OLLI Catalog

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University Monterey Bay, established with a grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation, is part of
a national network that recognizes learning has no age limits. OLLI brings the joy
and stimulation of lifelong learning to adults age 50 and better who are interested
in university-level education without the pressure of course credits or grades.
HOW TO ENROLL:
You may sign up for individual class offerings OR
Become an OLLI Plum Member and receive complimentary tuition for
three OLLI courses per semester! OLLI Plum Membership costs only $99
per semester or $149 for the entire year!
Additional OLLI at CSUMB Plum Membership benefits include:
• Invitations to OLLI social events
• Faculty discounts to CSUMB Otter Sports Center, Otter Aquatic
Enrollment Confirmation:
Confirmations will be sent by email or
by mail for those without email.
OLLI Refund Policy:
You may cancel your order two weeks
prior to offering for a 100% refund.
One week prior receives a 75%
refund. No refund within one week of
offering.
Center and CSUMB athletic events
• A CSUMB parking pass
• Student discount for CSUMB World Theater events
• Use of The Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library materials
during published hours; CSUMB.EDU/library
Adding or Dropping Classes:
Members who wish to add or drop a
course must call (831) 582-5500 to do
so. Members are not automatically
dropped from courses for
non-attendance.
There are 2 easy ways to register:
1. Register online at CSUMB.EDU/olli
2. Register by mail with the registration form on page 15.
COURSE LOCATIONS:
Unless otherwise noted in the course description, all courses will be held
in the CSUMB Corporation Building Annex located on campus on the
corner of Inter-Garrison Road and Sixth Avenue (Building 201).
Directions:
From HWY 1 (Monterey & Santa Cruz):
Take LightFighter Exit
rom Salinas:
From Reservation Road, turn west Imjin Road
Proceed east to third traffic signal
Proceed to second traffic signal
Turn left Gen. Jim Moore Blvd.
Turn right Abrams Drive
Turn right Inter-Garrison Road
Where Abrams ends @ stop sign, turn left onto
Inter-Garrison Road
Turn left Sixth Avenue
Make immediate left into parking lot
Proceed to Sixth Avenue
Fee Assistance Program:
If you would like to be considered for
our fee assistance program,
please send a personal letter to:
CSU Monterey Bay,
Attn: OLLI at CSUMB
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA 93955-8001
In the letter explain your situation and
which courses you would like to take.
Catalog by Arthur Simons
Cover art is based upon scans of
Soviet-era Russian match boxes.
OLLI at CSUMB acknowledges our valued partners:
2
OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE • CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, MONTEREY BAY
A GOOD HAIRCUT
Sam was handsome and he knew it.
His constant grooming produced soft
silky hair that highlighted his green
eyes. When he walked, he placed one
foot directly in front of the other, like
a runway model, allowing people to
admire his sleek physique and elegant
movements. His black glossy hair,
always at the right length, reflected light
with each move. His teeth were white
and naturally straight. No braces for
Sam.
In my presence, Sam never uttered
a single word the entire time I knew
him. Barbara said they communicated
through eye contact and gestures. They
were that close. Barbara assured me
that Sam was deep and thoughtful.
THE OLLI WRITERS’ CIRCLES AT CSUMB
We’re back for another exciting season. Whether you’re a beginning writer
or a published professional seeking constructive feedback, the OLLI Writers’
Circles offer a creative, collaborative atmosphere in which to improve your
writing.
This season we’ll be offering two circles. Circle A is for returning OLLI circle
participants. All those who are new to the OLLI Writers’ Circle program are
welcome to join us for Circle B. Both circles are invited to a special holiday
season session to share cookies, read snippets and meet one another. (6 meetings per session plus holiday gathering, Dec. 17; 9:30 – 11:30am)
Date/Time:
Circle A: Circle B: Fee:
Thursdays; 9:30 – 11:30am
Sept. 10, 24; Oct. 8, 29; Nov. 12; Dec 3
Sept. 17; Oct. 1, 22; Nov. 5, 19; Dec 10
$75
Sam and Barbara had been together
for years. Sam followed Barbara to
California and ended up living with me
because her apartment was too small.
He had no choice. Yet, they seemed
to get closer without the stress of living
together. Barbara looked for a job and
Sam pampered himself all day.
“How cute your cottage is,” Barbara
exclaimed when the two of them first
arrived in August.
Laughing, I said, “In California this is
considered a house.”
“Oh,” she said.
Elin Kelsey, PhD returns for her third year facilitating the popular OLLI writing circles. Elin is an award-winning author for children and adults. Her newest book, Watching Giants: The Secret Lives of Whales will be released in paperback by UC Press in Fall 2009 and was selected as a “Best Reads for 2009” by
Canada’s National Public Radio Network (CBC). Elin consults on international
environmental projects and is an adjunct professor at Royal Roads University
where she was recently nominated for the 2009 Kelly Outstanding Teaching
Award. Learn more at www.elinkelseyandcompany.com
(831) 582-5500
Stretching his supple spine while
turning away, he glanced at me. His
yoga moves were elegant, as always.
Just once, I wanted Sam to stumble.
His every gesture seemed to broadcast
disdain and ennui for my life. There
was something vaguely French about
Sam.
csumb.edu/olli
This was our first home. It was an
eleven hundred square-foot house.
Originally it had been a vacation
bungalow for a fortunate San
Franciscan. Now, it was a $ 325,000
house on the wrong side of the tracks
in Burlingame, California. It was 1989
and real estate was cheap. No one had
heard of the Loma Preita fault line.
“Look at the beautiful plants”, I said.
(Continued on page 5)
3
TAIKO APPRECIATION
Taiko is the Japanese word for drum. In North America, this term
is used to describe both the Japanese drum itself and the art form of
kumidaiko (ensemble drumming with Japanese drums). Join fellow
enthusiasts in learning the basics of taiko drumming in a fun and
engaging workshop leading to a performance by Monterey’s own
Shinsho Mugen Daiko, at CSUMB World Theater on Sunday, October 18. All participants learn a song based on fundamental stance,
rhythms and technique. No experience necessary!
Two pre-performance classes will provide the background and context for viewing this one-of-a-kind event. One
post-performance wrap up session concludes the course. Admission to the performance is included in course
registration. Enrollment limited to first 12 registrants. (3 Meetings plus Taiko Performance, Oct. 18; 2:00pm)
Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 6, 13, 20
Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm
Fee: $60
Ikuyo Conant is a composer and choreographer based in Santa Cruz, CA. She is the Artistic Director of Watsonville Taiko, and has written and arranged the group’s music and developed the choreography since l992. In 1996,
she created Shinsei Daiko, a youth drumming and performing arts group, and in 1999 she established Shinsho
Mugen Daiko of Santa Cruz and Monterey Bay. She is the resident teacher for Sandoshin Taiko in Morgan Hill,
and has taught Taiko drumming at CSUMB.
BACKPACK LIT
Do you love to go a wandering? What if you only can bring a backpack? What would you bring to read on such
a journey? This course with Ranger B, aka Professor Mossberg, has us shoulder our packs with literature for the
trail, as we amble along life’s pathways, waving our hands to all we meet. We will consider great literature to
have at the end of the day to soothe our weary muscles and revive our worried minds. We will each design a
backpack of literature for our own journeys,
the books we cannot leave home without, the
works we need to have for whatever valleys
and peaks we climb and descend. But we can
only choose 4-6! We will learn about what others like John Muir have put in their backpacks,
and we will sing, with our backpacks on our
backs. Trail Mix provided. (5 Meetings)
Dates: Wednesdays, Sept. 30; Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28
Time: 2:00 – 4:00pm
Fee: $60
Barbara Mossberg is an international authority on Emily Dickinson. Her book, Emily Dickinson: When a Writer
is a Daughter, was named a Choice Outstanding Academic Book of the Year. She directs the Integrated Studies
program and is a professor of First Year Seminar at CSUMB. Dr. Mossberg is also known as host and creator of
the Poetry Slow Down, a weekly talk-news show devoted to poetry and consciousness on KRXA 540AM, www.
krxa540.com, Sundays; noon – 1:00pm. She also has a blog to promote poetry, Fat Lady Flying, at barbaramossberg.blogspot.com
4
OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE • CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, MONTEREY BAY
THE BEARS OF THE WORLD
Much of what passes for fact about bears in reality is not
so: bears do not hibernate, most bear species (even young
grizzly bears) have no trouble climbing and spending
much of their time well above ground in tree tops,
and bears, even polar bears, are not strict carnivores.
(Continued from page 3)
“Here’s a bird of paradise by the front
stoop. An avocado tree, a lemon tree,
and jades are in the backyard. Huge by
California standards. You don’t find that
in New York.”
“California is a state of mind,” I said.
“Enjoy the natural beauty outside.”
Join us for an evening of “bare” facts as
we examine bears from prehistoric fossil origins (if you believe grizzlies are
formidable, take a look at cave bears!)
to tropical species, to our own local
bears of Monterey County’s Los
Padres National Forest. You’ll
learn a great deal if you bear
with us. (1 Meeting)
“Mellowspeak,” Barbara said under her
breath.
Sam yawned and scratched himself.
As vain as Sam was, he did have one
disgusting habit. Regardless of who
was present, if Sam had an itch, he
scratched it. He appeared oblivious to
social convention when grabbing his
crotch in public. Barbara assured me
it was a minor flaw in an otherwise
beautiful soul. After all, he was family.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 3
Time: 6:30 – 9:00pm
Fee: $25
BIOLOGY AND AFIELD WITH
THE CALIFORNIA CONDOR
Join us for an illustrated look at the biology and population restoration efforts
of North America’s largest bird species. This in-depth lecture will be followed
by an optional field trip to a condor viewing habitat in Big Sur on Saturday,
October 31. *A location map and trip guidelines will be
provided upon registration. Participants will
meet at the Multi-Agency Visitor Center at
Big Sur Station immediately south of the
Big Sur River State Park. (1 Meeting
at CSUMB plus optional field trip,
Oct. 31; 10:00am)
Date: Thursday, Oct. 29
Time: 6:00 – 8:00pm
Fee: $20
Bruce Elliott is a retired Senior
Biologist Supervisor with the
California Department of Fish
and Game. Mr. Elliott is a
former Board Member of the
Condor Restoration Group, the
Ventana Wildlife Society.
(831) 582-5500
csumb.edu/olli
The sweet aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg
and brown sugar broke the tension. For
their arrival, I baked our mother’s Spice
Cake. In seconds, I was transported to
our childhood home on Long Island in
the 1950’s. There at the kitchen table,
Barbara and I ate warm spice cake,
washing it down with cold milk. While
we played field hockey after school,
our mother baked, filling the house
with luscious smells. Standing in my
kitchen in California, neither of us said
a word. The aroma of the spice cake
had temporarily erased 30 years. Sam
scratched himself.
Sam and Barbara lived a quiet retired
life in New York, reading books and
sipping sherry in the late afternoons,
followed by homemade dinners. The
chaos of two toddlers overwhelmed
Sam. Katie was five, Tyler was two,
and the place was up for grabs. We
arose at 5:30 am to seize the day. The
three of us walked to the park by 8:30
and played until noon. Two-hour naps
followed lunch. Late afternoons, Katie
and Tyler ran around the backyard until
dinner. Baths and story time came
next with everyone asleep by 8:00 pm,
including me. Sam claimed the living
room couch.
Katie and Tyler sneaked into our bed
sometime during the night, every night.
I never heard or felt them. But when the
sun burst through our bedroom window,
the two of them were snuggled beside
my husband and me in a full-size bed
that sagged in the middle.
(Continued on page 9)
5
TO COPE AND TO THRIVE:
Guided Instruction in Mindfulness-Based Stress-Reduction (MBSR)
Mindfulness is a way of relating directly and effectively to whatever is happening in your life, consciously and
systematically working with your own stress, pain, illness, and life situations. The stress reduction program
has been found to be of benefit to people reporting stress, medical conditions ranging from high blood pressure to heart disease to chronic pain, and psychological conditions like anxiety, insomnia and addiction. It has
great value for anyone who wishes to concentrate on prevention and wellness. Nearly three decades of scientific research at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and at medical centers around the world have
shown that training in mindfulness can positively, and often profoundly, affect participants’ ability to reduce
medical symptoms and psychological distress while learning to live life more fully. The course consists of one
introductory session, 8 weekly sessions, plus a special one-day retreat.
(This program is not offered as an alternative to traditional medical and psychological treatments but rather as
a complement to these approaches.)
This highly participatory practical course includes:
•
Gentle stretching and movement
•
Group dialog plus communication exercises for everyday life
•
Individually tailored instruction as needed
•
Daily practice-at-home assignments; and
•
Home practice materials with CDs and textbook
Free Intro: Classes: Retreat: Place: Fee: Monday, Sept. 14, 2:00 – 4:00pm (attendance strongly encouraged)
Mondays, Sept. 21 – Nov 16; 1:30 – 4:00pm
(no class Oct. 12)
Saturday, Oct. 31, 9:30am – 4:00pm
CSUMB Meeting House
(corner of Gen. Jim Moore
and Divarty)
$80
D Allen, M.A., has studied Mindfulness-Based
Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Jon Kabat-Zinn,
PhD, the originator of MBSR at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center and
has completed the authorized MBSR teacher
training practicum with Bob Stahl, PhD. He
has used MBSR in his own life to overcome
or significantly decrease stress, medical symptoms and anxiety. He currently relies on daily MBSR practice to
help manage chronic physical pain and to stay in touch with life’s moment-to-moment offerings. He has over
30 years experience with awareness and meditation practice, and has taught and led retreats in California and
Mexico for many years.
6
OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE • CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, MONTEREY BAY
FROM ELECTRIC VEHICLES TO THE SMART GRID:
The Evolving Framework for New Energy Technology
OLLI at CSUMB invites you to attend a lecture with energy expert Bob Danziger. Bob will share his considerable
expertise regarding the current energy market where obstacles to success are often a bewildering array of legal, regulatory and institutional issues. Presently, confused capital markets are searching for footing while a flood of venture
capital continues to look for an energy play with Google-type results. At the same time, scores
of companies and institutions are pouring into Smart Grid, hoping to capitalize on federal,
state and utility incentives to provide the much-needed update of a grid nearing its 100th
birthday. Bob will bring the current market clearly into focus, particularly the challenge
of meeting the Obama Administration’s goal of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases
by 2050, while providing insight into the challenges new energy technologies face in
meeting national and international goals. (1 Meeting)
Date: Monday, Oct. 5
Time: 6:00 – 7:30pm
Fee:
Free to all – guests welcome!
Bob Danziger received his JD from Whittier College. He founded Sunlaw Energy Corp. and
consulted across a broad range of energy and environmental technologies. He developed two
of the first modern cogeneration projects, which Sunlaw owned and operated until 2002. Bob
has been a lecturer at Stanford University, Hopkins Marine Station, the Stanford Genetics Dept.,
and a consultant to Google and others.
BOOK IDEA TO MANUSCRIPT TO PUBLICATION:
Writing Services, Multi-Media Products, and Social Networking Possibilities
•
Ready to fulfill your dream of having a book with your name on it?
•
Want to leave a legacy so that people will remember who you were and what you accomplished?
•
Need to create an effective business tool promoting the benefits of your products or services?
•
Want to create a new profit center and build your business by taking it to the next level? Whether you have a completed manuscript, one in progress, or need a ghostwriter or an editor to transform your ideas
into compelling writing, this workshop will educate you on the latest—and local—possibilities for bringing your work
to the public.
It will expose you to the many self-publishing book production and marketing options available today and the vast array of technologies for realizing
your vision, including print on demand, digital printing, e-books, audio
books, CD and DVD, video and MP3, and Internet marketing with social
networking (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube), your own website
and on-line retailers such as Amazon. (1 Meeting)
Date: Monday, Oct. 19
Time: 6:00 – 9:00pm
Fee: $40
Patricia Hamilton, member of Independent Book Publishers of America, Small Publishers of America, National Writers Assn. and Central
Coast Writers, runs a consulting and book publishing business, PARK
PLACE PUBLICATIONS, that since 1982 has helped authors all over
the world publish and market their books in a variety of electronic and print media. Her own healthy travel guides have
won national book and marketing awards.
(831) 582-5500
csumb.edu/olli
7
PUTTING YOUR PASSION INTO PRINT*:
A Submission Success Team
•
Got your fiction or screenplay manuscript completed?
•
Have a great outline and two good sample chapters for nonfiction?
•
Want to meet regularly with a small group of writers to set
goals, deadlines, and write query letter and book proposals
that sing?
For writers ready to get their work ‘out there’, these meetings
are aimed at supporting yourself and others, and will cover
activities about transcending blocks to success. We will review
winning query letters and proposals that have been funded by
agents for as little as $5,000 and as much as $1,000,000. Based on
principles in the best selling book by Arielle Eckstut & David
Henry Sterry*, members will develop individualized goals and critique not each others’ writing, but their
queries and proposals to agents and publishers. Join one or both sessions. Both groups are invited to a special
finale on December 7; 6:00 – 8:30pm to celebrate achievements. (3 meetings per session)
Session1:
Session 2:
Fee:
Mondays, Sept. 14, 28, Oct. 12: 10:00am – 12:30pm
Mondays, Nov. 2, 16, 30: 6:00 – 8:30pm
$40 per session (book included)
Pat Hanson, PhD and former National Writers Union Chapter 7 Chair, runs a consulting business HEALTH
MATTERS that offers research, training, grant writing and multimedia materials development for the public
and private sector. She has taught Women’s Health Issues at Monterey Peninsula College and is an adjunct
faculty member in Service Learning at CSUMB.
CSUMB GOSPEL CHOIR
In addition to singing, you will study the performance, practice, and historical evolution of contemporary Gospel music in America via the performance medium. The Choir performs
at the Annual CSUMB Winter Concert, held Sunday, December 6; 3:00pm.
Off campus performances may also be included. Due to the delicate art of
balancing voices within each section, this course is open to those who can
commit to the full Fall session. Limited seats!
Dates: Time: Place:
Fee: Tuesdays, Aug. 25 – Dec. 8
Noon – 2:00pm
CSUMB Music Hall, Building 30
$70
Paulette Gissendanner has received her BA in Applied Music and Elementary Education, and graduate work in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. She has worked with the Indiana
University Afro-American Chorale Ensemble and served as a professor of music at the University of the Virgin
Islands-St. Thomas.
8
OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE • CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, MONTEREY BAY
PUBLIC RADIO:
BEHIND THE SCENES OF KAZU
KAZU 90.3, “NPR for the Monterey Bay Area,” is one
of the dominant radio stations in the Monterey-SalinasSanta Cruz market. For over two decades, KAZU has
continued to inform, educate and entertain its listeners
from local, national and international perspectives. In
this special three-part series, KAZU and NPR staff will
take OLLI members behind the scenes in an exploration of the following topics:
•
Ombudsman Alicia Shepard sees her job as
explaining NPR to listeners, and listeners to NPR.
She is responsible for bringing transparency to
the organization’s journalism decision-making
processes. Ms. Shepard, a noted journalist (New
York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times) and author (Woodward
& Bernstein: Life in the Shadow of Watergate), will talk in depth about the
history and basic concepts of Public Radio.
•
Capture the “on-the-air” experience with KAZU hosts/producers David
Wittrock and Krista Almanzan. These two radio veterans will reveal how
they prepare and broadcast a program from reporting to script preparation
to delivery over the airwaves. Participants will try their hand at reading copy while gaining insight into editing, clock management and live
broadcasting.
•
Join Doug McKnight, KAZU General Manager, as he shares the rich history of KAZU. Mr. McKnight will provide insight regarding Public Radio
operations, fundraising, ratings and the future of local programming.
Dates:
Time:
Place:
Fee:
Thursdays, Sept. 10, 24; Oct. 1 (no class 9/17)
10:30am - noon
KAZU, CSUMB Corporation Building, Room 317
$40
(Continued from page 5)
Tyler had been born with a full head of
adult hair. It looked odd on an infant.
His thick hair grew quickly. I kept
cutting away at it trying to control it. It
was more like fur than hair. Katie also
cut Tyler’s hair. Only she left small bald
spots. One day I decided it was time for
the barber.
Sam roused himself from his sunbathing
and watched the three of us get ready
for our outing. He gently placed himself
on the living room floor and moved
into a perfect sphinx posture. I had
been doing yoga for years and never
mastered that position with such grace.
I wanted to tip him over. Sam stretched,
awaiting Barbara’s arrival while I
corralled Katie and Tyler into the car.
One can never underestimate the
benefits of a good haircut. Within
30 minutes, Tyler transformed from a
straggly toddler into a little boy. His
thick hair was layered into a traditional
boy’s haircut. He even had a cute little
cowlick on the crown of his head. With
his blond hair and big blue eyes, Tyler
looked picture perfect. Or so I thought.
Sam stared at Tyler for hours never
blinking an eye.
One morning, with all of us dozing on
and off, Sam entered our bedroom. I
watched him quietly step, one foot in
front of the other, until he reached the
pillow Tyler and I shared. The blond
fur was just too much. Sam attacked
Tyler’s hair with his tongue. He purred.
He pulled. He meowed as he tugged at
the cowlicks.
Tyler’s eyes snapped open.
“Shush,” I whispered. “It is just Sam.
He is grooming you.”
Tyler lay very still and started to smile.
Occasionally Sam would look over at
me. I doubted my mothering skills.
Guttural noises emanated from Sam as
he wrestled with Tyler’s hair.
Barbara assured me that Sam’s
grooming techniques were just what
was needed to style Tyler’s hair.
Months later, Barbara found a job and
an apartment in Silicon Valley and
Sam stayed on as our family cat and
hairstylist.
- Eileen Tremain
(Continued on page 11)
(831) 582-5500
csumb.edu/olli
9
OLLI GOES TO THE MOVIES:
International Social-Issue Films
The 10th Annual International Film Festival presented by the Monterey Bay
Chapter of the United Nations Association (November 5-8, 2009 at the Golden
State Theatre in downtown Monterey) presents an excellent selection of international documentary films focusing on important global issues including
war and peace, human rights, world health and economics, environmental
concerns and intercultural understanding. This course offers a preview of
Festival films (selection to be announced) as well as an opportunity to share,
discuss, and evaluate the movie-going experience with others (admission to
the Festival is included in course registration). Three pre-Festival class sessions will provide background, context, film excerpts, discussion and screenings of other social-issue documentaries examining the vital issues of our day.
One post-Festival wrap up session concludes the course.
This class is back by popular demand! You won’t want to miss out on this
crop of top-notch documentaries and the discussions they are certain to inspire. (4 Meetings plus Festival.)
Dates: Wednesdays, Oct. 14, 21, 28; Nov. 11
Time: 6:00 – 8:30pm
Fee: $75
Karen Davis is Senior Film Programmer for the Mill Valley Film Festival. She teaches courses in world cinema
and cultural studies, and has been on the faculty of several institutions, including CSUMB, and Vassar College.
She has also written, produced, and directed numerous film and video productions, primarily in the documentary genre.
Into the Wild
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel deep into the
heart of the world’s most captivating jungles? Renowned travel expert
Dan Presser has made it his life’s passion to explore these fascinating
environments. Join him for a three-part lecture series and be transported
to jungles from Africa to Borneo to Argentina. Dan will offer scintillating antidotes about his many adventures into the wild, accompanied by
stunning photographs of the inhabitants, wildlife and incredible landscapes he has encountered over the years. (3 Meetings)
Dates: Thursdays, Oct. 1, 8, 15
Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm
Fee:
$20 or $10 if you bring a guest (free admission for the guest)
Dan Presser was born in Texas and his love of animals was fostered
by frequent visits to the Houston Zoo as a youth. After earning his
undergraduate degree at Tulane University and completing his graduate
studies at Michigan Sate, Dan worked for many years in the advertising field. A move to the Monterey Peninsula coincided with a shift into the travel industry, where Dan has remained ever since. As an expert in jungle
travel, Dan would rather be in a tent in Zambia than a five-star hotel in the heart of Paris. He should know.
He’s done both.
10
OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE • CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, MONTEREY BAY
CALIFORNIA CIVICS
OLLI at CSUMB is honored to host Fred Keeley for an in-depth look at
California History, Politics and Policy. This course will be presented in six
sessions, encompassing three main areas of focus. In the first two sessions,
we’ll explore the four stages of change and growth of California, addressing the question of “How did we get here?”. Next, Mr. Keeley will provide
insight into modern era of politics, with an emphasis on “game changing”
moments. The course will conclude with an examination of the challenges
California faces today.
California History
Sept. 19:
Part 1
Sept. 26:
Part 2
1978 – 2002
Nov. 7:
2002 – Present
Policy Challenges
Nov. 21:
Fiscal Challenges
Dates/Time: Saturdays; 10:00am - noon
Fee:
Bill and I just got back from Oregon.
We were visiting our friends Mary and
Rich, who moved there from Pacific
Grove two years ago, just before the
economy began to spiral downward.
They sold their house on 14th Street
for 1.2 million, and converted a huge
Victorian in North West Portland into an
amazing four-plex.
While Portland is noted as being one
of the youngest, most prosperous and
educated cities in the nation; a recent
article reported it as being 4th from
the bottom when it comes to diversity.
African Americans make up less than
3% of the population.
Challenges of Today
Nov. 14:
Someone Who Looks Like Me
We also visited Tom and his family from
Pebble Beach. They bought an even
more amazing Victorian in the same
neighborhood. We didn’t even have
enough time to look up Michael and
Bob who also moved to Portland after
selling their store in the Crossroads.
Nor did we see Fran, teaching online in
Portland for CSUMB.
It seems like everyone is moving to
Portland these days, except for people
who look like me.
Contemporary California Politics
Oct. 3:
(Continued from page 9)
Besides a few homeless people and a
bus driver, I hardly saw anyone who
looks like me.
$75
Fred Keeley is on the Board of Directors of California Forward, a statewide
non-profit corporation that specializes in major areas of state government reform. He served in the California State Assembly, representing the Monterey
Bay area, from 1996-2002. Mr. Keeley is the elected County Treasurer of the
County of Santa Cruz and is an appointee of the state Senate to the Governor’s
Commission on the 21st Century Economy.
Anyway, we were in the Pearl, buying
books at Powell’s Bookstore when
suddenly this kid yells out: “Mommy,
look at him!” It was loud, and sounded
like someone crying “help”, “watch out”,
or “oh my God”.
Everyone seemed to stop and turn to
find the source of his alarm, and to see
if we too needed to be alerted, protected
or simply join in amusement.
I looked down as well, searching the
crowded room of books and browsers,
and quickly found our “town crier” just
a few feet away. He was an adorable
toe head, about 4 years old, with bright
blue eyes who said again in an even
louder, more distinctly frightened voice:
“Mommy, look at him!”
I was shocked, when suddenly I
discover that the “him” he was referring
to was me. Cowering in his stroller, he
stared at me and pointed, yelling one
(Continued on page 13)
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csumb.edu/olli
11
FINDING YOUR VOICE WITHIN:
A Writing Workshop with Patrice Vecchione
Connect to your inborn creativity and express yourself deeply, clearly and wholly. Through writing you’ll give
voice to the truths you live by and explore the richness of your imagination. You’ll be introduced to a variety
of techniques to calm the internal editor and inspire the writer within. Writer’s block, fact vs. truth, writing
and place, and voice are some of the topics that will be covered. We’ll
write each week and have an opportunity to share our work. Those
interested in exploring prose as well as those inclined toward poetry
and both new and experienced writers are welcome. We’ll include a
copy of Patrice’s book, Writing and the Spiritual Life: Finding Your Voice
by Looking Within, as the text for the class. (6 Meetings)
Dates:
Time:
Fee:
Tuesdays, Oct. 6, 13, 20, 27; Nov. 3, 10
1:00 – 4:00pm
$80
Patrice Vecchione is the author of Territory of Wind, a poetry collection, and the nonfiction book, Writing and the Spiritual Life: Finding
Your Voice by Looking Within. About Writing and the Spiritual Life, The Writer Magazine said, “Trust the voice
of Patrice Vecchione.” She’s also the editor of many acclaimed anthologies of poetry and prose including Faith
& Doubt, which was named a best book of the year by The American Library Association and appeared on
the New York Public Library’s best books list. For many years, Patrice has taught poetry and creative writing
through her program “The Heart of the Word.” She teaches in community centers, writing organizations,
universities, libraries, hospitals, schools, and privately.
Shooting the Local Landscape:
A Digital Safari from the Field to the Gallery
Take a morning trek along the beaches and wetlands of Marina and
Moss Landing, capturing pictures, learning lighting strategies and
composition. Finish the day with your digital images finely tuned on
disk, on line and in a gallery.
While exploring the local estuarine environment, join long-time local
photographer and CSUMB digital photo instructor Pat Watson to
explore the beaches and native environment of our local area. Using his thirty years of professional photographic experience, Pat will help you make the most of your digital camera, whether it’s a point-and-shoot or
SLR format. For the afternoon, join the class at the CSUMB campus to work with industry standard software to
download your images, adjust them for best quality and write them into a playable movie for you, your family
and friends. You’ll also get tips and tricks for preparing your images for large format printing and using online galleries to share your images across the web. (1 Meeting)
Date: Time:
Fee:
Place:
Saturday, Oct. 3
9:00am – 4:00pm
$60
Meeting place to be announced
Pat Watson has been internationally published and has exhibited with numerous group and solo shows. His
work has appeared in numerous publications, including Secrets of Award Winning Digital Artists, and more.
Patrick currently teaches at CSUMB in the School of Information Technology and Communications Design
Department.
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OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE • CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, MONTEREY BAY
WIND, SAND, SEA, AND STARS:
The Saga of the Space Frontier
It was forty years ago this year that humankind first set foot on the moon. When
was the last time you thought about the
space program, the astronauts, the space
station, or the Mars missions? If you’re like
most Americans, you haven’t focused on
the space program since the Columbia and
Challenger disasters. Much is happening in
space and behind the scenes however, causing great debates and discussions such as: (1) the use of space for military
purposes, (2) the generation of new wealth by space entrepreneurs, (3) the
new space race between China, Russia and the U.S., (4) America’s destinations in space, the moon, Mars or beyond, (5) and tourism in space. Only
100 miles away, the space frontier beckons, promising opportunity, prosperity, and hope for individual nations, and future generations.
This course will look at America’s space
program within the context of today’s volatile economic and political environments.
We will discuss, examine and explore this
marvelous asset and symbol of America’s
technological, economic, and military
prowess. Some of the topics covered in this
program will be space power theory, future
space exploration, space commercialization,
cyberspace, space law, space tourism, weapons and war in space, and our National Space
Policy. Come and join us on this voyage of
discovery. (4 Meetings)
Dates:
Time:
Fee:
Saturdays, Oct. 10, 17, 24, 31
9:30am – noon
$60
David S. Rader teaches the Modern American Presidency Series, the Trailblazing Through Time Series and the Wind, Sand, Exploration Series for
OLLI and other Lifelong Learning programs. He has taught as an adjunct
instructor for thirty-five years in numerous disciplines including business,
management and leadership, international business, international studies
and the social sciences. He has worked in the securities, real estate, high
tech and defense industries.
(831) 582-5500
csumb.edu/olli
(Continued from page 11)
more time (as if now to get the attention
of the entire store) “Mommy, look at
him.”
I felt as if I were in some sort of line
up – being identified for committing a
heinous crime. And in a bizarre chain
of events, all eyes went from their
books, to each other, to him, and then
to me.
His mother also glanced at me in quasiembarrassment, pulled his arm down,
and quickly whisked him out of the
store. Everyone simply went back to
what they were doing, while I broke out
into a cold familiar sweat.
If that wasn’t enough, as we left the
bookstore, two young white guys
(perhaps students at nearby Portland
State) followed behind me. In the
store window was a poster advertising
a newly published book about Barak
Obama.
Seeing the poster, one guy said to the
other: “I am so over this Obama thing.”
“Yea, me too,” his friend replied. “OK,
so he’s President. But can’t we just
move on? I’m sick and tired of seeing
his face everywhere.” “Yea,” his friend
said, “I’m pretty tired of it too.”
It began to rain, again. A streetcar
quickly rolled up. We all got on, and
I searched the faces of the passengers
for someone who looked like me. All
I found was a picture of an African
American family, on an ad for mental
health services at the community
hospital.
As we travelled back to Mary’s house
I felt as if I were invisible. Spirit and
energy drained, my mind drifted to
another place – to an incident that
happened about four years before.
I was on my way to the cheese shop in
Carmel, and just as I was crossing the
plaza a black woman, coming down
the escalator from the upper level of
Saks yelled “Hello!” I didn’t recognize
the voice, but I turned toward her
direction, and saw that she was waving
at me.
As she moved closer to ground level
she shouted, “Hello! It is so good to see
you” - as if we were long lost friends.
I stopped walking, took a good look at
(Continued on page 14)
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THE EMOTIONAL AND
COMMUNICATIVE LIVES OF DOGS
In this course you will learn about the emotional and communicative lives of dogs, as documented by scientists and canine experts,
with a basis in biology and behavioral science. The course will use
lecture, multi-media, discussion, and live observation of participant
dogs. (We will invite your dog for a class experience as we observe and
respond to your dog’s emotions.) You will receive a copy of The Emotional Lives of Animals: A Leading Scientist Explores Animal Joy, Sorrow, and
Empathy - and Why They Matter by Marc Bekoff and Jane Goodall, which
will be used as a course reference. You will come away with a keener
ability to sense your dog’s life experience and a greater understanding
of the emotions behind your canine’s actions. (4 Meetings)
Dates: Tuesdays, Oct. 27; Nov. 3, 10, 17
Time: 6:00 – 9:00pm
Fee: $60
Sean Senechal is the founder of AnimalSign Center, www.animalsign.org,
where she is an animal language educator. Her revolutionary approach has
been endorsed by the Koko Foundation, Roger Abrantes (world-renowned
dog language expert) and veterinarians. A cognitive ethologist, she examines the capability of dogs, horses
and cats to expand their natural language skills by developing a sign language for them. She authored the
book Dogs Can Sign, Too out this fall, has been featured on Animal Planet, and has served as a keynote speaker
at the Canadian Association of Professional Pet Dog Trainers in May 2009. She has lectured at CSUMB, UC
Davis and Hartnell.
her and was certain that I had never seen her before. But, she rushed over to
me, put her hand on my elbow, looked me in the eyes and with a broad smile
said, “Now, you are a sight for sore eyes.”
I was charmed by her greeting, but confessed that I did not know who she was.
“I’m sorry,” I said, but I don’t think we have ever met.”
(Continued from page 13)
Ignoring my obvious confusion, she asked me where I was visiting from. When
I told her that I lived right there, in Carmel, she said “You live here?” “Yes”, I
said, proudly. After all, doesn’t everyone want to live in Carmel?
“Oh”, she said, her smile quickly fading, as she gently stroked my arm. “You
are the first person I’ve seen here who looks like me. Are you OK?” she asked.
“Yes”, I said. “I’m fine.”
And as quickly as she had come, she was gone into the crowd of shoppers on
Ocean Avenue.
It actually took me a few minutes to compose myself. Because as I watched her
walk away, I realized that I wasn’t really OK. Standing in the middle of Carmel
plaza, I felt ashamed, diminished and very much alone.
always out and ahead.
Consciously and then unconsciously, I did just that and soon found myself as
far away as I could get, from as many people who looked like me.
That was in part what I think propelled me to this place on the central coast.
Although the Peninsula (with tourism, agriculture and hospitality industries) is
actually much more multi-cultural than Portland, diversity was not on my list of
criteria back then. It is now.
My therapist later asked how it felt being in that curious encounter with the
stranger in Carmel Plaza. I described a sudden awareness of loss, sadness,
isolation and deep regret.
But I also remembered the feeling of a warm embrace, a sense of love and
nurture, the touch of her hand, a feeling of safety and a deep relaxation – a
momentary release. It felt like home, and a curious familiarity I had long since
forgotten.
As we got off the streetcar on that rainy afternoon in Portland, and strolled
passed the fabulous shops of sustainable designer clothing; gazed at the
colorful stalls of locally grown produce; passing organic butchers, bakeries and
restaurants, bookstores, galleries and tree lined streets with the most fragrant
gardens and meticulous Victorian houses; I thought, I don’t want to move to
Portland.
Carmel was far enough for me.
For me, upward mobility had meant leaving everything and everyone else
behind – moving up, up and away - from, never looking back or even in,
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- Michael E. Reid
OSHER LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTE • CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, MONTEREY BAY
Space is Limited! Register for OLLI Courses today!
(831) 582-5500
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15