:: Courses beginning in March ::

The Life and Literary Works of John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck was a native of the Central Coast and is one of the most widely read of all American novelists. His works have greatly influenced our society and resulted in many awards, including the Nobel Prize. However, they were also the source of much social and literary criticism. His recent nomination for the California Hall of Fame cited him for works that “transcended the boundaries of his field to make lasting contributions to the state, nation, and world and that his extraordinary vision motivated and inspired people to further their own dreams.”

This course will present various aspects of his life and literary works by means of two two-hour lecture/discussion periods. Participants in this class will enjoy course #2212, which is a bus trip to Salinas for a tour of the Steinbeck Center, and lunch and a tour at the Steinbeck House.

Faculty: Alex Beattie is a retired community college teacher living in Morro Bay. He loves to organize things and has had a long time interest in John Steinbeck — the man and the writer.

OSHR 2211
Tues., Mar. 18 & 25, 9:30 - 11:30 am
Maximum Class Size: 40
2 Meetings
Location: Morro Bay Community Center
Book: Recommended — Participants will be expected to read Tortilla Flat.

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Shakespeare's Sonnets Come Alive

Shakespeare’s sonnets are quite frequently neglected by scholars and critics, inaccurately deemed to be of less value when compared to the plays. Through close textual analysis and freewheeling, open discussions, we shall discover that they are, in fact, at least as fascinating as the stage works, and that each sonnet is itself conceived, structured and fashioned by Shakespeare as a mini-play. Don’t forget that Shakespeare never referred to himself as a “playwright,” but always as a “poet.”

We will focus on the following 25 sonnets: 1, 2, 3, 5, 12, 15, 18, 29, 33, 55, 60, 73, 116, 127, 128, 129, 130, 135, 136, 138, 144, 147, 151, 153, 154.

Our last meeting on March 15 will be very special. Directly after class, we will have a pizza social, which will be immediately followed by a showing of the magnificent 1998 film, Shakespeare in Love.

Prerequisites: An unquenchable keenness to learn and the ineffable willingness to be surprised at how easy it is to understand all of the the Bard’s work in great depth!

Faculty:  Peter Raleigh, Ph.D is a prominent educator with a background and teaching experience not only in Shakespearean drama, but in Film Studies and in both English and German literature. He has taught at colleges and universities in England, Germany, and at Wisconsin (Milwaukee), UC Santa Barbara, UC Davis Extension, and University of the Pacific. Dr. Raleigh is a published author on both Shakespeare and Film Studies and founded The Shakespeare Academy in1999 with a grant from the State of California.

OSHR 2131
Sat. Mar. 1, 8, 15, 10:00 am - 1:30 pm
Maximum Class Size: 45
3 Meetings
Location: Cal Poly Campus, TBA

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Digital Photography Is a Snap

If you are interested in learning how to avoid many of the common picture taking mistakes, this course is for you. Find out how to improve the visual impact of your photos by avoiding cluttered backgrounds, keeping your subject in sharp focus, the “rule of thirds,” when to use a flash in daylight and framing techniques.

You are guaranteed to leave a more skilled photographer. This course is a natural follow up course to Garry Johnson’s “Beginning Digital Camera.”

Faculty: Jon Lomax is the current President of San Luis Obispo Camera Club. He holds a M.A. from USC and a Lifetime Teaching Credential.

OSHR 2248
Thurs., Mar. 27, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Maximum Class Size: 20
1 Meeting
Location: Kennedy Library, Rm. 202

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Self Hypnosis

Although we may not realize it, we all carry around within us the necessary resources for personal evolution and success. Self-hypnosis can be a very effective tool for utilizing those resources to make changes in our lives. In this course you will learn how to use self-hypnosis to make specific changes in areas of life, such as stopping smoking, managing stress, increasing concentration, improving your sleeping and achieving goals such as weight loss.

Self-hypnosis is a perfectly safe, pleasant, non-toxic and often more effective alternative to tranquilizers or painkillers. Self-hypnosis allows you to rejuvenate your body and mind, leading to a greater sense of well being.

Faculty: Jerry Sanger is a certified clinical hypnotherapist who lives in the South County. He has led OLLI courses in the past.

OSHR 1165
Thurs., Mar. 6 & 13, 10:00 am- Noon
Maximum Class Size: 35
2 Meetings
Location: Oceano Community Center

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Helping your Friends and Neighbors with Depression

Over 40% of senior spousal caregivers and many seniors experiencing loss develop serious depression which usually is not identified and therefore help is not provided.

This course teaches students how to identify depression and how to help friends and neighbors deal with depression. This is a great opportunity to learn how to help those around you and keep seniors active and involved in our society.

Faculty: Dr. Charles R. “Chuck” Carlson was the first in the U.S. to write a doctoral dissertation about whether senior adults could learn and, if so, whether they would benefit from association with colleges and universities. He has taught gerontology-related courses for Bakersfield College, UC Santa Barbara Extension and CSU Bakersfield. He served as the President of the Center for Living and Learning (CLL) at CSU Bakersfield from 1996 to 2006 and founded the Kern Senior Collaborative, serving as its Executive from 2000 to 2006.

OSHR 2242
Thurs., Mar. 20, 10:00 am - Noon
Maximum Class Size: 50
1 Meeting
Location: PG&E Community Center

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Sex After Sixty: Changing Body, Changing Mind

Surprising new discoveries in the field of psychobiology have many ramifications in the midlife. How does the body become different after 60, and how does that affect the mind?

This is a new class exploring the effects of changing levels of oxytocin and testosterone in the maturing body. Participants will find fresh insights about what’s been happening to their body and how best to respond to the changes. Find new ways of approaching twitching legs, hot flashes, sleeplessness and other age-related challenges.

Faculty: Linnea Duvall is always challenging and seldom predictable. Her classes are a mix of drama, common sense and a good bit of original thinking. Her broad experience (actress, magazine editor, businesswoman and counselor) means there is seldom a life issue she hasn’t dealt with herself. She brings a lot of fun to difficult subjects.

Karin Leonard is a gatherer of people for the delight of getting together. She was a teacher, an exchange student counselor, a businesswoman, is a community mediator and a massage therapist. She thrives on the synergy of groups of people working together toward a common goal

Samantha McTigue has been involved in holistic healing since the1970s. She is a certified holistic health practitioner, nutritionist, master herbalist, massage therapist and aromatherapist. She has lectured on natural healing for over 15 years in Southern California, and joined OLLI in 2006.

OSHR 2238
Fri., Mar. 28 & Apr. 4, 1:30 - 4:00 pm
Maximum Class Size: 30
2 Meetings
Location: Cal Poly Campus, Kennedy Library, Rm. 202

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Exploring the Crossroads of Midlife and Beyond

Traditionally, crossroads have been places of deep significance, of opportunity and danger. Midlife brings us to such a crossroads, the invitation or temptation to change the course of our lives. Perhaps you are in the midst of it, wondering which way to go? Maybe your life has taken such an abrupt turn that you are asking yourself, what just happened? Or you know someone who suddenly, it seems, cannot discern a basic anatomical part from that nearby hole in the ground. 

Midlife is critical for determining whether we acquire the strengths and qualities that promote vitality, openness and expansion during the second half of life. What are the tasks that need to be accomplished and how do we negotiate them? Based on the choices made in Midlife, how can we redefine Elderhood and Old Age? Classic and contemporary ideas from psychology will be the springboard for exploring these questions. Bring an open mind and your life experiences.

Faculty: Cynthia Caldeira has recently emerged from a dark wood. She has wrestled with the gods of the crossroads and has a clearer idea of her path. She now has a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute. She has a B.A. in Psychology from UC Irvine and a Law Degree from UC Berkeley. She is a registered mental health intern working at San Luis County Drug and Alcohol Services aiding people recovering from drug and alcohol abuse. She has a private practice in hypnotherapy in San Luis Obispo and Arroyo Grande.

OSHR 2239
Fri., Mar. 7 & 14, 10:00 am - Noon
Maximum Class Size: 40
2 Meetings
Location: San Luis Obispo Adult School

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Getting Started with Microsoft Excel Spreadsheets

Do you have Microsoft Office Excel on your computer, have used it, but want to learn more? Then this is the course for you! You’ve heard that it is a powerful tool to create and format spreadsheets, and to analyze and share information. This course will improve your user knowledge of Microsoft Excel and develop the basic spreadsheet skills that you have already acquired.

You will use real world examples to show how spreadsheets can be applied on a daily basis to manage personal information. The course will include an integrated lecture with hands-on computer lab instruction.
Prerequisites: Some knowledge of basic word processing, computing and spreadsheets; familiarity with Microsoft Excel; and an understanding of the Internet.

Faculty: Ron Workman is a financial consultant and retirement planning consultant.  He has previously taught Introduction to Microsoft Excel and Intermediate Microsoft Excel courses through OSHER. Prior to entering the financial industry, he had many years of experience working with and developing software products. He has been an author and a guest lecturer at several international computer industry conferences. He has held executive management positions in marketing and selling infrastructure software, operating systems, development tools and other runtime software IP products and services.  Ron is a 1977 graduate of Cal Poly.

OSHR 2122
Tues., Mar. 11, 18, 25, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Maximum Class Size: 22
3 Meetings
Location: KCBX computer lab, SLO
$10 class fee

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Exploring Your Financial Future

Are you retired, or soon will be contemplating retirement?  Some of us will live more years in retirement than we did working, and a lot of things can happen over the next 10-30 years that may have a significant impact on your financial future. 

If you’re not retired, how much will you need to save before you can retire on your own terms?  If you are already retired, how much can you spend each year from your retirement nest egg? Will Social Security be enough to address your cost-of-living needs?  Should you start taking Social Security at age 62 or wait and receive more each year when you are older?  What are IRAs? At what age should you start saving?   These questions and many more will be addressed during this 90 minute lecture with additional time for discussion. 

Faculty: Ron Workman is a financial consultant and retirement planning consultant. He has previously taught Introduction to Microsoft Excel and Intermediate Microsoft Excel courses through OSHER. Prior to entering the financial industry, he has had many years of experience working with and developing software products. He has been an author and a guest lecturer at several international computer industry conferences. He has held executive management positions in marketing and selling infrastructure software, operating systems, development tools and other runtime software IP products and services. He is a 1977 graduate of Cal Poly.

OSHR 2244
Sat. Mar. 1, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Maximum Class Size: 45
1 Meeting
Location: TBD 
(Confirm class location 10 days prior by Web
or phone (805) 756-7635)

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Seminar on Digital Photography

Join avid photographer Garry Johnson in this non-technical digital  photography workshop suitable for the beginner. He will describe the different types of digital cameras, how to buy one, their advantages, and techniques for use. The workshop includes a short field trip with opportunities to practice photographing techniques.

It is mandatory that you bring a digital camera and your camera manual to the workshop.

Faculty: Garry Johnson, an award winning photographer and OLLI digital photography teacher, takes pictures.

OSHR 1186
Wed., Mar. 5 & 12, 1:00 - 4:00 pm
Maximum Class Size: 20
2 Meetings
Location: Morro Bay Community Center

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Montana De Oro Bluff Walk

Hike the Bluff Trail at Montana de Oro State Park with experienced docent interpreters. A panoramic, rugged shoreline, rocky inlets and Coastal Scrub, provide a seasonally changing experience of diverse plant and animal life in addition to dramatic and dynamic geology.

Observe numerous bird and plant species along with land and marine animals. Human history includes the Chumash, early ranching in the “Pecho,” the search for black gold and the development of a unique State Park. This is a moderate round-trip walk of approximately four miles on mostly level ground, with a stop for lunch and beach exploration at Corallina Cove.

Notes: Bring a lunch and water. Layered clothing and sturdy shoes are advised.

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.

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 2219-1
Thurs. Mar. 4, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Maximum Class Size: 20
1 Meeting

OSHR 2219-2
Thurs., May 15, 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Maximum Class Size: 20
1 Meeting
Location: Travel west through the community of Los Osos and meet at the Montana de Oro state Park Vistor Center/ Spooner Ranch House on Pecho Road.

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Reservoir Canyon Hike

In the late 1800s a private water company purchased the land in Reservoir Canyon and built several diversion structures along the creek to carry water to a holding reservoir (remnants of the old water collection system still exist). The system operated until about the 1950s, when the City of San Luis Obispo gained access to a larger and more reliable water supply.

The city never sold the Reservoir Canyon property and eventually designated it as a City open space. The canyon has retained its beauty and integrity largely because it was an important watershed for the community.
We will hike through Reservoir Canyon. On the first mile and a half of the hike you will follow a creek at the rocky canyon bottom. On the trail you will experience an interesting mix of the riparian, chaparral and oak woodland habitats of San Luis Obispo County. Along the creek are cascades, small waterfalls and pools.  If you want to, on the next part of the hike, the last half mile, you’ll walk across the creek to climb a steep hill through brush and broken rock, and then continue up an open hillside with rugged serpentine outcroppings and panoramic views of rolling hills. If you want to return after the first part of the hike, you will be led back.

The second part of this hike is one of our most strenuous. You should have experience with and be conditioned for strenuous hiking conditions. You need to be able to walk approximately four miles (round trip) on a rocky trail with an elevation gain of 500 feet. In places the trail is narrow and winds across steep hillsides and through loose rock. Hikers should wear sturdy shoes suitable for steep trails and loose rocks. We strongly recommend that you wear hiking boots. Wear a hat and layered clothing. Bring plenty of water and a lunch or snacks. You may want to bring a camera, binoculars and/or a plant guide. Expect to encounter poison oak and ticks. There are no bathroom facilities.

Faculty:  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 2175-1
Wed., Mar. 19, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Maximum Class Size: 15
1 Meeting

OSHR 2175-2
May 1, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Maximum Class Size: 15
1 Meeting

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Point San Luis Lighthouse Hike

Walking the Pecho Coast Trail to the Point San Luis Lighthouse offers a unique opportunity to access private lands along one of the wildest and most spectacular stretches of the California coast. Join us for a moderately strenuous four-mile, round-trip hike on uneven terrain (elevation: 440 ft.) to the lighthouse.

This is one of the most important historical sites in San Luis Obispo County. This hike features beautiful coastline views, a tour of the unique Victorian lighthouse, snack on the lighthouse grounds, and a walk back to the port. There will be several stops for discussion of geology, plant and wildlife, history, views and other features.

Notes: Participants must have experience with and be conditioned for strenuous hiking along a narrow trail along a steep, high mountainside. PARTICIPANTS MUST WEAR HIKING BOOTS OR SHOES. Bring lunch, water, sun screen, camera, binoculars, hooded windbreaker, and wear layered clothing. No pets, smoking, or collecting allowed. The hike is moderately strenuous with uneven terrain and an elevation gain of 440 ft. Not recommended for those with a fear of heights. Waivers are provided by PG&E and must be signed prior to entering the area.

Faculty: 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.

OSHR 1142-1
Sat., Mar. 29, 10:00 am  - 3:30 pm
(This program is also offered on May 29. Click here for OSHR 1142-2)
Maximum Class Size: 20
1 Meeting
Location: Park in the Port San Luis Harbor parking lot at the end of Avila Beach Drive. Meet at the dolphin fountain on Avila Beach Drive midway between the parking lot and the PG&E Diablo Canyon Power Plant entrance.

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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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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.