Hobbies & Crafts   

Building on the techniques learned in the beginning-level class, you'll learn to transform the basic dough into more beautiful, specialty seasonal bread. Prerequisite: Artisan Bread Making: Beginning.

In this one-day class, participants will learn how to use four ingredients (flour, yeast, salt, and water) to make many kinds of bread, just like those lovely French baguettes. This class is based on the book The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day, and it is a prerequisite to the advanced Artisan Bread Making classes.

This class is for people who know how to play the basic A to G chords on guitar, although class members may bring other stringed instruments to play, e.g. mandolin, bass, ukulele, banjo, harmonica, or squeeze box. Or sing along without an instrument! Songs and lyrics will be emailed each week, featuring artists like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, The Everly Brothers, The Drifters, and other favorites from the 1950s and 1960s.

Visit the Llano Seco Viewing Platform to learn to identify the ducks and geese that spend the winter here. Then, at dusk, the waterfowl fly out from the ponds to nearby fields to feed at night. This can be an impressive sight with the large number of flocks in the air. Bring a folding chair and binoculars, and we’ll sit back and enjoy the scenic view as we watch them flying against the sunset and full moon.

Through observation and the use of binoculars and field guides, class participants learn to identify birds in their natural habitat. We will meet once a month at different birding locations for field trips that typically involve one to two miles of walking.

Through observation and the use of binoculars and field guides, class participants learn to identify birds in their natural habitat. We will meet once a month at different birding locations for field trips that typically involve one to two miles of walking. 

Cribbage is a great card game for two people: fast, unpredictable, and portable. Though the game has many rules, this class will take you through all facets of the game, step by step. By the time you have finished this class, you will not only know the game well, but you will also know how to teach the game to others. If you already know the game, come play with us. Been looking for someone to play with? Maybe you will find a new friend and opponent here!

If you like to draw or wish you were more inspired to draw, join us for four sessions of drawing together online. Each class will feature one or more fun and inspiring drawing prompts that we will all work on at the same time. Our drawings may go in very different directions based on how we each interpret the prompts, and that is perfectly fine. Being able to draw together can help inspire us to continue drawing on our own.

This class will teach you drawing in a humorous way. You’ll be introduced to easy methods for learning the fundamentals of drawing. You’ll learn to construct your drawings using basic building blocks. You'll have fun exploring the many possibilities available for creating humorous people, props, and scenes. No experience required, just a sense of humor and a desire to learn. A pencil and some inexpensive paper is all that's needed.

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 two 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.

Get into the sketchbook habit! Keeping a sketchbook helps you generate creative thinking by capturing ideas, observations, and inspirations that may lead to more creations. What you keep in the sketchbook is for you. There is no pressure to share or show anything. Maintaining a sketchbook (daily, if you are up for it!) sharpens your skills with the media you choose to use. Join us for a fun course that will help you start (or revisit) keeping a sketchbook.

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 hang out 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.

The original Carter Family recorded over 300 songs between 1927 and 1943. They would become known as the “First Family of Country Music,” their old-time Appalachian songs and musicianship profoundly impacting the bluegrass, country, folk, gospel, pop, and rock musicians who followed. In each class, we will trace some Carter Family history, then learn a few of their songs. Musicians bring your instruments, but you don’t need to be a musician to participate. Interest and enthusiasm will suffice. We’ll do it jug-band style!

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!

Start your Tuesday with music and songs. Join us in a fun, informal weekly 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!

Start your Tuesday with music and songs. Join us in a fun, informal weekly 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!