THE OLLI CLASS PROPOSAL FORM IS OPEN NOW! | | |
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 one 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.
| | LEARN SPANISH AT OLLI THIS FALL | | |
The OLLI office often gets the question, "Do you have a Spanish class?" This fall, the answer is that we have six, with a mix of beginning language study, conversation classes, and even a singing group.
Beginning Spanish from Chapter 1 is a group study of the book Complete Spanish Step by Step, Premium 2nd Edition, by Barbara Bregstein, beginning with chapter 1. Dedicated instructors are taking cohorts of students through the book term after term; this fall, there are continuing groups in Beginning Spanish from Chapter 7 and Beginning Spanish from Chapter 13.
If you know the basics and are ready to deepen your study of Spanish, OLLI instructors have options for that too. Intermediate Spanish Conversation is for people who have been studying Spanish for a while and already have some ability to converse. Spanish Composition and Conversation covers writing and conversation in Spanish, with the class conducted primarily in Spanish.
Register for one of these classes, or Spanish Songs where you'll learn to sing songs in Spanish, when class registration opens on August 27 and deepen your language knowledge this fall.
| | CALL FOR ART: TREASURES OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA | | |
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.
| | MEET A MEMBER: DOUG FOGEL | | |
Singing has always been a part of Doug Fogel's life. "My parents couldn’t shut me up," he laughs. Add to that his ability to play such instruments as baritone ukulele and the harmonica and you'd be tempted to call him a one-man band. You would be wrong.
Doug, pictured, rarely performs solo. "OLLI is great because it puts you in touch with like-minded people," he says. He participates in Tuesday Tunes and Phil Elkins’ Sing Gospel Music. He supplements his OLLI experiences with other groups and helps arrange the schedule for local groups' performances at The Allies Pub in downtown Chico.
Doug joined OLLI fifteen years ago after retiring as a manager of environmental health for Butte County. His career included a stint in the mountains of central British Columbia, where both of his children were born.
At home, he tends a myriad of fruit trees – peach, nectarine, cherry, persimmon, citruses, and fig – and bikes to run local errands. Doug is really looking forward to this fall's The Beatles, the Whole Beatles, and Nothing but the Beatles from instructor LaDawn Haws. Will he need eight days a week to fit it all in?
| | MEMBER BENEFIT: WARM CLASSROOM WELCOME | | |
The warm welcome you get when you attend an in-person OLLI class comes from the classroom host. Classroom hosts also help our volunteer instructors make sure their classes run smoothly.
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 pre-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!
| | 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.
| | JOIN US FOR THE FALL CLASS PREVIEW ON AUGUST 20! | | |
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.
| | ANNUAL BUSINESS & TOWN HALL MEETING RECORDING | | |
Last week OLLI shared more about how we operate at the Annual Business and Town Hall Meeting. We shared our achievements from the last year, talked about how we fit into the range of OLLIs across the country, and got valuable feedback from our members.
If you missed it, you can catch up now:
If you have any questions or feedback, you can reach us at 530-898-6679 or olli@csuchico.edu.
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OLLI member Doug Aiken has published a book. "I've met many friends through OLLI who have inspired and encouraged me to write and publish my story," he said. "I enjoy the writing classes offered and met one of the instructors, Sandra O'Donnell, who became my writing coach and helped me publish my book, Race to Resurrection."
Doug's book, a historical thriller, draws on his family's history. "My father served in World War II," he said. "I often thought of writing about his time in Europe during the war and the life he missed after returning home. Unfortunately, he died when I was two years old. As a theme for my book, I created a fictionalized father who was a spy and hero pursuing a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. In the story, the army told us that he died in Germany but he surfaced 40 years later to attempt to reunite with his son. My dad came alive for me through this book and the experience of writing it gave me a closeness with my father I never got to experience firsthand."
Doug joined OLLI when he and his wife Janet Rechtman relocated to Chico in 2018. "I look forward to enjoying the knowledge gained from the varied classes and the friendships I've found as an OLLI member," he said.
| | AUGUST IS NATIONAL BLACK BUSINESS MONTH | | |
National Black Business Month is a time to celebrate and support Black-owned businesses. In addition to supporting Black-owned businesses with your dollars, you can support them by telling your friends about them or leaving a positive review. This will help them bring in even more business.
The Black Resiliency Project is a local organization that supports Black families and tackles issues that affect the entire community. Their Best of Black In NorCal awards highlight Black-owned businesses in the North State that you can support. Plus, voting is open for this year's awards, so if you have a favorite Black-owned local business, you can help support them with a vote.
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August 20
August 27
September 7
September 13
September 14
September 21
November 11
November 20
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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
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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.
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