Online-Zoom Courses   

This discussion-based class centers around the New York Times Best Seller "How Civil Wars Start and How to Stop Them" by UC Professor Barbara Walter. Students are encouraged to read parts of the book as the class is discussion based. Zoom in and forecast where America might be headed. This is a class for all caring citizens to join the discussion and seek solutions.

There are many geological wonders in our world and many of them have influenced humans through history or lore. We'll explore Grand Canyon, Mammoth Cave, Carlsbad Caverns, Nepal's Sky Caves, Lat'te Stones and the Frank Slide.

Our fabulous designers: Jeanne Lanvin, a fashion and fragrance designer known for her robe de style; Madeleine Vionnet known for her bias draped garments and working on the form; Mariano Fortuny created beautiful textiles and a secret pleating technique; Elsa Schiaparelli a friend of the Surrealists who used unique decorative applications.

It’s WAY more than gravestones! While FindAGrave.com is not a “records” database like the major genealogy sites, the website has less-known features that can be powerful tools for your genealogy work. Learn some tips and techniques that will help you get the most out of using this free resource for your family history research. Includes 6-page handout.

This class offers "workarounds" to compensate for the loss of the 1890 census, showing how to access data for that era, including records for immigration, probate, state censuses, and military. 

Drawing from a variety of time-tested disciplines, this class offers effective, results-producing movements designed specifically for the OLLI student at whatever your level is. These exercises will add strength and elasticity to your muscles and frame while protecting and strengthening your back. You will also work your heart in a very gentle way and achieve freedom in movement and less pain. Best of all, we're doing all this to the music we know and love: '50s, '60s and '70s. It is not too late to rejuvenate your body! Wear comfortable clothing.  

Drawing from a variety of time-tested disciplines, this class offers effective, results-producing movements designed specifically for the OLLI student at whatever your level is. These exercises will add strength and elasticity to your muscles and frame while protecting and strengthening your back. You will also work your heart in a very gentle way and achieve freedom in movement and less pain. Best of all, we're doing all this to the music we know and love: '50s, '60s and '70s. It is not too late to rejuvenate your body! Wear comfortable clothing.  

Six weekly classes on how the top composers experience their struggles, secrets and how they find their groove to write the music for westerns, action films, comedy and romance, through the scores of composers like Elmer Bernstein (The Magnificent Seven), Jerry Goldsmith (Alien), Howard Shore (Lord of the Rings) and many more. Audiovisuals and anecdotes will explain how their music evolved in a world of changing trends.  

More than ever, music is a fundamental component of a film's emotional force, and we'll explore what's behind the best film scores in today's evolving world. Anecdotes and superb audiovisuals will introduce us into the artistic and the business aspects of the music of Thomas Newman (American Beauty), Has Zimmer (Interstellar), Rachel Portman (Emma), Justin Hurwitz (La La Land) and more composers of a fantastic new generation, who are allowing us "to see the films with new eyes and hear them with new ears."  

This class shows how to avoid the major genealogy mistakes: trusting "old-time" data; trusting family stories; connecting the wrong people; failing the logic test; and trusting all original data. 

The American Constitution has become a major hindrance in forming popular majorities that can govern. This course will explore various proposals to amend the Constitution. 

“Life Reflections as Story and Art” uses mind mapping techniques, meaningful objects and themed story collections to celebrate and preserve your stories in writing and art. Practice photo analysis, interviewing skills and recall favorite quotations, life lessons, treasures and traditions. NEW “Life Reflections” booklet includes numerous handouts and story resources.

The American West has rich mining histories, but mining in the old days was a unique, dangerous and difficult job. This lecture looks at what life was like for miners, the work they did, how they lived, and how mining helped open the West for settlers.

The late Neil Postman (communications theorist, professor and founder of NYU’s graduate program in media ecology) was decades ahead of his time in predicting the collapse of thoughtful, rational public discourse due to evolving media technologies. By presenting the ideas in Postman’s 1985 (pre-internet) book, “Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business,” the instructor will challenge you to think more deeply about the profound ways in which media technologies have changed the commonly accepted definition of knowledge itself.

Monthly gathering to discuss books selected by current members. Selections range from historic fiction to non-fiction and classics. Short presentation on author, setting or historic background sets the tone for in-depth discussion of book. Opening selection for our September 21st meeting will be "Transcription" by Kate Atkinson. These meetings will be held in-person and online Zoom.

Membership Required - No Course Fee

This class shows how to find 1776-era service, pension, and DAR/SAR records. For the early 1800s, examples show how to find newspaper, book, property/tax, church, and city directory records. 

Some of the most significant moments in American history have occurred over meals. Through stories and anecdotes we will learn about the impact food has had on American political life.

You’ll want to have a front seat in the 2024 Primary Election season with Terry McAteer. This 11 week series of classes will cover the Iowa caucuses in January through California’s Super Tuesday primary in March. All classes will be recorded and sent to participants so you’ll never miss out on the action. Weekly, Terry will cover polling, election analysis, candidate ads and some inside scoops from the campaign trail.

This is a form of gentle, flowing, meditative movement. It is simple and easy to learn. It integrates movement with mindfulness and cultivates the body’s vital energy. This simple practice brings ease and wellbeing by reducing your stress and calming your nervous system. These easy exercises do not require a change of clothes, special place, equipment, or skills. All levels are welcome! 

This is a form of gentle, flowing, meditative movement. It is simple and easy to learn. It integrates movement with mindfulness and cultivates the body’s vital energy. This simple practice brings ease and wellbeing by reducing your stress and calming your nervous system. These easy exercises do not require a change of clothes, special place, equipment, or skills. All levels are welcome! 

This class offers strategies to find the most challenging ancestors: collaboration with others; using major search engines; genealogy books; property data; DNA; a broader search; and on-site research. 

This class presents solutions to common genealogy problems: finding correct names when dealing with nicknames and Americanized names; working with questionable data; and handling conflicting data. 

Public relations is the only form of marketing where, when it’s done correctly, you aren’t aware of it. This invisible form of persuasion is everywhere, from food marketing to politics. Learn about Edward Bernays, the nephew of Sigmund Freud who is considered “The Father of Spin” for his genius (and notoriety) in crafting ways to manipulate public opinion. We’ll then review many historical and contemporary examples of how you are being influenced without knowing it.

Grand Canyon is famed for its North Rim and more frequently visited South Rim. Each side has its own allure, but this course will look at the "interesting" side of Grand Canyon with the people who have made some of Grand Canyon's history and lore.

The John Muir Trail stretches for 200 miles through the high country of California’s Sierra Nevada, from Yosemite in the north to Mt. Whitney in the south. I share photos and stories so you can get a taste of my wild adventure along the world’s most beautiful long-distance trail.

Travel with your tour guide Terry McAteer to discover the historic sites of Lisbon, Evora and Porto. Experience some tastings of port, the white sand beaches of the Algarve and the inland rural slate village of Talesnal.

Travel with your tour guide Terry McAteer all over this Italian isle to discover the cities of Palermo, Catania, Syracuse and Taormina. Mt. Etna and many historic sites will also be the focus of this island which has been under the control of many empires.

Travel with your tour guide to the many great cities of Spain including Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, Seville, Toledo, Salamanca and Santiago de Compostela. You will get an understanding of why Spain must be on your bucket list.

Bonnie Garmus’ novel, Lessons in Chemistry, is laugh-out-loud funny, shrewdly observant, and studded with a dazzling cast of supporting characters. Her main character, Elizabeth Zott, is a formidable and inspiring scientist in 1960s California whose career takes a detour when she becomes the unlikely star of a beloved TV cooking show.

“The Personal Librarian” tells the story of an extraordinary woman, famous for her intellect, style, and wit, and shares the lengths she must go to—for the protection of her family and her legacy—to preserve her carefully crafted identity. This remarkable novel by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, is about Belle da Costa Greene, J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian. 

On the 60th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, more that 60% of Americans think that there were other people involved with his murder and the cover-up of the crime. Following the recent scholarship of Phillip F. Nelson and others, you will discover what happened on that fateful day in Texas, as well as the preceding and succeeding days when the crime was prepared, the cover-up executed, and the nation betrayed. The course will be comprised of lectures with abundant historical images and class discussion.