Winter 2016 Catalog

Winter 2016 Catalog
January 19 - February 15, 2016

Below is a list of the courses, special events and ongoing winter 2016 activities at all three locations (Fairfax, Reston and Loudoun). Unless otherwise noted, classes beginning with an F are held at Tallwood in Fairfax, an R at United Ch

ristian 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 there is an instructor for a course that interests you, please check our page of instructor profiles.

If you plan to print the catalog rather than read it on your computer screen, you may prefer to print the Winter 2016 (pdf) in its normal two-column format.

Class hours are 9:40–11:05, 11:50–1:15, and 2:15–3:40, unless otherwise noted.

100 Art and Music

F101 Understanding Opera, Part 2

Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Instructor: Glenn Winters
This informative and entertaining course offers a survey of Virginia Opera's 2016 productions, including Gounod's sumptuous Shakespearean drama Romeo and Juliet, and Wagner's supernatural romance The Flying Dutchman. Comprehensive musical and dramatic analysis is offered along with video and audio excerpts, peppered with the presenter's occasional humorous digressions into song and dance. The class is recommended for beginners and aficionados alike.
Dr. Glenn Winters has been Virginia Opera’s community outreach musical director since 2004. His adult education program, "Operation Opera," reaches thousands of Virginians each season at numerous Lifelong Learning Institutes around the state. Dr. Winters’ book, The Opera Zoo: Singers, Composers and Other Primates, is available from Kendall Hunt Publishing. Winters is a composer, as well, and his commissioned operas include works for adults and children alike.
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F102 It's Easy to Remember (and So Hard to Forget)

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Instructors: Ted Mosser, Marianne Metz
Two seasoned radio producers devoted to classic songs and performers bring some of the best to OLLI. They’ve selected American popular song classics from the 1920s through the 1960s, performed by top entertainers. Numbers have been chosen for their visual as well as their musical qualities. Via YouTube we'll see stunning performances by Louis Armstrong, Fred Astaire, the Mills Brothers, Cab Calloway and the Nicholas Brothers, the Andrews Sisters, Judy Garland, Barbra Streisand, and many more. At least 20 performances will be featured over the course of four weeks, and once you see them, you'll find them hard to forget! An introduction will precede each performance, with time afterwards for discussion and reminiscences.
Ted Mosser was a high school English teacher and film appreciation teacher for most of his adult life. He was a public radio DJ in Asheville, NC, during the 1980s, where he presented a two-hour, twice-a-week show, "Big Band, Broadway and Beyond."
Marianne Metz currently produces and hosts a Radio Fairfax show called "The Melody Lingers On," which celebrates great American songs from the 1920s through the 1950s.

F103 Watercolor Painting

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Instructor: Leonard Justinian
Class Limit: 15
Thiswill provide an opportunity for watercolor painters at all levels to develop fresh skills while learning new watercolor techniques. Required materials include: #1, #6, and/or #8 round watercolor brushes; a paint palette for mixing colors; watercolor paper, 140 lb. cold press (Arches is best, but you can use less expensive paper); a kneaded eraser; a Staedtler white plastic eraser; and tubes of watercolor paint in white, charcoal black, cadmium yellow (medium), cadmium red (medium), and ultramarine blue, or a starter set of watercolors.
Leonard Justinian has been painting for more than 60 years. Among other honors, he has received the Grumbacher Award. He teaches watercolor painting in his Fairfax City studio and is also seen on Fairfax Public Access Cable TV, Cox Cable Channel 10, and Verizon FiOS Channel 10. He is a member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters, www.wslp.org.

R104 The Ongoing Pleasures of Music

Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Instructor: Gloria Sussman
This music listening course has continued to live up to its promising title. We explore with pleasure the many facets of classical music with the use of DVDs and YouTube. You may sample the wide variety of musical offerings from previous terms by searching for Gloria Sussman on YouTube.com.
Gloria Sussman has been teaching at OLLI since 2000 and continues to provide entertaining programs for OLLI at Reston.

L105 Beginning Drawing and Sketching

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Instructor: Kathie West
Class limit: 14
Participants with or without drawing experience will learn basic techniques for drawing with pencil and ink. You will be introduced to materials useful in drawing simple objects, still life, and landscapes. (After registration you will be emailed a list of items needed.) Class participation is expected and practice done at home will be very helpful. Come out and see that you too can sketch.
Kathie West, an OLLI member, was a high school theater teacher at Robert E. Lee High School and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. She is also a talented artist whose home serves as an art gallery for her many drawings and paintings.

200 Economics and Finance

F201 Federal Deficits and Debt: 2016 and Beyond

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Instructor: Jim Cantwell
This course will address several aspects of federal deficits, including the current debt level, how it has grown over time, and projected debt levels over the next several decades. Because of their large and growing contributions to federal deficits, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and interest on the debt will be examined in some depth. Questions to be addressed include: Why does the federal debt matter, anyway? Are we any different than Greece, a country in fiscal distress? Is there a ratio of US debt to national income where a debt-fueled economic crisis becomes inevitable? What is the trade-off between fiscal austerity and economic growth? Are America’s and our grandkids’ futures in peril because of the growing debt? How might the debt impact current 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 George Mason faculty or National Debt Commission members.
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.

F202 Tax Preparation Simplified

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 19–Feb. 2
Three sessions
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinator: Leo Brennan
This series of lectures is intended to help you with the preparation of your income tax returns.

Jan. 19: A Review of Federal Tax Laws, with an Emphasis on Senior-related Issues. Presenter John Higgins is a tax training specialist for AARP Tax-Aide, Virginia.
Jan. 26: A Review of Virginia Tax Laws for Seniors to Consider. John Higgins will build on the previous lecture, describing the requirements of Virginia tax laws in preparing federal and state tax returns, and using the content and organization of your documentation "shoebox" to help prepare your returns.
Feb. 2: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Your Taxes but Were Afraid to Ask. Linda de Marlor, who teaches tax law at real estate and educational institutions, will give a brief presentation about issues that affect most seniors, and then she’ll open the session to questions on real estate, legal, and financial issues. She has appeared on hundreds of radio and TV shows, and is returning to OLLI for her ninth season.

F203 Retired with Questions

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Coordinator: Leo Brennan
Class limit: 25
As seniors look through the kaleidoscope of life, we find our world constantly changing, and we hunger to know what others are doing in similar situations. This open forum, an outgrowth of the Investment Forum and other OLLI classes, is designed to address the concerns of seniors regarding a wide range of retirement issues. A panel of experienced investors will provide answers to member questions through friendly discussion. Presenters include: Al Smuzynski, Investment Forum moderator; Lou Coglianese, Investment Forum member; Mike May, financial planner for seniors; and Helen Flynn, seniors’ real estate expert. Topics may include annuities, fixed income, asset allocations, management of IRAs, staying in your home, downsizing, how to make your money last, and moving to a new location.

Jan. 20: Class members will identify their areas of concern.
Jan. 27–Feb. 10: Panel members will address member concerns.

F204 The Tom Crooker Investment Forum

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 20–Feb. 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 topics such as recent market indicators, stocks, bonds, funds (mutual, exchange-traded, and closed-end), 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.

L205 Tax Preparation Simplified

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 20–Feb. 3
Three sessions
Coordinator: Leo Brennan
This class is a repeat of F202.

300 History and International Studies

F301 Commemorating the Seminal Events Our Boys Faced in WWII

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 25–Feb. 8
Three sessions
Instructor: Jim Lewis
This series of lectures, illustrated with PowerPoint slides, will concentrate on several of the seminal events of the Second World War.

Jan. 25: What Our Boys Faced on D-Day. This talk will focus on the difficulties that the Allies faced in undertaking the largest amphibious invasion ever take place.
Feb. 1: D-Day +1 through the Battle of the Bulge. This lecture details the fascinating sequence of events following the Allied Landing through Hitler’s surprise winter offensive.
Feb. 8: Downfall: The Empire’s Last Stand. This presentation focuses on events from mid-1945 through the end of the war in the Pacific, with special attention to the largest planned amphibious invasion in history.

Jim Lewis is a noted Civil War and World War II historian, lecturer, and local Civil War site tour guide. He recently visited Europe to do in-depth research for his latest work, The Battle of Normandy through the Bulge. His works include: The Hunter Mill Road Civil War Self-Guided Tour, Forgotten Roads of the Hunter Mill Corridor, and Sunstroke and Ankle Deep Mud.

F302 National Park Ranger Potpourri VIII

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Fairfax Lord of Life
Coordinators: Brad Berger, Emmett Fenlon
It’s back for Round 8! Due to continued interest in the mystery “potpourri” concept, the National Park Service will reveal four new topics on each presentation day. If you enjoy surprises, this is the course for you! We will explore local connections to people, places, or events which shaped our nation’s history.
National Park Service rangers have participated with OLLI in over 80 thematic courses, special events, and trips since 2001.

R303 The Great War: Imperfect Peace and Revolution in Russia

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Instructor: Bernie Oppel
Class limit: 75
The Great War ended in November 1918, but the war’s unresolved issues, and the imperfect peace that followed it, reverberated throughout Europe, East Asia, and the Middle East for the remainder of the 20th century. The Russian Revolution, a major consequence of the war, roiled international affairs for decades. History can be viewed as a process of interpretation and reinterpretation of events, or as a recitation of immutable facts. This course follows the first approach and focuses on the long-term consequences and complex legacies of World War I. Beginning with a broad overview of the final phase of the Great War, we will examine the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles before concluding with an analysis of the Russian Revolution of 1917. This course is a revised version of F306 from the winter 2015 term, and it incorporates class discussion within a lecture format.
Bernie Oppel, OLLI member, is a retired Foreign Service officer and retired Air Force colonel. He holds a PhD in modern European/Russian history from Duke University. He has taught history at the USAF Academy, as well as several history and history film courses at OLLI.

R304 Internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 19–Jan. 26
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 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 politics during the War. The class will also review the 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.

R305 Battles in Eastern Europe That Framed Our Times

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Feb. 2–Feb. 9
Two sessions
Instructor: Ed Janusz
“The big question of the 20th century has not disappeared in the 21st: Who is on the right side of history? Is it liberal democracy, with power growing from the bottom up, hedged in by free markets, rule of law, accountability and the separation of powers? Or is it despotic centralism in the way of Stalin and Hitler, the most recent, though far less cruel, variant being the Chinese one: state capitalism plus one party rule.”
Europe in the early 20^th century was framing the conditions to test that question, first by force of arms and later by the struggle for world supremacy known as the Cold War. It has resumed now in the struggle over Ukraine. This presentation will address three battles—two in the early 20^th century and one 500 years earlier— near the Vistula River (in what is now Poland), and discuss how they framed Europe for the ongoing test. Those three battles are:

Grunwald/Tannenberg I (1410)
Tannenberg II (1914)
Soviet/Polish/Ukranian/Lithuanian War (Miracle of the Vistula) (1919/1920)Ed Janusz is an engineer with a BS in mechanical engineering from Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn and an MS in industrial engineering from Arizona State University. He retired after a career in the Army Corps of Engineers and the aerospace and computer services industries. He is the author of the book Fading Echoes from the Baltic Shores. Having spent his early years among Eastern Europeans, he will attempt to present the events from their perspective.
[1] Wall Street Journal, Oct 26/27, 2013 - Review Section, pg 31
The presenter will posit that the first battle laid the framework for the governance of Eastern Europe. The second gave impetus the events which ultimately culminated in the Communist Revolution. And the third, not widely known, contained that revolution (at least for two decades) within the Soviet Union—but laid the groundwork for fascism in the 1930s and for the current crisis in the Ukraine.

[M1]Since this is a direct quote, edits should be minimized.

R306 Reston: Past, Present and Future

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 19–Jan. 26
Two sessions
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Coordinator: Ann Youngren

Jan. 19: Reston: The Inspirational Early Years. This class will examine the inspiration behind the founding of Reston and its exciting early years, from Robert E. Simon’s purchase of Sunset Hills Farm in 1961 through 1967, when Gulf Oil took over the community’s development. Using archived materials and movie clips from the Reston Historic Trust, this class will discuss Simon’s original goals for Reston, the early architecture of Reston, and the issues the innovative community faced.
Jan. 26: Reston: The Present and the Future. Class participants will learn about the major issues that face Reston today: how the Silver Line is affecting the community, the proposed redevelopment around Lake Anne, and the 50^th anniversary of Reston’s founding. We will view more archived materials and film clips from the collection of the Reston Historic Trust.

Presenters for these sessions will be members of the board of the Reston Historic Trust.

R307 Intelligence in the Civil War

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Instructor: Jim Anderson
Against the backdrop of the Civil War, we will explore the efforts—both successful and unsuccessful—of the two warring governments to establish effective intelligence organizations. The Confederacy’s Secret Service Bureau and the Union’s Bureau of Military Information used such age-old intelligence techniques as code-breaking, deception, and covert surveillance. The two sides also experimented with new technologies, such as reconnaissance balloons and the telegraph. We will examine the various means used to gather and exploit both tactical and strategic information to influence events on the battlefield and in Washington and Richmond. The emphasis will be on the key personalities and campaigns in the Eastern Theater during the first two years of the war. This lecture series focuses less on the battlefield and more on the battle of wits.
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 nine years he has conducted corporate leadership training seminars featuring Civil War battlefield visits.

L308 Two Brothers from Ohio: Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machine

Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Instructor: Mark Weinstein
Let’s take a quick flight through yesteryear, 1900-1915, when two brothers—Orville and Wilbur Wright—pulled off the impossible: leaving our earthly habitat to soar into the air with controlled flight. They were visionaries, entrepreneurs, researchers, designers, builders, the first aeronautical engineers, and the first aviators. They had a dream to build the first airplane, to fly, to prove to the world that it was safe and useful, and then to convert their bicycle factory into an aircraft factory. They were bedeviled by firsts: building a craft that was an integrated system of systems, handling the realities of business, and finally dealing with legal brouhahas that plagued them until WWI. Using Smithsonian docent training material, information from David McCullough’s 2015 book, and other archival facts, we will “fly” through their stories and photos, concluding with a visit to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, where three remaining Wright aircraft are displayed.
Mark Weinstein is an OLLI member who has a BSEE and has taught courses on Aviation History, the Engineers of Victory of WW II, Cold War topics, Computer Innovators, American History, and other topics. He is a docent at both Smithsonian Air and Space Museums. In his wild impetuous youth he flew a Piper Tri-Pacer.

L309 Jimmy Doolittle and the Japanese-Americans

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 21–Jan. 28
Two sessions
Instructor: Jim Kelly
This two-session course recaps the 1942 Jimmy Doolittle raid on Tokyo and the concurrent internment of 120,000 Japanese-Americans on the West Coast.connection between the two may surprise you.have current relevance: the former because 2016 marks the 75th anniversary of America's entry into WWII; the latter because internment of Japanese-Americans may be instructive, given our current immigration issues.
Jim Kelly is a retired intelligence officer with experience at CIA, DIA, and the Navy. He has a BA from the University of Pittsburgh, an MA from American University, and a diploma from the National Defense University.

400 Literature Theater & Writing

F401 Sir Terry Pratchett

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: Wendy Campbell
Wendy first read the book Good Omensa long time ago. She says, “It was a bit like the first time I tasted toffee—a joy and a wonder and something to relish.” Then she discovered that one of the authors, Terry Pratchett, had authored an entire world populated with a myriad of characters, all so carefully developed that you grow to know each one as though they are your closest friends and acquaintances, even though many of them are fantasies. Terry Pratchett became a bestselling author in the 1990s, selling over 80 million books worldwide. His books are so full of humor, inspired puns, and a deep and wonderful philosophy of life, that one tends to forget that they are also sometimes very dark.friend and the co-author of Good Omens, Neil Gaiman, says that “A Terry Pratchett book is a small miracle.” Come, let’s talk about wonder. And “Mind how you go.”
Wendy Campbell graduated from Marymount University with a MEd. She taught in the gifted program in Fairfax County public schools for 20 years.

F402 Harper Lee: A Close Reading of Her Two Novels

Mondays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Instructors: Barbara Nelson, Claire Smith
In early 2015, HarperCollins Publishers released the unexpected announcement that Harper Lee, American literary icon and author of To Kill a Mockingbird, had written another novel, only recently discovered. Excitement and controversy followed its publication, and considerable discussion of Go Set a Watchman has continued. Close reading and thoughtful class discussion of these two books are the intent of these four classes. We will follow this reading schedule:

Jan. 25: Go Set a Watchman, Parts I-III
Feb. 1: Go Set a Watchman, Parts IV-VII
Feb. 8: To Kill a Mockingbird, Part One
Feb. 15: To Kill a Mockingbird, Part Two

Come to class with questions, passages that are puzzling or significant, and insights you wish to share with the rest of the class.
Barbara Nelson, an OLLI member, taught for over 30 years at the secondary level, the last 20 at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. She has taught a number of literature classes at OLLI.
Claire Smith, an OLLI member, formerly served as co-chair of the Language, Literature, and Theater Program Planning Group.

F403 Made in England: Movies from Across the Pond

Mondays, 1:45–3:45, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Note time
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: Martha Powers
Forget the cold weather and come enjoy an afternoon movie at OLLI! These four selections were all produced in England, so we'll use subtitles to be sure we catch every word. The movies will be shown in the following order:

Mrs. Henderson Presents (2005): The true story of a woman who bought a theatre and presented all-nude reviews in wartime London. Stars Judi Dench, Bob Hoskins, and Christopher Guest.
Miss Potter (2006): Biography of author Beatrix Potter and her struggle to find success and happiness. Stars Renee Zellweger, Ewan McGregor, and Emily Watson.
Wilde (2002): Biography of poet and playwright Oscar Wilde, focusing on his homosexuality and relationships. Stars Stephen Fry, Jude Law, and Vanessa Redgrave.
Quartet (2012): At a home for retired musicians, plans for the annual concert are disrupted by the arrival of a new resident. Stars Maggie Smith, Michael Gamdon, Billy Connolly, and Pauline Collins.

Martha Powers is an OLLI member who likes to share favorite videos with other OLLI folks.

F404 Hermann Hesse's Narcissus and Goldmund

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Instructor: Elisabeth Wolpert
Narcissus and Goldmund is a poetic novel placed in a medieval setting, and it tells the story of two men whose characters are diametrically opposite. Through a combination of impressive, colorful imagery and lofty philosophy, Hesse's story is a worthy addition to the lengthy series of German Bildungromane (novels of growing up) in which the main theme is the wanderer's struggle to find himself. This novel depicts the 15th-century world of Nicholas of Cusa, at a time when unorthodox interpretations of Christianity were accepted (although few people in that day found fault with pogroms.) Hesse condemns Christian cruelties against the Jews, and the ravages of the Black Death also form a significant part of the story. Fascinating and elevating aspects of the Middle Ages are emphasized equally with the touching innocence of men and women, the simple piety of medieval art, and the unspoiled character of the medieval landscape.
Elisabeth Wolpert was born and educated in France, and her doctoral thesis dealt with 16th century French literature. She enjoys being at OLLI, where she has taught several courses.

F405 Let’s Read: The Hillermans

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Instructor: Carolyn Sanders
Tony Hillerman, the well-known New Mexico resident and author of mysteries often set on the Indian reservations of the Southwest, has passed on, but his daughter Ann has picked up some of his story lines and characters. We will read several of his books—choose titles for yourself—and end up with Ann’s as we compare the two and try to determine if she has the same gift for writing that he had. Books by both Hillerman writers are available from the Fairfax County Public Library.
Carolyn Sanders, a longtime member of OLLI, is a George Mason University graduate with an MA in teaching writing and literature. Her last job, after retiring from the FDIC, was teaching homebound high school students for Fairfax County Public Schools. She is seldom without a book in her hands.

F406 Poetry Workshop

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Moderators: Mike McNamara, Jan Bohall
Class limit: 18
This workshop allows both novice and experienced poets the opportunity to share their work and receive suggestions for improvement. Workshop members should bring an original poem in draft or revised form to each session. Two poems should be sent to the Tallwood office for duplication one week before the first class meeting, and a third poem brought to the first session. The moderators will email students after registration to let them know when and where to send their poems for the first class.
Mike McNamara, an OLLI member, has been published in several literary journals and magazines and has received awards from the Poetry Society of Virginia.
Jan Bohall, also an OLLI member, has had poems published in various periodicals and has won awards from the Poetry Society of Virginia.

**F407 Atonement: Ian McEwan**

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Kay Menchel
Ian McEwan is one of the most talented writers working in the English language today; his prose is as illuminating as it is beautiful. In this class we will read the novel —beloved by critics and readers alike since it came out in 2001. The novel will give us an opportunity not only to enjoy the rich, formal eloquence of McEwan’s style, but also to explore the conditions in Britain before, during, and after WWII—the complex time period during which the novel is set. McEwan’s masterwork functions both as a cerebral postmodern investigation into the nature of narrative, and as a highly compelling tale about love, betrayal, and memory.
Kay Menchel, who grew up in Yorkshire, England, is a lawyer who also holds an MA in English literature from George Mason University. She has taught numerous literature classes and always enjoys sharing her passion for English literature with OLLI members.

R408 Let’s Read: The Hillermans

Mondays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Instructor: Carolyn Sanders
This is a repeat of class F405.

R409 Literary Roundtable

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Reston's Used Book Shop at Lake Anne
Moderators: Janice Dewire, Carol Henderson
Class limit: 21
This short-story discussion class will continue with the stories in The Scribner Anthology of Contemporary Short Fiction, 2nd edition, edited by Lex Williford and Michael Martone. The 50 stories in the 2007 2nd edition were all published by American authors after 1970. Authors to be discussed this term include Richard Ford, Mary Gaitskill, Dagoberto Gilb, and Edward P. Jones. It’s important that registrants obtain the revised and updated second edition published in 2007, available as a Touchstone Books paperback for $16 or less. The original 1999 edition (used by this class some years ago) contains almost completely different content.
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.

R410 Short Stories: Alice Munro

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Instructor: Kay Menchel
In this class we will read a collection of Alice Munro’s stories, including Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, and Marriage. Munro, described by the Swedish Academy as a “master of the contemporary short story” when it awarded her the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2013, is one of the most important and influential authors of her time. Her stories are both spellbinding entertainments and meaningful examinations of the small, potent moments in a life that can prompt powerful realizations. The selections will be posted on OLLI’s DocStore and emailed to those registered for the class before the first session.
See F407 for instructor information.

R411 Foreign Films, Old and New

Thursdays, 1:45–3:45, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Note time
Instructor: Ben Gold
If classic foreign films are your passion, be sure to sign up for this course, where each week we will view old or current foreign films destined to be classics. The instructor will introduce the film and, depending on time constraints, lead a post-viewing discussion. Films are chosen based on their critical recognition and popularity. You’ll enjoy the best in a wide range of films from a variety of foreign genres.
Ben Gold is a bona fide movie junkie. He spends much of his free time watching movies and doesn’t care if they are extremely old ones, the latest popular ones, or the best in foreign films. He’s renowned for his famous quote, “I never met a movie I didn’t like.”

**L412 Atonement: Ian McEwan**

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Instructor: Kay Menchel
This class is a repeat of F407.

L413 Sir Terry Pratchett

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Instructor: Wendy Campbell
This class is a repeat of F401.

L414 Writers' Workshop: Writing the Mind Alive

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Instructors: Ralph Greenwood, Ed Sadtler
Class limit: 10
This class uses a roundtable format that fosters an environment for writers of all levels to give and receive encouragement, feedback, and constructive criticism. All genres of writing are welcome, including poetry, fiction, memoirs, and historical pieces. All of these categories share the same underlying commitment: to write a compelling work that fully conveys the author's intentions.
Ralph Greenwood, an OLLI member, is a retired project manager who lists his writing qualifications as “Wanna'be–Tryina'be–Gonna'be!”
Ed Sadtler, also an OLLI member, has been writing and occasionally publishing poetry for many years.

L415 Those Were the Days: Sitcoms of the ‘70s

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Instructor: Martha Powers
In 1973 and ’74, CBS aired four situation comedies back-to-back on Saturday nights: All in the Family, M*A*S*H, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, and The Bob Newhart Show. If you miss that golden age of sitcoms, when Saturday night TV was the highlight of the week, then you’ll enjoy this trip down memory lane. Each week, we’ll watch two of the very best episodes from these great series. We’ll have time for some up-front commentary before watching them, plus more time to share our thoughts after each. Forget about winter and look forward to laughing!
See F403 for instructor information.

L416 Mystery Short Stories: Meet the Author

Wednesdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Instructor: Josh Pachter
Josh Pachter's short crime stories have been appearing in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine,">Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine The Saturday Evening Post, and many other publications since the late 1960s. During the '80s, he wrote a series of ten stories about Mahboob Chaudri, a Pakistani living and working as a police detective in the Middle Eastern island emirate of Bahrain, and in 2015 the ten Chaudri stories were collected into a single volume and published as The Tree of Life. In this four-session course, we'll read and discuss the Mahboob Chaudri stories with their author, a frequent OLLI instructor. At the first class meeting, copies of the book will be available (for $15) and Josh will talk about his year in Bahrain and his experiences as a professional author. Then during each of the next three sessions, we'll discuss three or four of the stories.
Josh Pachter is the assistant dean for communication studies and theater at Northern Virginia Community College’s Loudoun campus. He earned an MA in speech communication at the University of Michigan and has been teaching at the college level since 1978.

L417 Military Science Fiction

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Instructor: Paul Gonzalez
Science fiction (sci-fi) has always been a literature of ideas and speculative thought. Sci-fi writers ask the question “what if” and then build a world in which to explore the possibilities opened up by that question. One of the areas of speculation deals with future wars. What would they be like? How would they be fought? Who would fight them? What weapons would be used? Many sci-fi writers have taken up the challenge of answering those questions; a large number have fashioned approaches that reflect the realities of military discipline and organization. This course will discuss the writers who reflect their military backgrounds in entertaining, action-filled stories. It will focus on writers who have established at least one series (more than three books) in this specific sci-fi sub-genre, authors who write believably about the possible nature of future wars.
Paul Gonzalez is a life-long fan of science fiction and has read extensively in the area of military sci-fi. He has an undergraduate degree in physics from Loyola University of New Orleans, and an MBA from Virginia Tech. He retired in 2012 after nearly 40 years working in information technology and systems engineering.

F418 OLLI Players Workshop

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 25-Feb. 15
Clifton Lord of Life
Instructor: Kathie West
This is a continuing acting and producing workshop for serious theater-minded participants by The OLLI Players, an amateur theater group affiliated with George Mason. We have already performed at various venues. In our repertoire we have lyrics, short scenes, and are currently working on a play. This will be continued from the spring session and then performed. We will premiere the play at OLLI and then perform for possible other venues. If you have a scene or a play you would like to see put on, bring it along, and we will try it. You will learn the ins and outs of presentation, memorization skills, and acting tricks. If we are asked to perform at a hospital, senior center or other venues, you must be willing to travel during the day. Be able and willing to tout OLLI and your talents!
Kathie West, an OLLI member, is a former high school theater teacher at Robert E. Lee High School and Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

500 Languages

F501 Basic Spanish Conversation

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Instructor: Mirtha King
Class limit: 20
This basic course of Español is designed for students with no training in the language, or those who know very little Spanish. These interactive, lively classes will help you learn the basics for simple day-to-day conversation or for use when travelling, by applying four skills: listening, repeating (mimicking), reading, and writing. Specifically, we will learn new vocabulary related to colors, food, greetings, numbers, and weather expressions—plus basic grammar using regular verbs and the irregular verb (to be) in the present tense. Handouts and multimedia presentations will be provided.
Mirtha King is a native of Perú. Her experience as a Spanish teacher and translator includes work for the Peruvian prime minister’s office and Fairfax County, and her language certification was granted by Pontifical Catholic University of Perú. Mirtha’s studies include the pregrado/BA from Ricardo Palma University Perú, and a BS from Barry University, FL.

F502 Spanish Conversational Forum

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Instructor: Bernardo Vargas Giraldo
Class limit: 16
This ongoing conversational forum meets regularly during the year. The objectives are to practice the Spanish language and learn about Spanish/Latino culture through articles, photographs, videos, and speakers. Classes are conducted entirely in Spanish. English will be used only occasionally to explain grammar and idiomatic expressions. A prerequisite for this class is an ability to converse in Spanish at the high intermediate to advanced level. Students are encouraged to make presentations in Spanish on timely topics of their choosing. Come join us and improve your Spanish.
Bernardo Vargas Giraldo, a graduate of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, isan editor of an online Spanish newspaper.

F503 Latin ll

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Instructor: Alana Lukes
Class limit: 20
This continuing course is for beginning Latin students who know the verb endings of the present, imperfect, and perfect tenses. We take a modern, non-traditional sight, sound, and internet approach to this ancient language. By reading about the adventures of a 1st century CE family living in Roman Britain, we continue to explore Latin grammar, vocabulary, and ancient Roman culture. Class meetings employ a media version of the text, North American Cambridge Latin Course, Unit 2, 4th edition. Purchase of the text for home study is optional. A $5 fee for students not previously enrolled in the fall course will be due after confirmation of enrollment. The fee offsets e-learning program costs.
Alana Lukes, an OLLI member, has taught Latin for over 25 years at the middle school, high school, and college levels.

R504 Intermediate Spanish Conversation, Part 2

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Instructor: Pamela Garcia
This is Part 2 of an intermediate conversation course for people who can converse in Spanish about basic topics in the present tense and are ready to talk about past experiences. The focus of the class will be conversational in nature, with topics that describe people, pastimes, daily routines, health, music, visual arts, shopping, dining out, and travel. The primary purpose of this course is to foster the participants' increased proficiency in conversational settings by reinforcing basic expressions and vocabulary. Anyone who has a basic grasp of vocabulary in the present tense is welcome. You do not need to have taken Part 1 to enroll in this course.
Pamela Garcia recently retired from teaching all levels of Spanish in Montgomery County Public Schools. She has a BA in Spanish and master’s degrees in bilingual multicultural education and supervision.

R505 Beginning Chinese Mandarin

Saturdays, 11:00–12:15, Jan. 23–Feb. 13
Note time, dates
Tzu Chi Foundation, 1516 Moorings Drive, Reston
Instructor: Tzuben Chang
In this course, we will learn basic greetings in Chinese Mandarin and how to respond to them. Some background on the importance of greetings in Chinese culture will be presented. Class members also will receive an introduction to the community services of the Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation, based on its four missions (charity, medicine, education, and culture).
Tzuben Chang holds a master’s degree in economics from Soochow University, and is studying foreign language education at the University of Virginia. She has been the apprentice of Dharma Master Cheng Yen (founder of the Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation) for ten years, and her experience includes more than 25 years of teaching Chinese in public secondary school and at the college level.

Religious Studies

F601 Reading the Same Bible and Finding Different Meanings: Four Case Studies

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Instructor: Steven C. Goldman

Biblical Prophecy and the Modern State of Israel. In this session, we will examine why some support modern Israel based on Biblical prophecy, while others assert that the Biblical texts proclaim the opposite.
Mary, Mother of Jesus: Why Do Christians Disagree Regarding Her Person and Role? Immaculate Conception? Lived a life without sin? Perpetual virginity? Intercessor? “Mother of Christ”? “Mother of God”? Our Mother? Assumed into Heaven?
The Resurrection of Jesus: Fact or Fiction? The Apostle Paul wrote “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”

(1 Corinthians 15:14) If Christianity stands or falls on the historicity of the Resurrection, why are there conflicting accounts within the New Testament? Can the divergent accounts be reconciled? What do sources outside the New Testament record about the Resurrection? In this session, we will explore how believers, skeptics, and others approach this central doctrine of Christianity.

Parables of Jesus. In this session, we will examine how Jesus used parables as a means of teaching about the character and will of God, the foibles and possibilities of humans, and the obligations of humans toward each other and their Creator. Several of Jesus’ most well-known parables will be analyzed and discussed.

Steven C. Goldman is a member of the OLLI Board of Directors and serves as chair of OLLI’s Religious Studies Program Planning Group. He has taught numerous courses on alternative understandings of Biblical doctrine.

F602 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Instructor: Vicky DelHoyo
This course will begin by relating the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its founder, Joseph Smith, Jr. In following weeks we will discuss the church’s Plan of Salvation, the purpose of its temples, and the 13 Articles of Faith. In the fourth class, we will examine the works that form the church’s foundation: The Holy Bible, The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and The Pearl of Great Price.
Vicky DelHoyo has a BS in education from the University of Utah and has been teaching church history and scripture courses for the past 17 years.

R603 Catholic Social Thought in the Modern Era

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Feb. 2–Feb. 9
Two sessions
Instructor: Greg Cleva
The US Catholic Conference of Bishops (USCCB) has called attention to the fact that many Catholics do not understand the Church’s social teachings and their essential role in the Catholic faith. Moreover, the USCCB has said that this lack of understanding weakens the Church’s capacity to be faithful to the demands of the Gospel. This is a two-session course dealing with the social teachings of the Catholic Church in the modern era. The first class will highlight the principal teachings themselves, as well as their historical and scriptural basis. The second class will focus on recent changes in these teachings, particularly the primacy Pope Francis affords to the “preferential option for the poor.”
Greg Cleva has a PhD in international politics from The Catholic University of America, and is a retired foreign affairs analyst with the Department of Defense.

R604 From Chinese Culture to Buddhism to Tzu Chi

Saturdays, 9:15–10:45, Jan. 23–Feb. 13
Note time, dates
Tzu Chi Foundation, 1516 Moorings Drive, Reston
Instructor: Win-Long Chang
This course provides an introduction to the history of Chinese culture, Buddhism in China, and the rise of Tzu Chi, which has as its guiding principle the offering of aid to the needy, and education and compassion to benefit others. Topics will include the books Tao Te Ching by Lau-Zi, and The Analects of Confucius. You’ll learn about Buddhism and the Five Guard Againsts (hindrances to spiritual development), as well as the Ten Guard Againsts of Tzu Chi.
Win-Long Chang holds a master’s in computer science from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, works as a computer software quality control engineer, and has for six years been the apprentice of Dharma Master Cheng Yen, founder of the Buddha Tzu Chi Foundation.

L605 God's Problem: Why Do We Suffer?

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Class limit: 20
Instructor: Jack Dalby
Regarding the problem of evil, the 18th century Scottish philosopher David Hume asked, "Is he [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? then is he impotent. Is he able, but not willing? then is he malevolent. Is he both able and willing? whence then is evil?" In this wide-ranging, four-session seminar, we will grapple with what historian Bart Ehrman calls God's Problem: If God loves us, then why do we suffer? Topics for discussion include the nature of God and suffering as presented in the Old Testament, the New Testament and God's apocalyptic vanquishing of evil, the atoning death of Jesus, Augustine and the concept of original sin, free will, logical problems of evil, theodicy, and much more. The goal of this series is to foster a classroom environment where difficult questions can be asked and the answers debated with curiosity and respect. While not required, a familiarity with Bart Ehrman's book, God's Problem, would be beneficial.
Jack Dalby, president of White Oak Communications, is an OLLI member who has taught classes on the historical Jesus, St. Paul, and the first Christians. He holds a BS in communication arts from James Madison University and has taken graduate classes in history at Mason.

L606 Judaism Decoded: The Origins and Evolution of Jewish Law and Tradition

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 26–Feb. 9
Three sessions
Instructor: Leibel Fajnland
From commandments engraved in stone to microchips in our eyewear, a lot can change in 3,000 years—yet the elemental questions about our tradition remain the same. Do we have any evidence that the Bible text is divine and true? Who has the right to interpret the Bible? What are the mechanisms to do so? And how do we adapt its laws to modern times and changing influences?
Rabbi Leibel Fajnland, the director of the Chabad of Reston and Herndon, VA, is a frequent speaker on the topics of Torah, Talmud, Jewish identity, and Israel.

650 Humanities and Social Sciences

F651 Justice: What’s the Right Thing to Do?

Mondays, 11:30–1:30, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Note time
Facilitator: Gloria Loew
Michael Sandel teaches an undergraduate course in political philosophy at Harvard, and his was the first Harvard course to be made freely available online. Over the course of 12 lectures, Sandel poses intriguing ethical dilemmas and masterfully engages his students in debate to try to figure out what is the right thing to do. In the winter session, we will watch videos 9-12 and discuss the issues they raise. Topics in these videos include affirmative action, professional golf, communitarianism, patriotism, liberalism, and same-sex marriage. The philosophies of Aristotle, Kant, MacIntyre, Rawls, and Walzer will be explained and used to reason through the dilemmas that are presented. The classes will be two hours long, with each class offering an hour-long video, after which we will spend an hour analyzing and discussing what we watched.
Gloria Loew has an MA in human resource development from The George Washington University. In her last job, she was staff development manager of a division of a large IT company.

F652 Exploring the Future

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Instructor: Joel Ticknor
Class limit: 50
This course will feature highlights from the WorldFuture Society 2015 conference, plus recent futures research and discussions.

Week 1: Playing the “Immortality Game.” This game gets you to think about a world-changing technology that could come to pass in the next 10-20 years. What values and behaviors influence your approach?
Week 2: State of the Future, 2015-2016. The Millennium Project’s latest report on global trends and challenges assesses where we have made progress or regressed.
Week 3: “How to Think about Machines that Think?” This is the annual question of Edge.org, an online journal that represents ideas on the frontiers of knowledge. How should we deal with new forms of artificial intelligence (AI)? Could they represent “existential risks” to the human race? What are the implications of AI for the future of work, health, medicine, and governance?
Week 4: Addressing “Wicked” Problems: How do we address the vexing problems of climate change, weapons of mass destruction, and “lone wolf” terrorism?

OLLI member Joel Ticknor is a professional member of the WorldFuture Society and has a certificate in strategic foresight from the University of Houston. A retired CIA officer, Joel has taught national security policy at the National War College, as well as courses on financial planning and the future of our world at OLLI. He has a BA from Union College, graduate studies in political science at Columbia University, and a diploma from the National War College.

F653 Feng Shui for Your Home

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Feb. 2–Feb. 9
Two sessions
Instructor: Johnnie Hicks
Feng shui literally means “wind” and “water,” and is the ancient Chinese art of arranging our environments in ways that enhance the positive flow of Chi (energy). In doing so, we better allow health, wealth, and happiness to flow naturally into our lives. Feng shui takes its cues from nature and is based on earth’s elements as a guide to assuring balance and harmony in our homes and, by extension, in our personal lives. At the first session participants will be provided with a bagua (map) indicating which areas of their homes represent the eight important aspects in their lives. The second session will provide an opportunity to share and ask questions, and to consider how the “nine basic cures” of feng shui can be used to bring about a more positive outcome.
Johnnie Hicks has enjoyed a lifelong interest in the study of world cultures and traditions. Her personal interest in feng shui has led to an appreciation of how these principles can enhance the enjoyment of one’s home, and possibly invite new luck and prosperity to enter as well.

F654 OLLIgopoly: Trivia for Fun

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Instructor: Bruce Mercer
Join fellow OLLI members in a good-natured and spirited class of team trivia. If you like trivia, good music, sharing laughs and having fun, then this class is for you. OLLIgopoly affords you the Opportunity to Learn, Laugh and Impress others with your knowledge of trivial facts and long forgotten tidbits. The game combines questions, information, and strategy with graphics, music, and enjoyment. Working as teams (you are not alone!) participants ponder, plot and learn—all in an atmosphere of good-natured competition. And who knows? Maybe your team will win and take home a coveted OLLIVIA trophy that is awarded to each member of the winning team. But remember, there is only one rule in OLLIgopoly:
Have fun!
Bruce Mercer has been facilitating OLLIgopoly classes for four years and enjoys creating questions that are both challenging and informative. He provides the questions, you provide the answers, and we’ll all enjoy good fun and learning.

F655 Introduction to “What Now, Cuba?”

Thursdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Coordinators: Walt Carlson, Johnnie Hicks
After more than 50 years of isolation, the opening of relations between Cuba and the United States provides opportunities for engaging in new learning experiences, and for strengthening personal relationships between the two countries. In a collaborative effort between OLLI and George Mason University, this introductory course sets the stage for a follow-up eight-week OLLI spring course which will offer further insights into Cuba’s social, political, economic, and cultural developments. The topics for this introductory course are:

“An Overview of Cuba Today,” presented by Professor Lisa Breglia, Director of Global Affairs and Global Interdisciplinary Programs at Mason.
A panel presentation by Mason students about their perspectives of Cuba.
A panel presentation by OLLI members about their recent travels to Cuba.
A video documentary on Cuba with follow-up discussion.

R656 Reflections of YOU

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 19–Feb. 2
Three sessions
Instructor: Karen Bisset
Class limit: 15
Looking for a powerful way to document your legacy and preserve family memories? Here’s your chance! Personal historian Karen Bisset will facilitate three classes on how to begin the process of documenting your life story. Each class exercise is designed to help you reflect on your life journey, and then to allow you to share that journey with the group (if you wish). Start with this class, document your personal history, share your memories, and pass on your values to create a legacy that can be passed down through time.

Jan. 19: Design a Personal Coat of Arms
Feb. 2: Class choice: B: Autobiographical Timeline
A: Writing your Ethical Will (Values)
Feb. 9: Show & Tell (Share items of personal significance)

Karen Bisset is a personal historian with From the Cradle, LLC and is the founder and COO of the company. She has a BA in history from George Mason University and a masters in educational psychology from the University of Virginia. She spent 30 years with the Fairfax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court.

R657 Feng Shui for Your Home

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 19–Jan. 26
Two sessions
Instructor: Johnnie Hicks
This is a repeat of class F653.

L658 TED Talk Discussion Group

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Instructor: Barbara Wilan
Class limit: 20
TED (Technology, Entertainment and Design) is a recently established and growing collection of brief recorded talks on a wide range of topics. The speakers are leading figures chosen for their ability to express ideas clearly and succinctly. We will watch and discuss three or four related TED talks each week. The topics will be:

Jan. 19: Power
Jan. 26: Injustice
Feb. 2: Computers and the Internet
Feb. 9: Medicine

Barbara Wilan retired as a full-time English teacher at the Annandale campus of Northern Virginia Community College and is currently an adjunct there. She has also taught at the University of Maryland and for the University of Maryland’s European Division.

L659 Crime Theory and Crime Prevention: Myths vs. Reality

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Instructor: Cynthia Lum
Why does crime occur and what works to prevent it?
In this class, students will learn about four theories of crime and related prevention strategies. We will also discuss common myths about crime and crime prevention, and learn how to critically examine contemporary justice issues through an evidence-based lens.
Cynthia Lum graduated from the University of Maryland with a PhD in criminology and criminal justice. She is the director of the Center for Evidence-Based Crime Policy, and associate professor in the Department of Criminology, Law, and Society at Mason.

700 Current Events

F701 What’s in the Daily News?

Mondays, 9:30–11:00, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Note time
Moderators: Peter Van Ryzin, Dorsey Chescavage
Class Limit: 38
Do you have an opinion on what's happening in the world today? Would you like to express and share your views with others? Join other news junkies each week to discuss, debate, and yes, sometimes disagree as to the significance and meaning of events, both great and small. All views are welcomed in a spirit of give-and-take.
Dorsey Chescavage, an OLLI member, retired from the Jefferson Consulting Group, where she was a registered lobbyist specializing in military and veterans' health care.
Don Allen is also an OLLI member and a retired civil servant, with the last ten years focused on developing and managing the Navy's Base Closure andCommission (BRAC) caretaker program.

F702 Malaysia, Land of Transition

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Kathleen Burns
Malaysia is a pivotal player in today’s emerging Asian economies. Europeans arrived there in the 17th century to establish traditional trading posts. The British recognized the region’s strategic importance and controlled colonies there for 150 years. During World War II, the Japanese invaded and held the land until 1945. In 1957, Malaysia gained its independence from Britain and then became a separate nation in 1963, along with the former British colonies of Singapore, Sabah, and Sarawak. In 1965, Singapore separated from Malaysia and became an independent nation. Today, of its population of 31 million people, 35% are under the age of 14 and only 5% are over the age of 65.

Jan. 19: Regional overview of Southeast Asia, looking at the historical, geographic, political, and economic emergence of Malaysia. The country includes the Borneo States, Sabah and Sarawak. Ambassador Robert Pringle was a member of the Foreign Service from 1967 to 2001, and served as an ambassador to Mali, with additional postings in Jakarta, Manila, Papua New Guinea, and Burkina Faso. Prior to joining the State Department, he worked as a freelance journalist in East and South Asia and as a Washington Bureau reporter for papers in Chicago, Lincoln, NE, and Albuquerque, NM. The author of three books, he also taught at the University of Indonesia, Cornell University, and the National War College.
Jan. 26: Domestic, regional, and global view of Malaysia's growing role in commerce, business, and trade, including the Trans Pacific Partnership Treaty, APEC and ASEAN, and relations with China and the US, as well as Asian neighboring countries. The problem of government corruption and its impact on business and the economy, coupled with a worsening financial outlook in the region for the past year, will also be discussed. Ambassador James Keith is senior director, China and Southeast Asia, and head of Asia practice, McLarty Associates, Washington, DC. He served 31 years as a US diplomat, serving as ambassador to Malaysia from 2007 to 2010. His other US Foreign Service postings included Beijing, Hong Kong, Seoul, and Jakarta. Ambassador Keith is currently co-chair of the Malaysia-America Foundation. He grew up in Asia, living in Tokyo, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Taipei, and joined the Foreign Service in 1980 after graduating from the College of William and Mary.
Feb. 2: The multi-cultural heritage of Malaysia: how it works and how it doesn’t work. The country has four main ethnic groups: Malays, Chinese, Indians, and Orang Asli (indigenous peoples). “Malaysians are defined by their ethnicity and religion, in both legal and social ways. They are simultaneously fiercely proud of the success of their multicultural society, and frustrated at what some see as a profound hypocrisy on the part of the government.” Dr. Marjorie Harrison spent two-and-a-half years with the Peace Corps in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and then returned to US to teach English as a foreign language before beginning doctoral studies and working in US colleges. She joined the Foreign Service in 1992 and served as Cultural Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur from 2006 to 2009. Other embassy postings included the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Benin, India, and Mauritius. She retired from the US Department of State in 2010 and currently serves on the Board of Friends of Malaysia.
Feb. 9: US-Malaysia relations, Malaysia's role in ASEAN and the wider Asia-Pacific region, and current political and economic affairs. Murray Hiebert is the senior fellow and deputy director of the Sumitro Chair for Southeast Asia Studies, Center for Strategic and International Studies, Washington, DC. The author of two books, he has also had an extensive journalistic career, working in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, covering political and economic developments in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

A long-time OLLI contributor, Kathleen Burns spent five years in Australia, where she served as the only accredited correspondent in the Parliamentary Press Gallery. When she returned to the US, she was the inaugural Program Director for the Center for Australian and New Zealand Studies at Georgetown University.

F703 Money in American Politics

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Instructor: Bob Zener
There is widespread discomfort with the role money plays in American politics. Specifically, many people think that Supreme Court decisions, particularly its Citizens United ruling, have fostered a political system in which big money exerts undue influence. This course will describe the current rules governing money in politics, examine the arguments for and against the protections that courts currently give political donations, and examine the various proposals that have been made to reform the current system.
Bob Zener, an OLLI member, was a Department of Justice lawyer who prepared briefs and argued a large number of cases involving discrimination and constitutional law.

F704 Presidential Elections of 2016: Primaries and General Election Issues

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Church of the Good Shepherd
Instructor: Helen R. Desfosses
In many periods of American history, a presidential election year has been deemed historic—but the elections of 2016 are particularly so. They reflect the longest campaign season ever, with the greatest number and assortment of candidates ever, and with the line between politics and entertainment more blurred than ever, while the division and polarization between parties is sharper than ever. This “perfect storm” is a recipe for: (1) issue confusion, with the issues rising to the top of campaign dialogues bearing shaky relation to the most important issues facing our country; (2) great candidate diversity in demographic and ideological terms; (3) an all-time high in the importance of money in an election, at a time when popular trust in their candidates, and in the American political system, is at an all-time low; and (4) America’s inexorable march towards the election date of November 8, 2016. This course will rely on lectures, discussion, and case studies to explore the readiness of our country for a positive and constructive outcome on November 8th and beyond.
Helen R. Desfosses, PhD, is a retired professor of public administration and policy, a former elected official, and a consultant around the world in effective and transparent elections. She has previously taught several OLLI courses.

R705 All the News That's Fit to Print

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Moderator: Dick Kennedy
This is your chance to discuss news and current events with other OLLI members who are trying to understand our changing world. More than ever, we need to question information that comes to us from TV, radio, the Internet, magazines, and newspapers. We will examine and discuss some of the day's hot topics in world, national, and local news. We usually focus primarily on a few topics in order to explore issues and get various insights. This is an interactive class, and all viewpoints and opinions are respected, needed, and welcomed. As Walter Cronkite once said, “In a democracy agreement is not required, but participation is.”
Dick Kennedy, an OLLI member, is a retiree from the senior executive service at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. He enjoys analyzing the news from multiple sources and engaging in good discussions with colleagues.

L706 Opinions, Opinions, Opinions!

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Moderator: Leonard Blistein
Instead of screaming at the TV every night, this is your chance to scream at your fellow OLLI members! These sessions, in which discussions of major issues from the news will be instigated (not moderated) by the moderator, are intended to provide information, entertainment, and possibly therapy for the participants. Several issues and questions relevant to recent news events will be emailed to the participants before each class, such as “Should we all carry assault rifles to church?” “Should Assad become our new BFF?” or “Should you marry the guy who knocked you out?” Resulting eruptions from these questions should be fun for observers and even more fun for the brawlers. Bring Band-Aids!
Len Blistein, who will act as panel moderator, is a retired federal employee who considers himself a news junkie, spending several hours a day reading the newspaper and surfing numerous Internet sites.

800 Science, Technology & Health

F801 The New Autism

Tuesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 19–Jan. 26
Two sessions
Instructor: Ellen H. Korin
Autism was once a frightening and dreaded diagnosis. Considered a severe psychological and behavioral disorder (created by a “refrigerator mother”), it often led to institutionalization and was thought to be incurable. However, over the past two decades, dramatic changes have occurred in the understanding, definition, and treatment of autism. Now autism is viewed as a neurological condition rather than a psychological disorder—not a static and proscribed state of being. Not all persons with autism exhibit the same characteristics or degree of impairment. The diversity of this population has led to the development of the concept of autism as a spectrum disorder, encompassing a range of behavior patterns and degrees of functioning. We will examine the current definitions and description of spectrum disorders, with particular emphasis on Asperger syndrome. Topics will include:

Session One: Understanding the Autism Spectrum Experience; Common Characteristics and Implications for Quality of Life.
Session Two: Strategies and Interventions.

OLLI member Ellen H. Korin is a retired special educator and nationally recognized expert in autism spectrum disorders. The author of two books on Asperger syndrome, she is an adjunct faculty member at Antioch University New England, and has spoken and conducted workshops throughout the United States for educators, clinicians, parents, and persons on the autism spectrum.

F802 Stress and Well-Being

Tuesdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Instructor: Ali A. Weinstein
This course explores the influences of stress on well-being and health. The causes and pathways of stress are explored, including a theory-based approach to understanding stress. We will also explore relaxation and coping strategies for relieving and preventing stress—including techniques that can provide a foundation for building well-being. During this class, participants will be able to personally experience some of these relaxation and coping techniques.
Dr. Ali A. Weinstein is an associate professor of Global and Community Health and the interim director of the Center for Study of Chronic Illness and Disability. She holds a PhD and master's degree in medical psychology from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, and she graduated with a master's degree in kinesiology from the University of Maryland.

F803 3D Printing: Why All the Hype?

Wednesdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Instructor: John Acton
Is 3D printing just another passing technological fad or could it be a window into an exciting new future of technology that will change the way we live? We’ll explore the humble origins of 3D printing, its initial applications in prototyping and manufacturing, how the technology has evolved, and how it has recently expanded into a broad range of applications, the diversity of which will surely amaze us all.
John Acton, an OLLI member and co-chair of the Science, Technology, and Health Program Planning Group, has a BS in electrical engineering and an MS in engineering management of technology. He spent 20 years in the US Air Force applying advanced sensor technologies to critical national security missions, and afterwards 24 years as a contractor supporting a variety of defense and intelligence agencies.

F804 Psychology Potpourri

Thursdays, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Coordinator: Catherine Weir
This four-week course offers a diverse and fascinating range of viewpoints on the impact of psychology in our everyday lives, as presented by eminent scholars from George Mason University. Sessions include:

Jan. 21: Is Seeing Believing? How our Brains can Deceive Us in Unexpected Ways. Focus on the cognitive biases, sensory quirks, and memory issues that affect our beliefs; Dr. Doris Bitler Davis, faculty
Jan. 28: Leadership and Social Influence in the Workplace; David Wallace, PhD student
Feb. 4: The Strengths of Bilingualism, Dual Language Learners, and Immigrant Families: School Readiness, Executive Functioning, and Early School Performance and Behavior; Dr. Adam Winsler, faculty
Feb. 11: Psychology and the Law; Jordan Daylor, PhD student

R805 Tai Chi Chuan, Eight Ways

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:15–11:15, Jan. 26–Mar. 17
Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Sixteen sessions; note dates and time
Instructor: RCC Staff
Class limit: 7
Learn eight simple movements derived from the Tai Chi Yang Style Short Form by Master Cheng ManCh'ing. Each movement is a separate and complete unit that can be practiced by itself independently of the others, and conveys all the benefits of Tai Chi. Emphasis is on balance, relaxation, and ease of movement. A class fee of $80 is payable to OLLI at the time of registration. Registration for this class is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those registering will also need to complete a Reston Community Center registration/waiver form and take it to class the first day. The form can be found here. Registration is not finalized until a completed RCC waiver is received.

R806 Gentle Yoga

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:00–12:00, Jan. 5–Jan. 28
Eight sessions; note dates and time
Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Instructor: RCC Staff
Class limit: 5
This traditional yoga class is designed for senior adults and incorporates both stretching and strength postures while focusing on balance. Participants will enjoy increased strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, and energy in a gently challenging way. This class incorporates standing poses as well as poses on the floor. Participants should be comfortable getting up and down from the floor. Please bring a blanket, pillow, or beach towel to class. A class fee of $40 is payable to OLLI at the time of registration. Registration for this class is on a first-come, first-served basis. Those registering will also need to complete a Reston Community Center registration/waiver form and take it to class the first day. The form can be found here. Registration is not finalized until a completed RCC waiver is received.

R807 Prepare to Care: A Planning Guide for Families

Wednesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 20–Feb. 10
Instructors: Carol Downs, Patrick Killeen
Caring for a family member or friend is one of the most important roles played by aging baby boomers, and increasingly by members of Generation X. It’s a common subject of conversation at family gatherings, card-playing clubs, and even in men’s locker rooms at gyms. Most people are at a loss about what to do when this reality stares them in the face, but this course will provide a practical guide to help you care for a family member or good friend. You’ll receive information, resources, and checklists to help you get organized and find the support that you need. Steps include how to start the family conversation, form a caregiving team, make a plan, find support, and most importantly, care for yourself.
Carol Downs is chair of the Commission on Aging for the City of Alexandria. Patrick Killeen, MPH, ran a successful pilot long-term-care program in Wisconsin. Both are part of the AARP Family Caregiving Action Team in Virginia, which is a key part of a national AARP priority to provide information and support to family caregivers.

R808 Reston Hospital Series: Experts Address Health Issues

Thursdays, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 21–Feb. 11
Coordinator: Janet Cochran
In this four-part series, three physicians and a registered dietitian affiliated with the Reston Hospital Center will offer presentations on urinary disorders, sleep disturbances, issues with high cholesterol and hypertension, and dietary suggestions while traveling. Speakers include Jennifer Young, MD, a urologic surgeon; Mina Garrett-Scott, MD, a family practitioner; Thomas Lo Russo, MD, a pulmonologist; and Melissa Hillelsohn, RD. The dates for each speaker will be listed online prior to registration for the winter term.

L809 Navigating Your Ocean of Emotion: Feeling Better From the Inside Out

Mondays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 25–Feb. 15
Instructor: Debra Dalby
Navigating Your Ocean of Emotion (NOE) is a wellness program that utilizes neurobiology, psychology, and mindfulness approaches to mood management. Many of us manage moods through some effort to control them, only to have these emotions return—sometimes with great intensity. The result is a sense of being out of control, feeling overwhelmed, as if drowning in a sea of sensations. With a deeper understanding of our emotions, we can achieve a sense of resilience and empowerment that gives us confidence in our ability to manage our lives. NOE guides participants in: (1) exploring the “why” of emotions and how our bodies are the vehicles for expression of emotions; (2) understanding the brain science behind emotions; (3) discovering how mindfulness helps to manage our emotions; (4) learning useful skills to help ride the “wave” of emotion; and (5) developing more compassion for yourself and others.
Ms. Debra Dalby, LCSW, RTY200 is a therapist in Leesburg, VA with over 20 years’ experience in the field of mental health. Her post-graduate studies include Emotionally Focused Therapy and PTSD training.

L810 Water: Boundless Power

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Instructor: Raoul Drapeau
Join us for this series of lectures on water, a resource that is not fully utilized, nor unlimited, nor easily renewable.

Harnessing the Bay of Fundy's Tides. A presentation about the problems with, and the attempts to exploit, the world’s highest tides for electrical power.
Watts from Water. This class explores the as-yet- unfulfilled promise for renewable energy technologies, focusing on unusual approaches using tidal, stream, waves, and hydrothermal sources.
Quebec's Big Dig: the Massive James Bay Hydroelectric Project. A discussion of the need for, construction of, and problems caused for the Native Peoples by, this massive project located in far northern Quebec.
California in Crisis. California and much of the western US is in the midst of an unprecedented drought that is severely affecting the economy, agriculture, and lifestyle in that large area. We will discuss the history, future, and possible solutions of this crisis.

Raoul Drapeau graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a master's in electrical engineering, and most recently worked as principal and co-founder of several high-tech firms in the Washington, DC area.

900 Other Topics

R901 Trip Tales

Tuesdays, 9:40–11:05, Jan. 19–Feb. 9
Coordinator: Stan Schretter

Jan. 19: Judy and Stan Schretter: Sicily’s ancient landscapes and timeless traditions.
Jan. 26: Lee Killen: Photo safari in Tanzania. Game drives in the Tarangira, Ngorongora, and Serengeti National Parks, plus a visit to a local school and Maasai hamlet. Lots of lions, leopards, and cheetahs, and the great migration of wildebeests and zebras crossing the Mara River.
Feb. 2: Ben Gold: Spring Training in Florida’s Grapefruit League.
Feb. 9: Jeff Rosendhal: Trip Beginnings and

Endings II. Possible topics may include Bruges, Belgium; Amman and Petra, Jordan; Dublin, Ireland; Madeira, Portugal; and Lucerne, Switzerland.

Special Events

951 How the Federal Justice System Works

Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 20
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: Louis DeFalaise
Civil rights violations, economic crimes, environmental crime, and drug sentencing are frequent topics in the media and on the Internet. This presentation will offer an overview of the federal justice system, and how it works and compares with state systems. Are we putting too many people in prison? What about conflicts in federal and state drug laws? What do we do about the need for strong encryption to prevent hacking of personal data, versus legitimate need of access for law enforcement purposes? We’ll look at the basis of federal criminal law enforcement agencies, the US courts and their adjunct agencies, the federal penal system, and post-prosecution outcomes. We will also survey critical issues that arise from this system, and their effect on your life and community.
Louis DeFalaise retired from the Department of Justice, where he was director of the Office of Attorney Recruitment and Management. He previously served in the Executive Office for United States Attorneys, as a United States Attorney, and as a member of the Kentucky legislature.

952 Become a Fairfax County Citizen Ambassador

Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 20
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
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 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 visiting tourists. The program teaches ambassadors about sites and attractions in the county and how to use Visit Fairfax resources, including, the Visitors’ Guide, and the smart phone 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. 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.

953 "You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running!" Solutions for Hearing Problems

Thursday, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 21
Tallwood
Instructor: Leslie Lesner
There are many misconceptions about hearing and hearing aids, and Dr. Lesner will provide a lively presentation about how hearing loss affects us and how today's hearing aids work. Her presentation is down-to-earth and practical, and she will engage the audience with questions and amusing anecdotes. Attendees will leave with knowledge about hearing and mental sharpness, communication strategies, and facts about why some people do so well with hearing aids, while others do not.
Leslie Lesner, a Doctor of Audiology with 30 years of experience, says “It’s all about the follow-up care."

954 American Dance Art

Friday, 1:00–2:30, Jan. 22
Note time
Tallwood
Instructor: Mike Baker
This presentation examines the major branches of American dance art: George Balanchine and American ballet, Martha Graham and the modern dance movement, and the avant-garde approach of choreographers Twyla Tharp, Paul Taylor, and Bill T. Jones. The uniquely American dance forms jazz and tap are also explored. We’ll view a fascinating hour-long documentary that includes rare performance footage and interviews with many of the greats: Twyla Tharp, Bill T. Jones, Paul Taylor, Judith Jamison, Arthur Mitchell, and Mercedes Ellington. There will also be a Q&A session following the film.
Mike Baker, Jr. holds a BA and MA in English. He is a seven-time Emmy-winning TV host, producer and reporter who has received five Telly Awards, four Videographer Awards and a Marcom Creative Award. Four of his documentaries have aired on the Bravo cable network, and he also hosted and produced over 300 National Arts episodes for Bravo. Baker is president of National Arts Television, Inc. and is an assistant professor at Northern Virginia Community College

955 Globalization: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

Monday, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 25
Loudoun
Instructor: Vinod Jain
Globalization is today’s big reality and a defining issue for the 21^stcentury. It is driven by technology, communication, and transportation networks; the arrival of developing countries on the global stage; multinational enterprises from both developed and developing countries; the actions of governments and multilateral institutions; geopolitics; and much more. These factors have been influential for decades, but their impact today is much greater. There are many kinds of globalization—economic, political, social, environmental—and many perspectives on globalization, from viewing it as the root of all evil, to seeing it as a solution to many problems the world is facing. This presentation will focus on economic globalization, its evolution through the ages, how it continues to impact us, and what we might expect in the future.
Vinod Jain has a PhD from the University of Maryland and taught international business and strategy there for nearly 20 years before retiring in 2012. Since then, he has been a visiting professor in China, India, and Denmark. A Fulbright scholar, he has lived and worked in India, the US, Europe, China, and the Middle East. Dr. Jain is co-author of ow America Benefits from Economic Engagement with India<(2010).

956 1979: A Pivotal Year and a Giant Step Towards the 21^st Century

Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 27
Fairfax Lord of Life
Instructor: David Heymsfeld
1979 was a transformative year. Before then, many believed that economies run by communist principles were gaining strength and that the influence of religion in politics was declining. But in 1979, free markets and religion returned with a vengeance. Two countries were at the leading edge: China, led by Deng Xiaoping, which began its transformation from a communist economy to one in which free markets play an important role; and Iran, where the role of religion in politics was expanded significantly when the secular government was overthrown. This presentation will also consider similar trends in economics and religion in the US, the UK, and Eastern Europe.
OLLI member David Heymsfeld served as Congressional professional staff for 35 years. He has long been interested in modern history and is a volunteer guide at the Newseum.

957 The Abolition Movement in England

Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 27
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Instructor: Beth Lambert

The abolition of slavery was a long time coming to the United States, and the demise of slavery in the 19th century was a bloody one. In contrast, the abolition movement in England had already begun at the time of the American Revolution, and the end of slavery and the slave trade in England and its colonies was an accomplished fact at the time of our Civil War. While England’s movement to end slavery did not involve bloodshed, its supporters waged a war of words against racial prejudice and warnings of dire economic consequences. These arguments and counter-arguments are exemplified by three figures: the writer Samuel Johnson, his biographer James Boswell, and Member of Parliament Edmund Burke. We will explore the abolition movement in England through the writings and experiences of these three men and their contentious relationships.
Beth Lambert is a retired professor of English at Gettysburg College, where she taught courses on all aspects of the 18th century. Her biography of Edmund Burke was published by the University of Delaware Press.

958 The History and True Meaning of Hanukkah (or is it Chanukah?)

Thursday, 11:50–1:15, Jan. 28
Tallwood
Instructor: Gilah Goldsmith
Is Hanukkah the Jewish Christmas, or a minor holiday only promoted in recent times? Is it a celebration of religious freedom, or a remembrance of the miraculous cruse of oil that burned for eight nights? Come learn about the historical events that gave rise to the Festival of Lights, and how this Jewish holiday has evolved since the 2nd century BCE.
Gilah Goldsmith, an OLLI member, is a retired government attorney with a BA in history and a lifelong interest in Jewish history and thought. She has led a weekly Torah study group at Beth El Hebrew Congregation for the past 25 years.

959 The Enchanted Galapagos: Darwin’s Wonderful Islands

Saturday, 9:30–12:00, Jan. 30
Tallwood
Instructor: Dan Sherman
Perhaps most famous as a natural laboratory that inspired Darwin, these volcanic islands host a stunning variety of wildlife and today offer the challenge of how to balance conservation with development. This course will cover the history of the islands, including their role in Darwin’s thinking, plus we’ll view many visuals that display the extraordinary sights there.
Dan Sherman has shared his enthusiasm for music in many OLLI courses, and hopes to share some of what he saw and learned from a 2015 trip to the Galapagos.

960 Emerging Markets: Why Should We Care?

Monday, 11:50–1:15, Feb. 1
Loudoun
Instructor: Vinod Jain
While globalization and technology bestowed great benefits upon the advanced countries, most developing countries were left out of the bounty. Lately, however, some have been experiencing dramatic increases in growth and prosperity. These are the emerging economies or emerging markets. Now, as advanced countries are beginning to experience lower growth rates, and many developing countries higher growth rates, there is a growing convergence between the developed and developing countries. For example, just 15 years ago, China was the fifth largest economy in the world, but today China’s economy is second only to the US in terms of gross domestic product (GDP)—and actually larger than the US economy in terms of GDP after taking cost-of-living differences into account. Many other emerging markets have also been encountering high growth rates and rising prosperity. Should we care?
See 955 for instructor information.

961 Visit the Reston Historic Trust Museum

Tuesday, 2:15–3:40, Feb. 2
Reston Historic Trust Museum on the Plaza at Lake Anne
Coordinator: Ann Youngren
See this wonderful museum devoted to the story of Reston—its past, present, and future! Experience Reston's history through various exhibits, materials, and videos. Historic Trust board members will be present to welcome you, explain the mission of the museum, describe its current challenges, point out highlights, and answer.

962 Chemistry for Those Who Hate or Flunked Chemistry

Thursday, 11:50–1:15, Feb. 4
Tallwood
Instructor: Lorrin R. Garson
Chemistry dramatically impacts our daily lives, but for many, chemistry has a bad reputation. Fact is, chemistry and chemicals can be used for both good and evil—where would we be today without fuels, drugs, paints, aluminum, or plastics? What does “contains no chemicals” on a cereal box mean? How do soaps and detergents clean? What’s the difference between vitamin C from an orange and vitamin C manufactured in a chemical plant? Which food contains a poison 1200 times more toxic than cyanide? These and other mysteries will be addressed, with emphasis on why they matter.
OLLI member Lorrin R. Garson holds an MS and PhD in chemistry from the University of Maine. He retired from the American Chemical Society as chief research scientist in 2004.

963 Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Friday, 1:00–3:00, Feb. 5
Tallwood
Instructors: Michelle Blandburg, Martha Powers
In recognition of Black History Month in February, please join us for this groundbreaking 1967 movie starring Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, and Sidney Poitier. When a liberal white couple’s only daughter returns from a vacation engaged to an African- American doctor, everyone involved is forced to come face-to-face with their attitudes about race—and love. Guess Who’s Coming to Dinnerwas released in 1968, just six months after anti-miscegenation laws (still in effect in 17 states) were struck down by the Supreme Court. This was Spencer Tracy’s last movie, and it was nominated for ten Academy Awards.
Michelle Blandburg and Martha Powersare OLLI members who love sharing outstanding movies with their fellow OLLI members.

964 Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Monday, 11:30–1:30, Feb. 8
Loudoun
Instructors: Michelle Blandburg, Martha Powers
This is a repeat of 963.

965 Visual Art and the Art of Photography

Tuesday, 2:15-3:40, Feb. 9
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center, Lake Anne
Coordinator: Ann Youngren
One of our region's best photographers, Chuck Veatch, will present a program on visual design and the art of photography. Chuck is involved with all aspects ofNature's Best Photographymagazine, including photo selection and curating the Nature's Best annual exhibitions at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Natural History. He has won many awards, has exhibited throughout the area, and published a book of beautiful images titled The Nature of Reston. Chuck encourages others to look for photographic opportunities in the familiar and often overlooked natural areas all around us.
Chuck Veatch is an early developer and supporter of Reston, and he is a board member of the Reston Historical Trust. He is alsowith nonprofit and environmental organizations in Northern Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

966 Cracking the Glass Ceiling: 18th Century Women Who Did It and the Men Who Supported Them

Wednesday, 2:15–3:40, Feb. 10
Rose Gallery at Reston Community Center Lake Anne
Instructor: Beth Lambert
It is commonly assumed that 18th century women, regardless of class, were confined by a repressive society’s expectations. In fact, they were far more liberated than the women of the 19th and early 20th centuries. We will learn about the “Kissing Duchess” of Devonshire; the bluestocking hostess Elizabeth Montagu; the dynamic diarist Hester Thrale who settled a labor dispute at her husband’s brewery; and the wives of statesmen, such as Lady Rockingham and Jane Burke, who played significant roles in their husbands’ political lives. Along the way, we will learn about the men who encouraged and supported them. These individuals justify labeling the 18th century in England as the Age of Exuberance.
See 957 for instructor information.

967 Politics and Power: Basic Concepts

Thursday, 11:50–1:15, Feb. 11
Tallwood
Instructor: Jeff Milstein
Class limit: 50
Just in time for an election year, this class offers an analytic review of the fundamental concepts of politics and power, and how they are exercised. Operational definitions and examples of these basic concepts will be examined from interpersonal to global levels of analysis.
OLLI member Jeff Milstein earned his PhD in political science at Stanford, and taught on the faculties of Michigan State, Yale, and George Mason universities. He also served as a career civil servant in the federal government for more than 30 years in seven different departments and agencies.

968 Driving Miss Daisy

Friday, 1:00–3:00, Feb. 12
Tallwood
Coordinators: Michelle Blandburg, Martha Powers
We are delighted to revisit this celebrated 1989 movie in recognition of Black History Month this February. Driving Miss Daisy is a poignant tale of friendship, loyalty, and aging against the landscape of America’s changing societal attitudes on civil rights and anti-Semitism. During the turbulent era following World War II, the relationship between Miss Daisy Werthan, a wealthy white Jewish lady, and her black chauffeur Hoke Colburn grows and evolves. This iconic film, based on a successful off-Broadway play, was well received by critics and the public. There was particular acclaim for Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman’s stellar performances. Driving Miss Daisy received numerous awards in 1990, including both the Oscar and the Golden Globe for Best Picture.
See 963 for instructor information.

969 Stormy Weather

Monday, 11:50–1:15, Feb. 15
Loudoun
Presenter: Marianne Metz
No matter what the weather may be outdoors, the forecast indoors is for Stormy Weather—but that's a good thing! This 1943 movie is a breakthrough musical packed with performances sure to heat up a cold winter day. It showcases the talents of Bill Robinson, Fats Waller, Cab Calloway and his band, Katherine Dunham and her dance troupe, the Nicholas Brothers, and young Lena Horne (who sings the title song). Its musical numbers (15 of them!) are indeed extraordinary. As The New York Times reviewer wrote upon the film's initial release, "Stormy Weather is a spirited divertissement that will make you forget your own momentary weather troubles.”
OLLI member Marianne Metz, presenter of this film screening, treasures the music and performers of the mid-20th century. In previous OLLI classes she has shared her enthusiasm for Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Alice Faye, and classic American songwriters.

970 Sneak Peek: George Mason University Dance Company Gala

Wednesday, Feb. 17, 12:30–2:30
George Mason deLaski Performing Arts Building,
Studio 305
Coordinator: Kristy Windom
Class limit: 40
Please join us for an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek—an open rehearsal of the George Mason University Dance Company’s 2016 Gala Concert on February 17th at 12:30. We’ll meet in the deLaski Performing Arts building for an introduction and pre-discussion about works you will watch in this rehearsal. (The actual performance will be part of the Gala Concert on March 18-20th at the Center for the Arts.) In case of inclement weather, this event will be held on February 24th at the same time and place.

971 The Life and Discoveries of Egyptologist William Bankes

Tuesday, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 19
Tallwood
Instructor: Dorothy Seyler
Driven by curiosity about the unknown, William Bankes was a daring nineteenth-century explorer of ancient lands, notably Egypt and Petra. Dr. Seyler will examine Bankes’s character and the significant discoveries that show why he should be recognized as our first Egyptologist. Throughout the discussion, we will also explore the lessons for readers of The Obelisk and the Englishman. Dr. Seyler will be happy to sign her book for those bringing their copy.
Professor Emerita of English at Northern Virginia Community College, Dorothy Seyler is the author of ten college textbooks, including the widely used Read, Reason, Write, now in its eleventh edition. Dr. Seyler’s love of travel found a specific focus once she embraced the life of William Bankes as the subject of her first trade book.

972 An Afternoon with Chef Cal Kraft

Tuesday, 2:15–3:40, Jan. 26
Tallwood
Instructor: Cal Kraft
Spend a fun and exciting afternoon with professional chef and author, Cal Kraft. Chef Kraft will warm your heart with stories from his book, The Ramblings of an Old Man: A composite of Articles, Short Stories and Recipes (co-authored by his constant feline companion, Miss Kitty.) In a recent book review, they stated that reading Chef Cal’s book was “like going back in time to my youth, listening to my dad and his friends reminisce on our front porch.” Chef Cal will tell you how he came to write his book, and how, without his never realizing it, his cat, Miss Kitty, managed to get five of her stories printed too.
The chef will also talk about his culinary career wherein he cooked gourmet five and seven course meals for many residents of Northern Virginia. He will impart some great advice as to cooking and preparing for fun gourmet dinners and parties, as well as answer your cooking questions. And yes, he will share with you the secret to good cooking. So come spend an enjoyable afternoon with Chef Cal. Copies of Chef Cal’s book will be available for purchase and signing.
For 30 years, Cal Kraft worked in the corporate division of the travel and hospitality industry, from flying the friendly skies to being an Innkeeper at the Bailiwick Inn in historic downtown Fairfax. In 2006 he started to write a monthly column for his community paper, The Chef’s Column, from which many of the stories in his book originate from. For over 10 years he owned and operated Dinner Is Served, LLC, a personal chef and catering business. He currently is a Culinary Arts Instructor for Fairfax Counties Adult Education programs. Chef Cal attended both L’Academie de Cuisine and the Culinary Institute of America.

973 The Director’s Approach

Tuesday, 2:15–3:40, Feb. 2
Tallwood
Instructor: Ken Elston
Mason's Director of the School of Theater, Ken Elston, will describe how a director articulates the approach to a play (sometimes referred to as the Director's Concept). Specifically, Dr. Elston will use the emerging approach to the Fall 2016 Mason Musical as the example for the process.

974 Good Leads on Good Reads

Tuesday, 2:15–3:40, Feb.9
Tallwood
Instructor: Cathy Noonan
Librarians from the Martha Washington Community Library, Fairfax County Public Library, will discuss new titles, as well as old favorites. There will be a large variety of adult fiction and nonfiction books. In a 3 to 5 minute presentation of each we will present some information on the author and describe why each book is a compelling must-have read! This presentation will include titles and trends from the genres of mystery, romance, historic and science fiction, and fantasy. Nonfiction titles will include biography, history, travel, and other current best sellers. We will also present some attractive books suitable for gift giving, such as cookbooks, art books, and coffee table books. More titles will be provided in booklists for such genres as spy stories, horror, psychological thrillers, police procedurals, different formats of mystery, humor, and other examples of popular fiction. Finally, we will explain the library system for placing and picking up holds, and will answer questions about availability.

1101 Grab ‘n’ Go Coffee Klatch

Friday, 10:00–11:00, Jan. 22
Tallwood Social Annex
Coordinator: Martha Powers
Please join us for an informal get-together. Grab a free cup o’ Joe and a fistful of cookies in the Social Room and meet us in the Social Annex for a casual gathering. New members, old members—even board members are welcome! Make new friends, spread juicy gossip, and tell board members what you really think. Dress Code: Name Tags Required, Black Tie Forbidden.

1102 Ice Cream Social

Friday, 1:00–3:00, Jan. 29 (Snow date: Friday, 1:00–3:00, Feb. 19)
Tallwood
Coordinator: Martha Powers
Once again, the Member Services Committee dares to defy the elements by scheduling a party in winter! (But this time, note that we have already planned an alternate date in case of inclement weather. Lesson learned from last year—and the year before.) We’ll have ice cream and all the fixin’s, plus hot cocoa for those who need to thaw out, and plenty of good old fashioned OLLI entertainment, including a talent show. Join us and let’s all get the last laugh on Old Man Winter.

1002BT Travel Seminar to Italy: Let’s create a beautiful, unforgettable, Italian adventure

Tuesday, 9:30–3:30, Mar. 15
Tallwood
Instructor: Sybil Haynes
This seminar will highlight a few of many variables to consider when planning your “extra-ordinary” vacation to Italy. The topics range from creating your itinerary, to logistics (i.e. walking distances, train tickets, car rental), selecting accommodations, to museum shortcuts. There will be plenty of current and valuable insider’s information of must see, must do and of course, must eat! As we try to address the tangibles of what can be researched, planned and prepared for, we will also address the Italian Culture and the flexibility (plan B!) needed for traveler’s unexpected surprises, such as strikes, lost passports and language misunderstanding. Best to be ready, after all, traveling is adventure! I hope all the information shared with you will give you the confidence and peace of mind to truly enjoy a beautiful and unique country.
Sybil Haynes, was born and raised in Italy by an Italian mother and American father. She has been teaching Italian Language and Culture classes and leading travel groups to Italy for over 20 years with the company she owns, Dolce Vita Adventures.

Ongoing Activities

Book Club

Second Wednesdays
Jan. 13, 10:00–11:30
Feb. 10, 1:30–3:00
Mar. 9, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Ceda McGrew 703-323-9671
Our selection for January 13th is Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. On February 10th, we plan to read Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, and the March 9th selection is Moon Tiger by Penelope Lively.

Bridge Club

Wednesdays
Jan. 6–Jan. 13, 10:00–12:00
Jan. 20–Feb. 10, 1:45–3:45
Feb. 17–Mar. 16, 10:00–12:00
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
Jan. 22–Feb. 12, 11:00–12:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Bob Zener 703-237-0492
This club was formed to discuss great works of world literature. During the winter term, the Club plans to read and discuss Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, with the assistance of The Teaching Company lectures on that novel. The Club welcomes new members. Anyone planning to attend the meeting on January 22 should read Part I. Any translation can be used, but if you do not already own the book, we recommend the translation by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky.

Cooking Club

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

Cottage Art

Tuesdays
Jan. 5–Jan. 12, Feb. 16–Mar. 15, 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 who have taken OLLI art classes. Join us!

Craft and Conversation Group

Fridays, Jan. 8–Mar. 18, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinators: Doris Bloch
Pam Cooper-Smuzynski 703-455-2716
The meeting schedule is flexible, but we plan to meet weekly to work on our craft projects and to share product sources, expertise and inspiration. The date, time and place of our meetings can be found on the OLLI website in the OLLI Ongoing Events calendar for the week. We cordially invite any interested OLLI members to drop in and join us, or just see what we are creating. For further information, contact Doris Bloch at dbloch50@hotmail.com or Pam Cooper-Smuzynski at pamcs2@verizon.net.

History Club

First Wednesdays
Feb. 3, 2:15–3:40
Mar. 2, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Beth Lambert 703-624-6356
We welcome OLLI members who are interested in discussing historical events or sharing reviews of articles, books, or other interesting historical topics. Our meetings feature speakers who present on historical topics ranging from the Silk Road through the present crises in the Middle East—and everything in between. The club maintains a list of books reviewed by members at www.olli.gmu.edu/historyclubbooklist.pdf. To receive emails about History Club meetings, contact Beth Lambert at elizabethlambert7@gmail.com.

Homer, etc.

Fridays
Jan. 8–Mar. 18, 11:00–12:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Jan Bohall 703-273-1146
Join us to read aloud a traditional or contemporary classic. We are now reading George Eliot’s Middlemarch and will soon be choosing our next book. Drop in at the Tallwood Annex any Friday morning—new members are always welcome. For more information email the coordinator at jbohall@verizon.net.

Mah Jongg Club

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

Memoir—and More—Writing Group

Weekly
Tallwood
Coordinator: Betty Smith
We meet most weeks during the year, usually on Wednesday at or near Tallwood, except during the fall and spring terms when Dianne Hennessy King’s Memoir Writing class is in session. In addition to memoir, we write fiction, poetry, and personal essays. Writing groups have to stay fairly small to function and right now we're full, but we're hoping to start a second group if enough OLLI members are interested.you’re interested, please contact Betty (e-mail in OLLI's Member Directory).

Personal Computer User Group

Generally Third Saturdays
Jan. 16, Feb. 20, Mar. 19, 1:00
Tallwood
Coordinator: Mel Goldfarb mgoldfarb5@gmail.com
In partnership with PATACS (Potomac Area Technology and Computer Society), we focus 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 beginners to intermediate amateurs and our methodology is "users helping users." Club dues (currently $5) are payable at the first meeting attended in each calendar year. Dues-paid members can view monthly sessions via Zoom's 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
Jan. 8, Feb. 12, Mar. 11, 9:30–11:30
Fourth Fridays
Jan. 22, Feb. 26, 12:00–2:00
Tallwood
Coordinator: Dan Feighery
Meet with experts and others interested in photography, and develop skills by participating in monthly themed photo submissions. The Photography Club welcomes all members, whether they use a basic camera or specialized equipment, and whether they are novice or experienced photographers. We discuss technical aspects of photography as well as the artistic aspects of visual design. We will have guest speakers on the second Friday of each month, and on the fourth Friday workshops will cover specific topics in detail. Contact Angie or Dave Talaber at talaber@comcast.netfor further information.

Recorder Consort

Fridays
Jan. 8–Mar. 18, 9:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinator: Helen Ackerman helenackerman@hotmail.com
If you have been part of the consort or have previously played the recorder and would like to expand your abilities, please join us on Fridays. There will be on- and off-campus performances, and you may need to purchase music.

Religious Studies Club (new)

Second and Fourth Fridays
Jan. 8, Jan. 22, Feb. 12, Feb. 26, Mar. 11, 12:00–2:00
Tallwood
Coordinator: Steve Goldman
This new club is designed to provide a forum for ongoing discussions and explorations of a wide range of religious studies topics. All OLLI members with an interest are welcome, including those of any faith traditions as well as seekers, secular humanists, agnostics, and atheists. The participants will shape the club’s agenda, format, and focus. No topic is too controversial or off-limits for discussion. Some of the topics to be explored will include the following:

What principles do religions hold in common and where are the differences?
Are some actions inherently good or evil—or does it depend on the situation?
How does one identify a “sacred text?”

Spanish Club

Second and Fourth Wednesdays
Jan. 27, Feb. 10, 1:45–3:15
Second and fourth Tuesdays
Jan. 12, Feb. 23, Mar. 8, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinators: Dick Cheadle dbcheadle@verizon.net
Lois Lightfoot lelghtft@outlook.com
This is a 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 person leading a particular class will decide the subject for that class. Members will not have to participate beyond the level where they feel comfortable.

Tai Chi Club

Saturdays
Jan. 9–Mar. 19, 10:30–11:30
Tallwood
Coordinators: Russell Stone 703-323-4428
Susanne Zumbro 703-569-2750
The Tai Chi Club meets every Saturday, year ‘round, in TA-3. It is open to all OLLI members.

The Tom Crooker Investment Forum

Wednesdays
Jan. 6–Jan. 13, Feb. 17–Mar. 16, 10:30–12:00
Tallwood
Moderator: Al Smuzynski
For activity description see course F204.

Theater Lovers' Group

Coordinators: Norma Reck, Nancy Scheeler
The Theater Lovers' Group aims to provide OLLI members and their guests with pre-planned as well as spur-of-the-minute opportunities to attend theater performances at local community theaters. Online access to OLLI members who belong to the Theater Lovers' Group provides members with an interactive means of communicating with other group members. To subscribe, register for this group on the member portal. To unsubscribe, e-mail njreck@cs.com

Travel Club

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

Walking Group

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

What’s in the Daily News? Continued

Mondays
Jan. 4–11, Feb. 22–Mar. 14, 10:00–11:30
Tallwood
Facilitator: Don Allen 703-830-3060
This is the between-term continuation of the discussion group for news junkies who can't wait to express their opinions and discuss current events. It's a small group and the facilitator expects it to be self-moderating.