The American Identity, Part 1 — What Defines an American?
What defines an American? Is it the love of liberty, the pursuit of justice, the urge to invent, the desire for wealth, the drive to explore, the quest for spiritual values? This course investigates the national character by introducing you to notable Americans from all eras of the nation’s history, whose lives speak eloquently about the qualities that make one truly American.
You will learn about the famous (like Thomas Jefferson), the infamous (like Al Capone), and the relatively unknown (like Emma Goldman). Each person covered in this course manifests certain characteristics that are quintessentially part of the American identity, or reveal some underlying aspect of the American identity. This is a canned series of 48 lectures by a noted university professor on DVD, complete with hundreds of images.
We are presenting the entire course in four parts over two terms. We present Part 1 at the beginning of the Winter/Spring term. Part 2, near the end of the term, considers influential Americans of the earliest 19th Century: Charles Grandison Finney (the revivalist), Horace Mann.
Faculty: James Ragan has led many Osher courses, including two in this lecture on DVD format.
OSHR 2213-1
Course times: Mon., Feb. 25, Mar. 3, 10, 17, 24, Apr. 7,
10:00 am – Noon (No class on Mar. 31).
Maximum Class Size: 50
6 Meetings
Location: SLO vets hall lounge
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The County Grand Jury: Citizen Watchdog of Local Government
California is one of the few states that have long empowered county grand juries with a civil watchdog function: following up on citizen complaints and initiating their own investigations of county and other local government agencies. The purpose of these investigations and their resultant recommendations is to improve government efficiency and effectiveness. No other organization in the county has such a broad mandate. County citizens apply to serve on grand juries for a year. The San Luis Obispo County Grand Jury has 19 members.
This course is intended to teach the purposes and roles of the Grand Jury, how it has helped to improve government, how it actually operates, and how course members can apply to become grand jury members. This is a repeat of the course first presented in March 2004.
Faculty: James Ragan has led many Osher courses, including two in this lecture on DVD format.
OSHR 1029
Mon., Feb. 25, Mar. 3 & 10, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Maximum Class Size: 40
3 Meetings
Location: TBD (Confirm class location 10 days prior by Web or phone (805) 756-7635)
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Two Medieval Treasures: Mont Saint-Michel and Chartres
France abounds in medieval architectural marvels, but two of them, the 8th-Century Abbey of Mont-St-Michel and the 12th-Century cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Chartres stand out above all others. From early Biblical times the Archangel Michael was the warrior who defeated Satan and in medieval times was considered the protector of the faithful. It was traditional to build churches dedicated to Michael at the highest point of land, and in 708 AD an abbey was constructed in his honor at the very peak of the Island of Mt. Tombe off the coast of Normandy.
There have been five known churches, dating from the 4th Century, on the present site of the Cathedral of Blessed Virgin of Chartres. The Gothic masterpiece that we see today was built between 1194 and 1230, following a fire which gutted the Romanesque Church that preceded it.
Chartres Cathedral was one the most revolutionary structures of its time, embodying many of the elements that we now regard as classical Gothic. In addition, it is one of the rare churches that has nearly all its magnificent 13th-Century glass and sculpture intact.
Faculty: John Frey was born in Chicago IL 1930. He studied chemistry for 8 years, has a B.S. from Northwestern Univ., M.S. from U. of Illinois and a Ph.D. from U. of Chicago. He taught chemistry for 40 years at Bowdoin College, Illinois Tech, Western Michigan U. and Northern Michigan U. John has been married for 50 years, with four children and six grandchildren. Interests include, choral singing and opera, aerobic sports, family history and travel. Membership in the Rotary Club of SLO and Board of Directors of the Pacific Repertory Opera.
OSHR 2216
Tues., Feb. 26, 10:00 am - Noon
Maximum Class Size: 25
1 Meeting
Location: SLO Library Conference Room
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An Armchair Tour of Point San Luis Lighthouse
Point San Luis LighthouseSince not everyone can hike to the Point San Luis Lighthouse, we’ve arranged for a wonderful virtual trip through time and distance to the lighthouse near Port San Luis, once the busiest port of its type in the world. During this three-hour class we’ll learn of the exciting past, and the vision of the future for this unusual landmark. Hear about whalers, ships, the building of the lighthouse, its unique features, and see the process of restoration.
Note: Bring snacks if you like, and your questions, and sit back to see wonderful pictures of what was right around the point from Avila.
Faculty: Denny Johansen has been collecting stories and photos of the Point San Luis Lighthouse for decades. An engaging speaker and a delightful photographer (proprietor of Jim’s Campus Camera), he is the one to best illuminate the Lighthouse from afar. Denny has trained many of the trail docents for the hike to the Lighthouse (nearly 300 OLLI participants have made this hike during the 3+ years of OLLI’s existence).
OSHR 2232
Tues., Feb. 19, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Maximum Class Size: 90
1 Meeting
Location: PG&E Community Center
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OLLI Speakers Forum
This monthly brown bag luncheon is open to all OLLI members. The speakers’ forum will feature a local, knowledgeable individuals on a variety of topics, from current events to new developments in science, arts, politics. No need to register for this event; it is open to all, and you can bring a friend.
Note: Bring a brown bag lunch.
Faculty: Florence Jones has facilitated nine previous Great Decisions classes for Osher. She is a retired attorney with a deep interest in foreign policy.
OSHR 2245
Wed., Feb. 27, Mar. 19, Apr. 23, May 21, June 18, Noon
Maximum Class Size: 55
5 Meetings
Location: Avila Beach Community Center,
191 San Miguel St., Avila Beach
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All About OLLI
Come and find out more about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at this gathering, held during the first week of classes. Please join me -- half the fun is meeting people and becoming a part of the OLLI community. OLLI is a cooperative venture, relying on the contributions and participation, both in class and out, of each member.
You will learn how it operates and what keeps OLLI going. This class will cover a wide range of topics such as: the history of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Cal Poly State University, membership, how registration works, class locations and social opportunities. There will be time for questions and answers.
This is a welcome session for new OLLI members, and a time and place to ask questions for returning members.
Faculty: Vivian Stevens is the Cal Poly Coordinator for the OLLI Program.
OSHR 2134
Thurs., Feb. 14, 10:30 am - Noon
Maximum Class Size: 30
1 Meeting
Location: Ludwick Community Center Room A
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Effective Advocacy
Become an Effective Advocate Concerned about a cause or issue? Learn how to effectively advocate to your elected and appointed public officials.
Session One will focus on fundamental rules and strategies for contacting, meeting, and lobbying legislators. Session Two will overview educating the public around your concern, reaching the media and building coalitions with allies.
There will be opportunities for a few participants to brainstorm around their specific issue. Be prepared to define the problem concretely, articulate possible remedies or changes, and recognize local stakeholders.
Faculty: Anneka Scranton, A.B. from Harvard College in History, M.S.W. from Boston College, Ph.D. from U.S.C. Graduate School of Public Administration. Taught social welfare policy, including history course, for over a dozen years at the Graduate School of Social Work at U.S.C.
OSHR 2260
Wed., Feb. 20 & 27, 1:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Maximum Class Size: 25
2 Meetings
Location: SLO Adult School
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The ElderQuest: Life’s Third and Most Important Journey
The evening of our lives is the time for the elder’s quest with its distinct set of trials and triumphs that are met by using different tactics and abilities than early adulthood.
The archetype of the elder, which has been called the Wise Old Man and Sage for men and the Wise Woman or Crone for women, will guide our exploration through selected folklore, poetry, fiction and film. In these two sessions, we’ll look at how the elder’s inner and outer journeys discover new treasures: wisdom from knowledge, perspective from pain, passion from purpose, and finally, contentment.
Faculty: Berta Parrish is a college educator with a strong background in Jungian and Archetypal Psychology. In addition to teaching and writing, she conducts Practical Jung, Dream Questing, Initiation to Elderhood and Elder Tales workshops. Berta is a full-time instructor at Cuesta College and is the author of Wise Woman’s Way: A Guide to Growing Older with Purpose and Passion.
OSHR 2243
Thurs., Feb. 21 & 28, 10:00 am - Noon
Maximum Class Size: 20
2 Meetings
Location: Congregation Beth David, SLO
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Intertidal Zonation
Most people visiting the rocky shores notice various sea stars, snails, hermit crabs, sea anemones and other common forms of intertidal life. However, few know the organisms well enough to identify the characteristic animals in each area or zone.
Participants will identify characteristic organisms and see flora and fauna they most likely never noticed. A few examples of the many animals we will see would be Sea Pork, Chaffey Limpets found only on surf grass, Purple Encrusting Sponge, Slipper Shells, Porcelain Crabs, Peanut Worms, Giant Green Anemones, Hydroids, Sea Lemons, Kelp Crabs, Various Tunicates, and my favorite, Pycnopodia helianthoides.
Notes: This is a two-part class, the first part lecture, the second part is the outing. Nothing will be collected, so that others can enjoy what we see on future hikes. Even though the distance traveled is not great, this may be one of the most strenuous activities because of the potential of slipping on rocks covered with algae. You may have to also support your weight with your hands when moving from rock to rock. It would be wise to have experience with and be conditioned for strenuous activities.
Faculty: Jerry Kirkhart has taught zoology for 41 years (25 in high school, and 17 in college) and has been exploring the Central Coast for that period of time. His qualifications include a master’s degree in biology from Humboldt State, stressing Marine Biology and related courses.
OSHR 2234
Fri., Feb. 15, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm & Mon., Feb. 18, Noon
Maximum Class Size: 40
2 Meetings
Location: Feb. 15, Morro Bay Community Center, Senior Center for Lecture.
Location: Feb. 18, Meeting site will be at decided at the Feb. 15 meeting.
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Jeff & Gail’s Excellent Restaurant Adventure
This is an opportunity for all members to join OLLI foodies Jeff Green and Gail Hill as they host a series of gastronomic adventures at some of the best of our North County restaurants. We will be visiting three of the finest Paso Robles restaurants: Bistro Laurent, The Artisan Restaurant and the Villa Creek Restaurant.
At each restaurant we’ll first listen to a lecture from the chef and be able to ask questions. You might hear about the history of some restaurants, listen as these renowned chefs share their stories, find out how they track produce from the local grower to your table, or explore the relationships between exceptional food and great wine.
We may learn some tips from the chef about the special meal prepared just for us. Finally, we’ll sample some of the best that each restaurant has to offer. Each session will be a culinary/scientific/historical adventure.
Additional Fee: $38 Dinner Fee. No refunds — no exceptions.
Faculty: Jeff Green does all the cooking in the family. Gail Hill enjoys fine cuisine.
Bistro Laurent
Chef Laurent Grangien will speak about French cuisine — what it is and what it stands for. He will also speak a bit about himself and the history of the restaurant. He will be doing something special with beef: braising it and serving it with a red wine sauce. That course will be preceded by classic mushroom soup and followed by a warm raspberry cloufutis.
OSHR 2224-1
Tues. Feb. 19, 12:30 - 3:00 pm
Maximum Class Size: 38
Location: Bistro Laurent, 1202 Pine St., Paso Robles
Additional Fee: $38 Dinner Fee
Point Buchon Walk
A pristine two-mile section of the Central Coast, which was previously closed to the public, was opened again as the Point Buchon Trail. This protected area is rich in beauty, wildlife and history. The Steelhead Passage Enhancement Project can be viewed from the bridge over Coon Creek. At the mouth of Coon Creek, we will explore a sea cave and talk about the geology of the area. A recently formed 100 foot diameter sink hole can be safely viewed from the trail.
During the hike we will view a sea otter habitat from the bluff. This is also a great area to view local and migrating birds. Springtime should bring an abundant display of local flora and chaparral on the bluff. We may view the migrating Humpback Whales as late as March. Local history will be discussed, for example early Japanese farming to present day farming.
Point Buchon is considered an easy two-mile hike. We will be walking up a small hill in the beginning of the hike and on sand at the mouth of Coon Creek. Bring a hat and dress in layers, the weather can change frequently on the bluff. Bring binoculars to better view the wildlife and a camera to preserve the experience. Also bring a lunch or snack and plenty of water for a four-hour hike. Bathrooms are available at the trailhead and Coon Creek parking lot.
A PG&E waiver form is required at the beginning of the hike, Docents will have the forms. You will encounter poison oak and ticks on the trail. Although rare, rattlesnakes may be encountered.
Faculty: Randy Bello is a trained interpretive docent with California State Parks and the Natural History Association in Morro Bay, Pacific Gas and Electric Company Pecho Coast and Buchon Trails Docent, and Cal Poly OLLI program leader.
Barton Dennen is an Osher volunteer and long time area resident. He has completed the PG&E docent training for this hike and has walked the trail numerous times, studying the natural and historical features of the area.
Paul O’Connor, former Cal Fire Captain, is an experienced outdoorsman, Pecho Coast Trail Docent, Buchon Point Trail Docent, San Luis Lighthouse Keeper/Docent, and OLLI leader of local area hikes.
OSHR 2218-1
Fri., Feb. 29, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Maximum Class Size: 20
1 Meeting
OSHR 2218-2
Fri., Mar. 21, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Maximum Class Size: 20
1 Meeting
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