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/Technical Editor: Irene Osterman Associate Editor: Weekly Editorial Team: Paul Van Hemel, Sheri Siesseger, Leslie Vandivere, Proofreaders: John West, Gordon Canyock, Susan Van Hemel 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: [email protected].

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.

OLLI E-News March 13, 2015

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

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E-News Staff Irene Osterman (Right) and Leslie Vandivere
Welcome John Nash, Joining the Team of Editors

March 13, 2015

Editor of the Week: Paul Van Hemel

Table of Contents

Alerts & Notices
New Venues in Fairfax for OLLI
OLLI DJs in Our Midst!
Seeking Participants for Mason Studies Involving Older Adults
Computer Club
Future Courses Looking for Instructors
Save the Date: April 18
Ask Uncle Olli
Poet's Corner
Arts & Music at George Mason
Mason Highlights
Meetings & Clubs
About OLLI E-News

Alerts & Notices

The next E-News will be on Mar 27.

Reminder: Sign up now to hear celebrated Irish musician John O’Conor at CenterStage with a world-class piano performance at Hunters Woods Community Center in Reston. The concert takes place Thu, Mar 26, from
2:15 – 3:40. Go to olli.gmu.edu, click on the member portal, and register for spring term class R114.

New Member Coffee: Plan to attend in TA-1 at Tallwood, Mar 27, from 10:00 – noon. All OLLI members welcome (not just new members); go to olli.gmu.edu, click on the member portal, and register for this event.

All members are welcome to attend the Board of Directors meeting at 10 in TA-1 on March 20th.

New Venues in Fairfax for OLLI

By Jennifer Disano, Executive Director

From 2012-2014, OLLI grew by several hundred members. This growth created higher demand for more classes and more seats, which resulted in longer waitlists and increased demand for alternative venues. To support more classes and alleviate waitlists, many classes were sent to offsite rentals at local churches. The main venue, Church of the Good Shepherd (COGS), served well for many of our larger classes but did not accommodate smaller classes. During this period, OLLI faced an additional facility stress when Mason decided not to renew its lease at the Keller Annex, which was used by OLLI during the day. Programs that used the Keller Annex and those not a good fit for COGS had to be returned to Tallwood, maxing out room capacities and overloading parking. Those classes that exceeded capacity or could not be placed at Tallwood were placed at offsite rentals, increasing expenses for both staffing and facilities fees.

In 2014 at a Mason event, Dr. and Mrs. Merten introduced me to Pastor Ron Quigley of Lord of Life Church. Pastor Quigley and I had the good fortune of a mutual facilities issue; his churches needed to be utilized to benefit the community during the week and OLLI needed low-rent space. After many discussions with OLLI leaders and following review by the Board of Directors, OLLI arranged to acquire space at Lord of Life in Clifton and Fairfax.

This spring, the Lord of Life venues will be fully AV-outfitted and staffed to support OLLI programs, with the added benefit of cookie and coffee service and social space, just like at Tallwood. Members can expect an easy commute; from Tallwood, driving distances are 5 minutes to Fairfax and 10-12 minutes to Clifton. Both locations offer nearby shopping and amenities (e.g., restaurants, gas stations). Both venues are handicap-accessible and parking is ample. Please note, large-scale classes (what we call mega-classes) will still be at COGS.

The hope for this spring is that members will like the new venues, that Tallwood parking will be more available and safer so no one will have to park across Roberts Road to attend class, and that OLLI will see more favorable rental expenditures.

I know many of you were surprised to see that your favorite class was suddenly shifted to a new venue this spring. Many factors are considered when making room assignments (e.g., capacity, equipment, parking, staff). Often class assignments/locations are switched at the last minute. This was especially true for spring term, considering the new venues. It was unfortunate that we could not get the word out to you sooner, or consult with you about the changes, in time to send out room assignments, but I hope that you will find the new venues to your liking and be comfortable and happy with the change in the end.

Thank you.

OLLI DJs in Our Midst!

By Martha Powers, OLLI E-News Staff Writer

Did you know that two OLLI members are producers of their own radio shows?

For several years, John Henkel (broadcasting under the name Jay Frank) has been the host of “Songs That Got Away,” airing on Wednesdays from 9:00am – 10am on Radio Fairfax. The show features songs released between 1954 and 1974 – the classic age of Top 40 radio. Each week, Jay sneaks into the dusty corners of the musical goldmine and unearths gems you remember but haven't heard for a while. If you miss Motown, the Beatles, Elvis, or the many “golden oldies” that seem to have vanished over the decades, you’ll enjoy this show – and John’s encyclopedic knowledge of the music of that era.

When OLLI member Marianne Metz heard John mention his radio show, she asked him “What show is that?” One thing led to another, and within a few months Marianne had completed training and certification as a radio producer at Radio Fairfax. Today her show, “The Melody Lingers On,” airs from 11am – 12 noon on Wednesdays. Marianne’s program celebrates great American songs from the 1920s to the 1950s, featuring the works of the Gershwins, Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington, and many more. She plays a mix of vintage recordings and more recent renditions of the same songs, demonstrating how a good song can be interpreted differently by various artists. Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and Rosemary Clooney are just a few of the singers heard regularly on the show.

It’s great fun to hear a familiar OLLI voice floating smoothly over the airwaves, and the educational commentary that John and Marianne each provide is both insightful and entertaining. Hear for yourself! There are two ways to listen to Radio Fairfax:

1) On TV (yes, TV) Channel 37, or

2) On your computer at http://www.fcac.org/radio-fairfax-programs, in the right column under the blue Full Schedules button, click on the

for Stream Radio Fairfax.

Seeking Participants for Mason Studies Involving Older Adults

By Alice Slayton Clark, Communications Associate

Calling all OLLI members! Are you interested in participating in some studies that will help Mason graduate student Bridget Lewis achieve her PhD?

Bridget, a doctoral student in the Human Factors and Applied Cognition Program of Mason’s Psychology Department, is writing a dissertation on how to improve transportation systems for older adults, including vehicle design, the design of roadways, walkways, and airports. As part of this effort, Bridget would like to talk to you about your experiences with and preferences in various transportation systems. Additionally, Bridget has a second study looking at individual differences in perception and performance. In this study, Bridget hopes to measure OLLI member responses to a series of short multi-modal computer-based perception tests. Both sessions take just two hours of your time, and you can choose to participate in either or both studies. They are not compensated.

Bridget’s research projects are some of many overseen by Dr. Carryl Baldwin, Director of the Psychology Department’s Auditory Research Group (ARG) Lab at Mason. The ARG Lab has spearheaded many useful studies on music and vigilance, auditory change detection, workload and perception, and driving. The Lab is currently leading an important study for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on the design and development of connected or smart vehicles.

Join Bridget March 30 or April 2 in the Tallwood Annex for a conversation about her studies and the methodologies being used by the ARG Lab. On each of those dates, she will give two 5-minute presentations, one beginning at 11:15 and the other at 1:30, each followed by a short question/answer session.

There is no need to sign up for these information sessions: just drop by between your OLLI spring classes. If you are interested in participating in either study, however, please contact Bridget at 540-313-5173 or [email protected]. She is very grateful for your support.

And stay tuned! Bridget promises to return to OLLI later this year to report on her research results.

Computer Club

by Paul Howard, Computer Club Coordinator

THE COMPUTER CLUB (OLLI Personal Computer User Group, or OPCUG) will meet with its partner, the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS), Saturday, March 21st at Tallwood. Join us at 12:30 for soft drinks and socializing in the social room. Presentations will begin at 1:00. This month's offerings will include the following:

Is Your Toaster an Insider Threat? Presentation By Bob Flores
This talk will explore the Internet of Things (IoT), also called the Internet of Everything (IoE). What should you be worried about and what do you need to do so that you remain protected as the world becomes more and more connected?

Bob Flores is a Founder and Partner of Cognitio, a senior leveraged consulting company. Prior to cofounding Cognitio, Bob was the President and CEO of Applicology Incorporated, an independent consulting firm specializing in information technology issues. His 31 years at the Central Intelligence Agency included various positions in the Directorate of Intelligence, Directorate of Support and the National Clandestine Service. Toward the end of his career, Bob spent three years as the CIO’s Chief Technology Officer where he was responsible for ensuring that the Agency’s technology investments matched the needs of its mission.

Spring Fling – Any excuse to shed the winter blues! Light lunch and cake before the main presentation. Sure 'n be wearin' the green!

See full details on this meeting by clicking here. For information on the Computer Club, see the OPCUG website. OPCUG dues of $5 for 2015 will be collected at this meeting.

Can't make the meeting in person? Dues Paid club members may attend via Zoom's cloud meeting service, beginning at 12:45. Send a message to [email protected] if you plan to attend in this way. Join from PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/658282792

Future Courses Looking for Instructors

By Peg O'Brien, OLLI Member and Contributor

The Program Planning Groups are hard at work throughout the year seeking and developing future courses for all our program sites. OLLI members have submitted a number of good ideas, and we are now searching for instructors who are knowledgeable in these topics and would be willing to teach them.
One of these ideas is listed below:

The Renaissance through its Art, History and/or Literature

Contact Vera Wentworth at [email protected] if you are interested in teaching this course.

Save the Date: April 18

As you may know, George Heatley died peacefully in his home on November 17, 2014. There will be a gathering of friends and family to celebrate his life and accomplishments on Saturday April 18, 2015, from 2:00 to 5:00. This will be an open house, so you can come any time and stay to the end or just for a few minutes. It will be at the “Barn,” the red wooden church at the corner of Westmoreland Street and Kirby Road in McLean (1988 Kirby Rd.). Please send a simple “I am planning to attend” or “Sorry, I won’t be able to come” to Cecile Heatley at:

[email protected].

Also, if you care to share a memory you have of George, something interesting or amusing or anything you would like to share, please write a paragraph and email it to Cecile. Last but not least: please plan to wear happy colors – this will be a celebration, not a funeral. George kept a sense of humor until the very end, and he would like us to smile when we think of him.

Ask Uncle Olli

By Uncle Olli, Driver Safety Consultant

Uncle Olli has lived in Northern Virginia most of his lifetime, and has encountered every traffic problem. But sometimes the little problems seem so trivial you are embarrassed to admit them. Easy. Ask Uncle Olli at [email protected]. He is embarrassed by nothing!

WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT, HOW CLOSE SHOULD I BE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME?
This question was asked and answered in a previous column, E-News Dec 5, 2014 (See; nothing embarrasses me). A good rule of thumb is that you should be far enough back that you can see the rear tires of the car in front of you. If it's a bus or RV with a large overhang, or a dirt bike with an exposed wheel, use your judgment. Remember, you are smarter than a machine; you can think and judge.

Poet's Corner

Courtesy of the Poetry Workshop

Missed Class

I went to class again today. I’d only missed a week.
I felt like back in high school when you missed a mid-week day
And everyone in home room was a stranger.
They talked assignments tasked and done and shared exams returned.

I thought that I’d been gone a month, with all that I had missed.
Just one day gone and yet it seemed like I had missed a year
Of lesson plans and essays and distributed class notes.
It looked like it would take a month to fill in missing pieces.

Yet classes I attend I can’t remember the next hour.
I might as well pour water through a stone-filled bucket sieve--
My age-impaired and feeble brain holds knowledge like a bail
Without a bottom holds water. Oh, well. At least each day is new.

Manny Pablo

Arts & Music at George Mason

Performances, Mar 13 – 23

By Shelly Gersten, OLLI E-News Staff Writer

For tickets for either CFA or Hylton, 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

Fairfax Symphony Orchestra with violinist Paul Huang
Sat, Mar 14, 8:00
Mozart: Adagio and Fugue
Vaughan-Williams: Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis
J.S. Bach: Violin concerto in A minor
Dvorak: Serenade for Strings
Harris Theatre
Admission: $60, $45, $25

The Capitol Symphonic Youth Orchestras: Musical Journey
Sun, Mar 15, 2:00
Symphonic and Chamber Orchestras
Concert Hall
Admission: Adults, $15; seniors, $10.

Virginia Opera: La Traviata
Sat, Mar 21, 8:00
Sun, Mar 22, 2:00
Pre-Performance Discussion: Glenn Winters.
Concert Hall
Admission Sat: $86, $72, $44.
Admission Sun: $98, $80, $48.

Mason Student & Faculty Performances
(see music.gmu.edu for additional student recitals)

Jazz Voice Area Recital
Wed, Mar 18, 12:30
deLaski 3001
Admission: Free.

Clarinet Departmental
Fri, Mar 20, 12:30
deLaski 3001
Admission: Free.

Engebretson Choral Masterclass
Sun, Mar 22, 2:30
Music Theater Building 2018
Admission: Free.

Vocal Departmental III
Mon, Mar 23, 12:30
Harris Theatre
Admission: Free.

At the Hylton Center

Prince William Little Theatre: Jesus Christ Superstar
Fri and Sat, Mar 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 8:00
Sun, Mar 8, 15, 22, 2:00
Gregory Family Theater
Admission: Adults, $25; seniors, $20.

Mason School of Art Selected Faculty Exhibit
Mar 9 - Apr 20
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery
Buchanan Partners Art Gallery is open to the public Tue-Sat, 10:00 - 6:00, Thu, 10:00 - 8:00, and two hours before performances. For more information about the current exhibit, visit HyltonCenter.org/gallery.
Admission: Free.

Manassas Ballet Theatre: Peter and The Wolf and More
Fri, Mar 13 and Sat, Mar 14, 7:30
Sun, Mar 15, 3:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $45, $35, $25.

Gainesville Ballet: Carmina Burana
Fri, Mar 20, 7:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: $40, $35, $30.

Manassas Chorale: Voices United Concert
Sat, Mar 21, 7:30
Merchant Hall
Admission: $20.

Youth Orchestras of Prince William: Bang on these Drums
Sun, Mar 22, 4:00
Merchant Hall
Admission: Adults, $15; seniors, $12.

For further details on any of the above events, please see the CFA event calendar and the Hylton Center event calendar

Mason Highlights

Other Mason events, next two weeks

By Helen Ackerman, OLLI E-News Staff Writer

Film: Through a Lens Darkly. See the documentary, Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People (2014). The film explores how African American communities have used the camera as a tool for social change from the invention of photography to the present.
Mon, Mar 16, 4:30 to 7:00
Johnson Center, Cinema
Admission: Free.

Lecture: Shi'a and the State in the Gulf Monarchies. In all the six Gulf monarchies, the Shi'a are a demographic and/or political minority and are not part of the higher strata of the social fabric. Laurence Louër, assistant professor at Sciences Po in Paris and research fellow at the Center for International Research and Studies (CERI), discusses how the state formation processes and configurations of the political arenas play out in building different models of relations between the Shi'a and the state.
Tue, March 17, at 4:30
Johnson Center, Room F
Admission: Free.

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).

About OLLI E-News

March 13, 2015

Alerts & Notices

New Venues in Fairfax for OLLI

Computer Club

Meetings & Clubs

OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

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

OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
AT GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

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