In this talk, Dr. Watson will share inspiring stories of great women, some you may know, some you may not. They came from all walks of life, periods in history, ages, and occupations. We’ll discuss their contributions to the nation and world!

The United States military is an essential institution within the governing structure of the country. The military is not only charged with protecting the nation from foreign threats, but is also an important factor in affecting domestic economic conditions and enhancing corporate growth. This course will examine the role played by the military in shaping and advancing national defense policies as well as the impact the military has on national life.

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

This lecture will deal with the long-term and immediate causes of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It will examine Russian concerns with the increased powers of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization as well as the reasons for Russia’s failures on the battlefield. Finally, we will examine the policies and personality of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

After the performance, stick around for Q & A to hear from the performers about their backgrounds, their creative process, and their comedy goals.  Enjoy light refreshments.

For over 150 years, street food has been common among immigrant communities in New York City. The carts are an economic opportunity for recent immigrants. They also offer other countrymen a taste of home – and almost always, other New Yorkers catch on, too. In this class, we’ll explore how street food has become a way for ethnic groups to be recognized by and communicate with the city as a whole.

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:  25

It’s July, in Michigan, first during 1988 and then during 2020. First it’s the Tom Lake summer stock company performing Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”, and then it’s the female lead Lara and her family harvesting their cherry-orchard farm while isolated on their own in the pandemic. It’s the third time we’re turning to Oasis crowd-pleaser Ann Patchett for her latest. 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.)

Located in Dupont Circle, the Heurich House Museum explores the American Experience through the legacy of German immigrant Christian Heurich and his Washington, DC Brewery and creates an equitable path to success for local small-scale businesses. The Heurich family lived in the Victorian-era mansion from 1894 to 1956. The house included many technological advancements, including electric lighting and "fireproofing" and the interior decoration and furnishings were made by numerous German-American craftspeople. Through research, the museum has uncovered the names of almost 150 people who worked as household staff and are about to begin a research project to learn more about the artisans.

Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 A.D. burying Pompeii and Herculaneum in volcanic ash and rock. It would be hundreds of years before any systematic uncovering of the cities would commence. Frescoes, statues and other museum artifacts would begin to give us some sense of what Roman life was like there. Then, in 1834, Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote a novel, The Last Days of Pompeii, that became a Victorian best-seller. Characters from the book were immortalized in art, particularly Nydia, a blind flower girl.

(At the instructor's request, the date of the class has been changed to July 24.)  The Supreme Court has set the parameters for American criminal procedure since the ratification of the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments. For better or for worse, the decisions dictate the entirety of the process of the criminal justice system. This presentation will focus on four of the most important Supreme Court cases in criminal procedure, including In re Gault (1967), Miranda v. Arizona (1967), Brady v. Maryland (1963), and Mapp v. Ohio (1961).

All Americans know the game football. However in most other countries, other than Canada, the term "football" refers to the game we call "soccer." But we don't have to leave the U.S. to find different interpretations of the same word or phrases. There are often differences in how Black & White Americans perceive and interpret the same words. This class will explore some of those misinterpetrations in communication between these two groups of English speaking Americans.

The largest volcanic eruption in North American history took place on May 18, 1980, when Mt. St. Helens exploded and sent its upper thousand feet flying over the Washington state countryside. This slide presentation, most of it original photos taken by the speaker, will transport you back to the time of the eruption and the consequences that followed.

In this class we’ll learn about some of the many women who have made a difference in the world of espionage over the years – including Josephine Baker, the American ex-patriate and worldwide entertainer, and Virginia Hall, a Baltimore native, each of whom provided invaluable assistance to the Allies during WWII. Among the other women we'll discuss is Valerie Plame, the CIA officer whose name was leaked to and subsequently published by Robert Novak of The Washington Post.

This is a follow-on to a February Oasis presentation spotlighting lesser-known places of interest in Montgomery County. Through illustrated slides, participants will learn about the county's national landmarks -- including three houses in which notable women lived -- as well as other out-of-the-way fascinating structures. Did you know, for example, there are five covered bridges in Montgomery County? We'll even venture into outer space!

In this class we’ll learn about some of the many women who have made a difference in the world of espionage over the years – including Josephine Baker, the American ex-patriate and worldwide entertainer, and Virginia Hall, a Baltimore native, each of whom provided invaluable assistance to the Allies during WWII. Among the other women we'll discuss is Valerie Plame, the CIA officer whose name was leaked to and subsequently published by Robert Novak of The Washington Post.

In this workshop, you'll learn how to utilize the latest high-tech safety features in your current car, what technology to look for when shopping for a new car, the safety benefits of blind-spot warning systems, forward collision warnings, lane departure warnings, smart headlights, and more!  Limit: 12