Kansas City Oasis

Join KC Oasis, in partnership with Kansas City Rationality and Effective Altruism, to celebrate the Winter Solstice. We'll start with a potluck at 5, followed by a celebration that includes sing-alongs, speeches and anecdotes. The evening is divided into six stages: Light, Twilight, Eve, Night, Dawn, Light. Children are welcome to participate as this is a formative event, but it might be a bit long, or not appropriate, for younger children. Childcare will be provided. By participating in this event, you agree to abide by the Oasis Code of Conduct (http://www.kcoasis.org/about-oasis/code-of-conduct/).

Musical guest: Jack Summers (https://jacksummersmusic.com/) Featured speaker: Nate Hofer "Sound & Vision: A Personal Journey Toward Peace" Nate Hofer (he/him) is an artist blending photography and music. Nate was born in Nigeria to Mennonite conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War, and his art reflects a deep commitment to peace. Inspired by his Cold War upbringing in the Midwest, Nate explores issues of arms control and disarmament through aerial photography of decommissioned missile silos and solo ambient performances on the pedal steel guitar. His work has been recognized with awards such as the 2021 Global Peace Photo Award and membership to...

We are sponsoring a blood drive with the Community Blood Center (https://www.savealifenow.org/) for our final Service Sunday in 2024. You can use the following link to reserve your time slot: https://donate.savealifenow.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/83469 We'll also have a separate service project and donation drive in the foyer to benefit KC Pet Project. There will be ten tiny foster puppies in need of socialization! Please bring donations from the KC Pet Project wish list: https://kcpetproject.org/donate/shelter-wish-list/. We'll also be working on repurposing dog food bags into grocery bags that can be used to send supplies home with KC Pet Project foster families. By participating in...

Featured speaker: Carol Gonzales, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Musical guest: Buck Brandt (https://folkintheflow.com/about-us) Community moment: Kat Bridges Carol has been the director of Finance and Administration at the Mid-America Regional Council since 2017. From 1998 until 2017, Carol worked for the city of Shawnee, serving as the city manager from 2005 until 2017. Prior to Shawnee, Carol worked for several local governments including Lenexa, Emporia, Olathe and Seal Beach, California. Carol is a member of the International City Managers Association and currently serves as chair of the Johnson County Civil Service Board, on the Growing Futures Early Education Advisory Committee...

Featured speaker: José Faus, “They Changed My Name” Musical guest: Tracey Myers (https://www.instagram.com/traceymyersmusic/) Community moment: Denise Johnson This presentation brings together the dynamics of immigration told through the lens of visual art and poetry. It showcases an interactive exploration of a personal journey from the heart of Colombia to the heart of the United States, exploring the conundrum of belonging in unfamiliar surroundings while straddling two different cultures and narratives. By participating in this event, you agree to abide by the Oasis Code of Conduct (http://www.kcoasis.org/about-oasis/code-of-conduct/).

Join KC Oasis for the next book club event and potluck, immediately following the regular Sunday gathering. This month's book is "The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies," a Washington Post Best Mystery Novel of 2023. "A high society amateur detective at the heart of Regency London uses her wits and invisibility as an 'old maid' to protect other women in a new and fiercely feminist historical mystery series from NYT bestselling author Alison Goodman." By participating in this event, you agree to abide by the Oasis Code of Conduct (http://www.kcoasis.org/about-oasis/code-of-conduct/).

Featured speaker: Micah Kubic, ACLU of Kansas Musical guest: Nathan Corsi duo (https://www.nathancorsimusic.com/) Dr. Micah W. Kubic has served as the executive director of the ACLU of Kansas since January 2022. With 25 years of experience in civil rights and racial justice work, Micah leads the largest advocacy organizations in Kansas, defending and strengthening the rights that belong to everyone under the Constitution. Micah previously served as the ACLU of Kansas’ executive director from 2015 to 2018, leaving to lead the ACLU of Florida, one of the largest ACLU affiliates, from 2019-2022. Prior to joining the ACLU, Micah was the...

Featured speaker: Sam Rushay, History of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum Musical guest: Addy Rayne (https://www.instagram.com/addynotaddison459) Sam Rushay has worked at the National Archives and Records Administration for 31 years. He is the supervisory archivist at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri, where he worked as an archivist from 1993-1997. From 1997-2007, he was an archivist and subject matter expert at the Nixon Presidential Materials Staff at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. Rushay has published articles about Richard Nixon and Harry Truman. A Columbus, Ohio, native, he earned a B.A. in U.S....