GALVESTON, Texas - Enrollment is open for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute's Spring School 2009 at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston.Classes are open to anyone 55 and older. Tuition is $25 per class until Feb. 13 and $30 starting on Feb. 15. Membership in OLLI is required to enroll in classes. The annual membership fee is $25. Most of the classes are held in Galveston.
OLLI offers college-level courses to seniors regardless of previous education. There are no prerequisites and no grades or tests are given.
Here is the spring course schedule:
The Holocaust - Tuesdays, 10-11:30 a.m., March 3-April 28 (no class April 14)
Holocaust derives from a Greek word meaning "sacrifice by fire" and refers to genocide unequaled in human history. More than 6 million European Jews, nearly two-thirds of all European Jewry, and hundreds of thousands of others were systematically exterminated. Instructor Rabbi Jimmy Kessler's expertise as a historian will help you learn more about this era and its far-reaching ramifications.
Composers of Note(s) - Lyrics, Musicals and Movies - Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon, March 5-April 30 (no class on March 19)
Popular local entertainer Bonnye Karger examines the creative processes and lives of a select number of gifted composers of music and lyrics for stage, screen and the pop charts. Participants will reflect on how music by these composers affected and influenced lives and memories. They will also explore the elements involved in creating compositions and in the development of a stage production. No musical talent or experience is required. Composers not included in previous courses will be introduced, so the course is open to those who have taken it before.
That's Another Story - Tuesdays, 1:30-3:30 pm, Feb. 10-March 31
Scientific evidence demonstrates the importance of telling and sharing life stories. Participants at all levels of writing skill - including novices - will share their memories. In this course, participants will explore those narratives when "another story" emerged from their work in previous writing groups. The course is open only to those who have participated in previous OLLI lifestory groups. Alison Barker is the instructor.
Poets Laureate and Their America - Fridays, 1:30-3:30 p.m., March 6-May 1 (no class on April 10)
America has had a poet laureate, in one form or another, since the 1930s. Like the ones in England, ours have a certain "public function." This makes it possible to trace, via both their selection and their work, a sort of loose social history of a period, which features (besides lots of big events) the lifetimes of many OLLI participants. John Gorman is the instructor.
Global Warming: Menace or Myth? - Thursdays, 10 a.m.-noon, Feb. 12-April 2
Is global warming a menace or a myth? If you're not certain about that, join Texas A&M professor Tom Linton in exploring the most current evidence. He advises, "Before you start running for the hills or sending nasty notes to Al Gore, join me in looking into the ‘For and Against' viewpoints."
Landscape Design for Your Home - Mondays, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Feb. 2-March 23
Master Gardener Karen Lehr, whose background includes a master's degree in landscape architecture, invites you to learn the basics of site analysis, design principles and steps to follow in creating a personalized landscape design for your home. She will introduce specific plants and other materials best suited for Galveston's climate.
Mary Collects: Treasures of a Lifetime - Fridays, 10 a.m.-noon, Feb. 27-April 24 (no class on April 10)
Most of us collect one thing or another. During her lifetime, Mary Moody Northen was no different. This course is based on the Moody Mansion's exhibit of the same name. Judy Godfrey, former director of Abilene's Grace Museum, will present an overview of the passion of collecting. Specific collections of Mrs. Northen will be featured each week, including Native American jewelry, icons, postcards and greeting cards.
Shall We Dance? - Wednesdays, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Feb. 25-April 15
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. If you have always wanted to try ballroom dancing, join Bill and Judy Biggs as they provide an introduction to the waltz, foxtrot and swing and perhaps a few other steps as well. This class is open to novice and experienced dancers. If you want to join, please call the OLLI office. Even if you don't already have a partner, we may be able to match you with someone.
Mah Jongg - Tuesdays, morning session (10 a.m.-noon) and afternoon session (1-3 p.m.), Feb. 10-March 31
Participants must register for either the morning or afternoon session, and attend all eight sessions in the same time slot. Learn about research demonstrating that this fast-paced, traditional Chinese tile game requiring skill, strategy, intelligence, calculation and luck engages both hippocampi of the brain. Antoinette Swinnea is the instructor.
Migratory Birds of the Texas Gulf Coast - Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m., March 31-April 29 (no class on April 1)
On Wednesday afternoons, participants will join respected ornithologist Richard Peake and other experts on birding field trips. Participants need binoculars as well as a copy of either "A Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern and Central North America," by Peterson and Peterson, "Golden Field Guide," by Chandler Robbins, or "National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America Fifth Edition," by Jon L. Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer. Participants must have adequate mobility for outdoor activities. This class meets twice a week for four weeks.
Truth and Consequences: Writing Creative Nonfiction - Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m., March 5-April 23 Participants will explore the varieties of creative nonfiction, including memoir, personal essay and narrative nonfiction or literary journalism through readings and discussion and through their own writing. Participants will work in the subgenres of their choice, creating true stories for publication, for posterity or for personal satisfaction. Instructor Kathryn Eastburn is a journalist and the author of "Simon Says: A True Story of Boys, Guns and Murder" (DaCapo Press/Perseus Books) and "A Sacred Feast: Reflections on Sacred Harp Singing and Dinner on the Ground" (University of Nebraska Press).
Science and Strategy of Poker - Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m., Feb. 12-April 2
Instructor Stan Blazyk turns his scientific, inquiring mind to the topic of cognitive skill required to understand the math and probability theory necessary for success in the complex game of poker. This game of strategy and chance taxes the memory, increases observational skills, demands use of logic and decision-making while challenging interactional abilities.
Tai Chi - Mondays, 10 a.m.-11 a.m., Feb. 2-March 23
Join certified instructor Julia Barragan as she demonstrates the Yang style of tai chi. Sessions will concentrate on balance, flexibility, slow movement and breath control. Research has shown tai chi to improve balance and decrease the likelihood of falls. You'll gain an appreciation of the practical value of moderating extremes of behavior and attitude both mentally and physically.
Tai Chi - Mondays, 9-10 a.m., March 30-May 18
This is a second section of this popular course. You may sign up for one or both classes but each course requires a separate tuition fee.
Gentle Yoga-Come and experience the energy of yoga. Join registered Hatha Yoga teacher Jim Turner as he explores the relationship between physical postures and the movement of the breath. Learn breath control techniques for deeper relaxation. This class involves mild to moderate physical exertion. Participants should be able to move without assistance from lying on the floor to standing.
Gentle Yoga I - Tuesdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m., Feb. 10-March 31
Gentle Yoga II - Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 am, Feb. 5-March 26
Gentle Yoga III - Tuesdays, 1:30-2:30 p.m., April 7-May 26
Gentle Yoga IV - Thursdays, 9:30-10:30 a.m., April 2-May 21
Hurricanes and the Upper Texas Coast: What Can We Learn from Ike? - Thursdays, 1:30-3:30 p.m., April 9-June 11 (no class on April 16 and 23)
Hurricanes and tropical storms are the most fearsome and fascinating weather events facing Gulf Coast residents. Using new material, instructor: Stan Blazyk, author of "Weather: People and the Elements on a Barrier Island," will explore almost every feature of these storms, from the basic meteorological factors behind tropical weather patterns to the latest information and theories on hurricane frequency, intensity and tracking patterns. The course will also offer insights and information about Hurricane Ike. The following courses are offered at the Johnny Arolfo Civic Center, 450 W. Walker, in League City:
Lifestories as Legacy - Mondays, 1:30-3:30 p.m., April 6-June 1 (no class on May 25)
Scientific evidence demonstrates the importance of telling and sharing lifestories. This course explores the decades of life. Learners at all levels of writing skill, including novices, will share their memories. No prior writing skills are required. Alison Barker is the instructor.
What Do Jews Believe and Why? - Thursdays, 10-11:45 a.m., Feb. 5-March 26
In this basic course on beliefs in Judaism, instructor: Rabbi Stuart Federow will introduce Jewish understandings of God, Satan or the devil, original sin, Jewish law, the "sacrifices," the Messiah, holidays and holy days, life cycle events and Jewish responses to controversial issues of contemporary times.
Global Warming: Menace or Myth? - Tuesdays, 10-11:45 a.m., Feb. 10-March 31
Is global warming a menace or a myth? If you're not certain about that, join Texas A&M professor Tom Linton in exploring the most current evidence. He advises, "Before you start running for the hills or sending nasty notes to Al Gore, join me in looking into the ‘For and Against' viewpoints."
Participants must register to hold a space in any course. Registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis.
Call 409-771-9008 to register for classes or for information. Registration is also available by e-mail: Sierpina at msierpin@utmb.edu or Julia Barragan, OLLI coordinator, at jdbarrag@utmb.edu.
Participant must purchase an annual membership OLLI annual membership, which is valid from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31 of each year. All memberships expire on Aug. 31.