Browse Curriculum

Is the key to living to a ripe old age simply a matter of avoiding fats, sugar, red meat and running several miles every day? Stress is raising cortisol levels, suppressing our immune response and ravaging our health. Statistics confirm that Americans are suffering from a different epidemic: loneliness and unhappiness. What can we do? We will discuss the role of relationships, use of social media and our microbiome in improving our health.
Presenter: Ronald Froehlich, science professor
Date and time: Wed., Jan. 22, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Have you ever wondered how all the electronic gadgets in your world work? What does it really mean when a gadget is “digital?” If you don’t know a volt from an amp from a watt, then this (mostly) non-technical guide to the basics of electricity and electronics is for you.
Presenter: Paul Nelson, retired Senior Engineer, DRAM Research and Development, Micron Technology
Dates and times: Thu., Jan. 23, 30, and Feb. 6, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $35

This overview of the June 25-26, 1876, Battle of the Little Bighorn (also known as The Battle of Greasy Grass) will explore a personal history of the battle and family ancestors of the presenter. Historic photos of those who participated in the event also will be shared.
Presenter: Donovin Sprague, author and lecturer
Date and time: Fri., Jan. 24, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Ongoing research suggests school boards affect student experiences, opportunities and outcomes. We will consider the ways in which this distal relationship influences what takes place in schools and examine current trends in school board elections. We also will contemplate ways to develop and maintain a school board culture of collaboration, with focus on students and civil discourse.
Presenter: Dr. Phil Gore, speaker, researcher, author and Chief Learning Officer, Idaho School Boards Association
Date and time: Mon., Jan. 27, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

In 1763, colonists across British North America toasted King George, his ministers and his military. In New York City, grateful colonists erected a statue of their great king. On July 9, 1776, a crowd of American soldiers and sailors tore down this same statue and melted it down into 42,088 musket balls to fire at the king’s army. We will explore the tumultuous 13 years between 1763 and 1776 and examine four extraordinary events that turned 13 loyal British colonies into a united confederation willing to go to war to achieve independence.
Presenter: Dr. Richard Bell, Professor of History, University of Maryland
Dates and times: Tue., Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, and 18, 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Cost: $45
COMING JUNE 2025! Dr. Bell will once again present for the Osher Institute in person! Stay tuned for details.

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of medieval scientific thought, encompassing various disciplines such as medicine, astronomy and geography. Participants will delve into the groundbreaking insights and theories proposed by influential figures like Alhazen and Hildegard of Bingen. Through in-depth analysis and interactive discussions, we will uncover the complex network of scientific inquiry that defined the medieval era.
Presenter: Dr. Ilya Dines, Codicology Specialist, Library of Congress and Chief Paleographer, The Lazarus Project
Dates and times: Tue., Jan. 28, Feb. 4 and 11, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $35

Art has a significant impact on fostering healthy communities. This course will explore how creative group projects can enhance social bonds, promote mutual support and build a sense of belonging. Participants will engage in several collaborative art activities designed to encourage expression and communication. Each session will feature easy, guided artmaking experiences combined with insights from social research on community building. No prior art experience is needed.
Presenter: Terra Feast, K-12 Professional Development Manager and adjunct art professor, Boise State University
Dates and times: Wed., Jan. 29 and Feb. 5, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $45
Capacity: 40

In his 70-year career, producer Norman Lear reshaped the American television landscape, first with “All in the Family” in 1971, then with a string of era-defining hit series. We will explore how it all happened and track Lear’s career over four decades, including his work in the streaming space as he neared his 100th birthday. Key battles, lesser hits, sizable misses, headline-making controversies—it’s all here, adding to Lear’s status as one of the most important television artists of the 20th century.
Presenter: Jim McKairnes, former CBS Television executive, writer and college instructor
Dates and times: Wed., Jan. 29, Feb. 5, and 12, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $35

Taiwan has made headlines in recent years, but do you know the journey of Taiwan’s history? Join us to learn about the history of Taiwan, what makes Taiwan unique and its importance on the world stage.
Presenter: En-Hsun (Vanessa) Lai, Visiting Professor of Chinese, Department of World Languages, Boise State University
Date and time: Thu., Jan. 30, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Dance for Parkinson’s Idaho is a Treasure Valley nonprofit that brings dance, music and movement to our Parkinson’s Disease (PD) community. We will explore the use of dance, live music and community to develop artistry and grace while addressing PD-specific concerns such as balance, flexibility, coordination, gait, isolation and depression. We will start seated and supported, then move to standing. We also will discuss PD, the Dance for PD method and ways that movement and music make a difference. No dance experience is necessary.
Presenter: Elizabeth Keller, ballet dancer
Date and time: Fri., Jan. 31, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Is recycling worth the effort? Where does it all go when you recycle? This lecture will explore the rapidly changing world of materials management. We also will debunk a few myths and discuss how to be an idealist while practicing good waste management actions today. Plastics, glass and all that cardboard in our lives will be reviewed. New opportunities are being developed to manage materials, including chemical and mechanical recycling and designing for recyclability.
Presenter: Catherine Chertudi, Principal Owner, Rivers Edge Environmental Consulting
Date and time: Mon, Feb. 3, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Both myth and memoir share a structure: Somebody goes into the woods and comes out wiser about the ways of the world, emerging with an elixir (real or symbolic) to bring healing and hope. In this workshop for writers in all genres who wish to work with life writing, we will use myth as structure to help shape ordinary life events. Writers will develop new ways to combine universal themes, stories and symbols with their own true voice—a way to write our lives and make it matter.
Presenter: Elisabeth McKetta, award-winning author, teacher and speaker
Date and time: Thu., Feb. 6, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $20
Capacity: 20

Join other Osher members for an entertaining afternoon at the Osher Institute where we will share a staff-selected documentary to enjoy. There will be time to socialize before and after the program. Refreshments are included. This free program has been created just for Osher members, but registration is required. The selection for this month is “Mercury 13.”
Date and time: Fri., Feb. 7, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

This lecture will provide an introductory tutorial to the variety of resources available within the Boise Public Library website.
Presenter: Aurora Galloway, Information Services Librarian, Boise Public Library
Date and time: Thu., Feb. 13, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Join other Osher members for an entertaining afternoon at the Osher Institute where we will share a staff-selected documentary to enjoy. There will be time to socialize before and after the program. Refreshments are included. This free program has been created just for Osher members, but registration is required. The selection for this month is “Hack Your Health: The Secrets of Your Gut.”
Date and time: Fri., Feb. 14, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

This lecture will discuss the history of the oboe and English horn and their places in the symphony orchestra. A demonstration of both instruments will be given, as well as a performance of orchestral excerpts and short solo oboe works. We also will cover the mechanics of the instruments and the process involved in making reeds.
Presenter: Peter Stempe, musician and former first chair oboist, Boise Philharmonic Orchestra
Date and time: Wed., Feb. 19, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $10

Dive into a better understanding of sonnets, iambic pentameter, blank verse and more, with hands-on activities, familiar examples from Shakespeare’s works and interactive fun.
Presenter: Gregory Taylor, former teacher-librarian and English teacher, Boise Public Schools
Date and time: Wed., Feb. 19, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $10
Capacity: 40

This lecture will cover the three steps to create a retirement plan: assess your current situation, identify goals and implement a plan. We will discuss the purpose for the documents used in estate plans (Financial Powers of Attorney, Health Powers of Attorney, Last Wills and Testaments, End of Life Choices, and Revocable and Irrevocable Trusts) and how to pay for long-term residential care. We also will address family conflict, loss of independence and not having agents to help with finances and health decisions when needed.
Presenter: Susan Graham, JD, Founder, Senior Edge Legal
Date and time: Thu., Feb. 20, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

In this lecture, participants will learn about the discovery and evolution of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) such as Ozempic and Wegovy, from groundbreaking treatments for diabetes to weight loss wonder drugs. We will explore how these medications are used to treat patients with type 2 diabetes and how their benefits expand beyond diabetes treatment.
Presenter: Michael Biddle, PharmD, Ambulatory Care Pharmacist, St. Luke’s Park Place Internal Medicine
Date and time: Thu., Feb. 20, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

This lecture will explore how Italian culture had long inspired British writers but took on new poignancy during the Napoleonic Wars. After the Battle of Waterloo, the Romantics found a renewed source of inspiration in Italy’s, and most especially Tuscany’s, artistic and literary traditions. Writers such as Lord Byron and Mary and Percy Shelley discovered a new sense of artistic freedom in the region’s landscape, literature and art. The resulting artistic output profoundly shaped the writers, painters and travelers who followed.
Presenter: Dr. Maureen McCue, writer, literary scholar and cultural historian
Date and time: Fri., Feb. 21, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

In Idaho, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is bringing people together to drive transformational change and tackle the biggest conservation challenges. TNC has three main initiatives in Idaho: Land and Water Conservation, Regenerative Agriculture and Climate Action. This lecture will cover science that is leading our conservation and climate work; examples of restoration activities happening at places like Silver Creek Preserve; the basics of regenerative agriculture and its impacts on soil health; and the collaborations needed to make these efforts successful.
Presenter: Traci Swift, Marketing and Outreach Specialist, The Nature Conservancy
Date and time: Tue., Feb. 25, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

We will explore the necessity of Holocaust education in fostering a more informed, empathetic and resilient society. This lecture aims to illuminate why remembering and understanding the Holocaust is essential, not only for honoring the memory of its victims but also for confronting and combating prejudice, discrimination and hatred in today’s world. We will discuss Holocaust education in Idaho and what actions the Council for Holocaust Awareness of Idaho is taking to impact our local communities positively.
Presenter: Kali Cusimano, Co-Founder and Executive Director, Council for Holocaust Awareness of Idaho
Date and time: Tue., Feb. 25, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Join Jeanne Huff as she explores her nontraditional path to Boise Weekly editor. It includes stints as a business writer, a weekly employee newsletter editor, reporter and editor for a technology magazine and jobs at the Idaho Statesman, Channel 6, Idaho Business Review and Idaho Press. Since Boise Weekly draws both lovers and haters, she also will discuss what it’s like working in a left-leaning newsroom set in a blue dot in a red state.
Presenter: Jeanne Huff, Editor, Boise Weekly, and Reporter and Life Editor, Idaho Press
Date and time: Wed., Feb. 26, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Embark on an odyssey through ancient Mesoamerica, where its art reveals fascinating origin myths, incredible artistic skill and profound worldviews. As we travel through the underworld, we encounter mythical forces, celestial entities and transformative shamanic powers that transcend time and cross spiritual boundaries. Prepare to be inspired by the profound legacy of Mesoamerica as we travel from the stunning Mayan temples to the monumental sculptures of the Olmec culture and beyond.
Presenter: Hugh Leeman, artist, lecturer and consultant
Dates and times: Wed., Feb. 26, Mar. 5, and 12, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $35

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream that “the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.” As daughters, Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby found a way to live Dr. King’s dream. They will tell their story of discovering their family connections and embarking on a path toward reconciliation and reparation, drawing on lessons from their 2021 book, Cousins: Connected Through Slavery, A Black Woman and a White Woman Discover Their Past and Each Other.
Presenters: Dr. Betty Kilby Baldwin and Phoebe Kilby, authors
Date and time: Thu., Feb. 27, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

The Idaho Film Society aims to pioneer meaningful cinematic experiences within our communities by designing a space where makers and their audiences can create, share and grow. Join us for a tour of the Idaho Film Society and a conversation with Executive Director Aidan Brezonick and several of the Society’s board members about the growing film scene in Boise and the industry as a whole.
Presenter: Aidan Brezonick, filmmaker and Executive Director, Idaho Film Society
Date and time: Fri., Feb. 28, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Location: Idaho Film Society, 1212 W. Bannock St., Boise
Cost: $10
Capacity: 50

This course will cover the breadth of the field of neurointerventional surgery past, present and future. We’ll discuss basic neuroanatomy, an overview of neurovascular diseases, endovascular treatment options, state-of-the-art interventional techniques, medical innovation and future applications. Bring your questions about various neurological issues for answers from an expert.
Presenter: Eric Smith, MD, Neurointerventional Radiologist, St. Luke’s Health System
Dates and times: Sat., Mar. 1 and 8, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $25

We will explore the songs and times of Stephen Sondheim, one of the great songwriters of stage and screen. Using clips from Broadway, film and television, we will share his life story, hits and misses, some gossip (all in good fun) and his genius. If music be the food of love, let’s gorge ourselves.
Presenters: Sam and Candy Caponegro, actors, co-directors and theatre instructors
Dates and times: Mon., Mar. 3 and 10, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $25

This lecture will examine the relationship humans have had with dogs, coyotes, wolves, foxes and other canids. We’ll cover historic origins of the relationship, current issues and basic biological facts about canid species in North America.
Presenter: Terry Rich, ornithologist, environmental educator and writer
Date and time: Mon., Mar. 3, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

More than 7.7 million people have fled Venezuela in recent years. Why? Through the eyes of two former Venezuelan citizens, we’ll examine causes via their insights into the culture, politics, economy and history of this oil-rich nation. We’ll also hear from an immigration lawyer regarding current immigration issues and the steps to permanent residency and naturalization.
Presenters: Felix Silva, retired Cybersecurity Manager, HP Global; Antonio Tijerino, retired Cybersecurity Advisor, HP Global, and adjunct professor, Boise State University; and Nicole Derden, Immigration Attorney
Dates and times: Tue., Mar. 4 and 11, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $25

The Seattle Times asked if the Lower Snake River Dams were removed and salmon response didn’t meet expectations, then what? The answer encompasses more than benefits to migrating salmon because a functional waterway can have immense value. This course will describe the outcomes of completed dam removal and rewilding projects in the Elwha and Klamath rivers.
Presenter: Bert Bowler, owner, Snake River Salmon Solutions
Dates and times: Tue., Mar. 4 and 11, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $25

This lecture will explore the sources and symbolism of materials used to make art during the European Middle Ages. We will consider long-distance trade networks that brought materials such as ivory, pearls and gemstones to medieval Europe. We also will explore the many meanings evoked by the physical qualities of materials (color, transparency, texture) and the socially constructed beliefs that people held about materials, such as perceived magical properties, mythical origins, etc. Case studies will include manuscripts, textiles, ivory carvings and precious metalwork.
Presenter: Rachel Danford, Associate Professor of Art History, School of Art and Design, Marshall University
Date and time: Wed., Mar. 5, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Professor Pufall Purdy will share his experiences creating the iconic habits for the first Broadway revival in 2024 of Doubt: A Parable by John Patrick Shanley. Originally slated to feature stage and screen superstar Tyne Daly, Professor Pufall Purdy will give a detailed account of the process of creating clothing for a national promotional photoshoot and the Great White Way, along with the challenges faced when the headline star falls ill the morning of the first preview performance.
Presenter: Darrin Pufall Purdy, Professor of Theatre Arts and Director of University Theatre and Costume Design, Boise State University
Date and time: Thu., Mar. 6, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

This lecture will explore the fundamental biology of fungi, their place in the evolutionary history of life, and their role in life on this planet now.
Presenter: Dr. Mickey Myhre, Founder, IDX Pathology and President, Southern Idaho Mycological Association
Date and time: Thu., Mar. 6, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Join other Osher members for an entertaining afternoon at the Osher Institute where we will share a staff-selected documentary to enjoy. There will be time to socialize before and after the program. Refreshments are included. This free program has been created just for Osher members, but registration is required. The selection for this month is “Like A Rolling Stone.”
Date and time: Fri., Mar. 7, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

University Distinguished Professor Matt Kohn will describe his adventures living in China during the global pandemic for five months in summer and fall of 2021. Illustrated with numerous images, you’ll hear about the roadblocks that both the U.S. and Chinese governments erected to hinder travel for scientists; what it’s like to live in a quarantine hotel; how China monitors its citizens; the generosity and culture of Chinese people; and the varied attractions and landscapes of foods of China. Comparison to more recent conditions also will be presented.
Presenter: Dr. Matt Kohn, Distinguished Professor in Geosciences, Boise State University
Date and time: Mon., Mar. 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

This lecture will cover the most effective ways to leave money to charities as part of your estate plan. Topics will include the best types of assets to leave to charities; the pros and cons of donor advised funds versus family foundations; and ways to reduce taxes through charitable giving. Boise State University Foundation also will offer insight into how charities use donations and practical advice on working with charities to achieve your goals.
Presenters: Shaila Buckley, JD, Founder, Shaila Buckley Law; Rachel Murphy, JD, principal attorney, Shaila Buckley Law; and Bart Hendricks, Senior Director of Charitable Gift Planning, Boise State University Foundation
Date and time: Wed., Mar. 12, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

On November 16, 1961, two physicians—Widukind Lenz in Germany and William McBride in Australia—independently identified the sleeping pill, thalidomide, as the cause of a pandemic of horrific birth defects. In this course, we will discuss thalidomide’s mechanism of action, the class action suit brought by victims in Australia against Diageo Co., UK and the dearth of studies that have been published about the drug.
Please note: This course will meet on subsequent days.
Presenter: Dr. Trent Stephens, retired professor, Idaho Dental Education, Idaho State University
Dates and times: Thu. and Fri., Mar. 13 and 14, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $25

Hawai’i’s Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island of Hawai’i is home to Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on the planet, and the recently active Mauna Loa volcano. Attractions of the park include eruption events, numerous craters and cinder cones, an accessible lava tube, steam vents, evidence of recent lava flows and active ground subsidence that destroys highways and ancient Hawai’ian petroglyphs. This lecture will explore many of the park’s features from both on the ground and the air.
Presenter: Dr. Terry Panhorst, retired professor, Geology and Geological Engineering Department, University of Mississippi
Date and time: Tue., Mar. 25, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

We will discuss the famous story of Moses in the desert being saved by the lichen manna and its biological explanation. We will examine manna from the Middle East and explore the historical background and discoveries of North American manna, particularly the various types in western North America and Idaho. We also will discuss lichens as food and explore other human and wildlife uses for lichens.
Presenter: Dr. Roger Rosentreter, retired botanist, Idaho State Office, Bureau of Land Management
Date and time: Wed., Mar. 26, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

This course will examine the American citizen soldier, a special group that served during World War II and Vietnam whose look, style and attitude became the basis for the original idea of G.I. Joe. We also will discuss U.S. soldiers in the 1950s who prepared to fight on an imagined nuclear battlefield with atomic artillery and rockets. These soldiers trained under mushroom cloud maneuvers for a proposed future and suffered radiation exposure that scarred their actual lives.
Presenter: Dr. David Walker, Professor, History Department, Boise State University
Date and time: Wed., Mar. 26 and Apr. 2, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $25

Join us for a panel discussion on the Western Idaho Community Health Collaborative’s (WICHC) innovative journey from assessment to action. Presenters will highlight the development and initial implementation efforts of the Greater Treasure Valley’s inaugural Regional Health Implementation Plan addressing community priorities identified in the 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment. Participants will learn how WICHC is working to strategically align resources and implement evidence-based solutions to tackle crucial issues, including housing, behavioral health and access to care across the region.
Presenters: Alexis Pickering, Health Strategist, Western Idaho Community Health Collaborative; Angie Gribble, Senior Director, Community Health and Engagement, St. Luke’s Health System; Ariel Foster, Coordinator, Community Health and Well-Being, Saint Alphonsus Health System; Charlene Cariou, Community Health Program Manager, Southwest District Health; Becca Sprague, Program Manager, Health Policy and Promotion, Central District Health; and Anne Wolverton, Community Resources Manager, United Way of Treasure Valley
Date and time: Thu., Mar. 27, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

We will cover the history of Idaho’s State Department of Education (SDE) and the relationship with the State Board (SBoE), the Legislature and K-12 public schools. We will include an overview of the SDE superintendent position as an elected constitutional officer who sits on the SBoE and has authority over K-12 schools, authority of the SBoE, and is an appointee of the governor. Having worked for three different state superintendents, our presenter will share his experiences ranging from fear for the future of our schools to rewarding times.
Presenter: Tom Farley, former Bureau Chief, Idaho State Department of Education
Date and time: Thu., Mar. 27, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Collaboration isn’t always easy, but when it’s working, there’s nothing better. For LED, a local performing arts company, collaboration is at the heart of all they do. For wife-and-husband team Lauren Edson and Andrew Stensaas, each creation is made through their collaborative efforts with a team of exceptional artists. This lecture will peel back the layers of “collaboration” and reveal the components involved in combining original music and dance, as well as the highs and lows within the process.
Presenters: Lauren Edson, Artistic Director and Co-Founder, LED, and Andrew Stensaas, Creative Director and Co-Founder, LED
Date and time: Fri., Mar. 28, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

The Annual Idaho Public Policy Survey from Boise State University’s School of Public Service is one of the longest running public opinion polls in Idaho. With 30 years’ history tracking public policy issues in the state, its annual release helps lawmakers know where Idahoans stand on the issues of the day and informs policy debates each legislative session. Learn how this annual survey is prepared each year, what goes into its planning, how it is fielded, and most importantly, what Idahoans think about the issues.
Presenter: Dr. Matthew May, research scholar, Idaho Policy Institute and Survey Research Director, School of Public Service, Boise State University
Date and time: Tue., Apr. 1, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Climate change is continuing to affect the Treasure Valley’s seasons, rainfall, snowpack, air quality and water availability, impacting the health, quality of life and livelihoods of us all. The City of Boise is committed to addressing climate change because our city’s prosperity is directly linked to clean energy, clean air and water, and open space. We will present the city’s climate action plan and discuss how community members can support these goals.
Presenter: Alex Brooks, Climate and Sustainability Coordinator, City of Boise
Date and time: Tue., Apr. 1, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

We will explore how natural science morphed from primeval to legitimate. The pioneering work of Linnaeus, Buffon, Geoffroy and Cuvier revealed that plant and animal lives are organized along a grand morphologic and genetic scheme. Darwin deduced that morphological traits in all species, including primates and humans, are genetically transformed over time. Genetics and other derivative disciplines provide the guiding principles behind such enlightening pursuits as evolution, comparative anatomy, embryology, anthropology, medicine and genomic science, plus the burgeoning developments in interventional gene therapy.
Please note: This course will meet on subsequent days.
Presenter: Dr. Ted Obenchain, Distinguished Alumnus, Biology Department, Boise State University
Dates and times: Wed. and Thu., Apr. 2 and 3, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $25

First published in 1864, the Idaho Statesman is one of the state’s longest-serving businesses. This lecture will cover the history and evolution of the business, from the early days of journalism to the years when newspaper boxes were ubiquitous in the community to the modern age of digitally focused journalism. We also will discuss how the Idaho Statesman operates today and the best ways to consume the product.
Presenter: Chadd Cripe, Editor, Idaho Statesman
Date and time: Thu., Apr. 3, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Join other Osher members for an entertaining afternoon at the Osher Institute where we will share a staff-selected documentary to enjoy. There will be time to socialize before and after the program. Refreshments are included. This free program has been created just for Osher members, but registration is required. The selection for this month is “Chasing Coral.”
Date and time: Fri., Apr. 4, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

This lecture will explore the history and art of log construction techniques unique to Finnish buildings. During the presentation, a hands-on demonstration of the techniques will be given on a miniature scale.
Presenter: Frank Eld, historian and Founder, Valley County Museum
Date and time: Tue., Apr. 8, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Boise State graduate student Sarah Brudenell will discuss the results of her bioarchaeology thesis research on health and status in post-medieval London from 1550 through 1850. This project focuses on three burial populations with large migrant subgroups of diverse socioeconomic status. Brudenell’s research attempts to answer questions relating to how the health outcomes of these migrants in post-medieval London were shaped by their lived experiences and status. Immigration is a timeless matter, and it is the hope of the researcher to provide historical insights to contemporary migrants, activists and policymakers.
Presenter: Sarah Brudenell, graduate student in anthropology, Boise State University
Date and time: Wed., Apr. 9, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

In 1961, John F. Kennedy stated in his inaugural address: “I believe in an America where the wall of separation is absolute.” In 2022, some elected officials unabashedly claimed that we live in a Christian nation using the principle of religious freedom to justify discrimination against Americans who don’t hold their views. How did this happen? In this lecture, we will move from James Madison’s visionary philosophy of separation of church and state to recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions that violate our founding principles.
Presenter: Jay Avner, retired health care executive
Date and time: Wed., Apr. 9, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

The Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial is an Idaho treasure with its unique open-air space allowing thousands of people to visit each year, whether on an organized, docent-led tour or independent of a guide. The Memorial encourages visitors to pause and reflect while it challenges them on historical issues, as well as their own perspectives and responses to injustice. Join us as we reflect and interpret three Memorial elements: Spiral of Injustice, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the Quotes Walls.
Presenter: Deb Eisinger, docent, Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial
Date and time: Thu., Apr. 10, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Alaskan author Debbie Miller visits schools and libraries across America and will be at the Osher Institute this spring.  Her books include A King Salmon Journey, Survival at 120 Above, A Wild Promise and On Arctic Ground. Working with amazing artists and photographers, Debbie’s beautifully written and illustrated books have garnered her multiple awards. Don’t miss the opportunity to meet this author in person!
Presenter: Debbie Miller, teacher and writer
Date and time: Tue., Apr. 15, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

We will explore the process of translating the 400-year-old Spanish play, Comedia Famosa de la Monja Alférez, that is based on the true story of a Basque woman named Catalina de Erauso who lived as a male soldier in the New World. Dr. Mac Test also will discuss his adaptation of the translated play for a performance in the U.K., where he workshopped the play with professional actors.
Presenter: Dr. Mac Test, Professor, Department of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing, Boise State University
Date and time: Tue., Apr. 15, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Translation is more than finding word-for-word equivalencies in a bilingual dictionary. Otherwise, Google translate would be fine for Homer and the Bible, Tolstoy and Flaubert, and it so clearly isn’t. But what is translation? We’ll examine both the theory and practice of what translators do. In addition to looking at examples of good and bad translations, we’ll try a quick exercise or two to illustrate the points. You’ll never read a translated text the same way again.
Presenter: Dr. Clyde Moneyhun, Professor, Department of English, Boise State University
Date and time: Wed., Apr. 16, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Diverse energy sources are needed to address issues from community needs for local power to global climate change. Industry is working to develop devices that can harvest energy from waves. We will discuss how PacWave, based at Oregon State University, helps industry test those ideas. PacWave is an open ocean wave energy testing facility consisting of two sites, each located just a few miles from the deep-water port of Newport, Oregon, on the Pacific Ocean. Both PacWave sites are highly accessible and served by a diverse maritime supply chain.
Presenter: Burke Hales, Professor of Oceanography, Oregon State University
Date and time: Wed., Apr. 16, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Italians have a saying: traduttore, traditore – that is, the “translator” of a book can be a “traitor” if they fail to capture its letter and its spirit. Joseph Luzzi will discuss his forthcoming translation of Dante’s first book, Vita Nuova (New Life), an account of his love for his muse, Beatrice, and his discovery of his passion for poetry. Professor Luzzi will share his experiences in trying to remain faithful to Dante’s original language while bringing his own personal understanding and interpretation of Dante’s work into this early masterpiece by Italy’s sommo poeta, supreme poet.
Presenter: Joseph Luzzi, author and Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature, Bard College
Date and time: Thu., Apr. 17, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Cost: Included with membership

This lecture will lead participants through the production process from selecting a Shakespeare play to putting it on stage. Discussion will center around The Boise Bard Players’ production of Macbeth. We will explore themes and script requirements, hurdles to producing quality plays in Boise without a dedicated theater, and script and design choices that create the world of the play.
Presenter: Chris Canfield, Founding Artistic Director, The Boise Bard Players
Date and time: Thu., Apr. 17, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Just over 100 years ago the Equal Rights Amendment was introduced in Congress, but it hasn’t become an amendment…yet. This lecture will take participants back in time to remember what was happening in the 1970s when the call for this amendment reached a feverish pitch, then suddenly halted. We will examine the propaganda and the echo chamber politics that played out in our own Idaho statehouse. This amendment still hangs in the balance, and we will discuss why passage of the ERA wouldn’t just be a symbolic gesture.
Presenter: Josi Christensen, teacher
Date and time: Tue., Apr. 22, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Forever chemicals, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are prevalent, persistent, organic pollutants with widespread distribution in the environment and atmosphere. Despite their importance, the underlying environmental processing principles and future outcomes of PFAS remain largely elusive. This lecture will discuss research toward understanding the physical and chemical behavior of PFAS molecules in the atmosphere and environment. The research results explore the distinctive properties of PFAS with the goal of rational design of remediation techniques.
Presenter: Dr. Jenée Cyran, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry, Boise State University
Date and time: Wed., Apr. 23, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Homesharing is a mutually beneficial living arrangement where two or more unrelated people share a home. How do they find each other? NeighborWorks Boise’s HomeShare Hub can help. More than a roommate finder, it offers renter and landlord education, a matching system based on the needs and interests of the seeker and provider, and follow-up after a match is made. If you have extra space and would like some extra income, or if you’re looking for a secure, affordable living space, this lecture is for you.
Presenters: Caile Spear, retired public health instructor, Boise State University; Inga Hadder, Director of Communication and Community Engagement, NeighborWorks Boise; and Diane Ronayne, Osher Advisory Council member
Date and time: Thu., Apr. 24, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Athens in the mid-fifth century BCE was rich and powerful, commanding (sometimes harshly) a large empire. The temple complex on the Acropolis was being rebuilt, more spectacular than ever. The arts were flourishing. This is often called the Age of Pericles, after its charismatic leader. Pericles, from an aristocratic family with a checkered past, was controversial in his own time and remains so today, but his influence on the city was huge. This lecture will focus on the life and times of this extraordinary statesman.
Presenter: Dr. Richard Leahy, Professor Emeritus, Department of English, Boise State University
Date and time: Thu., Apr. 24, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

This lecture will explore the development of human decomposition facilities since their inception in 1980 with a special focus on their impact on forensic science and forensic anthropology. We will use the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS) as an example of how these centers are incorporated into local medicolegal systems and how the research and training they provide can contribute to the scientific community.
Presenter: Dr. Sophia Mavroudas, Forensic Anthropologist, FACTS
Date and time: Fri., Apr. 25, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $10

This course will focus on recent events in Russia and the post-Soviet space, many aspects of which are a result of enduring ethnic tensions. Russian Federation alone is home to 180 nationalities, many of which have long been at odds with each other. To shed light on current events, we will review the history of Russia and its various ethno-linguistic groups and examine elements of contemporary Russian culture such as music, cinema, cuisine and more.
Please note: This course will meet on subsequent days.
Presenter: Dr. Asya Pereltsvaig, linguist, author and educator
Dates and times: Mon. and Tue., Apr. 28 and 29, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $25

In the last 200 years, millions of émigrés left Russia on account of their political views, professional careers and personal circumstances. In this lecture, we’ll explore the extraordinary lives of several Russian émigrés of international renown, what factors forced them to leave their homeland and what contributions they made to the world. We’ll also consider how their lives unfolded in immigration, and perhaps even speculate what might have happened to them had they decided to stay.
Presenter: Dr. Asya Pereltsvaig, linguist, author and educator
Date and time: Tue., Apr. 29, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $10

Since our first presidential election when the nation unanimously elected George Washington, the history of presidential elections in the U.S. has been marked by controversy and backroom deals. It even has been decided by the House of Representatives. Beginning with the days when only white men with property were allowed to vote, we will explore contests that include Jefferson vs. Adams in 1800, Hayes vs. Tilden in 1876 and, of course, the controversial election of 2020.
Presenter: Blaine Davies, retired Professor of History, Boise State University
Date and time: Wed., Apr. 30, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

Join the Idaho State Historical Society’s collections team to explore how we keep historic materials safe for generations to come. We’ll provide the experts and archival tools to guide you in the do’s and don’ts of preservation. Bring a family textile, such as a wedding dress or quilt, for this hands-on workshop as we guide you through the care and keeping of your precious fabric heirlooms. Participants will receive an artifact preservation kit and will learn the process of packing and preserving materials that will fit into a 30”x18”x6” archival costume and textile box.
Presenters: Nicole Inghilterra, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions, Idaho State Museum, and Olivia Terry, Museum Registrar, Idaho State Museum
Date and time: Thu., May 1, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Location: Idaho State Museum, 610 Julia Davis Dr., Boise
Cost: $50
Capacity: 20

Take a musical journey that starts with the arrival of the Proksa and Miko families in Chicago during the 1920s and ends with the formation of the New American Slovak Kitchen Band. Participants will be introduced to traditional Slovak music culture and to the band’s unique and evolving sound. If you’re a fan of the emigrant story, you like music and you want to walk away with a recipe from the Proksa kitchen, this event is for you!
Presenter: Jessie Proksa, music/sound artist
Date and time: Thu., May 1, 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: $15

We will explore the science, benefits and practice of forest therapy. Often called forest bathing, this practice supports physical and mental health through guided immersion in nature. We also will examine the growing research exploring how time spent in nature impacts our bodies and minds, including how it boosts immune strength, reduces stress and improves cognitive function. A subsequent, experiential session will follow the lecture. It will include an intentional sequence of sensory invitations to help you slow down and connect with yourself and nature in a meaningful way. A typical forest therapy session is leisurely, accessible, and open to a range of ages and physical conditions.
Presenter: Amber Gunstream, Ada County Advanced Master Gardener and Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide, Kindred Idaho
Lecture and session option one date and time: Fri., May 2 and 9, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Lecture and session option two date and time: Fri., May 2 and 16, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $25
Capacity: 25 each session

Join other Osher members for an entertaining afternoon at the Osher Institute where we will share a staff-selected documentary to enjoy. There will be time to socialize before and after the program. Refreshments are included. This free program has been created just for Osher members, but registration is required. The selection for this month is “On the Basis of Sex.”
Date and time: Fri., May 2, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Cost: Included with membership

“Mom and Pop” grocery stores dotted neighborhoods throughout Boise until the 1970s when competition from larger chain stores forced many to close. They were an important link between neighborhood residents and local farmers, and they provided a variety of local products. The stores not only provided groceries but were also gathering places for residents who met and mingled at the stores. Join us to learn more about these grocery stores and the neighborhoods where they reside.
Presenter: Barbara Perry Bauer, Principal and Founding Member, TAG Historical Research and Consulting
Date and time: Thu., May 8, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Join us for a walking tour of the “Mom and Pop” grocery stores that served a crucial part in building Boise’s community over the years. The tours will follow the May 8 lecture.
Please note: This event is offered twice; please select ONE option only.
Presenter: Barbara Perry Bauer, Principal and Founding Member, TAG Historical Research and Consulting
Tour One date and time: Thu., May 8, 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Tour Two date and time: Thu., May 8, 2:45-3:45 p.m.
Cost: $10 each tour
Capacity: 25 each tour

With dozens of community partners and thousands of volunteer hours, Golden Eagle Audubon worked to rewild 42 acres of public land along the Boise River in southeast Boise. We will discuss this recent, two-year effort, called Boise River ReWild Project, and provide fun and tangible ways for participants to improve plant habitat.
Presenter: Cynthia Wallesz, Executive Director, Golden Eagle Audubon Society
Date and time: Mon., May 12, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: Included with membership

Do the words “one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all” encourage, inspire and persuade American citizens to create a “more perfect union,” or have they become vessels of empty rhetoric, reflexively recited at events, devoid of contemplation and cynically exploited? This course will ask us, on the eve of our nation’s 250th birthday, to take stock of the Republic, to think about what it stands for in our time and to consider its future in a time of deep division and polarization.
Please note: This course will meet on subsequent days.
Presenter: Dr. David Adler, President, The Alturas Institute
Dates and times: Tue., Wed., and Thu., May 13, 14, and 15, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Cost: $35

Join us as we celebrate the end of another spring semester! We will meet at Zoo Boise to mingle in a fun outdoor setting. Snack packs will be provided, and you may stay at the zoo as long as you like. This event is included with membership, but registration is required for planning purposes.
Date and time: Wed., May 21, 1:00-2:30 p.m.
Location: Zoo Boise, 355 Julia Davis Dr., Boise
Cost: Included with membership

This course will examine the ideas, writings, political activism, and legacies of contributors to the Transcendentalist movement including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Margaret Fuller, Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, Herman Melville, and beyond. Our investigations will aim to help each of us actualize Emerson’s definition of freedom as “an open-ended process of self-realization by which individuals [can] remake themselves and their own lives.”
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Dr. Anthony Antonucci
Dates and times: Tue., Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, and 18, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

What comes to mind when you think of the post office? Is it the unique beauty of a stamp, the thrill of an awaited delivery, or an iconic blue collection box? Do you equate the post office with obsolescence or do you think of recent coverage of controversial austerity measures? As the country’s second-largest employer, the US Post Office has a fascinating history that showcases the best and worst of American society. In this course, we will explore what precipitated the creation of the Post Office, its role in fostering and hindering democratic communication, and numerous examples of innovation over the centuries up to the present-day USPS. We will conclude by considering what the future of the post office might look like, with a renewed appreciation for the democratic ideals for which it stands.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Dr. Caroline Nappo
Dates and times: Tue., Jan. 14, 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, and 18, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

[PLEASE NOTE: This course has been cancelled. It will be rescheduled in a later semester.]
In this course, we will explore the 100-year history of one of the largest and most globally recognized brands, Walt Disney. We will start by understanding Walt himself, and then dive into the organization’s different business units, exploring the film and media side of the business as well as the parks and resorts. We will peek under the hood at what it is like to work at Disney. We will close the course by learning about Disney’s leadership over the years and how they have wielded their influence in politics. Throughout this course, we will seek out varying perspectives, giving us a view from those who revere the Magic Kingdom, those who critique it, and everywhere in between.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Emma Miller
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

This course introduces the key philosophical concepts (meditation practices, and rituals) that have defined Buddhist traditions in India and beyond. We will analyze central Buddhist teachings and their relationship to these three important domains, which interweave theory and practice. First, we will explore the historical figure of the Buddha. We will then examine the three phases of Indian Buddhist traditions: (1) Theravāda, which emphasizes ascetic ideals and monasticism; (2) Mahāyāna, which prioritizes compassion, wisdom, and the ideal of the bodhisattva; and (3) Vajrayāna, the tantric tradition that claims the human body as central to enlightenment and explores the relationship between each living being and the cosmos. We will explore the contrasts among the meditative and ritual practices across these three traditions and analyze how these practices reflect varying philosophies. We will discuss Buddhist iconography, ritual objects, and art.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Eileen Goddard
Dates and times: Tue., Jan. 21, 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

This course will explore Native American history in the late 19th and 20th centuries, a time punctuated by the violence of American expansion and consolidation, the boarding school systems that sought to erase Native cultures, and the effects of imperialism, which conspired to keep Native people in a subordinate status compared to their white neighbors. Yet, at this time, Native Nations began to rebuild and reclaim the United States as Native ground, drawing on ancient traditions to revitalize communities and fight for their rights in the American court system, the political system, and the court of public opinion. Together, we will explore how, in this history, Native peoples have proven themselves to be resilient and powerful.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Dr. Matt Jennings
Dates and times: Wed., Jan. 22, 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge in the real world in a constructive way—to enrich our individual lives and to make the world a better place. Wisdom is often found at the intersection of theory and experience. How does modern expertise benefit all of us, and how can we convince the general population to value it? How does life experience create wisdom? In this course, we will explore the biological, philosophical, social scientific, and experiential aspects of wisdom and analyze what ancient and contemporary sources have to say about it.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Dr. David Smith
Dates and times: Thu., Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

How does one honor the legacy of parents who survived the Holocaust while at the same time recognizing the ripples of the inherited trauma they experienced? Growing up in the shadow of the Holocaust, the adult children of survivors are striving to find ways to keep their parents’ stories alive. Using their unique intergenerational lens, authors of the recent award-winning anthology, The Ones Who Remember: Second Generation Voices of the Holocaust, will reveal the variety of ways in which their parents’ history of survival seeped into their souls and affected their lives as children and adults. The goal of this course is to explore the challenges that resulted from this trauma and the gifts that came forth – gifts of resilience, tolerance, fortitude, and compassion. Each week our instructors will explore and share reflections around themes of their lived experience.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenters: Dr. Rita Benn, Ruth Wade, and Dr. Joy Wolfe Ensor
Dates and times: Thu., Jan. 23, 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

Using Dr. Espín’s memoir of childhood and adolescence, which was the recipient of the San Diego Book Award in 2021, we will discuss the Cuban political landscape in the mid-20th century. This memoir recreates a world that no longer exists: pre-revolutionary Cuba in the 1940s and 50s. Cuba’s fraught history and political instability are interwoven with a personal story to create a web of history, family, and cultural analysis. This is a young woman’s individual struggle for identity and independence against the background of the country’s national struggle. Family photographs and site photographs will illustrate the details of the story. We will also explore the process and meaning of memory and memoir for authors and readers. Reading some excerpts will illuminate the narrative. It is not necessary to have read the memoir in advance.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Dr. Olivia Espín
Dates and times: Fri., Jan. 24, 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is often misunderstood as a boy’s adventure book or merely a dialogue on race. Instead, this classic novel addresses youth violence and bad boys, schools and parents, and civil rights and minstrel shows. The novel, banned in New England, needs to be read and discussed anew for a better understanding of America, then and now. Join this course for a new and fresh analysis of this highly criticized and misunderstood novel.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Dr. Jeffrey Walker
Dates and times: Mon., Jan. 27, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

Vietnam, viewed by many as a turning point between old and new approaches to war, raised many questions about the role of superpowers, asymmetrical resources, and counterinsurgencies on the world stage. In this course, we will look at the wars in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Gaza. All of these wars are asymmetrical, but what else do they have in common, and how are they informed by Vietnam? We will discuss how superpowers are central players in these conflicts by way of their supplies and support. In this course, we will examine human ways of evaluating the politics and strategies, particularly what happens when three vectors cannot agree: the public, politicians, and the military.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Jeff Rice
Dates and times: Tue., Jan. 28, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

We share the earth with birds who live among us, yet they remain mysterious. In this course, we will examine the fascinating characteristics, habits, and lives of North American birds including how they keep warm; how they fly; when, why, and how they sing; and more. Our classes will be broken down into these categories: bird ancestry and anatomy; diet and nesting; flight and migration; threats; behavior and songs. We will cover birds of prey, songbirds, waterfowl, and the common loon. Join this interesting exploration of how birds live, move, breathe, and think.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Elizabeth Burnette
Dates and times: Wed., Jan. 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5, 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

Satire is one of the oldest forms of humor. Adding music seems to make it even more powerful. In early Germanic and Celtic societies, people who were mocked in songs would break out in boils and even commit suicide. In this course, we will explore the art of musical satire in a variety of genres, cultures, and eras, especially America since 1950. This multimedia course covers Yankee Doodle, Gilbert and Sullivan, the Gershwins, the Marx Brothers, Monty Python, Saturday Night Live, South Park, and Key and Peele. We will also cover a bountiful bevy of B’s: Leonard Bernstein, the Beatles, Bo Burnham, and Bugs Bunny. Because satire is often dependent on social and historical events, this course is as much cultural history as music appreciation. And while words are preeminent in musical satire, we will also discuss the music and its interactions with lyrics. But please—no students who are prone to boils.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: David Misch
Dates and times: Wed., Jan. 29, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5, 5:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

Evolution. Vaccines. Global Warming. Regardless of one’s choice of news media, it is nearly impossible to navigate today’s information-heavy world without coming across stories on evolution, vaccines, and global warming. Each of these topics is the subject of various conspiracy theories and misinformation campaigns. How do we make sense of what we hear on the news when so much information comes from unvetted and non-neutral sources, such as the Internet and the media? This course is a non-technical introduction to these three critical matters in modern science. We will examine what scientists know, how they know what they know, how certain they are, and why there is such a disconnect between scientific understanding and the public’s perception of the science.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Dr. Kjir Hendrickson
Dates and times: Thu., Jan. 30, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

This course provides a unique opportunity to learn from the experts in the Osher Collaborative for Integrative Health, an international group of eleven academic health centers funded by The Bernard Osher Foundation to study, teach, and practice integrative healthcare. The eleven Osher Centers are located at highly respected medical schools and medical centers and emphasize integrative healthcare approaches to promote health and well-being. Each Osher Center focuses on whole-person health and wellness using healing strategies such as acupuncture and East Asian Medicine, Ayurvedic medicine, yoga, massage, meditation, physical activity, and nutrition. Osher Collaborative practitioners, researchers, and educators will discuss the science behind integrative healthcare remedies and explain its impact.
Livestream Only via Zoom; Classes are not shown in the Osher classroom and are not recorded.
Presenter: Osher Collaborative for Integrative Health
Dates and times: Fri., Jan. 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28, Mar. 7, 1:00 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
Cost: $65
Note: Osher Online programs are not refundable.

Special Interest Groups (SIGs) are member-led opportunities for learning and engagement outside of the classroom.

Join us to explore both current bestsellers and somewhat older books in a new and creative format. Participants should commit to reading the books before the session. Two sections are available – please choose one: “Amazing Women” (first book: Good Night, Irene by Luis Urrea) and “Stories of the West and Northwest” (first book: Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig). This SIG is partnering with Rediscovered Books in Boise and will have a section in the store. SIG members can pre-order reading list copies with a 10% discount.
Facilitator: Carolyn Russ
Meetings: Section One – Amazing Women: Fri., Jan. 24, Feb. 21, Mar. 7, Apr. 4, and May 2, 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Meetings: Section Two – Stories of the West and Northwest: Mon., Jan. 27, Feb. 10, Mar. 10, Apr. 7, and May 5, 10:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Location: Yanke Building
Capacity: 12

Come socialize with other Osher members before the start of class on Thursday mornings and enjoy coffee and breakfast at Elmer’s. This SIG is for Osher members only, and registration is required.
Facilitator: Mark Eubank
Meetings: Thursdays, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Location: Yanke Building
Capacity: 30

Join Osher members for a monthly meetup at a Treasure Valley brewery to sample various local craft beers. There will be knowledgeable people on hand to introduce members to the world of craft beer and various styles of local beer to enjoy. Beer is at members’ own expense, but the company, conversation, and discovery are included at no charge. Information on the brewery, address, and links will be provided in advance.
Facilitators: Steve Easley and Todd Fraser
Meetings: One Wednesday or Thursday a month, times TBD
Location: TBD
Capacity: 35

Come explore Boise’s wonderful Ridge to Rivers trail system on moderately strenuous hikes of one-and-a-half to two hours in duration. Start from a different trailhead each week to experience the beauty of the open space surrounding our city. Information with details on date, time, and location will be emailed in advance of the planned hike.
Facilitator: Dennis Hynes
Meetings: Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m.-noon
Location: TBD
Capacity: 90

This SIG is a group of Osher members that meets every month in a seminar. Each member, in rotation, presents on a topic they have researched to the group. Topics cover a wide range of subjects, such as literature, history, sociology, and technology.
Facilitator: Diane Ronayne
Meetings: Second Friday of each month, 12:30-3:00 p.m.
Location: Smoky Mountain Pizza, 1805 W. State St., Boise
Capacity: 20

Join Osher members who enjoy films — both foreign and American — by gathering at The Flicks, Boise’s premier independent movie theater. Following each film, members will have the opportunity to meet in the theater for a short discussion. The Flicks utilizes best practices for social distancing and safety issues.
Please note: Due to robust interest in this SIG and the limited size of the theater, the film may sell out.
Facilitators: Bob and Toni Fontaine
Meetings: One Monday a month, around 4:30 p.m.
Location: The Flicks, 646 W. Fulton St., Boise
Capacity: Theater capacity

Join Osher members who are interested in personal writing (memoir, essays, etc.) in a supportive setting. Each meeting is peer led and will focus on a specific area of personal writing or a theme. No prior writing experience is necessary.
Facilitator: Merilee Marsh
Meetings: Every other Friday, 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Location: Yanke Building
Capacity: 25

Do you enjoy playing piano and sharing music with others? Practice performing piano in front of others in this casual group format. All are welcome, beginners and advanced players alike.
Facilitator: Bill Donovan
Dates and times: once a month, times TBD
Location: Dunkley Music Recital Hall, 3410 N. Eagle Rd., Meridian
Capacity: 8

Take part in the beauty of the Boise River Greenbelt with other Osher members who want to get exercise while enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. Moderate to brisk walks that begin and end at the Yanke building will be at the core of this SIG.
Facilitators: Diane Ronayne and Sharon Bixby
Meetings: Fridays, 10:00-11:00 a.m.
Location: Meet on the east side of the Yanke building
Capacity: 45