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FALL REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
You can now register for fall classes!

  1. Log in to your OLLI Account or create an account
  2. Pay your annual Membership Fee if you haven't done so already
  3. Register for classes

Having trouble registering? Call us at (530) 898-6779, email us at [email protected], or visit our office in Aymer J. Hamilton, Monday-Thursday, 9am-2pm.

Proof of vaccination is required to attend in-person and outdoor classes. Boosters are not required.
PREVIEW RECORDING NOW AVAILABLE!
Attendees at the Fall 22 In-Person Class Preview
Missed the Live-Online Class Preview last week? It's not too late! Watch the recording to learn about OLLI and hear from some instructors about their upcoming classes. (Photo of the in-person preview on August 18 by Debbie Vermette.)
COVID-19 POLICY
Image of COVID from the CDC
COVID-19 continues to be an evolving situation. We will keep you updated as changes occur. Here is our current policy:

  • Proof of vaccination is required for all in-person classes and events. Boosters are not required. Register your vaccine here.
  • Masks are strongly recommended for indoor spaces. Masks are always welcome.
  • There are HEPA air purifiers in all four classrooms at The Social Chico.
  • If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or any other communicable illnesses, such as a cold or the flu, please stay home.
HOW TO DEAL WITH UNCERTAIN ECONOMIC TIMES
Steve Cliadakis with a slide from his presentation
The effects of COVID on our health and on the global economy continue to linger. The length and economic impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is uncertain. Equity markets have dropped in value and remain volatile. Inflation is at record highs and the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) is ratcheting up the federal funds rate in an effort to slow inflation.

In addition to these uncertain economic times, financial scams and fraud are at an all-time high. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that nearly 25% of all reported losses to fraud in 2021 initiated on social media platforms. Consumers also reported losing over $1 billion to fraud involving cryptocurrencies from January 2021 through March 2022.

To provide some perspective on these topics, Steve Cliadakis, financial planner at Altum Wealth Advisors, will be presenting two classes this fall: Retirement Planning & Investments in a Changing Economy on September 26 and October 3, 8:30-9:30am and How to Protect Yourself from Financial Scams & Fraud on October 10 and 17, 8:30-9:30am.
Miste Cliadakis with a slide from her presentation
Annuities may not be for everyone, but it’s worthwhile to understand the various types of annuities before making decisions. To simplify the various annuities, Miste Cliadakis, financial planner at Altum Wealth Advisors, will be presenting her “Demystifying Annuities” class. She will be offering the class online on September 14, 10-11:30am, and in person on September 21, 12:30-2pm. “Demystifying Annuities” is part of Miste’s “Women & Money” series. Her in-person class on September 21 is for women only and her online class on September 14 is open to everyone.

Miste will also be offering her Estate Settlement: What You Need to Know class on September 28, 12:30-2pm. Many of us may become responsible for settling the estate of a parent, spouse, sibling, or other loved one in the future. Miste’s class will summarize the major responsibilities of the executor/trustee, and will provide a number of related tips and resources. This class is part of Miste’s “Women & Money” series and is for women only.

Steve and Miste look forward to seeing everyone in class this fall!
Gold Level Sponsor logo
Altum Wealth Advisors logo
LIMITED TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR COME FROM AWAY
When the OLLI bus trip to see Come From Away at Broadway Sacramento was canceled, we were able to keep a limited number of orchestra seating tickets for members who would like to go on their own. We have three tickets left. The show is Sunday, September 25 at 1:30pm.

Tickets are $95 each and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Email us at [email protected] or call us at (530) 898-6679 to reserve your tickets now.
OVERHEARD AT OLLI
Robin Dizard headshot
Robin Dizard, pictured, is preparing to teach Race in American Art & Literature this fall. Since it’s been offered a few times before, this should be an easy task. But Robin, professor emerita of English and American Studies, doesn’t rest on her laurels. She reads voraciously, noting both historical and modern links between economic, social, and artistic developments, and weaves new material into each semester’s offering. Her presentations are peppered with names and events you think you ought to be familiar with – and don’t worry, you will be after her rousing sessions.

One of the first questions Robin asked me (at the conclusion of my "Wars of the Roses" class) was, “What do you know about Eleanor of Aquitaine and the maritime rules of Oléron?” My answer was, “Not a thing,” and thus did my continuing education at her hands begin. In March, 2020, Robin convinced me that co-leading a course comparing the experience of the Black Death with the then-very-new coronavirus pandemic would be a good idea. (“What else are we going to be doing?”) Thus was "Lessons from the Black Death" born. (In case you’re wondering, we didn’t learn them.)

She’s talked me into other projects since then, most notably our semester-long "Gleaming Saxons" course shedding light on the so-called “dark ages” of early medieval England. I did the history bits and she did the literature, and we both talked about the amazing art – especially the jewelry – from the time. Robin, ever the feminist, came up with the only surviving poem in Old English written by a woman. My horizons continued to expand.

Now I am her faithful amanuensis (look it up), helping on the tech side of her classes by assembling illustrations and formatting her presentations. I get to attend the class without having to go to it, and she gets someone to bounce ideas off of. I feel privileged to work with such an exemplar of life-long learning.

— Leanne Ulvang
HOW TO ACCESS ZOOM CLASSES AND RECORDINGS
An older white woman with gray hair sitting on a couch with a laptop on her lap
Good news! We have set up the OLLI registration system to automatically send Zoom links to all registered participants seven days before the class begins and the morning of each class session. All you have to do to join your Zoom class is click on the link in your email!

We are also emailing out the link to recordings to all registered participants. The link will go out once the first recording for the class is available. As new class recordings are posted, they will be posted at the same link, so save your recording link email or add the recordings page to your favorites or bookmarks.

Note: We ask that you not share Zoom class and recording links. Due to copyright restrictions, we are currently unable to share these links more broadly.

Having trouble with Zoom links or recordings? Email us at [email protected] or call us at (530) 898-6679.
VOLUNTEER AT THE ANNEX
Volunteer Printed on a Red Shirt
Looking for a way to support your OLLI program and stay connected to others? OLLI member Paul Coots is the schedule coordinator for the OLLI satellite office, The OLLI Annex. The Annex is located next to the Bradley 2 classroom at The Social Chico, where the majority of our in-person classes are held. Volunteers help answer members' questions, typically related to class dates, times, and locations, and general issues such as where to park.

If you are already attending classes at The Social Chico and would consider extending your day there by another hour or two, we could really use your support. We have many returning volunteers, and are looking for a couple more. We have two slots open: Tuesday mornings 9:15-11:15 and Thursday afternoons 12:15-2:15. Please contact Paul at [email protected] with "OLLI Office" in the subject line if you're interested, and include the days and times you are available. Thank you!
OLLI USA
OLLI USA from OLLI at Berkshire Community College

OLLI at Berkshire Community College is sharing a series of lectures and reading groups starting August 26.

We Are Still Here: Indigenous Peoples of the Northeast
Have you ever wondered what happened to the estimated 100,000 Native Americans who lived in Massachusetts before European contact and settlement? We Are Still Here: Indigenous Peoples of the Northeast will give OLLI members and the public opportunities to begin to answer that question.
OLLI USA from OLLI-UA

OLLI at University of Arizona continues to curate a lineup of exclusive offerings for OLLI members anywhere.

Mark Sheldon: Is Taiwan Really the Next Ukraine?
A brief overview of Taiwan and PRC ties, the status of Taiwan in US-China relations, reforms, and political developments in Taiwan domestically, and an examination of the claim that Taiwan will somehow be the next Ukraine.
Monday, September 19 at 1pm Pacific Time on Zoom

Sign up for this live event and catch up on recorded lectures from the OLLI-UA Online Speaker Series.
SEPTEMBER 2 IS NATIONAL FOOD BANK DAY
Image of shelves filled with canned food and other non-perishable food items
Food banks help to fill the immediate needs of people facing food insecurity, and September 2 is the day to celebrate them! About 8 million Californians – or 1 out of every 5 – don’t know where their next meal will come from.

Celebrate National Food Bank Day by supporting one of our local food banks. If you choose to donate, make your dollar go further by giving money. Food banks have networks of suppliers and can often buy goods at a much lower price than individuals can get at a grocery store. If you want to donate goods, consider donating spices, oil, or chocolate. People experiencing food insecurity deserve tasty food too!

North State Food Bank serves Butte, Glenn, Colusa, Plumas, Sierra, and Tehama counties, reaching an average of 45,000 people each month.

Hungry Wildcat Food Pantry serves Chico State students, staff, alumni, and their dependents and has distributed food to more than 35,000 students in its nearly ten years of operation.
MEMBER BENEFIT: CONTRIBUTE TO BITS & BYTES
hands with wrings writing on paper with a pen
You may have noticed over the last few months that we’ve been offering more features in Bits & Bytes, like the "Overheard at OLLI" segment. We want to hear from you – and so do your fellow OLLI members. Is there a class you particularly love? Did you make a new best friend through OLLI? Is there something else really great about OLLI or an OLLI class you want to share? Fill out our Newsletter Submission form or email us at [email protected] to tell us about it and your words could be featured in a future issue of Bits & Bytes.
ART SPEAKS: WRITING TO ART
Paul Belz sits in a chair outside writing in response to a print
Art speaks to us all if we take the time to pay attention and respond. Art Speaks: Writing to Art will be offered on Wednesday afternoons during November at the Janet Turner Museum at Chico State. It will be held in the museum during the annual print exhibition, and poets Joan Goodreau and Jean Varda will guide the class. No writing experience is needed, only an openness to new experiences. Museums and art galleries in the Bay Area as well as the 1078 Gallery have promoted this dual vision of art and writing. The summer "Art Talks" class was fun for both experienced and new writers. Paul Belz is pictured above working on a poem inspired by a print called "Red Admiral" by Reta Rickmers. See Paul's poem and the print below, as well as a new poem by OLLI instructor Janet E. Rechtman.
print of a black and red butterfly by Reta Rickmers
BUTTERFLY PAINTING
Paul Belz

Red admiral
builds its body from ebony night
wraps dusk's orange around its form.
Splotches of moonlight shine
from its wings. Puddles of colors
it didn't gather surround its outline:
turquoise flows with 9 AM's sky blue.
Sunset's pink and red dance and cavort.
Two yellow dots on its wings balance everything,
and a twig that sprouts green buds
flows from its face.
Writing in a Gallery at the Janet Turner Museum
Janet E. Rechtman

So many eyes looking at life:
My two eyes looking at their looking.
Such sweet pictures void of strife.
The oven’s cool now art’s done cooking.

Poppies and iris, stems all wound.
A tree ablaze with red and gold.
Red breasted robin perched on blue ground.
Butterflies aflutter, ornate and bold.

I see a mom hanging clothes to dry,
Her sheets and apron signal breeze.
My heart warms, my inner voices sigh:
Old days, old times, nostalgia’s ease.

My soul looks in. My eyes look out.
Life lived on paper whispers. No shout.
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION WEEK IS SEPTEMBER 4-10
While suicide affects all age groups, it is proportionally higher among older adults, with men 65 and older having the highest overall rate of suicide.

During National Suicide Prevention Week, learn more about preventing suicide in your community and the resources available to help you whether you're in crisis or you know someone who is in crisis. You can be the one to help save a life.

5 Steps to Help Someone in Crisis
  1. Ask. "Are you thinking about suicide?" Research suggests that being open about suicide may reduce suicidal ideation.
  2. Be There. "I'm here for you." Connection with other people, in both the short and long term, is a protective factor against suicide.
  3. Keep Them Safe. "Do you have a specific plan to kill yourself?" Put time and distance between a person in crisis and a method of suicide.
  4. Help Them Connect. "Let's call the 988 Lifeline together." Help people in crisis connect to crisis supports locally or nationally.
  5. Follow Up. "How are you doing?" Checking in with a person after the immediate crisis has ended lets them know you care and can help reduce their suicide risk.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a single national number that provides 24/7 free and confidential support for people in crisis.

Locally you can reach the Butte County Behavioral Health 24/7 Access Line at (800) 334-6622 or (530) 891-2810 or access walk-in crisis services seven days a week, 6am-11pm at 560 Cohasset Road, Ste. 180, Chico.
OLLI CALENDAR
Now
Today
September 5
September 12
October 17-28
November 11
November 21-25
December 9
2022-23 Memberships Available
Fall '22 Class Registration Opens
Labor Day (OLLI Closed)
Fall Classes Start
Fall Break (No Classes)
Veterans Day (OLLI Closed, No Classes)
Thanksgiving Break (OLLI Closed, No Classes)
Last Day of Fall Classes
HAVE SOMETHING TO SHARE?

If you have something to say, a photo to share, or a question to pose to the editor, you can submit information using our OLLI Newsletter Submission form.