Welcome! Omnilore is a program of OLLI at CSUDH (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at California State University, Dominguez Hills). The program is centered on study discussion groups (SDGs), which meet at classroom facilities in Redondo Beach. A learning-in-retirement community of approximately 300 seniors, we organize study discussion groups that are conceived, planned, and directed by the members. There are no tests or grades. Membership is open to all who seek intellectual stimulation and the challenge of shared inquiry.   Click here to peruse our current curriculum of courses (SDGs). Click here for 2-minute highlights video, more information about Omnilore, and how to join. For a glimpse of some of our other activities, see Upcoming Events below.

What's Happenin'? Computer Talk: "Macintosh Basics" – Thursday, Jan. 26:   Click here for speaker and topic description. Quarterly Forum:  "From Cattle to Corporations, the Dominguez Family Imprint on South Bay History” – Monday, Jan. 30:   Click here for speaker and topic description. Jan/Feb. Omnilore News newsletter now available onlinr, including full Forum speaker description:  Click here to read the online PDF version.

Upcoming Events Each of Omnilore's extracurricular events occurs 3 to 12 times yearly. The next dates for the grayed-out events will be posted as soon as the next offering is scheduled, but you can click on them to read generic descriptions now.   Computer Talk   |   Coordinator Training  |  Equipment Training   |  Hiking/Walking Group Newsletter Deadline   |   Presentations Workshop   |  Prospective Member Orientation  |   Quarterly Forum Members Only–also see Yearly Calendar for future dates for trimesters, Forums, Board meetings, newsletter submissions, and holidays. The following are arranged chronologically.  If you have an upcoming Omnilore event that you think might be appropriately listed here, contact the Omnilore Webmasters (Webmaster@Omnilore.org). Computer Talk     Thursday, January 26, 2012: Noon - 1 pm, Room 7   Macintosh Basics A year ago Omnilore bought a Macintosh laptop computer (stored in Room 7) as an alternative to the Dell Windows-based laptops.  In 2012 we plan to buy one for Room 8 too.  Also, many Omniloreans have recently acquired Macs (including laptops which they bring into our classrooms) or are considering a Mac as their next computer. This Computer Talk is intended to answer basic questions Omniloreans have concerning the Macintosh. Topics to be covered include: Popular applications for web browsing & email Simple tricks for making email & web windows more readable Basic applications for office productivity functions (presentation charts, word processing, spreadsheets) File & folder organization – using the Finder Searching – on your computer and on the web iCal: your electronic calendar, reminders, To-Do list, notifications ... The Macintosh Dock Bringing files from your home computer and putting them on the Omnilore Mac, including transporting files between Windows computers and the Mac Similarities & differences of basic operations between Windows & Macs Connecting a Mac laptop to Omnilore's projectors Accessing the internet from our classrooms Additional topics will be covered depending on audience questions. Or, email speaker Hal.Hart@ACM.ORG ahead to suggest another topic you would like to see covered.  Item posted by hh: 12/17/11 (revised 1/22/12) View Feb. and March Computer Talk descriptions (2-part series on PowerPoint) by Clicking Here. The Quarterly Forum   Monday, January 30, 2012 "From Cattle to Corporations, the Dominguez Family Imprint on South Bay History” Dr. Judson Grenier Professor Emeritus, History California State University at Dominguez Hills When:  Monday, January 30, 2012 11:00 am:  Doors Open, Socializing Noon:        Luncheon served 1:00 pm:   Presentation starts Where:  Los Verdes Country Club, 7000 W. Los Verdes Dr., Rancho Palos Verdes. Drive south on Hawthorne Boulevard past the top of PV, continue about half a mile south of Crest Road, turn right on Los Verdes Drive, go another half mile to the golf course, and park in the furthest parking lot. Enter banquet room via patio on south side of building.     (CLICK HERE for map.) Menu:  Caesar Salad, Chicken Provencale, Potatoes au Gratin, Chef’s Green Beans, Cheesecake.             As usual, beverages are included and a vegetarian plate is available on request. Cost:  $20.00 When Juan Jose Dominguez received his veteran’s benefit of a huge rancho in what was to become the South Bay of Los Angeles, he had no idea the impact it would have on the area. Professor Grenier, one of the founding faculty members of California State University at Dominguez Hills, will speak on “From Cattle to Corporations, the Dominguez Family Imprint on South Bay History.” So come and enjoy lunch and a specially-informative afternoon with Omnilore members and friends. Any questions? Call Lori Geittmann:  (310) 316-1729. Click here to view and print the reservation form.  Reservations required by January 20. Item posted by hh: 12/23/11 (revised 12/24/11) Omnilore News Article Submission Deadline   Wednesday, February 15, 2012   March/April Edition Omnilore News is published six times annually. The Editors welcome short feature articles and news stories from members.  Your contribution may be submitted any time, but the above date should be met for inclusion in the upcoming issue; otherwise, it may be held for the following issue.  Please send submissions to the Omnilore News editors (Newsletter@Omnilore.org). Your contributions can be in whatever form you are most comfortable in using—as an email attachment in a standard word-processing format, embedded thebody of an email, or any other digital form. Item posted by hh: 12/17/11 Hiking/Walking Group    Friday, February 17, 2012, 10am:  Location to be Announced The Hiking/Walking Group usually schedules an excursion for the morning of the 3rd Friday of the month, ending with bring-your-own lunch.  Plans are generally posted about a week ahead. See our Special Interest Groups webpage and its description of our Hiking/Walking Group (which includes point of contact) while we're waiting for plans for their next hike to be posted here.   All Omnilore members are always welcome to participate in our monthly excursion.  We accommodate all speeds of walkers, so give it a try if one of our routes appeals to you. Item posted by hh: 1/22/12   Prospective Member Orientation Sessions    February 21, 2012 (Tuesday)    March 27, 2012 (Tuesday) Attend either session to learn about Omnilore and how to join Omnilore orientation sessions for prospective new members are held  in Room 7 at the Franklin Center.  Orientation sessions start at 10:00 a.m., and last 90 minutes to 2 hours depending on questions.  Click here to view our two-minute Omnilore highlights video and to learn more about Omnilore membership while you're waiting to attend one of these orientation sessions. Most new members join because their friends shared the word of Omnilore with them. We encourage you to invite your friends to join us in our "intellectual pursuits!" Item posted by hh: 12/27/11 Computer Talk     Thursday, February 23, 2012: Noon - 1 pm, Room 7   Introduction to PowerPoint  (Part 1 of 2, to be continued in March) PowerPoint is a software program that helps you organize your notes, charts, and pictures in a simple-to-understand and easy-to-use manner.  No more scrambling through your note pages or juggling pictures for presentation on the screen.  The February and March Computer Talks will teach basic skills for creating effective PowerPoint presentations.  There will be handouts with the talks to enable you to use the information at home to build your own presentations. The February 23 talk by Rick Spillane will start at the very beginning of creating a presentation. We will first create an outline of a talk in PowerPoint, and then build and organize slides with your discussion points. We’ll briefly look at customizing your presentation by adding notes to any slide and working with the slide master to set a style for the presentation. We will cover how to use PowerPoint to aid in your presentation and how not to confuse or put people to sleep.  The various versions of PowerPoint (2003, 2007, and 2010) will be compared including OpenOffice’s free version.   We will end by showing how to save the presentation on a flash drive to move it from your computer to the Omnilore classroom computer. You are encouraged to come with questions and problems related to your use of PowerPoint.  Indeed, bring your own laptop and follow along. Item posted by hh: 12/27/11 Computer Talk     Thursday, March 22, 2012: Noon - 1 pm, Room 7   Intermediate PowerPoint (Part 2 of 2) Bob Bragonier will continue teaching how to make PowerPoint understandable and thus easier to use.  His talk will start where the February PowerPoint coverage ended,  showing you how to enhance your PowerPoint presentation.  Plus, he will demonstrate how to add music, graphics (maps, charts and pictures), and videos keyed to the slide to add interest and information to presentations. Item posted by hh: 12/27/11 Coordinator Training    April Date To Be Announced Coordinator Training is conducted by the Head Coordinator around the beginning of April, August, and December – approximately one month before each academic trimester.  All Coordinators/Co-Coordinators of Omnilore Summer Classes Starting in <Month>: Please attend this training session because guidelines and tips for coordinating SDGs are always being improved.  (And, it's your chance to meet new Head Coordinator Norman Morris if you haven't already.) Topics covered include: Learn what's new – there's always something! Review SDG operating procedures – schedules, presentation expectations, discussion guidelines, how to handle core reading ... Appoint your class's AV Techie and FTP Techie; get them trained    (What are these?) Ask questions Get answers. . . .and room keys Omnilore greatly appreciates those volunteering for these important coordinating positions – Thank You! Item posted by hh: 12/3/11 Equipment 101:  A/V Training & "FTP Techie" Training (SDG Folders maintenance)    Date of the Next Offering To Be Announced in 2012 An Equipment Training session is generally scheduled in mid April, August, and December – just before the beginning of each academic trimester. This training session, taught by the Omnilore Equipment Manager, provides instruction on set-up, usage, and proper storage of Omnilore's Audio/Visual/computer equipment for all Omnilore members anxious to learn (or get a refresher on) how to use our primary presentation technology – projector and screen, our new desktop presenters (pictured at right) for printed material, DVD/video players and speakers, your own or Omnilore’s laptop, and our classrooms’ wireless internet connection — used individually and in combinations. After the first hour,  Equipment 101 switches to demonstration and instruction on the purpose and population of each SDG's "Folder."  The SDG Folders reside on the Omnilore website for capture of digital presentations, discussion questions, and other resources created or found by members.   Each SDG should have an "FTP Techie" capable of uploading these digital artifacts to its SDG Folder, and this instruction will teach those interested the free upload utility FileZilla and recommended file-naming conventions for clarity.  The instructor will stay as long as needed to assist those who want hands-on practice with the equipment or FTP Techie operations.  To study ahead or for self-teaching, CLICK HERE for tip sheets for each piece of Omnilore equipment, as well as for the training charts for Equipment 101.  CLICK HERE for a one-page printable PDF announcement of this training session. Item posted by hh: 12/22/11   Presentations Workshop:  Presentations 101   May Date to be Announced Are you a new member of Omnilore and a little uncertain about what to do about your first Presentation?  Perhaps you have been a member of Omnilore for a while and want to polish your Presentation skills. In either case, we have some help for you.  You are invited to join Presentations 101: The Workshop.  It's all about making our Presentations better and enjoying livelier discussions. If you can't attend The Workshop and want some help pulling together your Presentation, check the list of Presentation Mentors.  The list is also posted on the bulletin boards in our classrooms.  You will find the names, phone numbers and e-mail addresses of Omnilore members who have volunteered to work with other members on making Presentations.  Just give one of them a call or fire off an e-mail to make arrangements for advice and perhaps to make a new friend.  Or, visit our Training webpage and click on the "Presentations Training" link at the top to view Presentations 101 charts. Item posted by hh: 1/22/2012

Highlights Video and More About Omnilore For potential new members, more information is available by scrolling down this webpage or by clicking on any link below to directly jump to a particular topic.  Highlights/Introduction Video  |  Who to Contact  |  Membership Benefits  How to Join  |  Volunteer Opportunities  |  Directions This two-minute video illustrates some highlights of Omnilore, while serving as an introduction to our learning community: If you would like to know more about Omnilore benefits, how we operate, fees, or whom to contact to join, please go to Omnilore Membership below.  Go to our Contacts page to locate the public email addresses for our Omnilore Officers.  Go to Directions at the bottom of this page to find maps and view directions to our classroom facility at the Franklin Center in Redondo Beach. If you would like to know more about our course offerings, please see our Curriculum Page. To learn even more about our learning community, please explore the rest of this Omnilore homepage and other pages on our website reachable by the yellow navigation buttons at the top of this page. If at any time within this website you want to go back to the Omnilore homepage, simply click the first button ("Home") in the navigation bar at the top of every page.

Omnilore Membership Benefits |  Facts  |  Fees  |  Orientation Sessions  |  Volunteer Opportunities About OLLI@CSUDH Membership Only Do you have a mind that's not ready to retire? Did the short video above entice you?  Then we are definitely for you! Omnilore is open to all who seek the intellectual stimulation and challenge of shared inquiry. We have about three hundred participants taking part in the college-level learning experience (without tests or grades!). Our self-directed courses meet twice a month (two-hour sessions) for four months. Omnilore Membership Benefits: Members may enroll in multiple Study/Discussion Groups per term. Members may participate in additional OLLI at CSUDH activities that include Computer Talks meetings, and a Hiking Club. Forum luncheons are open to OLLI members and their guests. These quarterly luncheons feature a variety of interesting speakers. (Please note: there is an additional fee for the luncheon). Members receive a bimonthly newsletter that presents a calendar, a member profile, a booklist, and several interesting, informative articles. Upon joining Omnilore, members receive all the same benefits that come with OLLI at CSUDH membership (see below). These include: a California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Student ID; use of the CSUDH university library; a CSUDH student e-mail account; periodic CSUDH Extended Education newsletters, catalogs, and other publications; and other benefits inherent in CSUDH student status. Members are invited to participate in the OLLI lecture series at CSUDH taught by University faculty each fall and spring. Members receive notifications and updates on CSUDH campus events including speaker series, department symposia, and cultural events. Omnilore Membership Facts: The Omnilore membership year runs from September 1 through August 31. The spring classes start the first week of January, the summer classes begin the first week of May, and the fall classes commence the first week of September. Omnilore is run by volunteers. A Board of Directors and Standing Committees keep the organization running smoothly. Members propose course offerings. Members are expected to be active participants in their Study/Discussion Groups (SDGs). Giving a presentation in the courses one takes is a requirement. Prior to joining, new members are required to attend a New Members Orientation Session (see below). This requirement is necessary in order to fully understand the organization and to receive tips on "How to Succeed as an Omnilore Member." Prospective members are urged to "sit in" on an Omnilore SDG class before joining the organization. We want to make sure that we are the right "fit" for you! Omnilore thrives based on the efforts of its membership, all of whom are volunteers.  Besides the SDGs themselves and the member volunteers who coordinate each SDG's classroom activities, volunteers are needed to help plan and execute diverse planning and communication activities that keep Omnilore vital, interesting, and exciting.  Examples include developing the curriculum, putting together our bimonthly newsletter, maintaining this website, and the Omnilore Board of Directors which oversees everything.   Whatever your background, there's probably a place you can help out – both leadership and product-producing positions.  See our separate Volunteer Opportunities webpage for more details and how to get involved in making Omnilore go. Omnilore Membership Fees: Omnilore annual membership fees are $90.00 per person or $150.00 per couple plus a required $30/person OLLI membership fee, for a total of $120 per person or $210 per couple. This covers membership and full participation in study/discussion groups, club activities and more for the full academic year. NOTE: The Omnilore membership fee includes all the benefits of OLLI@CSUDH membership (see below). JOINING IS EASY! Omnilore New Members Orientation Sessions If you want more information about Omnilore membership, please call (310) 370-9522 or email the membership chairperson at Membership@Omnilore.Org. Please leave your name and mailing address, so that we may send you our current curriculum and other relevant information. There are two Omnilore Orientation Sessions each trimester—six sessions in total throughout the year. All sessions are held in our Franklin Center facility. The Sessions typically begin at 10:00 a.m. and last 90 minutes to 2 hours, depending on attendance and questions.  There is a break at the midway point when refreshments are served. UPCOMING OMNILORE ORIENTATION SESSIONS Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 10:00 a.m., Room 7 Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 10:00 a.m., Room 7 If you are unavailable on the date(s) listed above, you may request information by emailing Membership@Omnilore.org for more information.   Omnilore Orientation Sessions take place in Room 7 of our Franklin Center facility (850 Inglewood Ave., Redondo Beach). For a map of the facility and detailed driving instructions click here.  For more information or to RSVP, call 310-370-9522 and leave a message, or email Membership@Omnilore.org. NOTE: Attendance at an Omnilore Orientation Session is required before joining. About OLLI at CSUDH Membership Only When you become a member of Omnilore, you automatically become a member of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). However, it is possible to become a member of OLLI at CSUDH without becoming a member of Omnilore. You'll find the cost and benefits of OLLI-CSUDH outlined on the OLLI at CSUDH Membership Information page. The information on that page includes specific information about becoming an OLLI at CSUDH member ONLY.

Directions Redondo Beach Franklin Center All Omnilore courses and many of our other activities are held at the Franklin Center, which is located at 850 Inglewood Avenue in Redondo Beach, three short blocks north of 190th Street.  It is the site of a former Redondo Beach elementary school, but it is now leased by a number of different entities, including a preschool. Omnilore has the use of two classrooms, Rooms 7 and 8. There is a parking lot in front of the facility.   Please drive carefully in the parking lot because it is frequently quite full, plus at times there are many parents dropping off and picking up their preschoolers.   Be aware that occasionally you might be forced to park on side streets Ralston Lane or Fisk Lane and walk an extra minute or two to our classrooms.  Here is a Mapquest link to the location. And finally, here below, is another map (made by one of our many talented volunteers) showing the location of our Franklin Center, and the locations of our Omnilore rooms 7 and 8 within the facility. OLLI@CSUDH Most OLLI@CSUDH classes, lectures, and events are held at the California State University Dominguez Hills Extended Education facility (1000 E. Victoria Street, Carson, CA 90747), directly east of the Home Depot Center sports complex. There is a pay parking lot in front of the Extended Education facility – Parking Lot 3, on the south side of E. Victoria St. about a quarter mile east of Avalon Blvd.  There are two automated parking permit dispensers located near the facility, one in the northwest corner and one near the southeast corner of Parking Lot 3.  Both dispensers are marked by asterisks on this map.  Parking costs $4.00, and credit cards are accepted by the machines. Here is a Mapquest link to the location. And finally, here is a link to the campus' official CSUDH driving directions page.

Omnilore—OLLI at CSUDH, P.O. Box 7000-236, Redondo Beach, CA, 90277-8710

Last Updated: Jan. 22, 2012 (hh)