SUPPORT THE NIKOLAI FAMILY SPRING FUNDRAISER | |
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As Ann Nikolai fully transitions into a new role with Professional & Continuing Education after 12 years with OLLI, we are honoring her years of service and leadership with a special fundraising campaign.
Our goal is to raise $12,000 between now and June 30 to honor Ann's 12 years of service. Whether you donate $12, $24, or $120, your donation will help us provide financial support for members, offset our classroom rental fees, and keep OLLI running into the future. And the Nikolai family will help. For every $300 we receive on the way to our goal, the Nikolai family will donate $12 to OLLI.
Will you join us in reaching our goal? Whatever you're comfortable giving will be gratefully received and so much appreciated.
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Decoration Day, as a specific holiday to decorate soldiers' graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags, gained widespread popularity in the wake of the Civil War when many conventions around death changed. It became a national observance in 1868, a recognized holiday in various states beginning in 1893, and a federal holiday, renamed Memorial Day, in 1971.
The OLLI office will be closed and there will be no classes on Monday, May 27 to observe the holiday.
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MEET A MEMBER: JOE CROTTS | |
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At the end of this month, eight renowned Chico State faculty and staff members will be inducted into the Hall of Honor, including OLLI member Joe Crotts, whose colorful wardrobe and signature eye glasses underscore his creative spirit. Joe joined OLLI in 2018 after retiring from Meriam Library, where he was appointed to a tenure-track faculty position in 1974.
Joe was the first department head elected to serve in the library, filling that role for over 20 years. Since retirement, Joe takes four to five OLLI classes each semester, often alongside his wife Brenda Crotts, also a retired librarian. "I am impressed with the variety of class topics and professional nature of instructors," Joe said. "They all have extensive knowledge of the subject being taught." He also said he enjoys the collegiality of mixing with others in classes.
A lifelong learner at heart, Joe has long been recognized for his role in faculty governance. The recipient of the Academic Senate's first Excellence in Service Award (2016), Joe was a constant leader within the Academic Senate, where he served continuously from 1991 until his retirement. Active in OLLI, Joe is also involved in the university's Gateway Science Museum, where he has served as vice chair of the board. Read more about Joe in the May 13 Enterprise-Record story announcing his Hall of Honor induction.
13th Annual Hall of Honor
Friday, May 31, 2024, 10:30am-2pm
Learn more and purchase tickets.
Pictured: Joe and Brenda Crotts at a Janet Turner Print Museum reception.
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MEMBER BENEFIT: MERIAM LIBRARY COURTESY CARD | |
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OLLI members are eligible to receive a Meriam Library courtesy card. A courtesy card allows you to check out books and nonprint media from Meriam Library at Chico State.
How to get a card:
- Email the OLLI office at olli@csuchico.edu or call us at 530-898-6679.
- We will confirm that we have received your request and let you know when you can visit the Meriam Library to get a card. Requests will be processed within two business days.
- At the Meriam Library, you will need to show a valid California driver’s license or DMV identification card, provide your social security number, and have your picture taken for your card.
View Meriam Library on the Campus Map.
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OLLI SPONSOR LENDS HIS EXPERTISE TO OUR PROGRAM | |
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Dr. Ben Gilbert, pictured, of Chico Eye Center is teaching an OLLI class this term on The Aging Eye. The first session was a general overview of the topic, with discussions of conditions like dry eye, eyelid problems, issues related to strokes near the eye and optic nerves, and other vascular problems related to the eye. The second session was an in-depth presentation on cataracts and cataract surgery.
On May 28, Dr. Gilbert will teach the third session on both macular degeneration and glaucoma, followed by the fourth and final session on the anatomy of the eye and its relation to various forms of eye trauma. Members are welcome to register for the class and take the final two sessions. He assured us that the sessions are independent enough that new students will not be lost if they join halfway through.
Dr. Gilbert is also retired military, so he spends one day a week at the local VA clinic spending his time caring for fellow veterans. It is clear that he likes to use his gifts to serve others and make his community a better place to live!
Chico Eye Center has been an OLLI sponsor since 2016. Dr. Gilbert said that a lot of eye disease develops as we age, so it is fitting that he and his organization would support OLLI as a sponsor and as a provider of such a valuable class for our members. His classes have been well-attended and he is enjoying the experience of teaching an OLLI class. He doesn’t keep it all business, either; he even loans us his father as a member!
Thank you to Dr. Gilbert and Chico Eye Center for their continued support of OLLI both as a sponsor and as a guest instructor.
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SPRING COMMUNITY SPEAKER SERIES RECORDING | |
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Yesterday Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) President and CEO Seana O’Shaughnessy, pictured, joined us to talk about CHIP's work. Seana embarked on her journey with CHIP three months after the Camp Fire. "I grew up in Paradise, so it means a lot to me to come full circle and be a part of this crucial recovery work," she said.
If you missed it, you can watch the recording now.
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OLLI is like the college experience all over again, except it's better, because we've all studied and gotten degrees, traveled the world, and had different experiences. Also, the classes are always engaging and interesting. Janet Rechtman and Robin Dizard do wonderful things in New Looks at Old Books, looking at poetry and other kinds of literature. And I love to learn about musicians in depth, especially Tom Jones, from Walter Coffey.
– Dorothy Scharff
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LEARN ABOUT MEDICARE PREVENTIVE BENEFITS | |
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Did you know that Medicare pays for many preventive services to keep you healthy? When you access preventive services, you can find health problems early, when treatment works best.
The OLLI-exclusive online Medicare Preventive Benefits: Make the Most of Your Coverage workshop will tell you more about the ways Medicare can help you stay healthy. You'll have a chance to learn about Medicare preventive benefits from Victoria Brennan, a Medicare expert from Passages Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program (HICAP).
Register for Medicare Preventive Benefits: Make the Most of Your Coverage and learn more.
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BUS TRIP TO SEE JERSEY BOYS IN SACRAMENTO | |
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The Capay Rancho Women's Club invites OLLI members to join them on a day trip to Sacramento to see the Broadway at Music Circus premiere of Jersey Boys. Ride to Sacramento in an air-conditioned bus that takes you right to the steps of the theater. Lunch at the Old Spaghetti Factory before the show is included in the $170 per person ticket price.
The trip takes place on August 22, and the deadline to register is June 22. To register or for more information, Contact Nancy at 530-736-7309 or e-mail bustrip@capayranchowomen.org.
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CELEBRATE PRIDE MONTH WITH CHICO PRIDE | |
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Pride Month, celebrated each year in June, is a time to recognize the existence of LGBTQ+ people and affirm their equal rights as fellow citizens and human beings. Cities all around the world have their own Pride events throughout the month, including San Francisco Pride and NYC Pride.
Chico, too, has its own set of Pride events, organized by the Stonewall Alliance Center. Join one of their events to support and celebrate the local LGBTQ+ community.
Chico Pride Kickoff Party
Chico Pride begins with this all-ages party.
Saturday, June 1, 3-5pm
Secret Trail Brewing Co., 132 Meyers Street Suite 120, Chico (map)
Dungeons & Dragons Tabletop Game Session
Tabletop gaming with a Pride flair.
Saturday, June 8
Exact time and location to be announced.
Downtown Pride Festival
All-ages event with live performances, music and dancing, vendors and resource booths, and lots of fun for everyone.
Saturday, June 22, 10am-5pm
Downtown Chico Plaza (map)
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TRAVEL AND LEARN WITH OLLI | |
Tropical Costa Rica, Winter '25 | |
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Experience the paradise of lush forests and stunning waterfalls, rumbling volcanoes and endless coastlines in Costa Rica. Take in tranquil views of Arenal Volcano, visit the Cano Negro nature preserve, experience the Monteverde Cloud Forest's lush canopy, and relax on sandy beaches. Your 9 days and 13 meals will be guided by seasoned tour guides from Collette.
View the Tropical Costa Rica full itinerary (pdf) and book now for discounted rates.
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Exploring Greece and Its Islands, Spring '25 | |
Memorials of World War II, Fall '24 | |
JUNE IS IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH | |
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June is Immigrant Heritage Month. Whether your ancestors came to the US on the Mayflower or you came here just a few years ago, most Americans come from immigrant families.
This Immigrant Heritage Month, take some time to learn more about the history and stories of immigration and immigrants in the US. Here are some places to start:
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May 27
June 19
June 26
June 28
June 30
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Memorial Day (No Classes, OLLI Closed)
Juneteenth (No Classes, OLLI Closed)
Goodbye Ann, Welcome Andrew Reception
Last Day of Spring Classes
Summer Social Meetups Begin
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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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