MonthlyA PUBLICATION OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATIONCAAUG 2013

CA MON TH LY 1

ColumbiaAssociation.org/CAToday

Facebook.com/CA.ColumbiaAssociation

Issuu.com/CA-ColumbiaAssociation

Twitter.com/ColumbiaAssn

YouTube.com/CATVchannel

ConnectwithCA!It’s easier than ever to find us.

Columbia Association with

get the latest

anytime at bit.ly/thisweekatca

you can watch thevideos online

a brief weeklyvideo series.

on what’shappening at

thisweek@CA

Learn more about CA watershed managementat ColumbiaWatershed.org.

By Aria White Connor

A rain garden involvesstrategically planting andplacing a combination of plantsand river rocks to filter waterand slowly release it into theground. While there are severalrain gardens in Columbia’sopen spaces installed by CA, itis also important for Columbiaresidents to get involved byhaving rain gardens on theirproperty. To assist in this effort,CA has established its RainGarden Cost Share Program.

Using a grant funded by theMaryland Department ofNatural Resources, CA will pay75 percent of the installationcost of a rain garden for interested residents in the villages ofOwen Brown, Long Reach and Wilde Lake.

Duane St. Clair, a local blogger (hococonnect.blogspot.com)

and resident of Owen Brown,recently had a rain gardeninstalled through CA’s RainGarden Cost Share Program. St.Clair said he had the gardeninstalled “to enhance the beautyof my yard and help with adrainage problem after thunder -storms.”

“The problem starts with us.Our lawns contribute to thepollution of our lakes and theChesapeake Bay,” he said. Headded that the process ofgetting the garden installed waseasy. “I have mentioned [raingarden installation] to manypeople directly and through my

blog.”

To learn more about how to participate in the CA Rain

Garden Cost Share Program, visit bit.ly/CARainGardens.

Slow the FlowWith a Rain Garden

2 Why I Serve:An Interview withSenior Advisory CommitteeMember Roger Chang

3 Downtown Columbia LakefrontSummer Activities ContinueThis Month

8 Be a Part of YourCommunity Events

Installing rain gardens helps to slow the flow of stormwater runoff,reducing the amount of pollution from reaching streams, lakes, ponds and

oceans. These are just one of the ways that Columbia Association (CA) is protecting and

restoring Columbia’s watersheds, and it’s something residents can do on their own land, as well.

Rain gardens use plants and river rocks to filterwater and slowly release it into the ground.

2 CA MON TH LY

WhyIServe:

Brian DunnKings Contrivance • 301-473-0077BrianJDunn@gmail.com

Michael CornellRiver Hill • 410-531-9340MichaelCornell@comcast.net

Cynthia A.S.H. CoyleHarper’s Choice • 410-997-7637CashCoyle2@aol.com

Nancy McCordWilde Lake • 410-730-2309Nancy.McCord@LNF.com

Gregg SchwindHickory Ridge • 410-992-5043Gregg.Schwind@usdoj.gov

Andrew StackOwen Brown • 410-381-8897Andy.OBCA@gmail.com

Suzanne WallerTown Center • 410-730-9132SUZYQ1104@aol.com

Russell SwatekLong Reach • 410-799-1497Swatek1@yahoo.com

Tom O’ConnorDorsey’s Search • 410-336-9269TomFOC3@Verizon.net

ColumbiaAssociationBoard ofDirectors

20132014

CA Headquarters.........................................410-715-3000

CA Membership Service Center .................410-730-1801

Aquatics Office...........................................410-312-6332

Columbia Art Center ...................................410-730-0075

Columbia Athletic Club ..............................410-730-6744

Columbia Association Camps ....................410-715-3165

Columbia Gym .............................................410-531-0800

Columbia Horse Center ..............................301-776-5850

Columbia Ice Rink ......................................410-730-0322

Columbia SportsPark/SkatePark ...............410-715-3054

Columbia Swim Center ...............................410-730-7000

Columbia Teen Center ................................410-992-3726

Fairway Hills Golf Club...............................410-730-1112

Hobbit's Glen Golf Club ..............................410-730-5980

Inclement Weather Hotline ........................410-715-3154

Indoor Tennis, Columbia Athletic Club......410-720-0149

Owen Brown Tennis Bubble........................410-381-7255

Supreme Sports Club ..................................410-381-5355

The Racquet Club at Hobbit's Glen............410-715-3080

Wilde Lake Tennis Club ..............................410-730-3767

Alex HekimianOakland Mills • 410-730-2583AlexHekimian@hotmail.com

By David Greisman

ROGER CHANG HAD RETIRED FROM HIScareer, but not from his community. And so, aftermore than 30 years of work at Northrop Grumman,

and after more than 30 years in the military, he turned tothinking about the next phase of his life.

“A lot of people in the past were definedby their job,” said Chang, a 66-year-old whohas lived in Kings Contrivance since 1978and in Columbia since 1975. “If you’re notin a structured job any longer, how does lifebecome meaningful, if that was your life?

“I have to start to focus on what I wantto do,” he said.

And so he enrolled in courses at HowardCommunity College, received his black beltin Taekwondo, and took other roles —including joining Columbia Association’s (CA) SeniorAdvisory Committee as his village’s representative.

The committee advises CA on the needs, interests and

concerns of Columbia’s mature adult residents. “How do you stay healthy, both physically and mentally?”

Chang said. “How do you stay safe? How do you stay engagedin meaningful activities? … As we grow older, a lot of us are

deciding to stay in Columbia. A lot of peoplemight need some additional modifications[made] to be able to stay in their homes.How can you afford to stay in your home andmake it livable? Those become importantissues that I wanted to focus on; to learn,contribute to and participate in.

“All of us age. It’s inevitable,” he said.“Those are issues that we are going toface.”The Senior Advisory Committee’s

monthly meetings are open to the public andare held at rotating locations throughout Columbia. Formore information on how to become involved as a committeemember, call 410-715-3161.

An Interview With Senior Advisory CommitteeMember Roger Chang

Important CAPhone Numbers

Roger Chang

This year’s Lakefront Summer Festival iscontinuing throughout the month, withmovies and concerts being held nightly

at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront. Livebands will be performing at the lakefront everyTuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday andSunday until Aug. 18. Concerts start at 8pmeach night except for Sundays, when theybegin at 6:30pm.In addition to the concerts, free movies will

be screened every Monday and Fridaythrough Aug. 23. After that, movies willbe shown on Fridays and Saturdaysthrough Sept. 14 (and Sunday onLabor Day weekend); movies begin atdusk (approximately 8pm). Movies thismonth include Star Trek (2009),Paranorman, The Hobbit: An Unex -pec t ed Journey, Roald Dahl’sMatilda, Les Miserables, Oz: the

Great and Powerful, Goldfinger, Skyfall,Captain America: The First Avenger andIron Man.Learn how to dance at Dancin’ Under the

People Tree on Friday nights at 6:30pm beforethe movie starts!Learn more about the Lakefront Summer

Festival at LakefrontFestival.com.

CA MON TH LY 3

WORK AT HOMESPUN POND IN THE VILLAGE

of Owen Brown and at Patriot Lane Pond in the

village of Oakland Mills began in June and will

continue throughout the summer, with dredging

and other improvements expected to continue

until about the end of September.

Patriot Lane Pond will have a new spillway and

a weir structure installed at a different spot — an

area where water has tended to overflow during

rainstorms, according to Rob Plummer, project

manager for Columbia Association (CA). A bridge

will be placed over the spillway.

Three to five feet of sediment has been

removed from the pond. A new forebay within the

pond will capture sediment coming downstream

and should mean that the pond will not need to

be dredged as often. This will also mean better

water quality for fish and wildlife, Plummer said,

and a cleaner pond for people visiting via CA’s

pathway system.

At Homespun, work will replace structures that

have reached the end of their lifespan and will

bring them in line with state regulations. The

pond is also being dredged. Its dock will be

extended, and a “safety bench,” or “safety ledge,”

will be installed around the perimeter. This is

intended to make the pond safer by keeping

those who might walk along the edge of the

water from slipping.

Both projects were competitively bid, with the

contract awarded to Rockville-based Apex

Companies LLC. The cost for the work at Patriot

Lane Pond is budgeted at $322,000, while the

budget for Homespun Pond is $362,000.

Columbia Matters

TV ScheduleThe Columbia Matters TV show can be seen online,any time at YouTube.com/CATVchannel. You can alsocatch the show on TV on the following channels:

Comcast Channel 96 & Verizon Channel 41Mondays..............................................11am, 4pm and 7pmSaturdays .................................................................8:30pm

Comcast Channel 98Mondays .............................................12pm, 4pm and 8pmTuesdays .............................................10am, 2pm and 6pmWednesdays .................................................12pm and 4pmThursdays............................................10am, 2pm and 6pmFridays ...........................................12pm, 4pm and 7:30pmSaturdays ............................................12pm, 4pm and 8pm

Comcast Channel 99 & Verizon Channel 44Mondays.................................................................10:30amTuesdays .............................................10am, 2pm and 6pmWednesdays ...................................................8am and 7pmThursdays.................................................................7:30amFridays.......................................................8am and 7:30pmSaturdays ....................................................................10amSundays .................................................................11:30pm

By David Greisman

CA Working on

in Owen Brown& Oakland Mills

WATERSHEDPROJECTS

Downtown Columbia

Continue This Month

LAKEFRONTSUMMER

ACTIVITIES

By Aria White Connor

4 CA MON TH LY

stayThe CA Today blog was created by CA tocommunicate and connect with the commu -nity. This blog serves to inform the communityabout the news, programs, initiatives, activities

and services provided by the ColumbiaAssociation. Blog posts will not only in -clude CA news, but also occasionally touchon Columbia-wide news and news aboutColumbia’s villages. Check it out online atColumbiaAssociation.org/CAToday.

connected

CAwithone-stopshopof information

superfinding what I need is

this is like a

easy

Do you know a betterWAY?

stay in touch?

Do you know a

Please emailCommunications@ColumbiaAssociation.org and let us know if you would like to receive CA news in another manner!

CA Today Blog

CA Facebook &Twitter PageCA is on your favorite social media sites! One can “Like” us onFacebook at Facebook.com/CA.ColumbiaAssociation, or “Follow”us on Twitter at Twitter.com/ColumbiaAssn. Our main social media

sites are here to provide an engaging space for the community tolearn, share and discuss CA news and offerings.

stayfind out how to get the latest news from CA!

by Erin McPhail

Columbia Matters is CA’s monthly television program that takes viewers on a journey through Columbia and Howard County. It alsoprovides information on local and CA-run programs, initiatives and events. Columbia Matters has been the recipient of 16 Telly Awardsthroughout the lifetime of the show. You can view Columbia Matters online on CA’s YouTube channel, YouTube.com/CATVChannel,at all three of our fitness facilities or on TV (Comcast channels 96, 98 and 99; as well as Verizon channels 41 and 44). For a full scheduleof airing times, please refer to page 7. You may also view copies of Columbia Matters at Columbia Archives, or check out an episode

at all branches of the Howard County Library System.Want to find out what’s going on more frequently than on a monthly basis? We have you covered! This Week @ CA is CA’sweekly video series that provides updates on happenings at Columbia Association for that specific week and information onprograms and events that are coming up the following week. You can view This Week @ CA online on CA’s YouTube channel,YouTube.com/CATVChannel, or by visiting ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events.

connected

CAThe CA Monthly is ColumbiaAssociation’s 8-page print news -letter. CA Monthly highlights CA’slatest news, programs, initiatives,budget and upcoming events tohelp educate and inform thepublic of what is going on atCA. You can find CA Monthlyonline at CAMonthly.org, atall three CA fitness facilities,inserted in the Columbia Flieron the first Thursday of everymonth, at your local village center,at the East Columbia Library, atthe Central Library and in variouslocations and bus iness through -out Columbia and HowardCounty. with

CA MON TH LY 5

hosts!

great

deliveredtomydoor

Mike and Dee are such

every issue is conveniently

Columbia Matters/This Week@CA

CAMonthly

of physical activity and provide structuredphysical activities that promote good health.CA staff members have been trained infacilitating healthy snacks and structuredphysical activities.

CA’s School Age Services has partneredwith the University of Maryland Extension

Center to provide the nutritioncurriculum and training tostaff. Specialized versatilesports equipment was pur -chased from the GenMovecompany. GenMove will beproviding structured activitytraining to staff.

Beginning in September,CA’s Sport and FitnessDivision also will be teachingweekly Zumba and fitnessprograms at each Before andAfter School Care location.

It will be time for the kids tohead back to school before youknow it. If you are in need ofbefore and after school care,

CA’s School Age Services Department offersBefore and After School Care programs at 19Howard County elementary schools and AfterSchool care at three middle schools. Full-dayprograms also are available on some of thedays that Howard County schools are closed.

Theresa White, assistant manager forSchool Age Services at CA, said, “The SchoolAge Services Department strives to improvetheir programs a little more each year, withnew offerings or new ways of doing thingsthat add value or efficiency to the programs.”

First Friday Family Night returns this year.Parents are invited to participate in activitieswith their children during the last hour of theprogram. First Fridays give parents anopportunity to interact with other parentsfrom the program, get to know staff betterand have fun, quality time with their children.Food will be served. Dates are Oct. 4, Dec. 6, Feb. 7 and April 4.To learn more about Columbia Association’s

Before and After School Care programs, pleasecall 410-715-3164 or send an e-mail toSAS@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

6 CA MON TH LY

Columbia Association (CA) recently received a $40,000 grant

from The Horizon Foundation to implement CA’s “Let’s Get

S.A.S.S.Y.” (Successful, Active, Smart, Strong Youth) program.

The goals of the program are to educate children about healthy

eating, encourage healthy eating choices, substitute more fresh

fruits and vegetables for snacking, teach children the importance

MAKEYOURVOICEHEARD

at CA Board MeetingsBy Keithan Samuels

If you are looking for ways to let your

voice be heard in the community,

consider attending Columbia Association’s

(CA) board of directors meetings.

As part of the agenda, the board opens

up the floor for Resident Speak Out. In a

nutshell, Resident Speak Out allows

Columbia residents the opportunity to ask

questions, leave comments and voice

concerns to the board.

Not only is this an effective way to voice

your concerns, it is also a great

opportunity to meet the CA board

members — who represent each village in

Columbia.

The CA Board of Directors meeting

takes place on the second and fourth

Thursday each month. The meeting

typically begins around 7:30pm.

For more information about the CA

board members and/or board meetings,

visit ColumbiaAssociation.org.

Columbia Association’sSCHOOL-AGE

SERVICESGETS

S.A.S.S.Y.By Mary Weeks

CA MON TH LY 7

By Jeremy Scharfenberg

Doing the Laundryand Saving Money

If you’re interested in learning more about

Columbia Association (CA), be sure to check

out this year’s Public Information Guide. The

Public Information Guide features an overview of

CA’s services, programs and amenities and helps

show residents what they get for their annual

charge dollars.

This year’s guide includes

information on 2013

projects, 2014 upcoming

projects, CA’s history and

governance, CA’s board

of directors, the CA

annual charge, CA’s

budget, Columbia villages and more. You can view

this year’s Public Information Guide online at

bit.ly/CAPublicInfoGuide.

SUPREMESPORTSCLUB Hang out with your friends

and get a little exercisewhile ROLLER SKATINGand IN-LINE SKATING!LEARN MORE ABOUT admission and skate rental fees atColumbiaSkateArena.org or call 410-381-5355.

This month,skating is

available onFridays12-3pm&7-10pm

Roller Skating atThe S

kate Aren

a is also a

vailable fo

r

birthday pa

rties and p

rivate renta

ls!

CA PublicInformationGuide 2014

Now AvailableColumbia Association (CA) is working

on a project at the Supreme Sports

Club that will replace several of the

air-conditioning units with new, high-efficiency

models to save energy, improve reliability and

reduce operating costs. In addition to being

very efficient mechanically, the new equipment

includes a heat recovery system linked to the hot

water supply that is now preheating the water

that is used for laundry and showers

at the facility.

Instead of simply transferring the

heat from inside the building to the

outdoors, this new system puts that

heat to good use. By preheating the

water, the facility significantly reduces the

amount of natural gas consumed by its boilers

— especially considering that dozens of loads

of laundry are run every day at the Supreme

Sports Club.

CA will be conserving energy and reducing

operating costs associated with doing the

laundry as a result of this project, and Columbia

residents also can take important steps to be

more energy-efficient and water-efficient when

performing this household chore.

Incentives available through the BGE Smart

Energy Savers Program can help consumers

make a smart choice when purchasing their next

washing machine. From jeans to gym shorts, an

ENERGY STAR certified washing machine

sloshes out stains without draining your wallet.

Because they use about 20 percent

less energy and 35 percent less

water, ENERGY STAR certified

models can save up to $315 in

operating costs over their lifetimes.

These washers also extract more

water during spin cycles, reducing drying times

and fabric wear and tear. Get yours now and

save $50 with a rebate.

For more information on how you can help

improve the sustainability of our community

and save money at the same time, visit

BGESmartEnergy.com/Residential.

PUBLICINFORMATIONGUIDE An information guide to your community’s offerings—

an overview of CA’s budget, recreational programs,

open space and more.

C O L U M B I A A S S O C I A T I O N

2014FISCAL YEAR May1, 2013 through April 30,2014

August Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events to learn about more great events happening in Columbia!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Oakland Mills FarmersMarket Now-Nov • Oakland Mills VillageCenter • 410-730-4610

Summer LakefrontFestival Now-Sat, Sep 14 • NightlyDowntown Columbia LakefrontColumbiaAssociation.org/Events

Maryland Art League –Mixed Media Exhibit Now-Thu, Aug 15 • Bernice KishGallery • 410-730-3987

Tool Time forScrapbookingThu, Aug 1 • 6-8:30pmColumbia Art Center 410-730-0075

National Night OutTue, Aug 6 • 6-9pm • Harper’sChoice • 410-730-0770

CA Board of DirectorsMeetingThu, Aug 8 • 7:30-11pmCA Headquarters410-715-3000

Oakland Mills CommunityPool PartyThu, Aug 8 • 6:30pm410-730-4610

Pool/Ice Cream PartySat, Aug 10 • 7-9pmRiver Hill Pool • 410-531-1749

International Book Club Wed, Aug 14 • 7:30-9pmColumbia ArchivesColumbiaAssociation.org/Multicultural

Fall Vegetable GardeningThu, Aug 15 • 7pm • Owen BrownCommunity Center410-381-0202

Make Your OwnBirthday CardsThu, Aug 15 • 7pmKahler Hall410-730-0770

Family LuauFri, Aug 166-9pmSupreme SportsClub KidSpace410-381-7559

AdventureDayMon, Aug 19- Fri, Aug 237am-6pmSupreme Sports Cluband Columbia GymKidSpacesColumbiaAssociation.org/KidSpace

DesertTerrarium DesignWed, Aug 21 • 6-8pmColumbia Art Center410-730-0075

World Languages CaféWed, Aug 28 • 7-9pmWegmans Café (upstairs)ColumbiaAssociation.org/Multicultural

Save the Date: River Hill Yard SaleSat, Sep 7 • 9-11amVaries • 410-531-1749

Save the Date: Dia De La FamiliaSat, Sep 28 • 3-6pmColumbia SportsPark410-715-3162Have a question or comment? E-mail CAmonthly@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

8 CA MON TH LY