Meeting of the OLLI Personal Computer Club, Saturday, March 16 (tomorrow). Lunch is at 1:00 (register); the Zoom session opens at 1:45, with presentation at 2:00. Note: The meeting link/information has changed. Please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 511867 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 862 9370 4636 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method).
The spring term begins March 25; registration continues throughout the term.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, March 29; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, March 26, at 6:00.
March 21 is the day to prepare for a fresh start at OLLI Mason. Our Spring Term Kick-Off Coffee will feature refreshments, program updates, and an Activities Fair.Scheduled for 10:00–11:30 at Tallwood Campus, you can come at 10, talk with your friends, meet new ones, and check out the clubs, social events, and local, domestic, and international trips available through October 2024.
The OLLI Administrative Staff and the Diversions Committee will provide delicious refreshments. Hot coffee and tea will be available in the social room, and cold beverages and savory and sweet baked goods will be available in TA-1 and the annex classroom, where the main event will be held.
This is an excellent opportunity to check out clubs and organizations you have been wondering about and to learn what’s new at OLLI from our Executive Director Jennifer Disano, one of our Program Planning Chairs Kathryn Russell, and our OLLI President Lillian Brooks. It’s also a perfect time to catch up in person with OLLI friends and colleagues. For our new members, what an excellent opportunity to get to know other OLLI members, both old and new. You don’t want to miss this event!
Please join us on Thursday, March 21. If you haven’t already done so, register for the event via the member portal or contact the registrar at ollireg@gmu.edu.
By Michele Romano, Healthcare Advisory Workgroup Chair
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now advises that everyone over age 65 should get another Covid-19 vaccine if it has been four months since the last one. This is the same monovalent (single strain) vaccine given in fall 2023 targeting the XBB.1.5 variant.
Covid has mutated hundreds of times since the original strain in December 2019. As with most viruses, with each mutation the virus has become more contagious (more easily spread) but less virulent (deadly). Fairfax County, along with most of the country, is seeing very low levels of hospitalization and death from Covid. However, victims over the age of 65 or people with a weakened immune system are much more likely to get seriously ill and die from the disease.
Takeaway points: (1) Just like the flu vaccine, immunity from the Covid vaccine decreases after four months. (2) The vaccine will not prevent Covid; it is designed to protect recipients from getting seriously ill and dying.
You may have read that the XBB variants have burned themselves out. True. Over 96% of cases in the U.S. today are JN.1. That being said, “CDC data showed that the vaccine still offered significant protection against the JN.1 variant.” See COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness – What's New | CDC for more information. At this time, it is still too early to predict what the CDC will recommend for the fall virus vaccines.
On March 1, 2024, the CDC also updated its Covid recommendations to align with those for other common respiratory viruses (e.g., flu, RSV, colds). “The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.”
By Elle Spada, OLLI Promotional Video Project Team
Have you wanted to tell a friend about all the benefits of being an OLLI member but didn't know where to start? We have you covered! We are bringing in a professional videographer to the Tallwood campus on April 2, 3, and 4 to capture the essence of what it’s like to be a member of OLLI. We want to show the benefits, such as classes on wide-ranging topics, numerous clubs and social activities, OLLI arranged trips and tours, and opportunities for volunteering. Final versions of the video vignettes will be showcased on the OLLI website so you can easily share the video links with any of your friends and relatives who want to learn more about OLLI!
We have already arranged our filming schedule to avoid disruptions to OLLI operations, so there is no need to adjust your plans to attend classes and club activities on those days.
We are planning some outside filming of the beautiful Tallwood campus, and with advance notice and permissions, we will capture still images and video in classrooms where classes are being held.
We will have signs posted indicating filming areas, and those who prefer not to be on camera can opt out and continue with their normal activities on campus.
Please review the OLLI picture policy that is printed on page 32 of your Spring 2024 Catalog.
Please contact Dennis VanLangen, the video project coordinator, at dvanlangen@verizon.net if you have any questions.
Thank you to all who attended the Reston/Loudoun meeting on Friday, February 23 at the United Christian Parish church in Reston. It was a robust crowd of members interested in keeping the Loudoun and Reston programs successful. At the meeting, we solicited suggestions for future classes at those venues and gathered quite a number of ideas.
Because most of the suggestions were submitted anonymously, I could not reach out to each individual who had offered his/her thoughts. I wanted to let you know that your ideas have been forwarded to the appropriate planning group co-chairs. They know what topics interest you and will consider instructors who may be able to present those classes you seek.
We strongly urge you to attend in-person classes in Reston and Loudoun so that we can grow a strong program at these sites. We also urge you to volunteer to be a Reston/Loudoun-based program planner. If you would like to get involved, please contact me at smorrow4@gmu.edu or Nancy Klein at her nklein4@gmu.edu address.
Mason Study on Mobility and Falls
Seeks Your Participation
By Dr. Tiphanie Raffegeau, Assistant Professor at Mason School of Kinesiology
Effective mobility is a major part of the quality of life for older adults. Many falls occur because older people have difficulty adjusting their steps to avoid obstacles and uneven ground. To prevent falls from happening, scientists at George Mason University are searching for clinical signs of mobility challenges that could be early indicators of fall risk. By participating in an ongoing study, you could help contribute to preventing falls.
Dr. Tiphanie Raffegeau is an Assistant Professor in the School of Kinesiology and a Principal Investigator in the Sports Medicine Assessment and Rehabilitation Testing (SMART) laboratory on Mason’s Science and Technology Campus in Manassas, VA (9438 Innovation Drive). Dr. Raffegeau is looking for older adults over 65 to come to the SMART lab for about 2-3 hours and complete surveys of mood and cognition, as well as several walking and physical function tests. She uses motion-capture technology (similar to the technology used to create special effects in cinema) to measure walking performance. She will ask participants to wear tight-fitting athletic clothing for their testing session. The researchers require that you continue on with your normal diet, medication, and activities before coming to the testing session. We provide copies of clinical tests for you to consult with your primary care physician. The study team will follow up via email six months later with the same surveys for you to fill out again. Once they are completed, you can earn a $25 Amazon gift card. If you are interested in participating, email Dr. Raffegeau at traffege@gmu.edu.
Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages:
Teach or Plan Programs at OLLI
By Pat Bangs, Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages Program Planning Group Co-Chair
As part of a volunteer organization, many OLLI members have joined the ranks of our instructors or contributed to our program planning. This planning group, shortened to Literature, Language, and Theater (LLT), is seeking both. Perhaps you are a former teacher missing the classroom experience or have a passion—no need for formal expertise—you would like to share. You may also know individuals in your community who would be good OLLI instructors. Or, if you have a topic you would like to have taught and may know of possible instructors, share it with us and we can contact them. For example, we would like to expand our language offerings, including German and Italian, as well as our ongoing Spanish offering.
The LLT Program Planning Group is also inviting members to contribute to our LLT planning process. In coordination with staff, we meet several times a year to review and plan course offerings for each term. Planning begins at least six months in advance and sometimes earlier. Members are invited to our semi-annual large meetings in June and December. They are advertised in the E-News or you can contact me and I’ll add you to our email list.
If you would like more information about teaching OLLI Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages programs, please feel free to contact me or any of the other committee co-chairs below:
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is hosting several jazz concerts this spring, and we hope OLLI members will attend and enjoy them. Some of these are ticketed events, some are free! Listed below are three upcoming events. Later ones will be announced in subsequent issues of E-News.
Big Band Showdown: Monday Mar 25, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Tickets: $12 General Public, $8 Seniors, $5 Students
Click this link.
Join the Mason Jazz Ensemble (Director Jim Carroll), the Jazz Workshop (Director John Kocur) and Georgetown University Jazz Ensemble (Director Paul Bratcher) for an evening that celebrates the hot sounds and swinging beats of the Big Band era!
Jazz Combos: Wednesday Mar 27, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Free and open to the public; no tickets or registration required
Click this link.
Under the direction of Wade Beach, the Mason Jazz Combos perform their spring 2024 concert.
The Jazz Workshop: Wednesday April 3, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Free and open to the public; no tickets or registration required
Click this link.
Sing a Song of Song – The Jazz Workshop, directed by John Kocur, will present Harlem, cool, fusion, and contemporary jazz styles in nonet and tentet arrangements by jazz masters Duke Ellington, Gerry Mulligan, John Scofield, and Kenny Garrett.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate OLLI Zoom discussions both on March 20 and March 27 at 4:00.
For March 20, the discussion topic is Travel Plans. This is the season for making travel arrangements and if you are contemplating a trip, let's talk about it. A secondary topic: What three things do you always put into your carryon (or suitcase) first and why?
On March 27, our topic of conversation is Hidden Fees and Surcharges. Do you feel you are being taken advantage of? Why does the price of an item vary so greatly from one retailer to another? Example: overpriced snacks in the airport shops. Then there are foreign exchange fees, airline extra charges, service fees at restaurants, resort fees at hotels. What about renewals? Why is it cheaper to renew by mail than online in some situations? Share your "rip‑off" stories with us.
Join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 in March on the 24/7 Chat Line. Registration is not required—or even accepted! All are welcome.
The March 2024 Photo of the Month theme was Places of Worship. We selected Margie Wildblood's photo "Log Church" at Grand Teton National Park. 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 Edward Marion, Photography Club Co-Coordinators
Balance
Some friends and family tune out
Some friends and family always know
Shootings
Hate crimes
Riots
Rape
Floods
Earthquakes
Fires
Tornadoes
Human against human
Human against nature
Nature against human
Some say “nothing I can do?”
Others say “must do what I can” Where’s the balance?
To be part of the answers
To protect my psyche
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below) or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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 linkto 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.
Virginia Opera: Madama Butterfly
Sat, Mar 16, 7:30
Sun, Mar 17, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Following the Sunday matinee, Virginia Opera Resident Scholar Joshua Borths will lead a post-performance discussion with the artists in the Center for the Arts main lobby.
Concert Hall
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
Trinity Irish Dance Company
Sun, Mar 24, 7:00
A pre-performance discussion with Trinity Irish Dance Company Founding Artistic Director Mark Howard will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
New Sound Collective Showcase
Mon, Mar 18, 11:30
deLaski Performing Arts Building, 3001
Admission: Free.
Mason School of Theater: Antigone, Presented by the Girls of St. Catherine’s
Thu, Mar 21, 8:00
Fri, Mar 22, 8:00
Sat, Mar 23, 2:00 and 8:00
Sun, Mar 24, 2:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $30 Adult, $15 senior.
2024 Mason School of Dance Gala Concert
Fri, Mar 22, 8:00
Sat, Mar 23, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $30 Adult, $15 senior.
Big Band Showdown Jazz Concert
Mon, Mar 25, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $12 Adult, $8 senior.
Jazz Combos Concert
Wed, Mar 27, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
Mason School of Theater: 1,001 Plays
Fri, Apr 5, 7:00
Virtual Event
Register at:
https://signup.e2ma.net/signup/1980442/1912540/
PHILADANCO! (Philadelphia Dance Company)
Fri, Mar 15, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Prince William Little Theatre: Stick Fly
Fri, Mar 15, 8:00
Sat, Mar 16, 8:00
Sun, Mar 17, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adult, $20 senior.
Manassas Chorale: Raise Your Voices High
Sat, Mar 16, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25, $23.
Eileen Ivers
Sun, Mar 17, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $58, $49, $34.
Matinee Idylls: Alma Ensemble
Tue, Mar 19, lunch at 12:30, concert at 1:30
Gregory Family Theater
Lunch, concert, and dessert reception: $65;
Concert and dessert reception only: $40.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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. 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 16
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Mar 18
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Reading Club
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Tue Mar 19
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Mar 20
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club – online
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
OLLI Pre-term Staff Meeting
Memoir and More Writing Club – online
Spanish Club– online
Conversation with Team Bloch– online
Thu Mar 21
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Mar 22
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc. – online
Photography Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Caregivers Group
Sat Mar 23
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Tue Mar 26
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Mar 27
1:45 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Spanish Club – annex
Mah Jongg Club – online
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Mar 28
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Reston Book Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Mar 29
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
An Informative and Interpretive Presentation on Asian Art and the Lunar New Year by Charles Silver, Docent at the National Museum of Asian Art, February 6
Registration for the spring term begins February 20 at 9:00 and continues throughout the term.
Reminder: OLLI Personal Computer User Group meets Saturday, February 17 (tomorrow), 1:00, via Zoom and in person in TA‑1 at Tallwood. Check the daily schedule email.
Join OLLI Mason leaders at United Christian Parish Church (11508 N Shore Drive, Reston) to give feedback on program and venues. RSVP to Nancy Klein at nklein4@gmu.edu by February 20.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, March 1; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, February 27, at 6:00.
From the Desk of the Executive Director Changes at Loudoun and Possibilities in Reston
By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director
George Mason University has forfeited its lease at the Signal Hill location in Loudoun ending June 2024. Therefore, OLLI’s Loudoun programing will require a new venue beyond spring term. I am exploring options with Loudoun County officials for space in the region. After conferring with Loudoun and Reston leaders, we find there is some interest in combining the campuses at United Christian Parish Church (UCP). To better understand members' thoughts about a return to UCP, members of the OLLI Board will collect feedback at the event described below.
Please join OLLI Mason leadership to meet other OLLI members, discuss the UCP venue and programing concerns, give feedback on OLLI happenings, and hear spring term instructors who will preview their upcoming courses. The instructors attending are Jim Anderson, Steve Greenhouse, Mark Weinstein, Karen Wheeless, and Joyce Johnston. To get us excited about the spring term, each will present a brief outline of the course they’ll be presenting in Loudoun or Reston.
This event is on Friday, February 23, from 4:00-6:00 at Reston’s United Christian Parish Church (11508 N Shore Dr., Reston). Snacks and beverages will be provided. Bring a friend! We hope you’ll join us and give us feedback on our program and venues. Please RSVP to me at jdisano@gmu.edu by February 20th.
Nominating Committee Seeks Board of Director Nominees
By Marilyn Harriman, Board Member and Nominating Committee Chair
As five OLLI Mason Board of Director members end their three-year terms of office, the Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for the spring general election to fill their positions.
To be considered as a director candidate, members need to be active and willing to contribute energy, ideas, and time to support OLLI. Qualifications include having experience or an active interest in teaching, moderating, or coordinating a course, committee, event, or other volunteer work.
This election year, Board leadership is also seeking candidates with certified public accounting experience and a member who can help us engage with underrepresented groups in our membership.
Why be a candidate? Being a Board member is a great way to play an active role in OLLI Mason’s future. It’s also a great way to learn more about OLLI's inner workings, meet and work with other members and directors, and help make a positive difference in our organization.
The Board meets monthly in person/on Zoom except in December, May, and August.
If you are interested in being an OLLI Mason Board member, want additional information, or wish to nominate another OLLI member,please get in touch with the Nominating Chair, Marilyn Harriman, at mlwharriman74@gmail.com. Thank you.
Attention OLLI Mason writers: OLLI Ink needs new co-editors for its 2024 edition, members who are willing to take over as editors of this annual OLLI Mason publication after this year. I will guide you through the process of requesting and editing submissions. If you are interested, please email staff member Nancy Klein at nklein4@gmu.edu. Let’s keep this wonderful publication running smoothly! Thank you.
Theater Potpourri Course F402Z Will Replace F402/F402Z this 2024 Spring Term
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator
Due to unforeseen issues, Theater Potpourri, F402Z, will replace the F402/F402Z course advertised in the spring 2024 catalog. The course will still be offered on Tuesdays from 11:50 to 1:15, March 26 to April 16, but only on Zoom, to accommodate the presenters who do not live locally. I hope you find the four classes—on a veritable potpourri of theaters—as exciting and informative as I anticipate.
March 26: Artistic Director Peg McKowen of the Contemporary American Theater Festival, located in Shepherdstown, WV, will tell us about upcoming repertory picks for July. This gem of a festival—just a short drive from Fairfax—is one of the top theater festivals in the world.
April 2: Artistic Director Dietlinde T. Maazel, who with Loren Maazel founded the Castleton Festival in 2009, will present a program on the Castleton Festival. It is a cultural center that offers chamber music, opera, theater, and art year-round in Castleton, VA, a short drive from Fairfax into the beautiful rolling hills of Rappahannock County. The festival attracts many acclaimed international artists to perform, give master classes, participate in podcasts, and explore broadening their artistic experiences in a bucolic setting.
April 9: Producing Artistic Director Katy Brown and Director of Outreach and Black Stories Black Voices Terrence Jackson from Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA, will present a program on Barter Theatre, which is the nation's longest running professional theater. Founded in 1933 during the depression, it has grown into one of the last year-round professional resident repertory theaters in the country. Many well-known stage, screen, and TV stars have performed there, including Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, and Ned Beatty. It shares a multi-cultural historic area with the nearby Museum of Country Music, curated by the Smithsonian.
April 16: Founder and Artistic Director Laura Hull Connors of the Creative Cauldron will speak about the Creative Cauldron's history, its various theatrical offerings, and its new theater slated to open this fall in Falls Church. It is a non-profit theater that aims to bring quality, affordable arts experiences to the DMV. Many of its original works are products of the creative genius of Laura, composer Matt Conner, and scenic designer Margie Jervis. The theater offers a broad array of art, artists, and educational programs.
Wednesday Team Bloch Conversations—February 21 and 28
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate two Zoom discussions, February 21 and 28, both at 4:00.
For February 21, we want to discuss Elmo as a therapist! Specifically, there was a discussion several weeks ago on the social media X (formerly known as Twitter), where Elmo (the red puppet often seen on Sesame Street) posed the question to all his followers, “Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?” The response was overwhelming—within less than 48 hours, more than 110 million views were recorded, and the majority of respondents replied that they were struggling. While there was plenty of banter among the responses, the overall tone also reflected a sense of hopelessness that appears to be common. Note also that a recent Gallup Poll reflected a similar outcome: less than half of Americans are "very satisfied" with their lives. These responses might lead one to think that the US is suffering from a mental health crisis! What do you think has brought this on? And would you use a 3½-year-old red muppet as a therapist?
On February 28, we will host a conversation about "What to do if you want to vote for 'none of the above'?" This is also a more serious conversation than we usually suggest―we normally do shy away from controversial topics—but this one resonated with Team Bloch. We are soliciting everyone's point(s) of view and want all to be open and comfortable sharing their feedback.
Join us on Wednesday afternoons at 4:00 in February on the 24/7 Chat Line to discuss our chosen topics.
Daytime light is bright
as we live our lives
bathed in its kindness.
But twilight and night
are also a blessing
as we turn on the lights
and read then turn in to our beds
for dreams that relive
our life, fears, and dreams.
There many names for darkness:
Dusk
twilight
dream time
pitch black
molasses vecher
noch
nuit
nacht
abend
black
black beauty
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below) or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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 linkto 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.
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Mnozil Brass: Jubilee
Sun, Feb 25, 3:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Chopin and Liszt
Sun, Mar 3, 7:00
A pre-performance “Young Artists Musicale,” featuring piano students of Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association members, will take place from 6 to 6:30 in the main lobby of the Center for the Arts.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
12th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Through Feb 17
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Admission: Free.
Paloma Vianey: Juárez Lindo y Querido
Feb 20 through Apr 7
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery Admission: Free.
MALEVO Sat, Feb 17, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Virginia National Ballet: Cinderella
Sun, Feb 18, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $45 Adult, $25 youth.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
Sat, Feb 24, 11:00 and 2:00
Please join us before the performance for family-friendly craft activities in our lobby.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $15.
Tray Wellington Band
Sat, Feb 24, 5:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30.
National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine
Sun, Feb 25, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Gerson Lanza
Tue, Feb 27, Lunch, 12:30, concert, 1:30
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: Lunch, concert, and dessert reception: $65,
Concert and dessert reception only: $40.
J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band)
Sat, Mar 2, 5:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30.
Manassas Symphony Orchestra: Seriously Fun
Sat, Mar 2, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30.
Camerata Ireland
Sun, Mar 3, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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. 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 17
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Feb 19
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Feb 20
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Feb 21
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Feb 22
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 23
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
1:00 pm
Outreach Video Meeting
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Feb 24
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Feb 26
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Feb 27
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Feb 28
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Theater Lovers’ Group Lunch at Brio’s
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Feb 29
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Mar 1
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation
Board Game Social
Homer, etc. – online
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
Your OLLI spring catalog should have arrived in the mail. Registration for the spring term begins February 20 at 9:00 and continues throughout the term.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, February 16; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, February 13, at 6:00.
2024 Board of Directors Election Nominations Now Open
By Marilyn Harriman, Board Member and Nominating Committee Chair
The OLLI Board of Directors (BoD) Nominating Committee is recruiting candidates from our membership for the 2024 Board of Directors election. This year, five board positions will be elected in May to fill open positions for directors whose three-year terms are ending.
Qualifications for becoming a candidate include being an active OLLI member who is willing to contribute energy, ideas, and time to support OLLI. Candidates need experience or an active interest in teaching, moderating, or coordinating a course, committee, event, and other volunteer work. This election year, board leadership is also seeking candidates with certified public accounting experience and a representative who can help us engage with underrepresented groups in our membership.
OLLI’s BoD is a working board. Board members are expected to assume responsibilities beyond policy-making in roles such as officer, committee chair, or active committee member.
Why be a candidate? Being a board member is a great way to play an active role in OLLI Mason’s transition to our “new normal.” It’s also a great way to learn more about the inner workings of OLLI, meet other members, and help make a positive difference in our organization.
The board meets monthly in person/on Zoom except in December, May, and August.
If you are interested in being an OLLI Mason Board member, want additional information, or wish to nominate another OLLI member, please get in touch with the Nominating Chair, Marilyn Harriman, at mlwharriman74@gmail.com.
By Linda H. Harber, Friends of Music at Mason President
Friends of Music at Mason love our Friends! And we want you all to be healthy and happy! Since February is Heart Month, the wonderful Healing Arts Ensemble, led by Rita Gigliotti, will be putting on a special program to help our health through the healing power of music. If anyone saw this group perform last year at Good Vibrations, you saw the wonder and power of music for healing. I am looking forward to their wonderful program this year.
Please RSVP by emailing Johnna Thompson Johnson at jthomp76@gmu.edu. Parking is available at the Mason Pond Deck or Lot K. Looking forward to seeing you there!
By Brenda Bloch-Young, Economics and Finance Program Planning Group Chair
Join us on Wednesday, February 14 at 2:15 for a special session presented by Tom Manganello. Tom is a senior counsel in the Securities and Exchange Commission's Office of Investor Education with years of experience in enforcement and investigating violations. This is a session that should benefit all of us.
This class is hybrid, but we would love to see your faces in the classroom. The Zoom link should be in the Daily Schedule.
Theater Lovers’ Group Upcoming Events, Tour, and New Class
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group
Sunday, March 3 at 2:00: Working at Creative Cauldron Working, a musical, is based on Studs Terkel's book of interviews with American workers—the workers the world so often takes for granted—the schoolteacher, the phone operator, the waitress, the housewife, just to name a few. Nominated for six Tony awards, this classic has been updated for the modern age, featuring songs by Tony-award winning Lin Manuel Miranda. The Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) will go to the Creative Cauldron, located at 410 S. Main Street, Falls Church 22046, to see this totally relatable, delightfully entertaining musical on Sunday, March 3, at 2:00. Group rate tickets are $45/person. Email me at njreck@cs.com ASAP if interested. Free garage parking. Pre-show lunch TBD.
Wednesday, February 28 at noon: Lunch at Brio's Tuscan Grille
If you have been thinking about going to the theater or wondering about TLG activities, here's your chance not only to meet other theater lovers, but also to enjoy a delicious lunch. You are invited to join TLG members for lunch at Brio's Tuscan Grille, located in Fair Oaks Mall near the Cheesecake Factory. There is plenty of free parking and it's a short walk to the restaurant. Please email me (njreck@cs.com) to let me know you will be joining us. Separate checks.
Reminder: You must sign up for the spring term of TLG when you register for spring 2024 classes to keep receiving TLG emails.
Also, check out the OLLI spring catalog for the TLG Tour of Wolf Trap on March 20 (followed by lunch at Pazzo Pomodoro in Vienna) (special event 1204) and the Theater Potpourri four-class course (F402) on Tuesdays, March 26, April 2, 9, and 16, from 11:50 to 1:15, where we meet the talented artistic directors from the Barter Theater, Castleton Festival, Contemporary American Theater Festival, and Creative Cauldron.
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 17, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
OneDrive Surprises in Windows 11—Presented by Dale Harrington
Did you upgrade to Windows 11? Did you buy a new computer with Windows 11? Do you use OneDrive? No? Well, maybe you do. Depending on how you set up Windows 11, OneDrive may be “helping” you back up and even relocate certain folders.
Dale Harrington is the Program Chair and Association of Personal Computer User Groups (APCUG) representative of MiCROPC, the Mile High Computer Resource Organization, Denver, CO.
Learn in 30: Explaining Google Drive on a Chromebook—Presented by Ron Brown
In this video, we will explore the many benefits and features of using Google Drive on your Chromebook. You'll learn how to access Google Drive, how to create and share documents, and how to collaborate with others in real time. Google Drive is a cloud-based storage solution that is seamlessly integrated with your Chromebook. It allows you to store your files securely and access them from anywhere, at any time. With Google Drive, you can create and edit documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and forms; all from within your Chromebook, other computers, and devices. You can also share your files with others and collaborate on them in real time, making it easy to work together on group projects or presentations. In addition, we'll cover some of the advanced features of Google Drive, such as how to work offline, how to use the mobile app, and how to use third party apps to extend the functionality of Google Drive.
Ron Brown is a retired Canadian physician, who makes frequent presentations to APCUG computer groups on health and technical topics.
To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 389574 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 857 2717 9449 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method), or dial in at 301-715-8592.
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 14at 4:00.
On Valentine's Day, we thought it might be fun to discuss our favorite romantic movies. There are the old classics like Casablanca or Gone with the Wind versus newer movies (yet still old) like Love Story—will you ever forget the line, "Love means you never having to say you are sorry?" Tough to beat Ryan O'Neal and Ali McGraw. How about the Disney classic, Beauty and the Beast? Then, we saw When Harry Met Sally and Titanic. One of the top 10 romantic movie lists even included Brokeback Mountain.
Join us on Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 on the 24/7 Chat Line to share your favorites.
above a blue sheet that
folds crisply at the horizon
an enormous comforter
wraps the morning
in soft puffs of pure white
weightless down
tossed carelessly over
the broad bed of the sky
with soft imprints
from last night.
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
MASON JAZZ FESTIVAL
Saturday (all day), February 17
10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Harris Theatre
FREE parking in LOT K
No tickets or registration required to attend concerts.
There are free concerts happening all day long with FREE parking in LOT K; performances by 7 high school bands, the NOVA Nighthawks, Hot Lanes Big Band (1:00–2:00), JazzWorx Big Band (4:30–5:30), the Mason Jazz Ensemble (7:00) and Mason Faculty All-Stars (7:30).
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or HyltonCenter, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see the CFA ticket page link below) or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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 websiteMason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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 10
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Feb 12
4:00 pm
Family History/Genealogy Club
Tue Feb 13
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Feb 14
1:45 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Feb 15
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 16
9:30 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Feb 17
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Feb 19
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Feb 20
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Feb 21
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Feb 22
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 23
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
1:00 pm
Outreach Video Meeting
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Photography Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
The History Club will meet via Zoom on Wednesday, February 7, at 4:00. At the meeting, I will present on the life and career of the notorious outlaw Jesse James. As a Confederate guerilla during the Civil War, James participated in numerous murders and robberies. When he continued to do so after the war, a newspaper editor glorified James as an American Robin Hood in order to help former Confederates regain political power in Missouri and nationwide. Join us on February 7. Thanks.
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group
The Who's Tommy on Sunday, February 11 at 2:00 The Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) and guests will go to the Workhouse Arts Center to see this Tony award-winning musical that forever changed musical theater. It's all about a young boy's story of hope and healing as he overcomes unthinkable adversities to develop into an international star. To purchase a group-rate ticket for $27, click here. Lunch before the show TBD.
Shutter Sisters on Sunday, February 18 at 2:00 TLG and guests will go to 1st Stage to see this moving story of the parallel lives of two women. According to Broadway World, "It is a very enjoyable and empathic look at how connections between mothers, daughters, friends, and some strangers impact the story of your life." Phone 1st Stage at 703-854-1856; tell them you are with OLLI. Tickets may be either $25 or $35, depending on what is available (tier pricing). Lunch before the show TBD.
An Invitation to all OLLI Members and Your Guests: Lunch at Brio on Wednesday, February 28 at 1:00 You are cordially invited to join the TLG members for a delicious lunch at Brio Tuscan Grille in Fair Oaks Mall on Wednesday, February 28 at 1:00. Plenty of parking and a short walk to the restaurant. Come and meet fellow theatergoers, learn about TLG activities, make your own suggestions, or just enjoy a tasty lunch and hanging out with delightful people.
If you have any questions or want to join in any of the above mentioned events, please email me at njreck@cs.com.
To join TLG for this winter 2024 term, go online to the member portal and Search 'Theater Lovers' Group' or email Registrar Susan Job at ollireg.gmu.edu and ask her to enroll you in the Theater Lovers' Group.
Diversity Initiative Survey
By Harry Johnson, Diversity Committee Co-Chair
The OLLI Board of Directors plans to expand OLLI's marketing in our traditional Northern Virginia catchment area by reaching out to underrepresented communities and making them aware of the benefits of having membership at OLLI.
With a more diverse membership, OLLI will have the opportunity to become even stronger by expanding the scope of course offerings, and by enriching our learning experience, with seniors learning from other seniors who have different experiences and perspectives.
This marketing initiative also offers OLLI the opportunity to realize additional revenue from increased membership, and to return to the higher levels of membership we enjoyed just a few years ago.
However, we need your help to assist us in planning this marketing initiative.
In last week's E-Blast, we asked OLLI members to complete a short 2–question survey to give us a baseline of the current level of diversity in our membership, and to solicit whether you are able to help us identify and reach out to those communities that are underrepresented at OLLI.
If you have already completed the survey, Thank You! If you have not yet completed the survey, we ask that you take the time now. The survey should only take you a minute or so to complete; less than the time it takes to read this article.
If you have any questions, please email Camille Hodges. We ask that you complete the survey by Wednesday, February 7.
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 7 at 4:00.
The topic for February 7: Multi-Tasking—remember that? Doing three things at once―what are the pros and cons of dividing your attention among multiple tasks and activities? Have you burned your dinner while listening to a podcast? Or can you watch television and knit at the same time? Exercise on a treadmill and watch a video simultaneously without falling off? We have heard that multi-tasking becomes harder as we age―do you agree?
Or once retired, perhaps it isn't necessary to squeeze out extra time. Perhaps it is better to "smell the roses" and enjoy one thing to the maximum. What do you think?
Check your Daily Schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesday February 7 and participate in a conversation with Team Bloch.
By Camille Hodges, OLLI Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Committee Co-Chair
Forbes Health Advisory Board has four top resolutions for 2024. Make OLLI part of your list.
Improve fitness: Join OLLI Walk and Talk and Tai Chi clubs and enjoy friendships too!
Improve finances: Sign up for OLLI courses on financial literacy which offer information in a comfortable environment.
Improve mental health: Enjoy interactive OLLI courses and/or join an OLLI book club; both feature lively discussions.
Lose weight: Join the OLLI Walk and Talk and Tai Chi clubs.
Here’s number five to consider for your list: Increase your OLLI involvement by teaching a class at OLLI that supports the Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events (HSS/CE) program—e.g., analysis of How to Know a Person by David Brooks, or more information on guardrails for artificial intelligence. Chances are you are not alone in wanting to hear more in-depth information about a particular topic or a topic not yet covered. If you know, or can suggest, someone to teach an HSS/CE course, please contact any of the OLLI program committee chairs or send the course proposal form (see link in the paragraph below) to the potential speaker. It could be you!
The HSS/CE Program Planning Group is now accepting course proposals for fall 2024. The deadline for submission is April 8. See the OLLI Mason course proposal form at this link.
Thank you!
Editor’s note: This article has appeared in previous editions of E-News. It is repeated here to encourage member participation in OLLI program planning, especially for the HSS/CE program.
Schedule Change for the OLLI Caregiver Group
By Doris Bloch, Support Group/Chat Line Coordinator
The OLLI Caregiver Support group is adopting a new schedule for our biweekly meetings. We are now meeting via Zoom at 2:30–3:30 every second Friday afternoon, with our next meeting slated for February 9th.
OLLI's Caregiver Support group has been meeting since early November. The group is intended to support those OLLI members who are caregivers for any family members and friends who are exhibiting symptoms of dementia, although it is certainly open to any interested OLLI member. In this effort, we are fortunate to be cooperating with the George Mason University School of Social Work, which has provided us with a facilitator! The group’s primary focus is on the emotional and practical side of caregiving, but we also share links to informational websites of interest.
You need not be a full-time caregiver or even a current caregiver to contribute your experiences and emotions to this group. You can share or lurk, as you wish!
Please contact Doris Bloch (dbloch50@hotmail.com) or Nancy Klein (nklein4@gmu.edu) if you are interested in participating in the group, or if you have suggestions or questions.
The Tallwood Book Club will be discussing Department of Speculationby Jenny Offill at its February meeting on Zoom. The time is Friday, February 9th at 2:30.
Trivia night at the Mellow Mushroom is where you want to be to help our OLLI Team. We enjoy pizzas, salads, and more. What we enjoy the most is competing with a dozen or so other tables full of Trivia lovers.
Every Tuesday night at 7:00 we gather to win. And—win is what we have been doing.
The Mellow Mushroom is at 14335 Newbrook Drive in Chantilly.
For additional information contact Diane Singleton at 361-648-0007.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below) or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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 linkto 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.
Virginia Opera: Sanctuary Road
Sat, Feb 3, 7:30
Sun, Feb 4, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion with Mason Professor Spencer Crew, who served as president of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for six years and worked at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History for 20 years (nine as the director of NMAH), will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain. Seating is limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Following the Sun, February 4 matinee, a post-performance discussion will be held with the artists in the Center for the Arts main lobby.
Concert Hall
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: The Four Seasons
Sat, Feb 3, 8:00
Harris Theater
Admission: $65, $55, $40.
Legends and Legacies with Chita Rivera Thu, Feb 8, 6:30 Harris Theater Admission: Free, but registration required.
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens Sat, Feb 10, 8:00 A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain. Concert Hall Admission: $60, $51, $36.
12th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Through Feb 17
Admission: Free.
Cirque Mechanics
Sat, Feb 3, 8:00
Sun, Feb 4, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
DRUM TAO 2024 Sat, Feb 10, 8:00 A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance. Merchant Hall Admission: $60, $51, $36.
American Youth Symphonic Orchestra Sun, Feb 11, 3:00 Merchant Hall Admission: $10.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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 3
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Feb 6
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Trivia 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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
Virtual presentationTuesday, January 30, at 7:00 about a member trip to Japan next fall (trip start September 7). The link will also be in the Daily Schedule email.
Virtual presentation on Friday, February 2, at 10:00 about a member trip to New Mexico next fall (trip start October 4). The link will also be in the Daily Schedule email.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, February 2; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, January 30, at 6:00.
Due to inclement weather on Friday, January 19, President Lillian Brooks opened the Board of Directors meeting on Zoom. Online were all 15 directors, Executive Director Jennifer Disano, and 18 OLLI members/staff.
Lillian and Jennifer attended two of the five Fairfax County Office on Aging committees and learned that the county is attempting to provide financial training for seniors. Our directors described OLLI and our support for the senior communities. Lillian has located a past leader of a 501(c)(3) non-profit company who can suggest ways to function more efficiently to meet our 501(c)(3) requirements.
Over the last year OLLI changed its business model of operation to offer classes at cost to retirement communities, resulting in Treasurer Debbie Engleson reporting a $50,000 positive position entering 2024. The Board also approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Silverstone Retirement Community to provide 10 classes during 2024-2025 for $30,000. A second MOU was approved with The Mather retirement community for the next year to advertise OLLI and assist its residents in registering to become OLLI members. We are working with AARP to develop a method for AARP to procure classes as well.
Jennifer reported that we have six well‑qualified site assistants to support our classes for our 917 members. The OLLI spring catalog has been completed and the Reston (Lake Anne) and Loudoun facilities are being prepared for ZOOM Hybrid classes. Jennifer has also attended a briefing by OX Development Company on a proposed new Fairfax entertainment complex. The company has bought land and is applying for building permits. OX Development has proposed how OLLI might utilize some space in the complex.
Marilyn Harriman was approved as chair of the Election Committee; she will be seeking interested members who have the needed skill sets to become nominees for our May 2024 Board election. The Board needs a CPA and someone who can engage with one or more ethnic groups in Fairfax County for potential members. We now have a Diversity Committee with six members; they are seeking more members and a chairperson.
The Board meeting was very engaging in many areas. We hope that more people will tune in to Board meetings every third Friday of the month at 10:00. All members are welcome either in person or on Zoom.
By Camille Hodges, OLLI Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Committee
Co-Chair
Forbes Health Advisory Board has four top resolutions for 2024. Make OLLI part of your list.
Improve fitness: Join OLLI Walk and Talk and Tai Chi clubs and enjoy friendships too!
Improve finances: Sign up for OLLI courses on financial literacy which offer information in a comfortable environment.
Improve mental health: Enjoy interactive OLLI courses and/or join an OLLI book club; both feature lively discussions.
Lose weight: Join the OLLI Walk and Talk and Tai Chi clubs.
Here’s number five to consider for your list: Increase your OLLI involvement by teaching a class at OLLI that supports the Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events (HSS/CE) program—e.g., analysis of How to Know a Person by David Brooks, or more information on guardrails for artificial intelligence. Chances are you are not alone in wanting to hear more in-depth information about a particular topic or a topic not yet covered. If you know, or can suggest, someone to teach an HSS/CE course, please contact any of the OLLI program committee chairs or send the course proposal form (see link in the paragraph below) to the potential speaker. It could be you!
The HSS/CE Program Planning Group is now accepting course proposals for fall 2024. The deadline for submission is April 8. See the OLLI Mason course proposal form at this link.
Thank you!
Editor’s note: This article has appeared in a previous edition of E‑News. It is repeated here to encourage member participation in OLLI program planning, especially for the HSS/CE program.
Theater Lovers' Group Goes from Shakespeare to Rock Opera to Broadway
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers' Group
Shakespeare in Hollywood on Sunday, February 4 at 2:00
Lovable mayhem breaks out on a Hollywood movie set when Shakespeare's Oberon and Puck come to life in today's Hollywood and are asked to join in making a movie playing themselves. The Vienna Community Theater Company performs this hilarious comedy at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street SE, Vienna, VA 22180 on Sunday, February 4 at a 2:00 matinee. Purchase your $16 tickets online by going to this link.
We will meet at the Bear Branch Tavern at 133 Maple Avenue E, Vienna, VA 22180 at 12:00 noon for a pre-show lunch. Please email me (njreck@cs.com) if you will be joining us for lunch and/or the show.
The Who's Tommy on Sunday, February 11 at 2:00
The groundbreaking rock opera, The Who's Tommy, will be performed at the Workhouse Arts Center, 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079 on Sunday, February 18 at a 2:00 matinee. This inspirational story of hope and healing is about how a traumatized, pinball-loving young boy triumphs over his adversities and becomes an international star. To purchase a group-rate ticket for $27, click here.
A pre-show lunch TBD. Email Norma if you would like to join us.
Theater Lovers’ Group (TLG) is Broadway Bound or NYC Your Way! Have you been wanting to see a Broadway show? Or, maybe wishing you could visit the Met or MOMA or The Museum of Broadway? Then this overnight bus trip to NYC is for you! We will leave Fairfax about 9:00 on Tuesday, November 19 and arrive in NYC about 3:00, just in time for dinner and a show. We will overnight at the Marriott Marquis on 45th Street. On Wednesday, November 20, you have until 4:00 to do your own thing when the bus picks us up to get back home about 11:00. Cost is $525pp/Double. If interested, please email me so we can start planning. For more details, please email me at njreck@cs.com.
Nunsense A-Men In an earlier outing, Nunsense A-Men was a laugh-a-minute. The TLG and our guests had a really fun afternoon, including the January 21 matinee at NextStop Theatre Company and a pre-show lunch at Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
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 January 31 at 4:00.
The topic for January 31: A cold (and recently snowy) January may have been a good time to catch up on your reading. We recently talked about when to give up on a book. Are there books you have read recently that you might not recommend? Or specific authors that you won't read in the future? Help us avoid wasting time on those books you would not recommend. Share your thoughts on why we should pass on a specific book. Let's hear your thoughts and negative reviews.
Check your Daily Schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesday January 31 and participate in a conversation with Team Bloch.
Last night I heard an amazing violinist
Whose name is Rachel Barton Pine.
Her violin technique was divine
Every note was in tune and refined.
She played a concerto long lost to us
Found in ’09 in an Illinois farm house
Unknown manuscript left in a box
Now being performed—a real paradox.
The composer’s name was Florence Price, a child prodigy
An African American woman with great ability.
Because of racism and her sex, Price and her music would no longer be
Played after her death in 1953.
But the large collection of her scores and compositions
And a social change about her position
Enriched the world with “new” music for Ms. Pine to play
We are all happier for this wonderful day!
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below) or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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 linkto 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.
Hamid Rahmanian’s Song of the North
Saturday, Jan 27 at 4:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with Isata Kanneh-Mason
Sunday, Jan 28 at 2:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $85, $65, $50.
Virginia Opera: Sanctuary Road
Sat, Feb 3, 7:30
Sun, Feb 4, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion with Mason Professor Spencer Crew, who served as president of the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center for six years and worked at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History for 20 years (nine as the director of NMAH), will take place in Monson Grand Tier in the Center for the Arts Lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain. Seating is limited, and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Following the Sun, February 4 matinee, a post-performance discussion will be held with the artists in the Center for the Arts main lobby.
Concert Hall
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra: The Four Seasons
Sat, Feb 3, 8:00
Harris Theater
Admission: $65, $55, $40.
Mason Cabaret: Over the Rainbow: The Music of Judy, Ella, and Barbra
Friday, Jan 26 at 8:00
Saturday, Jan 27 at 2:00
Saturday, Jan 27 at 8:00 Harris Theatre
Admission: Adults $30, seniors $15.
Faculty Artist Series
Sun, Jan 28, 7:00 – Julianna Nickel (flute)
Sun, Feb 4, 7:00 – David Porter (tuba) A Cincea Usa
Sun, Feb 18, 3:00 – Jennifer Cabot (soprano)
Sun, Jan 28, 7:00 – June Huang: The Spheres Project (strings)
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
12th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Jan 9 through Feb 17
Admission: Free.
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra
Saturday, Jan 27 at 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Cirque Mechanics
Sat, Feb 3, 8:00
Sun, Feb 4, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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. 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 Jan 27
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Jan 30
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Jan 31
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Feb 1
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 2
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Feb 3
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Feb 6
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Trivia 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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
OLLI Photo Club Learned from Stan Schretter, OLLI Instructor for Various Photography Courses, about Photography with Ultra-Wide Lenses of the Kind Often Found on Newer Smartphones, January 12
By Camille Hodges, OLLI Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events Committee Co-Chair
Forbes Health Advisory Board has four top resolutions for 2024. Make OLLI part of your list.
Improve fitness: Join OLLI Walk and Talk and Tai Chi clubs and enjoy friendships, too!
Improve finances: Sign up for OLLI courses on financial literacy which offer information in a comfortable environment.
Improve mental health: Enjoy interactive OLLI courses and/or join an OLLI book club; both feature lively discussions.
Lose weight: Join the OLLI Walk and Talk and Tai Chi clubs.
Here’s number five to consider for your list: Increase your OLLI involvement by teaching a class at OLLI that supports the Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events (HSS/CE) program—e.g., analysis of How to Know a Person by David Brooks, or more information on guardrails for artificial intelligence. Chances are you are not alone in wanting to hear more in-depth information about a particular topic or a topic not yet covered. If you know, or can suggest, someone to teach an HSS/CE course, please contact any of the OLLI program committee chairs or send your potential speaker the course proposal form (see link below). It could be you!
The HSS/CE Program Planning Group is now accepting course proposals for fall 2024. The deadline for submission is April 8. See the OLLI Mason course proposal form at this link.
The Dirty Knee Club (DKC) has created a Shutterfly coffee table book showing how the gardens at Tallwood have changed over the past 10 years. The book follows the general format of the one created by Valerie Brayburn documenting the first 10 years of landscaping at OLLI.
The Landscaping Committee, or DKC, is always looking for new people to join our little team of gardeners. No expertise required, but a willingness to get dirty knees is.
Arlington Cemetery Interment Ceremony for Former OLLI Member Gordon Canyock
By Doris Bloch, Program Committee Co-Chair
Gordon Canyock was a very active long-time OLLI member, teacher, and leader, whose contributions to OLLI over the years included leading the Great Decisions class, founding the bridge club, helping launch OLLI E-News, and serving a total of nine years on the Board of Directors. His wife has just notified us about his burial to take place at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday February 1, 2024, with the ceremony to begin at 9:00. Friends and family attending should meet at the administration building at 8:15. Note that a photo ID is required to access the site.
There will be a breakfast at the Patton Community Club at Fort Myer following the ceremony. Access to Fort Myer via Hatfield Gate (just off Route 50) is greatly facilitated for those without military ID cards if you request a pass online 4-14 days prior at https://pass.aie.army.mil/jbmhh, OR, on arrival at the Hatfield Gate. To avoid inconvenience at the gate, an advanced pass request via the online link is strongly advised. For further information, please contact Doris Bloch (dbloch50@hotmail.com) or Judy Canyock (jcanyock@icloud.com.) Also please notify Judy if you plan to attend the breakfast so that the caterer has an estimate of the number of guests expected.
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 January 24 at 4:00.
The topic for January 24: Equality and What it Means to You. We are purposefully leaving this as a wide-open topic, which can be approached from quite a number of different aspects, including "non-equality." The recent publication of a book titled Equality, which was reviewed in the Washington Post, inspired this topic. Has anyone read the book yet?
Check your Daily Schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesday January 24 and participate in a conversation with Team Bloch.
Join Fellow Theater Lovers this February for Two Fabulous Theatrical Treats
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers' Group
Shakespeare in Hollywood on Sunday, February 4, at 2:00
"Mischievous magic of moviedom sparkles in this hilarious romp." Ken Ludwig's Shakespeare in Hollywood imagines the loopy love triangles that Shakespeare's Oberon and Puck of A Midsummer Night’s Dream fame might conjure up playing themselves while making a Hollywood movie. The Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) will go to the Vienna Community Center to see the Vienna Theatre Company perform Shakespeare in Hollywood on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 2:00 matinee. Tickets are $16. Please purchase your tickets online at viennava.gov/webtrac.
We will have lunch at Bear Branch at 12 noon before the show. Please email Norma (njreck@cs.com) to let her know you will be joining us for a light-hearted, fun afternoon with some of OLLI's theater-loving friends.
The Who's Tommyon Sunday, February 11, at 2:00
The musical's themes are hope, healing, and the human spirit. The TLG will go to the Workhouse Arts Center Theater to see The Who's Tommy, a Tony award winner on Sunday, February 11, at 2:00. This one-of-a-kind-theatrical cultural event tells the story of the evolution of a traumatized young boy to an international pinball superstar. Please purchase your group-rate tickets online. Tickets are $27 and may be purchased at this link https://secure.workhousearts.org/11395/11406/?Promo=OLLI24.
We will have lunch before the show at a nearby restaurant. Please email Norma that you will be joining us at njreck@cs.com.
All OLLI members are invited to join us for our TLG outings and to bring guests who do not have to be OLLI members. Everyone is welcome! If you have any questions, email Norma at njreck@cs.com.
The January 2024 Photo of the Month theme was open. We selected Bob Kelberg's photo "Morning Mist Smokies" at Smoky Mountains National Park, 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
Everyone tightens their mouth as they write
Each word escapes slowly, some alight
on the page—we can see they are there,
some still imprisoned, a poet’s despair.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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 linkto 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.
Mason Cabaret: Over the Rainbow: The Music of Judy, Ella, and Barbra
Fri, Jan 26, 8:00
Sat, Jan 27, 2:00 and 8:00 Harris Theatre
Admission: Adults $30, seniors $15.
12th Annual Prince William County Public Schools Student Exhibition
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Continues through Feb 17
Admission: Free.
ARTfactory’s Pied Piper Theatre: Guys and Dolls
Sat, Jan 20, 2:00 and 7:00
Sun, Jan 21, 2:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adults $25, seniors $20.
Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra
Sat, Jan 27, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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. 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 Jan 20
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Jan 22
4:00 pm
Family History/Genealogy Club
Tue Jan 23
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Trivia 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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
An Informative and Entertaining Two-Session Class on PDQ Bach, an Inspired Invention of Composer and Musician Peter Schickele, Was Presented byWalter Todenhoft in October 2023
New Year’s Resolution: Make a Difference at OLLI or Make New Friends at OLLI?
By Debby Mossburg, Outreach Committee Chair
Either way, you’ll want to join the OLLI Outreach Committee. You’ll have the opportunity to take part in one or more of the exciting initiatives we’re considering—from helping to update our publications and publicity materials, to planning and putting on a Senior Living Expo at one or more OLLI campuses, to reaching out to engage new members or brainstorming possible incentive programs for bringing them in. Or perhaps you have some ideas of your own you’d like to propose. Join our outgoing and enthusiastic team. Our next meeting will be via Zoom on Monday, January 8, at 4:00. Look for the link in your morning email and join us. If you have any questions or can’t join us on January 8, please contact debby.mossburg@verizon.net
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, January 20, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Cutting the Cord—Presented by Curator Geof Goodrum
Geof Goodrum will relate his experience with cable and satellite TV services and why he recently “cut the cord” and transitioned to using only Internet streaming services. His presentation will address his rationale, his criteria and evaluation of the services and options available, as well as how TV services are evolving. As Geof’s experience and choices are highly subjective, he seeks an active discussion with audience members about their experience “cutting the cord,” including questions from those who are considering doing the same.
Geof is a retired US Government scientist and technology enthusiast who has been active in computer user groups since 1984. He has been a user and advocate of the GNU/Linux operating system and Open Source software since 1994 with professional experience as a programmer, system administrator, network administrator, data engineer, system engineer and system architect.
Learn in 30: Extending the Life of Your Cell Phone Battery—Presented by John Krout
If you have owned a phone for two years plus, you likely realize that the phone battery has lost some of its original oomph. Some of the new phone features actually even reduce battery life. Phone makers, while packing yet more features into smart phones, have largely abandoned the replaceable battery. No longer is it easy to "recharge" a phone in a snap by replacing a nearly discharged battery with a fully charged spare. In this presentation, you will learn how to make simple changes in your smart phone use that will extend battery life.
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 389574 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 857 2717 9449 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method), or dial in at 301-715-8592.
Wednesday Team Bloch Conversation—January 10 and 17
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate Zoom discussions on January 10 and 17 at 4:00.
The topic for January 10: A Double-Header—Books as Holiday Gifts and When Do You Abandon a Book?
The first portion will be devoted to holiday gifts, both given and received—what books did you give as presents, what books did you receive, and what was the outcome? Were you pleased with your bookish gifts? How about the recipients? Bearing in mind that not everyone is a bookworm, was a book a favorite gift?
If that doesn't satisfy your book discussion cravings (LOL), then we will move on to the WaPO article in this week's Book World, where readers chimed in to answer the question "When do you stop reading a book which may have lost your interest?" Lots of different answers for the WaPO and probably lots of diversity for us OLLI members, too.
Then on January 17, our topic will be If you decided to run away, where would you go and why? This encompasses both literal and metaphorical running away!
Check your Daily Schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesday, January 10 and plan on a conversation with Team Bloch.And please join us on January 17 as well, as we pack our imaginary suitcases.
Manny Pablo, an OLLI member for many years beginning in fall 2003, passed away on December 24 at his home in Springfield, VA. He received the BS in Physics from Georgetown University and the MS in Physics from The Catholic University of America. He had served as a Program Manager in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV). Manny was an active member and especially enjoyed participating in OLLI Players events and presentations; the zanier the event, the more fun he had and the more memorable it was.
As a participant in OLLI’s Poetry Workshop, he had at least one poem published in the OLLI E-News (clickhere). He also served on OLLI’s Board of Directors and as OLLI President. He will be greatly missed by his many OLLI friends. They will appreciate that in lieu of flowers or gifts, he would have them perform some random act of kindness and continue to live life with the same sparkle and joie de vivre that he did.
A celebration of Manny’s life is scheduled for today, Friday, January 5, at 11:00, at Saint Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church, 10500 Zion Drive, Fairfax 22032. There will be a reception following in the hall at the church.
Barbara Lynne Gillis
Barbara Gillis, OLLI member from 2015 through 2019, passed away on December 17, 2023. She earned a BA in English from the College of Mary Washington and was a devoted Air Force wife for over 25 years, serving in leadership roles in Officer Wives Clubs and providing support to Air Force families.
An avid reader, Barbara sought out opportunities to learn about the world. She was a member of the League of Women Voters and the Daughters of the American Revolution. As a committed educator and enthusiastic learner, she also enjoyed classes at OLLI.
A graveside service to celebrate Barbara's life was held at the Fairfax cemetery on December 28. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Barbara's memory to Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at George Mason University (click here to donate).
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468. You can also buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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 linkto 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.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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 Jan 6
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jan 8
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Family History/Genealogy Club
Tue Jan 9
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Jan 10
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
History Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Jan 11
11:50 am
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Jan 12
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tallwood Book Club
Sat Jan 13
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jan 15
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Jan 16
1:00 pm
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Zoom Information Session for OLLI Members
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Jan 17
10:00 am
10:30 am
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Jan 18
10:00 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Program Planning Committee
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jan 19
9:30 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
By Bob Heyer, Co-Coordinator, OLLI Walk & Talk Club
For the fall term, Marilyn (Harriman) and I achieved our goal of 101 members of the OLLI Walk & Talk Club!! Our objective is to facilitate President Lillian Brooks’s goal of getting more members back into the classroom by getting a maximum number of members together and involved in a common purpose activity, encouraging more involvement in in-person activities and events!
Although we had 101 members, many members have other activities drawing their time. We have averaged about 20 people on each walk & talk event, ranging from a minimum of about 14 to a maximum of 30. Additionally, we added to our events by having coffee and snacks afterward to continue our conversation started on the trail. We usually brief and then walk for an hour or so, plus another hour at coffee and conversations.
The key to our success has been spreading our walk locations from the Occoquan south to the Potomac River northward and from the east to the west covering a different cross-county trail and park in Fairfax County. Additionally, Marilyn has done a wonderful job locating and coordinating with some great bakeries, restaurants, and coffee shops! Her weekly email correspondence with club members covers where and when we are going with maps and pictures to make it easy to get started on time. We also make it a point for people to keep us informed by cell phone if they should need assistance to make a change before or on the walk.
The result has been a most enjoyable weekly event for our members as well as for Marilyn and me. Thank you for all your support in making this possible!
By Sulaiha (Su) Mastan, Diversity Committee Member
Northern Virginia is home to residents from multiple cultural, racial, ethnic, and faith groups; the area is expected to become more diverse over time.
OLLI is forming a new committee whose primary focus will be to look into diversifying its courses, events, activities,and memberships to be more reflective of the ever changing multicultural, multiracial, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith aspects of our community.
OLLI is seeking help from its membership, particularly members of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and members of other minority groups. We are inviting you to share your experiences at OLLI and share insights into how OLLI can diversify its curriculum and memberships.
Please contact me at 703-606-1832 or send an email to sayang9307@gmail.com. Information shared will be kept confidential.
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in prior issues; it is repeated here to encourage members to share your experiences and insights.
How many times have we heard that saying. “It's better to give than to receive.” When I was a little boy and my mother was trying to instill in me a sense of understanding and compassion, I wasn't sure she knew what she was talking about. I certainly did look forward to birthdays and Christmas when, although limited in my family, I would receive a gift or two. But as I grew older, I slowly began to understand what my mother meant: it really does give a warm feeling to give or help out, or just do something nice for someone else.
Most of us reading this article are far better off than many others who might face financial, health, or just social issues. There are many opportunities to “give” whether money, time, or resources. And if you're like me, your mailbox and email accounts overflow with material from people and organizations offering you that opportunity, mostly legitimate and worthwhile, some only disguised as such. I have a file drawer filled with return address stickers and greeting cards designed to soften my attitude (read: feel guilty) toward their causes. I also have learned to respond by saying I recognize the importance of their cause or mission, but I have selected my charities to support. Too much “giving” can be a bad thing, too. If you get on one mailing list...you're destined to be on many more!
During this holiday season when we are especially aware of the needs of others, we should be compassionate and do what we can to improve our world and, in return, improve our own good feelings. I remember a previous church minister, when asked how to determine a level of sharing, said, “Give until it feels good!” That's good advice for all of us. “Give until it feels good!”
May the spirit of this season – no matter what religion – bring joy and happiness to each of you. And may you have a healthy and prosperous 2024!
She pauses in her stroll to watch the street juggler rapt audience of small boys before him tennis balls circle without apparent effort first three, then four, and finally five continuing the pattern, his touch barely discernable. He tries out a few fancy turns, one ball spikes higher, one he launches and retrieves behind his back. Then—it was inevitable—one ball drops away. A collective gasp goes up from the watchers. Do they get it? That when grown-ups are good at what they do, even when an Oops interrupts, they can go on without a falter, focus continuing on what they expect of themselves.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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 linkto 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.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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. 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 23
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Dec 26
9:30 am
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Tai Chi Club
Wed Dec 27
2:00 pm
Memoir and More Writing Group
Thu Dec 28
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Dec 29
11:00 am
Homer, etc.
Sat Dec 30
10:30 am
12:00 noon
Tai Chi Club
OLLI Walk and Talk Club
Tue Jan 2
4:30 pm
7:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Trivia Club
Wed Jan 3
10:00 am
10:30 am
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Spanish Club
Thu Jan 4
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Jan 5
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation
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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
Reminder: Computer Club meeting Saturday, December 9 (tomorrow), at 1:00, via Zoom and in person in TA-1 at Tallwood. See this link for more information.
The OLLI office will be closed for holiday break from December 16‑January 2.
Winter term registration is under way and continues throughout the term.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, December 22; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, December 19, at 6:00.
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 December 13 at 4:00.
The topic for December 13 is Preparations for Winter.
Are you ready for winter? The prognosticators have warned us about a snowy season ahead. First off, do you believe them? Do you think that the wooly caterpillars and the squirrels are perhaps better at forecasting? Secondly, it always helps to be prepared (see Boy Scout motto). So, how can each of us get ready for whatever ensues from Old Man Winter? Some of us are planning to relocate to warmer climates for a few months; some of us are stuck here. Do you hibernate like a bear in your cave? Do you stock up on provisions, chocolate, wine, etc., or on books and hobby supplies? Do you plan to organize your desk and file folders during winter storms? Do you lay in a pile of firewood or get a space heater? Sharpen your snow shovel or wax your cross-country skis? Or do you just get cozy with warm sweaters and blankets and enjoy the season?
Everyone has a different approach to winter and cold weather. At least, most of us are not living in northern Minnesota. Or if we are, it might be by choice, and we enjoy winter weather.
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesday and plan on discussing with Team Bloch on December 13.
By Sulaiha (Su) Mastan, Diversity Committee Member
Northern Virginia is home to residents from multiple cultural, racial, ethnic, and faith groups; the area is expected to become more diverse over time.
OLLI is forming a new committee whose primary focus will be to study diversifying its courses, events, activities, and memberships to be more reflective of the ever-changing cultural, racial, ethnic, and faith aspects of our community.
OLLI is seeking help from its membership, particularly members of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and members of other minority groups. We are inviting you to share your experiences at OLLI and share insights into how OLLI can diversify its curriculum and memberships.
Please contact me at 703-606-1832 or send an email to sayang9307@gmail.com. Information shared will be kept confidential.
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in a prior issue; it is repeated here to encourage members to share your experiences and insights.
that overcomes my reserve,
that imparts new energy to tired words,
that sculpts angles into curves,
that injects serenity into frayed nerves.
I want to write a poem
that shoots electricity through a dead wire,
to see what messages will be inspired,
that pumps air into a flat tire,
allowing it to roll again,
up and down mountains
and around bends,
just to see what’s what
and where the road might end,
a new metaphor begin.
I want to approach a closed door and see it open
to friends,
new friends.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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 linktostay 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.
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops, Songs of the Season
Sat, Dec 9, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Mariachi Herencia de México: A Mariachi Christmas
Sun, Dec 10, 3:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet: Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker
Sat and Sun, Dec 16 – 17, 4:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $89, $69, $59, $49.
Ju Yun: Celestial Carnival
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Through Jan 6
Admission: Free.
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Songs of the Season
Sat, Dec 9, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance, featuring Bryan Kidd, composer and arranger-in-residence, American Festival Pops Orchestra.
Merchant Hall Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Prince William Little Theatre: Miss Bennet, Christmas at Pemberley
Sat-Sun, Dec 9-10, 2:00 and Sat Dec 9, 7:00
Fri, Dec 15, 8:00
Sat-Sun, Dec 16-17, 2:00 and Sat Dec 16, 7:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adult, $20 senior, $15 12 and under.
Manassas Chorale: Sounds of the Season
Sat, Dec 9, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25 Adult, $23 senior.
Vienna Boys Choir
Sun, Dec 10, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker
Thu, Dec 14, 7:30
Fri, Dec 15, 7:30
Sat, Dec 16, 3:00 and 7:30
Sun, Dec 17, 3:00
Tue, Dec 19, 7:30
Wed, Dec 20, 7:30
Thu, Dec 21, 3:00
Fri, Dec 22, 3:00
Sat, Dec 23, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $75, $65, $55, $45, $35.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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. 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 9
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Dec 11
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Writing Club
Tue Dec 12
9:30 am
10:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Holiday Singing for Fun
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Caregiver Group
Tai Chi Club
Wed Dec 13
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Tallwood Book Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Dec 14
11:50 am
1:00 pm
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
All the News
Stay Active and Independent for Life
SAIL Assessment
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Dec 15
9:30 am
11:00 am
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Sat Dec 16
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Dec 18
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Family History/Genealogy 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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
The OLLI Office will be closed for holiday break from December 16‑January 2.
Reminder: Theater Lovers’ Group outing for a matinee of the musical Ragtime at Signature Theater Sunday, November 26, 2:00. Please email Norma Reck at njreck@cs.com with any questions.
Winter term registration begins on Tuesday, November 28 at 9:00.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, December 8; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, December 5, at 6:00.
President Lillian Brooks opened the OLLI Board of Directors meeting in Tallwood TA‑1 and on Zoom on Friday,
November 17. All 15 elected directors, Executive Director Jennifer Disano, and at least 14 others (OLLI members and staff) were present.
President Lillian Brooks and Executive Director Jennifer Disano reported that they met with the Fairfax County Office on Aging. They found that OLLI should have more members on the various Fairfax County committees to represent OLLI interests and advertise for new members.
Jennifer Disano reported that we accepted the prestigious ArtsFairfax Award in front of over 1,000 event attendees. We now have 940 OLLI members which is in line with the average of 930 members for OLLIs throughout the country. Jennifer also indicated that the November 16 OLLI staff luncheon for over 50 OLLI volunteers that keep OLLI running was a great success.
Treasurer Debbie Engleson reported that OLLI is in a good position financially. We have reduced our use of rented lecture locations and changed our business model to provide classes at cost for retirement communities and other potential spaces. Zoom is here to stay, and we are working to determine the proper mix of Zoom, hybrid, and in‑person classes to meet membership desires at a financial balance.
We are working on resolutions to sign Memorandum of Understanding agreements with two local retirement communities early next year. We are also updating the Policy & Procedures Manual to approve new clubs in line with OLLI’s mission and protect our liability.
After a most successful Board meeting, we hope that more people will listen in at the Board meetings every third Friday of the month at 10:00. It is open to all OLLI Members either in person or on Zoom.
By Sulaiha (Su) Mastan, Diversity Committee Member
Northern Virginia is home to residents from multiple cultural, racial, ethnic, and faith groups; the area is expected to become more diverse over time.
OLLI will be forming a new committee whose primary focus will be to look into diversifying its courses, events, activities, and memberships to be more reflective of the ever changing multicultural, multiracial, multi-ethnic, and multi-faith aspects of our community.
OLLI is seeking help from its membership, particularly members of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities and members of other minority groups. We are inviting you to share your experiences at OLLI and share insights into how OLLI can diversify its curriculum and memberships.
Please contact me at 703-606-1832 or send an email to sayang9307@gmail.com. Information shared will be kept confidential.
Reminder: Help Plan Literature, Language, and Theater Programs December 7
By Pat Bangs, Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages Program Planning Group Co‑Chair
Please join us for our semi-annual all-campus program planning group meeting for literature, theater, and writing/languages program planning, Thursday, December 7, at 10:00, via Zoom.
All are welcome. We will be reviewing past terms and looking forward to planning for summer term 2024 and beyond. Bring ideas for literature, theater, and writing/languages programs, including possible resources such as individuals you may know who might want to teach, or any other thoughts on this popular OLLI program area. Join at https://gmu.zoom.us/j/93862178369 on December 7.
If you have a yen to see your poem in print, the poetry program is working on an early 2024 edition of The Poets of OLLI, our first since pre-pandemic. Please send your submission(s) in an attachment to Jan Bohall at jpb.20@aol.com by Friday, December 8.
Just a few requests: You may submit one or two poems, accompanied by a brief bio. Poems must be no more than 30 lines long, including title and line spaces. Any theme is welcome, as well as any poetic form. If the poem has been published elsewhere, including the OLLI E-News and OLLI Ink, please let us know. We’re looking forward to hearing from you.
By Linda H. Harber, Friends of Music at Mason President
Register at the member portal for Event 1208, Fall 2023 Holiday Singing for Fun, where you can sing along with your OLLI friends and celebrate the December holidays with merry music! Singing together is always fun, but on Tuesday, December 12, from 10:30-noon, it will be super fun! Whether the song is about Santa or Rudolph or dreidels—join us in our upcoming holiday sing‑along.
This special Singing for Fun is for everyone! OLLI and singing—a great combination! Music and the winter holidays—the best combination! We will be accompanied by piano and violins—and will have song sheets. Everyone is welcome to join our joyful voices on December 12 in TA‑1!
Please register today and we’ll see you December 12 at 10:30!
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, December 9, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
Virtual Tour: System Source Computer Museum—Presented by Curator Bob Roswell
The System Source Computer Museum, located in Hunt Valley, Maryland, USA, exhibits notable computing devices from ancient times until the present. Over 5,000 objects are on display and many of the computation devices are operational. The museum's origins date to 1981 when a Baltimore ComputerLand franchise had computers in inventory that instantly became historic artifacts with the introduction of the IBM Personal Computer.
A system integrator, Bob Roswell consults with organizations to design, purchase, install, and maintain their technology infrastructure. As founder and curator of the System Source Computer Museum, his tours reflect deep knowledge about computer technology of the past that makes his excitement for the subject captivating.
Charging Phones and Laptops Another Way—Presented by John Krout
Tired of the spaghetti-like mass of cables needed to charge your cell phones and tablets? There may be a better way to go.
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.
See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 for 2023—see http://olligmu.org/opcug/comm.html for details on making payment.
To attend via Zoom’s cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45, please click this link to join the meeting and use passcode 206627 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 860 6157 6830 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method).
We had a small group but those who came seemed to enjoy themselves. Here we are with our finished results. (Left to right: Jeff Milstein, Yen Tra, Instructor Emily, Marybeth Haneline, Tony Harriman, Joe Androsky, Ruth Altheim, Marilyn Harriman. An employee from Muse Paint Bar took the photo with my iPhone camera.)
Jeff Milstein wanted to paint his owl from a photo he had taken (Golden Bird in the middle), and our nice instructor helped him create the color scheme he had in mind. Afterward, five of us enjoyed dinner across the street at True Food Kitchen. It was a nice way to end fall term.
The November 2023 Photo of the Month theme was Sports Photography. We selected Ed Marion's photo, "Photo Finish: 60-Meter Dash," 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 Edward Marion, Photography Club Co-Coordinators
Wednesday Team Bloch Conversations—November29 and December 6
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate two Zoom discussions, November 29 and December 6, both at 4:00.
The topic for November 29 is Stress.
Coming up is the big month for stress. Whether it is stress for the holiday shopping, menu, meal preparation, present wrapping, decorating, hosting of holiday gatherings, holiday travel, other types of travel, social anxiety, or even a lack of "holiday spirit," this is a busy month and there are lots of stressors, not even to mention paying for all the holiday financial indulgences and the looming end-of-year wrapping up and reckoning of 2023. How do you face December stress? How to lessen the stress? (One of us eats cookies. Lots of cookies. It works. She also bakes lots of cookies and shares with neighbors and friends.)
The topic for December 6 is The Factors in Your Decision to Make the Move to a Retirement Community.
Is it time to consider moving to a senior living facility? Every week, Team Bloch receives one or two brochures for a new community being built in the area, inviting us to visit. Stairs and maintenance of a large home are certainly a burden as we age. Yet, interacting with people of all ages has benefits. There's the argument that downsizing is far easier when we are younger and more fit. Everyone will weigh the factors differently (too soon, too late, just right now—the Goldilocks dilemma.) What facts are you evaluating and weighing to aid your decision-making?
Check your Daily Schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on discussion with Team Bloch on November 29 and December 6.
Healing Arts Ensemble Fall Recital By Linda H. Harber, Friends of Music at Mason President
The Healing Arts Ensemble, the signature performing group for Mason’s programs in music for well-being, will hold its fall recital on November 29 at 5:00 in the Center for the Arts Grand Tier III. It is free and all are welcome to attend the very relaxing event next Wednesday at this busy time of the year!
“Love is a wild and unpredictable quantum energy that expands in all directions and defies all the laws of linear causality.” Sam Keen, To Love and Be Loved
On a crisp fall day— relaxing ‘neath the warming sun with gentle clouds moving overhead in rhythm with the breeze— We share a playful game of frisbee toss.
You, the pro, giving guidance to my less experienced self:
"It’s all in the wrist,” demonstrating the optimal side-step forward and hinged release of the hand.
The disc soars my way, air currents delivering it straight into my upraised hands. I/we laugh at the catch— me, surprised— you, affirming!
I return the serve, watching as my aim veers too far left and way short of your hands. You bound toward the ground, retrieving and throwing the object back.
Too low, I fumble the catch. No mind…it’s the tossing that counts, not the act of being caught. As in relationships, the dynamism… the life-force is in the extending.
As if some child, waiting patiently all along to seize the magical toy that held joy’s promise… and then, lovingly, offered it up to you.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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 linkto 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.
Chanticleer: A Chanticleer Christmas
Sat, Nov 25, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $58, $49, $34.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Festive French Fare
Sun, Nov 26, 7:00
Pre-performance “Young Artists Musicale,” featuring piano students of Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association members, will take place from 6 to 6:30 in the main lobby.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
Natalie MacMaster and Donnell Leahy: A Celtic Family Christmas
Saturday, Dec 2, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops, Songs of the Season
Saturday, Dec 9, 4:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Mariachi Herencia de México: A Mariachi Christmas
Sunday, Dec 10, 3:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Piano Chamber Ensembles
Mon, Nov 27, 7:00
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A323
Admission: Free.
Healing Arts Ensemble
Wednesday, Nov 29, 5:00
Center for the Arts, Monson Grand Tier III
Admission: Free.
Mason Symphonic Band
Wednesday, Nov 29, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $12 Adult, $8 senior.
Mason Wind Symphony
Thursday, Nov 30, 8:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $12 Adult, $8 senior.
Mason School of Dance:Dance Innovations
Friday, Dec 1, 8:00
Saturday, Dec 2, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $20.
Mason Opera Presents: An Evening of Gilbert & Sullivan
Friday, Dec 1, 8:00
Saturday, Dec 2, 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 senior.
Mason Symphony and Choirs Holiday Concert 2023
Sunday, Dec 3, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 senior.
Mason School of Dance: Studio Series
Tuesday, Dec 5, 6:00 and 8:00
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A301
Admission: $15.
Ju Yun: Celestial Carnival
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Through Jan 6
Admission: Free.
Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker
Fri, Nov 24, 2:00 and 6:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $45, $40, $35, $30, $25, $20.
Northern Virginia Ballet: The Nutcracker
Sat, Nov 25, 2:00 and 6:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35 Adult, $25 senior.
A Canadian Brass Christmas
Sun, Nov 26, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra (OBCO): Handel's Messiah
Fri, Dec 1, 8:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 senior.
Manassas Symphony Orchestra Family Concert: Nature’s Rhythms
Sat, Dec 2, 3:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30 Adult, free 18 and under.
The Legendary Ingramettes
Sun, Dec 3, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
Mason Arts Amplified will offer a limited release of a pay-to-view digital performance. This recording will be available to watch beginning December 14 through January 15 at noon ET. You can pre-order digital access for $15 now at this link.
American Festival Pops Orchestra: Holiday Pops, Songs of the Season
Fri, Dec 8, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance, featuring Bryan Kidd, composer and arranger-in-residence, American Festival Pops Orchestra.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Prince William Little Theatre: Miss Bennet, Christmas at Pemberley
Fri, Dec 8, 8:00
Sat-Sun, Dec 9-10, 2:00 and Sat Dec 9, 7:00
Fri, Dec 15, 8:00
Sat-Sun, Dec 16-17, 2:00 and Sat Dec 16, 7:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adult, $20 senior, $15 12 and under.
Manassas Chorale: Sounds of the Season
Saturday, Dec 9, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25 Adult, $23 senior.
Vienna Boys Choir
Sunday, Dec 10, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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. 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 Nov 25
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Nov 27
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Family History/Genealogy Club
Tue Nov 28
9:00 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
4:30 pm
Holiday Party Committee
Annex Art
Special Board Meeting
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Caregiver Group
Tai Chi Club
Wed Nov 29
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Nov 30
11:30 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Diversity/Multicultural Committee
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Dec 1
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Annual Holiday Party
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Dec 2
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Dec 4
9:30 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Family History/Genealogy Club
Tue Dec 5
9:30 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Caregiver Group
Tai Chi Club
Wed Dec 6
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
10:30 am
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Investment Forum
History Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Dec 7
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Fri Dec 8
9:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:30 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
OLLI Annual Town Hall Meeting, In Person and Zoom, Tallwood, November 3
November 10, 2023
Editor of the Week: David Gundry
Table of Contents
Alerts & Notices
The OLLI Office will be closed for holiday breaks from November 20 to 25 and December 16 to January 2, 2024.
Reminder: Theater Lovers’ Group event Sunday, November 26, to attend the 2:00 matinee of the musical Ragtime at Signature Theater. Please email Norma Reck at njreck@cs.com with any questions.
Winter term registration begins on November 28 at 9:00.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, November 24; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, November 21, at 6:00.
Reminder: Register by November 14 for Holiday Party
By Debbie Engleson, Board Member and Treasurer
Time is running out! You need to register by November 14 to join fellow OLLI members and guests for the OLLI Holiday Party. Enjoy the music of the recorder group as you check in on Friday, December 1.
Where: The Country Club of Fairfax at 5110 Ox Road, Fairfax.
Starting at 11:30, there will be socializing and a cash bar, with lunch served at 12:15.
Following remarks and door prizes, you will be treated to the music of the Fairfax High School Carolers.
For lunch, choose chicken marsala, pasta primavera, or spinach salad with grilled chicken as entrées. All meals include beverages and dessert. You can indicate your choice of entrée and pay the $50 fee when you register on the OLLI portal(Event 1203). Registration ends on Tuesday, November 14.
Register now and bring a guest. You don’t want to miss this lovely event!
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, November 21, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session usually opens at 12:45.
A Day in the Mobile Life—Presented by Roy Wagner
I will discuss how I use my “mobile” devices in a “typical” day and compare it with how life was before we had mobile devices available to us. I’ll talk about using my mobile phone and tablet through a typical day in my life.
OLLI member Roy Wagner served as President of Washington Apple Pi (wap.org) for three years and hosts the monthly ‘Clubhouse’ Zoom meetings. He began using Apple products in 1987, while fighting with Windows machines in the work environment.
Learn in 30: Why Do Printer Drivers Sometimes Take So Long to Print Photos?—Presented by John Krout
One night, your presenter's son asked why his Windows computer took more than 15 minutes to start printing a billion-pixel photo he downloaded from NASA. Your presenter too has experienced that delay many times, most recently when he self-published his 2024 Calendar containing most of the multi-photo panoramas he has taken over the past 20 years. This will continue to happen: even smartphone photos now can exceed 40 megapixels in size, and one recent phone shoots 200 megapixel photos. Plus, many phones now take huge composite panoramas. This presentation will explain the two major purposes of a printer driver, and simple steps you can take to make photos print quickly, and even upload quickly.
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 206627 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 860 6157 6830 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method).
Save the Date: Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages Program Planning Group Meeting
By Pat Bangs, Literature, Theater, and Writing/Languages Program Planning Group Co‑Chair
Date: Thursday, December 7
Time: 10:00-11:30
Whether you enjoy the classics or spy novels, sci-fi or memoir, want to learn a language, or explore playwrights and the world of theater, we need your thoughts and ideas.
Please join us for our semi-annual all‑campus program planning group meeting for literature, theater, and writing/language program planning on Thursday, December 7, at 10:00 via Zoom.
We will be reviewing past terms and looking forward to planning for summer 2024 and beyond. All OLLI members can contribute to the excellent programming offered to our membership. Bring ideas for literature, theater, and writing/language programs, possible resources, such as individuals you may know who might want to teach, or any other thoughts on this popular OLLI program area. And, of course, if you or anyone you know would like to join our group, here is your opportunity to see the process in action. Spread the word; see you on December 7.
The meeting Zoom link from Shannon Morrow, our staff program associate, is https://gmu.zoom.us/j/93862178369. We will resend it again closer to the meeting. If you would also like to be added to our mailing list for a reminder, or have any questions, please email me at: pbangs68@gmail.com.
Humanities, Social Sciences, and Current Events Program Planning Group Meeting
By Camille Hodges, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Current Events Program Planning Group Co-Chair
The Humanities, Social Sciences, and Current Events (HSS/CE) Program Planning Group will meet on Tuesday, November 14, at 10:00, via Zoom. The Zoom link for the meeting appears below.
The OLLI Fall Session ends tomorrow; you should have received the winter catalog in your mailbox by now. Course offerings are high quality as usual.
The Multicultural Committee is “in-progress” and needs additional members if you’re interested or can suggest someone. So far, the main idea is that all OLLI committees continue to strive to be as “multicultural/multi-ethnic” as possible when considering course offerings as we encourage a more diverse membership. Look for an article in the OLLI E-News soon.
The Old Town Hall in Fairfax is a great venue; you are encouraged to park across the street in the library parking lot (underground). It’s easy and a short walk across the street.
Summer 2024 course proposals are due January 26.
We are working on a couple of presenters who have not committed yet.
The next HSS/CE meeting is tentatively scheduled for January 16, 2024.
Fall 2024 proposals are due March 8. (Dr. George Oberle, Mason Assistant Professor of History and Art History, may present in the fall of 2024.)
Still looking for discussions on: “banned/challenged” books (Yes, Charlotte’s Web is one of them); possible constitutional issues confronting the Supreme Court.
Others?
II. Updates from Shannon and Nancy
III. Updates from committee members/What ideas can we help you with?
IV. Other information to share? Questions? Comments?
The Town Hall meeting in TA-1, Tallwood, on November 3 was opened by OLLI President Lillian Brooks with 36 members on Zoom and 24 members in person. Those in person enjoyed the fall coffee and many confections provided by the Diversions Committee. Lillian introduced the Board members present. Lillian noted that our Strategic Plan objectives are to continue to recruit new and diverse members from the many ethnic groups in the Northern Virginia area. We would like to have more people in the classrooms as well as enjoying our in-person events (e.g., fall kickoff and Halloween parties, the December 1 holiday party). We are also offering OLLI-sponsored travel for our members (Iceland this year, next year to the Far East (Japan and Korea), and Albuquerque during the balloon festival).
Jennifer Disano was introduced and recognized for her outstanding ten years of service as our Executive Director, and for building the OLLI Mason program. This year OLLI won the prestigious ArtsFairfax Award which gave us a lot of county-wide attention. Jennifer noted that we currently have 940 members, close to the national average of 933 members for the 125 OLLIs in the country. We enjoy in-person, Zoom and hybrid classes at all three campuses, using classrooms at Tallwood five days a week, at Reston one to two days a week, and at Mason Loudoun one day a week. We are reaching out to local retirement communities, such as the three Silverstone locations and others, to offer some classes and packages for a fee to entice new memberships. We are also working to update our OLLI website and advertising materials, as well to locate potential donors and possibly a sponsor. Our biggest challenge is to locate volunteers for the Board of Directors and the many different things that OLLI is involved with for the present and future.
There were many questions and comments at the Town Hall from the Zoom and in-person audiences, helping to amplify and clarify the details of our many OLLI activities.
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 November 15 at 4:00, where every OLLI member is welcome to join us to talk about our topic: Keeping and Firing Friends.
We all know that FRIENDSHIP is important. Socialization is a most important factor in our mental well-being, our staying engaged in life, and our physical welfare. Friends help bridge the loneliness gap. As we retire from the workplace and perhaps dial our activities down a bit, friendships tend to change or disappear. During the Covid pandemic, many of us had to put our friendships on pause and isolate ourselves. For all those reasons, friendships require work on everyone's part to maintain. The backbone of any friendship is one where both sides put in equal effort and support.
The Atlantic recently ran an article about "How to Break Up with Your Friends." But in that article they cited six different types of expectations for friends: genuine regard (they like you for what you are), self-disclosure (you feel safe to discuss personal stuff), instrumental aid (they help you move or send you a meal when you are sick), similarity (you enjoy some of the same things), enjoyment (you are happy to spend time with them), and agency (what externals they can help you with). An important point is that no one friend can likely offer all of these things and you might want to have several "overlapping" friends, each of whom can satisfy a few of those expectations. It may be unrealistic to "break up" if a friend doesn't meet all those criteria—maybe it is better to overlook the gaps? What does a "friend" mean to you?
Join us via the OLLI 24/7 Chat Line on November 15. See the OLLI daily schedule email for the Zoom meeting ID and password.
Note: Team Bloch is taking a week off from our Wednesday Conversations Series on November 22, the day before Thanksgiving. We will resume the Wednesday following, November 29.
Always around. Facing it is daunting.
It’s been there (here) since the beginning
when there was nothing but nothingness.
God turned nothingness into
light, dark, day, night, sun, moon,
stars, seas, fish, sky, birds, land, animals,
humankind, and a day to rest.
The Big Bang exploded nothingness into
electrons, quarks, protons, neutrons,
particles, waves, helium, hydrogen,
carbon, iron, dark matter, proteins,
carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids.
Still lots of nothingness.
nothing to do, nothing new, nothing changes,
nothing here, nothing to look forward to,
nothing good, nothing to talk about,
ain’t worth nothin’.
In the meantime, take your nothingness and
clean up the kitchen, confront a problem,
provide what’s missing, do what’s next,
write a poem, paint a picture, savor a
reddish-orange sunset, apologize, admire
a neighbor’s hydrangea, smile at a stranger,
wonder at all the stars, watch a four-year old
discover bike balance,
delight in the miracle of life.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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.
Virginia Opera: The Barber of Seville
Sat, Nov 11, 7:30
Sun, Nov 12, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Following the Sun, November 12 matinee, Virginia Opera Resident Scholar Joshua Borths will lead a post-performance discussion with the artists in the Center for the Arts main lobby.
Concert Hall
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra with Renée Fleming
Sat, Nov 18, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $100, $75, $50.
Family Series: B—The Underwater Bubble Show
Sun, Nov 19, 4:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $25.
Chanticleer
Sat, Nov 25, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $58, $49, $34.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Festive French Fare
Sun, Nov 26, 7:00
Pre-performance “Young Artists Musicale,” featuring piano students of Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association members, will take place from 6 to 6:30 in the main lobby.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
Brass Day
Sat, Nov 11, 10:00 until 4:00
Harris Theatre, deLaski Performing Arts Building, several Fairfax campus sites
Admission: Free, but registration is required.
Registration link coming soon @ music.gmu.edu.
Steel Pan Ensemble, Latin American Ensemble
Tue, Nov 14, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
Jazz Combos, Braddock Road Brass Band
Wed, Nov 15, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
Mason School of Theater: fallen
Thu, Nov 16, 8:00
Fri, Nov 17, 8:00
Sat, Nov 18, 2:00 and 8:00
Sun, Nov 19, 2:00
TheatreSpace, deLaski A105, and other Fairfax campus sites
Admission: $30 adult, $15 senior.
Piano Chamber Ensembles
Mon, Nov 27, 7:00
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A323
Admission: Free.
Ju Yun: Celestial Carnival
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Through Jan 6
Admission: Free.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: Colin―Son, Marine, Hero
Thu, Nov 9, 7:30
Fri, Nov 10, 7:30
Sat, Nov 11, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $65, $55, $45, $35, $25, (Free for veterans and service members; up to two tickets each with ID. Free tickets are limited and only available in person at the Hylton Center Ticket Office).
American Roots Series: Seven Voices—A Tribute to Patsy Cline
Sun, Nov 12, 4:00
Sun, Nov 12, 7:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30, (Free for veterans and service members; up to two tickets each with ID. Free tickets are limited and only available in person at the Hylton Center Ticket Office).
Matinee Idylls: Virginia Opera, A Taste of Opera
Tue, Nov 14, Lunch at 12:30, concert at 1:30
Gregory Family Theater
Admission:
Lunch, concert, and dessert reception: $65
Concert and dessert reception only: $40.
Gian Marco, Diego Torres En Concierto
Thu, Nov 16, 8:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $169, $139, $119, $99.
Sonia De Los Santos
Sat, Nov 18, 11:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $15.
Steep Canyon Rangers
Sat, Nov 18, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance, featuring Steep Canyon Ranger musicians Aaron Burdett, Graham Sharp, and Mike Ashworth.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
Axial Dance: Winter Wonderland
Sun, Nov 19, 3:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $12.
Virginia National Ballet: The Nutcracker
Fri, Nov 24, 2:00 and 6:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $45, $40, $35, $30, $25, $20.
Northern Virginia Ballet: The Nutcracker
Sat, Nov 25, 2:00 and 6:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $35 adult, $25 senior.
A Canadian Brass Christmas
Sun, Nov 26, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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 Nov 11
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Nov 13
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Nov 14
9:30 am
10:00 am
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art Humanities/Social Sciences and Current Events Program Planning Group Meeting
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Publicity & Publications Committee Meeting
Tai Chi Club
Wed Nov 15
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Nov 16
11:30 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Nov 17
9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Recorder Rehearsal
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Party with Paint!
Sat Nov 18
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Nov 20
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Writing Group
Tue Nov 21
9:30 am
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Thu Nov 23
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Nov 24
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Nov 25
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Nov 27
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Group
Tue Nov 28
9:30 am
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Nov 29
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Conversation with Team Bloch
Thu Nov 30
11:30 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Diversity/Multicultural Committee
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Dec 1
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:30 pm
1:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Annual OLLI Holiday Party
Stay Active and Independent for Life
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, Tom Appich, Martha Kossoff, Anne Hartshorn, Bonnie Becker, Carol McManus
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
OLLI Mason was Awarded the Arts Fairfax Education Award, October 26
November 3, 2023
Editor of the Week: John Nash
Table of Contents
Alerts & Notices
Alert: Change of date for the Theater Lovers’ Group outing for a Sunday 2:00 matinee of the musical Ragtime at Signature Theater. The event will be at 2:00 on Sunday, November 26. Please email Norma Reck at njreck@cs.com with any ticket questions and let her know you will join the group, and if you are interested in the 12:00 lunch.
REMEMBER TO VOTE! If you haven’t already voted, Tuesday, November 7 is Election Day. November 4 is the last day for early in-person voting in Fairfax. The Virginia legislature is currently split; the House of Delegates has a Republican majority while the Senate has a very small Democratic majority, so every vote is important in determining what legislation passes in the next couple of years.
The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, November 10; the regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, November 7, at 6:00.
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 November 8 at 4:00. The topic will be: Your News Sources!
Where do you get your news? Daily or weekly newspaper, digital or paper? Or on your phone? Or on your computer? Mainstream media or other sources such as newsletters or blogs? Which sources do you have confidence in, and which do you distrust? How do you discern the bias inherent in certain stories?
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on discussion with Team Bloch on November 8.
Grandma Sylvia’s Guide to the Stock Market: Win the Great Game and Sleep Well at Night, by OLLI member and author Sylvia Auton, was selected as a recommended book choice for the week of October 28. Fairfax County Public Library's “Wowbrary" had Auton's book among the weekly choices for "the newest stuff at your library"—see the accompanying figure.
You rest; You rust! I'm not sure where I first heard that, but I believe it's true. With “inactivity” a person can lose out on lots of things . . . including a few years of life.
As we drift into our “golden years”―we never say “old!” We all have a tendency to slow down as we age, which is good. But slowing down doesn't mean we must stop. Sometimes we have to look a little harder for opportunities that interest us and keep us active. Recently, there have been several articles in E-News suggesting various ways to actively participate in OLLI, from running for a board position, participating on committees, joining discussion groups, or teaching an OLLI class. For many years, members of the OLLI photo club have volunteered to take pictures of Mason events. It's a way we can return the good will of Mason while helping us improve our photography skills. OLLI members need only to express an interest to find many volunteer opportunities to enrich their lives.
In addition to volunteer opportunities at OLLI, we can find ways to stay active within our religious institutions, local communities, and support groups. Volunteer Fairfax, for example, offers a list of organizations and groups who can always use support.
I recently moved to a retirement community in Loudoun County where the word “retirement” just doesn't exist. There are so many opportunities to become involved. I recently used my photography skills to take pictures of four residents who had achieved the wonderful age of 100 plus. They were delightful to work with, and I learned so much from their conversations. One doesn't get to be 100 years old without some incredible experiences!
People often are reluctant to volunteer; they fear they will be given too much responsibility or the activity will demand too much time. There's an easy solution: just make clear your interest level and available time, and then participate in a rewarding activity.
Volunteering is like exercising: it doesn't take a whole lot to reap some incredible benefits. Many opportunities to be involved are right here in OLLI! Keeping those mental and physical gears in motion will certainly add years to your life . . . and ensure there is no rust forming! Remember: motion is lotion!
Fall
My goldfinches have flown south
My brave hummingbird is Mexico bound
Bees just a desperately buzzing few
Acorns hailing in a damaging torrent
Squirrels frantically hiding their bounty
Leaves of gold drifting slowly down
The chill is gentle but a clear call
It must be fall
―Sally Sibley
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, buy tickets online through the event calendar (see links below), or visit the venue's box office. For more information, see the CFA ticket pageor the Hylton Center ticket purchase page.
Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of information on 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.
Silkroad Ensemble with Rhiannon Giddens: American Railroad
Sun, Nov 5, 7:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Virginia Opera: The Barber of Seville
Sat, Nov 11, 7:30
Sun, Nov 12, 2:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Following the Sunday, November 12 matinee, Virginia Opera Resident Scholar Joshua Borths will lead a post-performance discussion with the artists in the Center for the Arts main lobby.
Concert Hall
Admission: $110, $70, $40.
David Amoroso: Belleza Brutal
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Through Nov 4
Admission: Free.
The U.S. Army Band Star-Spangled Spectacular with Christopher Jackson
Sat, Nov 4, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: Free but tickets are no longer available. Audience members without tickets will be seated pending availability of open seats prior to the start of the performance.
Ju Yun: Celestial Carnival
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Nov 7–Jan 6
Admission: Free.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: Colin―Son, Marine, Hero
Thu, Nov 9, 7:30
Fri, Nov 10, 7:30
Sat, Nov 11, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $65, $55, $45, $35, $25, (Free for veterans and service members; up to two tickets each with ID. Free tickets are limited and only available in person at the Hylton Center Ticket Office).
American Roots Series:Seven Voices—A Tribute to Patsy Cline
Sun, Nov 12, 4:00
Sun, Nov 12, 7:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30, (Free for veterans and service members: up to two tickets each with ID. Free tickets are limited and only available in person at the Hylton Center Ticket Office).
Please note: OLLI Meetings and Clubs may currently take place in several formats: some are in person only, some are online only, and some are hybrid, meaning that they take place in person and are accessible online simultaneously. 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 Nov 4
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Nov 7
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Nov 8
11:00 am
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Tallwood Book Club
Bridge Club
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Nov 9
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Reston Book Club
Tai Chi Club
Fri Nov 10
9:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Photography Club
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Nov 11
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Nov 13
9:30 am
11:00 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Poetry Reading Club
Tue Nov 14
9:30 am
10:00 am
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
4:30 pm
Annex Art Humanities/Social Sciences and Current Events Program Planning Group Meeting
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Publicity & Publications Committee Meeting
Tai Chi Club
Wed Nov 15
10:00 am
10:30 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversations with Doris & Brenda
Thu Nov 16
11:30 am
11:50 am
4:30 pm
Volunteer Appreciation Lunch
All the News
Tai Chi Club
Fri Nov 17
9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Recorder Rehearsal
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Party with Paint!
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, Tom Appich
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. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.