Week of March 16

March 16, 2026

Week of March 16, 2026 ☘️

TRAFFIC ALERT – FLAGG ROAD WILL BE CLOSED NEXT WEEK, MARCH 16-20, DUE TO CONSTRUCTION! In addition, ACCESS TO FLAGG RD WILL BE LIMITED FROM MAR 23-APR 3. To access the Plains Rd Lot #25 – do not take Upper College Road to Flagg. Take Rt.138 to Plains Rd – Lot #25 will be on the right. The sidewalk from Lot #25 to OLLI (210 Flagg Rd) will be OPEN & ACCESSIBLE

SPRING REGISTRATION STARTS TUESDAY, MARCH 17! 

Spring catalogs have been mailed to all OLLI members! You can also browse the catalog online by Clicking Here Choose from 4 convenient ways to register:

1.       Online: Starting at 7:00 AM  (Click Here to log into your OLLI account)

2.       By phone: Starting at 9:00 AM (Call 401-874-4197)

3.       Walk-in: Starting at 9:00 AM

4.       Mail – Download the Registration Form from our website (or pick one up in the office). Fill it out and include a check (made out to URI).  

Important Preparation Tips:

  • Password Update May Be Required: Don’t wait—check your password today so you’re ready to register on Tuesday.
  • Check Your Membership Renewal Date: Your membership must be active throughout the duration of your classes. The system will now prompt you to renew if necessary.

If you need help with updating your password or renewing your membership, reach out to the OLLI office TODAY for assistance at 401-874-4197 to avoid any issues on registration day!

NEW SPRING CLASS ADDITIONS (not listed in the catalog):

The History of Modern Architecture and Urbanism, Part 2 – 3 Sessions with Richard Levy, beginning Thurs, May, 7 3-4:30PM $40 Click Here for More Info

Make Your Own Spring Flower Arrangement – 1 Session with Floral Designs by Donna, Thurs, Apr 2, 5:30-7:30PM $55 Click Here for More Info

Fostering Safe Spaces for Members of the LGBTQ Community – 1 Session with Gerri August & Annmarie Vaccaro, Thurs Apr 23, 10-11:30AM Click Here for More Info

Click Here to check out the virtual previews for some of OLLI’s spring classes. 

OLLI NEW MEMBER WELCOME – Are you new to OLLI @ URI? or returning after being gone awhile? Both current and new members are invited to attend and learn about all OLLI has to offer. We’ll review our current programs, and our special interest groups, all while exploring and becoming more familiar with our OLLI website and registration software. Plenty of time for Q & A. Coffee & refreshments too! Join us! Bring a friend! Non-members welcome! If you are not a member and need a temporary parking pass, please call the OLLI office at 401-874-4197.Wed, Apr 8, 11:30AM Click Here to Register

VOLUNTEER WITH US! –  OLLI continues to be a strong organization due in part to members serving on various committees providing leadership in partnership with the staff. It’s time to recruit new volunteers for our Curriculum, Finance, Program, & Events Committees. To learn more about these opportunities, please attend one of these upcoming meetings –  Thursday, April 2, at 10AM or Friday April, 3 at 1:00PM 

SPECIAL COLLECTION FOR RHODY OUTPOST  – Donate Hand Soap or Dish Soap and get $5 off an OLLI Scarf! (only $10) 

PARKING – OLLI Members continue to enjoy FREE parking (with permit) in the Plains Rd Lot (#25). Click Here for more information about parking and disabled parking or call the office at 401.874.4197 with any questions.

THIS WEEK AT OLLI 

Monday

  • 9:30AM Healthy Eating Made Simple
  • 9:30AM Playing with Theatrical Monologues & Scenes (Welcome Center)
  • 10:00AM Let’s Re-Read Banned Books
  • 10:30AM No Cyber Seniors – Spring
  • 11:30AM Square Foot Gardening
  • 11:30AM Understanding AI for Safe and Secure Use
  • 1:30PM Classic Cinema: Best of Foreign Films (Part 1)

Tuesday

  • 9:30AM Roma Aeterna
  • 10:00AM Ireland – A Brief History (ZOOM)
  • 1:00PM Game On!
  • 1:30PM Cinema Classics: Films You Should See

Wednesday

  • 9:30AM The Winter’s Tale
  • 10:00AM Brilliant but Overlooked: Photographers Worth Knowing
  • 10:00AM No Cyber Seniors – Spring Break
  • 12:30PM Bowling
  • 1:30PM A Taste of Italy
  • 2:00PM Cribbage
  • 3:00PM Short Stories from England (ZOOM)
  • 3:30PM Raids on the Unspeakable: Poetry & Philosophy

Thursday

  • 9:30AM Right Plant Right Place Garden Design
  • 10:00AM Stop the Bleed
  • 11:00AM Current Events
  • 1:00PM Mah Jongg
  • 1:30PM Here Be Dragons: Mapping Our World
  • 3:00PM Great Decisions – Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
  • 3:30PM Victorian Literature

Friday

  • 9:00AM QiGong for Vitality
  • 9:30AM The Rhode Island Courts
  • 10:00AM The Iditarod
  • 10:00AM Great Decisions – Trump Tariffs and the Future of the World Economy
  • 10:15AM QiGong for Vitality – Deepening Practice
  • 11:30AM QiGong for Vitality
  • 1:00PM Book Club

Saturday

  • 9:30AM CPR Training

2026 THEWLIS LECTURE – Optimism and Kindness: Ingredients for a Long and Healthy life Tuesday, April 7, 2026 5:30 PM. Doors open, light refreshments 6–7 PM Lecture followed by Q&A Edwards Hall, Kingston Campus The 2026 Malford Thewlis Lecture on Gerontology and Geriatrics will feature social psychologist Laura Kubzansky, PhD, professor of social and behavioral sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. She will share her perspective on aging and longevity, focusing on how personal attributes such as optimism, gratitude, kindness, and a positive outlook relate to living a long and fulfilling life. This event is free and open to the public.  Free parking available in Briar Lane Lot behind the Visitors Center.  Registration is encouraged but not required. Register Here 

OLLI IN THE NEWS- Check out the recent article featuring OLLI in Rhody Today and this essay in WBUR.org written by an OLLI member about her experience with OLLI’s Learn to Skate program.

CYBER SENIORS – Stop by the lobby to get help with all your technology questions on Mondays, 10:30AM-12:30PM and Wednesdays, 10AM-12PM No appointment necessary.  Click Here to Meet Oge

GREAT DECISIONS – We have 3 books left for GD 2026  – $31. The books are a great resource if you plan to attend any Great Decisions Class in 2026. Come in to the office or Click Here to Purchase

URI RETIRED FACULTY ASSOCIATION SPEAKER SERIES: New Insights into the History and Archaeology of the URI Campus. Tues, Mar 24, 4:00PM-5:15PM in the Cherry Auditorium, Kirk Applied Engineering Laboratory, 94 Upper College Rd. Catherine DeCesare and Rod Mather (who will be leading a history tour of the campus for OLLI this spring) will explore the human history of our University’s campus. This free presentation is open to all URI faculty, staff, and students, as well as OLLI members and the Rhode Island community. Email aging@uri.edu to let them know you plan on attending is helpful but not required. Parking is available off Brian Lane behind the Welcome Center. This event is sponsored by the Provost’s Office and refreshments provided by Belmont Market.

RHODY OUTPOST– URI’s principal basic needs pantry for students experiencing food insecurity.  The Outpost provides fresh and non-perishable food and personal care items at no charge to students. 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.  

NEWPORT CONTEMPORARY BALLET (NCB) PRESENTS- Junior Company Showcase NCB’s annual Junior Company Showcase Performance highlights exceptional young dancers from NCB’s Academy enrolled through the core ballet program’s intermediate to advanced level classes. Students will be performing original contemporary works by NCB artists and La Bayadere, Kingdom of the Shades, staged by Junior Company Director, Brooke DiFrancesco. Keats Theatre/St. Andrew’s School 63 Federal Rd, Barrington, RI 02806 General admission seating.Tickets:  Adult ($35) Student / Senior / Kids ($25) Family Four Pack ($99) Support Arts Education Click Here for Tickets

SMITH CASTLE – Do you enjoy history? Smith’s Castle is looking for volunteers. Docents and Greeters are trained to share the remarkable history that has taken place at this location for 4 centuries. We have a new class starting March 28th. If you would like more information about Smith’s Castle please contact us at info@smithscastle.org or call our office 401-294-3521.

URI PHYSICAL THERAPY DEPT – Shoulder Motor Control Study: Rotator Cuff Seeking Study Participants between 18-64 yrs old with or without shoulder surgery with no mobility limitations. Compensation $20 email: tyler.foster@uri.edu for more information See Flyer For Details

IF YOU ARE ATTENDING CLASSES AT OLLI, YOU MUST HAVE A PARKING PASS! If you are not sure if your permit is current, please call the office at 401-874-4197. Parking is FREE with membership but you must register your vehicle if you are taking classes in 2026. If you get a ticket you will be responsible for appealing it with the URI parking administration.

If you would like to view past This Week At OLLI weekly newsletters go to https://web.uri.edu/olli/news/

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If you would like to connect with OLLI go to our website olli@uri.edu or follow/like us on  image.pngimage.png.