These groups meet regularly.

40 Plus Dance -- First Friday, 7:30-10:30 p.m. Modern, ballroom and line dancing, featuring 50s and 60s music. $3 admission at the door. Free drink set-ups and snacks. Bring your own beverages or buy soda for 50 cents. Phelps Dance Center, 701 Montgomery Street, Laurel. 301-937-2896.

American Association of University Women -- Second Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Ellicott City Senior Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. 410-772-7977 or e-mail travelingal22@hotmail.com.

Baltimore Bead Society -- Second Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. Howard County Center for the Arts, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City. 410-480-2711, 410-451-3622, www.baltobead.org.

Chavurah -- A secular humanist Jewish group. First Sunday and third Friday. 410-337-0100.

Chess Clubs at Your Library -- Players of all abilities welcome. Must know how to play. No registration. First and third Sunday, 2-4 p.m. Ages 11 and up. Howard County Central Library, 10375 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia. 410-313-7860; First and Third Thursday, 3-5 p.m. Ages 6 and up. East Columbia Branch library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. 410-313-7700.

Child Study Association -- Educational speakers and social activities for mothers, children and family. Second Tuesday. Debbie, 410-531-5391.

Cultural Connections -- Second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, noon, at the Bain Center, in Columbia. $18 for the year or $5 for each program. 410-730-4976, Ext. 103.

The Dangerous Boys Club -- First Saturday, 2 p.m. Based on "The Dangerous Book for Boys," by Conn and Hal Iggulden. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, 4300 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City. To register, 410-203-9006 or e-mail crm2831@bn.com.

Elkridge Evening Quilters -- All levels. First and third Thursday, 7-9 p.m. Elkridge Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, 5929 Setter Drive, Elkridge. 410-203-9309 or 410-796-5876.

Elks Excellent Reads -- Second Tuesday, noon and 7:30 p.m. Attend either meeting. Elkridge Branch library, 6540 Washington Blvd., Elkridge. 410-313-5088.

The Eta Zeta Sigma Graduate Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority -- Second Monday, 7 p.m. Wilde Lake High School (in the conference room), 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia. www.sgrho1922.org or mcjholley@aol.com.

Free blood pressure screenings -- Second Monday, noon-3 p.m. No appointment, just walk-in. Savage Branch library, 9525 Durness Lane, Laurel. 410-740-4601 or go to www.hcgh.org.

FreeState Arrow Modelers -- Second Friday, 7:30 p.m. Owen Brown Village Center, 6800 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. 410-715-0566.

Freestate Happy Wanderers -- Walking club. Second Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Faith and Ministry, 9032 Baltimore St., Savage. Bill or Linda, 410-437-2164; www.ava.org/clubs/freestate.

German conversation and reading --First Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Claudia, 410-730-5977.

German-speaking play group -- For children and parents. First Friday, 3 p.m. Call for location, 410-992-5043.

Glenwood community book club -- Second Wednesday, 10 a.m. Glenwood Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville. 410-313-5577.

Glenwood Lions Club -- First and third Thursday, (except August), 7 p.m. Glenwood Community Center, activities room, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville. 301-831-5723 or e-mail jhmorson@starpower.net.

Good Reads -- Second Wednesday, 7 p.m. East Columbia Branch library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. 410-313-7700.

Healing service -- First Sunday, 12:30 p.m.; first Wednesday, 7 p.m. St. John's Lutheran Church. 410-665-1234.

High School Literary Society -- Second Wednesday, 7-8:15 p.m. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Long Gate Shopping Center, Montgomery Road, Ellicott City. 410-203-9001.

Holistic Choices -- Workshops offering information and tips for healthful living. Second and fourth Monday, 7-9 p.m. Columbia Center for the Healing Arts, 10450 Shaker Drive, Suite 110, Columbia. $20 per class. 410-884-7995.

Howard County Bird Club -- Second Thursday, 8 p.m. Meeting. Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia. Meetings are canceled when schools are closed. 410-418-8731, 410-461-3361 or go to www.howardbirds.org.

The Howard County Conservancy -- Second Saturday, 10 a.m. Guided hikes at Mt. Pleasant Farm. 10520 Old Frederick Road, Woodstock. 410-465-8877 or www.hcconservancy.org for more information.

Howard County Fire and Rescue's Office of Emergency Management -- Second Tuesday, 10 a.m. Local Emergency Planning Committee monthly meeting. Discuss local hazardous materials issues and facilities in Howard County. Location to be determined. Lt. James Singletary, 410-807-5340.

Howard County Genealogical Society -- Second Wednesday, September-June, 7 p.m. Informal workshop with help table, browsing table and surname file table; 7:30 p.m. Frank Herron, president of the Society, will present a project to assist an individual tracing the land records of his ancestral farm site, as well as one unknown branch of his family tree. Ellicott City Senior Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. In case of inclement weather, meeting will be canceled. Sign language interpretation available upon advance request. 410-730-7917. Meeting is canceled when Howard County schools are closed.

Howard County Green Party -- Second and fourth Monday, 7-9 p.m. The Blue Cow Café, 5134 Thunder Hill Road, Columbia. Michael Ratcliffe, 301-604-7013 or www.HowardGreens.org.

Howard County Independents -- Unaffiliated voters. Second Tuesday, 7 p.m. Mona Brinegar, 443-889-9070 or e-mail info@howardcountyissues.org.

Howard County Order Sons of Italy, Lodge #2364 -- Second Thursday, 6:30 p.m. Turf Valley Country Club, 2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City. Call 410-465-0073 or 410-379-0431 for information.

Howard County Republican Club -- First Friday. For location, time and other information, go to www.howardcountygopclub.com.

Howard County Republican Central Committee -- Second Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. 5550 Sterrett Place, Suite 213, Columbia. Trent Kittleman, 301-661-3344.

Howard County Family Child Care Association -- First Thursday, September-June, 6:30 p.m. East Columbia Branch library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. 301-775-4841 or go to www.hcfcca.org.

Howard County Woodworkers Guild -- First Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon. The Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. Frank Krapcho, 410-381-1359.

Jibber Jabber -- Second and fourth Thursday, 8:30 p.m. Ellicott City's newest poetry and music open mic with a featured poet. Might include adult content. Show hosted by spoken word artist, Ryan Mergen. Java Grande, 9050 Baltimore Pike, Ellicott City. For more information, call 410-480-3865 or go to myspace.com/JibberJabberOpenMic.

Laurel Moms club -- First Thursday, 7 p.m. Learn something new, develop adult friendships and become a part of the Laurel community. Ray Andrews will speak about fun family fitness and the childhood obesity epidemic. Our Savior Lutheran Church, 13611 Laurel-Bowie Road. 301-776-4989 or e-mail laurelmomsclub@yahoo.com.

LAVA Writer's group -- First Thursday, 7-8:30 p.m. For meeting location and more information, call 410-507-2373 or e-mail carolcourtreporter@comcast.net.

Living as Overcomers, Victorious and Empowered --Teaching, seminars and activities. First Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Swansfield Neighborhood Center, 5601 Cedar Lane, Columbia. 301-596-0086.

Longfellow Garden Club of Columbia -- Second Thursday, 7 p.m. The Bain Center, 5470 Ruth Keeton Way, Columbia. 410-381-5718.

Marylanders for a Free Palestine and a Secure Israel -- First and third Friday, 7:30 p.m. Ann Von Lossberg for location, 410-465-3493.

Mason-Dixon Line Boyds Club -- For lovers of Boyds Bears. In lieu of dues, members donate to a different charity each month. First Saturday, 10:15 a.m. Teddy Bear Treasures, 842 Littlestown Pike, Westminster. 410-871-2327 or www.bearsforagift.com.

Model Railroad Club -- First Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Monthly open house. Operating model train layouts in historic 1910 Pullman Car and 1929 B&O Railroad Caboose. Sykesville and Patapsco Railroad Inc., Baldwin and Oklahoma Avenues, Sykesville. 410-876-2870.

MOMS Club of Clarksville/Columbia West -- Second Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. A social and support group for stay-at-home moms. Linden-Linthicum United Methodist Church, 12101 Linden Linthicum Lane, Clarksville. E-mail clarksvillecolumbiamoms@yahoo.com.

MOMS Club of Columbia-East -- Second Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. New Hope Lutheran Church, 8575 Guilford Road, Columbia. Go to www.momsclubofcolumbiaeast.com or e-mail momsclubofcolumbiaeast@yahoo.com.

MOMS Club of Ellicott City Central -- Second Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. Social and business meeting. Glen Mar United Methodist Church, 8430 GlenMar Road. E-mail momsclubofec_central@yahoo.com.

MOMS Club of Ellicott City North/Woodstock -- Activities for at-home moms and their children. Second Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Route 144/Chatham Road. 410-795-7758 or momclubofec_northwoodstock@yahoo.com.

Monday night book club -- Second Monday, 7 p.m. Miller Branch library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. 410-313-1950.

Mother/Daughter book club -- For moms and daughters ages 11-17. Second Wednesday, 7-8:30 p.m. Glenwood Branch library, 2350 State Route 97, Cooksville. 410-313-5577.

Mystery Lovers book group -- Second Wednesday, 7 p.m. Borders, Columbia Crossing Shopping Center, Dobbin Road, Columbia. 410-290-0062.

Mystery book club -- Second Wednesday, 7 p.m. Savage Branch library, 9525 Durness Lane, Laurel. 410-880-5980.

The National Council of Negro Women -- Second Saturday, 10:30 a.m. Slayton House, 10451 Twin Rivers Road, Columbia. T.L. Pope, 301-725-4372.

Natural Approach to Parenting -- Support and playgroup for naturally minded parents. Second Thursday, 10 a.m. 301-252-4843, howard@takeanap.org or www.takeanap.org.

Natural Health Forum -- Second Tuesday, 7 p.m. Discuss and disseminate current alternative health methods. The forum does not diagnose or prescribe. Baltimore First Seventh Day Adventist Church, gymnasium, 3291 St. John's Lane, Ellicott City. For more information, call Dr. John Vandenberge, 410-599-9665.

The Newcomers Club -- First Thursday, 10 a.m. Social coffee get-together. Panera Bread, 6435 Dobbin Road, Columbia. For more information, call 410-465-0522 or 410-379-2898.

Patuxent Toastmasters Club -- Second and fourth Thursday, 7:30-9 p.m. Oliver's Carriage House, 5410 Leaf Treader Way, Columbia. 410-313-8915 or www.patuxenttoastmasters.org.

Pins and Needles -- Second and fourth Thursday, 10 a.m.-noon. Bring your current stitching, knitting or crocheting projects. Meet new people and trade ideas and tips. 410-313-1950 or visit the Miller Branch library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City.

Sacred Chants -- First Sunday, 7:30-9:30 p.m. An evening of meditation and chanting (English and Sanskrit). Owen Brown Interfaith Center, 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. $5 suggested donation. Bring a pillow or blanket to sit on, and a percussion instrument if desired. Rufus Juskus, 443-745-5855.

Slayton House -- Scrabble. Second and fourth Wednesday, 10-11:30 a. m. House in the Wilde Lake Villages, Columbia. 410-730-3987.

The Special Education Community Advisory Committee -- Second Tuesday, 7-9 p.m., Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Faun Court, Columbia. For more details, go to www.howardsecac.org.

Society of Young Magicians -- For children 7 to 17; parents welcome. Second Monday, September-June, 6:45-7:45 p.m. Faulkner Ridge Center, 10598 Marble Faun Lane, Columbia. Membership is $20 per year. Meetings are devoted to sharing magic, learning and developing skills. Two free shows are put on annually, one close up and one stage show. You may attend a meeting as a guest once before joining. Contact PravinPonnuri@hotmail.com for more information or go to www.sym106.org.

Strategy gaming -- First and third Sundays, noon-6 p.m. Play some of the most interesting and challenging games around. Choose from our collection or bring your own. The Family Game Store, Historic Savage Mill, 8600 Foundry Street, Savage. 301-776-5980.

Taize evening prayer -- Ecumenical, sung prayer that focuses on peace and reconciliation. Second Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, 5885 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia. 410-461-1793.

Teen chess club at Miller Branch -- Second and last Tuesday, 7-8 p.m. Ages 9-17. Players of all abilities welcome. Must know how to play. No registration. Miller Branch library, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City, 410-313-1950.

Teen'Zine -- Ages 13-17. Add your voice to the all new online newsletter--written by teens, for teens. Go to www.hclibrary.org/teenzine. First Thursday, 7-7:45p.m. Glenwood Branch library, 2350 Route 97, Cooksville. Call 410-313-5577. At Miller Branch Library -- Second Monday, 7-8 p.m. 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City.

The Upper Patuxent Archeology Group -- Second Monday, September-June, 7:30 p.m. Mount Ida, 3691 Sarah's Lane, Ellicott City. Lee Preston, 443-745-1202; Alison Polley, 410-747-1973; or the Mount Ida Mansion, 410-465-8500.

Western Howard County Cattail River Garden Club -- Second Tuesday, 10 a.m. 410-489-5636 for location and directions.

Vegan potluck dinner -- Bring dish to share; table service and drinks provided. First Saturday, 6:30 p.m. For location, call 410-465-0427 or e-mail bsorak@juno.com.

Wine Glass Court Poets -- Second Sunday, 2 p.m. Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Long Gate Shopping Center, Montgomery Road, Ellicott City. 410-203-9001.

Writers' Circle at Savage Library -- Second Monday, 7 p.m. Share your original writing with other aspiring authors for mutual support and feedback. Savage Branch library, 9525 Durness Lane, Laurel. 410-880-5980.

Writer's critiquing group -- Second and third Tuesday, 7-8:30 p.m., East Columbia Branch library, 6600 Cradlerock Way, Columbia. For more information, call 410-507-2373.

XY professionals group -- Networking for young professionals ages 21-40. Second Wednesday. For time and location, 443-677-8870.

Yingling-Ridgely VFW and Ladies Auxiliary No. 7472 -- A community service organization. Second Thursday, 8 p.m. VFW, 4225 VFW Lane, Ellicott City. 410-242-4036.

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