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ART-05b (in-person)
Session II Add-On: Nov. 18
Wednesday 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
*Two sections of the same course, feel free to register for one or both.
*Meets at 1790 Old Pioneer Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709.
We will paint bottles, glassware, or jars with acrylic paint that you can take home and bake in your oven. Your project will then be permanent and washable. The instructor will provide plenty of glass choices, but you can also bring your own. Enrollment limited to 6.

Instructor Carla Reardon has lived in Alaska since the 1970s. She enjoys a wide variety of crafts from sewing to metalsmithing, and likes to relax by reading and doing Sudoku puzzles. If you have any questions about the course, please contact her at 907-457-4836.
 

Remember & Invent: Handmade Books
ART-11 (in-person)
Session II Add-On: Nov. 17, 19 
Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 - 11:45 am (two meetings)
Join Northwoods Book Arts Guild members Chris and Vanessa for two days of bookmaking fun. Books will focus on memory and writing, as well as creativity and invention. Techniques for collage, writing, and bookmaking will be integrated in a lively workshop. Please bring copies of photos, letters, ephemera, or other items that will inspire memories. All tools and materials will be provided for use at the class. Materials fee $20; please pay the instructors on the first day of class. Enrollment limited to 10.

Instructors Chris Greenfield-Pastro and Vanessa DeWolf are both members of the Northwoods Book Arts Guild. They are excited to share the skills they have learned through the guild with others and both enjoy bringing the creative process to life in the form of handmade books.

Create a Barn Quilt
ART-11 (in-person)
Session II Add-On: Nov. 17, 19, 20
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 2:00 - 4:30 pm (3 meetings)
You will learn how to plan, draft and paint a 2x2 foot barn quilt, creating a unique piece of art to display. A materials fee of $10 (collected at the first class) will cover the cost of primer and paint. Before the first class you will receive instructions on how to choose, purchase and prepare your board for painting and where to find barn quilt patterns for inspiration. Materials fee $10, pay instructor at first meeting. Enrollment limited to 10.

Instructor Sandy Lachman took the Barn Quilt class last fall and taught the class last spring. Experienced quilters will be assisting students as they draft and enlarge their patterns for painting.

Data Offense for the Real World: Outsmarting AI Abuse Without the Hype
CA-04 (in-person)
Session II Add-On: Nov. 19
Thursday 5:30 - 6:45 pm (one meeting)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the fastest growing and most damaging fraud and data abuse vectors. This seminar empowers students with the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills needed to protect their personal data and privacy in an increasingly forced AI‑saturated world. Through clear explanations, real‑world examples, and hands-on demonstrations, participants will learn how different kinds of AI work, how AI can be leveraged to exploit data and violate privacy, and how to build strong digital and offline habits that reduce vulnerability. The course emphasizes accessibility, clarity, and real‑life application. No AI hype or up-sells, just real strategies for real people concerned about protecting their data and privacy.

Instructor Mamie S. Brown is a Fairbanks attorney and founder of the Law Office of Mamie S. Brown, LLC, where she provides practical, value‑driven legal services to Alaskans and Alaska businesses. She is dedicated to helping protect Alaska’s seniors from AI‑driven scams, digital exploitation, and emerging forms of technological abuse.

Jewish Food and Spirituality in Film & Literature
FLM-06 (in-person)
Session II Add-On: Nov. 16, 18
Monday & Wednesday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm (two meetings)
We will cook together, watch films, and read while exploring diverse Jewish cultures expressed through food, poetry, history, spirituality, generational wisdom, and lived experience. Materials fee: $20, pay instructor at first meeting. Enrollment limited to 20.

A teacher, a writer, and an immigrant, Dafna Young has lived and thrived in Fairbanks for over two decades.

The Italian Tale of Felix Pedro
HIS-08 (in-person)
Session II Add-On: Nov. 16
Monday 2:00 - 3:15 pm (one meeting)
Much of what we know about Felix Pedro is more legend than truth. Born Felice Pedroni, he was raised near Fanano, Fairbanks’ “Sister City,” in the community of Trignano, Italy. Paolo Greer has taken many trips to Italy to learn about Felix Pedro directly from researchers, his descendants, and famiglia. The trail pointed to Felix’s cohorts and closest friends, the Costa Brothers, of whom had prospected with him over the years and had the placers next to Pedro’s Discovery Claim. Join us as we investigate the Italian tale of Felix Pedro!

Instructor Paolo Greer has lived in Alaska for more than fifty years. He also explored and prospected for gold for decades, mostly in the high Amazon jungle.

Finding Democracy
HIS-09 (in-person)
HIS-09-Z (distance-delivered)
Session II Add-On: Nov. 20
Friday 10:30 - 11:45 am (one meeting)
*The course is based on the instructor’s book, Finding Democracy Through the Lens of a Young German Woman, 1944-1950.
Follow the exciting journey of a young German woman as she survives WWII and chronicles the postwar U.S. occupation of a small Bavarian town during a pivotal time in modern history. This true story offers insights into the influence the Americans had on her understanding of democracy after experiencing Nazi fascism, inviting reflection on the concept of freedom, the power of personal choice, and the fragile building of democratic ideals. This course examines the postwar challenges faced by the U.S. military as they sought to denazify Germany, rebuild a self-governing country along democratic lines, and create an ally in response to the emerging threat of Communism. Key challenges included a hunger crisis, the integration of dislocated civilians into society, and countering the real fear that another demagogue would arise again to exploit underlying societal attitudes. The lessons and warnings from eighty years ago continue to hold relevance today.

Instructor Margaret F. Merritt, Ph.D. is an educator, author, and outdoorswoman. After decades of writing and publishing in scientific literature, she has focused her research and writing on historical biographies to share true stories that entertain, inform, and inspire.

The book, "Finding Democracy Through the Lens of a Young German Woman, 1944-1950" by Margaret F. Merritt, Ph.D. is the 2026 Bronze Medal Winner of the Living Now Evergreen Award for World Peace.  The Living Now Evergreen Award recognizes books published since 2000 for their contributions to positive global change. The World Peace category aims to identify world-changing books that encourage a better understanding of people and broader global issues, and to bring them further recognition and exposure.

 

Finding Democracy
HIS-09 (in-person)
HIS-09-Z (distance-delivered)
Session II Add-On: Nov. 20
Friday 10:30 - 11:45 am (one meeting)
*The course is based on the instructor’s book, Finding Democracy Through the Lens of a Young German Woman, 1944-1950.
Follow the exciting journey of a young German woman as she survives WWII and chronicles the postwar U.S. occupation of a small Bavarian town during a pivotal time in modern history. This true story offers insights into the influence the Americans had on her understanding of democracy after experiencing Nazi fascism, inviting reflection on the concept of freedom, the power of personal choice, and the fragile building of democratic ideals. This course examines the postwar challenges faced by the U.S. military as they sought to denazify Germany, rebuild a self-governing country along democratic lines, and create an ally in response to the emerging threat of Communism. Key challenges included a hunger crisis, the integration of dislocated civilians into society, and countering the real fear that another demagogue would arise again to exploit underlying societal attitudes. The lessons and warnings from eighty years ago continue to hold relevance today.

Instructor Margaret F. Merritt, Ph.D. is an educator, author, and outdoorswoman. After decades of writing and publishing in scientific literature, she has focused her research and writing on historical biographies to share true stories that entertain, inform, and inspire.

The book, "Finding Democracy Through the Lens of a Young German Woman, 1944-1950" by Margaret F. Merritt, Ph.D. is the 2026 Bronze Medal Winner of the Living Now Evergreen Award for World Peace.  The Living Now Evergreen Award recognizes books published since 2000 for their contributions to positive global change. The World Peace category aims to identify world-changing books that encourage a better understanding of people and broader global issues, and to bring them further recognition and exposure

Calligraphy for the Holidays
ART-06 (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16
Mondays 10:30 - 11:30 am
This class is for students who already know the basics of calligraphy, whether through OLLI or learned elsewhere. In this class we'll focus on envelopes, invitations, art pieces, and multiple easy ways to make your calligraphy more striking and decorative. The instructor will walk you through your projects to help you get your best results. You'll be expected to have a basic calligraphy set already. The instructor will provide a wide variety of (cool) additional materials for free. You’ve learned calligraphy, now let's learn how to put it to use to add some magic to the holidays! Enrollment limited to 12.
 

English Country Dancing For All, II
DAN-05 (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 22, 29, Nov. 5, 12, 19
Thursdays 12:15 - 1:30 pm (5 weeks)
*This course meets at the Pioneer Park Dance Hall! 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709.
*Participants should bring comfortable, non-marking shoes with smooth soles, and water.
*Part II builds on concepts learned in Part I, the instructor recommends you take both if you can.
Come learn the basics of English Country Dancing! Enjoy wonderful music from the 1700s to present, and be social and physically active with others in an easy walking format. All dances will be taught step-by-step, then called as you progress through the centuries of this wonderful dance form. The most challenging thing will be remembering which is your left hand or right hand, how to walk, and then turn in a circle! Partners are not necessary.

Instructor Dennis Rogers has been dancing and playing this form of music since the 1970s. 

Beginning Waltz
DAN-07 (in-person)
Dates: Oct. 9, 16, 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20
Fridays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
*This course starts late and runs for 7 weeks.
*This course meets at the Pioneer Park Dance Hall! 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, AK 99709.
*Participants should bring comfortable, no marking shoes with smooth soles, and water. 
While the class covers the basics of waltz we include more advanced tips so experienced dancers get something out of the class. We love having some ringers in the class! We find that changing partners frequently helps a lot with learning. You don’t need to sign up with a partner - we can adjust on the fly if we have a greater number of leaders or followers! Our focus is on having fun in a supportive environment.

Instructors Barb Lorz and Stan Justice have taken numerous dance classes from many different instructors. They take what works from those classes in their teaching style. They have taught for OLLI for several years.

Introduction to Taoist Tai Chi, B
EX-04b (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17
Tuesdays 2:00 - 3:15 pm (5 weeks)
*Meets at Fairbanks Senior Center, 1424 Moore Street, Fairbanks, AK 99701
Taoist Tai Chi offers a pleasant form of exercise which incorporates stretching, relaxation. It is a mind/body activity which, when practiced diligently, is capable of improving balance, strength, range of motion, and overall well being. The introductory class will start students from the very beginning, no prior experience necessary.

Instructors Kate Hedstrom and Rob Cermak teach Taoist Tai Chi with the local chapter of the Taoist Tai Chi Society of the USA. They both have well over a decade of experience of learning and instructing the form, and have found many benefits from the practice.

Easy as Pie, II
FF-02 (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10
Tuesdays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
*Each 4-week session stands alone; you may take either one or both.
Do you enjoy the taste of from-scratch, homemade pies? In this class we will eat pie, talk about pie, and you will get a recipe for each pie. Session I will be dessert pies, like Dutch Apple. Session II will be main dish savory pies, like Chicken Pot Pie. There is no in-class cooking. Materials fee $10; pay instructor at first meeting. Enrollment limited to 13.

Instructor Emma Centers grew up in a farm area where pie was a regular part of a good diet.

Curated Criterion Cinema, II
FLM-03 (in-person)
Session II: Oct 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11, 18
Wednesdays 2:00 - 5:00 pm (5 weeks)
Explore the Criterion Collection through a dual lens of timeless world masterpieces and gritty international crime cinema. From J-Noir gems and French polars to essential human dramas, this course unearths restored rarities that captured the cultural zeitgeist. Join us to examine how sharp cinematography and diverse storytelling styles have preserved cinema's most powerful visions.    

Instructor Jeffrey Simonson has been watching and studying cinema, and attending film festivals for over 30 years.

OLLI Films, II: Journeys in Alaska
FLM-05 (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20
Fridays 2:00 - 5:00 pm (5 weeks)
Where are we: In this world or in Alaska? Films transport us through stories, visualizations, actors and directors, to new/old/imagined places. Let's first journey to other parts of the globe, the later into bits of Alaska hiding in plain sight.

Session II (English Audio, No Subtitles)
Spirit of the Wind: The George Attla Story (2014, 98 mins)
The Great Alone (2016, 82 mins)
Strangers on the Earth (2017, 97 mins)
Into the Wild (2007, 148 mins)
The Frozen Ground (2013, 105 mins) or Big Miracle (2012, 107 mins)

UAF retiree Ron Inouye enjoys films and particularly the resulting social commentary of the viewers. How successful were the directors and actors? Through discussion often we learn from each other more than may have been intended by the script, dialog, and the editing.
 

Absolutely Beginning Ukulele: Songs in the keys of A, D, and F
MUS-06 (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 20, 27, Nov. 3, 10, 17
Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am (5 weeks)
This class will introduce very beginning students to the ukulele. We will learn chords A, F, F#m, Bm, Bb, C, D, Dm, and E and a few more and 2-3 more songs each week that use those chords.  By the end of the class, you will be able to play at least 10 more songs on the ukulele.
*This class requires that you have a soprano, tenor, concert, or banjolele ukulele AND a tuner (can be your phone).
*This course is meant as a follow-up for the Session I course, but if you can take only one, either is fine!
The more you play, the better you'll get. We will have drop-in guest teachers (hopefully) to give students more one-on-one coaching. Don't worry, playing the ukulele is guaranteed to put you in a good mood during class and each time you practice.  Enrollment limited to 25.
Instructor: Cindee Karns (see MUS-02)

Bike Maintenance, B
REC-06b (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 23, 30, Nov. 6, 13, 20
Fridays 10:30 - 1:30 pm (5 weeks)
*Students must bring a bike.
*Two sections of the same course; you may take either one or both.
Learn how to fix flats, adjust gears and brakes, straighten wheels, and take care of bearings, chains, and cables. Set up your bike for better riding and be prepared for all conditions – even winter! This is also a great opportunity to fix up any bike issues with a local expert!

Instructor Simon Rakower has been teaching bike repair for over 25 years in Fairbanks and elsewhere. He trained instructors to teach kids to work on bikes for the Recycle a Bicycle program in Brooklyn, NY. He dreams of a world where everyone can fix their own flats.

Understanding the Value of “Bad” Emotions 
SOC-06 (in-person)
Session II: Oct. 26, Nov. 2, 9, 16
Mondays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
We label some emotions as “bad.” Anger, jealousy, envy, contempt, and hatred are among them. Why are these negative, upsetting, and uncomfortable? What purpose do they serve, such that they continue to exist despite either evolution or religion? What unexpected (and bad) results happen when we try to avoid or suppress them? The answers to these questions are surprising. Hint: reflection on the self is incredibly important to growth. Come find out why it's good to have these, and learn what to do when you or others have them. 

Instructor Larry Moen (see ART-02)