Would you like to develop a greater understanding
and appreciation for professional sports and enhance your viewing experience? Have you ever wondered what the difference was between a dunk and a dribble, a nose guard and a point guard, the 3-second rule and the 2-minute warning?
SPORTS FOR DILETTANTES, an interactive course, will cover the basics of football and basketball, including their history and evolution; the essentials of offense, defense, and scoring; explanations and diagrams of basic plays;
and enough sports vocabulary to allow you to watch a
sporting event without having to always ask, “What just happened?”
The instructor Bob Cooney, a New York native, graduated from St. John’s Preparatory and St. John’s University (B.A., M.A.) on Long Island where he was a standout basketball and baseball player.
Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict, and then returned to Long Island to teach history and coach football and basketball at Seton Hall.
Bob moved to Los Angeles in 1980 to work at Loyola Law School as a fundraising director and Associate Dean for Business and Development,
responsible for all non-academic operations. After Bob’s retirement, the Law School named its annual golf tournament for him, with the proceeds
to benefi t the Cancer Legal Resource Center (CLRC)
to support its education and outreach programs for people with cancer and their families. In November 2012, the CLRC honored him for his contributions with the Cancer Vanguard Award at a dinner where he was also
presented with a special proclamation by the City of Los Angeles in recognition of his service to and dedication of “heart and hand” to the people of Los Angeles.
In retirement, he has continued to be an avid sports fan and accomplished golfer, winning several silver and gold medals in basketball and golf at the Southern California Senior Olympics. Bob has lived in Long Beach with
his wife Ami, a labor lawyer, for 20 years and enjoys volunteering at the Long Beach VA and attending courses at OLLI.
By Suzanne Walsh
Do you want to learn how to play an instrument, but don’t know quite how to get started? Perhaps you think that you need previous musical experience or that it might be too costly or difficult. Your opportunity is here! OLLI is now offering a unique new class with an amazing teacher for you!
Who?… Arthur Hopkins
UKULELE 101 instructor,
a self-taught ukulele entertainer,
advocate and teacher. Arthur simply loves sharing his enthusiasm
and skill with anyone, age 7 to 97, who wants to learn. He thoroughly enjoys
introducing his students to the FUN, healing
and happiness that being in a community of ukulele players can bring. Using a
combination of teaching techniques, such as Power Point and hands-on instruction, he will teach the basics of playing a ukulele, also off ering links to practice videos on his own website.
What?… If you have a ukulele, bring it to the first class (adaptations can be made for left hand and baritone ukuleles). If you need help choosing an instrument, come to the first
class and the instructor will guide you. If you’re still deciding, come and watch. Participants need no previous musical experience, and the songs learned will be from various regions, eras and genres. Mr. Hopkins’ guarantee is that
you will easily learn 10 songs in your first 10 minutes of playing.
Why?… Music is a universal language that breaks down barriers between cultures and generations, with effects that are medicinal. It can relieve stress and depression, foster dexterity, stimulate the brain and bring on a general euphoria. It also contributes to a sense of community and social connection as players come together. The ukulele, in particular, is affordable, portable, easy to learn, and allows you to sing along. Most importantly, playing
the ukulele is FUN and fosters JOY!
