Spring 2016 Catalog

Below is a list of the courses, special events and ongoing Spring 2016 activities at all three locations (Fairfax, Reston and NOVA-Loudoun). Unless otherwise noted, classes beginning with an F are held at Tallwood in Fairfax, an R at United Christian Parish in Reston, and an L at Mason's Loudoun County location in Sterling. To view non-course information in the catalog, click the following links for the Schedule of Classes (pdf) and Registration Form (pdf). If you plan to print the catalog rather than read it on your computer screen, you may prefer to print the Spring 2016 Catalog (pdf) in its normal two-column format. Class hours are 9:40–11:05, 11:50–1:15, and 2:15–3:40, unless otherwise noted.

100 Art and Music F101 Music Sampler F102 French Art of the 18th and 19th Centuries F103 French Art of the 18th and 19th Centuries F104 Drawing and Sketching Workshop F105 Everything You Can Imagine Is Real: The Career of Pablo Picasso F106 Singing for Fun F107 Watercolor Painting R108 The Ongoing Pleasures of Music R109 “The Problem of Women”: Surrealism and Female Artists R110 Meet the Artists L111 Treasures of the National Gallery of Art: Virtual Tour L112 Beginning Sketching in Loudoun 200 Economics & Finance F201 Updates on the Fed's Interest Rate Changes and on Mason'sPublic/Private Project Funding F202 Is Economics Really the “Dismal Science?” F203 Estate Planning F204 The Tom Crooker Investment Forum R205 Selling Your Home: A Guide for Mature Sellers and Their Family Members R206 Practical Finances: Tax Planning, Your Important Documents, and the Family Talk UPDATED L207 Retirement Income Strategies L208 Don't Be a Target for Identity Theft 300 History & International Studies F301 The Gettysburg Campaign: The Intelligence Story F302 The Silk Road: Golden Journey to Samarkand F303 American Social and Cultural History F304 New Mexico: Past, Present, Future F305 The Course of Modern German History F306 Eisenhower F307 “The Long Road from Arizona to Missouri”: The War in the Pacific R308 The Susquehanna Boom R309 The Colonial Period in America R310 Ranger's Choice: A Different Topic Every Week! R311 History of Pro Sports in Washington (Are We Cursed?) L312 Zelikow’s Take on the 20th Century L313 The British Side of the American Revolution L314 Travelogue on Virginia L315 Jimmy Doolittle and the Japanese-Americans 400 Literature, Theater & Writing F401 OLLI Players Workshop F402 Readers' Theater F403 “They Call Me Mr. Tibbs”: Sidney Poitier Movies F404 Memoir Writing F405 James Joyce: An Introduction F406 Poetry Workshop F407 Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South F408 Heroes Across Cultures and Eras F409 Classical Chinese Poetry F410 Dr. Who F411 A History of the Novel in Eight Chapters R412 So You Wanna Write Poetry, but Don't Think You Can R413 Penelope Lively’s Moon Tiger R414 Tom Jones: A Hero Born to be Hanged R415 Theater Potpourri R416 Literary Roundtable R417 A History of the Novel in Eight Chapters R418 Greek Drama L419 The New Yorker Round Table L420 The Strangeness of Edgar Allen Poe L421 Literary Job L422 Writer’s Workshop L423 Readers’ Theater in Loudoun L424 The History of Animation L425 Science Fiction Television L426 Henry James’ The Portrait of a Lady L427 King Arthur: Man vs. Myth 500 Languages F501 Spanish Intermediate Conversation F502 French Conversation F503 Spanish Conversational Forum F504 Latin II R505 Intermediate Spanish Conversation, Part 3 R506 Beginning New Testament Greek L507 The Rise and the Fall of the Persian Empire 600 Religious Studies F601 Eastern Orthodoxy: the Ancient Church F602 Religious Ideas in Transition: The Books of the Maccabees F603 How Christianity Lost its Jewish Roots F604 Controversial Teachings of the Bible R605 Faith, Doubt and Tradition: A Teaching and Sharing Seminar R606 God's Problem: Why Do We Suffer? R607 Spirituality and Community L608 The Life and Philosophy of Teilhard de Chardin

650 Humanities and Social Sciences F651 All about Marriage F652 OLLIgopoly: Trivia for Fun F653 Adolescent Issues and the Juvenile Justice System F654 Advocacy Workshop F655 Consider the Conversation F656 Fighting Corruption in Developing Countries F657 The 21st-Century Digital Landscape of Public Schools F658 “What Now, Cuba?” R659 Human Difference, Cultural Understanding, and Social Healing R660 Genealogy for Immigrant Families R661 OLLIgopoly: Trivia for Fun R662 A Dozen Big Ideas: Let’s Discuss Them L663 Infectious Diseases, People, and Geography, Part 2 L664 Reflections of YOU L665 Crime Theory and Crime Prevention: Myths vs. Reality 700 Current Events F701 What’s in the Daily News? F702 Sub-Saharan Africa: A Continent on the Rise, but Still Troubled F703 Great Decisions 2016 R704 Supreme Court and the Law of Discrimination R705 All the News That’s Fit to Print L706 Great Decisions 2016 800 Science, Technology & Health F801 Advances in Health F802 Arthritis, Rheumatology, and Related Conditions F803 Fourth Quarter Athletes: Mastering the 100+ Lifestyle Game F804 Demystifying Dementia F805 Unidentified Flying Objects: A Serious Assessment F806 History of Medicine, Part 2 F807 Medical Updates from Health Professionals at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital F808 Beginner Chen-Style Tai Chi R809 Gentle Yoga R810 Gentle Yoga R811 Aging Well in Reston L812 Health Care Topics(Updated) L813 The 1945 A-Bombings in Japan: Before, During and 70 Years After 900 Other Topics F901 Trip Tales F902 A Little Light Dancing F903 The Game of “Go” L904 Vacation Travel Planning Special Events 951 Bridge of Spies: Great Movie. Let’s Fill in the Details 952 Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas Part 2 953 Staying Fit through the Ages 954 Underwater Wonders, Part 3 955 Introduction to Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training 956 Too Big to Fail 957 Internet Insecurity 958 Rabbi Bruce Aft’s Commentary on Rabbi Harold Kushner and Psalm 23 959 The Monarch Butterfly 960 Something's Coming, Something Good: The Theater Music of Leonard Bernstein 961 Iran and Iranian Peoples: Achaemenid Persian Empire (550-330 BCE)–the First World Empire 962 The Difficulty of Being Good 963 Girls of Atomic City 964 The Energy Box and Gravitation 965 The Magic of Dreams: An American Diplomat’s Journey 966 Urban Search and Rescue 967 Beyond Partisan Division 968 Shenandoah Iron 969 How to Fix Health Reform: Mid-Course-Correction or Repeal and Replace? 970 Art That’s Changing Lives: An Introduction to MnemeTherapy® and Art Without Boundaries® 971 What If...? 972 Iran and Iranian Peoples: Cyrus the Great (r.559-530 BCE) 973 “Outflanked and Defeated”: American Collapse at Bladensburg 974 School of Dance Gala 975 A Visit to the FAA Command Center 976 Middletown 977 Dumbarton Oaks Museum, Music Room, and Garden Tour 978 Wining and Dining in the Countryside 979 “Outflanked and Defeated”: American Collapse at Bladensburg—Battlefield Tour 980 Dispelling the Vampire Stereotype 981 Book Talk: Debating Modern Revolution 982 Great Presidential Speeches and Great Conducting Performances - the Art of Communication 983 Uncovering the Secrets of Ancient Roman Gardens 1005BT Spring 2016 Celebrate Older Americans Month: 50+ Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Panel 1101 New Member Coffee 1102 Super Salad Social 1103 Annual Business Meeting and Picnic 1003BT Grab 'n' Gab Coffee Klatch 1104 A Seniors’ Prom: Revisit the Golden Days 1105 Celebrating Shakespeare’s Life Ongoing Activities Book Club Bridge Club Classic Literature Club Cooking Club Cottage Art Club Craft and Conversation Group History Club Homer, etc. Mah Jongg Club Memoir -- and More --Writing Group Personal Computer User Group Photography Club Recorder Consort Religious Studies Club Spanish Club Tai Chi Club The Tom Crooker Investment Forum Theater Lovers' Group Travel Club Walking Group What’s in the Daily News? Continued

100 Art and Music

F101 Music Sampler

Tuesdays, 9:30–10:55, Mar. 22–May 10
Note time
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinator: Kathryn Hearden
Kathryn Hearden from the George Mason University School of Music will coordinate this course highlighting examples of the musical talent that abounds at Mason. Each week knowledgeable and enthusiastic professors from the Mason School of Music, often accompanied by their most promising students, will generously share their musical gifts in presentations that are varied, lively, informative, and entertaining.

F102 French Art of the 18th and 19th Centuries

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–Apr. 5
Four sessions (three lectures, one museum visit)
Bus Trip on Monday, Apr. 11
Instructor: Susan Rudy
Class limit: 30
Three illustrated lectures and one bus tour trace two centuries of French art from the Age of the Rococo to Post-Impressionism.

• Mar. 22: Explore the art of the Rococo in the early-to-mid 18th century, including a look at Watteau, Bouchr, Fragonard and Chardin.
• Mar. 29: Trace the shift from the Rococo to Neoclassical themes of public virtue and personal sacrifice as the French Revolution neared. Discover new subjects and bold uses of color.
• Apr. 5: Investigate Impressionism: the plein air canvases of Boudin, Pissarro, and Renoir; the influence of Manet and Monet; and the Impressionists’ break with the Salon.
• Apr. 11: Travel by private bus to the National Gallery of Art for a tour of the French collection. Lunch is on your own. A fee of $27 payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation covers bus transportation and driver gratuity. F103 is the same class except that the bus trip will take place on Tuesday, April 12. Please request only one of the two classes.

Susan Rudy has a BS in French from Georgetown University and an MA from Middlebury College’s Graduate Program at the Sorbonne. Following a 26-year career with the CIA, she has been a National Gallery of Art docent and also leads tours of the Winslow Homer studio in Scarborough, Maine.

 

F103 French Art of the 18th and 19th Centuries

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–Apr. 5
Four sessions (three lectures, one museum visit)
Bus Trip on Tuesday, Apr. 12
Instructor: Susan Rudy
Class limit: 30
This is the same class as F102, except for the date of the bus trip. Please request only one of the two classes.

 

F104 Drawing and Sketching Workshop

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 22–May 10
Class limit: 14
Participants with some drawing experience will explore techniques, materials, and ideas in drawing and sketching. Newcomers will receive individual assistance as needed. While some direction and instruction will be given, participants will be encouraged to exercise creativity and apply their own personal interests to produce work that is uniquely theirs, using whatever medium suits their drawing. Topics will include student suggestions from the Spring and Fall 2015 workshops. Projects will be started in class, but usually finished outside of class. To help participants further develop their talent, there will be weekly class discussions of finished work.

 

F105 Everything You Can Imagine Is Real: The Career of Pablo Picasso

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 24–Apr. 14
Four sessions
Instructor: Christopher With
Pablo Ruiz y Picasso (1881-1973) is one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. His prolific output includes over 20,000 paintings, prints, drawings, sculptures, ceramics, theater sets, and costumes. This class will focus on answering three specific questions: What were Picasso’s artistic insights? How did his career emerge and develop? How did his universal renown maintain itself in the face of constant stylistic changes? Rather than treating these questions in a strictly chronological manner, we will examine Picasso’s life and times through the lens of his various media.

• Mar. 24: Painting
• Mar. 31: Sculpture
• Apr. 7: Prints and Drawings
• Apr. 14: Decorative Arts

Christopher With has worked in the education department of the National Gallery of Art and has a degree in German history from the University of California, Los Angeles.

 

F106 Singing for Fun

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 24–May 12
Instructor: Palmer McGrew
As the name says, we gather to sing songs popular from the 30s to today. Class members are encouraged to bring in songs they would like to include. The only singing talent necessary is the desire to sing. We have a wonderful keyboard accompanist, a percussionist, and an occasional banjo. It’s a lot of fun.
Palmer McGrew, an OLLI member, is a longtime performer in church choirs, barbershop choruses and quartets, and the West Point Alumni Glee Club. He is also co-director of the Greenspring Choristers.

 

F107 Watercolor Painting

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 24–May 12
Instructor: Leonard Justinian
Class limit: 15
This class will provide an opportunity for watercolor painters at all levels to develop fresh skills while learning new watercolor techniques. Required materials include: #1, #6, and/or #8 round watercolor brushes; a paint palette for mixing colors; watercolor paper, 140 lb. cold press (Arches is best, but you can use less expensive paper); a kneaded eraser; a Staedtler white plastic eraser; and tubes of watercolor paint in white, charcoal black, cadmium yellow (medium), cadmium red (medium), and ultramarine blue, or a starter set of watercolors.
Leonard Justinianhas been painting for more than 60 years. Among other honors, he has received the Grumbacher Award. He teaches watercolor painting in his Fairfax City studio and is also seen on Fairfax Public Access Cable TV, Cox Cable Channel 10, and Verizon FiOS Channel 10. He is a member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters, www.wslp.org

 

R108 The Ongoing Pleasures of Music

Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructor: Gloria Sussman
This music listening course has continued to live up to its promising title. We explore with pleasure the many facets of classical music with the use of DVDs and YouTube. You may sample the wide variety of musical offerings from previous terms by searching for Gloria Sussman on YouTube.com.
Gloria Sussman has been teaching at OLLI since 2000 and continues to provide entertaining programs for OLLI at Reston.

 

R109  “The Problem of Women”: Surrealism and Female Artists

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 21–May 12
Four sessions
Instructor: Chris With
Surrealism was a male-dominated artistic movement of the early 20th century. While most everyone is familiar with Man Ray, Max Ernst, Salvador Dali, and Rene Magritte, few people have heard of Kay Sage or Leonora Carrington. Yet, paradoxically, no art group has celebrated the idea of Woman—as objects of desire or fear—as passionately as did the Surrealists. This contradiction was a remarkably difficult milieu for female Surrealists in which to assert their identity and to obtain their artistic freedom. Those who rose to the challenge produced an extraordinarily flamboyant and often controversial body of work. These sessions will focus on this struggle through the lens of the life and times of four women Surrealists. In so doing, this course will celebrate their accomplishments and give voice to their ideals.

• Apr. 21: Kay Sage (1898-1963)
• Apr. 28: Meret Oppenheim (1913-1985)
• May 5: Leonora Carrington (1917-2011)
• May 12: Hedda Sterne (1910-2011)

See F105 for instructor information.

 

R110  Meet the Artists

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 24–Apr. 28
Six sessions
CenterStage, Reston Community Center Hunters Woods
Coordinator: Rosemary McDonald

• Mar. 24: Beverly Cosham and Friends. Ms. Cosham is one of the Washington area’s favorite cabaret singers and actresses and has won many awards for both. She has appeared in nightspots all over the country, as well as in theatres throughout the Washington area. The inclusion of a collaborative pianist will add another artistic dimension.
• Mar. 31: Loudoun Quartet. The Loudoun Quartet will perform an eclectic and exciting program with classical works expressly written for the unique combination of flute, violin, viola, and cello, as well as a fun medley of songs from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music. The quartet enjoys bringing these works to life with lively discussion and demonstrations, and values the opportunity to have questions and comments from the audience. The quartet features Craig Marlowe, flute; Maryory Serrano, violin; Nora Hamme, viola; and Maria Baylock, cello.
• Apr. 7: Patricia Miller. The internationally acclaimed mezzo soprano has performed in leading operatic roles with opera companies throughout the United States and Europe. As the head of the voice and choral arts department at George Mason University, she will bring her students to perform operatic arias and selections from Broadway musicals.
• Apr. 14: Alexander Bernstein. Mr. Bernstein holds a bachelor’s degree from Harvard and master’s degree from the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He is a 2015 prize winner in the Dublin, Viotti, and Verona International Piano Competitions. He is currently studying with Dr. John O’Conor at the Shenandoah Conservatory. Mr. Bernstein will perform works by Bach, Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and other composers.
• Apr. 21: Dr. Linda Apple Monson. Dr. Linda Apple Monson, International Steinway Artist and managing director of the School of Music at Mason, will provide a fascinating and memorable program of solo piano music of Beethoven, Chopin, Brahms, Rachmaninoff, and Gershwin. This session will feature international students from seven countries, including Korea, China, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Columbia, Argentina, and the United States.
• Apr. 28: The Chamasayan Sisters. Monika and Marina Chamasayan will perform music for violin and piano from eastern Europe. Both musicians have won multiple awards in music competitions in Europe, Russia, and the United States. The sisters will showcase a few of their award-winning young students.

L111 Treasures of the National Gallery of Art: Virtual Tour

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 19–May 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Adrienne Wyman Kralick
Museums can be overwhelming. They are so big with so much to see. Often, it is hard to know where to start. What are the “must see” masterpieces? Why are they so important? Where do you even find them? Adrienne Kralick has done the research for you. In this class, you can sit back, relax, and take a virtual tour of the museum without leaving your seat. Through PowerPoint presentations, you’ll travel through time, exploring paintings in chronological order, unveiling why they were groundbreaking, and the ways they affected the next generation. You’ll learn fun facts and anecdotes about the artists’ lives, loves, successes, and failures.
Adrienne Wyman Kralick adds a unique "behind the easel" perspective to art history, as an accomplished portrait painter and exhibiting artist herself. Currently, she teaches oil painting at Smithsonian Studio Arts in Washington, D.C. She received her BFA from Auburn University, studying graphic design and art history. Postgraduate studies included copying works of art in the museum of The Art Institute of Chicago, traveling the world visiting museums and artistic venues, vast reading, and independent research on the subject. More information can be found at www.AdrienneArtist.com.

L112  Beginning Sketching in Loudoun

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 22–May 10
Instructor: Kathie West
Class limit: 14
Participants with or without drawing experience will learn basic techniques for drawing with pencil and ink. You will be introduced to materials useful in drawing simple objects, still life, and landscapes. (After registration you will be emailed a list of items needed.) Class participation is expected and practice done at home will be very helpful. Come out and see that you too can sketch.
Kathie West, an OLLI member, was a high school theater teacher at Robert E. Lee High School and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. She is also a talented artist whose home serves as an art gallery for her many drawings and paintings.

 

200 Economics & Finance

F201 Updates on the Fed's Interest Rate Changes and on Mason's
Public/Private Project Funding

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:50, Mar. 22–Mar. 29
Two sessions
Coordinator: Leo Brennan
Two experts will discuss the latest shifts in America’s financial systems, their causes, the impact on public policies, and options that might have been or could be explored.

• Mar. 22: Gerald Hanweck will focus on interest rate changes made by the federal government, the logic behind the changes, and the expected impacts on our financial system. He is a professor of finance at Mason’s School of Business. Formerly he was an economist in the Division of Research and Statistics at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
• Mar. 29: Dave Roe will discuss public/private funding of university infrastructure projects and how to maximize their benefits for the public good. He has over 25 years of experience with the George Mason University Foundation as CFO, president, and currently director of Real Estate and Administration. Since he joined the Foundation, its assets have grown from about $30 million to over $380 million.

 

F202 Is Economics Really the “Dismal Science?”

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 5–May 10
Six sessions
Instructor: Greg Cleva
For many of us, economics—the so-called “dismal science”—is looked on solely as a highly quantitative and complex body of knowledge. But why does it have to be viewed this way? Our everyday life is full of economic issues and examples of economic thinking. Further, it is often overlooked that economics began as a branch of moral philosophy. The founder of classical economics, Adam Smith, studied and wrote as a philosopher of human behavior. This six-part class will deal with economic issues and developments through the perspectives of history and philosophy. Individual lectures will focus on the making of economic society, the importance of markets, the public sector, central banking, international economics, and how economists think. Each session will also feature a short segment on the “worldly philosophers” including Adam Smith, Karl Marx, John Maynard Keynes, John Kenneth Galbraith, and Milton Friedman. Various texts will be discussed, as well as publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The Financial Times and The Economist. Please join us for a lively discussion of our economic society.
Greg Cleva has a PhD in international politics from the Catholic University of America and is a retired foreign affairs analyst with the Department of Defense.

 

F203 Estate Planning

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructors: Sarah Parks, Bob Patton
Sarah Parks will share her experiences on estate planning and retirement living with seniors and their families. Her purpose is to educate seniors about ways to become proactive in planning their estates.
● Mar. 23: An Overview of Estate Planning. Gift and estate taxes, wills and probate, and powers of attorney will be discussed.
● Mar. 30: Trusts. What are trusts and how do they work?
● Apr. 6: Settling an Estate with a Trust versus a Will.
● Apr. 13: Medical Decision Making. What is a health care directive; how does it work? Hospice care—what it is and how it operates.
Sarah Parks is an attorney who limits her practice to estate planning. Her firm is Custom Estate Planning, which she has been operating since 1995. She has a JD degree from the George Mason University School of Law and an LLM from the Georgetown University Law Center. Bob Patton practices estate planning, probate and trust administration, and maritime consulting. He works with Ms. Parks at Custom Estate Planning on estate planning matters and is a member of the Virginia Bar and District of Columbia Bar. In 2000 he retired from the US Maritime Administration, where he was the deputy chief counsel.

 

F204 The Tom Crooker Investment Forum

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–May 11
Fairfax Lord of Life
Moderator: Al Smuzynski
The Investment Forum, which meets weekly throughout the year, addresses investment topics of particular interest to retirees. A weekly agenda is distributed, and each session begins with open discussion of recent events in the economy and in financial markets, and their impact on investment decisions. Member presentations typically include topics such as recent market indicators, stocks, bonds, funds (mutual, exchange-traded, and closed-end),
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), options, commodities, master limited partnerships, sectors, allocations, and investment strategies. We use analyses and data from the financial press.
Al Smuzynski is a retired bank regulator and an advocate of affordable housing. He currently serves on the boards.

 

R205  Selling Your Home: A Guide for Mature Sellers and Their Family Members

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 19–May 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Helen Flynn
Selling a house one has lived in for 15 or 20 years is a major event and an overwhelming task. There are emotional, physical, spiritual, financial, and social ramifications. These may comes at a point in life when one’s physical and/or emotional strength may be depleted. The purpose of this course is to provide information and guidance for individuals and family members facing this major undertaking and life challenge. Topics include: knowing when it is time to move, options for living, what to do with “the stuff,” legal and financial issues related to selling and estates, and dispersion of funds. Helen Flynn will be joined by experts in move management, elder law, and finance.
Helen Flynn is a Realtor® with Century 21 New Millennium at One Loudoun. She has master’s degrees in education and social work and brings a unique perspective to real estate because of her background as an educator and psychotherapist. She specializes in helping mature sellers minimize confusion and anxiety with one of their major life decisions.

 

 R206  Practical Finances: Tax Planning, Your Important Documents, and the Family Talk

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 24–Apr. 14 (UPDATED)
Four sessions
Instructor: David Wirth
Being proactive with tax planning both within your portfolio and by using other methods of controlling taxes is an important part of financial planning. The task is to make the implementation of the strategies both easy and effective. This course will provide insight into some ways of accomplishing that which most investors seek to do: pay taxes, but no more taxes than one should. In addition, the course will include some useful ideas for estate planning, gifting, and asset protection, important strategies everyone should consider. , we will discuss how to share with loved ones the information they need to know, particularly with those who will be involved with assisting you in later years.
David F. Wirth, CFP®, is a financial advisor for Savant Capital Management in McLean, VA. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in economics and sociology and obtained his Certificate in Financial Planning from the College for Financial Planning in Denver, Colorado. David has 19 years' experience in financial and investment planning and has spoken over the years to many business groups, college students, and retirees.

 

L207 Retirement Income Strategies

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, May 5–May 12
Two sessions
Instructor: Linda Black
During retirement, it continues to be vitally important to manage your portfolio and mitigate risks to your investments and income. This two-session course will address investment and retirement income strategies that are practical, relevant, and current. Topics will include asset management, Social Security options, taxes, and estate planning considerations.
Linda Black, a chartered financial counselor (ChFC), retirement income chartered professional (RICP), and Global Fiduciary Steward (GFS), has extensive experience counseling clients on portfolio construction, retirement issues, estate planning, and asset protection strategies.

 L208 Don't Be a Target for Identity Theft

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 21–May 12
Four sessions
Instructor: Vee Johnson
Identity theft continues to make headline news and remains at the top of the list of consumer complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission.protect our personal, financial, and confidential information, we need to know how to detect, defend against, and report identity theft and other financial crimes.
● Apr. 21: How to Minimize Your Risk. Evaluate your daily routine so you can minimize your risk of being a target for identity theft or the next data breach.
● Apr. 28: Identity Theft and Financial Crimes in Loudoun County. Detective Ron Colantonio with the Criminal Investigations Department of the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office will provide an overview of identity theft and discuss other financial crimes investigated in Loudoun County.
● May 5: Credit Reports: Your First Line of Defense. This session will show you how reviewing this free report yearly helps defend against identity theft and how you can dispute fraudulent information or errors.
● May 12: How to Recover from Identity Theft. Laws and other resources will be reviewed so you can develop an action plan to recover your good name and address financial liabilities.
Vee Johnson, a frequent presenter at OLLI, is a consumer specialist and consumer advocate with the Consumer Affairs Branch of the Fairfax County Department of Cable and Consumer Services. She is a graduate of Syracuse University with a BA in sociology and social services.

300 History & International Studies

F301 The Gettysburg Campaign: The Intelligence Story

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 18–May 9
Four sessions
Instructor: Randy Ferryman
This four-session course on intelligence operations during the 1863 Gettysburg campaign covers a rarely treated topic. The course begins with a brief review of why soldiers fought, strategic plans, military structures and capabilities, and then covers the intelligence operations of each army, beginning in central Virginia and concluding in Maryland. Major clashes will be fully presented, featuring how intelligence helped shape outcomes. Intelligence successes and failures will be highlighted, and several maps, period pictures, sketches, as well as segments from a documentary and movie, will be used to convey the intelligence story.
Randy Ferryman is a retired CIA senior officer and is still actively involved in training analysts in the national security profession. During his career, Mr. Ferryman analyzed, or directed the analysis of, foreign military capabilities and developments in the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, and Africa. He began his career in 1977 as a uniformed intelligence analyst in the USAF Strategic Air Command (SAC). He has a BA degree in history and an MA in administration. He has been a student of the battle of Gettysburg for 22 years, and as an instructor has presented the battle to analysts during 40 recent tours of the battlefield.

 

F302 The Silk Road: Golden Journey to Samarkand

Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–Apr. 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Robert Springer
Class limit: 45
The Silk Road is an historic system of overland trade routes linking the Orient and Europe. For 1,500 years it provided the primary contact between the East and West. It was the route followed by merchants, explorers, priests, monks, missionaries, soldiers, adventurers, scholars, and all manner of humanity such as Marco Polo, Alexander the Great, and Genghis Khan. The great camel caravans brought not only valuable cargoes, such as silk, spices, and jewels, but also ideas, inventions, and religions that changed the world. We present a general overview of the Silk Road, its evolution, history, and impact on the civilizations it touched. Then we discuss special topics related to China, Central Asia, and the Middle Eastern countries through which the route passed. These include:
● Syria, Lebanon, Jordan (Petra): Traveling ancient routes, today and yesterday.
● The "Great Game,” the 19th-century contest between Russia and Great Britain for the control of Central Asia; the Afghan wars.
● Greek, Buddhist, and other art along the Silk Road; Gandhara (Pakistan).
Robert Springer, professor emeritus, American University. After an Army career, he was a teacher and department chairman at AU for many years. He earlier taught in programs for Loyola University and the Universities of Hawaii and Utah. Later, he was a consultant and program director at the Institute for Defense Analyses.

 

F303 American Social and Cultural History

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–May 10
Instructor: William Reader
When the English settled North America, they created four distinct societies and cultures. These reflected their settlers' places of origin within the British Isles, their religious and social class composition, and the physical, climatic, and ecological environments into which they settled. What led these distinct societies, divided into 13 politically separate colonies, to revolt against Britain and seek independence? Initially, all of these societies shared a predominantly local rural economy that was overwhelmingly Protestant and of British ancestry. In the 21st century, these societies share a predominantly suburban information-based economy. It is powered by electricity and moved by auto, airplane, and train, and yet preserves the distinct cultures. How did the economic, social, institutional, demographic, and technological changes of the 19th and 20th centuries affect the lives and lifestyles of the people that lived then?
William Reader, an OLLI member, has a PhD in American social history from the University of Massachusetts. He retired in 2008 after 37 years with the federal government and has taught OLLI courses on The History of Media, History of American Politics, How a Few Simple Things Changed History, How a Few Overlooked Technologies Changed History and America between the World Wars.

F304 New Mexico: Past, Present, Future

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 22–Apr. 5
Three sessions
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Kathleen Burns
This course has three segments. The first segmentcover the state’s history, geography, and governance, dating back to the 1500s.Historically, we on the East Coast look at the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607 as the beginning of the United States. For those in the West, one of their time markers is the founding of Santa Fe, New Mexico, in 1610. Its Governor’s Palace is the oldest continually operating government building in the United States. The second segment will deal with the divergent cultures, artistic flavors, and the multiethnic population potpourri: a blend of Spanish, Hispanic, Anglo, Native American, and Black peoples.Santa Fe is the third largest art market in the United States.It has world-class museums, extensive outdoor sculpture sprinkled throughout, and international arts fairs and forums. The area was the adopted home of iconic artist Georgia O’Keeffe.third segment will deal with the state’s role in events such as the Civil War and the use of black soldiers in the Union Army; the establishment of Los Alamos/Manhattan Project leading to the atomic bomb; and the work of the Code Talkers in World War II. It also has had 400 years of a Wild West environment. Come learn about New Mexico from some expert speakers.
Kathleen Burns has organized courses for OLLI on the Arctic, the Middle East, the European Union, Australia and New Zealand, and Aboriginal Art. She has taught at several Washington-area universities as well as in Australia.
She returned to Down Under for the ninth time in 2015 on a lecture tour in five cities.

F305 The Course of Modern German History

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–May 11
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Bernie Oppel
During the past two centuries, Germany changed from a decentralized collection of middling states, ecclesiastical territories, and minor principalities into a modern, centralized power astride Central Europe. New dynamics following the Napoleonic reordering of Europe contrived to rapidly transform the German territories. Political unification was accompanied by rapid industrialization, scientific and technological progress, cultural brilliance, and military prowess. Germany collapsed in the aftermath of defeat in World War I, the atrocities of the Nazi era, and total destruction in World War II. Reborn from the ashes, Germany emerged as a major economic and political force in contemporary European and world affairs. This course examines and analyzes modern German history, using a lecture format with class discussion. Three sessions will be extended by 30 minutes to accommodate full showing of illustrative films on German history.
OLLI member Bernie Oppel is a retired Foreign Service Officer and retired Air Force colonel. He holds a PhD in modern European/Russian history from Duke University. He has taught history at the USAF Academy, as well as several history and history film courses at OLLI.

F306 Eisenhower

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Alan Gropman
We will discuss Dwight David Eisenhower from birth in Denton, Texas, to burial in Abilene, Kansas. The discussions will focus equally on Ike’s military career and political career. There was much more to Ike than political cartoonists and drug-store psychologists saw, and he wanted it that way. He was a very interesting and complicated man and we intend to make him come alive in our four sessions.
Alan Gropman, a retired Air Force colonel, has a PhD in black military history and was chairman of the Grand Strategy Department at the National Defense University's Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He has written four books and numerous other publications.

 

F307 “The Long Road from Arizona to Missouri”: The War in the Pacific

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 24–May 12
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinators: Brad Berger, Emmett Fenlon
Instructors: National Park Service Rangers
On Sunday, December 7, 1941, the American people awoke to news of the attack on the naval base at Pearl Harbor by aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The United States thus found itself an active participant in the defining moment of the 20th century. Through legendary grit and determination, the American people stood together with Great Britain and other allies in the face of this Axis aggression. Little did they know that the atom, the smallest matter known to man, would greatly determine the war’s outcome, or that a Cold War would follow the formal peace.
National Park Service rangers have participated with OLLI in over 80 thematic courses, special events, and trips since 2001.

R308 The Susquehanna Boom

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 18–May 9
Four sessions
Instructor: Garrett Cochran
During the second half of the 19th century, a unique combination of geography, Industrial Revolution technology, and Yankee ingenuity turned the remote town of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, into a major producer of the lumber needed to house the surging US population. Eventually the forests were decimated and all traces of the bonanza disappeared save one—Millionaire’s Row, the string of spectacular Victorian homes the lumber moguls built in Williamsport. This four-part series, drawing on photos from the period and accounts by participants, will describe the scene in Williamsport, life in the back-country logging camps, and the success the region has had as it struggles to recover from the loss of its prized resource. It will conclude with glimpses into the problems being caused by a new type of boom—fracking.
Garrett Cochran, a longtime OLLI member, will make the presentation. He is a native of Williamsport and a descendent of a participant in the logging boom.

R309 The Colonial Period in America

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructor: Patrick McGinty
American history, as measured from the planting of the first permanent English colony in North America in Jamestown in 1607 until the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia in 1776, is known as “The Colonial Period.” Some historians have argued that the core values shared by members of modern American society were shaped during these 169 years and any other values are merely “encrustations of time.” Other historians view this argument as academic hyperbole. Come join us as we delve into the political, social, and economic aspects of life in this important period in our history and endeavor to determine its impact on our lives today.
Patrick McGinty, an OLLI member, is a retired naval officer with an MA and PhD in history from Georgetown University. He has taught various history courses at University of Maryland University College.

 

R310 Ranger's Choice: A Different Topic Every Week!

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 22—May 10
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Coordinators: Brad Berger, Emmett Fenlon

Mystery topics abound! There is no thread that binds the lectures week to week! The National Park Service will cover a new topic on each presentation day. We will explore obscure local connections to people, places, or events that few rarely, if ever, associate with either Washington, D.C., or the repertoire of National Mall park rangers.
National Park Service rangers have participated with OLLI in over 80 thematic courses, special events and trips since 2001.

 

R311 History of Pro Sports in Washington (Are We Cursed?)

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 21–May 12
Four sessions
Instructor: Steve Greenhouse
Washington is the home of four major professional sports franchises; one, the major league baseball team, dates back to 1901 (with an unfortunate gap from 1973 to 2004). The other three teams are at least 41 years old. While there have been many moments of glory and a few championships, mostly won by the Washington Redskins football team (5 in 79 seasons), there also have been long periods of mediocre play and few important victories. This course traces the history of the four teams including their high points and low, their greatest players, their management travails, and the cultural issues which have always influenced their history. A pessimist might conclude there is a curse on our teams, a dark cloud under which they must forever play their games!
Steve Greenhouse is a retired electrical engineer who worked in the space communications field for the last 35 years of his career. He has a PhD in electrical engineering from Catholic University. Steve has been a long-suffering fan of all four of Washington’s pro sports teams. He looks upon the extensive preparation and presentation of this course as both a challenge and an educational experience. Yes, Steve believes, teachers can learn along with their students.

 

L312  Zelikow’s Take on the 20th Century

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–May 9
Moderator: Ray Beery
This is the last of three blocks comprising University of Virginia Prof. Philip Zelikow's online course in World History. In this course we care about chronology and we care about individuals. Without some careful attention to sequences of cause and effect, without tracing how big changes come from the choices made by particular people, history can turn into just a series of descriptions, a somewhat tiresome recitation of one thing after another. So beyond just offering a set of remarkable stories, this course offers you experience in how to analyze a situation andto think about problems of explaining change. The eight-week, massive open online course (MOOC) will be viewed in class, with an hour of video instruction each week. There will be live interaction. The course is from Coursera, an educational website that partners with some of the world’s top universities, including the University of Virginia, to provide free online courses.
Ray Beery is a member of the OLLI Board of Directors and frequent teacher.

 

L313 The British Side of the American Revolution

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–Apr. 12
Four sessions
Instructor: Beth Lambert
There are two sides to every story, but have we ever looked at the American Revolution from the other side? Have we ever questioned the motives of the American patriots, as well as King George and Parliament? Have we ever wondered why at least a third of the colonists remained loyal to the Crown? Are we aware that a significant number of slaves and Native Americans fought on the side of the British—and had good reasons for doing so? In these four sessions we will view the American Revolution from the other side of the pond.
Beth Lambert is coordinator of the Reston OLLI Program and of the History Club. She is professor emerita of English at Gettysburg College where she taught courses on all aspects of the 18th century in Britain. Her biography of Edmund Burke was published by the University of Delaware Press.

L314  Travelogue on Virginia

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Ken Plum
Interested in taking advantage of all the treasures in Virginia? Take a classroom visit to all regions of Virginia with the longest currently serving member of the House of Delegates, Ken Plum. Ken will suggest places to visit, provide some history, and narrate folk tales. He will also describe local cultures and give a calendar of year-round events. Whatever your interests, you can pursue them in Virginia with Ken’s help. Classroom lectures, discussion, and travel materials will be included.
Delegate Ken Plum is one of the founders of OLLI and a popular leader of courses on Virginia's history and government. He is a native Virginian who holds degrees from Old Dominion University and the University of Virginia His weekly commentary appears in a local newspaper and in his electronic newsletter, Virginia E-News.

L315 Jimmy Doolittle and the Japanese-Americans

Wednesdays, 9:40-11:05, Apr. 6–Apr. 13
Two sessions
Instructor: Jim Kelly
This two-session course recaps the 1942 Jimmy Doolittle raid on Tokyo and the concurrent internment of 120,000 Japanese-Americans on the West Coast. The connection between the two may surprise you. Both have current relevance: the former because 2016 marks the 75th anniversary of America's entry into WWII; the latter because the internment of Japanese-Americans may be instructive, given our current immigration issues.
Jim Kelly is a retired intelligence officer with experience at CIA, DIA, and the Navy. He has a BA from the University of Pittsburgh, an MA from American University, and a diploma from the National Defense University.

400 Literature, Theater, & Writing

F401 OLLI Players Workshop

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–May 9
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: Kathie West
This is a continuing acting and producing workshop for serious theater-minded participants conducted by the OLLI Players, an amateur theater group affiliated with George Mason University. We have performed at various venues. In our repertoire we incorporate lyrics, short scenes, monologues, and original plays. If you have a scene or a play you would like to see put on, bring it along, and we will try it. You will learn the ins and outs of presentation, memorization skills, and acting tricks. If we are asked to perform at a hospital, senior center or other venues, you must be willing to travel during the day, mostly on Fridays. Come and join and willing to tout OLLI and your talents!
Kathie West, an OLLI member, is a former high school theater teacher at Robert E. Lee High School and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

 

F402 Readers' Theater

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–May 9
Clifton Lord of Life
Coordinators: Michelle Blandburg, Pati Rainey, Kathie West
Class limit: 28
OLLI’s Readers’ Theater is great fun for the “secret actor” in all of us! Scripts are usually monologues, short skits, and acts or scenes from longer plays. Parts may be handed out in advance or read cold. No memorization is required. We rehearse before class; rehearsal can also be by phone when necessary. Props or costumes are not required. Time between performances allows for kudos, comments, and suggestions from the audience. Even if you've tried RT before, come back. We are always trying new things!

F403 “They Call Me Mr. Tibbs”: Sidney Poitier Movies

Mondays, 1:45–3:45, Apr. 18–May 9
Four sessions
Instructor: Martha Powers
In 1964, Sidney Poitier was the first African-American to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, and his many compelling films often dealt with race relations. In 2009, Poitier was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, by President Obama. In this series, we'll see some of his very best movies and learn a few behind-the-scenes facts about each of them.
● The Defiant Ones (1958) – Poitier plays a prison escapee chained to a fellow escapee, a bigoted white man played by Tony Curtis.
● Lilies of the Field (1963) – As an itinerant construction worker, Poitier builds a chapel for a group of East German nuns out west.
● In the Heat of the Night (1967) – A classic about racial tension in the south, this movie is the one in which Poitier declares, "They call me Mr. Tibbs."
● A Patch of Blue (1965) – Poitier plays a kind man who helps a blind white female teenager who cannot see that he is African American. Shelley Winters also stars.
Martha Powers is an OLLI member who loves great movies almost as much as she loves sharing them with fellow OLLI members.

 

F404 Memoir Writing

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–May 10
Instructor: Dianne Hennessy King
Class limit: 24
Learn to write about your individual and shared history in ways that will clarify your vision, whether you are looking into your past, documenting your present, or contemplating your future. During class there will be some writing exercises in response to prompts, such as quotations, music, and video clips. We'll also share some ideas on memoir techniques.
Dianne Hennessy King is a cultural anthropologist, writing instructor, editor, and television producer. For many years she was the coordinator of the annual “Writing Your Personal History” symposium in Vienna and has helped plan the Virginia Writers Club symposium in Charlottesville for three years. This will be her eleventh memoir class for OLLI. Dianne is co-authoring a book, Memoir Your Way, to be published in 2016.

 

F405 James Joyce: An Introduction

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 22–Apr. 19
Five sessions
Instructor: Cóilín Owens
Class minimum: 8
Class limit: 30
This will be a gentle introduction to the life and work of the 20th century’s most gifted writer. Each session will include a general description of the work and a careful look at some revealing passages. Thus, the first session will consider his life, education, development, reputation, and influence. The second will study his classic story “The Dead” (1906) and talk about what gives it such a reputation. The third session will survey his subtly ironic fictional autobiography (and most familiar book), A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1916). The fourth will be a sampler of Ulysses (1922): episodes 1 (“Telemachus”), 4 (“Calypso”), and 18 (“Penelope”). Here we meet the three main figures, Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom, and Molly Bloom, told in the narrator’s inimitable style. The fifth will take up four wonderful pages from Finnegans Wake (1939) in which Joyce recasts one of Aesop’s fables, “The Ondt and the Gracehoper“ (pages 414-19) in the fantastic language of mankind’s universal dream.
Cóilín Owens, professor emeritus, George Mason University, taught Irish literature there for 29 years. He has written or edited books on Irish drama, language, and fiction. Since retirement, he has written two books: James Joyce’s Painful Case (2008) and Before Daybreak: ‘After the Race’ and the Origins of Joyce’s Art (2013, paperback, 2015). He is currently at work on a third.

F406  Poetry Workshop

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 22–May 10
Moderators: Mike McNamara, Jan Bohall
Class limit: 18
This workshop allows both novice and experienced poets the opportunity to share their work and receive suggestions for improvement. Workshop members should bring an original poem in draft or revised form to each session. Two poems should be sent to the Tallwood office for duplication one week before the first class meeting and a third poem brought to the first session. The moderators will email students after registration to let them know when and where to send their poems for the first class.
Mike McNamara, an OLLI member, has been published in several literary journals and magazines and has received awards from the Poetry Society of Virginia.
Jan Bohall, also an OLLI member, has had poems published in various periodicals and has won awards from the Poetry Society of Virginia.

 

F407 Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructor: Ellen Moody
Class limit: 25
Written across the landscape of Victorian industrial cities, the story in North and South centers on a strike, religious controversies, military injustice, the psychic pain of displacement, and regional and class conflicts in romance. Born to Unitarians, Elizabeth Gaskell became a clergyman's wife, writing fiction from her earliest years, and living in Manchester. We will read her book against this wide context and see how her work also fits into other contemporary Victorian women’s writing (e.g., Brontë's Shirley, George Eliot’s and Harriet Martineau's writing). This course will also give us a chance to discuss Sandy Welch's 2004 film adaptation for the BBC, North and South.
Ellen Moody holds a PhD in English literature from the Graduate School of City University of New York (CUNY). A lecturer for over 30 years, her last position was at George Mason University. She has published in Victorian literature, women’s studies, and film adaptations. In recent years she has written for online publications on Gaskell’s short stories and novellas, especially those written in the gothic mode, set in the past, and concerning disability, and on the recent three film adaptations.

 

F408 Heroes Across Cultures and Eras

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 24–Apr. 14
Four sessions
Instructor: Amelia A. Rutledge
Many cultures project their ideals through the celebratory fantasies we call heroic narratives. Ideals, like cultures, are not static; for example, the popular conception of “hero” as “good person” is a product of a specific era, neither universal nor constant. In this course, we discuss a selection of these narratives from our oldest, the story Gilgamesh, to a contemporary novel inspired by Homer's Iliad. In what ways do our texts offer critiques of the “heroic ethos”? How have heroic “default settings” (youthful, aristocratic, male) been less rigid than we might think? We will explore the ways that that depictions of heroes have become more varied and inclusive, especially in modern times.
The four sessions of the course will be:
● The Epic of Gilgamesh: the Earliest Hero
● Beowulf: The Trajectory of the Hero's Life
● Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl: Enslaved Woman/Hero
● David Malouf, Ransom (Pantheon Books, 2010): Priam, the Elder, as Hero
Note: the first three texts are widely available in several formats; local libraries have a few hard copies of the fourth book, but it can be purchased as an e-book.
Amelia A. Rutledge is an associate professor of English at George Mason University; she holds a PhD in medieval studies from Yale University. She teaches courses in medieval literature (especially Arthurian legend), science fiction, fantasy, and children's literature, and has published articles on those subjects.

 

F409 Classical Chinese Poetry

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 24–Mar. 31
Two sessions
Instructor: Xiao He
Classical Chinese poetry is the form of traditional Chinese poetry written in classical Chinese and characterized by certain traditional genres. Its existence can be traced back at least as far as the Classic of Odes (often referred to as The Book of Songs in English), the first anthology of Chinese poetry. Various combinations of forms and genres exist in classical Chinese poetry. It is closely related to other forms of Chinese art, such as painting and calligraphy, and has been of immense influence upon poetry worldwide. The two lectures will include readings of poems of northern China from the Classic of Odes, the regulated verse of the Tang dynasty, and the song lyrics of the Song dynasty.
Xiao He is an associate professor at Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). She is an instructor teaching ancient Chinese literature at the Confucius Institute at George Mason University. Before coming to the United States, she taught Chinese at the Confucius Institute at McMaster University in Canada and English at BLCU. In 1995 she received her MA from Sichuan University in China. She was a visiting scholar at the University of Toronto in 2001 and at the University of Pennsylvania in 2009.

 

F410 Dr. Who

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 24–May 12
Instructor: Wendy Campbell
“There are worlds out there where the sky is burning and the sea’s asleep and the rivers dream. People made of smoke and cities made of song. Somewhere there’s danger, somewhere there’s injustice, and somewhere else the tea’s getting cold.” In 1963 the BBC needed to fill a time slot between children’s early afternoon programing and later adult programming. Intended to appeal to a family audience, a program was visualized which would be based on discovering history through time travel. Then something magic happened. The original series of Doctor Who ran through 1989 and became a national institution in the United Kingdom. The show has become a significant part of British culture and was re-launched in 2005. Doctor Who has become a cultural icon throughout the world. This eight-partclass will feature at least one episode from each of the new incarnations of the Doctor, in an attempt to find out how this magic happens. We may even have time for tea! All interested parties are welcome: those who know The Doctor of old, those just discovering him, and even those who have never seen an episode.
Wendy Campbell didn’t discover Doctor Who until 2010 and she is still trying to figure out what it is that is magic about this incredible franchise.

 

F411  A History of the Novel in Eight Chapters

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 24–May 12
Instructor: Kay Menchel
In this class we will look at the development of the novel from its earliest form to its most modern incarnation. Beginning with the works of Daniel Defoe and Samuel Richardson, we will travel together through time and encounter (along with many others) Walter Scott, Mary Shelley, Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, Anthony Trollope, the Brontë sisters, Leo Tolstoy, Gustave Flaubert, Nathanial Hawthorne, Virginia Woolf, James Joyce, William Faulkner, Ernest Hemingway, Philip Roth, and Donna Tartt. No reading ahead is necessary; excerpts will be posted on DocStore and available in class for discussion each week.
Kay Menchel, who grew up in Yorkshire, England, is a lawyer who also holds an MA in English literature from George Mason University. She has taught numerous literature classes and always enjoys sharing her passion for English literature with OLLI members.

 

R412  So You Wanna Write Poetry, but Don't Think You Can

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructors: Ed Sadtler, Carolyn Wyatt
Class limit: 10
This is a class for those who would like to write poetry, but don't think they can, or think they might be able to write it, with motivation. Each session will be divided into three segments: a discussion of craft, a time to write, and a time to share what's been written. Come and surprise yourself!
Carolyn Wyatt is a retired federal information officer who traveled widely in that position. She has an MA in Spanish from Indiana University and aspires to be a poet and wise woman.
Ed Sadtler is a graduate of Shippensburg State College of Pennsylvania, has conducted many writing workshops at OLLI, and has taught poetry writing classes for the Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia Community College.

 

R413  Penelope Lively’s Moon Tiger

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–Apr. 12
Four sessions
Instructor: Nancy Scheeler
Winner of the Booker Prize in 1987, Penelope Lively’s novel Moon Tiger explores the relationship between the past and memory. Historian Claudia Hampton lies in a hospital, dying of stomach cancer and ruminating on her life. She wants to write “a history of the world” but instead documents her own personal history. At the core of her thoughts burn the memories of a love affair with a British army officer in Cairo, Egypt, during World War II. Critics belittled it as “the housewife’s choice.” More recently, however, The Guardian asserted that “to suggest the book is flowery and unchallenging is unjust. Moon Tiger is actually a singularly tough book. It doesn't flinch from unpleasantness (including incest and death, random, sudden, and prolonged); it asks hard questions about memory and history and personal legacy; it’s stylistically demanding and inventive.” This course will consider its implications regarding memory, time, and aging; the novelist’s skill and artistry; and connections between the author’s own life and her fiction.
Nancy Scheeler holds a master’s degree and completed coursework for the PhD in English and American literature at the University of Maryland. This is her third OLLI class in a series on contemporary British writers well-regarded in the United Kingdom, but not widely known in the United States. The first two were on Rose Tremain’s The Road Home and Julian Barnes’ The Sense of an Ending. Her courses combine close reading, lecture, and group discussion.

 

R414 Tom Jones: A Hero Born to be Hanged

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 19–May 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Beth Lambert
What are we to think of a hero whose creator describes him as “born to be hanged”? Such is the subject of Henry Fielding’s 18th-century novel Tom Jones. We will follow Jones’ adventures from the time he was found as an infant in Squire Allworthy’s bed, through his many adventures and misadventures, to the sort of ending his character deserves. Lest the potential reader should be dismayed by the some 600 pages of the novel, be assured that we will take a short cut by putting together the 1963 film version of Tom Jones with the portions of the book portrayed in the film. Nothing will be lost of all that makes Fielding’s Tom Jones a classic: the narrator who guides, surprises, and entertains; the naturally good, the knaves, and the very bad specimens of human nature who populate the novel’s pages; and a conclusion that leaves us wiser and more amiable than when we began.
See L313 for instructor information.

 

R415  Theater Potpourri

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–May 11
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Coordinator: Norma Jean Reck
Lights! Camera! Action! Sit back and enjoy a fabulous theatrical tour that will spotlight the playwrights, directors, actors, et al. who collectively have created an enviable and vibrant theater scene in our Metro area by producing outstanding theater. Professionals from the following eight local venues will take us behind their scenes to talk about each theater’s unique story and the particular niche it occupies in our theater community. (Note: all sessions will be at the Rose Gallery.)
● Mar. 23: 1st Stage Tysons: Fairfax County teachers, artists, and actors wanted to create a professional theater in Tysons Corner that would give local artists an opportunity to grow in their careers. In its brief history it has produced several award-winning plays.
● Mar. 30: MetroStage: The oldest professional theater in Northern Virginia is now located in Alexandria. This theater company presents original works that are unpredictable and nontraditional, tell a compelling story, and showcase exceptional talent.
● Apr. 6: Signature Theater: This professional regional theater, located in Arlington, aims to “produce contemporary musicals and plays, reinvent classical musicals, develop new work, and reach its community through engaging educational and outreach opportunities.” It has won many local and national awards.
● Apr. 13: NextStop Theatre: This innovative black box theater was first established as The Elden Street Players, one of very few municipal experimental theaters in the United States. Recently rebranded and renovated as the NextStop Theatre, it seeks to honor Herndon’s heritage as a W&OD railroad town, celebrate a stop on the Metro, and look forward to success.
● Apr. 20: Synetic Theater: Located in Crystal City, it is one of the 13 Physical Theater Companies in the world. Synetic has redefined theater. It combines the traditions of the Caucasus with American styles to tell classic stories through movement, music, technology, and visual arts. Think performing a Shakespeare play without words.
● Apr. 27: Wolf Trap Foundation: An indoor/outdoor venue located in Vienna presents a variety of productions year round. It offers training for musicians in a variety of disciplines. Its opera residency program is one of the nation’s finest.
● May 4: Providence Players of Fairfax: This all-volunteer organization located in Falls Church aims to provide entertaining and affordable quality theater experiences, while providing an opportunity for local residents to participate in all areas of theater production.
● May 11: The Hub: Located in Fairfax, this award winning professional theater aims to produce works that shed light on our common humanity and to be the physical center of the circle where story, art, and community merge.
Norma Jean Reck is a longtime OLLI member and a lifelong theater devotee. She started OLLI’s Theater Lovers’ Group to provide OLLI members and their guests opportunities to enjoy local theaters.

 

R416 Literary Roundtable

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–May 11
Reston’s Used Book Shop at Lake Anne
Moderators: Janice Dewire, Carol Henderson
Class limit: 21
This short-story discussion class will continue with the stories in The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction, 2nd edition, edited by Lex Williford and Michael Martone. It’s important that registrants obtain the revised and updated second edition published in 2007, available as a Touchstone Books paperback for $16.00 or less. The original 1999 edition (used by this class some years ago) contains almost completely different contents. The 50 stories in the 2007 second edition were all published by American writers since 1970. Authors to be discussed this term include Jhumpa Lahiri, David Leavitt, Antonya Nelson, and Joyce Carol Oates.
Janice Dewire and Carol Henderson are enthusiastic Literary Roundtable participants and former OLLI Board members who took on the moderator role some years ago for this popular course, one of the longest-running in Reston.

 

R417 A History of the Novel in Eight Chapters

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 24–May 12
Instructor: Kay Menchel
This class is a repeat of F411.

 

R418 Greek Drama

Thursdays, 1:45–3:45, March 24–Apr. 21
Note time
Five sessions
Instructor: Diane Thompson
● Mar. 24: A background lecture on the development of Greek tragedy. Film of the second half of Aeschylus’ Agamemnon.
● Mar. 31: A brief discussion of Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex and then the film.
● Apr. 7: A brief discussion of Euripides’ Medeathen the film.
● Apr. 14: A brief discussion of Euripides’ Bacchae and then the film.
● Apr. 21: A look at segments of Brian de Palma’s Dionysus in 69 (a hippie update of the Bacchae) and time to discuss the film, Greek ideas about fate and the gods, the uncanny duration of these ancient stories, and whatever else intrigues you.
Diane Thompson has a PhD from the City University of New York (CUNY) in comparative literature. She is a professor emerita from Northern Virginia Community College where she taught English and world literature for about 30 years. Now she is a mostly retired adjunct still teaching world literature courses online. She is fascinated by ancient Greek ideas about the unavoidable nature of fate and the complicated ways that the gods encompass and express nature in all of its beneficent and destructive aspects.

 

L419  The New Yorker Round Table

Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–May 9
Coordinator: Michael Coyne
Class limit: 20
This course will consist of informal discussions of material from The New Yorker magazine or its website. Class members are encouraged to suggest items from any issue of the magazine. In past sessions discussions were based on articles, profiles, fiction, poetry, and cartoons. Before each class, the coordinator will distribute the material to be discussed by email. The class is highly interactive. Discussion usually goes beyond the printed material to include personal knowledge or experiences class members may have had in relation to the topic.

 

L420 The Strangeness of Edgar Allen Poe

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–Apr. 12
Four sessions
Instructor: Conrad Geller
Edgar Allen Poe was the first American to earn worldwide fame as a writer, and his works are still widely admired more than 200 years after his birth. Poe is also credited with the invention of the modern horror and detective story genres. He is by consensus one of America's foremost poets; “The Raven” is possibly the best-known poem in the English language. His life was an absolute mess, but all of his writings show enormous discipline, skill, and attention to detail. In these four sessions we will examine the great variety of his work, both prose and verse. Some of the analysis will be highly technical and probably highly boring. Texts will be available online and at the OLLI DocStore.
Conrad Geller, an OLLI member, is an avid though inexpert reader of English literature. Previous courses he has taught at OLLI include Strictly Sonnets, English Ain't What You Think, and Selections from Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales.

 

L421 Literary Job

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 19–May 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Tom Manteuffel
He is without question the supreme Hebrew poet of his age. The author of the book of Job, whose name we do not have—some anonymous genius of the 6th or 5th BCE—takes as his starting point a story already ancient when he wrote. The story plumbs the question: if God is all-powerful, and if God is loving and just, how can he not intervene when evil thrives and the innocent suffer? Profound as that question is, this course focuses on the literary artistry of the book of Job rather than its answer to that question (although we will offer some thoughts on what Job’s answer might be). The course will cover highlights from Stephen Mitchell’s beautiful rendering of the biblical Hebrew, along with other translations. Job is the most carefully structured book in the biblical canon, and it is full of surprises. Its artistry has inspired numerous artists, e.g., Blake, with his ethereal watercolors. This course examines the literary elements that make this work of art timeless and compelling.
Tom Manteuffel holds a master’s degree in philosophy from the University of Chicago and studied graduate computer science at the University of North Carolina. He has spent his career in computer security at Booz Allen, IBM and elsewhere. He has been studying Job since he was a teenager.

 

L422 Writer’s Workshop

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructors: Ralph Greenwood, Ed Sadtler
Class limit: 10
This class uses a roundtable format that fosters an environment for writers of all levels to give and receive encouragement, feedback, and constructive criticism. All genres of writing are welcome, including poetry, fiction, memoirs, and historical pieces. To these categories we apply the same underlying commitment: to write a compelling work that fully conveys the author's intentions.
Ralph Greenwood is a retired engineer but an active necromancer who daily communes with his dead ancestors at his local Dunkin' Donuts Store.
Ed Sadtler is a retired salesman, turned daring, if almost-never-published poet, who nevertheless insists on continuing to read, write, and talk about poetry to anyone foolish enough to listen.

 

L423 Readers’ Theater in Loudoun

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–May 11
Coordinator: Kathie West
Be “Someone Different” each week! Readers’ Theater in Loudoun will avail you of the opportunity to lose your inhibitions and act. You will receive a skit, monologue, poem, or song each week and perform it the following week. No memorization is involved, only having fun and learning that standing in front of people and performing is easy. We use music stands and perform from the waist up with our script in front of us.

L424 The History of Animation

Wednesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructor: Josh Pachter
There's a lot more to cartoons than Walt Disney—and a lot more to animation than cartoons! In this class, Josh Pachter will guide you through the history of animated film from its beginnings in 1906 all the way up to today, with stops along the way in Russia, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Canada, Japan, and more. (And, yes, we'll certainly spend some of our time on Uncle Walt!)
Josh Pachter is the assistant dean for communication studies and theater at Northern Virginia Community
College-Loudoun. His BA and MA from the University of Michigan were both in speech communication with an emphasis on film study.

 

L425 Science Fiction Television

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 24–Apr. 28
Six sessions
Instructor: Agatha Taormina
This survey of science fiction television will start with a brief definition of science fiction and a brief history of commercial television. The first session will also examine early science fiction television. The second session will be devoted to Star Trek. The next three sessions will be a roughly chronological survey of science fiction television from 1970 to the present day, including an overview of the SyFy Channel. Finally, we will discuss the importance of makeup and set design and the role special effects technology plays in the evolution of science fiction television. In every session we will discuss television shows of significance to science fiction and view selected video clips. This course is an expanded and updated version of a similar earlier OLLI course.
Agatha Taormina, an OLLI member, received a doctor of arts degree from Carnegie Mellon University, where her dissertation examined the function of archetypes in science fiction. She taught English for many years at Northern Virginia Community College-Loudoun. Now retired, she teaches online for the college’s Extended Learning Institute as well as for OLLI.

 

L426 Henry James’ The Portrait of a Lady

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 14–May 12
Five sessions
Instructor: Nancy Scheeler
For many, The Portrait of a Lady is their favorite novel by American novelist Henry James. Critics recognize it as a pivotal point, not only in his career, but also in the evolution of the novel. First published in the Victorian mode as a serialized novel, it also introduces several characteristics of the modern novel. We will examine Isabel Archer’s journey from several perspectives: our own reading of the novel; the insights offered by Michael Gorra in his Portrait of a Novel: Henry James and the Making of an American Masterpiece (2012); and the film The Portrait of a Lady directed by Jane Campion, starring Nicole Kidman (1996). Class members can choose to read either the novel published in book form in 1881 or the New York Edition published in 1908.
Nancy Scheeler received a master’s degree in English and American literature from the University of Maryland in 1970 and completed coursework for a PhD in the same field. She received a master’s degree in information systems from American University and was a manager in information technology consulting at TASC. Her master’s thesis was on James’ use of dialogue in his ill-fated attempt to become a successful playwright.

 

L427 King Arthur: Man vs. Myth

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 24–May 12
Instructor: Paul Gonzalez
Possibly the most famous English king is someone who, if he existed, could not have been a real king of England. This is Arthur, the great king of legend, who is considered to be “sleeping in Avalon” waiting to return when England most needs him. Arthur has been portrayed in written fiction (Mallory, Steinbeck, White, among others), in film—by a non-singing Richard Burton in Camelot, by Sean Connery in First Knight, by Graham Chapman in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, to name a few—on television and many other forms. He is one of the most romantic characters of all time and his story is known by most of us. But was he real? And how did his story come to be? Come hear about Arthur and his legend, the man on whom the legend is (probably) based, and the various historical romances that became incorporated into the story of Arthur.
Paul Gonzalez is a lifelong reader of Arthurian stories and a great fan of the character, both in his fictional manifestations and in his probable historical one. He will share his avocation with you.

 

500 Languages

F501 Spanish Intermediate Conversation

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–Apr. 25
Six sessions
Instructor: Ligia Glass
This class is for students who have had a basic Spanish course or who feel they have a good working knowledge of the principles of Spanish. We will study verbal constructions beyond the present tense, and increase our vocabulary to be able to form sentences and dialogues for use in everyday situations. You will have ample practice time to reinforce the lesson. Culture of the Hispanic world will be part of the learning process. You will learn idioms and differences in the “speaking” of Spanish in different countries. Participation is encouraged so be ready to have an exciting and fun class. No text is necessary.
Ligia Glass is a native of Panama and retired from the Securities and Exchange Commission. She has over 15 years’ experience teaching all levels of Spanish in NOVA as a Spanish teacher and at the Fairfax County Adult Education Program. Ligia holds an MA in foreign languages, MA in Latin American area studies, and ABD in Latin American literature.

 

F502 French Conversation

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructor: Beverley Persell
This class is for those who have an understanding of French and want to improve their conversation level. Each week we will have a different topic, including current events in France and French literature samplings. All students will be encouraged to speak about a subject of their choice. A French movie will be shown at the last class meeting and there will also be a French lunch.
Beverley Persell learned French when she lived in France as a child. She has taught French in five states and locally at Flint Hill Prep School and The Congressional School. She majored in French at Mary Washington College, and studied at the Sorbonne, University of Toulouse, School Year Abroad in Rennes, and The French Traveler Program for French teachers in Paris, Strasbourg, Aix-en-Provence, and Sarlat.

 

F503 Spanish Conversational Forum

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructor: Bernardo Vargas Giraldo
Class limit: 16
This conversational forum also meets regularly during the year. The objectives are to practice the Spanish language and learn about Spanish/Latino culture through articles, photographs, videos, and speakers. Classes are conducted entirely in Spanish. English will be used only occasionally to explain grammar and idiomatic expressions. A prerequisite for this class is an ability to converse in Spanish at the high intermediate to advanced level. Students are encouraged to make presentations in Spanish on timely topics of their choosing. Come join us and improve your Spanish.
Bernardo Vargas Giraldo received his doctorate in egal science at the Pontificia Universidad Católica Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, and specialized in public administration and international business at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. He is currently a writer and analyst of economic and political subjects.

F504 Latin II

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 24–May 12
Instructor: Alana Lukes
Class limit: 20
This continuing course is for beginning Latin students with knowledge of the present, imperfect, perfect, and pluperfect verb tenses as well as first, second, and third declension noun endings. We take a modern,
nontraditional sight, sound, and internet approach to this ancient language. By reading about the adventures of a 1st-century CE family living in Roman Britain, along with a visit to Roman Egypt, we continue to explore Latin grammar, vocabulary, and ancient Roman culture. Class meetings employ a media version of the text, North American Cambridge Latin Course, Unit 2, 4th edition. Purchase of the text for home study is optional. A $5 fee for students not previously enrolled in the fall or winter courses will be due after confirmation of enrollment. The fee offsets e-learning program costs.
Alana Lukes, an OLLI member, has taught Latin for over 25 years at the middle school, high school, and college levels.

 

R505 Intermediate Spanish Conversation, Part 3

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 18–May 16
Five sessions
Instructor: Pamela Garcia
This is Part 3 of an intermediate conversation course for people who can converse in Spanish about basic topics in the present tense and are ready to talk about past experiences. The focus of the class will be conversational in nature, with topics that describe people, pastimes, daily routines, health, music, visual arts, shopping, dining out, and travel. The primary purpose of this course is to foster the participants' increased proficiency in conversational settings by reinforcing basic expressions and vocabulary. Anyone who has a basic grasp of vocabulary in the present tense is welcome. You do not need to have taken Part 1 or Part 2 to enroll in this course.
Pamela Garcia recently retired from teaching all levels of Spanish in Montgomery County Public Schools. She has a BA in Spanish and master’s degrees in bilingual multicultural education and supervision.

 

R506 Beginning New Testament Greek

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 24–May 12
Instructor: Nils Niemeier
Have you ever wanted to be able to read the New Testament in its original language? Have you ever wanted to learn an ancient language but did not know where or how to begin? You may want to consider learning New Testament Greek. This course is designed for beginners with no prior knowledge of Greek. It will equip students with the rudiments of the language (the alphabet, grammar, accenting rules, and syntax) and vocabulary required to read selections from the Greek New Testament. In this course, we will study part of the text of the Gospel of John. We will also explore some of the history and culture of the world into which the New Testament was born. There will be minimal homework, to be done at student discretion, no tests, and all course materials will be made available online.
Nils Niemeier holds a master of arts in classics with a focus on Roman archaeology from Cornell University. He currently works as a research assistant at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., working with ancient Greek medical manuscripts. He is currently preparing to study for a master of divinity degree.

 

L507 The Rise and the Fall of the Persian Empire

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructor: Jilla Shambayati
Class limit: 10
Course highlights:
● An efficient method of teaching the Persian/Farsi language in the shortest possible time.
● A new look at the glory and greatness of the Persian Empire and its founder, Cyrus the Great.
● A study of the collapse of this great empire after the barbaric invasion of Arabs/Muslims in the 7th century CE.
● A new perception of Iranians' tireless uprising for centuries against the Muslims’ savage dominance.
● The creation of Iranian Sufism and a new Islam by Iranians, which is respected only by Iranians and not by other Muslim countries.
● A perception of Persian ancient faiths and their impact on current well-known religions.
Jilla Shambayati is a Persian American who has been teaching Persian (Farsi) language, literature, and history at the Persian Cultural Center, the Cyrus Academy, and private venues in the United States for 25 years. She has an undergraduate degree in Persian language and a master’s in international trade. She worked as an agent, importing pharmaceutical products to Iran from Europe.

 

600 Religious Studies

F601 Eastern Orthodoxy: the Ancient Church

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–Apr. 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Panorea Stalter
What is it? When was it established? Who started it? These are often the questions people ask when they are initially exposed to the Orthodox religion. Frequently, people are not aware that Eastern Orthodoxy is the foundation of all Christian religions. It is often forgotten that, for centuries, Orthodox Christianity was predominately a religion of the eastern Roman Empire, also referred to as the Byzantine Empire. It was the Byzantines who converted the Europeans to Christianity. In this course we will introduce the basic principles of the Orthodox Church, explain its sacraments, and discuss some differences with the Catholic Church.
The instructor, Panorea Stalter, is a long time OLLI member and is retired from KBR, a government construction company. She has lived and worked in Spain, Republic of Georgia, and Kuwait, and has traveled extensively throughout the United States, Europe, and Thailand. She is a lifelong member of the Greek Orthodox Church. She has a BA in business administration from the University of Maryland and an MS in business operations from the University of Arkansas.

 

F602 Religious Ideas in Transition: The Books of the Maccabees

Wednesday, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructor: John Rybicki
The extant books of the Maccabees consist of four Jewish texts named for Judas Maccabeus, the hero of a successful Jewish uprising against the Seleucids in
175-164 BCE. These books have varying positions of authority in both Jewish and Christian thought and scriptural canon. A close look at “the Maccabees” offers an indication that some doctrines of the early Christians were not entirely new and were strongly linked to a branch of developing Late Second Temple Jewish thought which came to an abrupt halt after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE. There are clear doctrinal trends presented within these texts which are traditionally thought to be more consistent with developmental Christianity than with traditional Jewish thought. In this course, we will examine these Maccabean texts from the perspective of their Jewish roots and their developing spiritual concepts in Christianity.
John Rybicki has been an OLLI contributor for 20 years. He has diplomas in theological studies, has studied at St. George’s College in Jerusalem, and received a master of theology degree from the St. John of Damascus Institute of Theology, Balamand University. John recently retired as a pastoral associate at the Riderwood Retirement Community in Maryland where he was responsible for religious education and facilitating Jewish-Christian dialogue.

 

F603 How Christianity Lost its Jewish Roots

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Instructor: John Rybicki
The “cult of Christ,” i.e., Jesus, began as a faith community within Judaism anticipating the imminent culmination of history that Jesus had ushered in with his ministry. This community soon became a series of communities established by early apostles, i.e., “ones who were sent,” to preach the teachings of Jesus. Within a relatively short period of time, however, these communities’ foci shifted from Jewish apocalypticism and personal discipline in anticipation of the end times to a “church” of hierarchy, doctrine, institutionalism, power, and authority. The communities became centralized as community. Even the understanding of who Jesus was and what he was trying to accomplish changed. The most important aspect of Christianity was no longer Jesus’ teachings, but who Jesus was! Orthodox belief was established and demanded; heterodox belief meant exclusion and even punishment. In this course we will trace the early development of this never-to-be-reversed trend from Jewish apocalyptic community to Christian doctrinaire institution.
See F602 for instructor information.

 

F604 Controversial Teachings of the Bible

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 24–May 12
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: Steve Goldman
Numerous texts in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament pose challenges for those who consider the Bible to be a unified, divinely inspired guidebook for humankind’s relationship with God and each other. In this course, we will examine a range of controversial texts and explore the various interpretations that believers, skeptics, and those who reject the divine inspiration of these texts have offered. Some categories for analysis include the following:
● Difficult to understand the meaning of the author.
● Difficult to understand how to apply the teaching in a modern context.
● Interpreted in different ways by different faith traditions.
● Conflict with ethical precepts and teachings of most/all faith traditions.
● Conflict with universally accepted standards of justice.
● Appear to be factually untrue.
Steve Goldman is a member of the OLLI Board of Directors and serves as chair of OLLI’s Religious studies Program Planning Group. He has taught numerous courses on alternative understandings of Biblical doctrine.

 

R605 Faith, Doubt and Tradition: A Teaching and Sharing Seminar

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 24–May 12
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: Steve Goldman
Class limit: 15
This seminar will explore how people come to faith, why they may doubt their faith, and how tradition shapes one’s religious and spiritual expressions. The instructor will begin each class with a 20-minute introduction to frame the issues for discussion. The class is limited to 15 participants in order to allow for a lively exchange of ideas and experiences. Some of the major topics to be addressed include the following:
● Do we practice our religion because we are born into it or because we believe it?
● Is “Truth” discernible about the nature, character and will of God? If so, how?
● Is it possible to know what God expects of us regarding our beliefs and conduct?
● What happens when we have faith and then lose it? Can faith be fully restored or will there always be doubt?
● Why not be a “spiritual nonbeliever”—one who lives life based on high ethical standards without any belief in a deity?
This seminar encourages participation by members of all faith traditions as well as those who doubt or don’t believe.
See F604 for instructor information.

 

R606 God's Problem: Why Do We Suffer?

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–Apr. 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Jack Dalby
Class limit: 20
Regarding the problem of evil, the 18th-century Scottish philosopher David Hume asked, “Is he [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? whence then is evil?” In this wide-ranging, four-session seminar, we will grapple with what historian Bart Ehrman calls God’s Problem: If God loves us, then why do we suffer? Topics for discussion include the nature of God and suffering as presented in the Old Testament; the New Testament and God’s apocalyptic vanquishing of evil; the atoning death of Jesus; Augustine and the concept of original sin; free will, logical problems of evil, theodicy, and much more. The goal of this series is to foster a classroom environment where difficult questions can be asked and the answers debated with curiosity and respect. While not required, a familiarity with Bart Ehrman’s book, God’s Problem, would be beneficial.
Jack Dalby, president of White Oak Communications, is an OLLI member who has taught classes on the historical Jesus, St. Paul, and the first Christians. He holds a BS in communication arts from James Madison University and has taken graduate classes in history at Mason.

 

R607 Spirituality and Community

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–Mar. 29
Two sessions
Instructor: Greg Cleva
According to Jean Vanier, the founder of the worldwide L’Arche movement, “Community is a place of belonging, a place where people are earthed and have their identity.” People are cared for in such a way that they may grow according to God’s plan and thus give much life. Community is for becoming. An experience in prayer and the experience of being loved and accepted in community, which has become a safe place for us, allows us gradually to accept ourselves as we are, with our wounds. Community is a place of liberation and growth. This two-session class will explore the many ways in which our spiritual life is inextricably connected with our life in community and how many of the world religions contribute to this connection. The philosophy and practices of communities, from monastics in the fifth century to intentional communities of the modern era, will be explored.
Greg Cleva has a PhD in international politics from The Catholic University of America, and is a retired foreign affairs analyst with the Department of Defense.

L608 The Life and Philosophy of Teilhard de Chardin

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Martin Walsh
Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ (1881-1955), Jesuit priest, scientist, and mystic, stands out among the greatest visionaries of the 20th century. This four session course will explore the world and universe through his insights, knowledge, and steadfast love of God. His mystical experiences as a stretcher-bearer during World War I made God’s presence in the world real to him. As a scientist and scholar, he championed evolution, only to find himself an outcast in his Jesuit order and the Vatican. Exiled to China, he wrote The Divine Milieu, (1926), the most profound spiritual book of our time. Two years later, he became world-famous for his role in discovering the 750,000-year-old Peking Man. Teilhard’s focus, however, was not on the past, but on the future of man. He saw God and man as co-creators in building the earth, a radical notion when most Christians were heaven-centered. The Phenomenon of Man (1940) provides a sweeping account of the history of the cosmos and the evolution of matter to humanity and, ultimately, to the Cosmic Christ. He was forbidden to speak publicly on religious subjects or to publish during his lifetime. Yet his ideas shaped the Second Vatican Council and challenge us to “see” the world with “new eyes” of wonder.
Martin Walsh, former Jesuit and retired nonprofit executive, will lead you on an exciting, challenging journey into the future with Teilhard as your guide.

650 Humanities and Social Sciences

F651 All about Marriage

Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–Apr. 25
Six sessions
Instructor: Glenn Kamber
This six-week course will examine the history of marriage from biblical times to the present, including the role the institution of marriage has played in defining and maintaining family and community structure, and economic and political order. The instructor will discuss the relatively recent introduction and impact of “love” in marriage and various approaches marriage and family therapists use to identify and address issues when love falters.
Glenn Kamber, an OLLI member and instructor for six years, is a retired senior executive from the US Department of Health and Human Services. He earned an MS in family and child development, a clinical degree in marriage and family therapy from Virginia Tech, and an MA in government and education from Teachers College, Columbia University. After retiring from federal service, Mr. Kamber briefly was a private marriage and family therapist in McLean, Virginia, and a contract in-home family therapist with the Prince William County Community Services Board. Mr. Kamber served as the Hunter Mill District representative to the Fairfax/Falls Church Community Services Board where he helped oversee mental health and substance abuse services in Northern Virginia for eight years (2005-2013).

 

F652 OLLIgopoly: Trivia for Fun

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15 Apr. 19–May 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Bruce Mercer
Join fellow OLLI members in a spirited class of team trivia. If you like trivia, good music, sharing laughs, and having fun, then this class is for you. OLLIgopoly affords you the Opportunity to Learn, Laugh and Impress others with your knowledge of trivial facts and long-forgotten tidbits. The game combines questions, information, and strategy with graphics, music, and enjoyment. Working as teams (you are not alone!), participants ponder, plot and learn—all in an atmosphere of good-natured competition. And who knows? Maybe your team will win and take home a coveted OLLIVIA trophy that is awarded to each member of the winning team. But remember, there is only one rule in OLLIgopoly: Have Fun! This class is not a repeat of previous ones; there will be a complete set of new questions.
Bruce Mercer has been facilitating OLLIgopoly classes for four years and enjoys creating questions that are both challenging and informative. He provides the questions, you provide the answers, and we’ll all enjoy good fun and learning.

F653 Adolescent Issues and the Juvenile Justice System

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15 Mar. 22–Apr. 26
Six sessions
Instructor: Lillian Brooks
Class limit: 50
This class will explore some historical landmarks and case law that have led to contemporary theory and practice in the juvenile justice system. We will examine the process as a juvenile enters the justice system and the complex societal issues that contribute to delinquency. We will discuss the latest research on gangs, substance abuse, truancy, mental illness, bullying, human trafficking, and prostitution. We will look at the role of professionals and at effective prevention and intervention programs.
Lillian Brooks, Esq. received a JD from Atlanta Law School, Atlanta, Georgia. She was director of court services for the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic District Court for 28 years. After retirement in 2012, she was a consultant on juvenile justice issues. She developed many evidence-based programs on juveniles and their families that received significant recognition. She was an adjunct teacher at George Mason University, teaching undergraduate criminal law and juvenile justice and presented many workshops for juvenile justice professionals and judges. She was the chair of the Northern Virginia Regional Gang Task Force. She serves as a commissioner on the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Commission.

F654 Advocacy Workshop

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 22–May 10
Instructor: Gloria Loew
This eight-week workshop is for OLLI members who would like to use their brains, talents, experience, and motivation to create change that they find meaningful. Case studies of effective advocacy projects will be presented. Tools, including social media, will be discussed and demonstrated so that participants can understand how they might be used on a project. Participants will be encouraged to bring their laptops and tablets so that they can access the websites and programs as they are discussed. Each person can choose to work either on his/her own or on a class project.
Gloria Loew has an MA in human resource development from The George Washington University. She was staff development manager of a division of a large IT company.

 

F655 Consider the Conversation

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 19–May 10
Fairfax Lord of Life
Four sessions
Coordinators: Michelle Blandburg, Terri Feldmayer, Fred Krochmal, Rita Way
Moderator: Ted Parker
Class limit: 40
This course is based on the award-winning film, Consider the Conversation: A Documentary on a Taboo Subject. It is an intimate story about the American struggle with communication and preparation at life's end. It contains perspectives of patients, family members, doctors, nurses, social workers, clergy, and experts from around the country. The goal of the film and this course is to inspire dialogue between parents and children, husband and wife, patient and doctor, clergy, and parishioner about the way we want to live toward the end of our lives and what kind of care we want and don't want. The film demonstrates how important it is to have this conversation when we are well and not in a crisis situation. This film is not about death, but about living life to its fullest. Each of the sessions will be divided between watching a portion of the film for half of the session and then discussing it. A panel of specialists will be available to answer questions.

 

 

F656 Fighting Corruption in Developing Countries

>Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructor: Bruce Mercer
Class limit: 50
This class will provide participants with the basic framework of integrity awareness, the principles of creating an anticorruption plan, analyzing and reporting on a fictional corrupt country case study, examining internal controls, and discussing why people and organizations become corrupt. This class focuses on analyzing integrity awareness concepts and international anticorruption measures, sharing of individual experiences, examining integrity models, and working on case studies. Strong emphasis is placed on class interaction and networking. The class will examine a wide range of anticorruption topics including:
● Anticorruption and integrity awareness issues
● International anticorruption initiatives
● Developing an anticorruption plan
● New Andrewland case study
● Justice Efren Plana: A Philippine Success Story?
● Integrity Leadership
● The Hong Kong Experience: A Study in Excellence
● Corruption in the United States
Bruce Mercer worked for the federal government for 31 years. He created and directed the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) International Anti-Corruption and Integrity Program at the Department of Homeland Security. He worked with government leaders in more than 50 countries to develop anticorruption units and integrity programs, providing training to country personnel. In 2003 he received the World Customs Awardfor his international work. Since retiring in 2006, Bruce has been helping African countries establish anticorruption and Office of Professional Responsibility programs. Bruce has been a member of OLLI for the past seven years and has facilitated OLLIgopoly: Trivia for Fun for the past four years.

 

F657 The 21st-Century Digital Landscape of Public Schools

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 6–Apr. 13
Two sessions
Instructor: Regina King
Are you curious about how kids are learning in school these days? Kids are using technology to complete all kinds of instructional assignments and projects. Learn how teachers are developing and implementing lessons that align to best practices in teaching and learning with technology tools like word processing applications, spreadsheet generators, educational games, data collection tools, web 2.0 tools, collaboration tools, creativity tools, and more. Teachers are teaching students to be communicators, collaborators, creative and critical thinkers, global citizens, and goal-directed and resilient individuals. We will explore the ways teachers are developing the
21st-century learner to be a leader.
Regina King is a former elementary school teacher. She has a master’s degree in instructional technology from George Mason University and an Education Specialist (EdS) degree in education leadership. She works as an instructional technology specialist for Fairfax County Public Schools and is part of the leadership team to digitally transform teaching and learning to meet the needs of the 21st-century learner.

F658 “What Now, Cuba?”

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 24–May 12
Church of the Good Shepherd
Coordinators: Lisa Breglia, Walt Carlson, Johnnie Hicks, Camille Hodges
History records that when Christopher Columbus made landfall on Cuba in 1492, he wrote in his journal: “I have never seen anything so beautiful…my eyes could not weary of beholding such beauty, nor could I weary of the songs of the birds, large and small.” While much has changed over the 500 years since, the awe and mystique of this beautiful island of the Americas remains largely unchanged. Recent opening of relations between Cuba and the US provides an incentive and new opportunities for learning more about Cuba. In a continuing collaborative effort between OLLI and George Mason University, this course provides a foundational basis for better understanding current and future developments. Topics include: highlights of history and culture; geography and economics; politics and governance; cultural arts and traditions; health and social services; and other dimensions of life in Cuba today.

R659 Human Difference, Cultural Understanding, and Social Healing

Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructor: Tony Whitehead
Class limit: 20
This course will explore how cultural constructions of gender, race, ethnicity, region, nationality, profession, discipline, and workplace can influence how we interpret the self and the “other” and inadvertently lead to intrapersonal, interpersonal, and intergroup conflict, as well as to interpersonal communication breakdowns. This course will explore several loci of conflict or communication breakdowns: (1) the self (intrapersonal conflict); (2) interpersonal relationships; (3) intergender (male, female, and homosexual versus heterosexual) relationships; (4) interethnic and interracial relationships; and (5) cross societal/cultural relationships. It will explore these in specific settings such as family, workplace, and educational settings. We will examine how conflict or communication breakdowns emerge from divergent interpretations of overt behaviors and humor. We will discuss strategies that use cultural understanding to resolve conflict and bring social healing following even the most egregious results of such conflicts. Recommended (not required) reading: The Meaning of Difference: American Constructions of Race, Sex and Gender, Social Class, and Sexual Orientation. ISBN-13:9780078111648.
Dr. Whitehead is anthropology professor emeritus, University of Maryland, College Park. Previously he was a faculty member in the School of Public Health at the University of North Carolina.

R660 Genealogy for Immigrant Families

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 5–May 10
Six sessions
Instructor: John K. Maniha
Often genealogy courses concentrate on 17th and 18th century sources, assuming this is relevant to all American families. This is not true for millions of Americans. This course will concentrate on families that came to America after 1850. The sources and techniques for handling earlier genealogy will be omitted. Starting with an overview of good genealogy practices, the course proceeds to source use and interpretation pertinent to life in the second half of the 19th-century and first quarter of the 20th. The last two sessions will focus on find family origins mainly in Europe. The course will include “hands-on” experience with various databases to demonstrate use and interpretation.
John K. Maniha (“Ken”) received a PhD in sociology from the University of Michigan. He was assistant professor at Florida State University for four years, then joined federal civil service as a research grant/contract administrator the Army and Health and Human Services. He retired from federal service in 2004, earned genealogical certification, and commenced client practice. Genealogy has been a consistent pursuit for 30 years and he currently takes some client projects. Ken volunteers with the Smithsonian Steinway Diary Project as genealogist of Steinway family descendants.

R661 OLLIgopoly: Trivia for Fun

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–Apr. 12
Four sessions
Instructor: Bruce Mercer
Join fellow OLLI members in a spirited class of team trivia. If you like trivia, good music, sharing laughs, and having fun, then this class is for you. OLLIgopoly affords you the Opportunity to Learn, Laugh and Impress others with your knowledge of trivial facts and long-forgotten tidbits. The game combines questions, information, and strategy with graphics, music, and enjoyment. Working as teams (you are not alone!), participants ponder, plot and learn—all in an atmosphere of good-natured competition. And who knows? Maybe your team will win and take home a coveted OLLIVIA trophy that is awarded to each member of the winning team. But remember, there is only one rule in OLLIgopoly: Have Fun! This class is not a repeat of previous ones; there will be a complete set of new questions.
See F652 for instructor information.

 

R662 A Dozen Big Ideas: Let’s Discuss Them

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 24–Apr. 14
Four sessions
Instructor: Stephen Ruth
Each term, Mason public policy professor Steve Ruth presents a graduate seminar dedicated to significant policy ideas of famous people. The approach is simple: for each topic there is a short video presentation by the expert followed by a vigorous and varied discussion of the ideas by the instructor and the class. This same format will be used for this OLLI class. Ruth provides extensive links every week for those who wish to review the ideas before class. Experts presenting include Cheryl Sandberg (COO, Facebook) and Ann Marie Slaughter (Chair, New America Foundation) on Gender Equity; George Will on failures of US universities; Monica Lewinsky on cyberbullying; Simon Sinek on leadership styles of Steve Jobs, the Wright Brothers, and Martin Luther King, Jr.; and Jared Diamond, author of Pulitzer Prize-winning Guns, Germs and Steel, on extinction. Also presenting are Mason professor Hugh Heclo on his famous article “Is America a Christian Nation?”; Robert Putnam (Harvard, author of Bowling Alone) on his new book Our Kids—the American Dream in Crisis; MIT’s Edgar Schein on how to change organizational and national cultures; MIT’s Sherry Turkle on her new book on social media, Reclaiming Conversation; Angus Deaton (Princeton, winner of 2015 Nobel Prize) on White Mortality Increases in the United States; Ted Koppel on his new book Lights Out on the fragility of power grids; Yale Professors Amy Chua (Tiger Mom) and Jed Rudenfield on their new book Triple Package; and The New Yorker writer James Surowiecki on Wisdom of Crowds, among others.
Stephen Ruth is a professor of public policy at Mason, specializing in technology issues associated with globalization and is director of the International Center for Applied Studies in Information Technology, a grant-supported research center. His new book, One Year Trip through the Bible: A Layman’s Fresh View of the Complete Old and New Testaments, examines 73 books of the Hebrew Tanakh and the New Testament.

 

L663 Infectious Diseases, People, and Geography, Part 2

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 24–May 12
Instructor: Barbara Crain
Change is one of the hallmarks of our times. This includes rapidly changing environments for microbes as well as humans. The Aswan Dam captures the mighty Nile River in the world's third largest reservoir, Lake Nasser. As a result, Egypt saw an increase in schistosomiasis as well as in malaria cases. Yellow fever and malaria sent roughly 85 percent of the Panama Canal workforce into hospitals at least once in the initial two years of canal building (1904-1906). Over 20 new pathogens have been discovered since the mid-70s. Where did all of these diseases come from? Why were they present in these particular areas? Medical geography is the study of the spatial distribution of disease. It incorporates geographic techniques and looks at the impact of climate and location on health. This exciting course aims to provide an overview of selected infectious diseases, including their past and present spatial distributions and causes.
Barbara Crain holds an MA in geography from the University of Heidelberg, Germany, and an MS in environmental science from Johns Hopkins University. She is an associate professor at Northern Virginia Community College. She has always been fascinated with infectious diseases viewed through the geographic lens.

L664 Reflections of YOU

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 24–Apr. 7
Three sessions
Instructor: Karen Bisset
Class limit: 15
Looking for a powerful way to document your legacy and preserve family memories? Here’s your chance! Personal historian Karen Bisset will facilitate three classes on how to begin the process of documenting your life story. Each class exercise is designed to help you reflect on your life journey and then to allow you to share that journey with the group (if you wish). Start with this class, document your personal history, share your memories, and pass on your values to create a legacy.
● Mar. 24: Design a Personal Coat of Arms
● Mar. 31: Class choice:

A: Writing your Ethical Will (Values)
B: Autobiographical Timeline

● Apr. 7: Show & Tell (Share items of personal significance)
Karen Bisset is a personal historian with From the Cradle, LLC and is the founder and COO of the company. She has a BA in history from George Mason University and a master’s in educational psychology from the University of Virginia. She spent 30 years with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.
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L665 Crime Theory and Crime Prevention: Myths vs. Reality

Tuesdays 2:15-3:40, April 19 - May 3
Three Sessions
Instructor: Cynthia Lum
Why does crime occur and what works to prevent it?
In this class, students will learn about four theories of crime and related prevention strategies. We will also discuss common myths about crime and crime prevention, and learn how to critically examine contemporary justice issues through an evidence-based lens.
Cynthia Lum graduated from the University of Maryland with a PhD in criminology and criminal justice. She is the director of the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy, and associate professor in the Department of Criminology, Law, and Society at Mason.

 

700 Current Events

F701 What’s in the Daily News?

Mondays, 9:30–11:00, Mar. 21–May 9
Note time
Moderators: Don Allen, Dorsey Chescavage
Class limit: 38
Do you have an opinion on what’s happening in the world today? Would you like to express and share your views with others? Join other news junkies each week to discuss, debate, and yes, sometimes disagree as to the significance and meaning of events—both great and small. All views are welcomed in a spirit of give-and-take.
Dorsey Chescavage is an OLLI member. She retired from the Jefferson Consulting Group, where she was a registered lobbyist specializing in military and veterans’ health care.
Don Allen is also an OLLI member and a retired civil servant, with the last ten years of his service focused on developing and managing the Navy’s Base Closure andCommission (BRAC) caretaker program.

F702 Sub-Saharan Africa: A Continent on the Rise, but Still Troubled

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–May 10
Church of the Good Shepherd
Coordinators: Rosemary McDonald, Stephen Canner
● Mar. 22: A discussion of Africa 2050: Realizing the Continent’s Full Potential, by author Theodore Ahlers, World Bank Director for Strategy and Operations in Europe and Central Asia.
● Mar. 29: A historical overview of the countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to include its indigenous and evolutionary development, the impact of geography, latitude, and natural resources, and hypotheses about why Africa has been slow to develop. Sulayman Nyang, professor and chairman of African Studies, Howard University.
● Apr. 5: Governance Challenges and What Remains to Be Done. George Moose, former ambassador and assistant secretary of state, African Affairs, United States Institute for Peace (USIP).
● Apr. 12: US Policy, Interests and Challenges. Princeton Lyman, former ambassador to Nigeria and South Africa. United States Institute for Peace (USIP).
● Apr. 19: Apartheid: Nelson Mandela to Present Day. Herman Cohen, Georgetown University, former assistant secretary of state.
● Apr. 26: A Perspective on South Africa’s Change & Evolution. Patricia McLagan, president/CEO McLagan International, Inc.
● May 3: Institution Building and the Outlook for Economic Growth. Amadou Sy, director, African Growth Initiative, Brookings Institution.
● May 10: Terrorism, Conflict, War, and the Humanitarian Crisis. Jennifer Cooke, director African Program, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

F703 Great Decisions 2016

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–May 11
Moderators: Gordon Canyock, Ted Parker
Class limit: 30
For over 50 years, the Foreign Policy Association has sponsored discussion groups throughout the United States to investigate some of the world’s greatest challenges affecting our lives. This year’s eight topics are: Middle East; The Rise of ISIS; The Future of Kurdistan; Migration; The Koreas; The United Nations; Climate Change; Cuba and the United States. A briefing book and video covering each week’s topic will set the stage for class discussion. There is a $23 materials fee payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment acceptance.
Gordon Canyock is a retired military intelligence officer, former state department consultant and long-time member of OLLI.
Ted Parker, a retiree from the US Department of Education, had a 40-year career in education, which included teaching and managing at local, state, and collegiate levels. He has been a member of OLLI for several years.

R704 The Supreme Court and the Law of Discrimination

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 5–May 10
Six sessions
Instructor: Bob Zener
Federal law forbids discrimination because of race, sex, ethnicity, national origin, age, and disability. This ban applies to many areas of life, including employment, housing, public accommodations, and public education. Discrimination may be illegal even though based on ostensibly neutral reasons, if it has a discriminatory impact (for example, criminal background checks). This course will review the law of discrimination, focusing on several major issues. For example: What role do statistics play—are the “wrong” numbers evidence of discrimination (few minorities or women at a company's management levels)? Is “benign” discrimination legitimate (such as racial preferences in public university admissions to achieve “diversity”, or single-sex K-12 classes)? Is there a right to discriminate based on free speech or religious liberty? We will also consider the current federal program to remedy residential segregation by requiring affordable housing to be located in
upper-income white neighborhoods. The course will review the Supreme Court’s major decisions on these issues and discuss where the Court might be going.
Bob Zener, currently an OLLI member, was a lawyer with the Department of Justice who briefed and argued a large number of cases involving discrimination and constitutional law.

R705 All the News That’s Fit to Print

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 24–May 12
Moderator: Dick Kennedy
This is your chance to discuss news and current events with other OLLI members who are trying to understand our changing world. More than ever, we need to question information that comes to us from TV, radio, the Internet, magazines, and newspapers. We will examine and discuss some of the day's hot topics in world, national, and local news. We usually focus primarily on a few topics in order to have time to explore issues and get various insights. This is an interactive class, and all viewpoints and opinions are respected, needed, and welcomed. As Walter Cronkite once said, “In a democracy agreement is not required, but participation is.”
Dick Kennedy, an OLLI member, is a retiree from the senior executive service at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He enjoys analyzing the news from multiple sources and engaging in good discussions with colleagues.

L706 Great Decisions 2016

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–May 10
Moderator: Barbara Wilan
Class limit: 30
This class is a repeat of F703. A briefing book and video covering each week’s topic will set the stage for class discussion. There is a $23 materials payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment acceptance.
Barbara Wilan retired as a full-time English teacher at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College but is currently an adjunct there. She has also taught at the University of Maryland and for the University of Maryland’s European Division.

 

800 Science, Technology & Health

F801 Advances in Health

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–May 9
Coordinators: John Acton, Christine Coussens
Instructors: George Mason University faculty
● Mar. 21: Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Improve Post-Stroke Rehabilitation. Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques are under rapid development and intense investigation. This lecture will provide an overview of how one such technique, transcranial magnetic stimulation, is being used to investigate movement recovery after stroke. Michelle Harris-Love PT, PhD, Associate Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Science
● Mar. 28: Public Systems and Marginalized Youth: Examining the Impact of the Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Systems. Public systems, such as the juvenile justice and child welfare systems, intervene with sanctions and/or services with the intention of improving individual outcomes. However, we lack a systematic understanding of when, and for whom, various types of interventions will be the most successful. This session explores associations between public system intervention and youth outcomes. Jo Ann Lee, MSW/MPA, PhD, Assistant Professor Department of Social Work
● Apr. 4: Alcohol Research. In terms of consumer products, alcohol ranks second in causing death and disability (the first being tobacco). This presentation explains current research conducted on alcohol intoxication, policy, and health outcomes. It may change the way you think about alcohol. Matt Rossheim, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Global and Community Health
● Apr. 11: Resistance Training and Aging: The effects on skeletal muscle and function. The focus of this talk will be to discuss the effects of aging on skeletal muscle physiology and the corresponding impact on individual functioning. In addition, we will review the scientific literature and describe the best practice for adding resistance training to your day and the corresponding benefits you could expect. Jeff Herrick, Assistant Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Science
● Apr. 18: Vitamin D: Bone and Beyond. This session will provide an overview of vitamin D deficiency and current recommendations, as well as recent research on the role of vitamin D on bone and non-bone health outcomes. Sina Gallo, RD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Nutrition and Food Studies
● Apr. 25: Endocrine Disruptors and Women’s Reproductive Health. Exposure to chemicals that occur in the environment may mimic or otherwise affect the body’s own hormones. This has implications for various reproductive health outcomes. Exposures to such chemicals come from a range of sources, including personal care products (including soap, lotion, and makeup) and are difficult to quantify because they are metabolized and excreted rapidly from the body. This course will provide an overview of sources of exposure to personal care product chemicals, and will describe recent research findings on the topic of women’s health. Anna Pollack, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Global and Community Health
●May 2: Does Exercise Benefit Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury?
Exercise is known to confer a wide range of health benefits; however its use in persons following a brain injury is still being debated and. Examination of this issue will be made using research studies in both animal models humans, with a discussion of the advantages and challenges for implementing an exercise program in this population group. Lisa Chin, PhD, Assistant Research Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Science
● May 9: Bridge Care: A Powerful Partnership Between Academia and Community. Although it remains unclear how the Affordable Care Act will ultimately affect every community, it is clear that health care coverage in the United States is still lacking in three primary areas: a) navigation of the system b) number of providers, and c) cost of coverage. Academic institutions and community partners offer substantial, untapped resources that can be shaped into an innovative solution when their strengths are united through a powerful, collaborative partnership. The Mason and Partners (MAP) clinics utilize an innovative cutting edge model entitled Bridge Care with the mission to improve access to health care for uninsured, underserved community residents and provide nursing, health professional, and social services students education and training in the diversity of an interprofessional evidence based health care model. Rebecca Sutter RN DNP, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing. Caroline Sutter RN DNP, Assistant Professor of Nursing, School of Nursing.

F802 Arthritis, Rheumatology, and Related Conditions

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 19–May 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Harvey Schwartz
This course will present the broad aspects of various rheumatic diseases. This will include some anatomical/physical information, biochemical information, and laboratory information. There will be discussion of possible causes of the various conditions and we will spend some time on treatment options. The conditions to be covered include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), scleroderma, Lyme disease, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia, and gout.
Harvey Schwartz, MD, graduate of SUNY School of Medicine at Buffalo, New York, was in private practice for rheumatology and allergy in Northern Virginia for 40 years. He has the academic title assistant professor of medicine, Georgetown University.

F803 Fourth Quarter Athletes: Mastering the 100+ Lifestyle Game

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, May 3–May 10
Two sessions
Instructors: Anne Drissel, Dave Lloyd
Class limit: 30
Numerous books, lectures and TV shows advise on health and wellness, but they tend to focus on a younger audience. These two sessions focus on how to use simple nutrition, exercise, and mental state to achieve a good quality of life for those of us who aspire to live 100+ years! Anne Drissel (75) and Dave Lloyd (76) developed their personal exercise and “live fully” lifestyle in their 70s and are enjoying the results of their efforts. They will share their experiences and tips on how they got fit despite the fact that they got a “late start.” Anne took a modest approach in extending what she learned about physical fitness to all aspects of her life: finances, recreation, social engagement, artistic expression, and life focus. By contrast, Dave and his wife took up serious mountain climbing! Anne and Dave will share some of their adventures, setbacks, and surprises. They will illustrate how mountain climbing can be both the greatest of personal challenges and achievements and the height of personal aspirations.
Anne Drissel graduated from University of Maryland with BS in family and community development. She retired in 2014 as a business architect in the Office of Biometric Information Management, US Department of Homeland Security. She is a certified leadership coach (Georgetown University) and was vice president for behavioral health services for a Texas regional healthcare system.
Dave Lloyd has a master’s degree in computer science from American University and a Diploma Certificate from the University of Berlin, Germany. He retired from MITRE Corporation in 2013 as a biometrics and business architecture consultant and has since focused on mountain climbing and crafting fine furniture.

 

F804 Demystifying Dementia

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 5–May 10
Six sessions
Instructor: Christi Clark
Currently, one in nine people over 65 has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease—but what can you expect after the diagnosis? Build your understanding of the disease and start planning for the future, and adjust to a new life with someone who has dementia. The course will cover the basics of dementia, distinguishing types, understanding a typical path of progression, communication techniques, the reasons for troubling behaviors, how to engage with a person with dementia, and services available to support you in a caregiving role.
● Apr. 5: Normal Aging versus Dementia: Know the 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s disease
● Apr. 12: Diagnosis Dementia…Now What?
● Apr. 19: The Path of Progression in Alzheimer’s disease
● Apr. 26: Are They Doing That on Purpose? Understanding Behaviors and Effective Communication Strategies
● May 3: Person-Centered Dementia Care
● May 10: I Need Help: Where to Turn for Support Services
Christi Clark, education and outreach coordinator at Insight Memory Care Center, has over 15 years of experience in the field of long-term care. As a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist, she has dedicated the last ten years to working with those affected by dementia, along with their caregivers, families, and the community.

F805 Unidentified Flying Objects: A Serious Assessment

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 21–May 12
Four sessions
Instructor: Paul Murad
UFOs have perplexed us for epochs. Real or not? The four sessions cover:
● A brief history of classical art, testimonials, physical evidence, paranormal phenomena, and what they possibly mean.
● Unnatural artifacts found in structures raise questions about extraterrestrial capabilities. Strange rock carvings of unusual figures distinct from human beings in Egypt, Armenia, newly discovered pyramids in Bosnia, and on the moon and Mars, raise questions of whether mankind is not alone.
● As a counterpoint, some in the scientific community developed theories that UFOs were created by the Nazi scientists during WW II.
● Faster-than-light travel concepts will challenge the conventional wisdom. If real, do these objects require discovering “new” physics? A basic question is whether mankind will be forever marooned on the big blue marble or develop space travel moving about the cosmos.
Paul Murad worked on the Apollo program and on numerous missile programs, and studied foreign technology. He presented numerous peer-reviewed papers covering faster-than-light travel or gravitation. His interests include levitation and unusual propulsion involving some of this arcane but potentially useful UFO science/technology.

F806 History of Medicine, Part 2

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 24–Apr. 14
Four sessions
Instructor: Rita Way
This course will cover the rise of modern medicine and medical advances. In addition, we will trace how war affected medicine and the men and women who made medicine what it is today. The subjects to be covered are:
● Germ Theory and Bacteriology
● Women as Nurses and Physicians
● Worldwide Dissemination of Medicine
● Psychiatry
● The Civil War, WW I and WW II
● Public Health
● Modern Surgery
● Immunology
● Genes and Genomes
● Medical Ethics
Please Note: is NOT necessary to have taken Part 1 in order to take Part 2.
Rita E. Way studied at the Sacred Heart Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a medical-surgical nurse for 12 years, after which she worked for a long-term care company that owned and managed both skilled nursing and assisted living homes. Nursing and medicine have always been her passion.

F807 Medical Updates from Health Professionals at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 21–May 12
Four sessions
Coordinator: Rala Stone
● Apr. 21 Gastrointestinal Medicine: Colon & Rectal Cancer Screening and Indications for Colonoscopy. Dr. Allen Blosser, board certified in gastroenterology with a clinical interest in colonoscopy.
● Apr. 28: Ophthalmology: Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Retinopathy. Dr. Michael Rivers, board certified in ophthalmology.
● May 5: Nutritionist Panel: Eating for Your Health. A panel comprised of clinical dieticians, weight loss dieticians, and a diabetes educator.
● May 12: Breast Care: Screening and Mammography Guidelines. Dr. Kirsten Edmiston, board certified breast surgeon.

 

F808 Beginner Chen-Style Tai Chi

Thursdays, 2:15–3:15, Mar. 24–May 12
Note time
Instructor: Jerry Cheng
Class limit: 25
Tai chi, a form of martial arts that has been practiced for centuries, is meditation in motion that emphasizes balance, posture, and concentration. This beginning class will focus on Chen-style tai chi, which promotes health and fitness, strengthens the immune system, can relieve neck and back pain, corrects digestive problems, aids emotional and psychological well-being, relieves stress, and builds character. Please wear loose clothing, and plan to work in stocking feet or soft, flexible shoes.
Jerry Cheng was born in China and started his martial arts training when he was six. He studied under several famous Chinese martial arts masters, including grandmaster Sha GuoZheng, and won four gold medals at the 1997 Atlanta International Martial Arts Championship. He taught tai chi at the University of Georgia for six years and at the University of Texas for three years.

 

R809 Gentle Yoga

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00–12:00, Mar. 1–Apr. 21
16 sessions
Note dates and time
Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Instructor: RCC Staff
Class limit: 5
This traditional yoga class is designed for senior adults and incorporates both stretching and strength postures while focusing on balance. Participants will enjoy increased strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and energy in a gently challenging way. This class incorporates standing poses as well as poses on the floor. Participants should be comfortable getting up and down from the floor. Please bring a blanket, pillow, or beach towel to class. A class fee of $80 is payable to OLLI at the time of registration. Registration for this class is on a first-come, first-served basis. Refer to page 48 for “add to cart” instructions. Those registering will also need to complete a Reston Community Center registration/waiver form and take it to class the first day. The form can be found at http://www.restoncommunitycenter.com/docs/default-source/forms/registationformfeb16.pdf?sfvrsn=0
. Registration is not final until a completed RCC waiver is received.

R810 Gentle Yoga

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00–12:00, May 3–May 26
Eight sessions
Note dates and time
Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Instructor: RCC Staff
Class limit: 5
This class is a repeat of R809. A class fee of $40 is payable to OLLI at the time of registration. Registration for this class is on a first-come, first-served basis. Refer to page 48 for “add to cart” instructions.

 

R811 Aging Well in Reston

Wednesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 23–May 11
Rose Gallery at Lake Anne Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Coordinators: Mary Kornreich, Sharon Canner
Staying in the Reston area after retirement? You will not be alone; you will have support. The Reston area is rich in resources to enrich our lives as we grow older. The best time to learn about these services is, of course, before you actually need them.
● Mar. 23: Origin of Reston for a Lifetime and the Needs It Fulfills. Reston for a Lifetime (R4L) focuses on learning what residents need to remain in Reston and on fulfilling those needs. R4L is also helping neighborhoods and clusters develop neighbor-helping-neighbor networks. Sharon Canner, R4L Coordinator.
● Mar. 30: Reasons to Stay in the Reston Area or Move Here After Retirement. Reston has active intellectual, political, spiritual, and artistic communities. Cultural, learning, and fitness opportunities are plentiful. Karen Brutsché, 55+ Program Director, Reston Community Center.
● Apr. 6: Options for Retirement Living in the Reston Area. Learn about the full spectrum of options from creative ways to “age in place” to retirement communities, assisted living, nursing, memory care, adult day care and much more. Whether you are planning for yourself or helping a family member or neighbor you will walk away from this program with a better understanding of what choices are available. Steve Gurney, publisher, “Guide to Retirement Living SourceBook”.
● Apr. 13 Hiring Reliable Service Providers. We are unlikely to find volunteers when we need highly skilled labor or we need personal care for an extended period of time. Hiring strangers is scary because elderly people are particularly vulnerable to scams, theft, and violence. Pat Williams, Chair, Fairfax County Long Term Care Coordinating Council (LTCCC) and Founder, GraceFul Care.
● Apr. 20: Time Banking and the Useful Services Exchange.  Many of our needs can be fulfilled by neighbors providing each other with services they need. Time bank members earn credits by performing services and spend those credits to obtain services. Edgar Cahn, Timebanks USA; Lorelei Cheung, President, Reston Useful Services Exchange.
● Apr. 27: It Takes a Village.  The village concept has been successfully implemented in Herndon and McLean. Whole communities help seniors who can no longer manage all areas of their daily lives. Patricia Rohrer, Long-term Care Council Facilitator; Penny Halpern, Herndon Village Network; Judy Seiff, McLean Community: A Village for all Ages and McLean Senior Source.
● May 4: Aging in Place in Fairfax County. Services available through the Fairfax Area Agency on Aging include home repair, transportation, adult day care, caregiver support and respite care, meals on wheels, disability services, and a long-term care ombudsman program. Sharon K. Lynn, Director, Fairfax Area Agency on Aging.
● May 11: Advocating for Seniors.  Learn about the current hot issues affecting older adults and efforts to gain support of our elected representatives for policies benefitting seniors. Individuals in hospitals, assisted living, or nursing homes, and some of us aging in place may need advocates at some point. Patrick Killeen, a top AARP grassroots advocate who has worked with AARP in DC and was State President for AARP Wisconsin. Pat served as Executive Director of Gundersen Lutheran Health Plan, Administrator of the La Crosse County Care Management Program and Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan. Jane King, has been an AARP manager of  consumer protection and housing; deputy director of the National Consumers League, Chair of the Alexandria Commission on Aging and also chair of the National Consumers League .  She serves on AARP Virginia’s State and Federal Advocacy Teams. She is co-chair of the Northern Virginia Aging Network’s  Legislative Committee, and Vice Chair of At Home in Alexandria.

 

L812 Healthcare Topics

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 31-Apr 7 (Updated)
Two sessions
Coordinator: Beth Davis
● Apr. 7: Being a Proactive Patient: Diet and Exercise. A balanced diet and regular exercise is an important part of our daily routine to maintain good health. Mysore Maitri, MD, Board Certified in internal medicine, has been working in Virginia for the past four years and joined Inova as an internist in Nov. 2015. She enjoys working with senior adults.
● Mar. 31: Seniors and Sleep: Why Seniors are often sleep-deprived. Contrary to popular opinion, older people don't need less sleep than those younger. In fact, adults require about the same amount of sleep from their 20s into old age, although the number of hours per night varies from person to person. Many older adults get much less sleep than they need, for a variety of reasons. Sean Rotolo, MD, DABPN, Board Certified in sleep medicine at comprehensive sleep care center.

 

L813 The 1945 A-Bombings in Japan: Before, During and 70 Years After

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 26–May 10
Three sessions
Instructors: Evan Douple, Scott Willey
The year 2015 –was the 70th anniversary of the use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. This three-session class will take an in-depth look at the two events that introduced mankind to the “Nuclear Age.” The first session will examine the decision-making and planning that resulted in the delivery and detonation of Little Boy and Fat Man, and the major technological, logistical, tactical, and societal challenges that were overcome. The second session will describe the physical, thermal, and radiation effects produced during the detonation of the bombs, each with destructive forces equivalent to almost 20 kilotons of TNT. These results will be compared to the magnitude of effects that would result from today’s megaton nuclear weapons. The concluding session will focus on the establishment of the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission by the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences to study the health effects -of the A-bombs. The follow-up of 120,000 Japanese survivors and approximately 80,000 children of survivors, conducted by what is now called the Radiation Effects Research Foundation, is one of the world’s longest binational and longitudinal epidemiological studies. It will -be 70 years old next year. The study has become the world’s major source of human data on exposure to radiation and the basis for exposure standards.
Scott Willey is a retired USAF colonel. During his more than 27 years on active duty (1968-1995), he served in a variety of positions in acquisition, aircraft maintenance, education, and operational requirements. After retiring, he was a consultant for the Institute for Defense Analyses and Burdeshaw Associates, working on NATO programs and the KC-46 tanker proposal. He became a volunteer docent at the National Air and Space Museum in 1977 and is also a restoration and collections volunteer. He holds a BS in industrial engineering from San Jose State University and an MS in systems management from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Evan Douple, an OLLI member, is a radiation health effects specialist with a PhD in radiation biophysics. He was a professor at the Dartmouth Medical School (1972-1992) before directing the Board on Radiation Effects Research at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington. During the 5 years prior to his retirement, he served as the associate chief of research at the Radiation Effects Research Foundation in Hiroshima.

 

900 Other Topics

F901 Trip Tales

Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–May 9
Coordinator: Tom Hady
● Mar. 21: Lou Coglianese toured southwest France, from castles to vineyards. Enjoy a pictorial journey through the centuries of French history from sky-high 11th century castles, to prehistoric cave art, to the modern vineyards of Bordeaux.
● Mar. 28: Dick Young and his wife Willie spent three weeks in September 2015 exploring known and unknown corners of Paris, Budapest, and Prague. Their adventures and misadventures will be told as “Tales of Three Cities.” Part 1 will be this term; Part 2 will be in the fall term.
● Apr. 4: In the spring of 2015, Lorrin and Ann Garson flew to Singapore to commence a 13,200 nautical-mile trip to East Asia. Join them to visit some fascinating ports of call: Singapore; four ports in Malaysia; and two ports in Thailand. These destinations have rich trading histories and colonial and multicultural heritages.
● Apr. 11: The Garsons continue sharing highlights of their trip to East Asia, traveling to Cambodia, four ports in Vietnam, Hong Kong, and two other cities in China. Enjoy resilient people, natural beauty, and colonial landmarks alongside rapid development and temples of grandeur.
● Apr. 18: Last September, Sue Roose and her granddaughter took a tour around Germany - lots of scenery, history and fun!
● Apr. 25: Tom and Marilyn Hady toured the American west, from Colorado aspens to the Teton Mountains to Yellowstone geysers and wildlife, and finished in Minnesota at a local pumpkin festival.
● May 2: Katie Mitchell visited Sicily: the familiar (Palermo, Agrigento, Siracusa, etc.) juxtaposed with the unfamiliar (Savoca, Ragusa, Castelmola) and then on to Malta.
● May 9: Travel with Alana Lukes from Paris through the chateaux country into the hill fortresses of Carcassone & Les Baux. Paddle down the Dordogne River, walk the streets of Sarlat & Roman Arles, and loll on the beaches in Antibes and Nice (to name a few places visited). Of course, vicariously sample the food along the way.

L902 A Little Light Dancing

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 19–May 10
Four sessions
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructors: Michelle Blandburg, Manny Pablo, Lynn Gramzow, Rita Way
Class minimum: 12
Class limit: 24
Join in for afternoons of light dancing. Learn a few simple steps to lively music, and you will be able to master a few popular and easy dances. We'll watch videos for some of the dances, then practice together. Partners are not necessary, just a desire to have lots of fun. You will be ready to cut a rug at the next party, wedding or even at the upcoming “Seniors’ Prom.”

 

F903 The Game of “Go”

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructor: Robert Ehrlich
Class limit: 20
Go is an ancient strategy game that originated in China about 2000 BCE. Go's few rules can be demonstrated quickly, but to master the game can take a lifetime. The game rewards patience and balance over aggression and greed. Essentially, each player alternates in placing black or white stones on a board so as to try to surround the most territory. The balance of influence and territory may shift many times in the course of a game, and players must be prepared to be flexible but resolute. Go thinking seems more lateral than linear, less dependent on logical deduction than on a "feel" for the stones, a sense of "good shape" in the pattern formed by the stones on the board. Thus, the game appeals to many kinds of minds — to musicians and artists, to mathematicians and computer programmers, to entrepreneurs and options traders. Registration for this class will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Refer to page 48 for “add to cart” instructions. A fee of $22 to cover the cost of Go sets or Go books will be payable to OLLI at the time of registration.
Robert Ehrlich, a retired George Mason University physics professor, has written over 20 books on various subjects. He learned to play Go about 50 years ago and is in love with the game. Even though he is very far from being a highly ranked player, he enjoys participating in annual tournaments.

 

L904 Vacation Travel Planning

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 5–Apr. 12
Two sessions
Coordinator: Michael Flicker
Most of us travel, but some of us do a better job planning our trips than others. In this two-session class, six or so of our seasoned travelers will describe by example the process and resources they use. They will discuss how they planned and whether their planning worked, covering these topics:

• Transportation: selecting the method of transportation for getting to the general region of their trip, for traveling around the region, and local transportation in the cities and towns.
• Hotels/B&Bs/rentals: criteria and resources used to choose the places at which they stayed and whether they were satisfied with their choices.
• Restaurants: criteria and resources used to choose the restaurants and whether they were satisfied with their choices.
• Special events attended that required advanced planning, e.g., the opera or a show and how they arranged it.
• If the vacation was built around a tour, how they chose the tour company, pros and cons of the tour company and the trip, and add-on travel offered by the company before and after the formal tour.

950 Special Events

951 Bridge of Spies: Great Movie. Let’s Fill in the Details

Monday, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21
Loudoun
Instructor: Mark Weinstein
The 2015 movie starring Tom Hanks and directed by Stephen Spielberg, follows the actions by James B. Donovan, a New York insurance claims attorney, in negotiating the exchange of captured CIA U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers for captured Russian spy Col. Rudolph Abel in 1962. What is so special about this “insurance attorney” that leads to his involvement with this Cold War intelligence intrigue? What is the actual chronology of what occurred? How much license was taken with facts, events, and chronology? This presentation will follow the actual events, details, and the personalities of this epoch Cold War real life adventure. Spoiler alert: While the movie’s final outcome matches history, much of the plot does not.
Mark Weinstein, an eight-year OLLI member, is a retired electrical engineer and a docent at both Smithsonian Air and Space Museums. He started building model planes when he was ten and continued his avid interest in aviation and intelligence through a career in the active and reserve Air Force. In his wild youth and single days, he flew a Piper Tri-Pacer.

 

952 Gilbert and Sullivan Operettas Part 2

Tuesday, 11:45–1:30, Mar. 22
Note time
United Christian Parish
Instructor: James W. Keefe
The works of Gilbert and Sullivan, long known as the “Savoy Operas,” can be seen from a wider standpoint as belonging to the domain of European operetta. They are light theatrical entertainment nearly always with lively spoken dialogue and with a musical score in which a classically trained composer showed his skill. Arthur Sullivan is in this respect Britain’s counterpart to Offenbach in France and Johann Strauss the younger in Austria. The immortality of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas was assured by D'Oyly Carte performances, by amateur musical societies, school choruses, and the popularity of the music in the family circle around the piano. We will concentrate in Part 2 of this presentation on G&S’s later successes, such as Patience, Iolanthe, and The Mikado. We will also have a full showing in the fall of the Hollywood technicolor movie version of The Mikado with Kenny Baker in the lead role and the incomparable D’Oyly Carte Company carrying the show.
Dr. James W. Keefe is a former choral music teacher, high school principal, university professor, and a national educational association director of research. He received his doctorate from the University of Southern California in 1973 and retired from the National Association of Secondary Principals in 1995. He has conducted high school and college choruses as well as church and boys’ choirs. He sings tenor in the Reston Chorale and arranges some of the music for the group.

 

953 Staying Fit through the Ages

Wednesday, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23
Loudoun
Instructor: Debbie Casola
Participants will learn general exercises to maintain their cardio and muscle fitness, and techniques for improving balance. Class discussion will include strength training exercises to improve muscular strength, aerobic exercises to improve cardiovascular endurance, simple movements to improve balance, stretching exercises to improve flexibility, and hydration tips for maintaining bodies at an optimal working condition. Participants will be given guidelines for ideal frequency, intensity, and duration of performing exercises for optimal results. Come dressed to try a few exercises next to your seat, but don't expect to sweat too much.
Debbie Casola is a personal trainer, weight management consultant, and RRCA certified running coach. She owns Personal Fit Fitness, a small personal training studio in Ashburn, VA. Debbie also writes about her running and fitness adventures at DebRuns.com.

 

954  Underwater Wonders, Part 3

Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 23
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinator: Dr. Barry Berkey
This presentation is the third in a series given by Dr. Steven Cohen. It focuses on the challenges to our coral reefs and oceans. Videos will show healthy reef structures and their associated fauna. The discussion will cover major insults to the reefs and oceans and the short and long-term effects. This discussion promises to be entertaining, illuminating and thought-provoking.
Steven J. Cohen did both his undergraduate (BS 1972) and graduate (DVM 1975) studies at Cornell University. In 1980, he established Mobile Veterinary Services of Northern Virginia. Dr. Cohen ran the first “fulltime housecall” veterinary practice in Virginia. He became scuba certified in 1988 and began underwater videography in 1996 (PupDoc Productions). His work has been recognized in international underwater video competitions and has been shown at several San Diego Underwater Film Exhibitions.

 

955 Introduction to Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training

Friday, 1:00–2:30, Mar. 25
Note time
Tallwood
Instructor: James Sobecke
Emergencies happen. For a brief period you may not know what has occurred and how it may affect you, your family, home, or workplace. Are you prepared? Benjamin Franklin opined that “by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” Knowing what to do before, during, and after an emergency is critical, and may make all the difference when seconds count. Fairfax County offers a free training program that educates people about disaster preparedness and trains them in basic disaster response skills. This presentation describes the classroom training and hands-on drills that focus on personal safety, light search and rescue techniques, disaster medical operations, disaster psychology, and team organization. The CERT training prepares you to be able to give immediate assistance to victims, organize spontaneous volunteers, and provide critical support to first responders before and when they arrive at a disaster site.
James Sobecke is the Fairfax County CERT Program volunteer training coordinator and a lead instructor. He is a retired Army Officer with a long career in radio communications, contingency planning, and emergency preparedness. He has presented over 20 CERT Training classes in communities throughout the County.

 

956 Too Big to Fail

Monday, 11:45–1:45, Mar. 28
Note time
Loudoun
Coordinator: Al Smuzynski
This acclaimed HBO movie was released in 2011, and depicts the 2008 financial crisis and the efforts by government leaders (Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, played by William Hurt, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, played by Paul Giamatti) to respond. We will view the movie and discuss the financial crisis and the government’s response from our vantage point seven years later.

 

957 Internet Insecurity

Tuesday, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 29
United Christian Parish
Instructor: Daniel Venese
The Internet burst into the public eye in the mid-1990s. Its lineage goes back to the mid-1970s when the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) began experimenting with a technology called packet switching and created a network called ARPAnet. Packet switching also became an essential element of an operational military command and control network. For 20 years various incarnations of ARPAnet technology lived on in academic and military circles. Many of the assumptions that underpinned the Internet of the past still prevail today and have contributed to the many security shortcomings of the Internet and the prevalence of cybercrime. Rarely if ever in human history has civilization come to rely upon a technology with such a shaky foundation. This session will explore the historical and technical foundations of the Internet, the essential underpinning of the digital age.
Dan Venese, an OLLI member at University of North Carolina at Wilmington, started working on computer security in the 1970s and has an MS in computer science. He has worked on sensitive computer systems for government and corporate clients.

 

958 Rabbi Bruce Aft’s Commentary on Rabbi Harold Kushner and Psalm 23

Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 30
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinator: Velma Berkey
Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of the best seller When Bad Things Happen to Good People (1981), has also written The Lord Is My Shepherd (2003). The latter book explores one of the Bible's most familiar Psalms—the 23rd. Rabbi Aft’s presentation offers new insights into the 23rd Psalm based on Rabbi Kushner’s book. Rabbi Aft will lead us to contemplate an awareness and understanding of what it means to have God as our shepherd while simultaneously providing a soul enriching experience.
Rabbi Bruce Aft has been the spiritual leader at Congregation Adat Reyim in Springfield since 1991. He is a graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia and received his honorary doctor of divinity degree in June 2006. Rabbi Aft has been an adjunct professor of Jewish studies at the University of Mary Washington and Marymount University and has taught conflict resolution at George Mason University.

 

959 The Monarch Butterfly

Friday, 1:00–2:30, Apr. 1
Tallwood
Instructors: Bill Wright, Rosemary Wright
This is a one hour talk on the Monarch Butterfly. Travel with us to Morelia, Mexico, and into the forests of Michoacán to the butterfly reserves for a visit to the winter roosts. We’ll discuss the four stages of monarch life, from eggs to larvae to pupa to adulthood, and, of course, their migration.
Bill and Rosemary Wright work for the federal government. Bill (a retired Navy Captain) is a management analyst with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Rosemary is a writer/editor on the Joint Staff. Bill is a graduate of Pace University with a degree in accounting and Rosemary is a graduate of Evergreen State College with a degree in sociology. They joined Steve and Mary Malone on a trip to see the returning monarchs in February 2014. Mary and Steve are butterfly enthusiasts and Mary teaches a class on the monarch. It was their trip of a lifetime.

 

960 Something's Coming, Something Good: The Theater Music of Leonard Bernstein

Saturday, 9:30–12:00, Apr. 2
Note time
Tallwood
Instructor: Dan Sherman
Prodigiously gifted, Leonard Bernstein’s career included writing music (and sometimes lyrics) for a fascinating mix of musicals, capped by West Side Story. This course will review the range of Bernstein’s musicals, with many audio and visual clips, along with stories of how his works were created, produced, received, and revised.
Dan has presented led OLLI classes on many of great American theater composers, most recently Stephen Sondheim and Frank Loesser.

 

961 Iran and Iranian Peoples: Achaemenid Persian Empire (550-330 BCE)–the
First World Empire

Saturday, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 2
Reston community Center, Lake Anne
Instructor: Sheda Vasseghi
In a 2012 article by The Ukrainian Week, Kostiantyn Rakhno wrote: “On their long way from the North Caucasus to Africa, Alans laid the foundation of medieval military tradition in Europe and inspired British mythology.” The Alans are an Iranian people, as are the Persians. This course will cover the definition of Iran and Iranian peoples and the rise of the first world empire, the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Fellow and Lecturer of St. John College T. R. Glover notes: “Of all the world-empires before Rome’s, that of the Achaemenians was most significant for mankind…. So far as history has yet unfolded, no other Eastern people, apart from the Jews, has meant so much to the West or has taken so large a part in shaping the civilization and the thought of mankind.”
Sheda Vasseghi is a doctoral candidate and historian specializing in Iran (Persia). She has an MBA and an MA in history. She teaches at Northern Virginia Community College and is a contributor to WorldTribune.com and Freepressers.com. She is an active history blogger on her website www.evakdat.com.

962 The Difficulty of Being Good

Monday, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 4
Loudoun
Instructor: Kamlesh Jain
Most of us spend our lives wrestling with day-to-day questions of right and wrong, and these either have no easy answers or remain unanswered. This presentation uses the lens of “Dharma” as practiced by some of the characters in the great Indian epic Mahābhāratā to evaluate and suggest solutions to present-day moral dilemmas. It is based on the book, The Difficulty of Being Good: On the Subtle Art of Dharma (2010) by Gurcharan Das. Dharma can mean virtue, duty, or law, but is mainly about doing the right thing. The Mahābhāratā is the longest epic poem known, with 100,000 couplets and lengthy prose passages. Its world of moral haziness and uncertainty is close to our own experiences as human beings and provides insights and suggestions for resolving modern day moral dilemmas.
Kamlesh Jain has over three decades of professional experience, including positions with the federal government, universities in the United States and abroad, and major corporations. Currently she is the honorary director of research and education for the India-US World Affairs Institute. She has a PhD in business and management from the University of Maryland, an MS from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a BS and MS from the Indian Statistical Institute.

963 Girls of Atomic City

Friday, 1:00–2:30, Apr. 8
Note time
Tallwood
Coordinator: Suzanne Brooks
Instructors: Mike and Elaine Ahern
Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was a key installation in the Manhattan Project, the WW II effort to build the atomic bomb. Many young women were recruited to this “secret city” by the promise of solid wages and work vital to the war effort. Sworn to secrecy and kept “in the dark” as they worked in the factories, labs and offices, few would ever guess the true nature of the tasks they performed until the end of the war. This class will tell the story of how this town came to life in the middle of Appalachia, and the young women whose pluck, courage, and humor contributed to this important effort.
Mike Ahern is the vice president of LLI-Manassas. He holds BS and MS degrees in chemistry, and served 26 years in the US Army. He has taught at the US Military Academy at West Point, in Prince William County Schools, and as an adjunct for George Mason University. His wife Elaine became thoroughly adept at moving their family around the United States and overseas, and then worked for 15 years at Interstate Van Lines in Fairfax, Virginia. Mike and Elaine have visited Oak Ridge many times and look forward to telling this amazing story.

 

964 The Energy Box and Gravitation

Monday, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 11
Loudoun
Instructor: Paul Murad
The Morningstar Energy Box is a revolutionary device based upon a device invented by John Searl and a Russian device made by Godin and Roschin. This game-changing technology involves rotating an electromagnetic device that alters gravity. Its weight of 190 pounds dropped as much as 40 pounds during transient rotation, along with an unexpected 14-pound (7.3 percent) loss during steady-state rotation. Some three plausible explanations include:
● The conversion of angular momentum into linear momentum.
● Gravito-Electro-Magnetism (GEM) effects: a Poynting vector force uses induction.
● Retarded potentials: the ring acts as a reflection plane for the roller electric and magnetic fields and time is retarded.
Several additional possible explanations were identified that may have supportable technical evidence. These include: cogravitation, matter waves, gravitational wave effects, and a conjecture thru the ‘N’ Dimension axis. Are some of these approaches scientifically real or closer to science fiction? There is a need for further research into this anomaly of weight changes and its effect on future space propulsion efforts.
See F805 for instructor information.

 

965 The Magic of Dreams: An American Diplomat’s Journey

Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 13
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Eleanor Lopes Akahloun
We all have a story worth telling and a purpose in life. I am no exception. My mission is to uplift and inspire others to pursue their goals. The Magic of Dreams chronicles my personal journey from humble beginnings in a tightly knit Cape Verdean community in Massachusetts to a career as an American diplomat. Despite obstacles, my childhood passions prevailed. My life exemplifies that dreams are magical, yet chasing them can be challenging. Resolve, fortitude, and persistence can propel us to do amazing things. This mindset was infused in me by my ancestors, people of Portuguese African origin possessing unshakable faith. The memoir highlights political and economic events where I served, and delves into cultural dynamics and important life lessons learned along the way. As the book illustrates, we are all globally interconnected despite physical or cultural differences.
Eleanor Lopes Akahloun is a retired Department of State Foreign Service employee with 43 years of US government experience. She held multiple overseas postings and traveled across the seven continents. She is a graduate of Chamberlayne Junior College and has two children.

 

966 Urban Search and Rescue

Friday, 1:00–2:30, Apr. 15
Tallwood
Coordinator: Stephanie Trachtenberg
Did you know that Fairfax County sponsors an international urban search and rescue task force? It is recognized throughout the United States and the world as a leader in catastrophic event mitigation, readiness, response, and recovery techniques. Join us to learn about the history and mission of Virginia Task Force 1. Since 1986, task force members have been at the forefront in assisting in the development of response systems both domestically and internationally. This assistance, supplied to the US Agency for International Development’s Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA), the United Nations, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), ensures that the world's first-responder community is prepared for its arduous duties. There are approximately 200 trained and equipped people who can be activated on the task force. When activated, the task force is comprised of 70 persons: Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department firefighters and paramedics, both career and volunteer, as well as non-County workers such as physicians, canine handlers, structural engineers, communications experts, and heavy-rigging specialists. The task force’s latest deployments include the April 2015 Nepal earthquake and the October 2015 South Carolina flood.

967 Beyond Partisan Division

Monday, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 18
Loudoun
Instructor: Anya Sammler-Michael
How do we talk with those whose politics seem vastly different from our own? Why should we try? What values could we possibly share? This presentation will draw on Reverend Anya’s collaboration with leaders in her own faith tradition, as well as on the work of the social psychologist and professor of ethical leadership, Jonathan Haidt.
Rev. Anya Sammler-Michael is the minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Sterling.

 

968 Shenandoah Iron

Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 20
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: James Roderick Graves
This course is an exploration into the impact of iron furnaces in the Shenandoah Valley and their contribution to southern decorative arts.
James Roderick Graves is vice president of Luray Caverns, as well as Curator of both museums on site. He is active in historic preservation and Civil War commemoration. He is vice president of the Page County Heritage Association, serves on the Shenandoah Valley Folklife Society and Virginia’s Preservation Board, and is past chairman of the Page County Sesquicentennial Committee.

 

969 How to Fix Health Reform: Mid-Course-Correction or Repeal and Replace?

Wednesday, 2:15–4:00, Apr. 27
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Len Nichols
The Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, quickly became and is still a touchstone of partisan and emotional debate in this country. The rhetoric is not subsiding in this Presidential election cycle even as implementation proceeds. Some data are widely accepted as facts, but opponents and proponents emphasize different facts that in some instances make the law’s impact less nuanced than it really is. Dr. Nichols will assess the law’s performance in areas such as insurance coverage and access to care; cost increases to governments, families, and private payers (employers and health plans); quality of care; and the nation’s overall health. The interactive discussion will cover arguments for and against amending the law and its overall approach to health care reform.
Len Nichols has been a professor of health policy and director of the Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics at George Mason University since 2010. Len’s work bridges health-related policy, politics, economics, and health services research. He was an associate professor and chair of the economics department at Wellesley College, where he taught from 1980-1991. His PhD in economics is from the University of Illinois.

970  Art That’s Changing Lives: An Introduction to MnemeTherapy® and Art Without Boundaries®

Friday, 1:00–2:30, Apr. 29
Note time
Tallwood
Instructor: Catherine Obreza Fetterman
MnemeTherapy® (pronounced Nemma) is an enjoyable, brain-stimulating, and therapeutic arts-based activity that incorporates a unique combination of singing, movement, painting, and storytelling to enhance the lives of those with cognitive and physical impairments. This multimodal therapy uses a guided painting process to bring joy, hope, and healing to individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, autism and related disorders, and traumatic brain injuries.
Catherine Obreza Fetterman of Leesburg is an artist, teacher, and mentor with over 25 years’ experience. She studied art and French in Paris, France, and received a BA from Smith College and an MA from Middlebury College. She became the first Certified MnemeTherapist in Virginia with the Art Without Boundaries Association (AWBA) in 2013. AWBA is a nonprofit organization that trains compassionate artists in providing this therapy in their communities. In her first two years, Catherine has taught over 1,000 sessions to seniors and those with special needs in northern Virginia. She is president of Art Together LLC. She has written a book and given numerous talks about MnemeTherapy®, trained three local artists as MnemeTherapists, and is serving AWBA as a volunteer board member.

 

971 What If...?

Monday, 11:50–1:15, May 2
Loudoun
Instructor: Ronald A. Goodbread
“What if…?” is a discussion of ten amazing coincidences and astonishing happenstances that changed the course of world history, from prehistoric times to the present, and how things would have been dramatically different had they not occurred. This is a PowerPoint presentation with photographs and other data.
Ronald A. Goodbread was a history professor and a judge in the DC Superior Court. He spent over 20 years as a well-known criminal defense lawyer in D.C., Virginia, and Maryland, and is a veteran OLLI presenter.

 

972 Iran and Iranian Peoples: Cyrus the Great (r.559-530 BCE)

Saturday, 9:40–11:05, May 7
United Christian Parish
Instructor: Sheda Vasseghi
In a 2013 lecture at The Smithsonian, professor of history Caroline Winterer states “the world of the American founders was one of what we might call cultural syncretism; they knew that the East was always in contact with the West…To them, the defining feature of the ancient world was that it was all part of a giant Mediterranean world, a sandy, watery, mountainous world that stretched from the Straits of Gibraltar in the western Mediterranean to Persia in the east… To the American founders, that was the world of Cyrus the Great, not a world of East vs. West.” This course will cover the definition of Iran and Iranian peoples before focusing on the Persian king Cyrus II, one of the greatest conquerors and leaders of all time. He was a man greatly admired for his character, chivalry, justice, wisdom, and unique legacy, and was known as the Cyrus Cylinder.
See 961 for instructor information.

 

973 “Outflanked and Defeated”: American Collapse at Bladensburg

Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, May 11
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinator: Florence Adler
Instructors: Michael T. Kelly, David J. Fort
In this class, the authors of this book share their findings and theories in an attempt to correct the distorted history of the Battle of Bladensburg. Colonel Joseph Sterrett expressed the sentiments of his fellow commanders when he decried how quickly British forces “outflanked and defeated” American troops at Bladensburg, Maryland, on August 24, 1814. In spite of their advantages of numerical superiority, high ground, and Revolutionary War-trained leaders, American forces failed to stand against a battle-hardened enemy. The flight of so many militia units in the midst of battle produced a regrettable moniker, “The Bladensburg Races.” Furthermore, Americans suffered the ignominy of losing their capital city to the British torch. What went wrong? We will attempt to answer that 200-year-old question by dissecting the battle action and analyzing key command and control breakdowns, even as we pose new questions based on original research and battlefield explorations. Tearing apart the dismissive and misleading “Bladensburg Races” epithet reveals numerous instances of true valor, remarkable bravery, and costly sacrifice on the parts of several local heroes who deserve recognition and remembrance.
David Fort studied history at Gettysburg College and serves as deputy director, FOIA/MDR Division at the National Archives and Records Administration in College Park, Maryland. Michael Kelly studied American history at Pennsylvania State University and works for the National Park Service in Washington, D.C.

 

974 School of Dance Gala

Friday, 8:00 p.m., Mar. 18
George Mason University’s Center for the Arts Concert Hall
Coordinator: Kristina Windom
Join us as the Mason Dance Company performs its 2016 Gala Concert at George Mason University's Center for the Arts Concert Hall. This eagerly anticipated annual event showcases this extraordinary repertory company of dancers at the start of their professional careers, performing a program of contemporary masterpieces. Recent alumni of the Mason Dance Company have been invited to join some of the world's most prestigious dance companies, including the Mark Morris Dance Group, Limón Dance, Elisa Monte Dance, and Pascal Rioult. The exciting program features Impetere by Nick Pupillo, Bhangra Fever by Donald Byrd, the duet from Vespers by Ulysses Dove, and Mark Morris’ V. Registration for this event is on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are $10 payable to OLLI at the time of registration confirmation.

 

975 A Visit to the FAA Command Center

Friday, 10:30–4:00, Apr. 1
Bus Trip
Coordinator: Suzanne Brooks
Tour limit: 25
Join us for a tour of the FAA Command Center in Vint Hill, Virginia. This center regulates air traffic when weather, equipment, runway closures, or other conditions place stress on the National Air Space (NAS). In these instances, traffic management personnel at the Command Center take action to modify traffic demands in order to remain within system capacity. This is accomplished in cooperation with airline personnel, traffic management personnel, and air traffic controllers at affected facilities. This helps minimize delays and congestion and maximize the overall use of the NAS, ensuring safe and efficient air travel within the US. The bus will leave promptly at 10:30 from Fair Oaks Mall, parking lot No. 57, outside the circular road near Macy’s (in front of Mantech Corp). We will stop for lunch at Wegmans in Gainesville before continuing on to the FAA facility. We plan to return to Fair Oaks Mall by 4:00. The fee of $32, payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation, covers bus fare and driver gratuity.
Frank Brody will lead our tour. He is meteorologist-in-charge at the National Weather Service’s National Aviation Meteorology Unit (NAM) at the FAA Command Center. He leads a group of meteorologists that provides customized weather forecasts to the FAA as well as decision support for air traffic management throughout the United States. From 1991 to 2014, Mr. Brody was meteorologist-in-charge at the National Weather Service Spaceflight Meteorology Group (SMG) at Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. He led weather support for 98 space shuttle missions during his tenure at SMG.

 

976 Middletown

Sunday, 2:00, Apr. 3
George Mason University’s TheaterSpace
Coordinator: Florence Adler
Premiered in 2010, Middletown, the award-winning play by Will Eno, is both deeply moving and charmingly quirky as it explores the universe of a small American town. As a friendship develops between longtime resident John and new arrival Mary, the lives of the inhabitants of Middletown intersect in strange and poignant ways in a journey that takes them from the local library to outer space. It is a powerful and poignant meditation on birth, death, and points in-between. This play is directed by Heather McDonald, professor of theater at Mason. Tickets are $10, payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation.

 

977 Dumbarton Oaks Museum, Music Room, and Garden Tour

Wednesday: 9:00–1:00, Apr.27
Bus Trip
Coordinator: Jeri Mullarkey
Tour limit: 30
Dumbarton Oaks is an institute in Washington, D.C., administered by the trustees for Harvard University. It supports international research and learning in Byzantine, garden and landscape, and pre-Columbian studies. Located in residential Georgetown, Dumbarton Oaks welcomes you to visit its museum with world-class collections of art, its Music Room, and historic gardens designed by Beatrix Farrand. Dumbarton Oaks Gardens is#6 by National Geographic on their list of “10 Best Gardens in the world.” OLLI members will enjoy a docent-led tour of the museum and gardens. Please note that this 90-minute tour involves a good amount of walking and standing; some of the gardens are on a hillside and steps are necessary to get to them. The bus will leave promptly at 9:00 from Fair Oaks Mall, parking lot No. 57, outside the circular road near Macy's (in front of Mantech Corp). Please be on the bus no later than 8:45. The fee of $34 is payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation, and covers the tour, fare, and driver gratuity. There is no food or drink served at Dumbarton Oaks, so bring your own to consume on the bus while returning to Fair Oaks Mall at 1:00.

 

978 Wining and Dining in the Countryside

Friday, 9:15–4:00, April 29
Bus Trip
Coordinator: Bernie Oppel
Tour limit: 25
Get to know your OLLI colleagues better and join our fun group for another in the series of ever-popular wine and luncheon trips to the lovely Virginia countryside. The trip begins with an extensive winetasting experience at Chrysalis Vineyards near the historic village of Aldie. Our tour continues with a delicious seated lunch in the quaint Log Cabin Room at Tuscarora Mill restaurant in Leesburg. After a short trip down Route 15, there will be a seated winetasting and educational presentation in the production room at Stone Tower Winery on picturesque Hogback Mountain. A fee of $96, payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation, covers bus, taxes, driver tip, room reservation, and winetastings. You will be provided with lunch selections from the restaurant’s spring menu before the trip and billed individually at the restaurant at an average cost of $25. The bus departs parking lot 57 at Fair Oaks Mall (in front of Mantech Corp) at 9:15, so please be on the bus by 9:00. The estimated time of return is 4:00.

 

 

979 “Outflanked and Defeated”: American Collapse at Bladensburg—Battlefield Tour

Friday, 8:30–5:30, May 13
Bus Trip
Coordinators: Michael T. Kelly, David J. Fort, Florence Adler
Tour limit: 52
Colonel Joseph Sterrett expressed the sentiments of his fellow commanders when he decried how quickly British forces “outflanked and defeated” American troops at Bladensburg, Maryland, on August 24, 1814. What went wrong? Based on over three years of study for their book on this subject, authors David Fort and Michael Kelly will share many of their findings and theories during this tour of the Bladensburg battlefield. We will spend the morning hiking about two miles, exploring 18th-century houses in town as well as 1814 battle sites along the Anacostia River. Following lunch, we will hike just under four miles visiting several battlefield sites. Please wear appropriate footwear for walking and bring foul-weather gear for potential inclement weather. Lunch will be on your own at one of several fast-food restaurants in Colmar Manor, Maryland. Please consider packing a light snack such as trail mix and water for use throughout the day. We will provide battlefield maps upon arrival on site. See Special Event 973 (same title) for more details and author biographies. The bus will leave promptly at 8:30 from Fair Oaks Mall parking lot No. 57, which is outside the circular road across from Macy’s closest to Sears. Please be on the bus no later than 8:15. The fee of $31, payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation, includes bus fare and driver gratuity.
Update:  The hiking on this trip has been adjusted to be 2-3 miles broken up among several stops.

980 Dispelling the Vampire Stereotype

Monday, 11:50–1:15, May 9
Loudoun
Instructor: Mary Kipps
Even if you’re not a fan of vampires, you won’t want to miss this entertaining and educational event. Along with film clips and amusing lore about vampire ethnicity, author and poet Mary Kipps will present a reading of her recently published short satire All in Vein, a series of witty vignettes about a vampire who must attack in the nude and the luscious and arresting policewoman who stalks(?) him.
Mary Kipps graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a major in Russian and a minor in German. She is a senior Information Security consultant/software engineer and former IT executive who loves to write, particularly poetry, which I enjoy composing in traditional forms as well as in free verse. In fact, the vignettes in All in Vein were originally written as free verse poetry.

981 Book Talk: Debating Modern Revolution

Wednesday, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 30
Tallwood
Instructor: Jack Censer
How were political rights defined in the American revolution? Why did Marxism have such long lasting appeal? What role did colonialism play in sparking revolutions in Asia? How did religion spawn revolution in the 20th century? What role did individuals like Tom Paine, Che Guevara and the Ayatollah Khomeini play in revolution? These and other questions will be discussed in this lecture/discussion based on a book recently published by Jack Censer
Debating Modern Revolution: The Evolution of Revolutionary Ideas (London: Bloomsbury Press, 2016) tracks changing ideologies from the democratic revolutions in the United States, France, and Latin America and then moves to nineteenth century nationalism and discusses the unification of Italy. After examining Marx’s ideas, the book explores their influence on Lenin and Mao and analyzes the transformation of such notions by Ho Chi Minh and Castro. Debating Modern Revolution concludes with the religious revolutions in the Middle East.
Professor emeritus Jack Censer earned his Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins and spent most of his career of over forty years at George Mason University where he also served as chair of the Department of History and Art History and Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. After publishing many books and articles on the French Revolution, he has expanded his purview with his recent book.

982 Great Presidential Speeches and Great Conducting Performances - the Art of Communication

Monday, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 25
Instructor: Jon Goldberg
Effective communication at the highest levels is a complex and personal expression of the message being delivered. Join Jon Goldberg as he leads you through the similarity and differences between great presidents and great conductors. Using videos of these great men in action, he will deconstruct their delivery to reveal just what makes these moments great. You will never watch a speech or orchestral performance again in quite the same way after this informative and entertaining session.

983 Uncovering the Secrets of Ancient Roman Gardens

Wednesday, 2:15-3:40, May 4
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Nils Niemeir
As springtime is upon us in Virginia and we begin replanting our gardens, have you ever thought about what your garden might say about you, were someone to excavate it in the distant future? What might future archaeologists be able to learn about the plants in your garden, your cultural ties, your social and economic status, or even your political affiliations and ambitions? Gardens encode all these forms of information and more, and over the last several decades, archaeologists working at Roman sites have been using gardens to discover more about who their owners were and what they valued.
OLLI’s Greek instructor, Nils Niemeier, spent the past two summers working with Roman gardens at the Villa Arianna and Villa San Marco in Castellammare di Stabia (Naples), both destroyed by the Vesuvian eruption in AD 79, and wrote his master’s thesis on new approaches to Roman garden archaeology. In this talk, he will discuss techniques used by archaeologists and archaeobotanists to reconstruct Roman villa gardens from the evidence in the ground (including organic remains and root cavities), newly proposed techniques for identifying plant species in gardens, and methods of interpreting messages encoded in garden design. Using these approaches to garden archaeology, he will demonstrate how Roman gardens give us a window into the minds of their owners while also providing valuable information about everyday life in ancient times, and how these forms of inquiry also inform our understanding of later gardens.

1005BT Spring 2016 Celebrate Older Americans Month: 50+ Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Panel

Tuesday, 10:00–11:30, May 17
Tallwood
Coordinator: Kathryn Russell
Share your Expertise Abroad! The Peace Corps needs Americans in their 20s, 40s, 60s or 80s. It’s never too late to make a difference, see the world and form new friendships. There is no age limit! Did you know that 7% of currently serving Peach Corps Volunteers are over the age of 50? Attend this session and learn about the work Peace Corps is doing in the world as well as the benefits of service. Hear stories from a panel of Returned Volunteers who served later in life.

1101 New Member Coffee

Friday, 10:00, Mar. 25
Tallwood
Coordinator: Sandy Driesslein
All members, but especially new members, are cordially invited for coffee, refreshments, and conversation. Here’s an opportunity for you to meet some of our instructors, staff, Board of Directors, and committee chairs, to get answers to any questions you may have, and to tell us about yourself and your interests. Registration for this event will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

 

1102 Super Salad Social

Friday, 12:00–2:30, Apr. 29
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Coordinator: Beth Lambert
Join us for lunch with your fellow OLLI members and an opportunity to hear the candidates for the Board. Please bring a salad (green salad, pasta salad, grain salad, fruit salad), fruit, or dessert to share. Be sure to include this event on your registration page and click on "request class.” Registrations for this event will be taken on a first come-first served basis.

1103 Annual Business Meeting and Picnic

Friday, 10:00, May 6
Tallwood
Coordinator: Jennifer Disano
The annual business meeting starts at 10:00, followed by the picnic at 11:00. You will learn about the programming and operations of OLLI as well as hear from the candidates for the Board. Voting for the Board will also begin on this day. Following the meeting, join other members for the annual picnic and enjoy the beautiful gardens and landscaping at OLLI. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND THE PICNIC. Register as you would for a spring term special event. When you register, remember to sign up to bring a salad, side dish, or dessert. Registrations for this event will be taken on a first come-first served basis.

1003BT Grab 'n' Gab Coffee Klatch

Friday, 9:30–10:45, Mar. 4
Tallwood Social Annex
Coordinator: Martha Powers
Event limit: 30
This event was a hit in February, so we’re going to do it again! Please join us for an informal get-together. Grab a free cup o’ Joe and a fistful of cookies in the Social Room, and meet in the Social Annex for camaraderie. Attendance is limited so sign up soon!

1104 A Seniors’ Prom: Revisit the Golden Days

Friday, 1:00–4:00, May 20
Church of the Good Shepherd
Coordinators: Kathie West, Wendy Campbell, Michelle Blandburg
Relive the fun of days long gone! Come shake a leg at a Seniors’ Prom dancing to the memorable music of the Tallwood Trio featuring vocalist Nancy Riley, as well as to golden oldies spun by DJ John Henkel. Enjoy delicious delicacies catered by gifted gourmand Kathleen Pablo. Special surprises will also enliven the festivities. Much fun will be had by all and the proceeds will benefit the Office of Military Services at George Mason University in honor of OLLI’s 25th anniversary. So dress to impress in your party attire, don your dancing shoes and be ready to cut a rug! Come enjoy this extraordinary event for $35.00 per person.

 

1105 Celebrating Shakespeare’s Life

Wednesday, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 13
Loudoun
Coordinators: Wendy Campbell, Kathie West
April 23rd is Shakespeare’s birthday as well as the 400thof his death. We’re having a party! Come one, come all! We’ll have interactive participation, listen to, and perhaps perform, a little Shakespeare Out Loud, and include a few surprises. There will be CAKE! “Come now a rondel and a fairy song!” We hope to see you there.

 

Ongoing Activites

Book Club

Second Wednesdays
Mar. 9, 10:00–11:30
Apr. 13, May 11, 1:30–3:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Ceda McGrew                                       703-323-9671
Our selection for March 9th is Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively. On April 13th, we plan to read A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman, and the selection for May 11 is All the World We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.

Bridge Club

Wednesdays
Feb. 17–Mar. 16, 10:00–12:00
Mar. 23–May 11, 1:45–3:45
May 18–May 25, 10:00–12:00
June–Aug., Monday mornings
Tallwood
Coordinators: Susanne Zumbro                                       703-569-2750
Gordon Canyock                                                                     703-425-4607
Drop in and enjoy the friendly atmosphere of “party bridge.” Skill levels vary from advanced beginner to aspiring expert. Partnerships are rotated every four hands. The Bridge Club meets in the morning between terms and in the afternoon during the term. For details on the Club’s rules and bidding system, see its web page on the OLLI website.

Classic Literature Club

Fridays
Mar. 25–May 13, 11:00–12:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Bob Zener                                                           703-237-0492
This club was formed to discuss great works of world literature. Last year, we read Joyce's Ulysses and Melville's Moby Dick, as well as novels by Faulkner and Toni Morrison. This fall and winter, we read Dostoyevsky's Crime and Punishment and The Brothers Karamazov. As of the date this catalog went to press, we had not selected our reading for this spring; please contact Bob Zener at rzener@cox.net for current information.

Cooking Club

Monthly dates to be determined
Tallwood
Coordinator: Ute Christoph-Hill                                         utehill@cox.net
This is a club for OLLI members who enjoy preparing food and sharing hands-on, homemade dishes in a small-group setting. We meet during the day, sometimes in members’ homes and other times at Tallwood or alternative sites. We often have a theme for our meetings, but our format is flexible. We also participate in food-related events, such as ethnic cooking demonstrations and restaurant outings. If these activities appeal to you, please contact Ute for more information.

 

Cottage Art Club

Tuesdays
Feb. 16–Mar. 15, May 17–June 7, 9:30–12:00
Tallwood
Coordinator: Sue Goldstein                                                                 ms.goldstein@verizon.net
All artists, whether you use pencil, ink, pastels, charcoal, or paint, are welcome to finish or to start pictures. The group consists of OLLI members at all skill levels. Join us!

 

Craft and Conversation Group

Fridays, Feb. 19–June 10, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinators: Doris Bloch
Pam Cooper-Smuzynski 703-455-2716
We meet weekly to work on our needlecraft projects and to share product sources, expertise, and inspiration. Our ongoing conversations encourage camaraderie and a group setting motivates us to progress with our current projects. Interested OLLI members are invited to join us to see what we are creating. For more information, contact Doris Bloch or Pam Cooper-Smuzynski.

History Club

First Wednesdays
Mar. 2, 10:00–11:30
Apr. 6, May 4, 2:15–3:40
Tallwood
Coordinator: Beth Lambert 703-624-6356
We welcome OLLI members who are interested in discussing historical events or sharing reviews of articles, books, or other interesting historical topics. Our meetings feature speakers who present on historical topics ranging from the Silk Road through the present crises in the Middle East—and everything in between. The club maintains a list of books reviewed by members at https://olli.gmu.edu/historyclubbooklist.pdf. To receive emails about History Club meetings, contact Beth Lambert.

 

Homer, etc.

Fridays
Feb. 19–June 10, 11:00–12:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Jan Bohall                                                   703-273-1146
Join us to read aloud a traditional or contemporary classic. We are currently reading Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence and plan to start Moby Dick in a few weeks. Drop in at the Tallwood Annex any Friday morning—new members are always welcome. For more information email Jan Bohall.

Mah Jongg Club

First and Third Wednesdays
Feb. 17, Mar. 2, Mar. 16, May 18, 10:00–12:00
Apr. 6, Apr. 20, May 4, 1:30–3:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Liz Bateman concordiaerb@verizon.net
We welcome all members who want to learn mah jongg or already know how to play. Stretch your mind and have fun with a game that is (maybe) easier than bridge, but definitely challenging! For more information, contact Liz or visit the Mah Jongg Club blog.

Memoir —and More—Writing Group

Mostly Wednesdays
Tallwood
Coordinator: Betty Smith
We meet most weeks during the year, usually on Wednesdays at or near Tallwood, except during the fall and spring terms when Dianne Hennessy King’s Memoir Writing class is in session. In addition to memoirs, we write fiction, poetry, and personal essays. Writing groups have to stay fairly small and we’re full, but we hope to have a January planning meeting for a second group. If you're interested in joining, please register in the "Clubs" section of the registration form. For questions, e-mail Betty (address in the Member Directory).

 

Personal Computer User Group

Generally third Saturdays
Mar. 19, Apr. 16, May 21, 1:00
Tallwood
Coordinator: Mel Goldfarb                                                                                     mgoldfarb5@gmail.com
In partnership with the Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society (PATACS), the OLLI PC User Group (OPCUG) focuses on Windows and Mac computers and software for enhancing our lives. Members and presenters also discuss smartphone and tablet apps across Android and iDevices, the Internet, digital photography, related technology, and open source software. Our aim is to bring broad expertise about technology and topics of interest to attendees. PC clinics for members are offered twice yearly. Our target audience encompasses all computer users, from complete beginners, to intermediate amateurs, to experts. Our motto is “users helping users.” Club dues (currently $5 per year) are payable at the first meeting attended in each calendar year. Dues-paid members can view monthly sessions online via the Zoom cloud meeting service on a variety of devices from home or anywhere with an Internet connection. More details are available on the group's website, www.olligmu.org/~opcug.

Photography Club

Second Fridays
Mar. 11, Apr. 8, May 13, June 10, 9:30–11:30
Fourth Fridays
Feb. 26, Mar. 25, Apr. 22, May 27, 12:00–2:00
Tallwood
Coordinators: Angie Talaber                               talaber@comcast.net
                             Dave Talaber                                  talaber@comcast.net
Meet with experts and others interested in photography and develop skills by participating in monthly themed photo submissions. The Photography Club welcomes all members, whether they use a basic camera or specialized equipment and whether they are novice or experienced photographers. We discuss technical aspects of photography, as well as the artistic aspects of visual design. We will have guest speakers on the second Friday of each month and on the fourth Friday workshops will cover specific topics in detail. Also, we regularly plan field trips in the local area. Contact Angie or Dave Talaber for further information.

Recorder Consort

Fridays
Feb. 19–Jun. 10, 9:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Helen Ackerman                                             helenackerman@hotmail.com
If you have been part of the consort or have previously played the recorder and would like to expand your abilities, please join us on Fridays. There will be on- and off-campus performances, and you may need to purchase music.

Religious Studies Club

Second and fourth Fridays
Feb. 26, Mar. 11, Mar. 25, Apr. 8, Apr. 22, May 13, May 27, Jun. 10, 12:00–2:00
Tallwood
Coordinator: Steve Goldman
This new club is designed to provide a forum for ongoing discussions and explorations of a wide range of religious studies topics. All OLLI members with an interest are welcome, including those of any faith traditions as well as seekers, secular humanists, agnostics, and atheists. The participants will shape the club’s agenda, format, and focus. No topic is too controversial or off-limits for discussion. Some of the topics to be explored will include the following:
● What principles do religions hold in common and where are the differences?
● Are some actions inherently good or evil—or does it depend on the situation?
● How does one identify a “sacred text”?

Spanish Club

Second and fourth Wednesdays (in term)
Mar. 23, Apr. 13, Apr. 27, May 11, 1:45–3:15
Second and fourth Tuesdays (out of term)
Mar. 8, May 24, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinators: Dick Cheadle                                                    dbcheadle@verizon.net
              Lois Lightfoot                                                  lelghtft@outlook.com
This is a relatively new club designed for those who are at the intermediate stage in understanding and speaking Spanish—further along than 1-2-3 and A-B-C, but not fluent. The club member leading a particular class will choose the subject and prepare the lesson for that class. Members will not have to participate beyond their comfort level.

 

Tai Chi Club

Saturdays
Feb. 20–Jun. 11, 10:30–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinators: Russell Stone                                  703-323-4428
              Susanne Zumbro                                 703-569-2750
The Tai Chi Club meets every Saturday, year round, in TA-3. It is open to all OLLI members.

The Tom Crooker Investment Forum

Wednesdays
Feb. 17–Mar. 16, May 18–Jun. 15, 10:30–12:00
Tallwood
Moderator: Al Smuzynski
For activity description see course F204.

Theater Lovers' Group

Coordinators: Norma Reck, Nancy Scheeler
The Theater Lovers' Group (TLG)to provide OLLI members with opportunities to increase their understanding and knowledge of our local theater scene and the people who make it possible by: (1) attending/discussing theater performances, (2) hosting pertinent theatrical persons to speak at our monthly meetings; and (3pursuing interests as expressed by TLG members themselves. Be sure to sign up for TLG when registering for regular classes/special events, and use the Add to Cart feature. This will ensure you receive TLG emails regarding meeting dates and other TLG activities and events.

Travel Club

Fourth Fridays
Mar. 25, 9:00;
Apr. 22, 9:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: vacant
This club welcomes any and all who are interested in domestic or international travel. OLLI members have a vast wealth of experience in both traveling and living in other parts of the United States and the world. Come share your experiences and learn from others. We try to identify common interests so that members can plan to travel together, and we occasionally organize local trips by carpool to sites within a driving distance of 60 to 90 minutes. These local trips typically include visits to historic homes and museums.

Walking Group

Weekly
Tallwood/Fairfax Swimming Pool Parking Lot
Coordinator: Ute Christoph-Hill utehill@cox.net
When OLLI is in session, the Walking Group meets one morning each week, generally an hour before the first morning class. We gather in the Fairfax pool parking lot next to Tallwood and walk for about 45 minutes, arriving back at Tallwood in time for the start of classes. All levels of walking ability and speed are accommodated, since our goal is camaraderie as well as exercise. The day of the week is determined by our schedules and the weather, so it may change from week to week. Between terms we continue to walk on a weekly basis, but for longer distances and at more varied locations. Contact Ute Christoph-Hill for more information.

What’s in the Daily News? Continued

Mondays
Feb. 22–Mar. 14, May 16–June 13, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Facilitator: Don Allen 703-830-3060
This is the between-term continuation of the discussion group for news junkies who can't wait to express their opinions and discuss current events. It's a small group and the facilitator expects it to be self-moderating.