Book signing
Author Josh Ruebner will discuss and sign "Shattered Hopes: Obama's Failure to Broker Israeli-Palestinian Peace" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, at the Owen Brown Community Center, 6800 Cradlerock Way in Columbia. Ruebner is the national advocacy director of the U.S. Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation. Free and open to the public. Information: 410-381-0202.
Art programs
Registration is under way for the Howard County Arts Council's fall educational programs at the Howard County Center for the Arts in Ellicott City. The council offers classes and workshops for ages 5 to adult. Programs and classes range from one-day workshops to eight-week sessions.
Fall classes for ages 5-12 include Saturday Art Studio and Discover 3-D. For teens and adults, offerings include drawing and composition and three new workshops: art quilts, reliquary boxes and mosaic basics. Ongoing weekly drop-in sessions for drawing and painting from portrait and life models are also available.
Registration and full class listings are available at hocoarts.org. Brochures are available at the art center, and requests for a brochure to mailed may be directed to 410-313-2787. Early registration suggested as space is limited.
Audition
Columbia Pro Cantare is holding auditions for all parts for its 37th anniversary season. Works by Bach, Mozart, Verdi, Strauss and Brahms, Handel's "Messiah," Rutter's "Requiem" and music from the British Isles will be performed. To schedule an audition, call 410-730-8549. Information: procantare.org. Regular rehearsals are held from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays at Hammond High School in Columbia.
Volunteer naturalists
The Howard County Conservancy seeks volunteer naturalists for its fall field trip programs. Naturalists assist conservancy staff during field trips by leading nature-oriented hikes on the 232-acre historic farm property. Field trips are offered during October and November, and naturalists are asked to lead a minimum of three hikes. Training takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 12, 19, and 26, for the elementary program and Tuesdays, Sept. 10 and 17, for the secondary program. Participants will receive a manual and learn ecological concepts as well as about the history, plant life and wildlife of Howard County. To register and more information, call 410-465-8877.
Vendors and sponsors
The annual 50+EXPO will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 18 at Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road in Columbia. The event is presented by the Department of Citizen Services' Office on Aging. The Capitol Steps will perform at noon and 2 p.m. in the James Rouse Theatre.