Howard Community Events April 17-24, 2008

Saturday 19

BLOOD DRIVE, for healthy donors 17 and older, a community blood drive; appointments suggested. 7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. 410-381-4546 or uuccblooddrive@comcast.net.

TREE PLANTING, plant trees and install tree shelters, wear gloves and bring a shovel; sponsored by the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks. 9 a.m.-noon, West Friendship Park, Frederick and Fairgrounds roads, West Friendship. Free, registration required. 410-313-4624; weather announcements, 410-313-4452 or combs@howardcountymd.gov.

LIVING WELL HEALTH FAIR, more than 30 physicians will be available to conduct screenings and tests, including blood, blood pressure, dental, vision and stroke-risk assessments; mammogram vouchers available; sponsored by the Howard County Muslim Foundation. 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. Free. 410-465-7400.

FINANCIAL LITERACY SUMMIT, an overview of financial education programs and services available, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; panel discussion, 12:45-1:30 p.m.; hosted by Howard County Council member Calvin Ball. 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Howard Community College, Cafe on the Quad, Rouse Company Foundation Student Services Hall, 10901 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Free. 410-313-2001.

BLOSSOMS OF HOPE LANTERNMAKING, for children and adults, make a paper lantern to be displayed in the Lanterns of Hope parade during Comcast Cherrybration on May 3 at Centennial Park. 1 p.m., Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Free, registration required. 410-313-7800.

"STAR WARS" LINEUP, for ages 5-11, a visit from costumed "Star Wars" characters from the 501st Legion, Old Line Garrison, a "Star Wars" costuming group. 1 p.m., East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. Free, registration required. 410-313-7700.

Sunday 20

"INNER CALLINGS," a discussion of finding one's passion in life, sponsored by Journeys Community, a nontraditional spiritual group. 10 a.m., Vantage House Retirement Community, 5400 Vantage Point Rd., Columbia. 410-730-6079 or http://journeyscommunity.org.

CHESS CLUB, for players 11 and older; snacks provided. 2-4 p.m., Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. Free. 410-313-7860.

Monday 21

EXERCISE CLASS,"Stamina, Strength, Stretch and Synergy" method by personal fitness trainer O.H. Laster. 9-10 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, through May, East Columbia 50-Plus Center, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. $24 a month; registration required. 410-313-7680.

LAUGHTER CLUB, for age 60 and older, laughter exercises and group sharing, sponsored by Howard County Department of Parks and Recreation. 9-9:40 a.m. Mondays, Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. Weekly fee, $2; registration required. 410-313-7320 or 410-313-7279.

Tuesday 22

ELECTRONICS RECYCLING, drop off computers, monitors, printers, scanners, telephones, power cords and related items for recycling; sponsored by TargetGov, CDM eCycling and Cindi Arnold, the Green Realtor. 11 a.m.-3 p.m., MVA Express, parking lot, 6400 Dobbin Rd., Columbia. Free. 410-715-3284 or cindi@thegreenrealtor.com.

FIGURE PAINTING, draw or paint a live model; no instruction provided; limited number of easels available. Portrait sessions, clothed models, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays; life sessions, nude models, 7-10 p.m. Tuesdays, Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Rd., Ellicott City. Portrait sessions, $10 each, $42 for six; life sessions, $12 each, $60 for six. 410-313-2787 or http://www.hocoarts.org.