Thursday   

Ever been curious about an app, but don’t know how to get started using it? Join this class and choose from popular free apps like; WhatsApp, LinkedIn, YouTube, Uber, Google Maps, Eventbrite, or AI apps like Canva, IoT, Invideo AI, Bluesky, Gemini, Llama, Copilot. Many are part of the social media environment. Or you could learn about gifs, memes, or how to navigate the huge selection on Amazon, the App Store, or Google Play Store. This hands-on class helps you practice using the apps you choose. Learn on all devices and platforms, including computers or mobile devices.

Bring a charged mobile device to class.

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. 

 Find out how easy it is to build your own website, blog, chat or webinar. Make your own site or watch how it is done. We will explore popular website builders, including use of AI tools with WIX. Learn strategies to reach your intended audience, attract visitors to your site, enhance communications through social media channels, build loyalty, and maintain your website, blog or chat. All devices are welcome, but know how to use your device well. Enjoy learning about the most important tools for Internet communications.

Want to film your life and the lives of your family and friends? You can use the camera on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or an action camera like a GoPro. Learn how to shoot, edit, and enhance videos on each device, when it is best to use which one, filming techniques, smartphone video apps, useful accessories, plus creating scripts, background music, voice narration, editing tools, and AI as a tool to do and edit videos. Discover how to connect your work to other devices, achieve the best video quality, frame rates, and explore the differences between action cameras like GoPro and others. Bring your charged device to each class. Prerequisite: Experience using your Android, iOS, Action camera devices.

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. 

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!

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.

Stay informed and have your say on the news of the day. Instructors will choose a few current event topics each week, give a brief presentation for each and then ask for thoughtful comments and questions from the class. Discussions are very much valued and are the core of the class. Class members are also encouraged to choose a topic of their own and present it for discussion. 

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.

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 . 

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.

 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.

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.

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.

This class is designed for students who have been through the 101 class offered at OLLI, to learn additional strategies and techniques in the practice of Tai Chi Chuan. We’ll use demonstrations, observation and practice movements to develop an understanding and application of the five basic principles: relaxation, separation of weight, waist turn, upright body and virgin hands.

While Tai Chi has roots in Taoist philosophy and the martial arts of Qi Gong, this form of Tai Chi was developed primarily for its health benefit by Master Cheng Man Ching. This form seeks to engage and activate key meridians and functions within the body to create balance, flexibility and strength and a greater awareness and connection between the body, the mind and the animating life force of Qi. Hopefully students will incorporate its practice into their everyday life. I welcome you to join.

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.

Come draw with me - one line at a time. The Zentangle Method is an easyto- learn, relaxing and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structural patterns. The patterns are called "Tangles". We will create pencil and ink abstract drawings on 3-1/2" paper "tiles". No experience, planning or overthinking required. Bring a Notebook and your own pens, pencils. A kit of materials can be supplied at first class for $10 paid to the instructor.