Executive Director Jennifer Disano welcomed former US Congresswoman Barbara Comstock and Congressman Gerald E. Connolly from Virginia’s 11th District for discussion of bipartisan perspectives on issues before Congress, October 7 (Photo by Meg Przybylski)
By Dennis VanLangen, Member of OLLI Video Team Volunteers
Thanks to all OLLI members who volunteered to participate in the new OLLI promotional video program. Your contributions have been instrumental in the video team's efforts to produce a series of new videos that spotlight our organization's values, benefits, offerings, and activities.
Watch the videos from this OLLI YouTube channel link >> OLLI Spotlight Video Playlist. We encourage you to share this public link with friends, relatives, and other acquaintances who are not yet OLLI members. By doing so, you are actively contributing to our outreach and marketing efforts, helping us promote OLLI and generate interest in signing up!
Join OLLI's Theater Lovers for a Show, a Theatrical Exhibit, and a Special Collections Tour
By Norma Jean Reck, Theater Lovers' Group Coordinator
On Sunday, November 3, OLLI's theater lovers will see the 2 P.M. matinee performance of the musical, 110 in the Shade, at the Center for the Arts. Senior tickets are $15 and can be purchased by phoning 703-993-1120. We'll go to Oh George for lunch before the show. 110 in the Shade takes place in 1936 when the Dust Bowl is experiencing a blistering hot, rainless summer. Lizzy Curry's family is concerned about her because she is bright but unlucky in love. A dashing stranger comes to town promising to make it rain. A beautiful musical mix of these ingredients blend into an appealing story of finding one's place between what is possible and dreams of what could be.
On Wednesday, December 4, Olli's theater lovers will be treated to a theatrical exhibit and private tour of Special Collections at Mason's Fenwick Library. "The Change We Want to See" Artists and Transformation uses prints, posters, books and other artifacts from Mason's Special Collections to illustrate the influence of Arena Stage's very own Zelda Fichandler and the international tour of show Porgy and Bess. Following the exhibit, we will be given a private tour of theatrical, musical, and other artifacts that are a part of Mason's many Special Collections. Please sign up for either Group A 10 to 12 or Group B 1 to 3. There is a Starbucks nearby where we can sit and chat over a cup of coffee.
Please email Norma at [email protected] to sign up for 110 in the Shade and the exhibit and tour at Fenwick Library. All are welcome to join us and feel free to bring a guest who need not be an OLLI member.
Sign up now for The Theater Potpourri course scheduled for Tuesdays from October 22 to November 12 at 11:50
Editor’s note: This article is 300 words (out of 392 submitted by the author). The remaining 92 words may be viewed at this link. At the author’s request, all words are published unedited, exactly as submitted.
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, October 19, in person and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45.
Using Multiple Google Drives—Presented by John Krout
Google's Gmail is a popular zero-cost way to obtain a free email account, although millions never realize that a number of other Google benefits are built into every account. A big benefit is Google Drive, providing 15 gigabytes of private storage on the cloud per account at zero cost. Google’s only requirement is that you use the account.
Cloud storage simply means that permanent file storage, just like on your hard drive or solid-state drive, is available to you on another computer via the Internet. If you have a Gmail account, then you can access both Gmail and Google Drive using a web browser on any computer or portable device.
Another benefit of Google Drive is that you can make a Google Drive file or even an entire folder available for others to download and create a URL to give access to your intended file. You will learn how to modify access rights to allow file downloading and how to create a URL for allowing your file recipient to download the file.
John Krout 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. He also presents for national APCUG Wednesday Workshops and Saturday Safaris and contributes articles to APCUG's library of shared newsletter content.
Learn in 30: Apple's Native Home and Find My Apps—Presented by Gabe Goldberg
Apple's ecosystem and infrastructure include diverse hardware and software tools useful in the real—that is, offline—world (though they themselves do need to be online!).
The Home app on Apple products—iPhone/iPad/Watch/Mac—defines, connects, and controls diverse accessories (e.g., HomePod speakers, electric outlets, lights, cameras, doorbells, locks). With three HomePod speakers and an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, I can voice or touch control accessories throughout the house—even remotely—see this link.
It's easy to start small and slow when using these, and then add capabilities as needed. While this talk covers the use of Apple products and facilities, alternatives exist, though often without Apple's tight integration (which also offers "one throat to choke" when problems occur).
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 last 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 045284 (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 897 3557 7784 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method), or dial in at 301-715-8592.
Last month, team Los Viejos navigated a wild slate of questions ranging from Barbie dolls to astrophysics (both of which we got). We were even lucky on a rap music question.
Although Kalypso’s was packed with younger teams vying for the playoffs, our group managed a third-place finish.
Final question: What is the phrase for the boundary around a black hole, past which even light cannot escape?
We’ll be meeting again on Thursday, October 17th, at Kalypso’s in Reston. If you are interested in joining us, let us know in advance so that we can hold the table—Phone: (423)524-5149 Email: [email protected].
By Brenda Bloch-Young and Doris Bloch, Co‑Moderators
Our schedule is changing—at least until the end of 2024; we will be hosting sessions only every SECOND week. On Wednesday, October 16, there will be NO session. Team Bloch is taking a week off. Phew!
October 23: Sleep For the conversation on October 23, let's talk about sleep. Did you see the Washington Post article re whether you dream in black and white or in color? It's a fun analysis. Why is there such an obsession now regarding sleep quality and sleep scores? Do you track your sleep with a smart phone/watch? Do you have a sleep profile? Deep or REM periods? How many times do you wake up during the night? What techniques do you use to fall back asleep? Please join us at 4:00 on October 23 and share your thoughts; just open the 24/7 Chat Line.
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.
Keyboard Conversations® with Jeffrey Siegel: Franz Schubert: The Soulful and the Sublime
Sun, Oct 13, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $50, $43, $29.
Mark Morris Dance Group and Music Ensemble
Sat, Oct 19, 2:00 and 8:00
A pre-performance discussion will take place in Monson Grand Tier, 45 minutes prior to the performance.
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $51, $36.
At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus) Prince William Little Theatre: Ken Ludwig’s Baskerville, A Sherlock Holmes Mystery
Fri, Oct 11, 8:00
Sat, Oct 12, 8:00
Sun, Oct 13, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $25 Adult, $20 Senior.
Manassas Chorale: Salute to Heroes and Heroines
Sat, Oct 12, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $25, $23.
Old Bridge Chamber Orchestra: Not all Heroes Wear Capes, But Some Do
Sun, Oct 13, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20 Adult, $15 Senior.
Matinee Idylls: Erinys Quartet
Wed, Oct 16, 1:30
Hylton Performing Arts Center, Jacquemin Family Foundation Rehearsal Hall
Dessert reception follows concert.
Admission: $40.
Manassas Ballet Theatre: Dracula
Fri, Oct 18, 7:30
Sat, Oct 19, 7:30
Sun, Oct 20, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $75; $65; $55; $45.
American Roots Series: Balsam Range
Sat, Oct 19, 5:00 and 8:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: $30.
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 Oct 12
10:30 am
Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Oct 14
4:00 pm
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Oct 15
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Oct 16
12:00 noon
1:30 pm
1:30 pm
4:00 pm
Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Thu Oct 17
1:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
6:00 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats Club – online
Fri Oct 18
9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
11:30 am
12:00 noon
2:30 pm
Crafts and Conversation Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Cooking Club
Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Club – online
Sat Oct 19
10:30 am
1:00 pm
Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group
Mon Oct 21
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Oct 22
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Mah Jongg Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Oct 23
12:00 noon
1:30 pm
1:45 pm
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
Chair Yoga and More – online
Bridge Club
Spanish Club
Theater Lovers’ Group – online
Conversation with Team Bloch – online
Thu Oct 24
1:00 pm
3:00 pm
4:30 pm
Stay Active and Independent for Life – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Oct 25
9:30 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
12:00 noon
Crafts and Conversation
Classic Literature Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Photography Club
Chair Yoga and More – 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: [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. 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.
