Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

ENews2-14

Print a condensed .pdf copy of this newsletter, two web pages per sheet of paper.

 
Board of Directors Meeting, January 17, 2014
Photos by Paul Van Hemel

January 24, 2014


Editor of the Week: Leslie Vandivere
Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices

Volunteers are needed for the Valentine's Day Party on February 14. Contact Sally Burdick at abird68@verizon.net.

OLLI and instructors/speakers are working to reschedule courses and special events cancelled due to the weather. Members will be notified if a make-up class will be held.

Although OLLI staff work with the Mason facilities department to clean the parking lots, driveway, stairs, and walkway, there may be black ice. Proceed with caution.

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Meet Alice—"She's Wonderful"


By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director

Alice Slayton Clark is the new communications associate at OLLI-Mason, helping the executive director and program associate with written communications and instructional materials for the institute and assisting the registrar with membership and registration.
 
Alice has an extensive background in writing and advocacy, having worked nearly 20 years as a foreign affairs aide on Capitol Hill and an international trade lobbyist for a Washington, D.C., law firm. She has a BA in government and Spanish from Oberlin College and an MA in foreign policy from Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.    
 
Alice comes to OLLI-Mason after living five years overseas in Germany and Austria as a Foreign Service spouse. Although she achieved only basic Deutsch, she acquired a great love for her host countries and for travel throughout Europe.
 
Alice has been at OLLI-Mason since November and has already proven a great help to staff and members alike. Compliments abound from everyone that "Alice is wonderful" and "amazing," a sure sign of her helpful and considerate attitude. We're very happy she has joined our OLLI-Mason family. 
 
Outside of OLLI-Mason, Alice keeps busy shuttling her high school freshman daughter to soccer matches and her seventh grade son to tennis, soccer, and violin lessons.  She is not sure which is more challenging—motherhood or professional life. Alice’s husband works for the U.S. Government.  
 

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January Board Meeting Highlights

By Gordon Canyock, Board Member
 
The big news from the January 17 OLLI-Mason Board meeting held at Tallwood was the unanimous decisions to increase dues from $360 to $375 effective with the spring term and to modify the introductory membership program. Effective this spring, prospective members can try us out for one term by paying a $150 fee, but if they decide they want to join, they must sign up for a full year at the regular rate of $375.
 
The Board also passed resolutions approving the final 2014 operating budget, the allocation by department of a total of $16,000 of Friends of OLLI funds for Mason scholarships and a motion to donate $2,000 to Fall for the Book. It tabled a motion not on the agenda to partially fund the installation of a wheelchair lift at Tallwood to bring us into ADA compliance. That will be discussed and voted upon at the February meeting once cost details are obtained from Mason.
Writing Critique Group

by Peter Poole

A writing-critique group that considers both fiction and nonfiction pieces was originally organized at OLLI by Peter Poole and others in 2002. The group met regularly until 2012, when Rosemary Poole passed away.

The critique group is now being revived, and we are seeking new members. The plan is to meet at 1:00 on the second Thursday of each month at Kings Park Library, 9000 Burke Lake Road, Burke. Members are encouraged to email any material they want discussed by the group at least a few days before the monthly meetings. This will maximize the opportunity for a good discussion of as many pieces as possible.

If you want further information or plan to attend, email Peter at petpoole@msn.com 
 

New Photo Display in Social Annex

Photographs by Don Allen, an OLLI member, are now in the Social Annex.  Please view them and provide your comments to Don when you seem him around OLLI.

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Photo of the Month


By Dan Feighery, Photography Club Coordinator
The photo selected as Photo of the Month at the January 10 OLLI Photography Club meeting is “Breakfast Time” taken by Dan Feighery through the kitchen window on a snowy morning.  All photos submitted for consideration can be seen here.

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Poet's Corner

Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Bucket List
 
For at least five years before retiring
A list was kept of items aspiring
Things I wished someday the time to do
Mainly experiences some old, some new
 
Now I check off the list from time to time
I’ve kept up with friends, grown a garden so fine
Traveled afar to Ireland, Turkey and Greece
Spent time with dear Charles, maintained family peace
 
I’ve published five stories of family vignettes
But number seventeen on my list I haven’t done yet
Take an OLLI poetry class and write at least one poem
Not for the New Yorker but read only at home
 
So I sit in this poetry class feeling meek
Listening to poems week after week
Intimidated by these poets just a bit
It’s hard to write poems as grand I admit
 
I absolutely knew that there would come a day
When someone would say “Will YOU READ YOUR POEM TODAY?”
So yes, and hooray, here it is, my first one
Slowly I check off number seventeen, it’s done!!!
 
Perhaps with insight I’ve figured out reasons why
Creating my own poem caused such internal sighs
Next, number eighteen on my list now has my arms in hives
Did I once think it important to learn how to skydive?
 
by Ruth Hersh Perry
 

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Arts & Music at George Mason

Performances, Jan 25 through Feb 3

By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer

For tickets for either the Center for the Arts or the Hylton Performing Arts 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 page or the Hylton ticket purchase page.
At the Fairfax Campus Venues

American Youth Philharmonic Orchestras: Symphonic Stars
Sun, Jan 26, 3:00.
Christopher Zimmerman conducts this performance of AYPO. Guest artist is pianist Michael Sheppard, The program features Leshnoff's Starburst, Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini and Brahms' Symphony No. 1.
Admission: Adults, $20; seniors and children, $10.
Center for the Arts Concert Hall.
Chinese New Year Gala
Fri, Jan 31, 7:30.
The Chinese American Association has organized Chinese New Year Gala performances for more than 15 years. More than 300 artists from throughout North America will perform.
Admission: $100, $30, $25, $20.
Center for the Arts Concert Hall.
Haifa Symphony Orchestra of Israel
Sat, Feb 1, 8:00.
Under the baton of Boguslaw Dawidow, the orchestra brings an evening of music that includes the melodies of Mozart’s Symphony No. 40 in G minor, as well as Israeli composer Uri Bracha’s Melodies for Mount Carmel, with virtuoso violist Avshalom Sarid. The orchestra concludes with Dvořák’s Symphony No. 9 in E minor From the New World.
Pre-performance discussion by a member of the company.
Admission: $60, $52, $30.
Center for the Arts Concert Hall.
 
Mason Student & Faculty Performances

Faculty Artist Series: Anna and Friends
Sat, Jan 25, 8:00.
Anna is Professor Anna Balakersakaia and the program of chamber music includes works by Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Rachmaninov.
Admission: free.
Harris Theater.
Faculty Artist Series: Kate Hearden, Soprano
Mon, Feb 3, 12:30.
Admission: free.
Harris Theater.
At the Hylton Center

Ann Marie Coolick Art Exhibition
Through Sat, Jan 25.
Admission: free.
Buchanan Partners Arts Gallery. 
 

Center for the Arts' Pied Piper Theatre: The Wizard of Oz
Sat, Jan 25, 2:00 and 7:00.
Sun, Jan 26, 4:00.
Admission: Adults, $12; children 12 and under, $10.
Merchant Hall.

Burns Night Supper
Sat, Jan 25, 6:00.
This formal dinner will include all the pomp and pageantry fit to celebrate the life and works of Scotland’s national bard, poet and lyricist Robert Burns. A performance by the duo of Elke Baker and Ken Kolodner, poetry reading, Scotch whisky tasting by Glenfiddich and the presentation of Scotland’s “National Dish,” haggis, complete the festivities for the evening!
Admission: $97.
Gregory Family Theater.

Lyric Opera Virginia: Master Class
Thu, Jan 30 - Sat, Feb 1, 8:00.
Sat, Feb 1 - Sun, Feb 2, 2:00.
Terrence McNally’s award-winning play focuses on Maria Callas during her historical master classes at the Julliard School of Music in the 1970s. Lisa Vroman stars. This production features George Mason University students and staff together with Lyric Opera Virginia’s professionals.
Admission: $25; students and active military, $15.
Gregory Family Theater.

Making Connections through Art
Presented by Prince William County Public Schools
Tue, Jan 28 - Sat, Mar 1.
The student work featured in the 2014 display was adjudicated by a team of retired art educators.
Gallery reception: Sat, Feb 8, 12:30. (To attend, RSVP to Hylton@gmu.edu.)
Admission: free.
Buchanan Partners Arts Gallery. 
For further details on any of the above events, please see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar

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Mason Highlights

Other Mason events, next two weeks

By Helen Ackerman, OLLI E-News Staff Writer
Exhibit: Africans in India. The exhibition examines the roughly 500-year history of Africans in South Asia. Over the centuries, East Africans have distinguished themselves in India as generals, admirals, commanders, prime ministers, and rulers. This history is brought alive through the use of maps, paintings, and photographs that have been borrowed primarily from the Kenneth Robbins collection. Through Tue, Feb 4. Mason Hall, Mason Hall Atrium Gallery. Free.

Exhibit: Black and White and Thread All Over: Work by Sonya Clark. The artist explores issues of identity, race, and culture through the use of textiles, combs and hair, blurring the boundaries between art and craft. Her work has been exhibited in over 250 museums and galleries around the world, and she has received numerous honors and fellowships. Tue, Jan 21, to Fri, Feb 21. Art & Design Building, Fine Art Gallery. Free.

Vision Series: Footnotes: Creating Contemporary Dances. Director of the School of Dance and choreographer Susan Shields considers why working so hard for an ethereal moment of beauty matters. Her talk explores the choreographic process from the perspective of an artist who wonders why another dance is relevant, but continues to create. Shields is the recipient of the 2006 Choo-San Goh Award for Choreography, and has created dances for several professional companies and universities, including Ballet West, The Juilliard School, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, and the Washington Ballet. Mon, Feb 3, 7:00. Center for the Arts, Concert Hall. Free.
 
Artist Lecture & Reception: Hear artist Sonya Clark discuss her work, which is currently on exhibit at the Fine Art Gallery at Mason. She explores issues of identity, race, and culture through the use of textiles, combs, and hair, blurring the boundaries between art and craft. Her work has been exhibited in over 250 museums and galleries around the world and has received numerous honors and fellowships. Tue, Feb 4, 1:30. Fairfax Campus, Art and Design Building, Fine Art Gallery. Free.

 

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Meetings & Clubs


The following list covering the next two weeks is extracted for your convenience from the master online calendar maintained by the office, with direct web links added when available. The list is accurate as of mid-week but to check anytime for the latest information, please view the latest forecast of upcoming 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, Kickoff Coffees, etc. (bolded below).
Sat Jan 25 10:30am Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Tue Jan 28 10:00am Knitting and Needlework Club–Panera, Herndon
Wed Jan 29  1:45pm
 2:15pm		 Bridge Club–TA-3
German Club–Loudoun Rm232
Fri Jan 31  9:00am
10:00am
10:30am

11:00am		 Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation–Cottage
Program Committee–RCC Hunter’s Woods
Rm 6
Homer, etc–Annex
Sat Feb 1 10:30am Tai Chi Club–TA-3
Tue Feb 4 10:00am Knitting and Needlework Club–Panera, Herndon
Wed Feb 5  1:30pm
 1:45pm
 1:45pm
 2:15pm
 2:15pm		 Mah Jongg Club–TA-2
Bridge Club–TA-3
Special Events Committee-Annex
History Club–TA-1
German Club–Loudoun 232
Fri Feb 7  9:00am
10:00am
10:00am
11:00am		 Recorder Consort–TA-3
Craft and Conversation–Cottage
iPad User Group–Reston UCP 113/114
Homer, etc-Annex
 
 

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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.

Current Editorial Staff
Chief Editor/Technical Editor: Irene Osterman
Associate Editor: Vacant
Weekly Editorial Team: Paul Van Hemel, Sheri Siesseger, Leslie Vandivere
Proofreaders:  John West, Gordon Canyock
Backup Chief Editor: Sheri Siesseger

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 – 6:00 pm Tuesday for that week's issue (6:00 pm Monday 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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OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

4210 Roberts Rd. Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone: (703) 503-3384
Fax: (703) 503-2832
Email: olli@gmu.edu

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