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.
For Music Lovers By Linda H. Harber, President, Friends of Music at Mason
One of my favorite things about being involved with Friends of Music at Mason (FOMM) is telling other music lovers about the wonderful music programs available to all of us. With this new year come lots of great, and often free, music opportunities. Some are both in-person and live-streaming. This link takes you to the Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music live streams for the next few months, with great music to enjoy at home—from student recitals to the upcoming Dewberry Artist Series (see graphic above for times and dates). This Faculty Artist series will also be free and in person at Mason’s Harris Theatre on the Sundays listed in the graphic.
Later this month, there is something very special for all Jazz lovers:
**************************************************** MASON JAZZ FESTIVAL
Saturday, February 26, 2022
10:00 – 8:00 (all day)
Harris Theatre – George Mason University Fairfax Campus
All performances are FREE and open to the public! FREE parking in LOT K.
With special performances by the Mason Jazz Ensemble (directed by Jim Carroll) and closing festival concert by the United States Army Band "Pershing's Own" premier jazz ensemble, The US Army Blues.
Remember, all you need to do to receive all FOMM's mailings is send me (lharber@gmu.edu) an email and you're on. You will enjoy Friday musical moments to brighten the end of each week and a monthly newsletter. I love the collaboration between OLLI and FOMM and hope you will join me in celebrating both things to love this February, and I hope you enjoy the music!
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 19, via Zoom. Program activities begin at 1:00; the Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
DJ Using Streaming Services—On-Demand Tunes for an Upcoming High-School 50th Reunion Mike Pafford’s presentation is about how to use the audio equivalent of this 1999 Quest commercial—a Streaming Audio Account—along with other software and portable hardware-to provide 'on demand' music at any event. Although the topic is "DJ Using Streaming Services," the example will only describe how to use a Spotify Premium Account to create an event playlist to provide background music, and how to interrupt the playlist to play specific requests. Presentation topics will include a rundown of all account software and hardware resources needed, a proposed floor plan layout, information about audio streaming services, creating event playlists, how to manage playlists to provide uninterrupted background music (online or offline), and how to manipulate online playlists in real time, to accommodate specific requests.
Mike Pafford is a retired systems engineer, having had careers in the Navy and at Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab. Previously, he presented a fascinating session about a lengthy road trip in an electric vehicle.
Learn in 30: Open Mic—Multiple Presentations on Members’ Favorite Software
Gary Oddi—PTE AV Studio 10 is a slideshow program for the PC and the MAC. It is used for producing digital slideshows using your images and videos.
Gabe Goldberg—Apple’s native Home app on iPhone/iPad/Watch/Mac lets you define/connect/control diverse accessories (e.g., HomePod speakers, electric outlets, lights, cameras, doorbells, locks).
Lorrin Garson—Swift Playgrounds is an Apple teaching tool aimed towards children to encourage them to learn how to program computers; it also presents an opportunity for experienced adults to learn to code.
Bill Walsh—Reboot Restore RX—will let you take a snapshot of your current computer configuration, establishing a baseline for future activity, allowing restoration of the baseline in case of errant activity.
Attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 1:00. Please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 757899 or enter meeting ID 883 4829 4760 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode.
Mmmm
Breath whistling faintly through a stuffy nose
A sniff, snuffle, or wheeze, if you please
Occasional gurgling of the gut
The outcry at a muscle cramp: ow, ow, ow
Painful hip joints groaning
Dry throats rasping
Then a gasp
A frenzied scrabble of scratching
A chorus of barking coughs
The startling percussion of a sneeze.
A shush of whispers
A snort of giggles
The very muffled crunches of a mattress
Sheets rustling
Smooth skin sliding
Sighs subsiding
Mumbled murmurings
Sputtering staccato snorts
Tiny dream yips
Sinking silence
Mmmm Sandy Myles
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.
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 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 free tickets to attend in-person, and another to watch livestreams.)
Kathleen Mulcahy, clarinet; Sophia Kim Cook, piano
Sun, Feb 20, 3:00
Harris Theater
Free
Brass Faculty Recital
Sun, Feb 20, 7:00
Harris Theater
Free
Gallery Exhibit: 10th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Continues through Sun, 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.
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 12
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Feb 15
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Feb 16
4:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Thu Feb 17
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 18
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 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
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.
One of my favorite things about being involved with Friends of Music at Mason (FOMM) is telling other music lovers about the wonderful music programs available to all of us. With this new year come lots of great, and often free, music opportunities. Some are both in-person and live-streaming. 
