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Young at Heart July 2021

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committee that reviewed faculty promotions. "This allowed me to see the files of almost every professor on campus. There are so many interesting people doing fascinating research. It has been easy to find great speakers, and the professors enjoy talking to the OLLI group." OLLI successfully piv- oted during the pandem- ic, helping people feel connected during a time of isolation. "We embraced Zoom during the last 15 months," says Barry. "For the general meetings we took advantage of the fact that our speakers could be anywhere." A Dartmouth Medical School professor gave a talk about biolog- ical rhythms. Approx- imately 130 members participated, and the recording was posted on OLLI's YouTube channel and received many hits. About half of the Interest Groups continued meeting during the pandemic. Also, about half of OLLI's course instructors chose not to teach via Zoom, but they did offer at least one course every month. "The attendance was about 70 percent of previous in-per- son courses," says Barry. As OLLI follows the same policies as UCSC, they are waiting to hear when they will start having in-person monthly meetings again. Barry also leads the Fu- ture of Capitalism interest group. Gary Silberstein, who is 79, helped start this group in 2018. "The group consists of thoughtful and articulate people who are open to discussing new ideas," shares Gary. Nan- cy Mead, a member of this group, joined OLLI upon moving to Santa Cruz in 2003. "Since my husband and I knew no one here but our daughter and her family, we found it a great way to meet peers," she says. "We were both retired. OLLI has been a key player in my life ever since. I served as pres- ident in 2010, and still take classes and belong to interest groups. I've been a member of the Capitalism group since its inception." Barry encourages those interested in OLLI to join. Membership is $60 per year; find out more at olli.ucsc.edu/about/ joinolli/index.html. The Osher Foundation has given endowments to more than 120 Lifelong Learning groups in the U.S. "However, the Santa Cruz OLLI is unique," says Barry. "We have an important connection to UCSC, and they are our bridge to the Osher Foundation. The Santa Cruz group was started by people in our community and it continues to be a community-led organiza- tion. We are eager to get more people from the com- munity involved in OLLI, as members, instructors, and board members." "OLLI enormously values our opportunity to work together with students at UCSC," adds Mark. "We offer scholarships to re-entry UCSC students and participate with stu- dents in shared community projects including Colleges Nine and Ten's Alternative Spring Break." Lois Widom, who is 92, has been an OLLI mem- ber for 27 years and was integral to the formation of OLLI's course offerings. "I joined when I moved across the driveway from Jim Faris, one of the founders of the origi- nal Lifelong Learners. I learned what a valuable organization it was," says Lois. After she retired from her position as Cabrillo College Stroke and Dis- ability Center counselor, she began sitting in on UCSC classes. "I enticed one of my favorite profes- sors, John Dizikes, to give a poetry course for OLLI, and that was the beginning of our courses." She has served as Course Coordi- nator, organizing all the offerings, ever since. There are at least eight each se- mester, and many courses Learn, Grow & Socialize... continued from page 1 A&A Group visiting SJ museum of Art, photo credit Cindy Margolin have been taught by emer- itus faculty from UCSC and other universities. "We have been fortunate to have an incredible diversity of classes, from Astronomy to Shakespeare, from Interna- tional Affairs to Film Com- edy and so much more." Though not compensated monetarily, the teachers are grateful for "interested and interesting students without the burden of exams, pa- pers, and grades," says Lois. Courses scheduled for the near future includes ones on Constitutional Law, Gender, and Molecular Biology. Looking to volunteer? "Our biggest need is for course teachers," says Barry. "They are unpaid volunteers. A typical course consists of four or five lectures, but we are flexible as to length and style of pre- sentation. You don't have to be a professor to teach an OLLI course. Some people with interesting life experi- ences have given excellent courses." Back to the popular interest groups: Lois serves as the Art and Architec- ture Interest Group leader. "We have car-pooled all over the Bay Area and, of course, Santa Cruz, to visit museums, artists' studios, galleries, interest- ing buildings and homes etc." Sue Myers, 82, joined OLLI when she relocated to Santa Cruz in 2016 and has been an A&A group member ever since. She also participates in the groups Exploring Santa Cruz, New Yorker, and Adventuring. "OLLI is a fantastic organization for active senior citizens," says Sue. "Groups are a wonderful way to make friends, to meet people with the same interests, to learn about and see new places, and share the transportation costs. I've enjoyed every trip the A&A group has taken. Lois is a fantastic leader. She gives us great directions, helps us find ride shares, and selects interesting spots. During the pandemic, she sent many emails with sites about interesting art and architecture around the US." Marjorie Simon, 91, became an OLLI member about six years ago after she moved to Santa Cruz from Oregon. She was a member of an OLLI in Oregon, but "it was smaller and didn't have the wide range of inter- ests and participation that Santa Cruz does," she says. "The OLLI mem- bership keeps me alive. The various classes run by knowledgeable, articulate professors are a joy. If you aren't a member, come join!" She signed up for the Art & Architecture group because she heard from a friend about great trips to museums and oth- er cultural events. "Lois is a remarkable tour guide to artists' exhibits, architects and their work." Contact information: https://olli.ucsc.edu/index. html 831-459-4063 Art & Architecture Interest Group at SF MOMA's Roz Chast exhibit, photo credit Cindy Margolin A&A Group visiting SC sculptor Marilyn Kuksht's studio, photo credit Cindy Margolin "Fast Facts about OLLI" from Board member & Course Coordinator Lois Widom 1. Our OLLI is one of 124 such organizations based at universities all over the country, with some funding by the Bernard Osher Foundation. We are somewhat unique in that we are self-governing in contrast to most OLLIs which are run by paid staff. We also support scholarships for returning students and veterans at UCSC. 2. I would like to encourage people over 50 in Santa Cruz County to join our OLLI. It is especially valuable for people new to Santa Cruz. They will very quickly meet interesting, active, and engaged people who will become their friends because they share interests. They will be able to attend thought-provoking class- es, hear stimulating speakers, and indulge their special interests in groups, so that they can keep learning and growing. 4450 Capitola Road, Suite 103 Capitola CA 95010 Office- (831) 249-9454 www.ContinuumHospice.com "Because You Deserve More" Services include • Home Health Aid assistance up to 5x/week • Collaborative approach to care • Physician and Nurse oversight • Medication Management • Emotional Support services • Virtual Reality (see article on our use of VR) • Art Expression • Music Therapy • Pet Therapy • We Honor Veterans Comfort-focused Care for your Loved One Is your Medicare Coverage still right for you? For more information, you can meet with me or attend one of my Kaiser Permanente Medicare Health Plans seminars. Please call: Learn more at kp.org/medicare You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call TTY 711. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. 393 E. Walnut St. Pasadena, CA 91188-8514 Y0043_N00015450_C Greg Orais Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist 925-464-0537 (TTY 711) mykpagent.org/grego Please recycle. 446781680 CA February 2020

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