Lectures and Mini-Series   

Enjoy exciting and informative sneak previews of the RCO's upcoming concerts, including musical highlights featuring special guest artists. Executive Director Amy Heald, and Music Director Kelly Kuo, will share their insights into the music, composers, and performers we will hear in upcoming Reno concerts.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

TOUR SIGN-UP CLOSED.

Have you wished to explore painting with watercolor but just didn’t know how or where to get started. Watercolor Basics will be your jumping off point. In this six-week mini-series, we will explore though hands-on instruction, the basics of painting with watercolor from selecting the paper, types of watercolor paints, brushes, simple color mixing, techniques for applying paint, and composition. The mini-series is open to all artistic skill levels and no formal art education is needed. All levels of artistic skill are welcome, and no formal art education is needed. Once registration closes, the instructor will email registered participants a supply list and any prep notes. For questions, email rnewbury@unr.edu. This is a six-part series that meets on Wednesdays from March 4 through April 8 at 2 pm, and each session builds on the one before it.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED by Wednesday, February 25. Limit 40 members. A lottery will be held to fill available slots if demand exceeds availability. To sign-up, log in to your member account, then return to the program page.

Robin Holabird, film critic, author, and retired commissioner of the Nevada Film Commission presents movies related to her work in Nevada and her world travels.

• March 25: Robin will present a Spanish-language film with English subtitles, The Motorcycle Diaries (Diarios de motocicleta), with Gael Garcia Bernal as the youthful Che Guevara taking a road trip through South America. Her book Around the World in Eighty Movies features suggestions of movies and television shows that highlight the travel experience to great locations like Machu Picchu and others shown in this film. The program includes a brief presentation about the region and its movies.

Why companies don't want to hire people over 50 and how to counteract through valuable tips. How to customize your approach. What is your value as an employee. Do your research. How and where to network. Hone your job hunting basics. How to prepare your resume. Prepare for an interview. Engage in salary negotiations.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Although women consistently live longer than men, they tend to age in poorer health - the so called "mortality-morbidity paradox". In this lecture, we will cover known patterns of sex-dimorphism in aging patterns, their significance to health span and how the search for gerotherapeutics must be informed by such differences.

NOTE: This program is part of our OLLI Shares collaboration with OLLI at UC Irvine; the presenter will be joining us via Zoom and presenting simultaneously to members at both OLLI at UNR and OLLI at UC Irvine.

Celebrate the season with soft spring color, fresh blooms, and a touch of Easter charm. This demonstration-style floral presentation features pastel flowers, spring bulbs, and plant-dyed eggs—simple details that make a table feel instantly festive. See how to pull together a light, airy arrangement using found, purchased, and foraged ingredients, along with easy styling ideas you can recreate at home. Beginner-friendly, budget-friendly, and full of spring joy.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 

Learn about the historical, social, and legal issues connected to the history of immigration in the United States from its earliest migrants to the present via a comprehensive overview. Included is an analysis of the origins of anti-immigrant sentiment throughout U.S. history.

This is a 3-part series on Wednesdays from 12-1:30 p.m. on April 1, April 8, and April 15.

Note: The presenter will be joining us via Zoom.

Silver State Chautauqua is an inclusive nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Chautauqua in northern Nevada. Adult Chautauquan actors will take the stage to portray characters from history. This 3-part mini-series will occur on the following dates:

Thursday, April 2nd from 10-11:30 a.m.

• Helen Jane Stewart - First Lady of Las Vegas
• Maude Frazier - Pioneer educator and first woman Lieutenant Governor of Nevada

Thursday, April 9th from 10-11:30 a.m.

• Mrs. Woodrow Wilson (part II) - First woman president of the U.S. rejects the job.
• Helen Delich Bentley - Ely native and the first woman chair of the Federal Maritime Commission

Thursday, April 16th from 12-1:30 p.m.

• Pat Nixon - Diplomat or doormat
• Dorothea Lange - Explored economic realities through her photographic lens

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

This informational session will explain what a clothing swap is; how swapping clothing greatly helps our environment; what the rules will be; who may participate, and how to volunteer/participate in this new-to-OLLI event on Friday, April 17.

Morocco has emerged as the most visited country in Africa and a premier global travel destination. Drawing on nearly three years of living and working in Morocco, this interactive presentation offers participants an engaging introduction to the country's rich history, diverse cultures, geography, and people. The program provides a concise overview of Morocco's historical influences, cultural traditions, varied landscapes, and regional identities, with special attention to its growing tourism sector and global appeal. The presentation features a visually rich slideshow and examples of traditional Moroccan arts and crafts. Designed to be interactive, the session encourages discussion, questions, and cross-cultural curiosity.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Find out why someone would want to get involved with genealogy. Learn how to explore your family tree through a variety of resources. Start your personal exploration with a basic family tree diagram. As a bonus, learn about deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and how it is used to solve major crimes.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Celebrate National Poetry Month with four of Nevada’s best-known poets. Each poet will read poems of their own and others on the topic of resilience. They will share their thoughts on why these poems matter to them, and how they can be read in this chaotic time.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Let's embark on a journey through the early history of the state of Nevada. Once considered nothing more than a desolate stretch of desert, Nevada’s path to statehood is filled with intrigue, perseverance, and a bit of luck. How did Nevada, once dismissed as a barren land with little to offer, become a state? Let’s explore this fascinating transformation together.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Those patterns are called "tangles". These tangles are created with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. We will draw these patterns on pieces of paper called “tiles.” There are NO mistakes in this method of creativity, no fear of failure or worry about the outcome. You can create BEAUTIFUL art immediately! (Even if you say you don’t have a creative bone in your body!)

PAYMENT: The instructor will provide a class kit for each session packaged in a drawstring bag. Each class kit will cost $10. Payment may be made in cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, or credit card.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Members must register separately for each class. Participation is limited to 20 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes Tuesday, March 31. After the first 20 registrations are received, the Sign-Up / Waitlist option will appear and additional registrants will be placed on the waitlist. You will be notified by email confirming whether you are registered for the class or have been placed on the waitlist. Click here for Registration Instructions. 

Cancellation Courtesy: If you are unable to attend a program for which you registered, please review our Registered Program Cancellation Courtesy.

I. Black Pen on White Mandala Tile with Colored Pencils - NOTE: This session MAY repeat tangles taught in earlier sessions! Included in a drawstring bag, there will be Mandala tile, 1 Micron black pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon, and box of colored pencils.

• Monday, April 6th from 10-11:30 a.m. OR Friday, April 17th from 10-11:30 a.m.

II. Black Pen on White Triangle Tiles - NOTE: This session will NOT repeat tangles taught in previous sessions. Included in a drawstring bag, there will be 3 white triangle tiles, 1 Micron black pen, 1 Mini Graphite black pencil, and 1 Tortillon

• Friday, May 15th from 10-11:30 a.m. OR Monday, May 18th from 10-11:30 a.m.

III. Black ink on Gray Tile - NOTE: This session will NOT repeat tangles taught in previous sessions. Included in a drawstring bag, there will be 3 Gray tiles, 1 Black micron /pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon.

• Monday, June 1st from 10-11:30 a.m. OR Friday, June 5th from 10-11:30 a.m.

THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 

Learn about the historical, social, and legal issues connected to the history of immigration in the United States from its earliest migrants to the present via a comprehensive overview. Included is an analysis of the origins of anti-immigrant sentiment throughout U.S. history.

This is a three-part series on Wednesdays from 12-1:30 p.m. on April 1, April 8, and April 15.

Note: The presenter will be joining us via Zoom.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED by Wednesday, April 1.  Limit 25 members. Preference will be given to new students. The course may be repeated if space is available. Click Here for Registration Instructions.

Silver State Chautauqua is an inclusive nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Chautauqua in northern Nevada. Adult Chautauquan actors will take the stage to portray characters from history. This 3-part mini-series will occur on the following dates:

Thursday, April 9th from 10-11:30 a.m.

• Mrs. Woodrow Wilson (part II) - First woman president of the U.S. rejects the job
• Helen Delich Bentley - Ely native and the first woman chair of the Federal Maritime Commission

Thursday, April 16th from 12-1:30 p.m.

• Pat Nixon - Diplomat or doormat
• Dorothea Lange - Explored economic realities through her photographic lens

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Preparing for travel goes beyond just vaccines. Discover the best ways to explore the world safely.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Participants will need to attend both sessions.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED by April 6 at: https://www.compasshp.org/workshops/registration/18592

Before she died in 1974, Felicia Bornstein Lubliner wrote about her internment in ghettos and concentration camps in Nazi-occupied Poland, powerful stories published by her son. Irving Lubliner, professor emeritus at Southern Oregon University, will share excerpts from Only Hope: A Survivor’s Stories of the Holocaust, shedding light on his mother’s fortitude and indomitable spirit, as well as his own experience as a child of Holocaust survivors. You will learn about the Holocaust through the eyes of a survivor, as well as how the instructor, the child of two survivors, was impacted by his parents’ experiences.

Note: The presenter will be joining us via Zoom.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Professor Chris von Nagy will present "Dancing on the Nose of the Serpent, Dancing with Jaguar Spirits: Quiotepec-Oxtotitlán, Guerrero and the Millennium Mesoamerica Dreamed the City."

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Lion is a true story about a five-year-old boy in India, who gets lost on a train which takes him thousands of miles across India and away from home and family.  It will leave you fascinated in the way he sets out to find his lost family 25 years later.

Part 1: Some definitions: the immune system, pathogens, antibodies, monoclonal antibodies, antigens. What is vaccination? Hint: Cow is vacca in Latin, vaca in Spanish, and vache in French.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED. 

Learn about the historical, social, and legal issues connected to the history of immigration in the United States from its earliest migrants to the present via a comprehensive overview. Included is an analysis of the origins of anti-immigrant sentiment throughout U.S. history.

This is a three-part series on Wednesdays from 12-1:30 p.m. on April 1, April 8, and April 15.

Note: The presenter will be joining us via Zoom.

Join Josh Bonde, Executive Director of the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center and Museum, for a presentation of the cultural and historical roots of the infamous boarding school now dedicated to the memories of the first Stewart students from Great Basin tribes in 1890, and all students and their families who were impacted by the Stewart experience, 1890-1980.

This program is presented in partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and is hosted every third Wednesday of the month. 

Location: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 West Liberty Street Reno, NV 89501  

Registration Required: Please register through the Nevada Museum of Art using the link below. OLLI members will also be asked to check in at the Museum’s front desk upon arrival.

Register here: https://bit.ly/OLLINMAStewart

Silver State Chautauqua is an inclusive nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Chautauqua in northern Nevada. Adult Chautauquan actors will take the stage to portray characters from history. This 3-part mini-series concludes on the following date:

Thursday, April 16th from 12-1:30 p.m.

• Pat Nixon - Diplomat or Doormat 
• Dorothea Lange - Explored economic realities through her photographic lens

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Participants should have attended the first session on April 9.

Why do so many people love opera? Yes, it's the incredible music, the stories, the thrilling spectacle of the costumes and sets, but mostly it's the profoundly emotional power of the human voice. Attend these entertaining, informative sessions for in-depth introductions to operas you can see and hear right here in Reno - in-person at UNR and in local theaters from the Metropolitan Opera’s live productions that are broadcast in HD to movie theaters all over the world. You'll see and hear many of today's most amazing opera stars and learn all about the history, the stories, the music, and the voices that thrill audiences around the world before you go to the theater.

Operas in this program: Gilbert & Sullivan's fun-filled, HMS Pinafore; Tchaikovsky's gorgeous, Eugene Onegin; and Gabriela Lena Frank's Met premiere of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Those patterns are called "tangles". These tangles are created with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. We will draw these patterns on pieces of paper called “tiles.” There are NO mistakes in this method of creativity, no fear of failure or worry about the outcome. You can create BEAUTIFUL art immediately! (Even if you say you don’t have a creative bone in your body!)

PAYMENT: The instructor will provide a class kit for each session packaged in a drawstring bag. Each class kit will cost $10. Payment may be made in cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, or credit card.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Members must register separately for each class. Participation is limited to 20 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes Friday, April 10. After the first 20 registrations are received, the Sign-Up / Waitlist option will appear and additional registrants will be placed on the waitlist. You will be notified by email confirming whether you are registered for the class or have been placed on the waitlist. Click here for Registration Instructions. 

Cancellation Courtesy: If you are unable to attend a program for which you registered, please review our Registered Program Cancellation Courtesy.

I. Black Pen on White Mandala Tile with Colored Pencils - NOTE: This session MAY repeat tangles taught in earlier sessions! Included in a drawstring bag, there will be Mandala tile, 1 Micron black pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon, and box of colored pencils.

• Friday, April 17th from 10-11:30 a.m.

II. Black Pen on White Triangle Tiles - NOTE: This session will NOT repeat tangles taught in previous sessions. Included in a drawstring bag, there will be 3 white triangle tiles, 1 Micron black pen, 1 Mini Graphite black pencil, and 1 Tortillon

• Friday, May 15th from 10-11:30 a.m. OR Monday, May 18th from 10-11:30 a.m.

III. Black ink on Gray Tile - NOTE: This session will NOT repeat tangles taught in previous sessions. Included in a drawstring bag, there will be 3 Gray tiles, 1 Black micron /pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon.

• Monday, June 1st from 10-11:30 a.m. OR Friday, June 5th from 10-11:30 a.m.

Learn to enhance your personal safety by SEEING things around us rather than just LOOKING at our world. Find out how to assess your surroundings for potential perils when out in public, while driving your car or among people that you don’t personally know. Learn the psychology of criminal thinking and why humans unintentionally stymie their own observations. Our presenter, a retired lieutenant in law enforcement, will present ways in which you will become a better observer and learn to interpret your surroundings so that you don’t become a potential crime victim.

This 2-part mini-series will discuss how you can make better decisions about your money in a changing economy and how those decisions may affect your investments and your retirement plans.

• April 20: Part 1 will cover recent tax law changes, inflation, interest rates, and other factors that may affect your investments. This class will also share the economic outlook of several respected economists.
• April 27: Part 2 will walk through sample retirement plans and discuss various investment vehicles, such as CDs, money market funds, treasuries, bonds, stocks, mutual funds, index funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), buffer ETFs, derivatives, and others. This class will highlight the key principles of financial planning and how they can be applied to your personal retirement goals. Time will be available for Q&A.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Part 2: Are immunizations necessary for seniors who had the usual childhood diseases, and if so, which ones should they receive?

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Several animals undergo migration every year—trout, wildebeest, Monarch butterflies, and so on. But when we hear the word “migration” we usually think of birds, the masters of the air. Join Alan Gubanich from the Lahontan Audubon Society and learn about the remarkable journeys many birds make every year. What bird migrates the longest distance equivalent of flying around the world? What bird flies nonstop for four or more days over the Atlantic Ocean on its way south? What tells birds when to migrate, and when to stop? And how do birds prepare for such arduous journeys? And what birds migrate to and from Northern Nevada every year? Join us and find out!

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Many elements make a book or movie compelling, including character development, pacing, and clear first chapters. But the development of the plot must contain goals, motivation, and conflict to keep a person reading. Learn about these elements to further your writing journey or enhance your reading and viewing. These same elements apply to memoir and nonfiction writing, too!

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

In this first‑person living history program, local historians David and Gayle Woodruff recount their so-called “cherished” family vacations, sharing vivid memories of moments of mystery, culinary curiosities, cross country chain smoking…and the many small mishaps (and triumphs) that shaped each journey. Through stories drawn from their own childhood vacations and family lore, the program blends humor, reflection, and regional color to illuminate how everyday people experienced the open road—turning personal anecdotes into a window of a shared American past.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

"Music can lift us out of depression or move us to tears – it is a remedy, a tonic, orange juice for the ear. But for many neurological patients, music is even more. It can provide access, even when no medication can, to movement, to speech, to life. For them, music is not a luxury, but a necessity.” This quote from renowned neurologist Oliver Sachs sums up both our society’s general attitude toward music (it is just a sweet treat) and the importance of music to our hearts and brains. Learn about the latest research on how music affects speech, movement, and thinking, and improves physical and mental health.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

This 2-part mini-series will discuss how you can make better decisions about your money in a changing economy and how those decisions may affect your investments and your retirement plans.

• April 27: Part 2 will walk through sample retirement plans and discuss various investment vehicles, such as CDs, money market funds, treasuries, bonds, stocks, mutual funds, index funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), buffer ETFs, derivatives, and others. This class will highlight the key principles of financial planning and how they can be applied to your personal retirement goals. Time will be available for Q&A.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

What is the secret to a happy life? Join this Certified Happiness Trainer to discover ways to add more happiness to our daily lives. Using foundational concepts from the bestselling books Happy for No Reason and Inner Home for Happiness, we will learn useful information, and we'll all have fun!

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Ever wondered how communities in Nevada decide where homes, businesses, parks, and roads go? This presentation offers an inside look at the land use planning process that shapes our cities and counties across Nevada. We will also explore the roles of local governments, state laws, and public input in creating master plans and zoning regulations. Learn how you can participate in shaping our state’s future.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Session 1: brief introduction; Symphony 6

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

The Tahoe-Pyramid Trail (TPT), a 501c3 nonprofit, was started by Janet Phillips as an audacious idea that once completed, will result in a trail that follows the entire length of the Truckee River, from its source at the stunning Lake Tahoe (6225’/1897m) to the majestic desert terminus of Pyramid Lake (3796’/1157m). The trail is currently 81% complete (93 miles), and can be enjoyed by hikers, runners, walkers, or cyclists. Join President & CEO Mark Cameron to learn about how far the trail, and the organization, has come since 2003, and what’s next for the TPT that runs along a combination of existing dirt, paved, and historic roads and bike paths, as well as many newly constructed sections of trail and bridges that connect the community via urban and remote paths.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Professor Lokken will present his analysis and thoughts of our current political situation.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Why do so many people love opera? Yes, it's the incredible music, the stories, the thrilling spectacle of the costumes and sets, but mostly it's the profoundly emotional power of the human voice. Attend these entertaining, informative sessions for in-depth introductions to operas you can see and hear right here in Reno - in-person at UNR and in local theaters from the Metropolitan Opera’s live productions that are broadcast in HD to movie theaters all over the world. You'll see and hear many of today's most amazing opera stars and learn all about the history, the stories, the music, and the voices that thrill audiences around the world before you go to the theater.

Operas in this program: Gilbert & Sullivan's fun-filled, HMS Pinafore; Tchaikovsky's gorgeous, Eugene Onegin; and Gabriela Lena Frank's Met premiere of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Transform a pre-loved book into a stunning and heartfelt piece of art. In this beginner-friendly workshop, you'll learn the unique and satisfying technique of measuring, marking and folding to create a beautiful hummingbird design. You don't need to be a seasoned crafter or an origami master to join; our step-by-step instructions will guide you through the entire process, page by page. You will leave with a beautiful piece of art that looks impressive on a bookshelf or mantel.

All necessary book-folding supplies will be provided by the instructor. (Book, pattern, ruler, pencil, eraser and paper boner) 

REGISTRATION REQUIRED by Thursday, April 30. This program is limited to 20 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will close once the limit is reached. Click here for Registration Instructions.

Learn how low doses of x-ray and electron therapy are used to address many common conditions including arthritis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, Dupuytren's contracture, and others. These treatments are highly effective with remarkably low side effects, typically none at all, backed by numerous clinical studies, and covered by insurance.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Join us to learn the processes, tricks, wisdom and dirty laundry of putting on a show (the accumulated knowledge from 20 years of creating live theatre).

Wednesday, May 6: Pre-production: Learn how plays are selected, how casting is done, and how the complex and crucial preliminary work is accomplished, or not.

Wednesday, May 13: Rehearsal: Explore the myriads of challenges that must be surmounted during the process of creating compelling characters and stories.

Wednesday, May 20: On Stage: Exploring the complexity of issues and necessities that must be mastered off stage to create the art you see on stage.

This is a three-part mini-series: Wednesdays, 5/6 - 5/20 at 10:00 am.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

The Tahoe Truckee Sanitation Agency was formed through a vote by locals, creating a special district and financial assistance through the state of California and the Environmental Protection Agency. Its purpose was to protect the pristine waters around the North Tahoe area, the Truckee River Canyon, and the cities of Truckee and Reno. At the time it was completed it was the most sophisticated sanitation plant in the world. Learn about sewage treatment, its importance, and how to clean up our diminishing water resources, as well as the drinking water supply for Reno and Sparks. Last but not least, we will talk about the extreme danger Reno and Sparks were exposed to that few people knew about. Maybe you don't want to know!

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Session 2: Symphony 7

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

A bright, heartfelt floral presentation for Mother’s Day—whether you’re celebrating a mom, a grandmother, a friend, or yourself. This demonstration-style presentation shares cheerful arrangement and centerpiece ideas featuring the best blooms of the season, with color-forward styling that feels special (without being complicated). You’ll leave with inspiration for meaningful gifts and simple floral touches that elevate any gathering—using found, purchased, and foraged elements. Always creative. Always beginner-friendly. Always budget-friendly.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Enjoy a history of the mail service locations in Reno from early days to the present with an emphasis on the DeLongchamps 1934 masterpiece.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Learn about how one donor can save up to eight lives through organ donation while also healing and enhancing up to 75 more lives through tissue donation. Learn what can be donated, how transplantation and listing occur, and understand misconceptions around donation, and explore the reasons why it's important to register to be a donor.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Professor Sultan Toprak Oker on "The Art of Drinking Together: Taverns and social Life in Ottoman Istanbul."

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Join us to learn the processes, tricks, wisdom and dirty laundry of putting on a show (the accumulated knowledge from 20 years of creating live theatre).

Wednesday, May 13: Rehearsal: Explore the myriads of challenges that must be surmounted during the process of creating compelling characters and stories.

Wednesday, May 20: On Stage: Exploring the complexity of issues and necessities that must be mastered off stage to create the art you see on stage.

This is a three-part mini-series: Wednesdays, 5/6 - 5/20 at 10:00 am.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Switzerland, Singapore, and Sweden are small countries—each with fewer people than New York State. Yet they rank among the world’s most successful nations, consistently punching above their weight economically, politically, and socially. Despite their shared success, these countries differ dramatically in geography, political systems, and historical experience. What explains their remarkable performance? In this program, we’ll explore the features that shape each nation, compare them with one another and, where useful, with the United States. How do these countries function as real-world laboratories for social, political, and economic innovation—and what lessons do they offer for the future.

This is a 3-part series exploring Switzerland, Singapore, and Sweden.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

In the last few years Washoe County Library has faced community demands to cancel Drag Queen Story Time and to restrict or remove dozens of book titles. In this session, we’ll learn about national censorship efforts and discuss books community members are trying to remove from school and public library shelves.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Symphony 8

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Today, Glenbrook is a quiet residential community of about 300 homes on the east shore of Lake Tahoe. As you look out onto Glenbrook Bay, historic relics dating back to the Comstock Lode era are visible. Pilings that once supported the vast lumber milling operations in Glenbrook are now ragged remnants of an industry that took place here, beginning in 1860. Several structures built during that time still exist on the shores of the bay. Discover D.L. Bliss' vision unfold from Timber to Tourism.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Those patterns are called "tangles". These tangles are created with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. We will draw these patterns on pieces of paper called “tiles.” There are NO mistakes in this method of creativity, no fear of failure or worry about the outcome. You can create BEAUTIFUL art immediately! (Even if you say you don’t have a creative bone in your body!)

PAYMENT: The instructor will provide a class kit for each session packaged in a drawstring bag. Each class kit will cost $10. Payment may be made in cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, or credit card.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Members must register separately for each class. Participation is limited to 20 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes Friday, May 8. After the first 20 registrations are received, the Sign-Up / Waitlist option will appear and additional registrants will be placed on the waitlist. You will be notified by email confirming whether you are registered for the class or have been placed on the waitlist. Click here for Registration Instructions. 

Cancellation Courtesy: If you are unable to attend a program for which you registered, please review our Registered Program Cancellation Courtesy.

II. Black Pen on White Triangle Tiles - NOTE: This session will NOT repeat tangles taught in previous sessions. Included in a drawstring bag, there will be 3 white triangle tiles, 1 Micron black pen, 1 Mini Graphite black pencil, and 1 Tortillon

• Friday, May 15th from 10-11:30 a.m. OR Monday, May 18th from 10-11:30 a.m.

III. Black ink on Gray Tile - NOTE: This session will NOT repeat tangles taught in previous sessions. Included in a drawstring bag, there will be 3 Gray tiles, 1 Black micron /pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon.

• Monday, June 1st from 10-11:30 a.m. OR Friday, June 5th from 10-11:30 a.m.

This program will immerse you in the day-to-day of urban gardening in Nevada. You’ll spend time with Soulful Seeds, a non-profit organization growing free, fresh food for our neighbors, and connection and resiliency through our many programs offered. You will experience late Spring and early Summer in our gardens- From learning about our pollinators, harvesting garlic with Reno's Garlic Guru (and our co-founder), to learning about our mission, pesticide-free farming and composting, and seizing the opportunity to stroll through our native-Nevadan plant garden and hoop houses. You'll learn about Nevada gardening and ask your garden and produce-growing questions.

Join us for a four-part off-site seminar at the Soulful Gardens Campus, located at the corner of Glendale and Galetti Way. Sessions meet Fridays at noon, May 15 through June 5.

Registration is required for the entire series by Friday, May 8, 2026. To register, log in to your member account, then return to the program page to complete your registration. 

"Hospice Myths & Facts” is a compassionate educational session designed to replace fear and misunderstanding with clarity about hospice care. We will explore common misconceptions, look at accurate information about what hospice care truly offers, and learn to recognize when hospice may be appropriate. Through warm language and supportive examples, this program empowers families, caregivers, and community partners with knowledge that fosters comfort, dignity, and informed decision-making at life’s end.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Below your mundane street is a complex network of pipes, conduits, cables, tunnels and more which make the city around you function. Learn about the typical infrastructure in the street in front of your house and how that infrastructure is supplied from the larger scale infrastructure.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Those patterns are called "tangles". These tangles are created with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. We will draw these patterns on pieces of paper called “tiles.” There are NO mistakes in this method of creativity, no fear of failure or worry about the outcome. You can create BEAUTIFUL art immediately! (Even if you say you don’t have a creative bone in your body!)

PAYMENT: The instructor will provide a class kit for each session packaged in a drawstring bag. Each class kit will cost $10. Payment may be made in cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, or credit card.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Members must register separately for each class. Participation is limited to 20 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes Monday, May 11. After the first 20 registrations are received, the Sign-Up / Waitlist option will appear and additional registrants will be placed on the waitlist. You will be notified by email confirming whether you are registered for the class or have been placed on the waitlist. Click here for Registration Instructions. 

Cancellation Courtesy: If you are unable to attend a program for which you registered, please review our Registered Program Cancellation Courtesy.

II. Black Pen on White Triangle Tiles - NOTE: This session will NOT repeat tangles taught in previous sessions. Included in a drawstring bag, there will be 3 white triangle tiles, 1 Micron black pen, 1 Mini Graphite black pencil, and 1 Tortillon

• Monday, May 18th from 10-11:30 a.m.

III. Black ink on Gray Tile - NOTE: This session will NOT repeat tangles taught in previous sessions. Included in a drawstring bag, there will be 3 Gray tiles, 1 Black micron /pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon.

• Monday, June 1st from 10-11:30 a.m. OR Friday, June 5th from 10-11:30 a.m.

Join us to learn the processes, tricks, wisdom and dirty laundry of putting on a show (the accumulated knowledge from 20 years of creating live theatre).

Wednesday, May 20: On Stage: Exploring the complexity of issues and necessities that must be mastered off stage to create the art you see on stage.

This is a three-part mini-series: Wednesdays, 5/6 - 5/20 at 10:00 am.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Switzerland, Singapore, and Sweden are small countries—each with fewer people than New York State. Yet they rank among the world’s most successful nations, consistently punching above their weight economically, politically, and socially. Despite their shared success, these countries differ dramatically in geography, political systems, and historical experience. What explains their remarkable performance? In this program, we’ll explore the features that shape each nation, compare them with one another and, where useful, with the United States. How do these countries function as real-world laboratories for social, political, and economic innovation—and what lessons do they offer for the future.

This is a 3-part series exploring Switzerland, Singapore, and Sweden.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Travel with a college professor and a runaway girl on a bus, as they learn about each others' lives. This funny and insightful play reveals life changes that improve each character's perspective.

Unearth the complex and transformative practices of ceramics with local artist and E.L. Cord Museum School instructor Brittany Sundheim. Explore how Indigenous traditions, Jewish cultural influences, and modern chemistry intersect in her work through hands-on insight and discussion.  

This program is presented in partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and is hosted every third Wednesday of the month. 

Location: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 West Liberty Street Reno, NV 89501  

Registration Required: Please register through the Nevada Museum of Art using the link below. OLLI members will also be asked to check in at the Museum’s front desk upon arrival.

Register here: https://bit.ly/OLLINMACeramics 

Symphony 9, part 1

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

In 1989, Las Vegas proposed to pump almost three billion gallons of groundwater annually from thirty rural Great Basin valleys and pipe it 300 miles to the city. This water grab would have devastated wildlife and rural agriculture, if not for a small, determined group that fought for 31 years to a decisive 2020 victory that protected the Great Basin’s precious aquifers. Learn how a diverse alliance of high desert people resisted the water grab and protected sacred land.

This program will NOT be recorded.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Switzerland, Singapore, and Sweden are small countries—each with fewer people than New York State. Yet they rank among the world’s most successful nations, consistently punching above their weight economically, politically, and socially. Despite their shared success, these countries differ dramatically in geography, political systems, and historical experience. What explains their remarkable performance? In this program, we’ll explore the features that shape each nation, compare them with one another and, where useful, with the United States. How do these countries function as real-world laboratories for social, political, and economic innovation—and what lessons do they offer for the future.

This is a 3-part series exploring Switzerland, Singapore, and Sweden.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Symphony 9, part 2

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Let's explore genealogy research using online resources and using your OWN family tree. The facilitator will lead discussions, give examples, and help participants with their research. Please bring your own electronic devices to use for your research during the sessions.

This is a 4-part mini-series on Thursdays from 12-1:30 p.m. from May 28th through June 18th and each session builds on the one before it. It will continue for 4 more sessions in July.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Signup begins on Friday May 1st and ends on Friday May 22nd. Limit 15 members. After registration ends, the instructor will email participants any prep notes and instructions. Click here for Registration Instructions.

 

 

Why do so many people love opera? Yes, it's the incredible music, the stories, the thrilling spectacle of the costumes and sets, but mostly it's the profoundly emotional power of the human voice. Attend these entertaining, informative sessions for in-depth introductions to operas you can see and hear right here in Reno - in-person at UNR and in local theaters from the Metropolitan Opera’s live productions that are broadcast in HD to movie theaters all over the world. You'll see and hear many of today's most amazing opera stars and learn all about the history, the stories, the music, and the voices that thrill audiences around the world before you go to the theater.

Operas in this program: Gilbert & Sullivan's fun-filled, HMS Pinafore; Tchaikovsky's gorgeous, Eugene Onegin; and Gabriela Lena Frank's Met premiere of El Último Sueño de Frida y Diego.o.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

This is a 2-part mini-series.

PART I: Friday, May 29th from 2-3:30 p.m.

Enjoy a tour of the Lincoln Highway which was the First Transcontinental Automobile Highway across the United States starting in 1913 – how did it come about, and where did it go? This presentation features a lecture and slide show on the development and history of the Lincoln Highway, and will explain, how and where the highway crossed the country, and benefited the development of modern transportation in the country. The Lincoln Highway is part of our local history, as it passed through Reno and Carson City, by way of highway US 40 and US 50 through northern Nevada.

PART II: Friday, June 12th from 12-1:30 p.m.

In the previous presentation, we explored the history of the Lincoln Highway, where it went and what happened to it. Now we will look at the Lincoln Highway in Nevada and California. We will investigate its history, location and how the highway changed over the years - illustrated with maps and great pictures.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Those patterns are called "tangles". These tangles are created with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. We will draw these patterns on pieces of paper called “tiles.” There are NO mistakes in this method of creativity, no fear of failure or worry about the outcome. You can create BEAUTIFUL art immediately! (Even if you say you don’t have a creative bone in your body!)

PAYMENT: The instructor will provide a class kit for each session packaged in a drawstring bag. Each class kit will cost $10. Payment may be made in cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, or credit card.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Members must register separately for each class. Participation is limited to 20 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes Monday, May 25. After the first 20 registrations are received, the Sign-Up / Waitlist option will appear and additional registrants will be placed on the waitlist. You will be notified by email confirming whether you are registered for the class or have been placed on the waitlist. Click here for Registration Instructions. 

Cancellation Courtesy: If you are unable to attend a program for which you registered, please review our Registered Program Cancellation Courtesy.

III. Black ink on Gray Tile - NOTE: This session will NOT repeat tangles taught in previous sessions. Included in a drawstring bag, there will be 3 Gray tiles, 1 Black micron /pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon.

• Monday, June 1st from 10-11:30 a.m. OR Friday, June 5th from 10-11:30 a.m.

Boxcar Diplomacy is about two trains that crossed the Atlantic after WWII—one in friendship, the other in gratitude. “The Friendship Train” was initiated by columnist Drew Pearson who noted that Communists were getting a foothold in Europe and Americans should showcase democracy with gifts of food. Fourteen months later, France sent a “Merci” ship loaded with boxcars, each carrying over a thousand gifts. This talk will take you back to the beginning of the Cold War, when Americans across the country united in a remarkable effort that signaled to the people of Europe that they had not been forgotten.

Jane Sweetland's book Boxcar Diplomacy: Two Trains that Crossed an Ocean will be for sale after the program.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Let's explore genealogy research using online resources and using your OWN family tree. The facilitator will lead discussions, give examples, and help participants with their research. Please bring your own electronic devices to use for your research during the sessions.

This is a 4-part mini-series on Thursdays from 12-1:30 p.m. from May 28th through June 18th and each session builds on the one before it. Participants must register for Session 1 to take part in the series. The series will continue with four additional sessions in July.

If you have a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear, join Capsule Wardrobe Guru, Sherry Lugone, for this popular three week class. You'll learn to de-clutter your closet and curate a versatile wardrobe of 30 to 40 pieces of clothing for the season.

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Please email Sherry at capsules101guru@gmail.com with the subject line Project 333 Registration.

Zentangle is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Those patterns are called "tangles". These tangles are created with combinations of dots, lines, simple curves, S-curves and orbs. We will draw these patterns on pieces of paper called “tiles.” There are NO mistakes in this method of creativity, no fear of failure or worry about the outcome. You can create BEAUTIFUL art immediately! (Even if you say you don’t have a creative bone in your body!)

PAYMENT: The instructor will provide a class kit for each session packaged in a drawstring bag. Each class kit will cost $10. Payment may be made in cash, check, Venmo, Zelle, or credit card.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Members must register separately for each class. Participation is limited to 20 participants and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration closes Friday, May 29. After the first 20 registrations are received, the Sign-Up / Waitlist option will appear and additional registrants will be placed on the waitlist. You will be notified by email confirming whether you are registered for the class or have been placed on the waitlist. Click here for Registration Instructions. 

Cancellation Courtesy: If you are unable to attend a program for which you registered, please review our Registered Program Cancellation Courtesy.

III. Black ink on Gray Tile - NOTE: This session will NOT repeat tangles taught in previous sessions. Included in a drawstring bag, there will be 3 Gray tiles, 1 Black micron /pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon.

• Friday, June 5th from 10-11:30 a.m.

Professor Ned Schoolman on "Drowning Towns, Flooded Cities: Abandonment and Adaptation in the Age of Premodern Climate Change”

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Every July, Reno is Artown. The annual month-long celebration of art and culture features more than 500 events, including live music, theater, dance, visual and literary arts, multicultural events, and tours. Local talent is showcased, along with national and internationally known artists and performers. Join Artown Director Beth Macmillan for a sneak preview of Artown 2026.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Let's explore genealogy research using online resources and using your OWN family tree. The facilitator will lead discussions, give examples, and help participants with their research. Please bring your own electronic devices to use for your research during the sessions.

This is a 4-part mini-series on Thursdays from 12-1:30 p.m. from May 28th through June 18th and each session builds on the one before it. Participants must register for Session 1 to take part in the series. The series will continue with four additional sessions in July.

Using extensive research and eyewitness accounts, local authors and historians David & Gayle Woodruff recount the incredible, true and bizarre story of a calculating and disgruntled gambler and his attempt to extort three million dollars from the historic Harvey’s Casino Lake Tahoe in August of 1980. The 60-minute slide show features dozens of historic and seldom seen images.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Social connection plays a powerful role in our health as we age—yet many older adults experience increasing isolation and loneliness, often without realizing the impact it can have on physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. In this presentation, Dr. Amil Trujillo-King, a Geriatrics Fellow with the Sanford Center for Aging, will explore why social isolation is so common later in life and why it matters more than we may think. Drawing from her clinical experience and her current work improving care for older adults in home-based settings, Dr. Trujillo-King will share what healthcare teams are seeing firsthand, what research tells us about loneliness and health, and—most importantly—what actually helps. The talk will include practical, realistic strategies for staying connected, supporting others, and fostering a sense of purpose and community as we age.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

PART II:  In the previous presentation, we explored the history of the Lincoln Highway, where it went and what happened to it. Now we will look at the Lincoln Highway in Nevada and California. We will investigate its history, location and how the highway changed over the years - illustrated with maps and great pictures.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

International travel brings infinite pleasure, but along with that, intrepid travelers need to be willing to just accept things don't always go their way. Come share in some highlights and lowlights of this voracious traveler.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Various speakers will present short topics of interest. Talks will last for 5 to 20 minutes. Topics will be chosen by the speaker, and will not be announced in advance. Tune in and be surprised!

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Explore the fascinating history and techniques of woodblock printing in this engaging talk led by Christina Michael, Nell J. Redfield School Services Manager and E. L. Cord Museum School Instructor. From iconic works by Japanese artist Hokusai to contemporary examples, participants will take a close look at celebrated woodblock prints and uncover the intricate processes behind their creation.

This program is presented in partnership with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) and is hosted every third Wednesday of the month.

Location: Nevada Museum of Art, 160 West Liberty Street Reno, NV 89501  

Registration Required: Please register through the Nevada Museum of Art using the link below. OLLI members will also be asked to check in at the Museum’s front desk upon arrival.

Register here: https://bit.ly/OLLINMAHokusai

Let's explore genealogy research using online resources and using your OWN family tree. The facilitator will lead discussions, give examples, and help participants with their research. Please bring your own electronic devices to use for your research during the sessions.

This is a 4-part mini-series on Thursdays from 12-1:30 p.m. from May 28th through June 18th and each session builds on the one before it. Participants must register for Session 1 to take part in the series. The series will continue with four additional sessions in July.