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

Class registration is open! If you already registered for classes, did you also check the Newly Added Classes page for classes added to the schedule after the catalog was printed? The classes added after the catalog was printed include in-person classes in Chico and over 20 classes shared by other OLLIs.

In-person additions to the class schedule include plenty of opportunities to move: Fitness for Lifetime Mobility, Pickleball, and Table Tennis are all on the schedule.

OLLI USA classes include opportunities to learn about such wide-ranging topics as Insect Societies; Figure Skating on Film: Stories that Shaped the Sport; Igor Stravinsky: His Life and His Music; The Right to Protest: Speech, Press, and Civic Engagement; and The Crusades: History, Causes, and Lasting Effects.

Register now for one – or more – of our Newly Added Classes and learn even more this fall.

The OLLI office will be closed on Monday, September 7 for Labor Day. The holiday grew out of the trade union and labor movements of the 19th century, and became a federal holiday in 1894. The very first Labor Day celebration was a parade of thousands of union members, followed by a large party, in New York in 1882.

While Labor Day celebrations and observances have changed over the years, the holiday is a good opportunity to learn more about labor in the US. Labor History Links is a robust database of places to learn about working class life and the labor movement. There are also options for learning about specific labor struggles, such as Fly With Me, an American Experience film and website about flight attendant organizing, and On Equal Terms, an interactive exhibit about women's experiences in the construction trades.

The OLLI website has a new feature: a way to see the classes you're registered for on a calendar. When you log into the website, you can go to the My Calendar page to see a grid of the current month showing the classes you're in. At the top right, you also have the options to view a full year, just one week, just one day, or a list.

This isn't the only thing you can view on the website. When you go to the My Account page by clicking on a link to it or the icon of a person at the top right of the OLLI website, you can also see information about your membership, you can view your classes in a list, see your payment history, or update your contact information in your profile.

OLLI's Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Group is back this fall with a continued exploration of the works of science fiction and fantasy authors. The class will discuss the differences and similarities between the two genres, and note the many crossover authors who write in both realms.

This fall, the class will read the first two books in the Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold, Shards of Honor and The Warrior's Apprentice, and the first two books of the Battle Mage Farmer series by Seth Ring, Domestication and Germination.

Register now for Science Fiction and Fantasy Book Group and join this fun ride with authors who have crafted characters and worlds which will carry us to worlds of adventure far, far away.

OLLI members, family, and friends are invited to attend the opening reception for Treasures of Northern California, an exhibit of art by OLLI members.

Support our talented members and celebrate the start of the fall term. Light refreshments will be served.

Saturday, September 19, 2-4pm

Bradley 2 at The Social Chico

Pictured: Meadow, TEMPESTUOUS DAY AT THE LAKE (Hidden Hollow Ranch).

Four years after retiring from her career as a fire inspector with the Chico Fire Department, Marie Fickert joined OLLI at the beginning of 2026. It didn't take her long to start recommending the program to others. "I've been an advocate for OLLI since the moment I stepped out of my first class," Marie said.

She quickly discovered classes she enjoyed, including Cracker Barrel, OLLI's lively current-events discussion class. The conversations do not end when class lets out. Marie shares topics from Cracker Barrel with friends, family, and even her hairdresser. Her enthusiasm soon spread to her husband, Robert Fickert. Marie invited him to sit in on a Cracker Barrel social meetup "just to try it out." After attending both Cracker Barrel and OLLI's Fall Class Preview, Robert has not only decided to become an OLLI member, he is already planning on being an OLLI instructor. Drawing on his expertise as an electrical contractor, Robert plans to teach fellow OLLI members to better understand household electrical systems and safety.

Marie and Robert, pictured, are looking forward to enjoying the fall term together. "We like to learn together," Marie said. "We both signed up for Jug Band Music." In her first year as an OLLI member, Marie has come to highly value the OLLI community. "I enjoy the intellectual and social aspects of OLLI," she said. "I'm meeting new people with unique and interesting backgrounds." With her years of experience with the fire department, Marie brings an interesting and unique background of her own to the OLLI community.

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.

Book by September 5 for discounted rates! View the France Magnifique Discovery full itinerary (pdf).

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.

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 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.

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).

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

"Observing birds' silhouettes and sketching their gestures on paper is a great way to put them to memory," asserts Carolyn Short, pictured with her dog Vinnie. She'll be leading two classes this fall with Azure Kurth.

The first, Hike, History and How to Make Oak Gall Ink, will explore the riparian canopy to learn about local valley oak trees and the many gall species and insects that use them. Oak gall ink was the primary medium used from the fourth century to the nineteenth century throughout Europe. The second class will involve Identifying and Quick Sketching Birds at Llano Seco Unit.

Carolyn is delighted to meet OLLI members. "You know they are going to be fun, interesting, and uplifting. Having common interests is always a nice icebreaker." She's already starting to develop a class for winter term on beginning nature journaling for people who want to start out. She's also interested in leading an outdoor intersession class on nature journaling at Horseshoe Lake.

Carolyn's background is in commercial art and illustration (she has a BA in communication design/illustration from Chico State), and OLLI classes have let her expand her education to watercolors through Marvey Mueller. Plus she plans to take Trash and the Neal Road Landfill and Debbie Vermette's art class. In the future she would like to branch out and take advantage of more of OLLI's offerings. One very busy member!

National Suicide Prevention Week is observed September 6-12. Suicide is preventable, and we can all play a part.

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 Lifeline is a single national number for private and confidential help. It is free and available by phone, text, or chat day and night.

If you or someone you know is having a crisis in Butte County, you can call the Mobile Crisis Response Team at 530-891-2810 or 1-800-334-6622. The team is available 24/7, and they will come to you. You don't have to do this alone.

September 7

September 13

September 14

September 19

September 21

November 11

November 20

Labor Day (OLLI Closed)

Summer Social Meetups End

First Day of Fall Classes

Treasures of Northern California Gallery Reception

Yom Kippur (No Classes)

Veterans Day (No Classes, OLLI Closed)

Last Day of Fall Classes