Happy Thanksgiving!

The Osher offices will be closed November 27-December 1 for Thanksgiving Break. We’ll be back, bright and early the following Monday, as Winter Registration will open at 9:00 am on December 2. We look forward to talking with you then, to help you plan your winter term fun! Please enjoy a beautiful Thanksgiving holiday. We hope that Osher will be among the many things you are thankful for this season. We appreciate and are thankful for each and every one of our Osher members, volunteers, and instructors. We could not have such a successful program without you!

Upcoming Classes

Winter classes are now listed on our website. Registration links go live on December 2 at 9:00 am. We proudly offer you wonderful choices of 92 classes this winter, 74 in person and 18 online, including another new lineup for Osher Online with Northwestern University again this term. Our beautiful new winter brochure will be arriving in your mailbox very soon. How will you decide what NOT to take this term?!

Register for Our 2024 Member Luncheon

TODAY is the last day!

Please join us for our annual member luncheon hosted at the beautiful Little America Hotel Grand Ballroom. Enjoy a delicious plated lunch, meet dynamic Osher instructors, learn about upcoming courses, and socialize with fellow Osher members. As a special treat, we will hear speeches by University of Utah President Taylor Randall. about his vision for the U campus and Fred Esplin, Osher Instructor and Past Director of Development, about our history at the U. For those who would like to contribute, we will be collecting donations of canned foods as well as financial contributions for the Feed U Pantry.

Wednesday, December 4 at 11:00 am

Space is Limited - Register by Nov 25 - TODAY!

Upcoming Classes

Online Classes

Vivo Fitness for Seniors

Balance muscle strength and are critical to maintaining health and independence as we age. Without additional training, most older adults will suffer a loss of muscle mass and strength that can negatively impact their balance and mobility. Osher is proud to be again offering Vivo, a live, online, interactive balance and strength-building course, specially designed for seniors, starting January 27. Winter term Vivo classes will meet for eight weeks and you can pick with day(s) of the week work for you!

Vivo classes are customized to your fitness level. Sessions consist of cognitive, balance, and strength exercises informed by the latest science and research on exercise for older adults. Vivo is the recipient of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to study its science-based training strategy and personalized online small-group format. Certified personal trainers, skilled in working with older adults, provide modified exercises to meet each student's fitness needs. Try Vivo for a free test drive and see for yourself in this series of online videos!

Learn about The Benefits of Strength Training from NPR

Research shows people who do weight training a few days a week live longer. Women get the biggest boost in longevity. Strength training is also good for mood, and it helps protect joints and bones. Learn more from NPR!

Special Events with Fees

Fine Foods for All Palates - A Tasting at Caputo's Downtown

Caputo's can be an overwhelming experience - hundreds of chocolate bars, dozens of cheeses, tons of tins, and oodles of bottled goods wait patiently to be taken home to a pantry near you. The paradox of choice can be paralyzing in a store like Caputo's and the willingness to spend hard earned cash on something we might not be familiar with can be risky. This tasting class will explore the most decadent, most intimidating, and most worthy foods begging to be explored. We'll taste, talk about their uses and unique stories, and help make shopping at Caputo's more delightful and less overwhelming.

Sunday, December 8 at 5:00 pm

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: Thursday, December 5

Create Your Own Terrarium at Cactus & Tropicals

Witness the beauty of lush greenery and delicate mosses thriving within. Capture the essence of nature in a stunning glass bowl with an exquisite terrarium. An expert instructor will guide you through the process of creating your own miniature ecosystem encased in a crystal-clear glass container. All materials are included.

Monday, December 9 at 9:30 am

LAST DAY TO REGISTER!

Lunch & Learn - Wednesdays at Noon

Announcing Our New Winter Term Series!

Thanks to dedicated Osher volunteer Sandy Clark, we have another excellent set of six FREE Lunch & Learn lectures for winter term. Please tell a friend! Plan to join us on Zoom or at our watch party at 540 Arapeen Drive in Room 238 for all six sessions.

Topaz, Utah: Lessons Learned and Unlearned

January 22, 2025, 12:00-1:00 pm

By Scott Bassett, Topaz Museum Board Member and Docent

Migraine: A Neurogenetic Disorder, Not Just a Headache           

January 29, 2025, 12:00-1:00 pm

By Dr. Dan Henry, Founder and President, Danielle Byron Henry Migraine Foundation, and Elizabeth Henry Weyher

Keeping Busy After Retirement

February 5, 2025, 12:00-1:00 pm

By Jeanine Wilson, Society for Human Resource Management & Service Corps of Retired Executives

Social Isolation and Loneliness: The Significance of Friendship in Later Years

February 12, 2025, 12:00-1:00 pm

By Dr. Michael Chang, PhD, Associate Professor in Human Development & Family Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa

Note: THIS SESSION WILL NOT BE RECORDED

Virtual Tour of the New Utah State Historical Museum

February 19, 2025, 12:00-1:00 pm

By Tim Glenn, Inaugural Director of the Museum of Utah

Downtown Salt Lake City

February 26, 2025, 12:00-1:00 pm

By Dee Brewer, Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce

Our Osher Community

Healthy People, Healthy Planet Symposium

Did you miss the Osher Center for Integrative Health’s recent and EXCELLENT symposium, Healthy People, Healthy Planet? Never fear! It is now available for FREE on their YouTube Channel. Enjoy specialized video lectures, guided meditations, yoga therapy sessions, and experiential learning presentations from medical experts at the eleven academic health centers funded by The Bernard Osher Foundation. Our own beloved instructor, Dr. David Derezotes was proudly among them. Over 1,800 people attended! The Osher Collaborative amplifies the collective impact of the eleven Osher Centers on health and well-being for all.

Meet Our New Graduate Intern:

Welcome Lisa West!

Lisa West holds a BA in Religious Studies from the University of Utah and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work while interning with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. As a passionate lifelong learner, Lisa not only looks forward to participating in classes but is also dedicated to fostering a sense of community and volunteerism at Osher. Lisa is committed to diversity and social justice and is eager to contribute to expanding special events and shared interest groups, welcoming your ideas to help bring them to life. Whether you're looking for support within Osher or beyond, she is a valuable resource for connecting you with the right opportunities. Lucky for us, Lisa will be with us for the upcoming 2025 winter and spring terms.

Lisa’s interests include people, dogs, family, reading, nature, and thought-provoking ideas. Look for her on Mondays and Thursdays in the hallways before and after classes and in the Osher Lounge area in Room 233 where we serve complimentary hot beverages in the mornings and offer a book exchange and bulletin board. Lisa likes to call this room the “Osher hub” so be sure to stop by to say hello!