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OLLI
E-News #8-10 of February 26, 2010
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| ALERTS |
> SUBMISSIONS FOR
THE
NEXT THREE WEEKS OF OLLI E-NEWS:
Please submit all materials for
the Mar 5, Mar 12 and Mar 19 issues
to Deputy Editor John
West.
>
RESOURCE GROUPS:
The Science, Technology & Health Resource Group meets Mon, Mar 1,
10:00, TA-2, and the Language, Literature & Theater Resource Group
meets Thu, Mar 4, 11:30, TA-2. Interested/curious members are invited
to
attend and help plan courses.
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ARTICLES AND NOTICES
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>
OLLI PAYMENT OPTIONS.
From the
executive
director. By Thom
Clement
> BOARD
HIGHLIGHTS. Summary of last Friday's Board meeting. By Rod Zumbro
> COMMITTEE
SEEKS BOARD NOMINEES. Submit your suggestions. By Jack Underhill
>
SURVEYS.
Members help OLLI's
program development. By Kathie West
> PROGRAM
CORNER. Mason instructors at OLLI. By
Kathryn Russell
>
HISTORY CLUB.
Meets Wed, Mar 3; Was There a
U. S. Navy Mutiny?
> VALENTINE
PARTY. Excellent treats and entertainment.
> LIBERTY
LECTURES. Held at George Mason's plantation home, Gunston
Hall.
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| DEPARTMENTS |
> BULLETIN BOARD.
What it's for, where to find it, how to submit items for posting.
> KEY
CONTACT INFORMATION.
How to contact OLLI.
>
POET'S CORNER.
Selected by the OLLI Poetry
Workshop.
>
MASON
ARTS AND MUSIC. Upcoming Mason performances. By Jan Bohall
> MASON
HIGHLIGHTS. Other Mason events. By Helen Ackerman
> COMING
ATTRACTIONS. Upcoming non-class events at OLLI.
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OLLI PAYMENT OPTIONS
 From
the executive director
AS OLLI MEMBERS
CHOOSE from
an exciting array of courses and activities offered during the spring
2010 term, I want to remind those of you whose memberships are up for
renewal that you have two payment options: 1) Pay the annual membership
fee in full by check or credit card; or 2) Apply for the monthly
installment plan.
This choice is a matter of personal
preference, but many OLLI members may not realize that we have the
monthly-payment option that allows you to spread your annual membership
fee into 12 equal payments. The annual fee is the same -- $350 for full
members, $150 for Loudoun-only members -- with a processing fee of less
than $3.00 a month. Once your application is accepted, your credit card
will be billed automatically every month -- you don't have to remember
anything. Full members will see a charge of $32 per month on their
credit card statements; Loudoun-only members will see $15 per month on
their statements.
If you'd like to take advantage of this option
to spread out your payments, you can download and print the Monthly
Installment Plan Application and Agreement (pdf) by clicking
here or by visiting DocStore (Forms & Other Docs) on the OLLI
Web site.
Back to top
BOARD
HIGHLIGHTS
Summary of last Friday's Board meeting
THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MET ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19.
President Emmett Fenlon announced that he had delayed the appointment
of directors to fill the two current vacancies pending the Board's
decision about a possible proposed change in Board size. Executive
Director Thom Clement discussed his report to the Board, including
the following--
- We have received the $25,000 gift from the
Osher Foundation; $15,000 has been placed in a Future
Contingency Fund, and $10,000 is listed as income in our operating fund.
- In January,
income from memberships was significantly more than projected and
expenses slightly less.
- Friends of
OLLI has $7,890 in unobligated funds ($12,000 for scholarships to Mason
students has been sent to the University).
- Total number
of members is 892, including 82 Loudoun-only members; there were 53 new
members for the winter term, including 14 introductory-rate members,
who were offered a reduction in the regular rate for continuing for
three more terms because of the winter-term snow problems (missed days
on Feb 3, 5, week of Feb 8-12, and Feb 15).
- The online
voting test was successful with 219 members voting.
- "Grand Camp" will be held on Jul 26,
the first Monday after the summer term ends, with six activity slots in
the morning and six more slots in the afternoon; volunteers will be
needed to help with registration and preparation of lunch and snacks.
- The University informed us that Sunrise has
emerged from bankruptcy and is once again interested in pursuing a
University-based Retirement Community (UBRC) project with George Mason
(the
project may be similar to the previous plan that included space for
OLLI or a completely different plan). The University, at
present, has
no specific plans for the
Tallwood property and advised us to proceed with our
program and planning as usual, since the UBRC
project may or may not materialize.
- The Annual Membership Meeting with
candidates' speeches and possible picnic/Silent Auction will be held on
Friday, April 30. The Board
decided that the "meet the
candidates" meeting on Fri, Apr 23, would be held at Loudoun this year.
The Task Force on Organization had proposed a resolution to reduce the
size of the Board (currently 18 directors), recommending a bylaws
change to specify a Board size of between 12 and 18 directors as
decided by the
Board at any given time. After much discussion, the Board decided to
table the motion until its next meeting to give directors time to
consider and discuss this major change, which would be subject to
membership approval.
I had proposed a resolution to reserve the
social room annex exclusively for members' social use during times when
classes are being held at Tallwood. After some discussion, the Board provided guidance that no classes
should be scheduled in the annex during the middle class period
(currently 11:45 to 1:15).
Next month
the Board will meet at Loudoun
(Friday, March 19, at 10:30). All OLLI members are
invited to attend.
COMMITTEE SEEKS BOARD NOMINEES
Submit your suggestions
 By Jack Underhill, 2010 Nominating Committee Chair
THE OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE
at George Mason
University has the
reputation of being one of the finest adult learning organizations in
the United States. It is also one of the few run by its members, not
the associated university. The quality of our program is no accident.
We are blessed with an exceptional executive director, dedicated
members, an excellent Program Committee with nine resource groups, and
a capable Board of Directors. Every year, we elect six Board members
(may include sitting directors who chose to seek reelection). Board
members serve for three years and cannot serve for more than two
consecutive terms. Typically, the Board meets once a month on the third
Friday.
As chairman of
the Nominating Committee for the 2010 Board elections, I invite you to submit within the next two
weeks the names of dedicated members whom you feel would make good
Board members.
It is critical that we cast a broad net to
ensure that members with various backgrounds and views are nominated.
Many of you will be receiving calls from the nominating committee
during the next several weeks to ask if you will serve, if nominated by
the committee. It takes many calls to find one willing to serve on the
Board. It is my hope that enough members are willing to accept the
nomination so that we have a high quality slate for the election. The
annual membership meeting, at which candidates will share their vision
of OLLI, will be on Friday, April 30, and the election will be
conducted
April 30 through May 14 online and by paper ballot. Thank you for your
support.
Back
to top
SURVEYS
Members help OLLI's program development
 By Kathie West,
Board member
THANK YOU TO ALL
OF THE 213 MEMBERS from
Tallwood, Reston and Loudoun who completed the program survey in
their winter classes. Twenty-six members
submitted names of organizations and persons who would be willing to
present at OLLI. We also had 25 people willing to contact OLLI members
about teaching and other volunteer activities. To top it off, we have
57 volunteers (all NEW volunteers) willing to teach a one-time special
class, a four-week
class or an eight-week class or to work with members on a study group
and/or lead a small discussion group.
My hat is
off to all of you. Someone will be contacting you soon, so get your
ideas in
order. We cannot wait to take your classes! Thank you again for this
enormously valued response to our survey request.
Back
to top
PROGRAM
CORNER
 Mason instructors at OLLI
By Kathryn Russell, Program Committee Chair
HOW STRANGE IT IS
that we are choosing spring courses even as we look out on frozen
landscape. Yet, spring IS coming, and you're probably shuffling through
the OLLI catalog and perhaps finding it hard to make selections among
so many choices. Here's some food for thought.
I'd like to draw your attention to some
exciting "firsts" coming up—some courses featuring Mason instructors
who are coming to OLLI for the first time this term. Program planners
have worked diligently, in conjunction with Mason faculty, to bring
more instructors than ever to our campus. For example, check out " For
the Love of Language" (F407). This course is brought to us by
Professor Robert Matz, head of the Department of English, along with
seven other professors, each offering a different perspective of
language throughout history. You won't want to miss this one.
The Mason Department of Psychology is also
featured for the first time in the spring line-up. Professor Deborah
Boehm-Davis, Psychology Department chair, and three of her colleagues
will bring us " Topics
in Psychology" (F901). They've chosen fascinating topics that
illuminate the human psyche from many different angles.
The Philosophy Department, which has brought
us several wonderful courses in past terms, is returning this spring,
but with a different approach. In " Topics
in Philosophy" (F602) we'll be treated to presentations by graduate
students, who will focus on topics of special interest to them in their
studies. This "first" approach promises to be a very rewarding
experience for us all.
Take a look also at " Focus
on Mexico" (L316), featuring Mason professors who will help us
explore this country from many perspectives. We'll look at art,
geography, anthropology, folklore, and other fascinating subjects
related to Mexico.
We're so very fortunate to have this veritable
flood of Mason instructors coming to share their expertise during the
spring term. I hope we'll be able to fill the classrooms to support the
efforts of program planners and to show Mason instructors how much we
appreciate their participation in OLLI's program.
HISTORY CLUB
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 Meets Wed, Mar 3; Was There a U. S. Navy Mutiny?
OLLI members and guests are always welcome at
any of the club's meetings; bring a friend.
Submitted
by History Club Coordinator Bob Persell.
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VALENTINE PARTY
Excellent treats and entertainment
Executive Director Thom Clement, with
backup singers Maria Buczek and Karen Nash from the office staff,
entertains members; photo by Ernestine Meyer. Click above image or click here to view
a 30-second slideshow of nine photos by Ernestine.
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OLLI
MEMBERS ASSEMBLED IN TA-1 AT 1:00 ON FRIDAY, February
19, for ice cream sundaes (regular and sugar-free) and intimate
conversation in small groups. After eating their fill, attendees turned
their chairs toward the stage for prime entertainment hosted by
Master of Ceremonies Manny Pablo. Manny sang (actually, lip synched) a
'love story in three acts,' starting with "Great Balls of Fire."
Others performing in the Valentine Variety Show
were Karen Hauser as "Gus the Theater Cat;" Harriet Kaplan singing two
songs from musicals;
actresses Thelma Weiner and Kathie West performing "Two White Chicks
Just Sittin' Around Talking;" Nancy Diesel talking about a special
Valentine gift; George Ewing playing tunes on two harmonicas (not
simultaneously); and Thom Clement,
accompanied by Maria Buczek and Karen Nash, performing "OLLI Bear" to
the tune of Elvis Presley's "Teddy Bear." See photos of these
performers by watching
the above slideshow.
Many thanks to Debbie Halverson and her
Membership Committee for everything they did to make this Valentine
Party a success!
LIBERTY LECTURES
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Held at George Mason's plantation home,
Gunston Hall
Historical
interpreter Don McAndrews as George Mason visited OLLI in Feb 2007;
photos
by Gordon Canyock.
- February 28:
Abigail Adams, Entrepreneur, by Woody Holton, University of Richmond,
with
remarks by George Mason (Don
McAndrews, Gunston Hall)
- March 7: The Evolution of Slavery in
Colonial Virginia, by Robert C. Watson, Hampton University
- March 14: "They Will Be Adjudged by Their
Drinke What Kind of Housewives They
Are:" Gender, Technology, and Household Cidering, 1690 to 1780, by
Sarah H. Meacham, Virginia Commonwealth University, with remarks by Catharine
Macaulay Graham (Laurie Kittle, Gunston Hall)
For more
information, contact OLLI member Craig Zane.
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OLLI
BULLETIN BOARD
Click image
to view the Bulletin Board
For OLLI
members and staff only
-- share, donate, buy, sell, trade, inform, request, or assist others
in our community via the OLLI Bulletin Board. Read the rules and view
the Bulletin Board at this
Web page. Email your desired postings to Barbara at bwk4413@gmail.com. We suggest that you bookmark the Bulletin
Board page if you plan to check it for updates.
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OLLI
SPIRITWEAR
Click
image to visit the store
Order sweatshirts, shirts, caps and tote bags with the OLLI/Mason logo
at any time directly from the vendor for delivery to your home. Use this Web site;
click on "OLLI-GMU Store" to see the pictures, then click on each item
to see more details. Note: the
pictures do not show our logo but it
will be embroidered on the items that you order. |
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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).
- President:
Emmett Fenlon
- Executive
Director: Thom
Clement, phone 703-503-7866
- OLLI Office, phone
703-503-3384
- Tallwood
Administrator/OLLI Registrar: Maria
Buczek, phone 703-503-3384
- Board
members: See Organization
page
(Note: To send an email to the
entire Board, send it to the office
or the OLLI
E-News editor, and your
message will be forwarded to all members of the Board)
- Committee
chairs, resource-group chairs: See Organization
page
- Suggestions: Online
suggestion box
- Letters to
the editor or letters to Ms. Ollie Ettakit
(etiquette
matters): OLLI
E-News Editor Rod Zumbro,
phone
703-569-2750
Selected by the OLLI Poetry Workshop
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The Golden Gate: A Leap of Faith
Towers standing tall over the sea
of fog
Swaying in the wind over the raging waters
High over the rocks
A monument to technology and art:
The stately Golden Gate
A bridge between East and West.
It was born to mingle with the clouds and gulls
Its taut cables strung like a harp
Singing in the wind
Tunes that had never been sung before.
Iron workers danced far
Above the waves
With only a tether and net to cheat death.
Men throwing and catching
Red hot rivets to build the towers.
The bridge leaped from earth to earth and the sky beyond.
Jack
Arthur Underhill
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MASON ARTS AND
MUSIC
Upcoming Mason performances, Feb 26-Mar 7
By Jan Bohall, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
FOR
TICKETS, call
1-888-945-2468 (phone orders are handled by tickets.com)
or visit the Center for the Arts Box Office, Tue-Sat, 10:00-6:00. More
info on tickets at the CFA tickets page.
Virginia Opera
Don Giovanni
Fri, Feb 26, 8:00
Sun, Feb 28, 2:00
This classic dramatic comedy of Mozart brings to life the greatest
lover of all time. Based on the story of Don Juan, the opera follows an
arrogant nobleman and rake who seduces women carelessly, then tosses
them aside. Three of the wronged women pursue him intending to take
revenge. In the end, the rogue gets his comeuppance when he refuses to
repent. The Virginia Opera Company brings a riveting production filled
with human tragedy, uproarious comedy, powerful music and soaring
voices. Sung in Italian with English supertitles.
(Note: Sun, Feb 28 performance is OLLI Special
Event 969.)
Sun, $98, $80, $48
Concert Hall
Come 45 minutes before curtain time for a free artistic discussion on
Grand Tier III. |
The
Vagina Monologues
Rescheduled
due to
inclement weather
Fri & Sat, Feb 26 & 27, 8:00
Sun, Feb 28, 3:00
The
Monologues are presented as part of V-Day, a global movement to end
violence against women and girls and that raises funds and awareness
through productions of playwright Eve Ensler. They create a true and
profound portrait of how violence against women and children affects
every one of us. Funds raised will go to the George Mason Victims of
Violence Fund and Women for Women International.
Admission: $25 for the general public, $15 in blocks of 10 or more
Harris Theatre |
Natalie MacMaster and
Donnell
Leahy
Masters
of the Fiddle
Sat, Feb 27, 8:00
This Canadian husband and wife are two of the world's most celebrated
fiddlers. Natalie has appeared at the Center for the Arts in a solo
performance earlier this season. Together they will bring a high-energy
performance of Celtic music that will include heart-wrenching ballads
and remarkable step dancing.
Admission: $44, $36, $22
Family friendly: Youth grade 12 and under, half price with an adult. (Note change from "age 12 and under" last
season.)
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a free artistic discussion on Grand Tier III. |
GMU Wind Symphony
Mark
Camphouse, conductor
and
Symphonic Band
John
Kilkenny, conductor
Winter
Concert
Tue, Mar 2, 8:00
Mason's Wind Symphony and the Symphonic Band will bring "adventures of
atonality," with music of the Second Viennese School. The program for
the Wind Symphony will include Sonata, op. 1, by Alban Berg, and
Variations on a Theme by Alban Berg, by Ross Lee Finney, both featuring
Linda Apple Monson as piano soloist. The Symphonic Band will perform
Sousa's Nobles of the Mystic Shrine,
followed by a composition of Mark Camphouse, In Memoriam, among other offerings.
Admission: $10 seniors, free to students, $15 other adults
Concert Hall
|
GMU
Symphony Orchestra
Winter
Concert
Dr.
Dennis Layendecker,
conductor
Featuring
Marcio Botelho,
cello
Wed, Mar 3,
8:00
The
program will include the Overture to "Impresario," K. 486 of Mozart,
the Cello Concerto No. 1 in A Minor, op. 33 of Saint-Saëns, and
the
Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture of Tchaikovsky. Dr. Layendecker holds
the Heritage Chair in Music at George Mason since his retirement as
commander and music director of the U.S. Air Force Band last year.
Marcio Botelho is principal cellist and a soloist with the chamber
orchestra of "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band and with the
orchestra of the National Gallery of Art.
Admission: $10 seniors, free for students, $14 other adults
Concert Hall |
GMU Players Mainstage Series
Written
by Tennessee Williams
Directed
by Kristin
Johnson-Neshati
Postponed
from Feb 25-28
Moved
to TheaterSpace
Thu, Fri & Sat, Mar 4, 5 & 6, 8:00
Sat & Sun, Mar 6 & 7, 2:00
Williams' Orpheus Descending
is a contemporary retelling of the ancient Greek myth, having to do
with the power of passion, art and imagination to revitalize life. The
play is set in a dry goods store in a small Southern town struggling
with conformity, provincialism and racism. The playwright's frequent
themes of loneliness and desire, sexuality and repression, and the
longing for freedom weave through the story. The audience is invited to
stay for a post-performance discussion with the director and members of
the company.
(Note: Sat, Mar 6, 2:00
performance is OLLI Special Event 968.)
Admission: $8 seniors/students,
$12 other adults
TheaterSpace
(Lower level
of Performing Arts Building, next to Black Box Theater. From Level 2 of
Parking Deck take the bridge. Enter first door on the left and follow
hallway; go through gray doors and down stairs.)
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Black Grace
Sat, Mar 6, 8:00
A
spectacular male modern dance troupe from New Zealand, Black Grace
fuses traditional Pacific cultures and contemporary dance. Troupe
members surprise with thundering stomps and syncopated body slaps, or
sing in a
sweet three-part harmony, to the delight of audiences around the world.
Admission: $42, $34, $21
Concert Hall
Come at 7:15 for a free artistic discussion on Grand Tier III.
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Keyboard Conversations®
with
Jeffrey Siegel
Chopin
the Storyteller
Sun, Mar 7, 7:00
To
continue the 200th birthday celebration of Chopin, Jeffrey Siegel
presents three of his Ballades: the fiery G Minor, the rhapsodic A Flat
and the quirky F Major, as well as three Novelettes of Robert Schumann,
who was a contemporary of Chopin.
Admission: $38, $30, $19
Family friendly: Youth grade 12 and under, half price with an adult. (Note change from "age 12 and under" last
season.)
Concert Hall
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Other Mason events
 By Helen Ackerman, OLLI
E-News Staff Writer
- GAPSA
Lecture
Series: Challenges in Higher Education Today. Provost Peter
Stearns presents the inaugural lecture in the Graduate and Professional
Student Association Lecture Series (view
pdf flyer). The lecture will be followed by a
brief Q & A session. Refreshments will be served. Mon, Mar 1, from
5:45 to 7:00. Mason Hall, Meese Conference Room. Free.
- Astronomy
Observing Session. Mon, Mar 1, 7:00. Research I,
Observatory. Open to all students, faculty, staff and the interested
public. The observing session will be canceled if the sky is more than
half overcast one hour before the session is scheduled to begin.
- Viola
Recital:
Katara Wright. Tue, Mar 2, 6:00. Harris Theatre. Free.
- Voice
Recital: Emma
Gorin. Tue, Mar 2, 8:00. Harris Theater. 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. See Upcoming
Non-Class Events to view the real-time OLLI online calendar used by
the office. Note: Board,
committee, resource-group and 'membership-type' meetings/events below
are highlighted
in bold. OLLI members are
welcome at all Board, committee and resource-group meetings (except
during executive sessions).
Fri Feb
26 Winter
Term
Ends
9:30am
Planning
Committee
Meeting
-
Annex
9:30am Photography
Club
- TA-1
10am
Drama
Club
- TA-3
10am
Recorder
Consort
- TA-2
10:30am
Loudoun
Classic
Fiction Book Club
- Cascades Library
1pm
Special
Event
-
958, Fundamental
Teachings
of
the
Mormon
Church (make-up) - Tallwood
1pm
Special
Event
-
959, Afternoon
Tea
and
Tour (make-up) - Claude Moore Park
Sun Feb
28 2pm Special
Event
- 969,
Don Giovanni
- GMU Center for the Arts
Mon
Mar
1 10am
Science,
Technology & Health Resource Group Meeting - TA-2
10am
Meeting of Task Force on Organization
- Annex
Tue
Mar
2 10:30am
Knitting
and Needlework
Club - Lake Anne Coffee Shop
2pm
Meeting of Task Force on Programs - Annex
Wed
Mar
3 Spring
Registration
Ends
10am History Club - TA-1
10am Investment Forum - TA-2
10am
Bridge Club - TA-3
Thu
Mar 4 11:30am
Language, Literature & Theater Resource Group Meeting - TA-2
Fri
Mar
5 10am Drama Club - TA-3
10am
Recorder Consort - TA-2
10am
Facilities Committee Meeting - Lake Anne
Sat
Mar 6
2pm Special
Event
- 968,
Orpheus
Descending
- GMU Harris Theater
Wed
Mar 10
10am Book Club - TA-2
10am
Investment Forum - TA-1
10am
Bridge Club - TA-3
Fri
Mar 12
10am Drama Club - TA-3
10am
Recorder Consort - TA-2
|
About OLLI E-News and the
member/volunteers who
produce it
Rod
Zumbro
Editor |
John West
Deputy
Editor |
Barbara Kyriakakis
Associate
Editor |
|
|
Review Team: Gordon Canyock,
Barbara Kyriakakis, John West, Susanne Zumbro
Database
Manager: Barbara
Kyriakakis
|
- 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 our
archive of all past issues by date or issue number.
|
|
Updated: February 26, 2010
Copyright © 2010 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. |
|
