The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Coastal Carolina University offers adults the opportunity to sample the spring schedule of classes during Free Week. Come see the facilities, meet the instructors, enjoy free lectures and demonstrations at each of the Outreach Centers: Tuesday, Jan. 5 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Foundation Center in Conway; Wednesday, Jan. 6 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Waccamaw Higher Education Center in Litchfield; and Thursday, Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Myrtle Beach Education Center at 79th Avenue North.

Free Week is your chance to “try it before you buy it.” From computer instruction to yoga and Tai Chi, fused glass to Mandarin Chinese and Gaelic languages, the history of the Holocaust to great lyricists and their songs, self-defense for seniors to ballroom dancing – many of the OLLI instructors will provide an overview of their classes and answer questions posed by prospective students. Staff will be available to offer assistance with registration, photo IDs and parking permits.

Classes for the regular OLLI spring session begin Monday, Jan. 11. The new catalog listing more than 300 courses and scores of cultural opportunities is now available.

While most of the presentations will be 30 minutes, several of the established groups (book, computer and French clubs) will hold their first monthly meetings of the new year. In addition, on Wednesday at Waccamaw, Josette Sharwell will offer a contemporary foreign film from 2:30 to 5 p.m. and on Thursday, JoEllen Langley’s Starshine Performance Training class will reprise their fall recital at the 79th Avenue Theatre at 7 p.m. Two additional programs will be offered on Friday at the Waccamaw Center: Microbiologist Tom Flanagan will speak on “Influenza, 2010” from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and the new MAC Computer Club will hold its first meeting from 10 a.m. to noon.

OLLI membership ($20 for Jan. 1 through Sept. 30, 2010) is a prequisite to take courses, although you may elect to be a member without signing up for coursework. Membership includes free participation in the special groups, free workshops and a weekly online newsletter, as well as significant member discounts at cultural and wellness destinations along the Grand Strand. For more information, call 843-349-4030 or visit the Web site at www.coastal.edu/olli where the complete Spring 2010 catalog is posted, as well as the schedule for Free Week and each weekly e-newsletter.

The catalog may be picked up at the outreach centers in Conway (Foundation Center on U.S. 501), Litchfield (Waccamaw Higher Education Center on Willbrook Blvd.) and the Myrtle Beach Education Center at U.S. 17 Bypass and 79th Avenue North. In addition, stacks have been placed at local libraries and chambers of commerce.