Fall in Love with Learning |
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Get Involved as a Volunteer in 2026 |
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Do you love Osher and want to give back to this wonderful program by serving as a volunteer? We would love to have you! We are currently seeking volunteers to serve as Osher Ambassadors to help greet and direct people at our annual open house at Red Butte Garden in August, annual member luncheon at Little America Hotel in December, and our Spring Fling held on campus in early March. Osher Ambassadors will help staff with various tasks at these big events and also help host free special events throughout the year, attending as an Osher member who gathers the group at the designated meeting spot, takes roll, and communicates with staff afterwards.
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During our four terms, Osher Ambassadors can also help instructors by taking roll in classes and reading announcements each week before class begins, as well as directing members to our complimentary coffee and tea service and their classrooms during the "first week of school" when Osher members are trying to find the way to their new class. This is a low effort but high impact and fun way to get involved. You can sign up to help at as many or as few events or classes as your schedule allows. Join us to learn more about this opportunity in a fun, free class session.
Thursday January 15 at 10:00 am
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Do you love attending Osher Special Events each term? Are you curious about how we select and organize our many varied fun events and who is responsible for planning them? This single-session free class will give you a behind-the-scenes tour of how Osher staff and volunteers run this very special and unique aspect of our program. Volunteerism is the foundation of Osher and especially of Special Events. We've slowly been gearing up after Covid changed the way events were done in 2020. We're getting back to more in-person meetings at familiar venues and exploring new places too. Come learn how it's done and maybe even plan a new special event yourself for your fellow Osher members or share your ideas for fun places for Osher to visit.
Thursday January 22 at 9:30 am or
Wednesday February 25 at 10:00 am
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Do your joints ache when you move? Do you want to have more energy? Join us for a gentle exercise class designed for anyone who wants to feel and move better, even if you do not have arthritis. This class offers a gentle warm-up for the joints, followed by movement to enhance balance, coordination, strength as well as cardiovascular fitness. Class will always conclude with a gentle cooldown and relaxation session. The class is open to all levels of fitness. Attendees can be seated or standing for participating in the sessions.
Tuesday January 20 at 9:30 am
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This workshop is a study of Korean freestyle painting. Class members will learn a variety of painting skills, using careful and precise brush strokes to control the ink paint. Session one will be bamboo and chrysanthemum. We will paint for three hours with a short break in the middle of the session. We will have an enjoyable time creating with this fascinating medium. Korean ink painting is one of the most meditative and fun ways to experience a cultural exchange.
Wednesday January 28 at 9:30 am
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New Section Added Due to Popular Demand!
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Class members will learn beginning techniques such as easy chords, strum patterns, and exercises. This will result in being able to play easy songs on the ukulele in traditional and contemporary music styles, such as pop, folk, country, and more!
Thursday January 22 at 11:30 am
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This class will continue from where we left off in Ukulele for Beginners: Level One. You will continue to learn new songs, while expanding your knowledge of different types of strum patterns in different styles of music, such as folk, rock, blues, etc. There will be a deep dive into right hand finger picking and strumming techniques to make your songs sound more exciting and interesting. We learn three to four new songs that will allow you to apply the above techniques. You will also learn the basic fundamentals behind why it all works in a simple easy to understand manner. Finally, you can bring a song or two you may have been having trouble trying to learn on your own and learn how to successfully troubleshoot any confusions or challenges with your newly acquired ukulele skills!
Thursday January 22 at 1:30 pm
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Do you have questions about best practices for feeding the birds that visit your yard? Everything you need and want to know about providing the best environment for these birds is answered in this course. Topics include identifying the birds in your backyard, best bird feeders and bird food, water features, planting and landscaping for birds, and feeder placement for optimal viewing and bird safety. Participants are introduced to online community science efforts that put your observations to work by expanding the knowledge base of bird populations over the seasons and the years. Three sessions in the classroom are followed by three field trips to explore selected backyards for real-life examples that exemplify best practices for the joy of bird feeding.
Monday January 26 at 9:30 am
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Explore the brighter side of life in the USSR and in Russia by watching and discussing several comedy films produced by Russia's greatest directors from different time periods. We will try to envision what Russians found funny and laughed at, but we will also decode the serious messages hiding behind the hilarious facades of these films. Among the films we will watch are: Diamond Arm by Leonid Gaidai, The Irony of Fate by Eldar Ryazanov, and several others. The classes will be a combination of lecture and discussion. Class members will be required to watch each week's film online on their own. (YouTube links to subtitled versions will be provided).
Tuesday January 20 at 11:30 am
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Utah is home to eight national monuments that rival the state's national parks in beauty and significance, yet remain far less known. This six-week course explores the sweeping plateaus of Grand Staircase--Escalante, the sacred canyons of Bears Ears, the ancient dwellings of Hovenweep, the soaring spans of Natural Bridges, and the colorful amphitheater of Cedar Breaks, along with Rainbow Bridge, Dinosaur, and Timpanogos Cave. Through stories of geology, archaeology, Indigenous heritage, and modern conservation debates, participants will gain a deeper understanding of how these lands preserve both natural wonders and cultural legacies. Join us to uncover Utah's hidden treasures and the role they play in shaping the American West.
Tuesday January 20 at 1:30 pm
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The classical music composers of the last several centuries have written memorable compositions that we hear today in many symphony concert halls. The more contemporary composers of today either write contemporary classical music or in many cases find themselves writing film score music for the movies. Many of the film score composers are European and have made a very big name for themselves in this art form. Hollywood realized many years ago just how important a facit music is to motion pictures. Music creates a mood, not to mention a complete backdrop to what is going on. This course addresses the history of music in the movies and the wonderful composers who have enriched our viewing experience.
Tuesday January 20 at 1:30 pm
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If you use a camera for your photography, this class is for you. In this highly interactive course, you will learn the basics. We will discuss those dials on your camera, those mysterious menu items, composition, f/stops, shutter speeds, and the exposure meter, and how they all work together. We will also talk about ISO and white balance, different types of lenses, the #1 solution to the #1 problem in photography, and much more!
Wednesday January 21 at 9:30 am
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Life's second act invites us to redefine what truly matters. Whether it's pursuing long-held dreams, cultivating deeper relationships, or stepping into new roles with clarity and confidence, reinvention is possible at any stage of life. This interactive three-hour workshop explores the art of reinvention during life's second act. Through guided reflection, journaling, and discussion, participants will define what "second act" means for them personally, explore courage, worthiness, and boundaries as tools for change, and create a personal vision for their next chapter.
Wednesday January 21 at 2:00 pm
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Join us for the February session! The book this month will be Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo. The Booker Bookers will read Booker Prize winners in monthly meetings from September 2025 through May 2026. Each session will feature a rotating discussion leader from among Osher members. The reading list is curated by Osher volunteer Lee Ann Troutman, featuring titles available at both the Anderson Foothill branch of the city library system and the Granite County Library. Come join the Booker Bookers!
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Please note: This event is offered as a series and you'll need to register separately for any sessions you'd like to attend.
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Friday February 6 at 1:00 pm
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the creative team, themes, and creative choices behind the production TEN BRAVE SECONDS before seeing a Preview Performance of it that night! Pioneer Theatre Company's class is only offered to Osher members. Refreshments provided.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 28
Thursday January 29 at 6:30 pm
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Join us for a behind-the-scenes experience at Sir Walter Candy Co. Guests will meet the owners, hear the story behind their craft, and enjoy a guided tour through the facility where all the chocolates and candies are made. The event includes a chocolate tasting, plus fun optional treats like decorated popcorn, strawberries, waffles, and more. As part of the special fee, attendees will receive $10 in store credit along with a 10% discount on purchases made that day.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: January 29
Tuesday, February 3 at 2:00 pm
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Lunch & Learn lectures are wonderful opportunities to experience a sampling of what the Osher program offers, firsthand and for FREE! These lectures open to the general public, as part of our service to the community. If you have a friend who might be interested in Osher, please encourage them to attend and give us a “test drive”. Register now for our winter series!
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How to Participate in the America250 Celebration!
January 21, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Ronald Fox, Co-Chair of Utah America250, Former Director in the Office of Presidential Advance for Six U.S. Presidents, and Author
This presentation will outline planned events for the America250 celebrations. We will highlight opportunities to participate and discuss events being held across the country. Mr. Fox will also speak about American history and Utah's history.
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Type 2 Diabetes: Causes, Prevention, and Management
January 28, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Sarah Zou, MPH, RDN, CDCES, Clinical Dietitian, University of Utah
This presentation serves as an introduction to type 2 diabetes, including a review of the underlying physiological cause, risk factors, prevention strategies, and lifestyle management.
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100 Women Who Care: Small Donation, Large Impact!
February 4, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Lisa Evans, Member, Community Activist, Musician, and Singer Songwriter
This presentation will explore the history of 100 Women Who Care, a charity group started by a woman named Karen Dunnigan in Jackson, Michigan. There are now 700 chapters, or giving circles, called 100 Women Who Care located across the US and Canada. Today, Lisa Evans, the woman responsible for bringing this charity to Salt Lake City in 2014, will discuss the efficient, high-impact way their group raises thousands of dollars in one hour, four times a year, and what happens at their meetings. Their average collective donation, made together to benefit one chosen group, is $25,000. Lisa will share some heart-warming experiences the group has had that make them love serving our community and how they appreciate the way service unites us all in community. She will also compare the donations made by 100 Women Who Care to donations to other well-known donors and philanthropists in Salt Lake City and Utah.
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FBI Salt Lake Outreach Program
February 11, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Muhammad Khan, FBI Community Outreach Specialist, Salt Lake City Division
The presentation will provide a baseline overview of the FBI's role as a federal law enforcement agency, an overview to the Salt Lake City Division, and details about the FBI's Community Outreach Program. Presentation will further highlight details about the role of community outreach in the FBI and efforts to mitigate evolving threats impacting the community to include concerns with cyber, fraud, hate crimes, etc.
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Unearthing Alta: The Lost Stories of a Mining Boomtown
February 18, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Ian Wright, Utah's Public Archaeologist, State Historic Preservation Office
Recently, the mining ghost town of Alta, Utah, was excavated for the first time after a construction project uncovered thousands of artifacts that hadn’t seen daylight in more than 150 years. The State Historic Preservation Office partnered with the U.S. Forest Service to document the site and recover as many artifacts as possible before winter storms shut down access. This presentation explores the remarkable history of a once-booming mining town through the objects its residents left behind and the stories those artifacts still have to tell.
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Lessons Learned in a Blessed Life of Sharing Utah and American Stories
February 25, 2026, 12:00-1:00 pm
By Craig Wirth, ABC Channel 4 Feature Reporter
Craig Wirth has been blessed to discover that the history of Utah (and America in general) is the history not just of buildings, cities, or places (although they are cool), but of people...and what those people have done in daily life. Some stories are amazing feats, some humorous, but most are just someone doing something unique or being that rare person who actually does follow their dream. Craig’s dream was to meet them, observe them, and be the lucky guy who gets to tell their stories.
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Most lectures from our previous terms were recorded and will be kept in our archives for re-watching. Enjoy them anytime and feel free to share the link with a friend!
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The winningest head coach in Utah women's basketball history, Elaine Elliott, will be permanently recognized in the Jon M. Huntsman Center on February 14, 2026, with a banner raised to the rafters in her honor. Elliott's banner celebrations will take place over the duration of that weekend; but the banner unveiling will take place at halftime of the matchup against Cincinnati.
A little bit more about Coach Elliott: She amassed an all-time record of 582-234 as head coach of the Utes from 1982-2010, will be immortalized with a banner displaying "582" for her number of wins. She is not only the winningest coach in program history, but also the winningest head coach in Mountain West Conference women's basketball history. She was named the John Wooden National Coach of the Year in 2001, as well as the WBCA District Coach of the Year five times. Under Elliott's guidance, the Utes claimed 15 conference championship titles and made 14 NCAA appearances, including Utah's only appearance in the Elite Eight in 2006. She also made it to the Sweet 16 in 2001 and 2006.
Let's cheer on the Utah Women's Basketball as they play Cincinnati and cheer even louder when Coach Elliott's banner is raised! The Lady Utes recently beat the then #8 ranked and undefeated TCU team in overtime. Enjoy specially discounted ticket for Osher members, thanks to Special Events volunteer Angie Matinkhah! An order processing fee will be assessed on each order.
Saturday February 14 at 5:00 pm
Buy Discounted Tickets Here: https://utahutes.evenue.net/promotions/EEF
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Stay Connected by Joining Us on Social Media
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The Osher Instagram and Facebook pages are a great way to stay connected. We highlight the accomplishments of Osher instructors and members. Special Events are updated, posted, and featured here too. Please like us to stay up to date and share with your friends who would enjoy all that Osher has to offer!
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| Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
801-581-6461 | osher@utah.edu
osher.utah.edu
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Continuing Education at the University of Utah | 540 Arapeen Dr Rm 210 | Salt Lake City, UT 84108 US
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