Throughout history the faithful have fought on all sides. Religion has both fostered social progress and held it back, and remains a potent force influencing civic discourse and public policy. This course offers an historical overview of faith-based social activism in the American past, and a call for faith-based social activism in the American present.
The first session will review the religious impulses behind the American Revolution and the temperance, anti-slavery, women’s rights, and social gospel movements. The second session will highlight the role of faith in the civil rights, anti-poverty, pro-life/pro-choice, and environmental movements of our own times.
Note: We envision this class as a comfortable forum where people of all convictions and doubts can find common ground, and the language to disagree without being disagreeable. Please join us in a lively conversation!
Faculty: Anneka Scranton is a long-time community organizer, co-founder of Central Coast Clergy and Laity for Justice, and a practicing Christian.
and Howard S. (Dick) Miller is a social historian, President of the California Council for the Promotion of History, and an unbeliever.
091-2320
San Luis Adult School, Room H3
Tuesdays, February 17, 24
9:30 am - 12:00 pm
2 Sessions
Maximum Class Size: 20
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Creative Writing from Your Right Brain
This class leads you into Alpha and then lets you play.
Working from your right brain produces writing that paints pictures. Following a set of inspiring suggestions from the instructor, your brain will enter a state of relaxation. As your brain flows in Alpha waves, the inhibitions that held you back from writing will melt away. Your feelings and thoughts will flow effortlessly from pen to paper: your words will create pictures that touch the heart.
You will leave the class having experienced the pleasure of your own creativity.
Note: Bring paper and pen and the desire to let loose - the writer within.
Faculty: Evelyn Cole, MA, MFA The Whole-mind Writer, is a retired Newport-Mesa Unified Mentor teacher, CSUF instructor and published novelist and poet. She has been the featured reader at local poetry venues as well as in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Orange Counties. She has three novels on Amazon.com and a series of articles online called “Mind Nudges.” Her website is www.coles-poetic-license.com.
091-2311
San Luis Adult School, Room H3
Fridays, February 20, 27
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
2 Sessions
Maximum Class Size: 35
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This course will consider the potential of nuclear energy in a scientific manner by an expert in nuclear chemistry. No emotional or political arguments here—just the facts. You will learn about the physical basis of radioactivity, the discovery of uranium fission and its development into a power source. After an introduction to the design and operating principles of current nuclear power reactors the discussion will center on issues of cost, safety and environmental hazards. Possibilities, near and far, for future nuclear power applications and technologies will be presented. The current widespread misunderstandings of the problems and possibilities of nuclear-based solutions to the global warming problem will round out the class. A field trip to the Diablo Canyon Power Plant will allow participants to tour an actual nuclear power facility.
The field trip is pending PG&E approval. Personal identification and background check required for entry to power plant.
Faculty: Hugh Wadman holds a PhD in Carbohydrate Chemistry from UC Berkeley. He has taught chemistry at the college level and has used radioactive materials in biological research and taught nuclear chemistry courses in USA and China. He is a 55 year member of Sierra Club with a lifetime interest and experience in environmental, energy and nuclear issues. He is a cautious advocate of increased adoption of nuclear power.
091-2340
PG&E Community Center
Tuesdays, February 24, March 3, 10
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
3 Sessions
Maximum Class Size: 25
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Today there are no real standards for evaluating whether communities are senior-friendly. As our aging population continues to increase, it becomes more important to ensure that our communities are as aging-friendly as possible. What is aging-friendly? Safe neighborhoods, safe and accessible parks, safe walking conditions, accessible business districts, medical facilities, libraries, visitor-friendly housing, etc. These conditions for seniors also make for safe children-friendly communities.
The Area Agency on Aging is currently working with counties, cities and communities to develop standards for senior-friendly community designations. The Central Coast has many retirees planning to move to our county. They will need information on what each community offers to ensure their comfort and security.
This class will offer you the opportunity to learn how you can participate in the development of senior friendly communities throughout our county. It will prepare you with the knowledge you will need to become an advocate for seniors and begin to work with local communities in bringing attention to senior needs.
Note: As a next step of attending this class you will be encouraged to become involved in the Senior Friendly Community project of the Area Agency on Aging. Dr. Carlson will supply the information you will need to get trained and involved during the class.
Faculty: Chuck Carlson Ph.D is a gerontologist who has instructed several courses for OLLI. Dr. Carlson has taught Gerontology courses for UC Santa Barbara, CSU Bakersfield, and Bakersfield College. He currently serves on the Advisory Council of the Area Agency on Aging, the SLO County Commission on Aging, and the Curriculum and Planning Committees of OLLI.
091-2329
San Luis Adult School, Room H3
Tuesdays, February 25, March 4
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
2 Sessions
Maximum Class Size: 30
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Koi Ponds: Their History, Construction and Care
Many people would love to own a koi pond, but are hesitant because they feel it to be a daunting and costly task. Allen Andersen will explain, in simple terms, his successful ideas about koi ownership and the building and maintaining of a beautiful, serene pond that can be enjoyed for years.
In this course you will learn about the history of koi and their development over the centuries. There will be a section devoted to implementing a living pond using a combination of biological and mechanical filtration, and a discussion of proper equipment and design considerations when constructing koi ponds. There will also be a section on recognizing and dealing with diseases, parasites and pests that could harm koi. Throughout the course Allen will show and explain to you various techniques to properly and easily maintain an energy efficient pond that will sustain these beautiful creatures.
Faculty: Allen Andersen has been a licensed general contractor for over 25 years with 20 years of experience in building, constructing and maintaining koi ponds. He owns The Pond Place in SLO, is co-founder and president of the Central Coast Koi Club, and is a member of the American Koi Club Association. He has owned his own collection of koi for over 20 years.
091-2333
The Pond Place, 207 Higuera St., SLO
Wednesdays, February 25, March 4
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
2 Sessions
Maximum Class Size: 25
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In an easy morning of paddling, you will take in a heron rookery, the bird haven of Grassy Island, as well as have opportunities to see otters and seals. After taking in all this wildlife, you will beach your kayak on a secluded part of the outer sandspit for a fun dunes hike to a hidden Chumash shell midden. After a short walk past the midden, you will come to the Pacific Ocean and unparalleled views up and down miles of secluded beach. Back on the bay side of the dunes, you will return to your kayak for the short paddle back to the kayak docks.
Note: Dress warmly, do not wear blue jeans or sweat pants, and wear shoes you can get wet. Binoculars are recommended.
No refunds, no exceptions.
Substitutions o.k.
Faculty: John Flaherty, owner of Central Coast Outdoors, is a veritable sponge for all topics related to natural history and has been designing and running interpretive programs for private touring companies for over a decade. He has an infectious love of the outdoors and loves presenting knowledge in an interesting manner that people will remember.
091-2306
State Park Marina, Morro Bay
Thursday, February 26
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
1 Session
Class Maximum size: 12
Fee: $25 per person
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This course will have two sessions. During the first session, you will analyze the impact of fairy tales that subtly acculturate girls for gender roles as well as depict older women as foolish, cunning, and evil. In contrast, you’ll enjoy several Grandmother Tales and mythic stories from around the world that portray resourceful, independent, creative, and respected older women. Such wonderful stories for the grandkids! After identifying common elements and symbols in these tales, in the second session you will identify which myth, plotline, or life theme runs through your life narrative so far.
The learning objectives for the class are:
1. You will identify common elements and symbols in fairy tales and Grandmother Tales.
2. You will apply these elements to your own lives to discover the mythic theme unifying your own life story.
Faculty: Berta Parrish is a frequent OLLI instructor and a college educator with a strong background in Jungian and Archetypal Psychology. She also conducts Dream Questing, Initiation to Elderhood, Elder Tales, and Wise Woman workshops. She is also author of Wise Woman’s Way: A Guide to Growing Older with Purpose and Passion.
091-2092
Morro Bay Community Center Studio
Thursdays, February 26, March 5, 12
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
3 Sessions
Maximum Class Size: 25
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