Online-Zoom Courses   

In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the U.S government, the media, and most national institutions quickly established the "official story" of what led to and occurred on that fateful day. At 25 years on, that story is not so certain. Questions have been raised. Through viewing segments of an acclaimed documentary and in-class discussion, students can confront these questions and consider whether they have merit. It will not change the outcome, but it may give new insights.

You know you are getting old when: 

• It takes a couple of tries to get over a speed bump
• You have a party and your neighbors don't realize it 
• The candles of the birthday cake cost more than the cake

What constitutes a life well-lived? What are the ingredients for lasting happiness? We'll explore the findings of those who continue to research this topic. 

According to the American Heart Association, nearly half of American adults have some form of cardiovascular or chronic disease. Medical analysis has shown that the quality of our nutrition is a critical factor in determining personal health. A positive change in what we eat can delay and reverse serious chronic diseases such as obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, T2 diabetes, and lessen the chances of developing dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and certain cancers. We will discuss a proven process to align your daily nutrition with the core principles of eating healthy to live a long, healthy life. Prior to class, students are encouraged to complete the anonymous EatSHARP personal nutrition assessment at https://eatsharp.org?group=OLLI-Sierra . Individuals can stay anonymous.

Create a 1-2 page Legacy Letter to express core values, beliefs, life lessons, dreams or affirmations to share with family and friends. What do you say in a Legacy Letter? Who will receive it? When is a good time to write and present your letter?  Read sample letters as "starters" and review a series of questions to engage personal reflection during classes as you write.

These three body functions--digestion, skin and sleep--are distinct, but, oh, so necessary for good health and energy.  We'll explore each in the way it works, how it gets disrupted, and how to help remedy disorders or prevent problems. 

Not all family history records are indexed and easy to locate.  AI is helping with the records that aren't yet indexed, but you can do searches, too.  Learn how to navigate the catalogue on FamilySearch to find documents yourself. Who were your ancestors, where did they live, and what did they do?  Learn what information may be found when searching for Family History records and the initial steps on how to begin your Family History/Genealogy Journey.

These spellbinding works of art brilliantly illuminate space from Barcelona to Brazil. We will examine this craft from its origins nearly a millennia ago, its finest examples, as well as its beautiful and quirky contemporary expressions.

In these uncertain times, it is important to seek solace, resolve and inspiration. Terry McAteer will read Martin Luther King's five page letter to Christian and Jewish religious leaders which he wrote from a jail cell in 1963. His touching words will enlist your passions as we reflect upon our current troubling period as it relates to King's masterpiece. This will be a class you will reflect upon often.

Take a seat, take a breath, and take a moment just for you. This light hearted chair yoga class invites you to stretch, smile, and reconnect with your body—one gentle movement at a time.
We’ll explore simple seated and standing with support poses that help ease tension, improve mobility, and bring a sense of calm to the day. With playful guidance and a “do what feels good” approach, you’ll learn how to tune into your breath, notice how your body feels, and move in ways that support comfort and confidence.
No experience, flexibility, or fancy clothes needed—just an open mind and a sturdy chair. Come ready to relax, laugh a little, and leave feeling more grounded, uplifted, and connected from head to toe.

The world certainly has an interesting geology, but, once in a while, geology takes an odd turn and presents us with formations that almost look like they don't even belong on our planet.  We'll see, via Zoom, some of these strange, mysterious and intriguing places in our world.

Learn the basics of family history research, including terminology, how to organize your information, the best free and paid websites, common mistakes to avoid, and much more. Includes 20-page handout with the two basic forms you need to begin and “Start Now, Here’s How” step-by-step instructions.

We'll document the fertile interaction between minorities that transformed, not only the music of the 20th century, but the whole industry of entertainment and popular culture. With strong support from audiovisuals and based on my own experience as concert promoter for 3 decades, we'll explore the legacy of the most relevant singers, performers, producers, record labels and booking agencies in the history of Rock, Pop, Blues and Jazz. We’ll learn how the main Jazz standards and the Great American Songbook were built, by artists like Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Benny Goodman, Stan Getz, etc., and how their legacy influenced Leiber and Stoller, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Lou Reed, Leonard Cohen, Kiss, Slash and many more.

Who were your ancestors, where did they live, and what did they do?  Learn what information may be found when searching for Family History records and the initial steps on how to begin your Family History/Genealogy Journey.

National Geographic photographer, Joel Sartore started the Photo Ark in 2006 when he was homebound in Lincoln, Nebraska caring for his sick wife and their three children. In order to continue working, he decided to photograph some of the animals at the Children's Zoo near his home. This led him to create what he called a Photo Ark recording images of 12,000 species in captivity as a way to promote animal conservation. The 25-year project has received worldwide acclaim and has grown toward the current goal of recording images of 25,000 species.

It's that time again to get involved with local, state and national elections. Terry McAteer will host this "everything you need to know about the midterms" from polling data to financial expense reports to insider thoughts. Various candidates will also join the conversations. Come be a part of this election conversation!

Using AI for genealogy is a hot topic, and many “how-to” programs and webinars are available. This is NOT a how-to-use-AI-for-genealogy presentation. It’s a one-hour description of my own “adventures” using AI, with examples of egregious AI mistakes as well as excellent, helpful results that saved me lots of time. Links to various resources for learning how to use it effectively will be included in the handout.

The United States federal census, which started in 1790, is a key records collection for anyone doing genealogy research. While the accuracy of the information can sometimes vary (for reasons explained in this presentation, with many examples), censuses are a must-use resource where you can count on finding valuable information on your ancestors. Includes 10-page handout.

Slainte! (To Your Health in Gaelic) This class will explore and celebrate the history of the Irish in America. The Scotch-Irish arrived first and moved to Appalachia then came the Potato Famine hoards to the inner cities in the 1850's. We will delve into the anti- Irish Catholic movements such as the Know Nothing Party and the Knights of the White Camelia through to the 1960 election of JFK. We'll also enjoy some tales, and Irish/American music along the way. We all have a wee bit of Irish (blarney) in all of us!

"The War to End All Wars" was what historians at the time described World War I. But only 20 years after the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which ended World War I, the Second World War started. This class will explore how the end of World War I really set the stage for World War II.

Join this native Pennsylvania Dutch girl for a tour of her homeland of southeast Pennsylvania.  Learn about the two distinct Pennsylvania Dutch peoples and cultures. Travel the back roads and see the sights. Learn about the folk art including the meanings of hex signs.  Explore traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food with recipes provided. Learn about efforts to keep the unique language and culture alive.

Maps are far more than just lines and words on paper — they can provide context and information that can be otherwise hard to find. Maps can also be fascinating to look at, illustrating details that provide color to our ancestors’ lives. Learn about different types of maps, what they can reveal, and where to find them. Includes detailed handout with links to many sources of online maps.

City Directories can provide a wealth of information on where families lived and the their life in that location.