This Week at OLLI

Week of July 14, 2025

OLLI NEW MEMBER WELCOME TODAY– If you are a new or current member of OLLI, or if you just want to learn more about OLLI, please join us today, Mon July 14, at 11:30AM for an information session. We’ll review our current programs and our special interest groups, and we’ll go over our OLLI website and registration software. There will be plenty of time for Q & A, as well as coffee and door prizes! Come and bring a friend! Click Here to Register (Registration is not required for this session.)

SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIGS) & OLLI EXTRAS – Registration is now open for the current year (7/25-6/26). SIGS are FREE with your OLLI membership but registration is required. Click Here for More Info

CANCELLED CLASS: The following class was cancelled and refunds have been sent:

The Path to Revolution: Rhode Island’s Role

ADDITIONAL CLASS OFFERINGS:

New Class-

Tour of A Common Thread at Hera Gallery – with Norma Smayda, Wed Jul 16, 10-11:30AM The Saunderstown Weaving School is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a vibrant exhibition at the Hera Gallery showcasing the artistry of 27 current weaving students. This special event features a diverse collection of handwoven works, including kitchen towels, scarves, blankets, rugs, wall hangings, a lampshade, and even an antique upholstered chair. As part of the celebration, we invite you to a guided gallery talk and walkthrough, where we’ll share insights into the weaving techniques, inspirations behind the pieces, and answer your questions. Select works will be available for purchase. Come be inspired by the creativity and craftsmanship of our weaving community!

Second Sessions have been added for the following classes- (Please look at the dates carefully as these are second sessions and not the dates listed in the catalog.)

Express Yourself: Learn to Paint Like Vincent van Gogh (Session 2) with Kara Marziali, Wed July 30, 3:30-6:30PM

Understanding Offshore Wind Energy: Consequences from Plankton to People (Session 2) with Barbara Sullivan-Watts, Mon Aug 18, 1-2:30PM

Don McLean’s American Pie & “The Day the Music Died” (Session 2) with Brett Morse, Fri Aug 22, 1-3PM

CLASS SPOTLIGHT – Register online or call 401.874.4197

The History & Future of Automobiles– 1 Session with Jet Vertz – Mon July 28, 1:30PM We will review the history of automobile development from steam engines to internal combustion engines (both 2- and 4-cycle engines) to today’s electric vehicles.

Integrating Social Security Into Your Retirement Planning – Free Lunch and Learn- 1 Session with Joanne Daly on Thur, July 24, 1:00PM-2:30PM Social Security is an important source of income for many retired Americans. Understanding how Social Security works and what it provides can help you determine whether you’re on track for the retirement you envision. We will explore:

the basics of Social Security.
factors to consider in deciding when to begin receiving benefits.
non-retirement benefits of Social Security.
how to get started on planning for retirement with Social Security in mind.

Reading Your Medicine’s Labels & Inserts – 3 Sessions with John McLane Beginning Thu, July 31 at 1:00PM Have you ever tried to read the insert package on your prescription medicine and been left overwhelmed or confused? Now you can learn how to interpret all that information and understand better how effective the drug is, what side effects are possible, and how to take it. During this session we can discuss medications you are currently taking.

THIS WEEK AT OLLI

Monday

9:30AM In This Moment: Mindfulness Meditation
10:00AM Let’s Re-read Banned Books
11:00AM The Rehnquist Court, 1986-2005 (Osher Online)
11:30AM OLLI Membership Welcome
1:30PM From Both Sides: The US-Canadian Border
1:30PM Spirit of Flight
5:00PM 80th Anniversary of WWII in Europe, 1944-1945

Tuesday

9:00AM Biking Group
9:30AM Observing, Adapting, Creating Change in the Home Landscape
11:30AM The Orchestra – From Birth to the 20th Century
1:00PM The Economics of Public Policy (Osher Online)
1:00PM The United Nations: Past, Present, Future
3:00PM Journey Through the Camino de Santiago
7:00PM History of Beer (Osher Online)

Wednesday

9:00AM Dartmouth Lecture Series: The Broken Promise of America’s Asylum System
10:00AM Hera Gallery Tour – A Common Thread (Off-site)
10:00AM Event Committee
11:00AM Enjoying the Past and Present New York City (Osher Online)
12:00PM Knowing Vincent
12:30PM Bowling
1:00PM Hiking
1:00PM Demystifying Energy Security (Osher Online)
2:00PM Cribbage
3:00PM Stories of Adventure: The Norse Saga (Osher Online)
5:00PM Public Health Across the Lifespan (Osher Online)

Thursday

10:00AM Don’t Forget to Pack Your iPhone
11:00AM Current Events
1:00PM Mah Jongg
1:00PM Cosmic Questions
1:00PM Architectural Oddities (Osher Online)
1:00PM Intro to Central America
2:30PM Finance Committee
3:00PM Great Decisions-The Future of NATO
7:00PM 100 Years of Magic: The Disney Legacy & Influence (Osher Online)

Friday

10:00AM Great Decisions-The Future of NATO
1:00PM Summer Sci-Fi Film Fest
1:00PM Elvis – The King
1:00PM Book Club

TRAFFIC ALERT– From Monday, July 14, through Friday, July 18, there will be no on-street parking on Flagg Road, from Old North Road to Butterfield Road, along with alternating one-way traffic during this period. Also, on July 14, road milling and repaving will begin on Lower College Road from Campus Ave to the bus circle at the Memorial Union. During this time, Lower College Road, Baird Hill, and the bus circle will be closed to traffic

PARKING – Registration for the upcoming year is NOT open yet. Your current registration is valid until July 31, 2025. We will notify you as soon as Parking Registration is open for renewal.

RHODY OUTPOST– Since the beginning of May there have been 725 visits to the Outpost, about 15% increase from the same period last year. The outpost has distributed nearly 11,000 pounds of food and personal care items to students experiencing food insecurity. The following are the most critical needs:

Paper bags with handles
Gift cards (regular or e-card versions welcome) to Walmart, Stop & Shop, Amazon, Dollar Tree, Job Lot – these allow us to distribute them directly to students who have additional needs, or gives us the opportunity to easily replenish our empty shelves
Peanut butter, jelly, rice, toothpaste, pasta, tomato products, dish soap

Click Here to view the updated list of all urgently needed items. You can also purchase items directly from Amazon on the Rhody Outpost Wish List. As always, thank you so much for your support!

GET YOUR OLLI BAG TODAY! ($20) Perfect for the beach or boat! Click Here for more info. (HATS ARE SOLD OUT!)

OLLI UNLV WRITING PROJECT: OLLI UNLV invites you to submit your writing for a community-wide project. Click here for all the details.

DID YOU KNOW YOU COULD BOOK A ONE-ON-ONE TECH CALL WITH CYBER SENIORS? Click here to get started!

CROSS MILLS LIBRARY ANNUAL BOOK SALE– Sat, July 19, 9:00AM – 2:00PM It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Browse for books, CDs, DVDs and more, and feel good knowing all proceeds benefit Library programs.

VALKYRIE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS: Sea Fever- A New England Tale of the Dread Ship HESPERUS Performance of Musick & Verse with Singing & Diverse Humours. Featuring music by Purcell, Schubert, Maude Valerie White and more. Sea Fever is a candle-lit voyage of longing, lore & the siren song of the sea. July 16-18, 8PM (doors open at 7:15) The Towers, Narragansett, RI Tickets $65 Limited Seating, Click Here for more information or Click Here for Tickets.

NEWPORT DANCE FESTIVAL: July 16-20, Great Friends Meeting House Lawn, Pre-show 7PM, Performance 7:30PM. Five unique evenings of performances from extraordinary dance companies on an outdoor stage in the heart of Newport. Guests are invited to bring their own picnic, blankets and lawn chairs to enjoy world class dance in an outdoor, social setting. Presented by Newport Contemporary Ballet (NCB) Click Here for More Info, Schedule & Tickets

GARDENING WITH THE MASTERS TOUR: Join the URI Master Gardeners for their biennial event on July 19-20, rain or shine, from 10AM-4PM. Eighteen private and public gardens tended by University of Rhode Island Master Gardener volunteers will open their gates for the 12th Gardening with the Masters Tour. Go beyond the garden gates to see their beautiful gardens in bloom, learn about environmentally friendly gardening practices, and see examples of many types of gardens. Admission is $30 Click Here for Tickets.

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