A CALL FOR PLAYWRIGHTS!
A TEACHING SESSION


By Mike McNamara, OLLI Member



IN RESPONSE TO A RECENT APPEAL by Dick Chobot in the OLLI E-News, I taught a class at George Mason‘s LIFE Program, which gives young adults with intellectual disabilities the chance to experience college life and studies tailored to their skills. I decided to offer up Light Verse, and it was a good experience.
     After initial phone conversations, Julie and I visited Thompson Hall on September 10 and met with Dr. Heidi Graff, the program director and her staff. We then pitched the class to 10 students, ages 18 to early 20's. Most were eager to discuss the poems but several were initially reticent. We started with little verses like “Introduction: Madam, / I ‘m Adam,” then “Fleas: Adam/ Had em.” We also discussed Bumper Stickers as a sort of Poetry. “Boy Friend Wanted: Training Provided,” was a big hit...
     We then rolled on to Burma-Shave signs. “Said Juliet to Romeo/ If you never shave/ Go homeo.” This broke the place up, as one of their projects is to do some scenes from Shakespeare. Ogden Nash was represented, too. “Behold the duck./ It does not cluck./ A cluck it lacks./ It quacks./ It is especially fond/ Of a puddle or a pond. / When it dines or sups/ It bottoms ups.”
     We even looked at Charles Simic, the new U. S. Poet Laureate. What a surprise that so many students decoded his “Watermelons: Green Buddhas/ On the fruit stand./ We eat the smile/ And spit out the teeth.”

OLLI members who could give a sixty-minute session in this worthwhile program should call Dr. Graff at 703 993-8036. (An account of a vacation with a lot of photos would be a natural.) Julie and I would welcome any questions; and we left a 20-minute CD of the Program as well as several brochures with Dick Chobot.

RELATED LINK
     > Mason LIFE Website

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MEET PAUL HOWARD...


By Carolyn Sanders, OLLI E-News staff writer



NO, PAUL ISN’T A NOTED SWIMMER, but, believe me, folks, he knows how to dive right in and get involved. He joined OLLI in the summer of 2006 and is already serving on our Board of Directors and is teaching in the field of Economics and Finance for the third time—course 203: Avoid Being Targeted for Identity Theft, specifically the sessions relating to “Home Computer Protection, Security and Updating.” As Webmaster for OLLI’s Investment Forum, http://www.olligmu.org/~finforum/, Paul posts information contributed by members as resources for the group.
     Paul’s compelling interest is in computers, and he’s serving as president of one personal computer user group and treasurer of another. After a 31-year career with Verizon and various Ma Bell entities, and 24 years of living in Northern Virginia, this Oak Hill resident, a native of the great state of New York, is a welcome addition to the OLLI community. We thank his wife Linda for sharing him, his time, and his expertise with us.
 

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TOM SUZUKI: A RETROSPECTIVE

By Eileen and Charles Duggan, OLLI members

WE SADLY REPORTED LAST YEAR that OLLI member Tom Suzuki passed away on September 3, 2006. Tom was soft-spoken, very private and probably not known by many OLLI members. However, those fortunate enough to have worked with him were very appreciative of the contributions that he made to OLLI. He served as the resident graphic artist on the Publications Committee and is the designer of the Friends of OLLI honor role poster that hangs in the Tallwood social room. His wife, Virginia, is still an OLLI member.
     What most of us didn’t know about Tom was his successful and award winning career as an art director. He was particularly known for the revolutionary design concepts he introduced to the textbook production business in the 1960’s. In the 1970’s, he was the art director for Time/Life Books. For 25 summers, he was invited to teach design master classes at Stanford University.

A retrospective of his creative work will be on display at the Alexandria campus of Northern Virginia Community College from Friday, September 28, 2007 through Wednesday, October 24, 2007. The exhibit, titled “The Creative Spirit of Tom Suzuki,” will be shown in the Tyler Teaching Gallery, Room 207, in the Tyler Building. Virginia Suzuki is serving as Honorary Curator. Directions can be found at www.tomsuzuki.com.

     All OLLI members are encouraged to attend the opening reception at 6:30 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2007. Regular gallery hours are from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm.

RELATED LINKS
      > IN MEMORIAM: TOM SUZUKI (OLLI E-News, Sep 15, 2006)
      > HONOR ROLL POSTER  (OLLI E-News, May 12, 2006)

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JUSTINIAN ART EXHIBIT


By Marvina Munch, OLLI E-News staff writer



IN THE PROFESSIONAL ART WORLD, an important measure of success is the number of honors and awards won in competitions and exhibitions. In the past few years, OLLI art instructor Leonard Justinian’s paintings have been awarded four Best in Show prizes, two second-place awards and three other special honors.
     His many exhibitions include one-person exhibits at the NBC-TV Art Gallery in Washington, D.C., and the Prince Royal Gallery in Alexandria. His work has also been juried into three-person exhibits at the Frazer Gallery in Georgetown and galleries in Kentlands, Maryland, and Front Royal, Virginia.
     We are fortunate to have his paintings on display in the Social Room Annex during the fall session. For additional information, check his web site at www.wslp.org.

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RESTON BRIDGE CLASS HAS OPENINGS

THE BRIDGE REFRESHER CLASS (904) is designed for those who have a basic knowledge of bridge and want to sharpen their playing skills. The class consists of a 30-minute lecture given by Ron Kral, a certified bridge instructor and tournament player. Then there is an hour of play with pointers from Ron.      If you wish to join the class, which meets in Reston at 11:30 on Mondays, just come to class and complete the Add Form at that time.

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COMING EVENTS AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

> Sun, Sep 23 – Young Artiste Musicale. 6:00, Concert Hall Lobby, Free.      > Sun, Sep 23 – Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel - America–Fascinatin’ Rhythms. 7:00, Concert Hall, Admission: $38, $30, $19. Known for his concerts with commentary, Siegel presents works of Gershwin, Bernstein and Copland. This is the first of his four concerts this season. Family Friendly: Children 12 and under, half price with an adult.      > Tue, Sep 25 – GMU Wind Symphony Concert. 8:00, Concert Hall, Admission: $10 seniors & students, $15 adults.      > Sat, Sep 29 – Arts By George! Barbara Cook, lyric soprano. 8:00, Concert Hall, Admission: $60, $52, $30. Broadway legend Barbara Cook will perform show tunes, ballads and torch songs, proving why she is known as one of the foremost interpreters of Sondheim’s works. This performance is part of a scholarship benefit for the College of Visual and Performing Arts at Mason. For details see page 15 of the Great Performances at Mason magazine Preview or kbeyer2@gmu.edu. Come early at 7:15 for a free artistic discussion in the Grand Tier Lobby.

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MASON HIGHLIGHTS
By Barbara Kyriakakis, OLLI E-News assistant editor

> Krasnow Seminar - How do we know when we move?  The role of vesibular signals in the posterior parietal cortex presented by Werner Graf, Dept. of Physiology and Biophysics, Howard University, Mon, Sep 24, 4:00 to 5:00, Room 229, Krasnow Institute.      > Workshop in Philosophy, Politics & Economics – Religion and Economics presented by Michael McBride, Asst. Dir. of Economics, UCLA Irvine, Thu, Sep 27, 1:00 to 2:30, Room 318, Enterprise Hall.      > Book Sale - The University Libraries will hold a book sale on Fri, Sep 28, from 9:00 to 3:00 in Dewberry Hall, Johnson Center. Proceeds will go to developing University Libraries' collections.      > Provost’s Forum on the State of Mason Academics - Initial remarks will focus on academic administration, strategic directions, SACS accreditation, and global Initiatives. Questions and comments will be welcome.  Light refreshments will be served.  Wed, Oct 10, noon to 1:00, Johnson Center Cinema.      > Day Trip to New York - The Recreational Sports Office is sponsoring a day trip to New York City on Oct 20; cost $35 with Mason ID.  Registration and payment must be made by Oct 1 at the Rec Sports Office located in the Aquatic and Fitness Center (the facility is closed, but the Rec Sports Office is open and accessible).  Call 703-993-3290 to check ticket availability, departure and return times, and other information.