OLLI FINISHES STRONG WITH YOUR HELP! | | |
Thank you, OLLI members and supporters! As a result of your generosity, we have reached our annual fundraising goal and have raised over $35,000 this fiscal year.
Your support helps sustain the classes, programs, scholarships, and meaningful connections that make OLLI such a vibrant community of lifelong learners. As OLLI begins a new academic and fiscal year, we look forward to creating more opportunities for learning and connection for our OLLI community. Thank you for making this success possible!
| | Pictured: OLLI members and instructors at an OLLI Class Preview, one of the events supported by your donations. Photo by Matt Bates, Chico State. | | OLLI'S ANNUAL BUSINESS & TOWN HALL MEETING IS JULY 15 | | |
Come learn all about OLLI! Join us for OLLI's Annual Business and Town Hall Meeting, where you can learn everything you want to know about the OLLI at Chico State program. Did you know, for example, that membership and class fees cover just 52% of OLLI expenses? Or that OLLI at Chico State is one of over 120 Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes across the United States?
At our Annual Business and Town Hall Meeting, you'll hear about our goals, finances, membership trends, and how OLLI at Chico State fits into the larger network of OLLIs nationwide.
Most importantly, this is your opportunity to shape the future of our OLLI community. Bring your questions, ideas, and hopes for the future of OLLI. We want to hear from you and get your ideas on how we can continue building a program that keeps lifelong learning engaging and relevant to our community.
Want to make sure your question gets answered? Use our form to submit it by 2pm on July 9.
Wednesday, July 15, 11am
A hybrid event – join us in Bradley 2 at The Social Chico or on Zoom. Check the OLLI website the day of the event for the Zoom link.
| | OLLI CLOSED FOR FOURTH OF JULY NEXT WEEK | | |
The Declaration of Independence was ratified by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. Independence Day celebrations to commemorate the event have been held on July 4 since 1777. This year's celebrations will mark the 250th birthday of the United States.
A few ways to celebrate the holiday this year:
In honor of the holiday, the OLLI office will be closed June 29-July 3. Due to the closure, the deadline to submit a social meetup for the week of July 5-11 is noon on Thursday, June 25.
| | MEET THE VOLUNTEER SOCIAL MEETUPS TEAM | | |
Donna Knorton and Kendall Moalem, pictured, are the volunteers helping ensure there are OLLI activities all year long as the Social Meetups Team. OLLI's social meetups keep members connected, engaged, and learning between regular class terms and are one of the most popular benefits of OLLI membership. These free social activities are great opportunities to build friendships, explore new interests, and introduce prospective members to our OLLI community.
One of the reasons social meetups are so successful is that they are easy to host. Coordinating a social meetup doesn't require teaching experience, extensive preparation, or a long-term commitment. Simply choose an activity, topic, date, time, and location, and submit it using the Social Meetup Listing form. OLLI will include it in the weekly calendar emailed to members every Sunday morning of the social meetup session.
Share your ideas! The volunteer Social Meetups Team plays an important role behind the scenes to keep social meetups thriving and there's always room for more volunteers. We are looking for members who would like to:
- Help brainstorm new social meetup ideas
- Assist with planning and promoting social meetup opportunities
- Recruit and support social meetup hosts
- Promote the social meetups program in new ways
If you enjoy connecting with people and helping create these informal opportunities for members to engage with one another, the Social Meetups Team may be a great fit for you. The team is committed to expanding social meetups for OLLI members and others throughout the year. To learn more about joining the team or hosting a social meetup, contact OLLI at 530-898-6679 or olli@csuchico.edu.
| | A MESSAGE FROM AN OLLI SPONSOR AT 100 YEARS | | |
This year marks California Water Service's 100th anniversary, and that century of quality, service, and value began in Chico with the purchase of the Chico Water Supply Company. Our year-long centennial celebration centers on "Trust on Tap," reflecting what we deliver every day: clean, safe, reliable water – and the confidence that comes with it.
Water is foundational. Families rely on it, firefighters depend on it, and businesses need it to operate. When customers turn on the tap, they expect quality and availability. That trust is earned through operational excellence, long-term investment, regulatory integrity, and a commitment to public health.
Our centennial reflects sustained reliability, transparency, and stewardship – and a commitment to keep earning that trust for the next century. As a public water system, we are foundational to economic vitality. Reliable water service enables small businesses to open their doors, manufacturers to maintain production, restaurants to serve customers, and developers to invest confidently. When local businesses thrive, communities strengthen. When communities strengthen, economic resilience improves. Supporting the ecosystem is not philanthropy alone – it brings long-term economic health. We invest locally in many ways, and give back to community nonprofits, through scholarship programs, and to first responders.
A century in business is not an accident. It's the result of consistent values, responsible leadership, and an unwavering commitment to those you serve. As proud as we are to have served Chico for 100 years, we are just as committed to enhancing our customers' quality of life for the next century.
Learn more about Cal Water's century of moments – big and small – that have shaped the company's history and legacy, plus find upcoming customer appreciation events near you, at 100years.calwatergroup.com.
| | MEET A MEMBER: GALE ULVANG | | |
"New knitters ask the best questions," asserts Let's Keep Knitting! instructor Gale Ulvang, pictured. "A question about needles can result in 20 minutes of discussion."
After relocating from Marin County in 2016, she was recruited to help form and lead a knitting class. When the pandemic moved it online, the reach of the class extended to OLLIs in New York and Arizona. Gale has also helped with the knitting class at OLLI at University of North Florida in Jacksonville for several years; some of those knitters have also joined Chico's OLLI.
Following politics, working on knitting projects, watching documentaries – currently a Netflix series on US presidents – plus regular walks and play with the German shorthaired pointer she shares with her sister keep her busy. She's attended OLLI classes to learn about organizing financial matters, history, and iPhone use, especially in photography.
Using Zoom for the knitting classes gives Chico students access to others with high-level skills, plus Gale can use a document camera to demonstrate techniques. No more crowding around a desk with some people unable to see her work.
Zoom has also allowed her to record short videos on applying Fibonacci's sequence to design and color use and about blocking finished items. Math and knitting. What could be more fun?
| | MEMBER BENEFIT: TRAVEL AND LEARN WITH OLLI | | |
As a member, you have the option to travel with other OLLI members through OLLI's travel program with Collette. Collette is a favorite of OLLIs across the country – half of all OLLIs who offer travel work with Collette.
Over 70 travelers have signed up for over a dozen trips through our partnership with Collette, with 20 people taking more than one trip – a ringing endorsement from your fellow members. When you travel on OLLI trips, you can see new places and make new friends, all without the hassle of making reservations or figuring out how to get to the airport. Plus, you can bring your non-OLLI friends and relatives with you as you see the world.
| | Wonders of Thailand, Winter '27 | | |
Delve into a land where bustling modern cities, ornate ancient temples, and stunning jungle beaches coexist. Uncover the beautifully balanced mosaic of old and new, metropolitan, rural, and coastal in Thailand. Your 16 days and 24 meals of this small group tour will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.
Book by July 5 to reserve your space! View the Wonders of Thailand full itinerary (pdf).
| | 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.
| | Newly Announced! 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.
| | POPULAR OLLI CLASS MEETS YEAR-ROUND | | |
Cracker Barrel is one of OLLI's most popular classes. The hybrid class, led by longtime instructor David Price, includes short presentations (talks, slides, videos) followed by discussions on all sorts of current US and world topics involving history, government, policy, science, technology, literature, education, culture, and many more.
David receives high praise from members for the variety and informative nature of his presentations. He welcomes class participants to make presentations, suggest topics, discuss, or just listen. The class runs year-round with a class during class terms and as a social meetup between terms. Special guests are also welcome to present, as happened in a previous social meetup term with the pictured presentation from a beekeeper.
Attend Cracker Barrel as a social meetup this summer – check the weekly social meetups email for any schedule changes – or register for the fall class when registration opens in August.
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OLLI classes are often inspiration for writer and OLLI member Paul Belz. After attending this spring's "Experience the Promise of Restoring California's Rivers" class, Paul wrote an article about his experience. Class members visited Pine Creek & Hamilton City restoration project sites to learn about ongoing habitat restoration work from OLLI community partner River Partners.
Paul is also an OLLI Instructor and often offers classes that explore the intersection of writing and nature. "I have taught Writers Workshop and Poetry for Pleasure for OLLI for several years," he said. "I also taught a class on Bidwell Park that was based on my book, Bidwell Park: Personal Reflections and Casual Conversations About Chico's Crown Jewel. Classes I take range from science to literature to outdoor experiences and more."
Pictured: Pine Creek, photo by Paul Belz.
| | OLLI INSTRUCTOR ART EXHIBIT RECEPTION TODAY | | |
Longtime OLLI instructor Cris Guenter's art is on display through the month of June at Daycamp Coffee in Meriam Park.
Join Cris this afternoon for a special artist reception. Cris will demonstrate her watercolor landscape painting techniques during a live painting session and have two raffle drawings: one for a collection of her greeting cards and postcards, and one for the pictured giclée print of her painting of Monkey Face in Upper Park. Must be present to win.
Thursday, June 25, 4-6pm
Daycamp Coffee, 1925 Market Place, Suite 150, Chico (map)
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June 26
June 28
June 29-July 3
July 1
July 15
September 7
September 13
September 14
September 21
November 11
November 20
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Last Day of Spring Classes
First Day of Summer Social Meetups
Fourth of July Week (OLLI Closed)
Fall Catalog Available
Annual Business and Town Hall Meeting
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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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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