OASIS to return on reduced schedule

DOWNEY - The senior program OASIS is set to return to Downey Adult School, albeit on a reduced monthly schedule, after the City Council agreed Tuesday to revive the program using $7,500 in grant money.The first class is scheduled for Jan. 10. OASIS (Older Adults Seeking Information and Skills) was held weekly and featured a social hour, program speaker and dinner. It was the victim of school district budget cuts and held its final meeting in June. In August, the city estimated it would cost $60,000 annually to resuscitate the program. The City Council instructed staff members to come back with a revised program that would cost less money to operate. Under the program approved Tuesday, the new OASIS program will meet monthly at Downey Adult School. The program will start at 2:45 p.m. with piano music and social time, followed by the featured program at 3:45 and dinner at 5. The city has not yet chosen a restaurant to provide the meals, which will be offered at $5 each, said Thad Phillips, community services director for the city of Downey. Funding will come from the federal Community Development Block Grant program. The initial six months of program has already been announced and includes Penniless Immigrant to American Icon: Irving Berlin - The Golden Age of American Music Series, Jan. 10; Jim J's Jukebox: Discovering American Music, Feb. 7; Jazz from A to Z: What is it?, March 7; Bellflower Civic Chorus, April 4; New Century Singers, May 2; Peter M. Small, Historical Impressionist: Harry S. Truman, June 6.

********** Published: November 11, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 30