Osher Lifelong Learning Institute to host Aug. 23 open house

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, also known as OLLI at UNL, will kick off the 2015-16 academic year with a free open house from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Cornhusker Marriott, 333 S. 13th St.

The institute's courses, special events and travel opportunities are designed for people 50 and older. OLLI at UNL creates opportunities for learning, civic involvement, personal growth and fun. Visitors to the open house can join OLLI, register for classes, meet instructors or renew memberships. OLLI offers more than 170 courses and special events each year. Fall Term 1 classes begin Sept. 8.

OLLI and partners will host information tables, while representatives from OLLI courses, special events and travel will be available to answer questions. Hors d'oeuvres will be served. Lincoln-based Kokyo Taiko also will bring the art of choreographed Japanese drumming to the event.

For $75, OLLI members experience five terms of courses, events and travel destinations a year. An immediate credit of $30 is assigned to attendees' accounts to use for a course or event. Members also receive other discounts such as Abendmusik, Friends of the Ross Theatre, Lincoln Community Playhouse, Arts for the Soul and others.

OLLI's 2015-16 theme is "The Face of Lincoln: History, Culture and Change." Term 1 will present courses, events and cultural dining experiences associated with the theme.

• "Slavery and Emancipation in Civil War Washington, D.C." will feature a return engagement by UNL historian Kenneth Winkle bringing to life Civil War Washington, a project in UNL's Center for Digital Research in the Humanities.
• Who are our Latino/Hispanic neighbors? What is driving the growth in Nebraska? Hear from community experts and representatives in "Latino/Hispanic History, Culture and Tradition in Nebraska."
• At one time, one-quarter of Lancaster County residents were of German-Russian descent. "They Called Us Roosians!" will focus on the most important aspects of these immigrants' lives.

Another upcoming course and an OLLI exclusive is a three-session, in-depth look at end-of-life issues co-sponsored by OLLI and Tabitha. "Begin with the End in Mind: The Next Chapter" will focus on estate planning, legal issues of aging and advanced directives and protecting your end-of-life wishes. Sessions will be Sept. 11, Oct. 9 and Nov. 13 at NET, 1800 N. 33rd St. The series is a continuation of the curriculum developed by the University of Nebraska at Omaha's Aging and Lifespan Community of Practice.

Nationally acclaimed genealogist, seminar presenter and author Lisa Louise Cooke will make her first visit to Nebraska for a one-day genealogy conference Oct. 3. OLLI and the Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society are teaming to bring Cooke to Lincoln to share her skills, enthusiasm and ideas for enhancing our researching, gathering and sharing of family history.

For further information, email olli@unl.edu, visit http://olli.unl.edu or call 402-472-6265.

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UNL is a member-driven organization committed to providing and promoting superior-quality, high-appeal learning experiences, special events and travel which bring together adults 50 and over who believe that "curiosity never retires."