August 2026 Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to open as a Webpage.

One of the benefits of being an OLLI member is getting to learn with your friends! Many members make friends at OLLI. Other members introduce their friends to OLLI to share their love of learning and have someone they already know to talk about their classes with.

When you refer someone you know and they become a new member, you can both register early for classes this fall. Whether you're taking all your classes together or enjoying separate parts of OLLI, registering early lets you avoid the rush on popular classes or classes with limited capacity. Contact the OLLI office at olli@csuchico.edu or 530-898-6679 by August 20 to confirm.

The Gallery Team is accepting art submissions for the Bradley 2 Art Gallery for the fall exhibit. The exhibit will celebrate all the things that make our North State special. Members are invited to submit up to three pieces of their work (painting, collage, photography, textiles, fabric art, etc) to this jury-free exhibit. This beautiful space can display around 50 pieces for the community to enjoy.

Please submit your artwork using the online submission form. All forms must be completed online or the information emailed to hilhass@gmail.com by Friday, August 14.

Submission Deadline: August 14

Art Drop-Off: September 2-3

Exhibit: September 14-November 20

Opening Reception: September 19

Art Pickup: December 2

The OLLI Art Gallery in Bradley 2 was made possible through the generous donation of longtime OLLI member Jim Kirks in 2017. He wanted to donate to something special and long-lasting, and chose to showcase the creative talents of OLLI members with the installation of a state-of-the-art hanging system in a space for all to enjoy.

Email Hilary Hassenzahl at hilhass@gmail.com with any questions about the gallery.

Whether you've led an OLLI class before or want to try it out for the first time, we invite you to submit a class proposal for winter '27 or outdoor intersession '27. 

In OLLI's membership satisfaction survey earlier this year, members said they're interested in a wide range of categories of classes (history, fitness and movement, current events, creative arts, literature, and more) and a wide range of kinds of classes (lecture, discussion, tours of museums and businesses, developing a skill). If you have knowledge about a topic, a hobby you want to share, an activity you want to do with other people, a hike you want to take, or a book you want to discuss, you can lead an OLLI class.

The winter term runs January 4-March 12 and the outdoor intersession, for outdoor classes only, runs March 15-April 16. Your class can meet just once, every week of the term, or anything in between. Class proposals for winter '27 and outdoor intersession '27 are due August 24. Join us, and encourage your friends to lead classes too!

Submit a winter '27 or outdoor intersession '27 class proposal now, or contact us for more information at olli@csuchico.edu or 530-898-6679.

Pictured: OLLI Instructor Lynn H. Elliott. Photo by Matt Bates/Chico State.

Chico State is changing over to a new phone system, and that change has now come to OLLI! When you call us – still at 530-898-6679 – you will hear a message saying that you are being connected, and then you will hear music as it rings through to our office. If you get our voicemail outside of office hours or when we're helping other members, leave us a message. We check our voicemail regularly and we will get back to you.

We are adjusting to our new system and working with Chico State's team to make tweaks that ensure we can continue to provide the same, prompt, friendly service from real humans that you're used to. We appreciate your patience with any glitches and adjustments as this transition happens.

Business sponsors strengthen OLLI in many ways, and it is particularly exciting when they bring their professional expertise to the classroom. This fall, Dr. Kevin Kremer, founder of OLLI business sponsor New Smile Now, will teach Oral Health and Longevity, a three-week class exploring the important connection between oral health and overall well-being.

The mouth is often described as the front door to the body. In this approachable, jargon-free class, Dr. Kremer will explain how gum health, missing teeth, and chronic infection may be connected to heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and longevity. Participants will learn simple, practical habits that can help protect their health, independence, and smiles for years to come.

Dr. Kremer is a practicing dentist, author, and educator with decades of experience helping patients restore their oral health and confidence through modern dentistry. He has served the Chico area since 1999 and is the owner of Kremer Dental Care and founder of New Smile Now, a Chico-based dental implant center. New Smile Now combines advanced technology with individualized care, offering solutions ranging from single-tooth implants to full-mouth restoration and same-day temporary teeth. 

Sign up for Oral Health and Longevity when class registration opens on August 27 to learn from Dr. Kremer this fall.

The Fall Class Preview is a chance for you to learn about fall classes, plan your schedule, and hear from some of our volunteer instructors. It's also a chance to socialize with other OLLI members and friends. Plus OLLI's volunteer Hospitality Team will provide delicious treats for you to enjoy.

The Fall Class Preview is a great time to introduce a friend to OLLI. Remember, when you refer someone you know to OLLI and they also join, you both get to register early for classes this fall. The deadline to confirm this with the OLLI office is the same day as the Fall Class Preview. Bring your friend with you, and you can let us know there!

Fall Class Preview

Thursday, August 20, 10:30am-Noon

Presentation begins at 11am

Chico Masonic Family Center, 1110 W. East Avenue, Chico (map)

Free parking, coffee, and snacks!

Photo by Matt Bates/Chico State.

OLLI is recruiting classroom hosts for the fall term now. Volunteering as a host is a great way to get to know the members of your class. Classroom hosting does not require any technical knowledge; we have a separate team of people supporting in-person instructors with their audiovisual needs.

When you host a class you already wanted to take, you can easily fit it into your schedule. You can find out more about hosting from our Classroom Host Program Flyer (pdf), and remember that classroom hosts get early registration privileges when you sign up by August 19.

Contact the OLLI office at olli@csuchico.edu or 530-898-6679 if you're interested in classroom hosting. We appreciate your time!

OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES TEAM ADVICE ON CLASSES

One of the top three reasons members state they join OLLI is for opportunities to remain physically active. The volunteer Outdoor Experiences Team aims to meet that goal – and is growing. This past fiscal year, we offered 64 outdoor classes (up from 40 classes in 23-24), with 328 OLLI members enrolled!

This fall, 25 outdoor classes will be offered. Here are some tips from the team to help you find classes that meet your interests and abilities:

• Class descriptions are your friend! They describe what you can expect, including the level of difficulty. Additionally, instructors communicate with registered members prior to the class with important information about what to bring, where to meet, etc.
• If you have questions about an outdoor class, contact the instructor – we're happy to address your questions. The OLLI Class Preview is also an excellent venue to peruse classes and consult with instructors.
• If your desired class is full, always sign up for the waitlist and save the date! Often, folks on waitlists are given the opportunity to add when registered members drop the class.
• If you are registered for an outdoor class and realize you can't attend, please contact the OLLI office to drop as soon as you can. Outdoor classes necessarily have limited enrollments, and always have waitlists – someone will appreciate getting your spot.

If you have questions or ideas for new outdoor classes, your Outdoor Experiences Team is here to assist you: Lorraine Smith and Vickie Stoll (team leads), Victoria Bernhardt, Lois Olson, Candi Roethler, and Kris Zappetini. We look forward to sharing an outdoor experience with you!

OLLI is offering a trip to France in the spring through our travel partner Collette. If you want to learn more about the country before you go – or you aren't up for traveling – we also have opportunities for you to learn about France this fall without leaving home.

In the in-person class France Off the Beaten Path, Sylvie Delaunay, who was born and raised in France, will highlight five areas you might not have heard of that are often favorites of the French. From history to culture, food, and heritage, the class will explore what makes each worth the detour.

In the online class Mapping the Emergence of France, OLLI history and French language instructor Leanne Ulvang will explore the question of when France became France. Using maps, the class will examine the changing boundaries and structures within the territory now known as France from the fall of the western Roman Empire circa 450 CE to the French Revolution in 1789. Key events and personalities will punctuate the story of the origins of the France we know today.

Register for France Off the Beaten Path or Mapping the Emergence of France – or both – when registration opens on August 27 and learn about France this fall.

OVERHEARD AT OLLI

OLLI member and volunteer instructor Paul Coots recently helped spread the word about lifelong learning in our community. As a volunteer with the OLLI Speakers Bureau, Paul gave a presentation about OLLI to members of SIR Branch #110 in Chico. SIR (Sons in Retirement) is a social organization for retired men that offers fellowship, activities, and monthly programs. "I was invited by Randy Benson, the SIR program chair," Paul said. "Jose Lopez (the Big Sir) gave me a thank-you plaque for helping the members of SIR learn about OLLI."

During Paul's presentation he learned that about 10 of the attendees at the July SIR luncheon had previously taken OLLI classes. OLLI Speakers Bureau presentations are also a great way to connect with community members who have never been introduced to OLLI and are interested in learning about all it has to offer. The OLLI Speakers Bureau is always looking for new opportunities to present. If you know of a local club, organization, or community group that would enjoy learning about OLLI, let us know!

Pictured: Paul receiving a plaque from Big Sir Jose Lopez.

TRAVEL AND LEARN WITH OLLI

France Magnifique Discovery, Spring '27

From the royal Palace of Versailles to the enchanting streets of Paris, grab a baguette and rendezvous with the best of France. Bask in the rich history, culture, and romance of these celebrated cities and charming towns. Your 12 days and 16 meals will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.

View the France Magnifique Discovery full itinerary (pdf) and book now for discounted rates.

The Plains of Africa, Summer '27

Enjoy Kenya's scenic vistas and magnificent wildlife as you traverse the African plains on an intimate safari adventure. These are the plains of Africa, where unparalleled experiences greet you at every turn. Your 14 days and 33 meals will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.

View The Plains of Africa full itinerary (pdf) and book now for discounted rates.

Newly Announced! Canadian Maritimes and Coastal Wonders, Fall '27

From the nautical beauty of Peggy's Cove to the rugged splendor of the Cabot Trail, the Maritimes will enchant you. Don't miss the rugged beaches, picturesque fishing villages, and rich seafaring history of the amazing Canadian Maritimes. Your 11 days and 16 meals of this small group tour will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.

View the Canadian Maritimes and Coastal Wonders full itinerary (pdf) and book now for discounted rates.

Newly Announced! Imperial Cities, Fall '27

Immerse yourself in the splendor, history, and romance of Europe's regal capital cities: Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Savor traditional local cuisine while uncovering the rich heritage and storied past of this remarkable region. Your 11 days and 14 meals will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.

View the Imperial Cities full itinerary (pdf) and book now for discounted rates.

Elizabeth Bergthold, pictured, and her husband enjoy a rural life, even if it means seeing rattlesnakes on their deck or photos of a mountain lion and a bear captured by a critter cam. Her dog Josie loves to chase rabbits and squirrels, and Elizabeth frequently spots foxes, raccoons, and wild turkeys.

After moving to Chico several years ago, she joined OLLI and has sampled various classes – for balance, tap dancing, or writing her life, for example. She is a long-time participant in Let’s Keep Knitting!, where she has created blankets and hats ("simple things"). She once attempted a sweater but found it "not very satisfactory."

In waiting rooms, she knits scrubbies – fist-sized pads for scrubbing pans – providing bridges into conversations with curious onlookers. Calling herself "the scrubby lady," she hands them out as rewards for generosity, like when someone at the Discovery Shop makes up a cash shortfall for another customer.

In addition to helping at the Discovery Shop, Elizabeth volunteers for the Chico Friends of the Library, stocking and maintaining ten Little Free Libraries around town. Now that the library's book sale is suspended during renovations, she's concerned about finding donated books – of any genre and for all ages. Keep her in mind if you've got some excess books – maybe she'll give you a scrubby!

The National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA) is celebrating Fat Liberation Month all through August to show the world how fat people are thriving despite society’s biases and prejudices.

Here are just a few ways to celebrate Fat Liberation Month and learn more about fat people's lives, anti-fat bias, and fat justice:

• Check out or sign up to get emails about NAAFA's Fat Liberation Month events.
• Read one or more books from Fat Forward Books' list of 2026 books by fat authors and about fat experiences.
• Read about the power of fat community in Pittsburgh.
• Plan to attend Fat Joy in the Bay Area in October or Fat Con in Seattle in January.

August 20

August 27

September 7

September 13

September 14

September 21

November 11

November 20

Fall Class Preview

Fall Class Registration Opens at 9am

Labor Day (OLLI Closed)

Summer Social Meetups End

First Day of Fall Classes

Yom Kippur (No Classes)

Veterans Day (No Classes, OLLI Closed)

Last Day of Fall Classes