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Stay connected and have fun between terms with social meetups. Winter social meetups begin on Sunday, November 16, just after fall classes end. A benefit of your membership is that you get the calendar of each week's meetups emailed to you at 8am on Sunday mornings during the meetup session.

Past social meetups have included outings to the movies, reading groups, support groups, museum tours, board games, and art projects. Social meetups are not just social; some instructors keep their regular classes going all year. For members thinking of teaching an OLLI class, social meetups are a great place to test out new ideas. And social meetups aren't just for members – we invite you to bring your friends to meetups to give them a taste of what OLLI is all about.

Social meetups are very easy to organize. All you have to do is pick a day, time, and place, and then fill out the form to get it on the weekly calendar.

• Read all about social meetups.
• Fill out the Winter '25 Social Meetup Form to submit a social meetup to the calendar.
• Email us at olli@csuchico.edu to join the volunteer social meetup planning team.

Social Meetups Preview and Information Session

Learn all the information you need to successfully host a social meetup or easily find and join one. We've lined up social meetup hosts and participants to share their experiences and insight. There will also be Q&A time to clear up any doubts. As one participant said, "Meetups are a great success!" Join us to find out why.

Monday, November 3, 3pm

Bradley 2 at The Social Chico

The Medicare Annual Open Enrollment Period (AEP) for Part D prescription drug plans and Part C Medicare Advantage plans began October 15 and ends December 7. Next week, Victoria Brennan from Passages Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP) will offer an OLLI-exclusive Medicare Open Enrollment FAQ class.

In addition to offering options for your healthcare needs in the coming year, Passages HICAP Medicare counselors will be ready to perform AEP Part D prescription drug plan comparisons and plan changes.

If you want to know more or reevaluate your current Part D prescription drug plan, register now and learn from the experts next week.

In 1926, the US Congress adopted a resolution asking the President to issue annual proclamations calling for observance of Armistice Day on November 11. In 1938, Congress made November 11 a legal holiday. In 1954, the holiday was renamed Veterans Day. Veterans Day was observed on the fourth Monday of October from 1971 to 1977. In 1978 it was moved back to November 11, where it remains to this day.

In observance of the holiday, the OLLI office will be closed and there will be no classes on Tuesday, November 11.

"Members of the Collage x 7 class enjoyed a project using circles presented by Donna Sandberg," said Donna's fellow instructor Debbie Vermette earlier this month.

The class has seven instructors. Each week of the class, one of them shares a new collage project. Members of the class work on their projects during class time. Debbie said of the results, "It's always amazing to see how everyone's art piece turns out so different!"

Pictured: Class members making collages and collage artwork by Kristin Skinner, Paula Bock, and Debbie Vermette.

Save the date for our Fall Community Speaker Series on intergenerational connections on Thursday, October 30.

Intergenerational programs create opportunities for people of all ages to learn from one another, exchange perspectives, and grow together. The National Resource Center for Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes (OLLIs) has recently placed special emphasis on intergenerational learning as a powerful way to enrich life experiences for both older and younger generations. Sheri Steinig, director of strategic initiatives and communications at Generations United, will share proven strategies and real-world examples of how these programs strengthen relationships, reduce isolation, and build vibrant communities. Discover how fostering cross-generational learning can deepen understanding, spark innovation, and create lasting connections that benefit individuals and society as a whole.

Sheri Steinig is responsible for leading Generations United's ongoing efforts to promote and support the development of intergenerational programs. She develops resources and provides training and technical assistance to practitioners around the country in strengthening intergenerational initiatives. Sheri has over 25 years of experience in intergenerational programs and community service efforts.

Thursday, October 30, 3-4pm

Free and open to the public! Join us on Zoom for this event, and invite your friends. Check the OLLI website the day of the event for the Zoom link.

Steve Kennedy, pictured, has arcane knowledge about routers, plays the guitar, and has memorized the words to hundreds of songs. For much of his career he worked in disc drive design in Silicon Valley, and he retired after teaching industrial and systems engineering at San José State. Ten years ago, he and his wife Eileen moved to Chico to be near friends.

With OLLI, Steve has participated in music classes, hikes, and bird watching. Last year, he and Eileen enjoyed touring Portugal and Spain with other members.

But the routers? Steve volunteers with AARP's tax aid program, ensuring that equipment used by their tax preparers meets both IRS and AARP technical and security standards.

And those hundreds of song lyrics? They're great for his performances with other musicians at nursing facilities, the Torres Shelter, and Safe Spaces at various churches. Singing to his own generation allows Steve to play music he was raised on: rock and roll and country.

He'd love to meet other members who are interested in music and singing. Someday, if he ever gives up the intellectual challenge of his time-consuming volunteer work, he might even consider offering an OLLI class in something musical.

TRAVEL AND LEARN WITH OLLI

Travel Information Session

Want to know more about our upcoming trips? Have questions about what Collette does? Join us for a travel information session to learn more, complete with captivating slides of the areas we'll be visiting and information about our first small group tour.

Today, October 23, 3-4pm

A hybrid event – join us in Bradley 2 at The Social Chico or on Zoom.

Click here to join the Zoom meeting.

Meeting ID: 863 5048 4529

Passcode: OLLI2025

Discover Scotland, Spring '26

From its rugged sea-sprayed islands to its stately castles layered in history, Scotland awaits. Learn how the bagpipes are played, take a cruise on famed Loch Ness, and marvel at stunning scenery. Discover a land of rolling green Highlands, friendly sheepdogs, and historic castles. Your 10 days and 15 meals will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.

Book by November 5 for discounted rates! View the Discover Scotland full itinerary (pdf).

Discover the Best of Eastern Canadian Cities, Fall '26

From the old-world style of Quebec City to the power of Niagara Falls, say bienvenue to Eastern Canada. Visit charming Canadian cities, learn about maple syrup making, and walk cobblestone streets. An unforgettable experience awaits as you venture along picturesque countryside and glistening skyscrapers. Your 9 days and 12 meals will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.

View the Discover the Best of Eastern Canadian Cities full itinerary (pdf) and book now for discounted rates.

Newly Announced! Spotlight on New York City, Fall '26

Start spreading the news! This extended Spotlight on New York City tour makes the most of a single hotel stay to explore Manhattan and Brooklyn. Experience the best of the "Big Apple" from Rockefeller Center to Greenwich Village and across the Brooklyn Bridge. Your 7 days and 8 meals will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.

View the Spotlight on New York City full itinerary (pdf) and book now for discounted rates.

Discover South Pacific Wonders, Fall '26

Experience Queenstown, cruise Sydney Harbour, and discover the wonders of Aboriginal culture on this incredible journey through New Zealand and Australia. From the ethereal beauty of New Zealand's glacial fjords to the tropical splendor of Australia's Great Barrier Reef, enjoy the best of the South Pacific. Your 18 days and 28 meals will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.

View the Discover South Pacific Wonders full itinerary (pdf) and book now for discounted rates.

The Bradley 2 Art Gallery will feature OLLI members' art during the winter and spring terms. The Gallery Team invites our artistic community of members to contribute their work (painting, collage, photography, textiles, fabric art, etc.) to this jury-free exhibit on the theme of The Wonders of Nature.

Submit your artwork with the entry form (pdf).

Art Drop-Off: January 5-6

Exhibit: January 12-June 26

Opening Reception: January 25

Art Pickup: June 30-July 1

Email Margaret Rader at mwrader13@gmail.com with any questions about the gallery.

Pictured: Original Wildflowers by Donna Sandberg.

The OLLI Play Festival will be back in April with more laugh-out-loud plays, written, directed, and acted entirely by OLLI members. Come join the fun!

Mark your calendars for the following dates:

Plays due: January 23

Auditions: February 26-27

Rehearsals: March 9-April 15

Performances: April 16-19

For more information, contact Pam Loyd at pamloyd@icloud.com.

The Capay Rancho Women's Club invites OLLI members to join them on a day trip to Sacramento to see the The Lion King at Broadway Sacramento. Ride to Sacramento in a bus that takes you right to the steps of the theater. Lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory before the show is included in the $195 per person ticket price.

The trip takes place on January 22, 2026. To register or for more information, Contact Nancy at 530-736-7309 or e-mail bustrip@capayranchowomen.org.

Día de los Muertos, or The Day of the Dead, is celebrated on November 1 and 2. Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of – and celebrate – their deceased family members. This year, join a local event to commemorate the day.

Day of the Dead Festival

Bringing together cultural education and community celebration, the Day of the Dead Festival is the perfect place to spend the afternoon. The free event includes live music and dance performances, vendors and food trucks, a community altar, an Impala car show, and much more.

Saturday, November 1, 12-6pm

Silver Dollar Fairgrounds Pavilion, 2357 Fair Street, Chico (map)

Learn More

Festival Día de Muertos

Join the Chico Cemetery Association for a free community event featuring vendors, food, dance and music performances, a community ofrenda sponsored by NCAC, and more.

Saturday, November 1, 1-6pm

Chico Cemetery, 881 Mangrove Avenue, Chico (map)

Learn More

October 23

October 30

November 10

November 11

November 14

November 16

November 24-28

December 17-30

January 1

January 4

January 5

Travel Information Session

Fall Community Speaker Series

Winter Class Catalog Released

Veterans Day (No Classes, OLLI Closed)

Last Day of Fall Classes

Winter Social Meetups Begin

Fall Break (OLLI Closed)

Winter Break (OLLI Closed)

New Year's Day (OLLI Closed)

Winter Social Meetups End

First Day of Winter Classes