Have you heard of French Impressionist Eva Gonzales? Or Australian Impressionist John Russell? How about Spanish Impressionist Joaquin Sorolla? Or Scandinavian Impressionist Peder Severin Kroyer? Or American Impressionist Frank Benson? Take a journey into the world of Impressionism through the eyes of these often overlooked artists. Travel through Europe, the United States as well as Australia, enjoying the luminous and multi-colored landscapes inspired by this popular style.

On the night of June 27, 1863, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart crossed the Potomac River with 5,000 horsemen at “Rowser’s Ford” and proceeded to ransack Montgomery County. However, this action proved a catastrophe for the Confederacy because Stuart should have been with Robert E. Lee’s army at Gettysburg. To deflect criticism, Stuart wrote a report glorifying his crossing at Rowser’s Ford as a heroic, superhuman effort. But the markers and history of the event misplace the site! Join Jim Johnston as he unravels this historical mystery.

The House Republican Caucus' difficulties in electing a Speaker in the fall of 2023 pointed out how the Grand Old Party has broken down into two factions uneasily coexisting under the same party label: one faction representing the traditional, business-oriented conservatism of Ronald Reagan, the other the anti-government populism of Donald Trump. Can these factions make peace in advance of the 2024 elections? How likely is Trump to be the Republican presidential nominee? And what might happen if he returns to the White House?

This guided tour will bring attendees into the Courtroom for a discussion of how the Court functions, as well as the history of the Supreme Court building and its architecture. Attendees will also visit some of the formal conference rooms, the Great Hall, and the Library. Participants are responsible for their own transportation and will meet at the Court. The Supreme Court is located on First Street NE between Constitution Avenue NE and East Capitol Street NE. Please enter the building via the Visitor Entrance, located to either side of the main steps on the front plaza, and proceed through security screening. Please allow time as there may be a line. A guide from the Curator’s Office will be posted at the John Marshall statue—the large bronze statue located at the end of the carpet on the ground floor. Please see this link for a list of prohibited items. Photography is prohibited inside the Courtroom, however it is permitted in the public parts of the building. The guide will provide more explicit instruction during the tour. Photos taken by guests elsewhere in the building are approved for personal memento use only and not for publication, and they may not be used in any manner that would convey endorsement by the Supreme Court. If you have any special needs, please inform Oasis ASAP and we will do our best to accommodate you. Please note that the class fee will be used to cover Washington Metro Oasis’s administrative costs. Neither Oasis nor the Court is profiting from this tour.

On the night of June 27, 1863, Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart crossed the Potomac River with 5,000 horsemen at “Rowser’s Ford” and proceeded to ransack Montgomery County. However, this action proved a catastrophe for the Confederacy because Stuart should have been with Robert E. Lee’s army at Gettysburg. To deflect criticism, Stuart wrote a report glorifying his crossing at Rowser’s Ford as a heroic, superhuman effort. But the markers and history of the event misplace the site! Join Jim Johnston as he unravels this historical mystery.

The House Republican Caucus' difficulties in electing a Speaker in the fall of 2023 pointed out how the Grand Old Party has broken down into two factions uneasily coexisting under the same party label: one faction representing the traditional, business-oriented conservatism of Ronald Reagan, the other the anti-government populism of Donald Trump. Can these factions make peace in advance of the 2024 elections? How likely is Trump to be the Republican presidential nominee? And what might happen if he returns to the White House?

Americans expect their president to be not only chief executive and commander in chief but also celebrity in chief. Journalist and historian Ken Walsh discusses this important dynamic and highlights presidents who have had star quality including George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. He will also discuss presidents who lacked star quality.

In 2019 eight buildings designed by Wright were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. The buildings represent Wright’s work through the first six decades of the twentieth century. This lecture traces the nomination process, examines the selection criteria, and briefly reviews the many revisions required for final acceptance. This richly illustrated lecture focuses on the buildings themselves detailing their unique features in construction, stylistic elements and their place in Wright’s body of work. The buildings in chronological order are: Unity Temple, 1905; the Robie House, 1907; Taliesin in Wisconsin, 1911; Hollyhock House, 1922; Taliesin West, 1935, Jacobs House 1936; Fallingwater 1937; and the Guggenheim Museum 1959.

Americans expect their president to be not only chief executive and commander in chief but also celebrity in chief. Journalist and historian Ken Walsh discusses this important dynamic and highlights presidents who have had star quality including George Washington, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama and Donald Trump. He will also discuss presidents who lacked star quality.

Facebook is the most popular social networking website in the world. It’s a great way to stay in touch with family and friends and can be accessed from computers, tablets and smartphones. In this course, you will learn how to create a free account, find friends and interest groups to connect with, post messages and photos, and set security levels.  Explore ways to use Facebook to explore your interests including features such as news and buying/selling items.  After this course, you will be able to continue using Facebook to maintain contacts with friends and explore its many features for personal and/or business use.  This is a hands-on class using the computers in our classroom.  In order to take this class, you should have an email account (email address and password) and the ability to use a web browser such as Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Billy Joel (1949- ) has amassed a lifetime of pop rock hits spanning nearly six decades, and continues to perform live shows featuring hits from throughout his career. With few exceptions, he stopped writing popular music in 1993; when he does write, he continues his flirtation with classical music. His work has been choreographed by Twyla Tharp, he has toured extensively with Elton John, and in 2021 he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his solo recording career.

Our March selection features the beloved amateur detective Miss Jane Marple.  A famous Hollywood actress arrives in Miss Marple’s own village of St. Mary Mead and her impact ripples in all sorts of directions; the book is dedicated to a famous English actress, Margaret Rutherford, who played Miss Marple in four beloved movies.  Please read the book so you can participate in our structured, facilitated, Zoom discussion.  (Note: Please join the meeting at 3 pm if you would like some assistance using the features of Zoom.  Otherwise, join us at 3:15 pm for the start of our discussion.)

Please join us for Oasis Volunteer Day at A Wider Circle. A Wider Circle’s Essential Support program provides basic items for the home to our neighbors seeking to rise out of poverty.  Volunteers help sort donations and stock the showrooms where clients select their items. With the help of volunteer groups like ours, A Wider Circle is able to furnish 10-20 homes free of charge each day for our neighbors in need. Volunteers will meet at A Wider Circle and receive a tour and orientation at the start of the visit. A Wider Circle is located at 9159 Brookville Road, Silver Spring, MD 20910.  There is no onsite parking for volunteers except those with mobility concerns.  Directions for parking nearby in the neighborhood and a volunteer waiver will be emailed to you before the event. Please wear closed-toed shoes (sneakers are best) and family-friendly comfortable clothes (no political messages). The Center is not fully temperature-controlled, so please dress for the weather. Limit:  20