It is again World Series time - held every year but two since 1903! We'll review memorable moments from past series - great plays, surprise stars, game-ending home runs and errors, legends and myths, and share your memories and recollections. It’s time to say "Play Ball!!"

In the jewel-like mosaics of Ravenna, the dazzling domed interior of Hagia Sophia, the penetrating stare of holy figures in Orthodox icons, we come face-to-face with the visual splendor and spiritual power of Byzantine art. Created in the thousand-year period between 330 and the conquest of the Byzantine capital Constantinople by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, Byzantine art transformed Roman classical traditions. The human figure lost its corporeality. The church building itself was a microcosm of the universe. Byzantine art lives on in the art and architecture of Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Against extraordinary political pressure both at home and around the world, Harry Truman was a staunch ally of Zionists hoping to establish a homeland in 1948. This lecture goes behind the scenes based on years of interviews with former aides to Truman and former Israeli officials, and extensive archival research. What emerges is a fascinating story of politics, the creation of Israel, and moral courage.

This class takes a detailed look at the final year of World War I, and the events leading up to the 11 November Armistice. We will examine the competing strategies, assumptions and miscalculations, and tortuous path to the armistice in November 1918, an imposition of a fleeting vision of peace that engendered as many difficulties as it alleviated. We will focus on what was accomplished by the armistice, but more importantly within the context of the Twentieth Century, what was NOT settled – and how the latter brought about a second great conflict.

This class takes a detailed look at the final year of World War I, and the events leading up to the 11 November Armistice. We will examine the competing strategies, assumptions and miscalculations, and tortuous path to the armistice in November 1918, an imposition of a fleeting vision of peace that engendered as many difficulties as it alleviated. We will focus on what was accomplished by the armistice, but more importantly within the context of the Twentieth Century, what was NOT settled – and how the latter brought about a second great conflict.

Throughout much of the 20th century, blues was a genre identified with men wielding guitars. But during the blues craze of the 1920's, the iconic image of this music was a woman, belting out the blues in front of a large band. This class will examine the lives and music of key figures of this era, including Mamie Smith, "Ma" Rainey, and Bessie Smith. Audio and video recordings, along with live performances from the instructor, will make this course as lively as the music itself, albeit a little less bawdy.

Are you or a loved one experiencing issues with memory loss or other cognitive impairment? Do you have trouble with your daily activities? Join us on the first Friday of each month for a fun and social way for you to meet and spend time with others experiencing a similar journey. You are not alone. Meeting dates are: September 3 and October 1. Limit: 18

Join us at an Open House to celebrate the re-opening of our center! Re-connect with old friends, see our health and safety upgrades, register your proof of vaccination, Q and A with Oasis staff, get help with Zoom, get help with registration, and enjoy the musical stylings of guitarist Vladimir Fridman. You must show proof of vaccination to attend this event.

Muhammed (570-632 CE) created a new religion, a vast network of trade, and the changes made to Islam after his death continue to influence the world’s literature and art. We will look at some of the history during and after his life, as well as some Islamic art and architecture.

(This program is more of a concert than a class.) This hour will sample the fabulous melodies, rhythms, and creativity of America’s foremost musical invention: Jazz. Featured artists will include Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, and many more. Come and be charmed by the exotic sounds of the trumpet, sax, organ, and vibraphone. Experiencing 125 years of gorgeous and soulful music will jazz up your day!

When the Constitution was written in 1787, the Founders viewed the U.S. Supreme Court as the weakest branch of government. Today, the Court’s decisions influence every aspect of our Nation’s life. This series of classes will explore the Court’s evolution and the judicial titans responsible for it. (Sign up for one, two or all three sessions in this series. See class #821 for Part 2 and class #832 for Part 3.) This session will consider how the Founders viewed the Court at the outset, and how the unequaled leadership of Chief Justice John Marshall transformed the Court into a powerful and respected institution. In this time he crafted groundbreaking and landmark decisions, beginning with Marbury v Madison, on judicial review of the constitutionality of the laws legislated, and on the authority of Congress and the states under the Constitution. Then in 1857 half of the country rejected the legitimacy of the Court’s Dred Scott decision overturning the Missouri Compromise, helping to precipitate the Civil War. In its immediate aftermath the Court’s prestige sank, and many of the Court’s gains under Marshall were threatened.

When the Constitution was written in 1787, the Founders viewed the U.S. Supreme Court as the weakest branch of government. Today, the Court’s decisions influence every aspect of our Nation’s life. This series of classes will explore the Court’s evolution and the judicial titans responsible for it. (Sign up for one, two or all three sessions in this series. See class #821 for Part 2 and class #832 for Part 3.) This session will consider how the Founders viewed the Court at the outset, and how the unequaled leadership of Chief Justice John Marshall transformed the Court into a powerful and respected institution. In this time he crafted groundbreaking and landmark decisions, beginning with Marbury v Madison, on judicial review of the constitutionality of the laws legislated, and on the authority of Congress and the states under the Constitution. Then in 1857 half of the country rejected the legitimacy of the Court’s Dred Scott decision overturning the Missouri Compromise, helping to precipitate the Civil War. In its immediate aftermath the Court’s prestige sank, and many of the Court’s gains under Marshall were threatened.

Now that you have participated in Zoom video calls and/or classes, move on to the next step--host your own meeting! This class will show you helpful features of Zoom so that you will be able to set up and conduct meetings or get-togethers with one or more other people. In addition, time will be spent on some of the more advanced features of Zoom. Prerequisite: Oasis "How to Use Zoom" class or experience using Zoom as a participant. Participants should have the Zoom application installed and sign in to class using a desktop computer or a tablet. The class is NOT recommended for those who only have access via a mobile cell phone.   Limit: 20    

In the third of a series of discussions of the sub-fields of philosophy, we examine epistemology, the study of knowledge. What can we know? Do we know anything? What are the means by which we acquire knowledge? Are there different kinds of knowledge? (For a related philosophy class, see class #835)