For immediate release: June 15, 2007

GALVESTON, Texas - The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston will hold registration for its 2007 Summer School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, June 18, at the UTMB Primary Care Pavilion, 400 Harborside Dr., in Galveston. Those who attend should use Entrance B.

The OLLI Summer School offers a variety of college-level classes for people 55 and older. Most courses have no pre-requisites. Classes are held from June 20 through Aug. 31. Registration is required. A second registration session is planned from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 21, in Room 101 at the Open Gates Conference Center, 2419 Sealy St. Cost is $5 per class, $30 for any eight classes or $50 for all classes.

Registration is also available by phone from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays at (409) 747-4657 and electronically by emailing a copy of the OLLI registration form to jdbarrag@utmb.edu. For more information, please email Michelle Sierpina, founding director, at msierpin@utmb.edu, or Julia Barragan, coordinator, at jdbarrag@utmb.edu.

Here is a partial list of seminars. Others are scheduled for July and August. For more information about other classes, please contact the OLLI office at (409) 747-4657.

Shall We Dance?, Wednesday, June 20, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Bill and Judy Biggs introduce the Waltz, Foxtrot and Swing. Cha-Cha and Rumba demonstrations may also be included. You do not need a partner to participate. Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York found that those 75 and older who engaged in cognitively stimulating activities, including ballroom dancing, demonstrated reduced risk of dementias.

Writers Unite - Summer Lifestory Writing Group, Tuesdays, June 19, July 3, 17 and 31, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Alison Barker is the facilitator. Writers from any 2006 fall or 2007 spring writing classes can join this virtual group. Attend those sessions that suit your schedule, but don't be surprised to find a few new faces each week. Open only to those who have completed one or more OLLI lifestory groups in the past.

Building for the Future: Construction Plans and Progress at UTMB, Thursday, June 21, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Michael Shriner, vice president for facilities and campus services at UTMB, will bring learners up to date on construction plans and progress on UTMB's campus. Thanks to the foresight and generosity of The Sealy & Smith Foundation, UTMB has the opportunity to develop and implement a 20-year expansion project, which will create approximately 3.3 million square feet of new or renovated space.

Tai Chi, alternate Fridays, June 22, July 6 and 20, Aug. 3, 17 and 31, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Join certified instructor Julia Barragan as she demonstrates the Yang style of Tai Chi in a chair and in a standing position. The sessions will concentrate on balance, flexibility and slow movement along with breath control. Research has shown Tai Chi to increase balance and decrease likelihood of falls.

Old Testament Origins of New Testament Writings, Monday, June 25, from 10:30 a.m. to noon.
Learners in Rabbi Jimmy Kessler's spring semester course challenged him to develop a course examining Old Testament origins of New Testament writings. In his summer session, you will taste a sampling of his fall semester course on this topic and have the opportunity to reserve space in this increasingly popular OLLI offering.

Head Start on Hurricane Preparedness, Tuesday, June 26, from 10 a.m. to noon.
Author and hurricane expert Stan Blazyk will provide information on how to prepare for the threat of hurricanes and other disasters. Blazyk, who serves on the Galveston Mayor's Citizen Response Team, will provide up-to-date details on responsible preparation for the coming season, including state and local plans. Blazyk will give an update on the hurricane risk to the Galveston area and the latest information on what the hurricane experts are expecting in 2007.

Hooked: How Medicine's Dependence on the Pharmaceutical Industry Undermines Professional Ethics, Wednesday, June 27, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
For decades, medical professionals have betrayed the public's trust by accepting various benefits from the pharmaceutical industry. Both drug company representatives and doctors employ artful spin to portray this behavior positively to the public and to themselves. In "Hooked," Howard Brody argues that we can neither understand the problem, nor propose helpful solutions until we identify the many levels of activity connecting these purportedly noble industries.

UTMB's Telehealth Technologies: Serving the State and Leading the Nation, Monday, July 9, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Mah Jongg-Tuesday, July 10, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Rosenberg House - A Private Tour, Tuesday, July 10, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Culinary Creativity - Thursday, July 12, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

America's Original Music - Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, Friday, July 13, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Labyrinth - History and Mystery, Thursday, July 19, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Galveston as Poetry (and Vice Versa), Friday, July 20, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Origami - Folding Paper Art, Tuesday, July 24, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The Rosenberg Library - One of Galveston's Hidden Treasures, Wednesday, July 25, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Alzheimer's Disease - An Expert Perspective (two-part seminar), Monday, Aug. 20, and Thursday, Aug. 23, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Explore NOAA's Protected Species Laboratory, Thursday, Aug. 30, from 10 a.m. to noon.

Writers Unite - Summer Lifestory Writing Group, Tuesdays June 19, July 3, 17 and 31; from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Tai Chi, alternate Fridays, June 22, July 6 and 20, Aug. 3, 17 and 31, from 10 to 11 a.m.
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston
Public Affairs Office
301 University Boulevard, Suite 3.102
Galveston, Texas 77555-0144
www.utmb.edu