with the largest numbers living in the US and Japan. A professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago plans to launch an online app where people can upload data from a genetic testing service to identify their likelihood of exceptional longevity and plan accordingly. But genes are only about 25% of the picture. What are the pros and cons of such a long life and what is your own opinion on this “trend”? Would you want to know your odds in advance?
Check your daily‑schedule email for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch.
Shhhh! It’s a Secret! Let’s Change That: A Message from Your OLLI Outreach Committee
By Debby Mossburg, Outreach Committee Chair
The Outreach Committee is currently expanding efforts to increase membership to help address important projected budget considerations.
We hope you'll agree that joining the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University was among the best decisions you made when retired or nearing retirement. Members soon learn that the organization provides both great value and numerous opportunities to stimulate their intellectual curiosity. With this in mind, we are reaching out to request your assistance to tell future and current retirees and other seniors about OLLI.
Can you help us reach out to the organizations you've been a part of? These could be government, professional, military or any other educational or social groups whose members might be interested in learning about OLLI. We have presentations ready to go for your organization and volunteers eager to present them.
Please let us know if you would be willing to connect us with your organization so that we can offer a presentation about OLLI to its members. Email (Subject Line: Outreach Committee) or phone either Debby Mossburg (debby.mossburg@verizon.net/703-973-8080) or Jerry Schrager (schragjerm@aol.com /703-241-4560).
OLLI Walk & Talk Club News Walk & Talk Club Plans Valentine's Day Hike
By Marilyn Harriman, Walk & Talk Club Co‑Chair
The OLLI Walk & Talk Club plans a light hike on the trails around Huntsman Lake, off Dorothy Lane in West Springfield, on February 14 at 2:00. After our 50–60 minute trek, those who would like continued conversation and beverage will meet at Chloez Café, 5622 Ox Road, Unit F, Fairfax Station.
Not in the club, but want to join? It’s easy! Just register through the OLLI member portal. In the search engine, type “OLLI Walk Talk Winter 2023.” Club members receive specific parking and orientation details.
Coffee at Tous Les Jours Café, Annandale
By Bob Heyer, Walk & Talk Club Co‑Chair
On Friday, February 3, the OLLI Walk & Talk Club had planned an excursion led by Michael Nephew along a different trail through Mason District Park, starting at the parking lot near the tennis courts. However, discretion was the better part of valor when we found the weather too cold and windy, so we went straight to the Tous Les Jours Café in Annandale for coffee and conversation. And fun was had by all with a beautiful selection of confections and coffee in the recently opened café. The café was packed with people, and our biggest challenge was corralling fourteen chairs. So, we split into two groups, thanks to some very polite customers around us, and had a wonderful time trading many tales about our past winter ventures when we were young and cold was not part of our vocabulary. (Photos by Marilyn Harriman)
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, February 18, via Zoom. Program begins at 1:00; the Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Death by a Thousand Clicks: A Backdoor Look at the Mighty Electronic Health Record – Presented by Michele Romano, MD
The technology tsunami continues worldwide, and no more so than in the healthcare field. We have tools for diagnosis, management, prevention, treatment, and communication that would not be possible without today’s computer capabilities. This talk is a deep dive into one aspect which affects the lives of patients and providers alike: the Electronic Health Record (EHR). It not only stores your health information, but it also captures vast amounts of data for public health and socioeconomic issues. Sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Dr. Michele Romano is a retired family physician and associate clinical professor at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine in Richmond, Virginia. She has an undergraduate degree in biology and received her medical degree from VCU. She has over 25 years of experience in family medicine.
Learn in 30: 2022 Presentation Updates – Presented by John Krout
This Learn in 30 will provide useful updates on three of John's 2022 presentations:
Internet Radio on the Road, Safely (April 2022);
Record 4K resolution Video with your Smart Phone (May 2022)
Stream Audio from your Computer (August 2022).
Changes and improvements are available for each of those topics, and John will provide details. If you missed any of these original 2022 presentations, then you will learn how to see the original presentation videos and slide deck PDFs.
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.
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 860 4783 3447 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method) or dial in – 301-715-8592.
OLLI-Mason welcomes Paulette Rainie who will be teaching 1201Z Gentle Stretch on Wednesday mornings February 22-March 22, 8:30-9:20. Participants should have a mat (or comfortable way to lie down) and a strap (yoga, strap, old tie, or long towel will do). Registration is via the member portal at this link. For questions, contact Bonnie Nelson at bonniebowmannelson@gmail.com. (Photo courtesy of Paulette Rainie).
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
Reminder: the Mason Jazz Festival is coming up on Saturday, February 18, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm in the Harris Theatre on the Mason campus. It is free and open to the public. For more information, click here.
Also this month, the Mason jazz faculty return to Washington’s historic Blues Alley. There will be 7:00 and 9:00 shows on Monday, February 27. For tickets, click this link.
The Mason Jazz Camp will be held June 19‑23. For registration and camp details, click here.
Hitchhiking,
I didn’t get to Orrville until 4 pm.
Railroad hoboes were gathered around a fire,
just far enough from the train yard to avoid intervention.
Something in a smoke-scorched tin sat bubbling in the coals.
A brown-bagged bottle of something else was being passed from man to man.
In my beard, long hair, and bellbottoms, I felt uneasy, but joined them.
They greeted me, passed the bottle.
I smiled, passed it on, without drinking.
They didn’t seem to care.
“Anybody know about the train to Portola,” I asked.
One of the men said, “Yeah. Be here around 5.”
“How will I know it?”
I’ll tell you.”
“Thanks.”
“Ever rode before?”
“No. Any tips?”
“Pick a flat car. Ride under the deck, over the wheels. Protect you from the weather.”
“Weather?”
“Yeah. You’ll get some snow going over the mountain.”
“What about a box car?”
“Never know what you’ll find in a box car.”
He turned to talk to someone else.
You never know what you’ll find anywhere, I thought to myself.
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.
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: $70, $60, $45.
Mason Jazz Festival 2023
Sat, Feb 18, 10:00 (am) - 10:00 (pm)
The Ben Patterson "Way of the Groove,” 1:00
United States Navy Band Commodores, 7:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
Doug Varone and Dancers: Somewhere; Aperture/Short Story; Double Octet
Sat, Feb 18, 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.
After the performance, Doug Varone will participate in a post-performance discussion from the stage.
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Voctave: The Corner of Broadway and Main Street Sun, Feb 19, 4:00
Concert Hall
After the performance, Doug Varone will participate in a post-performance discussion from the stage.
11th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Through Feb 18
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Mason School of Theater: Mason Cabaret in Concert
Fri, Feb 10, 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30 Adult, $15 senior.
Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble, Pepperland
Sat, Feb 11, 8:00
Merchant Hall
A pre-performance discussion with Company Director Sam Black begins one hour prior to the performance.
A post-performance discussion following Pepperland will be held on Merchant Hall stage with Mark Morris, choreographer and founder of the Mark Morris Dance Group, and with Pepperland composer, Ethan Iverson.
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Llama Llama Live
Sun, Feb 12, 1:00 and 4:00
Merchant Hall
Wear your favorite pajamas to the performance and be sure to join us for activities from 12:00 to 12:45 and 3:00 to 3:45, including a family story time in the Jacquemin Family Foundation Rehearsal Room! Admission: $15.
Virginia National Ballet: Aladdin
Sun, Feb 19, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $45, $40, $35.
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 Feb 11
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Feb 13
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Feb 14
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Walk & Talk Club
Spanish Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Feb 15
4:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Thu Feb 16
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 17
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
Craft and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Sat Feb 18
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Feb 20
9:30 am
11:00 am
OLLI Office Closed
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Feb 21
9:30 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Feb 22
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Feb 23
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 24
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Photography 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.
excursion led by Michael Nephew along a different trail through Mason District Park, starting at the parking lot near the tennis courts. However, discretion was the better part of valor when we found the weather too cold and windy, so we went straight to the Tous Les Jours Café in Annandale for coffee and conversation. And fun was had by all with a beautiful selection of confections and coffee in the recently opened café. The café was packed with people, and our biggest challenge was corralling fourteen chairs. So, we split into two groups, thanks to some very polite customers around us, and had a wonderful time trading many tales about our past winter ventures when we were young and cold was not part of our vocabulary. (Photos by Marilyn Harriman)
8:30-9:20. Participants should have a mat (or comfortable way to lie down) and a strap (yoga, strap, old tie, or long towel will do). Registration is via the member portal at this 
