This course provides students with the opportunity to explore the basics of Drawing, utilizing fundamental techniques in quick sketching, refined drawings, and final renderings with light and shadow. As a class, we will construct and render basic geometric forms, then graduate to more complex objects with textures and surface variations to give your drawings a realistic, three-dimensional appearance. The Drawing medium we will be using for this course is Graphite. A suggested supply list is available.

Downsizing can be exciting or unfortunate. Learn the hidden pros and cons of downsizing. What features in a house or rental are you looking for as you downsize? You will learn tips and tricks that will save you money and benefit you as you downsize to a smaller home. Learn how to choose the right moving company for your needs. How to maximize a smaller place. Receive guidance to help you cope and avoid feeling overwhelmed as you downsize. Learn to choose the right paint color choices, color palette flow, area rugs, lighting, and where to hang your artwork. What are the best flooring selections for your new place? Learn to arrange furniture to enhance the flow and functionality of the room. Great storage and organizational ideas that work. What to do with your clutter or excess items and so much more.

Have you ever wanted to play a musical instrument but have never had a lesson? Or if you have tried and failed, this course is for you! You will be introduced to all the basic reading skills you will need for playing and reading music plus learn the fundamentals of the piano keyboard. Materials are an instructional CD, keyboard chart, music paper, etc. If you are a complete beginner, this class serves as an introduction to INSTANT PIANO. Materials fee $20, cash or check payable to instructor.

Learn secrets your piano teacher never told you in this 3-hour session. Students will learn all the chords needed to play any song, any style, and any key. Students will then perfect their technique at home using the student manual. A cash or check payment of $29 is required for manual and supplies.

This hands-on course is designed to enhance your interior decorating skills, whether you are a beginner or have more advanced knowledge. This class offers a step-by-step educational plan to help you transform your home with confidence. You will learn how to create a detailed mood board, master color palettes and color flow, and design spaces that reflect your unique style. From creating a relaxing outdoor area to developing a home theater or planning a kitchen makeover, this course will provide fresh ideas and practical tips to elevate your projects. Discover where and how to shop, avoid costly mistakes, and achieve professional-looking results. You will see inspiring before-and-after examples and participate in a hands-on field trip to Fringe Benefits in Marietta (transportation not included).

This hands-on course is designed to enhance your interior decorating skills, whether you are a beginner or have more advanced knowledge. This class offers a step-by-step educational plan to help you transform your home with confidence. You will learn how to create a detailed mood board, master color palettes and color flow, and design spaces that reflect your unique style. From creating a relaxing outdoor area to developing a home theater or planning a kitchen makeover, this course will provide fresh ideas and practical tips to elevate your projects. Discover where and how to shop, avoid costly mistakes, and achieve professional-looking results. You will see inspiring before-and-after examples and participate in a hands-on field trip to Fringe Benefits in Marietta (transportation not included).

Students will learn stitches such as peyote, herringbone, and netting. Additionally, students will be able to work with wire and learn some new bead weaving techniques. A supply fee of $70 is payable to the instructor at the first class.

In this course, you will learn how to process all the photographs that you take with your digital camera, manage them for easy access and prepare them for whatever project you so choose. The course will go through the layout and functions of the main editing tools in each program. Then we will work through the seven different modules of Lightroom (Library, Develop, Map, Book, Slideshow, Print & Web). Finally, you will learn how Photoshop can be used in conjunction with Lightroom to create Panorama, HDR and other composites for more advanced projects. Adobe software subscription is not included in course fee.

This course provides students with the opportunity to explore the fundamentals of creating realistic atmospheric perspective and textures within a natural exterior environment, as well as creating compositional balance. We will draw a variety of scenes from photographic observation that include elements such as rock formations, mountains, grass, foliage, and water. The Drawing medium we will be using for this course is Graphite. A suggested supply list is available.

For oil and acrylic painters with some experience. Work on your own projects with guidance and technical assistance from a practicing professional painter. The instructor will stress design, value relationships, color and emotional impact. There will also be opportunities for Alla Prima still life and Plein Air to keep your skills growing. Through a combination of Individual and group critiques, you can judge the effectiveness of your work and find solutions and inspiration to move to the next level in your art. Join us in this casual but productive class.

A class for new painters! Learn how to paint in a loose and impressionistic style from a qualified professional painter. Progress from the basics of composition to design, values, color mixing and brushwork. Learn how to paint "Alla Prima" —from life with a lighted still life and the landscape from projected photos. Plus explore the portrait from life and more! 

If you have ever looked at a photo and thought, 'I wish I could take pictures like that!' Then this course is your first step. Dive into the world of photography and learn with us how to operate and care for a camera. De-mystify what f/stops, aperture, and shutter speed mean. Learn the basics of composition and how to use depth of focus to your advantage.  Join us and submerge yourself into the world of light. Start taking the kind of photos that you want. Bring a camera with a manual mode if you have one (digital or film).

In this course, we continue our journey of learning and move well beyond the basic functions and care of your camera. We take an exciting journey into the world of photography as art and the development of your artistic eye. We talk in depth about composition and find out how to control and use light and shadow. We create art from common objects, learn about portraiture and group arrangement, spend a whole session on photo editing and learn about how to succeed in photo competitions. Come join us and learn how to create art with your photography.

This beginner-friendly class will introduce you to the basics of working with polymer clay. Throughout this course, you will learn essential techniques such as rolling, shaping, blending, and baking polymer clay. A suggested supply list is available so you'll know what to bring.  

This class is designed for those who have some experience with polymer clay and are ready to learn new skills. In this class, you will be introduced to more advanced techniques to create intricate patterns and designs. A suggested supply list is available so you'll know what to bring.  

No experience? No problem! All skill levels are welcome. Each week, we’ll fill the pages of a medium-sized sketchbook with two or more simple yet detailed drawings. We'll start with basic pencil strokes, then ease into inking, shading, and sometimes finishing with a bit of color using watercolors. It’s all about relaxing, having fun, and discovering (or rediscovering!) the joy of drawing—one sketch at a time! A supply list is available so you'll know what to bring.

The Zentangle Method is a form of meditative drawing that uses repetitive patterns called “tangles” in combination with dots, lines, curves, and orbs to create beautiful pieces of abstract art.   Learning and practicing this form of art can increase the overall sense of personal wellbeing.  Students will learn up to thirty-two tangles and complete eight projects.  A recommended supply list is available.

Join us for a special information session to learn all about the upcoming KSU OLLI adventure to Iceland!  We'll walk through the exciting itinerary, highlight cultural experiences, and go over travel details, including pricing, accommodations, and what's included. Whether you're already considering the trip or just curious, this is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and meet fellow travelers.

Write a Novel in 30 Minutes! Wait. Write an entire novel in thirty minutes? It’s gotta be AI, right? Artificial Intelligence? Nope. It’s way better than AI because everyone plays a part in the process. Everyone. And the results are hilarious! Why let a computer have all the fun? OLLI instructor Josh Langston, a writer with 20 published novels, has done this presentation for years. He’s worked with writers’ groups, civic and social clubs, church groups, school classes, and more. If they weren’t fun, do you think he’d keep doing ‘em? He’ll simplify the major parts of a novel and cover what makes things tick. The fun begins when the audience does the plotting. Josh manages the process, but the crowd drives it. Bring a brown bag lunch, invite a friend, and join us for this informative, interesting, and free lecture! Registration is required.

Join us for an unforgettable lunchtime session as Navy Veteran Hal Burke shares the emotional history of the five Sullivan Brothers and their tragic yet heroic legacy. Learn about the pivotal moment in World War II when the brothers' service aboard the USS Juneau ended in a devastating loss. Hal will also explore the powerful historical connection between this story and one of the most iconic photographs in American history—Alfred Eisenstaedt’s famed Life Magazine image of the “Kissing Sailor” taken in New York’s Times Square on V-J Day, August 14, 1945. Bring a brown bag lunch, invite a friend, and join us for this informative, interesting, and free lecture! Registration is required.

April 30th marked the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War, when North Vietnam conquered South Vietnam on April 30, 1975. Join us for a look back at the Vietnam War, from Vietnam’s conflicts with neighboring China going back to the first century, to resisting French colonization, to fighting Japanese occupation in World War II, to fighting the French again after the war, to slow, U.S. involvement, to Nixon’s “peace with honor” in 1973, to the final end of the war on April 30, 1975. And where were you during key events in this “our brush with history”, such as the 1954 division of Vietnam at the 17th parallel? The 1963 coup and then murder of South Vietnam’s president Ngo Dinh Diem, exactly three weeks before the assassination of JFK? The turning point Tet Offensive in 1968? The return of American POWs in 1973? How did the Vietnamese do it? Successfully fight and eventually expel the Chinese, the French, the Japanese, the French again, and the United States? This is a lecture/discussion format, so bring your comments and questions! Bring a brown bag lunch, invite a friend, and join us for this informative, interesting, and free lecture! Registration is required.

Learn Basic Ballet Barre with stretching to improve strength, flexibility, and balance, all in a safe and non competitive environment. Then enjoy a low impact aerobic to improve stamina and brain power. Finally completing the class with a relaxing cool down. 

The America Heart Association's Basic Life Support (BLS) course prepares students to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations, and provide early use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). BLS Provider Manual is required and can be purchased at https://shopcpr.heart.org/bls-provider-manual. Who should take this course? This course is designed for healthcare professionals, other personnel, or anyone who needs or wants to know how to perform CPR and other basic cardiovascular life support skills in a wide variety of in-facility and prehospital settings. What does this course teach? High-quality CPR for adults, children, and infants The AHA Chain of Survival, specifically the BLS components Important early use of an AED Effective ventilations using a barrier device Importance of teams in multirescuer resuscitation and performance as an effective team member during multirescuer CPR Relief of foreign-body airway obstruction (choking) for adults and infants

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) brings to its members a free hearing screening with Dr. Laurie Nelson, who carries a Doctorate and Masters in Audiology. She is also the owner of the Marietta Hearing Center. Screenings will take approximately 10 minutes per person. Registration is required due to limited space.

A gentle combination of Pilates and yoga designed to provide a full body stretch, strengthen your core muscles, and keep you energized for the rest of your week.  Feel the difference moving and breathing with intention can make in your life.

Ideal for seniors, joint-friendly Pilates increases strength and flexibility through gentle toning exercises and can be adjusted to suit all fitness levels. Boost your stamina and muscle tone without the risks of high impact exercise. Wear loose clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat. Students must sign a waiver prior to class.

In this beginning class, everyone will be shown QiGong and Tai Chi forms and postures that will help improve balance, strengthen and tone muscles, improve concentration, and encourage an overall sense of health and well-being. Students will also be taught QiGong breathing and relaxation techniques. This is done without high-impact/strenuous activity.

This course, expanded from its precursor QiGong/Tai Chi I, will have the same beneficial breathing and exercise techniques but with more advanced skills.  Everyone will be taught Yang style 48 form Tai Chi as well as advanced QiGong style forms and meditation. Regular practice of Tai Chi calms the mind, improves balance, and enhances overall mobility, endurance, flexibility, and muscle strength.  Completion of QiGong/Tai Chi I recommended unless there is prior Tai Chi experience.

This course, expanded from its precursor QiGong/Tai Chi II, will utilize the same beneficial breathing and exercise techniques but with more advanced skills.  Everyone will be taught Yang style 24 and 48 form Tai Chi as well as advanced QiGong forms and meditation. Regular practice of Tai Chi calms the mind, improves balance, and enhances overall mobility, endurance, flexibility, and muscle strength.  Completion of QiGong/Tai Chi II recommended unless there is prior Tai Chi experience.

This class features exercises that focus on strength and flexibility as well as balance and range of motion, using your own body weight or light dumbbells.  Wise Fitness accommodates all fitness levels to help build a stronger core, tone muscles, improve posture and encourage a confident smile.  Wear exercise clothing and bring a towel or yoga mat.  A signed waiver is required at the start of the first class session.

A gentle combination of Pilates and yoga designed to provide a full body stretch, strengthen your core muscles, and keep you energized for the rest of your week.  Feel the difference moving and breathing with intention can make in your life.

A gentle combination of Pilates and yoga designed to provide a full body stretch, strengthen your core muscles, and keep you energized for the rest of your week.  Feel the difference moving and breathing with intention can make in your life.

Led by an experienced instructor sensitive to the unique needs of older adults, this class focuses on enhancing flexibility, strength, and balance to promote overall health and well-being. Through a combination of soothing movements and guided relaxation techniques, students will learn to release tension, improve joint mobility, and cultivate a deeper connection between body, mind, and spirit. Each session incorporates accessible yoga poses and modified sequences designed to accommodate varying levels of mobility and flexibility. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or new to yoga, this course offers a safe and supportive environment to explore the benefits of yoga at a pace that honors your body and its capabilities.

Yoga for Wellness is designed for individuals seeking to enhance their physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the practice of yoga.  This class will introduce students to the fundamental principles of yoga and its various techniques including asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation. Through regular practice, students will develop strength, flexibility, and balance in their bodies, while cultivating a sense of inner calm and clarity of mind.  Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, this class will provide a safe and supportive environment for you to deepen your practice and cultivate a greater sense of well-being in your life.   A signed waiver is required at the start of the first class session.

This course will look at the sixties in the United States. We’ll start with the election of 1960, and then examine JFK’s presidency, including the Bay of Pigs, the Berlin Wall, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. We’ll examine the counterculture of the sixties, tracing its roots to the mid-19th century. We’ll also look at the student protest movement, its historical roots stretching back to the American Revolution. We’ll also examine the tumultuous 1968 Democratic convention, Nixon’s comeback, and what some historians consider the peak of student protest, Kent State. Where were you when all these events happened? Please share, if you’d like to. The course is lecture/discussion so bring your comments and questions.

This course will continue to look at the wild decade of the 1960s. The British Invasion will be examined as well as the Space Race, the weapons race and the threat of thermonuclear war will be examined. We’ll look at the civil rights movement, especially the different approaches of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. We’ll look at the JFK assassination, and various theories surrounding it. The riots of the sixties, especially the Watts riot, will be examined. We’ll examine the Vietnam War and its historical roots, especially in the mid-20th century. Did you know that the OSS (precursor to the CIA) worked with Ho Chi Minh during World War II? We’ll look at how and why the U.S. gradually became entangled in one of our most controversial conflicts. Finally, we’ll look at the end of the sixties, 1969, including Chappaquiddick, the Tate-LaBianca murders, and Woodstock. Where were you when all of these events happened? Please share, if you’d like to. The course is lecture/discussion so bring your comments and questions.

With over 3500 years of written record, China, the “Middle Kingdom,” has the longest continuous history of any country in the world. Yet until the early twentieth century, Chinese dynastic rule followed a fairly set pattern. This course begins by tracing what led to the 1911 revolution that ended the Qing Dynasty and follows the establishment of the Republic of China, the Chinese civil war, and the revolution that led to the 1949 Communist Revolution. How did the subsequent challenges of the Great Leap Forward (1958-1962), the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), and other such programs lead, ultimately, to yet another dramatic break? How did this next upheaval put once-isolated China on the path to modernization and global prominence? This course also will examine the effect of revolutionary times on Chinese culture and society.

At the outbreak of war, the United States had a minimal number of ships, the Confederacy had none. Over the course of four years, both sides ramped up their floating forces with each adopting different tactics. During this course, we will explore various actions on the high seas as the Federals attempted to strengthen the blockade and capture Southern ports, while the Confederacy deployed commerce raiders to wreak havoc upon Northern merchant ships. In addition, we will also look at various brown water naval engagements - action, which occurred on rivers instead of at sea. Optional Text: War on the Waters, James McPherson, University of North Carolina Press, 2012. ISBN 9780807835883. 

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The course covers the development and building of the 50-plus iron armored warships built for the Confederacy, which approximately 22 saw active service, and over a dozen more were designed or planned and never constructed. A failed program of constructing iron warships that would never fight, and the few that did, fought against staggering odds.

For thousands of years, the area we know today as the Middle East has witnessed the growth and fall of many civilizations and the founding of three major religions, it has also been the site of much bloodshed and hatred. In this class, we will look at the individual countries of the Middle East, their internal and external conflicts concluding with the current conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. 

This course examines the United States' response to the Holocaust during World War II. It explores the parallels between U.S. and Nazi racial ideologies, including the impact of the eugenics movement in both countries, which promoted similar ideas of racial purity and influenced discriminatory policies. The course also investigates the role of American soldiers as liberators of concentration camps and the efforts of American humanitarian and rescue organizations, such as the War Refugee Board, in providing aid and attempting to save lives. Topics include American attitudes toward Nazi persecution, the impact of racial policies on U.S. immigration laws, and the role of media in shaping public awareness.

This course will focus on the history of the Warsaw Ghetto. It will explore the experiences of Jewish residents, including the daily struggles for survival, the impact of Nazi policies, and the role of the ghetto as a microcosm of broader Holocaust atrocities. Some of the topics include the establishment of the ghetto, its living conditions, the formation of underground resistance movements, and the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

How, from 1500, did the tiny Atlantic-facing kingdom of Portugal come to be a mighty, global empire? How did its crown colony, Brazil become a kingdom and an empire in its own right? At what point, and why, did Portugal’s global maritime influence wane?  How, and in what ways, did Brazil help rescue Portugal through the early modern era (1500-1800)? What accounted for Brazil’s relatively peaceful transition from colony to independent kingdom and empire? How did an Austrian princess-turned-Portuguese queen help steer Brazil’s independence from Portugal? These questions and more drive this six-week, action-packed, and character-filled adventure through Portuguese and early Brazilian history. We will draw directly from historical sources including correspondence, travel writing, letters, poetry, and art. This class will conclude with insider travel tips and a virtual tour of Lisbon.

Exploring your family history (genealogy) is a journey that begins with you and takes you to the past to find your ancestors supported by facts, family stories, and traditions. Join the journey in family history research to find those long-lost relatives using resources available at genealogical/historical societies, government entities, libraries/archives, and in your possession. The research methodology focuses on U.S. records but can be applied worldwide. Learn how to: create a research plan, organize information, and cite your sources, research various records including cemetery/church, census, city directories, courthouse, immigration, land records, military, migration, newspapers, passport, probate, ship, vital (birth, death, and marriage), wills, etc., identify genealogy software that works for you. By the end of the course, you will be able to create a resume for your ancestors. Are you ready to start your journey, jumpstart your stalled research, or learn new research methods? If so, this course is for you.

How did trade in spice, sugar, and other sought-after goods shape the world as we know it today? Over the centuries, commerce in luxury items—many of which are now household goods—led to the rise and fall of cities, kingdoms, and empires. We will examine art, correspondence, and sensationalist writings of the day to understand just how select products sparked global interaction and exchange.

This second installment of What’s for Sale? A Commercial History of the World explores how the trade in specific commodities drove local, regional, and global encounter and exchange. How and in what ways did demand for commodities, including food, oil, metals, chemicals, and information, drive and shape historical outcomes? In what ways did their production and distribution influence not only whole economies but also politics, society, and culture? While the scope of the course is primarily the twentieth century, we will spend time in our last session discussing 21st-century commodities in the new age of information. The first course, which spans early commodity history through 1900, is NOT a prerequisite.

In this course, we will study history through the experiences of Maria Sibylla Meriam (1647-1717), German naturalist and who crossed the Atlantic, at age fifty, to study and depict insects in Surinam; Marie “Madame” Tussaud (1761-1850): artist, waxmaker, and entrepreneur during and after the French Revolution; Clorinda Matto de Turner (1852-1909) Peruvian educator and writer whose work highlighted indigenous peoples and women’s rights; and Mariama Bâ (1929-1981) Senegalese novelist who bore witness to her country’s decolonization. We will examine the world in which each of these women lived, the challenges they confronted, and how these women have been remembered through the centuries. We’ll also draw from a wide range of historical sources. We’ll consider: how did each of the four women—hailing from Germany, France, Senegal, and Peru—survive, thrive, and shape their own stories?

In this course, we will explore the lesser-known but critical theaters of World War II and discuss the campaigns of 1940 – 1942 across Libya, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Ethiopia & Eritrea, and Mozambique.

From the Allied (American British) invasion of N. Africa, “Operation Torch” November 8, 1942, to the German Italian Army surrender in Tunisia May 13, 1943, when 267,000 prisoners were taken. “Operation Husky” amphibious landings on Sicily 12 July 1943 until the German evacuation on 17 August. Campaign 2 of the WWII series courses offered during World War II. The first steps of the Allied invasion of Europe and the European Theater. Also covers the effects of the Mediterranean operations on the Eastern Front in 1943.

Downsizing can be an exciting opportunity or an unfortunate necessity. What features in a house or rental are most important to you as you transition to a smaller space? Learn valuable tips and tricks that will save you money and benefit you as you downsize to a smaller home. Learn how to choose the right moving company for your needs. How to maximize your space in a smaller home. Receive guidance to help you cope with the emotional challenges of downsizing and avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Discover how to select the perfect paint color and create a cohesive color palette. Learn the best flooring options for your new space, how to hang artwork properly, and how to use lighting effectively. Get tips on arranging furniture for both functionality and style, plus smart storage and organization solutions. Find out what to do with clutter and excess items- and so much more.

This hands-on course is designed to enhance your interior decorating skills, whether you are a beginner or have more advanced knowledge. This class offers a step-by-step educational plan to help you transform your home with confidence. You will learn how to create a detailed mood board, master color palettes and color flow, and design spaces that reflect your unique style. From creating a relaxing outdoor area to developing a home theater or planning a kitchen makeover, this course will provide fresh ideas and practical tips to elevate your projects. Discover where and how to shop, avoid costly mistakes, and achieve professional-looking results. You will see inspiring before-and-after examples and participate in a hands-on field trip to Fringe Benefits in Marietta (transportation not included).

In this course, you will learn how to process all the photographs that you take with your digital camera, manage them for easy access and prepare them for whatever project you so choose. The course will go through the layout and functions of the main editing tools in each program. Then we will work through the seven different modules of Lightroom (Library, Develop, Map, Book, Slideshow, Print & Web). Finally, you will learn how Photoshop can be used in conjunction with Lightroom to create Panorama, HDR and other composites for more advanced projects. Adobe software subscription is not included in course fee.

If you have ever looked at a photo and thought, 'I wish I could take pictures like that!' Then this course is your first step. Dive into the world of photography and learn with us how to operate and care for a camera. De-mystify what f/stops, aperture, and shutter speed mean. Learn the basics of composition and how to use depth of focus to your advantage. Join us and submerge yourself into the world of light. Start taking the kind of photos that you want. Bring a camera with a manual mode if you have one (digital or film).

In this course, we continue our journey of learning and move well beyond the basic functions and care of your camera. We take an exciting journey into the world of photography as art and the development of your artistic eye. We talk in depth about composition and find out how to control and use light and shadow. We create art from common objects, learn about portraiture and group arrangement, spend a whole session on photo editing and learn about how to succeed in photo competitions. Come join us and learn how to create art with your photography.

This class is open to students who have completed the Italian conversation classes and feel comfortable speaking Italian. You will continue to improve and grow in your Italian proficiency and become more confident by reading books and speaking in class.  Ci vediamo in classe! A presto!

This course is designed and specifically organized for students who have completed the 4-part series of Spanish is Fun. Through this class, students will learn about segments of grammar and verb tenses within the Spanish language, as well as Spanish history, culture, and conversation.

This course is designed for students who have completed Parts I through IV of the certificate program, Spanish is Fun! and Pause to Practice. The primary focus of this course will be on basic conversation, listening comprehension and writing skills related to daily life experiences.

This course is perfect for adults with a basic knowledge of Italian who are eager to improve their speaking skills. Focused on enhancing conversational abilities, this class offers a dynamic environment where you will engage in discussions on various topics, expand your vocabulary, and refine your pronunciation. Through guided conversations, you will gain the confidence to communicate more fluently and naturally in Italian. This is not a beginner class—come ready to speak and take your Italian to the next level!

In this beginner's Italian class, you'll start learning the essentials of the language and how to connect with native speakers. You'll master introducing yourself, sharing where you're from, and talking about where you're going. You'll also learn how to tell the time, discuss the weather, and talk about the days of the week and seasons. Along the way, we'll explore fun facts about Italy's regions and practice talking about our families. If you're ready to begin this exciting journey, don't hesitate—join the class and let's get started

This class is ideal for students who have completed all three levels of Italian and are eager to continue their learning journey. It's perfect for those with a solid understanding of Italian grammar and vocabulary, as well as the ability to engage in basic conversations in Italian. If you're ready to take on the challenge and enhance your skills, we look forward to seeing you in class!

Continue your journey in learning  "la bella lingua". If you have already taken the previous classes or if you have already been exposed to the italian language, this is the class for you. Be ready to speak more in Italian and to deepen your knowledge. we will continue talking about the culture and traditions of Italy in a fun way. Ci vediamo!.  If you are not sure of your level of fluency, please contact the office to schedule a time to be evaluated by the instructor.

This class is for students who have completed all four levels of Italian and are ready to advance to a more challenging level of the language. Students should have a strong grasp of Italian grammar and vocabulary, along with a solid ability to engage in conversation. If you're eager to further develop your skills, we look forward to seeing you in class!

Are you ready for the last chapter of your journey? If you have successfully completed the 4 levels of Italian, you are ready for this class. We will cover the last Italian tenses that you need to learn, and we will continue practicing the language to improve your ability to speak to other students. See you all in class and be ready to learn! Required book: Italian: A Self-Teaching Guide, 2nd Edition ISBN: 978-0471359616

In this beginner's Italian class, you'll start learning the essentials of the language and how to connect with native speakers. You'll master introducing yourself, sharing where you're from, and talking about where you're going. You'll also learn how to tell the time, discuss the weather, and talk about the days of the week and seasons. Along the way, we'll explore fun facts about Italy's regions and practice talking about our families. If you're ready to begin this exciting journey, don't hesitate—join the class and let's get started!

This course focuses on the many facets of independent publishing. In addition to the most common forms, novels and memoirs, the instructor will offer expertise in developing other subject material and alternative formats. Students will have the opportunity to find the best platform for their work, and develop useful publishing strategies.

This course is designed to introduce students to the Spanish language. This course will provide students with basic vocabulary, verb conjugation, and other forms of grammar and language structures to form sentences to use in short conversations. Required textbook: Learn Spanish For Adult Beginners ISBN: 979-8489033756

This course is ideal for students who have completed the Spanish I course or have a basic understanding of the Spanish language. Spanish II focuses on expanding vocabulary, mastering additional verb tenses, and deepening understanding of grammar and sentence structures. Students will practice forming more complex sentences for more meaningful conversations in Spanish. Required textbook: Learn Spanish for Adult Beginners ISBN: 979-8489033756

This course is designed for students who have successfully completed Spanish I or possess a foundational knowledge of the Spanish language. Building on previous skills, students will expand their vocabulary and deepen their understanding of verb conjugations in the present tense. Additionally, the course will introduce past and future tense conjugations, equipping students with the tools to enhance their communication abilities in Spanish. By the end of this course, students will be well-prepared to advance to higher levels of Spanish proficiency. Required textbook: Learn Spanish For Adult Beginners ISBN:  979-8489033756

This course cover Chapters 1-4 contained in Primera Parte (Part I) of the Textbook (see Required Textbook below). Chapter 1 will introduce students to greetings, exchanges, and farewell expressions. Students will also see words that are similar in English and Spanish. The lesson will transition into the introduction of Spanish words, their meanings, and masculine nouns vs. feminine nouns.  In Chapter 2, students will study family names and how to indicate relationships among their family and others’ families. Chapter 3 will take students to the school and classroom! Students will study the names of objects associated with school and the classroom and later identify those items existent within their own physical classroom. Chapter 4 will introduce students to regular verbs, and students will study and practice simple sentences.  Required Textbook:  978-1-63419-928—5  SPANISH IS FUN / LIVELY LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS (Book 1)

This course covers elements from Chapters 5-8 contained in Segunda Parte (Part II) of the Textbook (see Required Textbook below). Students will study numbers 0-30. The numbers will be practiced via selected areas of the textbook, in individual responses as well as group and partner activities. Students will then apply their knowledge of the numbers as they study how to tell time in Spanish.  Following a brief review of present tense ar verbs from Spanish Is Fun - Part I, students will study regular –er verbs in the present tense. The lesson will then explore colors as well as adjectives and opposites. The lesson will later proceed into a study of asking about and expressing another’s personality and character. Finally, specific components of Spanish/Latino culture will be examined and discussed.  Required Textbook:  978-1-63419-928—5  SPANISH IS FUN / LIVELY LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS (Book 1)

This course covers selected components from Chapters 9-12 contained in Tercera Parte (Part III) of the Textbook (see Required Textbook below). Students will examine the names of various professions and practice expressing one’s and others' professions. Students will then study how to describe location and temporary conditions of people and things versus permanent traits of people and things.  The lesson will expand into a study of the present tense of ir verbs along with a study of expressing actions that are happening in real time. Students will study how to express dates as well as the months of the year.  Students will then identify celebrations and events that take place during specific months. Finally, specific components of Spanish/Latino culture will be examined and discussed.  Required Textbook:  978-1-63419-928—5  SPANISH IS FUN / LIVELY LESSONS FOR BEGINNERS (Book 1)

Spanish is Fun! parts I-III are required prior to the enrollment of this course. Students will be provided with new vocabulary related to conversation, dining, and vocabulary when travelling. In addition to this knowledge, students will acquire language skills, such as: more complex sentence structures and vocabulary. 

Students will learn strategies and techniques that may reduce or eliminate certain tax liabilities. Have you ever wondered what strategies you could use that some of the richest Americans have used for decades? Many of the strategies discussed include: - Last minute end of year tax savings ideas - How to reduce and eliminate Taxes on Retirement Account Distributions - How to reduce and eliminate Capital Gains Taxes - Take Required Minimum Distributions in the most tax-advantaged way - Avoid Inheritance Tax-Traps with IRA’s, 401k’s, and other Retirement Accounts - How to pass assets generationally, while minimizing Taxes and providing Asset Protection - Learn some of the most Tax-favored ways to give money to charity and heirs - How wealthy Americans have passed assets generationally TAX-FREE, even before ROTH IRA’s were created - How to read a basic tax return for better outcomes.

Students can expect to learn: Estate planning: wills, trusts, beneficiaries Taxation: income, estate, inheritance, strategies Long-term care: insurance, Medicaid, Medicare Social Security: claiming, spousal benefits Healthcare costs: retirement expenses, planning strategies Charitable giving: tax benefits, community contributions Funeral planning: pre-arrangements, final expenses Estate distribution: family discussions, fair solutions Legal documents: power of attorney, healthcare directives Probate and administration: simplify estate settlement Tax laws: stay updated on changes Financial tools: software, retirement planning assistance

This engaging class will dive into many important considerations and planning strategies related to Second Marriages. Students will learn what families have done to protect their assets and prevent accidental disinheritance. Additionally, students will learn techniques that could provide for your spouse while potentially keeping peace in the family. For many people, charity is their ultimate beneficiary. The instructor will cover different Charitable giving strategies with their various pros and cons. Covered Topics: Basics of Estate Planning: Fundamental principles and documents to consider, Credit Shelter Trust, Revocable Living Trust, Dynasty Trust, Retirement Plan, Annuity, and Life Insurance Beneficiary Planning and Spousal Life Estates.

How to Reduce or Eliminate Taxes on RMDs - How to pay little to NO Taxes on a Roth Conversion - Tax-Free Income Ideas and Concepts BONUS: - New IRA Distribution Rules - New IRA Inheritance Rules

Medicare Plans  can be confusing!  Join us so that you can better plan your benefits strategy – or –help you guide your parents in their choices. Learn the many facets and particulars of Medicare. Gain a foundation of Medicare Part A,  B,  C (Medicare Advantage) and  D (Prescription Drug Plan) and Medicare Supplement plans.  Learn  what factors to include in choosing the right plan.   We discuss Pros and Cons of growing trend  of  working past age 65  at your employer but leaving employer benefits plan to enroll in Medicare plan to save money on premiums. 

The instructor will delve into both the history and the basics of Social Security to assist students in making important lifetime decisions. In this fast-paced class, students will learn the following: - History and basics of Social Security - Social Security income strategies for married couples - Taxation (and double Taxation) on Social Security - Penalties on your Social Security - Retirement Income Strategies with 401k’s and IRA’s - New Required Minimum Distribution Rules - The Secure Act - Tax-Free Retirement Income Strategies

An active and engaging class for individuals within 5 years of Retirement or who have recently retired. This class will focus on information needed in order to make important and lasting decisions for living your best financial life in Retirement, including: How to make the right pension decision Different strategies for taking Social Security How to maximize retirement income Tax-free retirement income strategies Advanced Roth IRA strategies-even if you are already retired! 401k advantages and disadvantages in retirement Estate Planning documents to be updated in retirement How to keep your financial affairs private and avoid probate Basics of Revocable Living Trusts Dynasty Trusts-not just for the wealthy! Asset protection

In this spirited class, your instructor will cover how tariffs could impact your retirement. Discussions will include: How inflation may make a comeback and what to do about it Pros and cons of tariffs Do they work or are we counting on luck? How do tariffs potentially impact the investments inside of your 401k and IRA Investment and economic strategies to successfully navigate these uncertain times.

Intermediate. This is a class for students already familiar with basic bridge bidding and play in accordance with the Standard American Bidding system. Topics will include: All About No Trump, Takeout Doubles, Negative Doubles, Weak Two Bids, Forcing Bids, Opening Leads, and Big Hand Bidding and Play. Textbook: Dorothy Hayden Truscott’s classic Bid Better, Play Better. Students are responsible for the purchase of the text.

Beginner/Intermediate. This is a class for students who want to be comfortable opening the bidding and responding to the opening bid of their partner.  We will learn how to compete when our opponents get in the “auction”.  Overcalls, Preemptive Bidding, and Takeout Doubles will be introduced. The most popular bridge conventions-Stayman and Jacoby Transfers-will be covered. Returning to bridge after a life hiatus? This is the class for you! Textbooks: Audrey Grant’s “Improving Your Judgment 1-Opening the Bidding,” Bridge Basics 2-Competitive Bidding,” and Bridge Basics 3-Popular Conventions” will be used. Students are responsible for the purchase of the texts.

This is an intermediate+ course covering winning declarer and defensive play strategies which will keep the most pressure on your opponents. Topics include: The Mysterious 2 NT Bid, Card Combinations, Cue Bidding Support For Partner’s Major, Endplays, Defense Against NT Contracts, Forcing Bids and the 4th Suit Forcing Convention. Textbook: Dorothy Hayden Truscott, Winning Declarer Play. Students are responsible for the purchase of the textbook.

This intermediate class is for students wishing to learn Two-Over-One Game Force, an adaptation of Standard American Bidding. Two-Over-One has become popular as it allows more bidding room to find the best game contract and explore slam possibilities. The 2/1 system will be covered in 3 sessions of this class. Additional topics will include: the Lead Directing Double,  Be a Good Defender,  DON'T (No Trump Defense), and Getting Involved in Duplicate Bridge. The last class will be a mock duplicate bridge tournament using bidding boxes. Suggested textbook (not included):  Audrey Grant’s “2/1 Game Force.” 

Have you collected lots of treasures over the years?  Want to know how to value them?  Want to know how to dispose of them?  This class is a workshop designed to help people downsize their treasures without giving the valuable ones away.  We will discuss what is currently selling, how to research the values of specific items and the pros and cons of estate sales.

Downsizing can be an exciting opportunity or an unfortunate necessity. What features in a house or rental are most important to you as you transition to a smaller space? Learn valuable tips and tricks that will save you money and benefit you as you downsize to a smaller home. Learn how to choose the right moving company for your needs. How to maximize your space in a smaller home. Receive guidance to help you cope with the emotional challenges of downsizing and avoid feeling overwhelmed or stressed. Discover how to select the perfect paint color and create a cohesive color palette. Learn the best flooring options for your new space, how to hang artwork properly, and how to use lighting effectively. Get tips on arranging furniture for both functionality and style, plus smart storage and organization solutions. Find out what to do with clutter and excess items- and so much more.

Unlock the ancient mysteries of Mah Jongg! Whether you're completely new to the game or have a little experience, this class will provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills needed to enjoy this captivating game. Over the course of six weeks, you will: Learn the history and cultural significance of Mah Jongg, understand the basics of the game's structure, including tiles, suits, and the Mah Jongg card, master the rules and strategies for playing American Mah Jongg, practice gameplay in a supportive and social environment, develop critical thinking and strategic planning skills. Classes will include a mix of instructional lectures, hands-on practice, and group play, ensuring that you gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. By the end of the course, you will feel confident in your ability to play Mah Jongg and enjoy the camaraderie that comes with it!

Are you ready to elevate your Mah Jongg game?  This intermediate course builds on the basics taught in our beginner Mah Jongg course. Learn how to pick a hand faster, how to maneuver around the card to maximize your tiles, and much more, all done in a fun and easy atmosphere. Completion of our beginner Mah Jongg course or knowledge of how to play Mah Jongg suggested prior to taking this course.

If you have ever looked at a photo and thought, 'I wish I could take pictures like that!' Then this course is your first step. Dive into the world of photography and learn with us how to operate and care for a camera. De-mystify what f/stops, aperture, and shutter speed mean. Learn the basics of composition and how to use depth of focus to your advantage. Join us and submerge yourself into the world of light. Start taking the kind of photos that you want. Bring a camera with a manual mode if you have one (digital or film).

In this course, we continue our journey of learning and move well beyond the basic functions and care of your camera. We take an exciting journey into the world of photography as art and the development of your artistic eye. We talk in depth about composition and find out how to control and use light and shadow. We create art from common objects, learn about portraiture and group arrangement, spend a whole session on photo editing and learn about how to succeed in photo competitions. Come join us and learn how to create art with your photography.

Come join an exciting new way to play American Mah Jongg- Siamese Mah Jongg! Together, we'll learn how to play, the subtle differences in the rules and scoring, and lots of play time. Experience playing American Mah Jongg is highly recommended.

Participants enrolled in this seminar will learn all about eBay. This includes: an introduction to eBay, eBay safety, a synopsis of opportunities available on eBay, setting up a secure seller's account, pricing strategies, putting together a complete listing, and completing the sale.

This course teaches students how to use the Microsoft Office Program, Excel. Students will learn how to: make columns of information, manipulate large amounts of data, insert basic formulas, use auto format and auto fill, and create a presentable spreadsheet. Additionally, students can learn how to make a graph from their data.

"I'll text you - no wait, I'll PM you through Facebook.  No maybe email is better."  Confused?  Then this class is for you.  There is a myriad of ways to communicate with people digitally and we will discuss them all, including the pros and cons of each.  Applies to both PC's and Smartphones of all brands.

Get the full advantage of this neat gadget!  We cover all the following in this quick 3-hour class: Setup – connection to phone Review of controls within the phone for the watch Review of buttons/dials on watch Common uses – answer call, receive a text, ping my phone Fancier Features - Check my heart rate, emergency contacts

Join us for this fun and informative class with all sorts of tips, tricks, tools and “how tos” for your iPad.  You will learn how to navigate your device like a pro.  We will take you through the latest features of home screen customization, explore a few functions of the Camera and Photo apps, guide you through the App store, and share a few of our favorite tips.  Bring your own iPad or use one of ours.

Want to use your iPhone for more than making phone calls?  Learn about the built-in apps of calendar, camera, messaging, email, and Safari.  Learn the proper care for your battery, how to install/delete/rearrange apps, and discuss cloud storage.

This course is designed for those with a desire to learn how to sell on the internet. This class will introduce students to topics such as: how to get started, what options are available for a quick start up, proven methods for fast entrance into the world of ecommerce, and the utilization of various platforms.

This workshop is designed to introduce long-time computer users to the realm of OneDrive and show how to best use it. We will discuss the pros and cons of the service as well as the effects it has on locating files within your computer. Please bring your Microsoft Log in and Password so you can access the files in class to get a more thorough understanding.  

Nobody on Earth knows your story better than you—not your family, your friends, or anyone with whom you work. Some may think there’s nothing in their lives that’s spectacular enough to write about. While that may be true for some, it’s beside the point. Telling your story provides those you love with a much better understanding about who you are, and where you came from. It could also tell them something about themselves!  Josh Langston, bestselling novelist, editor, and long-time OLLI instructor will lead the class through the process of writing a memoir, from organization to execution, and just about everything in between.  His humorous, easy-reading textbook, The Naked Truth! is required and available on Amazon.com.

Discover the tricks and techniques novelist, Josh Langston uses to produce a new novel every year. Learn how to write a gripping novel using story-telling techniques; gain insight on different styles of writing and tools for editing. Participants will also receive tips on finding an agent, editor, and publisher.  Required textbook:  The Naked Novelist! available on Amazon.