Last month I wrote about nearby recreational opportunities for seniors. This month I want to share educational opportunities that are open to adults age 50 and older. The University of Washington has a little known program, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, which began in 2006 with a handful of classes. It has now grown into a large program offering 15-20 classes each quarter. In the early years, the classes were offered on the Seattle campus and at the Trilogy retirement community in Redmond. Residents at Trilogy helped the University’s extension program staff develop the Osher Institute after learning that several other colleges around the country had an Osher-funded program with classes for seniors.

Currently the Osher program holds classes in several locations in addition to the UW campus and Trilogy. These sites include the University House retirement community in Wallingford, Horizon House on First Hill and Mirabella in South Lake Union.

To participate in Osher there is a yearly membership fee of $35. Each class you register for in an additional $30-45. Members can enroll in as many classes as they wish at any of the locations. The classes usually have 3-7 two-hour sessions. They are scheduled during the day and evening.

A sampling of the classes that are currently scheduled for Winter Quarter include:

1. History of Early Seattle
2. Understanding Your Immune System
3. A Hemingway Sampler
4. Middle Eastern History
5. Colonial America: 1700-1776
6. The World’s Greatest Art and Architecture
7. Folk Music
8. Geology of the Pacific NW
9.  Comparative Religion
10. Ecology of the Pacific NW
11. Life in a Crowded Cosmos
12. McBeth.

Over the 7 years since the Osher Institute started I’ve taken more than 2 dozen classes. I have enjoyed most of the very much, Some of my personal favorites were:

1. A weekend-long class at the UW marine laboratory in Friday Harbor on San Juan Island
2. Antarctica
3. Current Issues in East Africa
4. The Power of Advertising
5. Politics and the American Media
6. History of Jazz.

As you can see, the classes cover a huge range of subjects and interesting topics. It’s fun to take classes with no tests or texts required. The class discussion is often lively and entertaining as well as educational.

You can find out more about the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on the UW’s website: http://www.osher.uw.edu/.

Julee Neuhart, Pres.
Montlake Community Club

Is exercise a part of your 2014 resolutions?

New fitness classes start next week at Montlake Community Center.  Here is a link to fitness classes taught at all the City’s community centers. Select Fitness, Health & Wellness on the left sidebar and Montlake as a location to see what classes are being taught in our neighborhood.

A new session of Pilates starts Monday at 7:00.  Stott Pilates is a series of exercises that builds core strength and improves flexibility.  Pilates is especially helpful if you are just getting started with an exercise program, recovering from an injury or are just hoping to physically get  around a little easier.

The next five class session starting January 6th costs $40, $34 seniors.  Drop in fee is just $10.

Please contact the instructor, Mary Freiburger, if you have any questions or concerns Maryfreiburger@comcast.net.

Hope to see you there!

1.  I’m a quick 12 minute drive (a little longer by Metro bus on the #25 route), to see Santa Claus in the window of the downtown Nordstrom store.

2.  At an altitude of 28 feet above sea level, I rarely have to deal with the snow that blankets my relatives in Everett, Renton and Maple Valley.

3.  I’m especially grateful that for the first time, I will have a grandchild at the dinner table on Christmas, who lives just a short drive from my Montlake home.

The holiday spirit of generous giving is everywhere in our neighborhood this year,  At the December board meeting, our Treasurer, Connie Bain, reported that our fundraising drive has brought in more that $3500 so far, with donations coming from 66 Montlake neighbors.  For those of you who still have the fundraising envelope we dropped at your front door last month, I hope you’ll make a donation to the Community Club.  You can also donate online via Paypal when you are visiting our website at www.montlake.net.  As our funds expand, it allows us to take on more projects.  Much of what we do for the neighborhood is done with volunteer labor.  But sometimes cold hard cash is needed to get the job done.  Example:  Our Snow Brigade is  now ready to reach out  and help snow-bound neighbors when the next snowstorm hits.  But first we had to buy a phone line so we can take calls from those in need and dispatch “brigadiers” and their shovels.

Another sign of our neighborhood generosity:  34 volunteers stepped forward to sign up for the Snow Brigade.  That great turnout has warmed the hearts of our co-chairs for this project, Kathy Laughman and Bryan Haworth.

Another generous gift to the neighborhood was reported to the Board by Montlake Community Center Advisory Council and Montlake Family Fitness.  They have reached their fundraising goal, through grants and individual donations.  As a result, the children’s playground renovation at the Community Center will be much bigger and better.  In addition to the new playground equipment which has now been installed and was provided by the city’s Park Department levy, the funds raised by Montlake Family Fitness will provide an outdoor sports court for basketball and outdoor exercise equipment.  2014 will bring a new look to the park and expanded outdoor activities for young and old Montlake residents.

Thank you Montlake neighbors for your generous support!  And a Happy New Year!

Submitted by Julee Neuhart, President

Montlake Community Club