Monthly CA JUNE 2014
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F C O L U M B I A A S S O C I AT I O N
CA Welcomes New President
2 Why I Serve: CA Board Member Jeanne Ketley of Town Center 5 Celebration of Rouse’s 100th Birthday Continues 8 Be a Part of Your Community Events
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Columbia Association (CA) welcomes its new president and CEO, Milton W. Matthews, whose first day was June 2. The CA Board of Directors announced Matthews’ hiring on May 2. to 2013, Mr. Matthews He signed a two-year oversaw day-to-day contract with a base salary operations, managed both of $200,000 and is eligible the operational and capital for a bonus of up to 7.5 budgets, and oversaw a staff percent of his salary. of full-time and part-time Matthews was most employees. Among his recently the CEO of the previous positions held are Reston Association, an city manager, assistant city organization similar to CA manager and director of that is located in Reston, finance and administration Virginia. Reston Association for the city of Webster covers more than 11.5 Groves, Missouri. He has a square miles and is home to master’s degree in city and more than 65,000 residents. New Columbia Association President Milton W. Matthews regional planning from The “I have known for a long Ohio State University, as well time that Columbia is a as a master’s degree in public administration from special place,” Matthews said. “Columbia Syracuse University’s Maxwell School. Association has a reputation for providing “Mr. Matthews brings skills and experience quality, innovative and responsive services and from having operated an organization similar programs, and I am honored to have been to CA, as well as skills acquired in previous chosen to be a part of this exceptional positions as a city manager,” said Andrew Stack organization. I look forward to working with of Owen Brown, the chairman of CA’s Board the CA Board of Directors and the staff at CA of Directors. “He is familiar with CA and has and the 10 villages, and becoming involved worked with CA staff on several occasions.” with the Columbia community and, in general, Howard County.” Matthews lives in Rockville and will be As CEO of the Reston Association from 2004 moving to Columbia. C A M O N T H LY 1
CA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2014-2015
Reginald Avery, Oakland Mills 443-545-6714 RTAvery@verizon.net
Michael Cornell, River Hill 410-531-9340 MichaelCornell@comcast.net
Tom O’Connor, Dorsey’s Search Nancy McCord, Wilde Lake 410-336-9269 410-730-2309 Nancy.McCord@LongAndFoster.com TomFOC3@Verizon.net
Brian Dunn, Kings Contrivance 301-473-0077 BrianJDunn@gmail.com
Jeanne Ketley, Town Center 301-596-1097 TownCenterCARep@gmail.com
Alan Klein, Harper’s Choice 410-992-3025 AlanKleinCA@gmail.com
Gregg Schwind, Hickory Ridge 443-831-8847 Gregg.Schwind@Yahoo.com
Andrew Stack, Owen Brown 410-381-8897 Andy.OBCA@gmail.com
Russell Swatek, Long Reach 410-799-1497 Swatek1@yahoo.com
WHYI SERVE:CA Board Member Jeanne Ketley of Town Center By David Greisman
eanne Ketley is a new member of Columbia Association’s (CA) Board of Directors, though she’s not at all new to Columbia or to volunteering. She was one of the early residents of this community, moving here in 1969. And for a decade she has volunteered with the nonprofit Maryland Homeowners Association, including about five years as president. Now she sits as that organization’s past president, and this May she became Town Center’s representative on the CA Board. Ketley, 76, was a New York City native who came to Howard County because
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she was married at the time to a chemist who worked at WR Grace, which is headquartered here, and because she had been accepted into the Ph.D. program at Johns Hopkins University. After receiving her degree, she went to work at the National Institutes of Health, first in research and soon in administration with the NIH’s Division of Research Grants (now known as the Center for Scientific Review). And she remained in Columbia, moving from Wilde Lake to Harper’s Choice and finally to Town Center. She lives with her partner of more than three decades, Jan Bowman, whom she married last year.
Ketley has one son, and a grandchild is on the way. “The diversity of Columbia is inspiring to me, that people can live together comfortably and not let old prejudices get in the way,” Ketley said. “The aesthetic look of Columbia was very pleasing to me, and still is — the fact that there’s no electrical lines and no offensive signs flashing at you all the time. Even though it’s busy now, it still gives you a muted, restful feeling as you move around in it.” She sees her role with CA as an opportunity “to help 96,000 of my neighbors” and to have a lasting impact. She also believes Columbia’s residents should be vocal and involved in the community. “It affects you. It affects each of us,” Ketley said. “And to better your situation, you really have to better everybody’s situation.”
CA’S KIDS DAY:
Free Party June 7 at Columbia SportsPark By David Greisman
idsDay, the fun annual welcome-to-summer event designed for kids and hosted by Columbia Association (CA), returns on Saturday, June 7, with a free party at Columbia SportsPark. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Columbia SportsPark is located at 5453 Harpers Farm Road toward the back of the Harper’s Choice Village Center. KidsDay is a free event and open to the public. There’s no need to sign up; just show up and enjoy a day of super-fun activities such as batting cages, mini-golf, arts and crafts, tie-dye projects, a moon bounce, Zumba ® for kids, face painting, animal balloons, dance music and a variety of games and structured activities. While you and your family are having fun, learn more about CA’s great youth programs, classes, camps and special offers. There will be free frisbees for every child, as well as raffles and door prizes. Concessions will be available for purchase, including food, beverages, snacks and ice cream. For more information, please call 410-715-3169 or visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/KidSpace.
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KidsDay, a free annual event that is open to the public, returns Saturday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Columbia SportsPark on Harpers Farm Road behind Harper’s Choice Village Center.
CELEBRATE COLUMBIA’S BIRTHDAY ON JUNE 20 AT THE LAKEFRONT he celebration of Columbia’s birthday is a longstanding tradition that has been celebrated by this community from its earliest days, dating back to 1968 when James Rouse’s planned city had officially existed for just 12 months. Columbia’s 47th birthday is this year and is being celebrated this month, on Friday, June 20, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
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at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront. The party will begin with Dancin’ Under the People Tree, with dance instruction that is fun both for beginners as well as those with experience. And then at dusk, around 8:30 p.m., Columbia Association (CA) will show “Moonrise Kingdom,” a film that includes Columbia native (and Rouse’s grandson) Edward Norton.
The movie is rated PG-13. And as this is a birthday party, cupcakes will be available throughout the evening while supplies last. For more information on Columbia’s 47th birthday and the great schedule of events throughout Columbia’s Lakefront Summer Festival, please call 410-715-3161 or go to ColumbiaAssociation.org/ LakefrontFestival. C A M O N T H LY 3
MEET HAVEN ON THE LAKE’S GENERAL MANAGER H By David Greisman
aven on the Lake, a new mind/body wellness retreat, is scheduled to open at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront in fall 2014. Its general manager, Emily Talbot, comes to Columbia with more than 12 years of experience in the spa and wellness industry. “I have worked with world class spas, resorts, hotels and brands all over the world and am committed to providing the same dedicated level of exceptional guest experience to each member of Haven on the Lake,” said Talbot, formerly of Colorado and new to Howard County. “The services and amenities that Haven on the Lake will offer are truly unique to the area,” she said. “Our service offerings include mind/body movement classes, with a variety of yoga, Pilates, Barre and energy fusion classes taught by experts in their own fields. Our spa will provide integrative services such as massage, holistic skin care, acupuncture, Reiki, natural nails and more. We will also have a spa boutique that will offer the ability for members and guests to customize their own products for their personal skin and body care needs using all-natural, pure organic ingredients.”
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Emily Talbot, general manager for Haven on the Lake, comes to Columbia with more than 12 years of experience in the spa and wellness industry. “The services and amenities that Haven on the Lake will offer are truly unique to the area,” says Ms. Talbot.
Brought to you by Columbia Association in partnership with The Still Point wellness spas, Haven on the Lake is a retreat right in the heart of Columbia in the former Rouse Co. headquarters. It is designed as
a reprieve for adults to recover, reconnect and rejuvenate through restorative and health enhancing experiences. “Haven will be designed in a way that will provide a truly peaceful experience,” Talbot
HAVEN ON THE LAKE
MEMBERSHIP PLANS (PRICES ARE PER PERSON) PACKAGE PLAN PLUS MEMBERS
NEW MEMBER CA RESIDENTS
NEW MEMBER NON-RESIDENTS
REFRESH
$10
$50
$70
REVIVE
$89
$129
$159
RESTORE
$109
$122
$132
REJUVENATE $175
$215
$245
said. “Members can relax at our spa, retreat in our mind/body lounge, rejuvenate their mind and body with one of our many movement classes, and nourish themselves in our cafe with food provided by Whole Foods.” Haven on the Lake’s four tiered membership levels are: • Refresh provides unlimited access to Haven on the Lake’s healing environments and the opportunity to secure guaranteed mind and body movement classes at a discount. Refresh members can also purchase wellness spa experiences.
Revive provides unlimited access to Haven on the Lake’s healing environments and unlimited access to mind and body movement classes, plus credit toward wellness spa services. • Restore provides unlimited access to Haven on the Lake’s healing environments and the opportunity to secure mind and body movement classes at a discount. It also includes one complimentary wellness spa experience per month, special prices on additional wellness experiences, and a credit toward wellness spa services. • Rejuvenate is an all-inclusive membership offering unlimited access to Haven on the Lake’s healing environments and unlimited access to mind and body movement classes (on a space available basis). There also is one complimentary wellness spa experience per month, special prices on additional wellness experiences, and a credit toward specific wellness spa services. Not a member? Guests are also welcome to Haven on the Lake with day rates and half- and full-day spa packages. •
TO FIND OUT MORE, PLEASE GO TO: HavenOntheLake.org, visit Haven on the Lake’s sales center located in front of the new Whole Foods located off Little Patuxent Parkway in downtown Columbia or call 443-864-0557. It is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free demonstrations will be offered at the sales center on Saturdays in June, including yoga, Barre, Pilates, Tai Chi, Reiki, guided meditation and nutrition counseling. Registration is encouraged, as space is limited.
Celebration of Rouse’s 100th Birthday Will Continue Through September his year brings a special milestone — what would’ve been the 100th birthday of James Rouse, the man who not only founded the community of Columbia, but also had a profound influence on the built environment of the United States. That birthday was April 26, but the celebration continues through September. Among the upcoming events are Columbia’s 47th birthday celebration (an annual tradition since 1968 and embraced by Rouse) on June 20; an exhibit at Columbia Archives, “Jim Rouse at Leisure,” running in July; an exhibit at The Mall in Columbia in August; the Columbia BikeAbout on Sept. 13; and a symposium in the fall. Earlier this year were a tree planting and bench dedication at Wilde Lake Park, an art exhibition at Columbia Art Center, a community-wide party at Merriweather Post Pavilion, and a WalkAlong tour of Rouse’s old neighborhood in Wilde Lake. “Rouse was dedicated to making places for people, whether it was shopping centers, festival marketplaces, affordable housing or an entire city,” said Barbara Kellner, director of Columbia Association’s (CA) Columbia Archives. That entire city was Columbia, for which plans were announced in 1963, and which officially came to life in 1967. “Rouse changed the face of Howard County,” Kellner said. “The transformation of the country from rural to suburban would have happened without Rouse and Columbia, but it would have a very different look, and I believe less success in major quality of life issues such as education, culture, economic prosperity. “Rouse was responding to the most pressing challenges of the time when
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A community party celebrating James Rouse’s 100th birthday was held in May at Merriweather Post Pavilion. Toby Orenstein, top, was among the speakers who paid tribute to the life and legacy of James Rouse.
planning Columbia but challenges of growth continue and many of the lessons learned from Columbia are relevant today. The fact that planners and developers still study Columbia is testament to Rouse’s impact,” she said. Columbia Archives holds the James Rouse Collection, a valuable resource chronicling Rouse’s career and rich with correspondence, speeches, photographs and memorabilia. The collection is open to the public for research. The Archives is located in the American City Building at 10227 Wincopin Circle in Downtown Columbia. For more information, please email Columbia.Archives@ ColumbiaAssociation.org or call 410-715-3103. C A M O N T H LY 5
Watershed for the Tips Summer By John McCoy
ne of the best things we can do to reduce sediment accumulation in our lakes and ponds is to catch rainfall and soak it in before it leaves our properties. The first option should always be a healthy cover that will help soak up rainfall, whether it’s a lawn, forest or a planting of hardy perennials. The type of cover is determined by your personal preference and smart use of the conditions of our properties. What conditions? Sunlight is the primary driver for plant growth, then moisture, and
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then soil. Plants have different requirements for each. • Tip 1, Sunlight: Summer is a good time to figure out what a plant’s sunlight requirement is and how much you have. If you have trees, they are in full leaf. Grass really likes full sun. Columbia has many mature trees that shade many yards. If you are having trouble growing grass under a mature canopy, try buying a meter that calculates sunlight and determines whether you have full sun, part sun and part shade, or shade. Try growing shade-tolerant perennials in mulched beds in the shade.
Healthy ground covers such as lawns, forests or a planting of hardy perennials will soak up rainfall and can help to reduce sediment accumulation in lakes and ponds.
• Tip 2, Moisture: In summer, the weather is hotter and drier, and rainfall is more sporadic. Remember if you are trying to grow grass in shade during the dry periods, you have two strikes against you. The tree will definitely out-compete your lawn for any available moisture. • Tip 3, Soil: Plants have soil requirements that will determine how well they
grow. The easiest way to figure it out is through CA’s Test Your Lawn program. Ask your village community association for a soil sample bag, follow the instructions and return the sample with your email contact info. Remember, if you do not meet the light, moisture or soil requirements of whatever you are trying to grow, it’s three strikes and you’re out!
Creating an ENERGY STAR Community By Jeremy Scharfenberg
embers of our community have seen the ENERGY STAR® logo more frequently and have gotten more information about energy efficiency programs in recent months. That’s because as an ENERGY STAR Partner, Columbia Association (CA) has made a strong commitment to energy management within our operations — and also to conducting robust outreach to residents who are CA members, businesses, individuals who regularly use our facilities, and the greater Columbia community. CA is committed to encouraging the use of ENERGY STAR products and
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greater participation in all ENERGY STAR and associated Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) sponsored programs as a way to cost-effectively improve the energy efficiency of our community and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The effective use of energy by an organization or individual is one of the most important things we can do to make our community more sustainable. We can reduce utility bills, improve the comfort of our homes and buildings,
lower maintenance costs, and do our part to help reduce the threat of climate change by making wise choices with respect to energy usage. Please help make Columbia an ENERGY STAR Community by choosing that ENERGY STAR appliance, turning off unnecessary lights, or signing up for a BGE Home Performance Energy Audit through CA’s Home Energy Efficiency Upgrade Cooperative today! To learn more, visit EnergyStar.gov and BGEsmartenergy.com. To sign up for a Home Performance Energy Audit under CA’s cooperative, visit RetroFitBaltimore.com/Columbia.
CA Board Recap
Outdoor Summer Fitness Classes at Steven’s Forest Pool Pavillion
t the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors meeting held on Thursday, May 8, the CA Board of Directors voted to make Andrew Stack of Owen Brown its chairman and Russell Swatek the vice chairman for the next six months, with Stack and Swatek then switching roles for the six months afterward. They will meet together with the CA President. The next scheduled Board of Directors meetings will be held on Thursday, June 12 and 26. Meetings are held at CA Headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle, across the street from The Mall in Columbia. Meetings typically begin at 7:30 p.m. For current CA Board of Directors meeting minutes and agendas, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/agendas. Podcasts from board meetings also are available at ColumbiaAssociation.org/podcasts.
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IMPORTANT CA PHONE NUMBERS 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
ummer fitness classes return this summer under the outdoor pavilion at Stevens Forest Pool, located at 6061 Stevens Forest Road in the village of Oakland Mills. The classes include: • Mat Pilates: Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., July 8July 29, four-week session. $57 for members, $77 for non-members. Space is limited. Please register in advance by calling 410-730-6744. • Tai Chi: Wednesdays at 7 p.m., June 25August 6. Free for Package Plan, Package Plan Plus and facility members. $10 per class for Columbia Cardholders. $12 per class for nonmembers. Drop-ins are welcome; no registration required. • Barre Fusion: Thursdays at 10:30 a.m., July 10-31, four-week session. $26 for Package Plan Plus members. $30 for Package Plan members. $40 for Columbia Cardholders. $48 for nonmembers. Space is limited. Please register in advance by calling 410-730-6744. • Yoga: Fridays at 10:30 a.m., June 20-August 8. Free for Package Plan Plus members. $8 per class for Package Plan and facility members. $10 per class for Columbia Cardholders. $12 per class for non-members. Drop-ins are welcome; no registration required. Participants must bring their own mats or towels. All classes are weather-dependent. If a class is canceled due to weather, only fee-based classes will be rescheduled.
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C A M O N T H LY 7
June
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Outdoor Pools Member Appreciation June 1-30 Times and locations vary ColumbiaPools.org U.S. Army Field Band Clarinet Recital Sun, June 1 • 3-4pm Historic Oakland 410-730-4744 • Free event Call to register Workshop: Estate Planning & Elder Law Essentials Mon, June 2 • 7-8:30pm Historic Oakland 410-730-4744 Master Gardeners: Gardening in Small Spaces Wed, June 4 • 1-2:30pm Historic Oakland 410-730-4744 Gallery Tour: Baltimore, MD Thu, June 5 10am-3:30pm Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075 $45 tuition for each field trip
Ice Cream Social Fri, June 6 • 7-8:30pm Hawthorn Center 410-730-7327• $2 per person or $5 per family Experiencing Yoga Sat, June 7 • 9:15-10:15am & 10:15-11:15am Stonehouse • 410-730-8113
Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events to learn about more great events happening in Columbia!
KidsDay Sat, June 7 • 10am -1pm Columbia SportsPark 410-715-3169 50+ BBQ and Bingo Tue, June 10 11:30am-1:30pm Owen Brown Community Center • 410-381-0202 CA Board of Directors Meeting Thu, June 12 • 7:30-11pm CA Headquarters ColumbiaAssociation.org/ Board Jazz in the Mills Presents: Lori Williams Sun, June 15 • 5pm The Other Barn 410-730-4610 Things That Scare Me Reception Tue, June 17 6-8pm Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075
World’s Largest Swim Lesson Fri, June 20 • 11-11:30am River Hill Pool 410-312-6332 Columbia’s 47th Birthday Celebration Fri, June 20 • 6:30pm Downtown Columbia Lakefront • 410-715-3161 Free admission • Enjoy Dancin’ Under the People Tree, cupcakes and a movie Senior Seminars: Lifetime Transitions Wed, June 25 • 5:30-7:30pm Hawthorn Center 410-730-3456 CA Board of Directors Meeting Thu, June 26 • 7:30-11pm CA Headquarters ColumbiaAssociation.org/ Board Oakland Mills Community Health Fair Sun, June 29 • 1-4pm Oakland Mills Interfaith Center • 410-730-1129 SAVE THE DATE: Independence Day Parade Fri, July 4 • 9am-noon Along Great Star Drive 410-531-1749 SAVE THE DATE: Master Gardeners: Gardening in Small Spaces Reception Sun, July 13 • 3-5pm Slayton House 410-730-3987
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