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Senate Chamber in Texas State Capitol in Austin, TX

The Texas Legislature: Its History, How It Works and Who To Contact

The Texas Legislature is meeting from January 12, 2021 until May 31, 2021. The Legislature will pass a budget and will consider proposals for new laws that can affect your everyday life. We will look at the colorful history of the Legislature, scandals of years past and how it looks today. You will also learn how to keep track of the Legislature's activities and how best to communicate with your legislators, and others, to ensure your views are heard.

Hon. Frank Reilly has been observing and participating in Texas legislative sessions variously for over 40 years; as a chief of staff to a state legislator, lobbyist, and grass roots organizer. He is a licensed attorney, municipal judge, and teaches political science at Texas Tech University.

Tuesday, February 23 | 2-3:30 p.m. | Free

2021 January Classes

1/11 Shades of PerceptionShades of Perception Monday, January 11 | 3‑4:30 p.m.

1/13 Pop Music of the 1960sPop Music of the 1960s Wednesday, January 13 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

1/14 Texas Legislature's Colorful HistoryThe Texas Legislature and Its Colorful History Thursday, January 14 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

1/18 Cotton in Pandemics & Trade WarsCotton in the Time of Pandemic and Trade Wars Monday, January 18 | 3‑4:30 p.m.

1/21 My Mother and the HolocaustOnly Hope: My Mother and the Holocaust Brought to Light Thursday, January 21 | 2-3:30 p.m.

1/26 Which Story Line Tells Your StoryWhich Story Line Tells Your Story Tuesday, January 26 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

1/27 “Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen“Hatchet” by Gary Paulsen Wednesday, January 27 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

1/28 Response to COVID‑19 PandemicModern Medicine's Response to the COVID‑19 Pandemic Thursday, January 28 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

2021 February Classes

2/2 Travels of Rudyard KiplingThe Travels of Rudyard Kipling, Part Two Tuesday, February 2 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

2/3 Pop Music of the 1970sPop Music of the 1970s – A Diversity of Sounds Wednesday, February 3 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

2/5 Basic Medication SafetySafety Tips Over Prescriptions (STOP): Basic Medication Safety Friday, February 5 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

2/8 Women in Science & TechnologyUnsung Women in Science and Technology Monday, February 8 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

2/9 Fraud ProtectionFraud Protection Tuesday, February 9 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

2/22 Deciphering Medical TerminologyDeciphering Medical Terminology Monday, February 22 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

2/23 The Texas Legislature: Its History, How It Works and Who To ContactThe Texas Legislature: Its History, How It Works and Who To Contact Tuesday, February 23 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

2/24 “The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold“The Lovely Bones” by Alice Sebold Wednesday, February 24 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

2021 March Classes

3/2 Short Story Festival: Remembering Some of the Best from PoeOld-Time Short Story Festival: Remembering Some of the Best from Poe Tuesday, March 2 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

3/3 Stroke EducationStroke Education Wednesday, March 3 | 10‑11:30 a.m.

3/3 The Story Behind “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band”The Story Behind “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band” Wednesday, March 3 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

3/9 Revolutionaries, Ancestors & ArchivesRevolutionaries, Ancestors and Archives Tuesday, March 9 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

3/10 Treasured Quilts from GrandmaTreasured Quilts from Grandma's Hands Wednesday, March 10 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

3/12 Texas & the Seven-Year DroughtTexas and the Seven-Year Drought of the 1950s Friday, March 12 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

3/15 Economic Effects of COVID‑19Economic Effects of COVID‑19 Monday, March 15 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

3/16 The Resiliency ProjectThe Resiliency Project Tuesday, March 16 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

3/17 “The Hunt for Red October”“The Hunt for Red October” by Tom Clancy Wednesday, March 17 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

3/24 Recovering America's Wildlife ActRecovering America's Wildlife Act: A New Approach to Wildlife Conservation Wednesday, March 24 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

3/31 Texas Tales: Tall & TrueTexas Tales: Tall and True Wednesday, March 31 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

2021 April Classes

4/1 Smartphone PhotographySmartphone Photography: Better Shots in Six Weeks! 2/25, 3/4, 3/11, 3/18, 3/25, 4/1 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

4/5 Voyages to the Moon & PlanetsSpacecraft Voyages to the Moon and Other Planets Monday, April 5 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

4/6 Short Story Festival: “The Adventure of the Red-Headed League”Old-Time Short Story Festival: “The Adventure of the Red-Headed League” Tuesday, April 6 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

4/7 The Score from “Dr. No”The Jamaican Musical Score from “Dr. No” Wednesday, April 7 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

4/8 Civil War: Confederacy's CollapseThe American Civil War Era, Pt. 4: The Confederacy's Collapse Thursday, April 8 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

4/14 Thomas Jefferson Tells His StoryThomas Jefferson Tells His Story Wednesday, April 14 | 3:30‑5:30 p.m.

4/15 Hearing LossHearing Loss: What You Don't Know Can Hurt You! Thursday, April 15 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

4/21 “Rebecca” by Daphne Du Maurier“Rebecca” by Daphne Du Maurier Wednesday, April 21 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

4/22 Civil War in the SouthwestCivil War in the Southwest Thursday, April 22 | 3‑4:30 p.m.

4/28 COVID‑19/Public Health DepartmentCOVID‑19 and the Public Health Department Wednesday, April 28 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

4/30 Ginger KerrickGinger Kerrick Friday, April 30 | 9‑10:30 a.m.

2021 May Classes

5/5 Exploring WoodturningExploring Woodturning Wednesday, May 5 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

5/10 Rep. Jodey ArringtonU.S. Representative Jodey Arrington Monday, May 10 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

5/11 Science by the GlassScience by the Glass 1/19, 2/23, 3/9, 4/13, 5/11 | 5‑6 p.m.

5/12 Comics: Art, Culture & HistoryComics – Unique in Art, Culture and History Wednesday, May 12 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

5/18 Civil War: The Reconstruction & Its Counter‑RevolutionThe American Civil War Era Pt. 5: Reconstruction and Its Counter‑Revolution  4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

5/19 “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë“Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë Wednesday, May 19 | 2‑3:30 p.m.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

  • Address

    Texas Tech Plaza | 1901 University Avenue, Suite 513 | Lubbock, Texas 79410-5095 || Mailing: Box 45095 | Lubbock, TX 79409-5095
  • Phone

    (806) 742-6554
  • Email

    olli@ttu.edu