Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

ENews September 11, 2026

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OLLI E-News September 11, 2026
Print a condensed pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Beginners’ Guide for Seniors, 9 February 2026, Instructor Brian Harte

September 11, 2026


Editor of the Week: Chloe DiStaso 
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

  • The next issue of OLLI E-News will be published Friday, September 25. The regular deadline for submission of items is Tuesday, September 22, at 6:00.

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Got Course Ideas? … Join the HSS/CE Program Planning Group   



By Camille Hodges, HSS/CE Planning Team Chair

 

OLLI is known for its great course ideas. In case you were unaware… many of these ideas come directly from you! We at OLLI need to know what courses/topics strongly reflect your interest and/or your desire to know more about. Also, let us know of any topics you would be willing to teach at OLLI. Our members are our strength when it comes to course proposals.

Check out the current catalog and decide which category might best support your area of expertise. Also, if you have personal contact with people who would be great OLLI instructors, please invite them to present as well.

The Humanities and Social Sciences/Current Events (HSS/CE) team is committed to inviting presentations that support many areas including psychology, politics, cultural interests, inter- and intrapersonal interactions, human culture, ethics, and cultural awareness. Our team meets virtually three or four times per year and communicates continuously. 

To join the HSS/CE programming team, here’s the link: [email protected].

Got course ideas?  Here’s the link for the OLLI course proposal form: https://olli.gmu.edu/olli-course-proposal-form/.

Editor’s Note: This article appeared in earlier E-News editions. It is repeated here to encourage member participation in program planning for HSS/CE.
Help Virginians Age Better!


By Emily Roudebush, OLLI Vice President


The Virginia Center on Aging is conducting a survey to help with development of the next Virginia State Plan for Aging Services. If you’re age 60+, or a caregiver, advocate or service provider, and you live in the state of Virginia, you’re encouraged to participate. This anonymous survey takes about 15-20 minutes to complete, and it’s best done all at one time. Make your voice heard and help the Commonwealth continue to serve seniors effectively into the future! Have questions? Visit the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services website or contact Charlotte Arbogast at [email protected], or call 804-662-7093. The survey is open until Friday, September 25―get started here: Pre-Screening Survey.

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Computer Club
3rd Saturday, September 19
Identity Theft Prevention and Recovery for Older Adults
Computer Security and Computer Purchase Tips

By Paul Howard , OPCUG Program Chair



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, September 19, in person in TA-1, and via Zoom. The Zoom session opens at 12:45.

Identity Theft Prevention and Recovery―Presented by Elle Martin
Participants will understand why older adults are targeted, how scams are evolving each year, and how AI is being used by scammers. They will learn practical ways to prevent scams, what to do if victimized, and where to find free, trusted help.

Elle Martin is a retired law enforcement officer with 18 years of experience serving and protecting her community. She began her career with the Provo City Police Department, where she worked as a patrol officer for 6.5 years. Elle later continued her service at Brigham Young University, initially as a patrol officer and then promoted to sergeant over crime prevention. During her time at BYU, she also served as a victim advocate, where she worked closely with students who had experienced various forms of trauma and victimization.

Elle is trained in trauma-informed practices and has extensive experience working with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, identity theft, and scams. Her work included developing personalized safety plans, connecting individuals to critical resources, and collaborating with the Family Justice Center to provide comprehensive support to those in need.

After retiring from law enforcement, Elle continues her passion for victim advocacy by joining the Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) on its Community Outreach team. In this role, she presents to special populations, including seniors, students, victims of domestic violence, and other special populations, about the dangers of identity theft and scams, while highlighting the free resources available through ITRC.

Learn in 30: Experts’ Views:
Most people buy the WRONG computer―here's why! Presented by Scott Merrill
What Security Software Do You Recommend? Presented by Leo Notenboom
For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG Website. OPCUG dues are $5 and are now due for 2026 (and 2025, if you didn’t get around to paying earlier!)—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: https://olligmuorg.zoom.us/j/84601079223pwd=PgGscRz2TL7NYTjdX8nE10vzK55oeS.1
to join the meeting and use passcode 904622. (Note: enter passcode with NO spaces) or enter meeting ID 846 0107 9223 in the Zoom app and use the above passcode (preferred method).

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Poet's Corner
Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Library at Night

The building still, quiet, barely lit.
Characters escape their bindings
like ghosts from beneath cold dark earth.

Ancient warriors, weapons held high,
sailors, khans, chiefs, creep warily 
through the shadowy aisles.

They pass through 19th century ladies
looking for their garden parties,
a salesman searching the stacks for success.

None acknowledges the others.
As daylight approaches each withdraws 
with the vivid memory of an unsettling dream.

        ‒ Carolyn Wyatt

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Arts & Music at George Mason
Performances September 11 through September 28


By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer


The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) has several web sites of performances, talks etc.
CFA ticket purchase page
Center for the Arts YouTube channel 
Hylton ticket purchase page
The new https://masonartsamplified.gmu.edu/
music.calendar.gmu.edu/
theater.calendar.gmu.edu/
dance.calendar.gmu.edu
masonexhibitions.org/.

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 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.

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At the Fairfax Campus Venues

Music From The Sole: I Didn't Come to Stay
Sat, Sep 26, 7:30
Concert Hall
Admission: $60, $52, $38.

National Symphony Orchestra: Noseda Conducts Exotic Tales
Thu, Oct 1, 7:00
Concert Hall
Admission: $97, $68, $42.
Fairfax and Arlington Campuses Visual Arts
(details can be found at https://www.masonexhibitions.org/)
 
Pulp Fictions 
Through Sep 30
Fenwick Gallery
Fairfax Campus

As You Were
Through November 11
GILLESPIE GALLERY OF ART
Art and Design Building
Fairfax Campus

What Remains?: The Vietnam War and Its Reckoning
Through Nov 21
Arlington Campus

Shaping Space
Through Nov 4 
Fenwick Gallery
Fairfax Campus

Across The Commonwealth
Through Dec 5
Patriot Perspectives Gallery
Johnson Center
Fairfax Campus

Patriot Perspectives Gallery: Photography
Through December 5, 8:30-5:00
Mason Exhibitions, Johnson Center
Fairfax
 
College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Dean's Suite: Painting, the Art of Seeing
Through December 5, 8:30-5:00
Mason Exhibitions, Johnson Center
Fairfax
 
Mason Student and Faculty Performances
(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

George Mason School of Theater: The Originals 
Fri, Sep 11, 7:30
Sat, Sep 12, 2:00 and 7:30
deLaski Performing Arts Building, A105, TheaterSpace
Admission: $15.

Grand Piano Celebration
Sun, Sep 27, 3:00
Concert Hall
Admission: Adults 20; Seniors $15.
At the Hylton Center (Manassas Campus)

Arts Alive! Festival
Sat, Sep 12, 10:00
Hylton Center
Admission: Free.

Arts Alive! Festival Headliner: Capitol Fools
Sat, Sep 12, 12:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Free.

ARTFactory: Hairspray
Fri, Sep 18, 7:00
Sat, Sep 19, 7:00
Sun, Sep 20, 2:00
Fri, Sep 25, 7:00
Sat, Sep 26, 7:00
Sun, Sep 27, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: Adults 30; Seniors $25.

An Evening with Bernadette Peters
Sat, Sep 19, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $140, $105, $80, $50.

The U.S. Army Field Band
Sun, Sep 27, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Free.
Visual Arts: Hylton Center 

In Her Image
Sep 15 – Oct 31
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Hylton Performing Arts Center
For further details on any of the above events, see the CFA Event Calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar.

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Meetings & Clubs

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).

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. 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.
 
Sat Sep 12 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online
Mon Sep 14
 
 
 		  9:30 am
11:00 am
 4:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 What’s in the Daily News? – online
Poetry Writing Club – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Family History/Genealogy Club – online
Tue Sep 15
 
 		  2:00 pm
 3:45 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Caregivers Support Group – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Sep 16
 
 
 
 		 10:00 am
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 noon
 2:00 pm
 4:00 pm		 Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Investment Forum
Chair Yoga and More – online
Memoir and More Writing Group – online
Spanish Club – online
Thu Sep 17
 
 
 		 11:50 am
 3:00 pm
 4:30 pm
 6:00 pm		 All the News – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Ethnic Eats Club – online
Fri Sep 18
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon		 Crafts and Conversation – hybrid
Board of Directors Meeting
Mah Jongg Club
Game on: Talking Sports Club – online
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
Sat Sep 19
 		 10:30 am
 1:00 pm		 Tai Chi Club – online
Personal Computer User Group – hybrid
Mon Sep 21  4:00 pm Chair Yoga and More – online
Tue Sep 22
 		  2:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Wed Sep 23
 
 
 		 12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 1:30 pm
 4:00 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Board Game Club
Bridge Club
Spanish Page Turner Club – online
Thu Sep 24
 
 		  3:00 pm
 4:00 pm
 4:30 pm		 Chair Yoga and More – online
Literary Fiction Club – online
Tai Chi Club – online
Fri Sep 25
 
 
 
 
 
 		  9:30 am
 9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
12:00 noon
 1:30 pm
 2:00 pm		 Crafts and Conversation – hybrid
Photography Club – hybrid
Mah Jongg Club
Homer, etc. – online
Chair Yoga and More – online
French Conversation Club – online
Classic Literature Club – online
Sat Sep 26 10:30 am Tai Chi Club – online

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About OLLI E-News

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 Editors: David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi

Weekly Editor Team: Chloe DiStaso, David Gundry, Deborah Kruesi, Chitra Mohla, John Nash,
Paul Van Hemel
 
Proofreaders: Rebecca Jann, Susan Van Hemel, Thomas Appich, 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.

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Notice: You received this newsletter because either you are a current OLLI member or you have been provided a courtesy copy. If you are an OLLI member who did not renew your membership, you can continue to receive our newsletter by emailing the office at [email protected] with your request. If someone forwarded this newsletter to you and you'd like to receive it each week, please email the office and ask to be added to the courtesy-copy list.

Copyright 2026 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University, 4210 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone 703-503-3384, Fax 703-503-2832


 






OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

4210 Roberts Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone: (703) 503-3384
Email: [email protected]

Copyright ©2026 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. All Rights Reserved.

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