Dance classes
The Long Reach Community Association offers "Chicago-style stepping" classes for adults from 7 p.m. to 8:30 Tuesdays. Stepping offers fellowship opportunities while burning calories to smooth music. For more information, call 410-730-8113.
Lecture series
Columbia Jewish Congregation and St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church will present a series of lectures on the meaning of the Ten Commandments at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25, at the Meeting House in Oakland Mills, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia. Martin Siegel, rabbi emeritus of Columbia Jewish Congregation, will present the lectures, which use "an algorithmic approach for deeper spirituality." Lectures will also be held May 2 and May 9 at 7:30 p.m. Attendance is free and open to the public.
Play groups
The Town Center Community Association has opened registration for the spring Parents & Tots Play Groups, which begin this week and run for 10 weeks. Children ages 6 months to 4 years are welcome. The groups meet from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and can have about 10 children. Parents or caregivers must stay with their children during sessions. The groups meet weekly at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia. Fee per child is $25 for Columbia residents and $28 for non-residents, and covers all 10 weeks. For more information or to register, call 410-730-4744.
Art exhibits
•"The Nature of Wilde Lake: The Final Chapter" photography exhibit by Michael Oberman runs through Saturday, April 28, in the Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, Columbia. Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays-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.
•"Nature Interpreted," an exhibition of works by Maureen Bannon, Carol Carey, Gerry Czajkowski, David Pumplin, Coriolana Simon and Doug Wolters, runs through May 20 at the Meeting House Gallery, 5885 Robert Oliver Place. Hours and information: 410-730-4090.
Women-only swim
The Columbia Association offers a Women-Only Swim from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Columbia Swim Center, 10400 Cross Fox Lane. The pool is shallow, warmed to 80-82 degrees, guarded by female lifeguards and windows are covered. Free for association members. Resident nonmembers with an association resident card pay $16 per visit; general admission is $25. Nonmembers are welcome to a free trial of two admissions. Information: 410-381-1096 or go to columbiapools.org.
Stand-up comedy
The "ER" show, hosted by Sean Savoy, takes place at 8 p.m. Tuesdays at Nottingham's Tavern, 8850 Stanford Blvd., Suite 1100. Tickets are $10. Reservations and information: 410-290-0077.
Looking for artists
The Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House, 10400 Cross Fox Lane, is accepting applications to exhibit at the gallery for the 2012 season. Applications are available at the gallery or by email to cjblack@columbiavillages.org. Information: 410-730-3987 or wlca@columbiavillages.org.
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 Public 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. The club 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 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 Plus Center at the East Columbia branch of the Howard County Public 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.
Also at the 50 Plus Center:
•Line dancing with Mary McCormick will be held at 3:30 p.m. Mondays for advanced dancers, 4:30 p.m. for beginners. Cost is $43.
•Age Well Exercise with Joyce Diatoms will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cost for a 12-week session is $48.
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•A class to reduce the fear of falling and increase the activity levels of older adults will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesdays. Cost is $24.
•A belly dance class will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays. Camilla Karma will teach hip movements, stretches, arm and hand techniques, and veil dancing. Cost is $25 per month.
•A yoga class with Smite Javari is offered from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays. The cost is $24 per month.
•Beginner tai chi classes are offered from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesdays. The cost is $24 per month.
•Ryan Shimabukuro leads a hula class from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursdays that helps tone and strengthen the body. Cost for a six-week session is $28.
•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.