winter 2017 schedule - oleanchorage.org

Mondays

Alaska Visual Arts: Not for the Timid!Presenter: Georgia BlueBlue Holloman Gallery1:00 to 2:30 PM4 weeks, February 6, 13, 20, 27Limited to 20 participants

Meet local artists in their studios and develop a deeper understanding of their work. The first class will meet at the Blue-Hollomon Gallery, 3555 Arctic Blvd. C5.

Georgia Blue is a partner in the Blue Hollomon Gal-lery. She has held positions with the Visual Arts Center of Alaska and the Alaska State Council on the Arts, has managed the Nancy Taylor Stonington Gallery and was the enterprise director at the Anchorage Museum for twenty years. Georgia also managed the Anchorage Mu-seum Shop and founded and nurtured Crafts Weekend at the Museum, the Bead Expo, Summer Art Potpourri and Masters of Mud. She also received the national Museum Store Association’s top award for her services in Alaska to other museum store staff and the national MSA board.

Tuesdays

Handbell RingingPresenter: Caroline ValentineFirst Congregational Church (2610 E. Northern Lights Blvd.)9:45 to 11:00 AM8 weeks, January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28

This advanced beginner/intermediate course is geared to those who have had some experience with handbell ringing, playing a musical instrument or reading music. Participants will learn handbell ringing symbols and spe-cial techniques as they work on several secular handbell pieces.

Register online at www.OleAnchorage.org. Need Help? Call Marci at 231-0095.

Mondays

Winter 2017 www.OleAnchorage.org

Winter 2017 Schedule

Reminders: In-Person Registration If you don’t have access to a computer or aren’t confidant registering online, you may still register in-person with OLÉ! registrar Marci Johnson. In-person registration will take place this term at the Alaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo (301 W. Northern Lights Blvd.) from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM on the following dates:

Tuesday, December 20, 2016 Wednesday, December 21, 2016Wednesday, January 4, 2017

Starting Thursday, January 12, 2017, Marci will also be available at the Anchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellow-ship (2824 E. 18th Ave.) from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM for the eight Thursdays of the winter term. You can also reach Marci anytime during the week at 231-0095 or [email protected].

COMING SOON: Shared Interest Groups at OLÉ!

A Shared Interest Group (SIG) is a group of OLÉ! members that meets regularly to pursue and enjoy a common inter-est or activity. The focus might be on a subject for discussion, or a skill, or a recreational or social activ-ity. Examples of SIGs that have been formed elsewhere include book discussion, playing bridge, music appre-ciation, foreign language conversation, photography, Qi Gong, genealogy, walking, movies, art and current events. Unlike classes with instructors, SIGs are initiated and run by the members.

The OLÉ! Board is hoping to have a SIG program up and running early in 2017. Watch for further details. In the meantime, think about what kind(s) of SIG(s) you might be interested in joining – or starting – and discuss your ideas with your fellow members.

Tuesdays

• January 10: Anchorage Museum Library - Muse Cafe for lunch

• January 17: Mountain View Public Library - Yes! Bistro for lunch

• January 24: Anchorage Law Library - Snow City Cafe for Lunch

• January 31: Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Library - Thai Kitchen for lunch

Intermediate RecorderPresenter: Sue RiehleInstructor’s Home in Rogers Park11:15 AM to 12:30 PM8 weeks, January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28

A continuation of the introductory recorder class of-fered last semester. The fall class is not a prerequisite, but those who did not attend must play, or have played, recorder and should contact the instructor to determine if this is the appropriate class for them. Sue Riehle has taught privately (sax, clarinet, piano, re-corder) and in school settings since 1978 and conducted adult vocal and instrumental groups in Alaska and New Zealand. She enjoys arranging music to fit students’ needs and is passionate about early music and instru-ments. She firmly believes that it is NEVER too late to enjoy the camaraderie, teamwork, discipline and joy of making music.

Introductory RecorderPresenter: Sue RiehleInstructor’s Home, Rogers Park1:00 to 2:30 PM8 weeks, January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28

This class is for those who have played an instrument in the near or distant past and wish to learn the finer points of playing recorder as a serious instrument. It is not necessary to have played recorder but recommended that you be at least somewhat familiar with reading mu-sic. Students should bring their own recorders. Yamaha soprano recorders are available for purchase at The Horn Doctor at a reduced rate for OLÉ! students. The instruc-tor recommends that everyone have the same model recorder (soprano model # YRS 302B, $18).

Caroline Valentine loves ringing, directing and helping others to ring with joy. She directs the Northern Lights Ringers and has been certified by the Handbell Musicians of America.

Can’t Read a Note But I Want ToPresenter: Sue RiehleInstructor’s Home, Rogers Park10:00 to 11:00 AM8 weeks, January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 28

Have you always wanted to learn to read music and play an instrument but never quite found the time? If so, this class is for you. The only prerequisite is no prior experience and a willingness to play the recorder. Students should bring their own recorders; Yamaha soprano recorders are available for purchase at The Horn Doctor at a reduced rate for OLÉ! students. The instructor recommends that everyone have the same model recorder (soprano model # YRS 302B, $18).

Sue Riehle has taught privately (sax, clarinet, piano, recorder) and in school settings since 1978 and conducted adult vocal and instrumental groups in Alaska and New Zealand. She enjoys arranging music to fit students’ needs and is passionate about early music and instruments. She firmly believes that it is NEVER too late to enjoy the cama-raderie, teamwork, discipline and joy of making music.

Libraries and Dutch LunchPresenter: VariousVarious Libraries10:45 AM to 1:00 PM4 weeks, January 10, 17, 24, 31Limited to 15 participants

Tour some of the more obscure libraries in Anchorage, then join your fellow classmates for a bite to eat. Check out archival collections with Teressa Williams at the Anchorage Museum library; 3-D printing with Virginia McClure at the Mountain View Library; law resources for the lay person with Buck Sterling at the Anchorage Law Library; and materials for creating an energy efficient home with Betty Hall at the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation Library.

OLÉ! Courses for Winter 201 7

2 Register online at www.OleAnchorage.org. Need Help? Call Marci at 231-0095.

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A graduate of UAA Culinary Arts program, Judith Mack has taught in that program as an adjunct for the past seven years. Her specialty is traditional ethnic cuisine, as she loves unique flavors from different cultures. She has taught courses in Ethiopian, Italian, Southeast Asian, Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiian and Mediterranean cuisine. Judith’s latest accomplishment was to walk the Camino de Santiago last summer.

Wednesdays

Biography Reading and SharingPresenter: Ginger HansellAlaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo (301 W. Northern Lights Blvd.) 9:15 to 10:30 AM8 weeks, January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22, March 1

Read a biography of a person of interest to you and then share his/her story with the class. Each week, one or two class members will talk about the book they read, sometimes supplementing the book’s story with pictures, maps or other materials. Ginger will present at the first session by way of example, and there will be a signup sheet for subsequent sessions. The emphasis is on par-ticipation, but listeners are welcome. You read only one biography and hear about all the rest. Any biography of your choice; no autobiographies, please.

Ginger Hansell is a recent transplant from Wisconsin where she and her husband lived on a farm and raised draft horses. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a master’s degree in psychology, she is now a retired therapist. While in Wisconsin, she participated in a pro-gram similar to OLÉ! called PLATO - Participatory Learn-ing and Teaching Organization. Her experience in PLATO inspired her to offer a similar course for OLÉ!


3Register online at www.OleAnchorage.org. Need Help? Call Marci at 231-0095.

Theater Set DesignPresenter: Brian SaylorAnchorage Community Theater (1133 E. 70th Ave., between Old and New Seward Highways)1:00 to 2:30 PM5 weeks, January 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14Limited to 25 participants

Anchorage Community Theatre’s resident set designer Brian Saylor will discuss set design basics and set dress-ing and properties. The class will then hear what the director is planning for the March 2017 production of The Best of Everything. Participants will be given a script and asked to draft a floor plan for the production, and after elements from each plan have been reviewed, a final floor plan will be presented to the play’s director for final approval. Starting February 20th, participants who have attended all the class sessions will have the opportunity to work with ACT carpenters to build and paint the set during the final weeks before the play opens. Preview night is March 23rd.

Brian Saylor is retired from UAA where he was the director of the Institute for Circumpolar Health Studies. In retirement, he has focused his talents on theater set design for Cyrano’s and Anchorage Community Theater, where he currently serves on the board of directors. He received the Kay Linton Volunteer in the Arts Award in 2011.

Introduction to Indian Cuisine, Sections 1 and 2Presenter: Judith MackThomas Center for Senior Leadership, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church (2190 E. Tudor Rd.)1:00 to 3:30 PMSection 1: February 21Section 2: February 28Limited to 10 participants per sectionFee: $15.00Sign up for one section only as the two sections are identical.

Make custom, freshly toasted garam masala, authentic Madras chicken curry and spiced basmati rice to take home. The course will include an introduction to the fragrant spices commonly used in Indian cooking, as well as additional recipes, shortcuts and tips.

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Wednesdays

Writing Your Life StoriesPresenter: Karen IngrahamAlaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo (301 W. Northern Lights Blvd.)10:45 AM to 12:00 Noon8 weeks, January 11, 18, 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22, March 1

Life review is liberating. It allows us to recognize our accomplishments, accept our failures and put our life in context. Ultimately, it leads to greater meaning in our present life and a future that reflects who we really are. However, recording life stories can be a daunting task. This course is designed to stimulate memories, help organize stories with common themes and give tips on what to do with those stories when they are finished. It is not about writing techniques or style. Each participant will write two pages on a different topic each week and share it with a small group of classmates. New themes are introduced each session, so newcomers, as well as veteran autobiographers, are welcome.

Karen Ingraham is a “Guided Autobiography” enthu-siast who now applies her English and history education and her professional experience as an executive assistant to the task of writing memoirs. She realized the impor-tance of writing about one’s life when she set out to describe her parents’ history in Alaska but found very few written accounts of their adventures.

Alaska’s Heroines Among UsPresenter: VariousAlaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo (301 W. Northern Lights Blvd.)1:00 to 2:15 PM4 weeks, January 11, 18, 25, February 1

Dr. Gretchen Bersch will moderate interviews with four notable women from the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame who will each chat informally about her experiences, ideas and wisdom. These are some of the pioneer women who were directly involved in shaping Alaska.

• January 11: Eleanor Andrews An Alaska civic entrepreneur for over 50 years,

Eleanor Andrews is the owner of Andrews Group. She was State Commissioner of Administration and Director of the MOA’s Human Resources and



has served on multiple boards working for quality schools, affordable housing and safe neighborhoods.

• January 18: R. Gail Phillips One of two women speakers of the Alaska State

House, Gail Phillips served ten years in the House as well as in numerous leadership roles in state govern-ment, the Alaska Republican party, and the private sector. She was named one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Alaskans four times.

• January 25: Sandy Harper Sandy Harper is a cultural entrepreneur, busi-

ness trailblazer and owner of Cyrano’s Off-Center Playhouse. Under her leadership, the company has been a vibrant presence in the community, offer-ing cutting edge, classic, contemporary and original plays. Sandy has mentored and fostered women and Alaska Native writers and actors.

• February 1: Nancy Sydnam Dr. Nancy Elliott Sydnam, a true Renaissance

woman, practiced medicine for over 50 years in both Anchorage and rural Alaska. Besides her work as a dedicated and resourceful medical practitioner, she is a writer and poet, musician, hunter and dog trainer. She has written with deep affection about Alaska’s beautiful and bleak landscape and the people she encountered on her adventures. She has been a mentor to many, especially young women.

Math and Logic Games and PuzzlesPresenter: Mardene CollinsAlaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo (301 W. Northern Lights Blvd.)1:00 to 2:15 PM4 weeks, February 8, 15, 22, March 1

No need to be intimidated by this math! Come explore intriguing number patterns using group games, activi-ties and puzzles. You may be surprised at how enjoyable math can be. And if you’ve always been a math lover, you may even encounter something new.

Mardene Collins is a retired middle school math teacher who is convinced that everyone can learn math if different learning styles are accommodated. She holds a Master of Science degree in curriculum and instruction

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and was awarded the Presidential Award for Excellence in Math Teaching.

Shakespeare AloudPresenter: Helena SpectorAlaska Heritage Museum at Wells Fargo (301 W. Northern Lights Blvd.)2:30 to 4:15 PM6 weeks, January 25, February 1, 8, 15, 22, March 1

Here’s your chance to play Ophelia! -- or Hamlet! -- or Ti-tania! -- or Petruchio! Each week we’ll read Shakespeare aloud, pausing at will to clarify or discuss some of the most entertaining lines. Prefer a supporting role? These plays have plenty to go around. Reading his works aloud is one of the most delightful ways to dive into Shake-speare. Come join us as we read Taming of the Shrew, Hamlet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Helena Spector taught basic writing courses at UAA from 2000-2016. In addition to several courses for OLÉ!, she has taught writing and literature courses, including Shakespeare, History of Theater, and Literature of Alaska at universities in Southeast Alaska, the U.S., China, Esto-nia and Vietnam.

Thursdays

Places to Go Birding in AlaskaPresenter: Lynn BarberAnchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Audito-rium (2824 E. 18th Ave)9:15 to 10:30 AM8 weeks, January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2

Consider the state from a birder’s point of view. Each class will feature a particular region of Alaska (western, southern and southeastern mainland and islands, central and northern) covering the nature of the terrain, climate and population, how to get there and what birds to look for. Expect lots of photos of birds in their natural environ-ment. Class members will be encouraged to contribute information, and, if there is interest, a birding field trip will be scheduled in the Anchorage area.

Lynn Barber was born in Wisconsin and has lived in Oregon, North Carolina, Texas, South Dakota, and now Alaska. Her books Extreme Birding: One Woman’s Big Year (2011) and Birds in Trouble (2016) were published by Texas A&M University Press. She completed a birding big year in Alaska in 2016. Other avocations include painting and photographing birds, giving bird-related talks, and playing the hammered dulcimer.

Alaska Political History Through the Art of Peter Dunlap-Shohl

Presenter: VariousAnchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Audito-rium (2824 E. 18th Ave)10:45 AM to 12:00 Noon8 weeks, January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2

Peter Dunlap-Shohl depicted Alaska political events in editorial cartoons for the Anchorage Daily News for over 25 years and, more recently, for the Alaska Dispatch News. Each class session will showcase a selection of his work, and a presenter - historian, journalist, politi-cian or subject expert - will talk about the people, issues and events of that time. Peter will join us for one session to talk about his career. Speakers include Jim Barnett, Joe Banta, Tim Bradner, Michael Carey, Sam Combs, Elvi Gray-Jackson, Steve Haycox, Gunnar Knapp, Pam Miller and Jack Roderick.

• January 12: LGBT Equality Jim Barnett is an Anchorage attorney who has

served on the Anchorage Assembly and as deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources. He has been president of the Cook Inlet Historical Society since 1998, is the author of Captain Cook in Alaska and the North Pacific, and has trav-eled around the world in search of original materials about the early-recorded history of Alaska and the west coast of North America.

Before her election to the Anchorage Assembly in 2008, Elvi Gray-Jackson’s long public service career included work for the MOA Public Transit Depart-ment, director of the Assembly’s Budget and

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Legislative Services Office, director of the Alaska Railbelt Energy Authority with Municipal Light and Power, chair of the Municipality’s Cooperative Services Authority, as well as serving on the Board of Directors of Boys and Girls Club, Alaska.

• January 19: Representative Don Young Michael Carey was an editorial writer and columnist

for the Anchorage Daily News for 16 years and the editorial page editor for 10 years. He is now a col-umnist for the Alaska Dispatch News. His career in broadcasting with Alaska Public Television included hosting “Alaska Edition” and the election program “Running.”

• January 26: Building in Anchorage Sam Combs, AIA, is principal architect with Combs

and Combs Architecture in Anchorage. He has been involved in historic building preservation projects around the state.

• February 2: Oil Revenue and State Finances Dr. Gunnar Knapp recently retired from UAA where

he was professor of economics and director of the Institute of Social and Economic Research. He is an internationally known specialist on the economics of the seafood industry and has presented widely on analyses of Alaska state revenues and budget.

• February 9: Ethics in Government/Campaign Finance

Dr. Steve Haycox is distinguished professor emeritus of history at UAA where he taught for 40 years. He holds numerous honors and awards, has authored books on Alaska history, and writes a bi-weekly op-ed column for the Anchorage Dispatch News.

• February 16: Frank Murkowski, Governor Columnist Tim Bradner has written for the Alaska

Legislative Digest, the Alaska Economic Report, the Alaska Journal of Commerce, the Anchorage Daily News, and Anchorage Dispatch News. Tim special-izes in writing about the oil and mining industries, state fiscal policy, and Alaska economic develop-ment.

• February 23: Environmental Contaminants and the Exxon Valdez

Pamela K. Miller is the executive director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics and has 30 years experience in research, advocacy and training programs focusing on environmental health, justice, and marine ecology. She was the principal investiga-tor for several community-based research projects with indigenous communities and supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). She is particularly known for her work pro-moting state, national and international chemicals policy reform to protect environmental and human health in the Arctic.

Joe Banta grew up in a fishing family in Cordova and knows Prince Williams Sound both before and after March 24, 1989, when a now infamous oil supertanker struck Bligh Reef. The Prince William Sound Regional Citizens’ Advisory Council was then formed, and Joe has served on it in varying capacities for over 25 years.

• March 2: The Mayors of Anchorage Mayor of the Greater Anchorage Area Borough from

1972 to 1975, Jack Roderick is the author of Crude Dreams: A Personal History of Oil and Politics in Alaska (1997) and is currently writing his memoir.

The National Parks of AlaskaPresenter: VariousAnchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Audito-rium (2824 E. 18th Ave)1:00 to 2:15 PM8 weeks, January 12, 19, 26, February 2, 9, 16, 23, March 2

Review the 100-year history of the National Park Ser-vice and the special attractions of the Alaska parks. The National Park Service protects nearly 54 million acres in Alaska in the form of parks, preserves, monuments, his-torical parks and historic areas. Join National Park Service rangers as they delve into the ecology, climate, history, geology and significance of a different park each week and discover how you can explore your national parks. Which park nearly had a highway run through it? What is the difference between a park, a preserve and a monument? Learn this and more as you explore these public lands. A National Park Service facility tour will also be scheduled.

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• January 12: Introduction to the National Park Service and Denali National Park

• January 19: Katmai National Park• January 26: Glacier Bay National Park • February 2: Gates of the Arctic National Park • February 9: Lake Clark National Park • February 16: Kenai Fiords National Park• February 23: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park• March 2: Kobuk Valley National Park

Ranger Mary Kate Reeder has a passion for wild lands and open spaces. When not working at the Alaska Public Lands Information Center or writing her thesis for her master’s program at Alaska Pacific University, she can be found playing in the Chugach Mountains or planning a trip to a place with no cell phone service. Ranger Alicia Bento, new to Alaska, grew up in New Hampshire. A college research paper focusing on the national parks sparked her interest in making the NPS her career. Alaska makes the fifth state she has worked in with the NPS. Alicia is looking forward to learning to cross country ski as a way to escape her online MBA course work. Ranger John V. Stanford Jr. moved back to Alaska after com-pleting 24 years of military service. Upon his return in June 2014, John focused his attention on earning a history degree at UAA. In the spring of 2015, John was selected for an internship with the National Park Service as an interpretive park ranger at Alaska Public Lands Informa-tion Center.

Beringia, the Land Bridge: Its Past, Present and Future

Presenter: Ian BuvilAnchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Audito-rium (2824 E. 18th Ave)2:30 to 3:45 PM4 weeks, January 12, 19, 26, February 2

Beringia, a now partially submerged stretch of land from the Lena River in Siberia to the Yukon in Canada, has long been believed to be the route the first humans took to North America. But that is just part of the story. Explore the physiographic history of Beringia, study recent mod-els explaining its role in the peopling of the New World, and discuss issues facing the region today.

New to the National Park Service in 2016, Dr. Ian Buvit comes to Anchorage from Ellensburg, Washington, where

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he spent the last decade teaching anthropology and directing Central Washington University’s Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. As an archaeologist, Ian has a keen interest in Siberia and Alaska where he has conducted collaborative research since the mid-1990s.

Delving into the History of MedicinePresenter: James O’MalleyAnchorage Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, Audi-torium (2824 E. 18th Ave)2:30 to 3:45 PM4 weeks, February 9, 16, 23, March 2

Historically, some form of medical practice has been a part of every civilization. Over the past century the rise of science based, and more recently, technologically based, medicine has brought great changes. This course will examine the history of medical and surgical practice through the ages with an emphasis on developments during the past one hundred years.

Dr. James E. O’Malley is a second-generation physi-cian who is now mostly retired from a 30-year surgical practice in Anchorage. He has written and lectured extensively on the modern treatment of frostbite and has served on the medical staffs in leadership roles at both Alaska Regional and Providence Hospitals. He has devel-oped a keen interest in the many aspects of the history of medicine.

Fridays

Spanish for TravelersPresenter: Noel NelsonUAA Campus, TBD9:15 to 10:30 AM8 weeks, January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3

Designed to give travelers enough vocabulary and struc-ture to interact with local people in everyday situations — holding simple conversations, finding lodging, taking public transportation, asking for directions or help, shop-ping, exchanging money, ordering in a restaurant – as well as situations suggested by class participants. If you want to get started learning before class begins, consider Duo Lingo, a free App with pictures and a native speaker

Fridays



talking (you can choose the speed!); and Mango, a free program available for download at Z.J. Loussac Library.

Noel asks that students e-mail her after registering ([email protected]) and describe their experiences with Spanish and suggest situations they’d like to prac-tice. In one sentence, how much Spanish do you already know and how did you learn it? (Don’t forget to include your name!) A love of languages and other cultures has always been a part of Noel Nelson’s life, a trait she inherited from her mother. She has studied Spanish, French, Russian, Latin and a little Italian, and just returned from a trip to Italy where she communicated without many words — just a smile, gestures and an occasional sentence. Noel taught English as a Second Language for 15 years and Spanish for 10 years in the Anchorage School District. Her goal in teaching is always to make the lessons fun, useful, and nonthreatening.

Introduction to the Middle EastPresenter: Alex BortnickUAA Campus, TBD9:15 to 10:30 AM4 weeks, January 13, 20, 27, February 3

A sweeping overview of the Middle East, including its geography, populations, religions and history, beginning in 550 AD, moving through the breakup of the Ottoman Empire, World War II and the establishment of Israel, then continuing through the wars, revolutions, agreements, interventions, movements, policies and environmental issues that shaped and continue to influence the region.

Alex Bortnick, taught social studies at East High School where he periodically covered the Middle East. He stud-

ied the Middle East and the Ottoman Empire in college, lived in Israel for several years, even worked as a prison guard for the Israeli Prison Service. Alex made over 50 trips to Eastern Europe and Russia in his 20-year career as an attorney specializing in international adoption. He was also a teacher chaperone for eight years with People to People International Student Educational Travel.

How to Listen to and Understand Great Music: The Romantic Era

Presenter: Marcia StratmanUAA Campus, TBD10:45 AM to 12:00 Noon8 weeks, January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3

An introduction to Romanticism in music: The rise of the individual finds full flower in the arts of the 19th century as artists, writers and composers followed the muses of extreme emotion, nationalism, nature and the supernatu-ral. Professor Robert Greenberg’s video series, “How to Listen to and Understand Great Music,” will take the class on an 8-week journey visiting composers such as Chopin, Schubert, Berlioz, Verdi and Wagner. Facilitated by Marcia Stratman, this class explores culture, people and music through the eyes and ears of Professor Green-berg, a noted composer, performer and lecturer with a great sense of humor.

Marcia Stratman has been an Anchorage musician and music educator for decades. She is a retired church organist and freelance piano accompanist for recitals and competitions throughout the city.

Melting the Ice Curtain: Contemporary Alaska-Russia Relations

Presenter: David RamseurUAA Campus, TBD10:45 AM to 12:00 Noon4 weeks, January 13, 20, 27, February 3

At the height of the Cold War in the 1980s, Alaska and Russia ended a 40-year ban on contact across the Bering Strait and launched a 30-year era of productive com-mercial, civic and educational relations. They also helped reunite Alaska and Russian Native relatives separated since before World War II. This course will explore that

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colorful and sometimes dangerous Ice Curtain era, with its lessons for today’s relationship between the world’s major powers. Join us for a look behind the curtain with photos, videos, personal recollections of key participants and the instructor’s research and book on the topic. Former journalist and senior political advisor, David Ramseur, is completing a book, scheduled for publica-tion next July, on contemporary Alaska-Russia relations. It documents Alaskan and Russian citizen diplomats melting the Bering Strait Ice Curtain beginning in the late 1980s. As press secretary and chief of staff to Governors Steve Cowper and Tony Knowles and mayor and U.S. Senator Mark Begich, Ramseur has visited Russia more than a dozen times and served as a media advisor to a regional Russian governor in 1993. He was the Fairbanks News-Miner’s Juneau and Washington, D.C. correspon-dent in the 1980s.

Inside the Courtroom: How to Win a Criminal Jury Trial

Presenter: Marcelle McDannelUAA Campus, TBD10:45 AM to 12:00 Noon4 weeks, February 10, 17, 24, March 3

How are criminal cases won or lost by trial lawyers? Working from an actual murder case tried in the Alaska Superior Court, this class will show you how a criminal case is strategized, prepared and successfully presented to a jury. From developing themes, through plotting wit-ness examinations, to crafting closing arguments, we’ll explore how criminal trial attorneys work to shape the facts of a case to maximize jury appeal. Students will be encouraged to develop and test their own trial skills.

Marcelle McDannel has been working in criminal law for almost two decades, both as a prosecutor and criminal defense attorney. Her first exposure to homicides was as a prosecutor in the Violent Crimes Unit of the Anchorage District Attorney’s Office. She worked closely with detec-tives and analysts from the Alaska Scientific Crime Detec-tion Lab preparing murder cases for successful prosecu-tion at trial. As a criminal defense attorney, Marcelle has defended clients throughout the state. She has received instruction in crime scene reconstruction, bloodstain pat-tern analysis and shooting incident analysis from nation-ally recognized experts.

A Taste of LatinPresenter: Tony BellUAA Campus, TBD

1:00 to 2:15 PM8 weeks, January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3

Literally, a “taste of Latin” and a bit of Rome. This course will cover the structure of the language, its history and its influence on everyday spoken English. Two books are recommended for those interested: Ad Infinitym: A Biography of Latin by Nicholas Ostler (2007), Walker and Company (www.walkerbooks.com) and An Ancient Guide to Modern Life by Natalie Haynes (2010), The Overlook Press (www.overlookpress.com). Both are available through Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Tony Bell bravely enrolled in beginning Latin at UAA after retiring as a nurse practitioner in 2009. Of the 20 students who began the course, five took the final; Latin was then dropped from the course listing, and Tony became an “autodidact” searching for an instructor. He worked with a tutor for a few months, but finally turned to on-line instruction where he has been able to continue his Latin education.

How to Look at and Understand Great Art: Part Two

Presenter: Dianne BarskeUAA Campus, TBD1:00 to 2:15 PM8 weeks, January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3

The Great Courses© DVD series, How to Look at and Un-derstand Great Art, continues with the next 16 lectures in the series that began in the fall 2016 term. Award-win-ning Professor Sharon Latchow Hirsh of Rosemont College provides an in-depth exploration of the skill of viewing art through the lenses of line, light, perspective, composition and other elements of technique. Richly illustrated with masterpieces of Western painting, sculpture and graphic art, plus studio demonstrations of technique, these lectures will deepen your understanding and appreciation of great works of art. If you missed the course last fall, you’ll still learn much from the upcoming presentations, and you can borrow the DVD from the

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OLÉ! library to watch the earlier lectures after the winter course is finished.

OLÉ! member Dianne Barske has always loved art - cre-ating it, studying it, looking at it. In college she majored in English, minored in art, and was drawn to art history. Dianne has a master’s degree in English education, has taught both English and art to children for many years, and has an ongoing writing career.

Secondhand SightseeingPresenter: VariousUAA Campus, TBD1:00 to 2:15 PM4 weeks, January 13, 20, 27, February 3

• January 13: Patagonia: Birds and Botany: In November 2015, retired teachers Annie and Dennis Ronsse went to Patagonia for hiking, botany and birds. They traveled with backpacks and mostly by bus for five weeks, gradually improving their Span-ish and greatly improving their knowledge of South America. Friendly people, spectacular landscapes, interesting birds and endemic plants created a cold, windy paradise for them. Dennis and Annie grew up in Kansas and came to Alaska to earn money for a down payment on a nice little family farm. Thirty-sev-en years later they are still here, with grown children and no interest in leaving. They are both Master Gardeners and spend the summers growing a big food garden.

• January 20: New Zealand: Travel to both the North and South Islands of New Zealand, a country that offers diverse environments, friendly people and spectacular beauty - a little like Alaska but with tropi-cal vegetation. Dr. Deb Geeseman is a psychiatrist in private practice. When she’s not helping patients explore their inner landscapes, she enjoys exploring other lands and cultures.

• January 27: New York City: Barbara Brown spent a month in New York City taking advantage of every cultural, literary, theatrical, artistic, outdoor, politi-cal, historical offering she could find. By the time she was done, New Yorkers were checking her blog to see

what she’d uncovered. No calendar, handout, flyer, newspaper or website was safe from her prying eyes as she found classes, tours, free days, even hidden museums. She’ll share her methods for immersion in any location. Barbara wrote one children’s story, which has led a charmed life, culminating in its sec-ond publication in 2013. Her column appeared in the Anchorage Daily News for eight years, and she’s the playwright of (and actor in) two one-act plays. She’s a storyteller and now, a blogger at http://3rdthirds.blogspot.com

• March 3: Mt. Kailas, Tibet: In the spring of 2013, Chris Tower Zafren and her husband Ken joined a group of doctors in Kathmandu to travel the Kodari Road to Tibet. They completed a kora (clockwise circuit) around Mt. Kailas, a mountain in Tibet that is holy to the Buddhist, Hindu, Jain, Sikh and Bon religions. Along the way, they got a taste of what the Chinese takeover has meant for the Tibetan people. Chris was a school psychologist with the Anchorage School District, is the president of the Alaska Wa-tercolor Society, and plays violin with the Anchorage Civic Orchestra.

iPad for BeginnersPresenter: Lara MaddenUAA Campus, TBD1:00 to 2:15 PM4 weeks, February 10, 17, 24, March 3

An introduction to iPad for novice users. The course will cover how the technology works, the Apple Cloud, Apps and how to find them, as well as how to get the best performance out of your tablet.

Lara Madden holds a Graduate Certificate in eLearning, and a Master of Science in Instructional Technologies. She currently teaches several introductory courses for the UAA College of Business and Public Policy and trains fac-ulty to use iPads for teaching as the professional develop-ment and community coordinator for UAA’s Academic In-novations & eLearning. Ms. Madden was also part of the UAA Center for Human Development TAPESTRY Student iPad Program where she supported student learning with newly issued iPads.

Fridays (continued)



Protecting Our Health: New Science and Environmental Health Policy

Presenter: Pam MillerUAA Campus, TBD2:30 to 3:45 PM4 weeks, January 13, 20, 27, February 3

Learn about the endocrine-disrupting and multi-gener-ational effects of exposure to toxic chemicals in our air, water, food and household products. Recent scientific discoveries of risks should inform policy at the local, state, national and international levels, but does it? What role can citizens play in promoting policies that protect vulner-able populations?

Pamela K. Miller is the executive director of Alaska Community Action on Toxics, with 30 years experience in research, advocacy and training programs focused on en-vironmental health, justice and marine ecology. She was the principal investigator for several community-based research projects with indigenous communities and sup-ported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). She is particularly known for her work promoting state, national and international chemicals policy reform to protect environmental and human health in the Arctic.

Films by John SaylesPresenter: Mary KatzkeUAA Campus, TBD2:30 to 5:00 PM8 weeks, January 13, 20, 27, February 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3

Love and intrigue in the midst of declining salmon and timber industries in southeast Alaska; a West Virginia coal miners’ strike in 1920; complex family relations and ethnic tensions in a Texas border town; the 1919 Chicago White Sox World Series scandal; magic and mystery in an Irish coastal village; despair and resilience in the Louisiana Bayou. These are some of the themes and places depicted in the 18 films written and directed by American inde-pendent film director, John Sayles. In the first class of this course, local independent film producer, Mary Katzke, will discuss Sayles’ philosophy and methods, after which we will watch Return of the Secaucus 7 (1980), Sayles’ direc-

torial debut, which has been included in the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress. In subsequent weeks, we will watch seven feature length films that reflect Sayles’ talent for developing complex characters, portray-ing historical events, and capturing a sense of place and culture in diverse settings. Recipient of a MacArthur Fel-lowship and an Edgar Award, Sayles has twice been nomi-nated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Passion Fish (1992) and Lone Star (1996). His film Men with Guns (1997) was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film.

Mary Katzke, founder and executive director of Affini-tyfilms, graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in radio, television and film, and New York University’s Graduate Tisch School of the Arts with a Master of Fine Art in writing and directing film and televi-sion. She has produced 36 documentaries and feature films. In 1987, Mary brought John Sayles to Anchorage to conduct a screenwriting retreat.

Climate ChangePresenter: Travis RectorUAA Planetarium and Visualization Theater, Inte-grated Science Building 4:00 to 5:15 PM4 weeks, January 13, 20, 27, February 3Limited to 60 participants

Climate change is the science issue that will define this century, impacting nearly every form of life on Earth. What is climate change? What is causing it? How are humans responsible and what can we do to mitigate its effects? In this 4-week course, astronomy professor Travis Rector will explain the key scientific concepts behind climate change, so that participants will better understand and prepare for what lies ahead.

Dr. Travis Rector is a professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at UAA. He researches explod-ing stars in the Andromeda galaxy and has had many of his deep sky images featured in national magazines. His recent book, Coloring the Universe, was published in 2015 and includes many of these images. Dr. Rector was instru-mental in designing UAA’s Planetarium and Visualization Theater.

Fridays (continued)

Fairbanks: Ice and EnergyMarch 23-25, 2017Pike’s Waterfront Lodge, Fairbanks (1850 Hoselton Rd.)www.pikeslodge.com

Total Cost: $225, includes two night’s lodging, double oc-cupancy ($325 for single), two breakfasts, transportation to tour destinations, and entrance fees. Transportation to and from Fairbanks is not included.Deposit: $100 due within five days of registering. Balance ($155 or $255) due by February 21, 2017.Activity Level: Easy: Able to handle your own luggage, stand for up to one hour, climb a few stairs, and get on and off a motor coach or van.Limited to 20 participants

Fairbanks is home to the World Ice Art Championships and some interesting energy resource projects. This trip includes two nights at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge and two full-day excursions in and around Fairbanks.

Thursday, March 23: Meet in Fairbanks mid-morning and travel by motor coach for a tour of the University of Alaska and the Museum of the North, the only research and teach-ing museum in Alaska. Then head to Chena Hot Springs to visit the geothermal renewable energy facility and the Ice

Museum (how do they keep it cold all year round?) before warming up in the hot springs.

Friday, March 24: Tour the Poker Flats Research Range, the largest land-based rocket research range in the world, with the past director. Spend the afternoon at Ice Alaska to view the finished sculptures and attend the awards and lighting ceremony that evening. Then back to Pike’s Landing, also an energy producer (they produce up to 21,000 kilowatts of power, even in the winter).

Saturday, March 25: Return to Anchorage on your own itinerary.

Notes: • Lunches and dinners in Fairbanks are not included,

but group meals and/or box lunches may be arranged. Transportation between Anchorage and Fairbanks is not included.

• Nonmember guests of OLÉ! members may register for this trip. For more information about trip registration and fees, go to Hikes & Trips/Trip Registration & Fees from the main menu of the OLÉ! website.

OLÉ!OPPORTUNITIES FOR LIFELONG EDUCATION!P.O. Box 240488Anchorage, AK 99524-0488231-0095

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage PAID

Permit No. 107Anchorage, AK

Hikes and Trips

winter 2017 schedule - oleanchorage.org

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