To submit Up & Coming calendar items: The deadline is 14 days before date of publication. Include a brief description of the event, date, time, location with address, cost and phone number for publication. Events in Howard County or sponsored by Howard County-based organizations take priority.

To submit Up & Coming items:

E-mail: howardcountycalendar@patuxent.com

Fax: 410-997-4564

Mail: Up & Coming, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044.

Questions? Call Chris Burroughs at 410-730-3990, Ext. 1296.

ARTS

> "Natural Therapy." Exhibition of photographs by Ellicott City artist Christine Kent Bowles. Through May 13. Featuring original color photographs reflecting therapeutic aspects of nature. Tai Sophia Institute, 7750 Montpelier Road, Laurel. 410-888-9048.

> Open house/gallery exhibition. Hosted by Whiteford, Taylor and Preston and the Howard County Public School System. May 10, 6-8 p.m. Honoring students whose artwork has been exhibited in the Whiteford, Taylor and Preston Columbia Gallery. 10420 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 410-884-0700.

> Taste of Wilde Lake. Sponsored by Wilde Lake Community Association. May 13, noon-4 p.m. Food, entertainment, children's activities, crafts and more. Looking for crafters to participate; $15 for sale space. Slayton House, 10451 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia. 410-730-3987.

> Two-person exhibit. Slayton House Gallery hosting exhibit by Maryland artists. April 12-May 13. Andrea Sauer to exhibit watercolors and oils; David Fried to present mixed media. 10451 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia. 410-730-3987.

Dance

> Square dance. Tom Thumbs Square Dance Club hosting Mad Hatters Dance. May 5, 8-10:30 p.m. $6 per person. Hollifield Station Elementary School, 8701 Stonehouse Drive, Ellicott City. 410-992-7517.

Entertainment

> Wizard of Oz. Young Artists Theater presenting the classic tale. Through May 21. Fridays, 7 p.m.; Saturdays, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sundays, 2 p.m. $8, $7 for groups of 10 or more. Young Artists Theater, routes 29 and 216, Laurel. 301-604-2844.

Fundraisers

> Basket bingo. Sponsored by Stevens Forest Nursery School. May 13, 6 p.m. Regular games, raffles and refreshments. $15 in advance, $18 at the door. Proceeds go to the school. The Lodge, 2832 Nine Mile Circle, Catonsville. 410-964-0917.

> Youth cooking class. Wilde Lake Community Association hosting First Course: The Educaterers, a cooking and nutrition class for children ages 4-5. May 11, 9:30-11 a.m. Learn to prepare nutritious treats and nurture good eating habits. $22 per child; registration required. Slayton House, 10451 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia. 410-730-3987.

> Food drive. Sponsored by National Association of Letter Carriers. May 13. One-day food drive collecting non-perishable food items for Maryland Food Bank. Public can place items at mailbox prior to their letter carrier coming by, who will pick up the items.

> Kids Walk. Part of the Howard County Relay for Life, seeking children up to age 14 to take part. Need to raise money for the American Cancer Society to participate. Donations may be turned in May 18 and 30 at Bank Nights at the Florence Bain Center. 410-997-8700.

> Music matters. Fundraising music showcase to benefit Bread for the City homeless shelter. May 13, 7-10 p.m. Featuring Brown-Smith Vibration, Tres Amigos and LaRocca: Songs of Love and Spirit. No cover; donations accepted. Mad City Cafe, 10801 Hickory Ridge Road, Columbia. 410-964-0671.

> Spring auction. Stevens Forest Elementary School hosting annual spring auction. May 11, 6:45 p.m. Live and silent auction, with gift certificates, whitewater rafting passes and more. Light desserts and beverages. 6045 Stevens Forest Road, Columbia. 410-884-7968.

> Spring party. Hosted by Columbia Foundation. May 4, 5:45-8:30 p.m. Food and socializing, with proceeds benefiting in the foundation. $65 per person. The Spear Center, 10275 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 410-730-7840.

> Taste of Tuscany. Fundraiser hosted by the Zonta Club of Howard County. May 13, 7-9 p.m. Italian food and wines, a silent auction and more. Proceeds go toward a scholarship to Howard Community College that will be awarded to a woman returning to college. Howard Community College ILC Building, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. www.zonta.org or www.zontahoward.org.

Health

> Community health. Education series by Howard County General Hospital. Tai Chi, Wednesdays beginning May 3, $80 for 10-week course; positive parenting, Thursdays, May 4-25, 7-9 p.m., free; Home Sweet Home (learn safe ways children can be home alone), May 6, 9-11 a.m., $10. Hospital's Wellness Center, 11055 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Suite L-9, Columbia. 410-740-7601.

> Read and Rest. Better Bedrest Inc. of Howard County and Borders Books and Music hosting second "Read and Rest" Reading and Book Signing Benefit. May 7, 2-4:30 p.m. Featuring author Mallika Chopra promoting awareness of pregnancy bedrest. Borders Books and Music, 6151 Columbia Crossing Circle, Columbia. 410-740-7662.

> Red Cross classes. Central Maryland Red Cross holding several classes in May. All classes held at First Presbyterian Church, 9325 Presbyterian Circle, Columbia. Infant and child CPR, May 6, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $40; infant and child CPR with first aid, May 6, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., $45; first aid basics, May 11, 6-10 p.m., $35; adult CPR, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., $40; adult CPR and first aid basics, May 13, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., $45. 410-624-2060.

> Roots health education. Roots Market sponsoring health education series. May 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Program entitled "Herbs for Allergies and Sinus Health," taught by clinical herbalist Jillian Borchard. $10 per person. Great Sage, 5809 Clarksville Square Drive, Clarksville. 443-535-9321.

> Tai Sophia classes. Free introductory classes by the Tai Sophia Institute. May 8, T'ai Chi Chih, 6:30-7:30 p.m., tsang-yang tribal belly dance, 7-8 p.m.; May 9, feldenkrais: awareness through movement, 6-7 p.m., qi gong: dance of the phoenix, 6-7 p.m.; May 10, medical qi gong, 6-7 p.m.; May 11, yoga and meditation, 6-7:30 p.m.; May 15, pilates mat, 6:15-7:15 p.m. 7750 Montpelier Road, Laurel. 410-888-9048, Ext. 6611.

Library

> Asian expo. Hosted by Howard County Libraries. May 13, 2-4 p.m. Enjoy the diverse cultures of Asia and the Pacific during Asian-and Pacific-American Heritage Month. Savage Branch Library, 9525 Durness Lane, Savage. 410-880-5980.

Nature

> Flower/plant sale. St. Andrew's Episcopal Church to host flower and plant sale. May 13, 9 a.m.-1 p.m; May 14, 10 a.m. -noon. Market packs, hanging baskets and vegetables; proceeds to support church's youth pilgrimage. 2892 Route 97, Glenwood. 410-442-5445.

> Yard sale. Atholton High School holding a yard and plant/flower sale. May 13, 7:30 a.m.-noon. Spaces to sell available for $10. Proceeds to benefit the sophomore class. 6520 Freetown Road, Columbia. 410-313-7065.

> Garlic Mustard Challenge. Sponsored by Friends of the Patapsco Valley and Heritage Greenway Inc. and Patapsco Valley State Park. May 7, 1-5 p.m. Includes weed-pulling contest, storytelling, environmental exhibits, music and more. Avalon Area, Patapsco Valley State Park, Pavilion 66, entrance off Route 1 between routes 100 and 195. 410-480-0824.

Religion

> Celebration concert. St. Louis Church to host free musical concert. May 7, 4 p.m. Celebration of the new church and organ. Featuring Henry Lowe, Pan Quartet, Monumental Brass Quintet, Christopher Douglas Rhodovi and Charles Higgs. 12500 Route 108, Clarksville. 301-854-3159.

> Drama production. Tabernacle Church of Laurel hosting the drama "Last Chance." May 7-9, 7:30 p.m. From the producers of "Heaven's Gates and Hell's Flames," this production delivers a message of warning, hope and encouragement. Free. 11601 South Laurel Drive, Laurel. 410-792-4070.

> Interfaith Tranquility Zone. Sponsored by Baha'is of Howard County. May 7, 7:30 p.m. Enjoy an oasis of calm, reflection and spiritual refueling; inspiring words and soothing music. Hickory Crest Clubhouse, 10750 Autumn Splendor Drive, Columbia. 443-739-1084.

> Jewish Film Series. Presented by the Columbia Jewish Congregation. May 13, 8 p.m. Last in the four-part series, featuring the film "Bonjour Monsieur Shlomi." Tickets are $8, with sales beginning at 7:30 p.m. Meeting House Room 20, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia. 410-381-4809.

SPECIAL INTEREST

> Adoption meeting. Hosted by Children's Hope International. May 13, 12:30-2 p.m. Learn more about adopting children from China, Russia, Vietnam, Colombia and Kazakhstan. Free. Howard County Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 301-829-8532.

> Asian American celebration. Association of Chinese Americans hosting fourth annual Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration. May 6, 1:30-5 p.m. Enjoy performances, cultural exhibits, games and ethnic food. Free. Reservoir High School, 11550 Scaggsville Road, Fulton. 410-888-8849.

> Behavior managment. Series for parents titled "Guiding Your Child: An Approach to Behavior Management for Parents of Children with Developmental Disabilities." April 26-May 24, 7-9 p.m. Addresses not listening, temper tantrums, fighting and more. $20 per family. Arc of Howard County, 11735 Homewood Road, Ellicott City. 410-730-0638, Ext. 223.

> Child behavior program. Hosted by Howard County Public Schools Office of Student Services. May 10, 7-8:30 p.m. Program titled "Finding Help for Your Child: When Troubling Behaviors Get Out of Control." Free. Homewood School, 10914 Route 108, Ellicott City. 410-772-9300.

> Happy challenge. Harding Consulting hosting National Happiness Challenge. Beginning May 1; eight-week program. Choose online, individual or workshops/small group formats. Registration required. 443-542-5832 or www.areyouhappy.org.

> Palestinian discussion. Sponsored by the Howard County Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation. Featuring Sharin Chiorazzo, host of "Live from Palestine" talk show in New York, to speak on "Who are the Palestinians? Myths and Realities." Free. Howard County Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. E-mail HCCEIO@yahoo.com.

> Parent workshop. Parent Resource Place program "I Won't and You Can't Make Me: Power Struggles with Your Children" for parents of teens. May 7, 10:30 a.m. Parents will explore how and why power struggles happen and what can be done. $5 per parent/couple; registration required. Oakland Mills High School, 9410 Kilimanjaro Road, Columbia. 410-730-4976, Ext. 26.

> Safe driving program. Atholton High School's after-prom committee holding prom season safe driving program. May 5, 8:30 a.m. Featuring "zero tolerance law" discussion with police, Jaws of Life demonstration and a crashed vehicle for safety demonstration provided by Liberty Mutual Group. 6520 Freetown Road, Columbia. 410-313-7065.

> Terrapin Club meeting. Howard County Terrapin Club hosting athletics dinner. May 10, 6 p.m. University of Maryland coaches will be on hand to speak, with food and more. $25 for members, $30 nonmembers and $20 for children under 12. Columbia Hilton, 5485 Twin Knolls Road, Columbia. 301-314-8626, 301-498-7076.

> Transportation meeting. Hosted by Transportation Advocates. May 9, 7:45-9 a.m. Focus on adequacy of public transportation system in meeting needs of workers, seniors, non-English speakers and those with disabilities. Florence Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Road, Columbia. 410-995-0125.

Teens

> College Fair. Sponsored by the Columbia Association Teen Advisory Committee. May 13, noon-2 p.m. Featuring representatives from national colleges and universities offering information on their schools. Free. Kahler Hall, 5440 Old Tucker Row, Columbia. 410-715-5523.

> Columbia Teen Model. Fashion and modeling workshop for girls age 11-17. May 9, 6-8 p.m. Learn skin and hair care, makeup, nails, runway skills and more. Sponsored by Columbia Teen Center and taught by Dress to Impress. $250 residents/$300 non-residents. 5851 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia. 410-992-3726.

> CPR for teens. Offered by the Columbia Teen Center. May 13, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Learn CPR techniques for infants, children and adults; class also covers other issues. $60 residents/$72 non-residents; registration required. 5851 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia 410-992-3726.