Fall Registration Opens on Friday! |
Our fall term registration opens Friday August 21 at 9:00 am. Please join us for your choice of over 130 fabulous classes, meeting 70% in person and 30% on Zoom. We are pleased to offer 24 dynamic new courses through Osher Online™️at Northwestern University. You can “e-meet” their esteemed instructors in preview videos posted in the Osher Online™️ class listings. We will feature 48 brand new topics this term, five classes at our beautiful Sandy Center, and 11 new instructors teaching for our program for the first time. You can read their bios below with handy links to their course pages. Let the learning continue by discovering a new start at the fountain of YOU with Osher!
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Join Us at Our Open House!
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Our annual Red Butte Garden open house and instructor previews will be held Monday August 24 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. We will offer a complimentary continental breakfast and free admission to the garden. You can meet instructors to learn all about their upcoming classes and mingle with fellow Osher members. We will once again collect school supply donations for local children in need, thanks to dedicated longtime Osher volunteer Connie Reed. Invite friends or neighbors to join you to “test drive Osher” and discover our fall term offerings. An Osher membership is not required to attend!
Please carpool whenever possible! Parking will be limited at Red Butte but our lot at 540 Arapeen Drive will be open to carpoolers who wish to meet and ride up to Red Butte together. We will not be offering a shuttle bus this year; there was not enough ridership in years past to justify the expense.
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Meet Our New Instructors! |
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Victoria Alleman is a feminist scholar, caregiver, and PhD student studying gender and sexuality fluidity, whose work bridges academic theory and lived experience. As a mother, nana, and survivor, she brings a deeply human, intersectional perspective to conversations about sexuality, power, and healing. Her work explores the intersections of gender, aging, disability, mental health, pleasure, and systemic inequities, with a particular focus on how cultural narratives shape identity and agency.
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Victoria's approach is rooted in radical honesty, compassion, and critical inquiry. She challenges dominant frameworks around sexuality and invites students to engage with both scholarly research and their own lived experiences as valid sources of knowledge. Drawing from her background in caregiving, advocacy, and education, she creates learning spaces that are inclusive, reflective, and transformative. Through her teaching, writing, and podcast called Witches Were Right, Victoria empowers others to question norms, reclaim their voices, and approach sexuality as both a personal and political force.
She will teach Exploring the Themes of "Witches, Sluts, Feminists: Conjuring the Sex Positive" on Fridays at 9:30 am on Zoom.
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Marc-Anthony Arena was born in the 80s, back when technology was hopeful. He's an honors graduate of both McQuaid Jesuit and RIT. He has been in the IT industry since 2000. He is the author of "How to Protect Yourself from Your Computer," a plain English guide to the concepts, scams, and scandals of the tech industry. After 10 years as a dynamic and outspoken local talk show host, he launched The Computer Exorcist Podcast, available anywhere and anytime. His message is this: ALL of the heartache, headache, and expenditures in this industry are completely preventable.
He will teach How to Protect Yourself from Your Computer on Friday October 9 at 1:30 pm on Zoom.
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Dr. Mariam Azin holds a Ph.D. in Applied Social Psychology from the Claremont Graduate School and has over thirty years of work experience conducting evaluations and research in the areas of education, social services, mental health and criminal justice. She has been principal investigator on numerous local, statewide, and national evaluation efforts related to at-risk learners and school climate, including serving as principal investigator on several Safe Schools/Healthy Students grants, designed to provide comprehensive, seamless services to at-risk students and their families.
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Mariam is currently serving as the principal investigator on the federal Project AWARE grant, a major goal of which is to expand capacity at the state and local level to make schools safer and improve school climate. She is currently President of Planning, Research & Evaluation Services (PRES Associates), a national research and evaluation firm. Prior to starting PRES Associates, she served as a principal evaluator at Mid-Continent Research for Education & Learning (McREL) and served as the Research Director for the Center for Applied Social & Policy Research in Claremont, CA.
Mariam will teach Psychology in the Headlines: The Hidden Forces Behind Current Events on Thursdays at 11:30 am.
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Kristin Cowan is a dedicated American Mahjong enthusiast who finds true joy in the strategy and social connection the game provides. For the past year, she has been instructing beginners throughout the Wasatch Front specializing in making the rules of American Mahjong accessible and engaging for newcomers. Kristin loves sharing this game with others because it perfectly balances mental agility with the opportunity to build a vibrant community. Known for her patient and encouraging teaching style, she focuses on creating a welcoming environment where students can gain confidence and enjoy the thrill of the game. Whether you are looking for a new cognitive challenge or a way to meet new friends, she is excited to help you master the tiles and join the local American Mahjong community.
Kristin will teach American Mahjong for Beginners on Mondays at 11:30 am.
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Alan Keele began his studies in 1960 at the University of Utah, where he was also in Men's Chorus and the Marching Band. After an LDS mission to Germany from 1962 to 1964, he transferred to BYU to take advantage of an offer to teach German at the newly created Language Training Mission. In 1967 he then finished a bachelor's degree in German and History at BYU and in 1971 his Ph.D. in German Language and Literature at Princeton, whereupon he joined the faculty in German Studies at BYU. He retired in January of 2010. His research and publications include German opera libretti and film scripts as literature; German post-war literature; the lyric poetry of Rainer Marie Rilke; the works of Walter Kempowski, Guenter Grass, and the Welsh poet Leslie Norris. For a decade or so now he has taught in Utah County for ElderQuest, sponsored by Utah Valley University.
Alan will teach The Lessons of Helmuth Huebener, Youngest Resistance Figure Executed by the Nazis on Mondays at 1:30 pm.
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Guy Lebeda is a retired writer and arts advocate with a lifelong passion for the humanities. He holds a degree in English from the University of Wyoming, which led to a diverse career dedicated to the written word and public service. He has served in various roles, including grant writer, arts administrator, public information officer, and editor. He has a deep appreciation for how storytelling shapes our understanding of the world. In his retirement, he remains active in the arts. An avid reader and dedicated writer, he is currently focused on exploring the "Great Books" canon and the Socratic method of inquiry. When not immersed in a text, he spends his time in meditation, drawing, and cooking—pursuits that reflect his commitment to lifelong learning and creative discipline. He is eager to share his love for classic literature and meaningful dialogue with the Osher community.
Guy will co-teach Putting the Great Books on Trial with Michael Cena on Thursdays at 1:30 pm.
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Kevin Perry is a Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Utah, where his work focuses on air quality, dust emissions, and environmental systems in the Intermountain West--especially Great Salt Lake. He earned his B.S. in Meteorology from Iowa State University and his Ph.D. from the University of Washington, and is widely recognized as a leading expert on Great Salt Lake dust (sometimes referred to as "Dr. Dust"). He serves on the Great Salt Lake Strike Team and is a Presidential Societal Impact Scholar, working at the intersection of science, public health, and policy to support data-driven environmental decisions. He is also the author of Framing the Problem: Causes and Consequences of a Shrinking Great Salt Lake and recently led a report for the State of Utah evaluating the options and costs of dust control measures on the lakebed.
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Beyond the classroom and laboratory, Kevin has spent years studying the lake up close--including bicycling more than 2,300 miles across the exposed lakebed between 2016 and 2018 to document its changing conditions. He previously served seven years as department chair and appeared in the Sundance documentary The Lake. His work combines scientific research with firsthand experience to better understand--and communicate--the future of Great Salt Lake. Kevin will teach The Fate of Great Salt Lake on Mondays at 3:30 pm.
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Linda Rios is a Certified Zentangle Teacher. She discovered the Zentangle Method in January of 2016. Through her daily practice she regained her focus and love of life after the loss of her husband to cancer. She knew that she had to share the benefits of Zentangle with others. In the spring of 2017, she traveled to Providence Rhode Island to become a Certified Zentangle Teacher. Now she shares this fun, healing art form whenever possible, teaching classes at libraries, community centers, kitchen tables, and online, to groups both large and small. If she is not teaching, she is taking Zentangle classes from other wonderful teachers. In addition to her love of Zentangle, Linda enjoys gardening, traveling, music, and spending time with friends and family.
She looks forward to sharing Zentangle with you in Tangled Up in Color on Wednesdays at 1:30 pm.
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Dr. Denise Rose (Ph.D.) is a sociologist and passionate, enthusiastic educator who has taught whole food, plant-based (WFPB) nutrition for several years. Now 74, Denise so far has defied her family's history of chronic disease and believes her embracement of a WFPB diet and other critical lifestyle medicine behaviors has created this outcome.
She will teach Eat Plants: Prevent and Reverse Chronic Disease with a Whole Food Plant-Based Lifestyle! on Tuesdays at 1:30 pm.
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As writer, editor, and photographer, Stephen Trimble has published twenty-five award-winning books during nearly fifty years of paying attention to the landscapes and peoples of the Desert West. First published in 1989, The Sagebrush Ocean won the Ansel Adams Award for Photography and Conservation from the Sierra Club and the Earle A. Chiles Award from the High Desert Museum. Stephen is thrilled to have the chance to revise the text and venture into the Great Basin once again to photograph for this thirty-fifth anniversary edition. He speaks and writes frequently as a conservation advocate and has taught writing at the University of Utah, where he received a Wallace Stegner Fellowship at the Tanner Humanities Center during the centennial of Stegner's birth. In 2019, Stephen was honored as one of Utah's fifteen most influential artists. He makes his home in Salt Lake City and in the redrock country of Torrey, Utah.
He will teach The Sagebrush Ocean: A Natural History of the Great Basin on Thursday September 24 at 3:30 pm.
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Did you know we start losing muscle as early as age 30 and this accelerates after 60? This loss impacts balance, mobility, bone density, and independence. The good news? Strength training can help reverse that trend. Join us for a FREE dynamic session on how building strength supports better health, sharper cognition, and improved quality of life as we age. You'll learn science-backed strategies to safely get started (and stick with it!) - plus enjoy a short demonstration and time for Q&A.
Wednesday August 26 at 10:00 am
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Take a tour of one of Salt Lake City's most distinctive and creative spaces. Located in a beautifully restored historic building on South Temple, Cityhome COLLECTIVE's office reflects the character and craftsmanship of the neighborhood while blending architecture with design. The space serves as more than a real estate office; it is a hub for architecture, interior design, and community connection. Explore the thoughtfully designed workspace and learn how the team approaches real estate through a lens of creativity, storytelling, and collaboration. Discover the inspiration behind the company's unique philosophy, the history and character of the building, and how cityhome COLLECTIVE believes homes should reflect the people who live in them.
Monday August 31 at 10:00 am
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The Bicycle Collective uses the power of bicycles to create access, build community, and support meaningful change throughout our city. This guided tour offers a closer look at the organization's mission, from refurbishing donated bikes to providing transportation, education, and opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds. Learn how the Bicycle Collective is helping create a more connected, sustainable, and inclusive community through one bike at a time.
Tuesday September 1 at 11:00 am
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Have you ever seen a waterfall on the outside of a building or a rotating public market? Come see them both and more at Millcreek Commons! We will tour Millcreek Common and discuss two murals along the way. The first mural, located on the Adventure Hub, depicts a skater and was created by Utah artist Chuck Landvatter. The second mural, located next to City Hall, is The Unifying Journey of Water by New Jersey artist Alysia McKenzie. This mural is a collaboration between Millcreek and a private developer.
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Along the way, representatives from Millcreek will discuss the history and planning of Millcreek Common and City Hall. The tour will conclude at the 1330 Design Collective, the latest in a series of rotating public markets on the ground floor of City Hall.
Wednesday September 2 at 11:30 am
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Osher Special Events in 2026 are brought to you in part from funding from ZAP
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Calling all dancin’ lovin’ Osher members! The Westerner Dance Hall, Bar & Grill offers line dancing lessons every Wednesday night. Come join in on the fun along with your fellow Osher members on September 9. The $10 entrance fee is due upon arrival at The Westerner.
Wednesday September 9 at 7:00 pm
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Written by Laura Munts (with Reb Fleming and Elaine Jarvik), directed by Julie Jensen, and starring Reb Fleming, this one-woman play is about aging in plain sight—a subject avoided, disguised, or lied about. Sophia is a septuagenarian actor figuring out what she is supposed to be doing between now and when she dies. She is funny, cringeworthy, and ruthlessly honest. She is the wrong person in the right place. The right talent at the wrong age. This stunning and thought-provoking 45-minute performance is followed by a conversation among guests who share in the experience of exploring creative aging, together with the actor who brings it to life.
Thursday September 10 at 3:00 pm
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Do you love attending Osher special events? Do you want to see even more events offered? Do you want to learn more about how our volunteers work the magic that makes these events possible? If so, please read here to learn more about volunteering or attend one of our new Osher Special Events Club meetings to help us plan even more fun at Osher!
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New: Osher Special Events Club — Join the Conversation!
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Osher members are invited to a new monthly gathering designed to spark ideas, build connections, and help shape future Osher special events. This informal gathering is an opportunity for members to come together, share ideas, and collaborate on creative possibilities for future Osher events. Following our discussion, we’ll take a leisurely stroll through Red Butte Garden together. Future meetings may rotate to other Osher partner locations and wonderful places that Osher members can enjoy through their membership benefits. Whether you love brainstorming, planning, or simply connecting with fellow lifelong learners, we’d love to have you join us. No registration needed, please just show up and have fun!
Wednesday August 19 at 2:00 pm
Red Butte Garden Plaza
For questions or more information, contact Sandi Greene: sandi@sandigreene.com
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Announcing Our Fall Term Series!
Lunch and Learn will start up again for fall term at noon on September 23, 2026 with another new series of six interesting FREE lectures on Zoom Webinar. These lectures are open to the public, no Osher membership required. So please invite a friend to join you and “test drive” what we do here at Osher. Thank you to Sandy Clark, our volunteer coordinator, for organizing so many great lectures for Osher members and our community at large!
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Wednesday, September 23 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Master Your Landscape: A Strategic Guide to Design and Curb Appeal
By Bruce Maw, Landscape Architect
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Wednesday, September 30 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm
The Biology of Skinwalker Ranch
By Ben Woodruff, Biologist, Hutchings Museum
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Wednesday, October 7 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Utah's Changing Demographics
By Mallory Bateman, Director of Demographic Research, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute
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Wednesday, October 14 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Data Centers in Utah: What's Being Proposed and What Communities Can Do
By Deeda Seed, GSL Activist & Senior Campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity
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Wednesday, October 21 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm
New Advances in Pharmaceuticals – Blocking Cancer’s Communication Network: A New Approach to Treat Advanced Ovarian Cancer
By Dr. Farzana Alam, Research Assistant Professor in Pharmacology and Toxicology at The University of Utah
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Wednesday, October 28 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm
Amplifying Women's Voices
By Sharon Spaulding, Author of “Women Make History”
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Go behind the curtain and into the creative world of theatrical production design in this engaging conversation with Tony Award–winning designer David Zinn. With over 40 Broadway credits and multiple Tony Awards Nominations for his scenic and costume design, Zinn will share how sets and costumes work together to shape storytelling on stage. Discover the artistic process, from concept to execution, and gain insight into the imagination and craftsmanship behind unforgettable theatrical experiences.
David Zinn is a costume and scenic designer based in Brooklyn. He has been nominated for 10 Tony Awards and is a 3-time Tony winner for his scenery in The Humans, The SpongeBob Musical, and Stereophonic. He works in theater and opera across the country as well as internationally, working in Germany, Switzerland, and the UK where he was recently nominated for an Olivier for his work on the West End. This presentation will be 60 minutes followed by Q&A.
Osher Online Community Events are FREE and available to ALL members of participating Institutes, even if they are not enrolled in an Osher Online course. Events are presented in webinar format. Members are asked to register on a first come, first serve basis through this registration link.
Thursday, August 20 at 3:00 pm MT
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The Kaleidoscope Creative Aging Festival runs August 22–September 19 and kicks off on August 22 at the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center with a free community event for adults 55+. The day includes arts classes, performances featuring older adult artists, an art exhibit, free lunch, and more. Throughout the following month, partner organizations across Utah will host free arts-based events for older adults in their communities. Please see the full festival schedule on their website.
Learn More: utahcreativeaging.org
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Osher will offer three FREE arts classes for the Kaleidoscope Creative Aging Festival. Registration opens Friday August 21 at 9:00 am.
An Osher membership is not required to attend!
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Our previous newsletters and podcasts are saved in an archive on our main website, so you never have to worry about missing a thing.
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Stay Connected by Joining Us on Social Media |
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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