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Ready to add some sophistication to your guitar playing; perhaps add some new songs & chords for your repertoire? Join us if you would like to learn to play guitar-based music of our roots--folk, 60’s-70’s classic rock, blues. Instruction will be chord-based and song-based and is designed for players advancing their skills. We will be covering Advanced Chords, Strumming, Tabs, “Licks,” Double Stops, Bass Runs, and Barre Chords. An Intro to Lead Acoustic Guitar section will be attached to the class.

Contact instructor for more info before the 1st class if you are interested.  surfteach1@aol.com

We hear a lot about potential downsides of AI for the present and the future. Global public opinion of AI is declining as AI grows. Yet there are potentially valuable upsides to AI technologies. In fact, a global organization (which includes the UN) is named “AI for Good.” Its goal is to “unlock AI’s potential to serve humanity through building skills, AI standards and advancing partnerships.” Pope Leo XIV is advocating for similar goals. And a recent book with the same title describes beneficial uses of AI.

This new class examines the issue of “AI for the Good,” covering both the current and potential benefits of AI, some of its unintended consequences, and, of course, touches on its potential harm. 

The more advanced recorder players participate in a group. Students will analyze and interpret the music and improve their playing! Join us as we progress along the “path to perfection”.

This class is for “beyond beginners”.

Bring your own recorder, either soprano or alto. 

Enrich your life a little by engaging the natural world. Learn to play the nature game. No special skills required. Some lessons, a few activities and we will get you up to speed. Three in-person classes. Last class will be a field trip….to be decided.

Learn everything you can do with the photo app, albums, folders, slide shows, editing photos. 3rd party apps will be reviewed and we will discuss what you can do with the photos you have taken. iPad's will be available for use in class for anyone who does not own one.

NOTE:  NOVEMBER 11TH IS A HOLIDAY.  CAMPUS IS CLOSED

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Students will explore the historical aspects, aesthetic compositions, and the lives of influential artists and architects representing the Italian Mannerism and Baroque periods and the Italian and French Rococo period (1520-1790).

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

 Use those books that are lying around collecting dust and turn them into works of art that will jump out of the pages. Create 3-D images by folding pages in a book. Learn two methods—folding only and cut & fold. Learn how to select the correct book for the folding project. Once you have some basic knowledge on folding, it’s a very easy and affordable craft. You may add a bit of scrapbooking details to finish off the cover. Class material fee is $12 paid to instructor at first class meeting.

SPECIAL EVENT - FREE TO OLLI MEMBERS

Discover our universe filled with stars, planets and beautiful nebulae. Learn about the vastness of our galaxy, how stars are formed, and understand the speed of light. We’ll learn about the telescopes we now have in space that are used to view our universe. We will view the stars, the rings of Saturn and the moon through 2 high-quality telescopes. Students will understand how the universe is structured, identify certain planets in the sky and describe how telescopes work to amplify images at night. 

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

This course will explore the significant role that the City of Long Beach played in aviation history. From the early days of airplanes using the beach for take offs and landings to Long Beach’s new moniker, Space Beach, the course will cover the many developments of aviation. It will also focus on the individuals who contributed to aviation’s evolution. There will be two 90 minutes long field trips that include touring the historical Long Beach Airport terminal and visiting Rosie the Riveter Park.

We will first talk about the structure of the guitar (body, neck, tuning pegs etc.) and then learn how to tune it. We'll practice chord structures and some basic music theory, then strumming patterns. Soon we’ll begin playing some easy songs so moving from chord to chord will be easier.

Bring a guitar with steel or nylon strings (preferred) and a smile!

Increase your Guitar playing skills with this group of musicians. Peer learning with a Focus on The Fundamentals. Questions?? Contact frankswatek@hotmail.com

Explore nonfiction books on issues shaping our society and our lives, from the institutions we rely on to the challenges we face together. We offer thoughtful conversation and shared reflection in a welcoming environment. This fall, as our nation marks its 250th anniversary, our readings examine what it means to be an American, both as a matter of law and as a matter of lived history. First: the story of the U.S. Constitution itself, tracing how its promise of amendment has been argued over, invoked. Then we visit 13 regions of the country, revisiting the places where America has repeatedly defined and redefined itself.

Fall books: Oct - We the People: A History of the US Consittution - by Jill Lepore Nov. - This Land is Your Land - by Beverly Gage Class

Meets for two sessions at Los Alamitos on Oct.23 and Nov. 20

2 meetings only

Prerequisite: Bridge 1 and 2 or knowledde of Bridge materials.

Topics include: preempts and The Law, leads and carding, 2 club strong opener, 1430 and slam bidding, finesses, defensive thoughts, plus an in-class tournament for master points.

Pay the additional $20 card fee to the LB Bridge Center.

Course will extend beyond session to Dec 1.

Constance Malaambo, R.N., who worked in the Emergency Department for over 30 years will now take you through the process of completing your Healthcare Directive. It is important to understand your options for medical treatment; our choices on exactly what we want; choosing someone to speak for you if needed. We plan our funerals. But the act of dying and how this may occur is up to us and our gift to our loved ones. Please join me in creating this gift. 

NOTE:  NOVEMBER 11TH IS A HOLIDAY.  CAMPUS IS CLOSED

Whether you are an experienced singer or have always desired to sing, this creative chorus is for you. Together we will gain confidence in our natural singing abilities and musicianship. Performances will be scheduled when prepared. Fee for music scores. A pencil w/eraser and a 1” BLACK 3 ring binder are required.

Note: This class is a continuation of this topic. Prior attendance is not required.

Clash of Wings is a wide-ranging survey of the great air campaigns of World War II extending from the first bombs dropped in Poland to the atomic weapons exploded in Japan. It covers all theaters from the frozen steps of the Soviet Union to the heat of Pacific jungle fighting. In each theater, the principal focus is on the people doing the fighting, and it is important to note that the ordinary soldiers, sailors, and airmen fought with dignity and courage irrespective of their country or their cause. We will note the technical developments of each campaign time—new aircraft, new weapons, new tactics--and the leadership.

This Hyflex class, both Zoom and on campus, will make you smile with an occasional chuckle. Come for more laughter featuring a few of my favorite comedy movies from the past and from many comedy genres. See films I have enjoyed and I hope you will too! Most are not the mainstream comedies you would expect, but rather overlooked films that deserve a second chance. Grab the popcorn and get ready to enjoy your afternoon

Dungeons & Dragons has had quite a resurgence but many people are intimidated by playing, finding a group, or running a game. Whether you’ve played as a kid and want a refresher or you’ve never played before, this class will get you battle-ready! You’ll learn the basics of the game, some history, and some Table Top Role - Playing Game (TTRPG) alternatives to D&D.

Once we’re acquainted with the game, we will break into groups of 5 or less and play! We will end with instruction on how to run a game (GM, “Game Master”). $10 fee for materials, including dice and a mini figure. Adventure awaits!

NOTE:  NOVEMBER 11TH IS A HOLIDAY.  CAMPUS IS CLOSED

NOTE:  NOVEMBER IS A HOLIDAY.  THE CAMPUS IS CLOSED.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Learn the fundamentals of finger style, Travis picking, finger rolls, thumb independence, and chord melodies. Review knowledge of chords and positions. Learn a variety of song styles, including: traditional, folk, country, blues, and jazz.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

“When you read a short story, you come out a little more aware and a little more in love with the world around you.” — George Saunders

THIS CLASS IS CANCELLED FOR FALL SESSION

This course will focus on timeless fashion for women. We will look at color, first impression and how choosing the correct colors will make your skin and face glow with natural beauty. You will learn about your body type and what clothing styles best complement it. Do you know what fashion personality or face shape you have? Knowing this will assist you in selecting glasses, earrings and hair-styles. I will show you how to create a Core-Wardrobe in your fashion personality and how to use your accessories to create more looks with the clothes you already have.

Combining history and art history, we’ll cover six of the most significant dynasties and empires of India. We’ll span almost 5,00 0 years of history from the Indus Valley civilization of 3,000 bc up to the advent of the British Raj in the mid-19th century. We’ll study the Maur yans, Kushans, Guptans, Cholas and Mughals. Within that time frame we’ll weave in various threads of art history, architecture, sculpture, painting, religion and philosophy. For example: the origins of yoga, the great Sanskrit epics, the birth of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, and more. Overarching themes will be the cultural contributions of India as well as its importance in ancient and pre-modern world trade routes. 

SPECIAL EVENT - FREE FOR OLLI MEMBERS

This talk draws from first-person accounts of people and families who fled Hitler and ended up in a country they never knew existed. In Ecuador, a Jewish community of over 3,000 Jews blossomed for over 25 years and still exists today. The contributions of this small Jewish community in Ecuador cannot be ignored, and several examples of their current impact are summarized and celebrated.

SPECIAL EVENT - FREE TO OLLI MEMBERS

The Cypress College Holocaust Survivor’s Portrait Gallery will help to preserve stories and to ensure the world never forgets what the survivors experienced. The portraits go beyond likenesses and capture the essence of the survivor’s character and their resilience in the face of unspeakable horror and loss. Join a docent narrated tour of the Holocaust Portrait Gallery, meet the photographer, see the portraits which will spark empathy and admiration as you hear their stories. Students will provide own transportation.

Presentor: Karen Lynn Cant

P

Mushroom Montoya has been involved in the practice of shamanism since 1981. Some things are best learned when experienced, first hand. Learning about shamanism is best learned by going on a shamanic journey. In the class: you'll learn how to journey into nonordinary reality and meet spirit helpers. Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice known to humankind. A shaman is a man or woman who uses the ability to see “with the strong eye” or “with the heart” to travel into hidden realms. Shamans have and still act as healers, doctors, priests and priestesses, psychotherapists, mystics, and storytellers.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Join us as we play Irish fiddle tunes and sing traditional “pub” songs and sea shanties, while discovering a little history of the Emerald Isle. Traditional instruments (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, bodhran, tin whistles) welcome.

This is a romp through Brooklyn, NY, from its beginnings to present day, with videos that epitomize Brooklyn life. The course will highlight many famous people that grew up in Brooklyn and their achievements. It will cover neighborhoods, landmarks and Brooklyn’s impact on the world as well as describing how life in Brooklyn today is different from how it was when many OLLI people grew up there. 

Jazz was born in New Orleans at the end of the nineteenth century, in a unique cultural environment shaped by African, Caribbean, French, and American influences. Introduced to France by American soldiers during World War I, jazz quickly found an enthusiastic audience and became a lasting part of French cultural life. Over the following decades, many legendary American musicians—including Sidney Bechet, Josephine Baker, Bud Powell, and Miles Davis—found in France a welcoming environment where they could perform, create, and often enjoy greater artistic freedom and recognition than at home. This course explores the rich and enduring relationship between jazz and French culture. It will be offered using music and video presentations both in person and via Zoom (HyFlex).

Would you like to take on a knitting project with others who share your love of the art? Bring your desired pattern and materials and we will work through your project together in a friendly instructor-guided environment. You will have fun and success. Students will learn to read and manage their patterns. Seeing others’ projects and successes will inspire students to blossom. Knitters can tackle almost anything with kind support.

This class is for “beyond beginners” only.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Discover the timeless sport of Lawn Bowls in this 5 week intro! Learn the rich history, core skills, and key rules. All abilities welcome—safety, fun, social connection, and personal gains come first. Enjoy sun, gentle exercise, and friendly competition as you kick-start your journey into this classic, inclusive game . 

Movement with low impact, non-aerobic practice to prevent disease, protect your health, increase concentration with meditation. Do nothing that hurts or feels uncomfortable.

Objectives: Develop better balance; increase physical strength by stretching muscles, tendons; and supply greater amounts of oxygen to the body through deep breathing.

Equipment: BRING YOUR OWN POLE. Purchase a collapsible painter’s extension pole that opens to 3-4 “ longer than your height, with rubber (not plastic) end caps (Ace Hardware or Lowe’s). Wear tennis shoes and loose, layered clothing.

This course takes you on a journey through the stories of resistance and rebellion among enslaved people in the Americas. We’ll dive into famous uprisings like the Haitian Revolution, the Amistad Rebellion, and Nat Turner’s Uprising, as well as some lesser-known fights for freedom in places like Brazil, Cuba, and the Guianas. You’ll get to look at firsthand accounts and expert research to figure out what drove these movements, how they were organized, and what they accomplished.

Meditation has been defined as a way to quiet the mind, connect with our inner self, and even heal our body. It has been used for centuries within most spiritual and religious settings. In the Western world it is being accepted not only as a spiritual practice, but also as an adjunct to other therapies to treat chronic pain, lower blood pressure, treat PTSD, and boost our immune system. It is a useful tool for everyone to disconnect from the constant negative news, traffic jams and all that challenges you. Daily meditation can provide insight into different levels of consciousness and science has now shown that longterm meditators can obtain other physical benefits.

This is class is designed for beginners and will cover not only the practice of, but the science behind meditating.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

In this class, participants prepare memoirs that detail memorable life experiences. Each week, members have the opportunity to share the essays they have written in advance. Participants are asked to honor an 800-word/5-minute reading time limit in order to accommodate all class members. Each author will receive supportive feedback related to his/her submission. Discovering one’s personal writing style, voice, and effectiveness are part of the fun we enjoy in this class.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Immerse yourself in a world where paper comes alive under your fingertips. Join a hands-on workshop celebrating creativity and the art of upcycling. Whether you're an experienced artist or a complete novice, this paper mâché workshop is a great opportunity to create and transform simple materials into your unique pieces.

 I am delighted to continue as host for our next cinematic journey this Fall session. After screening a variety of films this last summer, I look forward to more exploration of foreign, animated, comedic, impactful and powerful movies. Some films may span two genres, an oldie that’s also about Los Angeles for example. It has always been my aim to include directors and actors who have exhibited excellence in the cinematic arts. Foremost, these selections are chosen for their excellent writing, dialogue, acting, and overall aura. After consulting with fellow cinephiles, I feel I have moved closer to understanding some common elements of “What makes a movie a timeless masterpiece.” Please join us as we “Seek the Answer Together.”

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Beginning students: Introduction to basic knitting and crochet stitches using class demonstration and individual instruction. Information covered in class will include types of stitches, stitch abbreviations, pattern interpretation and basic tools/supplies. Beginners, on the first day of class please bring a skein of size 4 or worsted yarn, and either size 7 or 8 knitting needles or a size H or I crochet hook, depending on your desire to learn knitting or crochet.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Intermediate students will continue to work on their projects with instruction and assistance from the instructor as needed.

If you are curious and would like to experience your life in more uplifting ways, this course is for you. Author Mary Ruth Velicki shares practical tools and perspectives for living with more peace, awareness, and joy in everyday life. Through engaging presentations, personal stories, and reflective activities, participants will explore ways to open their body, mind, and heart.

Topics include:

• Opening the body /calming the body-mind • Appreciating the connection between body, mind, and spirit

• Opening the mental-emotional state

• Exploring energy and intuition

• Experiencing more presence, love, and connection

Did you study French in school and wish that you could have continued your studies? Have you been using Duo Lingo or online classes but want feedback from a live French-speaking person? If so, this course is for you! Come to refresh your memory and ignite your ability to speak and understand French through a variety of modalities. Guided conversations, vocabulary building, review of essential grammar, and training in proper pronunciation will be supported by a little reading, a little writing, and songs.

This course is for those with some knowledge of French and is not a first-time experience in learning French.

Parlons Francais is offered twice each week. The same content will be presented on Mondays and Saturdays. Please register for your preferred section and thank you in advance for not asking to make up absences by attending the other session.

Give yourself permission to play! Explore a variety of creative projects while experimenting with paper, fabric, thread, paint, and more.

No experience needed—just curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to try something new in a relaxed, supportive environment. 

SPECIAL EVENT - FREE TO MEMBERS

This class will explain why heart disease, stroke, and cancer are the major causes of death in the U.S. with poor diet and lifestyle as primary factors. Understand which foods promote excellent health and how to develop a health-oriented diet so your risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes will drop dramatically.

During retirement, many of us seek greater meaning in health, work, relationships, community, learning, creativity, or spirituality, yet the path forward often feels uncertain. This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect on what matters most, and intentionally shape your next chapter. Drawing on behavioral science research, we explore meaning, purpose, resilience, mindset, and habits, and apply these ideas to your life. Through guided reflection, creative exercises, peer collaboration, and a simple online interactive workbook that supports iterative reflection, you will gain new perspectives, clarify what gives your life meaning in retirement, and define achievable goals. You will leave with practical strategies to launch your next chapter, overcome barriers, and an accountability group to support continued progress momentum.

Do you wonder what you can change on your device? This class will cover the settings app on your iPhone or iPad, including camera functions, focus, accessibility, passwords, notifications. We will also cover the settings within other apps. Come learn tips for using your devices more efficiently. iPads are available for classroom use.

NOTE:  NOVEMBER 11TH IS A HOLIDAY.  CAMPUS IS CLOSED

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

 Explore meditation and the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda through an engaging 7-week journey designed to support balance, vitality, and overall well-being. Participants learn practical meditation techniques, receive an individualized mantra, and are introduced to Ayurveda—a holistic system of wellness that emphasizes understanding the mind-body constitution. Through simple Ayurvedic practices, students will explore how food choices, daily routines, rest, and self-care can support energy, digestion, sleep, and emotional balance.

This session we will read short stories from those collected in A Century of Fiction in The New Yorker 1925-2025. These stories include “classic” stories by well-known authors, lesser-known stories by prominent authors, and just plain excellent stories. Each week we will discuss what makes the story unique: themes, techniques, characters, atmosphere, etc. All class members participate... Our source anthology is: A Century of Fiction in The New Yorker 1925-2025, Deborah Treisman, Ed. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2025)

Introduction to the function of sleep, normal sleep, circadian rhythms of sleep, sleep deprivation, clinical sleep medicine (classification of sleep disorders and treatments), identification of sleep stages and abnormalities using physiological recordings, role of sleep for learning and memory. 

Learn secrets to design, build, and/ or restore stained glass windows. This course will cover leaded and copper foil techniques that haven’t changed for hundreds of years. Complete a project to beautify your own home and/or give to friends as keepsakes. A materials list will be provided at the first class meeting.

Questions?: snewcomb@congruex.com

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Every life is a story waiting to be heard. As elders we carry not just memories, but the meaning behind those memoires, the synthesis of a life. Aging offers a rare opportunity to pause, examine and reflect on what has been experienced. This class combines story structure and life progression with remembered events through the lens of topics like cultural life scripts, autobiographic memory, narrative identity, life themes, and reframing and repair. A high degree of interaction and personal sharing is part of this class.

The 12:45 class requires some (but limited) tap experience. Both classes will have a warm up, learning steps, dancing across the floor with short combinations, and a cool down with stretches. Tap will improve your coordination, balance, dance moves, and of course your mood! Tap shoes are recommended but not mandatory; give the class a try first if you’d like. For more information you can contact the instructor via email (abianchinoolli@gmail.com)

4th St. Senior Center, LB Have you ever wanted to learn to tap dance but never got around to it? This beginner’s class will get you moving, making noise, and having fun while getting a great workout. No experience necessary for the 11:45 class!

The 12:45 class requires some (but limited) tap experience. Both classes will have a warm up, learning steps, dancing across the floor with short combinations, and a cool down with stretches. Tap will improve your coordination, balance, dance moves, and of course your mood! Tap shoes are recommended but not m Class limit: 10 in each group

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

This is a new format class by Watercolor Mastery instructor Anne Kupillas, who will lead you to paint intermediate to advanced paintings using three steps. Each week, we will explore approaches such as painting from Large to Small, Light to Dark, Thin to Thick paint consistencies, and Wet to Dry. Subjects will vary across genres (landscape, still life, portrait, etc.). This course is an instructor Demo/ student Paint- Along with Q&A, rather than a step-by-step format. Students will need to keep up! You will need basic supplies plus a hairdryer (a full list will be sent upon registration).

Human innovation and trial and error created fabrics and dyes on every continent. From spinning to weaving, textiles spurred innovation and industrialization. For 3,000 years India dominated cotton production and the art of dying and monopolized trade on the Indian Ocean. We’ll look at how textiles spurred global trade and impacted the environment today.

We'll begin with a basic inventory of our observable universe: earth, our solar system, stars, galaxies, and galaxy clusters. We will marvel at the appearance of these heavenly bodies and their features. As we examine the sky and the motion of the Earth, we will explore the causes of seasons, eclipses, and phases of the Moon. We will analyze the basic properties of light and the newest telescopes that are contributing to our understanding of the universe. All class sessions feature striking visual images taken with powerful telescopes.

SPECIAL EVENT - FREE TO OLLI MEMBERS

Come for a fun night and learn about the US Space program; how the rockets of WW2 inspired the beginning of the US space program. We’ll learn about The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), in Pasadena, CA, and the development of our first satellite. We’ll discuss the Apollo Project and our more recent space missions. You will view the moon and Saturn through a telescope. We'll finish our evening viewing the area where Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, using 2 high-quality telescopes.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Yoga is for Every Body! Chair Yoga provides the advantages of yoga’s amazing health benefits including relaxation and a feeling of well-being with adaptations for all levels of flexibility. This class uses yoga exercises, breathwork, energy work, basic meditation, and acupressure for a total yoga experience. Students report better balance, strength and flexibility as a result of Chair Yoga! This yoga experience is based on Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga (LVCY), Eden Energy Medicine, and Dr. Micheal Reed Gach Acupressure Yoga.

Yoga is for Every Body! Chair Yoga provides the advantages of yoga’s amazing health benefits including relaxation and a feeling of well-being with adaptations for all levels of flexibility. This class uses yoga exercises, breathwork, energy work, basic meditation, and acupressure for a total yoga experience. Students report better balance, strength and flexibility as a result of Chair Yoga! This yoga experience is based on Lakshmi Voelker Chair Yoga (LVCY), Eden Energy Medicine, and Dr. Micheal Reed Gach Acupressure Yoga.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Come experience this new version of Yo Me Ki® 2026. Yoga is still a mainstay, but we’ll also be adding in other movements to keep our bodies limber. The meditation portion will focus on healing enhanced by the soothing sounds of crystal sound bowls. In the Reiki part, we’ll concentrate on clearing the subconscious mind for a greater sense of well-being. The goal of this class— to leave more relaxed yet focused; thus, enjoying a better quality of life. 

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Come explore this popular art form that is an easy-to-learn and relaxing method of drawing structured patterns. Anyone who thinks he/she is a “nonartist” can learn! Arlene will guide you in teaching techniques and creating hand-drawn patterns into art. The Zentangle Method® develops focus and creativity, hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and more.