National Park Ranger Susan Philpott Introduces the Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument and Discusses the Fight for Women’s Rights, February 4
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.
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.
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.
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.
Wanted: Teachers and Speakers for OLLI Classes (Update) By Jeffrey Milstein, Humanities and Social Sciences Program Planning Group Member
(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:
Humanities and Social Sciences OLLI Class Topics, Summer & Fall, 2021
6
The Trump’s Administration’s Domestic and Foreign Policies of 2017-2021: Who Won What? Who Lost What?
7
Multifaceted Crises in America: + SARS-Co-V-2 Pandemic + Economic Recession + Social-Racial Justice + Political Polarization + Legacy of the Trump Administration
8
Is America In Decline? Empirical Indicators and Implications for Us, Our Children and Grandchildren
9
US-North Korea Relations
10
US-Mexico Relations
11
US Military Involvement in the Middle East
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:
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.
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.
After the land is bleak and barren
After the cold crashes on our bones
After the wicked wind whispers
Words of frozen fear
There is always spring.
After the most terrible war
When boys too young to shave go off to fight
After the deprivation, hunger
Even then, there is always spring.
After the hurricane rips out levees
And drowns our low-lying land
And lives are uprooted and torn
There is always spring.
When the ground is hard as granite
The energy in bulbs lies asleep beneath
And rises up like Lazarus
When the warm winds come
The energy is released.
There is always spring.
Virtual Performances
Although Mason’s campus is shut down, online entertainment continues for us to access and enjoy. Dr. Linda Apple Monson produces a periodic “Notes from the Director.” This email is full of interesting online performances by the students and faculty of the School of Music. If you would like to receive these bulletins, just send an email to Brianna Schoen at[email protected]. 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. Information can also be found atCFA ticket purchase pageor theHylton ticket purchase page.
Mason Student & Faculty Performances (seemusic.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)
Mason Cabaret:Sing Happy! The Music of Kander & Ebb Sun, Feb 14, 4:00
Center for the ArtsYouTube channel. See Alerts & Notices above for registration information.
Prince William Little Theatre: Relationships in COVID Times
Thu, Feb 18, 7:15 Facebook and YouTube. Hylton at Home Story Corner: The Trouble with Ben
Sat, Feb 20, 10:15
Hylton Center Facebook page, and YouTubechannel. It will be available to watch until Feb 26 at 5:00.
Please note: Physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled until further notice in accordance with Mason’s guidelines. OLLI is conducting its classes and activities online. Refer to the university's coronavirus website for official university updates and check the OLLI calendar for revised information.
The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office. The list is accurate as of mid-week but for the most up-to-date information, please view the latest forecast of coming events on our website (News/OLLI Calendar). Note: All OLLI members are welcome at, and encouraged to attend, meetings of the Board of Directors, committees and resource groups, kick-off coffees, etc. (bolded below). The OLLI office has sent (or will send) emails with links and meeting passwords to club members; you may also log in at the member portal and click on ZOOM CLASS LINKS.
Sat Feb 13
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Tue Feb 16
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Wed Feb 17
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Thu Feb 18
4:30 pm
Tai Chi Club
Fri Feb 19
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
2:00 pm
Craft & Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Classic Literature Club
Homer, etc.
Cooking Club
OLLI E-News was created by Rod Zumbro, who served as its editor from 2005 to 2013.
Editorial Staff
Chief Editor: Paul Van Hemel
Associate Editor: David Gundry
Weekly Editor Team: David Gundry, John Nash, Sheri Siesseger, 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.
