"Summer Meals From Local Crops," a program on cooking, preserving, nutrition and gardening led by experts from the Howard County Library, the farmers' market, Tai Sophia Institute and the Howard County Master Gardeners, will be offered at the east Columbia branch library at 2 p.m. Aug. 9 and Aug. 23.
Shopping is available at the farmers' market in the library parking lot after the program.
Registration is required. Information: 410-313-7700.
Oakland Mills pool party is Aug. 7
The Oakland Mills Community Association will hold its annual pool party Aug. 7 at the Thunder Hill Neighborhood Pool.
The party for Oakland Mills residents will include food, beverages, music and games.
Tickets, which must be purchased in advance, are $2.50 and are available at The Other Barn, 5851 Robert Oliver Place.
The community association is also seeking participants for its International Fall Festival, to be held in the village center Oct. 13.
Festival planners are seeking people interested in sharing their ethnic heritage with the community.
Representatives of social service organizations, artisans, food vendors, cultural clubs, school groups and entertainers are welcome.
Entertainment is to include performances by the Kinderman; Turner, Dean of Magic; the Fun Drug Rhythm Circle; and a Chinese dragon dance.
Information: Susan Azoulay, 410-730-4610.
50+ Center offers Tai Chi
The East Columbia 50+ Center in the east Columbia branch library will offer "Simplified Yang's Tai Chi" 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursdays.
The cost is $6.
Information: 410-313-7680.
Around Town
Extra lane -- The State Highway Administration has begun a $460,000 project to widen Route 108 (Old Annapolis Road) between Howard High School, Centre Park Drive and Phelps Luck Road. The project will create an exclusive right-turn lane along westbound Route 108. The project, which is intended to improve safety and reduce congestion near the school, is expected to be completed by early September, weather permitting. Motorists can expect single-lane closures between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. weekdays. 301-624-8100 or 800-635-5119.
Also at the library -- A reading program for children, "Reading Roadtrip," offers prizes for books read during the summer. Participants can register at the east Columbia branch, 6600 Cradlerock Way. A program is also available for kids ages 3 and younger, in which parents can read to their children and earn prizes.
An adult summer reading club, sponsored by Friends of the Howard County Library, is offered through Aug. 31. Participants will be eligible for monthly prize drawings. Entry forms are available at the information desk in each library. www.hclibrary.org.
Belly dancing -- The Long Reach Community Association is offering belly-dancing classes for adults through Sept. 10. A beginner class meets 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays; advanced students meet 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The cost is $76 for eight weeks of classes. A 5 percent discount is offered to those living on Columbia Association-assessed property. 410-730-8113.
Free lunch, music -- Senior citizens who live in Kings Contrivance village are invited to a free lunch 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 31. A main course and beverages will be provided; those who attend are asked to bring a dessert to share. The lunch will include musical entertainment by Larry Scott, keyboardist and vocalist. Admission is free. Registration is requested by Wednesday. 410-381-9600.
Class reunion -- The Hammond High School Class of 1987 is seeking class members who have lost touch with their classmates. A 20-year reunion is planned for Saturday. Those interested can e-mail hammondhigh1987@yahoo.com or visit groups.yahoo. com/group/HammondHigh 1987.