On-Ground Courses   

D-Day June 6, 1944, was one of the most important days in World War II. Well, D-Day is the word described to the day. The amount of planning, Work, logistics and luck played a huge part in it success this class will discuss that while D-Day is the tip of the iceberg. Most of the work was done before.

A broad and in depth view of Dylan's life and music.  We will cover his music from l960's to the present.
The course will also include biography and Dylan's work as a painter. The course will include film and music.

Robert Redford and Jane Fonda made 4 films together.  They began their careers in their early 30's and through each film created what is routinely referred to as "movie magic".  Join us to watch and discuss their amazing 4 films: The Chase (1966); Bubber (Redford) has broken out of prison and headed home to his wife, Anna (Fonda) who's having an affair with his best friend, Jake (James Fox. Barefoot in the Park (1967); Neil Simon's stage play comes to the silver screen. An unlikely pair of newlyweds, he's a "stuffed shirt" lawyer and she's an independent-minded free spirit, trying to find their way in 1960's New York City. The Electric Horseman (1979); She's a successful New York journalist on the trail to get the "real story" of a washed-up Rodeo Cowboy who's stolen an $16 million dollar horse. Our Souls at Night (2017); A widow and a widower have been neighbors for years but don't know each other until they decide to sleep together.
The class dates have been change and we have moved to a larger room to acccomodate more members. 
New class dates are: 11/16, 11/23, 11/30, 12/7  
It will now be held in the Willow Room

This course is an overview of a week spent with the meteorologists of Penn State University.  We'll learn about forecasting fundamentals, weather analysis, satellite imagery, observational networks, severe storms, weather on the web, hurricanes, emergency management and human impact.  A demonstration of the Mountain Rain or Snow interactive citizen science data collection will be included.

Experience the joy of orchestral music by playing with the Grass Valley Symphony Orchestra, a music-loving community ensemble. Our weekly rehearsals focus on musical growth, music appreciation, performing music from contrasting periods, and a warm atmosphere of mutual support. Making music together builds community, and each semester concludes with a public concert. The Grass Valley Symphony Orchestra welcomes instrumentalists of all skill levels. New and prospective members are encouraged to sit in on a rehearsal before joining.

Most of us want to live a long, healthy and happy life with our remaining years, not one that is merely without disease. Happiness and well-being is important as we age and can affect our physical, mental and emotional well-being. Abraham Lincoln said, "Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds up to be." He has a point. We do have choices and there is a lot we can do to experience happiness and live our life at an optimal level, even with chronic conditions. Happiness is a choice focuses on practical and helpful tips to optimize our everyday life as aging adults. Join us for this fun series to learn more about the habits of happy people and create your very own happiness plan. You will be glad you did.

In our death phobic culture we avoid one of our most significant life events. Conversations about death, dying, and grief are an alternative to the silence and shame around death, a balm for our personal and cultural fears, an aid to normalize the process of dying and prepare us for making end-of-life decisions. Applying effective listening empowers us to get comfortable with talking about our mortality.

In our death phobic culture we avoid one of our most significant life events. Conversations about death, dying, and grief are an alternative to the silence and shame around death, a balm for our personal and cultural fears, an aid to normalize the process of dying and prepare us for making end-of-life decisions. Applying effective listening empowers us to get comfortable with talking about our mortality.

Cribbage is a card game that can be played in pairs, threesomes, or groups of four. If you enjoy playing cards, strongly consider adding cribbage to your repertoire. Many consider it to be one of the most enjoyable card games, as it is relatively simple to learn, yet full of decision making and strategy. Fun for the entire family.

Join us as we examine the events of November 22, 1963, and the days that followed. We’ll explore questions surrounding standard investigative procedures, review two subsequent investigations, and examine why many Americans continue to question the findings of the Warren Commission.

The class will also consider evidence involving key witnesses, film footage, police radio communications, acoustical analysis, and forensic findings that have fueled theories of multiple shooters. Roger Peterson brings a unique perspective to the discussion, having personally met and spoken with several people who witnessed the assassination.

Come explore the evidence, the unanswered questions, and the investigations that continue to shape the debate surrounding one of the most controversial events in American history.

The life and work of Japanese-British author Kazuo Ishiguro, 2017 Nobel Laureate in Literature, will be explored. His novel The Remains of the Day and its film adaptation will be the primary focus of the course. 
 

The life and work of Japanese-British author Kazuo Ishiguro, 2017 Nobel Laureate in Literature, will be explored. His novel The Remains of the Day and its film adaptation will be the primary focus of the course. 
 

This is a chance to sit in a circle with fellow OLLI students and discuss a variety of foreign affairs issues related to Latin America such as the future of Cuba, China's Aggressive Influence, the Panama Canal, the Trump-alike in Argentina, Columbia and the drug trade, the Monroe Doctrine in Venezuela. Readings will be provided to assist the conversation.

The Mexican film series (2024-2026) adaptation of Laura Esquivel's 1989 novel Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) expands upon the 1992 film, focusing on the historical context of the Mexican Revolution. Musical voices of contemporary Latin musicians strengthen the imaginative interpretation of this classic tale documenting the spirit of Mexican women. The film series is performed in Spanish with English subtitles.

 

The Mexican film series (2024-2026) adaptation of Laura Esquivel's 1989 novel Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) expands upon the 1992 film, focusing on the historical context of the Mexican Revolution. Musical voices of contemporary Latin musicians strengthen the imaginative interpretation of this classic tale documenting the spirit of Mexican women. The film series is performed in Spanish with English subtitles.

 

Join us! Learn and play American Mahjong in a friendly, social setting with other Club OLLI members. Members meet and practice on a regular basis. All skill levels are welcome. No supplies needed.

Membership Required 

Our class on Mozart will feature symphonies, piano concertos, string quartets, and a potpourri of delightful music by the "miracle" God created in Salzburg. 
You did not have to take Pt 1 to take Pt 2 

Our class on Mozart will feature symphonies, piano concertos, string quartets, and a potpourri of delightful music by the "miracle" God created in Salzburg. 
You did not have to take Pt 1 to take Pt 2 

Monthly gathering to discuss books ranging from historical fiction to non-fiction and classics. Short presentation by member of group focusing on facts about author, historical settings or other aspects of the book sets the tone for informal discussion of book. Participation is encouraged. Members will need to obtain their own books. Opening selection is "A Time In Between" by Maria Duenas. Full reading list will be provided upon registration.

Membership Required - No course fee

Monthly gathering to discuss books ranging from historical fiction to non-fiction and classics. Short presentation by member of group focusing on facts about author, historical settings or other aspects of the book sets the tone for informal discussion of book. Participation is encouraged. Members will need to obtain their own books. Opening selection is "A Time In Between" by Maria Duenas. Full reading list will be provided upon registration.

Membership Required - No course fee

This class is designed for people who have already taken the Beginning Memoir course, though all are welcome, and I will provide handouts for newcomers to acquaint them with the material. Every week students are given prompts, which they may choose to respond to.

Take complete control of your financial future with this practical 4-week seminar designed specifically for retirees who want to understand every aspect of their financial plan. Whether managing investments independently or working with an adviser, you'll master building portfolios, optimizing income, minimizing taxes, and legacy planning. This hands-on course empowers you to make informed retirement decisions, evaluate professional recommendations, and identify when you need expert guidance. By the end, you'll have the knowledge and tools to own your financial strategy and navigate retirement with greater peace of mind and control.

Retirement is a time to embrace both activity and renewal. This course explores the importance of sacred rest and self-care in creating a healthy, meaningful retirement. Through discussion and reflection, participants will discover practical ways to balance doing with being, manage stress, find renewed purpose, and nurture emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. Join us to explore how intentional rest can lead to greater joy, peace, and fulfillment in this new stage of life.

The T'ai Chi forms teach the practioner to keep his or her body balanced and in a central position; erect and well postured. When the body is erect every bone and inner organ is in the proper place. Keeping the spinal cord erect is the first step toward rejuvenating the body. T'ai Chi Ch'uan is beneficial to both mental and physical health. T'ai Chi can rid all parts of the body of spiritual and physical defects; it clears the mind and strengthens the brain, benefits the heart, promotes good digestion and sound kidneys. It also helps to lower blood pressure, soften blood vessels.

Continuing students are introduced to further sequences of the Yang Long form and will learn the intricacies of articulation, timing, breathing and the purposes behind the moves and advanced fluidity.

Tai Chi is a centuries old practice of gentle and graceful movements known as postures which are designed to build better balance, coordination, focus, stress relief, and mind/body connection. Students are encouraged to wear loose comfortable clothing. Our program features the Yang Long form. 

Practice and review of the Yang Long Form.

According to Jewish legend, in 1700BC a man named Abraham put his faith in a god named YHVH, and in return was instructed to "look up now at the sky and count the stars if you can. So uncountable will your descendants be." Those words, as it turns out, were prophetic. This course surveys the history, literature, beliefs and practices of the Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - religions which taken together comprise over half of the world's population.

*You did not have to take Part 1 to register for Part 2. 

As California's population ages, many seniors and families are unprepared for the rising costs of long-term care. California's Medi-Cal rules changed in 2026, affecting eligibility, gifting, asset transfers, and planning strategies. This course will explain the new rules in clear language and discuss ways to protect your home, savings, and future care options. Learn common mistakes families make, available resources, and why planning before a health crisis matters.

Got a book you're struggling to finish? This 5-week workshop is for you. Work with a professional editor to create a satisfying ending for your target market and avoid the top five mistake authors make. Learn to use plot, character, and setting to find the flow of the story. A portion of each session is spent writing manuscript pages based on exercises completed in class while the instructor conducts one-on-one conferences with students. Zoom option available!

You may not immediately recognize the name Robert Zemeckis, but you know his films. He’s a visionary director behind some of the most beloved and technologically groundbreaking blockbusters in cinematic history. We’ll explore some of his recurring themes of fate, time, and the human relationship with technology, specifically focusing on his role in pioneering digital visual effects, blending cutting-edge technology with some high-concept adventures and classic American storytelling. In this class we will watch and discuss: “Back to the Future” (1985); “Death Becomes Her” (1992); “Forrest Gump” (1994); “Contact” (1997); and “Cast Away” (2000).

The Pops Chorale, led by Artistic/Musical Director Lorin Miller, is an auditioned choral group of about 75 singers that performs with its own orchestra. The Chorale puts on two major concert series each year, in May and in December. Membership in the chorale is by audition, which takes place twice a year and can be arranged via the Chorale website,  www.thepopschorale.com. Prospective members must have the ability to both sing and dance, as each semester several professionally choreographed pieces are performed by the Chorale during each of our shows. Auditions can be arranged on the Pops Website, www.thepopschorale.com 

This course offers a practical overview of the senior care journey while emphasizing the importance of caregiver well-being. Participants will explore in-home care, out-of-home placement options, and strategies for navigating care transitions and medical settings with confidence. The course also provides essential advocacy tools to help caregivers understand their rights and effectively support their aging loved ones. In addition, meaningful self-care strategies are introduced to help caregivers sustain their own health and resilience over time.

Were you in Band in High School? Middle School? Do you wish you still played? Do you consider yourself a music loving amateur performer? If so, this class is for you! Welcome to the Truckee-Tahoe Community Band. If you have the desire to play with others in an ensemble setting, and prior but not necessarily current experience, then join us on Wednesday nights for a musical adventure. We will work together to interpret and perform fun band literature. The class will culminate in a performance. Music builds community – come join us!

Truckee-Tahoe Community Chorus: The course is designed for college-aged students through seniors for the study of selected styles and periods of music culminating in the performance of selected repertoire. The course curriculum includes discussion of musical elements, composition, vocabulary and history as well as vocal technique.

Educational documentarian Catherine Busch developed a series of films and classroom lessons about the Japanese Internment in the United States.  Along with Tim Ogburn they have turned to the question, "Could it ever happen again?"  Are the conditions in the USA now similar to those that caused this black mark on American history? This short film examines the state of our nation and asks this pertinent question.  Come and meet the filmmakers and contribute to the discussion.

Stephanie Dray’s new historical novel, A Founding Mother, chronicles the amazing life of Abigail Adams. From war-torn streets to the chandeliered halls of power, hers is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time—one whose voice, vision, and valor still resonate powerfully today. Celebrate the life of our second First Lady, as the country celebrates its 250th Anniversary.

Stephanie Dray’s new historical novel, A Founding Mother, chronicles the amazing life of Abigail Adams. From war-torn streets to the chandeliered halls of power, hers is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time—one whose voice, vision, and valor still resonate powerfully today. Celebrate the life of our second First Lady, as the country celebrates its 250th Anniversary.

This course is an overview of a week spent with the meteorologists of Penn State University.  We'll learn about forecasting fundamentals, weather analysis, satellite imagery, observational networks, severe storms, weather on the web, hurricanes, emergency management and human impact.  A demonstration of the Mountain Rain or Snow interactive citizen science data collection will be included.

This is a chance to sit in a circle with fellow OLLI students and discuss a variety of foreign affairs issues related to Latin America such as the future of Cuba, China's Aggressive Influence, the Panama Canal, the Trump-alike in Argentina, Columbia and the drug trade, the Monroe Doctrine in Venezuela. Readings will be provided to assist the conversation.

Come and play Classical Chinese Mahjong as codified by the British Mahjong Association. Some experience playing Mahjong would be beneficial, but not necessary. Bring your Mahjong set, if possible.
Membership required - no course fee.

Tai Chi is a centuries old practice of gentle and graceful movements known as postures which are designed to build better balance, coordination, focus, stress relief, and mind/body connection. Students are encouraged to wear loose comfortable clothing. Our program features the Yang Long form.