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OLLI
E-News
#6-11 of February 11, 2011
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REPORT
TO THE OSHER FOUNDATION
From the executive director
EACH JANUARY, WE
SUBMIT A REPORT to the Bernard Osher Foundation
that includes information about program offerings, our financial status
and our relationship with the University. Because Osher's endowment is
to the George Mason University Foundation, the Osher Foundation is
vitally interested in a healthy and prosperous relationship between our
OLLI and George Mason University.
For the next three weeks, I will include an
excerpt from the annual report for your reading pleasure.
2010
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in OLLI-Mason is available to
anyone who pays the membership dues. Full membership entitles
individuals to take an unlimited number of courses at any of our
locations during the four terms of the year. Since the spring of 2007,
the annual dues for full membership in OLLI-Mason has been $350, and
our Board of Directors has decided to keep the current rate through
2011. In 2008, the Board authorized a "Loudoun-only" membership for
members who planned to take courses only at the location in Loudoun
County. Annual dues for Loudoun-only members is now $200. We also
continue to offer an "Introductory Membership" which allows prospective
members to have full benefits for one term for $150. After that term,
these members have the option to continue for the subsequent three
terms for $250. In addition to courses and other activities detailed in
the OLLI-Mason catalogs, members have access to benefits provided by
the University as provided for in the Affiliation Agreement. These
University privileges were revised in 2010.
As 2010 drew to a close, OLLI-Mason had 964
members: 865 full members, including 48 introductory members, and 99
Loudoun-only members.
This year, we asked members to identify a
"home campus," primarily for communication purposes. A 2010
registration analysis yielded the following information:
- Among those
identifying Fairfax as their home campus, there was a total of 2,821
registrations – or an average of about 16 courses per member.
- For those
calling Reston their home base, there was a total of 583 registrations
– or an average of a little over 11 courses per member.
- For those
primarily attending in Loudoun, there was a total of 259 registrations
– or an average of 12 courses per member.
Overall registration showed that the average
OLLI member took 15 courses during 2010.
Back to top
JOHN
WEST: OLLI WEBMASTER
Profile of OLLI's Techie Extraordinaire
By Barbara Kyriakakis, OLLI
E-News Associate Editor
OLLI
CAPTURED A PRIZE the day John
West—computer genius, network guru and technical whiz kid—walked
through its front door. As OLLI Webmaster, he's in charge of our
informative, extensive Website – including updates to the What's New
page
and DocStore as well as rapid posts of each term's catalog. He's also
the brains behind the smooth performance of the
OLLI computer network, checking its operation daily for malfunctions,
technical difficulties and service needs. In case something should go
wrong, no problem: the network files are backed up on his three home
computers and an external hard drive.
Born and raised in Allentown, Pennsylvania,
John earned a BS in Natural Science at Muhlenberg College in his
hometown. He tried medical school before realizing he
wasn't suited for a medical career. After bowing out of that, John
completed Air Force Officer Training School in 1967 and was
commissioned as a second lieutenant. He met and
married his wife Kathie in 1968; they raised two children and now have
two grandchildren. Later in his career, he was selected for graduate
school and sent
to the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson Air Force
Base, Ohio, where he received an MS degree in Logistics Management.
John's military career included positions as squadron commander, depot
chief of maintenance and R&D/acquisition officer. He retired as a
lieutenant colonel after 20 years and started work for defense
contractor TRW, where he spent another 17 years before retiring for
good in 2004.
John joined OLLI the year he retired and
hasn't stopped contributing to the technological improvements that have
helped make our Institute one of the best in the country. Besides his
Webmaster job, he helps proof and edit OLLI E-News each week, has done
weekly E-News issues as
deputy editor in the editor's absence, led the
Audiovisual Support
Committee for six months and remains active on the Tom Swift Squad. His
wife
Kathie, another OLLI prize, has been a Board member since 2008 and
is now our vice president.
In his spare time, John enjoys exploring
technical and current-events blogs – following many journalists' blogs
and reading a variety of opinion blogs. An avid Twitter fan, he has
recently been tracking the Egyptian uprising on Twitter and through the
blogs.
John likes the congenial atmosphere and
variety of classes at OLLI. He especially likes the history and
National Park Service classes. "I am a 'what you see is what you get'
kind of guy," he says. That 'kind of guy' is, in this writer's view, an
intelligent,
computer-savvy, down-to-earth, gentle man ... as well as a gentleman in every sense
of the word.
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top
NEW MEMBER COFFEE
A brand-new member's perspective
 By Lois
Lightfoot,
OLLI member
| From
left: Rosemary
Reardon (event chair), Nancy Jarvis, Maria Wilson; photo by Dan
Feighery. Other
contributing Hospitality ladies not shown: Beverly George, Elaine
Leonard, Maryann Sheehan, Ann Shell, Eleanor White. To view slideshow of photos by Dan
Feighery, click above image or click
here. |
I attended the coffee held
for new members last Friday. I was impressed before I even arrived: One
of the members, Elaine Leonard, had personally called to let me know
about the event ... and then called again when it was postponed due to
weather. Such attention!
The meeting was fun, informative and a great
way to learn more about OLLI and meet others. People were friendly and
made a point to introduce themselves to us new members – a very
welcoming environment. And, of course, there were tasty treats!
The event was well attended, and I recognized
several people from my Spanish class and other classes. After some
chatting and snacking, we sat down to hear OLLI officials—Executive
Director Thom Clement, Vice President Kathie West, Program Committee
Chair Kathryn Russell and Members Services Committee Chair Debbie
Halverson—describe how OLLI operates, its structure, and the process
for adding courses to the OLLI program. All of which was quite
interesting. Then there were brief introductions to some of the clubs
and groups, including photography, walking, bridge and history – making
for a nice overview of the many opportunities that are available.
It was fun! Muchas
gracias to all for putting together such a friendly and useful
event.
I thought it would be worth hearing the
unique perspective of a brand-new member, so I asked Lois, who recently
retired and happens to be a long-time member of my wife Susanne's
neighborhood ladies' book group. Lois graciously agreed – thus, the
above article. -- Rod Zumbro,
OLLI E-News Editor.
TWO NEW WEBSITE PAGES
"Other Useful Links" and "For Our
Instructors"
 By Rod Zumbro,
OLLI E-News
Editor
 
Left
image above – Other Useful Links
is under the
EXTERNAL menu;
right image above – For Our
Instructors is under the OUR PROGRAM menu.
recently updated
the Website's drop-down menu structure to make it simpler and cleaner
while fixing some broken links. Two significant changes for OLLI
members are the addition of two new pages: "Other Useful Links" and
"For Our Instructors."
- Other
Useful Links.
This page lists Web links external
to OLLI that members might find useful, in eight categories.
This greatly expanded list is based on the efforts and suggestions of
the following OLLI Communications Committee members – Doris Bloch
(subcommittee chair), Barbara Cereghino, Sheri Siesseger and Betty
Smith.
- The new Health
section lists trustworthy health sites based on Medical Library
Association information originally provided in an OLLI class by Janet
Cochran.
- The Lifelong
Learning
section includes a link to the University Catalog for members
interested in auditing a course at Mason as well as a link to a special
E-News section written by OLLI members who have audited courses at
Mason.
- To see "Other Useful Links" now, click here.
- For Our
Instructors.
This page was also suggested by Doris Bloch's group and Program
Associate Beth Davis. The page lists in one place some important
resources and
information of possible use to current and prospective instructors and
speakers. To see "For Our Instructors" now, click here.
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to
top
ITALIAN LUNCH AT
LOUDOUN
A special event during the 16th Century
lecture series
| The
sold-out lunch
included, second from right in top photo, Dr. Christine Contrada,
associate professor of history at Germanna Community College, the
instructor of "The Late Renaissance in Italy." Photos by Michael Coyne. |
LAST
FRIDAY AT LOUDOUN, OLLI members enjoyed a special
Italian lunch with their instructor of course L321 on the Italian
Renaissance, a completely full class held the same day as part of the
series "The 16th Century: A Global Retrospective."
Back to top
 THE TOM SWIFT SQUAD NEEDS YOU!
Interested in technology? Learn with us!
OLLI'S
AUDIOVISUAL SUPPORT COMMITTEE (a.k.a.
The Tom Swift Squad) is looking for additional volunteers to help
ensure the smooth employment of OLLI's audiovisual resources. Our
primary
mission is to help instructors, liaisons and staff with any audiovisual
issues
that might arise during the classes we attend.
We'll be
meeting in the Tallwood Cottage at 1:45 on
Wednesday, February 16 for a training and work session. You'll
receive training
on our A/V equipment and participate in
planning for OLLI's future needs for not only A/V equipment but also
computer
and networking resources. We promise that you won't have to wear a
pocket protector ... unless you want to!
Please let me know if you're planning to
attend or would like to become a "Swiftie" even if you can't attend
this meeting – contact me by email
or phone (703-860-9246).
For more
information on the Audiovisual Support Committee, see its Web
page.
RELIGIOUS STUDIES
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Resource Group meeting on Mon, Feb 28
THERE WILL BE A MEETING of the Religious Studies Resource Group
at 9:30 at Tallwood on Monday, February 28. We will discuss the program
for the fall 2011 term and beyond, with the goal to have a varied and
active program at all three OLLI venues.
-- Steve Goldman,
Religious Studies
Resource Group Chair
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COMPUTER
CLUB
Sat, Feb 19 – HD camcorders; Exploring
CES, part 2
 OLLI'S
COMPUTER CLUB will meet at
1:00 (drinks and socializing in
the social room at 12:30) on Saturday, February 19 in TA-1. Tallwood
Site Assistant Bill Walsh (photo at
right) will discuss the joys and challenges of a
flash-memory-based, high-definition consumer camcorder, showing some of
the pros and cons of this marvelous new technology. Besides the
advantages of compact size, reduced weight and long recording time of
these camcorders, the new technology of HD video makes for a great
video (and still-photo) experience. However, with greater video
definition comes requirements for more hard-drive storage space, faster
computer processors and HD-capable video-editing software.
Geof Goodrum will continue his presentation of
photos and discussion about the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show; he will
describe some of the latest technologies and frivolities on display at
the January show, which drew more than 130,000 people to Las Vegas for
dozens of acres of tech displays. Bob Rott will offer his impressions
of the same event.
Geof will also discuss another aspect of the
Internet of the future, now that the last block of IP addresses was
given out last week: How can we
survive without more Websites of virulent political speech and videos
of wardrobe malfunctions?
For information about the Computer Club, see
the OPCUG
Website.
Selected by the OLLI Poetry
Workshop
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Where
do the birds go in the cold?
Little
birds with no cloth of fur or scarf
Or coffee cup to warm their blood
Circle around the feeder
And cheep cheerfully at 15 degrees.
The squirrels have their fluffy fur
And long tails for blankets
And snuggle together in nests made of leaves.
The small rabbits and mice
Burrow down into
Their warm and friendly earth womb
Protected from the frigid blast of winter.
But where do the small birds go
When the mercury drops below freezing?
Their only garment is optimism and feathers
Fluffed to catch pockets of air
To keep out the crushing cold
And no ground burrows in which to hide.
Perhaps the hand of God surrounds them
With loving warmth.
Whoever
serves The Least
of us serves Him too.
Jack
Arthur Underhill
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MASON ARTS AND
MUSIC
Upcoming performances, Feb 11 - 20
 By Jan Bohall, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
FOR TICKETS, call
1-888-945-2408 (phone orders are handled by
tickets.com) or visit the Center for the Arts Box Office, Tue-Sat,
10:00-5:00. More info on tickets at the CFA tickets page.
Aquila
Theatre
Six
Characters in Search of an Author
Fri, Feb 11, 8:00
A
surrealistic tragicomedy by Nobel Laureate Luigi Pirandello, the play
opens with actors in rehearsal for a play, when six nameless characters
suddenly appear. They are seeking the author who failed to finish their
story, leaving them incomplete as well. The play was first staged in
1921 but is fully relevant today.
Admission: $34, $26, $17 (Limited number of student tickets available)
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a pre-performance artistic discussion on Grand Tier
III. |
The
Vagina
Monologues
Fri, Feb 11, 8:00
Sat, Feb 12, 3:00 & 8:00
The
Monologues are part of V-Day, a global effort to end violence against
women and girls that raises funds and awareness through productions of
playwright Eve Ensler.
In
2011 the focus will be on the high levels of violence against women and
girls and the increased rates of sexual violence in Haiti since the
devastating earthquake a year ago. All funds raised will be used to
address sexual violence there through art, advocacy, safe shelter and
legal services.
Admission: $25 General public, $15 per ticket in groups of 10 or more,
$10 faculty & staff, $5 students
Harris Theatre |
Opole,
Philharmonic of Poland
Boguslaw
Dawidow, conductor
Jacek
Kortus, piano
Sat, Feb 12, 8:00
Making its debut at the Center, this orchestra has hosted a growing
number of world-class musicians and winners of piano, violin and
conducting competitions, and was invited to perform in honor of Pope
John Paul II's 80th birthday. The program will feature Mozart's
Overture to Die Zauberflöte
(The Magic Flute) and Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, "Eroica." Virtuoso
Jacek Kortus will join the orchestra for the Piano Concerto in A minor
by Polish composer I.J. Paderewski.
Admission: $50, $42, $25 (Limited number of student tickets available)
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a pre-performance artistic discussion on Grand Tier
III. |
 Virginia Opera
The
Valkyrie
Fri, Feb 18, 8:00
Sun, Feb 20, 2:00
The
cornerstone of Richard Wagner's majestic "Ring Cycle," The Valkyrie has received much
acclaim as an independent work. Based on Norse and Teutonic myths, a
powerful god is caught between conflicting loyalties among his mortal
and divine children in his desire to own a magical ring that would make
him omnipotent. The score includes "The Ride of the Valkyries," one of
the most exhilarating pieces in operatic literature. Sung in German
with English supertitles. Click here
for full info on Virginia Opera Website (synopsis, about the composer,
historical background).
Admission: Fri, $86, $72, $44 (Limited number of student tickets
available)
Sun, $98, $80, $48
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a pre-performance artistic discussion on Grand Tier
III.
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Hot Tuna Blues
Sat, Feb 19, 8:00
Jorma Kaukonen, known for his finger-picking guitar, and Jack Casady
for his skill on the electric bass, were inducted into the Rock and
Roll Hall of Fame for their blues, jazz, bluegrass and folk music. Now
celebrating their band's 40th anniversary, they are joined by blues
icon Charlie Musselwhite on harmonica and guitar and Americana and
bluegrass guitarist John Lauderdale. Click here for details and
two videos.
Admission: $44, $36, $22 (Limited number of student tickets available.)
Family friendly: Youth grade 12 and under, half price with an adult
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a pre-performance artistic discussion on Grand Tier
III.
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Back
to top
Other Mason events, next two weeks
 By Helen Ackerman, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
- Center for Global Islamic Studies Spring
2011 Lecture Series: Jonathan Brown, Assistant Professor,
School of Foreign Service, Georgetown University, discusses "Abiding
Stereotypes about the Prophet Muhammad in the Medieval and Modern
West." Tue, Feb 15 from 12:00 to 1:30. Mason Hall, Edwin Meese III
Conference Room. Free.
- Black
Heritage Month Movie Special: When We Were Kings. Muhammad
Ali and George Foreman travel to Zaire for the 1974 Rumble in the
Jungle heavyweight title fight in director Leon Gast's Oscar-winning
documentary. Tue, Feb 15 from 5:00 to 7:00. Student Union Building I,
Room 1400. Free.
- Lecture: Journalist Mark Hertsgaard
discusses "Generation HOT and the New Era of Global Warming." The
reduction of global warning remains critical, but according to
Hertsgaard humans must adapt to the impacts that are already in the
pipeline. He will discuss his new book, Hot: Living Through the Next Fifty Years
on Earth. Wed, Feb 16 at 11:00. Johnson Center, Cinema. Free.
- Preview Event for the Sojourner Truth
Lecture. A documentary film on the Supreme Court confirmation
hearings of Clarence Thomas will be followed by a panel discussion
facilitated by Dr. Yevette Richards Jordan. Wed, Feb 16, 2:00. Johnson
Center, Cinema. Free.
- Black
Heritage Month Movie Special. The documentary Paul Robeson: Here I Stand is
an evocative portrait of a groundbreaker who transcended the racism of
the 1930s by achieving success without passing for white. Thu, Feb 24,
1:00 to 3:00. Student Union Building I, Room 1400. Free.
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COMING
ATTRACTIONS
Upcoming non-class events at
OLLI
THE
FOLLOWING LIST covering the next two weeks is extracted for your
convenience from the master calendar maintained by the office, with
direct Web links added when available. OLLI members are welcome at all
Board, committee and resource group meetings. For more activities
specifically related to the Loudoun
site, see Roberta Sherman's latest Loudoun
Notes (a pdf document, updated
periodically when classes are in session). For more activities
specifically related to the Reston
site, see Sharon Gilman's latest Eye on Reston (a Microsoft
Word document).
Note:
The below list is accurate as of mid-week but for the very latest
information, please see Upcoming
Non-Class Events to view the
real-time OLLI online
calendar maintained by
the office.
Back
to top
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).
About OLLI E-News
and the
member/volunteers who
produce it
Rod
Zumbro
Editor |
Barbara Kyriakakis
Associate
Editor |
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Review Team: Gordon
Canyock,
Barbara Kyriakakis, John West
Database
Manager: Barbara
Kyriakakis
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- About
this newsletter.
OLLI's
weekly newsletter, OLLI
E-News,
is
emailed
to
current
OLLI
members
with
email
addresses
on
Fridays.
When
classes
are
in
session, printed copies of this newsletter are distributed in
classrooms. 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; submissions
earlier in
the week are strongly encouraged and 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;
click
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 the
DocStore archive of all past issues by date or issue number.
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Updated:
February 11, 2011
Copyright © 2011 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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