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 2017 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.
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100 Art and Music
F101 Intermediate DSLR Photograpy
Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 20–May 8
Instructor: Dan Feighery
Attendees should already know how to adjust camera shutter, speed, aperture, ISO, and focus. During the course, manual adjustments will be encouraged for our weekly shooting assignments. In addition to some discussion of camera controls, we’ll look at lots of pictures and discuss how the subject, background, illumination, and spacing within the picture can work together in making an interesting photograph. Several sessions will be devoted to light and lighting, including use of on-camera as well as off-camera flash. Attendees are asked to take at least 24 photographs for assignments that will be announced each week, and to bring one or two of those photographs on a thumb drive to discuss with the class.
Dan Feighery holds a BS in physics from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and a master’s degree in public administration from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Photography has been one of his hobbies for the past seven decades.
F102 Introduction to Sketching and Watercolor Art
Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 20–May 8
Instructors: Suzanne Goldstein, Susann Hamilton
Class limit: 12
This class is for beginners who want to learn some basic skills in sketching and watercolor art. We will discuss pencil types, pastels, charcoal, and papers used to produce lines, shapes, and textures in perspective, as well as appropriate brushes, paints, and paper for watercolor painting. Artwork may have to be finished outside of class. Participants will be emailed a supply list. If you register for this class, please do not register for F107 Drawing and Sketching Workshop.
Suzanne Goldstein is a retired math teacher and a longtime attendee of OLLI sketching and watercolor classes, as well as facilitator of the Annex Art Club.
Susann Hamilton is a retired association executive who has been an OLLI instructor of Beginning Sketching.
F103 Music Sampler
Tuesdays, 9:30–10:55, Mar. 21–May 9
Note time
Fairfax Lord of Life, Sanctuary
Coordinator: Kathryn Hearden
Kathryn Hearden from the Mason 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.
F104 Art Since 1950 at the National Gallery of Art
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–Apr. 4
Four sessions (three lectures, one museum visit)
Bus trip on Monday, Apr. 10
Instructor: Susan Rudy
Class limit: 30
Three illustrated lectures explore trends in modern art since 1950, and are followed by a private tour of the newly-renovated East Building of the National Gallery of Art. F105 is the same class except that the bus trip will take place on Tuesday, April 11. Please request only one of the two classes.
- 21: See how the works of Pollack and other abstract expressionists emboldened a generation of artists (including Warhol, Johns, and Rauschenberg) to rethink technique, color, and subject matter.
- 28: Learn about Serra, LeWitt, Christo, and others who emphasize form, idea, or process.
- 4: Discover some already-iconic works from the late 20th century—art that moves, sweats, melts, chimes, or makes a political statement—and try to predict what’s coming next.
- 10: Travel by private bus to the National Gallery of Art, where instructor Susan Rudy will lead a tour of post-1950 art. The bus will leave promptly at 9:30 from Fair Oaks Mall, parking lot No. 57, which is outside the circular road in front of Mantech. Please be on the bus no later than 9:15. The bus will return to Fair Oaks Mall at 3:30. Lunch is on your own. A fee of $45, payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation, covers bus transportation and driver gratuity.
Susan Rudy holds an MA in French from Middlebury College’s graduate program at the Sorbonne. Following a 26-year career with the CIA, she has been a docent at the National Gallery of Art since 1999 and has led tours of the Winslow Homer Studio in Prouts Neck, ME since 2012.
F105 Art Since 1950 at the National Gallery of Art
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–Apr. 4
Four sessions (three lectures, one museum visit)
Bus trip on Tuesday, Apr. 11
Instructor: Susan Rudy
Class limit: 30
This is the same class as F104, except for the date of the bus trip. Please request only one of the two classes.
F106 Protest Songs: the 1960s and Beyond
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 18–May 9
Four sessions
Instructor: Jim Dunphy
The history of protests in the US cannot be understood without the soundtrack to those protests. In this course, we will consider the interplay between protests and music. Starting with Billie Holliday and Woody Guthrie in the 1930s, through the music of the civil rights and anti-war movements of the 1960s, and up to today, we will consider how music affected protest movements and vice versa. We’ll examine the backgrounds of the singers, view clips of their songs, and then put each song in historical perspective. Some of the artists to be reviewed are Pete Seeger; Bob Dylan; James Brown; Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young; John Lennon; and Bruce Springsteen. Finally, we’ll close the circle by ending with a song by Graham Nash from the 1960s, commenting on a contemporary issue. Note: The language in the songs is angry and sometimes profane, and the images disturbing, but they represent the true feelings of the artist in the moment.
Jim Dunphy, an OLLI member, is a retired federal attorney and retired colonel in the US Army Reserve.Jim was growing up in Brooklyn, his father put him to bed not with lullabies, but with songs by Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, and Jim Reeves—sparking an interest in folk music which continues to this day.
F107 Drawing and Sketching Workshop
Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–May 9
Fairfax Lord of Life, Conference Room
Instructor: Bill Parsons
Class limit: 14
Leave your rational and analytic left brain at home, and tap into your creative right brain as we draw a variety subjects, exploring the visual effects and relationships of light, value, forms, dimension, and perspective. We’ll encourage free expression and use many different media to create work that reflects the personal interest of each student. Projects will be started in class but usually finished outside of class. Weekly class discussions of finished work will help students further develop their talents. Basic drawing supplies needed are pencils, charcoal, conté, ink pens, pastels, and paper appropriate to the medium. The course is intended for students who are experienced in drawing or painting.
Bill Parsons earned an MFA from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1978 and has worked as a furniture maker and designer, jeweler, silversmith, and ceramic artist.
F108 “It was a good show, but don’t do it again.”: American Art, Modernism, and the 1913 Armory Exhibition
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructor: Christopher With
On the evening of February 17, 1913, four thousand guests crowded the rooms of the 69th Street Armory in New York City to view the International Exhibition of Modern Art, more commonly known as the Armory Show. On display were approximately 1,300 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper by contemporary artists from Europe and America. No single exhibition has had such a traumatic, exhilarating, and disorienting effect on American art and its public. To comprehend the show’s place in American history and art, this course will revisit the exhibition and its tumultuous aftermath. It will also examine the state of American art prior to the show, reconstruct the show’s organization, discuss contemporary opinions, and review the show’s significance from the vantage point of 2017.
- Mar. 23: American Art before the Armory Show.
- Mar. 30: The Armory Show.
- Apr. 6: The Avant-garde and Contemporary Public Opinion.
- Apr. 13: Re-assessing the Show Some 100 Years Later.
Christopher With has worked in the education department of the National Gallery of Art and has a degree in German history from University of California, Los Angeles.
F109 Singing for Fun
Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructor: Palmer McGrew
As the name says, we gather to have a good time singing songs popular from the ‘30s to today. Class members are encouraged to bring in songs they would like to sing. 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 isdirector of the Greenspring Choristers.
F118 Watercolor 2 Intermediate/Advanced skills
Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructors: Linda Gersten, Suzanne Goldstein
The class will be provided with a selection of photos or you may supply your own. Guidance and support will be available from the facilitators. This class is not intended for beginners. Watercolor materials are not provided.
Linda Gersten has been watercoloring at OLLI for numerous years and has recently placed paintings in a gallery for sale.
Suzanne Goldstein has been watercoloring at OLLI for 4 years, she co-teaches a class for beginners in watercoloring, and she is a facilitator of Annex Art.
R110 The Ongoing Pleasures of Music
Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 20–May 8
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 through 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.
R111 Smartphone Photography
Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 20–Apr. 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Stan Schretter
Today the vast majority of photographs are created using cellphone cameras. This class is aimed at the beginning cellphone photographer. No previous knowledge of either photography or your cellphone camera is required. During the four class sessions, we will explore areas such as camera apps, how to create great pictures, and sharing your photos with others. As you know, there are many types of cellphones and each operates differently. The instructor will be using the iPhone/iPad to demonstrate the techniques covered in this class, but will try to answer questions about non-Apple devices. It will be helpful to bring your devices to class to follow the techniques we discuss. The instructor assumes that you know how to use your device and are able to download apps. Further information on those issues can be obtained either online or at the local Apple store.
Stan Schretter, an OLLI member, is an avid amateur photographer and has taught courses at OLLI for many years.
R112 Advanced Smartphone Photography
Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 17–May 8
Four sessions
Instructor: Stan Schretter
This class is intended for people already familiar with taking photographs with their smartphone, e.g., those who attended the previous class on Smartphone Photography. The previous class covered the basics on how to use your smartphone to take and share photographs, while this class will focus on how to be a great photographer using a smartphone camera. During the four class sessions, we will cover the exposure triangle and how it applies to smartphone photography, how to achieve correct focus in your pictures, an introduction to creating raw images using your smartphone, capturing some unique compositions using your smartphone, using advanced apps to enhance your images, and using apps that support sharing of your images.
See R111 for instructor information.
R113 Exploring Public Art through Documentaries
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructors: Anne Delaney, Jeanne Loveland
Reston has traditionally integrated art and culture into everyday life in its community. This led to the creation of the Initiative for Public Art Reston, now called Public Art Reston, whose mission is to inspire an ongoing commitment to public art and to create more public artworks in Reston. We will explore public art through documentary films that explore the works created by well-known artists. In addition, on March 30, Rebekah Wingert-Jabi, a local filmmaker, will present and discuss films she created about Reston’s public art. Other sessions will include one or more films, along with an introduction and discussion.
Anne Delaney has served as executive director of Public Art Reston since 2009. Prior to her work there, she was cultural attaché at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC. Anne holds a BA degree in art history from McGill University, Montreal, and a Master of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto.
Jeanne Loveland’s second career has been in the education department of Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) as education director and art director. She was involved with GRACE art for 15 years, working with IPAR to create a GRACE public art portfolio. Jeanne holds a BS in architecture from the University of Virginia and an MBA in finance from Mason.
R114 Meet the Artists
Thursdays, 2:15–3:30, Mar. 16–Apr. 20
Six sessions; Note dates, times
CenterStage, Reston Community Center Hunters Woods
Coordinator: Rosemary McDonald
- 16: Evelyn Mo. She was the youngest prize-winner in the New York International Piano Competition, and a winner at the International Keyboard Institute and the PianoArts North American Competition.is playing this recital on her spring break from Harvard University, where she is a freshman.
- 23: Beverly Cosham. Washington’s and Reston’s favorite cabaret singer/entertainer and her musical friends collaborate to perform their favorite songs.
- 30: Tallwood Trio with Nancy Riley. Alan Wenberg (piano), Eric Henderson (bass), Ron Musselwhite (drums), and Nancy Riley (vocalist) will perform selections from The Great American Songbook, Broadway hits, and more.
- 6: Richard Jeric. This internationally known pianist has performed in England, Prague, Beijing, and Dublin, and in prestigious venues throughout the US.is currently pursuing a doctorate at Shenandoah Conservatory.
- 13: Dr. Patricia Miller. Director of vocal studies at Mason, Dr. Miller is an acclaimed operatic and concert mezzo-soprano. The program performed by Dr. Miller and her advanced students will include exciting performances from Gilbert and Sullivan’s opera jewel Iolanthe.
- 20: Dr. Linda Apple Monson. Director of Mason’s School of Music, celebrated pianist Dr. Monson and her advanced piano students will perform selections from the classical piano repertoire.
L115 German Romanticism in Visual Arts
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 18–Apr. 25
Two sessions
Instructor: John Gallant
German Romanticism in visual arts is a fascinating, yet somewhat unfamiliar, period of art history. It encompasses painters working in the early 19th century who explored themes of honest expression, spirituality, and contemplation of nature. In these two sessions we will explore the prominent artists of that time, including Caspar David Friedrich as well as the Nazarenes, a group of painters devoted to reviving spiritual and religious art from earlier times. In addition, we will look at the Neoclassical movement, which was a precursor to German Romanticism, and the Pre-Raphaelite movement which was foreshadowed by German Romanticism.
John Gallant received his PhD in computer science from Princeton University. He is an avid art history buff who loves sharing his interest in art. He is a retired computer scientist and adjunct professor of computer science.
L116 Beginning Sketching in Loudoun
Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructor: Kathie West
Class limit: 14
Participants with beginning drawing experience will work on drawing facial features and ultimately on a portrait done with pencil and ink. After registration, participants will be emailed a list of items needed for the class. Practice done at home will be very helpful. Come join us and see that you too can sketch.
Kathie West, an OLLI member, was a 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.
L117 Indigenous Art and Culture
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–Apr. 12
Four sessions
Instructor: Al Carroll
Indigenous art and culture includes all forms of cultural expression: architecture, arts and crafts, literature, music, and performing arts. This course will look at American Indian and other indigenous actors, carvers, comedians, dancers, fiction authors, film, historians, journalists, musicians, painters, poets, pottery makers, singers, storytellers, tanners, and weavers. We will view clips of indigenous music, dance, comedy, television, and film. This course will also look at outsider misconceptions and stereotyping.
Al Carroll is associate professor of US, American Indian, and Latin American history at Northern Virginia Community College. He received his MA from Purdue and a PhD from Arizona State University. Previously he taught at San Antonio College, St. Phillip’s College, and as a former Fulbright scholar in Indonesia. He is an author or editor of six books and numerous articles.
200 Economics & Finance
F201 The Great Game: Make Money While You Sleep
Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 17–May 8
Four sessions
Instructors: Sylvia Auton-Hanvey, Brenda Bloch-Young
Class limit: 20
This course is for you if you are a novice investor or a would-be investor who is interested in learning the basics of investing in the stock market in a congenial atmosphere. This course is also for you if you have a relative or other person investing for you and you want to understand their investment strategies. The four sessions will lead you to an understanding of “Mr. Market” today, options for simple ways to invest, and, equally important, an understanding of your own needs and your comfort zone for investing.
Sylvia Auton-Hanvey is a retired educator with a PhD in mathematics education. She is a recent investor in the market and is self-taught.
Brenda Bloch-Young is a retired CPA with a BBA and MBA in public accounting. She worked as a tax director with PwC. She has been an active investor for over 30 years
F202 Federal Debt, Spending, Taxes, and the Bankrupting of America
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–Apr. 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Jim Cantwell
This course will address several aspects of the current $19 trillion federal debt, including how it has grown and the projected debt levels over the next several decades. Because of their large and growing effect on federal deficits, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and interest on the debt will be examined in some detail using Congressional Budget Office data. Questions to be addressed include: Why does the federal debt matter anyway? How close are we to being bankrupt and are we any different from Greece, a country in fiscal distress? Is there a ratio of US debt to national income at which point a debt-fueled economic crisis becomes inevitable? What is the trade-off between fiscal austerity and economic growth? Is the future of America and that of our grandkids in peril because of the growing debt? How might the debt affect retirees? The federal budget process will be examined, as well as tax policy and the distribution of income. We will also look briefly at private, state, and local debt. Class discussion may be supplemented with presentations by experts from the Mason faculty or other budget experts.
Jim Cantwell, an OLLI member, retired from the US Senate Joint Economic Committee. He worked as a health economist/budget analyst at the US House of Representatives Committee on the Budget and at the Government Accountability Office. He was an assistant professor of economics at Texas A&M University and a health economist with the American Medical Association.
F203 Selling Your Home: A Guide for Mature Sellers and Their Family Members
Tuesday 2:15–3:40, Apr. 18–May 9
Four sessions
Instructor: Helen Flynn
Selling a house one has lived in for 15 or 20 years is a major event and can be an overwhelming task. There are emotional, physical, spiritual, financial, and social ramifications. It often comes at a point in life when one’s physical and/or emotional strength is 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 where to live; what to do with your “stuff”; legal and financial issues related to selling and estates; dispersion of funds; and how to manage the estate of a parent locally or elsewhere.
Helen Flynn, a realtor and real estate specialist for seniors, has master’s degrees in education and social work. She will be joined by a home care expert, a financial and long-term care expert, and an organizer/move manager. She is affiliated with Century 21 New Millennium.
F204 Estate Planning
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–Apr. 12
Four sessions
Instructors: Sarah Parks, Bob Patton
The instructors will share their experiences with 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.
- 22: An Overview of Estate Planning: Gift and estate taxes, wills and probate, and powers of attorney will be discussed.
- 29: Trusts: What are they and how do they work?
- 5: Settling an Estate with a Trust versus a Will.
- 12: Medical Decision Making: What is a health-care directive, and how does it work? Plus 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 Mason 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 Sarah Parks at Custom Estate Planning on estate planning matters, and is a member of the Virginia Bar and the DC Bar. In 2000 he retired from the US Maritime Administration, where he was deputy chief counsel.
F205 The Tom Crooker Investment Forum
Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–May 10
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 such topics 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 of Virginia Community Capital and Community Capital Bank of Virginia.
F206 Don’t Be a Target for Identity Theft
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Vee Johnson
Data breaches continue to make headline news and identity theft remains at the top of the list of consumer complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission. To protect our personal, financial, and confidential information, we need to know how to detect, defend against, and report identity theft and other financial crimes.
- 20: How to Minimize Your Risk. Evaluate your daily routine so you can take actions to minimize your risk of being a target for identity theft or the next data breach.
- 27: Identity Theft and Financial Crimes in Fairfax County. Detective Rich Downham, from the Fairfax County Police Department Financial Crimes Squad, will provide an overview of identity theft, discuss other financial crimes investigated in the county, and review options for filing a police report.
- May 4: Credit Reports: Your First Line of Defense. This session will review credit reports and show how checking your credit report regularly helps defend against identity theft. The process for disputing and removing fraudulent information or errors will be outlined.
- May 11: How to Recover from Identity Theft. Laws and resources will be reviewed so you can develop an action plan to recover your good name and limit financial liabilities if you are a victim of identity theft.
Vee Johnson, a frequent presenter at OLLI, is a graduate of Syracuse University with a BA in sociology and social services. She is a consumer specialist and consumer advocate with the Consumer Affairs Branch of the Fairfax County Department of Cable and Consumer Services.
R207 Your Perfect Retirement Plan and How Not To Break It
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructor: David F. Wirth
In part one of this class we will cover the basics and beyond of integrated retirement planning and what working with a fiduciary means for you and your family. We will tackle the important topic of what you should do or already have done on your own or with professional assistance to ensure you have a plan in place to thrive financially through your retirement years; what factors could put your plan at risk; and the role of fiduciaries in your financial life. In part two, we will look at the real cost of your investments, what you are really paying, and what you should get for what you pay. This will be a detailed walk-through of the costs associated with investing along with an evaluation of what appropriate costs should look like for the services you receive.
David F. Wirth, CFP® graduated from the University of South Florida with a BA in economics and obtained a certificate in financial planning from the College for Financial Planning in Denver, CO. He is a financial advisor for Savant Capital Management in McLean, VA. He has 19 years’ experience in financial and investment planning and has spoken over the years to many business groups, college students, and retirees.
L208 Money Talk: A Financial Guide for Women
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–Apr. 20
Five sessions
Instructor: Linda Black
This course will teach women smart money management strategies that will increase their security and help ensure a future free of financial worry. We will cover five topics: financial basics, insurance basics, investing basics, taxes and their effect on wealth management, and planning for future life events. Each session will include lessons that demystify important financial concepts and exercises that help participants apply the information. We will discuss must-know aspects of finances, such as attitudes and behaviors regarding money; cash flow management; recordkeeping; borrowing; stocks and bonds; mutual funds; diversification; and estimating needs and financial impacts of life-altering events such as marriage, death, divorce, and cohabitation. The class workbook, Money Talk: A Financial Guide for Women (2014 Revision), has over 45 worksheets to help participants evaluate their personal finances, set goals for financial well-being, and implement plans to reach those goals. Students should order the workbook from Pals Publishing at http://www.palspublishing.com/nra_order.taf?_function=detail&pr_id=19. Alternatively, the workbook can be found online at http://njaes.rutgers.edu/money/.
Linda Black, a chartered financial consultant (ChFC) and retirement income chartered professional (RICP), has extensive experience counseling clients on portfolio construction, retirement issues, estate planning, and asset protection.
L209 Retirement Income Strategies
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 27–May 4
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.
See L208 for instructor information.
300 History & International Studies
F301 The Frontiersmen, Part 2
Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 20–Apr. 17
Five sessions
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: Jim Anderson
From the earliest New World settlements, the proximity of those vast, wild, and unsettled spaces in North America has had a significant impact on the history of our nation. It also has influenced our character as a people, distinct from our European roots. This is Part 2 of the series (which began in the fall 2016 term), and this part will include five lectures. We will continue to examine Turner’s “Frontier Thesis” through the biographies of individuals who were on the leading edge of our national expansion westward and who exemplified many of the traits that have come to be associated with the American character. These individuals include Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, Kit Carson, and others.
Jim Anderson spent 27 years with the CIA, including tours in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Far East. He holds degrees in history from Rhodes College and the University of Memphis. For the past 11 years he has conducted corporate leadership training seminars featuring Civil War battlefield visits. He has been an instructor at OLLI for the past eight years, teaching courses and leading tours focusing on American history.
F302 Jerusalem's Holy Sites: History and Controversy
Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 24–May 8
Three sessions
Instructor: Allan H. Goodman
This course will review the history of Jerusalem, emphasizing the origins of, and the competing rights to, the holy sites of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. We will focus on the most controversial religious site, known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as the Noble Sanctuary. This is the location of the Jewish Temples, the Western Wall, the Muslim Dome of the Rock, and the al-Aqsa Mosque. We will also discuss the complicated administration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (where Jesus was crucified and buried) and the evolution of the Via Dolorosa (Jesus' route to the crucifixion). Additional topics will include recent controversies concerning demolition under the Temple Mount/Noble Sanctuary by the Muslim Authority, the issue of who will control the archaeological excavations of the "City of David" in East Jerusalem, and the political/religious movement to rebuild the Jewish Temple.
Allan H. Goodman is a judge, mediator, arbitrator, and author of the novel Father, Son, Stone, a historical mystery that takes place in Israel. He is a graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and the University of Toledo College of Law, and a member of the bars of VA, MD, and DC. He has also been an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center.
F303 Times Good and Bad Along the West Branch
Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 20–Apr. 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Garrett Cochran
The West Branch of the Susquehanna River drains much of north-central Pennsylvania. Logging began to boom there in the 1850s and the small town of Williamsport came to be labeled the lumber capital of the world. However, by the early 1900s the trees were gone, the wildlife population was decimated, and Williamsport was struggling to find something new. Remarkable efforts succeeded in restoring the forest, bringing back the animals, and giving Williamsport a new life—but threats remained. The 1950s saw the construction of a nuclear reactor, an environmental disaster that took decades to eliminate. Today, there is fracking dangerously close to the elk herds in the area. Come and learn about this vital region in the eastern US and its history, and the issues it faces now.
Garrett Cochran, a longtime OLLI member, was raised in Williamsport, and one of his ancestors was active in logging operations during its heyday. The search for information about that ancestor led Garrett to contact a remarkable environmentalist/historian who divulged historical insights that Garrett otherwise would not have seen nor learned.
F304 World War I Potpourri
Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 17–May 8
Four sessions
Instructor: Pat McGinty
Countless studies have been written about “The Great War,” and because we are currently in the centennial years of this earth-shattering struggle, we can expect to see the publication of many more. Broad historical surveys provide us with the overall description of principal politicians, generals, admirals, and battles, but unfortunately leave out the “sidebars”—the tangential stories—that aid us in understanding complex historical events. The emphasis in this course will be on four “sidebars” that seriously affected Americans before, during, and after the war. The topics are:
- 17: Pershing’s Punitive Expedition into Mexico (1916).
- 24: German Espionage and Sabotage Prior to US Entry into the War.
- May 1: American Propaganda to Sell the War (and the subsequent suppression of civil rights).
- May 8: American Intervention in Russia (1918-1920).
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, political science, and psychology courses in TX, MD, and VA. His areas of specialization at the University of Maryland University College were the history of terrorism, the history of violence in America, and the history of substance abuse in America.
F305 Where Have All the Soldiers Gone? Transformation of 20th Century Europe
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–Apr. 25
Six sessions
Instructor: Bernie Oppel
War was the defining feature of European history for centuries, affecting every aspect of political, social, and cultural life. After two catastrophic world wars in the 20th century, Europe began to re-imagine the meaning of statehood, rejecting large defense outlays and conflict in favor of international cooperation, material well-being, social stability, and economic growth. The eclipse of violence transformed the continent and made a new Europe possible. This course will examine the century-long European transformation from armed camp and devastated battlefield to the creation of the European Union. Course topics include: living in peace and preparing for war (1900-1914), a world made by war (1914-1945), and the Cold War and rise of the civilian European state.
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 and has taught history at the USAF Academy, as well as several history and history film courses at OLLI.
F306 How the Federal Government Buys Its Goods and Services
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, May 2–May 9
Two sessions
Instructor: Ken Oscar
Ever wonder where your federal tax dollars go and how much each federal agency receives? The first of these two sessions will describe how the government is organized, how much money it gets through taxes, and how much money each agency receives. This session will also reveal how these tax dollars are contracted out, the laws and rules that the government must follow to contract with industry, and how government contract rules differ from commercial contracting rules and procedures. The second session will detail which agencies get the most money, how they spend that money, and how much they use in-house versus contracting out.
Ken Oscar, an OLLI member, is currently on the board of directors of several companies that contract with the federal government. Ken retired from Fluor Corporation, a major engineering/construction company, where he was vice president of strategy for Fluor’s government sector. Earlier, he retired from the federal government where he worked for the Navy, Army, and OMB.
F307 Decision in the West: The Campaigns and Battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga in Fall 1863
Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 18–May 9
Four sessions
Instructor: Patrick Diehl
Class limit: 80
This course follows the momentous events in the fall of 1863 which saw the state of Tennessee brought back firmly into the Union. The course shows how the Union outmaneuvered the Confederates out of the state of Tennessee and the strategic city of Chattanooga, but then blundered into the battle of Chickamauga, a horrific struggle which confounds some civil war historians to this day. We try to understand why the South, after the battle, failed to grasp their last glittering chance to turn the tide of the war. Finally, we study the most improbable battle victory of the Civil War, which still stands as a testament to the determined grit of the American fighting man. Heroes and villains on both sides abound in our story, and we will take a look at some of these audacious characters.
Patrick Diehl spent 36 years in the CIA as an operations officer, mostly overseas, and served as an instructor at the CIA training school. He has visited most of the major battle sites of the Civil War.
F308 Who was the Fairfax Family? The Colonial History of Fairfax County
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–Apr. 12
Four sessions
Historic Fairfax Courthouse
4000 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Lecturer: Jenee Lindner
Class limit: 60
In celebration of the 275th anniversary of Fairfax County, Chairman Sharon Bulova of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has said: “Fairfax County was founded in 1742 and has been the location of many impactful events. Like America, our county is exceptional in its history, its people and its institutions…” This course will give you insights into our local history as we approach this landmark in time.
- Mar. 22: The background of the Fairfax family from England to Virginia. William Fairfax established the Belvoir Estate in northern Virginia.
- Mar. 29: The founding of Fairfax County in 1742 by William Fairfax, Augustine Washington (George Washington’s father), and George Mason IV of Gunston Hall. The Fairfax family mentored young George Washington after his father’s death.
- Apr. 5: We'll learn about the enduring friendship (over 50 years) of the George Washington family at Mount Vernon and the Bryan Fairfax family.
- Apr. 12: More about the Fairfax family, from CA to MD, and back to England. Learn about researching records in Fairfax County through Fairfax County Circuit Court historic records.
Jenee Lindner graduated from Stanford University with and MA in education. She is a former Mount Vernon interpreter and tour guide and has served on numerous historical museum boards. She is a board member of The Historic Fairfax City, Inc. (HFCI) and chair of the City of Fairfax walking tours.
F309 Arlington House
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 19–May 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Linda Cunningham Goldstein
Arlington House is the prominent mansion that we see when viewing Arlington National Cemetery from a distance. In this course, we will review the history of this important landmark, and the stories of those involved in its past.
- Apr. 19: George Washington Parke Custis was the only grandson of Martha Washington, and was raised at Mount Vernon along with one of his sisters, Eleanor Parke Custis. Learn about his involvement in the history of Arlington House.
- Apr. 26: Arlington House was built on land given to Custis by his wealthy, late father, Daniel Parke Custis, first husband of Martha Washington. Learn about the plays George Washington Parke Custis wrote, his yearly nude ceremonial dancing on a nearby island in the Potomac, and his involvement in the Back-to-Africa Movement for slaves.
- May 3: Robert E. Lee lived in and managed Arlington House before, and during, portions of the Civil War years. Arlington House was eventually seized by the Union Army, along with most of its furnishings and treasures—a pivotal turning point in its history. Was anything ever returned to the Lees, or were they ever paid any money by the Government?
- May 10: After the Civil War, Arlington House and its grounds became Arlington National Cemetery. What is the status of the mansion today, and what are the memories and secrets it keeps?
Linda Cunningham Goldstein holds an MFA in visual arts, an MA in museum and curatorial studies under the Winterthur Program with the National Trust, and an MA in fine and decorative art and design from Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
F310 Ulysses S. Grant: Soldier and President
Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–Apr. 12
Four sessions
Instructor: Alan Gropman
Grant has been mistreated in US history textbooks for more than 100 years. Part of the effort to discredit Grant—a brilliant general, strategist, and earnest and honest president—has been conducted by heirs to the “lost cause” Confederate soldiers and politicians, who cannot abide Grant’s victory over Robert E. Lee or Grant’s conduct of Reconstruction after the Civil War. Grant, furthermore, was the most active president between Abraham Lincoln and Lyndon Johnson in terms of trying to present justice to the American black population. He was an extremely popular president and honored at his funeral by hundreds of thousands of Americans and many former Confederate senior officers.
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.
F311 The Jeffersonian Democracy
Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 23–May 11
Fairfax Lord of Life, Sanctuary
Coordinators: Brad Berger, Emmett Fenlon
In the wake of his accomplishments as a founder and statesman of the new republic, Thomas Jefferson cast a long shadow over the decades following his presidency. The influence of, and reaction to, Thomas Jefferson’s philosophy as a leader developed into what is known as the Jeffersonian Democracy. This dominant movement of the early 19th century bore witness to a second war of independence, an American stand of dominance in the western hemisphere, and a reckoning between North and South.
National Park Service Rangers have participated with OLLI in over 80 thematic courses, special events, and trips since 2001.
R312 Exploring Virginia with Your Senior Statesman
Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 17–May 8
Four sessions
Instructor: Ken Plum
Explore the Commonwealth of Virginia with one of her native sons, Delegate Ken Plum, our senior statesman (with over 36 years of service in the Virginia House of Delegates). Enjoy classroom lectures and discussion of the commonwealth's natural sights, eating spots, tourist sites, eating spots, history and culture, eating spots, and much more. Ken’s encyclopedic knowledge of our commonwealth, coupled with his relaxed and humorous presentation style, promise a fun and informative course that you won’t soon forget.
Delegate Ken Plum is one of the founders of OLLI and a popular leader of courses about 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.
R313 The British Side of the American Revolution
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 18–May 9
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 questioned the motives of the American patriots, as well as King George and Parliament? Or wondered why at least one-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—with 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 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.
R314 A House Divided
Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 18–May 9
Four sessions
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center Lake Anne
Coordinators: Brad Berger, Emmett Fenlon
At the midpoint of the 19th century, the future of the young United States of America was in peril. At the center of this crisis lay the institution of slavery. To say feelings ran strong on both sides of this issue is an understatement. Each side took extraordinary measures to gain an advantage for its point of view. The methods, which were sometimes political and other times personal, were acted out in our halls of government, along our western frontier, and even in sleepy villages. Those in the middle, who attempted to achieve compromise, found out all too clearly that they were in the middle of a tug-of-war which would lead not to understanding, but to a reckoning.
National Park Service Rangers have participated with OLLI in over 80 thematic courses, special events, and trips since 2001. Their courses are favorites because of the rangers’ extensive knowledge and presentation skills.
L315 The Internment of Japanese-Americans During World War II
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, May 2–May 9
Two sessions
Instructor: Robert Finkelstein
Approximately 112,000 Japanese-Americans (70% of whom were US citizens) living on the west coast were interned during World War II only because of their ancestry. This class will briefly trace the history of Japanese immigration and discrimination in the US, the historical events of World War II, some of the experiences of those interned, the legal issues and Supreme Court cases, and the politics during the war. The class will also review events after World War II, including efforts to compensate those interned and legal cases to reverse the convictions of those internees found guilty.
Robert Finkelstein earned his BS in American government from Columbia University, and his MS in computer systems from American University. Over the past year, he has extensively read about and studied the internment.
L316 History of Immigration in the United States
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–Apr. 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Richard Stillson
When growing up in California in the 1950s, a question sometimes asked of any new kid was “What are you?” The question was understood to mean “What country did your family come from?” or “What is your nationality?” The expected answers were Irish, English, French, Mexican, Chinese, or any nationality other than American. Although their families may have first come to the US many generations ago, somehow the immigrant status of families was still considered important, even among kids. While we are a nation of immigrants, immigration has been a controversial issue since John Adams’ Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, and continues to be one of the most provocative issues in our very contentious politics. What is “American culture” in a country that is constantly changing because of the mix of immigrants, each maintaining large parts of their original culture? This course will help put these questions and the broader issues in context by looking at the detailed history of immigration in the United States.
Richard Stillson has a PhD in economics from Stanford. After a career at the International Monetary Fund, he retired to indulge his passion for history and earned a PhD in history from Johns Hopkins. Stillson is the author of Spreading the News: A History of Information in the California Gold Rush.
L317 World War II Remembrances
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 18–May 9
Four sessions
Coordinator: Jim Kelly
December 7, 2016, marked the 75th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the entry of the US into World War II, the single-most important event of the 20th century. In that war, 60 million people died, the political landscape of Europe and East Asia changed dramatically, and the course of history was altered. Perhaps you have personal memories of that period, or recollections you’ve heard from friends or family members. We invite you to share those memories with your OLLI classmates. Bring articles from the period you’ve kept over the years: ration stamps, posters, pictures, war souvenirs, and other memorabilia (but not guns). Take 15 minutes for a show-and-tell of your most poignant World War II memories, and your assessment of them 75 years later. We look forward to some very interesting discussions.
L318 Reflections on Implementing American Foreign Policy
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Instructor: John Champagne
In an historical sweep spanning 45 years including time as an army officer, career foreign service officer, and government contractor, the presenter offers his perspective on American foreign policy as viewed from the vantage point of a field implementer and program manager. Four presentations will be given covering the period 1966-2010:
- 20: Preventing the Dominos from Falling. US military and development role in Thailand (1966-1979).
- 27: Observations of a Foreign Agency for International Development (AID) Implementer. Panama (1980-1984); West Bank/Gaza (1991-1993); Former Soviet Union (1994-1995).
- May 4: Some Government Programs Do Work. USAID’s role in humanitarian assistance/disaster relief.
- May 11: Creating a US Civilian Capacity to Address Political Instability Abroad. Lessons learned from Iraq and Afghanistan.
John Champagne has a BA in political science and MA in international relations. He is a retired USAID Foreign Service Officer with overseas tours in Thailand and Panama and several liaison assignments with the Department of State. His final USAID career assignment was Director of Middle East Affairs. Post-retirement he helped establish the Offices of Civilian-Military Coordination and Civilian Response at USAID. He also served as USAID technical specialist at US Joint Forces Command in designing new civilian-military coordination and planning systems for crisis response. Before joining USAID, he served as an officer with Army Special Forces.
400 Literature, Theater, & Writing
F401 OLLI Players Workshop
Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 20–May 8
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 Mason. In our repertoire we incorporate lyrics, short scenes, monologues, and original plays which have been performed at various local venues such as senior centers. We will also be creating a murder mystery that will be performed three times in June 2017. You must be willing to travel during the day, mostly on Fridays. If you have a scene or a play you would like to see put on, bring it along, and we will try it. Come, join, and be willing to tout OLLI and your talents!
See L116 for instructor information.
F402 Readers' Theater
Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 20–May 8
Clifton Lord of Life
Coordinators: Michelle Blandburg, Bob Osborn, Pati Rainey, Russell Stone
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. Even if you’ve tried RT before, come back. We are always trying new things!
F403 French Film Festival
Mondays, 11:30–1:30, Mar. 20–May 8
Note time
Instructor: Beverley Persell
Class limit: 40
Eight films will be shown that are either in French with English subtitles or English-language films that have French topics. Before each film begins, the instructor will give background information about the actors in the film and a general idea about its subject. Films to be viewed include:
- La Vie en Rose. The troubled life of the French songstress Edith Piaf.
- Le Divorce. Stylish Merchant Ivory film set in Paris, with Kate Hudson and Leslie Caron.
- Amelie dedicates herself to helping others and finding happiness. Nominated for five Oscars.
- 400 Coups. Truffaut’s unsentimental adolescence.
- Midnight in Paris. Woody Allen’s story of a young man in Paris and his illusions of meeting famous people in history.
- Les Chorists. Experiences of a music teacher in a school for troubled boys.
- My Mother’s Castle. Marcel Pagnol’s story of life in Provence.
- Gigi. Musical starring Leslie Caron, Louis Jordan, and Maurice Chevalier. Nine Academy awards. Gigi moves from girlishness to cultured glamour.
Beverley Persell has taught French at OLLI for 10 years. She taught French locally are The Congressional School, Flint Hill Prep School, and the Waldorf School. She learned French when she lived in France as a child, and she majored in French at Mary Washington College, where she was the President of Le Cercle Francais her junior and senior years. She has studied at the Sorbonne and University of Toulouse.
F404 Memoir Writing
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–May 9
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. Dianne is the coauthor of Memoir Your Way: Tell Your Story through Writing, Recipes, Quilts, Graphic Novels, and More.
F405 So You Wanna Write Poetry, but Don’t Think You Can
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructors: Ed Sadtler, Carolyn Wyatt
Class limit: 10
This is a class for those who aspire to writing poetry but fear there’s some mysterious secret behind this written verbal art form. Perhaps you just need the encouragement and impetus to give it a try, so sign up and find the support you need! 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 a wise woman.
Ed Sadtler, a graduate of Shippensburg State College in Pennsylvania, has conducted many writing workshops at OLLI, and has taught poetry writing classes for the Lifetime Learning Institute of Northern Virginia Community College.
F406 Wallace Stegner’s Crossing to Safety
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–Apr. 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Brenda Cheadle
Class limit: 25
“How do you make a book that anyone will read out of lives as quiet as these?” Larry and Sally Morgan and Sid and Charity Lang, newly arrived in Madison, WI, become lifelong friends despite professional competition and differences in upbringing and social status. Opening in 1937 during the era of the Great Depression, it concludes 34 years later when Larry and Sally are called back to the Lang’s summer home in VT. Considered the most autobiographical of Stegner’s novels, Crossing to Safety, his final novel, is an exploration of friendship, of marriage, and of life itself. We will view a documentary film on Stegner’s life as a writer, conservationist, and teacher, and explore connections between the film and the novel. Lecture and small group discussion will be a part of each class. The preferred version of the text is the 2002 Modern Library Classics paperback edition, ISBN: 978-0-375-75931-4.
Brenda Cheadle, a retired educator, has held instructional and administrative positions. Her diverse teaching experiences range from teaching in a two-room schoolhouse on the Mexican border to serving as an Associate Professor in Special Education at Mason.
F407 Introduction to Dante’s Inferno
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 18–May 9
Four sessions
Instructor: Kristina Olson
Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy (La Divina Commedìa), an epic poem that was written at the beginning of the 14th century in the Florentine vernacular, has been read and taught for over seven centuries. It tells the journey of Dante the pilgrim into an afterlife created by Dante the poet. Though based upon ancient and contemporary literature, his poem also imagined Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise in original ways that would determine numerous visions of life after death. This four-session course aims to give students an introduction to Dante’s greatest work, with a reading of select cantos from the first canticle of this three-part poem, Inferno. In our first class, we will take into consideration Dante’s life and times, including his time spent in exile, his relationship to literary predecessors such as Virgil, and to the major political and spiritual institutions of his day: the empire and the Church. We will also read the first few cantos of Inferno with an eye to the importance of translation. Our second class will look closely at the structure of Hell, and how Dante’s design is innovative in its balance of the secular and the theological. In our third class we will study how Dante achieves realism in his portrayal of the damned souls, such as his characterizations of Francesca da Rimini, Farinata degli Uberti, and Ulysses. Finally, our last class will explore the complex relationship between the poet and the pilgrim, taking into consideration the pilgrim’s changing reaction to the souls he encounters. Along these lines, we will conclude our course by viewing the journey into hell as a journey into the self. Interpretations of Dante’s poem in the visual arts will be integrated into class sessions. Ideally, participants will come to the first class having read Dante’s Inferno in its entirety. A recommend guide is Guy Raffa’s Danteworlds: A Reader’s Guide to the Inferno (University of Chicago Press, 2007).
Kristina Olson received her PhD in Italian from Columbia University. She is currently an associate professor of Italian at Mason and vice president of the Dante Society of America. She is a professional Dantist with several book and article publications in the field. Her first monograph, Courtesy Lost: Dante, Boccaccio and the Literature of History (University of Toronto Press, 2014), explores Dante’s literary and political influence on Boccaccio in the contexts of social, political, and economic transformations in the 14th century.
F408 Literary Britain
Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructor: Kay Menchel
In this class, we will examine Great Britain through the prism of several of its most distinguished writers (novelists, poets, and playwrights)—writers who differ in time, geography, gender, and political outlook. Among the topics to be discussed: the London of Shakespeare and Dickens, Hardy's Wessex (his invented rural region), the Celtic regions of Scotland and Wales, and the modern multicultural England featured in the novels of Julian Barnes and Zadie Smith. These writers offer a moral and cultural cartography of England that is more revealing than any map, and they offer an intimate understanding of the imaginative life-force of the country throughout its history.
Kay Menchel, who grew up in Yorkshire, England, is a lawyer who also holds an MA in English literature from Mason. She has taught numerous literature classes and always enjoys sharing her passion for English literature with OLLI members.
F409 Poetry Workshop
Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–May 9
Moderators: Mike McNamara, Jan Bohall
Class limit: 16
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 exactly 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.
F410 Theater Potpourri
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–Apr. 26
Fairfax Lord of Life
Six sessions
Coordinator: Norma Jean Reck
Meet the VIPs who will take us behind the scenes for a sneak peek into how they bring theater to life. Like people, each theater company has its own personality which, collectively, produces one of the most vibrant, enviable theatrical communities in the country—right here in the DC metropolitan area.
- Mar. Mar. 22: Kennedy Center. This venerable institution offers it all: world-class theater, dance, opera, petting zoo, and free programs, to name a few. It is in the process of expanding its facilities, re-imagining its vision and mission, and updating its offerings.
- Mar. 29: Arena Stage. Arena has put the spotlight on the American spirit by focusing on American theater and artists from around the country—productions that demonstrate American diversity and challenges. It recently announced its intent to pursue political theatrical works.
- Apr. 5: Studio Theatre. The theater’s mission is “to produce exceptional theater in deliberately small spaces, fostering a more thoughtful, more empathetic, and more connected community in Washington, DC and beyond.” The Studio Theatre boasts 38 years of accomplishments and now carries out its mission in its four intimate theaters.
- Apr. 12: Reston Community Players. The mission of this all-volunteer community theater group, now celebrating its 50th year, is to provide excellence in community theater for Reston, VA and metropolitan DC. It performs at Center Stage in Reston Community Center—a fine example of our tax dollars at work.
- Apr. 19: McLean Community Players. An all-volunteer theater group, the MCP mission is “to do theater for the community, in the community, with the community, sustained by the community.” MCP, which has performed a variety of plays at Alden Theater in the McLean Community Center for many years, is embarking on a new adventure this coming theater season when Alden will be closed for renovation.
- Apr. 26: The Washington Ballet. TWB is celebrating its 72nd year. Its mission is to bring the joy and artistry of dance to the nation’s capital and the world’s stage through professional presentation of the best of classical and contemporary ballet. In addition to operating a school of ballet, TWB strives to serve and involve the community through extensive dance education and community involvement programs.
F411 Booker Prize Books: A Marketplace Niche?
Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 29–May 17
Instructor: Ellen Moody
Class limit: 25
In this course we will discuss four gems of Booker Prize fiction. Some have said the Prize functions as a brilliantly exploited marketplace tool aimed at a specific readership niche, just perfect for quality film adaptations and literary criticism. The selected books are characteristically historical fiction, self-reflexive, witty and passionate, and post-colonialist—plus all have been made into films. Before class begins, please read Penelope Fitzgerald’s The Bookshop; then in class we’ll read J. L. Carr’s A Month in the Country, Michael Ondaatje’s The English Patient, and Graham Swift’s Last Orders.
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 Mason. She has published numerous essays, reviews, and editions of four texts on 18th century literature, women’s studies, and film adaptations.
F412 OLLI Actor’s Studio
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–May 11
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructors: Wendy Campbell, Manny Pablo, Kathie West
This is an acting class for those actors among us who want to hone their acting skills by working seriously on a script until they truly understand the character they are portraying. Over time, and with constructive criticism and input from our fellow thespians, we will work to improve our inflection, voice projection, physicality, focus, and blocking—while retaining spontaneity and the making of fearless choices. We will also decide what kinds of props are necessary for the understanding of the action. In short, we would like to gather a few actors together who want to upgrade their acting skills. All participants should come prepared with at least one monologue to work on through the course of the eight-week session with the help of the other participants.
Wendy Campbell graduated from Marymount University with an MEd. She taught in the gifted program in Fairfax County public schools for 20 years, introducing 10-to-12-year olds to the wonders of Shakespeare, Plautus, and Sophocles.
Manuel Pablo is a longtime OLLI member who dabbles in many areas, from music, to history, to art, and even poetry, hoping to find something he is good at. He is getting a fine education along the way.
Kathie West, an OLLI member, is a former theater teacher at Robert E. Lee High School and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.
F413 Celtic Tales Retold
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructor: Amelia Rutledge
Celtic mythology is studied with much less frequency than the mythologies of the classical or Norse worlds—in great part because we have very few of these Welsh and Irish tales in their entirety. Nevertheless, the heroic epics with their flamboyant heroes, and the romances with occasional episodes of great poignancy, are well worth our consideration. This course will not focus on the usual Celtic folktales, but on literary reworkings of legendary material. We will discuss selections from the Táin Bó Cuailnge (The Cattle-Raid of Cooley), especially the adventures of Cuchulainn. We will also review the story of Deirdre, whose tragic tale was retold by both John M. Synge and William Butler Yeats. The tales of the Welsh Mabinogi and the lais of Marie de France show myths developing into romances, as sharply ironic as they are fantastic. Our modern texts, poems, tales by Christina G. Rossetti and Oscar Wilde, and "changeling" tales will demonstrate the impressive afterlife of these very old stories in poetry and fiction.
Amelia A. Rutledge is an associate professor of English at Mason, and she holds a PhD in medieval studies from Yale University. She teaches courses in medieval literature, science fiction, fantasy, and children's literature, and has published articles on those subjects.
F414 Let’s Read a Play Together: Salome
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Doris Bloch
Class limit: 28
The objectives of this course are to read and discuss a play and to enjoy doing it in a participatory group setting.class we will read the assigned scenes, taking turns reading the parts out loud. All members of the group will be encouraged to participate fully in readings and discussions. Salome is a classical play written by Oscar Wilde, based on the biblical story of John the Baptist, Herod, and his step-daughter Salome. Wilde was not the only one to be inspired to elaborate on this story; Richard Strauss wrote an opera, Salome, with text taken from the Wilde script. We will review the New Testament content, learn about Wilde, read his play, listen to snippets of the Strauss opera, and view one or two Salome videos—each radically different in tone and staging. Following registration, class members will be notified as to several ways to obtain the script.
Doris Bloch is a past co-chair of the Literature, Language, and Theater Program Planning Group.has directed the “Let’s Study a Play Together” course for many terms, selecting playwrights or genres as diverse as commedia dell’arte, Agatha Christie, George Bernard Shaw, Leonard Bernstein, and P.G. Wodehouse.
F415 Inside the Actor’s Studio: Hollywood Bad Boys
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–May 11
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: Michelle Blandburg
On the popular television series “Inside the Actors Studio,” host James Lipton interviewed Hollywood’s top stars. In this class, a sequel to last year’s related class on “Hollywood Icons,” we will view some episodes which were aired but not released publicly on DVD. The focus will be on some Hollywood “bad boys”—iconic male stars known for their independent and sometimes rebellious personas. We will get to know Sean Penn, Johnny Depp, Martin Scorsese, Russell Crowe, Dustin Hoffman, Eddie Murphy, Charlie Sheen, and Matthew McConaughey. Extra features include introductions and previously unseen portions of the original interviews. Join us and enjoy these intelligent, thought-provoking sessions that delve into the artists’ lives, works, and creative processes.
Michelle Blandburg is an OLLI Board member, a movie lover, and an active member of the OLLI Players. She enjoys coordinating Readers’ Theater, performing with the OLLI Players, and all things theatrical.
F416 Literary Potpourri
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Coordinators: Jackie Gropman, Katie Mitchell
Are you seeking a bit of literary diversity? These speakers and their varied topics will help to broaden your "bookish" horizons. Enjoy!
- Apr. 20: A tutorial on library literature resources and how they can enhance your book club experience, along with a demonstration on the Novelist Plus database. Mohammed Esslami is branch manager of the George Mason Regional Library.
- Apr. 27: This class will discuss the genre of hard-boiled American detective novels from Cain and Hammett in the 1930s to the contemporary works of Parker and Paretsky, and many in between. Catherine Noonan is branch manager of the Martha Washington Library.
- May 4: Here Comes Exterminator!the story of the 1918 Kentucky Derby 30-to-1 longshot winner, his trainer, and horse-race-loving America during World War I and into the 1920s. WashingtonianEliza McGraw is the author of two academic titles and is a contributor to Equus, The New York Times, and The Washington Post.
- May 11: Fairy tales are not just for young boys and girls! Now you can discover little-known adult fairy tales. Learn the story behind these ancient stories and how they live on in both adult and children's contemporary literature. FranMilhouser and Sheila Janega are retired Fairfax County librarians currently serving on the FCPL Board of Trustees.
R417 Doctor Who
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–May 9
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 programming 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 magical 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-part class 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.
R418 Literary Roundtable
Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–May 10
Reston's Used Book Shop at Lake Anne
Moderators: Janice Dewire, Carol Henderson
Class limit: 21
This short-story discussion class will complete the anthology, 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories, edited by Lorrie Moore and published in 2015 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The book is a compilation of 40 stories from the history of the annual Best American Short Stories volumes. This term we’ll be discussing selections from 1990 through 2014, including stories by Alice Munro, Junot Diaz, Jhumpa Lahiri, and Tobias Wolff. The hardback book is available for $21 or less online and in bookshops or in e-book editions.
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.
R419 Literary Britain
Wednesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 22–May 10
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center Lake Anne
Instructor: Kay Menchel
This is a repeat of F408.
R420 What’s on Your Bookshelf?
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Coordinator: Steve Greenhouse
In this class, some of our fellow OLLI members will share their intellectual development acquired from books. In short, they will tell us “what’s on my bookshelf and why.” As OLLI members who take lifelong learning seriously, some of us have zeroed in on certain types of books, making ourselves into experts on either the category or the subject matter or both. Or, we may just plain find these books enjoyable to read. The eight presenters, two per class, will enlighten us about the type (genre) of books/authors they tend to read the most; their favorite books/authors in this genre; the one book that made them who they are today; and their recommendations on what to read.
Steve Greenhouse has a PhD in electrical engineering from Catholic University. He is a retired electrical engineer who worked in the space communications field for the last 35 years of his career. Steve is an avid reader and likes to share his reading experiences. He looks upon the planning for and presentation of this course as both a challenge and an educational experience. Yes, Steve believes, teachers can learn along with their students.
R421 Shakespeare’s History Plays: Richard II
Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructor: Karen Miles
The four plays, Richard II, Henry IV Parts One and Two, and Henry V, were written over several years from 1595 to 1599 and are usually produced as individual plays. However, taken together, they comprise a single, two-generational story from the failures of Richard II to the triumphs of Henry V. This story is part history and part invention, and one that Shakespeare used to draw lessons about monarchy and society in England. This is the first in a four-part series addressing all four of these plays. This course will examine Richard II’s troubled relations with the nobility and the common people in England as well as Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. The discussion will focus on the following issues: Richard’s own reasons to abdicate the throne versus outside pressures on him to abdicate; the arguments of the clergy, the nobility, and the commons supporting and opposing abdication; signs of future troubles for the reign of King Henry IV; and important liberties that Shakespeare took with the historical facts in writing his play. We will watch the BBC production of Richard II from The Hollow Crown series, which reduces the play to about two hours, but in some cases the discussion will need to draw on the text. The Folger Shakespeare Library edition by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine is very readable and informative. You are free to enroll in one or both of the courses being offered this term; neither course is a prerequisite for the other. (Henry IV Part Two and Henry V will be offered in the fall term of 2017.)
Karen Miles holds a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in French literature. She taught at Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside before becoming a program officer at the National Endowment for the Humanities. Since retiring, she has twice taught courses on Shakespeare’s sonnets for OLLI.
R422 Shakespeare’s History Plays: Henry IV Part One
Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Karen Miles
The four plays, Richard II, Henry IV Parts One and Two, and Henry V, were written over several years from 1595 to 1599 and are usually produced as individual plays. However, taken together, they comprise a single, two-generational story from the failures of Richard II to the triumphs of Henry V. This story is part history and part invention, and one that Shakespeare uses to draw lessons about monarchy and society in England. This is the second in a four-part series addressing all four of these plays. This course will examine the challenges to King Henry’s rule from the English nobility as well as with Henry’s worries about Prince Hal’s companionship with Falstaff and his band of ne’er-do-wells. The discussion will focus on the following issues: the reasons for the failure of Hotspur’s challenge to Henry’s rule; the potential harm or benefits of Prince Hal’s decision to consort with Falstaff rather than with his noble family and peers; and the role of this completely fictional episode in the development of Prince Hal’s character in the play. We will watch the BBC production of Henry IV Part One from The Hollow Crown series, which reduces the play to about two hours, but in some cases the discussion will need to draw on the text. The Folger Shakespeare Library edition by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine is very readable and informative. You are free to enroll in one or both of the courses being offered this term; neither course is a prerequisite for the other. (Henry IV Part Two and Henry V will be offered in the fall term of 2017.)
See R421 for instructor information.
L423 The New Yorker Round Table
Mondays, 2:15–3:40, March 20–May 8.
Coordinators: Ellen Grimley, Richard Orlin
Class limit: 20
This course will consist of informal discussions of material from The New Yorker magazine or its website http://www.newyorker.com/. As it is an interactive class, material for discussion will be provided by class members. In past sessions, discussions have been based on articles, profiles, fiction, poetry, and cartoons. Before each class, the coordinators will email the material to be discussed to class members. Discussions usually extend beyond the printed material to include personal knowledge or experiences class members may have had relevant to the topic.
L424 Penelope Lively’s Moon Tiger
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–Apr. 11
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 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 have 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 course in a series on contemporary British writers well-regarded in the United Kingdom, but not widely known in the United States. The first two courses 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.
L425 Jawohl! Movies with a German Accent
Tuesdays, 11:30–1:30, Mar. 21–Apr. 11
Four sessions
Note time
Instructor: Martha Powers
Come enjoy four great films that capture the drama of World War II from different angles. Our series will include, in this order:
- 21: The Great Dictator (1940)—In this satirical classic, Charlie Chaplin plays both the dictator (a blatant mockery of Hitler) and a poor Jewish barber who tries to avoid persecution. Chaplin’s amazing ballet with the globe-balloon belongs on your bucket list.
- 28: Sophie Scholl: The Final Days (2005)—A dramatization of the final days of Sophie Scholl, one of the most famous members of the German World War II anti-Nazi resistance movement, The White Rose. She was just 21, and her story deserves to be known.
- 4: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2008)—Set during World War II, this story is seen through the innocent eyes of a young son of the commandant at a German concentration camp. His forbidden friendship with a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence has unexpected consequences.
- 11: Inglorious Basterds (2009)—In Nazi-occupied France during World War II, Jewish US soldiers plan to assassinate Nazi leaders while a theatre owner has similar plans. Spoiler alert: You’ll leave this movie feeling vindicated!
Martha Powers is an OLLI member who enjoys sharing movies with OLLI friends.
L426 Writers’ Workshop
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–May 10
Instructors: Ralph Greenwood, Ed Sadtler
Class limit: 10
This class uses a roundtable format to foster 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 each of these categories we apply the same underlying commitment: to write a compelling work that fully conveys the author’s intentions.
Ralph Greenwood holds a master’s degree in international trade from the American Graduate School of International Management. He is a retired mechanical engineer and project manager for many international power and desalination projects in third-world countries. He is the author of O Grampa Where Art Thou?—a fanciful romp where, as a 21st-century necromancer, he has informal chats with his dead ancestors who include William the Conqueror and Robert the Bruce.
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.
L427 Doctor Who
Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–May 10
Instructor: Wendy Campbell
This is a repeat of R417.
L428 German Expressionism in Film
Wednesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 22–May 10
Instructor: Josh Pachter
German Expressionism, a cinematic movement which originated in Europe during the 1920s, strongly influenced the visual styles of such Hollywood directors as Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles and led directly to the development of film noir. As a part of our series of courses on all things German, this eight-week class will introduce you to the work of major German Expressionist filmmakers including Robert Weine, F.W. Murnau, and Fritz Lang.
Josh Pachter earned his MA in communication studies from the University of Michigan. He is the assistant dean of Communication Studies and Theater at NOVA-Loudoun, and he teaches a variety of film classes both there and at OLLI.
L429 Movie Matinees
Thursdays, 1:45–3:45, Mar. 23–May 11
Note time
Coordinator: Len Blistein
In this course we will look at movie comedies. The titles will be decided before the first class and will be sent to all those who registered.
500 Languages
F501 Spanish Conversational Forum
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–May 10
Instructors: Bernardo Vargas Giraldo, Elizabeth Trent Hammer
Class limit: 16
The objectives of this class 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 legal 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.
Elizabeth Trent Hammer received her doctorate in community college education with a specialty in linguistics and the teaching of writing at Mason. She was a professor of English as a second language at NOVA for 20 years where she achieved professor emeritus standing. She also worked as a Spanish and French translator for the FBI. Spanish and French language and culture are her passions
F502 Latin II
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructor: Alana Lukes
Class limit: 16
This continuing course is for beginning Latin students with knowledge of the present, imperfect, perfect, and pluperfect verb tenses, as well as the noun endings of the five noun declensions. We take a modern, nontraditional sight, sound, and Internet approach to this ancient language. By reading about the adventures of a first century CE young man visiting 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 Two, 4th edition. Purchase of the text for home study is optional.
Alana Lukes, an OLLI member, has taught Latin for over 25 years at the middle school, high school, and college levels.
R503 Italian for Travelers, Part 2
Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 20–Apr. 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Laura Vinti
Class limit: 40
This beginning Italian course is designed for lovers of Italy who wish to be able to interact with locals on their next trip to Italy and to deepen their understanding of Italian culture. The course is divided into two parts. Part 1 (offered during the winter term) is a prerequisite for Part 2. Sessions will be held in both English and Italian and will provide basic language skills needed to deal with everyday situations. The instructor will explain Italian customs and traditions to promote intercultural competence. Course content will include the history of particular regions and cities to give participants a deeper understanding of Italy and its people.
Laura Vinti has taught Italian for over 25 years, both in Germany and in the US. While in Germany, she taught Italian language and culture at the Heidelberg and Mannheim Universities. She holds an MA in foreign languages and literature and an MFA in creative writing, and is currently adjunct professor of Italian at Mason. She is the founder and owner of Laura Vinti's Italy, a boutique travel company specializing in unique and customized tours to Italy.
R504 Beginning French
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructor: Marge Hogarty
Class limit: 15
In this class there will be an emphasis on spoken French. In addition to use of Lessons 9-16 of the Pimsleur conversation tapes, various topics and concepts of French language and grammar will be covered. These include gender, use of articles and prepositions, simple verb conjugation in present and past tenses, basic sentence structure, question formation, negative statements, money and other numerical ideas, telling time, use and position of descriptive and possessive adjectives, and useful common idioms and vocabulary.
Marge Hogarty, a Chicago native, has been teaching, tutoring, and reading French for over 50 years. She has been to France many times, as well as to French-speaking West Africa and Quebec. She has an MA in French from Middlebury College and has taught in high schools in IL, NY, and CT. She has also worked as a travel agent and a realtor.
L505 Learning the Parsi (Farsi) Language
Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 20–Apr. 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Jilla Shambayati
Parsi was the language of the Persian Empire, which ruled from about 550-330 BCE. It belongs to the Indo-Iranian group of languages (called Sanskrit) and is the written language of the Zoroastrian holy scriptures: the Avestan. Parsi has been preserved over the centuries and has evolved into its modern form today, which is spoken primarily in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and parts of Uzbekistan. This is the only Middle East language that survived the change to Arabic from the 7th century Arab-Islamic invasions. Its name was changed from Parsi to Farsi because the Arabic language has no sound equivalence with the letter “P.” While many other words have been incorporated into Farsi, Persian speakers continue to find ways of preserving the ancient but deeply symbolic language of their people.
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 US for 25 years. She has an undergraduate degree in Persian language and a master’s in international trade.
600 Religious Studies
F601 Frederick Buechner: Listening for “the Still Small Voice”
Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 20–May 8
Instructor: Laurence K. Packard
Can we learn, like Elijah, to listen for “the still small voice?” (I Kings 19) Few people go beyond their life’s surface to satisfy spiritual hunger. Buechner writes: "Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace." This course uses rare DVD footage of Buechner revealing key influences for his award-winning writing. We will deepen our listening by exploring turning points in his family background, education and ordination, and over 30 works of fiction, essays, and sermons. Specific Buechner handouts will sharpen listening skills so that you can hear “the still small voice.”
The Rev. Dr. Laurence K. Packard is a retired Episcopal priest who has participated in Buechner conferences and brought his wit, wisdom, and character alive in adult education. Dr. Packard’s seminars foster lively discussion while leaving moments of quiet so that the still small voice can be heard.
F602 A Rabbi Talks with Jesus—An Atheist Looks at Religion
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 19–May 10
Four sessions
Instructor: John Rybicki
Today, spokespersons from numerous religious beliefs are conducting dialogues to establish mutual areas of agreement and concern. At the same time, "new atheists" are denigrating any attempts by "believers" to work together if that working together involves belief in a transcendent divinity. In this course we will discuss this dialogue and disagreement. The first two sessions will involve review and discussion of the book A Rabbi Talks with Jesus, in which a fervent Jew of 2000 years ago listens to the preaching of a teacher from Galilee: Jesus. He is intrigued by the teacher and his focus, but has a few questions, and so the dialogue begins. In the final two sessions we will examine bestselling “atheist evangelist” Sam Harris and his views from The End of Faith and Letter to a Christian Nation, an unabashed attack on anything religious. Why so much disagreement, even in dialogue?
John Rybicki retired as a pastoral associate at the Riderwood retirement community in MD, where he was responsible for religious education and facilitating Jewish-Christian dialogue.
F603 Genesis: The Beginning of Wisdom?
Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–May 10
Fairfax Lord of Life, Conference Room
Instructor: Gilah Goldsmith
Class limit: 15
Whether we have read Genesis or not, we all know the stories. Or do we? This seminar will explore the first book of the Bible, concentrating on what the text actually says and on what it has come to mean over time. We will focus on differences in translation, questions raised by variations, obscurities and ambiguities in the text, and traditional (and not so traditional) interpretations. The instructor will be referring to the King James Authorized Version, the two Jewish Publication Society translations, and the contemporary translations of Robert Alter, Everett Fox, and Richard Elliott Friedman. Participants should bring their own Bible and be familiar with what the preface or introduction says about its translation.
Gilah Goldsmith is a graduate of Harvard University and The George Washington University Law School. She is a retired government attorney who, for 20 years, has led the weekly Torah study group at Beth El Hebrew Congregation.
F604 Grand Questions of the Bible
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructor: Steven C. Goldman
Many believers look to the Bible as God’s instruction manual for answers to the grand questions of life.But there are major disagreements regarding how the answers to these questions should be understood. In this course, we will examine some of these grand questions, the answers Biblical writers provide, and why those who embrace the Bible often have radical differences regarding its meaning. Some of the questions we will explore include the following:
- “Oh that I knew where I might find him.” Job 23:3
- “How then can man be justified with God?” Job 25:4
- “If a man die, shall he live again?” Job 14:14
- “What advantage does the Jew have? Or what is the profit of circumcision?” Romans 3:1
- “Who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29
- “What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?” James 2:14
- “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Matthew 16:13
- “What is truth?” John 18:38
Steven C. Goldman serves as chair of OLLI’s Religious Studies Program Planning Group. He has taught numerous courses on alternative understandings of Biblical doctrine.
R605 New Testament Wannabes and Also-Rans: The Noncanonical Books
Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 20–May 8
Instructor: Pete Gustin
Scores of gospels, epistles, acts, and apocalypses exist outside the canon of the 27 books of the New Testament. This seminar will explore a sampling of the so-called noncanonical works that were excluded from the New Testament, along with the reasons for their exclusion. This approach will allow us to consider various heresies and assess claims of forgery. Included will be the Gospel of Mary, the Gospel of Thomas, The Acts of John, the Acts of Peter, the Third Letter to the Corinthians, and the Apocalypse of Peter.
The Rev. Dr. Pete Gustin is very happy to be back in OLLI after a hiatus. He is currently the priest-in-charge at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Catlett (Fauquier County, between Warrenton and Gainesville). Ordained in 1987, he has studied at seminaries in Baltimore, Alexandria, and Chicago. He is currently living in Falls Church.
R606 Jesus at the Movies
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–Apr. 18
Five sessions
Instructor: Jack Dalby
Westerners know Jesus of Nazareth through a variety of sources: the canonical gospels, religious artwork, church hymns and sermons, secular histories, and creative novels. But perhaps the most compelling and ubiquitous images and understandings of Jesus come to us through his portrayal in cinema, where, since 1897, directors have attempted to bring the story of Jesus to life. In each of these sessions, we will take a critical but light-hearted look at one of five representative movies: Cecil B. DeMille’s The King of Kings, George Steven’s The Greatest Story Ever Told, Norman Jewison’s Jesus Christ Superstar, Martin Scorsese’s The Last Temptation of Christ, and Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. Rather than critiquing each film’s technical and artistic merits, we will instead discuss how the directors of these particular films chose to portray Jesus. Does the director follow any particular gospel or does he harmonize parts of multiple gospels? Does the film reflect the social environment of the year in which it was made? How does the director handle the historical gaps in the Jesus story? Thanks to the miracle of YouTube, our sessions will include watching portions of all five films during class. A pre-class viewing is advisable, but not required.
Jack Dalby holds a BS in communication arts from James Madison University and has taken graduate classes in history at Mason. He is president of White Oak Communications and an OLLI member who has taught classes on the historical Jesus, St. Paul, and the first Christians.
650 Humanities and Social Sciences
F651 Mass Media Today
Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 20–May 8
Coordinators: Lillian Brooks, Terri Feldmayer, Camille Hodges, Gloria Loew, Jeff Milstein, Peg O’Brien
This course will give an overview of the major issues confronting the US media today, such as historical and recent changes, the impact of social media, the media’s role in conflict situations, what happens behind the scenes in the newsroom, political coverage, perception versus reality, freedom of the press, etc. We will conclude the course by identifying who is working on possible solutions to the problems identified and discuss whether the 2016 presidential election result was an impetus for change towards a more balanced presentation of the news.
- Mar. 20: The Changing Faces of US Media
- Mar. 27: Social Media Issues
- Apr. 3: The Media’s Role in Conflict Situations
- Apr. 10: Behind the Scenes
- Apr. 17: Political Coverage: Inadequate Analyses of Policies and Legislation regarding “Who Gets What? Who Pays for What?”
- Apr. 24: Perceptions vs. Reality : Do We Only Hear What We Want to Hear?
- May 1: Freedom of the Press? Or not?
- May 8: Solutions Being Worked On/Can the Media Be Fixed?
Speakers will include Richard T. Craig, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Communications at Mason; Dr. Sam Lebovic, assistant professor of US history at Mason; Ray McGovern, MA former CIA analyst and presidential briefer, Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS), and others.
F652 The Home Front
Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–May 2, May 16
Fairfax Lord of Life
Note dates
Coordinators: Peter Stearns, Jennifer Disano
This course analyzes how the American people reacted to major wars in the past century, with primary focus on World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Desert Storm/Iraq/Afghanistan “terror” wars since 1990.
- Mar. 21: The Home Front as Historical Topic. What home fronts are all about and why they are significant; the concept of total war, with its implications for government policy, economic mobilization, and emotional conditioning.
- Mar. 28: World War II. Excerpts from Ken Burns’ The War documentary will be used to encourage discussion of the public mood when the war began; governmental actions; and the economic and social impact, especially on women and minorities.
- Apr. 4: World War II (continued). Possible problems and deficiencies with the Burns approach and the “greatest generation” concept; groups and individuals that might not have fit into the dominant patterns; and the implications of the home front experience for American policy. Presented by Zachary Schrag, Mason professor of history.
- Apr. 11: Vietnam. Why the home front ultimately turned sour; comparison with Word War I, particularly the earlier years of the war; the public mood when the war began; governmental actions; the economic and social impact; the effects on the war itself and for subsequent US policies. Presented by Meredith Lair, Mason professor of history.
- Apr. 18: Vietnam (continued). A more detailed focus on the growing disenchantment, emotional reactions, and lessons learned. There will be panel discussion consisting of a conscientious objector, a Vietnam veteran, a policy maker, and a journalist. Johnnie Hicks, OLLI Humanities and Social Sciences program planning group co-chair, will also coordinate the panel.
- Apr. 25: Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq. A comparison of recent wars with Vietnam; the implications of ending the draft; policy toward the press.
- May 2: Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq (continued). A panel discussion coordinated by Ryan Barnett, Military/Veteran Transition Office of Military Services at Mason with Iraq and Afghan war veterans discussing their experiences.
- May 16: Changes and Continuities in the Home Front. Major changes in the ways wars affect the American home front; the continuities, such as how wars are funded; how governments seek to maintain public support and morale; how grief and fear surrounding casualties and returning veterans are addressed. (NOTE: The final class will be held one week after the end of the term.)
Peter Stearns, provost emeritus and professor of history at Mason, will conduct or facilitate all classes.
F653 The Mind-Body Problem and Contemporary Panpsychism
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–May 10
Instructor: Emmett Holman
Class limit: 50
Perhaps the hottest topic in Anglo-American philosophy these days is the mind-body problem. This problem arises when one starts asking about the nature of the mind; it is called the mind-body problem because the answers to this question are generally classified in terms of how they conceive of the relation between the mind and the body. Traditionally there have been two such answers: physicalism, according to which the mind is identical to, or some way reducible to, the physical brain; and dualism, according to which the mind, though connected to the brain in some way, is itself non-physical. Many feel that an impasse has been reached between these two theories, and in response a third theory—known as ”panpsychism”—has lately been getting some serious attention. According to panpsychism, consciousness, though at a very attenuated level, pervades the whole of nature and is not just a feature of brains. Panpsychism may seem like a throwback to Stone Age thinking, but there are respectable arguments on its behalf. In this course, we will look at the physicalist-dualist impasse and how panpsychism bids to break the impasse. This course can be seen as a follow-up to F655, taught in Fall 2016, but it is not necessary to have had that course to take this one. And though there is some overlap between F655 and this course, the overlapping material is worth looking at a second time anyway.
Emmett L. Holman earned his BS in physics from The Pennsylvania State University. He holds a PhD in philosophy from the University of Maryland and taught philosophy at Mason for 45 years. While at Mason he taught upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses on the mind-body problem, and he has published articles on that subject.
F654 Talking About Justice, Freedom, and Security
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructor: Louis DeFalaise
Class limit: 15
The media has reported that Americans are sorting themselves into like-minded communities. Universities offer to shield students from unsettling views and ideas. Deadlock becomes the rule and disagreements are addressed with shouts and insults instead of reason and persuasion. When Benjamin Franklin was asked what form of government the founders had created, he was said to have answered, “A republic, if you can keep it.” It is a governmental system designed to limit and disperse power. Absent the focus of an overwhelming national crisis, it is meant to force us to listen to one another and to be willing to address each other’s concerns. In that spirit, this offering will consist of a small discussion group to consider four current topics concerning justice and our individual freedoms and security.
- Mar. 23: Use of deadly force both by and against law enforcement, and related issues such as mental health and weapon laws.
- Mar. 30: Incarceration rates and related issues such as the drug laws, clemency, and violent recidivism.
- Apr. 6: National security and terrorism, including related issues such as immigration law and privacy rights.
- Apr. 13: Discussion: The final session will be open-ended based on the interests of the participants and arising public topics.
Louis DeFalaise is a retired executive who last served as the director of the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management in the US Department of Justice. He previously served as counsel to the director of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and as a member of the Kentucky legislature. He was engaged in private law practice and was a member of the then Kenton County Kentucky public defender roster. His JD is from the University of Kentucky Law School.
F655 Iraq and Syria: People, Politics, and Power
Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructor: Johnnie Hicks
One hundred years ago a secret document drawn up by British advisor Mark Sykes and French diplomat Francois Georges-Picot carved out the self-serving political borders of the modern Middle East. Known as the “Sykes-Picot Agreement,” this document, signed on May 16, 1916, set into motion a century of hostilities among ethnic, tribal, religious, and nationalist groups that feeds unbridled fears and bitter conflicts even to this day. This course focuses on Iraq and Syria and the important leaders of politics and power in those regions. We will begin with the history and politics of Iraq prior to the US invasion of 2003, identifying important groups and their competing ideologies. We will then move to Syria to see how an originally peaceful protest in the 2011 Arab Spring resulted in the tragic six-year war affecting millions of people. We will then look at both state and non-state leaders of politics and power in the region to better understand the complexities of compromise. Throughout the course, participants are urged to keep abreast of developments in Iraq and Syria, particularly as the policies of the new US presidential administration unfold.
Johnnie Hicks is an OLLI member who has taught previous courses on cultural and religious topics. She holds an MA in counseling and human development from the University of Iowa and has focused her career around multicultural issues that include teaching graduate-level courses at Mason for more than 20 years.
R656 Who Runs our Schools? The Embattled History of American Public Education
Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 28–Apr. 11
Three sessions
Reston Community Center Lake Anne
Instructor: Glenn Kamber
The Constitution reserves responsibility for education to the states. This leaves the most important foundation for achieving and equalizing the American promise of economic and social opportunity for all to a myriad of disparately financed and motivated state and local governments. This course reviews key historical struggles between the federal government and the states over the purpose, direction, content, and financing of public education that began soon after the founding of our republic and that continue today. Among the public education themes to be addressed: separate but equal versus equal educational opportunity; the melting pot of democracy; federal aid versus federal control; state influence on curriculum and textbook content; national core curricula and “no child left behind.”
Glenn Kamber 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. He is an OLLI member and instructor, and a retired senior executive from the Department of Health and Human Services.
L657 The Persian Empire: 2500 BCE to 1979 CE
Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 20–May 8
Instructor: Jilla Shambayati
This course will explore the unique history and glories of the Great Persian Empire from its founding, more than 2,500 years ago, until the 1979 Iranian Revolution. We will learn about its founder and first king, Cyrus the Great, and his remarkable philosophies of governance and human rights. The Persian noble character is said to lie in the teachings of Zoroastrianism, arguably the world’s first great monotheistic religion. We will learn about other notable figures who have shaped Persian culture through the arts, traditions, and religious thinking. Among these are Rumi, Omar Khayyam, and Ferdowsi, historian and author of the remarkable Shahnameh (Book of Kings). The rise of religious Islam following the Arab invasions of the seventh century led to new Persian religious philosophies including Islamic Shi’ism and the Iranian tradition of Sufiism. Along with Zoroastrianism, these beliefs and practices remain the unique threads of Persian culture and traditions to this day.
See L505 for instructor information.
L658 First-Hand Experience Interviewing Refugees
Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructor: Barbara Crain
Barbara Crain spent the summer and much of the fall of 2016 meeting, interviewing, and supporting refugee communities in Germany and Greece. This four-part course builds on our knowledge of human migration. We will look at factors that cause human migration in general. Then we will look at those affecting Western Europe now, making use of some of the recent stories collected by Crain. We will also compare the European migration flow to that of South and Central Americans to the North. Join us for lively presentations and discussions.
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 NOVA. She has always been fascinated with people, their way of life, biology, and geography.
L659 Evidence-Based Policing
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–Apr. 13
Four sessions
Instructor: Cynthia Lum
Evidence-based policing suggests that research knowledge should have a “seat at the table” when police officials make decisions about what to do about crime and community relations. Research suggests that police can adopt a number of tactics and strategies that will reduce crime and improve citizen trust and confidence in the police. In this class, students will learn about the current and alternative approaches to policing, exploring what research has discovered about many policing practices. Students will also learn about the challenges to implementing evidence-based policing.
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. Her research expertise is evidence-based policing, and she has just written a book with Christopher Koper on this subject: Evidence-Based Policing: Translating Research into Practice (Oxford University Press.)
700 Current Events
F701 What’s in the Daily News?
Mondays, 9:30–11:00, Mar. 20–May 8
Note time
Moderators: Don Allen, Dorsey Chescavage, Mel Axilbund, Caroline Cochran
Class limit: 38
Do you have an opinion about what is happening in the world today? Would you like to express and share your views with others? Join other news junkies each week to discuss, de bate, 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.
Don Allen is an OLLI member and a retired civil servant. In the last ten years of his service he focused on developing and managing the Navy’s Base Closure and Realignment Commission (BRAC) caretaker program.
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.
Mel Axilbund, an OLLI member, was engaged in criminal justice reform activities at the Department of Justice and the American Bar Association from 1965 through 1980. He spent the next 15 years in a private general law practice in Northern Virginia. Finally, he spent 18 years on the trademarks side of the Patent and Trademark Office.
Caroline Cochran has taught current events and English classes to foreign students at NOVA.
F702 Migration, Immigration, Refugees: The Humanitarian Response
Tuesday, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 14
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 21–May 9
Nine sessions
Note dates and times
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinators: Rosemary McDonald, Stephen Canner
- Mar. 14: Migration, Immigration, Emigration, Refugees. History and overview, definition of terms, and development of principles that have shaped the field of relief, including the concepts of impartiality, neutrality, independence, and humanity. Dr. Elizabeth Ferris, Georgetown University.
- Mar. 21: Video recording of Dr. Ferris’ presentation on March 14.
- Mar. 28: Refugees, Internally Displaced People (IDPs), and Other Forms of Forced Migration. Legal, political, and operational institutions that deal with forced migration. Dr. Michel Gabaudan, president, Refugees International.
- Apr. 4: The International System of Humanitarian Response. Discussion of the United Nations’ cluster system and the increasingly important role of nongovernmental organizations (NGO) in international responses. Dr. Nancy Lindborg, president, United States Institute of Peace.
- Apr. 11: US Foreign Policy. National security issues and the US government (USG) institutions that deal with the issues at the Department of State, USAID, and Department of Defense. Dr. James Schear, Woodrow Wilson Center.
- Apr. 18: Peacekeeping, Post-Conflict, Peace Building and Stabilization. Rebuilding of failed states now widely considered to be part of the humanitarian effort. Dr. William Durch, Stimson Center.
- Apr. 25: Refugee Resettlement, both in the United States and Overseas. The US domestic process for integrating refugees. Dr. Mark Hetfield, president of Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society (HIAS).
- May 2: Natural Disasters. The increasingly important field of disaster risk reduction has become even more important in light of global warming. Efforts at the UN and USAID will be discussed. Elina Palm, United Nations.
- May 9: A Case Study: Specifics to be announced at a later date.
F703 Great Decisions 2017
Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–May 10
Moderators: Gordon Canyock, Ted Parker
Class limit: 30
For over 50 years, the Foreign Policy Association has sponsored discussion groups throughout the US to investigate some of the greatest challenges affecting our lives. This year’s eight topics are: The Future of Europe, Trade and Politics, Conflict in the South China Sea, Saudi Arabia in Transition, US Foreign Policy and Petroleum, Latin America’s Political Pendulum, Prospects for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Nuclear Security. A briefing book and video covering each week’s topic will set the stage for class discussion. There is a $24 materials fee payable with registration.
Gordon Canyock is a retired military intelligence officer, former Department of State consultant, and longtime 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.
F704 Where Is the Supreme Court Headed?
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Instructors: Robert Zener, Anthony Steinmeyer
President Trump may have the opportunity to name two or more justices to the Supreme Court and thus change the ideological balance of the Court in a conservative direction. This course will examine several controversial areas in which the Court presently is in close balance, and describe changes that may result from new appointments. These areas include: 1) scope and enforcement of antidiscrimination laws, 2) assertion of religious belief to defend against enforcement of antidiscrimination laws, 3) affirmative action in college admissions, 4) enforcement of the legal prohibition against housing discrimination to enhance racial diversity in mostly-white suburbs, 5) attempts to reconcile effective gun control measures with the Second Amendment, and 6) whether Roe v. Wade will survive and continue to serve as an effective barrier to attempts by conservative state governments to limit abortion rights.
Bob Zener, an OLLI member, was a lawyer with the US Department of Justice who handled a large number of cases involving constitutional law, religion, discrimination, and other issues in contention before the federal appellate courts and the Supreme Court.
Tony Steinmeyer, an OLLI member, recently retired as a lawyer with the US Department of Justice where, like Bob, he served in the civil appellate staff. His final position was deputy director of that office. Throughout his 45-year career, he had responsibility for a wide range of federal appellate cases and also worked on numerous Supreme Court cases. In addition, he often taught appellate litigation classes at the Department’s National Advocacy Center.
R705 "Saturday Night Live" and Presidential Campaigns
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–Apr. 11
Four sessions
Instructor: Glenn Kamber
Come and relive presidential elections through the lens of late-night television. From the pratfalls of Gerald Ford (Chevy Chase)the dour countenance of Donald Trump (Alec Baldwin), this course will feature the best of "Saturday Night Live" campaign comedy skits from the past 30 years. The instructor will lead discussions about how humor and mockery impact voter opinion and outcomes.
Glenn Kamber is an OLLI member and instructor. Over the past four years, he has taught a number of courses at Reston that focus on current events and political and social issues that affect our lives. He is a retired senior executive from the US Department of Health and Human Services, where he managed policy and program development in the offices of eight HHS secretaries.
R706 The Supreme Court: Current Cases
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–May 10
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Instructor: Ben Gold
This is a discussion class addressing cases the Supreme Court will hear, or has heard, during its 2016-2017 term. We will use instructor-provided material consisting of the background of the cases, lower-court decisions, and edited briefs filed with the Supreme Court, including audio of oral arguments for selected cases. Materials will only be available online, so Internet access is required. Our discussion of each case will look at both sides of every argument, the likely position of each justice, and the social and political context of the case.
Ben Gold, an OLLI member, has a BA in political science from Stanford University and earned an MS in computer science as a naval officer. After retirement from the Navy, he worked in the computer industry and has served as a docent at the Supreme Court for the past 14 years.
R707 All the News That’s Fit to Print
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–May 11
Moderator: Dick Kennedy
This is your chance to discuss news and current events with other OLLI members who are trying to understand and evaluate 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. In order to have time to explore issues and get various insights, we usually focus on a small number of topics. 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, retired 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.
L708 Public Policy Issues
Mondays 9:40 – 11:05, Mar. 20–May 8
Moderator: Ray Beery
This is UVA professor Gerry Warburg's online course presenting public policy guest lecturers. Three of them are well known to us: Tim Kaine, Tom Davis, and Gerry Connolly. In this course we care about logical analysis, and we care about individuals whose experiences can teach us. Without some careful attention to sequences of cause and effect, without tracing how big changes come from the choices made by particular people, policy can turn into 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 and how to 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, and live interaction. The course is from Coursera, an educational website that partners with some of the world's top universities, including UVA, to provide free online courses.
Ray Beery is president of the OLLI Board of Directors and a frequent OLLI teacher.
L709 Great Decisions 2017
Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 22–May 10
Moderator: Barbara Wilan
Class limit: 20
For over 50 years, the Foreign Policy Association has sponsored discussion groups throughout the US to investigate some of the world’s greatest challenges affecting our lives. This year’s eight topics are: The Future of Europe, Trade and Politics, Conflict in the South China Sea, Saudi Arabia in Transition, US Foreign Policy and Petroleum, Latin America's Political Pendulum, Prospects for Afghanistan and Pakistan, and Nuclear Security. A briefing book and video covering each week’s topic will set the stage for class discussion. There is a $24 materials fee payable with registration.
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.
L710 Where Is the Supreme Court Headed?
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Instructors: Robert Zener, Anthony Steinmeyer
This is a videoconference of F704.
800 Science, Technology & Health
F801 Safeguarding Wildlife in Virginia
Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 20–Apr. 10
Four sessions
Coordinator: Fred Kaiser
Virginia is the home to a diverse range of wildlife species. Information will be presented by wildlife biologists who are currently in the center of key wildlife management activities in VA. The four sessions will be:
- Mar. 20: The need for wildlife management. Katherine Edwards, wildlife management specialist, Fairfax County.
- Mar. 27: Wildlife management of endangered species: Red cockaded woodpecker. Kevin Rose, district wildlife biologist, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
- Apr. 3: Wildlife management for cultural carrying capacity: white-tailed deer. Kevin Rose.
- Apr. 10: Wildlife management in an urban/suburban area: Fairfax County. Katherine Edwards.
F802 Caring and Maintaining the Trees and Forest of Fairfax County”
Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21–Apr. 11
Four sessions
Coordinator: Fred Kaiser
Trees and forests provide significant benefits to our community. For over 30 years, Fairfax County has been raising awareness about their importance by promoting the compatibility between developed and natural communities through science, education, and partnerships. Presenters will be Joan Allen, urban forester, Land Development Services, Fairfax County; Hugh Whitehead, urban forester, Urban Forest Management Division, Fairfax County; Rachel Griesmer-Zakhar, urban forester Fairfax County Forest Management Division; and Greg Bacon, geographic information systems (GIS) analyst, Fairfax County GIS and Mapping.
Topics that will be discussed include tree preservation, planting and maintaining trees, tree mapping and surveys, and insect and pest infestations. The four sessions of the course will be:
- Mar. 21: Challenges facing Fairfax County trees and forests and how you can help. Joan Allen and Hugh Whitehead.
- Mar. 28: Selection, planting, care, and maintenance of trees in Fairfax County. Hugh Whitehead.
- Apr. 4: Pests and diseases including exotic species affecting trees. Rachel Griesmer-Zakhar.
- Apr. 11: The role of technology in identifying the managing and mapping the trees of Fairfax County. Greg Bacon.
F803 Aging and Physical Activity: Tips to Build Physical and Functional Capacity
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 22–Apr. 5
Three sessions
Coordinator: Toni Acton
This lecture series from faculty at Mason’s Department of Rehabilitation Science, College of Health and Human Services, will present and discuss evidence-based approaches to improving strength, fitness, and agility that can be blended into any older adult’s lifestyle. Participants will learn both the “what” and “how” of exercise for health, and will have an opportunity to ask questions. Note: There will be NO actual exercising during the lecture series.
Update - Dr. Herrick will speak on March 29, and Dr. Chin will speak on March 22. This is a change from the published catalog.
- March 22: Aerobic Exercise Prescriptions and Outcomes. Exercise is known to confer a wide range of health benefits. In this lecture, we will examine the specific benefits of aerobic exercise in the aging person, including current recommendations by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Lisa Chin, assistant research professor.
- March 29: Resistance Training and Aging. This session will explore muscle loss associated with aging and physical inactivity, and its potential impact on overall physical capacity. In addition, several evidence-based tips on how to increase strength through resistance training will be offered. Participants will learn methods to improve their strength according to their abilities and lifestyles. Dr. Jeffrey E. Herrick, assistant professor and undergraduate program director.
- March 29: Aerobic Exercise Prescriptions and Outcomes. Exercise is known to confer a wide range of health benefits. In this lecture, we will examine the specific benefits of aerobic exercise in the aging person, including current recommendations by the American College of Sports Medicine and the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Lisa Chin, assistant research professor.
- April 5: Balance and Agility in Aging. In this lecture we will examine changes in balance and agility in adults as well as the benefits of exercise. We will discuss evidence of the benefits of an aerobic exercise program, and provide suggestions for individuals looking to maintain or improve balance, including recommendations by the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Clint Wutzke, assistant professor.
F804 Medical Updates from the Health Professionals at Inova Fair Oaks Hospital
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 20–May 11
Four sessions
Coordinator: Cathey Weir
- Apr. 20: Robotic Surgery and its Applications: Dr. Robert Ahmed is a board certified general surgeon with a clinical interest in minimally invasive procedures.
- Apr. 27: Wellness as You Age: vaccinations, sexual health, allergies, exams, and screenings. Dr. Terence McCormally is board certified in family and geriatric medicine.
- May 4: Cardiac Issues: atrial fibrillation (AFib), pacemakers, stents, rehab. Stuart Sheifer is board certified in cardiovascular disease and nuclear cardiology.
- May 11: Osteoarthritis: advances in treatment options. Bradley Boyd is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and fellowship-trained joint replacement specialist.
F805 Beginner Chen-Style Tai Chi
Thursdays, 2:15–3:15, Mar. 23–May 11
Note time
Instructor: Jerry Cheng
Class limit: 35
Tai chi, a form of martial arts 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, relieves 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 years old. He studied under several famous Chinese martial arts masters, including grandmaster Sha Guo Zheng, 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.
R806 Geology: Our Dynamic Planet and Our Environment (Part 4)
Monday 11:50–1:15, Mar. 20–Apr. 24
Six sessions
Instructor and Coordinator: Jim McNeal
This course will focus on the surface of the earth and the interactions between humans and the environment, with an emphasis on local and regional issues. Jim McNeal will conduct four classes, and two will be led by research scientists from the US Geological Survey (USGS).
- Mar. 20: Uranium: its occurrence, key environmental issues, and waste disposal.
- Mar. 27: Materials Flow: important elements used today demonstrate the range of sources and recycling. Materials include helium, lead, lithium, mercury, phosphate, rare-earth elements, and tellurium.
- Apr. 3: Volcano Hazard and Mineral Assessments: using remote sensing data to map hydrothermally altered rocks. John Mars, research geologist, USGS.
- Apr. 10: Landforms of the United States, Part 1. A variety of major landforms in the US will be discussed in terms of their origin, physical characteristics, common human use, and important environmental issues. The objective is to provide an understanding and appreciation of some of the natural physical features of the US.
- Apr. 17: Landforms of the United States, Part 2. See above description.
- Apr. 24: The August 23, 2011, M5.8, Mineral, VA Earthquake: Discussion will include recent geologic studies of ancient and modern tectonism in the central VA Piedmont. Bill Burton, research geologist, USGS.
Jim McNeal has a PhD in geochemistry from The Pennsylvania State University. He was a research geologist/geochemist/research coordinator with the USGS for 36 years. He has coordinated three OLLI classes, is a scientist emeritus with the USGS, and is a docent at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. His primary interest is the role geology and geochemistry play in current environmental issues.
R807 “Honey, Turn Down the TV!”: A Consumer’s Holistic Guide to Living with Hearing Loss
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 25–May 2
Two sessions
Instructor: Bonnie O’Leary
Class limit: 50
This consumer-oriented course provides a holistic approach to hearing loss and the communication challenges it presents. Hearing aids are only part of the solution, since hearing loss can be compounded by problems with the speaker, the listener, the environment, and the message. Any one of those components can make the communication outcome dismal. This course will cover the types and causes of hearing loss; the hearing evaluation; how to interpret an audiogram; the differences between an audiologist and a hearing instrument specialist; and the types, styles, and costs of hearing aids. Learn the advantages of assertiveness and effective communication strategies and the challenges of lip reading. This course also offers a demonstration of hearing assistive technology such as personal amplifiers, alerting devices, and TV listening systems.
Bonnie O’Leary, a late-deafened adult and certified hearing loss support specialist, is the outreach manager for the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons. For the past 16 years, Bonnie has provided programs for seniors, activities directors, and caregivers at retirement communities, senior and community centers, churches, and libraries.
R808 Gentle Yoga
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00–12:00, Apr. 11–May 18
Twelve sessions
Note dates and times
Reston Community Center Lake Anne
Instructor: RCC Staff
Class limit: 5
This traditional yoga class, designed for adults 55 years and older, 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. Registration for this class is on a first-come first-served basis. There is a $60 fee, payable to OLLI at the time of registration. (Refer to page 52 for “add to cart” instructions.) Those registering will also need to complete a Reston Community Center registration waiver form and take it to class on 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.
R809 Savvy Searching for Senior Health
Thursdays 9:40-11:05, Mar. 23–Apr. 6
Three sessions
Instructor: Janet Cochran
Are you one of the 83 percent of Internet users who search for information on health issues? If so, perhaps you rely on a search engine that leads to information sources that are out-of-date or seriously biased. In this class, you will learn how to evaluate medical websites, learn new search techniques and useful search terms, and be introduced to user-friendly starting points. You will learn about online patient forums, symptom checkers, and sites that help identify the best doctors and hospitals. You will find out about free electronic newsletters that provide updates on such topics as arthritis, cardiac disease, exercise, diet, and prescription and over-the-counter drugs. You will also learn about the latest health-related apps for smartphones and tablets.
Janet Cochran retired as a medical librarian after 20 years of providing literature searches for doctors, nurses, and pharmacists nationwide.
R810 Unidentified Flying Objects–A Critical Appraisal
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 20–May 18
Five sessions
Note dates
Instructor: Paul Murad
UFOs have perplexed us for a long time. Real or not? If real, can they affect attitudes toward exotic science and new space propulsion, or alter politics and religion? These five sessions will cover a brief history of classical art, testimonials, physical evidence, paranormal phenomena, and what all of it can possibly mean.
- Unnatural artifacts found in structures. Strange rock carvings of unusual figures distinctive from human beings in Egypt and Armenia; newly-discovered pyramids in Bosnia, as well as on the moon and Mars, that raise questions about whether mankind is alone.
- World War II. As a counterpoint, the belief that UFOs were created by Nazi scientists during World War II.
- Faster-than-light travel concepts will defy conventional wisdom. If real, do we have to discover “new” physics?
- Captured aliens. Recent Internet film footage from Russia and elsewhere supposedly shows captured aliens. The basic question: will mankind be marooned on the big blue marble or develop space travel to move about the cosmos?
Paul Murad worked on the Apollo program, numerous missile developments, and studied foreign technology developments with Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA). He presented numerous peer-reviewed papers covering faster-than-light travel and gravitation. His interests include unusual propulsion and UFO science/technology.
L811 History of Life on Earth, Part 1
Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Mar. 21–May 9
Instructor: Steve Greenhouse
We will discuss evolution and its explanatory mechanism, natural selection, as the driving force behind the history of all organisms that have ever lived, from the origin of life four billion years ago to the rise of mammals after the mass extinction that occurred 65 million years ago. All major evolutionary transitions will be presented, starting with single-celled organisms without a nucleus. Factors affecting evolution will be discussed together with an example illustrating how natural selection works. Questions such as “What is life?” will be answered and myths about evolution will be presented. Part 2 of this course, tentatively scheduled for the summer term, will follow the rise of mammals and early primates through the evolution of humans.
Steve Greenhouse, a retired electrical engineer, worked in the space communications field for 35 years. He has long been fascinated by paleontology and especially paleoanthropology, the evolution of humans. With no formal training in this field, Steve has read extensively, traveled to the Galapagos Islands, and participated in a dinosaur fossil dig. He looks upon presenting this course as both a challenge and an educational experience for him. Yes, Steve believes, teachers can learn along with their students.
L812 History of Medicine, Part 1: From Witchcraft to Robots
Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 18–May 9
Four sessions
Instructor: Rita E. Way
This course will discuss prehistoric medicine to the rise of modern medicine. We will travel through time to learn how medicine has evolved from the days of witchcraft and medicine men to the era of modern medicine, highlighting themes and milestones. We will cover the development of ideas about the causes of disease from the Greco-Roman humoral theory up to the discoveries of germs and genes in the modern era. Part 2 of this course, in the fall 2017 term, will cover the rise of modern medicine and its medical advances. We will address the ways that wars affected medicine and the people who made medicine what it is today.
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 joined a long-term care company that owned and managed both skilled nursing and assisted living homes. Nursing and medicine have always been her passion.
L813 The Panama Canal, the First Big Dig: History, Politics, Medicine, Engineering, Commerce, and Defense
Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Apr. 19–May 10
Four sessions
Instructor: Mark Weinstein
In March 2016, after many years of planning, the instructor sailed through the Panama Canal and was instantly amazed at its history and engineering. Starting with the first Spanish explorers in the early 1500s who traveled the 70 miles through dense tropical rainforest, mountains, and swamps from the Atlantic to the Pacific, this speck of land has been at the center of intrigue and world commerce. Following prodding by Presidents McKinley and Roosevelt, the US Army Corps of Engineers embarked on its largest construction project ever. It overcame all obstacles and the canal opened in 1914. It was operated by a US entity, the Panama Canal Zone, until 1999 when it reverted to Panamanian ownership. The Panamanians just completed and opened a second, parallel and much larger canal in 2016. In this course we cover (1) the constructiona private US company of a trans-isthmus railroad during the California gold rush period; (2) the abortive French 1880-1900 attempt to build a sea-level canal; (3) the growing US desire to build a canal for a short-water connection between the Atlantic and Pacific to further commercial and military objectives in the 1900s; (4) US involvement in the 1900s with the Colombian government; (5) an independent Panama; (6) the Panama Canal Zone and the canal, and (7) canal expansion by the Panamanians. The course includes photos, film clips, graphics, and illustrations of the locks.
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 aircraft when he was 10 and spent a career in the active and reserve Air Force. He is a history buff and news junky, and is intrigued by technology. In his wild youth and single days he flew a Piper Tri-Pacer.
900 Other Topics
F901 Trip Tales
Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 20–May 8
Coordinator: Tom Hady
- Mar. 20: Lorrin and Ann Garson took the “Voyage of the Vikings,” a 35-day cruise to Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, the Netherlands, Isle of Man, and Ireland.
- Mar. 27: Alana Lukes tells of two popular capitals: Rome and Paris. She finishes her trip to Italy, which she described in the fall, and begins an odyssey in France: the gargoyles of Notre Dame, the Marais District, and Versailles.
- Apr. 3: Alana Lukes continues her French odyssey with the Heart of France: Guédelon, Bourges, Loire Valley (Chenonceau, Chambord, Amboise), Fougères, Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy beaches, Bayeux, and Giverny.
- Apr. 10: See America First! Randall Scott tours Northern Michigan: charming Charlevoix, the historic upscale town of Mackinac Island (no cars—only horses and bicycles); and the locks in Sault Ste. Marie. Then visit the museum in Johnstown, PA, scene of a catastrophic flood in 1889.
- Apr. 17: Sue Roose continues her travels with grandchildren, this time through scenic Norway in August, including three wonderful ferry rides on the fjords.
- Apr. 24: David and Mary Pace witnessed striking beauty in the towns and landscapes of South Africa, and had close encounters with the Big Five animals: elephants, rhinos, leopards, lions, and Cape buffalo.
- May 1: Join Sandy and Tom Hoch for a kaleidoscope of Poland: a tour through the cultural center, Krakow; the spiritual center, Częstochowa; the center for industry, culture and science, the university city of Lublin; and the city that encapsulates Poland’s extraordinary history, Warsaw.
- May 8: Katie Mitchell wants to whet your travel appetite for Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam with pictures of Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, the Killing Fields, a floating village, the Champs-Élysées of Laos, and the Cu Chi Tunnels.
L902 The Happiness Project Follow-Up
Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 23–May 11
Instructor: Kathie West
Follow along with Gretchen Rubin’s bestselling book, The Happiness Project. Enjoy an interactive workshop format to discuss your happiness and identify ways to make your life happier. This will be a participatory class with handouts and the sharing of ideas. As Mark Twain said, “Whoever is happy will make others happy too.” Let’s see what we can come up with and have some good laughs along the way. This is a follow-up from the winter class; however, you don’t need to have taken the winter class to take this one.
See L116 for instructor information.
950 Special Events
951 New Hope for Breast Cancer Patients
Friday, 2:00–3:30, Mar. 17
Tallwood
Instructors: Mariaelena Pierobon, Virginia Espina
This videoconferenced class features two Mason medical researchers who will detail state-of-the-art techniques for managing and preventing breast cancer—methods that offer great hope for treatment and survival. Dr. Pierobon will focus on personalized therapy: how precision medicine is transforming cancer therapy from a one-size-fits-all approach to customized patient treatment. Our second expert, Dr. Espina, will discuss repurposing drugs to prevent breast cancer. Chloroquine is an oral medication that has been used worldwide to treat malaria, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Now there is clinical research suggesting that it could be used as a chemo-preventive drug for certain types of breast cancer. NOTE: This class will be videoconferenced from Mason’s Manassas facility to Tallwood.
Mariaelena Pierobon, MD, MPH of the Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine at Mason (CAPMM), has ten years of experience conducting studies in the field of oncology. Her work focuses on the delivery of precision medicine to cancer patients. She received her MD from the University of Padova and master’s in public health from Mason.
Virginia Espina, PhD, MT (ASCP) is a research associate professor and a director of the CAPMM. She received a master's in biotechnology from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in biosciences from Mason. She has authored more than 90 peer-reviewed publications and holds four patents related to new technologies and therapeutic applications.
952 New Hope for Breast Cancer Patients
Friday, 2:00–3:30, Mar. 17
Loudoun
Instructors: Mariaelena Pierobon, Virginia Espina
953 Vegetable Gardening in Containers and Raised Beds
Monday, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 20
Loudoun
Instructor: Barbara Arnold
Do you love juicy, sweet tomatoes, warm from the sun and right out of the garden? Who doesn't? But if you have limited space or limited mobility (or are tired of growing plants for the deer to eat), you may want to try growing your tomatoes and other vegetables right on your patio or deck in containers, or in the garden in raised beds so that you don't have to bend over to work. This session will discuss what you will need to successfully grow vegetables in containers, including:
- What containers to use.
- Which vegetables will do the best.
- How to start your own seeds indoors, and when.
- Cultural requirements–e.g., light, water, fertilizer, soil, support.
- Maintenance
- Harvesting and succession planting.
Barbara Arnold has studied horticulture and has volunteered as a master gardener for 18 years, after a career as a human relations executive. She leads a team that grows vegetable plants to sell at the Leesburg Flower and Garden Show in support of the Loudoun County Extension Master Gardeners, of which she is a past president. Barbara is also active in their speakers’ bureau and frequently lectures to the public on container gardening.
954 Principles of Information Science
Tuesday, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 21
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center Lake Anne
Instructor: Ravi Athale
We are supposed to be in the middle of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, otherwise known as the “Information Age.” Information technology has impacted every aspect of our lives in a profound manner, and every one of us uses information technology products extensively—yet most of us are not aware of basic tenets of information science and technology. This class provides a definition of information and how it is represented, measured, coded, and exploited. We will track the events that launched the current information age and speculate about where it is headed.
Ravi Athale holds a PhD in electrical engineering from the University of California, San Diego, has taught at the high school to graduate school level, and performed research and program management in photonics and imaging. He has worked in government, industrial, and academic institutions. In addition to publishing over 60 research papers, he has co-authored a textbook for high school engineering students, and is co-founder of a company that manufactures novelty products based on holograms. He is a recipient of the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service.
955 “You are There”—The LegatoRoom Schoolhouse, 1878
Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Mar. 22
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Bob Coffin
Imagine being a student in 1877-78 at the tiny Legato School building Fairfax. Join us for a “You Are There” experience,at the daily local comings and goings, and then telescoping outwards to state, national, and international news at the time: Billy the Kid, invention of the phonograph, Camden Yards riots, and more. Then return to the microcosm of the Fairfax farming community’s one-room schoolhouse: What roles did religion, commerce, and speed of communication play? How did social activities, pop songs, and trading cards influence those young students? And what do kudzu, ketchup, and corsets have in common? After this class, we’ll follow up with a separate trip (see 973) to the Legato School on March 24th to learn what a school day was like, and to view and handle artifacts.
Bob Coffin, a retired Fairfax County history teacher, is a docent at the Legato School, run by the Fairfax County Retired Educators.received a BA from the University of Massachusetts and an MA from Ohio University, both in English. Bob is a retired Army colonel who spent 23 years specializing in intelligence. He retired from Fairfax County Public Schools in 2012 after 16 years teaching history and special education.
956 Health Reform: After Repeal, Replace with What and When?
Friday, 1:00–2:30 pm, Mar. 24
Tallwood
Instructor: Len Nichols
The Affordable Care Act, a.k.a “Obamacare,” quickly became, is still, and may always be a touchstone of partisan and emotional debate in this country. Given the November election results, it seems destined for repeal long before this class meets in March. So the remaining questions will be: Will it be replaced and if so, with what and how soon? And how might changes to Medicare affect the final “replace” legislation? Some ACA impact data are now known, though opponents and proponents tend to emphasize different facts. The instructor will provide an assessment of the law’s performance to date, followed by interactive discussion about various replacement options. The goal of the class is to help audience members evaluate health care reform by the yardsticks that matter most to them.
Dr. Len Nichols is a professor of health policy at Mason and director of the Center for Health Policy Research and Ethics, and has been involved in health reform for over 20 years. He is one of the few analysts who have been invited to testify in Congress by both sides of the aisle and was recently appointed to the Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee, created by statute to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services on payment reform for Medicare.
957 Things You Didn’t Know You Didn’t Know
Wednesday, Mar. 29, 2:15–3:40
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinator: Thelma Weiner
Which of these statements is true?
- If my son is injured on the job, it’s always the employer’s responsibility.
- Grandparents have visitation rights.
- If my dog bites someone, I am responsible.
- If someone runs a red light, the accident is his/her fault.
- If someone who has no car insurance injures me, I can collect from my own car insurance if I have “full coverage.”You’ll be surprised to learn what you didn’t know.
Edward L. Weiner, immediate past president of the Virginia State Bar, and his colleagues will present a fast-paced discussion panel covering new and interesting little-known “gems” of Virginia law. You will be certain to know some new law by the end of the presentation. Additional panelists will include Virginia delegate Eileen Filler-Corn; judge Janine Saxe of the Fairfax Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court; Michael Doherty, Esq., probate and funeral law; Joey Lynch-Flor, owner of an assisted living facility; Shirley Keisler, Esq., family law; and Craig Young, Esq., bankruptcy law.
958 How I Survived the Holocaust
Friday, 1:00–2:30, Mar. 31
Tallwood
Coordinator: Hank Taylor
Rubin Sztajer will tell his incredible story of surviving the Holocaust. Thirteen-year-old Rubin’s life changed forever on September 1, 1939, when German soldiers entered his small Polish village. From living with his family in the horrific conditions of the ghetto for the Polish Jews, to being separated from them at 16 and sent to a concentration camp as a slave laborer, Rubin’s experiences are a personal and unique insight into a dark part of the world’s history from a member of a generation of survivors who are mostly gone.
959 Charlemagne
Monday, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 3
Loudoun
Instructor: Stephanie Campbell
Having created the first major western European empire after the fall of Rome, Charlemagne is often called the “Father of Europe.” Though he ruled during the so-called “Dark Ages” of the eighth and ninth centuries, his reign was a complex medley of dark brutality, cut-throat politics, and religious persecution, tempered by stunning innovations and Europe’s first Renaissance. This lecture will explore Charlemagne’s early life, rise to power, political campaigns, and economic and intellectual innovations.
Stephanie Campbell received a BA in history and a BA in medieval and Renaissance studies from the College of William and Mary. She earned her MA in history at Catholic University. She is a history instructor at Northern Virginia Community College, and her expertise is in medieval history.
960 Become a Fairfax County Citizen Ambassador
Friday, 1:00–2:30, Apr. 7
Tallwood
Coordinator: Sue Porter
Class limit: 14
It is the residents of any locale who truly exemplify the passion and love for where they live and work. They are the ones who can recommend their local favorites in the area they enjoy. Visit Fairfax is the official tourism organization for Fairfax County, charged with destination marketing and tourism promotion, and is directed by many of the county’s top tourism and hospitality leaders. Visit Fairfax is building a workforce of people who love this area and want to share their knowledge with others. In this class, students will become Fairfax County ambassadors, prepared to tell the county’s tourism story to friends, family, and tourists. The program teaches ambassadors about sites and attractions in the county and how to use Visit Fairfax resources, including www.FXVA.com, the Visitors’ Guide, and the smartphone app. At the end of training, you’ll receive an ambassador lapel pin to identify you as a member of this elite group, plus new ambassadors are eligible to attend free county tours twice a year.
961 The Mystery of the East German Airliner
Monday, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 10
Loudoun
Instructor: Fred Stahl
Beginning in the late 1950s, rumors leaking out of East Germany told of a jet airliner designed and built by the East Germans. Several years later, shortly after the Berlin Wall went up in 1960, the airliners seem to have suddenly and completely disappeared without a trace. Even more incredible isa destitute country devastated by a horrific war could create a commercial aircraft industry, including the development and manufacture of jet engines. So what really happened? In 1989, the instructor of this class was appointed chief scientist for Europe and was posted to Bonn. His beat was aerospace in the UK, France, and West Germany. Shortly after he arrived, the Wall came down, triggering enormous political, economic, military, and cultural upheavals. In this class, he will set the scene by revealing many of the unbelievable events he witnessed in East Germany, as well as his investigation of military factories there. Ultimately, he solved the mystery of the East German airliner—what it really was, where it came from, and what happened to it.
Fred Stahl was an executive with The Boeing Company for 20 years and later visiting scientist at MIT’s AeroAstro Department.
962 A Satellite’s View of the Earth
Friday, 1:00–2:30, Apr. 14
Tallwood
Instructor: Jack Kaye
The vantage point of space provides a unique way to study the Earth as an integrated system. Satellites provide an opportunity to study the whole Earth—atmosphere, oceans, ice, and surface—and to look at how the natural processes of physics, biology, chemistry, and activities carried out by humans all play together to affect the Earth. This presentation will describe how satellites view the Earth, what they tell us about how the Earth is constantly changing, and how scientists utilize the information provided by satellites to help us understand, anticipate, and prepare to respond to current and future Earth system changes.
Jack Kaye has a PhD in chemistry from the California Institute of Technology. He is the associate director for research in the Earth Science Division of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. He has worked at NASA for more than 33 years as a researcher, program manager, and executive. Among other activities, he is chair of the Expert Team on Satellite Systems for the World Meteorological Organization.
963 The Jimmy Doolittle Raid
Monday, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 17
Loudoun
Instructor: Jim Kelly
April 19, 2017, will mark the 75th anniversary of Jimmy Doolittle's storied raid on Tokyo.than six months after Pearl Harbor, America struck back in kind and bombed the capital city of the Japanese Empire.raid was daring, innovative—and lucky! This presentation will review the events leading up to the raid, the principal figures involved in its design and execution, its conduct, andimpact it had on thein the Pacific.
Jim Kelly is a retired intelligence officer with experience at the 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.
964 An Introduction to Fall Prevention
Wednesday 2:15–3:40, Apr. 19
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinator: Dr. Barry Berkey
Chuck Ottavio returns to OLLI for the third time, armed with a galaxy of information on fall prevention. He will discuss the prevalence of falls and mechanisms of avoiding falls in an aging population. Common causes of falls in and outside of the home are reviewed, along with their emotional, physical, and financial consequences. Short- and long-term strategies to prevent falls will be addressed. Attendees will leave this program with an enhanced awareness of how to avoid fall-related injury and disability.
Charles S. Ottavio PT, earned his BS in physical therapy in 1981. He has specialized in orthopedics for the past 36 years. A frequent lecturer to various civic groups, Chuck has practiced in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes, and home health care. He is currently the practice manager at Orthopedic Physical Therapy of Northern Virginia in Annandale.
965 The US Economy
Friday, 2:00–3:30, Apr. 21
Tallwood
Coordinator: Stephanie Trachtenberg
The surprise victory of Donald Trump’s campaign is often seen as a revolt of the working class. But many of the ways we measure the US economy (unemployment, the stock market, gross domestic product) have made great strides during the Obama years. Coming out of the great recession, our economy is stronger than it has been in decades. So why the disconnect between our economic success and how Americans feel about the economy? This course, offered by Senator Dave Marsden, will examine income inequality between the top 1% and the rest of Americans, and the relative stagnation of wages for the middle class. We will review where we stand, and examine current schools of thought on how to address the lack of wealth for the majority of Americans, while the richest continue to become wealthier. Senator Marsden will share his views on how to boost the American economy through job creation and changes in the minimum wage—with a special emphasis on how the Commonwealth of Virginia fits into the equation.
Virginia State Senator David W. (“Dave”) Marsden represents our 37th district and is a longtime resident of Burke. He has a unique perspective on the policy matters that impact our economy and day-to-day lives.
966 Putting the Rainbow into The Wizard of Oz: The Lyrics of Yip Harburg
Saturday, 9:30–12:00, Apr. 22
Tallwood
Instructor: Dan Sherman
Yip Harburg was one of America’s greatest lyricists, crafting the words for more than 500 songs written with nearly 50 songwriters. Harburg brought a social conscience to his lyrics, perhaps most notably in “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” This course will cover Harburg’s career of nearly 50 years and explore the meanings he tried to give his songs.
Dan Sherman has taught many courses on American musical theatre that have included an array of great songwriters including Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, and Harold Arlen.
967 Beethoven's 9th Symphony: What Makes it Great? What is its Legacy?
Monday, 11:50–1:15, Apr. 24
Loudoun
Instructor: Jon Goldberg
Many musical experts consider Beethoven's 9th Symphony the greatest musical work in the western canon. But what is it that makes it great?lecture will take alook at just what those "experts" find in this symphony that makes it so deserving of the title "the greatest." We will also take a look at the enormous shadow this work cast over symphonic composition in the 100 years that followed its creation. Its legacy may surprise you.
Jon Goldberg holds a master’s in music from the Manhattan School of Music, and teaches music theory at NOVA, and is founder and conductor of the Endymion Ensemble, an internationally recognized chamber orchestra that has performed at Carnegie Recital Hall and has several recordings. He conducted the world premiere of the orchestral version of “Night Journey,” written by William Schuman for Martha Graham, and recorded it for CRI records. He also arranged the chamber orchestra version of William Schuman’s “A Song of Orpheus” for cello and orchestra, and conducted the world premiere of that work with the Endymion Ensemble.
968 The Tallwood Trio with Nancy Riley
Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Apr. 26
Fairfax Lord of Life Sanctuary
Coordinator: Velma Berkey
The Tallwood Trio was established by three OLLI members in October 2012. They made their OLLI debut in early 2013, and vocalist Nancy Riley joined the group later that year. Since then, numerous organizations throughout the area have hired them. With a passion for music, a love of jazz, and a particular interest in the Great American Songbook, the group's repertoire includes tunes by Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, and Cole Porter. They are also known to include other material including tunes by Billy Joel and Three Dog Night.
Alan Wenberg plays piano for various functions around town, including corporate events, parties, weddings, and bar/bat mitzvahs. His latest CD, Shaken, Not Stirred, can be heard in part on his website, www.musicalevents.com.
Nancy Riley, vocalist, is an accomplished chorister and ensemble singer. She has been with the Reston Chorale for the past 25 years and formerly sang with Musica Concordia.
Eric Henderson is a retired CIA employee and a jazz bass player who has worked frequently with area bands.
Ron Musselwhite played drums before working for various nonprofit organizations in the Washington area. After retiring, he began playing with such groups as The New Horizons Concert Band and a jazz ensemble.
969 An American Dynasty: The Rockefellers
Saturday, 9:30–12:00, Apr. 29
Tallwood
Instructor: Dan Sherman
The Rockefeller family has long been known as one of the richest American families that has also been a leader in philanthropic giving. This class will discuss the origin of the family fortune in the 19th century (the time of “robber barons”) and then will move to the subsequent philanthropy and public service of this family. We’ll focus on some of the leading members of the Rockefeller family, now in its sixth generation, as a means of telling the story of wealth and philanthropy in America.
Dan Sherman has taught many classes at OLLI, primarily about musical theater, but he is also eager to share his passion for American history.
970 Life is a You-Know-What, Ol’ Chum: Come and See Cabaret
Monday, 11:30–1:30, May 8
Loudoun
Note time
Instructor: Martha Powers
It’s 1931 in Berlin, and the Kit Kat Klub is a hot night spot for escapism even though Nazi presence is increasingly evident. Join us for the 1972 movie musical Cabaret, starring Liza Minelli, Michael York, and Joel Grey. Directed by Bob Fosse, this film reaped six Academy Awards and was filmed entirely in Germany. Divine decadence, darling!
See L425 for instructor information.
971 The Greatest Women of the Great White Way
Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, May 10
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Luke Frazier
Enjoy the songs and stories of the women who shaped Broadway, from the earliest pioneers to the powerhouses of today, including Chita Rivera, Patti Lupone, Bernadette Peters, Audra McDonald, Rebecca Luker, Lea Solanga, and Andrea McArdle. The class will feature performances by Luke Frazier as well as outstanding guest artists.
Luke Frazier is the founder and conductor of The American Pops Orchestra. He holds an MM in conducting from Ohio University and a BM in piano performance from West Virginia University. He and his colleagues have given some of the most popular classes ever offered at OLLI.
972 President Donald Trump: The First 100 Days
Friday, 1:00–2:30, May 12
Tallwood
Instructor: Helen Desfosses
This lecture follows the long-standing educational and journalistic tradition of evaluating a new president after a little more than three months to assess how he is doing. We will analyze the progress that the new administration has made toward achieving the publicized goals and priorities that it set for itself during the campaign and the presidential transition period. These include the repeal and replacement of the Affordable Care Act (also known as Obamacare), the elimination of many government regulations, the launching of a major infrastructure program, the building of the wall across our border with Mexico, and devising a plan for Mexico to pay for a significant part of the wall. The lecture will examine how politics, coalitions, and opposing forces affected progress toward reaching the goals and priorities. We will also present the lessons that the Trump administration might have learned from these first 100 days. Class discussion is encouraged and appreciated.
Helen Desfosses, PhD, has taught many courses at OLLI. She is a professor emerita of public administration and policy at the State University of New York at Albany, and served as an elected official in the New York State capital for many years.
973 Visit to the Legato School
Friday, 1:30–3:00, Mar. 24
Carpool
Instructor/Coordinator: Bob Coffin
Event limit: 25
Visit a real one-room schoolhouse, replete with all the artifacts of the day, and learn about its history. Browse McGuffey’s Readers and Webster’s Blueback Speller, and experiment with period writing materials, all while a docent leads you through a typical day in the life of an 1878 student. Check out what was important in education back then, who went to school, and when. Learn some rhymes, sing some songs, and maybe have your mind read. NOTE: Attendees will not be required to bring in firewood, buckets of water, or clean the privy, despite how rambunctious they are. The Legato School is located at 4000 Chain Bridge Road on the west side of Route 123 in downtown Fairfax City, between the Historic County Courthouse and the Red Hot & Blue restaurant. There is no parking at the school, but carpool drivers may drop their passengers off at the school and park elsewhere. It is recommended that you park at a local restaurant, have an early lunch, and then meet us at the school for the tour. Other parking options: behind the Bank of America on Main Street; in one of the many disabled parking slots in front of the new courthouse; or in one of the public parking garages. There are no bathroom facilities at the School.
Bob Coffin is a retired Fairfax County history teacher and a docent at The Legato School, which is run by the Fairfax County Retired Educators.
974 Tour the Norman M. Cole Fairfax County Wastewater Treatment Plant
Friday, 10:00, Apr. 7
Carpool
Coordinator: Allen Taylor
Tour limit: 30
Fairfax County’s Norman M. Cole Wastewater Treatment Plant has won numerous awards for meeting federal pollution standards. The plant removes between 99 and 99.5 percent of pollutants from 45 million gallons of wastewater daily. This achievement helps protect the water quality of the county’s streams and watersheds, as well as that of the Chesapeake Bay. To comply with federal regulations, the plant uses a series of physical, biological, and chemical treatment processes. Before being discharged into Pohick Creek, pollutants, and nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen, bacteria, and particulate matter, are removed from wastewater. The county’s Wastewater Management Program maintains approximately 3,300 miles of sanitary sewer lines and numerous pumping stations in a service area that covers 234 square miles. Please wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for a fair amount of walking and climbing steps. The Norman M. Cole Plant is located at 9399 Richmond Highway, Lorton. Directions and a registration roster will be emailed so that those who wish to carpool can contact one another.
975 “The Russians Have Returned!” and “The Toys are Marching On!” in Richmond
Friday, 8:15–5:00, Apr. 7
Bus trip
Coordinator: Ann Youngren
Tour limit: 30
Join us for a day trip to Richmond, Virginia to visit the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and the Virginia Historical Society! We will tour the recently reinstalled exhibition of Fabergé eggs in new interactive galleries. The exhibit has been touring the world to rave reviews and is the largest collection of Fabergé outside Russia. We will also tour the permanent Decorative Arts collection in order to explore how style has changed from themes based in nature to a more streamlined, sleek design. We will be served a private lunch in the elegant Marble Hall. Then we will walk across the street to the Virginia Historical Society to enjoy a tour of Toys of the ’50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s. If time permits, we may see more exhibits in this wonderful museum. The Virginia Historical Society, founded in 1831 as the Virginia Historical and Philosophical Society and headquartered in Richmond, is a major repository and research and teaching center for Virginia history. The bus will leave promptly at 8:15 from Fair Oaks Mall parking lot 57, which is outside the circular road in front of ManTech. Please be on the bus no later than 8:00. We will leave Richmond promptly at 3:30 for our return to Fair Oaks Mall. The fee of $100, payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation, includes exhibit tours, lunch, bus fare, and driver gratuity.
976 Battle of Gettysburg Field Trip
Wednesday, Apr. 12, 2:15–3:40
Lecture at Fairfax Lord of Life
Thursday, Apr. 13, 7:00–5:00, Bus trip
Instructors: Alan Gropman, Bernie Oppel
Tour limit: 54
To prepare those taking the bus trip to the Gettysburg battle site, Bernie Oppel and Alan Gropman will present a lecture on the origins of the Civil War and the place of the Gettysburg battle in the war's overall context. Bernie and Alan will lead the trip and demonstrate how George G. Meade out-generaled Robert E. Lee on those three days. There will be several stops with multiple bus dismounts, and lunch will be included. Plan to do some walking on uneven ground for distances ranging from 200 yards to a mile; wear good walking shoes and socks. To avoid deer ticks, wear long sleeves and long pants. The bus will leave promptly at 7:00 from Fair Oaks Mall parking lot 57, which is outside the circular road in front of ManTech. Please be at the bus no later than 6:45. The fee of $44, payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation, includes lunch, bus fare, and driver gratuity.
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.
See F305 for Bernie Oppel’s biography.
977 Spring Wining and Dining in the Virginia Countryside
Friday, 9:30–4:30, Apr. 28
Bus trip
Coordinator: Bernie Oppel
Tour limit: 25
Join our fun OLLI group for another in the continuing series of OLLI wine and luncheon trips to the lovely Virginia countryside. The trip begins with an extensive tasting experience at Chrysalis Vineyard near the historic village of Aldie. Our tour continues with a seated lunch at the renowned Field and Main restaurant in Marshall, which got rave reviews after the fall 2016 OLLI wine trip. The prix fixe lunch includes a salad, grain, two proteins, and dessert, plus tea or coffee. After a short drive to Markham, we conclude with a tasting at picturesque Naked Mountain Winery. NOTE: There will be some step-climbing at Naked Mountain Winery, so please sign up only if you are physically able to manage this. An all-inclusive fee of $119, covering bus, lunch, gratuity, wine tastings, and driver’s lunch and tip, is payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation. The bus will leave promptly at 9:30 from Fair Oaks Mall parking lot 57, which is outside the circular road in front of ManTech. Please be on the bus no later than 9:15.
978 Lunch at the Euro Bistro Restaurant
Monday, May 1, 11:50
Carpool
Coordinator: Barbara Wilan
Event limit: 30
If you want to sample delicious Austrian-German food, Euro Bistro restaurant is the place for you. Established in 1999, Euro Bistro offers a great variety of international foods prepared by acclaimed Austrian chef Raimund Stieger. The restaurant’s focus is Austrian “schmankerln” and it is known for its wonderful desserts, including its famed apple strudel. The restaurant is located at 314 Elden Street in Herndon, a strip mall with parking in front and back. Lunch costs $30 per person, payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment acceptance, and includes a sampler plate of typical offerings (chicken schnitzel, pork jägerschnitzel, sausage and spätzle), apple strudel, and a non-alcoholic beverage. NOTE: There are no gluten-free options. Directions and a registration roster will be emailed so that those who wish to carpool can contact one another. Registration for this lunch closes on April 23.
979 Cold War Museum
Friday, 10:30-5:00, May 12
Bus trip
Coordinator: Suzanne Brooks
Event limit: 54
During World War II, the US Army turned a farm in Virginia into a secret military base. Almost overnight the barns at Vint Hill Farm were transformed into the primary facility dedicated to decoding the secret dispatches of America’s enemies—and played a vital part in winning the war. Vint Hill today has become an amazing complex where you can learn, create, and taste! We will learn from docents of how Vint Hill has evolved into the Cold War Museum, the Vint Hill Craft Winery, and Old Bust Head Brewery. Bring your own lunch or order in advance from the onsite Covert Café. The bus will leave promptly at 10:30 from Fair Oaks Mall parking lot 57, which is outside the circular road in front of ManTech. Please be on the bus no later than 10:15. We will depart at 4:00 to return to Fair Oaks Mall. The fee of $63, payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation, includes bus fare, driver gratuity, admission to the Cold War Museum, and a tour and tasting at the brewery and winery. The rest of what you will experience is a secret! SHHH!!!
John Deperro, chief curator of the museum, is a retired US Army major and West Point professor who served as a combat helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He is an expert in the history of the museum’s collection.
Jason Hall, executive director, has a PhD in modern European history and is a professor at George Mason University. From the stills in the Ozark Mountains to the intense production environments of Abita and Diamond Bear breweries, Charles Kling brings a lifetime of experience distilling, fermenting, and brewing to Old Bust Head Brewing Company, along with Ike and Julie Broaddus.
Ashton Lough graduated from the University of Georgia with degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology. He has been involved in commercial winemaking at Pearmund Cellars, Vint Hill Craft Winery, and the Winery at Bull Run since July of 2012.
980 Books, Books, Books = Libraries
Wednesday, May 17, 10:30–5:15
Bus trip
Coordinator: Ann Youngren
Event limit: 30
Tour the splendid Library of Congress, housed in the Thomas Jefferson Building, with a docent who will show us many of its treasures and its symbolic art and architecture. Docents will tell the story of the Library, America’s oldest federal cultural institution: its history, its collections, and its resources that work for Congress and the nation. We will eat lunch in a restaurant/cafeteria in the Madison Building, which is within the Library complex and across the street from the Jefferson Building. Participants will make choices and pay on their own. Then we will go by bus to the Folger Library for a guided tour and a glimpse of the world-famous Folger collection, including one of the Folger’s 82 First Folios. NOTE: This trip will require considerable walking The bus will leave promptly at 10:30 from Fair Oaks Mall parking lot 57 which is outside the circular road in front of ManTech. Please be at the bus no later than 10:15. We will depart the Folger at approximately 4:30 to return to Fair Oaks Mall. The fee of $39, payable to OLLI within one week of enrollment confirmation, includes bus fare and driver gratuity.
981 Poetry Reading
Friday, April 28, 1:00–2:30
Tallwood
Coordinators: Mike McNamara, Jan Bohall
The OLLI Poetry Workshop returns to a tradition at Tallwood: the presentation of poetry by its members. To celebrate National Poetry Month, April, workshop members will share their work at a reading; all in the OLLI community are invited. Non-workshop members will also be given time to present an original poem limited to a page or less. Non-workshop readers are asked to contact either of the above coordinators and advise of their wish to participate.
1001BT AARP Smart Driver Class
Tuesday, 9:30–5:30, Mar. 7
Note: Class usually finishes early. Bring a bag lunch.
Tallwood
Instructor: David Hall
Class limit: 35
The goal of this class is to help senior drivers in Northern Virginia drive safely, longer. The class will review the senior driver as a demographic group, as well as the effects of aging. It will cover what one should know and do to drive safely, as well as automobile and driving strategies, technology, new laws, and trends. We will address the question: “Should I be thinking about limiting my driving?” The class will include video clips, infographics, lecture, personal experiences, and relevant Q&A. An AARP guidebook and the latest DMV Rules of the Road will be provided. This eight-hour class is approved by the Virginia legislature, which mandates an appropriate auto insurance discount for three years after a completion certificate is presented to the insurance company. The class cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Bring cash or check and your AARP card if you have one. There will be a very short lunch break; bring a bag lunch and snacks.
David Hall is an MIT graduate with a BSEE degree. He was with IBM for 30 years as an engineer and project manager on development of military, NASA, and commercial systems. He has taught project management at IBM World Trade Corporation and has conducted over 100 AARP senior driver classes over the last 12 years. His special interests are optical and cognitive functions as they relate to driving.
1002BT BYO Lunch and a Play: Witness a Shotgun Wedding!
Wednesday, 12:30–1:45, Mar. 1
Tallwood
Coordinator: Kathie West
Grab your sandwich and join us for some between-term fun. At 12:30, we’ll have our casual lunches and time to catch up with OLLI friends. Then at 1:00, we’ll enjoy the OLLI Players giving their performance of a short play, the rip-roaring comedy Shotgun Wedding by Beverly Bonniwell. This is your chance to see OLLI pals after a long hiatus, and to watch a performance by our none-too-reverent theatrical troupe. Come and be part of the fun!
1003BT Liaison Training for Everybody!
Thursday, 1:00–2:30, Mar. 16
Tallwood
Coordinator: Martha Powers
Are you an OLLI instructor or a curious OLLI member who might want to be a liaison? Then this session is for you! We’ll talk about aspects of liaising that are not so obvious, as well as ways to optimize the announcement reading. We’ll also discuss unexpected situations. Liaisons help make our classes the best they can be, and they give our instructors a warm welcome and a helping hand. Please join us for a participative discussion about how to be a great liaison.
1004BT Remembering Our Fallen with the Movie, Taking Chance
Tuesday, 10:00–11:30, May 23
Tallwood
Coordinator: Martha Powers
OLLI will be having our own early Memorial Day this year to commemorate those who died to keep our country great. Please join us in viewing a highly-rated movie about the amazing and respectful way our military cares for its fallen. We’ll watch Taking Chance, a 2009 movie based on real-life events. Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (played by Kevin Bacon), a military escort officer, accompanies the body of 19-year-old Marine Chance Phelps back to his hometown of Dubois, WY. Along the way, kind words, small gifts, and gratitude are entrusted to Strobl to deliver to the family of the fallen young Marine. This is a wonderful story of respect, service, sacrifice, and the dignity of life. Our military truly cares for its own, and this important film bears testimony to that fact.
See L425 for instructor information.
1005BT Happy 100th to Dino!
Tuesday, 10:00–12:00, June 6
Tallwood
Instructor: Marianne Metz
Born June 7, 1917, Dino Paul Crocetti was destined to become one of America’s most beloved entertainers. Better known as Dean Martin, he provided us with decades of music, comedy, and charm. Now, at his centennial, we let Dean entertain us again as we come together the week before OLLI’s summer term. We’ll get glimpses of Dean Martin’s home movies and a taste of his celebrity roasts. Then, during our last hour, we’ll enjoy a full, uncut episode of “The Dean Martin Variety Show” from the late 1960s. Memories are made of this!
OLLI member Marianne Metz has previously offered classes on Gene Kelly, FredAstaire, Al Jolson, and classic American songwriters. She produces and hosts a weekly radio show, “The Melody Lingers On,” which features all of them and more.
1101 Grab ‘n’ Gab Coffee Klatch
Wednesday, 9:30–11:00, Mar. 8
Tallwood
Coordinator: Martha Powers
Event limit: 20>Grab a cup of coffee and some cookies and join us in the Social Annex for a casual gathering. When we’re between OLLI terms, we need an excuse to get together and catch up. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the camaraderie–new members, old members, even board members!
1102 Kaffe and Kuchen—Köstlich! (Delicious!)
Monday, 11:50–1:15, Mar. 27
Loudoun
Coordinator: Barbara Wilan
Bring your appetite and enjoy good conversation with your OLLI friends as we kick off the spring term. We’ll have a brief discussion about German food and sample some tasty German treats. A fee of $5, due after confirmation of enrollment, will cover the food for this event.
1103 Spring 2017 Super Salad Social
Friday, 12:30–2:30, Apr. 21
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Coordinator: Beth Lambert
Join us for lunch with fellow OLLI members and an opportunity to hear the candidates for the Board of Directors. Please bring a salad (green salad, pasta salad, grain salad, or 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.
1104 Spring 2017 Annual Business Meeting and Picnic
Friday, 10:00, May 5
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 of Directors. 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 Tallwood. 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 for this event. Registration will be taken on a first come-first served basis. PLEASE NOTE: You must register to attend the picnic.
1105 Between-Term Coffee Klatch
Wednesday, 9:30-11:30, May 17
Tallwood Annex
Coordinator: Martha Powers
Grab a cup of coffee and some cookies, and join us in the Social Annex for a casual gathering. When we’re between OLLI terms, we need an excuse to get together and catch up. Everyone is welcome to enjoy the camaraderie—new members, old members, even Board members. Registration for this event is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Ongoing Activites
Annex Art Club
Tuesdays
Feb. 14–Mar. 14, May 16–June 6, 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!
Bridge Club
Wednesdays
Feb. 15–Mar. 15, May 17–May 31, 10:00–12:00
Mar. 22–May 10, 1:45–3:45
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. 24–Apr. 28, May 12, 11:00–12:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Bob Zener 703-237-0492
This club was formed to discuss great works of world literature. This spring term we plan to start with a discussion of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man.
Cooking Club
Monthly dates to be determined
Fairfax Lord of Life
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 Fairfax Lord of Life church 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.
Craft and Conversation Group
Fridays
Feb. 17–Apr. 28, May 12–May 26, 9:30–11:00
Tallwood
Coordinators: Doris Bloch dbloch50@hotmail.com
Pam Cooper-Smuzynski pamcs2@verizon.net
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.
Doctor Who Club
First and third Fridays
Feb. 17, Mar. 3, Mar. 17, Apr. 7, Apr. 21, May 19, 1:00–3:00
Tallwood
Coordinator: Wendy Campbell neoblivis@earthlink.net
This group is for those of you interested in Timey Wimey Stuff—we are meeting to watch Doctor Who on the “big screen” in a Tallwood classroom. We will follow each presentation with discussion. Some of us are new to Who; some of us are very longtime fans. Everyone is welcome.
History Club
First Wednesdays
Mar. 1, 10:00–11:30
Apr. 5, May 3, 2:15–3:40
Tallwood
Coordinator: Beth Lambert elizabethlambert7@gmail.com
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 www.olli.gmu.edu/historyclubbooklist.pdf. To receive emails about History Club meetings, contact Beth Lambert.
Homer, etc.
Fridays
Feb. 17–Apr. 28, May 12–May 26, 11:00–12:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Jan Bohall jbohall@verizon.net or 703-273-1146
Join us to read aloud a traditional or contemporary classic. We are currently finishing Herman Melville’s Moby Dick and will begin The Collected Tales of Nikolai Gogol to tie in with a spring theater production at Mason. Drop in at the Tallwood Annex any Friday morning; new members are always welcome.
Mah Jongg Club
First and third Wednesdays
Mar. 1, Mar. 15, May 17, 10:00–12:00
Apr. 5, Apr. 19, May 3, 1:30–3:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Margaret Massey newfdog22@mac.com
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 Margaret or visit the Mah Jongg Club blog at https://olli.gmu.edu/mah-jongg-club/.
Memoir —and More—Writing Group
Wednesdays
Tallwood
Coordinator: Betty Smith
We meet about every other Wednesday during the year, at or near Tallwood, except during the fall and spring terms when Dianne Hennessy King’s Memoir Writing class is in session. We meet twice during those terms. In addition to memoirs, we write fiction, poetry, and personal essays. Writing groups have to stay fairly small and we’re currently full, but if you are interested, sign up in the member portal and you will be notified if a space becomes available.
Personal Computer User Group
Generally third Saturdays
Feb. 18, Mar. 18, Apr. 15, May 20, 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-paying 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. 10, Apr. 14, May 12, 9:30–11:30
Fourth Fridays
Feb. 24, Mar. 24, Apr. 28, May 26, 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 theme-based monthly 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 have guest speakers on the second Friday of each month, and on the fourth Friday, workshops cover specific topics in detail. We also regularly plan field trips in the local area. Contact Angie or Dave Talaber for further information.
Recorder Consort
Fridays
Feb. 17–Apr. 28, May 12–May 26, 9:15–11:30
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. You may need to purchase music.
Reston Book Club
Thursdays
Mar. 23, Apr. 13, May 11, 2:15–3:40
United Christian Parish
Coordinators: Luci Martel, Nancy Scheeler
This is a book discussion club for OLLI members who find it convenient to meet on the OLLI Reston campus. The purpose is to focus on serious contemporary fiction, primarily—but not limited to—works by American or UK authors. We will avoid current bestsellers and look for good novels on the long lists, short lists, and winner lists of the US National Book Award and the UK Man Booker prize. We will discuss the following:
- Mar. 23: Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. It won the 2013 National Book Critics Circle Fiction award and received much acclaim in the press.
- Apr. 13: How It All Began by Penelope Lively. Written in 2011, it features several of Lively's pet themes: memory, history, and the role of happenstance in our lives.
- May 11: Amsterdam by Ian McEwan. Winner of the 1998 Booker Prize, the author is now well-known in the US.
Spanish Club
Second and fourth Tuesdays (out of term)
Feb. 21, Mar. 14, May 23, 10:00–11:30
Second and fourth Wednesdays (in term)
Mar. 22, Apr. 12, Apr. 26, May 10, 1:45–3:15
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. 18–May 20, 10:30–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinators: Russell Stone 703-323-4428
Susanne Zumbro 703-569-2750
The Tai Chi Club meets almost every Saturday, year ‘round. It is open to all OLLI members.
Tallwood Book Club
Second Wednesdays
Mar. 8, 10:00–11:30
Apr. 12, May 10, 1:30–3:00
Tallwood
Coordinator: Ceda McGrew 703-323-9671
Our selection for March 8 is My Life as a Dog by Reidar Jönsson. On Apr. 12, we plan to read My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante. The selection for May 10 is The Code of the Woosters by P. G. Wodehouse.
Theater Lovers' Group
Generally last Fridays
Feb. 24, Mar. 31, Apr. 28, May 26, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinators: Norma Reck njreck@cs.com
Nancy Scheeler
The Theater Lovers’ Group (TLG) aims to provide OLLI members with various opportunities to participate in and learn about our local theater scene and the people who make it possible by attending and discussing theater performances, hosting pertinent theatrical persons to speak at our monthly meetings, and pursuing interests as expressed by TLG members themselves.
The Tom Crooker Investment Forum
Wednesdays
Feb. 15–Mar. 15, May 17–May 31, 10:30–12:00
Tallwood
Moderator: Al Smuzynski
For activity description see course F205.
Walking Group
Weekly
Tallwood/Fairfax Swimming Pool Parking Lot
Coordinators: Ute Christoph-Hill utehill@cox.net
Jerry Remson yofidog@yahoo.com
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. Because our goal is camaraderie as well as exercise, all levels of walking ability and speed are accommodated. 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. 27–Mar. 13, May 15–May 22, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Facilitators: Don Allen 703-830-3060
Mel Axilbund maxilbund@verizon.net
Dorsey Chescavage dchescavage@cox.net
Caroline Cochran ccochran50@aol.com
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.