Rene Descartes was one of the great minds in history, making major contributions to mathematics, science, and philosophy. Writing in the shadow of Galileo's trial, Descartes tried to find a way to bring together the new science of the Copernican world with the views of the Church. We will explore the new ways of thinking that this required.

The Library of Congress, the most richly decorated public building in Washington, has been called “our national monument of art.” It is more than that. Completed in 1897 on Capitol Hill across from the US Capitol and adjacent to the Supreme Court Building, the Library embodies a late 19th century vision in architecture, painting, sculpture, and mosaic of the West’s rich cultural heritage and America’s place in forwarding that tradition. How many of us have visited, let alone savored the beauty and magnificence of the Thomas Jefferson Building? Join us for a virtual tour of the rich decorations and inspiring stories told in our country’s preeminent “Temple of Knowledge.”  (See related classes #375 and 423.)

An expatriate American, John S. Sargent was born in Florence, Italy, trained in Paris and lived most of his artistic career in London. He knew the Impressionists and their goals, and often painted en plein air. Technically facile, Sargent was the artistic heir of Anthony van Dyck, Thomas Gainsborough and Thomas Lawrence. A painter of extraordinary talent, by 1890 he was the undisputed premier portraitist of Gilded Age society, painting both British and American sitters. For his own sanity, Sargent painted small oils and bravura watercolors of landscapes and genre scenes. Eventually, he grew sick of painting faces and will spend the last years of his life painting landscapes and genre subjects for his own enjoyment and working on murals for Boston institutions like the Boston Public Library. On his death in 1925, his sisters distributed many works on paper to American museums to ensure their brother’s legacy. 2025 is the centenary of Sargent's death and several exhibitions mark this anniversary.

Need a getaway close to DC without the crowds? Consider Charlottesville: land of Jefferson’s Monticello and University of Virginia… and so much more! Consider an aboriginal art collection, one of the oldest art cooperatives in the country, and wineries, cideries, and microbreweries (oh, my!). The rich agriculture also means plenty of farms and orchard events and festivals, too. Travel expert Barbara Paulson helps you plan your next “stay-cation” to nearby Charlottesville.

Saxophonist Wayne Shorter, who passed away earlier this year at age 89, was among the most influential jazz performers and composers of the last half-century. This class will chart his remarkable career, from his career-making turn in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, to his central roles in both Miles Davis' "Second Great Quintet" and fusion pioneers "Weather Report." And he remained vital, both as a composer and performer, well into the 21st century. Attendees will listen to classic recordings, watch videos of the master in action, as well as be treated to some live saxophone playing from your instructor.

Saxophonist Wayne Shorter, who passed away earlier this year at age 89, was among the most influential jazz performers and composers of the last half-century. This class will chart his remarkable career, from his career-making turn in Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, to his central roles in both Miles Davis' "Second Great Quintet" and fusion pioneers "Weather Report." And he remained vital, both as a composer and performer, well into the 21st century. Attendees will listen to classic recordings, watch videos of the master in action, as well as be treated to some live saxophone playing from your instructor.

Born into the Russian aristocracy, Sergei Rachmaninoff quickly showed gifts as a composer and as a pianist. He went on to a spectacular international career, often performing his own works, including piano concertos that are frequently performed today. This class will review Rachmaninoff’s life and career, demonstrating the range and richness of his work through recordings (including some by Rachmaninoff) and the richness of his compositional style across many genres, combining melody, rich harmony, and dazzling pianism and orchestration.

Our first “feminist” first lady was also one of our most active and influential first ladies. While her paralyzed husband led our country through the Great Depression and World War II, Eleanor traveled throughout the country and the world bringing back to the White House a perspective that Franklin Roosevelt valued, appreciated and often implemented. An activist and humanitarian before, during and after FDR’s presidency, she served as Harry Truman’s Ambassador to the United Nations, where he called her “First Lady of the World.”

Are you are considering selling your home now or in the near future?  It’s never too early to get your home ready.  This session will cover proven strategies to enhance and position your home for today's buyers.  Topics will include home improvement projects that will maximize your sale price, options to pay for these projects, low-cost touches to make your home more appealing, and pros and cons of selling as is.  With the right approach, the home selling process can be seamless and rewarding.

Ragtime, Boogie-Woogie and Swing: Let's celebrate the diversity and creativity that got everyone's toes tappin’, and kept the dance floor rockin'. Ragtime had its roots in the sporting houses of the South, Boogie-Woogie woke everyone up in Texas, and Swing adopted some of the magic to provide the sound track for New York’s fanciest clubs and the corner soda-joint. Time to lean forward and enjoy the magic!

Are you are considering selling your home now or in the near future?  It’s never too early to get your home ready.  This session will cover proven strategies to enhance and position your home for today's buyers.  Topics will include home improvement projects that will maximize your sale price, options to pay for these projects, low-cost touches to make your home more appealing, and pros and cons of selling as is.  With the right approach, the home selling process can be seamless and rewarding.

(Due to HVAC issues at the Oasis center the date of this class has been moved to Wednesday, July 17 at 1:00pm.) From the mid-1950s through the present, his influence continues to shape Rock music like no one else on many different levels. He introduced flamboyance and glamour to the genre and the screaming of "Wooo," which permeates the songs of the Beatles and the Beach Boys and many others. Definitely a one-of-a-kind entertainer and certainly one of the wildest Rockers of all time!

Machines can think...or can they? We know computers can calculate, and we know that for us to calculate we must think, but surely it does not then follow that computers must have thoughts. But could they? What would it mean for a machine to think? How would we know if a machine was actually thinking or just making it look as if it was?

The Ancient Roman Province of Illyricum includes today four modern republics of the Former Yugoslavia – Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, and Montenegro. These countries in the Northwest Balkan Peninsula contain some of the most picturesque vistas and unique cultures in Europe. This lecture will explore from an anthropological perspective the prehistory, history, and peoples of this region.

The pandemic caused lots of depression, anxiety and loneliness in older adults. Join Dr. Bone, Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Suburban Hospital as she discusses the changes among mental health and the challenges facing older adults in a post pandemic world.