SPRING PROGRAM REVIEW

IF YOU JUST CAN'T WAIT FOR YOUR SPRING CATALOG of classes to arrive in the mail, take a peek at the entire list of offerings on the OLLI Website. You’ll no doubt appreciate, as I do, the never-ending labor of love by our program planners. You will also be pleased to find that many of our dedicated OLLI teachers are returning to share generously of their time and love of specific topics. In addition, we have many, many new instructors and courses from which to choose.
     Check out the two courses designed to offer an in-depth exploration of the history and culture of Russia—"Russian Culture" and "Russia: An Overview." Also look for these courses among the new ones being offered:

• The Genius of Thomas Jefferson through an Architect’s Eye
• Introduction to Investing for Retirees
• Historic Homes
• Speech Reading and Communication Strategies
• Religious Culture and Our Private Life
• Biotechnology: Using Genetics to Improve Living Systems
• Israel’s Cities, Past and Present

     Notice that some of our most popular multi-teacher courses are returning, among them "Music Sampler" and "American Perspectives: Revised Foreign Policy." Next, for fun, check out the courses that have captivating titles:

• The Honky Tonk Gap
• It’s the Pits! Dante’s Inferno and Naylor’s Linden Hills
• Wannigans, Waterwheels, Wheat, Hematite, Holsteins and Hops
  

     Then, if you need help with technology, try one of the courses on digital photography or Web surfing. And don’t forget about the fourteen terrific Special Events.
     Whatever your interests or needs, the spring line-up has something for everyone among the 63 course offerings. The problem, as usual, will be choosing your classes and fitting them in your calendar.

THE GREATEST GENERATION

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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
By Dick Chobot, Executive Director
HERE ARE A FEW THINGS that will be of interest to you.

Philadelphia Trip. In the disruption caused by the cancellations last week, you may have forgotten that the deadline for the Philadelphia trip is Wed, Feb 28. The trip is scheduled for May 23-25. As of this week, we have five individuals registered. If we are not able to get at least 40 members enrolled, we will have to cancel the trip to avoid hotel penalties. You can read the details in my recent article. If you are interested, request an enrollment form from Karen Nash. You can return the form with your deposit either in person or by mail. Note that the office closes at noon when class is not in session, but I am usually in my office until after 5:00. You also can deposit the form and check in the lock box outside the OLLI office.

Loudoun Program. As most of you are aware, the experimental program at the George Mason facility in Loudoun County will operate during the spring term. The catalog showing the 10 courses for this program has been posted on the OLLI Website. Given the experimental nature of the program, we are giving first call on class slots to Loudoun enrollees. If you are a regular member of OLLI and wish to sign up for a spring course in Loudoun, here is the procedure: Complete the separate registration form in the Loudoun catalog on the OLLI Website or available in the office. Mail the form to OLLI. Do not send any money. After the Loudoun registration closes, OLLI members who registered for a Loudoun course will be placed in the order their registration was received and on a space-available basis. If you get into a Loudoun course you have requested, you will be notified.

Mason Travel Opportunities. The Center for Global Education has announced its Summer Language and Study Tours. Brief descriptions of these programs can be found on the CGE Website. If you are interested in any of these programs, please contact me as soon as possible. I will then set up a meeting with the Center to review the particulars of the tour(s) and ensure that all of your questions are answered prior to having to place a deposit. 
     Some members have expressed specific interest in the Russian Theater and Culture Tour being led by Kristen Johnsen-Neshati. Note that the registration deadline for the tour is Fri, Apr 6.

A Word About Chairs. Based on the evaluations of the last two weeks, it appears that arms are an essential component of chairs for our members, so ... the next step is to investigate re-padding our existing chairs. This can be done for significantly less than the cost of a new chair (or even a good used chair).      We have two upgraded chairs which have been placed in a classroom and labeled. We are getting one more done using a denser type of foam. If you drop into OLLI during the term break, these chairs will be in the social room. Try them out and let us know what you think ... it will take time to have all the chairs in a room redone.      And a big Thank You to Valerie Braybrooke and Diana Richards who suggested the idea and followed through by securing the upgrade samples! Stay tuned ...