Thursday   

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Join us to learn to sing songs in Spanish. Lyrics and audio files will be provided to help you learn. In class, we will review song lyrics and sing along to recordings. The option is available for any class member to play or sing the music live in class.

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.

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.

"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!

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.

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

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?"

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.

"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.

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.

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.

Play table tennis with other members. You will 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.

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.

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 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.

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.