ELI March Madness Bracket Competition

Have you signed up for our ELI March Madness Bracket Competition? The tournament begins March 20th! 

Join our Tourney Pick’em through Yahoo. 

Bracket group name: ELI March Madness Competition password eli1234. 

If This group is full, check out our second group name: ELI March Madness 2 
password: eli12345. Join here: https://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/quickenloansbracket/register/joingroup

56th Annual Highland Maple Festival

March 8-9 & 15-16, 2014

The Highland County Chamber of Commerce presents the 56th Annual Highland Maple Festival. 

Take a look at the website here.

"Take a step back in time to Highland County, "Virginia's Switzerland." Travel back roads and mountain byways to the annual Highland Maple Festival. Held on the 2nd and 3rd weekends of March, the Maple Festival has been an annual event in Highland County, Virginia, since 1958.

Each year, thousands of visitors are drawn to this unspoiled, rural region of Virginia to celebrate the 'opening' of the trees and observe the process of maple syrup-making. Sugar camp tours provide a unique and educational experience that portrays a rapidly vanishing way of American life."

Celebrate Black History Month with ELI this Saturday

 

February is Black history Month. ELI will be providing several events that you can participate in below:

Weekend meet-up:

Saturday, February 15^th @ 12pm-  African American Civil War Memorial & Museum

Join ELI for our February weekend meet-up! In Honor of Black History month, meet us for an afternoon to explore the African American CivilWar Memorial & Museum. Get a chance to meet other ELI students and learn some local history. Families are Welcome!  

Lessons In Leadership Webinar Series:
Wednesday February 26^th  @ 6pm – “No Quit Zone” Featuring Crystal Jackson

Students are faced with being campus leaders, dealing with peer pressures, combating all the new issues that face them daily, all the while they are trying to balance it all. This keynote helps to equip them with the tools they can use to handle daily pressures, identify triggers that cause them to want to quit, and how to stay connected to their goals.  To learn more about our speaker , please click here.

Also, follow us through social our social media sites and our Virtual Student Union as we celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of African Americans. You can do so by clicking here.

For more information about these Student Life events and others happening with ELI, visit our calendar at: http://eli.nvcc.edu/calendar    

Celebrate Black History Month with ELI

February is Black history Month. ELI will be providing several events that you can participate in below:

Weekend meet-up:

Saturday, February 15^th @ 12pm-  African American Civil War Memorial & Museum

Join ELI for our February weekend meet-up! In Honor of Black History month, meet us for an afternoon to explore the African American CivilWar Memorial & Museum. Get a chance to meet other ELI students and learn some local history. Families are Welcome!  

Lessons In Leadership Webinar Series:
Wednesday February 26^th  @ 6pm – “No Quit Zone” Featuring Crystal Jackson

Students are faced with being campus leaders, dealing with peer pressures, combating all the new issues that face them daily, all the while they are trying to balance it all. This keynote helps to equip them with the tools they can use to handle daily pressures, identify triggers that cause them to want to quit, and how to stay connected to their goals.  To learn more about our speaker , please click here.

Also, follow us through social our social media sites and our Virtual Student Union as we celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions of African Americans. You can do so by clicking here.

For more information about these Student Life events and others happening with ELI, visit our calendar at: http://eli.nvcc.edu/calendar    

Word Games that Give Back

Classes end today!!!  During the long break, take time to stimulate your brain as you explore Charitii.com!  Have fun while giving back and challenge you brain as you work on crossword puzzles for charity. 

Charitii’s website advises that by playing a crossword-style word game, you will be donating to various valuable resources. According to the website, when you play, you can choose which charity you want to play for.  Ironically, many of the benefiting charities are environmentally focused which aligns well to the No Impact Man Common reader program that ELI Student Life just completed.  As you explore the website you will learn that you can donate clean water to communities living in extreme poverty, give food to malnourished children and families, provide school education for children around the world, or even help protect our rainforests. By playing Charitii.com you are automatically helping, “one word puzzle at a time”.

Brain games such as crossword puzzles help boost and sharpen your brain, enhance your vocabulary and memorization, and, in this case, while also giving back!   For further benefits of crossword puzzles please click here.

Weekend Fun: Civil War Christmas in Camp

If you are a history enthusiast or looking for an affordable and educational weekend activity, the “Civil War Christmas in Camp at the Fort Ward Museum in Alexandria, Virginia may be the perfect leisure activity to experience.

Enjoy some hot mulled cider as you explore this educational and historical event. The program will feature a variety of fun and educational activities for all ages. Learn about the history of Santa Claus from historian and interpreter Kevin Rawlings, who portrays a patriotic Union Santa Claus based on a period woodcut engraving from Harper’s Weekly. Re-enactors will interpret how soldiers celebrated the holiday, including opening Christmas boxes from home, decorating living quarters in camp and more. And, weather permitting, soldier-led tours of the fort will be offered.

A Civil War Santa will listen to children’s holiday wishes, read “The Night Before Christmas,” and visit troops in camp. If you have children, they will have an opportunity to create a Victorian ornament or greeting card, and see examples of period ornaments on the Museum’s Victorian tree.

 

When: Saturday, December 14, 2013,12:00pm – 4:00 pm

Admission: Suggested Donation of $2.00 per person.

Where: Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site, 4301 West Braddock Road, Alexandria, VA

For more information, please contact the Museum at 703-746-4848  

or click here to visit their website.

Avoid a Black Friday Meltdown!

What is on your holiday shopping list?  Black Friday can be a great time to find some amazing deals and get shopping out of the way. Likewise, it can be a crazy time that can cause a lot of stress.  Plan well and consider the following strategies to promote a safe and successful day of shopping.   

Ø  Have a plan.  To start your ‘plan of attack’ explore the store flyers and visit Black Friday.com.  Write down the items that you plan to buy and the cost of each to prevent wandering without direction and forgetting what was on sale and where.  Be sure to bring the ads with you! 

Ø  Bring a friend to join in the fun.  If you have a limited budget, ask them to stop you if you are lured into buying something that was not on your list or in your budget. 

 

Ø  Prepare Some Snacks to Bring Along. If you are on a mission to visit as many stores as possible, avoid lines at restaurants and save money by bringing some healthy snacks and a few water bottles along. 

Ø  Consider visiting small boutiques and gift shops where the crowds might be less. You may find the prices are equivalent and you may also find some unique, fun gifts while also avoiding some of the Black Friday craziness.  

Ø  Price Matching.  If you do not have time to visit multiple stores, bring your flyers to one store.  Many stores offer price matching---show them the flyer and they may be willing to match the price on the exact same item.  

Ø  Unable to get out and shop?  Spend time with your friends and family and consider Cyber Monday and shop from the comfort of your home!  

Ø  If you are a night owl, many stores are beginning to offer their Black Friday late on Thanksgiving Day—this may be the perfect opportunity to get a head start and get some walking in after a big Thanksgiving meal.    

If you plan ahead with the right agenda and resources, Black Friday can be less stressful than you planned.  Or, you can choose to spend quality time with your family, and prepare for Cyber Monday. 

For more information on this topic, visit the following link.

Woodbridge Campus Theatre Group Presents, 'Our Town'

This weekend, the NOVA Woodbridge Campus Theater Group, will present their first production in the new Blackbox Theatre, “Our Town,” a Thornton Wilder’s Universal American Classic. 

Performance Date/Time:

Friday, November 15 at 8:00 p.m.

Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m.

The production is free for NOVA and Prince William County Public School students. General admission is $10; educators, military, EMT/fire/law, seniors, children, and other students pay $5. Tickets are available at the door (cash/check only).

This is a great opportunity to support the Theater Group while also enjoying an inexpensive evening or afternoon cultural event!

For reservations call 703-878-5750 or go online.  Free event parking will be provided

Fall Fun and Relaxation in Virginia

If you live in the Virginia area and need a break to get away and enjoy the beauty of the skyline, bursting with autumn colors, click here to visit the Fall in Virginia website. 

This website provides all the information you could possibly need to explore fall in Virginia.  You will find a plethora of recommendations for the best scenic drives, family getaways, romantic getaways, fall festival, corn mazes, pumpkin patches and even a Fall Foliage Hotline (1.800.424.LOVE).  There is also a search engine to help you find events taking place by area.  You will even find meters on this website showing the peak time the leaves are turning by area!!

According to the meter on the Fall in Virginia website, this will be a peak weekend to enjoy the colors in the mountain areas of Virginia.  This is an outstanding website to locate just about any fall fun you could desire.  Explore this website today and plan your day to relax, de-stress, and enjoy the beauty of autumn!  (If you do not live in the Virginia area, a web search will provide many similar websites by state – look for your state today!)

ELI Pedometer Challenge

Join The ELI Fall Pedometer Challenge as part of our Health and Wellness Interest Group!

What is it?

Compete and share experiences with other students by tracking your average daily steps for a month as well as create personal health and wellness goals.

How does it work?  

o      On October 25th, you will receive access to a Google spreadsheet where you will record your pedometer steps as well as keep track of what types of activity you took part in for the day/week.  

o     Pedometer steps will be recorded daily by each participant starting October 28th.  

o      The first 50 participants that sign up will be mailed a FREE pedometer to participate/ otherwise you will need to provide your own pedometer.  

o      Challenge begins on October 28th and ends at 11:59pm on Nov 24th. Prizes will be given for several categories including: weekly winners, best average, overall step count...etc) . 

o      Throughout the challenge, join our Health and Wellness group on ELI's Virtual Student Union. This will be used for participants to share their progress in the challenge and great health and wellness motivational articles and tips. Join here: (http://elife.nvcc.edu/vsu/?page_id=29)

How do I sign up?

Please click here to sign up!

For more information, contact elistlife@nvcc.edu

Annual Fall Into ELife Festival - Tomorrow, October 9, 2013

Join the Extended Learning Institute for our annual Fall Into ELife event!

When: Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Where:  Woodbridge Campus – (Patio outside Seefeldt Cafeteria)

Time: 11am-2pm

Meet the ELI staff and have fun as you enjoy games, free food, giveaways, AND participate in a service project to make pet bed/blankets to donate to a local animal shelter. 

Whether you are a current ELI student or have ever considered taking an online course, this is a great opportunity to get connected with our Student Life events. To learn more about ELI events that are happening throughout the semester, visit our Virtual Student Union

We look forward to seeing you there!

Join ELI for a Nationals Stadium Tour - Saturday, September 21

We look forward to your participation!

 

 

ELI’s Common Reader Program

The ELI Common Reader Program is an eight week program designed around the common theme of the book and documentary, No Impact Man. This is a great opportunity to interact with your peers and participate in both virtual and in-person events, while taking online courses at NOVA.   

No Impact Man, by Colin Beavan follows the author as he makes a commitment to not use plastic and toxins, turns off his electricity, follows an organic lifestyle, becomes a cyclist and, ultimately, tries to save the planet with his wife and young daughter in tow. As a family, they try to make no impact on the environment for one year.  

Throughout the semester, ELI will host several virtual and in-person events, as well as discuss the book through the Common Reader Blog. We hope that you will join us and learn how you can be part of the No Impact Project.   

We have a team of ELI faculty and staff involved in the planning and implementation of the ELI Common Reader Program. Participants will engage in online discussions through this ELI Common Reader Blog and at ELI’s Virtual Student Union, as well as various interactive virtual and in-person events throughout the fall semester. We look forward to working with you throughout the semester! If you have any questions about the program or if you would like to participate in the program and receive a free copy of No Impact Man, please contact us at ELIStuLife@nvcc.edu.

ELI Open House

ELI will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, August 28 from   5:30 – 7:30 at our new facility in Fairfax. Drop in for a great opportunity to meet faculty, staff and fellow students while learning information about support services available to help you successfully complete your online course(s). Food and raffle prizes will be provided! For more information, please contact elistulife@nvcc.edu

“The first 50 people to RSVP will receive an ELI prize pack. RSVP here.”
We hope to see you there!

ELI Welcome Week Events

The first day of the fall semester is quickly approaching!

Mark your calendars join us for our Fall Welcome Week events @ ELI!

August 21st	First Day of Classes!  Follow our social media sites for tips for success on the first day of classes!
August 22nd	Live Q &A with ELI: Join our Google Hangout to connect with staff and other students to get a jumpstart on your fall semester!
August 23rd	How to Succeed in Distance Learning Courses: This 45 minute webinar will focus on strategies and tips for being successful in distance learning courses Topics covered will include time management, schedule planning, learning preferences and support services. Sign up here!
August 26th	Common Reader Program Begins! Follow the blog here to learn more:
August 27th	Student Life @ ELI: Join us on Google Hangouts to learn more about programs and events offered online and in-person to become more connected and involved during the semester.
August 28th	ELI will be hosting an Open House on Wednesday, August 28 from   5:30 – 7:30 at our new facility in Fairfax. Drop in for a great opportunity to meet faculty, staff and fellow students while getting more information about support services available to help you successfully complete your online course(s). Food and raffle prizes will be provided. We hope to see you there!
August 29th	Common Reader Chat: Join us for our first book chat with our common reader participants through Google Hangouts.
August 30th	ELI Technology Fair: Visit ELI at the Manassas Campus as we answer all your technology questions as you getting started in your ELI courses. Stop by and enter to win a technology prize pack
Sept 1st	Join ELI’s online Fantasy Football League visit our Virtual Student Union (VSU). Compete with other students and win prizes. Sign up here!
Sept 5th	ELI Technology Fair: Visit ELI at the Alexandria Campus as we answer all your technology questions as you getting started in your ELI courses. Stop by and enter to win a technology prize pack.
Sept 12th	ELI NOVA Day:  Join us for virtual events including an online scavenger hunt and a Student Life Google Hangout chat to celebrate the ELI online student community!

Visit our ELI event calendar to learn more about these events and other programs at ELI! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weekend Getaway: Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

If you need some time to relax, unwind, and recharge, a quick weekend getaway at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, may be just the place to go!  From the Fairfax area, it is a short 51 mile drive.  According to Mapquest, it will only take about 1 hour and 15 minutes (from the Fairfax, VA area).  Once you arrive, you can relax and enjoy the beauty and activities.  The website boasts, ”Join a guided ranger tour, visit our exhibits and museums, hike our many trails, buy a book at the Historical Association's bookshop or just explore on your own. A short walk takes you into the town of Harpers Ferry where you will find restaurants and shops….”  If you enjoy walking, Harpers Ferry is considered one of the best walking parks in America! 

Reserve a day to get away and enjoy the peaceful scenery of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Potomac and Shenandoah river valleys at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.  Just a short drive away, this quick getaway will not disappoint you and may leave you feeling refreshed and recharged.

For detailed information, please visit their website.

Beat the Heat at a Water Park

As the days seem to get hotter and hotter, if you are looking for a way to cool off, consider cooling off at a local water park!  A few in the Northern Virginia area include (but are not limited to):

Water Mine Family Swim Hole, Reston, VA - operated by Fairfax County Park Authority.  According to the website, “The Water Mine Family Swimmin' Hole offers more than an acre of slides, flumes, sprays, showers, floatables and interactive play features, circled by Rattlesnake River with a 2.5 mile per hour current that gently nudges tubes along. A bit of the old west is recreated here. Kids careen off covered wagons, float on rattlesnakes and dash through showers tipped from water-filled ore carts….while the Water Mine's attractions are designed for elementary-aged children, there's something here for everyone. Tenderfoot Pond, with its pint-sized slides and gentle bubblers, gives toddlers a perfect place for water play. Teenagers can join a game of water volleyball, and everyone will enjoy going with the flow in a tube on Rattlesnake River.”.  For more information to include cost and hours, please visit their website.

Splash Down Water Park, Manassas, VA – privately owned and operated.  Splash Down is Northern Virginia’s largest water park.  Cool off in the lazy river or enjoy the leisure pool, activity pool, log walk, tropical twister and cannonball slides!  To learn more, please visit their website.

Volcano Island Water Park, Sterling, VA – operated by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority and located at Algonkian Regional Park.  According to the website, “Volcano Island Waterpark [is] Sterling’s favorite place [to] cool off and have fun…. Volcano Island is loaded with fun features for adults and kids. Volcano Island includes a 500-gallon dumping bucket, water slides, waterfalls and squirters! Visitors will find themselves amidst tropical foliage and grass hats, at the feet of the mighty waterpark volcano!”  To learn more, visit their website.

These particular water parks are not approved or recommended by ELife, they are referenced to serve as a sampling of the various water parks, large and small, across the local area. 

Lateral Thinking Puzzle

This is a mind puzzle....

Scroll down slowly and be honest with yourself.

 

       man

1. ------------

      board

 

 

 

 

 

 Ans. = man overboard

 

 

Okay, let's see if you've got the hang of it.

 

       stand

2. ------------

           i

 

 

 

 

 

 Ans. = I understand

 

 

OK .

 Got the drift ?

 

Let's try a few now and see how you fare ?

 

 

 

3. /r/e/a/d/i/n/g/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ans. = reading between the lines

 

 

4.  

      r

     road

      a

      d

 

 

 

 

 

Ans. = cross road

 

 

 Not having a good day now, are you ?

 

Redeem yourself.

 

 5. cycle

    cycle

    cycle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ans. = tricycle

 

 

 

 

 

Not easy to figure out ha!

 

 

          0

6. ------------

       M.D.

       Ph.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ans. = two degrees below zero

 

 

C'mon give it a little thought ! !

 

     

7. knee

    light

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ans. = neon light

 

( knee - on - light )

 

 

U can prove u r smart by getting this one.

 

 

            ground

8.         ---------------

feet feet feet feet feet feet

 

 

 

 

 

Ans. = six feet underground

 

 

Oh no, not again ! !

 

 

 

9. he's X himself

 

 

 

 

 

Ans. = he's by himself

 

 

 Now you're messing up big time.

 

 

 

10. ecnalg

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ans. = backward glance

 

Not even close ! !

 

 

 

11. death ....... life

 

 

 

Ans. = life after death

 

 

Okay last chance ...................

12. THINK

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ans. = think big ! !

 

And the last one is real fundoo - - -

 

13. abababababababababababababababababababab...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ans. = long time no 'C'