Christopher Johnston, Northern Virginia Community College Instructor and NOVA Symphony Orchestra Music Director, Gave an Enjoyable Presentation on Leonard Bernstein, Composer, Conductor, Pianist, and Teacher, with Piano Accompaniment, April 5
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, April 20, 2024, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45.
Finding No-cost Electric Charging Stations—Presented by John Krout
If you own an electric vehicle (EV) or pluggable hybrid EV (PHEV), or you anticipate owning one soon, you may be surprised to learn that car-charging stations are closer than you think, and some offer that service at zero cost.
John Krout will introduce you to three apps that you can use at home or on the road to identify car charging stations, and especially zero-cost car charging stations. Your presenter now drives his second PHEV and has found and used zero-cost car charging stations in Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Delaware. He will identify types of businesses that use zero-cost charging services to attract customers, and two sites in Virginia that have the greatest cluster of zero-cost car chargers in the entire metro region.
John 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.
Learn in 30: Demystifying VPN—Presented by Roger Fujii
This will be an attempt to explain (well, as much as can be done in 30 minutes) what a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is, what it does and does not do, what types of VPN are out there, and list some use cases. While there won't be time to evaluate the many different offerings, this should help you to decide what kind of VPN you might want.
Roger Fujii has helped OLLI with technology challenges for its email and LAN systems since 2006.
See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 and are now due for 2024 (and 2023, if you didn’t get around to paying earlier in the year!)—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 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 Marilyn Harriman, Walk & Talk Club Co-Coordinator
Seventeen members of OLLI Mason’s Walk & Talk Club donned safety glasses and gazed at the stunning views of the eclipse on April 8.
Some of OLLI’s Walk & Talk Club participants find a comfortable space at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area to enjoy the unfolding solar eclipse (Photo by Richard Crawford)
Club members met at the south loop of Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area Trail in Lorton and traversed hills and dales as clouds gave way to the sun and spectacular views of the moon covering 87% of the sun. It was a walk to remember!
The club meets most weeks throughout the year and explores various locations across Fairfax County, offering a diverse range of walking experiences. Members are free to walk at their own pace, with some choosing a brisk stride and others opting for a more leisurely stroll.
The club’s next walk will be in Fairfax City, starting at Draper Drive Park on April 17 at 10:00.
If you’d like to join us, you can sign up through the member portal by typing “Spring Walk and Talk” in the search box. Members receive weekly updates about upcoming walks, including directions and forecasted weather conditions. All walkers are required to be registered to participate. Club members enjoy getting fresh air, exercising, and making friends with other OLLI Mason members. To learn more, see page 35 in the spring catalog.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate the OLLI Zoom discussion on April 17 at 4:00.
Topic for April 17: Book Club Ins & Outs. Are you in a book club? The same book club for many years? What are the demographics of the group? How does your club select the books to discuss? Are you still happy with the books selected and with the process of choosing? Or have you lost interest in the club? At what point do you step away? How do you break up with your book club?
Join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 on the 24/7 Chat Line. Registration is not required—or even possible! All members are welcome to drop in.
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
As noted in prior E‑News issues, Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is hosting several jazz concerts this spring, some ticketed and some free! Listed below are two events coming up toward the end of April.
Steel Pan Ensemble, Latin American Ensemble, and Braddock Road Brass Band Ensemble: Monday April 15, 8:00
(Previously Announced)
Center for the Arts
Join the Mason Steel Pan Ensemble, directed by Victor Provost, the DOWNBEAT award-winning Latin American Ensemble, directed by Dr. Juan Megna, and the Braddock Road Brass Band, directed by Graham Breedlove, in a celebration of music around the world! From New Orleans to the Caribbean to Brazil, this concert has something for everyone! Free and open to the public; no tickets or registration required.
Mason Jazz Ensemble at Blues Alley: Tuesday April 23, 7:00
Blues Alley, 1073 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington DC 20007
Jim Carroll directs the Mason Jazz Ensemble at Washington D.C.'s historic jazz club, BLUES ALLEY! This very special performance in the nation's oldest jazz supper club is one you don't want to miss! Tickets: $25—Click here.
my life is like a butterfly’s i begin from egg to caterpillar
my identity and mettle not yet
revealed, but when my body
grows, I disappear into
my protective cocoon.
emerging from my chrysalis cradle
i stretch my wings, colorful, alluring,
soar on breezy updrafts,
collect wisdom as i go,
inspire those who follow,
teach them to soar.
expand my limits
fulfill my purpose
seed the next
generation.
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.
Martha Graham Dance Company
Sat, Apr 13, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in the Center for the Arts, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Small Island Big Song
Sat, Apr 20, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in the Center for the Arts, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $48, $41, $29.
The Okee Dokee Brothers
Sun, Apr 21, 10:30 and 1:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $15.
Mason Opera, Spring 2024: Mozart’s The Impresario and Steven Stucky’s The Classical Style: An Opera (of Sorts)
Fri, Apr 19, 8:00
Sat, Apr 20, 2:00 and 8:00
Sun, Apr 21, 3:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 Senior.
Reduced Shakespeare Company
Sat, Apr 13, 8:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $30.
The United States Army Band: Red, White, and Blue
Fri, Apr 19, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: Free on a first come, first served basis, with doors opening at 7:00.
Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen
Sat, Apr 20, 5:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30.
Virginia National Ballet: Led Zeppelin
Sat, Apr 20, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $45, $40, $35.
Ordway Ballet: Whodunnit? A Murder Mystery Ballet
Sun, Apr 21, 1:00 and 5:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $30, $27, $24 Adult; $28, $25, $22 Senior.
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 Apr 13
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 15
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Apr 16
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 17
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Spanish Club – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Apr 18
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 19
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
3:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Caregivers Group – online
60s Dance Party
Sat Apr 20
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Apr 22
9:30 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Tue Apr 23
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Tai Chi Club
Wed Apr 24
1:45 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Apr 25
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Reston Book Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 26
9:30 am
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
1:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation
Grab ’n’ Gab Coffee Klatch
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Photography Club
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: [email protected]. 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.
Candidates Announced for 2024 Board of Directors Election
By Marilyn Harriman, 2024 BOD Nominating Committee Chair
The 2024 Board of Directors (BoD) Nominating Committee is excited to announce this year’s candidates for five BoD positions open in May. Elected directors serve for three years and may serve two consecutive terms.
This year, we have four incumbent candidates. The four incumbents are ending their first term and running for a second three-year term.
Each incumbent actively contributes to helping OLLI meet its strategic goals. They are Toni Acton, Dick Crawford, Camille Hodges, and Zach Teich. The nominating committee has recruited a fifth candidate, Suresh Mohla, to our list of candidates. Suresh volunteers as a teacher and a member of the Science, Technology, and Health Program Planning Group, and of the Health and Safety Advisory Committee. Candidate statements for all five will be published on our website, in the classroom “Green Rooms,” and in the OLLI Communicator throughout April. Voting by electronic ballot begins on May 3.
At this point in the election cycle, OLLI members may run for office through a signature petition. Members who choose to run by petition must collect signatures from a minimum of 5% of our active membership (46+ signatures). The final day for an OLLI member to submit a signature petition to be included on the ballot for this year’s BoD election is April 23. Petitions must be presented to the nominating chair, Marilyn Harriman, or OLLI Administrator Susan Todenhoft (Tallwood office). The main prerequisites to becoming a candidate for election to the Board are being an active OLLI member, a commitment to fostering OLLI’s mission, and a willingness to attend Board meetings. Additional attributes are in our OLLI policy guide.
Jennifer Disano Announces Travel Opportunities at Kick-Off Coffee
By Marilyn Harriman, Diversions Chair
OLLI Mason is jetting off to lands near and far this year and next. Executive Director Jennifer Disano announced at our March 21 spring kick-off coffee that our staff and Board of Directors are working with travel companies to offer trips for our members. Some already took advantage of the opportunity in December when they flew to Iceland. In the fall, members can experience the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Jennifer said that the New Mexico trip and additional trips can be found on the Travel page of the OLLI website, and the page will be updated as trips are added.
Other highlights of the coffee event included a popular activities fair that Debby Mossburg, Board member and outreach chair, organized in TA‑2 and the Annex. With representatives from 27 clubs and organizations stationed in both locations, the rooms quickly filled with OLLI members seeking information and ways to sign up.
The formal program began with standing room only in TA‑1 as President Lillian Brooks welcomed new members and introduced Board members who were present. Lillian announced the five candidates running for this year’s Board of Directors election in May and urged everyone to vote.
Program Planning Committee chair Kathryn Russell invited us to review our spring catalog again and consider adding another class or two. She reminded us that registration is ongoing even though the spring term has begun.
Although the first day of spring started chilly, the camaraderie inside the Tallwood campus was heartwarming. The Diversions Committee helped elevate the mood with homemade baked goods, lemonade, and iced tea, and our OLLI staff provided hot coffee and tea.
(In addition to the photos at the top of this issue, more kick-off coffee photos, uncropped and in full resolution are available at this link.)
OLLI Mason Members Participate in an Intergenerational Conversation About Israel and Palestine
By Nancy Klein, Communications and Program Associate
The Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution at George Mason University, along with The University Libraries and The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University, collaborated to host an intergenerational conversation. This event, on March 20, utilized the “Dialogue & Difference Project” developed by Dr. Patricia Maulden of the Carter School and now carried forward by Isaac Jasper. OLLI Mason members and Mason Carter School students explored their lived experiences and had the opportunity to speak and listen to feelings, opinions, and thoughts regarding the current events surrounding Israel and Palestine.
OLLI Mason Executive Director Jennifer Disano called the event “a major success and a model for future intergenerational conversations across the Mason campus and beyond.” OLLI member Pat Bangs agreed, stating that the event “was an incredible opportunity to meet and admire students who want to make a difference. I was reminded of the diversity of this generation and have great hope for their future contributions. It was a unique and valuable opportunity for OLLI members and students to discuss issues that are important to us, in a setting that allowed passionate, conflicting opinions to be voiced in a respectful manner.” OLLI member Richard Crawford seconded the value of the event. “It was a rare opportunity to listen and learn with Generation Z, gaining fascinating insights on how social media influences their understanding. I was impressed with their analytical approach to conflict resolution; what they may lack in experience is offset with their critical thinking and intelligence.”
Event participants voiced enthusiasm for planning and participating in future intergenerational conversations, recognizing their value and significance. Anne Osterman, Dean of Libraries, stated, “The Libraries were honored to host and provide informational resources for this event. It is important to our mission to support learning and scholarly conversation. Not only did this event create a meaningful intergenerational dialogue, but it also provided a real-world opportunity for student facilitators to practice their skills. We hope to have more of this kind of event in the future.”
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group
Discount Tickets for OLLI Members at ExPats Theatre this Weekend Karin Rosnizeck, founder of ExPats Theatre, which performs at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, located at 1333 H Street, NE, D.C., has given us a discount for tickets to Migraaaaants or There's Too Many People on This Damn Boat now playing at ExPats through April 7. To purchase discount tickets, go to ExPatsTheatre.com, then click on the BUY TICKETS button, and enter the Promo ARTIST (one word, singular, all caps). Migraaaaants is a dark comedy based on real experiences of people who have migrated. The show illustrates ExPats motto: "A little theater grappling with big ideas."
Tuesday, April 9 at 11:50: Join us to Meet Representatives from Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia Founded during the Depression by unemployed actors, Barter Theatre is the nation's longest running professional theater. Katy Brown and Terrence Jackson will meet with us via Zoom Tuesday from 11:50 to 1:15 to tell us about its storied long history, famous actors who got their start there, and the fascinating, innovative programs and events being held there today. Get the link in OLLI's daily schedule under Theater Potpourri class.
NEW! Sunday, May 5: Theater Lovers to see Matinee of The Heiress of Hawtrey Hall A Regency romantic comedy, The Heiress of Hawtrey Hall was written by a young local playwright, Ellen Dean Price. It will be performed in Old Town Hall in the City of Fairfax by the City of Fairfax Theatre Company at 2:00. Grace Coventry, the young heiress of Hawtrey Hall, is grappling with a dilemma: How can she protect Hawtrey Hall and maintain her financial independence against meddling relations and insistent suitors? Or will she get trapped in an unwelcome match? Group rate tickets will be announced shortly. Dinner after the show is optional.
For more information and to sign up for the May 5 show, email me at [email protected].
It’s time to put on your dancing shoes! Come dressed in your favorite retro threads or come as you are in 2024 and enjoy the sounds of the 1950s, ’60s, and ‘70s at our dance party on April 19 from 3:00-5:00. TA‑1 at Tallwood will be transformed into a dance hall with all the familiar accessories—a wall to stand against, chairs for chatting with friends, a dance area, and a snack table.
D.J. Captain Dave will spin the platters while we reminisce, listen, and, if you’d like, dance to the tunes we rocked and strolled to when we were a bit younger. The Diversions Committee will provide refreshments—party food like you used to eat—and liquid thirst-quenchers.
If you haven’t registered yet and want to join the party, register through your member portal for event #1101. There is no cost, but we need to know how many are coming so we can plan for the food and drinks.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate an OLLI Zoom discussion on April 10 at 4:00.
For April 10, the discussion topic is Cruising. Everyone has an opinion on cruise trips: some love them; some cannot tolerate them; some fear sea-sickness. What is your opinion? Large ship, small ship, casual style, formal evenings, casinos and night club shows, evening learning lectures, adventure tours, relaxed days at sea—various styles abound. What do you prefer? What little hints do you have to share about how to make the most of your cruise?
Join us every Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 on the 24/7 Chat Line. Registration is not required—or even possible! All members are welcome.
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
As noted in prior E‑News issues, Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is hosting several jazz concerts this spring, some ticketed and some free! Listed below are two events coming up this month.
Mason Jazz Vocal Night: Monday April 8, 8:00 (announced in a previous issue)
Center for the Arts
Tickets: Click here.
Join Dr. Darden Purcell, the Mason Jazz Voice Studio, the DOWNBEAT award-winning Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble, and Forest Park High School Platinum Vocal Jazz (director Lara Brittain) for an evening of swinging standards and classic hits from the Great American Songbook. $12 General Public, $8 Seniors, $5 Students
Steel Pan Ensemble, Latin American Ensemble, and Braddock Road Brass Band Ensemble: Monday April 15, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Join the Mason Steel Pan Ensemble, directed by Victor Provost, the DOWNBEAT award-winning Latin American Ensemble, directed by Dr. Juan Megna, and the Braddock Road Brass Band, directed by Graham Breedlove, in a celebration of music around the world! From New Orleans to the Caribbean to Brazil, this concert has something for everyone! Free and open to the public; no tickets or registration required.
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.
Mutts Gone Nuts
Sat, Apr 6, 11:00 and 2:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $15.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Three Great Romantics
Sun, Apr 7, 7:00
A pre-performance “Young Artists Musicale,” featuring piano students of Northern Virginia Music Teachers Association members, will take place from 6:00 to 6:30 in the main lobby of the Center for the Arts
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
Martha Graham Dance Company
Sat, Apr 13, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place on the third level of the Center for the Arts lobby, 45 minutes prior to curtain.
Concert Hall
Admission: $55, $47, $33.
Chorale Broadway Showcase: Broadway at the Movies Sat, Apr 6, 2:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 Senior, $5 Students.
American Festival Pops Orchestra: American Icons
Sat, Apr 6, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
Merchant Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
Mutts Gone Nuts
Sun, Apr 7, 1:00 and 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $15.
Reduced Shakespeare Company
Sat, Apr 13, 8:00
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., 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 Apr 6
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 8
9:30 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Tue Apr 9
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 10
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Tallwood Book Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Mah Jongg Club
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Apr 11
11:40 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 12
8:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
Teacher Appreciation Event
Mah Jongg Club
Photography Club – online
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Healthcare Advisory Workgroup
Cooking Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Sat Apr 13
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 15
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News?
Tue Apr 16
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Tai Chi Club
Wed Apr 17
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Spanish Club – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Apr 18
11:50 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 19
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
2:30 pm
3:00 pm
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Caregivers Group
60s Dance Party
Sat Apr 20
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
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: [email protected]. 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.
Doug Kammerer, Chief Meteorologist at Storm Team 4 on NBC 4, presented an informative talk on DC Metro area weather broadcasting, March 19; see article below for description.
Notes from the March 15 Meeting of the Board of Directors
By Bob Heyer, Board of Directors Secretary
On Friday, March 15, at 10:00, President Lillian Brooks opened the OLLI Board of Directors meeting with 14 Directors, Jennifer Disano (Executive Director), and 11 OLLI members/staff in TA-1 and on Zoom.
The meeting was started with a guest presentation by Ox Hill Company on their proposed Art Complex to be located on Sager Avenue and University Drive in Fairfax. A follow-up meeting is scheduled to understand the details and potential use by OLLI Mason.
As a follow-on to Mason announcing that their Loudoun campus is closing this summer, four OLLI Board members met with Loudoun and Reston members. They discussed interests, ideas, and opportunities to continue holding OLLI classes in the Loudoun area. The Board will continue to work to identify alternative options.
The Nominating Committee, led by Marilyn Harriman, has identified five potential candidates for this year’s new Board of Directors replacements. Suresh Mohla is well qualified and running for his first term along with current Board members Dick Crawford, Toni Acton, Camille Hodges, and Zach Teich for a second term. A Board term is for three years.
OLLI Mason currently has 919 members. Treasurer Debbie Engleson reported that we are on track and ahead of our spending curve. A new Financial Committee was formed and is being led by Debbie Engleson to identify potential membership pricing options that will fit with our evolving business model. Additionally, we are continuing to work with continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs) to provide classes for cost and selling memberships to new CCRC clients. We are also working with Fairfax County Public Library system for a fee, and looking into Loudoun and Prince William Library systems for future business.
The Board earlier approved a series of short video interviews and stories to use for the OLLI website and public relations; an OLLI group is identifying people and scenarios to shoot. The video recording will take place at the Tallwood campus during the first week in April. If you are on campus, you may be an extra in a video.
If you are interested in hearing the Board discussing our future plans, come to the Board meetings at Tallwood or via Zoom the third Friday of the month at 10:00. We welcome members to hear the Board in action.
On Wednesday, April 3, at 4:00, the History Club will meet by Zoom for a presentation by Jim Anderson titled “The Conquest of the Sioux and the Zulu: A Study inComparative Frontier History.” Jim’s presentation will explore the similarities and differences between two events that occurred within the same 19th-century decade but on two different continents and involving four different cultures. This is a form of historiography known as “cross-national comparative history.” Jim will tell the stories of two expansionist, imperialistic powers, the United States and Great Britain, and the military clashes that resulted from their attempts to conquer and subdue, respectively, theNative American Sioux and Cheyenne nations of the Great Plains and the Zulu Empire of Southern Africa. The "story within the story" will be a comparison of the Reno-Benteen Hill siege in Montana and the defense of Rorke's Drift in Natal.
On March 19, OLLI members filled TA-1 and were joined by 77 Zoom participants to enjoy an informative talk by Doug Kammerer, Storm Team 4’s Chief Meteorologist on NBC4. Doug grew up in Northern Virginia and holds a degree in meteorology from the University of Northern Colorado. He earned the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist seal from the American Meteorological Society, and also won eight Emmy Awards presented by the National Capital Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.
Doug enjoyed explaining pressure maps and online weather sites, and showing how the presence of mountains to our west helps keep the metro area weather mild compared to the Midwest in the winter. Nevertheless, in the summer and fall we do have weather from the Gulf with the possibility of southeast hurricanes.
Doug really enjoys the challenge of the metro area as things change many times during the year. Class participants were stimulated by his engaging and outgoing personality; they appreciated his willingness to answer questions. The photo of Doug Kammerer and Event Coordinator Stephanie Trachtenberg was taken by Mike Emery, March 19.
The Tallwood Book Club will meet at the Tallwood campus on Wednesday, April 10 at 1:30. Our April book choice is The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell.
We will discuss The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan in May.
This Theater Lovers' Group Visits Three Local Theaters
By Norma Jean Reck, Coordinator, Theater Lovers’ Group
Meet the Founder of ExPats Theatre on Tuesday, April 2 from 11:50 to 1:15.
Artistic Director Karin Rosnizeck founded ExPats Theatre in 2019 to "bring international dramatic works to D.C. that are thought-provoking, provide fresh perspective, and offer a platform for audience engagement." Besides discussing the history and her vision for the theater, she will talk about the current show – Migraaaaants or There's Too Many of us in this Damn Boat – which BroadwayWorld says is "a topical subject at an important time in U.S. history." She has offered OLLI members discount tickets for the show. She will also talk about the other fascinating shows on the horizon. Find the link to the class in OLLI's Daily Schedule for Theater Potpourri.
On Sunday, April 14 at 2:00 Providence Players Perform Surviving Grace.
Playwright Trish Vradenburg writes about the emotional experiences – often humorous – of taking care of her mother who has Alzheimer's. Providence Players will perform Surviving Grace at the James Lee Community Center, 2855 Annandale Road, Falls Church. Senior tickets are $18. Purchase them online at providenceplayers.org. Young Kim is planning an optional dinner after the show.
Meet the Co-Founder of Castleton Festival on Wednesday, April 24 at 4:00.
In 2009, Dietlinde T. Maazel co-founded the Castleton Festival in Castleton, Virginia, in nearby Rappahannock County, to introduce classical music, theater, and opera to the rolling hills of Virginia. She will tell us how it has grown into a cultural center that offers chamber music, opera, theater, and art, plus many opportunities to see and hear international artists perform. Join the Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) members via Zoom to hear all about this cultural gem just a short drive from Fairfax. Get the link in OLLI's Daily Schedule for TLG meeting.
Theater Lovers' Group with the cast of Working at Creative Cauldron March 3 Matinee. (Photo by Mary Mudd, March 3, 2024)
“May love and laughter light your heart. May good and faithful friends be with you wherever you roam.”
More than two dozen OLLI members celebrated this Irish friendship toast at Auld Shebeen Restaurant in Fairfax on March 13. We commemorated the patron saint of Ireland with traditional fare as well as more modern Irish cuisine. We shared stories, laughed, listened, and sang to iconic melodies like Danny Boy and Molly Malone. It was a festiveexperience and the perfect way to chase away the end-of-winter blues! (Photos by Marilyn Harriman, March 13, 2024)
By Darden Purcell, D.M.A., Mason Director of Jazz Studies, Jazz Voice
As noted in a prior E-News, Mason’s Reva and Sid Dewberry Family School of Music is hosting several jazz concerts this spring, some ticketed and some free! Listed below are two events coming up in early April.
The Jazz Workshop: Wednesday April 3, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Previously announced—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.
Mason Jazz Vocal Night: Monday April 8, 8:00
Center for the Arts
Tickets: Click Here
Join Dr. Darden Purcell, the Mason Jazz Voice Studio, the DOWNBEAT award-winning Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble,and Forest Park High School Platinum Vocal Jazz (director Lara Brittain) for an evening of swinging standards and classic hits from the Great American Songbook.
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Continuing our Wednesday Conversations series, Team Bloch (Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch) will moderate an OLLI Zoom discussion on April 3 at 4:00.
For April 3, the discussion topic is Anachronisms in Speech. Old language habits die hard, and we continue to refer to old-fashioned objects in our everyday speaking. Examples: "put through the wringer" (clothes wringer?), "Carbon Copy" (when was the last time you saw a carbon paper copy?), "a one lb. coffee can" (now more likely containing 15 ounces), "taping a show" (what kind of tape are you using? Scotch?). English is full of such outdated references—let's see how many we can dredge up (with a steam shovel?)—"a penny for your thoughts."
Join us on any Wednesday afternoon at 4:00 in March on the 24/7 Chat Line to discuss our chosen topic. Or suggest a new topic for us to cover—we would love to hear from you.
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 atthis 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.
Artists in Conversation: Small Island Big Song
Tue, Apr 2, 7:00
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center
3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030
Admission: Free.
Mutts Gone Nuts
Sat, Apr 6, 11:00 and 2:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $15.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Three Great Romantics
Sun, Apr 7, 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 at George Mason University.
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
Mason Empty Bowls
Wed, Apr 3, 7:00
Center for the Arts
Admission: $50 ($25 in benefits) includes dinner, dessert, open bar, and handmade ceramic bowl.
Register at: this link
Jazz Workshop Concert Spring 2024
Wed, Apr 3, 8:00
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.
Chorale Broadway Showcase: Broadway at the Movies Sat, Apr 6, 2:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 senior, $5 Students.
American Festival Pops Orchestra: American Icons
Sat, Apr 6, 8:00
A pre-performance discussion begins one hour prior to the performance.
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. 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 30
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 1
9:30 am
What’s in the Daily News? – online
Tue Apr 2
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 3
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
History Club – online
Spanish Club – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Apr 4
11:50 am
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats – online
Fri Apr 5
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
2:30 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Caregivers Group
Sat Apr 6
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Apr 8
9:30 am
4:00 pm
What’s in the Daily News? – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Tue Apr 9
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Apr 10
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Tallwood Book Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Mah Jongg Club
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Apr 11
11:40 am
4:30 pm
All the News
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Apr 12
8:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
1:00 pm
Teacher Appreciation Event
Mah Jongg Club
Photography Club – online
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Healthcare Advisory Workgroup
Cooking Club
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: [email protected]. 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.
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 [email protected].
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] or Nancy Klein at her [email protected] 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 [email protected].
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: [email protected]. 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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: [email protected]. 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 [email protected].
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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected] 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 ([email protected]) 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: [email protected]. 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.
Free and open to the public; no tickets or registration required.
i begin from egg to caterpillar
Karin Rosnizeck, founder of ExPats Theatre, which performs at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, located at 1333 H Street, NE, D.C., has given us a discount for tickets to Migraaaaants or There's Too Many People on This Damn Boat now playing at ExPats through April 7. To purchase discount tickets, go to 
ter Theatre is the nation's longest running professional theater. Katy Brown and Terrence Jackson will meet with us via Zoom Tuesday from 11:50 to 1:15 to tell us about its storied long history, famous actors who got their start there, and the fascinating, innovative programs and events being held there today. Get the link in OLLI's daily schedule under Theater Potpourri class.
e.
some ticketed and some free! Listed below are two events coming up this month.
On Wednesday, April 3, at 4:00, the History Club will meet by Zoom for a presentation by Jim Anderson titled “The Conquest of the Sioux and the Zulu: A Study inComparative Frontier History.” Jim’s presentation will explore the similarities and differences between two events that occurred within the same 19th-century decade but on two different continents and involving four different cultures. This is a form of historiography known as “cross-national comparative history.” Jim will tell the stories of two 
expansionist, imperialistic powers, the United States and Great Britain, and the military clashes that resulted from their attempts to conquer and subdue, respectively, theNative American Sioux and Cheyenne nations of the Great Plains and the Zulu Empire of Southern Africa. The "story within the story" will be a comparison of the Reno-Benteen Hill siege in Montana and the defense of Rorke's Drift in Natal.
international dramatic works to D.C. that are thought-provoking, provide fresh perspective, and offer a platform for audience engagement." Besides discussing the history and her vision for the theater, she will talk about the current show – Migraaaaants or There's Too Many of us in this Damn Boat – which BroadwayWorld says is "a topical subject at an important time in U.S. history." She has offered OLLI members discount tickets for the show. She will also talk about the other fascinating shows on the horizon. Find the link to the class in OLLI's Daily Schedule for Theater Potpourri.
On Sunday, April 14 at 2:00 Providence Players Perform Surviving Grace.
grown into a cultural center that offers chamber music, opera, theater, and art, plus many opportunities to see and hear international artists perform. Join the Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) members via Zoom to hear all about this cultural gem just a short drive from Fairfax. Get the link in OLLI's Daily Schedule for TLG meeting.
More than two dozen OLLI members celebrated this Irish friendship toast at Auld Shebeen Restaurant in Fairfax on March 13. We commemorated the patron saint of Ireland with traditional fare as well as more modern Irish cuisine. We shared stories, laughed, listened, and sang to iconic melodies like Danny Boy and Molly Malone. It was a festiveexperience and the perfect way to chase away the end-of-winter blues! (Photos by Marilyn Harriman, 
March 13, 2024)
Mulligan, John Scofield, and Kenny Garrett.
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.
he 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.
oking 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 
or the Arts
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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.
MASON JAZZ FESTIVAL