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: ollienewseditor@gmail.com. Deadline: Tuesday, 6:00, for that week's issue (Monday, 6:00, for letters to the editor); early submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit articles to about 250 words. Note: You can view past issues of OLLI E-News on the DocStore. To search the content of issues, use Search Our Site or put your search term in Google followed by "site:olli.gmu.edu/" without the quotes.
Free and open to the public; no tickets or registration required.
i begin from egg to caterpillar