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OLLI
E-News #6-06 of Feb. 10, 2006
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| NEWSFLASH
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SPRING
CATALOG ONLINE:
The catalog will be available online soon,
probably within a day or so. Catalogs will be mailed Fri, Feb 17. |
| ALERT
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GENEALOGY
CLUB: The
first meeting of this new club is at 2:00 on Wed, Feb 15, Tallwood. All
OLLI members are invited. |
| REMINDER
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BOARD
MEETING: The
Board of directors meet at 10:00 on Fri, Feb 17, in TA-1. All OLLI
members are invited to attend and let their views be known. |
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QUESTION
OF THE WEEK
Our weekly Web polls provide member
feedback to OLLI
All of us are
probably aware of the importance of exercise in staying healthy and of
the various types of exercise that can make up a balanced program
(e.g., aerobics or endurance-type activities, strength training and
stretching). But
knowing something and doing it is, as some say, a "whole 'nother
thing." This question
will give readers
an indication of how much exercise OLLI members typically get.
Question: "Which of the following
choices best describes your exercise habits most days?"
Choices:
(1) Intense exercise, 45 minutes or more; (2) Moderate to intense
exercise, 30 minutes or more; (3) Moderate exercise, 20 minutes or
more;
(4) Light to moderate exercise, 10 minutes or more; (5) Light to
moderate exercise, less than
10 minutes; and (6) Physically unable to exercise. Note: If none of
these choices fits you, pick the one that is closest, in your judgment.
Vote
here in this Web poll and
then instantly see the results to date, including your vote. Later,
anytime
during the week, check back to see how the online membership has
voted. A new question will be posted each Friday for
your voting pleasure. Note:
We apologize
if the Question of the Week is not visible, which can sometimes happen
when
this free service we are using exceeds its bandwidth, and we ask you to
re-visit
the site later to see if you can vote.
| Last week's question was, "Which of
the following options would you prefer to improve the OLLI classroom
experience?" |
| Results: 133 members voted, almost
20 percent of the membership. Forty-one percent voted for no
change, and 29 percent voted for a 1-2 minute stretch break halfway
through the class period. Two choices each received nine percent: a
5-10 minute restroom break and new, better-padded chairs. Stadium
cushions received seven percent, and reducing the class length to 75
minutes received six percent. |
ONLINE
COMPLETION OF REGISTRATION FORMS
A new option for OLLI members
 By Ann Hartmann,
Tallwood Site Administrator/Registrar
EFFECTIVE
WITH THE SPRING TERM, we are pleased to announce a new option: You may now fill out your
registration form online and then print it
for either hand delivery when registration starts or postal mailing.
Legible
forms will help us in the office, so we encourage you to
complete the forms online.
We wanted also to offer you the option of
emailing the form to the office after you fill it out online.
Unfortunately, our testing has shown us that there is no convenient way
for members to email their completed registration forms to us (the
completed form can be neither emailed from the Web nor saved for later
emailing).
Our future plans call for a full online
registration system. Until then, we hope you will find online
completion of registration forms to be a convenient option.
THE OLLI BOOK EXCHANGE
About OLLI's lending library
The
OLLI Book Exchange
Photo by Rod Zumbro
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 By Elizabeth Crawford, Membership Committee member
THE ANSWER IS ARNOLD TOYNBEE, TOM
CLANCY, J.K. ROWLING, WINSTON CHURCHILL, AND NORA ROBERTS. What
is the question?
Whose
books are on the shelves in the Social Room waiting for you to claim
them?
Whether you read for information, insight, or
escape, you will usually
find something interesting to read at the OLLI Book Exchange. In
addition to fiction, biography, history, philosophy, and poetry, you
will often find cookbooks, books-on-tape, and travel guides.
Thank you to those members who have been
contributing books as well as to those who have been taking them. The
system works best when the books circulate and browsers find new
selections from week to week.
Note: If you wish to maintain your
intellectual image as a reader of Toynbee, you may take a shopping bag
from behind the bookcase and place it over your head before strolling
out with a book of cartoons.
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A PEEK AT SPRING...
What spring has in store for us
 By Rae Schafer,
Program Assistant
YOU SHOULD BE SEEING THE SPRING CATALOG IN
YOUR MAILBOX during the week of February 20. Registration
will begin Fri, Feb 24, and end Mon, Mar 10.
With more than 60 courses,
special events and ongoing activities, this spring offers something for
everyone! The schedule contains some of your favorites –
“Readers' Theater” at Tallwood, “All the News” at Reston, and “Great
Decisions 2006” offered at both locations.
You will also see some
interesting new offerings:
- In
“Questions…and Answers” you will hear community experts discuss a
variety of issues. Hon. Katherine Hanley, Eleanor B. Saslaw,
Representative James M. Scott and Marlene Blum will each spend two
sessions discussing their areas of community expertise.
- “Reston
Springs to Life” is a series of three interpretive hikes
through Reston’s beautiful natural areas. Participants will be lead by
Claudia Thompson-Diehl, Reston Association Environmental Resource
Manager, and its Nature Center manager, Katie Shaw.
- “Sub-Saharan
Africa” will feature speakers focusing on regional issues
as well as environmental challenges and social/cultural traditions.
- “Five Hundred
Years of the Forgotten Women in Art” will explore
forgotten women artists from the last five centuries by viewing their
art and discussing their lives and the conditions under which they
struggled to express themselves.
This is just a snapshot of the exciting session OLLI members have to
look forward to this spring.
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SPECIAL EVENT ON JORDAN
All OLLI members are welcome
ON
WED, FEB 15, AT 2:00, OLLI MEMBERS PEGGY AND JOHN WOODS are
giving
a presentation on the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan spanning 40 years. It
is actually two presentations linked together that show some of the
same places and people.
Having selected some slides taken in 1965-66
when he worked there, John will show some of the scenes from the West
Bank that was then part of Jordan. The second part is a PowerPoint
presentation of last summer when Peggy joined John for a tour of Jordan
40 years later. This was Peggy’s first visit to Jordan, and she will
tell about some of her impressions of a country that John has visited
and worked in numerous times.
John will also tell about some of the U.S.
Agency for International Development projects in Jordan in which he has
been involved through the years,
some involving the royal family 40 years ago as well as the new king
and his wife. The presentations will take about half of the session, so
time will be available to answer questions about this country which is
in the news almost every day.
All OLLI members are welcome to attend,
whether or not previously signed up for this special event.
Back to top
ABOUT INSTRUCTOR
NO-SHOWS
A note about two instructor no-shows
 By Dick Chobot,
OLLI Executive Director
ON WED,
FEB 8, WE HAD A SPEAKER FAIL TO SHOW UP for a scheduled special
event. I have spoken to the individual and choose to accept the
explanation that he simply lost track of time and, when he remembered
the session, it was too late to get to Tallwood. He also indicated that
an apology was sent to Florence Adler, Special Events chair. In the
other incident this term where an instructor failed to show up,
she both apologized and had the "class" to offer a make-up immediately
following her second class.
Mistakes
happen. We are privileged to have great instructors from the ranks of
our membership, the University, and outside agencies. However, it also
is a privilege for individuals to address OLLI classes.
It also should be noted that these absences
were in no way the fault of the class coordinators. They both fully
discharged their responsibility to remind the presenters of the session.
I apologize for all those who were
inconvenienced as a result of these two incidents. I am happy to report
that our members also handled the matter with "class." As we plan for
future terms, I will do my best to ensure that instructors, wherever
they come from, understand the obligation and expectations which come
with serving as a member of the OLLI faculty.
MEET
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ANN YOUNGREN
ANN
YOUNGREN
Photo by Abbie Edwards
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Profile of an OLLI part-time staff employee
 By Abbie Edwards, Reston Support Committee chair
THE
OLLI RESTON BRANCH IS DELIGHTED TO WELCOME ANN YOUNGREN, who
replaced Mathilde Speier as our staff employee. We are
all so pleased with her dedication and hard work. She has been working
for OLLI since September.
Ann grew up in England and went to London to
an art school where she studied interior design. When she graduated,
she went to Chicago to work in an architectural firm where she met her
husband, Ralph. He was working on the design of the Air Force Academy
in Colorado. She
transferred for a year to the New York office of the
firm where she worked on the interiors of Chase Manhattan Bank. She
came back to Chicago and married Ralph in Vienna, Austria, where her
parents were stationed at the time.
They raised their two sons in Chicago; during
this time she had her own business doing residential interiors
while the boys were growing. Both sons are
now married and jointly they have blessed Ann and Ralph with four
grandchildren.
The Youngrens are neighbors of the Speiers,
and Ann heard about the job-opening from Mathilde. Ann tells me that
she and her husband love
Reston and enjoy all the many interesting sites around Washington.
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INSTALLMENT #2: "ONE DAY IN ISTANBUL"
For attendees of the Turkey course and
interested others
 IF
YOU
ARE TAKING COURSE
704, Republic of Turkey: An Overview,
or if you are interested in Turkey, you might enjoy our second
installment of OLLI Video News.
In 5 1/2 minutes, experience "One Day in
Istanbul," where you will see some of the famous sights of this exotic
city -- including the Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia (photo at left) and
Topkapi Palace.
This
video is a newly edited, shortened version of
the Istanbul portion of a movie created by your editor
after a trip he and Susanne made
several years ago to Greece and Turkey. |
OLLI VIDEO NEWS
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The second installment of OLLI
Video News is a short video about Istanbul, Turkey.
WATCH NOW |
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FINAL NOTICE: TWO
MEMBERS HAVE BEEN VIDEOTAPED, BUT WE
STILL NEED one or two more enthusiastic volunteers to provide
brief comments
about why they joined OLLI and what they are
getting out of the organization. Each set of comments will be edited
into a 30-60 second video clip to use for OLLI marketing and displayed
as part of a future
installment of OLLI Video News. Here's
your chance for 60 seconds of fame! If you're interested in
participating,
email Rod Zumbro or see him on campus next
week.
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COMING
EVENTS AT GMU'S CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Something for everyone at nearby GMU
 By Jan Bohall, OLLI
E-News staff writer
For
tickets, call
888-945-2468 or visit the Center
for the Arts Box Office, Tue–Sat, 10:00–6:00
Mark
Morris Dance Group
25th Anniversary National Tour |
Vagina Monologues
Presented by GMU Sexual Assault Services |
Friday,
Feb 10, at 8:00
Saturday, Feb 11, at 8:00
Admission $44, $36, $22
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a pre-performance discussion in the Grand Tier Lobby |
Friday,
Feb 10, at 8:00
Saturday, Feb 11, at 2:00 and 8:00
Admission $25 adults, $5 GMU students
Harris Theater |
GMU Music Faculty Recital
Dale Underwood, saxophone |
Virginia Opera
The Marriage of Figaro |
Thursday,
Feb 16, at 8:30
Admission is Free
Harris Theater
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Friday,
Feb 17, at 8:00
Sunday, Feb 19 at 2:00
Admission $84, $68, $44
Concert Hall
Come at 6:30 to the Concert Hall Lobby for a special wine and cheese
tasting
At 7:15 there will be a pre-performance
discussion in the Grand Tier Lobby |
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GMU HIGHLIGHTS
A brief listing of other events at nearby
Mason
 By Barbara Kyriakakis, OLLI
News assistant editor
BLACK
HISTORY MONTH CONTINUES AT GEORGE MASON with Dr. Elijah Anderson
of the University of Pennsylvania presenting the DuBois Lecture: "Poor,
Young, Black, and Male: The Case for National Action," on Feb 14 at
10:30 in Room 240A, Johnson Center. It is free, as is the Scholar-in
Residence Lecture, "Exploring the Dramatic Vision of August Wilson," on
Feb 20 at 2:30, presented by Dr. Sandra Shannon of Howard University.
On Sun, Feb 19, join the NAACP as they travel
through the life of one girl to see how the trials and tribulations she
faces today parallel those of her ancestors. "Taking Our Freedom" will
show at 7:00 in the Johnson Center Cinema -- $5.00. For more
information on these events call the Diversity office at 703-993-2700.
The Cinema will also be showing The Color Purple at 6:00 and 9:00
on Feb 23 for $1.00 ... and on Feb. 24 and 25, Diary of A Mad Black Woman. |
The GMU Players 2006 season will continue with
James Joyce’s The Dead.
Performances are scheduled from Feb 23 to Mar 5 in the TheaterSpace --
$7.00 with GMU ID. For days and times check the Players
Website.
How about a trip to New York? The Artsbus leaves on
Sat, Feb 25, at 6:00 for an all-day bus trip to New York City. Tickets
may be purchased for $60 at www.tickets.com
or by calling the Concert Hall at (703) 993-2787.
COMING ATTRACTIONS
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 more
complete OLLI
Staff Schedule of Non-Class Events.
FEB
14 Tuesday 8:15 AM Walking Group Lake Anne Church
15 Wednesday 1:30 PM Bridge club TA-3
1:30 PM Fiction Writers' Club FFX City Library
2:00 PM Spec Event E: Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan TA-1
17 Friday 10:00 AM Board meeting TA-1
10:30 AM Homer Book Club TA Annex
Winter 06 Term Ends
19 Sunday 2:00 PM Spec Event F: Marriage of Figaro GMU Center for
the Arts
20 Monday Tallwood Office Hours 9:00 am to 12:00 pm until
27 March 06
22 Wednesday 10:00 AM Bridge Club TA-3
24 Friday 9:00 AM Spring 06 Term Begins Tallwood Office
10:00 AM Recorder Advanced TA-2
10:30 AM Homer Book Club |
Back to
top
Answers to your pressing questions about
OLLI etiquette
 By
Ms. Ollie Ettakit, OLLI
E-News
staff manners expert
Thanking instructors and coordinators
Alas,
dear readers, Ms.
Ettakit just realized that we have only one more week of classes in
this winter term. It is time to remind OLLI members that good manners
means thanking people who go out of their way to do nice things for
you. As anyone who has been a teacher knows, it is not easy to put
together and teach a course or to coordinate a course or special event.
Please don't forget to thank your instructors
and coordinators for their time and effort. If there are courses and
events that you have especially enjoyed, don't hesitate to send a
thank-you email or note to the instructor or coordinator (the office
will be happy to forward your thank-you to the instructor/coordinator).
Ms. Ettakit can assure you that you'll feel good about doing the right
thing, and the recipient will greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness. |
| Email
your OLLI
etiquette questions to Ms.
Ollie Ettakit (who is distraught that she cannot reply personally) via
the OLLI E-News editor, Rod Zumbro, or submit them (please
indicate that it is a 'letter to Ms. Ettakit') via the online
suggestion box or the suggestion box in the Tallwood Social Room. |
Back to top
Rod
Zumbro
Editor
Karen
Hamilton
Deputy
Editor
|
About OLLI
E-News. OLLI
E-News is
OLLI's weekly newsletter; it 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. We encourage OLLI
members and
staff employees to submit news items and write articles. Comments,
suggestions or complaints? Please contact the OLLI
E-News editor or the
Publications Committee chair, Gordon
Canyock.
Note
about HTML graphics. If
you do NOT see
photos and
clickable links in this message, you might want to ask a child or
teenager to fix things for you. Or you could change your
email settings yourself. Here's how to view html-formatted messages
like this newsletter in
three popular email systems:
- Outlook
Express.
Click Tools; select Options; in the Read tab, uncheck "Read all
messages in plain text."
- Yahoo
Mail.
Click Mail Options/General Preferences; under Security, uncheck "Block
HTML graphics in email messages from being downloaded."
- AOL.
Upgrade,
if possible, to an AOL version above 5.0.
GMU Webmail.
If OLLI E-News is being sent
to your gmu.edu email address, we recommend against using GMU Webmail
(i.e., iPlanet "Messenger Express") to read the newsletter because we
have found that usually you cannot view our newsletter as a single
document, with text and images. You can use other email systems, such
as Outlook Express or Yahoo Mail, to retrieve mail sent to external
accounts.
|
OLLI
E-News Editorial Staff
Assistant
Editor, Database Manager
Barbara Kyriakakis
Assistant
Editor
Arleen Richman
Photo
Editor Luci
Martel |
|
Updated:
February 10, 2006
Copyright © 2006 Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at
George Mason University. Materials in this publication subject to
OLLI-GMU copyright may be reproduced for noncommercial educational
purposes as long as credit is given to OLLI-GMU.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University
4210 Roberts Rd., Fairfax, VA 22032-1028
Phone: (703) 503-3384; E-mail: olli@gmu.edu;
Fax: (703) 503-2832
Original site design and construction by OLLI-GMU member Rod Zumbro. |
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