It’s casual

For years, college kids have been rolling out of bed and going straight to class. At least, the pajama pants and flip flops made it seem that way. When it comes to fashion, these students were ahead of the curve. It was at the beginning of the Covid lockdown when I first heard the phrase “soft pants”. I’m no fashionista, so I had to wonder, “what are these ‘soft pants’ everyone is speaking of?” Searching the term, I came to find that soft pants are just what they sound like—they are pants that are soft. Yoga pants, sweatpants, anything stretchy. Bonus points if there is an elastic waistband involved. It turns out that while college students were wearing soft pants in public for decades, the rest of us were conditioned to believe that we had to impress everyone with our hard-panted outfits. Then, spring 2020 happened and everything was different. For one thing, all the world was wearing soft pants—if they were wearing pants at all. Five years later, the trend is still holding strong. Sweatpants are to trousers as Oscar Madison is to Felix Unger. As a society, we have rebranded our clothing. Suddenly sweatpants are “joggers”. Your gym clothes and loungewear are now labeled as “athleisure”. The best thing about athleisure is that it doesn’t require any athleticism. The emphasis is on leisure. On morning news shows, the hosts proudly wear sneakers with their suits signaling that it is fine for everyone to do the same. “Business wear” becomes “business casual” which becomes “casual”. I fear it’s only a matter of time before the college students of yore who paved the way for this fashion moment make it chic to wear hard pants and other restrictive garb again. They don’t know how good they had it.

Stay safe and healthy,

Tracy Jacobs

NRC Spring Osher Online—The deadline to register is March 20

We are excited to offer members more online course options through the Osher Online program. Study with subject matter experts, learn with Osher members from across the country, and experience this exciting new opportunity offered in partnership with the Osher National Resource Center. Each 6-week course meets on Zoom for 90 minutes. The National Resource Center will be hosting an online orientation for spring registrants on Tuesday, March 25.

• The Essential Jane Austen
• Bonsai, An Ancient Art in Modern Times
• Mainstreaming the Margins: A History of LGBTQ+ America
• Future Proofing Your Healthspan and Longevity
• Russia Beyond Russians
• Car Crazy: 1950s Onward
• Neurology in a Nutshell: The Brain Explained

Let’s Talk About the Weather!

Monday, April 14
Towson University—University Union Theater
5:30–6 p.m.: Welcome Reception
6–8 p.m.: Program

Extreme heat. Blizzards. Tornadoes. Fires. Hurricanes. Floods. Severe weather is more than just a subject for small talk. Severe weather affects us all. Join local experts to learn about the connection between severe weather, natural hazards, and vulnerability. Find out how emergency management teams work to prepare and help communities in the wake of severe weather. Consider the economic and public health repercussions of severe weather. Finally, learn how you can be better prepared for whatever Mother Nature brings our way.

Each ticket is $25 per person and includes a happy hour reception with hors d’oeuvres and beer and wine, along with parking located in the Union and Towsontown Garages.

Osher at Towson University and Osher at Johns Hopkins University present

Shtisel Watch Party with Jonathan Palevsky

Wednesdays 7–9 p.m. on Zoom
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30, May 7, 2025
Price: $90

Universal themes of family, love, loss, and the connections between art and religion make the Israeli series Shtisel call out to be shared with others. Though set in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Geula, populated by Haredi or Ultra-Orthodox Jews, it is, in essence, a family drama that can and does appeal to all cultures. Pithy and complex story lines along with excellent direction and casting make Shtisel a fascinating journey to watch and discuss.

Join Osher instructor Jonathan Palevsky, along with additional Osher instructors, to view and discuss this fascinating series.

Jonathan Palevsky, MM, is program director for WBJC, 91.5 FM, where he can be heard as host of Face the Music and Past Masters. Mr. Palevsky is an adjunct faculty member at Baltimore Hebrew University and has studied at The Johns Hopkins University's Peabody Conservatory.

Note: This series will meet online via Zoom. Registrants will receive Zoom link prior to the first session. This online series will not be recorded.