Calendar of Events 
January 22, 2017
In This Issue



Nancy Gordon, OLLI class rep; assists with OLLI class registration including online registration.

"I love volunteering at OLLI because it brings me joy and happiness."

Click here to visit the OLLI Volunteering webpage and learn about volunteering opportunities 
Meditation Special Interest Group 
Monday, January 23, 4:15 p.m.

The Meditation SIG meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of January at 4:15 in room 120 of the Reuter Center. Bill Walz, College for Seniors Instructor, will lead the  meeting.

All OLLI members are invited to participate.

  Special Interest Group: The Forum
 Friday, January 27, 1 p.m. 
Reuter Center, Room 205 
Topic: "Health Care in America" 
Talk  
The Forum is a free-flowing dialogue designed to enrich and expand participants' thinking on topics ranging from changing demographics of retirees to nuclear disarmament.

SIG contact: Eugene Jaroslaw, 828.255.9925, jwestwood@gmail.com 
Opera Talk
 Friday, January 27, 3 p.m. 
Reuter Center, Room 205
 
 "How to Work an Opera!"

 Come enjoy a behind-the-scenes journey as Asheville Lyric Opera General Director David Craig Starkey and a cast of industry professionals guide you through their operatic world. Mark your calendar to attend these lively and informative musical presentations. For more information, visit the ALO website: ashevillelyric.org
 
Comedy for a Cause   
Sunday, January 29, 2 p.m.  
Reuter Center Manheimer Room

Join Read To Succeed Asheville (R2S) for an afternoon of laughs and entertainment with local stand-up comic, Randy Robins.
 Randy is a native New Yorker who teaches comedy writing and performing classes, as well as film classes that feature some of the comedians who have influenced him (including Mel Brooks, Sid Caesar, Woody Allen and Billy Crystal). Randy regularly performs for companies, schools and camps throughout Western North Carolina and New York and is donating his time and talents to Read To Succeed. This event will be held at the Reuter Center's Manheimer Room.
Admission is free, but donations at the door are welcome and encouraged.
Art and History Tour of Tuscany Presentation
 Monday, January 30, 7:45 a.m.
Reuter Center Manheimer Room
 
Mark Gordon Smith will offer a presentation about art and history tour of Tuscany, based in Florence Italy, March 9 - 20, 2017. This presentation will precede Mark's class Art and History of Renaissance Italy which begins at 9 a.m.

The opportunity to spend ten days based at a lovely hotel in the city center of Florence, enjoying daily private guided tours with several unique experiences included, is a rare one. Please join Mark for this presentation! Coffee and light food items will be available for attendees.  
Sierra Club Meeting

Wednesday, February 1, 7 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville
1 Edwin Place, Asheville

"Grounded Hope for the Climate"
 by Drew Jones
Drew Jones of Climate Interactive, recently returning from the UN climate summit in Marrakech and before that in Paris, will present "Grounded Hope for the Climate."  He will use simulations to focus on regional actions to address climate change.
Contact: Judy Mattox, judymattox@sbcglobal.net, (828) 683-2716 
 Free and open to the public
Astronomy Club of Asheville Meeting 
 Thursday, February 2, 7 p.m.
Reuter Center's 
Manheimer Room
"Gravity: From Newton to Planet Nine"
by Judy Beck, 
UNC Asheville 
physics department faculty

Ms. Beck will present a survey of the history of gravity, from Sir Isaac Newton, the father of our modern understanding of this elusive force, through Albert Einstein, whose influential concepts of warped space-time and general relativity would forever change our perception of gravity, to the confirmation of the discovery of gravitational waves in 2016, predicted by Einstein 100 years earlier, and what implications this discovery will have on new ways to observe the universe. Ms. Beck will end her presentation with why gravity may hold the key to discovering the mysterious "Planet Nine" orbiting far in our outer solar system.


This Astronomy Club of Asheville meeting is free and open to the general public.  To learn more about the Astronomy Club, click here to visit their website
New Special Interest Group (SIG) 
Thriving in Community 

 Friday, February 3, 2 p.m.
Room 120

A NEW Special Interest Group (SIG) "Thriving in Community" is forming!      
The purpose of th is SIG is to network, provide information and resources for members interested in creating the support needed within their homes and neighborhoods so they can "age in place" and thrive in the second half of life. If interested, please come to our organizational meeting (our first meeting) to learn about and help co-create this SIG, on Friday, February 3, 2 p.m. in room 120 of the Reuter Center.

You also can email the organizer, Gaya Erlandson (cocreating@charter.net) or call her at 828-581-9036 for further information.

Dear OLLI Members,
This week's newsletter contains another "Volunteer Spotlight," this time highlighting the contributions of Nancy Gordon, who participates in and improves almost every aspect of OLLI.  You may also read a story about Patti and Cal Oppenheim, who give tirelessly to make OLLI and the Reuter Center a welcoming place.  Thanks to the members of our Marketing and Hospitality Committee for their work to share these stories and to offer opportunities for engagement.  The Hospitality Committee has organized meetings at the Retuer Center on the third Thursday of every month so that interested members can meet with our OLLI Steering Council to learn more about how to contribute to the work of our organization. Volulnteering has many benefits for the organization and for those who contribute their time and talent.  Come to find out how you can make a difference.

With respect for all that you do to model creative retirement,
Catherine Frank
Executive Director


Check calendarthe links here to see OLLI and UNC Asheville current events:
 
UNCA Bulldog UNC Asheville Athletic Events
  January,  2017


Men's Basketball, Saturday, January 28,12- 2 p.m. 
Kimmel Arena
Women's Basketball, Saturday, January 28, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Kimmel Arena
Women's Basketball, Tuesday, January 31, 7-9 p.m.  Kimmel Arena


TRIAD Crime Prevention Series 
Monday, January 23 and January 30
Reuter Center Room 206
 
These informative Triad presentations are designed to prevent crimes against the mature population. The TRIAD program is a partnership involving law enforcement, social services, elder law attorneys and representatives of the financial community. Free and open to the public; registration suggested.  Click here to register.

Monday, January 23, 2 p.m.:
"Investment Fraud: Guarding Your Assets in a Scary World." Presented by John Maron, Director of the Investor Protection and Education Services Division of the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State.

Monday, January 23, 3 p.m.:
"The History of Scams and Fraud." Presented by Larry Pierson from the Buncombe County Sheriff's Office

Monday, January 30, 2 p.m.:
"How NOT to Become a Fraud Victim." Presented by Caroline Farmer, Deputy Director, Victims and Citizens Section, North Carolina Department of Justice. Farmer also serves as the co-chair of the NC Senior Fraud Task Force, as commissioner for NC Crimes Victims Compensation, and as board member of NC Wheels for Hope. 
Fab Friday Lunch and Learn Lecture 
Friday, January 27, 2017, 11:30 a.m.
Reuter Center Manheimer Room

  Personal Safety 101
Keith McCulloch
Officer Keith McCulloch, Asheville Police Department, will provide information to help you protect yourself from today's criminals.  The crime prevention and personal safety seminar, a program of the Asheville Police Department, teaches easy-to- understand methods you can use to increase awareness and prevent criminal confrontation.

You will get the tools you need to develop your own personal safety strategy, including information on: The Crime Prevention Matrix; the psychology of criminal predators; home security; automobile and travel security; personal protection devices; personal safety apps; and more!
Free and open to the public.

Patti and Cal Oppenheim, Perennial OLLI Goodwill Ambassadors
 
by John Hammond
 
Patti and Cal Oppenheim could certainly be called a couple for all seasons around OLLI. You can see them serving as class representatives, helping with registration, serving on one committee or another, welcoming new faculty or just being genuinely helpful. Look for the trademark smile on their faces, fantastic "can-do" attitude and a generous helping of friendliness.

Click here to read the rest of the story. 

Medicare Choices Made Easy    
Friday, January 27, 2017, 2 p.m.  
Reuter Center Room 206
Medicare
Are you new to Medicare? Are you confused by the many choices? Unbiased and accurate information is available from trained volunteers from the North Carolina Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP). In partnership with OLLI, a free class will be held on Friday, January 27 or March 24, 2017, 2-4 p.m.  in the Reuter Center. The class will provide important information to assist you in understanding how Medicare works and what you need to do to obtain benefits and save money.  Spaces are limited so reserve your space by registering online at www.coabc.org.   In addition, beginning at 12 p.m., representatives from the Social Security Administration will be available to answer questions about Social Security benefits and Medicare enrollment. They will also provide detailed instructions for accessing the Agency's online services at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Volunteer Opportunity     
 

The Workshop Committee at OLLI is seeking new members to host and market workshops scheduled through the Fall of 2017, and find unique ways to serve as we develop new ways of working together.

"The mission of the OLLI Workshop Committee is to serve as a gateway to OLLI for a diverse cross-section of people by facilitating short-term, hands-on, unique and intensive learning experiences that appeal to members of the center and the greater community."

If you wish to learn more Laurel Jernigan (staff liaison) and Ian Rudick, (committee co-chair) would love to meet with you!
Email Ian comefth@frontier.com, or call 828-505-8175.
STEM Lecture
Wednesday, February 1, 4:30 p.m.
Reuter Center's Manheimer Room

"The National Centers for Environmental Information and Climate Change"
 David Easterling, NCEI

This talk will provide an introduction to the
David Easterling.
functions of the NCEI, then examine global climate change, both historical and projected for the future, with a focus on the United States.

The STEM series of lectures is an interdisciplinary program that covers a wide range of  science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines.  Each lecture provides the lecturer with the opportunity to share his/her work, present new ideas for feedback, learn new ideas that participants can use, and introduce students to exciting areas to explore. 

The lectures are all scheduled in the Reuter Center, 4:30-6pm and are free and open to the public.
Click here to view an event flier
Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award
Saturday, February 4, 4-6 p.m.
Top of the Plaza, Asheville Renaissance Hotel
31 Woodfin Street

The Western North Carolina Historical Association and the Thomas Wolfe Memorial Site are pleased to announce the 61st annual presentation of the
Terry Roberts
Thomas Wolfe Memorial Literary Award honoring author Terry Roberts for his work That Bright Land.  After the presentation, Dr. Roberts will provide comments and read excerpts from his award winning novel.  

The program will also feature excerpts from the four finalists' works: Phil Jamison reading from Hoedowns, Reels and Frolics; Randy Johnson reading from Grandfather Mountain; Robert Morgan's Dark Energy; and
Ron Rash's Above the Waterfall.

A reception hosted by the Renaissance Hotel will follow the program.  Reservations are required.  Event tickets are $5 for WNCHA members and $10 for the general public.  Tickets can be purchased on-line at Smith McDowell House Events Calendar or by calling the Smith-McDowell House at 828-253-9231.
Advance Care Planning Workshop
Thursday, February 9, 4:30 p.m.
Reuter Center, Manheimer Room  

The workshop will feature a panel whose members are experienced in addressing end-of-life issues. Discussion will include communicating your treatment wishes to loved ones and to medical personnel, ethical and legal issues, and the uses of advance directives. Ample time will be reserved for questions. Assistance will be provided for anyone wishing to complete a legally valid advance directive, including the notarization required in North Carolina, using the NC ACP "Short Form."
Click here for a copy of the NC Short Form.

This event is free and open to the public.
OLLI's Inclusion Committee presents
"The Secret Game"
Scott Ellsworth
Wednesday, February 22, 3:30 p.m.
Reuter Center, Manheimer Room  

 
The Secret Game is a book about how societies change.  It tells the story of an astonishing, long buried event: an unlawful, clandestine, racially integrated college basketball game that took place in North Carolina in 1944.  Played in a locked gymnasium on a Sunday morning, with a referee and a scorer but no invited spectators, the game was a barrier-busting athletic and civil rights milestone, one that took place more than a decade before the onset of the Civil Rights Movement, and three years before Jackie Robinson desegregated major league baseball.
The book  tells the story of a lost generation of Americans-African Americans and whites, Jews and Christians, Northerners and Southerners-who, at great personal risk, openly challenged segregation in the South during World War II.   Long ignored by historians, it is the story of how ordinary citizens, including high school students and college athletes, refugee professors and G.I.'s, laid the groundwork for the titanic struggles of the decades to come.   Based on years of research, including extensive oral history interviews conducted over the course of more than two decades, The Secret Game is a richly detailed, humane, and moving account of the forgotten first minutes of America's civil rights revolution, and the beginnings of our own age.
 
Scott Ellsworth has written about race relations in the United States for the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times.  Formerly a historian at the Smithsonian Institution, he is also the author of Death in a Promised Land, the first comprehensive history of the Tulsa race riot of 1921, the worst single incident of racial violence in American history. He now lives with his wife and their fourteen-year-old twin sons in Ann Arbor, where he teaches at the University of Michigan.
This presentation is the first in the OLLI Inclusion Committee's "More Than a Month" series which will feature a variety of events intended to focus on issues of race locally and nationally throughout the year.
This event is free and open to the public.
Special Thanks 
OLLI would like to thank Creative Retirement Exploration Weekend (CREW) tour leaders and organizers:

 Whit Fortenberry
Residential Broker Associate
828-712-3913
whit@beverly-hanks.com"

 CREW helps those considering relocation in retirement examine all their options carefully and make an informed decision about this major life transition.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute | 828-251-6140 | olli@unca.edu | http://www.olliasheville.com
Reuter Center, CPO #5000
UNC Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804