By Maria Buczek, OLLI Registrar

PROGRAM CORNER
By Kathryn Russell, Program Committee Chair
F INALLY WE'VE ALL MADE THOSE TOUGH CHOICES of fall courses, and registration is complete. However, you may find that your schedule looks a little sparse and that you have some free time for more OLLI activities. Or you may have been wait-listed for an event. If so, consider the dazzling array of Special Events that you might have overlooked. Some of the undersubscribed ones are absolute gems that you wouldn't want to miss.
     I hope you've taken note of "Fall for the Book" activities. Every year Mason organizes this celebration of writers and their works -- over 130 authors this year. We have coordinated with Mason to support three of these events during the festival week, Sep 21-26. Mason provides bus service from OLLI to two of the events: "Understanding Obama: Three Views" (F974) and "Freedom without Walls: The Presidents" (F975). A third, "On the Homefront: Civil War Wives" (F976), will be held at OLLI. These opportunities to hear writers speak about writing are always richly rewarding and well worth our time -- and they're free.
     If you usually attend Tallwood, consider going to Reston or Loudoun for one of the Special Events. It's easy to get to both locations, and the Special Events don't present traffic problems as they are generally held in the morning or early afternoon. You can enjoy "Concert of Songs You Love" (R968) in the spacious sanctuary at the Reston site. Loudoun, too, offers some very attractive one-time events in that beautiful facility:

• "A Life of My Own: Meeting Eleanor Roosevelt" (L969)
• "Land of the Midnight Sun, Norway" (L970)
• "Discussion with Elderhostel Ambassador" (L971)
• "A Storytelling Performance" (L972)

In addition, Loudoun program planners have arranged a bus trip to the Library of Congress for a special guided tour of the Geography and Map Division (L973).  
     At the Tallwood site, too, you can find more undersubscribed Special Events that are well worth a second look. "Brass Rubbing" (F966) offers historical background and instruction about the techniques of rubbing brasses, and you'll have an opportunity to create a rubbing to hang on your wall. Then get better acquainted with GMU in "What is Mason Doing for People with Disabilities?" (F965). In "Speak Up for a Child" (F957), learn about Fairfax County's CASA program, which provides essential services for abused and neglected children. Finally, what could be more fun than a trip to the National Zoo (F953)? This one includes more than just views of cute pandas, as visitors will learn about the habitats of threatened or endangered species.
     You'll want to read more about all these enticing events in the catalog. Special Events, because they are single presentations, require a minimum of time commitment. Best of all, they provide unique opportunities to get acquainted with new ideas and topics. To add a Special Event, simply go to the OLLI Website and find "Register/Add course" on the Log-in page under the pull-down menu "Courses." Or you can fill out one of the "add" forms in the office. Now get prepared for a fall term that is certain to entertain, to enlighten, and to delight.

EXHIBIT IN SOCIAL ROOM ANNEX

By Dan Feighery, OLLI Photography Club Coordinator

MEMBERS OF THE OLLI PHOTOGRAPHY CLUB hung their third annual Fall Photography Exposition in the Tallwood annex last Thu and Fri, Sep 3 and 4. The 22 photographs in this year's exposition include several taken while members traveled abroad as well as others taken locally. The first comment by the Executive Director when he walked into the room Friday morning was WOW! All OLLI members are invited to stop by to see these exquisite images, which will be on display through the fall term.
     In the photo above, Anita Ohlhausen makes final adjustments on Friday morning. Contributing OLLI members are Don Allen, Nick Cirillo, Joe Ellis, Lorrin Garson, Tom Hady, Anita Ohlhausen, Roz Schanzer, Steve Schanzer, Stan Schretter, Ed Parker and Jack Underhill, and the writer.

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OLLI PC USER GROUP MEETING
By Paul Howard, OLLI PC User Group Coordinator
THE OLLI PC USER GROUP WILL MEET at 1:00 on Sat, Sep 19, at Tallwood. Chuck Roberts will present a "Learn 30" session about wireless home networking, which has now evolved into a commodity business for several companies like Cisco through Linksys, Geek Squad and Best Buy stores. What are the basics for connecting a few devices like computers and printers and then sharing an Internet connection? What equipment is required and how is it all connected? After it's installed, how do you secure your network to prevent drive-by hacking or to protect your identity and your private personal data? Chuck will tie this discussion into our TV/PC Convergence theme by describing how you connect multiple Tivos to your network and move recordings between receivers so you can watch any recorded program on any Tivo.
     Rod Zumbro will discuss how you can watch Netflix movies on your TV with Netflix-enabled devices such as a digital video player and some Blu-Ray disc players, game consoles, digital video recorders, home theater systems and HDTVs. Netflix streaming allows you to watch some 12,000 movies and TV shows (free with regular Netflix subscriptions) of the 100,000 DVDs available from Netflix via postal mail. Rod has a Blu-Ray disc player connected to a small bridge device that accesses his home's wireless network. Rod will explain equipment options and set-up, Netflix streaming, picture and sound quality, picture size, etc.
     Geof Goodrum will demonstrate watching TV shows and movies for free over the Internet from such sites as Fancast and Hulu. This is a great way to catch up on TV shows you (or your video recorder) might have missed. If you are a member of online video services such as Netflix, you can also watch selected movies on your PC over the Internet.
     Finally, I will demonstrate and discuss how you can watch and record over-the-air broadcasts or cable TV on your personal computer..

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Related Web link: OLLI PC User Group's Web site