Happy Labor Day!

The Osher offices are closed for the holiday today. But we are very busy gearing up for the triumphal return of fall term! We have 80 in person and online classes beginning in the next two weeks. Space is still available so please register soon, if you have not done so already. Our outstanding instructors are eager to meet you and plan their lessons. And they do like to know ahead of time how many will attend. We look forward to seeing you in class, in the hallways, and in our new Osher lounge in Room 233 where you can enjoy a complimentary coffee or tea on us. Enjoy!

Upcoming Classes

In Person Classes

Great American Songbook

With Wayne Egan

Discover the appeal and longevity of American music created from 1925 to 1955, drawn mostly from the Tin Pan Alley, musical theater, and jazz repertoires. The course is designed for a broad spectrum of music lovers, emphasizing the music and lyrics of such master song writers as Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, Harry Warren, Johnny Mercer, and Duke Ellington. The format of this cultural appreciation course will be a mixture of lecture, demonstration, and performance, defining what lends a song permanence and highlighting the elements one so admires in a great song. The teacher will frequently perform and students will be invited to sing along. A songbook created expressly for this course will be available for purchase but is not mandatory.

Wednesday, September 18 at 1:30 pm

Why Chekhov?

With Sally Smith

If you read Chekhov in college, you were too young. He is a writer for adults because his work reflects mature feelings, complex human responses, and moral issues. We will read at least twelve of his remarkable short stories, selected for us by Richard Ford—a accomplished storyteller himself. And we will read them slowly for pleasure, and then we will probably read them again.

Friday, September 20 at 11:30 am

NEW SECTION ADDED!

Chinese Archaeology in North America

With Chris Merritt

Facing turbulent times in their home country of China, Chinese immigrants traveled throughout the globe in the 19th century looking for economic opportunities and ways to better their lives and the lives of their families. In most parts of the Intermountain West, the Chinese population dwindled during the early 20th century, and we have only fragments of their story in newspaper clippings, photos, and remembrances, but archaeology can provide us another tool to help understand their lives from triumph to tragedy. This course will examine the history of the Chinese in the United States in the 19th and early 20th century, but also look at the archaeological legacy of these pioneers that still remain in Utah, Idaho, Nevada, and Montana.



Monday, September 23 at 9:30 am

Online Classes

End of Life and Care Planning

With Madilyn Morgan, LCSW

Planning for your care as you age can be daunting. Get resources and things to consider as your plan for your care as you age. Talk about end-of-life planning and explore what end of life and death means to you. There will be special guests and opportunities to connect with others about shared experiences of aging and end of life planning.



Monday, September 16 at 1:30 pm

Vanity Fair's Women on Women, Part 2

With Cynthia Perry

Vanity Fair has a long legacy of thoughtful investigative reporting and fascinating celebrity interviews. The focus of this course is Vanity Fair profiles of women, by women. As the editor of this anthology writes, "This book is full of women who are not like anybody else-women who, in their singular ways, stood up for their lives, as they envisioned them, and in so doing, shaped the lives of multitudes." Each week we will read and discuss two to three articles, depending on how much time we spend discussing each. This is a continuation of the class offered Summer 2024. We will be reading and discussing the essays we didn't cover in the first session. No need to have attended the first session to enjoy the second session!



Thursday, September 19 at 9:30 am

Osher Online with Northwestern University

Run by the National Resource Center (NRC) at Northwestern University, this special program allows members from various Osher Lifelong Learning Institutes to participate in shared online courses, thanks to the generosity of the Bernard Osher Foundation. These very high-quality courses feature popular instructors from some of the 125 Osher Institutes across the country. Osher Online allows Osher members from different states and institutions to learn with and connect to each other while maintaining membership at their own local Institutes. We hope you will enjoy being a part of the fun!

Lunch & Learn Starts September 18 at Noon!

A big shout out to Osher volunteer and Curriculum Committee member Sandy Clark. She’s done it again. She’s arranged another fantastic lineup of six FREE lectures for Osher members and our wider community to enjoy. Learn from these esteemed local experts this fall. Invite a friend to join you each week from 12:00-1:00 pm on Zoom or join us for our watch party at 540 Arapeen Drive each week!

Get to Know More about the New SLC Airport

September 18

By Nancy Volmer, Director of Communication & Marketing, Salt Lake City International Airport 

Home Composting Made Easy: Anaerobic Food Digester

September 25

By Elizabeth Barrett, Director of Procurement, Wasatch Resource Recovery

The Four Pillars of Healthy Aging

October 2

By David Mastroianni, Natural Growth, LLC       

The Osher Center for Integrative Health and The Wellness Bus

October 9

By Whitney Werner, MBA, MHA, Director of Administration

and Alex Hernandez, MS, RDN, Wellness Bus Programs Manager

Advance Directives and Utah’s POLST

October 16

By Alan K Ormsby, Director, AARP Utah

Making the Connection: Research on Long COVID & ME/CFS

October 23

By Dr. Lucinda Bateman, MD, Founder of the Bateman Horne Center of Excellence

Special Events

Utah State Capitol Tour & Docent Opportunities

You're invited to tour the beautiful Utah State Capitol! During the tour you will not only learn about the many beautiful spaces in the building but you will also discover exciting opportunities to become a volunteer docent. For nearly a century, the State Capitol has been one of Utah's most prominent landmarks. Designed by local architect Richard K. A. Kletting, the Capitol has been home to state government since its opening in 1916. From 2004 to 2008, the Utah State Capitol underwent one of the largest historical preservation projects in the United States. In addition to safe-guarding the building against the risk of an earthquake, the project also repaired and restored the original beauty and artwork of the Capitol. Each year, thousands of people visit the Capitol to witness its modern magnificence and historic significance.

Friday, September 27 at 1:00 pm

Special Events with Fees

Embark on a Captivating Journey Through the World of Artisanal Spirits

Discover the hidden corners of the Spirits of the Wasatch Distillery where locally sourced ingredients are transformed into exceptional spirits through time-honored techniques and innovative methods. Immerse yourself in the artistry and craftsmanship that goes into every bottle as our expert guides lead you through the intricate distillation process. Indulge your senses in a memorable tasting room experience where an exquisite array of spirits awaits. Enjoy a warm and inviting ambiance as you journey through the diverse world of flavor and craftsmanship.



Monday, September 9 at 3:00 pm - $5

Our Osher Community

Osher Online – Fall 2024 Community Event

Finding Beauty at Home and Abroad: The Osher Collection of American Art



As part of our partnership with Northwestern University, the Osher Online program presents one free Community Event each term which is free and open to all Osher members, whether you are enrolled in Osher Online or not.

This term, we are proud to present Finding Beauty at Home and Abroad: The Osher Collection of American Art. We know about Mr. Osher’s passion for lifelong learning, but both Bernard and Barbro Osher share a love for collecting historically important art. Dr. Lauren Palmor is the curator of the Osher' American art collection at the de Young and Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. During this community event, she will share the Oshers’ historically broad and aesthetically significant art collection. The Osher Collection features artworks by many of the United States’ foremost artists and reflects an array of creative responses to an exceptionally dynamic period in American culture (1848–1960).

Thursday, September 5 at 3:00 pm MT