OLLI Café is a venue for the exchange of ideas and experiences focusing on improving the quality of life. These are not courses, and cost no additional charge – OLLI Cafe is one of the benefits of your annual membership. Pre-registration IS required. Cafe events feature a guest speaker followed by a short Q&A session.

 

OLLI Café Location and General Schedule:

Fridays – Multipurpose Rooms (113 – 119)

11:45 am – 12:00 pm: Arrive & Get Seated

12:00 pm – 1:15 pm: Speaker Presentation

 

Presentations:

Bill Cloutier presents Mars and the Search for Life in the Solar System

Event Details: Friday, September 8, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Event Description: For almost 60 years, Mars has been the prime focus for the search for life in our solar system, with its Earth-like features and tantalizing clues that it once was a more hospitable world. This talk will delve into the history of Martian exploration, what we have learned from current astrobiology missions, and the progress being made in our quest to find evidence of life.

 

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Event Description: Chicago is often credited with starting the City Beautiful Movement. However, in Naugatuck we find signs and proof that we already had embraced the ideals of the movement.

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Event Description: A surgeon’s modern investigation into the physical death of Jesus through art, history, archaeology and science based on updated discoveries from each of these fields of study.

 

 

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Event Description: Antarctica, the seventh continent at the bottom of the world, is the one we really never “see.” Because of the seas that surround it, the ice and glaciers upon it and the breeding ground it provides to incredible wildlife species, this mostly unknown part of the world will continue to play a starring role in what happens to our planet now that climate change and its effects have been defined, studied, and projected.

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James Wargo presents Everything Apples – History & Characteristics of Rare & Uncommon Heirloom Apples at Hidden Gem Orchard

Event Description: In this presentation, James will discuss the history of the apple, some of it original uses, characteristics of apple trees, including pollination and propagation, and descriptions of several heirloom and uncommon apple varieties grown at Hidden Gem Orchard.

 

 

Event Details: Friday, October 13, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM

Event Description: Music surrounds us. It is part of who we are as humans. Why do all cultures have music? Why do some types of music make us happy and other types sad? Can music improve cognition? What is the Mozart “effect”? Can Mozart’s music make us smarter? Where does music go in the brain? What is synesthesia? Does music have color? Can we paint in notes? Can the brain mak​e its own music? How does music help people with Alzheimer Disease, Parkinson Disease, or stroke? Can music heal?

 

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Event Description: Stuart Brown will discuss his road to becoming a Broadway Theater critic, and provide insight into Broadway’s current and future offerings.

 

 

Event Description: A beginner’s guide to growing mushrooms at home for food and health.

 

 

 

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Please Note: Due to OLLI at UConn’s end-of-term celebration, there will be no OLLI Cafe on Friday, November 10, 2023. Instead, please join us in celebrating the end of our fall term! To register for this event, click HERE.