Ernestine Meyer

March 5, 2021

• Alerts & Notices
• Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary
• February 19 Board Meeting Highlights
• Reston Program Planning Meeting
• Thanks for Zooming with OLLI Players
• You’re Invited: Literature, Theater, and Writing/
  Languages Program Planning Group to Meet
• Awaken a Genius
• Last Call for OLLI Ink!
• Computer Club
• Photography Club: Lori Saunders to Speak
• Tallwood Book Club
• OLLI from Afar
• Poet's Corner
• Arts & Music at George Mason
• Meetings & Clubs
• About OLLI E-News

Alerts & Notices

• Priority registration for spring term ended March 3 at noon. Registration continues on a space-available basis.
• A few spring-term courses have been added, changed, or canceled since catalog production; click here for a full list.
• The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, March 19; regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, March 16, at 6:00.

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In preparation for returning to in‑person classes, Rita Way has been appointed to lead an ad hoc committee to research and advise on issues such as reconciliation of Mason strictures with the requirements of OLLI memberships.

Two resolutions were unanimously approved by the Board. Resolution 190221-01: The Board approves the conversion of all OLLI financial statements to an accrual basis of accounting. This includes financial statements prepared for the audit, tax return, and monthly expenditure reports. This change provides clarity to OLLI’s accounting processes. Also, using an accrual basis of accounting allows OLLI to apply for a variety of grants and to be included in the Combined Federal Campaign, potentially aiding in lowering our deficit. Resolution 190221-02: The Board approves giving a one‑year membership to Leigh Knox as a retirement gift in appreciation of her employment at OLLI. As announced in January, Leigh Knox will be retiring during the spring term after six years as Loudon Site Assistant and Catalog Associate.

Total OLLI membership is 1,037 members—984 full members, 42 annual-promotion members, and 11 introductory members.

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On February 5 we completed our show Stranded. We are now in practice for three shows—two murder mysteries and a springtime Tiptoe through the Tulips on May 28. Our murder mysteries will be shown during the fundraising period for OLLI's 30th anniversary; dates and times to be determined. Thank you again for your support, and see you all soon on Zoom.

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Many OLLI members have joined the ranks of our volunteer instructors. Perhaps you are a former teacher who misses the classroom experience or has 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, share it with us and we can search for an instructor.

While we may be offering courses exclusively online through our fall 2021 term, once back in person we will be looking for instructors and courses that could be available on our Reston and Loudoun campuses. There are all kinds of opportunities to help us.

On March 19, we will be reviewing our upcoming summer 2021 courses and planning our fall 2021 and winter 2022 terms. Do join us, or if you cannot, feel free to email your ideas or thoughts to any of the planning group members listed below.

“See” you on March 19 at 10:00.

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How to submit: Please email your entry—either as a Word file attachment or in the body of the email—to Caroline McNeil at [email protected].

Questions or concerns? Use the same email address for a quick response.

Guidelines:

• Poems—limit number of lines to 30;
• Prose—limit number of words to 2,500.

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Computer Club

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, March 20, via Zoom. Program activities begin at 1:00.

Dropbox and OneDrive: Using The Cloud For Collaboration And Multiple Devices–Presented by Leti Labell
Cloud storage refers to data stored on servers over the Internet. It can greatly increase the amount of storage for your data and allows access to those data from multiple devices and locations. This lecture focuses on two cloud storage services, Dropbox and Microsoft OneDrive, and how to use them to collaborate with other users. It also covers how cloud storage can enhance the ability to use the stored information.
Leti is an OLLI and PATACS member with a lifelong love of computers, and holds an MS in computer science. She is a certified information systems security professional (CISSP) and a project management professional (PMP).
Learn in 30 - Update: Voice Message Answering for Smart Phones–Presented by John Krout
This is an update of John's Robocall Deterrence presentation last year. This one addresses before-and-after statistics to prove that deterrence techniques actually work. He's found a cost-free way for transferring high quality audio from a computer to Android phones via WiFi, without any cables or mixers, ideal for playing a custom voicemail greeting directly from a computer through the phone. John has released for download a cleaned-up version of the Special Information Tones (SIT) that you can include in a voicemail greeting to deter robocallers.

A frequent meeting presenter, John also is the author of many of the articles on PATACS Zoom reference page, and many PATACS Posts newsletter offerings.
See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 for 2021—see http://olligmu.org/opcug/comm.html for details on making payment.
Attend via Zoom's cloud meeting service, beginning at 1:00. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/93730244342 and use Passcode 728227 or enter Meeting ID 937 3024 4342 from 'Join' in the Zoom app: Passcode 728227.

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By John Olsen and Edward Marion, Photography Club Coordinators

Please join the OLLI Photo Club on Friday, March 12, at 9:30, to meet Lori Saunders who will be discussing “Light Painting – Photographic Effects.” Lori is a photographer in the Northern Virginia area. During the past year, she has made presentations about Light Painting with Shutterbug Excursions Meetup and the Vienna Photographic Society (VPS). She has found a special passion for Light Painting—working with empty space and models to capture surreal visions from her imagination.

Lori has exhibited award winning photos through VPS, Nature Visions, Vienna Art Society, ArtSpace Herndon, The Southeast (SE) Center for Photography in Greenville, South Carolina, and Joe Miller Abstract Exhibits. She also has explored abstracts through macro and still-life photography—Discovering Mystery in Everyday Objects (e.g., macro, still life).

See more of Lori’s work on Flickr at @lo8i (here), and her Light Painting album at this link. With your own Instagram account, you may also see her work on Instagram @lo8is (click here).

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Meetings & Clubs

Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised information.

The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.

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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, Leslie Vandivere,
Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Roz Stark
Marian Drohan, Jane Hassell
Backup Chief Editor: Alice Slayton Clark

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.
Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:olli.gmu.edu/” without the quotes.

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February 12, 2021

• Alerts & Notices
• Fun Facts for OLLI’s 30-Year Anniversary
• Computer Club
• Wanted: Teachers and Speakers for OLLI Classes (Update)
• Poet's Corner
• Arts & Music at George Mason
• Meetings & Clubs
• About OLLI E-News

Alerts & Notices

• Correction: To RSVP for Mason Cabaret Sing Happy! this Sunday, February 14, at 4:00, email [email protected] or phone 703-993-1593. Everyone is invited to attend this free Zoom musical event, but you must register ASAP. (Note: The previously published email address was incorrect.)
• Priority registration for spring term begins Wednesday, February 24 and ends Wednesday, March 3. The spring-term catalog should have arrived in your mail this week; it is available online at this link.
• OLLI Mason will be open Monday, February 15 (Presidents Day). Staff will be working remotely.
• The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, February 19. Submissions are due by 6:00 Tuesday, February 16.

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By Ray Beery, OLLI Member and Former President

In 2021, OLLI celebrates its 30th year of classes for seniors. This feature provides fun facts and interesting milestones about our institute each week that E-News is published throughout the year. 

February 12
George Mason University offered space in three rooms in the Tallwood Building at 4210 Roberts Road on October 29, 1993 with a five-year lease. At the February 24, 1994 Board meeting, it was reported that the contract with Mason had been signed for the use of Tallwood. By the March 17, 1994 Board meeting, LRI (Learning in Retirement Institute, OLLI's predecessor) had moved to Tallwood and obtained permission to use the Fairfax swimming pool parking lot next door to Tallwood.

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Computer Club

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 20, via Zoom. The program begins at 1:00.

Recap of Virtual CES 2021 – Presented by Gary Arlen
The 2021 CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show), the electronics extravaganza usually held in Las Vegas in early January, is presented as a reality TV show—a four-day video production of virtual booth visits and conference sessions.

Gary Arlen, president of Arlen Communications LLC, a Bethesda consulting and analysis firm, will summarize this year's highlights. Gary's presentation will look at the array of technologies that have become CES mainstays (e.g., artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, resilience, and digital health). He will also evaluate how global vendors at CES show their technological wares within the constraints of streaming media. Gary's report will assess performance of the live and on-demand production built on Microsoft platforms.

Gary, who has attended the show for more than 35 years, brings an insider's viewpoint, providing insights about the technology as well as marketing and public-policy aspects. He has written and published a newsletter and industry reports about new media and telecom technology.

Learn in 30:  Computer and Electronics Recycling – Jim McGovern
Jim's presentation will discuss electronic and computer recycling from an insider's perspective. He is the president and founder of eAsset Solutions, located in Vienna, Va.

See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 for 2021—see http://olligmu.org/opcug/comm.html for details on making payment.

Attend via Zoom's cloud meeting service. Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/93730244342 and use Passcode 728227 or enter Meeting ID 937 3024 4342 from 'Join' in the Zoom app: Passcode 728227.

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(Editor’s Note: This article is based in part on an item previously published in the OLLI E‑News; this update specifically lists additional potential class topics identified by the Humanities and Social Sciences Planning Group.)Memo to OLLI Members: Recall that OLLI is a volunteer organization. That includes our teachers and speakers, all of whom are unpaid.As a member, you have enjoyed the interesting classes that OLLI has offered on many subjects. Every OLLI class needs a teacher or speaker. Recruiting knowledgeable teachers and speakers for OLLI classes is a major challenge for us all.Here are a few additional topics proposed by the Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) Program Planning Group for which we need speakers for the coming summer and fall terms:

If you would like to speak on any of these or another topic of interest to you, or if you know someone who is knowledgeable about a topic that you think would interest OLLI members, please send the name and contact information for that person, along with the topic and your name to the following OLLI staff and program planning group members:

• Shannon Kim Morrow ([email protected]) (for all topics);
• Alice Slayton Clark ([email protected]) (for all topics);
• Camille Hodges ([email protected]) and Peg O'Brien ([email protected]) (for Humanities, Social Sciences, and Current Events topics).

A more extensive list of possible future topics under consideration by the HSS Program Planning Group is available at this link. The group members are working to find speakers for topics on the list. You are encouraged to propose other topics, too.

Also, please go to the following link for further instructions for teachers and speakers:
Suggest a Course (augusoft.net)

We are currently accepting proposals for fall 2021 and winter 2022 terms. Share your expertise—teach for OLLI! To teach a course for OLLI, please complete the online course proposal form at this link.

Please note that OLLI classes are planned six months in advance. Thus, the deadline for a teacher proposing a class for fall term 2021 is April 12.

Remember, we are all in this volunteer organization of OLLI together! Thank you very much for your contribution.

Meetings & Clubs

Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised information.

The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.

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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, Leslie Vandivere,
Paul Van Hemel 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Roz Stark
Marian Drohan, Jane Hassell
Backup Chief Editor: Alice Slayton Clark

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.
Search E-News: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News at ENews Archives. To search the content within issues, use Search or enter your search term(s) in Google followed by “site:olli.gmu.edu/” without the quotes.

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