Distance-Delivery   

Zoom Section

*This course has switched days with Tax-wise Distribution Strategies in the printed catalog.

Session II Add-On: April 16, 17
Wednesday & Thursday 10:30 - 11:45 pm (2 meetings)
*OLLI membership is not required.
*Course runs for 2 consecutive meetings in Add-On II.
Learn how easy it is to plan your estate and leave gifts to people and charities that mean the most to your family! Philanthropic advisors for the UA Foundation will discuss giving through your retirement and estate planning and other strategies. All attendees will receive a printed will planning guide. Bring your laptop, and we will show you how to use UA’s FreeWill software. If you’ve never had time to meet with an estate planner or advisor, please feel free to schedule an appointment with Harry, Scott, or Teresa – questions are welcome, but they can give you more in-depth advice during one-on-one appointments. In-person enrollment limited to 26.
Facilitator: Teresa Chepoda Usibelli, Major Gift Officer, UAF. Presenters: Harry W. Need, Senior Director of Philanthropic Services, UA Foundation; Scott Taylor, Philanthropic Advisor, UA Foundation.

Zoom Section

*This course has switched days with the Wills & Estates course listed in the printed catalog.

Session II Add-On: Apr. 14, 15
Monday & Tuesday 10:30 - 11:45 am (2 meetings)
*OLLI membership is not required.
*Course runs for 2 consecutive meetings in Add-On II.
Since the SECURE Act took effect in 2020, almost all beneficiaries will have to take the total amount of inherited retirement accounts out within a 10 year period of time, resulting in higher taxes, due sooner. We’ll discuss the SECURE act and alternative strategies to reduce your income tax and to pass, to your beneficiaries, your remaining retirement account values in the most tax efficient way. We’ll explore the relationship between IRA withdrawals, taxability of Social Security and Medicare part B payments, and how to leverage your giving power with Qualified Charitable Distributions(QCDs) from your IRA. We would encourage those attending to bring their statements or have them available to participate in this activity. In-person enrollment limited to 26.
Facilitator and presenter: Teresa Chepoda Usibelli, Major Gift Officer with UAF. Lecturer Dick Harsin, CPA, CFP®, loves helping people achieve their ideal retirement.

Session I: Feb. 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3
Mondays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
What's new and possible with the latest Mac OS (Sequoia 15.x) and iOS 18.x ? We will find out who can or can't get up-to-date and why you might want to do so. We'll explore tips and tricks and touch on the new AI components of the Mac and iPad/iPhone. The first 2 days will be Mac related and the 2nd two will be iPad/iPhone (iOS) related. 
Instructor Bud Kuenzli is a Mac guy from way back and enjoys sharing what he has learned

Zoom Section

Session I: Feb. 14, 21, 28, Mar. 7
Fridays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
Current best practices in nutrition. Food ingredients and properties, preservation, and safety with an emphasis on local foods including fish and game. For example, is fish oil a benefit or a liability? How are process recommendations developed? Are probiotics worth the money? You have a game animal down or have landed a fish, now what? 
Instructor Bret Luick is a retired professor of foods and nutrition. Hunter and former commercial fisherman and dairyman. Professional career includes JNEB associate editor, and researcher in animal energetics, digestive kinetics, feeds and feeding, and human health. Instructor of biology, physiology, and nutrition.

Zoom Section

Session I: Feb. 14
Friday 2:00 - 3:15 pm (1 meeting)
Photos & narratives on historic preservation in hill towns of central Italy. Covers 2024 visits to 10 towns, with Civitas Institute.
Instructor Janet Matheson FAIA, is a Fairbanks historic preservation architect & traveler.

*The start date of this course has been pushed back one week, and it has been extended into Add-On I.

Session I: Feb. 17, 24, Mar. 3, 10
Mondays 3:45 - 5:00 pm
Discover the vital role your gut plays in overall health, longevity, and vitality. In this engaging course, you'll learn how the gut microbiome influences brain function, immune health, hormone balance, and detoxification. Explore practical strategies to nourish your microbiome, support digestion, and improve energy, mood, and resilience. Understand how a healthy gut contributes to a longer, healthier life by reducing inflammation and supporting optimal body system function. Empower yourself with knowledge and tools to take charge of your health span and live your best life. This course is for people seeking practical, science-based guidance to thrive at any age.
Dr. George Rice is a certified Functional Medicine provider specializing in Precision Medicine and Longevity. With expertise in hormone optimization, gut health, epigenetics, and cutting-edge therapies, he helps clients unlock their full potential for optimal health, longevity, and vitality.

Session I: Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar. 4
Tuesdays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
Anxiety and depression are the two most common reasons clients come in for therapy. Whether these are the primary issues or are in conjunction with a different problem, both anxiety and depression are misunderstood. This is part of why treatments are often ineffective. This class will help explain what purpose these serve, why they become such difficult problems, and what most often works in dealing with them.
Instructor: Larry Moen (see HL-05)

Session I: Feb. 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6
Thursdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
Hear from local professionals in financial planning, wealth management, estate planning, and the ADRC program manager to learn and ask questions to help better prepare for life in retirement. We encourage questions but have visual slides to help guide class discussion. 
Facilitators Jordan Hendry and Ethan Daniels are financial advisors who will talk about finances and investing. Mike Cavaliere is an attorney and will talk about estate planning. Beth Grey is the program manager at ADRC (Aging & Disability Resource Center) who will share resources for aging in Fairbanks.

Session II: Mar. 21, 28, Apr. 4, 11
Fridays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
*An optional purchase is suggested, Mike & Me: An inspiring guide for couples who choose to face Alzheimer's together at home, which can be found for purchase here in various formats https://a.co/d/7blVqWi (Paperback is $17.99)
This course is designed for participants who have had their lives impacted by dementia and Alzheimer's, either through a loved one or as a caretaker. After Rosalys' husband, Mike, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2002, she felt overwhelmed with the idea of managing such a challenging disease. Over the next 10 years of Mike's illness, Rosalys and Mike discovered tools and strategies for maintaining his dignity, keeping him safe, and staying in love. This course will delve into those tools and strategies that allowed for Mike to live his life to the fullest until the very last day.
Instructor Rosalys Peel is a Registered Nurse, Lamaze-certified educator, and a Gottman-certified couples' relationship facilitator. She is also the author of the award winning book Mike & Me: An inspiring guide for couples who choose to face Alzheimer's together at home, which is the course textbook.

Session I: Feb. 11, 18, 25, Mar 4
Tuesdays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
Throughout American history we have gone through hard times as a country. One way we’ve always responded is through music—some sad, some angry, some hopeful or inspiring, and some that just soothes our souls. Join me by zoom as we listen to the music our parents, grandparents, and ancestors used to get through, and to move ahead.
Instructor: Larry Moen (see HL-05)

Session I: Feb. 12, 26, Mar. 5, 12
Wednesdays 12:00 - 2:00 pm

*Class dates have been changed due to instructor availability.
We’ll discuss 10 - 12 poems written recently and a few from long ago, all of which are “remarkable” (i.e., re-readable, entertaining, or odd) for their style and/or content. Some works will be by poets perhaps unfamiliar to you, but we’ll also study distinguished poems by renowned and/or “popular” writers, all of whom make the experience of reading an interactive and occasionally playful event. Join us in learning more about poetry whether or not you participated in previous “Remarkable Poems” OLLI courses. 
Instructor Joe Dupras, Professor Emeritus of English (UAF 1979-2010), has taught OLLI courses featuring novels as well as surveys of poetry.

Session I: Feb. 10, 17, 24, Mar. 3
Session II: Mar. 17, 24, 31, Apr. 7
Mondays 10:30 - 11:45 am
*This course meets for 8 weeks, tuition has been combined.
Relationships can be a mystery. What are the dynamics between people? This brief course will look at chart comparison between people and composite charts of a relationship (mid-point charts).
Instructor Jean Richey has been a professional astrologer for over 45 years. Jean published (Lulu.com) an astrology book in 2023. She has taught beginning and intermediate astrology at OLLI over the past few years. She currently teaches for UAF as an adjunct professor of Business.

Session I: Feb. 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5
Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
The outer world is increasingly polarized and distressing and we seem to have less control than ever. What can we do? How can we cope? Can we help? A lifetime of cultural conditioning, unquestioned inherited thoughts and beliefs, got us here. To change our predicament, we must upgrade our perceptions and thinking. Thoughts become beliefs become behaviors become habits become physical reality. As we each elevate our own attitudes, we change our own world. What's better yet, feelings and thoughts are contagious. Together we can even change THE world. It starts with you and me.    
Instructor Ginny McDowell has been stretching to shift from her head to her heart, for its inspiration and intuition. The heart is a happier, peaceful place. Come join her there.

Session I Add-On: Mar. 12
Wednesday 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Humanity and Earth are experiments of creation. We are physical beings, observing life in linear time with our five senses, and endowed with the free will to design and create our “best” lives. We don’t feel free; we’re too busy doing what we SHOULD to develop our dreams. Our thoughts influence our reality more than we realize, and we have the power to create a far more pleasant life for ourselves NOW, even in hard times. That’s why we’re here! We came to uplift the world. It works better if we can believe that!
Instructor: Ginny McDowell (see RB-02)    

Zoom Section

Session I: Feb. 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5
Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
Pollinators provide essential services in most of Alaska’s wild landscapes, ensuring successful reproduction for many kinds of plants. This course will explore the amazing diversity of Alaska’s insect pollinators (it’s more than bees and butterflies), discuss some of the threats they face, and suggest things you can do to help wild pollinators thrive in your own neighborhood.
Instructor Jess Rykken is the Insect Collection Manager at the University of Alaska Museum of the North and previously worked for Denali National Park. Over the last dozen years she has conducted pollinator surveys all over the state. She enjoys sharing her passion for pollinators with all types of audiences.

Zoom Section

Session I: Feb. 12, 19, 26, Mar. 5
Wednesdays 3:45 - 5:00 pm
Science is tackling aging on a broad front. Not only is it seeking to cure the specific diseases of aging like heart disease, Alzheimer’s and kidney disease, it is searching for ways to slow, halt or even reverse aging. Aging has been successfully slowed in many animals and even reversed (temporarily) using advanced techniques. Even in humans! We will review where the science is today and where it might go tomorrow. Along the way, tips will be provided on how you can improve your life expectancy (hint: you already know a lot of them).
Instructor Ray Collins was raised in the Alaskan Bush. He has 3 degrees from UAF so far, and is now working on a PhD studying aging.

Session I: Feb. 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6
Thursdays 2:00 - 3:15 pm
This course will be focused on retirement accumulation and distribution, Social security, long term care planning and maximizing finances in retirement. Enrollment limited to 25.
Instructor Charles Spencer is a financial advisor and former K-12 teacher.

Zoom Section

Session I: Feb. 13, 20, 27, Mar. 6
Thursdays 3:45 - 5:00 pm
Each week different presenters will share their photos and experiences of travel.
February 13: Thailand; Martha Hanlon and Jeannette Smith
February 20: Namibia; Sarah Swift Masterman
February 27: Traveling the Silk Road; Jim and Mary Beget
March 6: Tasmania; Kate Bull
Facilitator: Ann McCann

Zoom Section

Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9
Wednesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
Boys are falling behind at school and college. Men are struggling in the labor market. Fathers face new challenges. This course, based on Richard Reeves' Of Boys and Men, will address these issues via lecture and lots of discussion. Reading the book is not required, and both women and men are welcome! Enrollment limited to 24.
Instructor Dave Frey retired from a career in youth development. He has taught numerous OLLI courses. Dr. Leif Thompson is a retired family physician with a special interest in men's health.

Zoom Section

Session II: Mar. 19, 26, Apr. 2, 9
Wednesdays 12:15 - 1:30 pm
Genital cutting practices exist around the world. Some are voluntarily chosen by adults, but more often they are imposed on children who lack the capacity to consent. We will attempt a gender-neutral position as we explore cultural, religious, anthropological and historical perspectives, as well as medical, psychological, ethical, and legal frameworks. Normal sexual anatomy/function will be covered as a reference point to what is altered or removed by these practices, and help explain the loss experienced by many of those affected. Warning: sexually explicit and sometimes disturbing images will be shown during this class. Class discussion will be encouraged!
Instructor Leif Thompson is a retired physician who now works to raise awareness on the harms of childhood genital cutting practices, regardless of gender. He serves on the board of directors for several organizations who advocate for genital autonomy, and is a Peer Support Facilitator for men harmed by circumcision.

Zoom Section

Session II: Mar. 21 
Friday 2:00 - 3:30 pm (1 meeting)
Experience gunkholing on our Hunter 38 sailboat through the Gulf Islands in 2015. Special guest on the boat was very active in OLLI. See wildlife and Chatterbox Falls.
Instructor Patty Meritt spent 13 summers with her husband Bob sailing in Washington and Canada. As a professional videographer Bob captured the best moments in this relaxing and entertaining presentation.

Session II: Mar. 18, 25, Apr. 1, 8
Tuesdays 10:30 - 11:45 am
The Plays & Poems of Shakespeare have been performed and taught for hundreds of years. Aside from their obvious place in the Humanities, they are also amazingly accurate guides to the Human heart for each of us as individuals. But how were they created? What are the patterns and methods Shakespeare used to create his works and make them so timeless? We will look "under the hood" at the life, times, desires, and influences that all worked their magic into the spells we still rehearse... for 'All the world's a stage' and tho' we are all 'merely players', we should study the parts we are given, inside and out.    Instructor GregRobin Smith directs The Washington Shakespearean Festival and performs at Renaissance Faires, where he studies and shares the world of Shakespeare through recreation and interaction. A member of The American Guild of Variety Artists, he is also a musician, and presents programs as Benjamin Franklin.