CA Monthly April 2015 by Columbia Association

Monthly CA A PUBLICATION OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION

APRIL 2015

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CA Launches Online Memberships, New Class Signup Process Creating Columbia Mini Course Back by Popular Demand Dog Day Afternoon Returns May 2

CA Makes Changes in Fiscal Year 2016:

Pool,Pond, Energy Upgrades

By Tripp Laino

olumbia Association (CA) has big plans for fiscal year 2016, bringing improvements to many CA facilities and locations. A series of amendments to the Capital Budget for fiscal year 2016, which runs from May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016, was approved by the CA Board in March, covering a variety of projects to take place throughout Columbia. These projects range in size and include everything from new signs to replacing aging roofs. A major project from last year was the clubhouse at Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club, which was revamped inside and out, including improved layout and design as well as other new features. The clubhouse is slated to open later this month, with a grand opening to follow in May. Two ponds in Long Reach — Dannon Garth Pond and Jackson Pond — will be restored and improved. Jackson Pond will be dredged, while Dannon Garth Pond will (See Fiscal, page 6)

Photo BY Keithan SamuelS

Renovating the Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club clubhouse was one of many capital projects completed by CA in fiscal year 2015.

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CA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014-2015 Reginald Avery Oakland Mills 443-545-6714 Reginald.Avery@ca-board.org

Nancy McCord Wilde Lake 410-730-2309 Nancy.McCord@ca-board.org

Michael Cornell River Hill 410-531-9340 Michael.Cornell@ca-board.org

Tom O’Connor Dorsey’s Search 410-336-9269 Tom.OConnor@ca-board.org

Brian Dunn Kings Contrivance 301-473-0077 Brian.Dunn@ca-board.org

Gregg Schwind Hickory Ridge 443-831-8847 Gregg.Schwind@ca-board.org

Jeanne Ketley Town Center 301-596-1097 Jeanne.Ketley@ca-board.org

Andrew Stack Owen Brown 410-381-8897 Andrew.Stack@ca-board.org

Alan Klein Harper’s Choice 410-992-3025 Alan.Klein@ca-board.org

Russell Swatek Long Reach 410-799-1497 Russ.Swatek@ca-board.org

Board Recap

t the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors meeting held March 12, the CA Board approved the draft minutes of all closed board meetings during fiscal years 2014 and 2015 and approved guidelines for closed meetings. Additionally, the Planning and Strategy Committee recommended that the Board approve a staff recommendation to do repairs in fiscal year 17-18 to preserve the Swim Center. The board’s March 26 meeting took place after CA Monthly went to press. The next scheduled Board of Directors meetings are April 9 and 23. Meetings typically begin at 7:30pm and are held at CA Headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle. For current CA Board of Directors meeting minutes and agendas, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Agendas. Podcasts from board meetings are available at ColumbiaAssociation.org/Podcasts.

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President’s Update

Improving experiences through technology Dear Friends, Columbia Association is turning to technology in order to provide a better experience for its members — and an easier experience for those looking to become members. You can now sign up to become a member at ColumbiaAssociation.org. We have been working hard at making this as seamless and effortless as possible. The whole process should take no more than 10 minutes. The online portal lists 11 membership plan types with information about each. The options in the online portal reflect CA’s broad range of membership types, including Milton W. Matthews memberships to single facilities, tennis, golf and pools, as well as the more comprehensive Package Plan and Package Plan Plus memberships. After you choose one and put in your payment information, you will receive an online confirmation email along with a temporary membership card. The memberships offered online are based on non-resident rates. Customers who believe they are eligible for lower rates or qualifying discounts and have supporting documentation may upload the documents or bring them for verification to CA’s Membership Service Center. If you’ve submitted documents online, CA staff will respond within 48 hours to let you know whether your request for a discount has been accepted. Meanwhile, CA is also in the process of making changes to its online registration system for members. This spring, there will be a new and improved online system for accessing class schedules, registering and paying for classes, reviewing reservations, making changes or cancellations, and browsing through programs in which you may want to participate. Reflecting the many ways we now shop and make online transactions, these improvements will be mobile-friendly for smartphones and tablets. These are convenient options for residents and professionals whose schedules may make it difficult for them to sign up over the telephone or in-person. We don’t want to delay your decision while you wait until your schedule permits you to come to one of our facilities. But if you do need any assistance, the Membership Service Center is available Monday through Friday, 10am to 7pm and Saturday, 10am to 5pm, to answer any questions about memberships. Call 410-730-1801 or email MSC@ColumbiaAssociation.org for assistance. We’re also continuing to fine-tune ColumbiaAssociation.org, making CA’s website easier to navigate. These improvements were among the suggestions CA received last year during Columbia Speaks. CA Listens. We heard you. CA will continue to look at providing better experiences for its members and users throughout the community. Sincerely, Milton. W. Matthews, Columbia Association President/CEO

CA’s New Enhanced Class Reservation System

Spectrum NG Launches April13 on’t miss your favorite group fitness class! Columbia Association’s (CA) new system, Spectrum NG (SNG), makes it easier to register. Effective Monday, April 13, CA members will no longer use Bookings Plus to register for group fitness classes, so update your account to take advantage of all that CA has to offer! New enhancements include a central location for registering for your favorite CA programs and classes; an easier, more efficient registration process; real-time schedules; and the ability to see which classes your favorite group fitness instructors are teaching. Drop-ins are still welcome, as space permits.

It’s now easier than ever to register for classes like Total Conditioning at Supreme Sports Club.

DaviD Wright

A mobile app with all of these features will launch soon, allowing you access to the system anytime, anywhere.

To use the new system you must have an online account with a valid email address. If you haven’t already, set up your online account at

ColumbiaAssociation.org/login (non-CA members can create a guest account). If you do have an online account, check to make sure your contact information is current, including a valid email address. You may also visit the front desk of any CA facility to update your email address. For more information, including instructions on how to set up your online account and register for classes, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/ Spectrum or the front desk of any CA facility. For questions about Group Fitness classes, email Group.Fitness@Columbia Association.org.

Join Columbia Association

Online Memberships Make it Easy olumbia Association (CA) is making it easier than ever to join and take advantage of our 35 facilities by adding the ability to purchase memberships online at ColumbiaAssociation.org. The online portal lists 11 types of membership plans with information about each. The options reflect CA’s broad range of membership types, including memberships to single facilities, tennis, golf and pools, as well as the more comprehensive Package Plan and Package Plan Plus memberships. After you choose one and put in your payment information, you will receive an online confirmation email along with a temporary membership card. The eleven available memberships are Package

Plan, Package Plan Plus, Columbia Athletic Club, Columbia Gym, Supreme Sports Club, Columbia Swim Center/Outdoor Pools, Fairway Hills Annual, Fairway Hills Weekday, Hobbit’s Glen Annual, Hobbit’s Glen Weekday and Tennis Club. The prices offered online are based on nonresident rates. Customers who believe they’re eligible for lower rates or qualifying discounts and have supporting documentation may upload the documents or bring them for verification to CA’s Membership Service Center. If you submit documents online, CA staff will respond within 48 hours to let you know whether your request for a discount has been accepted. Signing up online should take no more than 10 minutes. Customers receive a confirmation email

and temporary membership card that can be used to access the facilities specific to the membership they purchased. After the application and supporting documents are approved, customers will then get membership information and an ID card in the mail. New members will be asked to have their photographs taken upon their first visit to a CA facility. As always, the Member Service Center will be available during working hours (Monday through Friday, 10am to 7pm and Saturday, 10am to 5pm) to answer any questions about memberships. Call 410-730-1801 or email MSC@ColumbiaAssociation.org for assistance. More information is available at ColumbiaAssociation.org/Membership. C A M O N T H LY 3

Back by Popular Demand:

CREATING COLUMBIA A MINI-COURSE C

reating Columbia: A Mini-Course is returning with evening sessions, thanks to popular demand. The free mini-course from Columbia Association’s (CA) Columbia Archives is great for those interested in learning about the events of a significant period in the history of Columbia. “Creating Columbia: A MiniCourse” will be held on three Thursdays: April 30, May 7 and May 14, from 7 to 8:30pm at Historic Oakland, 5430 Vantage Point Road, Columbia. The minicourse is free, but registration is encouraged. People can choose to register for all three Thursdays or for individual sessions at ColumbiaMiniCourse.Eventbrite. com or by calling 410-715-6781. Led by Columbia historian Barbara Kellner, director of Columbia Archives, these sessions will cover the presentation of the plan for Columbia more than 50 years ago. The announcement made on Nov. 11, 1964, was met with many questions and some answers. The period that led up to it had included a year of hard work, 4 C A M O N T H LY

but what followed was an even more hectic schedule. “Creating Columbia: A MiniCourse” looks at the period from November 1964 to August 1965, covering the formal Columbia plan, the initial reaction to it and the feverish work that followed in order to fine tune the plan, cement relationships within Howard County and ensure that the plan would be accepted and then greenlighted for development. The April 30 session, “Introducing the Plan,” will focus on the Nov. 11, 1964, announcement and the initial reaction to it. The May 7 session, “Inspiration and Perspiration,” will paint a picture of the period in which Columbia transitioned from an idea into the business of planning, including the all-consuming details of zoning regulations, institutional and industrial development and public relations. The May 14 session, “Jim Rouse Juggles Big Picture and Details,” captures Rouse’s schedule, illustrating the pace at which he met the opportunities and challenges of

renDeringS CourteSY oF ColumBia arChiveS

building Columbia and other business ventures. For more information, call 410-715-3103 or email Barbara.Kellner@Columbia Association.org. A related exhibit can be viewed at Columbia Archives until May 2015. The Archives is located at 10227 Wincopin Circle in downtown Columbia in the American City Building and is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Artist’s conceptual renderings of a village center (top) and The Mall in Columbia (bottom) were used to illustrate the Columbia plan in 1964.

This is the third exhibit in the “Celebrating Columbia: 50 Years Ago Today” series, which traces the events leading up to Columbia’s official beginning on June 21, 1967. The series will conclude in June 2017, when the community celebrates its 50th birthday.

Dog Day Afternoon returns May 2

t’s the most wonderful time of the year — for dogs that is! May 2 marks the ninth annual Dog Day Afternoon, Columbia Association’s (CA) event for families and their four-legged friends. This year the event moves to Columbia DogPark, 5901 Rivendell Lane, adjacent to the Harper’s Choice Village Center in Columbia. The event runs from 11am to 3pm. Erin McPhail, CA’s communications and events manager, calls Dog Day her favorite of CA’s events. “Not only is it awesome to hang out with dogs and puppies all day, but it’s also a great way to get connected and meet the wonderful people in our community,” she said. This year things continue to grow, including pet activities and contests, demonstrations, a moonbounce (sorry, humans only!), arts and crafts, a DJ and more. Back by popular demand this year will be readings with pet communicator Emerald DuCoeur. CA also will be selling official Dog Day Afternoon T-shirts for $10, or two for $15. Pet communications readings will be $10 for 10 minutes. Caricature drawings of your loveable fourlegged friend(s) are $5 for a black-and-white drawing and $10 for a color drawing. Microchipping will also be available for a minimal fee. Only cash will be accepted during Dog Day Afternoon. A portion of the proceeds will benefit a local nonprofit to be announced.

Dog Day Afternoon returns May 2, promising fun for the whole family, especially the four-legged members!

In addition, CA will be collecting items to be donated to a local pet nonprofit. This year’s event is being sponsored by our Tail Waggin’ Sponsor: Camp Bow Wow of Columbia, and by the Top Dog Sponsors: Banfield Pet Hospital, Bark! Pawsitive Pet Food, Pet Barn Maple Lawn, Subaru and VCA Animal Hospitals. For more information or a listing of donation items, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/ DogDay or call 410-423-1891.

“Not only is it awesome to hang out with dogs and puppies all day, but it’s also a great way to get connected and meet the wonderful people in our community.” Erin McPhail, CA’s communications and events manager

C A M O N T H LY 5

Fiscal (continued from page 1)

SAVE THE DATE:

River Hill RideAbout on May16 ark your calendars for the River Hill RideAbout, a family friendly bicycle ride that will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 9:30am, and will introduce a short, 2.8-mile route through beautiful open space in the village of River Hill. The ride was developed after feedback from participants in the popular annual Columbia BikeAbout, which has a lengthier route through the natural topography of Columbia and can be difficult for some. “We wanted to design an event that would be easier for young children and others who are perhaps just getting interested in cycling,” said Barbara Kellner, director of Columbia Association’s (CA)

Columbia Archives, which is co-sponsoring the event with the River Hill Community Association. “The River Hill RideAbout not only offers a short route but also enables people to explore River Hill, which has never been featured in a BikeAbout.” The marked route will include two stops highlighting the history of River Hill and the work of the village’s watershed committee to improve the environment. Pre-registration for the RideAbout is encouraged online at RiverHillRideAbout. EventBrite.com. For more information, please email Columbia.Archives@ ColumbiaAssociation.org or call 410-715-6781. Columbia BikeAbout returns Sept. 26.

Congratulations to Ann Fondi, 2015’s Biggest Winner Congratulations to Ann Fondi, 2015’s Biggest Winner! Fondi was a member of Team Red, trained by Judy Reese, and lost 21.5 pounds over the eight-week competition, an 11.7 percent change.

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have more improvements in addition to dredging, said Dennis Mattey, CA’s director of open space and facility services. Dannon Garth Pond’s improvements are budgeted at $300,000, while Jackson Pond is budgeted at $100,000. Dredging is a vital part of improving the pond’s function as an ecosystem, Mattey said. Over time, runoff from parking lots and other drainage areas deposits sediment in ponds and lakes, which makes it shallower, raising water temperatures in the summer and reducing aquatic habitat values. “It’s not good for a habitat and it diminishes the quality of the pond,” Mattey said. Dannon Garth Pond will see additional improvements to help reduce the erosion on the banks near the stream, Mattey said. CA will add step-pools, a water feature that helps slow the water on its way downstream, which in turn helps control erosion. “The water is going downstream and cutting a deep channel,” Mattey said. “It’s not controlled, so we’re going to put in a series of controls — the step pools will slow the water velocity and reduce the erosive forces of storms.” The ponds aren’t the only aquatic locations where CA is making upgrades. Three swimming pools are receiving new beach-entry style entries, which make the pool compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and offer an improved experience for children as well, Mattey said. Upgrades are in progress at Longfellow Pool, and Faulkner Ridge Pool is expected to start later this year. Dorsey Hall Pool will see the same upgrades this fall. In addition to the improved entrance, Longfellow will also receive a new shade canopy on the edge of the pool, allowing parents and their children to cool off while staying close to the water. CA is also allocating resources toward ongoing energy efficiency upgrades. Two of the projects this year include Going Green and Building Retrofit capital projects aimed at reducing energy consumption, utility costs, and greenhouse gas emissions, said Jeremy Scharfenberg, CA’s energy manager. The most significant of the anticipated projects this year is a combined heat and power generator at the Supreme Sports Club that will simultaneously produce hot water and electricity for the facility, he said. Other projects will include lighting upgrades to high efficiency LED technology and the installation of ENERGY STAR® air conditioning equipment.

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Optimal new Health

COLUMBIA

ASSOCIATION

8-week session begins Tuesday, April 21. Register now by calling 410-715-3128.

u Physician Referral Programs to Improve Your Health

CA PHONE NUMBERS CA Headquarters .........................................410-715-3000 CA Membership Service Center.................410-730-1801 Aquatics Office ............................................410-312-6332

“This is the best step I’ve ever taken to improving my health.” Nathan, program participant

Feel good. Be happier. Enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. Lose weight the right way through exercise, proper nutrition, and lifestyle changes.

Columbia Art Center....................................410-730-0075 Columbia Association Camps ....................410-715-3165 Columbia Athletic Club ...............................410-730-6744 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 Fairway Hills Golf Club...............................410-730-1112 Haven on the Lake ......................................410-715-3020

YouthFit Helping families get healthier through motivation, physical activity and healthy eating! 8-week session begins Wednesday, April 22 6:30-8:30pm • Columbia Gym CA Mbrs, $250, Non-Mbrs, $350 Prices are per family. Register now by calling 410-715-3128.

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 The Racquet Club at Hobbit’s Glen ............410-715-3080 School Age Services ...................................410-715-3165 Supreme Sports Club..................................410-381-5355 Wilde Lake Tennis Club .............................410-730-3767 Youth & Teen Center ...................................410-992-3726

C A M O N T H LY 7

April Community Events Searching for Spring Egg Hunt Sat. April 11 • 10-11:30am Columbia SportsPark • 5453 Harpers Farm Road • 410-715-3054 • Free tickets can be picked up from village offices.

Artists’ Gallery Showcase Reception Sun. April 12 • 3-5pm Exhibit open April 2-May 9 Gallery Hours: Mon-Thu, 9am-9pm Fri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 9am-2pm The Bernice Kish Gallery • 410-730-3987 10400 Cross Fox Lane • Carole Black, Gallery Director, gallery@wildelake.org

Jazz in the Mills Concert Series Presents Bonnie Harris Sun. April 12 • 5-7:30pm The Other Barn • 410-730-4610 5851 Robert Oliver Place manager@oaklandmills.org oaklandmills.org • $15 in advance; $20 at the door

Retirement Party for Patricia Laidig Sun. April 12 • 3-5pm Historic Oakland • 5430 Vantage Point Road • 410-730-4744 • Help bid a fond farewell to Patricia Laidig after 16 years of dedicated service as village manager.

Columbia Art Center Salon Series: Mountain View Bluegrass Concert Mon. April 13 • 7pm 6100 Foreland Garth • 410-730-0075 Art.Staff@ColumbiaAssociation.org ColumbiaArtCenter.org • Free Enjoy an evening of bluegrass music with group Mountain View.

Paint ‘N pARTy Thu. April 16 • 6pm Owen Brown Community Center 6800 Cradlerock Way • 410-381-0202 Contact Meghan Pierce, events@owenbrownvillage.org $20 per ticket. Advanced ticket purchase required. 8 C A M O N T H LY

Columbia Art Center Blossoms of Hope 6th Annual Juried Theme Show — Portraits and Profiles: Inspirations in My Life Show runs from April 16-May 3 Awards Ceremony and Reception: Fri. April 17 • 5:30-7:30pm 6100 Foreland Garth • 410-730-0075 Art.Staff@ColumbiaAssociation.org ColumbiaArtCenter.org Proceeds benefit the Claudia Mayer/ Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center.

Lively Arts for Little Ones Presents: Barry G Fri. April 17 • 10am The Other Barn • 410-730-4610 5851 Robert Oliver Place events@oaklandmills.org oaklandmills.org

Weddings and Events Showcase Sun. April 19 • 2-5pm Historic Oakland • 5430 Vantage Point Road • 410-730-4744 • Visit with 60 local vendors from all facets of the event industry. Free admission.

Solar Energy Presentation Tue. April 21 • 7-8:30pm Historic Oakland • 5430 Vantage Point Road • 410-730-4744 • Learn about solar electric systems, federal and state subsidies, leasing, installation.

Long Reach Master Gardeners: Spring Vegetable Gardening

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

Kings Contrivance Movie Night at Amherst House Thu. April 23 • 7:30pm 7251 Eden Brook Drive • 410-381-9600 Contact Dawn Linthicum, events and information coordinator • Join us in watching ‘St. Vincent,’ $3 per ticket. Wine, cheese and refreshments will be served. For ages 21 and older; purchase tickets at Amherst House by April 20.

Long Reach Flea Market Sat April 25 • 8am-noon Stonehouse • 410-730-8113 8775 Cloudleap Court events@longreach.org

Hickory Ridge Shred and E-cycle Sat. April 25 • 9am-1pm The Hawthorn Center • 410-730-7327 6175 Sunny Spring • Free to village residents, $3 to non-residents. Limit 3 bags.

River Hill Gold Party Event Fundraiser Sat. April 25 • 9am-2pm Claret Hall • 410-531-1749 6020 Daybreak Circle newsletter@villageofriverhill.org Free evaluations of old, broken or unwanted silver and gold items. You keep 100% of the cash, and a percentage of the total amount collected will be donated to Grassroots and Food on the 15th.

Columbia Village Elections Sat. April 25 Kings Contrivance also has voting Friday, April 24.

Education Forum Kings Contrivance Spring Flea Market at Amherst House Sat. April 25 • 9am-12pm 7251 Eden Brook Drive • 410-381-9600 Contact Dawn Linthicum, events and information coordinator. Come find bargains at our annual flea market hosting 38 vendors. Flea market will be held in Amherst House parking lot.

Town Center Spring Yard and Plant Sale

Tue April 21 • 7pm Stonehouse • 8775 Cloudleap Court 410-730-8113 • events@longreach.org

Sat. April 25 • 9am-Noon Vantage Point Road Park • 410-730-4744 Free to sellers; bring your own table. No rain date.

Health and Safety Fair

Oakland Mills Plant Sale

Sat April 25 • 10am-2pm Kahler Hall • 410-730-0770 5440 Old Tucker Row Contact Susan Coghlan, events@harperschoice.org Child ID services, bike safety checks, and other fun surprises!

Oakland Mills Kids Carnival Sat. April 25 • 1pm-3pm The Other Barn • 410-730-4610 5851 Robert Oliver Place events@oaklandmills.org oaklandmills.org

Sat. April 25 • 9am The Other Barn • 410-730-4610 5851 Robert Oliver Place events@oaklandmills.org oaklandmills.org

Wed. April 29 7pm-9pm The Other Barn • 410-730-4610 5851 Robert Oliver Place events@oaklandmills.org oaklandmills.org

Columbia Archives Creating Columbia — A 3-Session Mini-Course Thursdays: April 30, May 7 and May 14 • 7pm Historic Oakland, Town Center 410-715-3103 5430 Vantage Point Road Registration encouraged at ColumbiaMiniCourse.Eventbrite.com.

Hickory Ridge School’s Out Lunch: Worms 101 Fri. May 1 • Noon-1:15pm The Hawthorn Center • 410-730-7327 6175 Sunny Spring • Enjoy pizza lunch, learn about worms, explore a worm bin, and make a craft. $5 per person, Grades K-3.