Spring gardening
The Master Gardener Series presents the class, "Grow it! Eat it! Spring Vegetable Gardening," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, on how to prepare the garden soil for spring planting, plant seeds inside for transplant, which structures will support your plants and how to guard against critters and harsh weather. Free. Information: 410-730-4744.
Children's theater
The Rainbow Theatre at Slayton House ends this season's series with a performance of "Fun with Pam and Rascal" at 10 a.m. Friday, April 12, at 10400 Cross Fox Lane. This children's interactive event, sponsored by the Wilde Lake Community Association, features songs, puppetry, storytelling and humor. Tickets are $6. Information: 410-730-3987.
Cancer fundraiser
The eighth annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Howard County Yard Sale fundraiser will take place Saturday, April 13, on the East Columbia library's parking lot, 6600 Cradlerock Way. Set-up begins at 7 a.m. Cost to rent a space is $10; please provide your own table. Relay For Life asks for a donation of at least 50 percent of yard sale proceeds as part of the fundraiser. Rental fees will be collected at the time of set-up. Information: 410-313-7730.
Free guitar lessons
Fred Petrogallo, a retired Harford County Community College instructor, will teach students to read music and tune a guitar at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way. Students must furnish their own guitar and purchase the training manual. Registration required. Classes will be held at 10 a.m. Mondays. Information: 410-313-7469.
Finances 50+
Baltimore Cash Campaign, AARP and the Charles Schwab Foundation will sponsor financial workshops at 10 a.m. April 9 and April 16 at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way. Free. Information: 410-313-7469.
Art exhibits
•Fractal prints by Adam Zynger and a mixed-media show by Linda Trope titled "Arcane Convergence" will be on view through Saturday, April 13, in the Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane in Columbia. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. Information: 410-730-3987 or 301-596-4883.
•"Woodland Muse," an exhibit featuring the works of photographer Jim Auerbach, fabric artist Elaine Katz, oil painter Christina Bird-Walker and watercolorist-graphic artist Jane Wall, runs through Sunday, May 12, in the Meeting House Gallery, Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place. Gallery hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Information: 410-730-4090 or themeetinghouse.org.
•"Life Lines," an exhibit of figurative drawings by Ellicott City artist Cathy Sawdey, is on view through Friday, April 26, at Artists' Gallery, American City Building, 10227 Wincopin Circle in Columbia. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. The gallery is also open by appointment. Information: 410-740-8249 or artistsgallerycolumbia.com.
•"Parked Outside the Door," a photography exhibit by John Petro, will be on view April 18 through June 1 in the Bill White Room and Lobby Gallery at Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane. A reception will be held from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 21. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Closed Sundays. Information: 410-730-3987 or 301-596-4883.
Dance classes
The Long Reach Community Association offers Chicago-style stepping classes for adults from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays. Stepping offers fellowship opportunities while exercising to music. Information: 410-730-8113.
Singles social group
The Phoenix Cultural Singles Group, a Columbia social group for those 50 and older, meets from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Sundays at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place in the Oakland Mills Village Center. Coffee, tea and a light snack are served. The group plans events and trips. Information: 410-997-0739.
Around town
English conversation The Howard County Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway, offers Let's Get Together: English Conversation Club. The club offers an opportunity for those for whom English is a second language to practice speaking and understanding English in a group setting. It meets at 9:30 a.m. Mondays and 7:30 p.m. Thursdays. Register with the library before your first meeting. Information: 410-313-7850.
Wii Club The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks offers a Wii Club for those 55 and older from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesdays at the Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way. The first game is free. Information: 410-313-7213.
Single Again Changing Focus Single Again, a nonprofit program for adults who are separated, widowed or in the process of divorce, provides weekly presentations and small-group discussions in a confidential, comfortable atmosphere. The group meets at 7 p.m. Mondays at First Presbyterian Church, 9325 Presbyterian Circle. An orientation for new members is offered at 6:30 p.m. Information: changingfocus.org.
Chair yoga The East Columbia 50+ Center at the East Columbia branch of the Howard County Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, offers chair yoga, an easy introduction to yoga that eases the pain of arthritis, reduces fatigue and improves circulation and breathing, at 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays. Reservations: 410-313-7680.
Taste and share Bring your favorite recipe and a sample to the East Columbia 50+ Center at noon Wednesday, April 10. The center will have cookbooks for sale to benefit the purchase of a big-screen TV.
Games The East Columbia 50+ Center hosts an evening of brain games from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 16.
Clutter busters Join the East Columbia 50+ Center at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, for tips on how to manage clutter.
'Bring Your Own Beads Club' Learn to make jewelry from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, at the East Columbia 50+ Center.
Sari lunch Learn how to wrap and style a sari at the East Columbia 50+ Center at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 24. Cost is $5.
Howard County Times: Top stories
Evening meditation Debbie Niver will guide participants at the East Columbia 50+ Center in a visual and verbal meditation exercise at 6 p.m. April 23, 25, 30 and May 2. Cost is $43.
Also at the 50+ Center
•Age Well Exercise classes with Joyce DiTomaso will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost for an eight-week session is $35.
•A belly dance class will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesdays. Learn hip movements, stretches, arm and hand techniques, and veil dancing. The first class is free, then a monthly fee is due.
•A yoga class is offered at 11 a.m. Mondays and 2 p.m. Tuesdays. The cost is $24 per month.
•A chess club for novice and veteran players meets at 1 p.m. Thursdays. Free.
•View newly released DVD movies on a large screen at 7 p.m. Thursdays. Free.