Class Notes - Spring 2016
This has turned out to be a very popular feature, and we look forward to expanding the number of in-class reporters, and the number of courses for which we have Class Notes
These Class Notes gives you an opportunity to read what is happening in other classes. These short notes (50 - 60 words) are provided by OLLI members in the classes. We welcome members who would like to submit; please email Beth Timson at BST3406@gmail.com .
This page is organized so that the more recent Class Notes are at the top of the page, and prior Class Notes are further down the page. Enjoy browsing through them, and thanks to all the contributors, and to Beth for organizing this.
These Class Notes gives you an opportunity to read what is happening in other classes. These short notes (50 - 60 words) are provided by OLLI members in the classes. We welcome members who would like to submit; please email Beth Timson at BST3406@gmail.com .
This page is organized so that the more recent Class Notes are at the top of the page, and prior Class Notes are further down the page. Enjoy browsing through them, and thanks to all the contributors, and to Beth for organizing this.
Class Notes for weeks ending May 20 & May 27 2016
Carolyn Cole, “The Art of Improv”: We finished the term with a wild “get on the bus” improv skit that had all of us putting on and taking off strange characters as fast as new persons came on stage. We made plans to see some improv troupes over the summer. Carolyn says she will be doing some improv classes with OLLI this fall. (Beth Timson)
Corinne Schillin, “What Now! Roadmap into Retirement”: This group had such great discussions that they’re planning “retirement roundtable” monthly meetings for open discussion by all OLLI members. Watch SPOTLIGHT for details. (Raymond Conroy)
Stephan Wittkowsky, “Current Issues in Worldwide Economic Development”: We had a guest lecturer who works with the World Bank on urban development in Nairobi, Kenya. Globally, we have 55% of all people living in urban areas, and the large megacities are exploding in the Global South (new name for Developing Nations). We watched an exciting video. (Raymond Conroy)
Peggy Millin, “Risking Writing”: We finished the term with several more rounds of “prompt writing” and sharing our work. Discussed what writers’ retreats might be happening this summer and what writing classes were likely to be open in OLLI this fall—all of us are eager to keep going with the energy generated by this class.
Corinne Schillin, “What Now! Roadmap into Retirement”: This group had such great discussions that they’re planning “retirement roundtable” monthly meetings for open discussion by all OLLI members. Watch SPOTLIGHT for details. (Raymond Conroy)
Stephan Wittkowsky, “Current Issues in Worldwide Economic Development”: We had a guest lecturer who works with the World Bank on urban development in Nairobi, Kenya. Globally, we have 55% of all people living in urban areas, and the large megacities are exploding in the Global South (new name for Developing Nations). We watched an exciting video. (Raymond Conroy)
Peggy Millin, “Risking Writing”: We finished the term with several more rounds of “prompt writing” and sharing our work. Discussed what writers’ retreats might be happening this summer and what writing classes were likely to be open in OLLI this fall—all of us are eager to keep going with the energy generated by this class.
Class Notes for week ending May 13, 2016
Click photo to see more photos !
Catherine Cross Tsintzos , "Paper Marbling" : Paper Marbling has been great fun. The 3.5 hour class has allowed us ample time to explore various techniques for creating patterns of color using everything from Barbasol shaving cream with food coloring (a perfect project for young and old) to floating special colored inks on water (a little trickier), to using Liquid fabric starch with acrylic paints. We have our third and last class in a couple of weeks and we will have the opportunity to dye fabric as well as paper. Check out the photos of our creations. (Carolyn Leith)
Suzana Albano, “Immigration - Myths Realities, and the Law”: Lots of Facts in this week's class. As of 2014, 41 million foreign-born people lived in USA, of which 30 million are legal and 11 million are unauthorized. Of the latter 11 million, 40% entered legally and stayed beyond the term of their visa. A wall won't stop the latter 40%.(Raymond Conroy)
Carolyn Cole, “The Art of Improv”: We’re learning to work with “invisible objects” as part of a scene—in case you suddenly need to hand someone a ball or walk out and slam a door. (Beth Timson)
Corinne Schillin: “What Now! Roadmap into Retirement”: We are learning by hearing people tell their stories of transition into retirement and telling some of our own stories. We heard about the Four Conversations for Couples which should happen before retirement: Resources (finances, budgets, cutbacks), Time (together, apart), Distribution of Work load (especially if not both retiring at same time), Legacy (how do you want to be remembered). (Raymond Conroy)
Suzana Albano, “Immigration - Myths Realities, and the Law”: Lots of Facts in this week's class. As of 2014, 41 million foreign-born people lived in USA, of which 30 million are legal and 11 million are unauthorized. Of the latter 11 million, 40% entered legally and stayed beyond the term of their visa. A wall won't stop the latter 40%.(Raymond Conroy)
Carolyn Cole, “The Art of Improv”: We’re learning to work with “invisible objects” as part of a scene—in case you suddenly need to hand someone a ball or walk out and slam a door. (Beth Timson)
Corinne Schillin: “What Now! Roadmap into Retirement”: We are learning by hearing people tell their stories of transition into retirement and telling some of our own stories. We heard about the Four Conversations for Couples which should happen before retirement: Resources (finances, budgets, cutbacks), Time (together, apart), Distribution of Work load (especially if not both retiring at same time), Legacy (how do you want to be remembered). (Raymond Conroy)
Class Notes for week ending May 6, 2016
Suzana Albano, “Immigration - Myths Realities, and the Law”: We tried to make sense of DREAM, DACA, DAPALPR, ENLIST. Laws and Regulations / Executive orders. We learned that undocumented immigrants can get a Federal ID and have to pay taxes on their income and that a growing list of states issue driver licenses to undocumented immigrants to enable them to get auto insurance. (Raymond Conroy)
Carolyn Cole, “The Art of Improv”: Since the relationship of the actors on stage is crucial to successful improv, we worked on exercises for getting better at responding quickly to a partner’s physical and verbal cues. We played some fast-paced situational “freeze tag” that was such fun we stayed late in class! (Beth Timson)
Corinne Schillin : “What Now! Roadmap into Retirement”: When we retire we find that the absence of employment leaves us with gaps in what we are doing. One best practice is to look for these gaps and fill them with new activities. But some of us are very content in retirement and do not need to seek new opportunities or new adventures. Retiree can be grouped as Continuers, Adventurers, Searchers, Easy Gliders and Retreaters. (Raymond Conroy)
Stephan Wittkowsky: “Current Issues in Worldwide Economic Development”:
To understand the pros and cons of globalization, we looked at how the 50 US states form a free trade area; we can move freely, we can trade without tariffs, etc. We see the benefits in the US economy of having free trade between states. Imagine if in the US we had the barriers that we have between global nations; we don't think the US would be as powerful an economic engine. This helps us understand why US administrations have pushed for NAFTA, TPP, etc. (Raymond Conroy)
Carolyn Cole, “The Art of Improv”: Since the relationship of the actors on stage is crucial to successful improv, we worked on exercises for getting better at responding quickly to a partner’s physical and verbal cues. We played some fast-paced situational “freeze tag” that was such fun we stayed late in class! (Beth Timson)
Corinne Schillin : “What Now! Roadmap into Retirement”: When we retire we find that the absence of employment leaves us with gaps in what we are doing. One best practice is to look for these gaps and fill them with new activities. But some of us are very content in retirement and do not need to seek new opportunities or new adventures. Retiree can be grouped as Continuers, Adventurers, Searchers, Easy Gliders and Retreaters. (Raymond Conroy)
Stephan Wittkowsky: “Current Issues in Worldwide Economic Development”:
To understand the pros and cons of globalization, we looked at how the 50 US states form a free trade area; we can move freely, we can trade without tariffs, etc. We see the benefits in the US economy of having free trade between states. Imagine if in the US we had the barriers that we have between global nations; we don't think the US would be as powerful an economic engine. This helps us understand why US administrations have pushed for NAFTA, TPP, etc. (Raymond Conroy)
Class Notes for week ending April 29, 2016
Catherine Cross Tsintzos , "Paper Marbling" :Today I took a paper marbling class - unbelievable what you can do with a foil roasting pan, a can of Barbasol shaving cream, food coloring, a tooth pick, and paper. You put mounds of shaving cream in the pan, drop food coloring, swirl around with a tooth pick, and lay paper on top - tap it to make sure all the paper has contact. Pick it up, use an old credit card to scrape off the excess cream, and hang it up to dry. You can reuse the 'bath' to print more. These will be folded in half to make note cards. What fun. (Mary Alexion)
Trish Foxwell, "Great Literature Adapted to Film": This class provides a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into the making of a great movie. We discussed the production of Lawrence of Arabia from the book by T.E. Lawrence, to decisions the director makes in filming and choosing characters, to comments from actors, costumers, and others about the complexities of filming in the desert. Of particular interest was an interview by Peter O'Toole which highlighted the deep respect he had for David Lean, the director. Many of us agreed with Trish that O'Toole should have won an Academy Award for best actor. He was that good! (Barbara Greenberg)
Carolyn Cole, “The Art of Improv”: Class members paired up to hold “improv conversations” with one person planning an event and the other acting (in different rounds) as a nay-sayer, a reluctant participant, and someone actively agreeing. The differences we noted in the energy flows in the conversations was amazing. (Beth Timson)
Suzana Albano, “Immigration - Myths Realities, and the Law”: We learned about the current immigration policies and that there are "inadmissible aliens" who will be rejected. These include people who have certain communicable diseases, including TB, AIDS, and typhoid fever. Medical treatments can manage these diseases, but the laws have not kept up with progress in medicine. (Raymond Conroy)
Alan Vaux, “New Lens”: The topic this week was Inequality. We saw many charts and statistics about inequality, but our instructor also pointed out how much better off we are now compared to a hundred years ago. And how inequality has a negative effect on all society, not just the very poor. (Raymond Conroy)
Trish Foxwell, "Great Literature Adapted to Film": This class provides a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into the making of a great movie. We discussed the production of Lawrence of Arabia from the book by T.E. Lawrence, to decisions the director makes in filming and choosing characters, to comments from actors, costumers, and others about the complexities of filming in the desert. Of particular interest was an interview by Peter O'Toole which highlighted the deep respect he had for David Lean, the director. Many of us agreed with Trish that O'Toole should have won an Academy Award for best actor. He was that good! (Barbara Greenberg)
Carolyn Cole, “The Art of Improv”: Class members paired up to hold “improv conversations” with one person planning an event and the other acting (in different rounds) as a nay-sayer, a reluctant participant, and someone actively agreeing. The differences we noted in the energy flows in the conversations was amazing. (Beth Timson)
Suzana Albano, “Immigration - Myths Realities, and the Law”: We learned about the current immigration policies and that there are "inadmissible aliens" who will be rejected. These include people who have certain communicable diseases, including TB, AIDS, and typhoid fever. Medical treatments can manage these diseases, but the laws have not kept up with progress in medicine. (Raymond Conroy)
Alan Vaux, “New Lens”: The topic this week was Inequality. We saw many charts and statistics about inequality, but our instructor also pointed out how much better off we are now compared to a hundred years ago. And how inequality has a negative effect on all society, not just the very poor. (Raymond Conroy)
Class Notes for week ending April 22, 2016
Suzana Albano, “Immigration - Myths Realities, and the Law”: The current discussion on immigration are not new! We saw newspaper quotes from the 1700s, and 1800s about immigrants which were so like today's comments. Back then it was against the Chinese or the Irish, etc. One newspaper articles railed against Chinese men coming to California and displacing women from laundry work. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. (Raymond Conroy)
Corinne Schillin, “Now What! A Roadmap into Retirement”: Who would have thought there is a psychology of money in retirement. We learned that retirees have to adjust from a life of saving money and deferring pleasure to recognizing that we have finite life and should get enjoyment from the assets we have saved. We fear spending our assets, so annuitizing may be a solution for some to enjoy spending the income stream. (Raymond Conroy)
Dan Reichart, “The Big Bang: “Massive stars live hard and die young… as Super Novas.” (Gregg McPherson)
Carolyn Cole, “The Art of Improv”: We talked about what improv theater actually IS, then did some exercises on focus, character, and creating a scene. Everyone came ready to play! The instructor says, “Never stop improv-ing!” (Beth Timson)
Corinne Schillin, “Now What! A Roadmap into Retirement”: Who would have thought there is a psychology of money in retirement. We learned that retirees have to adjust from a life of saving money and deferring pleasure to recognizing that we have finite life and should get enjoyment from the assets we have saved. We fear spending our assets, so annuitizing may be a solution for some to enjoy spending the income stream. (Raymond Conroy)
Dan Reichart, “The Big Bang: “Massive stars live hard and die young… as Super Novas.” (Gregg McPherson)
Carolyn Cole, “The Art of Improv”: We talked about what improv theater actually IS, then did some exercises on focus, character, and creating a scene. Everyone came ready to play! The instructor says, “Never stop improv-ing!” (Beth Timson)
Class Notes from end of Winter Term, 2016
After lecturing for an OLLI winter class and hosting a session at her home on her collection of African art, Rhonda Wilkerson provided another treat for class members in “The Art of Africa and the African American Diaspora.” Rhonda invited class members to join her in a tour of the Childe Hassam exhibit at the North Carolina Museum of Art. (Linda Carl)
In the winter Peter Filene taught “Visiting America 1890-1910.” A group of class members energized by Peter's teaching organized a reading group follow up. The group of nine, organized informally by Diane Sasson, meets monthly to continue discussions at Flyleaf Bookstore in Chapel Hill. (Linda Carl)
In the winter Peter Filene taught “Visiting America 1890-1910.” A group of class members energized by Peter's teaching organized a reading group follow up. The group of nine, organized informally by Diane Sasson, meets monthly to continue discussions at Flyleaf Bookstore in Chapel Hill. (Linda Carl)
Photos from Paper Marbling Course, Spring 2016 click on photos to enlarge
