Dear OLLI Members,

We had 1158 members sign up for our fall term allocation. We will in future make sure that deadlines for registration are published in all of our materials.  We are working with our software providers to try to resolve some of the payment issues that led to challenges with use of credit cards.  Many thanks to everyone who helped their fellow members navigate the system. We will send schedules on Friday, September 2 and will begin open registration on Tuesday, September 6, 10 a.m. 

Many of you have been asking about parking decals.  Our campus police have asked us to have you fill out a simple online Google form. They have asked us to release that form on August 29.  They will not ticket OLLI members until we have had a chance to register your vehicles and distribute decals (we will send a firm deadline in next week's newsletter). UNC Asheville classes begin tomorrow, Monday, August 22, so campus will be very busy.  We suggest that you not come to the Reuter Center unless you are coming for a specific event.

We hope that you will join us to celebrate the work of College for Seniors program assistant Anne Mock this Wednesday, August 24, 3 p.m.  We will have a short program and serve up ice cream from The Hop. Anne is retiring to be able to spend more time with her family in California but will also spend some time every year on the East Coast.  We are sad to see her go, but we are excited that she will be able to spend more time with family. 

Please remember that the Reuter Center will be closed this Friday, August 26, for the Paths to Creative Retirement workshop. This means that no Special Interest Groups will be held at the center that Friday.  We will re-open Sunday, August 28, 2:30 p.m.for The Autumn Players production of Somerset Maugham's "The Circle." 

With gratitude for the many people who contribute to OLLI's success,

Executive Director

We will listen to Myrna Farbiash's CD "Healing Lake Meditation." This guided meditation will take you to the sacred healing waters of an enchanted lake.  As you journey into the depth of your being, you will release tension and stress, balance your emotions and create harmony and inner peace.

Upcoming Meditation SIG programs:

Monday, September 26 ~ 

Bill Waltz,  instructor at College for Seniors, "Meditation and Evolving Consciousness"

Jacquie Wollins, instructor at College for Seniors, "Functional Meditation"

Jacquie Wollins, instructor at College for Seniors, "Healing Circle"

All OLLI members are welcome, and no previous meditation experience is necessary to benefit from Meditation SIG programs.

"The Young Solar Analogs Project: How Did a Violent, Young Sun Affect the Development of Life on Earth?"

The Astronomy Club of Asheville meets the first Thursday of each month, from 7-9 p.m., 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.

In the first presentation  of the term in the STEM lecture series, Jim Tyson, College for Seniors faculty and pilot, will present on "X-Planes."

How Can We Prevent a Third Gas Powered Electric Plant by Duke Energy?

     The Sierra Club and MountainTrue present an update on local efforts from Buncombe County, Duke Energy, and Asheville city to increase energy conservation and prevent the need for additional gas powered electric generation in Western North Carolina.  Hear from Brownie Newman of Buncombe County Commissioners, Jason Walls of Duke Energy, Julie Mayfield of Asheville City Council and Amber Weaver of the City of Asheville's Office of Sustainability.
For more information, contact Judy Mattox, 828-683-2176, email:judymattox@sbcglobal.net.

Never underestimate grannies.  At age 90 Doris "Granny D" Haddock blazed a 3200-mile trail across the U.S.  for campaign finance reform, precipitating the passage of the McCain-Feingold Act. She continued her bipartisan  efforts in countrywide voter registration drives, issuing her final challenge in 2010 at age 100: "Democracy is a running game. You huddle and you go back in. You keep going." 

Off-Broadway actress Barbara Bates Smith highlights the story of this crusader whose steel determination took the world by surprise and elevated her to national fame. Smith summons the granny with the straw hat proclaiming across the U.S. "Corporations are not people! Democracy is!"  

Thursday: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.