Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Denver Winter 2016

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Historic Mansions on the Hill

T he first year of OLLI’s WELLAware program culminates in an extraordinary journey to St.

Petersburg, Russia. OLLI members will travel from June 22 to July 2, 2016 in a trip which will include:

• Exploring historic sites in the company of our educational guide,

• Touring St. Petersburg University and hearing about the current Russian political and economic climate from a University professor,

• Visiting the U.S. Consulate General,

• Savoring Russian cuisine at a variety of local restaurants, including a dinner cruise on the river Neva,

• Enjoying an evening performance at the internationally acclaimed Marinsky theatre,

• Free time to explore and shop on our own in unique Russian markets.

Our five star hotel, The Radisson Royal, is located in the heart of St. Petersburg on Nevsky Prospect along the Neva River. (www.radisson.comien/hotel-stpetersburg)

The cost is $4325 per person, double occupancy. Single supplement is $750. The price includes airfare from Denver, all ground transportation, educationally focused guides, lodging, all breakfasts, four lunches, all dinners. It also includes an opportunity for an evening conversation with our first OLLI ‘visiting scholar’ (see p. 8), who will be presenting a class during our spring term. The all in one fee does not include visa cost, personal hotel charges, and alcoholic beverages. To confirm reserved space call the OLLI office with a $500/per person deposit asap. For additional information, including detailed itinerary and hotel information, contact Debbie at 303 872 3090: email Debra.loftin@DU.edu.

E ager to tour a part of Denver new to

some, 35 OLLI members met at the Molly Brown House on Sept. 26 for a walking tour of Capitol Hill. Our small groups were led by enthusiastic and knowledgeable docents of the Historic Denver Society through a neighborhood of historic mansions, home to the movers and shakers of Denver at the end of the 19th century.

We were treated to stories of Cap Hill’s founding, changes, and growth and the prominent architects involved in the design of its diverse styles from Victorian to Art Deco. Notable architecture includes Poet’s Row, comprised of several blocks of Art Deco-styled apartment houses

bearing the names of famous literary figures from Mark Twain to Emily Dickinson. Also well-known are The Cathedral of Immaculate

Conception and the 1890 Croke-Patterson Mansion (now the Patterson Inn). Thanks to the WELLAware committee for organizing this great tour.

– Cindy DeMoss

St. Petersburg Trip

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“Member SpotlightPAUL MAURO

Note: This issue’s spotlight person was NOT selected by the editors.

T he fusion of two well-known

maxims about not wasting time generates “don’t let the moss grow under your feet.” This “malaphor” perfectly embodies Paul Mauro’s philosophy of keeping busy, with many activities focused on volunteering for nonprofit groups involving children. This past holiday season, Paul worked with Project Recycle repairing bicycles donated for children in need. Paul also works as a “CASA” – a court-appointed special advocate - wherein he builds mentoring relationships with foster children so that he can advise social workers and the courts about his observations on what is in the best interests of the child(ren). Because he considers himself to be “a huge supporter of learning and schools,” many of Paul’s volunteer activities, in Virginia, Arizona and Colorado, have focused on supporting young people’s educational and emotional health. He has been involved with Big Brothers, Junior Achievement, and developed a middle school mediation program which promoted nonaggressive problem solving.

Unlike the emotionally needy children with whom he has been so involved, Paul recalls his own childhood as a happy one. He was born in New York, but, because his father was in the military, his family moved about every six months after Paul’s first few years. When he was ten, his family settled down in Limestone, Maine, a town split between military personnel and potato farmers, located about 170 miles north of Bangor. After high school graduation, Paul headed west to be closer to his high school girlfriend, then in California, but compromised to please his parents by going only as far west as the University of Denver. (There he met and worked with fraternity brother and fellow OLLI member Piet Kallemeyn). At DU Paul majored in math, but it was computer studies that consumed him. After graduation he completed his westward trek, moving to California where he got his first job working as a civilian on military computer systems. His first computer was 6 feet tall by 3 feet wide, and had a small fraction of the power that resides in his laptop today. He was elated when, in the mid-2000s while touring a naval ship, he learned some of the software he had developed in the ‘70s was still in use on the Navy’s E2C flying radar platform. After Paul’s final job

(air traffic control research for the FAA in Virginia), he and his wife left the corporate world to open a small packaging and shipping business, having found a niche in shipping furniture for Virginia antique dealers.

Five years later, in 2001, Paul and his wife took an early retirement. The decision on where to go involved another geographical proximation made by drawing circles on a map encompassing southern California, where their grandchildren lived, and Steamboat Springs, where they owned a townhouse. The point of intersection -- Prescott, Arizona -- became their next destination. In Prescott Paul continued his pace: starting Junior Achievement in the middle schools, becoming a CASA, and, last but not least, jumping into OLLI full force. He served on the curriculum committee, facilitated, attended, edited the newsletter, and designed their first website. Alas, after eight years he came to dislike the ultra-rightwing politics of Arizona, and moved to Denver at the end of 2011.

After the first thirty+ years focus on engineering and computers, Paul now relishes learning “about all kinds of things.” He usually reads a couple of books at a time, and he stays physically active, travels with Pat, and maintains his youth-oriented volunteering. With OLLI, Paul has taught computers, led a wine class, led cyber-security, the supreme court and TED Talks. He is currently co-chair of the political science-current events subcommittee of the curriculum committee. Aside from those activities, it is, he says, being at home editing the OLLI-South newsletter that gives him his “creativity kick” that he misses from the computer days.

– Ellen Sloan

On-Line Registration T he University College at Denver University has made

a key decision affecting OLLI. After lengthy study DU has selected a new platform for on-line registration for all the programs under this division. That includes OLLI. It is the goal of the college to use on-line registration for the Fall term 2016. Even if that schedule proves too challenging we can all look forward to signing up for OLLI class on our computers at some point in the not-too-distant future. For those not equipped for on-line signup a manual procedure will still be available although the procedure may have to adjusted to be consistent with the on-line program.

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Four Innovative TherapiesFacilitator: Anne Bennett

W hat do a musician, artist, gardener or animal lover have in common? They have interests and passion

that have become legitimate therapies. Welcome to some of the most innovative treatment of the 21st century. These all have reach from Alzheimer’s to PTSD and are used in healthcare, rehabilitation and other therapeutic settings.

Art therapy: is designed to improve self-awareness and provide emotional and psychological healing. Danielle Rifkin will share her holistic approach to art therapy.

Music therapy: can involve musical instruments, singing, listening to music and meditating. Sylvia Trujillo will show Music as therapy, including techniques, tools and benefits.

Animal Assisted Therapy: Animal’s intuitiveness helps individuals and families to overcome a myriad of physical, mental and emotional issues. Meet Bentley and his human partner Arnie, and learn about Animal Assisted Therapy and Activity.

Horticulture therapy: is an active process involving gardening and plant-based activities to assist with psychiatric challenges, recovery from physical and emotional injury. Janet Kester will share her love of gardening and her work with horticulture that transformed lives.

The Triumphs and Tragedy of Julius CaesarFacilitator: David Williams

J ulius Caesar was a pivotal figure in world history, conquering most of the known world and instituting

innovative governmental ideas. As a general, writer, and statesman, no one else in his time came close. Many consider him among the greatest men who ever lived. Consequently, Caesar the legend may have eclipsed Caesar the man. In this class we will learn the truth. Through academic biography and Shakespearean literature, class members will come to a better understanding of the complicated man behind the legend.

Russia in All of Its OLLI Glory, a Spring Speaker SeriesFacilitator: Barbe Ratcliffe

L ast year OLLI launched its newest

program: Worldview. The first country selected is Russia. At OLLI South we will embrace the many aspects of this fascinating and mysterious country by having each of the different areas of our Curriculum Committee address topics of Russia, creating a brief and unique look into the complexity of this country.

The first two weeks of the speaker series will explore a bit of the history of Russia from roughly 862 CE through the present, including insights into the economics of Russia during this period.

The third week of the speaker series will see us exploring Russian literature through the Russian playwright Anton Chekhov and the film adaptation of his enduring play ‘Uncle Vanya’. This movie stars Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Next we will move to an introduction to Russian art and ballet. During this class we will be introduced to Russian artists including Kandinsky and Chagall and a review of some of the most famous Russian ballets. Have you ever wondered about the training methods for some of the most accomplished dancers in the world?

Following literature and art, we will learn more about the faith and religions of Russia, a very multi-ethnic and multi-faith nation. This session will share the history of Orthodox Christianity, Russia’s largest religion.

This series will conclude with three classes on daily life in Russia; the marvels of Russian aviation; and a review of the current political environment and current events.

All in all, this Speaker Series will provide an interesting snapshot of the country we call Russia. I look forward to seeing you there.

Coming Attractions: Spring Term

Don’t Miss: ‘What’s It All About’Be sure not to miss this OLLI South special Lunch & Learn presentation on January 21 (11:45) from Manager Jenny Fortenberry and other members. They will explain how OLLI at DU, including OLLI South, are organized and function. Also they will go over the budget and growth and our future rate structure.

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I t is clear the word is out. More and more individuals like

yourself are finding out about the amazing organization that we know as OLLI South. With this growth in our membership comes a number of changes, some already in place, and some contemplated.

Due to the efforts of all its volunteers, and the attitude of its members, we have a fun and welcoming place to learn with fellow members; a non-judgmental arena with amazing class offerings which entice even the most educated individuals to expand their horizons of learning. The challenge we all have now is to preserve the special atmosphere while growing at a rapid pace.

The OLLI South Curriculum Committee and Advisory Council, with direction from Manager Jenny Fortenberry, have looked for ways to handle the growth while maintaining the environment of conviviality and friendship we now enjoy.

Thank you to everyone who has offered your skills and talents to allow us to continue to grow. And, that said, I would like to share some of the considerations being reviewed at this time to allow us to optimize all aspects of our current scenario.

The first order of business is the need for facilitators to offer more classes and to share their different and unique backgrounds with the members.

Next is space; that is covered in the following article.

Third, you will begin seeing different types of classes. During the Spring 2016 term we will be launching a speaker series on Russia where different individuals from the different curriculum areas will address Russia.

Finally, we are looking into launching yet another type of class at OLLI South this spring…a Soiree. In this case, it will be a Literary Soiree where each attendee will be responsible for a 50 minute segment of presentation and discussion.

And, as always, we are looking for volunteers for all the other aspects required to make a success of this organization. Please contact Barbe if you would like to share your passion with the amazing members of OLLI South.

– Barbe Ratcliffe

OLLI No Longer a Secret

Y ou just read how our membership is expanding rapidly. This brings with it the joys of new friends and potential

class offerings, and the challenge of fitting into the space at Valley View Christian Church. Of course we could offer fewer classes each term. But nobody wants to arbitrarily limit our excellent offerings because we don’t have the rooms to host them.

Our members comment on the sense of community offered at OLLI South. In an effort to retain this sense of community, and fit ourselves into the one facility, we are exploring various options not previously experienced at OLLI at DU. We thought about using a second facility. But this would reduce our sense of community.

So we need to access additional rooms. We don’t have much flexibility there but you probably noticed we have started using the Sanctuary for very large classes. We are also

preparing a permanent move of the coffee room to the cafe area on the main floor. That frees up room 212 for classes. [It also means we will have to go downstairs during breaks - but the walking will do us all good, yes?] These changes may well allow OLLI South to stay in one facility for a few more years. However, our growth rate has been so strong we are also examining our scheduling options.

One of the possibilities under consideration is to change our current schedule of two class periods a day to three. This may mean starting classes earlier and ending later than currently. It could also potentially impact our ‘lunch hour’.

At this time, no official decisions have been made, and Jenny and Barbe welcome your thoughts and opinions. Feel free to stop either of them in the hall or email them at BeUnlimited@aol.com (Barbe) or OlliSouth@gmail.com (Jenny).

– Barbe Ratcliffe

For Growth We Need Added Space

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International Symposium:

U.S. Foreign Policy

O LLI’s 2015 international symposium, “Beyond 2016 American Global Strategy in a Changing World”

was attended were 180 enthusiastic OLLI members. The morning presentation was “America’s Post War Foreign Policy”, presented by Ambassador Christopher Hill, Dean of the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. He presented historical facts that have led to the rise of the Islamic state and the current situation in the Ukraine with Russia.

Following Ambassador Hill’s talk, members had lunch and time for socializing. In the afternoon, “The 2016 Presidential Contest and Its Impact on American Foreign Policy” was presented by Floyd Ciruli, Director of the Crossley center for International Research at the University of Denver. Mr. Ciruli discussed the 2016 presidential candidates and other world leaders’ political views, positions on foreign policies, and their current political statistical status. Overall the symposium was a great success everyone left well informed, well fed, and well socialized.

– Florence Welch

A Word From Our Director:

Tuition Increase Coming

A s we continue to celebrate our 20th anniversary we are reminiscing on how far we have come…from 76

students sitting in a small building taking nine classes per term to 2500 students in six buildings taking 125 classes each term! As rewarding as our growth has been it also brings challenges: adequate facilities and parking, up-to-date technology, and enough personnel.

As responsible stewards of our member’s tuition we have kept our fees as low as possible: there has been no increase since our inception 20 years ago. In order to sustain our commitment to excellence, in product and delivery, we find an increase in tuition unavoidable at this time. Consequently, to make OLLI at DU financially sustainable for the future, we will implement a $30 increase in our fees beginning in fall term. This will bring the all-inclusive per term tuition to $130.

We appreciate your understanding and your incredible support of OLLI at DU.

– Vonnie Wheeler

Ed. Note: For questions about the increase please attend the Lunch and Learn on January 21. See article on page 3.

Winter Lunch & LearnsW elcome back to OLLI! In addition to the

wonderful courses we have to offer, there are other learning experiences available, such as Lunch & Learn. These lunch time get-togethers invite members to bring a lunch and listen to a speaker for one hour – 11:45am to 12:45pm - between morning and afternoon class periods.

Winter term, we have the following Lunch & Learn sessions scheduled:

• Thursday, January 21: Jenny Fortenberry – OLLI: What’s It All About?

• Tuesday, January 26: Carrie Saldo – Arts District and Other Arts News from Rocky Mountain PBS

• Tuesday, February 2: Connie Shoemaker – The Power of Secrets and Life Story-Telling

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, February 16, 17, 18: Faye Hastings & Joe Clements – The Noon Show, where you can learn about courses in Spring term

• Wednesday, February 24: Brent Parks – Air Bags: How They Work; What’s the Controversy?

As you can see, there’s something for everyone! We will provide more information about each event closer to its scheduled date.

As I assume responsibility for coordinating Lunch & Learn sessions, I want to thank Ruth Harthun for helping Jenny Fortenberry to launch and manage this innovative effort. I also invite OLLI members to submit ideas for Lunch & Learn sessions for future terms. Such sessions can be offered by you, your friends, and/or your associates. Call or e-mail Anne Christner (303-904-7412; christner.anne@gmail.com) with ideas and any questions you may have.

See you this winter with our brown bags in hand! – Anne Christner

DID YOU KNOW…Denver’s FOX31 News did an excellent segment on OLLI at DU? You may view it at this link:

http://kdvr.com/2015/10/18/curiosity-never-retires-for-an-inquisitive-growing-group-of-seniors/

OLLI was recognized recently in a New York Times article? In case you missed it, here is the link:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/02/your-money/older-students-learn-for-the-sake-of-learning.html?src=me&_r=1

“ In order to sustain our commitment to

excellence, in product and delivery, we find

an increase in tuition unavoidable at this time.”

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NREL Tour Delights

I n a fitting ending to a outstanding Fall term class, OLLI members visited the National Renewable Energy

Laboratory in Golden. Gary Wyngarden, facilitator for Capitalism vs. the Planet, had invited guest speakers to address the class as part of the regular class sessions. When David Warner, External Relations Manager in the Public Affairs Office for NREL spoke, Gary convinced him to give the group a tour of the Lab at the end of the term.

On the first snowy day of the season about half the class members ventured out for the tour. The sentiment was unanimous that the tour was very interesting and educational. The group learned about challenges in our environment and observed numerous projects and experiments conducted at the Lab. Examples are: how a normal household kitchen uses energy and how it can limit its use; how efficient are the different hybrid and electric autos; and designing wind turbine farms to maximize efficiency of each turbine. NREL’s simulation and visualization laboratories allow researchers to visualize complex systems and operations in a completely virtual environment, including immersive 3-D. The interactive 3-D aspect of this really wowed the OLLI group!

Even the buildings themselves were educational. NREL prides itself on ‘practicing what they preach’. The newer buildings were designed specifically to minimize their eco footprint with dramatic results. Windows can be opened from a central control point to use outside air for cooling and heating. South facing windows have shades that can be closed to limit heat intake. Hot air from computer areas can be moved to heat other areas. NREL works with non-government corporations to share these innovations and to evaluate other ideas for effectiveness. The 2 1/2 hour tour left the members with a greater understanding of issues, solutions, and the potential of the many new ideas NREL addresses.

– Gary Wyngarden

Zazdarovje!O r Cheers! in Russian (or something like that). There

will be another OLLI South movie and happy hour on February 5, 2016. In keeping with our Worldview: Russia theme this year, join us to watch the movie Anastasia with Yul Brynner and Ingrid Bergman.

After the movie we will head to Gabriel’s in Sedalia for vodka and stroganoff (or something more appropriate of your choosing) and social time. Remember – 2016 is All Things Russian at OLLI. Stay tuned for details on this social event in class announcements.

Jan 11-Mar 7 Winter Term

Jan 21 Lunch & Learn: What’s It All About…OLLI?

Jan 26 Lunch & Learn: Carrie Saldo – Arts District

and Other Arts News from Rocky Mountain PBS

Feb 2 Lunch & Learn: Connie Shoemaker – The Power of Secrets and Life Storytelling

Feb 5 OLLI South Movie (Anastasia) and Happy Hour (Gabriel’s)

Feb 16-18 The Noon Show: Previews of Spring Term Classes

Feb 19 OLLI West Hot Topic Lunch: How Fast the Middle East Changes – A Journalist’s Personal Perspective

Feb 22 Spring Term Registration Begins

Feb 24 Lunch & Learn: Brent Parks – Air Bags: How They Work; What’s the Controversy?

Mar 28-May 20 Spring Term

May 21 OLLI South Mexico City Trip

June 22 St. Petersburg Trip

M A R K Y O U R

Calendar

Friendship is born at the moment one person says to another: ‘What? You too?

I thought I was the only one.’– C.S. Lewis

Editor’s Note: Isn’t this one of the things

that is so special about OLLI?

An NREL employee demonstrates the potential of the 3D visualization laboratory.

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From Manager Jenny:

A s we say goodbye to 2015, I’d like to take a moment to reflect

on the amazing accomplishments at OLLI South over this past year. OLLI South continues to grow with staggering success. We grew at a record 26% over the previous year. Our Curriculum Committee nearly doubled in size and continues to bring to our members a high quality exciting product each and every term. Our Advisory Council brings to the OLLI South community social and extracurricular events in addition to overseeing the budget. We have much to be proud of at South.

As I look to 2016, I continue to see an ever expanding membership. This growth brings many challenges as well as opportunities. We will have to create ways to expand our current space to accommodate the number of new members and classes. We will need many more volunteers to not only facilitate new classes but to serve on both the CC and AC and to act as classroom assistants and other various, and important, roles. We will have to consider how best to manage our program, not only in terms of personnel but by implementing an on-line registration system. In addition, we have been forced to closely examine our current fee structure in order to meet the financial aspects of these needs.

I feel confident that 2016 will bring about many opportunities as well. With growth, we have more members to help meet our growth challenges. I feel confident all members, both new and existing, will continue in their support of OLLI South to face the future and to not only succeed but excel in our desire to bring to the community the high quality academically educationally focused product that we all have come to love.

– Jenny Fortenberry

Chancellor Chopp Addresses OLLI O LLI members learned about DU’s draft strategic

plan when Chancellor Rebecca Chopp spoke to the group of nearly 150 members at OLLI’s 20th Anniversary Luncheon on October 16.

The plan’s strategic initiatives include increased financial support for students; teaching students the skills to navigate their lives and career; assisting students in learning, living and leading in the community; and providing a multi-faceted environment that encourages students to live and work with individuals of all backgrounds.

Among other goals, the plan envisions such specific initiatives as creating an Institute for Social Policy Research as well as a Center for Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Technology. More information and the draft plan is available at www.imagine.du.edu

– Paul Simon

Cherokee Castle Tour W hat a great way to begin 2016 – with a visit to

the Cherokee Ranch and Castle, one of Douglas County’s most magnificent treasures. On January 7, OLLI members and guests were treated to a delightful afternoon touring the Castle, learning about its history and the people who made it come to life, and enjoying scrumptious food and lively fellowship.

– Shirley Bartlett

Summer Seminar:

Archaeological Canoe Trip Down the Gunnison River

A s a part of OLLI’s Summer Seminars we have arranged another educational canoe trip. This time the focus is

on Archaeology on the Gunnison River led by Lucy Bambrey who holds an Archaeology Degree from DU.

This is a private trip for OLLI members scheduled for June 24 – 26, 2016. Cost of the adventure is $425 per person which includes: all meals, professional canoe guides and equipment, and archaeology expertise both on the river and hiking the canyons. If paid by April 15 the rate is only $392. Make your reservation early by sending your check to the OLLI office, 2211 S. Josephine St., Denver, 80208. Be sure and note “canoe trip” on your check. Attendance is limited so register early.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI)

2211 South Josephine St., Denver, CO 80208303-871-3090

www.universitycollege.du.edu/olli

Jenny Fortenberry, Program ManagerOLLI South 720-339-1379

ollisouth@gmail.com

OLLI South classes meet at 11004 Wildfield Lane, Littleton, CO 80125

Introduce OLLI to a friend. . .Bring a Buddy to Class.

Any day, any time. As a courtesy, please let your facilitator know in advance.

Openings Remain for Mexico CityT he trip to Mexico City hosted by facilitator Abe

Grinberg still has slots available. Twenty six members have signed up so far but Abe reports additional slots are available. The eight day tour departs Denver on May 21, 2016 and costs $1375 per person double occupancy. The registration includes a 4-star hotel, airfare, tours, and transportation around the city. The only thing not included is personal spending and meals. Several group meals are planned at special venues but those will be paid separately by those who opt to attend. Contact Abe at abegri@ comcast.net. before Jan. 31.

OLLI South Key PeopleAdvisory Council Chair Jim Hornor: jyh2125@aol.comCurriculum Committee Chair Barbe Ratcliffe: beunlimited@aol.comProgram Manager Jenny Fortenberry: ollisouth@gmail.com

720-339-1379Newsletter EditorPaul Mauro: pandpmauro@gmail.comSouth website: https://portfolio.du.edu/ollisouth

Upcoming Facilitator TrainingFacilitating for the first time?Haven’t facilitated in a while?Planning to facilitate in the near future?

A ll of the above are good reasons to attend the Facilitator Training session on January 29. You will

learn the basics of being an OLLI facilitator, including do’s and don’ts, what A/V equipment you have available, how to plan your class, co-facilitators and mentors, etc. You will even get helpful tips from seasoned facilitators. And as if all that wasn’t incentive enough, OLLI springs for your breakfast. It starts at 9am. Stay tuned for sign-up details.

For those of you who are thinking about facilitating, or are willing to consider facilitating, there will be a second information session during the spring term. Stay tuned for an announcement about that.

Russian Scholar to VisitA ll three OLLI sites

are in the midst of this year’s WorldView focus on Russia. From history to the arts members are immersing themselves in classes and activities that provide a broad, insightful look at this incredible, but often controversial country. During the spring term OLLI will welcome its first “visiting scholar” from St. Petersburg. Lubja Kaverina, a professor and author, will be presenting a six week class at OLLI Central, entitled “Russian History as Seen through the eyes of Three Generations of Women.” Look for the spring term catalog for details about the class.

Lubja will stay in members’ homes and will participate in many of the OLLI activities that will take place during her stay with us. We encourage OLLI members to reach out to Lubja and perhaps have her to dinner with a group of friends. She speaks fluent English, having been an interpreter for many American business men and women. Contact Vonnie Wheeler (vwheel@comcast.net) if you would like to host Lubja during the spring term.

– Vonnie Wheeler