The east Columbia branch library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, will hold a Choosing Civility book discussion at 7 p.m. Thursday.

The discussion, which will focus on the book by P.M. Forni, Choosing Civility: The Twenty-five Rules of Considerate Conduct, is part of a multiyear initiative sponsored by the Howard County Library and 40 community partners to make Howard County a national model of respect, consideration, empathy and tolerance.

Forni is founder of the Johns Hopkins Civility Project.

Choose Civility is sponsored by The Horizon Foundation, Howard County General Hospital and Friends of Howard County Library.

Information: 410-313-7700.

Another discussion of Forni's book will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Parkway.

Information: 410-313-7860.

Six-week etiquette class for kids starts March 1

The Kings Contrivance Community Association, 7251 Eden Brook Drive, will offer a new six-week etiquette class for children ages 8-12, beginning March 1.

Patricia Minor, director of the Etiquette School of Maryland, will teach social, dining and communication skills through interactive programs from 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays.

The cost for Columbia residents is $200; $225 for nonresidents.

Information: 410-381-9600.

Around Town

50+ Center -- East Columbia 50+ Center will offer a Harmonize Exercise class from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The cost is $24 a month.

A new Latin dance class will be offered from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, March 26 through April 30. The cost is $60 for the six-week class.

Also offered:

Reflexology -- deep foot massage -- is available between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Mondays. The cost is $40 for a 50-minute treatment. Appointments also are available between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Fridays.

Reiki treatments are available by appointment between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. the first and third Fridays of each month. The gentle technique is said to restore physical, emotional, and spiritual balance and harmony. The cost is $30 for a 55-minute treatment.

Jesse Barnes, dancer and fitness trainer, will teach soul line-dancing from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The cost is $35 a month. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

Simplified Yang's Tai chi will be offered from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Thursdays. The cost is $24-$30 a month. A new class, Beginner Tai Chi for Arthritis, will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. The cost is $32 a month.

A new evening exercise instructor, Sharon Cunningham, will teach classes from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays. The cost is $30 a month. 410-313-7680.

Seniors dance -- Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks is sponsoring country line-dancing classes for those ages 60 and older from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. Mondays through March 17 at East Columbia 50+ Center. The class, which is designed for beginners, includes basic terminology, count, easy foot patterns and advanced footwork. Partners are not needed. Wear or bring leather-sole shoes; sneakers are not allowed. The cost is $33.

Country Line Dancing II, for those who know the basic moves but want to add stylistic extras, will be from 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. Mondays, through March 17. The cost is $33. 410-313-7320 or 410-313-7279.

New senior classes -- The East Columbia 50+ Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, will offer a scrapbooking class from 10:30 a.m. to noon Tuesdays this month.The cost, $5 a session, includes materials. Participants should bring photos to the class. Sessions are offered on photo safety and preservation, getting organized, cropping and journaling, tools and techniques, and advanced scrapbooking. 410-313-7680.

Master plan -- Gregory F. Hamm, regional vice president at General Growth Properties Inc. and general manager of Columbia, will speak to the Oakland Mills community at 7:45 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Other Barn in the Oakland Mills Village Center. He will address the village board and neighbors on the community's Master Plan for the village center area and how the plan relates to the company's plans for downtown Columbia. Discussion will also cover the Route 29 pedestrian overpass and pathways that connect Oakland Mills to Columbia's downtown area. The Other Barn is at 5851 Robert Oliver Place. Sandy Cederbaum, village manager, 410-730-4610.