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OLLI
E-News #11-09 of March 20, 2009
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issue #11-09 of March 20, 2009
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TWITTER, FACEBOOK AND ALL THAT JAZZ
From the executive
director
ARE
YOU TWITTERING?
According to our OLLI membership database,
over 90% of OLLI members have an active email address. As you know,
people everywhere are increasingly using email and the Internet to
communicate, to shop, to do research, and to share music, photos, and
even movies. We would all agree that computers and the Internet have
dramatically changed the world in which we live.
I recently read an online article entitled " More
older adults head for their keyboards," by Nancy M. Laughlin.
According to Laughlin, "Surveys show the top reason seniors want to get
online is to connect with family and friends. They also are fans of
sites offering news, games, shopping and information on health,
investments, hobbies, travel and caregiving." I think she could also
add "lifelong learning" to this list.
Over the last two years, OLLI has made
dramatic progress toward utilization of computer technology in our
classrooms. Paul Howard and the "Tom Swift Squad" (Audiovisual Support
Committee) have been instrumental in helping us identify needs and
obtain appropriate equipment in all three OLLI locations. The addition
of reliable Internet capabilities has enlivened the lectures in many of
our courses. This trend will continue. We can now access original
historical documents and primary historical sources instantly. We can
listen to original recordings of all types of music and video in every
classroom. The possibilities are endless.
Our own OLLI
E-News is probably the best newsletter published by any lifelong
learning institute in the country. It is not only sent via email to
almost 1,000 households every week but also posted to our excellent Web
site for anyone to read. Do you read it regularly? Pretty good, huh?
When necessary between weekly newsletters, we
can communicate with all connected members within minutes by sending an
email "blast."
Dr. Stephen Ruth of George Mason University
recently challenged OLLI members in a Reston class to tap into a wider
variety of "computer-based learning". Although we have made much
progress, we have only begun to scratch the surface. As members and
instructors become more sophisticated users of technology, OLLI will
raise its standards. I encourage you to take advantage of technology in
as many ways as you can.
Join
Facebook by signing up here, then search for "olli at
mason" and join.
OLLI has a "friends group" on Facebook. It
would be fun if more members would join in discussions there. And while
you’re online, maybe you could learn to twitter!
CHANGING TIMES
 Welcoming our new members
By Elizabeth
Crawford, OLLI E-News
Staff Writer
MANY RETIREES SEE THE SPRING OF 2009 as
a period of hard times. Certainly, our retirement accounts and stock
portfolios may not be where we would like them to be. However, OLLI
members have an advantage. We can take some courses that provide
distraction or others that give us historical perspective. Equally
important, OLLI members provide a support group to help each other find
the good times that are always out there somewhere.
We welcome
the new members who have joined us this spring...
Peter
Alberse, Fairfax
Carolyn Becraft, Burke
David Brady, Ashburn
Joyce Broom, Great Falls
Sandra Carpenter, Reston
Bob Hamilton, Fairfax
Pauline Hill, Alexandria
Gaela Hime, Fairfax
Deb Jacobs, Fairfax
Michael Kastle, Vienna
Nancy Kuhn, Alexandria
Lou Mazzatenta, Clifton
Patricia McCarthy, Ashburn (L)
Bob & Jane McCulloch, Fairfax
Michael Mickney, Fairfax
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Marianne
Moulton, Reston
Ann O'Neil, Falls Church
Sarah Psitos, Burke
Anita Reduto, Ashburn (L)
Francine Samuelson, Fairfax
Diana Schmidt, Burke
Jerry Schweigert, Fairfax
Jo Ann Seeley, Alexandria
Susan Soza, McLean
Mary Kay Stine, Reston
M. Throne, Ashburn
Mike Throne, Ashburn
Karen Vaughn, Fairfax
Ronald Villiger, Fairfax
William Wishard, Lake Ridge
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Editor's note. L=Loudoun-only member. All others are
full members (approximately half of them signed up to try us out for
the spring 2009 term at the special introductory rate).
CANDIDATES FOR THE BOARD ANNOUNCED
Recommendation from the 2009 Nominating
Committee
 By Bob Lawshe,
Nominating Committee Chair
THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE IS PLEASED
TO RECOMMEND to the membership the following slate of
nominees as candidates to fill six openings, each for a three-year term
(June 2009 – June 2012), on the OLLI Board of Directors. The nominees
are (in random
order): Shelly Gersten, Rod Zumbro, Pat Cosslett, Thelma Weiner, Carole
Richard, Dick
Young, David Mason, Paul Howard, and Valerie Braybrooke.
Nomination
by petition. OLLI's Procedures and Guidelines for the
Nominating Committee also allow for nominations by petition. To be
added to the ballot, a petition candidate must receive written support
from at least one percent of the membership, or eight members. Petition
nominations must be received by the Nominating Committee by Fri, Apr
10. Any such nomination may be submitted to me or any other member of
the Nominating Committee. Thank you.
| Nominating
Committee: Susanne Zumbro, John West, Rosemary McDonald,
Ted Parker, Bob Lawshe, and Gordon Canyock |
50 AND FABULOUS EXPO
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50 AND
FABULOUS IS A
COMPREHENSIVE EXPO at Fair Oaks from 3:00 to 6:30 on Tue, Mar
24, showcasing resources for life transitions including finance, health
and wellness, travel and leisure and government services in Fairfax
County. The expo is sponsored by the Dulles Regional Chamber and the
Fairfax County Area Agency on Aging.
OLLI will have a table display at this event.
If you would be willing to help at the display table for 30 minutes or
an hour, please contact Carole Richard.
The expo will be at the Waterford at Fair
Oaks, 12025 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax, VA 22033 (next
to Fair Oaks Mall). Click
here for Google map and directions.
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Back
to top
SHERLOCK
HOLMES
and The Adventures of the Tolling Bell
OLLI Players' next Channel 10 production
 By Kathie West, OLLI Drama Club Coordinator
Cast photo by the writer.
,
was filmed at Channel 10 on Monday. It was done as an old-time radio
show with homemade sound effects and keyboard. Once again The OLLI
Players pulled the show together
with only five days of rehearsal.
The actors were in full 1949 regalia,
complete with Holmes's signature hat worn proudly by Charles Duggan
playing Holmes. Other cast members were Bob Osborn as Watson, Mo Mason
as Mary, Dave Mason as Gilly, Thelma Weiner as Mrs. Lakland, Harriet
Kaplan as Mrs. Michol, and Manny Pablo as Tom. The sound effect girls
were Carolyn
Sanders, Linda George, Eileen Duggan, and the writer, and the keyboard
was played masterfully by
Alan Wenberg.
Next Friday I will be interviewing Peter Blau,
president of the Sherlock Holmes Society of Washington. The interview
will be edited into the taping.
This show and other OLLI filming have been
produced by another OLLI member, Sharon Donovan. We will let you know
when this film will be aired on Channel 10.
An update on the May 8 event
By Bob Lawshe, Board
member
THE SILENT AUCTION HAS ITS OWN WEB
SITE! Go to the OLLI Home Page and click "Silent Auction"
in Quick Links at the far left (or click here). On the
Silent Auction page you can look at the current auction catalog
(continually updated) and find out everything about the auction – you
can even download a donation form, also available in each classroom and
social areas at our sites; please use the forms early and often.
This year we are hoping to have a lot more
donations from local businesses. So we prepared a solicitation letter
and, no surprise, put it on the Web page for you to download easily and
pass out to potential business donors. The solicitation letter can be
used to introduce OLLI to local business and should help you interest
them in supporting our silent auction.
We also added two new categories of items –
"Big and Bulky" and "Getaways."
- Big and Bulky is intended for items
that are just too big and bulky to get to Tallwood but which can be
viewed at a member’s home or elsewhere. Bidding will still take place
during the auction but you will pick up your winnings from the donor.
- Getaways are just that ... and
include a weekend, a week, or longer at a vacation/timeshare/second
home/etc., here or abroad, in season or off, at a time mutually
arranged by the donor and the winners. If you have such a place, now’s
the time to step forward.
Remember that all proceeds benefit the Friends
of OLLI, meaning proceeds will directly enhance the OLLI experience for
the
membership. We are counting on you to make this year’s silent auction a
success! Thank you.
KEY CONTACT
INFORMATION
How to contact OLLI
HERE
IS A READY REFERENCE on how to contact OLLI. For email
addresses and phone numbers not listed below, please consult the online
Membership Directory (log in to Member
Portal).
- President:
Pat Carroll
- Executive
Director: Thom
Clement, phone 703-503-7866
- OLLI Office, phone
703-503-3384
- Tallwood
Administrator/OLLI Registrar: Maria
Buczek, phone 703-503-3384
- Board
members: See Organization page
(to send an email to the entire Board, send it to the office or the OLLI
E-News editor, and your
message will be forwarded to all members of the Board)
- Committee
chairs, resource-group chairs: See Organization
page
- Suggestions: Online
suggestion box
- Letters to
the editor or letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit
(etiquette
matters): OLLI
E-News Editor Rod Zumbro,
phone
703-569-2750
MASON ARTS AND
MUSIC
Upcoming Mason performances, Mar 20-29
By Jan Bohall, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
FOR
TICKETS, call
1-888-945-2468 (phone orders are handled by tickets.com)
or visit the Center for the Arts Box Office, Tue-Sat, 10:00-6:00. More
info on tickets at the CFA tickets page.
Composer’s Concert
College
Music Society
Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference
Fri, Mar 20, 8:00
The
concert will feature ten premieres of works by the College Music
Society faculty composers and performers.
Admission: Free, no tickets required
Harris Theater
The complete schedule of lecture-recitals, papers and performances of
the two-day conference is available on this pdf
document.
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Russian National Ballet Theatre
Cinderella
Fri, Mar 20, 8:00
The
jubilant music by Prokofiev and the sumptuous costumes, with the lush
scenery and the hilarious double-roles of the stepsisters, make this a
special performance.
Admission: $54, $46, $27
Family Friendly: Children 12 and under, half price with an adult
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a free artistic discussion on Grand Tier III.
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Russian National Ballet Theatre
Sleeping
Beauty
Sat, Mar 21, 8:00
Tchaikovsky's magnificent score, with the brilliant choreography of
Petipa, brings this classic tale to life, of the beautiful princess who
waits to be awakened by the kiss of her prince.
Admission: $54, $46, $27
Family Friendly: Children 12 and under, half price with an adult
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a free artistic discussion on Grand Tier III.
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Academy of Ancient Music
Brandenburg
Concertos
Sun, Mar 22, 4:00
One
of the world’s foremost period-instrument orchestras, this ensemble
will be led by Director Richard Egarr on harpsichord. It will perform
all six of Bach’s concertos, each distinct from the others in style and
instrumentation.
Admission: $48, $40, $24
Concert Hall
Come at 3:15 for a free artistic discussion on Grand Tier III.
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GMU Select Women’s Chorale
Sun, Mar 22, 7:00
Admission: Free, no tickets required
Harris Theater
GMU Dance Company
2009
Gala Concert
Fri, Mar 27, 8:00 & Sat, Mar 28, 8:00
Admission: $12 seniors/students, $20 other adults
Concert Hall
GMU Opera
Street
Scene
Fri, Mar 27, 8:00 & Sat, Mar 28, 8:00
Admission: $15 seniors/students, $20 other adults
Harris Theater
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An Evening of Vocal Jazz
With special guest VOCAL LINE
Jens
Johansen, conductor
Sun, Mar 29, 7:00
This group from Copenhagen has performed throughout Europe and on
Denmark’s national radio and television. They have released five Danish
albums of their music.
Admission: $10 seniors/students, $15 other adults
Harris Theater
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Other Mason events
 By Barbara Kyriakakis, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
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• Top That! – Waffle Day 2009.
Hosted by the Johnson Center on Mon, Mar 23, 11:30-12:30 in Dewberry
Hall. Open to the entire University community. Sing-a-longs, games and
most of all,
waffles you can eat with toppings of your choice (while supplies last,
so come early).
• Health and
Fitness Expo – Health-related demonstrations, information
tables, screenings, prizes, and alternative therapy demonstrations.
Thu, Mar 26, 10:00 to 6:00, Johnson Center Dewberry Hall. Free.
• Visual Cultures Symposium –
"Unthinking Television: Visual Cultures Beyond the Console," presented
by Lynn Spigel, Frances E. Willard Professor of Screen Cultures,
Communication, Northwestern University. Free. Thu, Mar 26, 9:00 to
4:30, JC Cinema.
• Post-Socialist Films from China, Eastern
Europe & Russia – To Live (Huozhe). Tue, Mar 31,
7:00, SUB II, Ballroom 1 (front). Will coincide with campus visit and
talk on Fri, Mar 27, by Yu Hua, author of the novel, To Live, on which the film is based.
• Global
Interdisciplinary Programs Film Series 2009
- La Misma Luna with guest
speaker Professor Debra Shutika. Mon, Mar 30, 4:00 to 7:00, JC Cinema.
- Crossing
Over
with guest speaker Bernardo Rios, producer. Documentary about
basketball in Los Angeles’ Oaxacan community, and the use of basketball
as a way to maintain ties to traditional culture and community. Tue,
Mar 31, 1:00 to 4:00, JC Cinema
- The
Other Threat
with guest speaker Professor Bassam Haddad, director. This documentary
reveals the reality of Arab/Muslim immigration in England and Spain,
two European countries afflicted with terrorism for decades. Wed, Apr
1, 1:00 to 4:00, JC Cinema.
- Kudah Key Liye – Guest speaker
TBA. Thu, Apr 2, 1:00 to 4:00, JC Cinema.
- Immokalee, U.S.A. with guest
speaker George Koszulinski, director, Substream Films. Tue, Apr 14,
4:00 to 7:00, JC Cinema
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Non-class events at OLLI for the next two
weeks
THE
FOLLOWING LIST covering the
next two weeks is extracted for your
convenience from the master calendar maintained by the office (see Upcoming
Non-Class Events to view the real-time OLLI online calendar used by
the office). Note: Board,
committee, resource-group and 'membership-type' meetings/events below
are highlighted
in bold. OLLI members are
welcome at all Board, committee and resource-group meetings (except
during executive sessions).
Friday
Mar 20 10am Recorder Club - TA-2
10am Board of Directors
Meeting - TA-1
11am Homer
Group - Social Room Annex
Saturday Mar 21
12:30pm OLLI Personal Computer User Group - Tallwood
Monday
Mar 23 Spring Term Begins
Wed Mar 25 1:30pm
Silent Auction Meeting - TA-1
1:30pm
Bridge Club - TA3
2pm
Special Event 951 - Everything’s Coming Up Roses - TA-1
Fri Mar 27 9:30am
Recorder Club - TA-2
9:30am
Photography Club - TA-1
10am New Member Coffee -
TA-2
10am Drama
Club - TA-3
10:30am Classic
Fiction Book Club - Cascades Library
11am Homer
Group - Social Room Annex
12:30pm
Loudoun Let's Eat Out - O'Faolain's, 20921 Davenport Dr, Sterling
1pm
Special Event 952 - Health Literacy - TA-1
2:00pm
Reston Team Meeting - Lake Anne
Wed
Apr 1
11:30am Special Event 955 - Air & Space Museum - Meet
at Museum
1:30pm
Bridge Club - TA3
1:30pm Special Events
Resource Group Meeting - TA-2
2pm
History Club - TA-1
2pm
Special Event 953 - Poetry Reading: Eric Pankey - TA-2
Fri Apr 3
8am Special Event 954 - Richmond: Capitol
Square - Bus Trip
10am Recorder Club - TA-2
10am Drama Club - TA-3
11am Homer Group - Social Room Annex
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Rod
Zumbro
Editor
John West
Deputy Editor
Karen
Hamilton
Associate
Editor |
About this newsletter. OLLI's weekly newsletter, OLLI E-News, is emailed to OLLI
members with email addresses on Fridays. When classes are in
session, printed copies of this newsletter are distributed in
classrooms, primarily for members without email. Comments,
suggestions or complaints? Please contact Editor Rod
Zumbro or Communications Committee Chair Gordon
Canyock.
• Submissions. We
encourage members
to submit news items, articles and photos for this newsletter. The deadline
to
the editor is 7:00 pm Wed (7:00 pm Mon for letters to the editor
for which an
OLLI response is appropriate) for that
week's issue; earlier submissions are greatly appreciated. Please limit
articles to about 250 words. Submit material via email to Editor Rod
Zumbro
(email rzumbro@gmu.edu).
• Read the Latest
Issue Early. The
new weekly issue of OLLI E-News
is posted to the OLLI Web site Thursday evening. Read it by visiting http://www.olli.gmu.edu/pubs.htm#enews,
where you will find a list of the last 12
issues, and clicking the latest issue listed.
• Viewing or searching past
issues. Your options for finding items in past issues of OLLI E-News include viewing the last 12
issues; searching
the content of ALL issues for any word or words; and searching our
archive of all past issues by date or issue number.
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Editorial
Staff
Database
Manager
Barbara Kyriakakis
Photo Editor
Michael Coyne |
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Updated: March 20, 2009
Copyright © 2009 Osher
Lifelong Learning Institute at
George Mason University. Materials in this publication subject to
OLLI-Mason copyright may be reproduced for noncommercial educational
purposes as long as credit is given to OLLI-Mason.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George
Mason University, 4210 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone: (703) 503-3384; Email: olli@gmu.edu;
Fax: (703) 503-2832
Original site design and construction by OLLI-Mason member Rod Zumbro. |
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By 
SILENT
AUCTION
