The Wilde Lake Community Association will hold a candidates' forum for the 2008-2009 Wilde Lake village board and Columbia Council (also the Columbia Association board of directors) at 7:30 p.m. April 14 at Slayton House in the Wilde Lake Village Green.
Residents are invited to meet the candidates and discuss their concerns. New residents are invited to pick up a welcome packet and a gift.
Information: 410-730-3987.
Bain Center to hold celebration
The Bain Center will celebrate 25 years of service to Howard County senior citizens with 12 days of events in April.
The center, which opened its doors in the Harper's Choice Village Center in 1983 as the Florence Bain Senior Center, will offer guest speakers, a fireside chat, a book discussion, meet the artist event, entertainment, and an anniversary party with dancing and music by the Goldenaires.
A documentary film on the folk singer Pete Seeger is planned for 10 a.m. Thursday. The Reisterstown Songbirds will perform at 11 a.m. April 8.
The center serves about 150 seniors each day.
Information: 410-313-7213.
Irish dance event set for today
The Town Center Community Association will sponsor an Irish dance performance at 2 p.m. today in the ballroom at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road.
One of the dancers has been named a Maryland Distinguished Scholar in the Arts for her Irish dancing.
Admission is free but registration is encouraged.
Information: 410-730-4744.
Registration for Parents & Tots
The Town Center Community Association is accepting registration for its spring 2008 session of Parents & Tots Play Groups, which begins this week.
The groups meet from 10 a.m. to noon at Historic Oakland, 4=5430 Vantage Point Road. Children ages 6 months to 4 years old meet on Tuesdays; those 6 to 24 months meet on Wednesdays; and children 6 months to 4 years old meet on Thursdays.
The 10-week-long groups meet weekly. The cost is $25 a child for Columbia residents; $27.50 for nonresidents. Siblings can enroll for half-price.
Each group is limited to about 15 children.
Information or to register: 410-730-4744.
Around town
In the garden -- Historic Oakland will offer the third of its three free Master Gardener presentations "Posies in a Pot" by Pat Greenwald at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road. Registration is requested. 410-730-4744.
Mah-jongg -- Those ages 18 or older are invited to Slayton House in Wilde Lake Village Center for mah-jongg at 10 a.m. Wednesdays. Admission is free. Participants are invited to bring a game and attend with a friend. 410-730-3987.
Gardening tips -- The Hickory Ridge Community Association will present a talk by Master Gardener Jo Ann Russo, "Native Plants in the Home Landscape," from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Hawthorn Center, 6175 Sunny Spring. She will discuss the concept of selecting the right plant for the right place, choosing the plants that will be at home in your garden from an array of trees, shrubs and flowering perennials. Registration is requested. Admission is free. 410-730-7327.
Auditions -- Auditions will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. April 10, and 10 a.m. to noon April 19 for the Slayton House Conservatory Camp's productions of Oklahoma! and Into the Woods. The camp session for Oklahoma! runs from June 23 through July 11; the Into the Woods camp session runs from July 14 through Aug. 1. Students in grades 8-12 who are interested in a summer theater experience should schedule an audition with Camp Administrator Kathy Verheul: 410-730-3987.
Bridal showcase -- Town Center Community Association will sponsor a Bridal Showcase at Historic Oakland from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 13. The cost to attend is $10 in advance; $15 at the door. 410-730-4801 or visit www.historic-oakland.com.