Recreation   

Cook along and let’s noodle around together! We’ll explore making a basic egg pasta from scratch and experience two delicious cuisines. From the Mediterranean we’ll make a traditional Sicilian pasta with broccoli or cauliflower, and then send our taste buds to the Far East to sample pan-Asian hoisin garlic noodles. Each day will feature side dishes to complete a meal. You’ll cook in your kitchen and I’ll cook in mine; I’ll provide recipes, demonstrations and support. Students should be comfortable in the kitchen and have basic cooking skills.

NOTE: There will be vegetarian options, but gluten-free cooking will be on your own.

Come make a crumb quilt into something useful! A crumb quilt is a patchwork made by sewing together tiny fabric scraps into blocks that in turn are pieced together to create new fabric. We’ll spend two weeks making a crumb quilt large enough to cut a pattern for a pouch, wallet, pencil case, eyeglass holder or something else you choose. During the third class, we’ll assemble our creations. This is a fun process, at the end of which you’ll have something functional to use.

NOTE: Students should bring their own sewing machines to class. You should be able to wind a bobbin and sew a curved line. You will need about $20 worth of fabric and supplies, but the scraps for your crumb quilts will be supplied. A list of supplies will be sent to registered students.

This course will teach knitters how to work more than one color in a row in their knitting. At the end of the course students will have made a multicolor hat and have learned how to knit in the round with more than one color, fix mistakes, read a pattern, follow a chart and finish a project. Students will learn tips, techniques and resources for knitting the hat that are applicable to other knitting projects. Students should already know how to cast on, knit, purl, bind off and decrease in knitting. This course is not suitable for those who do not know how to knit comfortably.

NOTE: Beginning knitting will not be taught. Students will need to purchase yarn, needles and stitch markers. Students will be given a pattern and instructions for purchasing yarn and needles prior to the first class.

This introductory course, taught by four instructors at the Rogue Valley Genealogical Society Library, is designed to give a solid foundation for pursuing genealogy and researching your family and ancestors. The classes will cover: conducting research online and in libraries, organizing research, the U.S. census and researching digitized newspapers as well as how to use Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org. There will be two assignments: filling out an Ancestor Chart for personal use and preregistering for a free FamilySearch.org account before class 4. Instruction will be 1½ hours, including a 30-minute break, followed by a one-hour hands-on practice session. RVGS has computers available for the practice sessions, but students are encouraged to bring their personal laptop. 

NOTE: The Rogue Valley Genealogical Society Library has a kitchen, and students are encouraged to bring their own lunch or snack to eat during the half-hour break.

Students taking this course will make a child’s sweater and, by doing so, will learn how to read a pattern, ensure that a sweater will fit, select appropriate yarn, increase and decrease invisibly and fix mistakes. Students will also learn about key knitting resources. This course is for advanced beginners: Students should know how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off in knitting. If you want to take your knitting to the next level and learn how to make a sweater that fits, this course is for you!

NOTE: This course is designed for someone who knows how to knit but wants to learn how to knit a sweater. Students will be given a pattern and instructions for purchasing yarn and needles prior to the first class.

This course is designed for students who have taken the Absolute Beginners Pickleball course or have a rudimentary knowledge of the game. It will be taught by seasoned instructors who are experienced players. They are members of the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club. Expect to build on the basic game to include advanced strategy in play. We will meet at Lithia Park pickleball courts for 1½ hours a day for five consecutive days. There will be an emphasis on safety, playing by USA pickleball rules and sportsmanship. This skill-building course will focus on serves; third-shot drops or “drop shots;” drives; lobs; partner communication; types of scoring; and understanding Bert, Ernie and Nasty Nelson. The last day will be a fun, fast-paced round-robin in which all players will rotate.  

NOTE: Please bring your favorite paddle, wear court shoes and a hat or visor, and bring a hydrating drink. Eye protection is recommended. If we have inclement weather, the class will be canceled. Liability waiver required to participate.

This fun and active course is for pickleball players who understand and play the game and want to meet players through a rotation/competitive type of play. All levels of players are welcome. There will be three classes during the term, each with 3½ hours of play. Players will learn format, partnering, stacking, hand signals, types of scoring, byes, types of pickleballs and when to utilize them. Timing and numbering of rotations will be taught with an emphasis on safety. Six games will be played in each class, with frequent rest breaks. You will be an active participant and connect with your partner in strategizing your game plan. This course is taught by experienced local players from the Ashland Oregon Pickleball Club.  

NOTE: This course will be at Lithia Park pickleball courts; courts 1 to 4 have been reserved for 8 a.m. to noon. Bring your favorite paddle and a hydrating drink, and wear court shoes and a hat or visor. Eye protection is recommended. In the event of inclement weather, we will cancel. There is a $3 fee for pickleballs payable to the instructor. Class dates are 4/23, 5/14 and 5/28. Liability waiver required to participate.

So you think you know how to play poker? Your skills will be displayed in this advanced poker class focusing on No Limit Texas Hold’em. Students must have a good understanding of poker rules and etiquette to take this course. You will learn all the following: basic betting strategies, fold equity, bluff tactics, bluff equity, bluff catching, game theory and game theory optimal, exploitive theory, poker math and, finally, luck and how it affects the game. There will be an in-class poker tournament using chips (no money) to exercise students’ poker skills.

NOTE: Students must have a good understanding of poker rules and etiquette. Students who have taken Bon Stewart’s Beginning and Winning Poker class should have this knowledge base as would those who play poker for real money outside OLLI.