Saturday   

Join OLLI Intergenerational Scholar Allie Thurgood, ASU School of Art MA candidate, for a hands-on, heart-centered workshop where creativity and connection come together. This intergenerational class introduces participants to the basic techniques of hand-building with clay, pinching, coiling, and slab work, while weaving in meaningful dialogue and storytelling. Each participant will create a symbolic clay object that represents a personal value or memory. Then, paired with a partner, they'll work together to co-create a second piece to reflect their conversation and themes that emerge. Rooted in community building and intergenerational exchange, this workshop emphasizes both the technical fundamentals of ceramics and the power of shared experiences. No prior clay experience necessary! Just bring your hands, your stories, and your curiosity.

If ruminating on the past can lead to depression and stressing about the future can lead to anxiety, what’s the answer? The practice of mindfulness involves choosing to focus on the present moment. It doesn’t ask that you attempt to quiet your mind – by design, our brains are meant to be active – but it does encourage you to relax, focus, and breathe, thus calming the mind and body. Otherwise known as Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), this meditative practice has been found to improve physical symptoms such as chronic pain, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, and insomnia. It has also been shown to decrease emotional and psychological distress, such as depression and anxiety. Come practice with us! We will meet once a month at Hospice of the Valley Dementia Campus, in Phoenix, located at 44th St. between Indian School & Osborn, for a 30-minute meditation followed by several readings and poems. We’ll leave time afterwards for sharing thoughts and discussing the practice. We’ll also explore mindful walking and eating. Facilitated by Aimee Shramko We’re honored to partner with Hospice of the Valley, well-regarded experts in the practice of mindfulness, for this new SIG. Our sessions will be led by Dr. Gillian Hamilton, MD, PhD, and Medical Director for the Supportive Care for Dementia program at Hospice of the Valley.

There is no fee for this SIG

This Special Interest Group will explore US and Global Leadership issues.ToUsing materials provided by the Foreign Policy Association (fpa.org), and facilitated by Jim Stephens, Ph.D. and Kathleen Adamson, this SIG is a discussion group where all members are expected to prepare in advance, and be willingly share experiences, readings, and cultural perspectives in a civil environment. This is a small group providing opportunities for all to share in the discussion. We will meet at the Tempe Public Library, the fourth Saturday of each month, September through December. The first topic will be—American Policy in the Middle East (# 8 in the 2025 FPA edition). The reading booklet is purchased at www.fpa.org/great_decisions for $35.

One-time FEE: $10 per member, paid directly to Facilitator at first meeting, to rent library room for the semester.