PROGRAM SCHEDULE   

At the forefront of women’s Expressionist art was German artist Gabriele Münter, who for a time shared her 'Blue House' in Murnau, near Munich, with Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky. Her work was inspired by her partnership with Kandinsky, as well as the vivid palettes of Gauguin and the Fauves. Munter's vibrant canvases also drew heavily from local folk art, including traditional tole and reverse-glass painting.

Meet the cryptids of Florida in this 90-minute talk of legends, including clips from films about and firsthand accounts of our Florida-only mythic creatures.

This talk analyzes the second Trump administration’s domestic and foreign policy. We examine executive power concentration, Project 2025, border security, and economic nationalism via tariffs, inflation tactics, and jobs reshoring. It further explores national security, tech/energy independence, and how transactional isolationism reshapes global alliances and the liberal world order.

Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night is arguably MoMA’s most beloved treasure, a painting many seek out for its inspiration and magic. In this course, we will take a closer look at this masterpiece, decoding its symbolism and exploring the earlier artists who influenced van Gogh's composition.

Beyond The Starry Night, we will tour MoMA’s collection to discover how other modern masters captured the night sky, including:

Henri Rousseau’s The Sleeping Gypsy

Paul Gauguin’s The Moon and the Earth

Robert Delaunay’s Simultaneous Contrasts, Sun and Moon

Marc Chagall’s I and the Village

Georgia O’Keeffe’s Evening Star

Modern artists looked at the moon and stars in incredibly diverse ways—as a heavenly sphere, a romantic enchanter, a light source, or a geometric shape. The comparisons are bound to spark fascinating discussions!

Vincent van Gogh’s The Starry Night is arguably MoMA’s most beloved treasure, a painting many seek out for its inspiration and magic. In this course, we will take a closer look at this masterpiece, decoding its symbolism and exploring the earlier artists who influenced van Gogh's composition.

Beyond The Starry Night, we will tour MoMA’s collection to discover how other modern masters captured the night sky, including:

Henri Rousseau’s The Sleeping Gypsy

Paul Gauguin’s The Moon and the Earth

Robert Delaunay’s Simultaneous Contrasts, Sun and Moon

Marc Chagall’s I and the Village

Georgia O’Keeffe’s Evening Star

Modern artists looked at the moon and stars in incredibly diverse ways—as a heavenly sphere, a romantic enchanter, a light source, or a geometric shape. The comparisons are bound to spark fascinating discussions!

The All-Access E-Class Pass to learning with OLLI offers unlimited access to e-classes (online) hosted on OLLI's video conferencing platform (Zoom) during a designated term.*

To receive proper member discounting, the Class Pass session dates must not exceed your membership renewal date.

I registered for the pass, do I need to also register for each class I want to attend?

• No! Just register for the pass and we will do the rest.

Visit our frequently asked questions page linked here for more details and refund information. *Unless otherwise noted.

Join OLLI Members for a free, weekly outdoor stroll along one of Pinellas County's award-winning beaches. All levels of walkers are welcome!

Don't see the 'add to cart' button? Members must be logged into their account in order to register for these programs.

If you enjoy nature walks and connecting with fellow OLLI members, join us as we explore the beautiful parks in Pinellas County. Schedules of parks will be sent out monthly. All levels of walkers are welcome. Please contact facilitator, Kathleen Passafiume at katbelinni@bellsouth.net for questions and updates.

Whether you are a seasoned pro, new and would like to learn, or somewhere in between, join us for Mahjong. We will meet twice a month to learn and play.

 

Experience the Golden Age of Hollywood through the eyes of Samuel Goldwyn—a singular innovator and visionary whose productions shaped modern cinema.

This lecture is a tour-de-force of the history of glass in the United States from the late nineteenth century to the present. Focused on the captivating contributions as well as lasting legacies of protagonists such as Louis Comfort Tiffany, Frank Lloyd Wright, Harvey Littleton (father of the so-called Studio Glass Movement), Dominick Labino, and Dale Chihuly, this richly illustrated slide lecture explores both artisan and industrial production. Particular emphasis will be given to not only various techniques—including stained glass, glass blowing, flameworking, cold working, and cast glass production—but also the creation of the American Studio Glass Movement from its inception in Toledo, Ohio to its eventual spread to other centers, such as the Haystack Mountain School of Crafts on Deer Isle, Maine, and the famed Pilchuck Glass School founded by Dale Chihuly in Washington state. Finally, we will explore some of the top sites for visiting unique collections and galleries dedicated to American glass, such as Wheaton Arts in southern New Jersey and Chihuly Garden and Glass in Seattle.

Roadside Attractions and Unusual Destinations. A photographic exploration of America’s off-the-beaten-path locations—from desert towns to coastal communities—highlighting the creativity, humor, and character found beyond the main highways.
 

Come and discover some of ancient history's greatest mysteries—like the library of Alexandria, the life and death of King Tut, the architectural achievements of Egypt’s Great Pyramids, and the purpose of Göbekli Tepe—that continue to perplex us. These fascinating slices of human history have been examined and debated for years. Find out what we know and what we hope to know about some of ancient humans' enduring enigmas. 

So many writing projects! Memoirs, essays, plays, poetry, short stories, screenwriting, novels and non-fiction books. Writing can be a lonely process. But with a supportive group, it isn't near as frustrating. This is an opportunity to read your work, listen to the feedback and continue on your way as a happy, fulfilled writer. Plus, there's weekly how-to instruction on getting the creative process in a productive gear. Come to learn and share. It's all about the story.

The “Roaring Twenties” was the name given an era of unbridled optimism in America and Europe where the French referred to the decade as "le années folles" or “the crazy years. The period signified the return to normalcy after the First World War as jazz music blossomed, the flapper redefined modern womanhood, and Art Deco peaked. Economically, the era saw the greatly expanded use of automobiles, telephones, motion pictures, and electricity, as well as significant changes in lifestyle and culture. But the exuberance of the era also sowed the seeds of disaster as the final months of the decade ushered in the Great Depression after the Wall Street Crash of October 1929.

The “Roaring Twenties” was the name given an era of unbridled optimism in America and Europe where the French referred to the decade as "le années folles" or “the crazy years. The period signified the return to normalcy after the First World War as jazz music blossomed, the flapper redefined modern womanhood, and Art Deco peaked. Economically, the era saw the greatly expanded use of automobiles, telephones, motion pictures, and electricity, as well as significant changes in lifestyle and culture. But the exuberance of the era also sowed the seeds of disaster as the final months of the decade ushered in the Great Depression after the Wall Street Crash of October 1929.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, were profoundly traumatic for both the United States and the world. Creative expressions quickly became central to the mourning and healing process, manifesting in diverse forms. Immediate community responses included street murals, which now survive largely through photography—most notably in the work of leading photojournalist Martha Cooper. While these initial, spontaneous memorials were makeshift and rooted in found symbolism, permanent installations like Michael Arad’s Reflecting Absence required years of deliberate planning. Many of these permanent sites sit along the New York City waterfront, offering views of the World Trade Center site and incorporating structural remnants of the Twin Towers. In contrast, fine artists have tended toward more personal, fragile, and ephemeral responses.

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, were profoundly traumatic for both the United States and the world. Creative expressions quickly became central to the mourning and healing process, manifesting in diverse forms. Immediate community responses included street murals, which now survive largely through photography—most notably in the work of leading photojournalist Martha Cooper. While these initial, spontaneous memorials were makeshift and rooted in found symbolism, permanent installations like Michael Arad’s Reflecting Absence required years of deliberate planning. Many of these permanent sites sit along the New York City waterfront, offering views of the World Trade Center site and incorporating structural remnants of the Twin Towers. In contrast, fine artists have tended toward more personal, fragile, and ephemeral responses.

An electrifying global history of a not-so local war. When we think of the American Revolution, we often picture a parochial drama: thirteen colonies squaring off against the British Crown in a spirited bid for independence. But this version of the story is only half the truth—and perhaps not even the most interesting half. In this riveting program, historian and author Richard Bell invites audiences to rediscover the Revolution as a world war that unleashed chaos, opportunity, and transformation across six continents. From the sugar fields of the Caribbean to the court of the King of Mysore, from refugee camps on the Canadian frontier to political uprisings in Sierra Leone and Peru, the war that gave birth to the United States was never simply America’s own. It was a seismic global event that redrew maps, toppled hierarchies, catalyzed migration, and accelerated new movements for liberty—and for empire.  

In this program, Bell traces the far-flung reverberations of the war through the lives of the people it displaced, empowered, or destroyed. Participants will encounter a Native matriarch struggling to preserve a transatlantic military alliance, a Prussian officer reinventing himself in a foreign army, and a Boston schoolteacher shipwrecked thousands of miles from home. Along the way, Bell explores how the Revolution stirred a transoceanic refugee crisis, ignited antislavery activism, and inspired uprisings from Ireland to India. The program offers a bold new framework for understanding the Revolutionary War not as a tidy founding moment but as a sprawling, high-stakes struggle fought on land and sea, shaped by commerce, diplomacy, propaganda, and contingency. This is the American Revolution as you’ve never seen it before: complex, global, and astonishingly relevant to the modern world. 

An electrifying global history of a not-so local war. When we think of the American Revolution, we often picture a parochial drama: thirteen colonies squaring off against the British Crown in a spirited bid for independence. But this version of the story is only half the truth—and perhaps not even the most interesting half. In this riveting program, historian and author Richard Bell invites audiences to rediscover the Revolution as a world war that unleashed chaos, opportunity, and transformation across six continents. From the sugar fields of the Caribbean to the court of the King of Mysore, from refugee camps on the Canadian frontier to political uprisings in Sierra Leone and Peru, the war that gave birth to the United States was never simply America’s own. It was a seismic global event that redrew maps, toppled hierarchies, catalyzed migration, and accelerated new movements for liberty—and for empire.  

In this program, Bell traces the far-flung reverberations of the war through the lives of the people it displaced, empowered, or destroyed. Participants will encounter a Native matriarch struggling to preserve a transatlantic military alliance, a Prussian officer reinventing himself in a foreign army, and a Boston schoolteacher shipwrecked thousands of miles from home. Along the way, Bell explores how the Revolution stirred a transoceanic refugee crisis, ignited antislavery activism, and inspired uprisings from Ireland to India. The program offers a bold new framework for understanding the Revolutionary War not as a tidy founding moment but as a sprawling, high-stakes struggle fought on land and sea, shaped by commerce, diplomacy, propaganda, and contingency. This is the American Revolution as you’ve never seen it before: complex, global, and astonishingly relevant to the modern world. 

The first three presidents of the 19th Century fundamentally changed the direction of the young nation. This discussion-oriented class will examine how the administrations of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe turned the nation away from Federalist principles

The first three presidents of the 19th Century fundamentally changed the direction of the young nation. This discussion-oriented class will examine how the administrations of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe turned the nation away from Federalist principles

Go beyond nutrition and dive into the pure joy of eating! This dynamic talk journeys from A to Z—Avocados to Zucchini—to explore the entire life cycle of our food. Discover the ins and outs of farming, food safety, global marketing, and unusual delicacies, packed with practical tips for healthier, more flavorful cooking.

Conventional wisdom says the United States holds all the cards—but recent history tells a much more complicated story. This presentation challenges mainstream assumptions by auditing three contemporary battlegrounds. We will debate the true legacy of the 2025 Tariff Wars: was it a $5.2 trillion protectionist triumph or a demonstration of successful allied counter-strategies? Moving to the kinetic theater, we review the 2026 Iran War, evaluating how a nation can claim an asymmetric victory simply by surviving 13,000 air strikes and leveraging the world's most critical maritime chokepoint. To tie it all together, we trace the 55-year US-China Economic War (1971–2026), revealing the mechanisms China deployed to withstand severe internal crises—from a bursting real estate bubble to a graying population—while holding the line on critical rare earth elements. Join us for a gritty, data-driven look at how modern wars are fought, resisted, and survived.

Join other OLLI members at a variety of unique North/South Pinellas County restaurants. Participants order from the menu. Each member is responsible for his/her own meal cost and tip. Group size is limited, so register early.

Churchill was considered the greatest man in the world by the time of his death in 1965. This presentation focuses on Churchill’s private life: his tremendous capacity for work, his humour, his willingness to take risks, and his intense emotional nature. Born into an aristocratic family, Churchill would change political parties - twice! By 1916, his political career was in tatters after the  disaster of Gallipoli. From these political margins, he led the calls for rearmament in the face of German aggression. Close to defeat, he would lead Britain to victory. After 1945, Churchill predicted the Cold War. This presentation explores why Churchill is considered one of the most important Brits in the last 100 years. 

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

Take a deep dive into the prolific, tuneful collaboration of composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart. From 1919 to 1943, their legendary partnership introduced timeless songs to Broadway, radio, and film that are still performed worldwide today. From "Blue Moon" to "Johnny One Note," and "My Funny Valentine" to "Ten Cents a Dance," their work ranges from the clever and sarcastic to the sentimental and smart. Enjoy the fascinating stories and classic performances behind such landmark musicals as The Boys from Syracuse, Babes in Arms, Dearest Enemy, On Your Toes, By Jupiter, A Connecticut Yankee, and more.

Take a deep dive into the prolific, tuneful collaboration of composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Lorenz Hart. From 1919 to 1943, their legendary partnership introduced timeless songs to Broadway, radio, and film that are still performed worldwide today. From "Blue Moon" to "Johnny One Note," and "My Funny Valentine" to "Ten Cents a Dance," their work ranges from the clever and sarcastic to the sentimental and smart. Enjoy the fascinating stories and classic performances behind such landmark musicals as The Boys from Syracuse, Babes in Arms, Dearest Enemy, On Your Toes, By Jupiter, A Connecticut Yankee, and more.

When the Wright brothers first flew in 1903, they could not have imagined the impact of powered flight. One visionary influenced by that breakthrough was Jack Northrop, who began experimenting with flying-wing designs. After World War II, Northrop developed flying-wing bombers, but early models suffered from critical flaws.

In the 1960s, engineers explored “lifting body” aircraft, where the fuselage itself generated lift rather than traditional wings. This research paved the way for a major breakthrough in the 1980s with Northrop’s B-2 Spirit—the world’s first successful production flying wing. Today, flying-wing designs appear in advanced drones, and future airliners may follow. This class explores the fascinating evolution of flying-wing technology and how innovation unfolds over time.

When the Wright brothers first flew in 1903, they could not have imagined the impact of powered flight. One visionary influenced by that breakthrough was Jack Northrop, who began experimenting with flying-wing designs. After World War II, Northrop developed flying-wing bombers, but early models suffered from critical flaws.

In the 1960s, engineers explored “lifting body” aircraft, where the fuselage itself generated lift rather than traditional wings. This research paved the way for a major breakthrough in the 1980s with Northrop’s B-2 Spirit—the world’s first successful production flying wing. Today, flying-wing designs appear in advanced drones, and future airliners may follow. This class explores the fascinating evolution of flying-wing technology and how innovation unfolds over time.

Join us on the fourth Sunday of the month for a fun and challenging game at the historic Hollander Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg. Hotel and street parking are available. Arrive between 5 and 5:30 p.m. for dinner or be there by 6:00 p.m. when the trivia begins.

Register in advance, as we must reserve tables. OLLI is limited to two teams of eight players. If registration is full, reply to froehlichj@eckerd.edu to add your name to waiting list. If we have enough for another team, we will try to accommodate.

Members, you must be signed into your account to make the 'add to cart' button appear. If you are unable to register, either you are not logged into your account and/or your membership expires before the program date.

Trace the footsteps of Cuban arts through the atmospheric streets of Havana. This course offers a unique blend of art history and cultural tour, taking you from the prestigious Museo de Bellas Artes to beautiful Plaza de la Cathedral and the soulful rhythms of Old Havana with its Buena Vista Social Club. Discover historic print workshops, a vibrant mosaic park , and profound sites of heritage like the museum of Colonial art and the Museo de las Orishas and of course, Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana with a grand view and nightly canon firing ceremony.

Trace the footsteps of Cuban arts through the atmospheric streets of Havana. This course offers a unique blend of art history and cultural tour, taking you from the prestigious Museo de Bellas Artes to beautiful Plaza de la Cathedral and the soulful rhythms of Old Havana with its Buena Vista Social Club. Discover historic print workshops, a vibrant mosaic park , and profound sites of heritage like the museum of Colonial art and the Museo de las Orishas and of course, Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana with a grand view and nightly canon firing ceremony.

From its emergence amid rapid cultural change in the early 20th century, country music has resonated with people who feel left behind by a shifting world. A keygenre of American roots music, it captures hardships of modern life while intentionally evoking emotional response. Whether facing troubled relationships,unemployment, homelessness, loneliness, or spiritual bereft, there is a country song for you. This course traces the history of country and American roots music through the stories and artistic developments of influential performers. Each session highlights key figures including the Carter Family, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, and Dolly Parton.

Click here to view promo video.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR:Taylor Ackley, PhD

Taylor Ackley, PhD, is a scholar, composer, and performer ofAmerican Roots music. He holds a PhD and a master’s degreein composition, and a master’s in ethnomusicology from StonyBrook University. Ackley is an independent scholar andprofessional musician based in northwestern Montana and iswriting his first book,Hearing Class. A singer and multi-instrumentalist, he has performed nationwide, released fouralbums, and presented at major conferences in music,sociology, and ethnomusicology

The public often sees the art world as the domain of wealth, trendsetters, and high rollers, yet deception wealth, trendsetters, and high rollers, yet deception lurks behind the façade. After weapons and drugs, artis the third most lucrative illicit trade, with reports suggesting that more than half of artworks are fake or misattributed. In this course, we will ask: When is a copy simply a copy, and when is it a forgery? What techniques do master forgers use? Does a collector hold true title, and how important is provenance? What can science tell us about art authenticity? We will uncover riveting stories of criminal art activity, gallery closings, and master forgeries.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Christine Maasdam

Christine Maasdam holds a master’s in humanities and abachelor’s in cultural geography. Maasdam studied art at TheCourtauld Institute, the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center, andthe University of Glasgow. She trained in art crime investigationand is a member of the International Foundation for CulturalProperty Protection. She holds Sotheby’s certifications in art lawand appraisal, serves as a museum education docent, and hasvolunteered on archaeological projects in Israel.

This course examines royal succession through acclaimed British films that explore power not as ceremony, but as moral and political crisis. We will trace the monarchy’s evolution from personal ruleto institutional authority, beginning with thePlantagenet struggles in Becket (1964) and The Lion in Winter(1968). We will then examine themoral costs of kingship and the performance of national leadership through two Shakespeare adaptations: Chimes at Midnight (1965) and Henry V (1989). The course will conclude with theTudor rupture: A Man for All Seasons(1966) and the consolidation of legitimacyElizabeth(1998).

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Bernard (Butch) Epps

Bernard (Butch) Epps earned his undergraduate degree from Loyola Marymount University, graduating cum laude as an award-winning film production major. He received his MFA from the UCLA School of Film and Television’s graduate Producers Program, where he specialized in story development and working with screenwriters. At UCLA, he served as academic liaison to the MFA Producers Program faculty, including studio heads, development executives, and industry professionals. Epps has taught film appreciation courses with a strong emphasis on story analysis.

When the thirteen colonies declared independence, Florida remained loyal—and became a flashpoint of conflict few history books remember. This lecture explores Florida's overlooked role in the Revolutionary war era, from Loyalist refugees to Spanish ambitions, from frontier violence to the Indigenous nations caught in the middle. You'll leave with a richer, more nuanced, and more fascinating picture of the Revolution than you ever got in school. 

When the thirteen colonies declared independence, Florida remained loyal—and became a flashpoint of conflict few history books remember. This lecture explores Florida's overlooked role in the Revolutionary war era, from Loyalist refugees to Spanish ambitions, from frontier violence to the Indigenous nations caught in the middle. You'll leave with a richer, more nuanced, and more fascinating picture of the Revolution than you ever got in school. 

In this course, we will examine the dramatic circumstances that gave rise to the Beat Generation in the 1940s. Together, we will examine three famous Beat works:Howl andOther Poems by Allen Ginsberg,On theRoad by Jack Kerouac, and Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs. We will focus on his torical events involving Beat writers, important passages of Beat literature, and the literary movement that spawned the1960s counter culture.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Kurt Hemmer

Kurt Hemmer is the editor of theEncyclopedia of BeatLiteratureand a professor at Harper College. Hemmer has produced award-winning documentaries on Beat poets with filmmakerTom Knoff and published extensively on Beat writers. He organized the Jack Kerouac Centenary Conference and serves as president of the Beat Studies Association. He is currently working on a biography of Beat poet Gregory Corso.

Harry S. Truman once described the presidency as “the most peculiar office in the world.” In this course, we will explore how the Founding Fathers left the office for future presidents to define, creating conditions for a dramatic expansion of executive power. We will examine how the presidency has come to dominate the three co-equal branches, with Congress and the Supreme Court at times ceding authority. We will consider how and why this shift occurred, how This peculiar office is won or lost, how they have exercised power, and how the rise of the administrative state has reshaped the balance envisioned by the framers.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: John White

John Kenneth White is a political scientist specializing in American political parties and the US presidency. White is the author of several books, including The New Politics of Old Values, Still Seeing Red, Barack Obama’s America, Grand Old Unraveling, and Democracy on the Edge, co-authored with Matthew R. Kerbel. He taught at The Catholic University of America and writes a biweekly column for The Hill, a Washington, D.C. based publication covering the White Houseand Capitol Hill.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

Mexicans celebrate a remarkable diversity of peoples,music, food, festivals, and historical traditions, expressed through fiestas that bring communities together across the calendar year. In this course, we will explore Mexico City as a cultural and historicalcrossroads shaped by centuries of continuity andchange. We will trace the legacies of Indigenous civilizations, the transformations of Spanish colonial rule, the struggles for independence and revolution,and the emergence of modern democratic politics, culminating in the 2024 election of Mexico’s first woman president. We will see how culture, power, and celebration remain deeply intertwined in the life of this extraordinary city.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR:William Beezley

William Beezley is professor emeritus of history at the University of Arizona and a leading scholar of Mexican history and culture. Beezley received Mexico’s Ohtli Medal for promoting Mexican culture abroad. He has taught at several universities, held endowed chairs, served as a FulbrightSpecialist, and been a visiting professor inMexico. He directed the Oaxaca Graduate Institute and has appeared on PBS. His current research explores embroidery as a voice of Mexican women

In this course, we will explore the three fascinating realms of the cosmos: near by planets and moons; the stars; and the galaxies (the great island of stars that turn out to be the building blocks of the universe.) Our discussion will be in everyday language, without any math,and will be accompanied by remarkable color images from the latest space probes and the world's largest telescopes, including the latest breathtaking images from the James Webb Space Telescope.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Andrew Fraknoi, MS

Andrew Fraknoi, retired chair of the astronomy department at Foothill College, continues to teach noncredit astronomy courses at San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco. He is lead author of OpenStax Astronomy, the most frequently-used, introductory astronomy textbook in North America. He appears regularly on radio, explaining astronomical developments in everyday language, and was named California Professor of theYear. He writes science fiction, has published eight stories, and has an asteroid named in his honor, recognizing his contributions to the public understanding of science.

This course traces Apple’s fifty-year history andits massive impact on personal computing,design, product culture, platforms andecosystems, and daily life. Each sessionfocuses on a different decade in Apple’shistory, from the birth of the PC in the late1970s to the latest Apple silicon, VR headsets,and future iPhones. We will learn how Applereshaped not just technology, but how peoplelive, work, and communicate.

Click here to view course promo video.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR: LeanderKahney

Leander Kahney is a veteran technology reporter who has covered Apple for more than 30 years. He has written six books about the company, including two NewYork Times bestsellers. He is the editor and publisher of Cult of Mac, a long-running Apple blog, and was previously news editor at Wired.com

Join Dr. Susan Robinson for a discussion of an opera. What is the story? Who was the composer? Who were the collaborators and what was their musical and dramatic approach to the source material? Find out this and more in a 90-minute discussion that prepares us for an upcoming Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD presentation at Eckerd College.

Staying safe with technology means using digital devices, websites, and online services in a responsible and secure way.   It involves protecting personal information, creating strong passwords, recognizing scams and suspicious messages.  Safe technology includes keeping software updated, using privacy settings and avoiding unsafe downloads

In this course, we will step inside the fascinating world of kit homes and explore their history and cultural impact across North America, especially during their peak from 1905 to 1945. We will learn how to identify these mail-order houses and understand their cultural impact. We will dig into the industry’s rise and decline, industrial developments of kit homes, and their connectionst o race and gender in the early 20th century. By examining both the kit home industry and the people who lived in them, we will uncover why they remain an important part of the architectural and cultural landscape.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Nigel Tate

 

Nigel Tate is an urban planning student at Michigan State University and an architectural preservationist and historian. Tate has studied kit homes for more than a decade, delivered talks across mid-Michigan, and created a guide to kit homes in Grand Blanc, MI. His interest began with a childhood discovery and has grown into ongoing research and advocacy focused on identifying and documenting these distinctive homes.

 

This course continues our journey into how music becomes the emotional engine of film. This is not film school becomes the emotional engine of film. This is not filmschool — it is a celebration for film lovers who want to experience how music shapes story, character, and unforgettable moments. We will explore how instrumental scores and songs with lyrics work together to drive narrative, define identity, and capture cultural shifts. We will focus on films where songs take center stage, from iconic franchise themes to pop- and rock-driven storytelling.Spanning genres and eras, we will see how composers, songwriters, and performers expanded the language of film music.

Click here to view course promo video.

YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Mike Agron

Born in Los Angeles’s entertainment scene, Mike Agron is a former high-tech executive and entrepreneur who now creates and delivers dynamic, story-driven seminars on music and entertainment. With a storyteller’s eye and a DJ’s ear, he has led 15 acclaimed seminar series, each spotlighting a different facet of music and entertainment.

Join OLLI Members for a free, weekly outdoor stroll along one of Pinellas County's award-winning beaches. All levels of walkers are welcome!

Don't see the 'add to cart' button? Members must be logged into their account in order to register for these programs.

Zumba Gold is a low-impact, easy-to-follow version of the original Zumba class, designed especially for active older adults, beginners, and anyone looking for a fun, gentle workout  Set to upbeat Latin and international rhythms, this class blends easy dance moves with dynamic stretching, light cardio, and bodyweight toning — all at a comfortable pace. Perfect for improving balance, flexibility, and heart health, Zumba Gold keeps you moving, smiling, and feeling energized — no dance experience required! Come as you are, dance to the rhythm, and leave feeling GOLDEN!.

This talk explores the 813 Effect and what truly makes Tampa distinct. From history and neighborhoods to culture, economy, and attitude, this talk explains why Tampa developed differently from other Florida cities—and why it still matters.

This talk explores the 813 Effect and what truly makes Tampa distinct. From history and neighborhoods to culture, economy, and attitude, this talk explains why Tampa developed differently from other Florida cities—and why it still matters.

This course introduces the scientific study of life,with an emphasis on real-world applications and the societal, social, ethical, and legal consequences of biological advances. We will place key biological principles within the context of issues that affect individuals and society,highlighting the connection between biology and everyday life. Designed for non-scientists with little or no recent college-level science experience, the course encourages discussion and reflection.Many topics are at the leading edge of scientific discovery, and we will examine the ongoing ethical and legal debates surrounding how and whether these advances should be applied.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR:Eric Simon, PhD

Eric Simon, PhD, is a professor of biology at New England College and holds a PhD in biochemistry from Harvard University. An avid traveler and award-winning nature photographer, he leads educational trips to destinations suchas Belize, the Galapagos, Tanzania, Cuba, the Amazon River, and Patagonia. Simon is also the author of a best-selling series of college biology textbooks—used in over 40 countries—with more than 2 million copies in print.

What really changes when we read beyond the abstract? In this interactive course, we wil lopen real research papers (many in health and nutrition) and explore what scientists actually look for. We will explore how small design choices can dramatically shape a study’s meaning, and why headlines rarely tell the fullstory. No technical background is required –just curiosity. By the end of the course, we will never read “studies show...” the same way again.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: John Hendrickson, PhD.

John Hendrickson, PhD, is a teaching professor in the School of Molecular Sciences at Arizona State University.He holds a PhD in chemistry and is the author of the textbook Chemistry in the World. His academic work centers on science communication and the reciprocal relationship between science and society.

Led by a certified yoga instructor, Gentle Flow Yoga is perfect for those looking to build flexibility and deepen their breath awareness at a comfortable pace. This structured sequence features carefully selected poses that flow smoothly without straining muscles or joints, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate students. The focus is on connecting movement with breath, promoting balance, relaxation, and overall well-being.

This talk maps out the trajectory of the 2028 Republican primary through the lens of its five most formidable contenders: Trump, Vance, Rubio, Cruz, and DeSantis. We will examine the high-stakes dynamics shaping their campaigns:

The Trump Wildcard: The constitutional and political implications of another run.

The Vance Paradox: Balancing billionaire and religious-right backing against the political fallout of the Iran War settlement.

The Rubio Long-Game: Waiting out the chaos to mount a charismatic restoration of traditional foreign policy hawks.

The Cruz & DeSantis Playbook: Exploiting voter fatigue over the "Three I's"—Iran, Immigration, and Inflation.

We conclude by analyzing the overarching "wildcard factors" that could rewrite the script: AI productivity gains, historic shifts in Cuba, and the state of the China-Russia threat.
 

If you enjoy nature walks and connecting with fellow OLLI members, join us as we explore the beautiful parks in Pinellas County. Schedules of parks will be sent out monthly. All levels of walkers are welcome. Please contact facilitator, Kathleen Passafiume at katbelinni@bellsouth.net for questions and updates.

Whether you are a seasoned pro, new and would like to learn, or somewhere in between, join us for Mahjong. We will meet twice a month to learn and play.

 

Pinellas County is known for hosting spring training for Major League Baseball teams, as well as the Tampa Bay Rays. Yet there is another side to the county’s amazing baseball history - its local people and teams.  Author Dan Hirshberg brings the heroes of Pinellas County baseball to the forefront.

Pinellas County is known for hosting spring training for Major League Baseball teams, as well as the Tampa Bay Rays. Yet there is another side to the county’s amazing baseball history - its local people and teams.  Author Dan Hirshberg brings the heroes of Pinellas County baseball to the forefront.

People throughout time and across cultures have looked to the mountains as powerful symbols. TheBuddhists of the Himalayas, the Inca of the Andes,the Inuit of the far north, and the Romantics of Europe all created unique stories of what mountains mean and how they are to be approached. This course will provide an interdisciplinary exploration of the beliefs, traditions, and mythologies that have been inspired by the world’s mountains. Through richly illustrated lectures, short readings, and open discussion, this course will open a window into the world’s sacred mountains and encourage exploration of our relationship with the Earth’s highand wild places.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR:Jonathan Duncan

Jonathan Duncan is a photo journalist, writer, teacher, and public speaker with more than 25 years of experience. His work has been published in National Geographic,The Himalayan Journal,Sailing, Rock and Ice, and by the University of Utah Press. He has taught at the Art Institute of Portland, Western Washington University, and Westminster University.His work explores humanity’s complex relationship with the natural world, often in remote landscapes and cultures.

 

Route 66 is as much an idea as it is a place. Since its creation in 1926, America’s most famous highwayh as evolved from a 2,400-mile transportation corridor into a powerful symbol of nostalgia, travel, and the American road. Today, it functions as a kind of pilgrimage route, marked by neon signs, road side attractions, and preserved motels, cafés, and gas stations. In this course, we will explore the history, cultural meaning, and enduring appeal of Route 66.Together, we will examine its origins, rise and decline, late-20th century revival, the role of nostalgia and car culture, preservation efforts, and the possible futures of this iconic highway.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Peter Dedek, PhD

Texas State University whose work explores the cultural history of the built environment and the stories embedded in historic places. Dedek brings together cultural, design, and social history to illuminate how people shape, and are shaped by the spaces they inhabit. He is the author of Hip to the Trip: Route 66 Centennial Edition and The Cemeteries of New Orleans: A Cultural History, and wrote Historic Preservation for Designers,a guide integrating preservation with design.

So many writing projects! Memoirs, essays, plays, poetry, short stories, screenwriting, novels and non-fiction books. Writing can be a lonely process. But with a supportive group, it isn't near as frustrating. This is an opportunity to read your work, listen to the feedback and continue on your way as a happy, fulfilled writer. Plus, there's weekly how-to instruction on getting the creative process in a productive gear. Come to learn and share. It's all about the story.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

The Florida Seminole people endured government deception, stolen lands, and broken treaties, even as the Trail of Tears threatened their very existence. Yet they refused to surrender their homeland or identity. Their survival in the face of forced removal and cultural erasure stands as a testament to Seminole strength, sovereignty, and unshakable resilience.  

The Florida Seminole people endured government deception, stolen lands, and broken treaties, even as the Trail of Tears threatened their very existence. Yet they refused to surrender their homeland or identity. Their survival in the face of forced removal and cultural erasure stands as a testament to Seminole strength, sovereignty, and unshakable resilience.  

America has provided fertile ground for new and alternative religions to sprout and grow. Some prosperand eventually become accepted as part of the normal religious landscape, some wither away and are forgotten, and some detonate, creating public scandal and in the worst cases, national tragedy. This course will examine New Religious Movements, popularly known as "cults", within the US context. We will examine these religious movements both from insider perspectives and outsider perceptions. We will analyze the history, practices, and beliefs of these organizations to better understand them and deconstruct misconceptions. This course covers the 18th and 19th centuries.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR:Kate Davis, PhD

Kate Davis, PhD, is an intersectional scholar and oral historian. Her work crosses between the fields of Religious Studies, Digital Humanities, and Gender Studies with a focus on North American religions. She holds a PhD in Religious Studies from Claremont Graduate University and is currently a visiting professor in Humanities and Theology at Alvernia University in Pennsylvania. Her first book, an ethnographic study of Mormonand Evangelical influencers, will be published next year.

These movement and balance classes are designed for individuals navigating physical limitations, chronic pain, or everyday stress. In this specific session, we will focus entirely on chair-based and standing movements (including gentle walking).

The exercises are low-difficulty, accessible, and practiced at a slow, comforting pace. Our goal is to safely release tension and untangle old, restrictive physical habits—unlocking new movement patterns that promote whole-body freedom, comfort, and overall wellness.

An initial look at the forgotten town of Mecca, 1.5 miles east of Dunedin, that was pioneered by Arab American business leaders in 1939.

From sleek new industrial materials to innovations in housing, mid-20th-century designers faced the challenge of shaping an aesthetic that reflected the ideals of post-World War II America. In this course, we will explore the optimism that defined the relationship between design and lifestyle during this period,particularly through the emergence of open living spaces in architecture.We will examine the influence of the Case Study Program and the work of leading designers, including Charles and Ray Eames, John Lautner, Eero Saarinen, E. Fay Jones, and Donald Wexler, while considering these developments within the broader context of rapid social and cultural change.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR:Eleanor Schrader

Eleanor Schrader is an award-winning educator, lecturer, andauthor. She lectures and leads tours worldwide on art andarchitectural history. She was named a distinguished instructor atUCLA Extension, where she teaches history of architecture,interior design, furniture, and decorative arts. She completedgraduate work in fine and decorative arts at Sotheby’s Institute inLondon and New York. She served as a design reviewcommissioner for the City of Beverly Hills and serves on the JohnLautner Foundation board of directors.

Florida was home to many Indigenous communities long before the arrival of the Spanish. Have you ever wondered about the people who lived here before Columbus and what became of them? Or about the mounds you pass by in your boat or car, unaware of their history? Join us to explore these questions and more, including the story of a young man named Powell and his remarkable achievements. Learn how a piece of wood managed to survive buried in Florida's soil and climate for 500 years without rotting. Now is your chance to uncover these fascinating stories and deepen your understanding of Florida’s rich heritage.

Florida was home to many Indigenous communities long before the arrival of the Spanish. Have you ever wondered about the people who lived here before Columbus and what became of them? Or about the mounds you pass by in your boat or car, unaware of their history? Join us to explore these questions and more, including the story of a young man named Powell and his remarkable achievements. Learn how a piece of wood managed to survive buried in Florida's soil and climate for 500 years without rotting. Now is your chance to uncover these fascinating stories and deepen your understanding of Florida’s rich heritage.

August Wilson was the first African American playwright to have a Broadway theater bear his name, a fitting tribute to a dramatist who brought African American culture and lived experience to the stage. In this course, we will read, watch, and examine the first five plays in Wilson’s American Cycle, a ten-playseries representing each decade of the African American culture’s 20th century. We will explore Wilson’s life and the influences behind his work while focusing on Gem of the Ocean, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Seven Guitars, tracing his powerful interpretation, celebration,and perseveration of African American culture

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OUR INSTRUCTOR: Ladrica Menson-Furr, PhD

Ladrica Menson-Furr, PhD, is assistant dean of undergraduate programs and associate professor of African American literature. Menson-Furr is the author of August Wilson’s Fences and August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, and has published on Zora Neale Hurston and Pearl Cleage. She has led academic programs in African American studies and served as a Provost’s Fellow and a Tennessee Board of Regents’ Maxine Smith Fellow.

Review the historic milestones of America’s 250th birthday. This class recaps the massive nationwide celebrations, from the National Mall spectacles to local events, evaluating the cultural impact and legacy of this once-in-a-generation milestone.

Review the historic milestones of America’s 250th birthday. This class recaps the massive nationwide celebrations, from the National Mall spectacles to local events, evaluating the cultural impact and legacy of this once-in-a-generation milestone.

Even though Salvador Dalí is among the most modern of painters, he was steeped in the art of the past, and this showed up in his work in often subtle and surprising ways. Join Salvador Dalí Museum docent John Stewart as we uncover Dalí’s debt to the greats of the past, including Rembrandt, Monet, and Vermeer.

Even though Salvador Dalí is among the most modern of painters, he was steeped in the art of the past, and this showed up in his work in often subtle and surprising ways. Join Salvador Dalí Museum docent John Stewart as we uncover Dalí’s debt to the greats of the past, including Rembrandt, Monet, and Vermeer.

Journey into the vibrant world of early 20th century art and witness the birth of abstraction.This transformative period reshaped the cultural landscape, from the bold colors of Fauvism, the fractured forms of Cubism, to the dream like realms of Surrealism. Each session focuses on the movements’leading artists including Matisse,Kandinsky, Picasso, Mondrian, Duchamp, and Dali.We will explore their aesthetic goals and the social and cultural currents that influenced them.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Lauren Weingarden

Lauren Weingarden is professor emerita of art history at FloridaState University. Her research explores the intersections of literature and visual art in 19th-century culture, with a focus on the American architect Louis Sullivan and French figures such as Charles Baudelaire and Édouard Manet. She has published extensively on these subjects and developed an interdisciplinary,embodied aesthetic model that invites viewers to re-experienceartists’ responses to modernity’s fragmentation and the fleeting qualities of nature, a perspective that shapes her teaching on Impressionism

There 1960s is a decade wrapped in myth and misunderstanding. In this course, we will cut through that haze by turning to something powerful and concrete: the speeches of the era. The times and the conditions demanded these significant speeches. Together, we will listen to the voices that moved a nation and shaped history. With recordings preserved through television, video, and YouTube, we will discover what these speeches still have to teach us today.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Arthur Benedict

Buck Benedict is a former lecturer at Wharton and the Fels Institute of Government at the University of Pennsylvania, where he taught public speaking for 16 years. He also created and taught speech writing classes. He was awarded the first Excellence in Teaching Award at the Fels Institute and was nominated for the university-wide Provost Award for non-standing faculty.

The decade known as “The Roaring Twenties” an era of exuberance, unbridled optimism and excess, came to a crashing halt in the final days of 1929 as the stock market crash sent the world into a downward spiraling depression, the likes of which had not been seen before. In the early months of the new decade an equally devastating environmental disaster struck in the form of multiple massive dust storms, giving Middle America the unflattering nickname “The Dust Bowl.” Millionaires became paupers and the everyday American struggled just to get by. The result was a major political upheaval as the nation turned to Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt to lift the country from its knees. The strife of those years garnered a new nickname for the era – “The Dirty Thirties”. Our sessions will cover the major events of the decade and how we coped.

The decade known as “The Roaring Twenties” an era of exuberance, unbridled optimism and excess, came to a crashing halt in the final days of 1929 as the stock market crash sent the world into a downward spiraling depression, the likes of which had not been seen before. In the early months of the new decade an equally devastating environmental disaster struck in the form of multiple massive dust storms, giving Middle America the unflattering nickname “The Dust Bowl.” Millionaires became paupers and the everyday American struggled just to get by. The result was a major political upheaval as the nation turned to Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt to lift the country from its knees. The strife of those years garnered a new nickname for the era – “The Dirty Thirties”. Our sessions will cover the major events of the decade and how we coped.

Since the 1890s, when Americans were beginning to develop their own traditions in classical music, composers have recognized the dilemma of creating the American sound.We will explore how classical musicians, and Broadway and Hollywood composers, most of them Jewish, followed parallel paths in creating sounds that reflect these lands and its people.Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, William Grant Steel, Florence Price, Alex North, Elmer Bernstein and others will be the protagonists of this lecture.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Emanuel Abramovits

Emanuel Abramovits is a mechanical engineer and has been a concert promoter for over two decades. He is involved in events by international artists like Itzhak Perlman, Gustavo Dudamel, Sarah Brightman, Roger Hodgson, ASIA, Journey, and Kenny G. Abramovits has designed and staged original orchestral events,including an Event of the Year winner and several world premieres. He served as the cultural director at Union Israelita De Caracas, releasing books and organizing film cycles, concerts, and art exhibits.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

Join Dr. Susan Robinson for a discussion of an opera. What is the story? Who was the composer? Who were the collaborators and what was their musical and dramatic approach to the source material? Find out this and more in a 90-minute discussion that prepares us for an upcoming Metropolitan Opera: Live in HD presentation at Eckerd College.

Rome’s history was shaped by leaders of wildly differing capabilities.  Mostly competent emperors like Augustus and Trajan achieved benefits for the people. On the other hand, less capable or tyrannical rulers like Caligula and Nero brought instability and financial ruin through cruelty and neglect. Come out and discover what famous and infamous people reigned supreme during the Roman Empire. 

The Mesopotamian epic of Gilgamesh is a timeless treasure that explores the human condition. Gilgamesh must confront his mortality and his role in society when his beloved friend dies, leaving him to question his reason for existence.  Learn more about this demigod and King becomes an archetype for human life with his quests for immortality.

This course is a history class with a laugh track. We will analyze the significant periods and players of the 20th and 21st Centuries against their historic context and legacy, using humor as the platform. We will discuss how comedy was shaped by and responsive to American society, and how comedians influenced and shaped American life.We will cover Silent Films,Vaudeville, Radio, Screwball and Romantic Comedies, Comedy Teams, and the Golden Age of Television.We will study how America laughed in each generation, and how the change in American character and persona shaped how they laughed and what (and whom) they laughed at.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Eddy Friedfeld

Eddy Friedfeld is a film and entertainment journalist and historian. Friedfeld co-authored Caesar’s Hours with Sid Caesar, Directed by James Burrows with James Burrows, and worked with Mel Brooks on All About Me. He was senior consultant for the Emmy-nominated Make ’Em Laugh and aconsulting producer on Funny You Never Knew. He has produced tributes to major entertainers including George Carlin, Paul Newman, Dick Van Dyke, among others. He teaches at Yale, NYU, and the Tisch School of the Arts

The American Experiment began with the Declaration of Independence and led to the creation of the federal judiciary, one of the country’s greatest experiments. In this course, we will trace the evolution of the courts from their English roots to their formal establishment in the Constitution. We will explore how the Supreme Court, lacking the power of the purse or military,derives its authority from its ability to connect with the people of the US and protect democracy. We will examine creation of the federal judiciary and the power of the Marshall Court, the Court’s evolution through the New Deal, the Vinson Court, the Warren Court’s“Rights Revolution,” and the role of today’s US Supreme Court.

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR:Lauren Andersen, JD

Lauren Andersen is the director of the Utah Judicial Institute.Andersen practiced appellate law in the state of Californiaand presented arguments to the California Supreme Courtand the US Supreme Court. During this time,  Andersen closely studied the Roberts Court.She has lectured about theSupreme Court and the death penalty. Her opinions were quoted byThe New York Times and the ABA Journal. She was previously the director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Utah.

The cyber threat landscape has shifted dramatically. Yesterday’s phishing emails have evolved into today’s sophisticated AI-driven scams, hyper-realistic deepfakes, and voice cloning tactics.

This fast-paced, highly relevant workshop is designed to bring you up to speed on the cutting-edge tools modern criminals use and, more importantly, how to defend against them. Looking closely at real-world case studies from 2025 and 2026, you will learn exactly how your data gets exposed and how to spot advanced phishing methods involving QR codes and SMS.

Finally, you will walk away with a practical, step-by-step action plan on what to do in the critical first 24 hours if you are ever scammed, alongside a simple 10-minute security tune-up to immediately harden your digital defenses.

What You Will Learn

• The AI Threat: Understand how generative AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning are weaponized to bypass traditional skepticism.
• Modern Phishing Tactics: Learn to recognize deceptive new entry points like malicious QR codes (quishing) and sophisticated text message scams.
• Incident Response: Get a clear, stress-reducing checklist of immediate actions to take in the first 24 hours of a suspected security breach.
• Proactive Defense: Spend 10 minutes learning how to audit and rapidly upgrade your personal and professional digital security settings.

We often only notice the global suppley chain when it breaks. Yet, for millennia, the movement of goods has been the silent engine of civilization. In this course, we will track the evolution of trade from an executive’s perspective. From the sunken treasures of Bronze Age merchant ships to the high-tech intermodal systems of today, we will explore the vessels that carried the world’s wealth and the complex networks that keep our modern shelves stocked. 

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YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Scott Jones

Scott Jones brings a unique perspective to his lectures, combining 30 years of naval command, diplomatic service, and executive leadership in defense and maritime industries. Jones is a docent at the J. Paul Getty Museum, leading architecture and gallery tours. A retired Navy captain, he commanded three warships and a squadron, with assignments at the Pentagon and State Department. He later served as a senior executive fora defense corporation, a maritime shipping company, and ran his own consulting business.

Explore the colorful history of Oz, from L. Frank Baum’s original books through early stage adaptations, silent films, the 1939 MGM classic, and the many sequels, remakes, and misfires of this whimsical material. We will follow the Yellow Brick Road to go behind the scenes and view performances from various Oz adaptations, including Wicked, The Wiz, Return to Oz, Journey Back to Oz, and more. Immerse yourself in the enduring legacy of one of the world's most imaginative pop-culture phenomena.

Explore the colorful history of Oz, from L. Frank Baum’s original books through early stage adaptations, silent films, the 1939 MGM classic, and the many sequels, remakes, and misfires of this whimsical material. We will follow the Yellow Brick Road to go behind the scenes and view performances from various Oz adaptations, including Wicked, The Wiz, Return to Oz, Journey Back to Oz, and more. Immerse yourself in the enduring legacy of one of the world's most imaginative pop-culture phenomena.

Stay informed on the latest developments from the current U.S. Supreme Court term in this engaging session led by Louis Virelli from the Stetson University College of Law. Explore key cases, emerging legal trends, and the most significant decisions on the docket, with expert insight into how they may shape the future of American law.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

Cooking simple meals for longevity. Join registered dietitian and nutritionist Wendy Wesley for a hands-on cooking class. All food and equipment will be provided.

Homer's epics, The Iliad and the Odyssey, are attributes of life and death. The Iliad is about war, the Odyssey is about a man's return from obscurity to reclaim his life. Homer hope to canonize concepts of the afterlife for the ancient Greek world, from Odysseus and his descent to the Underworld to Achilles's last sighting of Patroclus.  Learn more about these epics and what they mean. 

Step into the heart of France’s most exciting season! Les Vendanges is the annual grape harvest. It is a magical time when French vineyards buzz with energy, community, and centuries-old traditions.In this tasting class, we will bring the spirit of the French harvest straight to your glass. You will taste a curated selection of beautiful wines from famous regions like Bordeaux and Burgundy. Along the way, you will learn how grapes go from the vine to the bottle during this festive season. Whether you are a wine beginner or a seasoned taster, come celebrate autumn the French way. Salut!

The 2026 Midterm Elections may have significant outcomes. This discussion oriented course will focus on current topics and issues, and how the Midterm Elections may change American politics and government.

Our brain is wired to notice threats, remember bad experiences more than good ones, and expect the worst. Learn why it happens, and how to work with it rather than against it.

The 2026 Midterm Elections may have significant outcomes. This discussion oriented course will focus on current topics and issues, and how the Midterm Elections may change American politics and government.

By the mid-20th century, architects in the United States were redefining the modern city, transforming how people live, work, and experience space. They developed a distinctive vocabulary of modern and postmodern design, experimenting with new forms, materials, and structural ideas that influenced architects and artists worldwide. We will examine both celebrated and lesser-known projects—residences, office buildings, theaters, civic spaces, and campus structures—tracing the innovations and vision of architects such as Louis Kahn, Philip Johnson, Denise Scott Brown, I.M. Pei, and Eero Saarinen. Through examples in Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and beyond, Dr. Jennie Hirsh explores how these practitioners balanced functionality, elegance, and human scale, ultimately reshaping American architecture and leaving a legacy that continues to inspire the built environment today

We live in the computer age, but the concept of computing dates back thousands of years. The abacus is considered the first computer, yet it was the rapid evolution of computing machines in the 20th century that truly transformed our world. Computers evolved from massive room-sized devices to compact machines no larger than a book. The power of computers has fundamentally changed how we perceive and interact with our world. The history of computing is a fascinating story of opportunity, innovation, and the future of humanity.

We live in the computer age, but the concept of computing dates back thousands of years. The abacus is considered the first computer, yet it was the rapid evolution of computing machines in the 20th century that truly transformed our world. Computers evolved from massive room-sized devices to compact machines no larger than a book. The power of computers has fundamentally changed how we perceive and interact with our world. The history of computing is a fascinating story of opportunity, innovation, and the future of humanity.

Tampa Bay's past is full of characters too vivid - and too restless - to stay buried. This lecture takes you on a tour of the region's eeriest places and the stories behind them, weaving together local history, folklore, and legends about the people that have shaped this corner of Florida. From haunted buildings to unexplained occurrences, we'll explore how communities preserve memory through ghost stories and what those tales reveal about the history beneath them. Whether you're a skeptic or a true believer, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for the haunted landscape right in your backyard.
 

Tampa Bay's past is full of characters too vivid - and too restless - to stay buried. This lecture takes you on a tour of the region's eeriest places and the stories behind them, weaving together local history, folklore, and legends about the people that have shaped this corner of Florida. From haunted buildings to unexplained occurrences, we'll explore how communities preserve memory through ghost stories and what those tales reveal about the history beneath them. Whether you're a skeptic or a true believer, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for the haunted landscape right in your backyard.
 

Join us on the fourth Sunday of the month for a fun and challenging game at the historic Hollander Hotel in downtown St. Petersburg. Hotel and street parking are available. Arrive between 5 and 5:30 p.m. for dinner or be there by 6:00 p.m. when the trivia begins.

Register in advance, as we must reserve tables. OLLI is limited to two teams of eight players. If registration is full, reply to froehlichj@eckerd.edu to add your name to waiting list. If we have enough for another team, we will try to accommodate.

Members, you must be signed into your account to make the 'add to cart' button appear. If you are unable to register, either you are not logged into your account and/or your membership expires before the program date.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

No CG. No giant budget. No computers. How did the Creature from the Black Lagoon — the Gill-man, not the film — get made? Join Cathy as she dives into the Black Lagoon to look at the Creature’s place in world history, and how Patrick made his corporeal form. This talk takes a look at Millicent Patrick, one of the people who brought Gill-man from imagination to reality.

Learn practical media literacy tools to look beyond headlines, evaluate sources, and understand what truly changed in today’s news environment. Build confidence to stay informed and engaged without feeling overwhelmed or pulled into partisan noise.

 

Learn about local and Florida Legends associated with hurricanes and tropical weather.  Is this area protected by a native American blessing? Are there ghosts who warn of impending storms?  Learn more about weather patterns and the supernatural through this unique one of a kind talk.

Join other OLLI members at a variety of unique North/South Pinellas County restaurants. Participants order from the menu. Each member is responsible for his/her own meal cost and tip. Group size is limited, so register early.

Discover the joy of acrylic flow painting, even if you doubt your artistic ability. This method focuses on applying mixed acrylic paints in unique patterns on canvas. Watch your creation evolve through manipulation, resulting in an unexpected masterpiece that’s truly yours. Unleash your creativity and embrace the fun and messiness of this delightful painting adventure. All materials are provided for a one-time $20 supply fee.

Led by a certified yoga instructor, Gentle Flow Yoga is perfect for those looking to build flexibility and deepen their breath awareness at a comfortable pace. This structured sequence features carefully selected poses that flow smoothly without straining muscles or joints, making it suitable for both beginners and intermediate students. The focus is on connecting movement with breath, promoting balance, relaxation, and overall well-being.

Grave robbers, death masks, vampires, Frankenstein-how did these and more become part of our macabre history? Let’s look at the evolution of burying the dead, customs, history and societal factors that formed funeral traditions, and everyday phrases still in use.  Prepare to be surprised!

Grave robbers, death masks, vampires, Frankenstein-how did these and more become part of our macabre history? Let’s look at the evolution of burying the dead, customs, history and societal factors that formed funeral traditions, and everyday phrases still in use.  Prepare to be surprised!

Join other OLLI members at a variety of unique North/South Pinellas County restaurants. Participants order from the menu. Each member is responsible for his/her own meal cost and tip. Group size is limited, so register early.

Whether you are a seasoned pro, new and would like to learn, or somewhere in between, join us for Mahjong. We will meet twice a month to learn and play.

 

So many writing projects! Memoirs, essays, plays, poetry, short stories, screenwriting, novels and non-fiction books. Writing can be a lonely process. But with a supportive group, it isn't near as frustrating. This is an opportunity to read your work, listen to the feedback and continue on your way as a happy, fulfilled writer. Plus, there's weekly how-to instruction on getting the creative process in a productive gear. Come to learn and share. It's all about the story.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

So many writing projects! Memoirs, essays, plays, poetry, short stories, screenwriting, novels and non-fiction books. Writing can be a lonely process. But with a supportive group, it isn't near as frustrating. This is an opportunity to read your work, listen to the feedback and continue on your way as a happy, fulfilled writer. Plus, there's weekly how-to instruction on getting the creative process in a productive gear. Come to learn and share. It's all about the story.

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

Whether you are a seasoned pro, new and would like to learn, or somewhere in between, join us for Mahjong. We will meet twice a month to learn and play.

 

Each week brings a fresh topic, lively debate, and the chance to explore new perspectives together.

Join other OLLI members at a variety of unique North/South Pinellas County restaurants. Participants order from the menu. Each member is responsible for his/her own meal cost and tip. Group size is limited, so register early.

If you enjoy nature walks and connecting with fellow OLLI members, join us as we explore the beautiful parks in Pinellas County. Schedules of parks will be sent out monthly. All levels of walkers are welcome. Please contact facilitator, Kathleen Passafiume at katbelinni@bellsouth.net for questions and updates.

Join OLLI Members for a free, weekly outdoor stroll along one of Pinellas County's award-winning beaches. All levels of walkers are welcome!

Don't see the 'add to cart' button? Members must be logged into their account in order to register for these programs.