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.
Wendy Murphy presents City Beautiful Movement in Naugatuck
Event Details: Friday, September 15, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
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.
Raymond Sullivan presents A Surgeon Looks at the Physical Death of a Man Called Jesus
Event Details: Friday, September 22, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
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.
Diane Stone presents Antarctica: The Coldest, Driest, Windiest Continent and Why It’s Important in This Era of Climate Change
Event Details: Friday, September 29, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
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.
James Wargo presents Everything Apples – History & Characteristics of Rare & Uncommon Heirloom Apples at Hidden Gem Orchard
Event Details: Friday, October 6, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
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.
Please Note: Due to Dr. Keggi’s passing, Vincent de Luise will be filling in for the October 13th, 2023 OLLI Cafe session. Please Read on for more information
Vincent de Luise presents Music and the Brain: Linking Melody, Mind and Health
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 make its own music? How does music help people with Alzheimer Disease, Parkinson Disease, or stroke? Can music heal?
Ian Kirby presents The History of Furniture: Yesterday and Today
Event Details: Friday, October 20, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Event Description: TBA
Stuart Brown presents Today on Broadway and My Journey to Broadway
Event Details: Friday, October 27, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Event Description: Stuart Brown will discuss his road to becoming a Broadway Theater critic, and provide insight into Broadway’s current and future offerings.
Timothy Padgett presents Growing Mushrooms for Food and Tinctures
Event Details: Friday, November 3, 2023 from 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM
Event Description: A beginner’s guide to growing mushrooms at home for food and health.
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.