Learning as a Way of Life |
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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 Classroom Assistants throughout fall term in classes where they are already enrolled.
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Classroom Assistants help instructors by taking roll in classes, encouraging fellow Osher members to use our whiteboard name tents so we can all get to know each other, and reading a few announcements each week about five minutes before class begins from our weekly email newsletters.
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Having a friendly face greet you during classes and announce Osher happenings out loud goes a LONG way, especially for folks new to our program. This is a low effort but high impact, easy, and fun way to get involved by helping in classes you are already attending! Sign up using this Google Form and our graduate student intern Elizabeth Butler from the College of Social Work will follow up with you. Thank you for taking the time to help us start the Osher school year with a smile. And all volunteers get one of our cool t-shirts!
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The AARP Smart Driver Course is the nation's first and largest 4-hour refresher course designed specifically for older drivers. The goal is for you to become an even safer driver through this program and our additional resources. This course will review driving skills and techniques, as well as strategies and tips to help you adjust to normal age-related changes that may affect your driving ability. As an added bonus, graduates could receive a discount on their auto insurance. Plus, it's fun and enjoyable!
Monday October 5 at 1:00 pm
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About 697,000 people die of heart disease in the United States every year--that's one in every five deaths! Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Many times, patients do not get all of their questions answered at their doctor's appointments. If you or a family member has been diagnosed with a cardiac condition, or if you want to understand how to maintain a healthy heart, this class is for you. We will discuss fundamental cardiac concepts in an enjoyable format.
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You will learn basic cardiac anatomy, learn how the heart works, and review some cardiac diseases and their current treatments. You will be invited to participate in an open discussion about heart-healthy living including diet, exercise, stress reduction, and living with chronic conditions. We will end our session with hands-only CPR training. Join like-minded people to focus on health and wellness, as well as get personal attention so that you can live a healthier life.
Wednesday October 21 at 9:30 am
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Coming to a theater near you! This 2026 series has been built around Warner Bros. Studio's 1936 to 1940 patriotic film series Old Glory—which has recently been restored to its original, vibrant Technicolor--as a springboard for understanding the latest scholarly insights regarding the history of the American War of Independence. Each session includes four parts: a 20-minute screening of an American Revolution-related "short-reel film," a film historian's introduction, a contemporary historian's discussion, and a Q&A interaction between scholars and participants.
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The American War of Independence topics in this film and lecture series include the Declaration of Independence, the story of Patrick Henry, the story of the Sons of Liberty, the Bill of Rights, and Edward Everett Hale's 1863 short story The Man Without a Country. Dr. James D'Arc, retired curator of the BYU Motion Picture Archive, and Brad Westwood, retired senior public historian for Utah, organized this series for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to expose participants to the most recent scholarship in the history of the American Revolution, presented by seven Utah university professors. The series will also seek understanding about how the US film industry interpreted this story during the Great Depression from 1929-1940, and show how accurately interpreting American Revolutionary history can help Utahns to be more informed and more engaged U.S. citizens today. This free series, co-sponsored by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Utah, is open to all ages. You do not need an Osher membership to participate, but we hope you will join us for Osher classes in the future, especially if you are already age fifty and better!
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Sessions at 6:30 pm
October 21 through November 18 – FREE!
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This transformative class explores the profound art of connecting with horses through presence, breath, and mutual understanding. Far beyond traditional horsemanship, this experience invites participants to develop a deep, intuitive relationship with these magnificent beings without the barrier of riding. Class members will each be interacting and connecting with horses (not riding them).
Saturday October 31 at 10:00 am
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Guiliana speaking at PATH International Region 10 Conference
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Oboist, Luca de la Florin, will present a half-hour preview of the music in the November 6 Finishing Touches Rehearsal of the Utah Symphony. The class takes place in the First Tier Room of Abravanel Hall from 9:00-9:30am on Friday, November 6, 2026. Separate tickets are required to attend the actual rehearsal and can be purchased from the Utah Symphony Ticket Office, 801-533-6683; they can also be purchased immediately after the class in the half hour before the rehearsal begins.
Friday November 6 at 9:00 am
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The Declaration of Independence is a peculiar thing. It's a literary masterpiece that was written jointly by a committee of fifty people. It's short and punchy--just 1310 words long--but still somehow daunting and difficult to get to grips with (there's a reason most of us have never read it in full and can only quote the first third of its second sentence). And what is it exactly? Is it a birth certificate announcing happy news, or a petition for divorce full of grievance and score-settling, or something else? Is it aimed at the American people, or King George, or someone else? Was it the first ever declaration of independence, or a cheap imitation of a genre already well established? What did people at the time make of it? What did it change? Why does it matter? In this six-part program, historian Richard Bell, professor of history at the University of Maryland and a specialist in the American Revolutionary era, explores the fascinating origins, misunderstood purpose, and extraordinary global legacy of the Declaration of Independence.
Friday October 2 at 11:30 am
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The Biology of Skinwalker Ranch
By Ben Woodruff, Biologist, Hutchings Museum
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This presentation will cover the biological findings that have been observed on Skinwalker Ranch in Uintah County, Utah over the past seven years. Ben Woodruff has been the biologist there during this timeframe, appointed by owner Brandon Fugal. Ben’s work has led to profound findings that challenge our understanding of how the universe operates. The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch is one of the highest-rated and most commercially successful series on The History Channel. The reality docuseries investigating paranormal activity regularly attracts between 900,000 to over 1.5 million live viewers per episode and has run for seven seasons.
Wednesday September 30 from 12:00-1:00 pm
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Come on a tour of Spy Hop Youth Media Productions, a Utah-based nonprofit, that provides after-school programming for teens in the media arts. Young people learn to tell their stories and express their creativity through filmmaking, songwriting, video game creation, and audio recording. Take a peek inside Spy Hop's state-of-the-art facility along the 9 Line and discover how young people are empowered to become storytellers, artists, and creators. Help let the world know that the youth voice matters!
Wednesday October 7 at 10:00 am
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Take a behind-the-scenes look at the Geraldine E. King Women's Resource Center and learn how it supports women experiencing homelessness. Visit the facility and hear from Community Engagement Manager Kim Morrison about the center's shelter, housing services, and other resources that help women move toward stability and long-term housing.
Wednesday October 14 at 10:00 am
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Join us for a guided tour of the Bountiful Davis Art Center (BDAC), where we will explore the current exhibitions and learn more about the artists, ideas, and creative processes behind the work. Our tour will feature the Statewide Emerging Artists Annual (SWEAA), showcasing the work of emerging artists from across Utah, as well as Artists Who Teach, an exhibition highlighting the creativity and perspectives of artists who are also educators. The guided tour will focus primarily on BDAC's Main Gallery and will offer an engaging opportunity to look closely at the artwork, learn about the exhibitions, and share observations and conversation with fellow Osher members.
Friday October 23 at 11:00 am
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Osher Special Events in 2026 are brought to you in part from funding from ZAP
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Join us for a behind-the-scenes visit to HK Brewing Collective, a welcoming community taproom and bar featuring craft alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, creative experiences, and Han's Kombucha, brewed on-site. During this one-hour guided experience, we'll learn more about the brewing process, the story behind HK Brewing Collective, and the craft that goes into making their beverages. The tour includes a guided tasting and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and learn more about the process. After the tour, participants are welcome to stay and enjoy the taproom. Each participant will also receive a pint glass to take home.
Thursday October 22 at 2:00 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.
Tuesday November 11 at 3:00 pm
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For anyone who would like a little extra support learning how to take an idea through the Special Event application process, members are also invited to attend the upcoming Osher Behind the Scenes: Special Events class.
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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. 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.
Wednesday September 30 at 10:00 am
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SECOND ANNUAL MOVE WELL, LIVE WELL PUBLIC EVENT
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Join a FREE interactive symposium highlighting ongoing research in the University of Utah Department of Health & Kinesiology.
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- 5:00 p.m. – Doors open - Light refreshments and an optional tour of the research facility
- 5:30 p.m. – Official welcome
- 5:40 p.m. – Research highlights
- 7:15 p.m. – Concluding remarks
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- Stimulating the aging brain
- Chronic exercise and neural inhibition
- Footwear technology, walking, and aging
- Exercise in cancer survivorship
- Nutrition counseling to improve recovery following cancer
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And more!
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Thursday, October 22, 2026 from 5:30–7:30 pm
HPER E 206, University of Utah
250 S. 1850 E., Salt Lake City, UT
Admission is free
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Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation
Kotaro Fukuma in Concert
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Internationally acclaimed pianist Kotaro Fukuma pays Homage to Franz Liszt, a fascinating journey through Liszt’s musical world. Featuring music by Liszt, Wagner, and contemporary composer Matthieu Stefanelli, the program culminates in Liszt’s magnificent Années de pèlerinage (Years of Pilgrimage): Italy. Born in Tokyo, Kotaro Fukuma began studying piano at the age of five and has earned top prizes at numerous international competitions, including the Cleveland International Piano Competition (First Prize and Chopin Prize), the Arthur Rubinstein Competition, the Paloma O’Shea Competition, the Maj Lind Competition, and the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition.
Friday October 9 at 7:30 pm
Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
Special 50% discount for Osher members! Use promo code: OSHER
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Bonus Educational Session!
Only for people who purchase their October 9 ticket using the OSHER promo code by October 6
Thursday, October 8, 2026, at 10:00 am at Rose Wagner Center
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The Eccles Organ Festival welcomes Argentinian virtuoso Ezequiel Menéndez for a recital that celebrates the remarkable and expressive range of the Eccles Memorial Organ through music spanning continents, cultures, and centuries. Juxtaposing the Romantic masterworks of Joseph Rheinberger and César Franck with the vibrant voices of Argentine composers Astor Piazzolla and Alberto Ginastera, Menéndez’s program explores the rich connections between European tradition and the rhythmic vitality of South America. Blending the passion of nuevo tango with the grandeur of the organ, this compelling recital promises a dazzling display of color, artistry, and virtuosity.
All Eccles Organ Festival performances and events are held at the Cathedral of the Madeleine and are livestreamed on their YouTube channel. All performances are offered free of charge. Donations are welcome. For more information visit ecclesorganfestival.org, email them at ecclesorganfestival@utcotm.org. You can also follow the Festival on YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Sunday October 11 at 8:00 pm – Free!
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Salt Lake City School District is collecting public comments, both in person and written for those who cannot attend their board meetings and conducting a survey. They are currently asking the public for feedback on how best to use the now closed and vacant Salt Lake City school building properties. Mary W. Jackson, M. Lynn Bennion, and Hawthorne. Community input is essential to this process. They want to hear from you, our community members, neighbors, and stakeholders. You are invited to take a short completely anonymous survey now through the end of September to tell them what matters most to you as they plan the future of these sites. You can also comment as a matter of public record for their board meetings.
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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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540 Arapeen Drive | Salt Lake City, UT 84108 US
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