Upcoming: Annual OLLI Photoshoot
Thursday and Friday: April 25th and 26th
We're excited to announce the annual OLLI photoshoot. This is a no-stress event where we hope to capture some of the many wonderful activities that take place here at OLLI. We hope to see all of your smiling faces.
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CFS Fall 2019 Proposal Forms
and
Open Forum on CFS Instructor Development
 The course proposal deadline for the FALL term (September 16-November 8) is May 1.
The course proposal form can be found
HERE
Join an Open Forum on CFS Instructor Development
Thursday, April 25, 2-3:30 p.m.
Room 206
See more information
HERE .
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OLLI VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Asheville Terrace Apartments Food Pantry (ATA)
Provide On-Site Food Pantry Support
Veterans Restoration Quarters
Restoring the Lives of Homeless Vets
Energy Savers
Help Homeowners Reduce Energy Loss
VOLUNTEER NOW...
Make A Difference!
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Elisha Mitchell Audubon Society Program
Recent Changes in Bird Distribution and Diversity in the Smokies
with Dr. Andrew Laughlin
Tuesday April 16, 7 p.m.
Reuter Center, Manheimer Room
UNC Asheville professor Dr. Andrew Laughlin and his team are re-surveying portions of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that were first surveyed 20 years ago by researchers from NC State. The current research concerns how bird communities have changed in response to Eastern Hemlock decline and whether any bird species are moving up or down the mountains as a result of climatic changes. Understanding how birds have reacted to these changes in terms of distribution and diversity is an important step in predicting how future changes may alter bird communities.
Dr. Andrew Laughlin is an assistant professor of environmental studies at UNC Asheville. His research interests include movement and migration ecology and animal responses to environmental change, with a focus on birds. His research has included studies of hermit thrush and veery habitat associations and tree swallow ecology.
All EMAS programs are free and open to the public
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
Asheville Middle School Reality Store
Reality Store at Asheville Middle School is a financial literacy simulation for 6th grade students.
We're looking for volunteers to work "stores" by helping students make their purchase decisions, and properly balance their household budgets.
Or
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Green Opportunities' mission is to train, support and connect people from marginalized communities to sustainable employment pathways.
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Living Solo
 The Solo Aging Group is now called "Living Solo." The group is comprised of OLLI members living independently and seeking connections. This is not a dating group but individuals who want to do activities and make connections here in Asheville with OLLI members. Please come join us and meet new people!
We have started a group in Meetup called OLLI UNC Asheville Living Solo. It is a private group with only OLLI members included.
How to join!
- Join Meetup using your preferred email address; enter a password (your favorite or one unique to Meetup)!
- Search Groups using key word: OLLI or look around; we are there!
- Click the yellow OLLI UNC Asheville Living Solo image!
- Click the red Request to Join button
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Behind the Scenes with NC Stage
Friday, April 26, 1:30 p.m.
Reuter Center, Manheimer Room
Stones in His Pockets
With just two actors playing over a dozen parts,
Stones In His Pockets is a comedic yet tragic take on the effects of the Hollywood dream in a small Irish town.
Go behind the scenes of professional theatre with NC Stage Artistic Director and co-founder Charlie Flynn-McIver. Explore the themes of this season's plays, talk with the actors, directors and designers about design concepts and the rehearsal process, and experience a scene or two performed live. Join us for an insider's view of h
ow theatre happens!
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 Faith and Conscience Convocation:
A Call for Accountability for Torture
Sunday, April 28, 2-5 p.m.
The Blue Ridge Room South (Room 203)
UNC Asheville's Highsmith Student Union
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The Autumn Players
Sunday, April 28, 2:30 p.m.
Reuter Center Manheimer Room
"The Constant Wife"
By W. Somerset Maugham,
Directed by Anita Chapman
In this sophisticated comedy of manners about marital maneuvers in 1920s London, an independent-minded woman discovers her husband is having an affair. Instead of playing the role of the wronged wife, she lays bare the hypocrisy of the double standard, presents an unsentimental analysis of marriage, and offers a sensible solution.
The Autumn Players (affiliated with Asheville Community Theatre) is a troupe of seasoned actors dedicated to taking the theatre experience into the community. Their words jump from the page with conviction and emotion, and these actors make their stories come to life. Tickets are $7 at the door.
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Second Section Offered for Fall 2019
A second section of
Exploring CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities) will be offered in Fall 2019 to accommodate the many OLLI members with an interest in learning more about continuing care retirement communities. A combination of lectures and tours to CCRCs in our region, the class is a great option for those considering CCRCs now or in the future. It will take place during the inter-term break from July 31-September 13, 2019 and will run alongside the current class being offered. OLLI member Tina Reinke organizes and leads the course.
Please note: It is mandatory to attend the first class for this course.
For more information on the course contact Hannah Furgiuele at hfurgiue@unca.edu or 828-250-3871
What past participants are saying about
Exploring CCRCs:
"Moving into a CCRC is a major decision, I feel more confident that I fully understand the implications and things to consider. I have the information I need to make the best choice possible."
"Tina presented this course in an organized manner that made everything for me easy to understand. I now can make a conscious decision feeling I have all the factors in dealing with this life change."
"Tina is an exceptional instructor by providing 'fact sheets' prior to our visits as well as having preliminary discussion. This workshop was a great crash course on CCRCs."
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Astronomy Club of Asheville
Thursday, May 2, 7 p.m.
Reuter Center Manheimer Room
"The James Webb Space Telescope:
The Future of Space Sight"
NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Solar System Ambassador
Astronomers have been using the
Hubble Space Telescope for almost 29 years to observe and study the universe. Hubble has in many ways completely revolutionized our understanding of the universe.
But as amazing as Hubble has been, due to the vastness of the universe, it can't in fact see everything. To carry us forward we need a better telescope, one which is more sensitive and allows us a deeper view into the universe, and thus farther back in time - this is exactly what NASA's
James Webb Space Telescope
(JWST) is designed to do.
A true engineering marvel, the JWST will probe the universe to discover the first galaxies and stars formed after the Big Bang. Now scheduled for launch in 2021, the telescope will also be used to study the formation of stars and planets, as well as aid in the study of exoplanets.
Come learn about this extraordinary telescope that will take humanity a few more steps closer to understanding the universe!
The Astronomy Club of Asheville meets at the Reuter Center the first Thursday of the month (except January and July) at 7 p.m. with an interesting lineup of speakers and topics. OLLI members may attend club meetings and star gazes, with club members on hand to advise and assist them in the basics of astronomy and the techniques of observing celestial phenomena. For more information about the Astronomy Club of Asheville, visit their website at www.astroasheville.org.
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Sierra Club
Thursday, May 2,
7 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville
1 Edwin Place (Corner of Charlotte & Edwin)
"Restoring the American Chestnut Tree"
Ben Jarret of the American Chestnut Foundation will discuss the foundation's work, and Eron Earley-Thiele, coordinator of the Mayland Earth to Sky Park will also discuss local work in western North Carolina involving genetic modifications of the chestnut.
Contact: Judy Mattox: 828.683.2176
Free and open to everyone
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World Affairs Council (WAC)
Tuesday, May 7, 7:30 p.m.
Reuter Center Manheimer Roo
m
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Andrew S. Terrell |
Andrew S. Terrell:
"Wing and a Prayer -
Brexit as of May (The Date, Not the Prime Minister):
An Update."
Americans have watched with curiosity and fascination the UK's referendum and the subsequent Parliamentary moves that have characterized Brexit. Come to the World Affairs Council May meeting to hear the latest and official word on Brexit.
Andrew S. Terrell is the British Consul for Business and Government Affairs and Head of the UK Government Office (UKGO) in Raleigh. This office maintains and develops business, cultural, political and scientific relationships with the State of North Carolina and other communities throughout the southeast. Andrew is originally from Western North Carolina and has lived and studied throughout Asia and Europe. He is a graduate of Warwick University and Richmond International University in the United Kingdom.
These lectures are free to WAC members and undergraduate students, and $10 at the door for all other participants. OLLI members receive a discount on WAC membership.
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An MWW Gathering
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Special Interest Group
Each of MWW's 16 groups is comprised of 8-12 men.
Groups meet at various times and places twice a month for 2 hours to discuss issues of personal importance.
Groups socialize over breakfast, lunch, happy hour, & other social activities.
Men on the waiting list will either be added to existing groups, or we will form a new group if numbers suffice.
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Summer Storytelling Retreat & Adventure
Connie Regan-Blake's 14th Annual Summer Storytelling Retreat & Adventure
July 14-20, 2019
Asheville, North Carolina
Come to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains for seven days of story-listening and story-telling along with coaching, community & supportive exploration. This 14th annual workshop welcomes all levels of expertise, from beginner to experienced teller.
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Dear OLLI Members,
We just finished another Paths to Creative Retirement workshop, which brings people from all over the country to explore the non-financial aspects of planning a fulfilling, purposeful and fun retirement. Special thanks to OLLI members Bill Carpenter, Carla Greenfield, Dave Greenfield, John McGrann, Lori Postal, Chris Skoczynski and Judith Young for serving as facilitators and to Hannah Furgiuele for her leadership of the program.
We are particularly excited about this week's Fab Friday, introduced by CFS instructor Joe Sasfy and featuring RiverLink executive director Garrett Artz.
Mark you calendar to be part of our picture days on April 25 and 26 and to attend our member social, with ice cream from The Hop, on April 25 at 4:30 p.m. We would love to have a great turnout for the social and encourage you to stay to attend Bryan Stevenson's lecture at 7 p.m. in Kimmel Arena. Stevenson's lecture is part of the events planned to "Celebrate UNC Asheville" as part of the installation of Chancellor Nancy J. Cable. Take some time to read about the many wonderful discussions that will be happening across campus.
Thanks to all of you for contributing to the success of our vibrant community of teachers and learners,
Catherine Frank
Executive Director
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Check the links here to see OLLI and UNC Asheville current events:
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TODAY
Carolinas' Nature Photographers Association
Special Meeting
Sunday, April 14, 5:30 p.m.
Reuter Center Manheimer Room
"Understanding Creative Exposure, Learning to See Creatively and Understanding Color"
Bryan Peterson
B
ryan Peterson is an internationally known photographer, speaker, workshop leader and website instruction host (with his well-known www.bpsop.com site).
The group anticipates a large turnout of members and nonmembers of Carolinas' Nature Photographers Association and has reserved some seating for members, and seating is limited to 150 members.
The Carolinas' Nature Photographers Association (CNPA) was founded in 1992 to promote nature photography in the Carolinas, to help conserve and preserve the diverse natural ecosystems in the Carolinas and to educate others interested in nature and wildlife photography. The association is divided into regions for more close-at-hand activities. The CNPA-Asheville Region's goal is to develop a group that will more fully experience the beauty of Western North Carolina through photography. Activities in the Asheville Region include monthly meetings, photo outings, seminars, workshops, exhibits, photo contests, and image critiques.
The monthly meetings are held at the Reuter Center on the second Sunday of each month from 5:30-8 p.m.
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Need tech help?
Check out
The Geek Bar
Wednesdays, 8 - 9 a.m
Reuter Center, The Atrium
Are you having technical problems or questions regarding your smart phone, tablet or laptop?
OLLI is happy to announce The Geek Bar, offered on Wednesday mornings from 8-9 a.m. in the Reuter Center Atrium. This is a great excuse to get good parking, a cup of coffee or tea and advice -- all before your first class!
Bring your device and question, and one of the Geek Bar Experts will try to address your issue.
All platforms welcome (Android, Apple, Windows, etc.). The Geek Bar is on a first-come, first-served basis. We offer no guarantees, but our Geeks will do our best to be of help.
Note
: This is not software instruction and is generally meant for specific, quick-answer issues.
If you have questions, or if you are a Geek who would like to work at the Geek Bar, feel free to contact Julia Loughran at:
julia@thoughtlink.com
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Fab Friday
"The Past, Present and Future of Asheville's Riverfront Revitalization
"
Introduced by Joe Sasfy and Presented by Garrett Artz, Executive Director of RiverLink
Friday, April 19, 11:30 a.m
Reuter Center, Manheimer Room
Learn
about the transformation and revitalization of Asheville's Riverfront along the French Broad River, a river once described as "too thick to drink and too thin to plow" by author Wilma Dykeman. Discover some of the key events like the 1916 Flood and industrialization, and key leaders like Dykeman, the Dam Fighters, Jean Webb and Karen Cragnolin. Learn about the success stories in local collaboration to improve water quality and the ongoing transformation of degraded properties into public parks and greenways. RiverLink Executive Director Garrett Artz will cover this colorful history and provide a glimpse into the future of river revitalization. Pictures from RiverLink's historical collection will help tell the story and time will be provided for a robust discussion.
Fab Fridays happen every Friday during our Fall, Winter and Spring terms in the Reuter Center's Manheimer Room. Members and guests are invited to socialize and then enjoy presentations on a wide range of topics. Purchase lunch in our Reuter Café or bring your own brown bag. These programs are free and open to everyone.
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The Forum
TOPIC: The Role of the United States in the Middle East: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Friday, April 19, 1 - 3 p.m.
Reuter Center, Room 205
The Forum encourages a free-flowing dialogue designed to enrich and expand participants' thinking on topics ranging from changing demographics of retirees to nuclear disarmament.
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 History Book Lovers
Special Interest Group (SIG)
The Path Between the Seas:
The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914
by David McCullough
Friday, April 19, 1 p.m.
Reuter Center Room 120
History Book Lovers SIG meets on the third Friday of each month to share books, engage in discussion and connect with other OLLI members who love history. In upcoming months they will read
May:
The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
June: A discussion of Kublai Khan 1215-1294, Emperor of China
All OLLI members are welcome.
SIG contact: Mike Wang, 267-243-3011,
mbwhome@gmail.com
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Friday, April 19, 2 p.m.
Reuter Center, Manheimer Room
2 - 3 p.m. Safaris in S. Africa, Kenya/Tanzania with Chuck Baer
3 - 4 p.m. -
Switzerland with Daniel Beerman
Please contact one of the following Travel SIG members if you have any questions or want to share
your travel adventures:
Kathleen Buehner ( kbuehner@ hotmail.com
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Death Café
Friday, April 19, 5 p.m.
Reuter Center Lower Atrium
Death C
afé
is an engaging gathering with storytelling and conversation about a topic that too often alienates people in our death phobic culture. At Death
Café
participants break into small groups of five or six people and discuss personal stories related to the death of loved ones, loss of jobs, relationships or marriages or loss or death of parts of ourselves. These programs are facilitated by Greg Lathrop, Said Osio and Karen Sanders from Third Messenger.
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Becca Demers |
Meditation
Special Interest Group
Somatic Breathwork Therapy
with Becca Demers
Monday, April 22, 4:15 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Becca Demers
(www.thejoyfulbreath.com)
offers a method of breathing called Somatic Breathwork Therapy. We all breathe every day, but learning to pay attention and breathe on purpose unlocks access to all levels of your health and gets your mind on the same team as your body. In this hour and a half intro, you'll not only learn the importance and benefits of better breathing, you'll also get to practice several techniques and see for yourself how amazing proper oxygenation feels!
The Meditation SIG meets from 4:15 - 5:45 on the 2nd and 4th Monday of the month.
All OLLI members are welcome at our meditation programs.
SIG Contact: Sally Ekaireb
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Celebrate UNC Asheville
and
Installation of Chancellor Nancy J. Cable
Tuesday, April 23 -
Friday, April 26
UNC Asheville Campus
Chancellor Cable will be formally installed as UNC Asheville's Eighth Chancellor in a special ceremony on the Quad on Friday, April 26 at 3 p.m., joined by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, local legislators, UNC System leaders, higher education colleagues, friends, family and the campus community. Author, educator and interfaith leader Eboo Patel will give the invocation, with John DeGioia, 48th President of Georgetown University, giving the installation address. The ceremony is free and open to the public. A reception on the Phillips Lawn will follow the ceremony at 4:30 p.m.
UNC Asheville's Eighth Chancellor, Dr. Nancy J. Cable, is a nationally recognized leader in higher education, educational access, financial aid and affordability and liberal arts and sciences curricula. She holds a B.A. from Marietta College, an M.A. from the University of Vermont, and a doctorate from the University of Virginia. She joined UNC Asheville in August 2018, after serving as president of the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations. She brings to the university a depth and breadth of experiences in leadership roles at liberal arts institutions, in generating external resources for the enhancement of the university and in facilitating the implementation of an ambitious strategic plan.
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Spring Member Social
Thursday, April 25, 4:30 p.m.
Reuter Center Lower Atrium
Join your OLLI friends for a chance to socialize, enjoy ice cream from The Hop (including vegan options) and other light snacks and cheering beverages. This is an opportunity to celebrate spring and our OLLI community. Come for this event and stay for Bryan Stevenson's lecture!
Free and open to OLLI members.
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Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m.
Doors open at 6 p.m.
Kimmel Arena,
UNC Asheville Campus
Bryan Stevenson, the attorney, activist and best-selling author of
Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption,
who led the team that created the first national memorial to victims of lynching, will speak at UNC Asheville's Kimmel Arena at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 25. Doors will open at 6 p.m. The talk is free and open to everyone, with support from The David and Lin Brown Visionary Lecture Series and The Van Winkle Law Firm Public Policy Lectures.
(ASL interpreters will be present in addition to an auditory loop system in the auditorium.)
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Thriving in Community Special Interest Group
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Reuter Center Manheimer Room
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Composer Murry Sidlin |
Murry Sidlin, President and Creative Director of The Defiant Requiem Foundation, and creator and conductor of the multimedia concert drama
Defiant Requiem: Verdi at Terezín,
will speak about this work to be performed June 1, 2019, at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.
When he first learned the story of Rafael Schächter and the 150-person Jewish choir that performed Verdi's Requiem 16 times while imprisoned in the ghetto/concentration camp Terezín, why he was compelled to uncover how and why these Jewish prisoners, who faced death every day, chose to learn and perform a Latin, Catholic mass during their darkest hours. Ultimately it became his personal and professional mission to show the world how Schächter and his fellow Jewish prisoners demonstrated that it is possible to respond to the worst of mankind with the best of mankind.
A question and answer session with Maestro Sidlin will follow the talk. The event at the Reuter Center on May 2 is free and open to everyone.
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Smart Driver Class
Friday, May 3, 1-5 p.m.
Reuter Center 120
 The four-hour AARP Smart Driver Class offers numerous tips
for coping with inevitable changes in perception and reaction
time, as well as increased hazards on the roads with faster cars
and busier traffic. Participants can expect to review the rules of
the road, learn tips to respond to aggressive drivers and gather
general safety tips such as how to make left turns into heavy
traffic. The course, offered nationwide, is designed to help
participants avoid crashes and remain safely behind the wheel.
The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for all others. Contact
instructor Celeste Selwyn at csel@mindspring.com to register.
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The Reuter Center Singers Present:
Dear Appalachia: Our Mountain Music Heritage
Saturday, May 4, 7 p.m.
Sunday, May 5, 3 p.m.
Reuter Center, Manheimer Room
Dear Appalachia: Our Mountain Music Heritage
explores in song the rich traditions of Appalachia with deep roots in Western North Carolina. Multiple ethnic groups brought forth the folk songs and ballads, with African-American spirituals and country gospel the most prevalent. The singing of this music was used to keep family cultural heritages alive and to rise above dreary, monotonous circumstances through fantasies of escape and revenge.
Selections to be performed include "Sourwood Mountain," "Poor Wayfaring Stranger," "Shenandoah," "Soldier's Joy," "The Unclouded Day/Will the Circle Be Unbroken," "Travelin' Thru," "Old Dan Tucker," "Go 'Way from My Window," "Sun is Gonna Shine," and more. These sounds of Appalachia in story and legend will be heard in the many musical genres derived from various European and African influences. These include English ballads, Irish and Scottish traditional music, hymns, and African-American blues.
Chuck Taft, who has directed the choir for its full 20-year history, will conduct and Nora Vetro will accompany on the piano.
This event is free and open to everyone. Donations are happily accepted at the door.
With 20 years as a singing organization, the Reuter Center Singers have fostered connections among members and the community at large
from the beginning, and is the community chorus based at OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNC Asheville. They rehearse on Monday evenings from 6:15-8:15 p.m. at the Reuter Center and welcome new members.
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Special Thanks!
OLLI would like to thank its Creative Retirement Exploration Weekend (CREW) Major Sponsor,
Beverly-Hanks and Associates for their longtime support of our programming.
www.beverly-hanks.com
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