OLLI Spring Catalogue 2023

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute – OLLI at UTMB Health

Learner-Led, College-Level Program of Adult Education

College-level seminars open to all 50 years old and over regardless of background

No credits, no exams, no grades—just learning for the love of learning… and the fun of it!

Who are OLLI members?

Our members come from diverse backgrounds and professions and share the desire to stay active and engaged. No one is a stranger for long at OLLI because everyone who joins has the same desire to learn and share expertise in the company of peers.

What does OLLI offer?

Classes cover academic subjects in history, music, writing, literature, the arts, science and nature, global issues, and more. Workshops and seminars expand the OLLI academic curriculum for adults. OLLI sites both in Galveston and Angleton are ready to engage your overall wellness and curiosity!

When are classes held?

Lifelong learning through OLLI meets for three terms during the year. The fall session begins in mid-August, the spring term begins in mid-January, and the summer term begins in midMay. Each class meets weekly for either in the morning or afternoon for one-time, four-week, or eight-week periods.

How are classes taught?

Most discussion classes are facilitated by OLLI members who have the professional knowledge of, or a scholarly interest in, a subject. Some are lecture classes taught by retired faculty members, community and civic leaders, or independent scholars.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UTMB Health is located at:

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

1200 Market Street – UTMB Campus Galveston, Texas 77555-0972 (409) 763-5604

Frank W. Stevens Center for Health and Wellness

140 E. Hospital Drive Angleton, Texas 77515 (979) 848-9120

Need to Know To Ensure an Enjoyable Experience for All

Please refrain from using cell phones for texting or talking in OLLI classrooms. If you must take an emergency call, please be aware that you can still be heard when standing just outside the classroom doors.

Food and drink are not permitted in classrooms.

In compliance with UTMB policy, please refrain from use of video, audio, or still photography within the OLLI setting. With so many personal devices capable of capturing sounds and images, we remind OLLI members and visitors to respect others’ privacy. OLLI staff can assist with exceptions so that appropriate consent documents can be completed.

Schedules Sometimes Change

Every effort has been made to ensure scheduling accuracy in this catalog, but schedules do sometimes change unavoidably. Please check our website for the latest schedule changes or phone the OLLI office. Once you’ve registered for an OLLI course or seminar, you can expect a confirmation email before the class is scheduled to begin. Also, we now have a texting feature to notify members of urgent class changes.

Course Cancellation

Should OLLI have to cancel a course for any reason, tuition credits can be held for future semesters, or you may request a refund. Should you need to cancel your registration in a course, please advise the OLLI office prior to the first class meeting. Once a course begins, you can drop the course until the second session for a tuition credit, but you must notify us immediately. We cannot retroactively issue a tuition credit. If you must cancel because of health issues, please notify the OLLI office immediately. No credits can be issued after the second session of a course. Please notify OLLI office as soon as possible if you do not plan to take a course. Most seminars and activities at both OLLI Galveston and OLLI Angleton will be held in person. UTMB’s Dr. Janak Patel, infectious disease expert and UTMB’s Director of Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology, has provided guidelines for OLLI in-person activities. Related policies may change between now and publication based on current data. To see the health practices we comply with related to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and any other contagious diseases, visit: https://utmb.us/6w9.

A Few FAQs

Q: May I bring a friend to an OLLI class, just to get an idea of our wonderful classes?

A: Please encourage your friends to join OLLI and participate. It is not possible for non-members to “sam ple” OLLI courses. If a friend or relative is visiting you from another state and you want to spend time with your guests without missing OLLI classes, check with the office to see if it’s possible for them to attend one class session. Non-member guests may not attend OLLI fitness sessions as guests. No one can attend and “just watch”! OLLI facilities cannot accommodate children as guests of OLLI members.

Q: Can someone who is an OLLI member in another state register for OLLI at UTMB Health classes?

A: This question often arises within the national OLLI Network of 124 institutes across all the states. So far there is no equitable way to transfer memberships since membership costs and practices vary widely across the nation.

Q: When someone registers for a Tuesday yoga class and must miss for a doctor’s appointment, is it okay to catch up by attending the Thursday class?

A: You must attend classes only on days for which you’ve registered and paid tuition. Some members solve this dilemma by enrolling in more than one day. Even if you miss a few sessions, OLLI courses offer terrific value for your tuition dollars.

GET INVOLVED AT OLLI

OLLI Gardening Group

Gardening and garden tending improve quality of life for older adults, in addition to providing a source of fresh and nutritious food. Join OLLI members who are also certified Texas Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists or who are just novice gardeners eager to learn. OLLI’S Gardening Group meets most Wednesdays at 9:00 a.m.

Any OLLI member is welcome to join. At the meetings, we share knowledge about some aspect of gardening, but mostly we tend to the garden beds. Let us know if you want to volunteer to lend a hand. We’d love to have you join us!

OLLI Readers Group

Calling all READERS of books, Kindles, Nooks, and e-books! Have you ever thought about joining a Book Club or wondered what it would be like? Have you read a book and wished you could participate in a meaningful and enlightening discussion about it with fellow OLLI members?

Contact the OLLI office for the title of the next book and let us know if you plan to attend. Group size is limited, so reserve your spot now! OLLI’s Readers Group meets the first Monday of the month at 1:30 p.m.

Volunteer! Help OLLI Gardens Grow!

NEW: EVENING CLASSES FOR WORKING PROFESSIONALS

Zumba

8 Weeks: $40 tuition

Instructor: Miriam Davis

Tuesdays, January 10 – February 28, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursdays, January 12 – March 2, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesdays, March 14 – May 2, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Thursdays, March 16 – May 4, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Moderate aerobic intensity! Join Miriam Davis, fitness in structor for over 25 years and enjoy fitness that feels great. Class participants will move their bodies and all skill and fitness levels are encouraged to join.

Beginning Ukulele

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Dr. Robert Krout, SMU Professor Emeritus

Tuesdays, January 10 – February 28, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays, March 14 – May 2, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Love the sound of the ukulele and always wanted to learn? This fun course teaches beginning ukulele skills to play and accompany folk and popular songs from the 1950s to today. Our required course book Essential Elements Ukulele Method Book 1 by Marty Gross (Hal Leonard Publishers, available on line) includes a number of familiar songs, and we sing while we play. No music experience is necessary! The final class features a recital of the songs we have learned. Invite your family and friends! Purchase the book on your own before class begins and bring your own ukulele to class.

Drum Fusion

8 Weeks: $40 tuition

Instructor: Bernice Torregrossa

Wednesdays, January 11 – March 1, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays, March 15 – May 3, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Enjoy exercise that raises your heart rate AND your spirits! Pilates-based Drum Fusion uses drumsticks, your favorite music and contagious enthusiasm to create a workout that improves posture and muscle tone from either a standing position or a chair modification. Drumsticks are provided, and no other equipment is needed.

Fundamentals of Poker: The Science and Strategy of Texas Hold-Em

8 Weeks: $40 tuition

Instructor: Stan Blazyk

Thursdays, January 12 – March 2, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

A poker game that appeared around Victoria, Texas, in the 1930s has become world famous and is played on every

continent. While fun to play and easy to learn, it is also a challenging game of strategy and chance that taxes the memory, expands observational skills, and demands the use of logic and quick decision-making. Designed for both newcomers to the game and those wishing to improve their skills; space is limited.

GAMES AND TECHNOLOGY

Modern Board Games II: Going Beyond

8 weeks: $40 tuition

Instructor: Paulo Castillo

Tuesdays, January 10 – February 28, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Come explore the wonderful world of modern board gaming! New games include: Carcassonne—a delightful puzzle-like game; Wits and Wagers—a Trivial Pursuit variant with a gambling twist; and Hanabi—a card game where you work together with your fellow players. Each week you will be in structed in a new game and the rest of that session will be spent playing that board game. Games and playing equip ment will be provided. Class size is limited. Register today!

Let’s Play Canasta

8 weeks: $40 tuition

Instructors: David McCormick and Bill Biggs

Wednesdays, January 11 – March 1, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, March 15 – May 3, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Canasta was invented in Uruguay, and it is coming back! You may have played canasta with your grandmother, but if not, it is easy to learn and fun. It is not as intense as bridge but needs some skill, luck, and your attention. Jokers and deuces are wild! Groups will play with two or three regular decks. Two, three, or four people can play a full game. We will provide the cards, instructions, and a set of written rules.

How to Improve Advertisements, Posters and PowerPoint Slides

One-Time: FREE

Instructors: Ulli Budelmann

Thursday, March 23, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Have you ever wondered why some advertisements, posters, and PowerPoint slides easily catch your atten tion, are easy to read, easy to understand, and even easy to memorize, whereas others are not? There are actually reasons for that. As a retired neuroscientist with more than 40 years of teaching experience, Ulli Budelmann will ex plain in lay terms the “science” behind how we see, what catches–or distracts–our attention, how we read, and how we memorize. Using bad examples of what you see every day around you and improving those examples in front of your eyes, you will easily understand the mistakes that are made and how to avoid making them yourself.

LOCAL AND COASTAL

Sea

Beans 101 – Galveston*

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Maureen Nolan Wilde Wednesday, January 11, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

What exactly is a “sea bean” and where can you find them while visiting the Galveston/Bolivar coastline? Did you know some sea beans can bring you good seas while others have helped Christopher Columbus and other explorers on their journeys? This session deals with the “what, where, and why” of sea beans. We will be cover ing the most common to the rarest sea bean and other treasures found during my wanders along the beachfront.

Monarch Butterflies for the Gulf Coast*

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Christine Anastas Tuesday, January 17, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

In this presentation we will explore the monarch life cycle, migration, conser vation status, and native milkweed. There will also be an update on the latest monarch science with special em phasis on the Gulf Coast’s role in the complex monarch migration journey. We will also look at native milkweed and nectar plants.

Growing Native Plants for Birds, Bees & Butterflies*

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Debra Pence Wednesday, January 18, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Join Debra for a seminar focused on creating a pollina tor/nature habitat in your own backyard. We will focus on plants native to Texas and methods that can apply wher ever you live.

*In partnership with the Galveston Island Nature Tourism Council, seminars are open to the community and OLLI membership is not required.

Galveston Gardening Lecture Series

4 Sessions: FREE

Instructor: Don Wilkerson, Professor Emeritus Thursdays, January 12 and 26, February 9 and 23, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

This series of four lectures features a broad range of knowledgeable speakers, sharing their gardening in sights and experiences. Topics will focus on adapted plant materials for our area, sustainable maintenance practices, and much more. Each presentation will be followed by an informal diagnostic session, where par ticipants can bring in “plant problems” for evaluation and care recommendations. Following the Galveston Gardening Plant lecture (last lecture), we will conduct a plant swap. Bring a plant along and exchange it for something new, different, and/or unique. Don’t have a plant to swap? No problem – there’s usually enough to go around. Additional information about each lecture will be available online.

Spanish Explorer Cabeza de Vaca and his 1528 Rafting Trip to Galveston

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: William J. Wardle Wednesday, March 1, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

After Columbus’ voyages, Spain began to consolidate its newfound possessions. Panfilo Narváez was authorized to lead an expedition to colonize and exploit the supposed riches of North America, following the successful pattern established by Hernan Cortez in Central America. However, he met with a series of disasters, eventually leaving his Royal Treasurer, Alvar Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca in command of a makeshift log raft with 50 desperate starving men, traveling westward along the Texas coast.

War Forged, Galveston Restored

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Melanie Cline Wednesday, January 11, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

At the Galveston Naval Museum (GNM), we house two authentic WW2 warships, the USS Stewart (DE-238), a Destroyer Escort built in Houston, and the USS Cavalla (SS-244), the submarine known as the Avenger of Pearl Harbor. Learn how our proud vessels fought in WW2 and came to rest at GNM.

1947 Disaster

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Amanda Vance Wednesday, January 18, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

This lecture will include a chronological description of the events of the 1947 Disaster (the largest industrial ac cident in US history) as well as photos, videos clips, and first-person survivor stories. The aftermath and lasting effects of the Disaster on both Texas City and the Nation will be discussed, and a brief, virtual tour of the 1947 Disaster permanent exhibit at the Texas City Museum will be provided.

The Historic Homes of Texas City

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Amanda Vance Wednesday, January 25, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

A perfect course for history and architecture enthusiasts. Take a virtual tour of the Historic Homes that belong to the City of Texas City (The Davison Home, Engineers Cottage, Moore Home, Wetzel Home, and Bell House) with an indepth discussion of the histories relevant to each house.

Microplastics in the Galveston Bay Watershed: The Big Impacts of Tiny Pollution

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Morgan Huette Thursday, March 16, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Microplastics have become more and more of a hot topic in recent years. Join us in learning what microplastics are, how they impact the environment and wildlife, and what Turtle Island Restoration Network is doing to further mi croplastic studies. The presentation will be led by Morgan Huette, Gulf Program Coordinator at the Turtle Island Restoration Network.

FOR THE ART OF IT

A note to artists and art lovers: Due to the limited space available, if you register, please attend. If your plans change, let us know so that someone from a waitlist can take your place.

Drawing for Health and Happiness

8 Weeks: $50 ($40 plus an additional $10 supply fee)

Instructor: Martha Terrill Mondays, January 9 – February 27, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

In these classes you will learn the basic foundational ele ments used to create a drawing. It will be a time of fun and discovery, in a relaxed, non-judgmental, and ungraded format. Beginner or experienced, you will learn concepts taught at college level. The Washington Post has called art the new meditation, asserting that creative activity is a potent recipe for psychological well-being and healing. So, why wait? Can't draw a straight line with a ruler? This course will teach you how. Don't think you have a creative bone in your body? You don't need one! Come enjoy the fellowship, have some fun, and find your own visual lan guage! Class size limited to 14.

Knitting for Enjoyment

8 Weeks: $40 tuition (additional $10 to the instructor for materials, if needed)

Instructor: Sandra Miller Tuesdays, January 10 – February 28, 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

New and returning students are welcome. Learn the basic knit stitch, bind off, and cast on. The course will be fairly self-paced, and the instructor will teach additional skills

as well to anyone who is ready. We will start with a small project, then depending on your skill level, you might make something more challenging. Class size limited to 14.

Paper Play!

4 Weeks: $20 tuition (additional $10 to the instructor for materials)

Instructor: Suzanne Becker

Wednesdays, February 8 – March 1, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Paper is one of the simplest and most versatile of art ma terials, lending itself to many opportunities for creative exploration and play. Try your hand at paper folding, weav ing, punching, and simple stitching. Projects will include origami boxes, a butterfly mobile, folded art book struc tures, and a “Peace Catcher.” Class size limited to 14.

Paint Positively: Mixed Media Workshops

4 Weeks: $40 tuition ($20 tuition and $20 for materials)

Instructor: Sharon Hendry Thursdays, February 9 – March 2, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursdays, April 13 – May 4, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

You are infinitely creative! Connect to your most authen tic, creative self by layering colors and imagery to make vibrant paintings that will express positive ideas into visual form. Each class offers a new and exciting context. No

BE A VOLLI!

• Get involved! Volunteer at OLLI. Your talent, creativity, and energy can help make OLLI even better. Contact Team OLLI for details.

• Recommend a new course and suggest an instructor to add variety to OLLI’s future semesters! We welcome your suggestions!

• Are you an artist? Please consider sharing some of your finest work to hang permanently or temporarily in OLLI corridors or classrooms.

art experience needed, just a curious desire to free your self one brushstroke at a time from should’s, have-to’s, limitations, and worries. As colors flow, so too will your imagination and inspiration. You will be guided through a process that offers unlimited possibilities and the out come may surprise you! Come with the desire to let go of preconceived notions of what a painting should look like and let this be an opportunity to positively paint for the pure pleasure of unblocking limited beliefs. Class size limited to 14.

Holiday Card-making Class

4 Weeks: $20 ($10 for supplies)

Instructor: Cindy Downes

Mondays, March 13 – April 3, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Yes, it’s fun to watch a stream of birthday greetings whisk by on social media, but do those fast-moving messages mean as much to the receiver as getting a personal greet ing card in the mail? If your answer is no, this is the class for you. Learn how to create beautiful, heartfelt cards that bring joy to the recipient and show them you really care. During this four-week class, we’ll learn how to cut and layer card stock for the best effect; how to use a scoring tool and die cutting machine; how to create focal points with stamped images, die cuts, and sentiments; and how to create interesting backgrounds with embossing fold ers and decorative die cuts. Class size limited to 14.

Calligraphy for Beginners

8 Weeks: $40 tuition (additional $10 to the instructor for materials)

Instructor: Taylor Lauren Westmoreland Wednesdays, March 15 – May 3, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

This course is perfect for anyone curious about calligraphy and its many benefits and uses. We will learn the beginning strokes along with posture and practice for beautiful hand lettering. Throughout the 8-week course, students will obtain the skills to produce their very own calligraphic proj ects such as greeting cards, framed quotes, ornate labels, and beautiful handwritten letters. Go at your own pace and learn a new skill. Class size limited to 14.

More English Country Dancing

4 Weeks: $20 tuition

Instructor: Joan Scarborough Thursdays, March 16 – April 6, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Come all ye lads and lasses, we are learning more English Country Dancing! Historical music and dance come alive in this fun class. No partner needed to learn simple tra ditional dances from John Playford’s 1651 first edition of “The English Dancing Master.” The dances are very similar to American square or contra dancing. Have fun and en gage your brain as you master simple steps and patterns. Learners should be able to walk quickly without assistance. This class involves mild to moderate physical exertion with simple forward and backward steps, turning in place or with a partner, and linking hands and arms. No course pre requisite. Class size limited to 16.

Basics of Beading

4 Weeks: $20 tuition (additional $15 to the instructor for beads)

Instructor: Sandra Miller Mondays, April 3 – April 24, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Beading is a fun craft anyone can do! Learn the basics, including what types of supplies you need, bead stringing, what types of cord to use, how to use crimp beads, and how to add clasps. Perfect for the beading novice. Class size limited to 14.

Coffeehouse Songs Fun with the Ukulele

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Dr. Robert Krout, SMU Professor Emeritus Tuesdays, January 10 – February 28, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

This course is for students who have completed at least OLLI’s beginning ukulele course or who meet entrance requirements.

Do you love the idea of strumming/singing coffeehouse

classics with the ukulele? We learn to play and sing songs from artists including Joni Mitchell, Jimmy Buffett, America, Cat Stevens, Carly Simon, and others. We use the songbook Coffee House Songs - Strum Together 70 Songs to Be Played with Any Combination of Ukulele, Baritone Ukulele, Guitar, Mandolin, and Banjo by Mark Phillips (Hal Leonard Publishers, available online). Purchase the book on your own before class begins and bring your own uku lele to class.

A Little More Ukulele

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: James Johnson Fridays, January 13 – March 3, 10:00 a.m. – Noon Fridays, March 17 – May 5, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

After completing an OLLI beginner ukulele course, you may want a little more ukulele. In this next level course, you will learn chords, some new finger skills, and devel op dexterity with melody. In addition to the book Essential Elements Ukulele Method Book 2 by Marty Gross (Hal Leonard Publishers), you will receive additional skills-build ing resources and additional songs provided in class. Even if you are familiar with some of the songs in the book, your proficiency and confidence will increase as you learn and master new techniques.

Country Songs Fun with the Ukulele

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Dr. Robert Krout, SMU Professor Emeritus Tuesdays, March 14 – May 2, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

This course is for students who have completed at least OLLI’s beginning ukulele course or who meet entrance requirements.

Do you love the idea of strumming/singing country clas sics with the ukulele? We learn to play and sing songs

such as “Achy Breaky Heart (Don't Tell My Heart)”, “All My Ex's Live In Texas”, “Back In The Saddle Again”, “Blue Bayou”, “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain”, and many more. We use the songbook Country Songs—Strum Together 70 Songs to Be Played with Any Combination of Ukulele, Baritone Ukulele, Guitar, Mandolin, and Banjo by Mark Phillips (Hal Leonard Publishers, available on-line). Purchase the book on your own before class begins and bring your own ukulele to class. We will have a recital on the last day of class!

Hand Drumming: Djembe for Beginners

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Taylor Lauren Westmoreland

Wednesdays, January 11 – March 1, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

A comprehensive study of hand drumming techniques and rhythmic patterns on the most popular African drum: the djembe. Learn correct and effective djembe playing tech nique and posture. This course will introduce beginners to drum notation as well as simple rhythmic patterns in a vari ety of musical styles. Bring your own drum and play along with old favorites.

Beginning Guitar

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: James Johnson

Thursdays, January 12 – March 2, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Have you ever wanted to play guitar? Now's your chance! We'll be playing songs on the first day! Our required course book, Essential Elements for Guitar - Book 1: Comprehensive Guitar Method by Will Schmid and Bob Morris (Hal Leonard Publishers, look for the book with "Audio Access Included") includes a number of familiar songs, and we sing while we play. Purchase the book and a guitar on your own before class begins.

A Little More Guitar

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: James Johnson

Thursdays, March 16 – May 4, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

After completing an OLLI beginner guitar course, you may want a little more guitar. In this next-level course, you will learn more chords, some new finger skills, and develop dexterity with melody. In addition to the book Essential Elements for Guitar - Book 1: Comprehensive Guitar Method by Will Schmid and Bob Morris (Hal Leonard Publishers, look for the book with "Audio Access Included"), you will receive additional skills-building resources and additional songs provided in class. Even if you are familiar with some of the songs in the book, your proficiency and confidence will increase as you learn and master new techniques.

SCHOLARLY STUDIES

Writing Memoir and Personal Essay

8 Weeks: $40 tuition

Instructor: Kathryn Eastburn Mondays, January 9 – February 27, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Your one precious life contains a multitude of stories. Pulled together in an artful form, they make a memoir. Each week we’ll read prime examples from this burgeoning liter ary genre and see how writers turn these stories, recalled and re-created, into compellingly readable personal essays and memoir. We’ll also work toward pulling together the stories you want to tell through in-class writing exercises. At the heart of this class is a workshop in which students submit samples of their work for others to read and dis cuss, following a respectful, supportive protocol. The goal is for learners to grasp and enjoy what memoirist Mary Karr refers to as “the sheer, convincing poetry of a single person trying to make sense of the past.”

Spanish Among Friends

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Anna Olivares

Beginner: Tuesdays, January 10 – February 28, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Intermediate: Tuesdays, March 14 – May 2, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Becoming conversational in Spanish is easier than you think. With the right Spanish course and a focus on conver sational Spanish, you will be speaking the language before you know it! The key is to focus on gaining confidence in what you learn and building on it, rather than trying to learn too much too fast. By focusing on conversational Spanish, you will have more than enough opportunities to start prac ticing what you learn right away to build that confidence that will let you continue to progress in your Spanish skills.

Meditation – An Inner Adventure

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Terry Conrad Fridays, January 13 –March 3, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Meditation is such an important practice for spiritual maturity and having a balanced and happy life. Just as maturing physically, mentally, and emo tionally is a lifetime process, it’s also true

of spiritual maturity through the ancient practices of study, contemplation, and meditation. Decades of research on meditation document all the mental, physical, and emo tional benefits that a few minutes a day will offer us if we know how to properly meditate. A proper meditation prac tice transforms our life using techniques allowing us to be more present and more aware of things as they are. During the eight short weeks of our class, together, we’ll explore and deepen our practice of several meditation techniques that allow a deeper sense of well-being, peace-of-mind, happiness, and joy. Please join us for an inner adventure of a lifetime.

Lifestory

8 Weeks: $40 tuition

Instructor: Alison Barker

Tuesdays, January 17, February 7 and 21, March 7 and 21, April 4 and 18, May 2, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The course is open to those who have experienced OLLI Lifestory groups in previous semesters or who have com pleted the Introduction to Lifestory course.

Scientific evidence demonstrates the importance of tell ing and sharing life stories. Learners at all levels of writing skill—including novices—will enjoy sharing their memories. Learners get a chance to develop and share their stories and give feedback on stories they hear. Only those who have participated in OLLI Lifestory or who complete the in tro sessions are eligible to register. Class size limited to 14.

Introduction to Genealogy

4 Weeks: $20 tuition

Instructor: Carol Jenkins Mondays, February 6 – February 27, 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

This four-week course is designed for individuals interested in learning more about researching their family history. We will cover the fundamentals (terms, charts, etc.); research sources; and best practices for organizing,

researching, and documenting. Various apps and software will be explored, including free online resources. Although not required, participant registration for a free two-week Ancestry membership for weeks 3 and 4 of these courses will be beneficial. Please bring a smart phone or laptop with you. Class size limited to 15.

Researching Court Records

One Time Seminar: FREE Instructor: Doryn Glenn, JD Monday, February 20, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

In this presentation, participants will learn how much fa milial, historic, and genealogical information is contained in public court documents. Attendees will learn how sig nificant real property, civil, family, and probate records can be as they search for information about family history and movement.

Immigration and Naturalization

One Time Seminar: FREE Instructor: Doryn Glenn, JD Thursday, April 6, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

In this presentation, attendees will learn about the immi gration and naturalization process in the United States at the turn of the 20th century. A view of original immigration and naturalization records from the late 1800s to the early 1900s and historical references to world leaders and ves sels of significance (such as the Lusitania). Participants will enjoy seeing the rich detail of information that is contained in these significant records.

Opening the Mind's Eye in Humanistic Buddhism Practice

7 Weeks: FREE Instructor: Ven. Miao-Lung Shih Facilitator: Dr. Wei-Chen (Miso) Lee Wednesdays, March 15 – April 26 Group Session: 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Individual Session: 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (By appointment only)

Our view to the world is a murky filter. Through the Humanistic Buddhism Practice (HBP), we can remove the cloudiness and enjoy clarity of mind. The spring class is not just to teach you to apply the “HBP lens” to look at life through new eyes, but also to see the true nature of the world. You are invited to find ease in every moment and face life with confidence. Through HBP age-friendly apps with mindful function and Chinese culture arts, we

will guide you to understand conscious and conscientious Buddhist practices and perspectives; give you tools with which to access your true nature and manifest its perfec tion and beauty in every moment; and bring joy to yourself and others. The individual counseling section related to Buddhism practice in daily life or any other life challenges is made available by appointment. Each 30-minute ap pointment can accommodate one person or one family together.

Nature Journaling

4 Weeks: $20 tuition

Instructor: Susan R. Nelson, Author Thursdays, January 19, February 2 and 16, March 2, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Keeping a nature journal is one of the best tools you can use to not only connect with your environment but for selfcare using science, writing, art, meditation, and memory. Whether looking from your kitchen window or on a neigh borhood stroll, nature journaling has no boundaries. We all know that there are significant benefits in keeping any type of journal. Benefits like better mental clarity, boosts in both confidence and emotional intelligence, self-dis cipline, more creativity, and increased problem-solving skills. This class is about documenting what you see in nature—how it flows and how it feels using writing, doo dles or sketches. You'll enjoy being in the moment, while having the chance to share your observations and work in a positive supportive environment. This is a great op portunity for blooming creative writers. Class size limited to 14.

Silvia Plath—Exploring The Bell Jar and Other Poetic Works

8 Weeks: $40 tuition

Instructor: John Gorman Fridays, January 13 – March 3, 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Join Professor John Gorman as he explores the works of Sylvia Path. Her most well-known work, The Bell Jar, chronicles the crack-up of Esther Greenwood: brilliant, beautiful, enormously talented, and successful, but slowly going under—maybe for the last time. Sylvia Plath mas terfully draws the reader into Esther's breakdown with such intensity that Esther's insanity becomes completely real and even rational, as probable, and accessible an ex perience as going to the movies. Such deep penetration into the dark and harrowing corners of the psyche is an extraordinary accomplishment and has made The Bell Jar a haunting American classic.

Only Hope: My Mother and the Holocaust Brought to Light

ZOOM Presentation – FREE

Presenter: Irving Lubliner Thursday, March 2, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Before she passed away in 1974, Felicia Bornstein Lubliner wrote about her experiences in Nazi-occupied Poland, including her captivity in two concentration camps: Auschwitz and Gross-Rosen. Her son, Irving, will share excerpts from Only Hope: A Survivor’s Stories of the Holocaust, shedding light on his mother’s experienc es and indomitable spirit. Irving Lubliner teaches math, music, and literature classes for OLLI at Southern Oregon University.

Financial Planning for the Rest of Us

Instructors: Nancy Flint-Budde, CFP™ 8 Weeks: $40 tuition Mondays, March 13 – May 1, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Financial planning is not just for the uber wealthy. It is also about so much more than investing in the stock market! Everyone can benefit from tailoring their finances to their personal objectives. Stop worrying, act, and discover ways to reach your goals as we discuss financial planning in a conversational and interactive setting. This course will explore a different financial planning topic each week. Topics include: retirement planning, income tax planning, investing concepts, estate planning, insurance, debt man agement, and creative approaches to charitable giving. In the final session, each student will create a personal plan allowing consolidation of the ideas from previous lessons. As a Certified Financial Planner, your "retired" instructor continues to serve as an educator, having attained her goal of living a wonderful life here in Galveston. She looks forward to sharing her expertise with you.

Britain: The Grand Tour Part 2

4 Weeks: $20

Instructor: Joy Owen Fridays, March 17 & 31, April 14 & 28, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Expand your knowledge of Britain with experienced traveler Joy Owen! Having lived in England and traveled Britain extensively, she will provide an in-depth knowledge of the British Isles. Spring 2023 brings you more topics based on the overview given in the Fall 2022 class, Britain: The Grand Tour. Come learn the secrets and tips for your future travels.

Beating the Senior Blues

8 Weeks: $40 tuition

Instructor: Pam Johnson, LCSW-S Tuesdays, March 14 – May 2, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

This class is for adults who suffer from bouts of depression and want to learn how to set goals to feel better. In this class, we will discuss techniques that will enrich the prac tical aspects of your daily life. Included in the class is great advice for learning important coping skills, making social connections, building self-esteem, overcoming grief and sadness, and finding joy in life again. Curriculum is based on the book, Beating the Senior Blues: How to Feel Better and Enjoy Life Again by Leslie Eckford. Purchase of the book is not required.

The Power of Writing Practice

8 Weeks: $40 tuition

Instructor: Janet Cohen Wednesdays, March 15 – May 3, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

The Power of Writing Practice will be a fun exploration of writing for the love of writing. Each session will provide a mini lesson, a brief time to write, and for those who choose, a brief time to read what they’ve written on a topic presented during class. Feedback given will only be positive, and students who listen will practice the art of recall. In these classes, participants will bond, learn a little, laugh a little, and perhaps even share a tear or two. No writing experience is required. Suggested reading is the bestseller Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg (available in most bookstores).

Weather, Climate, and Climate Change

8 Weeks: $40 tuition

Instructor: “The Weatherman” Stan Blazyk Wednesdays, March 15 – May 3, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Mark Twain famously quipped that "Everybody talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.” We are at a point in time where not only is everybody

talking about weather and climate, but we are seriously pondering what we can do about it. Meteorology, along with quantum physics and neuroscience, is considered among the more complex sciences with multiple interac tion and feedback loops. This course is designed as an introduction to weather dynamics and the basic factors driving weather on our planet. It will also look at the con nection and differences between weather and climate and how the two are interrelated. We will also look at one of the biggest challenges facing both our planet, our lives, and the future course of our civilization. No background in science is necessary as the course is designed for anyone interested in gaining a basic understanding how weather and climate work.

Artificial Intelligence: Breakthroughs and Challenges

4 Weeks: FREE

Instructor: Mark Staskauskas Thursdays, March 16 – April 6, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

This course will present an overview of the history of artificial intelligence research, the achievements and limitations of deep learning, and a review of current re search on Artificial General Intelligence (AGI, also known as “Strong AI”), the set of intellectual capabilities that are still beyond the reach of today's AI systems. This course will present many exciting real-world applications of deep learning and provide insight into the reasons why achiev ing AGI has proven so difficult.

St. Paddy's Day Special—Ghost Stories of Galveston’s Irish Immigrants

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Bernice Torregrossa Monday, March 13, 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Kick off the week of St. Patrick’s Day with tales of the ghosts who left the Emerald Isle for our own island. Galveston has been blessed with thousands of Irish immigrants, and professional ghost tour guide Bernice Torregrossa will ex plain how and where some of them continue to make their presence known. Many immigrants arrived here with little more than a repertoire of stories and legends, and we will see the uncanny ways that those legends became reality.

Defeat of the Spanish Armada 1588

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: William J. Wardle

Friday, April 7, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

A dispute between the Queen of England and the King of Spain finally erupted into all-out war in 1588. This presen tation will cover the background events, the preparation and departure of the Spanish invasion armada, the hurried assembly of the English defensive fleet, and the subse quent engagements and battles that forced the frustrated Spaniards to give up and sail for home, enduring a peril ous and disastrous journey around Scotland and Ireland on the way.

Delving Deeper into Genealogy

4 Weeks: $20 tuition

Instructor: Carol Jenkins

Thursdays, April 13 – May 4, 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

This course is designed for those who have previously tak en Intro to Genealogy or have previous genealogy research experience.

Attendees will use their personal devices (iPads, phones, etc.) to perform “live” research on genealogy sites and adding facts to their family trees. We will also scan pho tos and save them to family profiles (or to personal photo “clouds”). Seating is limited to 15.

Creative Cooking with Protein

4 Weeks: $20 tuition

Instructor: Chef Paul Mendoza

Fridays, April 14 – May 5, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Protein performs many func tions in the body. An adequate dietary protein intake is import ant for building, maintaining, and repairing body tissues. The body's structural components, such as skin, muscles, and or gans, are made up largely by protein. Protein can come from both plant and animal sources. In this course, we are going to take a look at meat, dairy, eggs, and plants and how to use each in a simple recipe to highlight the flavors and textures, while exploring how to prepare a wholesome and delicious meal. Class limited to 14.

HEALTH AND FITNESS

PreventT2®, the National Diabetes Prevention Program

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Hanaa Sallam, MD, PhD, CDCES Monday, January 9, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

PreventT2®, the National Diabetes Prevention Program, led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) features a proven approach to prevent or delay Type 2 Diabetes. The program is mainly offered live on line but can be in person at OLLI if COVID regulations permit (OLLI membership required to take the in-person class). Take a risk assessment test to determine your eligibility for the program https://www.utmb.edu/diabetes/programs/prediabetes/preventt2-registration

The online seminar is for information only and does not commit you to the full-year program.

Wellness Wednesdays

4 Sessions: FREE

Instructor: UTMB Faculty & Specialists Wednesdays, February 1 – February 22, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

In celebration of National Senior Independence Month, we are bringing in experts from UTMB to lecture on a host of topics related to the overall health and wellness needed to preserve your independence. Join any or all lectures in the series.

February 1: Patient Self-Advocacy

Dr. Andrea Wirt

February 8: Dealing With Serious and Even Chronic Illness While Still Living and Enjoying Life Chaplain Jenny Schindler

February 15: Bumps and Rashes: When Do I Need to Worry?

Dr. Anthony Linfante

February 22: Cultivating Evidence-Based Resilience Through Creating Joy

Dr. Tammy Cupit

10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Alice Williams, MS, LBSW, UTMB Sealy Center on Aging, and Trained Community Educator, Alzheimer’s Association

Thursday, January 19, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause changes in mem ory, thinking, and behavior that interfere with daily life.

Join this class to learn about 10 common warning signs and what to watch for in yourself and others.

Medicare Informational Workshops and Consultations

Instructor: Alex Rischan

February 2, March 2, April 6, and May 4

Workshop: 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Individual Consultations by appointment: 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. (Call OLLI to schedule)

Learn Medicare basics, get an overview of the assistance programs often available, and hear about the services that our Area Agency on Aging provides. Schedule a free consultation session after the workshop for a personal benefits checkup.

Effective Communication Strategies When Dementia Is Involved

One Time Seminar: FREE

Instructor: Alice Williams, MS, LBSW, UTMB Sealy Center on Aging, and Trained Community Educator, Alzheimer’s Association

Tuesday, March 14, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Explore how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’s. Learn to decode the verbal and behav ioral messages and identify strategies to connect and communicate.

Is your fitness on target? Get your fitness numbers: Posture, Strength, Balance, Endurance

Two Session Series: FREE

Instructors: Rebecca Galloway, PT, PhD, Geriatric Certified Specialist; Physical Therapy Faculty and Physical Therapy Students

Monday, March 27 and Thursday, March 30, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

In this two-session series, Physical Therapy faculty and students will provide physical fitness measures of pos ture, strength, balance, and endurance. Participants will learn the purpose of each measure and how to interpret their own results. For reliable results, measures will be recorded on two different days. A comprehensive phys ical fitness summary will be provided. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice exercises that tar get the fitness measures that they would like to improve. Handouts and exercise bands will be provided. All fitness abilities are welcome! Ask your health provider if you have any movement or exercise precautions. Physical fitness measures and exercises will be modified to fit your needs.

Stronger Seniors Fitness Video

FREE - Registration required Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays

January 9 – May 5, 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. (No classes March 6 – 10)

Stronger Seniors® DVDs—Chair Exercise Program: Stretching, Aerobics, Strength Training, and Balance. Improve flexibility, muscle and bone strength, circulation, heart health, and stability. Each video is developed and taught by Anne Pringle Burnell.

A Deeper Yoga Practice with Options for

Mat, Chair, and Standing

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Kathi Reeves

Mondays, January 9 – February 27, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, January 11 – March 1, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Mondays, March 13 – May 1, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, March 15 – May 3, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

This class will be a slow-paced, offering the basics of the breath practice, poses, and relaxation/meditation. Step by step instruction are given on the fundamentals of body alignment and the use of props (chairs, blocks, blankets, straps) as tools to develop the ability to practice yoga safe ly. This class is for all levels, but participants must be able to get in and out of the chair on their own. If the participant wishes to go deeper into their practice down onto the mat, they must be able to get up and down from the floor. Please be sure to wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring wa ter and any of your personal practice items (mats, etc.). Each eight-week series requires a separate tuition.

S.A.I.L. Program - Stay Active and Independent for Life

8 Weeks: FREE

Instructor: Misty Sullivan

Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 10 – March 2, 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 4 – May 25, 8:30 a.m. – 9:15 a.m.

Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is an evi dence-based strength, balance, and fitness program for older adults. Performing exercises that improve strength, balance, and fitness is the single most important activity that adults can do to stay active and reduce their chances of falling. Track your progress as you get stronger, healthier, and more active. Must be able to attend both days each week. Limited enrollment.

Tai Chi for Balance

6 Weeks: FREE

Instructor: Misty Sullivan

Thursdays, January 19 – February 23, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

The class will provide participants with instruction in a se ries of sequential tai chi movements designed to enhance balance, strength, and flexibility while relieving stress and muscle tension. Emphasis is on easy-to-learn, gentle, continuous movements that are safe and effective for be ginners. Limited enrollment.

Senior Fitness

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Kathi Reeves

Mondays, January 9 – February 27, 11:00 a.m. – Noon

Wednesdays, January 11 – March 1, 11:00 a.m. – Noon

Mondays, March 13 – May 1, 11:00 a.m. – Noon Wednesdays, March 15 – May 3, 11:00 a.m. – Noon

The class is designed for those looking to work out with out the added impact to joints. A portion includes yoga stretches and balance poses, "happy dancing," and aer obic movements to build up endurance and lung power, strength training with hand weights, and final relaxation. No previous experience required. Wear comfortable clothes and supportive shoes (no sandals) and bring water to drink.

Mat Yoga

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Jim Turner

Tuesdays, January 10 – February 28, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, January 12 – March 2, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays, March 14 – May 2, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Thursdays, March 16 – May 4, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Come and experience the energy of Yoga. Join registered Hatha Yoga teacher Jim Turner as he explores the relation ship between physical postures and the movement of the breath. Learn breath control techniques for deeper relax ation. This class involves mild to moderate physical exertion. Learners should be able to move without assistance from chair to standing. Class size is limited, so register early for the time(s) of your choice. Each eight-week series requires a separate tuition.

Gentle Chair Yoga

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Jim Turner

Tuesdays, January 10 – February 28, 11:00 a.m. – Noon Thursdays, January 12 – March 2, 11:00 a.m. – Noon Tuesdays, March 14 – May 2, 11:00 a.m. – Noon Thursdays, March 16 – May 4, 11:00 a.m. – Noon

Come and experience the energy of Yoga. Join registered Hatha Yoga teacher Jim Turner as he explores the rela tionship between physical postures and the movement of the breath. Learn breath control techniques for deeper relaxation. This class involves mild to moderate physical exertion. Chair yoga DOES NOT require you to move from lying on the floor to standing. Class size is limited, so reg ister early for the time(s) of your choice. Each eight-week series requires a separate tuition.

Pilates

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Beth Bullock, Stott Pilates Method

Certified Instructor

Wednesdays, January 11 – March 1, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Fridays, January 13 – March 3, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays, March 15 – May 3, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Fridays, March 17 – May 5, 9:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Experience this contemporary style of instruction which holds true to Joseph Pilates’ philosophy of body, mind and spirit alignment; core engagement; and mindful movement. Appropriate for most fitness levels; must be able to get up and down from the floor unassisted, and tolerate lying side, front, and back for prolonged periods of time.

WAL K A M IL E

N O M AT T E R W H AT T H E W E AT HE R

OLLI’s new indoor walking track welcomes you during open hours, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.

Take seven loops and you’ve walked a mile.

Power Moves

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Beth Bullock, Stott Pilates Method Certified Instructor

Wednesdays, January 11 – March 1, 11:00 a.m. – Noon

Fridays, January 13 – March 3, 11:00 a.m. – Noon Wednesdays, March 15 – May 3, 11:00 a.m. – Noon Fridays, March 17 – May 5, 11:00 a.m. – Noon

Recharging the body with structural strength moves, improved flexibility, cardio enhancement, and creative ex pression, this class is about reversing the effects of aging with “moves you can use” to improve your overall health, whatever your current fitness level. “Say it out-loud” for speech improvement, movements with big expression, oppositional core stabilization, and balance challenges are all designed to keep you at your functional best. You will experience standing and seated exercises with various props for each class.

Line Dance

8 Weeks: $40

Instructor: Pat Trevisani Fridays, January 13 – March 3, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Fridays, March 17 – May 5, 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Line dance performs patterned, rhythmic foot movements in unison to music. It blends dance, music, and exercise promoting physical fitness. This fun workout will help tone muscles, improve coordination, and balance, and enhance concentration and flexibility. Each dance will be introduced with detailed instruction and modifications. Participants need footwear or dance socks that allow them to slide or swivel easily. Each week, we will repeat dances from previous weeks and introduce new dances as the group progresses together.

Sealy Center on Aging

OLLI ANGLETON COURSES AND ACTIVITIES

To register for any of these OLLI courses, please contact OLLI Angleton 979.848.9120

Medicare Workshops

FREE SEMINARS

Presenter: Zelda Earvin Mondays, February 27 or May 22 10:00 a.m. – Noon (Group Sessions) 9:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. or 3:00 p.m. (Individual Consultations)

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC but you must call OLLI Angleton to register in advance. Come to one of these presentations to learn Medicare basics, assistance programs that might be available for you, and details about Open Enrollment, which occurs October 15 – December 7. You’ll also get an overview of services that our Area Agency on Aging provides. ONEON-ONE sessions are also available.

Total Body Fitness Workout!

8 Weeks: $40

Certified Instructor: Angelica Moore/Michael Washburn Tuesdays, March 21 – May 9, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Challenge yourself in this exercise program for total body fitness beginning with a warm-up (at your own pace) using light, medium, or heavy weights, small balls, and elastic tubes, with a chair for support. You’ll experience stretching and improvement in balance and posture alignment, breathing, and joint movement. Develop better coordination and have lots of fun. Total body fitness is perfect for stress reduction, heightened focus, enhanced concentration, and increased bone density. Tone your muscles, while your body core responds to this total body exercise program.

Why Mental Health First Aid Matters

One Time Seminar: FREE

Presenter: Alison Boudreaux

Wednesday, March 29, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Mental health awareness is an ongoing effort to reduce the stigma around mental illness and mental health conditions. Because of misconceptions about mental health and mental fitness, people often suffer in silence and their conditions go untreated. Join us for a one-hour introduction to concepts of mental health and the value of Mental Health First Aid training. The Mental Health First Aid training can help you connect someone with mental health challenges to resources. The training is comparable to physical first aid and CPR but on a mental and emotional level. The hard truth is that you are more likely to encounter someone with a mental health challenge than a person suffering from a heart attack. Would you be ready if you did?

Becoming a Spiritual Care Volunteer

One Time Seminar: FREE

Presenter: Chaplain Sam Varughese Thursday, April 13, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Have you wondered what it takes to provide spiritual support in a health care setting? Do you feel like you do not have the educational requirements but have a compassionate heart to care for others? Come to this session to learn what it takes to be a spiritual care volunteer.

Life Planning

One Time Seminar: FREE Presenter: Scott Butler Tuesday, April 18, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Join Scott Butler, Prearrangement Specialist with Palms Funeral Home, for an engaging and informative session about the end-of-life planning you need to do now in order to protect your family in the future. You will learn about advance funeral planning and why it is so necessary for creating a healing and meaningful celebration of life. You will also learn how to avoid mistakes families sometimes make during times of grief, and with the knowledge gained, you can make decisions that you feel good about and that will bring comfort to your family in the future.

Cardiovascular Disease and the use of Blood Thinners

One Time Seminar: FREE Presenter: Qiangjun Cai, M.D. Friday, April 21, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Blood thinners are taken to prevent a blood clot. Blood clots can be very dangerous and can stop the blood flow to the heart, lungs, or brain and they can cause a heart attack or stroke. Join Dr. Cai for a discussion about blood thinners, and indications and contraindications of antiplatelet and anticoagulation treatment in various cardiovascular diseases.

Cooking Well: A Hands-on Class

5 sessions: FREE

Instructor: Shana Kutac, Texas A&M Agrilife Fridays, April 21 – May 19, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Cooking Well is a hands-on cooking school. This class is designed to help people prepare foods. This is a fivepart series that includes basic nutrition education to help plan meals and prepare food for people working towards a healthy lifestyle. We will cook quick dinner recipes that will help you cook healthier meals for your friends and family.

FUN-damentals of Poker

4 sessions: $20

Instructor: Michael A. Washburn Jr. Thursdays, April 27-May 18, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30pm

A card game played by two or more people who bet on the value of the hands dealt to them. While fun to play and learn, it is also a game of strategy and chance that taxes the memory, expands observational skills, and demands use of logic and decision-making capabilities while challenging interactional abilities. Did you know President Nixon used his poker winnings for his initial campaign as President, and Dwight Eisenhower played regularly with George Patton during the war? See how poker skill enhances mental acuity as you have fun. Class size is limited and will fill quickly!

AARP Smart Driver Course™

AARP Members $20 | Non-AARP Members $25 (Cash or check only paid on the day of the course).

Instructor: Jesse Hedrick, Certified AARP instructor Wednesday, May 10, Noon – 4:00 p.m.

This class will review new laws. You’ll learn how to handle problem situations such as left turns, right of way, Interstate highway traffic, trucks and blind spots, as well as how to use anti-lock brakes, air bags and seat belts. Bring your driver’s license and AARP card. Certificates are issued at the end of the class. Check with your insurance agent about discounts. Class size is limited. Only those who preregister will be admitted.

An Early History of Texas Flags

One Time Seminar: FREE

Presenter: Michael Bailey Monday, May 15, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30pm

Local vexillologist (those who study flags) have been researching the history of flags that have been seen in Texas at one time or another. To date, they have documented around 58 flags from Texas History. Join local re-enactor Michael Bailey as he shares information about the “Early Flags of Texas.”

Can You Hear Me Now?

One Time Seminar: FREE

Presenter: Carolyn McMahon Thursday, May 18, 10:00 a.m. – Noon

Turning up the TV too loud? Does everyone seem to mumble?? You could be one of the 48 million Americans living with hearing loss. Are you living your best life with hearing loss? The goal of this class is to share a few

golden principles and practices that will help you (or someone you love) move forward toward increasing their quality of life. In this class, participants can ask questions about hearing health, hearing loss, Hearing Assistive Technologies (HAT), self-advocacy, and communication tips and strategies. Since hearing loss affects everyone in the family, spouses and significant others are welcome. You will leave the class with strategies for living life with hearing loss without limits and a better understanding of how hearing health is an essential tool for aging well.

American Heart Association Certified Training: Heartsaver CPR and First Aid

BLS Healthcare Provider

One Session: $40

Whether in Galveston County, Brazoria County, or beyond we provide AHA CPR, First Aid, or BLS training or American Red Cross certified AED, CPR, or First Aid training. Visit www.shopcpr.heart.org to complete the online portion at your own pace then call us to schedule your skills portion of the training.

Fitness Sessions

FREE – Open to the public and membership not required Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

OLLI at UTMB Angleton welcomes all 50 and over to participate in FREE Fitness sessions—50 weeks a year! Sessions offer seated, low-impact fitness activities. All props and weights required are provided by OLLI. There is no charge, and no pre-registration is required. You can drop in for a single session, attend every week, or participate occasionally at your convenience.

GALVESTON SUPPORT GROUPS

The UTMB Stroke Support Group in

partnership with OLLI offers a variety of topics for discussion and participation for stroke survivors and their caretakers. Some of the topics and activities included:

• Coping skills

• Nutrition and Exercise

• Open Dialogue with a Care Provider

• Panel of Health Professionals

• Thanksgiving Social

• Community Outing

Representatives from Neurology; Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapy; and a representative from Nursing are just a few that may share expertise. We look forward to meeting you and can hopefully shed some light on a complex and often life-changing event. UTMB Stroke Support Group will be meeting the first Thursday of every other month from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. starting in 2023 – January 5, March 2, May 4 during the spring semester.

This resource is available to members and non-members of OLLI. If you are not a current member of the support group and want more information, please email your inquiry to strokesupportgroup@utmb.edu. Remote ac cess through Zoom is available.

Houston Area Parkinson Society (HAPS)

OLLI has partnered with the Houston Area Parkinson Society to host monthly professionally facilitated sup port groups to give participants the opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences, solve common prob lems, and provide encouragement to others living with or caring for someone with Parkinson’s Disease. Those diagnosed and their friends, families, and support teams are welcome to attend this monthly meeting. The group meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, 11:00 a.m. - Noon at OLLI, facilitated by HAPS Director of Social Services Celeste Harris, LMSW. Spring meetings will be held on January 24, February 28, March 28, and April 25.

Caregiver Connection (Dementia/Alzheimer’s support)

The Caregiver Connection is open to the community. This group provides ongoing educational and emo tional support for family caregivers of older adults with dementia. Group discussions are led by a trained fa cilitator. Meetings are on the 2nd (in-person option) and 4th (ZOOM/phone only) Wednesday from Noon - 1:00 p.m. For more information including the Zoom link, contact Alice Williams, MS, LBSW at 409.266.9647 or alwillia@utmb.edu.

You can help OLLI with a tax-free gift

Congress has permanently extended the opportunity for Americans age 70½ or older to make direct transfers up to $100,000 from Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) to charitable organizations like the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.

Such gifts have truly transformed UTMB while allowing alumni and friends to support the university and avoid paying income tax on their IRA distributions. You can designate your IRA gift to the areas and programs you care most about—like OLLI!

Why Consider This Gift?

• Your gift will be put to use today, allowing you to see the difference your donation is making.

• You pay no income taxes on the gift. The transfer generates neither taxable income nor a tax deduction, so you benefit even if you do not itemize your deductions.

• If you have not yet taken your required minimum distribution for the year, your IRA charitable rollover gift can satisfy all or part of that requirement.

• By making a gift this year of up to $100,000 from your IRA, you can see your philanthropic dollars at work. You are jump-starting the legacy you would like to leave and giving yourself the joy of watching your philanthropy take shape. Moreover, you can fulfill any outstanding pledge you may have made by transferring that amount from your IRA, as long as it is $100,000 or less for the year.

The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston does not provide individual legal, tax, or financial advice. We urge you to seek the advice of your own legal, tax, or financial professionals in connec tion with gift and estate planning matters.

You might consider designating your gift to one of OLLI’s local endowments: Billy and Stanley Buinski Endowment, Dr. Richard and Martha Peake Endowment, Jerry and Alison Barker Endowment, or the Dr. Michelle Sierpina Endowment for OLLI Leadership. To establish a new endowment, just let OLLI staff know and we can connect you to UTMB Development professionals who can guide you through the process.

The University of Texas Medical Branch

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute 301 University Blvd. Galveston, Texas 77555-0972

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Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

1200 Market Street – UTMB Campus Galveston, Texas 77555-0972 (409) 763-5604

Frank W. Stevens Center for Health and Wellness 140 E. Hospital Drive Angleton, Texas 77515 (979) 848-9120