Lectures and Mini-Series   

Registration is closed.

Have you tried sketching for fun? Do you have a set of colored pencils, markers or even crayons? Gather with friends and explore the joy of being creative in a friendly, open environment. Work on your own project or participate in guided projects. Learn new techniques and skills through instruction in class or from other group members. All artistic skill levels are welcome, and no formal art education is needed. Bring your pencils, pens, markers, a coloring book, drawing paper, and your ideas to be creative. 

REGISTRATION REQUIRED by Wednesday, October 15. Limit 25 members. To register, log in to your member account, then return to the program page to complete your registration. 

Registration is closed.

Whether you're a beginner or looking to refine your skills, in this hands-on workshop you'll explore fundamental techniques such as washes, glazing, wet-on-wet, and dry brush. Through guided exercises, shared ideas, and creative projects, you'll gain confidence in blending colors, creating textures, and correcting problems with watercolors. Bring your own art supplies. For a list of recommended supplies, please contact Robert Newbury (rnewbury@unr.edu).

REGISTRATION REQUIRED by Monday, November 3. Limit 30 members. To register, log in to your member account, then return to the program page to complete your registration. 

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

"The Other Struggles for Independence: Native People and the American Revolution"

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Join local historians David & Gayle Woodruff, as they take a humorous (and extensively researched) look at the history of some of our favorite holiday traditions, including the much maligned and seldom praised fruitcake. From visits with Santa Claus to the world’s tallest Christmas tree…come celebrate a few special recollections and anecdotes of Christmas Past.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Ice cores can be used to understand the environmental history of Earth, including past changes in natural processes and pollution. Ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica provide some of the most well-known records of environmental change, but ice cores from glaciers and other smaller ice features can also tell us about the climate history of a region. We will focus on exploring what can be learned from ice cores drilled into these more obscure ice features.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Robin Holabird, film reviewer, Nevada traveler, and author of a book about the state's movies will present My Blueberry Nights with Natalie Portman and singer Norah Jones visiting Ely and Las Vegas. Robin's book Elvis, Marilyn and the Space Aliens, published by the University of Nevada Press, features the movie in a chapter about road pictures filmed in the state. The screening includes a brief presentation about the making of the movie.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Enjoy exciting and informative sneak previews of the RCO's and Nevada Chamber Music Festival'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.

Join Patrick Turner, Chief Advancement Officer at The Discovery, for a first look at the exciting new partnership between the museum and OLLI. Patrick will share how the museum’s wide variety of science programs engage learners of all ages and interests. As part of this special program, attendees will also have the opportunity to explore Brick Masters Studio: Build with LEGO® Bricks Like a Pro, the museum’s current featured exhibition—perfect for sparking creativity and curiosity.

Location: The Discovery (Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum), 490 S. Center St, Reno, NV 89501

Come be part of this exciting first step in OLLI’s collaboration with The Discovery—where curiosity and lifelong learning come together!

Musicians Susan Mazer and Dallas Smith, performing on electro-acoustic harp and woodwinds, will perform compositions influenced by their recent travels to Sweden and India, as well as other world music inspirations.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

We will explore the basics of dentures, address common misconceptions, and discuss their limitations. We’ll highlight modern solutions such as overdentures and All-on-X systems, as well as the importance of oral hygiene and its impact on overall health. We will conclude with a look at current innovations and the future of dentistry.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Robin Holabird, film reviewer, world traveler, and author of a book about bucket list destinations seen on screen, will present The Way with Martin Sheen walking Spain's Camino de Santiago. Robin's book Around the World in 80 Movies features suggestions of movies and television shows that highlight the travel experience to great locations. The program includes a brief presentation about movies filmed on The Way.

Syllabus:

• Jan. 5: introduction, background of the Classical musical style, Symphony 1
• Jan. 12: Beethoven’s biography, Symphony 2
• Jan. 19: NO class (President’s Day)
• Jan. 26: instruments, performance practice, Symphony 3
• Feb. 2: program music, Symphony 4
• Feb. 9: innovations, Symphony 5

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

The landscape of public health is constantly changing. From infectious disease to environmental contaminants to newborn screening, your state public health laboratory is on the forefront of public health every day. We will review current trends in public health laboratory science and services, as well as new program development that will impact communities throughout Nevada.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Learn about the origins of Burning Man by watching a 30-minute video and then see Karin's amazing photos of Burning Man 2025 as well as her favorites from previous years.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

• Jan. 12: Beethoven’s biography, Symphony 2
• Jan. 19: NO class (President’s Day)
• Jan. 26: instruments, performance practice, Symphony 3
• Feb. 2: program music, Symphony 4
• Feb. 9: innovations, Symphony 5

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Presenter will join us via Zoom.

Kim Palchikoff is an award-winning freelance journalist who lived in Moscow, Russia for ten years from 1990-2000. She spent much of her free time with circus artists in Russia, traveled with them, wrote about them, and followed their journeys to Las Vegas, where many of them worked or retired from Cirque Du Soleil performances. Kim received a large grant from Nevada Humanities to conduct oral histories with performers in Las Vegas. In this class, OLLI members will be able to enjoy a special performance shared by a circus artist. Learn about the world of the circus, the changes that have happened over the years, and see videos of performances.

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!) NOTE: We will NOT repeat tangles taught in the earlier sessions!

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. Each session 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.

I. Black Pen on White Tile: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura black pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, and 1 Tortillon

• Wednesday, January 14th from 2-3:30 p.m. OR Friday, January 23rd from 2-3:30 p.m.

II. Brown Pen on Renaissance Tile: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura Pigma Micron brown pen, 1 Mini Graphite white pencil, and 1 Tortillon

•  Wednesday, February 4th from 2-3:30 p.m. OR Friday, February 20th from 2-3:30 p.m.

III. Black Ink on White Tile with Colored Pencils: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura Black pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon and a box of 12 colored pencils.

•  Wednesday, March 4th from 2-3:30 p.m. OR Friday, March 20th from 10-11:30 a.m.

Welcome to a whirlwind tour through Las Vegas history where the slot machines weren’t the only things exploding—thanks to atomic tourism and mushroom clouds that were once the hottest show in town. We will dive into the neon-soaked saga of Sin City’s strangest chapters, from tourists sipping cocktails while watching nuclear tests, to the Boulder Dam’s role as the original Vegas headliner (sorry, Elvis). Expect scandalous signage, desert oddities, and enough glittering weirdness to make a showgirl blush. History’s never been this flashy—or this irradiated.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

This presentation explores recent domestic violence trends in Washoe County, highlighting key research into community impacts. It will also introduce a new 100-bed domestic violence shelter currently under construction in our community. The shelter’s design is based on current best practices and trauma-informed design principles to ensure safety, healing, and empowerment for survivors.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Do you have a box of crayons or colored pencils stashed away for the kids or grandkids to enjoy? You too can have fun and enjoyment from coloring, whether from a coloring book or by creating an original painting. Join a group of friendly OLLI members to color and share ideas. Limited instruction will be included for anyone wishing to extend their understanding of color mixing and coloring techniques. All levels of artistic skill are welcome. 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 January 21 through February 25 at 2 pm, and each session builds on the one before it.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED by Wednesday, January 14—first come, first served until capacity is reached. Limit 25 members. To register, log in to your member account, then return to the program page to complete your registration.

Join us for a photographic history of the schools of the Reno and Sparks area. We begin with the early one-room schoolhouses, move to the lovely Ferris Spanish-style buildings, the advent of the junior high school, through to today’s sprawling modern schools.

Eddy House is a daytime drop-in center and overnight shelter for homeless, runaway, foster, and other at-risk youth. Transitional housing has also been added for our youth as well. Eddy House works with youth to develop life and job skills necessary for sustainable independence with the goal of ending youth homelessness in Northern Nevada. Come and learn about exciting updates that are happening at the Eddy House!

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!) NOTE: We will NOT repeat tangles taught in the earlier sessions!

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. Each session 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.

I. Black Pen on White Tile: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura black pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, and 1 Tortillon

• Friday, January 23rd from 2-3:30 p.m.

II. Brown Pen on Renaissance Tile: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura Pigma Micron brown pen, 1 Mini Graphite white pencil, and 1 Tortillon 

• Wednesday, February 4th from 2-3:30 p.m. OR Friday, February 20th from 2-3:30 p.m.

III. Black Ink on White Tile with Colored Pencils: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura Black pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon and a box of 12 colored pencils.

•   Wednesday, March 4th from 2-3:30 p.m. OR Friday, March 20th from 10-11:30 a.m.

• Jan. 26: instruments, performance practice, Symphony 3
• Feb. 2: program music, Symphony 4
• Feb. 9: innovations, Symphony 5

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Presenter will join us via Zoom.

We all know that our personal safety is of the utmost importance, but do we know how to be safe? In this presentation by a retired law enforcement officer, you will learn ways to diminish your chances of becoming a victim. From his years as an undercover agent and Crimes Against Persons investigator, you will learn firsthand about understanding crime, criminal behavior, and criminal motivation. Using this information, you will learn specific things to protect yourself, including when you are out in public, in a car as a driver or passenger, on public transportation, and in and around your home and neighborhood. The presenter will demonstrate useful things that you can use in emergencies. Questions are highly encouraged because...that's how we learn!

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.

You’re invited to the Spring OLLI Member Orientation! This event is open to all OLLI members, both new and returning. OLLI evolves every year, so come and learn about our history, organizational structure, resources, programs and activities. Discover how you can get involved to make OLLI even better. After the orientation, stay for a Mix & Mingle to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones. Light refreshments will be provided.

For questions please contact Lynne Gray, chair of the Membership Committee at 775-741-1272 or lynnegray1@gmail.com.

Event Details:

• Date: Friday, January 30
• Orientation: 10 am to 11 am (Hybrid)
• Mix & Mingle: 11 am to 12:30 pm (In-person)

 

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

• Feb. 2: program music, Symphony 4
• Feb. 9: innovations, Symphony 5

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Presenter will join us via Zoom.

Unlock the power of nutrition and take control of your health! Our specially designed program empowers you to manage chronic diseases through informed dietary choices. Join us for engaging, practical, and informative sessions where you'll learn:

• Wednesday, February 4: Fab-Fiber Diet
• Wednesday, February 11: Mod-Mediterranean Diet
• Wednesday, February 18: The Dependable DASH Diet
• Wednesday, February 25: Functional Foods
• Wednesday, March 4: Physical Activity
• Wednesday, March 11: Qualitative Feedback Session

These sessions will NOT be recorded.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

This program will NOT be recorded.

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!) NOTE: We will NOT repeat tangles taught in the earlier sessions!

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. Each session 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.

II. Brown Pen on Renaissance Tile: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura Pigma Micron brown pen, 1 Mini Graphite white pencil, and 1 Tortillon

• Wednesday, February 4th from 2-3:30 p.m. OR Friday, February 20th from 2-3:30 p.m.

III. Black Ink on White Tile with Colored Pencils: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura Black pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon and a box of 12 colored pencils.

• Wednesday, March 4th from 2-3:30 p.m. OR Friday, March 20th from 10-11:30 a.m.

Feb 5: Americana: artifacts, maps, narratives and more

Feb 12: Artistic endeavors: exhibitions, performances, critiques and more

Feb 19: Mind-expanders: explanations, tutorials, who-knew? and more

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 heart 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 just in time for Valentine’s Day that looks impressive on a bookshelf or mantel.

ALL supplies will be furnished by the instructors.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED by Monday, February 2nd. 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.

Feb. 9: innovations, Symphony 5

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Presenter will join us via Zoom.

Join us for the continuation of our monthly series, featuring graduate students and faculty from UNR’s History Department. This engaging series offers a unique opportunity to explore compelling historical topics and hear directly from those studying and shaping the future of historical research. Each session will take place on the 2nd Monday of the month, and topics and speakers will be highlighted in the OLLI Weekly the week prior.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Unlock the power of nutrition and take control of your health! Our specially designed program empowers you to manage chronic diseases through informed dietary choices. Join us for engaging, practical, and informative sessions where you'll learn:

• Wednesday, February 11: Mod-Mediterranean Diet
• Wednesday, February 18: The Dependable DASH Diet
• Wednesday, February 25: Functional Foods
• Wednesday, March 4: Physical Activity
• Wednesday, March 11: Qualitative Feedback Session

These sessions will NOT be recorded.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

This program will NOT be recorded.

Poetry & Piano's Sherry Lugone and Peter Supersano return for their third annual Valentine's Day program. There'll be poetry, music, and fun surprises, as in the past. They'll be joined by their friends Holly Siig on saxophone and flute, Joe McKenna, upright bass, and a TBD vocalist. Light refreshments will be served. So come alone or with your significant other for an afternoon celebration of romance.

Feb 12: Artistic endeavors: exhibitions, performances, critiques and more

Feb 19: Mind-expanders: explanations, tutorials, who-knew? and more

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Unlock the power of nutrition and take control of your health! Our specially designed program empowers you to manage chronic diseases through informed dietary choices. Join us for engaging, practical, and informative sessions where you'll learn:

• Wednesday, February 18: The Dependable DASH Diet
• Wednesday, February 25: Functional Foods
• Wednesday, March 4: Physical Activity
• Wednesday, March 11: Qualitative Feedback Session

These sessions will NOT be recorded.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

This program will NOT be recorded.

Feb 19: Mind-expanders: explanations, tutorials, who-knew? and more

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

You are invited to an engaging session where neuroscience graduate students from UNR will present their research. They are eager to share their latest findings and receive valuable feedback. The audience will evaluate the students after each three-minute thesis presentation, which includes one visual slide. You will be helping these students prepare for the UNR and then the national graduate student research presentation competition. Join us for this special event!

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!) NOTE: We will NOT repeat tangles taught in the earlier sessions!

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. Each session 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.

II. Brown Pen on Renaissance Tile: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura Pigma Micron brown pen, 1 Mini Graphite white pencil, and 1 Tortillon

• Friday, February 20th from 2-3:30 p.m.

III. Black Ink on White Tile with Colored Pencils: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura Black pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon and a box of 12 colored pencils.

• Wednesday, March 4th from 2-3:30 p.m. OR Friday, March 20th from 10-11:30 a.m.

Among the most oft-performed Shakespearean comedy, Twelfth Night was written in 1601 at the height of the playwright’s comic genius, just as he starts turning to the great tragedies that would define his career. The story of shipwrecked twins grieving each other’s loss, the play teases apart the strictures on the ways men and women are meant to behave in the face of grief, love, and desire. We will take a deep dive into this most meticulously crafted of Shakespeare’s comedies.

This is a 3-part series on the following Mondays: Feb. 23, Mar. 2, and Mar. 9

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Unlock the power of nutrition and take control of your health! Our specially designed program empowers you to manage chronic diseases through informed dietary choices. Join us for engaging, practical, and informative sessions where you'll learn:

• Wednesday, February 25: Functional Foods
• Wednesday, March 4: Physical Activity
• Wednesday, March 11: Qualitative Feedback Session

These sessions will NOT be recorded.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

This program will NOT be recorded.

When this immeasurably frustrated world traveler could not travel the world during covid, she discovered much of the US and her neighborhood, and still found great joy in those aggravating times. Come share in her delightful adventures closer to home.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Among the most oft-performed Shakespearean comedy, Twelfth Night was written in 1601 at the height of the playwright’s comic genius, just as he starts turning to the great tragedies that would define his career. The story of shipwrecked twins grieving each other’s loss, the play teases apart the strictures on the ways men and women are meant to behave in the face of grief, love, and desire. We will take a deep dive into this most meticulously crafted of Shakespeare’s comedies.

This is a 3-part series on the remaining Mondays: Mar. 2, and Mar. 9

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Hawai'i is one of the most recognizable location names in the world evoking images of hula girls in grass skirts, white sand beaches populated by bikini clad women, blue ocean, lush tropical vegetation and sunny blue skies. Is this the real Hawai'i? The presenter who was born, raised, and worked there will share his somewhat whimsical tidbit-filled tale of what makes Hawai'i, Hawai'i.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

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 sesason. Sustainable and ethical alternatives to Fast Fashion will be discussed. PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Please email Sherry at capsules101guru@gmail.com with the subject line Project 333 Registration.

Unlock the power of nutrition and take control of your health! Our specially designed program empowers you to manage chronic diseases through informed dietary choices. Join us for engaging, practical, and informative sessions where you'll learn:

• Wednesday, March 4: Physical Activity
• Wednesday, March 11: Qualitative Feedback Session

These sessions will NOT be recorded.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

This program will NOT be recorded.

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.

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!) NOTE: We will NOT repeat tangles taught in the earlier sessions!

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. Each session 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.

III. Black Ink on White Tile with Colored Pencils: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura Black pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon and a box of 12 colored pencils.

• Wednesday, March 4th from 2-3:30 p.m. OR Friday, March 20th from 10-11:30 a.m.

Using extensive research, extremely rare images and personal accounts, we take a reflective look how a Fortune 500 company, whose business was mining, processing and marketing laundry soap, came to build a luxury hotel rivaling the finest of Europe in a location with perhaps the least marketable name (Death Valley) imaginable. From Twenty Mule Teams to the Gates of Hell…the amusing and entertaining history of tourism in Death Valley is revealed as never before.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

The Rock Creek Fire of 1939 is a little-known tragedy that took the lives of 5 young Civilian Conservation Corps firefighters in northern Nevada. Two of the fallen firefighters tried heroically, but unsuccessfully, to save two of their fellow firefighters. The fire ranks as the worst firefighter fatality in Nevada history. The young men, most fresh off the streets of New York City, had received minimal training in firefighting and for many this was their first fire experience. A coroner’s inquest and multiple agency investigations blamed a freak change in the wind, however, the U.S. Army which oversaw the CCC program, placed the blame on the fire crew boss and the approach taken in attacking the fire. While the Rock Creek Fire spawned the adoption of new training and safety requirements for CCC firefighters, the tragedy faded from public memory as the CCC was soon abolished and the country’s attention turned to WWII. New research reveals much about the men who perished, the factors that contributed to the tragedy, and the lessons learned from the Rock Creek Fire.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

In 1861, when Italy began its process of political unification, the Italian politician Massimo d ’Azeglio said: “we’ve made Italy, now we have to make Italians”. Italy is of course ancient but its path to a modern political state was fraught with conflicts—local, regional, political, and linguistic—that still reverberate. We will focus on the Italian Risorgimento (the renewal), a diverse movement responsible for Italian statehood but less successful in creating a unified Italian identity and essential for understanding the rise of Mussolini and fascism.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

William Clark was co-leader of the famous Corps of Discovery which explored the Louisiana Purchase. Clark offers a million stories of his trip with Lewis into America’s western wilderness in 1803. He offers insights into the hardships the Corps overcame, the luck and skill they displayed, the danger they surmounted, and the hopes that drove all of them to work so hard for their new nation. Clark also discusses his many years of government service after the expedition as Louisiana’s territorial governor in a changing America as well as his experiences as the most important Indian agent in American history.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

The Great Basin (Spanish: Gran Cuenca) is the largest area of contiguous endorheic watersheds, those with no outlets to the ocean, in North America. It spans nearly all of Nevada, much of Utah, and portions of California, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, and Baja California. It is noted for both its arid climate and the basin and range topography that varies from the North American low point at Badwater Basin in Death Valley to the highest point of the contiguous United States, less than 100 miles (160 km) away at the summit of Mount Whitney. The region spans several physiographic divisions, biomes, ecoregions, and deserts.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Among the most oft-performed Shakespearean comedy, Twelfth Night was written in 1601 at the height of the playwright’s comic genius, just as he starts turning to the great tragedies that would define his career. The story of shipwrecked twins grieving each other’s loss, the play teases apart the strictures on the ways men and women are meant to behave in the face of grief, love, and desire. We will take a deep dive into this most meticulously crafted of Shakespeare’s comedies.

This is a 3-part series with the final Monday on Mar. 9

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Join us for the continuation of our monthly series, featuring graduate students and faculty from UNR’s History Department. This engaging series offers a unique opportunity to explore compelling historical topics and hear directly from those studying and shaping the future of historical research. Each session will take place on the 2nd Monday of the month, and topics and speakers will be highlighted in the OLLI Weekly the week prior.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

We hope you have enjoyed this empowering series and gained valuable insights into how nutrition and lifestyle can positively impact your health! Throughout these sessions, we’ve explored practical tools to help manage chronic conditions and make more informed dietary choices. To wrap up, join us for a final session on Wednesday, March 11th to share your feedback, reflect on your experience, and help us improve future wellness programs.

• Wednesday, March 11: Qualitative Feedback Session

This session will NOT be recorded.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

This program will NOT be recorded.

Plastics are everywhere, and when birds encounter them, whether on land or in water, it can have serious consequences. Join Alan Gubanich, long-time member of the Lahontan Audubon Society, as he describes many of the situations that lead to injury and even death to not only birds but also other animals. From oceans to landfills to simply trash on the ground, dangers for birds are everywhere. And now microplastics and nano plastics threaten not only birds but we humans as well. After discussing the dangers, we will end with suggestions for plastic-free living that can benefit all of us.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

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

• March 11: Robin will present Waking Up in Reno with Charlize Theron, Patrick Swayze, Billy Bob Thornton, and Natasha Richardson traveling to Nevada. Her book Elvis, Marilyn, and the Space Aliens features the movie in a chapter about road pictures filmed in the state. Robin helped the movie makers in her capacity as film commissioner, and the screening includes a brief presentation about the process.
• 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.

Empower yourself with life-saving knowledge based on the Know Your Lemons Foundation curriculum. Learn how to spot the 12 signs of breast cancer, perform self-exams with confidence, understand screening guidelines, and reduce your risk. This class uses visuals, humor, and real-life tips to make breast health education clear, approachable, and memorable for everyone. Open to both men and women.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Dr Cari Croghan, Emergency Medicine physician for over 25 years, will discusses many of the usual maladies that are seen in acute care and how they might be treated. Your medical options can be confusing under the best of circumstances; the stress and worry of emergency conditions make those decisions even more difficult. Dr. Croghan will help you prepare for the unexpected ahead of time! She will talk about which complaints are appropriate for the Emergency Department, for a free-standing Emergency Department, for Urgent Care, or for your specialist or primary care provider, and help you make more informed decisions when the unexpected pops up.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

Based on Ken Follett’s acclaimed novel, Eye of the Needle (1981) is a riveting World War II espionage thriller that follows a German spy hiding in England who uncovers the Allies’ most critical secret — and will stop at nothing to deliver it to the Nazis.

Presented by OLLI’s Espionage Interest Group, which explores classic and contemporary spy novels while discovering new authors, plot twists, and perspectives. Everyone is welcome to attend and join in the discussion. For more information about the group and upcoming meetings, visit ollirenoebgebg.blogspot.com.

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.

The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a disaster preparedness and response training program. Find out what CERT training can provide to the community and individual in times of emergency.

Discover the beauty of Nevada’s public lands and the current challenges they are facing.

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!) NOTE: We will NOT repeat tangles taught in the earlier sessions!

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. Each session 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.

III. Black Ink on White Tile with Colored Pencils: Included in a drawstring bag there will be 3 white tiles, 1 Sakura Black pen, 1 Mini Graphite pencil, 1 Tortillon and a box of 12 colored pencils.

• Friday, March 20th from 10-11:30 a.m.

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.

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.

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. Also, included will be 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.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

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 Lt. Gov. 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.

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.

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. Also, included will be 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.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

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.

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.

Join us for the continuation of our monthly series, featuring graduate students and faculty from UNR’s History Department. This engaging series offers a unique opportunity to explore compelling historical topics and hear directly from those studying and shaping the future of historical research. Each session will take place on the 2nd Monday of the month, and topics and speakers will be highlighted in the OLLI Weekly the week prior.

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.

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. Also, included will be 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.

Look for the ZOOM link in the OLLI Weekly.

THIS CLASS IS IN SESSION. 

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.

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.

Thursdays, April 16th and May 28th and Friday May 1st at 2:00-4:00p.m. -- 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.

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 CLASS IS IN SESSION. 

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.

THIS CLASS IS IN SESSION. 

Professor Lokken will continue his discussion of current political issues.

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.

Thursdays, April 16th and May 28th and Friday May 1st at 2:00-4:00p.m. -- 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.

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.

Join us for the continuation of our monthly series, featuring graduate students and faculty from UNR’s History Department. This engaging series offers a unique opportunity to explore compelling historical topics and hear directly from those studying and shaping the future of historical research. Each session will take place on the 2nd Monday of the month, and topics and speakers will be highlighted in the OLLI Weekly the week prior.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Thursdays, April 16th and May 28th and Friday May 1st at 2:00-4:00p.m. -- 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.

Join us for the continuation of our monthly series, featuring graduate students and faculty from UNR’s History Department. This engaging series offers a unique opportunity to explore compelling historical topics and hear directly from those studying and shaping the future of historical research. Each session will take place on the 2nd Monday of the month, and topics and speakers will be highlighted in the OLLI Weekly the week prior.

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.