Doni Nolan, Mason Greenhouse and Gardens Program Manager and PhD Student in Biology, Introduces Sustainable Food Production Course with Tour of President’s Park Greenhouse, June 12
Summer arrives and brings with it sunny days, outdoor fun, and mosquitoes. Enjoying the outdoors without the annoyance of itchy mosquito bites and the risk of a mosquito-borne disease is possible with a few simple steps.
West Nile Virus (WNV) is the most common mosquito-borne disease found in Fairfax County. Each year about three to five cases are diagnosed in residents of Fairfax County.
Approximately 80 percent of people (about four out of five) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.
Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach, and back.
About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness, and paralysis.
Mosquitoes can breed in a container as small as a bottle-cap. The most effective way to control mosquitoes in your yard is to eliminate standing water where mosquitoes lay their eggs. Anything that collects and holds water for at least a week can be a potential breeding site.
Even if you get rid of most of their breeding ground, mosquitoes can still find you. Here are some tips to Fight the Bite:
Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch is Right Around the Corner!
By Toni Acton, Member Services Committee Chair and Board Member
Are you new to OLLI and hoping to meet other members this summer? Have you been a member for years and want to catch up with old friends? If so, then join your fellow OLLI members at the Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch on Friday, June 30 at 10:00 at Tallwood. All members — new and continuing — are welcome to enjoy the pastry, casual conversation, and camaraderie. Register for event 1101 via the member portal or contact the registrar at ollireg@gmu.edu. Hope to see you on Friday, June 30!
Theater Lovers' Group Planning Lunch and Meeting for June 30
By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers’ Group Coordinator
Calling all OLLI theater lovers! Come and join members of OLLI's Theater Lovers' Group (TLG) on Friday, June 30, for a delicious luncheon at 11:30 at Hamrock's, followed by a brief planning meeting. All OLLI members are welcome to join us for our first in-person meeting since the pandemic. What a great (and delicious) way to meet other OLLI theater lovers, have your questions about TLG answered, and share your thoughts about theater programs, classes, and events.
We will begin planning for the upcoming 2023-24 theater season. We'll be taking suggestions for theater outings, programs, classes, and trips. Just a cursory review of what some of the theaters are offering in their upcoming season promises that the 2023-24 theater season will be a blockbuster. What a wealth of fabulous choices!
If you want to join us for the luncheon meeting, please email me at njreck@cs.com no later than Wednesday, June 28, so that I can make reservations for the group.
Hamrock's is located at 3950 Chain Bridge Road in Fairfax. There is free parking at the restaurant and across the street.
Questions? Email me at njreck@cs.com. Hope to see you there.
Embrace the Future: Study on the Power of Bonding between Seniors and Robotic Companions!
By Sarah-Seval Aydin, M.Sc. Psychology, Mason Research Assistant
In an era where technology is revolutionizing the way we live, it's time to explore the incredible possibilities it offers to enhance the lives of our beloved elderly population. We are thrilled to present our groundbreaking research on the transformative effects of oxytocin in fostering short-term bonding between seniors and the charming robotic companion, Aibo.
I am Sarah, and I am part of an amazing neuroscience research team at George Mason University led by Associate Professor Frank Krueger. We are particularly interested in investigating the potential for emotional connection between humans and non-human creatures, like the robotic dog Aibo, within the realm of elderly care.
We strongly believe that our research can positively impact the well-being and quality of life of the elderly. It goes beyond just science; it's a testament to our dedication to empowering and enriching the lives of our senior community. By fostering companionship, emotional well-being, and addressing loneliness, we aim to enhance cognitive abilities and promote a healthier, happier lifestyle for older adults.
We invite you to be part of this extraordinary venture. Through your participation, you will not only contribute to the advancement of science but also be part of a movement that revolutionizes the way we perceive human-robot interaction.
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 June 28 at 4:00. Our chosen topic this week is “Farmers’ Markets."
Do you support your local farmers' market? Are there specific items you prefer to buy at these markets? If yes, what do you often buy? If not, are you able to explain why? Do you think they are more expensive or priced right for the quality? Do you shop there for the thrill of exploration? What other item would you support at the market if it were available? My local farmers' market has branched out to offer jewelry, children's books, and imported knick-knacks – hardly farm-based. So, is the farmers' market phenomenon legitimate? Or do they play a valuable role in our local communities?
Check your daily schedule for the Zoom link on Wednesdays and plan on some social time with Team Bloch.
For tickets for either Center for the Arts Concert Hall (CFA) or Hylton Center, call 1-888-945-2468, 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 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 website,Mason Arts at Home, which has a calendar of online events and access to many past performances.
Please note: Although some physical meetings for clubs and activities are canceled, some may be meeting in person or, in a hybrid mode, both in person and online. 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 Jun 24
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jun 26
10:00 am
Bridge Club
Tue Jun 27
9:00 am
1:00 pm
4:30 pm
Walk & Talk Club
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jun 28
11:00 am
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Spanish Club
Memoir and More Writing Group
Mah Jongg Club
Theater Lovers’ Group
Thu Jun 29
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
Tai Chi Club
Ethnic Eats Club
Fri Jun 30
9:30 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
Craft and Conversation
Homer, etc.
Stay Active and Independent for Life
Sat Jul 1
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club
Mon Jul 3
10:00 am
Bridge Club
Tue Jul 4
10:00 am
4:30 pm
Walk & Talk Club
Tai Chi Club
Wed Jul 5
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Mah Jongg Club
Spanish Club
Conversation with Team Bloch
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, Linda Randall, Tom Appich, Jane Hassell
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.
