OLLI Observer
February 18, 2018   
 
ATTENTION:  When the newsletter is full of news and is longer, it automatically truncates at the bottom.  To see the entire newsletter, click on the link at the bottom of the newsletter that reads- [Message clipped]   View entire message
In This Issue
  Doug Cooper
 
"I love teaching at OLLI because it gives me a chance to learn about new things and I get to meet new people and know them better.
 
Most recently Doug has taught "The Enigmatic Emily Dickinson" and "Cinema Literacy 101."


Are you planning to teach at College for Seniors this year?

Or even just wondering what it's like?

Plan to attend SkillTalks, the 
bi-annual skills development and workshops for teaching 
Thursday, March 8, 2018 
  See schedule and register HERE

Questions?  Contact Herb Gunn, [email protected]
"The Appalachian Origins of 
The Modern Civil Rights Movement in the USA"
Dr. William H. Turner
Thursday, February 22, 6 p.m.
Humanities Lecture Hall, 
UNC Asheville Campus

Appalachian studies scholar William H. Turner will explore several key spaces, places, people and events in Appalachia that sparked and nourished the Civil Rights movement, and to focus locally, he will draw upon the 2016 master's thesis, "The Civil Rights Movement in Asheville, N.C." by Patrick S. Parker at Appalachian State University.
Turner was a research associate to Alex Haley, author of the Pulitzer Prize winner  Roots, and was described by Haley as the man who "knows more about black people in the mountains of the American South than anyone in the world."
He is now on the faculty at Prairie View A&M University in Texas and is research scientist leader of the university's Social Systems and Allied Research unit, established in 2015 to bring together the analytics on underserved groups of Texans including the economically insecure and long-term impoverished.
For more information, contact Rene Smyle in UNC Asheville's Department of History at  [email protected]  or 828.251.6415.

Meditation Special Interest Group
Monday, February 26, 4:15 p.m.

Daniel Kane
Sound Healing and Acutonics
Vibrational Medicine Attuement


The Meditation SIG meets 
t he 2nd and 4th  Monday of the month 
i n the Reuter Center 
f rom  4:15 - 5:45 p.m.  
The next program will be on  Feb. 26:
 
Meditation SIG contact: Sally Ekaireb [email protected]
 
Astronomy Club of Asheville
Wednesday, February 28, 7 p.m.
(note new date, 
moved from Thursday, March 1),  
Reuter Center Manheimer Room


"The Kessler Syndrome: 
A Problem Created by Natural Law, Solved Only with Human Intervention

In 1978, NASA scientist Don Kessler used models to understand the natural meteoroid environment and predicted that by the year 2000, collisions between spacecraft in Earth orbit would produce a population of small debris that exceeded the natural meteoroid hazard for satellites in Earth orbit. The cascading effect of these space debris collisions would continue to increase, even if we stopped adding to the debris field. In 1982, the news media began referring to these predictions as the " Kessler Syndrome ." 
As of 2014, there were about 2,000 commercial and government satellites orbiting the earth. It is estimated that there are 600,000 pieces of space junk ranging from 1 cm to 10 cm, and on average one satellite is destroyed each year.
Over the past 40 years, as our infrastructure has become increasingly dependent on safe space operations, the need for changes has increased. While there has been significant progress, much more is needed.
Publications and background information can be found at Don Kessler's webpage:   http://webpages.charter.net/dkessler/

The Astronomy Club of Asheville meets the first Thursday of each month, from 7-9 pm, with an interesting lineup of speakers and topics. OLLI members may attend the 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 on the Astronomy Club of Asheville, visit their website at www.astroasheville.org.

OLLI VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

In Real Life
After-school programs for middle school students

Veteran's Restoration Quarters' Cooking Team
Prepare a meal for homeless vets

Homeward Bound's Welcome Home Center
Donation drive for homeless students in city schools

 
VOLUNTEER NOW ... You can make a difference!
Blue Ridge Orchestra Concert
Saturday, March 3, 2 p.m. & 4:30 p.m.   
Biltmore United Methodist Church
 (376 Hendersonville Rd, Asheville)

  The Blue Ridge Orchestra is excited to present "Cello Cielo," an intimate orchestral concert featuring Franklin Keel as cello soloist in Haydn's "Cello Concerto in D Major." The concert also includes the Allegro movement of Albinoni's "Concerto for Two Oboes," and Benjamin Britten's "Simple Symphony," performed by the BRO chamber strings.

Tickets $15 General Admission, $10 Friend, $5 Student. For tickets and info, see www.blueridgeorchestra.org/cello-cielo 
or call (828) 782-3354.
OLLI Craft Swap Meet
Saturday, March 10, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. , Reuter Center Manheimer Room

This is a new endeavor designed for OLLI members ONLY.  A free craft swap meet where you can swap/sell/buy craft supplies and 'stuff' from other OLLI members.  It is recommended you register for a table by emailing [email protected]. Tables will be assigned in order of registration - first come, first served.

Suggested items to bring to swap/sell/buy include paint supplies, beads & jewelry making supplies, buttons, polymar sculpy clay, fiber arts & yarn, weaving supplies, paper goods, colored pencils, pastels, photography, marbles, mosiac items, fabric, ribbon and sewing notions....almost any craft and art supplies!

This is a closed event for OLLI members ONLY - - to have tables of craft supplies to swap/buy/sell and other OLLI members to attend and see what's on offer.  There is no cost to participate, and we suggest you pack a lunch!  It will be a fun time for all and you may need a bite to eat before it's all said and done.

For more information or if you have questions, email [email protected]
Dear OLLI Members,
Our Spring 2018 catalogs are available in print at the Reuter Center and online. We no longer offer biographies of instructors in the print catalog, but if you want to know more, please  click here to consult our course webpage where you can find information about instructors and course outlines. And in this newsletter you can find a link to attend the College for Seniors SkillTalks if you would like to explore teaching possibilities in later terms.

Registration for our Spring 2018 term begins on Tuesday, February 20, 10 a.m. and will continue through Tuesday, February 27, noon. We will send an email later today with complete instructions.
 
While our winter term is winding down, we want you to know about a number of interesting lectures and workshops coming up. This week the STEM Lecture Series examines changes in nursing as a profession. We will hold an Advance Care Planning Workshop, and the World Affairs Council will feature a lecture on "Pax Americana." At UNC Asheville you can learn about the Civil Rights struggle in Appalachia from Dr. William Turner, a leading expert on the African American experience in Appalachia. Next week, you can learn about "March Madness" from CFS instructor and sports history expert Larry Griswold and from Janet Cone, UNC Asheville athletics director and member of the NCAA Division 1 Men's Basketball seeding and selection committee. You can learn about the "Kessler Syndrome" at an Astronomy Club of Asheville lecture that will feature Donald J. Kessler and from Christine Darden, who will share the story of her journey from Monroe, NC to NASA, as the Parsons lecturer for 2018. We are lucky to live in a place that offers so many rich learning opportunities.

Thank you for recognizing the value of being part of a community of teachers and learners,
Catherine Frank
Executive Director


 Check the links here to see OLLI and UNC Asheville current events:
 
 Upcoming UNC Asheville Athletic Events  UNCA Bulldog
February-March, 2018
  • Sunday, February 18, 3 p.m., Men's Tennis UNC Asheville vs. UNC-Greensboro, Asheville Racquet Club Downtown
  • Tuesday, February 20, 1p.m., Women's Tennis UNC Asheville vs. Augusta, Asheville Racquet Club Downtown
  • Tuesday, February 20, 7p.m., Women's Basketball UNC Asheville vs. Campbell, Kimmel Arena      
  • Thursday, February 22, 7 p.m., Men's Basketball UNC Asheville vs. Winthrop   ***Last Regular Season Home Game***, Kimmel Arena
  • Saturday, February 24, 2 p.m.,  Women's Tennis UNC Asheville vs. NC Central, Asheville Racquet Club Downtown
  • Sunday, February 25, 1 p.m., Women's Tennis UNC Asheville vs. UNC-Greensboro, Asheville Racquet Club Downtown
  • Saturday, March 3, 2 p.m., Women's Basketball UNC Asheville vs. Gardner-Webb   ***Last Regular Season Game***, Kimmel Arena
   
STEM Lecture Series

"Women in Nursing"
Dr. Cindy Stephens, Family Nurse Practitioner
Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 4:30 p.m., Reuter Center Manheimer Room
 
 I n higher education, STEM is all the rage and with good reason. Graduates who choose one of these majors are often in line for well-paying entry level jobs. But how would you respond if a son or daughter came to you wanting to pursue a career in science? Would you think of nursing? Probably not. Why then do we give these nurses a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree? Even a Doctor of Science in Nursing? Nursing research has gained significance in advancing our nation's healthcare, and researchers in nursing tackles issues of great importance such as symptom management, health disparities, and the value of nursing care. As healthcare reform evolves, nurses will pay key roles in improving health outcomes, but they still face barriers to funding their research and regulatory barriers to their practice. This seminar will call attention to registered nurses and their contributions, both in the role they play as expert clinicians and as leaders who influence healthcare quality. The benefits of Nursing as a STEM field will be discussed.


World Affairs Council
Tuesday, February 20, 2018, 7:30 p.m., Reuter Center Manheimer Room
 
The Waning of Pax Americana? 
with Jonathan Tetzlaff

Jonathan Tetzlaff 
Tetzlaff is the founder and president of Tetzlaff Risk Management, who, as a consultant, has worked with major corporations on risk/threat analyses and travel security programs.
 
Come to the Reuter Center for these fascinating lectures and discussions that aim to advance international awareness and foster Western North Carolina's global ties. OLLI members receive a discount on WAC annual membership fee.  The World Affairs Council meetings offer a lively line up of topics and compelling presenters.  
 
All lectures are scheduled in the Reuter Center's Manheimer Room, free to WAC members and students, all others $10 at the door. For more details about programs, consult the WAC website. http://www.main.nc.us/wac
Advance Care Planning Workshop
Thursday, February 22,  4:30 p.m., Reuter Center Manheimer Room
doctors2.jpg 

This 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".

Preparation for you to do before the workshop:  Talk to your possible "power of attorney for healthcare," the person who would make health care decisions if you are unable.  If you have internet-access and a printer, click here to access a copy of the form.  Please print the form, study it, and bring it to the workshop along with any questions you might have for the panel.

If you have never been admitted to Mission Hospital but want your advanced directives added into the Mission Medical Record, click here for an Advance Directive Permission form to fill out. Also, if you have existing advance directives, you may mail the Permission Form along with a copy of your existing Advance Directive to Mission for addition to the Mission medical record. 

This workshop is free and open to everyone, adults of all ages.  More information, contact OLLI, 828.251.6140, [email protected].
Special Interest Group The Forum
Friday, February 23, 1 p.m., Room 205  
 
Meeting Topic: "Mental Health and Older Americans" 
 
Mark your calendar to attend this free-flowing dialogue designed to enrich and expand participants' thinking on topics ranging from changing demographics of retirees to nuclear disarmament.  All OLLI members are invited and welcome!   SIG contact: Beth Johnson, [email protected] 

March Madness Lecture
Tuesday, February 27, 3 p.m.
Reuter Center Manheimer Room


Bubble teams and brackets. Upsets and Cinderella teams. Blocks, dunks, layups and buzzer beaters. Bitter defeats, thrilling wins and "one shining moment." They're all elements of the "big dance" we call March Madness, the NCAA Basketball Tournament.  Learn more about this annual college sports ritual from a couple of UNC Asheville experts.
Larry Griswold, popular instructor for sports history courses at College for Seniors, will offer an overview of the history of college basketball championship tournaments and the evolution and growth of the NCAA tournament.  Janet Cone, UNC Asheville's athletics director and the only woman currently serving on the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball committee, will give us an insider's view of the selection and seeding process. Feel free to wear your college colors, if you remember that here at UNC Asheville we are all Bulldogs!
Free and open to everyone. 

2018 Parsons Lecture
Thursday, March 1, 7 p.m.
Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville Campus


"From Monroe to NASA"
Christine Darden, NASA Mathematician, Data Analyst, and Aeronautical Engineer


 

 Christine Darden, a leading mathematician, data analyst and aeronautical engineer for NASA, is one of the researchers featured in "Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race," a history of some of the influential African-American women mathematicians and engineers at NASA in the mid-20th century.


Darden will share her story of growing up in the Piedmont, N.C. town of Monroe, spending two years at Allen High School in Asheville, and during her 40-year career at NASA, becoming an internationally-known expert in  sonic-boom minimization. In 2007, she retired as a member of the senior staff at the NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. 

UNC Asheville's annual Parsons Lecture is funded through an endowment from a mathematics alumnus in honor of Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Joe Parsons. The goal of the Parsons Lecture is to bring to Asheville a nationally renowned mathematician able to communicate mathematical concepts and use with a general audience.

For more information, contact Sheryl Donaldson in UNC Asheville's Department of Mathematics,  [email protected] or 828.251.6556, or visit  math.unca.edu.

Sierra Club Meeting
Thursday, March 1, 7 p.m.  (Note the change to Thursday. 
Location Unitarian Universalist Congregation of  Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, corner of Charlotte  and Edwin

"How to talk about climate change with those who don't believe."
Learn what works and what doesn't. 

. Contact: Judy Mattox, [email protected], (828) 683-2716 
Free and open to the public.
Storytelling Performance
Friday, March 2, 7 p.m. 
Southside Center, 285 Livingstone Street, Asheville
 
On the Row by Dr. Wesley Grant, Sr.   

The Northwest Arkansas Prison Story Project is a storytelling/creative writing project benefiting incarcerated women and men in Arkansas since 2012. Inmates share their stories, inspired through the use of poetry, creative writing, literature and songwriting. Their work is edited into a staged reading, initially performed by professional actors inside the prison and then outside for the community.
 
The Asheville performance features local actors, including three current UNC Asheville students. It will be only the second performance of this piece ever outside of Arkansas. 
 
The performance is free and open to everyone. Donations are accepted and will benefit the Wesley Grant Center. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute | 828-251-6140 | [email protected] | http://www.olliasheville.com
Reuter Center, CPO #5000
UNC Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804