OLLI Outlook
The Monthly Newsletter of OLLI @Berkeley
October 2011
Contents
Added Lecture in Berkeley
Faculty Interview: Jack Rasmus
Fourth Age Salons
New to OLLI
Newcomers Group
Berkeley Lecture Series
Lafayette Lectures
On Campus and Around Town
The Lunch Bunch
Member Benefits and Partner News
2011-12 Academic Calendar
Gift Certificates
Join Our Mailing List!
Links
Donate to OLLI

Find OLLI on Facebook


OLLI @Berkeley Staff
Director
Susan Hoffman
 
Program Coordinator
Aileen Kim
 
Communications Coordinator
Satya Levine
 
Classroom Coordinator
Rosina "RJ" Bruno
 
Research Assistant
Sandra von Doetinchem
 
Student Staff
Nika Allahverdi, Camille Enriquez, Justin Jackson, Tamar Lee, Katherine Van Zalen, Suna Wilkerson
 
OLLI @Berkeley
University of California
1925 Walnut St #1570
Berkeley, CA 94720-1570
tel. 510.642.9934
fax. 510.642.2202

REGISTER FOR FALL 2011

Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples Day
Note: In keeping with UC Berkeley policy, OLLI classes WILL MEET on Monday, October 10, 2011.

 

Next Week at OLLI (Oct 10-16)
This fall, OLLI @Berkeley is offering nearly a dozen lectures that are open to the public. It's not too late to come get a taste of OLLI. And bring a friend!
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Fighting Cancer: A Non-toxic Approach to Treatment

Erik Peper and Robert Gorter
Tuesday, October 11, 3:30-5:00 pm
University Hall Room 41B (2199 Addison Street, Berkeley)
No RSVP, first come, first seated
Free | More info

The presentation discusses an integrative non-toxic approach to cancer treatment and prevention that focuses on the body's intrinsic capacity for healing that was developed by Robert Gorter, M.D., Ph.D., who in 1976 recovered from Stage IV testicular cancer using non-toxic treatment and no chemotherapy or radiation.

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Co-presented with the Berkeley Startup Cluster
WWGD WYPP? What Would Google Do ...With Your Public Parts?
Jeff Jarvis
Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 1:00-2:15 pm
Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse (2020 Addison St, Berkeley)
No RSVP, Free to all | More info

Journalist and digital cultural thought leader Jeff Jarvis explores the benefits of "publicness." We need privacy, but in our current thinking about the topic, Jarvis fears we could miss the opportunities the internet brings to connect with each other, to build transparent companies, to open up government, to collaborate, to disarm stigmas, and to organize new societies.

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Wikileaks and the First Amendment
Bill Turner
Saturday, October 15, 1:30-2:30 pm
Sutarja Dai Hall, Banatao Auditorium
Part of Cal Homecoming weekend
Free | More info

In 2010, the whistleblower site WikiLeaks published thousands of classified military documents and sensitive State Department cables about American involvement in the Iraq and Afghan Wars, potentially harming national security. The most imminent question confronting WikiLeaks is whether it or its founder, Julian Assange, can be prosecuted for espionage, as advocated by Senator Dianne Feinstein and others.

 

Faculty Interview: Jack Rasmus
By Don Queen

 

For the Winter 2012 term, OLLI will be introducing a timely class dealing with the present economic crisis. It will be taught by Dr. Jack Rasmus, who has been teaching Labor Economics in for Summer Sessions at UC Berkeley and is professor of economics and political economy at Santa Clara University and St. Mary's College. Since leaving the fields of union organizing and market research to teach, Dr. Rasmus has written at least three books, and authored over forty articles. He is a frequent public speaker and regular guest on KGO and other radio stations. He says, in the class "there will be a minimum of academic theory" with a focus on history as to what caused the crisis, the questions of why haven't we benefited from the Bush/Obama recovery programs, and how can we solve it.

 

He states he has been fascinated by economics since he was a freshman at UC Berkeley where he graduated. So it just was a natural thing to pursue graduate work in political economics. Jack Rasmus believes that he inherited his interest in labor issues from his family who were "working class" and activists with the union. He was the first member of his family to complete high school and attend college.

 

As it happened, the office of the United Steelworkers Union was located just a block from the University of Toronto where he was seeking his Ph.D. through a fellowship. They got together and the Union began providing him training and experience in labor organizing and contract negotiation in exchange for his doing economic research, which the union needed for contract negotiations. When he went to England to study for a year at the London School of Economics, the Union set up a similar arrangements for him with the British Union.

 

After finishing his doctorate, he was recruited by the Steelworkers Union, followed by the SEIU, Hotel and Restaurant Workers, and eight years organizing the California Local of the Communications Workers of America.

 

Dr. Rasmus states that after twelve years he decided that the eighteen hour day and evening meetings were incompatible being married with a wife, child, and house.

 

Dr. Rasmus then worked as an economist for several international corporations such as Siemens and some Silicon Valley start-ups doing strategic international marketing analysis.

 

After eighteen years, he decided that twenty-five years "in the trenches" was enough and he has since devoted himself full-time to teaching, writing, and speaking about his concerns about what has been happening to the economy and especially the decline of the middle and working class, and the labor movement. Interestingly enough, after writing some newspaper articles for the Longshoremen's Union, he became an author, playwright, and even lyricist with Joyce Todd McBride for six produced stage plays and musicals which are described on his website, Kyklos.com. He also served as First Vice President of the National Writers Union.

 

Writing and speaking have been mainstays of Jack Rasmus's careers as union leader, business economist, and teacher. He is able to describe the often arcane economic issues clearly and concretely in a manner non-economists can understand. In these chaotic times this promises to be an interesting class.

 

Fourth Age Salons
The first Fourth Age Salon, held on Monday, October 3, was a lively discussion with participants sharing insights and perspectives on life in the ninth decade and beyond. We will hold the next salons as an ongoing conversation on:
  • Monday, October 17, 3:00-4:30 pm, University Hall, Room 714C

  • Monday, November 14, 3:00-4:30 pm, University Hall, Room 714C

If you have any questions, please contact Research Assistant Sandra von Doetinchem by email at [email protected] or by phone at 510.642.9934 on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

We are looking forward to sharing your great insights and experience with OLLI @Berkeley.

New to OLLI
Sandra von Doentinchem, Research Assistant
We are pleased to welcome Sandra von Doetinchem to the OLLI staff as a research assistant. Sandra holds a German diploma in educational sciences with a focus on adult education from the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany. Her main research interests include older adult education, global lifelong learning, and comparative adult education. She is in the office on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and will be with us through spring 2012.

Marcy Potter, Major Gifts Officer 
OLLI @Berkeley is fortunate to have UC Berkeley development specialist Marcy Potter consulting on a part-time basis regarding our Annual Fund as well as pursuing other funding options for OLLI.

OLLI News
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RAFFLE WINNER

Congratulations to long-time OLLI member Suzan Kaufmann, winner of the "Refer a Friend" raffle for a 2011-12 All-inclusive membership.

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BACK-TO-SCHOOL POTLUCK PICNIC

Thanks to the initiative of OLLI member and Volunteer Coordinator Nikki Maziasz, OLLI @Berkeley held its first Back-to-School Potluck Picnic at Live Oak Park on Friday, September 23. About 25 members plus OLLI staff attended, enjoying delicious foods on a day with perfect weather.
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ANNUAL FUND COMMITTEE CHANGES

Welcome to Suzanne Calpestri, Kelly Fratar, Tom Fratar, Suzan Kaufmann, Mel Mogulof, Murray Schlussel, Renee Tissue, and Brad Wait, who joined the Annual Fund Committee. Thank you to Skip Bradish and John Lyons for their service. OLLI depends on the active involvement of the membership and we are grateful to those who share their expertise and experience through serving on OLLI's committees.

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THANK YOU CLASSROOM ASSISTANTS! 

Each OLLI class is served by two or more Classroom Assistants who arrive early to help set up and check in OLLI members when they arrive. Classroom Assistants are crucial to the smooth running of the OLLI classroom and we would like to express our gratitude for their dedication. A special thanks goes to Mary Reinke, who has been the recruiter for Classroom Assistants for the past two years.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the OLLI office at [email protected] or 510.642.9934.

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INTEREST CIRCLES
Are you taking a class with a topic that you want to continue with once the term is over? If the answer is yes, start an Interest Circle to bridge the time between the Fall and Winter terms. OLLI will set up a meeting for you with others who are interested and then provide classroom space. Look for information in the coming weeks.


OLLI Newcomers Group

Do you wonder who are all these people taking classes at OLLI? Do you recognize some faces, but don't know their names or their interests? Would you like some more time to talk about the classes everyone is taking, and get the inside info on upcoming events and classes?

 

Are you new to OLLI, new to the Bay Area, new to retirement, a longtime resident who wants to share your insider's knowledge and experience, or just someone who wants to have some fun, engage in lively discussion with your peers, explore the outdoors, museums, theaters, and more?

 

We've formed a group where people can come together to talk about our classes, what we've seen, heard, or read, activities and resources we would recommend. We'll keep it open-ended and flexible so that everyone has a chance to contribute.

 

After our first meeting on September 29, we decided to meet for lunch on Thursday, October 27, from noon-1:00 pm at Au Coquelet Cafe Restaurant, 2000 University Ave (between Milvia St & Shattuck Ave), Berkeley. All OLLI members, newcomer or not, are welcome to join.

 

Let us know if this interests you.

 

Lucille Poskanzer: [email protected] 

Marian Whitehead: [email protected]

Fall Lecture Series in Berkeley
** Please note schedule changes below **

Wednesdays
Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse (2020 Addison St, Berkeley)
Free to OLLI @Berkeley Members, $10 general admission at the door

 

October 12, 2011, 1:00-2:15 pm

Co-presented with the Berkeley Startup Cluster

WWGD WYPP? What Would Google Do ...With Your Public Parts?
Jeff Jarvis

* Added lecture, free to all, no RSVP

 

October 19, 2011, 1:00-2:30 pm  

Lunch Bucket Paradise: The Secret Life of the Working Class Suburb

Fred Setterberg

 

October 26, 2011, 1:00-2:30 pm

8 Ways to Look at Cities

John King

Lafayette Lectures

Thursdays, 1:30-3:00 pm
Lafayette Library and Learning Center, 3491 Mount Diablo Blvd, Lafayette
$10 general admission at the door, Free for OLLI  members with ID

More info | Reserve a place    

 

October 20, 2011
Facing the Past: Legacies of Genocide, Grave Looting, and Culture Wars in California
Tony Platt

 

November 17, 2011
Medicine in an Era of Health Care Reform
Michael Thaler

 

On Campus and Around Town
CITY COMMONS CLUB
City Commons Club of Berkeley meets every Friday from 11:45 am to 1:30 pm to promote the lively discussion of topics of interest to San Francisco Bay area residents. Learn more and see the schedule of events.

Note: On Friday, October 28, OLLI @Berkeley instructor Dariush Zahedi will be speaking on "Will Democracy Develop in the Middle East?"
 
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ART, TECHNOLOGY, AND CULTURE COLLOQUIUM

Check out Ken Goldberg's Art, Technology, and Culture lecture series offered over the academic year with several talks in the fall semester.

http://atc.berkeley.edu 


The Lunch Bunch

by Lucille Poskanzer

 

Zaika

2050 University Ave, between Shattuck and Milvia

510.705.1343

www.zaikaberkeley.com 

 

This new place is close to the OLLI classrooms. A large, moderately-priced Indian restaurant with an extensive menu, it is open every day from lunch through dinner. There is also a bar with many choices of beer and wine as well as bar snacks for smaller appetites. This would be an ideal place for a large group, either for lunch or for just hanging out. The only down side is that it is also a sports bar with many television screens throughout the space, which may be to your liking, or not. At any rate, it is definitely worth checking out. 

 

Member Benefits and Partner News

50% Discount at Berkeley Arts and Letters  

Berkeley Arts and Letters offers a 50% student discount to OLLI members. Visit http://berkeleyarts.org for more information.
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Jazz Cafe: 10% Discount for OLLI members
Ongoing through the Spring term, show your OLLI student card and get 10% off on food and non-alcoholic beverages. The Jazz Cafe is located at 2087 Addison Street, just across the street from Freight and Salvage Coffee House.

 

2011-12 Academic Calendar
WINTER 2012
Open House: Tuesday, January 17
Term dates: January 30-March 12
Holiday (no classes): February 20

SPRING 2012
Open House: Tuesday, March 20
Term dates: April 2-May 11

Gift Certificates Available
Encourage a family member or friend to experience OLLI. Gift certificates are available for OLLI memberships, courses, and workshops. Download the order form or contact the OLLI office (510.642.9934) to purchase a gift certificate.