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OLLI
E-News #4-09 of January 30, 2009
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>
ALERT: Fairfax County is holding a special election on Tue, Feb
3, for Chair of the Board of Supervisors. Whatever your political
affiliation, exercise your right to vote! Read more.
>
REMINDERS:
>
OLLI "SPIRIT WEAR" orders
are due in the office by Fri, Feb 6. Read more.
>
OLLI IS CLOSED DUE TO WEATHER when
public schools are closed but opens on schedule when public schools
have delayed openings. Read
more. |
TABLE
OF CONTENTS: FRI, JAN 30, 2009 Read
about OLLI E-News
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ARTICLES AND NOTICES
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> A
REPORT TO BE PROUD
OF, PART 3.
From
the
executive director. By
Thom
Clement
> AUDITING COURSES
AT MASON. Another learning option for OLLI members.
>
BECOMING
A STUDENT AT MASON. Free
tuition, free parking, student ID.
By
Stan Schretter
>
ANOTHER EXPERIENCE. Twists in the road. By Susanne Zumbro
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OLLI HISTORY
CLUB. Presentation by Phil True on two World War II
books.
> DISPLAYS IN THE SOCIAL
ROOM ANNEX. An update on annex exhibits.
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| DEPARTMENTS |
> KEY CONTACT INFORMATION.
How to contact OLLI.
> EYE ON RESTON. Chili
Luncheon is first Reston social of the year. By
Sharon
Gilman
> MASON
ARTS AND MUSIC. Upcoming Mason
performances. By
Jan
Bohall
> MASON
HIGHLIGHTS. Other Mason events. By
Barbara Kyriakakis
>
COMING
ATTRACTIONS. Non-class events at OLLI for the next two weeks.
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A REPORT TO
BE
PROUD OF, PART 3
From the executive
director
FOLLOWING
IS THE THIRD INSTALLMENT in this four-part series that
showcases segments of our 2008 Annual Endowment Report submitted to The
Bernard Osher Foundation.
PROGRAMMATIC
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at
George Mason University is proud of its 228 course offerings, 93
special events, 12 continuously active clubs and other activities for
the 2008 term. Services to members increase in quality each year. Here
are some examples:
Program:
Within our 2008 program are a number of offerings of note:
- National Park Service: The OLLI
Board of Directors approved a resolution this year honoring the
National Park Service for consistently offering high-quality programs
to our members for eight consecutive years. Since 2001, they have
offered 20 courses, 10 special events, and eight field trips. Topics in
2008 included "An Approaching Storm: The United States 1840-1860" and
"'The Union is perpetual': Abraham Lincoln & United
States
History, 1860-1865."
- "Sampler" and "Potpourri" courses:
Some of our most popular course offerings come from ongoing
partnerships with the music and economics departments at Mason. In
recognition of the mutual benefits for Mason students and faculty as
well as OLLI members, the chairs of these departments have taken
"ownership" of the content for eight courses: The Music Sampler course
features different talented students and faculty each week, and the
Economics Potpourri course consists of eight economists presenting
highlights of their individual research. The course description for the
latter encouraged OLLI participants to "prepare to be challenged,
dazzled and enlightened."
- Study groups: We diversified our
course offerings this year with three classes that were conducted in a
study-group format, which required participants to become actively
engaged in both learning and teaching. Two of our members offered a
training session in the spring, and we subsequently had a reading
course, a poetry course, and a course on Russia facilitated by OLLI
members
Infrastructure:
- Online Registration: In fall 2007,
we launched a custom-developed online registration portal (www.OLLIatgmu.org).
As members have become more comfortable with the system, the proportion
of members registering online has increased to 56%. The new OLLI-Mason
program in Loudoun County is now fully integrated into the online
catalog and registration process so that full members can choose
courses at any of the three locations.
- Publications: The OLLI E-News provides timely
information and stimulating articles via e-mail to almost 1,000
recipients each week. Copies of the OLLI
E-News are archived on the Web: most recent 12 issues at http://www.OLLI.gmu.edu/pubs.htm#enews
and all issues since July 2005 at http://www.olligmu.org/docstore/Enews.html.
Each year, the Fairfax Ink
features original writings by OLLI members and the Poets of Tallwood that showcase a
wide
variety of members' poems. To expedite weekly announcements and
updates
when we are in session, the OLLI Communicator is e-mailed to volunteer
class "liaisons" who share the announcements at the beginning of each
class. A sample of each of these publications is enclosed.
AUDITING COURSES AT MASON
Another learning option for OLLI
members
INTRODUCTION.
A few OLLI members have wanted to take classes in subjects not offered
by OLLI and have explored the option of auditing courses at Mason under
the Virginia law that allows seniors to audit courses at no cost. Two
such members have written below about their experiences and
frustrations and ultimate success in working through the process.
If you have had experiences concerning
auditing courses at Mason, feel free to submit them as a letter to the
editor, and we'll publish them so that others can benefit from the
information.
BECOMING A
STUDENT AT MASON
Free tuition, free parking, student ID
 By Stan Schretter, OLLI member
RECENTLY I BECAME A REGULAR
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT AT MASON. As you
may know, citizens of Virginia over 60 can audit classes at any
Virginia
institution of higher education for free. In the Fairfax area these
institutions include not only Mason but also NOVA (Northern Virginia
Community College) and the Northern Virginia extension schools of UVA
(University of
Virginia) and Virginia Tech.
Information about auditing classes by seniors can
be
found on the Web sites of these schools, but doing so can be a
challenge. In fact, good Internet skills are useful in navigating the
entire process, which includes the online admission form, online
request of transcripts from previous schools (yes, Mason requires them
even though they may be 50 years ago), and registration for specific
classes. However, to get the free tuition and free parking (if a
parking space is available when you look), you must actually find the
appropriate campus offices (e.g., Registrar's office, ID
office, Parking office) and personally provide paper forms!
The Mason process is described in this pdf
document (later replaced online here.
--Ed.).
During the process, I discovered that the Mason
computer had a flaw –
it would not create a student ID if you already have a GMU ID card
based
on your OLLI membership. Maria in the OLLI office helped by getting my
OLLI GMU ID card deleted, and then I was finally able to obtain the
regular GMU
student ID
card –
which does come with a wide variety of free or reduced-fee services.
Once you go through all this once, the next time is a lot easier. When
I registered for more classes, I received a bill on my student account,
but a phone call to the Registrar's office took it off since they knew
I had a senior exemption.
Even
with this slightly rocky path, I am convinced that this is a worthwhile
option for OLLI members to consider.
ANOTHER
EXPERIENCE
Twists in the road
I HAD BEEN
WANTING TO AUDIT A COURSE AT MASON for some time but had been put
off by a
registration process that I feared might be a bit of a
hassle. This year, I decided to go ahead and give it a try. After all,
how bad could it be? Actually, it turned out to be worse than I had
anticipated.
Navigating the Mason Web site was the first
challenge. Things did not seem to be where they should be. The online
application for admission required that I pay a $50.00 application fee
and have sealed copies of all previous college transcripts sent to
Mason. (Now why would Mason care about my academic record from 50 years
ago if all I wanted to do was audit a course?)
The bold letters on the application clearly
stated: APPLICATION FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE. Now wait a minute, the
Senior Citizen Higher Education Act clearly states that seniors
auditing courses are not required to pay tuition or fees. That
can't be
right, but here it is in bold, no exceptions listed. Several emails
later, I did find out that I could apply for a refund after I was
registered and accepted as a student. I will spare the reader several
additional complications, many of which are mentioned in Stan's
article. Finally I was able to register for a course only to be
informed that I had neglected to file an application for domicile. (Now
how was I supposed to know I needed to do that?)
Being an OLLI member disqualified me from
receiving a student ID, which is available to other non-OLLI senior
citizens. So soon I will be headed off to the OLLI office to enlist
Maria's help in deleting my OLLI card so that I can trudge on
back to
Mason to request a student ID. I started this registration process in
mid-December and hope to be finished with all the associated details by
some
time in February.
Final note: I did succeed in registering for a
course, and I am enjoying it. Next time, it is bound to be
easier.
By the way, it takes 15 minutes to walk at a good pace from Lot K to my
classroom in Thompson Hall.
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top
OLLI HISTORY CLUB
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  THE OLLI
HISTORY CLUB WILL MEET on Wed, Feb 4, at Tallwood from 2:00-3:30
when OLLI’s Phil True will give a
presentation on two books, Armageddon
and Retribution, by Max Hastings (this is a
continuation of an earlier presentation, same subject). These books
detail the last months of the war in the
Pacific and Europe, respectively.
Phil, a B-29 navigator in the Pacific, was one
of the many people whose interviews provided a basis for Retribution.
OLLI members and guests are always welcome at
any of the club's meetings. Please, bring a friend.
Submitted by History
Club Coordinator Bob Persell
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DISPLAYS IN
THE SOCIAL ROOM ANNEX
An update on annex exhibits
THE
RECENT TALLWOOD CLEAN-UP DURING THE THANKSGIVING BREAK included
re-doing the walls in Tallwood's social room annex, which have been
used
for
various displays of art and photography by OLLI members. The
sheetrock wall has been patched and painted and a hanging system
added; displays can now be installed without nails or tape, thus
maintaining the clean look of the wall (picture frames and large poster
boards
should be hung from the movable supports using clear fishing
line). Additionally, the opposite block wall space has been
improved both by repainting and by moving several cabinets. In the
past, that wall
was used for display of art-class student projects.
Hopefully, the
increased display space in the annex will encourage more and varied
displays by OLLI members. Stan
Schretter has graciously volunteered to coordinate the displays in this
room. If you have an idea for displays or an exhibit, please contact
Stan,
who is now maintaining the master display schedule.
KEY CONTACT
INFORMATION
How to contact OLLI
HERE
IS A READY REFERENCE on how to contact OLLI. For email
addresses and phone numbers not listed below, please consult the online
Membership Directory (log in to Registration
Portal).
- President: Pat Carroll
- Executive Director: Thom
Clement, phone 703-503-7866
- OLLI Office,
phone
703-503-3384
- Tallwood Administrator/OLLI Registrar: Maria Buczek, phone 703-503-3384
- Board members: See Organization page
(to send an email to the entire Board, send it to the office or the OLLI
E-News editor, and your
message will be forwarded to all members of the Board)
- Committee chairs, resource-group chairs:
See Organization
page
- Suggestions: Online
suggestion box
- Letters to the editor or letters to Ms.
Ollie Ettakit
(etiquette
matters): OLLI
E-News Editor Rod Zumbro,
phone
703-569-2750
 EYE ON RESTON
Chili Luncheon is first Reston social of
the year
 By
Sharon Gilman, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
OLLI
MEMBERS HAVE RESPONDED TO OUR CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS. Twenty-one
volunteers worked together to provide the winter term programs that are
now being presented, with "full houses" at many of them. Their
involvement accents the need of all OLLI members to contribute to the
success and future of OLLI in Reston. Thanks to all!
Social programs will also be a highlight for
OLLI members this year. The first social is the Chili Luncheon. Come
warm up with food and friends:
- Date: Fri,
Feb 20
- Time: 12:30 –
3:00
- Place: Lake
Anne Community Center
- Menu: chili,
cornbread, salad, dessert, wine, soft drinks, coffee, tea
- Fee: $5.00
- RSVP by Tue,
Feb 17
- Reservations:
please call Marie Ordeman or Terry Robinson or sign up at the
classrooms at Lake Anne. Please put
remittance ($5.00) in an envelope and give it to Ann Youngren.
- Volunteers
are still needed to help at the luncheon; please contact Janet Cochran
or sign up on the volunteer sheets available at Lake Anne.
OLLI members share the goal of making OLLI the
best it can be. If you have any comments or suggestions on your
experience with OLLI Reston please send to me.
MASON ARTS AND
MUSIC
Upcoming Mason performances, Jan 23-Feb 1
By Jan Bohall, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
FOR
TICKETS, call
1-888-945-2468 (phone orders are handled by tickets.com)
or visit the Center for the Arts Box Office, Tue-Sat, 10:00-6:00. More
info on tickets at the CFA tickets page.
Philadanco
Sat, Jan 31, 8:00
The
Philadelphia Dance Company, a modern dance troupe, has for more than 30
years been known for its innovative, energetic and exuberant
performances.
Admission: $42, $34, $21
Family Friendly: Children 12 and under, half price with an adult
Concert Hall
Come early at 7:15 for a free artistic discussion on Grand Tier III.
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Vagina Monologues
Presented
by GMU Sexual
Assault Services
Women's
and Gender Studies
Alcohol,
Drug and Health
Education Offices
Fri, Feb 6, Sat, Feb 7, 8:00
Sat, Feb 7, also at 2:00
Admission: $25, $10 Mason faculty/staff, $5 GMU students
Harris Theater
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Cirque Éloize
Nebbia:
a magical fog
Sat, Feb 7, Sun, Feb 8, 8:00
Sun, Feb 8, also at 2:00
This Quebec-based company returns with the third part of its sky
trilogy. In this fog, anything is possible, and reality becomes dream.
The new production combines daring circus feats, acrobatics, theatrics
and poetry, with dramatic lighting and an original score of haunting
music.
Admission: $46, $38, $23
Family Friendly: Children 12 and under, half price with an adult
Concert Hall
Come 45 minutes early before each performance for a free artistic
discussion on Grand Tier III.
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Other Mason events
 By Barbara Kyriakakis, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
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- English
Department's Visiting Writers Series - Reading by Bernardine
Evaristo, author of one fully-prose novel, Blonde Roots, and three
novels-in-verse: Lara, The Emperor's Babe, and Soul Tourists. She has also written
for radio and theater and she writes occasional book reviews for
national newspapers. Sun, Feb 1, 163 Research I, 7:30. Reception, 163
lobby, prior to reading.
- Krasnow
Seminar - "An fMRI Investigation into Gender Differences During
Social Interaction," presented by Frank Krueger, Lead Investigator,
Warfighter Head Injury Study Cognitive Neuroscience Section, National
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NIH. Mon, Feb 2, 4:00
to 5:00. Krasnow Institute, room 229.
- Astronomy Observing Session -
Wed, Feb 11, 6:30, Research I Observatory.
- Vision Series - "The Language of
Land Mines: Motivation to Remediation," presented by Kenneth Hintz,
Assoc. Prof. of Electrical and Computer Engineering, George Mason. Mon,
Feb 16, 7:00, Concert Hall. Free but tickets
required (can be obtained at box office immediately prior to
event).
- Center
for Health Policy and Research and Ethics Spring Speakers Series - "Mind Wars: Brain Research and
National Defense," presented by Jonathon Moreno, Ph.D., UPenn. Thu, Feb
19, 7:00, D3 A&B Mason Hall.
- Human Resources Life-Planning Seminar - "Getting Your Papers in Order:
Advance Directives," presented by Robin Remsburg, Ph.D., R.N.,Wed, Feb
25, 12:00 to 1:00, SUB I, Room C.
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Non-class events at OLLI for the next two
weeks
THE
FOLLOWING LIST covering the
next two weeks is extracted for your
convenience from the master calendar maintained by the office (see Upcoming
Non-Class Events to view the real-time OLLI online calendar used by
the office). Note: Board,
committee, resource-group and 'membership-type' meetings/events below
are highlighted
in bold. OLLI members are
welcome at all Board, committee and resource-group meetings (except
during executive sessions).
Friday
Jan 30 10am Loudoun Let's
Eat Out -
Mimi's, Dulles Town Center
10am
Recorder Club - TA-2
10am Drama
Club - TA-3
10:30am New Member Coffee
- TA-1
10:30am
Special Event - 952 Tour - Holocaust Museum
11am Homer
Group - Social Room Annex
Tuesday
Feb 3 11am Fiction Writers Club -
Kings Park Library
Wednesday Feb 4
1:30pm Bridge Club - TA-3
1:30pm Special Events
Resource Group Meeting - Social Room Annex
2pm History Club - TA-1
2pm
Special Event - Aging and Personal Wellness - TA-2
Friday Feb 6
9:45am Bus Trip - 954 Pompeii: National Gallery of Art
10am
Recorder Club - TA-2
10am Drama
Club - TA-3
10:30am
Special Event - 953 Loudoun Tour - Holocaust Museum
11am Homer
Group - Social Room Annex
Wednesday
Feb 11 1:30pm Bridge Club - TA-3
1:30pm
Book Club - TA-2
2pm
Special Event - 955 Rabbi Bruce Aft - TA-1
Friday Feb 13
10am Recorder Club - TA-2
10am Drama
Club - TA-3
10am
Travel Club - TA-1
11am Homer
Group - Social Room Annex
1pm
Valentine Party and Talent Show - TA-1
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Rod
Zumbro
Editor
Karen
Hamilton
Deputy
Editor
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About this newsletter. OLLI's weekly newsletter, OLLI E-News, is emailed to OLLI
members with email addresses on Fridays. When classes are in
session, printed copies of this newsletter are distributed in
classrooms, primarily for members without email. Comments,
suggestions or complaints? Please contact Editor Rod
Zumbro or Communications Committee Chair Gordon
Canyock.
> Submissions. We
encourage members
to submit news items, articles and photos for this newsletter. The deadline
to
the editor is 7:00 pm Wed (7:00 pm Mon for letters to the editor
for which an
OLLI response is appropriate) for that
week's issue; earlier submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit
articles to about 250 words. Submit material via email to Editor Rod
Zumbro
(email rzumbro@gmu.edu).
> Read the Latest
Issue Early. The
new weekly issue of OLLI E-News
is posted to the OLLI Web site Thursday evening. Read it by visiting http://www.olli.gmu.edu/pubs.htm#enews,
where you will find a list of the last 12
issues, and clicking the latest issue listed.
> Viewing or searching past
issues. Your options for finding items in past issues of OLLI E-News include viewing the last 12
issues; searching
the content of ALL issues for any word or words; and searching our
archive of all past issues by date or issue number.
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Editorial
Staff
Backup Editor
John West
Database
Manager
Barbara Kyriakakis
Photo Editor
Michael Coyne |
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Updated: January 30, 2009
Copyright © 2009
Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute at
George Mason University. Materials in this publication subject to
OLLI-Mason copyright may be reproduced for noncommercial educational
purposes as long as credit is given to OLLI-Mason.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George
Mason University, 4210 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone: (703) 503-3384; Email: olli@gmu.edu;
Fax: (703) 503-2832
Original site design and construction by OLLI-Mason member Rod Zumbro. |
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