Vantage Point

Two teen-agers from Baltimore were arrested and charged Friday in connection with two car thefts and three car theft attempts in Columbia's Town Center, police said.Ronnie Linwood Harris, 19, of the 1400 block of W. Lafayette St. in Baltimore, was charged with auto theft, theft, destruction of property and unauthorized use of a vehicle in the thefts and tampering with cars in the 5500 block of Sterrett Place and the 5500 block of Vantage Point Road between 4: 15 p.m. and 4: 45 p.m. Friday.

The Audubon Society of Central Maryland, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, will honor Del. Virginia N. Thomas as Conservationist of the Year in an awards ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Florence Bain Senior Center on Beaverkill Road.Ms. Thomas, a District 13-A Democrat, is vice chairwoman of the Environmental Matters Committee of the House of Delegates.She is being honored for her efforts on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay by working to reduce solid waste in landfills and for cleaner air and water.

The Wilde Lake Community Association will offer the first session of a new program, "Columbia Contra and Square Dance: First Thursdays," from 7 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Thursday at Slayton House in the Wilde Lake Village Center. Traditional dances from New England and southern traditions will be taught by experienced callers with live music. The dances include circle mixers and couple dances, such as polkas and waltzes. A beginner workshop starts at 6:30 p.m. Partners are not needed, and all ages are welcome.

The Wilde Lake Community Association will present its annual Halloween event at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at Slayton House in the Wilde Lake Village Center. An interactive show for children ages 2 to 7, "Pumpkin Party with Candy and Cupcake," will be presented. Trick-or-treating in the village center is planned for the children after the show. Children are invited to attend in costume. Tickets are $4 and should be purchased in advance. Information: 410-730-3987. Rainbow Theatre to present comedian Rainbow Theatre in the Wilde Lake Village Center will continue its season of performances for children and families with an appearance by Geist Visual Comedian on Oct. 21. Two 45-minute performances are scheduled, at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The cost is $4.50 in advance and $5.50 at the door.

The Maryland/DC Anti-Car Theft Committee and the Howard County Police Department will offer free vehicle identification etching from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, weather permitting, at Slayton House in the Wilde Lake Village Center. Those who attend can have their vehicle identification number engraved on all the major pieces of glass in the car to act as a deterrent to theft and ease the return of the vehicle to its owner if stolen. Registration in the Watch Your Car Program, a national theft-prevention program, will also be available.

Since 1979, the 27th floor observation lounge of the World Trade Center has been the best vantage point to consider Baltimore.Beyond the glittering Inner Harbor are the smokestacks of Sparrows Point, once a leading steel mill in the world. Switch your angle and you can view the city's growth northward. There are no clearly visible demarcation lines, but those in the know can visually approximate North Avenue, the northernmost border the city until 1816, and then try to spot neighborhoods from Forest Park and Mount Washington to Roland Park and Govans, which were annexed before the current boundaries were reached in 1918.

The Columbia Association, with Howard County General Hospital, the Howard County Health Department and the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults, will sponsor a health fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the lakefront area of Town Center. The fair will include free health screenings, information on health issues, demonstrations of exercise activities and equipment, activities for children, entertainment and food. Around Town Yard sale: Town Center Community Association will sponsor its Town Center Yard Sale from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Vantage Point Park on Vantage Point Road.

The Wilde Lake High School '77-'78 30th Combined Class Reunion will be held from 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 27 at Ten Oaks Ballroom in Clarksville. Davis Deejays will provide music. Food and an open bar also are planned. The cost is $55 in advance, if paid by Oct. 15; $65 after that date. Tickets are required for guests and alumni. Checks or money orders should be made out to WLHS Class of '77 and sent to WLHS 30th Reunion, Attention: Greg Stanford, 2817 Thornbrook Road, Ellicott City 21042.

For more than 30 years, painter Raoul Middleman has been one of Baltimore's most prolific and readily identifiable artists. Middleman checks in again this season with a delectable exhibit of landscape paintings at C. Grimaldis Gallery through May 3. Middleman's work is a refreshing break from the by now ubiquitous blue landscapes that have dominated decorative paintings of Maryland and similarly picturesque locales for decades. Instead, Middleman renders these scenes afresh with great warmth and affection through calculated use of reds, oranges and yellows that complement the cool hues of sky, water and greenery.

Town Center Community Association offers Sunday afternoon tea from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 16 at the ballroom of Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia. Tea, scones, sandwiches and desserts will be served. Twins Silver Dream will present a jewelry show of sterling silver and gemstone jewelry. A sampling of their jewelry can be viewed at www.twinssilverdream.com. The cost is $20 per person, and reservations are required two business days in advance. Information and reservations: 410-730-4801 or 800-730-4802.