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THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Join this exciting four-week class where flat paper transforms into amazing 3-D worlds! We will learn how to use simple card stock to build incredible models.

FREE EVENT FOR OLLI MEMBERS....

Discover how AI can make retirement more engaging, healthy, and creative. Learn how to use AI tools to manage finances, plan travel, improve health, explore hobbies, and keep learning new things. This friendly class shows real examples of AI in everyday life—no technical experience required.

FREE EVENT FOR OLLI MEMBERS!

Artificial Intelligence is making photo editing faster and easier than ever. In this class, you’ll learn how free AI tools can improve lighting, sharpen images, remove unwanted objects, and restore old photos with just a few clicks.

We’ll also explore simple apps that work on iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows, and Mac so you can enhance your photos on almost any device.

NEW LOCATION FOR SUMMER

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.

Join me for a 6 week journey that bridges ancient wisdom and modern wellness coaching. This course is designed for those seeking to navigate life’s transitions with more clarity, intention, and ease. Each session is designed to engage both the body and the mind. We begin with 45 minutes of Somatic Grounding—utilizing gentle breathwork, guided meditation, and chair-supported movement to calm the nervous system and sharpen focus. The second half of the class transitions into a Professional Coaching Workshop. We will explore the 6 Pillars of Mindful Living and learn how to apply these timeless principles to our daily habits, relationships, and state of being. Come to explore and discover what is possible for you.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

The Art of Song: Songwriters’ Circle will be an interactive and collaborative class sharing original material in formative or advanced stages, supported by discussions on writing technique, structure, and process. The goal will be to encourage group interaction, feedback, and mentoring. Instruments will be encouraged in the gatherings, with opportunities to improvise and suggest music development. Both beginning and experienced songwriters are welcomed. The prior songwriting class Art of Song: Songwriting Workbook will be provided as a reference.

This class will examine three important conditions that cause people to believe misinformation and lies that weaken our democracy.

Especially important in a democracy is a commitment to a ”Just War”. How is that different from “War”? A discussion of the principles of a “Just War” will be included

What to buy, when should you buy new devices, and basic usage of devices. Most frequently used apps will also be covered in class.

This class will be for beginning users or students who may be interested in purchasing apple devices.

iPad's will be available for use in class for anyone who does not own one.

Increase your Guitar playing skills with this group of musicians. Peer learning with a Focus on The Fundamentals.

Questions?? Contact frankswatek@hotmail.com

NOTE: NEW TIME   12:30 - 2:30   Location is St Gregory's Episcopal Church  Hall   

Explore contemporary nonfiction books in this engaging book club for lifelong learners. We examine works on politics, history, public policy, and current events through thoughtful conversation, critical thinking, and shared reflection in a welcoming environment. This summer, our readings trace how the global competition for strategic resources shapes geopolitics, conflict, and economic power. We begin with an exploration of the six essential raw materials that underpin modern civilization, from microchips to construction. We then turn to four decades of rivalry in the Middle East, a region holding much of the world's energy resources. At a moment when supply chain disruptions, trade policy, and energy security dominate headlines, these books offer crucial context for understanding how the scramble for materials drives international relations, technological advancement, and regional instability. Together, they reveal why control over physical resources remains central to global power, and how resource competition continues to reshape alliances, economies, and conflicts worldwide.

Summer books: July 31 – "Material World" by Ed Conway

August 28 – "Black Wave" by Kim Ghattas

Prerequisite: Bridge 1 or knowledge of Bridge 1 materials.

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 we are fully 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. As each campaign is analyzed, we will note the technical developments of the time— new aircraft, new weapons, new tactics-- and the leadership is evaluated.

Ground Education, a local nonprofit Group that works alongside Long Beach Unified School District to build and teach in public school gardens, will host OLLI members in an ADA compliant classroom setting and explore the great green world of container and small space gardening. Together we will learn about benefits of vegetable gardening in containers, start seeds in small trays, create a garden journal, discuss soil, plant selection, watering, daily maintenance, and possibly have a visitation to a local school garden. We hope that OLLI members will gain confidence and knowledge to grow their own veggies and other plants in containers. .

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 If you want to read short stories that leave an impact long after reading them, sign up for “Four Stories, Four Weeks” to discuss a classic or contemporary work each week in the company of readers who enjoy storytelling in the short form.

Designed for both new and experienced Mac users looking for a refresher, this class covers the basics, including the differences between the Mac and Windows interfaces and how to customize the Mac to work more like Windows, if desired.

We’ll explore iCloud, Apple’s cloud service, and discuss recent improvements in (and how to use) many of Mac’s built-in apps for file management, photo management and editing, web browsing, document creation, content sharing, and password management.

Additionally, learn how to integrate your Mac with other Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches to boost productivity and creativity. Handouts will be provided, and there will be plenty of time for questions.

Growing and cooking with fresh herbs. The thought is exciting to some, and perhaps a bit intimidating to others.

But whether you are a seasoned gardener or just a beginner, join us to learn tips I have gleaned from my 45 years of experience in selecting, growing, harvesting, and even cooking with these incredible plants. Perhaps, with just a little stroll to your own kitchen garden, or a few steps to windowsill pots, you can gather the treasures for which man once sailed to faraway lands.

Location address will be sent 5 day prior to class.

We will begin the class learning the guitar nomenclature and how to tune the guitar. Next, we will go through strumming techniques. Then we will go through basic chord structures and how to change from one chord to another. Finally, we will work on playing our favorite song.

Students need a guitarsteel or nylon string (preferred) guitar and a smile! 

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Rancho Los Cerritos We will meet on site at the Rancho Los Cerritos, a national historic site located in the heart of Long Beach on the ancestral homeland of the Tongva people. The historic adobe house was constructed in 1844 and over the years has served as headquarters for cattle and sheep ranching, tenant housing, a private residence and currently a museum. Our interactive study of Rancho history will include house and garden tours, hands -on activities, visits from living history characters from the Rancho's past and exploration of artifacts.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Have you ever thought about starting a family tree or an extensive genealogy and did not know where to begin?

It's an exciting time to have a smartphone. But every year there are more features, and sometimes it’s hard to keep up with all the changes. Learn about many iPhone features and services ranging from phone care to the current Apple AI, how to manage your email, messages, and contacts, and the different ways you can personalize your iPhone. We’ll cover how to stay safe or private when you are using your phone, how to edit and organize all the photos you’ve taken, how to take advantage of the iPhone’s health features and much more. 

What does it mean to truly flourish? In this lively gathering, you will explore a practical, joyful framework with elements for designing a more active, balanced, and connected life. Each week, with interactive activities, we reflect, share, and co-design small choices that add up to a life well lived.

Every session comes alive with wisdom and music. Expect fresh inspiration for living well

Turn life wisdom into positive change. We invite lifelong learners to become community leaders who spark hope and action for community wellbeing. We will explore the science behind the social determinants of health, the common good, and how movements grow. Working in a collaborative pod, we will design a real-world community service project. Connect with an opportunity to join the growing Lifewell Sharing Movement as Los Angeles prepares for LA28.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

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

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.

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.

It gives me great pleasure to host our cinematic journey during the summer session.

Although each prior session hasn’t followed a central theme, the movies I chose this time arranged themselves quite neatly in a theme. We’ll see an “Oldie,” an animated film, a foreign film, a drama, a comedy and a new category; films about Los Angeles. The balance are movies I thought excellent. I choose films for their excellent writing, dialogue, acting, and their overall aura. If you enjoy delving more deeply into this art form enhanced via a group discussion, then this is the place to be. We will continue our quest to find the answer to: “What makes a movie a timeless masterpiece?”

OPEN TECH LAB Fridays 1:30 - 3:30

Come to the Tech Lab and check out the computers and software. (Windows 11, Mac iOS, Chrome OS /ChromeBook and Linux) Talk technology with Wes Peck who can help with explaining the functions of a Mac or PC. We're also looking for volunteers to assist others with devices / phones or Pads. Come visit and take advantage of using the Lab computers for any project you might have.

Send an email with your questions to olli@ csulb.edu

How can we create a beautiful, intimate experience as we move from this lifetime to our final “sunset”?

I/we will start by turning the fearful unknown into a known by exploring our options for palliative care, hospice care, end-of-life doulas, some alternative treatments and more. It is human to want to do things “our way”. This is true throughout life and possibly no more important than towards the end. We do need to understand our options; who can support us (and loved ones) in this, thus create the experience we all want and desire.

Thirty plus years in the Emergency Department and teaching about our directives has allowed me to be witness to life, death and everything in-between.

Join me to empower yourself and loved ones through this knowledge.

Did you study French in high school or college and wish that you could have continued your studies? Have you been using Duo Lingo or other online classes but want to have feedback from a live Frenchspeaking 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 intended to be a first-time experience in learning French.

NOTE:  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 Parlons Francais is offered twice each week in order to optimize the classroom experience. 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.

As we contemplate retirement, many of us seek greater meaning ..., many of us seek greater meaning in health, work, relationships, community, learning, creativity, or spirituality, yet the path forward often feels uncertain. This workshop series offers an opportunity to reflect on what matters most, and intentionally shape your next chapter. Designed to be accessible and practical, the series helps you create a focused, realistic plan for transformation. 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.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

 Tuscan and Roman Italian Gothic, Renaissance, and Mannerism Periods

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 read a short story and discuss our responses to what makes the story unique: themes, techniques, characters, atmosphere, etc. All class members participate, contributing multiple views of the same story. The results are stimulating, entertaining and sometimes surprising. Our source anthology is: A Century of Fiction in The New Yorker 1925-2025, Deborah Treisman, Ed. (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2025) It is available in several formats: Kindle, print, Audible. 

No one is immune from receiving deceptive emails, texts, calls, or even letters in their postbox that aim to steal their attention and money. Most people believe they can easily spot every such phishing attempt, yet millions fall for them daily. And with the rise of AI, it’s effectively now almost impossible to know just by reading the content of the message whether the sender is lying. But that doesn’t mean you can’t protect yourself! This class offers strategies to reduce unwanted and troublesome messages from ever reaching your inbox. Additionally, we’ll cover techniques that will minimize the exposure of your sensitive data from breaches and help you to know whether your sensitive information has been leaked, along with important steps to take if that’s happened

This class is designed for anyone who wants to improve the flow of energy throughout their body and work on balance. My Tai Chi process will enhance your overall system harmony and incorporates many different styles. Students may find that, over time, they exude a glow or energetic illumination!.

CLASS TIME  CHANGE - 10:00 - 11:30 AM

In this six-week course, we’ll be exploring different methods for creating our ultimate well-being. Some of the possible topics (subject to change): Journaling Ourselves to Wellness, The Benefits of Tea, Creativity Heals, All About Oracle Cards, and a Crystal Grid for Release. Each class will also feature an active meditation such as new ways to nurture the self, expanding possibilities to release our old thinking patterns, and saying good-bye to the past once and for all. Please bring your journal to the first class session

This class requires some (but limited) tap experience.  Classwill 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)

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

Learn tips and tricks to use your devices more effectively or efficiently. How to use control center, app switcher, Siri, how to get free apps, get phone life daily tip, show health app, internet reader version, downloads, search, add to home screen, find my app, and many other shortcuts.

Bring your charged device or iPads are available for classroom use. 

Class will cover basic information on traveling by car, cruising, plane, packing, and travel insurance. Review Apps that are available to help with travel plans. Using the internet, Siri and apps to help plan travel. How to use your apple devices when traveling.

iPads are available for classroom use

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

Have you wanted to know how to play the ukulele and didn’t know where to start? This beginning ukulele class will teach you how to tune and strum your uke and provide you with basic chords that will enable you to play many songs.

THIS CLASS IS FULL.

We'll work on practice pieces and sharpen our skills. Build a portfolio of work in which you will see your skills growing. Paint a different subject together each week. Subjects will range from still life to nature, landscapes, animals, people, and abstract. Learn and practice new techniques. We will paint on day one so bring your materials.