March   

Join our Knitting & Craft Group! Calling all lifelong learners and creative minds! Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just eager to try something new, our friendly group is the perfect place to unwind, share skills, and spark inspiration. Bring your knitting, crochet, embroidery, or any craft you love—along with your curiosity and conversation! Come create, connect, and learn together.

Participants are welcome to bring brown bag lunches.

The Quantum of Life explores how the tiniest units of biology—cells—construct everything we recognize as living. The series starts with what a cell is and how it originated, then dives into its hidden machinery: the motors, membranes, and molecular factories that keep it functioning. We then discover how cells sense their environment, communicate with each other, and make decisions that guide growth, healing, and daily functions. Finally, we look at what happens when these finely tuned processes go wrong, leading to disease—but also opening the door to powerful new biotechnologies and treatments.

The Quantum of Life explores how the tiniest units of biology—cells—construct everything we recognize as living. The series starts with what a cell is and how it originated, then dives into its hidden machinery: the motors, membranes, and molecular factories that keep it functioning. We then discover how cells sense their environment, communicate with each other, and make decisions that guide growth, healing, and daily functions. Finally, we look at what happens when these finely tuned processes go wrong, leading to disease—but also opening the door to powerful new biotechnologies and treatments.

This course is based on the psychology of Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs that explains how to build bridges over your own barriers that have 70% of all Americans who are locked on the third level, never realizing that there are three levels above that would significantly enhance their own lives. The class will provide information that will explain what it means to be among the 1% of our society that are fully alive today to give them a purpose for applying what they learn.

This course is based on the psychology of Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs that explains how to build bridges over your own barriers that have 70% of all Americans who are locked on the third level, never realizing that there are three levels above that would significantly enhance their own lives. The class will provide information that will explain what it means to be among the 1% of our society that are fully alive today to give them a purpose for applying what they learn.

This 7-session class features stretching and dynamic exercises, music, games, dance, and volleyball. Bring a towel and your swimsuit. Exercise equipment such as water buoys and noodles are provided. You do not need to know how to swim to participate in this class. All fitness levels are welcome.

This course will delve into the life and work of Karl Malden from stage to screen to television. We will be honored to have his daughter, Carla Malden, as our special guest for each class session. The first session will be a discussion between Carl Johnson and Carla about her father’s life and career, her own memories of growing up in that milieu, and his memoir she wrote with him. The next three sessions will focus on specific performances: Week 1 will be I Confess (1953) directed by Alfred Hitchcock; Week 2 will be Baby Doll (1956) directed by Elia Kazan; and Week 3 will be an episode from the first season of The Streets of San Francisco.

This course will delve into the life and work of Karl Malden from stage to screen to television. We will be honored to have his daughter, Carla Malden, as our special guest for each class session. The first session will be a discussion between Carl Johnson and Carla about her father’s life and career, her own memories of growing up in that milieu, and his memoir she wrote with him. The next three sessions will focus on specific performances: Week 1 will be I Confess (1953) directed by Alfred Hitchcock; Week 2 will be Baby Doll (1956) directed by Elia Kazan; and Week 3 will be an episode from the first season of The Streets of San Francisco.

Bill Mogolov is returning with more AI discoveries to share with OLLI members. He is currently working on a “companion” book for his AI course. The book will initially be an eBook that covers all the course content, with some additional content not covered in the class. Bill anticipates completing it by the March class. It will be sold on Amazon but will be provided free to everyone in the class.

In addition to the eBook, he will supply class participants with a Notebook LM version that will include all the course content and facilitate interactive engagement. The eBook and the Notebook LM version will enhance their learning experience and provide students with a nice resource to support their understanding of the course. They will also serve as “value added” items for the course.

Discover how Artificial Intelligence is transforming everyday life in ways you never imagined! This beginner-friendly course introduces AI tools like ChatGPT and other powerful apps, showing how they can assist with writing, research, organization, communication, creativity, and problem-solving. Through hands-on demonstrations, interactive exercises, and real-world examples, you’ll gain practical experience using AI effectively, responsibly, and with confidence. No technical background is needed—just curiosity and a desire to explore the limitless possibilities of this exciting and rapidly evolving technology!

Bill Mogolov is returning with more AI discoveries to share with OLLI members. He is currently working on a “companion” book for his AI course. The book will initially be an eBook that covers all the course content, with some additional content not covered in the class. Bill anticipates completing it by the March class. It will be sold on Amazon but will be provided free to everyone in the class.

In addition to the eBook, he will supply class participants with a Notebook LM version that will include all the course content and facilitate interactive engagement. The eBook and the Notebook LM version will enhance their learning experience and provide students with a nice resource to support their understanding of the course. They will also serve as “value added” items for the course.

Discover how Artificial Intelligence is transforming everyday life in ways you never imagined! This beginner-friendly course introduces AI tools like ChatGPT and other powerful apps, showing how they can assist with writing, research, organization, communication, creativity, and problem-solving. Through hands-on demonstrations, interactive exercises, and real-world examples, you’ll gain practical experience using AI effectively, responsibly, and with confidence. No technical background is needed—just curiosity and a desire to explore the limitless possibilities of this exciting and rapidly evolving technology!

Love takes many forms—self-love, long-term partnership, new connections, and everything in between. In this interactive three-session course, we’ll explore how we take care of ourselves, intimacy and connections, and modern tools like online dating apps. Whether you’re single, partnered, or simply curious, this class offers insight, laughter, and meaningful conversation about the ways love continues to grow and evolve.

Love takes many forms—self-love, long-term partnership, new connections, and everything in between. In this interactive three-session course, we’ll explore how we take care of ourselves, intimacy and connections, and modern tools like online dating apps. Whether you’re single, partnered, or simply curious, this class offers insight, laughter, and meaningful conversation about the ways love continues to grow and evolve.

David Bibler talks about his two years embedded with the United States military and NATO forces as a social scientist and cultural advisor. He conducted in-person interviews, planning, research and consultations throughout Regional Command East. With no prior military experience, it was almost as difficult to figure out that culture than that of Afghanistan.

David Bibler talks about his two years embedded with the United States military and NATO forces as a social scientist and cultural advisor. He conducted in-person interviews, planning, research and consultations throughout Regional Command East. With no prior military experience, it was almost as difficult to figure out that culture than that of Afghanistan.

Beginning with a brief overview of the different styles that have happened in American music, this course will focus upon music ranging from Colonial music written in the European tradition through several avant-garde pieces composed in a distinctly American tradition in the 20th century. Course attendees will be exposed to a wide spectrum of music, with “fun facts” added, and slides and videos to enhance their understanding of America’s musical history.

Please note: NEW DATE AND TIME.  This class will now be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, March 25

This course will cover how a script is selected for production; securing the rights; director insights; design team insights; casting of actors; rehearsal process overview; tech week; run of the show and strike (show closing). We will discuss budgets, how a director moves actors on the stage, how designers might interpret the script, and the community that participation in a production creates.

Join us for a tour of Hawkeye Breeders, located near Adel. Hawkeye Breeders provides a “Country Club” environment of some of the most valuable stud bulls in the world, and was establised in 1969. Their state-of-the-art laboratory and semen storage facility is on more than 180 acres!

This class is offered in conjunction with Osher at William and Mary.

Christianity’s astounding success in the ancient Roman world was not preordained. Far from it. In this historically-based, 5-part lecture series, we will examine the many reasons how, in its first 500 years of existence, Christianity grew from a tiny group of apocalyptic Jews in the year 30CE, to being proclaimed the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380CE. Topics for discussion will include the historical Jesus, the ministry of Paul of Tarsus, how the inclusion of gentiles changed the trajectory of Christian growth, why Christianity separated from Judaism, the Roman view of Christianity, early Christian worship, Roman persecution of Christians, the Pagan world, the importance of martyrdom, the astounding variety of Christianities, the cult of Mary, the importance of Christian missionary outreach, Constantine’s conversion, the Council of Nicaea, Julian the Apostate, the great schisms and the fall of Rome.

We are regularly alerted to data breaches in the news today. What is a data breach and what motivates the hackers behind these attacks? In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of data security, what organizations are doing to protect their data, and specific steps for what individuals should be doing to protect their own data.

We are regularly alerted to data breaches in the news today. What is a data breach and what motivates the hackers behind these attacks? In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of data security, what organizations are doing to protect their data, and specific steps for what individuals should be doing to protect their own data.

Want to live the longest, healthiest life possible? Learn what science says about keeping your body and your mind as healthy as you can. This three lecture series will help you find out what you’re doing right and what you may need to work on; in order to live a long and vital life.

Want to live the longest, healthiest life possible? Learn what science says about keeping your body and your mind as healthy as you can. This three lecture series will help you find out what you’re doing right and what you may need to work on; in order to live a long and vital life.

Join OLLI members for this unique opportunity at Allora Cafe in Des Moines with Karen Downing and Chef Lisa LaValle who will lead this class to use food as an entry point into memories by doing close readings of texts to see how authors write about food and memory. Chef Lisa LaValle will share some of her own memories connected to food and will prepare a light lunch to engage our senses. Participants will be given several writing invitations to explore their own experiences. This class is meant for anyone who appreciates the connection between food, memory and writing.

Through pictures and stories, you’ll learn about the effort to establish a system of state parks in Iowa in the early 20th century. This class will also highlight the legacy that state parks have left on our lives and offer descriptions of several popular state parks in Iowa

Session 3 will be in-person as a field trip visit to Ledges State Park. Participants will meet with the guide and then follow him around the park in their personal vehicles, making several stops to get out and discuss the park’s natural resources and cultural assets.

Through pictures and stories, you’ll learn about the effort to establish a system of state parks in Iowa in the early 20th century. This class will also highlight the legacy that state parks have left on our lives and offer descriptions of several popular state parks in Iowa

Session 3 will be in-person as a field trip visit to Ledges State Park. Participants will meet with the guide and then follow him around the park in their personal vehicles, making several stops to get out and discuss the park’s natural resources and cultural assets.

This course is not a general history of the period. Rather, it focuses on three main threads which led to America’s rise. These were economic growth, immigration, and changing attitudes to the world beyond its shores. We begin in 1862, which saw the beginning of steel production, the leading sector of a modern economy, while 1945 marked the arrival of America as a world power. Along the way we will examine America’s brief excursions into imperialism, its intervention in the First World War, its rapid retreat into isolationism, and President Roosevelt’s wooing of the country into the Second World War.

This course is not a general history of the period. Rather, it focuses on three main threads which led to America’s rise. These were economic growth, immigration, and changing attitudes to the world beyond its shores. We begin in 1862, which saw the beginning of steel production, the leading sector of a modern economy, while 1945 marked the arrival of America as a world power. Along the way we will examine America’s brief excursions into imperialism, its intervention in the First World War, its rapid retreat into isolationism, and President Roosevelt’s wooing of the country into the Second World War.