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This is the shortest of the six major Yang-style tai chi movements, taking about six minutes to complete. Tai chi is known for developing balance, strength, and flexibility. It is a form of meditation in movement. In this class you will learn all 24 forms and by the end be able to join other groups wherever you go.

Follow Epictetus's concept of the study of philosophy – study, yes, but go live your life as well. This discussion class is about understanding why and how we choose to respond to life every day. How or when did we decide what is important to us in living our lives? Not our purpose, but what is the basis of our decisions for living a meaningful, fulfilling life?

Follow Epictetus's concept of the study of philosophy – study, yes, but go live your life as well. This discussion class is about understanding why and how we choose to respond to life every day. How or when did we decide what is important to us in living our lives? Not our purpose, but what is the basis of our decisions for living a meaningful, fulfilling life?

The Ahart Herbarium at Chico State is the most complete repository of plant specimens from Northern California, containing more than 125,000 dried and mounted plant specimens. This guided visit will show you how herbariums work, what they do, and why they are an important source of information for scientific research.

The Ahart Herbarium at Chico State is the most complete repository of plant specimens from Northern California, containing more than 107,000 dried and mounted plant specimens. This guided visit will show you how herbariums work, what they do, and why they are an important source of information for scientific research.

This will be an opportunity to tour the Chico State greenhouse and see how it functions, what it does, and the different habitats that it supports to grow plants from many parts of the world. You'll also see some unique plants. This will be a walking tour lasting about 1 to 2 hours at the greenhouse and surrounding gardens.

Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were one of the most popular comedy duos in vaudeville, radio, television, and movies. In this class we will look at the timeline and arc of their success in entertainment by viewing slides and video clips of their most famous routines. Their impeccable timing made routines like "Who's on First" a comedy classic. We will look at how Kate Smith and, later, Seinfeld factored into the popularity of the duo. We will also look at the dynamics of the relationship between the two which was fraught, at times, with jealousy and animosity. Through it all they provided entertainment.

This acrylic class is for the absolute beginner as well as more experienced painters. We will follow step-by-step instructions to create our paintings while also learning why and what we are doing. Paintings will be completed over several class sessions. All materials are provided.

Substance use disorders are often confusing and frustrating for family, friends, and communities. Learn about the science of addiction, the treatment realities, and the psychopharmacology of common drugs in the North State. This presentation will leave your head spinning with data and brain scans that explain what we know about this complex disease of the brain.

California is facing continuing growth in the number of seniors residing in the state with 8.6 million adults aged 65 and older expected by 2030. The overall goal of the Age Well, Drive Smart program is to ensure older adults have access to continued driver's education and training to help keep roads safe for everyone. Upon completion of this course you will be issued an Age Well, Drive Well certificate that can be presented to your insurance company for a possible discount.

Mary Cassatt was the only American artist to participate in the exhibitions held in Paris between 1874 and 1886 by a group of French painters known as the impressionists. Cassatt received her early art education at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. She moved to Paris at the age of 22 to receive further training and spent most of her adult life there. This class will examine her oil and pastel works as well as her printmaking. In addition we will see how Cassatt's influence extended beyond her own works through her support for the suffragette movement and the guidance she provided to wealthy Americans looking to bring European art home.

This class offers a look at current anthropological research by screening a variety of short films about topics that have been explored by anthropologists at Chico State. Each film will be introduced by the instructor's remarks about its relevance to the broader context of contemporary anthropological discourse. All screenings will be followed by time for questions.

Five different art projects, five different instructors. Come create with us and have fun!

This class features a wide range of topics, from the classics of European art to American landscapes. Please join us for this exciting series, as we learn about the lives and works of four fascinating artists.

This continuation of personal experiences from the instructor's participation in military, agricultural, and aerial firefighting aviation will include aviation stories from after World War II. This term's vignettes will emphasize the local history of agricultural flying and aerial firefighting.

Explore the world of beading while designing your own bracelet. Get to know the tools of the trade and the different types of materials available for jewelry making. All tools and materials will be provided during the workshop.

Explore the world of beading while designing your own bracelet. Get to know the tools of the trade and the different types of materials available for jewelry making. All tools and materials will be provided during the workshop.

Explore the world of beading while designing your own bracelet. Get to know the tools of the trade and the different types of materials available for jewelry making. All tools and materials will be provided during the workshop.

This class uses a group study of the book Complete Spanish Step by Step, Premium 2nd Edition, by Barbara Bregstein, beginning with chapter 1.

This class uses a group study of the book Complete Spanish Step by Step, Premium 2nd Edition, by Barbara Bregstein, beginning with chapter 13.

This class engages in a group study of the book Complete Spanish Step by Step, Premium 2nd Edition, by Barbara Bregstein, beginning with chapter 7.

The place: a grim Indian urban slum, overshadowed by luxury hotels near the Mumbai airport. The time: 2008-2010. The real-life characters: slum residents with aspirations and energy. The plot: how they struggle and face tensions over religion, caste, sex, power, and economic envy, yet emerge with abiding hope. Using the learning through conversation format, we will discuss equity and inclusion, set in a contemporary international context.

The place: a grim Indian urban slum, overshadowed by luxury hotels near the Mumbai airport. The time: 2008-2010. The real-life characters: slum residents with aspirations and energy. The plot: how they struggle and face tensions over religion, caste, sex, power, and economic envy, yet emerge with abiding hope. Using the learning through conversation format, we will discuss equity and inclusion, set in a contemporary international context.

This class is for both beginning and experienced birders. Through observation and the use of your binoculars, field guides, and birding apps, class participants learn to identify birds in their natural habitat. We will meet once a month at different birding locations for field trips that may involve up to 2 miles of walking.

This class is for students who have taken the "Birding in the Chico Area" class more than once. We will not cover birding basics and will spend more time in the field. We will meet once a month at different locations for field trips that may involve 2-3 miles of walking.

Shakespeare is justly celebrated as a masterful poet and dramatist. But do his plays have a larger purpose or intention? What do all those enchanting fairies and mythical Athenians in A Midsummer Night's Dream have to do with that play’s otherwise mundane love story? Which Macbeth is meant by the title of that eponymous play? Why did Shakespeare choose to retell Homer's Iliad through Troilus and Cressida? What do these oddities have to do with Shakespeare's overall point, if any? By closely considering his text, this class explores how such features point to Shakespeare as more than a "mere" playwright but also as a thinker with big ideas.

No previous Tai Chi experience is necessary. All the movements are slow and gentle, and no martial arts applications will be taught or practiced in this study group. These methods may help lessen body pain, correct spinal misalignment, cultivate a sense of internal energy, and rest the mind. Participants can wear comfortable roomy or stretchy clothing and some soft tai chi shoes or socks to wear on their feet.

This class includes short presentations (talks, slides, videos) followed by discussions on all sorts of current US and world topics involving history, government, policy, science, technology, literature, education, culture, and many more. Participants are welcome to make presentations, suggest topics, discuss, or just listen. Special guests are also welcome to present.

Come play with color, patterns, and textures. These can be a catalyst for creativity and a way into journaling. You do not have to be an artist. No drawing or painting is required; this is not an art class. There are no rules, and this is not a diary. Journaling is recommended for self-reflection, stress relief, and self-expression, but often is not easy to do. We will use hands-on activities to get unstuck and help you to journal.

Come play with color, patterns, and textures. These can be a catalyst for creativity and a way into journaling. You do not have to be an artist. No drawing or painting is required; this is not an art class. There are no rules, and this is not a diary. Journaling is recommended for self-reflection, stress relief, and self-expression, but often is not easy to do. We will use hands-on activities to get unstuck and help you to journal.

"Folkloric" means "for everyone" – all ages, all abilities. If you can walk, you can dance; if you can talk, you can sing. This interactive class weaves together lecture, movement, live percussion, and discussion to explore embodied practices that preserve culture and build community. Participants learn through doing, engaging mind, body, and spirit in traditions that entertain, educate, and strengthen. As a bonus, when you're done, you won't need a trip to the gym.

Yes, really. Studies show it's better than crossword puzzles. It's good for your brain, your body, and your social life. We will find our common interest, be it modern dance, social dance, partnering, etc., and enjoy dance together. All levels of experience and abilities welcome.

There are fundamental principles and institutions that uphold democratic governance and serve as essential support for a democracy's associated freedoms and rights. We'll introduce these pillars and how we relate to them. What is their interaction with our own values, our community, and civil society? How can we influence change through them? This topic is relevant for all sociopolitical leanings, and can help empower us to apply effective actions in the civic space.

How did America's founders devise a system that limited state religion while extending religious freedom to all and how has that balance been tested ever since? Drawing on landmark legal challenges to religious freedom, this class explores the revolutionary First Amendment framework the founders created, the ongoing tensions between religious liberty and competing social interests, and what it truly means to live in a pluralistic society. A timely and thought-provoking look at one of America's most enduring constitutional debates.

This class is designed to assist you in planning the transfer of your wealth to a spouse, children, grandchildren, and any other people or organizations you want to benefit from your estate. OLLI sponsors Dana and Tara Campbell will explore the advantages and disadvantages of different methods for wealth transfer to enable you to make better decisions regarding your own estate. Plan on both lecture and discussion as many exciting things can be learned from information and experiences of participants.

The North State is home to rich, diverse public lands: refuges, parks, forests, and reserves. Your public lands provide vital wildlife habitat and protect our natural resources. On this field trip, we'll explore Gray Lodge with guidance from a California Department of Fish and Wildlife naturalist and enjoy an easy 2-mile nature walk on level paths. We will identify birds, enjoy stunning views of the Sutter Buttes, and learn about this haven for over 300 species of wildlife. Come explore your public lands with us!

Collage is a creative medium accessible to people of all artistic skill levels. We'll explore the world of collage by using different papers and techniques. There is no wrong way to create a collage. It is simply a matter of layering color, texture, and patterns. And it's fun!

In this class, we will look at old tales, their tellers and illustrators, and transitions from spoken to written literature. Fairy tales, a.k.a. magic tales, are very old and both stable and shapeshifting. People have enjoyed them in cartoons, Victorian nurseries, peasant huts, and even courts like Versailles. The original, oral forms of magic tales are violent, coarse, and sexually explicit. Sometimes governments, priests, or schoolmarms compelled changes. Sometimes, writers. There will be nine tellers with at least nine tales sent to class members.

Figure skating has inspired generations of filmmakers, historians, and fans. Through selected documentary films and archival footage, this class explores some of the people, events, and turning points that have shaped the sport's history. Topics may include legendary champions, Olympic triumphs and tragedies, the evolution of competition, and the personalities whose influence extends far beyond the ice. Each session will feature guided viewing, historical context, and discussion, by using film as a window into the sport's rich history and culture. Along the way we'll examine how these stories continue to influence modern figure skating and, when appropriate, highlight connections to Rochester and the surrounding region. No prior knowledge of figure skating is required, just curiosity and an interest in the stories behind one of the world's most captivating sports.

Physical well-being allows us to live our longest, most capable, and fulfilling lives. Come ensure your well-being through mobility exercises. We'll practice balance, strength, agility, and flexibility movements that improve your mobility. Each class follows a similar routine that can be done at home, allowing you to look after the health of your body for many years to come. All ability levels are welcome. Your body will thank you!

Physical well-being allows us to live our longest, most capable, and fulfilling lives. Come ensure your well-being through mobility exercises. We'll practice balance, strength, agility, and flexibility movements that improve your mobility. Each class follows a similar routine that can be done at home, allowing you to look after the health of your body for many years to come. All ability levels are welcome. Your body will thank you!

Paris, Normandy, Lascaux, and Provence are well traveled areas of France. France is more than those destinations. In this class we will explore five areas that you might not have heard of that are often favorites of the French. From history to culture, food, and heritage, we will discover what makes each worth the detour.

Fredrik Backman's novella And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer is an ongoing conversation between an elderly man and his young grandson, poignantly relayed in the poetic voice of Grandpa. As the conversation progresses, the reader is intimately drawn into Grandpa's inner world as he meanders into the hazy twilight of dementia. Reading in advance is optional. We will listen to an excellent reading of the book on CD together as a springboard for discussion.

This class is for people who have studied some French in the past. We study basic French grammar, usage, pronunciation, and vocabulary. The focus is communicating with others in written and spoken French.

This class is centered around a French book. The class reads aloud, followed by translation into English, with some discussion of vocabulary, grammar, and the plot. We will review grammar when questions about usage or form come up, perhaps dedicating a class to a particularly irksome topic.

On parle français dans cette classe, sans traduction (si nous avons de la chance). On doit avoir l'envie d'entendre et de parler mieux le français, et peut-être un jour le parler couramment. Il n’y a pas de textes.

Explore how voices in harmony helped shape music, culture, and community across nearly a thousand years of history. This class traces the emotional power of blended voices, from sacred chant and barbershop harmony to big band vocal groups, gospel, soul, country, doo-wop, rock harmonies, the folk music revival, the birth of the sonic layer, the British Harmony Invasion, and beyond. Through guided listening, storytelling, rare footage, and unforgettable performances, we'll celebrate the timeless magic of voices blending together to move, inspire, and unite us.

California's temperate climate allows an amazing array of plants to be grown locally. Edible gardens, pollinator gardens, native gardens, contemplative gardens, and demonstration gardens are some of the many varieties to tour. Inspired by the successful model of the "Arts & Eats" OLLI class, "Garden Gourmands" will focus on touring the art of garden landscapes combined with eating locally. Join Master Gardeners as we explore different area gardens followed by a no-host lunch at various local eateries to enjoy the bounty of Butte County.

Join us for a half-day adventure to Clotilde Merlo Park in Stirling City. This privately owned garden park with an abundance of plants, trees, and pollinating insects along with a fish-filled pond, is a lovely 20-acre gem situated at 3500' elevation. Bronze statues dot the landscape with numerous references to the historic activities in and around Stirling City. Opportunities for photos abound and depending on the weather, we may see the start of fall colors. After touring the Park, we will enjoy our bring-your-own picnic lunches.

Let go of stress and come home to yourself. Over millennia, the sages of the Himalayan Yoga Tradition developed highly effective methods of movement, relaxation, and meditation. In this study group you will learn foundational practices from the Himalayan Yoga Tradition. Each session will have three phases: gentle movement and breathing, deep relaxation, and meditation. Members can expect to leave this class refreshed. Please note that the movements taught in this study group are not acrobatics. They are suitable for people with no yoga experience. If you've attended yoga classes and found them to be too strenuous or otherwise challenging, this study group is for you.

Earth's history is filled with moments of upheaval, uncertainty, and transformation. In this study group, we will explore four geological stories that reveal how our dynamic planet has shaped climate, civilizations, and even human origins. From sudden global darkness to the near-collapse of ancient societies, from a restless supervolcano to the deep forces that helped create us, each session blends science, history, and discovery to uncover how we know what we know and what remains uncertain.

Golden Beaver Distillery is one of only a few distilleries in the country that use primarily rice. Learn about the unique process distiller Kris Koenig uses and how it sets Golden Beaver apart from other distilleries. You will also have the opportunity to taste whiskey, with surprising flavors of the season.

Join this nutrition class to learn about the six nutrients your body needs and how to combine good nutrition with delicious flavor. The class will share ideas about how to choose healthy foods, snacks, and meals. We will also share healthy recipes and ideas for using herbs and spices to optimize great taste. Learn about the importance of consuming balanced meals, what physiological process happens when we skip meals, and grocery shopping tips that will support your health.

"Great Decisions" is the Foreign Policy Association's public education program about US foreign policy and global affairs. Currently, relations with other nations are undergoing great change; there are new winners and new losers. Old rules don't apply and the world is struggling to make new ones. However, the geographical map of natural resources, manufacturing, trade routes, and population centers has not changed. Join us for a thoughtful examination of the major issues and new directions in foreign policy.

Join Enloe Community Health for a lecture series. Each class will cover a unique topic led by a local medical expert from Enloe Health with time for questions. The series is designed to support a healthier you.

Join us for history and a hike. We will be treated to viewing the Jonesville Hotel with a local historian and resident. We will then hike in the meadows near the creek in Jonesville for about 5 miles at roughly 5500' elevation. Be prepared for uneven ground.

360-degree views will be one of the highlights of this moderate hike (4.5 miles round trip, 650' elevation gain). Our path will follow the Pacific Crest Trail into fir forest and then onto the ridge between Cub Creek and Butt Creek. Along the way we'll take opportunities to enjoy and learn about the flora, fauna, soil, history, and stories about the area. From our lunch spot atop the ridge we'll have beautiful views of Lassen and other nearby and distant mountains. Our pace will be leisurely.

History. Art. Bees. Orland has plenty of each. Spend a couple of hours exploring all three in one afternoon. The Alta Schmidt House Museum houses many historical artifacts, documents, and photos. The Orland Arts Center and Gallery has a new exhibit every three months, plus other events almost monthly. The Honeybee Discovery Center is a great learning experience for schoolchildren, but also for all other age groups. Check out the Story Walk in Library Park when walking between the venues.

HOOFers Revisited continues building skills in navigation, trail safety, and techniques while hiking our regional trails. Our community of supportive and experienced hikers help shape outings while enjoying shared learning, letting the trail be our classroom. This challenging hike (examples: Feather Falls, Annie Bidwell Trail, Many Waterfalls Loop) will be 6-10 miles in length with uneven and rocky terrain and approximately 2000' elevation gain while enjoying outdoor beauty. Prerequisite: completion of a previous HOOFers class. Questions about your eligibility? Contact Cynthia (tomkevin11@yahoo.com), Laura (lukes76@gmail.com), or Lois (7ljoto@live.com).

HOOFers Revisited continues building skills in navigation, trail safety, and techniques while hiking our regional trails. Our community of supportive and experienced hikers help shape outings while enjoying shared learning, letting the trail be our classroom. This easy hike (examples: Inks Creek, Rio Vista Loop) will be 3-5 miles in length with uneven terrain and minimal elevation gains while enjoying outdoor beauty. Prerequisite: completion of a previous HOOFers class. Questions about your eligibility? Contact Cynthia (tomkevin11@yahoo.com), Laura (lukes76@gmail.com), or Lois (7ljoto@live.com).

HOOFers Revisited continues building skills in navigation, trail safety, and techniques while hiking our regional trails. Our community of supportive and experienced hikers help shape outings while enjoying shared learning, letting the trail be our classroom. This moderate hike (examples: Potters Point Loop, Deer Creek) will be 3-6 miles in length with uneven terrain and 600' elevation gain while enjoying outdoor beauty. Prerequisite: completion of a previous HOOFers class. Questions about your eligibility? Contact Cynthia (tomkevin11@yahoo.com), Laura (lukes76@gmail.com), or Lois (7ljoto@live.com).

HOOFers Revisited continues building skills in navigation, trail safety, and techniques while hiking our regional trails. Our community of supportive and experienced hikers help shape outings while enjoying shared learning, letting the trail be our classroom. This moderately challenging hike (examples: Brad Freeman Trail, Dye Creek) will be 4-7 miles in length with uneven and rocky terrain and approximately 1000' elevation gain while enjoying outdoor beauty. Prerequisite: completion of a previous HOOFers class. Questions about your eligibility? Contact Cynthia (tomkevin11@yahoo.com), Laura (lukes76@gmail.com), or Lois (7ljoto@live.com).

An herbarium is a collection of preserved plant specimens. This class offers a unique hands-on learning experience as an introduction to the art and science of mounting plants. The class will cover how herbarium specimens are mounted, handled, processed, stored, displayed, and repaired. It is useful, but not necessary, to have visited an herbarium before.

Are you wondering if some of your friends are part Neanderthal? Was Herb Caen correct when he intimated that Chico is the cradle of civilization? We'll address these questions after a brief introduction to such topics as DNA, natural and artificial selection, and genetics. We can even discuss the question of whether or not we're still evolving and where our species might be heading regardless of the outcome of the next election.

Dick Scott first spoke to his primary care physician about his suspicions in March 2026. Fortunately, treatment is now available, and he had his first infusion 10 weeks later in June. Therapy and life changes are currently progressing without complications. He will give you information you can use to be your own, or another's, advocate in living with this disease. Fellow member Alex Marcus, a neurologist and psychiatrist, will join Dick in discussing this important topic.

The Upper Butte Basin Wildlife Area, Llano Seco Unit hosts massive numbers of Pacific Flyway migratory birds in November. Taking our sketchbooks, binoculars, field guides, and cameras, we'll meander along the 1/2-mile walking trail and stop at two observation platforms allowing us to observe and quickly sketch bird poses and behaviors. We'll identify key species: green-winged teal, American wigeon, northern shoveler, mallard, pintail, bufflehead, snow geese, white-fronted geese, swans, ring-necked ducks, sandhill cranes, and raptor species.

Igor Stravinsky was one of the 20th century's most astonishing musical innovators. During a career spanning more than 60 years, he repeatedly surprised audiences by reinventing his musical style, from Russian fairy tales and lush ballets to elegant neoclassical works and powerful sacred music. At the core of his achievement stands The Rite of Spring whose Paris premiere provoked one of the most famous incidents in music history. Each class will combine Robert Greenberg's engaging (and humorous) lectures with performances and video excerpts from some of the world's finest musicians and dance companies. We will also hear insights from conductors and teachers who will help us listen.

Get an introduction to California native plants and basic botany in the field as we saunter in search of California native wildflowers.

The vast majority of insect species live solitary lives, with interactions among individuals largely confined to mating. Yet there are a few groups of insects –all ants and termites, as well as some bees and wasps – that live in colonies with individuals specialized for different tasks. Depending on the species, these colonies can be made up of anywhere from a handful of individuals to millions of them. As a result, these social insect groups make up a major fraction of the insect biomass on earth. Their ecological impact is equally important. In this class we will examine the ecology, evolution, and behavior of these insects as well as their effects, both beneficial and deleterious, on human societies.

This class concerns itself with the history of ideas, a branch of history that explores the climate of intellectual thoughts in given eras. We will focus on the ancient Greeks. We will look at the "great thinkers" like Plato and Aristotle and also other "schools" of thought like the Stoics and the Pythagoreans, et al. We will also survey art and ethics. There is a current and a continuum in Western thinking that still feeds our current take on cosmology (how the world works), epistemology (what is "truth" or "realism") and what we value.

This class is for those who have been studying Spanish for a while and already have some ability to converse.

Dive into the world of jewelry fabrication and discover how to create your own sterling silver rings! This is an introductory class on silver soldering where you will learn how to hammer, torch, and polish metals into your very own ring. All tools and materials will be provided during the workshop.

Dive into the world of jewelry fabrication and discover how to create your own sterling silver rings! This is an introductory class on silver soldering where you will learn how to hammer, torch, and polish metals into your very own ring. All tools and materials will be provided during the workshop.

This class is for non-medical people who have questions about heart-related diagnoses or procedures. The explanations will use diagrams, analogies, and simple language to help you understand how the heart works. This is not a lecture about how you should live, but more on the effects of lifestyle choices.

"Jug Band: a band that uses primitive or improvised instruments (such as jugs, washboards and kazoos) to play blues, jazz, and folk music" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). We'll gather once a week to explore the history of jug bands, and to sing and play jug band songs. This class is less about musicianship, and more about exploring the roots of this great American art form. We'll listen to 1920s and 1930s recordings, and trace jug band influences on modern day music. Then we'll recreate some old-time music!

Who was Katherine Routledge? How did her extraordinary but tragic life impact the world's understanding of Easter Island? Why were her anthropology field notes from Easter Island "lost?" How has their rediscovery changed our understanding of Easter Island's history and culture? Join this class to discover how one woman's 16 months on Easter Island in 1914 could have changed how it was known, and how this knowledge has yielded an accurate understanding of its history.

Fear and anxiety can feel like facing a dragon – but what if you could learn its language? This class offers an overview of stress and anxiety while teaching you how to understand and work with your body's natural systems to transform panic into peace. Through topics such as the triune brain, mindfulness, heart rate variability (HRV), and the aging brain, you'll gain practical tools to calm your mind, regulate your emotions, and build resilience.

Knitting with others is a wonderful learning environment. This class is designed to give knitters who have mastered the basic stitches of knit and purl a chance to work on a project of their choosing while we chat and share ideas online with other knitters. All levels of ability are welcome! Gale contributes to the class by offering tips and suggestions for patterns, yarn, and tools based on her years of knitting experience.

Join a friendly, sociable and helpful group to play games in a fun environment. We have a literal wagon full of games, from the well-known to the obscure, and if you don't know the game, we'll teach you! You can also bring your own game to share.

Join a friendly, sociable, and helpful group to play games in a fun environment. We have a literal wagon full of games, from the well-known to the obscure, and if you don't know the game, we'll teach you! You can also bring your own game to share.

Improv is all about being spontaneous and not overthinking, so it's a great exercise for the brain. Plus, it's a lot more interactive than doing crosswords or sudoku, because we play it together. Come stretch your brain and have a lot of fun doing it!

Did you ever want to color, draw, or write in a book as a child? Give yourself free rein in this workshop. You can do all those things and more. It is called an altered book. You can draw or stamp in it; add collage, stickers, ribbon, paper tape, photos, or memorabilia; and much more. We will explore what can be done with a gently used book by altering and embellishing it. This is something you can continue at home.

When did France become France? Using maps, this class will examine the changing boundaries and structures within the territory now known as France from the fall of the western Roman Empire circa 450 CE to the French Revolution in 1789. Key events and personalities will punctuate the story of the origins of the France we know today.

California Master Gardeners provide educational outreach from University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) offices throughout the state. The mission of the Butte County Master Gardeners is to extend research-based education and technical assistance throughout the non-commercial gardening community and to foster successful gardening practices by helping individuals make informed decisions about plants, pests, and the environment, with an emphasis on sustainability. Join us as we address a wide range of fascinating subjects.

If you haven't visited the Butte College Health, Kinesiology and Athletics Department recently, here is your chance to join us on a wonderful tour! Various department staff and faculty will help us explore multiple facilities, educational opportunities, and athletic programs. You will have the opportunity to interact with the department dean, coaches, athletic trainers, and various student athletes. Participants must be comfortable navigating steps and walking or standing for up to 2 hours. All walking paths are paved.

Join us for an outdoor adventure exploring interesting places in our community. In this class we will be walking from the Chico History Museum up the Esplanade exploring one of the first neighborhoods of Chico, called the Vecino. Dave Nopel will be sharing the history and development of this unique area of Chico.

Join us in visiting the Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville to learn about Chinook salmon returning to the Feather River at the height of fall spawning season. We will visit both sections of the Feather River Fish Hatchery: the spawning room, hatchery, and rearing ponds on the west side of Table Mountain Boulevard; and the fish barrier dam, observation platform, and underwater viewing on the east side of Table Mountain Boulevard. We will walk about 3.5 miles.

Join us for an easy, approximately 90-minute docent-led tour of the vineyard grounds and Abbey of Our Lady of New Clairvaux in Vina. The unique soils of this land have led to its cultivation as a vineyard for many years. In 1955 much of the land was purchased by Trappist-Cistercian monks, an order known for their winemaking skills, who established a winery and monastery. A gift shop, informational displays, chapel, and an optional wine tasting are possible extensions to the tour.

Join us for an outdoor adventure exploring an interesting, historic neighborhood in Chico. Our meander will be 2 miles on relatively flat, though uneven, surfaces and include walking up two separate flights of stairs. It will include a visit to Chico State's Albert E. Warrens Center, also known as the Julia Morgan House, which serves as the residence for the university president and his wife. Participants must be comfortable walking and standing for up to three hours. Our guides will be Dave Nopel, Chico History Museum board member, and Tanya Perez, wife to Chico State President Steve Perez.

The Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) for Part D prescription drug plans and Part C Medicare Advantage plans begins October 15 and ends December 7. This class will offer beneficiaries options for their healthcare needs in the coming year. Passages HICAP Medicare counselors will be on site and ready to perform AEP Part D prescription drug plan comparisons and plan changes for attendees who wish to reevaluate their current plan.

This experiential workshop teaches practical mindfulness skills to reduce stress, increase emotional well-being, and support a more grounded daily life. Each session includes guided meditation, gentle awareness practices, and group reflection. You will learn mindful breathing, body awareness, emotional regulation, and compassion practices, along with strategies for applying mindfulness during challenging moments. No prior experience is needed. By the end of the class, you will have tools for greater calm, clarity, and resilience.

West Africa is unlike anywhere else on Earth. In Benin, Togo, and Ghana, ancient Voodoo traditions continue to shape everyday life alongside Christianity and Islam. Explore remarkable ceremonies, tribal cultures, the Ashanti kingdom, and the moving legacy of the Atlantic slave trade in a presentation with many photos and videos. Visit a fetish market, partake in funeral rites, and attend the Festival of Akwasidae at which the Ashanti chiefs gather to pay homage to the Asantehene, the Ashanti King. Try and understand what it was like in the horrific dungeons at Elmina, Ghana, where enslaved people were warehoused before being shipped to the new world. And much, much more.

Economic conditions constantly change, impacting retirement planning and investment strategies. In this class, Steven Cliadakis from OLLI sponsor Altum Wealth Advisors will explore how shifts in inflation, interest rates, fiscal policy, and geopolitical tensions can affect portfolios. Participants will review various investment options, such as CDs, Treasurys, index funds, ETFs, and others, and learn how to allocate them within diversified portfolios. The class includes insights from leading economists and key principles of portfolio construction and risk management, providing practical guidance to help align investments with personal retirement goals.

Can certain foods improve memory? Can what you eat actually lower your risk of Alzheimer's disease? In this class, ASU Clinical Nutrition Professor and Registered Dietitian Tina Shepard shares what the latest research says about how food and lifestyle choices affect the brain and how specific nutrients impact cognitive function and overall brain health. You'll leave with practical, evidence-based dietary recommendations you can start using right away.

Your mouth is the front door to your whole body – and what happens there can add years to your life or quietly take them away. In this class, Dr. Kevin Kremer from OLLI sponsor New Smile Now shares what most people are never told: how gum health, missing teeth, and chronic infection connect to heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and longevity. You'll leave with simple, practical habits to protect your health, your independence, and your smile for decades to come. No jargon. Real answers.

The giant planet Jupiter has captivated astronomers, scientists, and inquisitive minds for centuries. From Galileo's first telescopic observations of four its moons in 1610 to exploration by today's cutting-edge spacecrafts, Jupiter has proven to be one of the most scientifically rich objects of investigation in our solar system. This class takes participants on a guided journey through decades of exploration, drawing on data from NASA's Pioneer, Voyager, Galileo, and Juno missions. We will investigate the physics, geology, and astrobiology of the Jovian system and confront one of science's most tantalizing questions: could life exist in our own cosmic backyard?

Expansive views and interesting rock formations will be some of the highlights of this moderate, high-elevation hike (3 miles round trip, 200' elevation gain). The trail is well-traveled, with gradual steady ascents and descents. Our path will follow the Pacific Crest Trail through a regenerating fir forest, burned in the 2021 Dixie Fire, to our lunch spot nestled amid remnants of 3-million-year-old stratovolcano Mount Yana. Our pace will be leisurely as we enjoy and learn about the flora and fauna along the way.

Play pickleball with other members. In this class, you will receive paddles and balls, enjoy light instruction for beginners, and have plenty of time to practice skills and play games with fellow OLLI members. Whether you're brand new to pickleball or looking to sharpen your game, this fun, social class is a great way to get active and learn one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

This class is for people who already know how to play the A-G chords. We play and sing 3-, 4-, and 5-chord songs by Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, the Everly Brothers, and other musicians from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. The class is mostly to practice feeling comfortable with playing guitar while singing. There is some instruction on more advanced guitar playing. Bring a guitar, ukulele, or other stringed instrument, or you're welcome to come just to sing along with the class.

Reading poetry helps you to know things more fully; it commands your attention; and it can sustain good conversation. In this class, participants select poetry from favorite sources to read aloud with fellow enthusiasts.

Reader's theatre is an easy acting form of theater where actors read the scripts so no memorizing is required. There is minimal physical movement because actors are generally seated while reading the play. The acting is done primarily with the actors' voices, emotions, facial expressions, and gestures. This will be a playful class where we will read a variety of short comic plays with fun characters in silly situations.

Reader's theatre is an easy acting form of theater where actors read the scripts so no memorizing is required. There is minimal physical movement because actors are generally seated while reading the play. The acting is done primarily with the actors' voices, emotions, facial expressions, and gestures. This will be a playful class where we will read a variety of short comic plays with fun characters in silly situations.

Each week the class will read poems by an individual poet, a collection of poems on a specific subject, or a collection of poems in a specific style. A wide range of poets and poetry will be presented, from classic to contemporary. We will discuss poetry from the perspective that the poet creates the work but the reader activates it.

While some people might consider "recreational mathematics" an oxymoron, this class will pursue the enjoyable aspects of math. Be prepared to be an engaged participant in this class with interactive demonstrations and exploration through drawing, cutting things with scissors, and other activities. Most activities will have a historical context. This class will show you how to find interest, enjoyment, and appreciation of mathematics in the world surrounding you.

This class, the second in a sequence based on Yuval Noah Harari's Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, focuses on the Agricultural Revolution, one of the most consequential and most debated transformations in human history. The class traces the emergence of villages, cities, kingdoms, and empires, examining what farming made possible and what it cost the people who adopted it. Along the way we consider how hierarchies, laws, and religions emerged as tools for holding complex societies together, how writing transformed human memory and administration, and how Harari builds his case that the Agricultural Revolution was not a liberation but a trap. Throughout the class, particular attention is given to separating well-established evidence from interpretation and informed speculation.

This class will explore the works of science fiction and fantasy authors. We will discuss the differences and similarities between the two genres, and note the many crossover authors who write in both realms. We are in for a fun ride with authors who have crafted characters and worlds which will carry us to worlds of adventure far, far away.

Sing and/or play popular gospel songs. Bring your voice, guitar, violin, cello, harmonica, squeeze box, or other instrument and join a group of people singing and playing for fun. This is not meant to be religious. It's just a place to enjoy great music. Join us!

Sharpen your drawing and watercolor skills as we paint and sketch together on a variety of subjects. The purpose of this class is to provide a supportive community for those who work to keep their journal practice alive. We will share ideas and sometimes our favorite art materials, the ones that make this practice all the more fun. With seasonal sights available to us as examples, plan on some brilliant pages in your sketchbook.

Enjoy Northern California beauty and history with 30-45 minutes to explore, observe, and take short walks in each location. A fifth-generation historian will tell us about Delta in the Sacramento Canyon and the historic significance of the Siskiyou Trail, a famous Native American Battle, gold, and railroads. We will see the stratovolcano and community in Mount Shasta. In the old logging town of McCloud we will visit a community park and learn about the Klamath Tribes, the Modoc War, and Modoc displacement to Oklahoma.

Few authors are as quotable, or as consistently underestimated, as Dorothy Parker. Her caustic wit and succinct wisdom have secured her status as a literary powerhouse who moved seamlessly between essays and poetry, fiction and observation, sharp social commentary and deep personal feeling. Yet Parker herself worried that audiences were too dazzled by her "calisthenics with words" to grasp the deeper truths behind her cultural observations. This class gives Parker's life and literature the thoughtful, close reading they deserve. We'll sketch her character and intentions through her own words, then discuss a selection of her most notable work. All readings provided.

In this class you will learn the nature and characteristics of a moral or ethical dilemma, along with a technique for identifying, addressing, and solving the dilemma. New dilemmas will be provided for each class period. You will be encouraged, but not required, to bring your own suitably anonymized dilemmas to class for discussion and analysis.

This class covers writing and conversation in Spanish. The class will be conducted mostly in Spanish; English may be used for support. Participants will have the opportunity to speak and to write short compositions for review and discussion. The class may have native speakers and professional Spanish educators as guest speakers. There is nothing like having a professional Spanish educator to help learn Spanish conversation.

Join us to learn to sing songs in Spanish. Lyrics and audio files will be provided to help you learn.

Spiritual principles are ways of being, doing, and thinking that help us move through life with greater awareness. They are an inner compass helping us to respond to challenges with clarity and purpose. These are fundamental truths from many traditions.

Located at the corner of Fifth and Salem Streets, the Stansbury Home was built by Dr. Oscar Stansbury, a local physician, in 1883. Owned by the City of Chico since 1976, it is operated by the Stansbury Home Preservation Association as a historic house museum. This tour will include Dr. Stansbury's office, with its display of the tools used in his practice, as well as rooms used by the Stansbury family with original interiors and furnishings intact.

Join us for an empowering self-defense class designed exclusively for OLLI members. In this fun, dynamic, safe, and practical session, Senior Grandmaster Azad, renowned for training tens of thousands of people in personal safety, will teach you real-world strategies to protect yourself at home, in public, and beyond. Learn simple but powerful techniques to stay safe, enhance awareness, and defend yourself effectively. This class is for people of all abilities.

To hear Rian Farley speak about Durham Cemetery is to see it as a living, breathing chronicle of community life. In this engaging class, Rian explores the broader history of cemeteries, the symbolism of headstones and footstones, and the personal stories etched in stone. Discover how cemeteries preserve memory, meaning, and local heritage.

Play table tennis with other members. You will receive paddles and balls, get basic instruction on strokes and footwork, and enjoy friendly games with fellow OLLI members. Whether you're completely new to table tennis or returning to a favorite pastime, this fast, fun, low-impact activity is a great way to sharpen your reflexes, stay active, and enjoy time with friends.

Tai Chi for Arthritis was developed in 1997 and is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Arthritis often gets worse without proper exercise. Tai Chi for Arthritis helps to improve muscular strength, flexibility, balance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and clarity of mind. The gentle and slow movements help to improve the flow of energy and healing, and it is enjoyable and calming.

Tap dance involves rhythmic, percussive, and precise movement of the feet while promoting the flow and individual style of the entire body. Classes will include warm-up, structured movement phrases that will build in complexity, and creative explorations. All levels are welcome. Good standing balance is recommended.

Tap dance involves rhythmic, percussive, and precise movement of the feet while promoting the flow and individual style of the entire body. Classes will include warm-up, structured movement phrases that will build in complexity, and creative explorations. All levels are welcome. Good standing balance is recommended.

Want to hear some interesting stories? Each class session will feature someone telling their life story. Through listening and honoring each other's journeys, we can connect profoundly. Plus it's just fun to share and learn about one another. There is an option to be recorded and receive a flash drive to pass onto your family or friends. You will be supplied with a list of possible topics to address when giving your talk. Everyone has a story to tell. Come and share yours!

Vercors, an alpine fortress in the French Alps, saw many French Resistance fighters join the movement in 1944. The fighters were set to disrupt German activities to support the Provence Landing. This class will look at what happened and why through the eyes of the instructor's father, a teen at the time, who was pulled into the Resistance movement at the eleventh hour. We will read excerpts of his book about his unbelievable experience during this battle that remained controversial for many years.

We'll do a deep dive into the Beatles, their history, and the stories behind their songs. We will do a sing-along each week, starting with "Please Please Me" and working our way to "Let It Be." Bring instruments if you want to play along – lyrics and chords will be provided – or just bring yourself if you want to sing along to these amazing oldies. You don't have to be a great singer, just someone who likes to sing.

We trace the Crusades from the world that spawned them to their enduring legacies, beginning with the pressures facing Byzantium, the Islamic Golden Age, and the feudal rivalries of medieval Europe. We examine the religious, political, and economic forces behind the First Crusade and the fall of Jerusalem in 1099. We follow the Muslim resurgence under Saladin, his rivalry with Richard the Lionheart, and the decline and fall of the Crusader movement through the fall of Acre in 1291. We close with legacies of cultural exchange, military orders (e.g., The Templars) and lasting tensions.

Join us for a relaxed, welcoming eight-week art series designed for beginners and anyone returning to creativity. Using a single sketchbook throughout the class, you'll build a simple, enjoyable creative habit – one page at a time. Each week explores a new approach: gentle drawing, marker basics, watercolor, watercolor pencils, colored pencils, smartphone photography for inspiration, and maintaining your sketchbook practice. No experience or perfection needed – just curiosity. By the end, you'll have a sketchbook filled with your artwork. Please bring the same sketchbook each week.

This is a participatory, discussion-based class exploring the hidden assumptions in our language. Does the way we speak influence and manipulate the way we think? Our language is replete with militaristic euphemisms and metaphors, political code words and dog whistles, and hidden assumptions about power, patriarchy, hierarchy, and identity. Many of those words and phrases are so ingrained in our lexicon that we are oblivious to the potentially manipulative power they hold over us and our way of thinking.

Join the Honorable Jennifer G. Zipps, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, and her law clerk, Iesha Phillips, for a three-part series on how free speech shapes everyday life, empowers individuals to challenge unjust systems, and strengthens democracy. Using real-world examples, the series will explore when speech is protected, when the government can set rules, and how the First Amendment applies to protests, schools, public meetings, journalism, social media, and controversial speech.

The way we live our lives is a reflection of our inner being. This class is for those who want to have a deeper, more fulfilling personal life. There will be writing and discussion exercises that will help get you more in touch with your inner self. We will explore avenues for insights into the question, "Who am I?"

The way we live our lives is a reflection of our inner being. This class is for those who want to have a deeper, more fulfilling personal life. There will be writing and discussion exercises that will help get you more in touch with your inner self. We will explore avenues for insights into the question, "Who am I?"

The class will present a brief history of the disposal of trash through time, regulations affecting the disposal of trash, and the history of the Neal Road Recycling and Waste Facility (landfill). Learn about the recycling and diversion of wastes from the landfill, landfill operations, monitoring, amounts of waste disposed, as well as effects of disasters, electrical power generation, equipment used, and the future of landfill and related topics.

Persia, now called Iran, has an ancient and rich history of producing fascinating architecture and artifacts whether they be paintings, ceramics, decorated tile works, metal works, or carpets. The beauty of Persian culture from earliest times has significantly influenced a large part of the world's creative endeavors. This class will introduce select works from early Persian history through the early twentieth century.

Start your Tuesday with music and songs. Join us in a fun, informal sing-along. Bring your voices and/or musical instruments. The operative word is "fun." If you like music, you will like this class. All levels welcome!

Throughout history scientific progress has often advanced in dramatic bursts following long periods of dormancy. This class examines the revolutionary discoveries that transformed our understanding across the major branches of science: mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, and geology. Topics include the rise of the Copernican universe, atomic theory, plate tectonics, Darwin's theory of evolution, and Newton's laws of motion and gravity. The emphasis is on historical perspective: why did these breakthroughs happen when and where they did? This class is for scientists and non-scientists alike.

This engaging presentation offers information on Alzheimer's disease and dementia, highlighting the latest research and FDA-approved treatments, practical brain health tips, and ways to support people impacted by this disease.

The premise of this class is that the United States is undergoing unprecedented historical, political, and economic turmoil and crises, underscored by a re-ordering of the post-World War II geopolitical world order. Therefore, in order to understand the current state of things, this class will provide an assessment of United States politics within a historical context. The class will also situate United States politics within the context of the ongoing geopolitical realities.

Join us to learn more about the various services B-Line, Butte County's public transit provider, offers for older adults and people with disabilities.

Come enjoy Paradise and walk the Yellowstone Kelly Heritage Trail with us! We will walk the trail from the top to the bottom, a little over 5 miles downhill, and experience elevations from 2800-1800 feet. The trail is paved and will provide an opportunity to see the rebuild progress and the changing landscape. We will visit the Depot Museum and stop at Joy Lyn's Candy Shop. The last section of the path includes an art installation by muralist Shane Grammer.

This watercolor class is for the absolute beginner as well as more experienced painters. We will follow step-by-step instructions to create our paintings while also learning why and what we are doing. All materials are provided.

This class is an introduction to watercolor. We will focus on learning the basics of technique, color mixing, blending, and familiarizing ourselves with the medium of watercolor. Some classes will be dedicated to techniques; in other classes we will be creating finished works. The class will help you to feel more confident in your watercolor practice. All materials are provided.

Join us for our Wednesday morning park walks! If you want to start a walking habit, add to your daily step count, spend a morning with old and new friends, or just enjoy beautiful Lower Park, lace up your shoes and join us. Each week, you have the opportunity to choose a 1-mile route looping at Hwy 99 or a 2.8-mile route looping at the 2nd bridge (Cedar Grove).