Monthly CA A PUBLICATION OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION
New hours!
NOV 2015
As of Nov. 1, 2015 CA’s Customer and Member Service Center will be open Monday through Friday, 9am-6pm and Saturday, 9am-4pm.
C
Hidden gems help Columbia shine By David Greisman
PHOTO BY KEITHAN SAMUELS
Jackson Pond is situated just off two well-traveled thoroughfares, north of Tamar Drive and east of Phelps Luck Road in the village of Long Reach, but it is well hidden. Download our Columbia Association Pathways app to help you explore Columbia’s hidden gems.
Join theConversation! ColumbiaAssociation.org
•
Facebook.com/ColumbiaAssociation
•
Instagram.com/ColumbiaAssn
•
Twitter.com/ColumbiaAssn
•
olumbia is by no means expansive, yet there are more than 3,600 acres of open space within this community. It can be difficult to know every inch given that there are 94 miles of pathways, around 170 tot lots, more than 40 lakes and ponds, and plenty else to do. There’s so much that makes Columbia even more special that some of these places can seem like hidden gems, appreciated by some when they should be known and enjoyed by all. We have our favorites, including the Japanese Garden at Columbia Art Center, numerous public art installations and wildlife areas like Jackson Pond. Jackson Pond isn’t just one of our favorites, though. We recently asked
YouTube.com/CATVchannel
d
(See Hidden, page 3)
•
Pinterest.com/ColumbiaAssn C A M O N T H LY 1
CA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2016 Reginald Avery Oakland Mills 443-545-6714 Reginald.Avery@ca-board.org
Alan Klein Harper’s Choice 410-992-3025 Alan.Klein@ca-board.org
Dick Boulton Dorsey’s Search 410-884-2964 Dick.Boulton@ca-board.org
Nancy McCord Wilde Lake 410-730-2309 Nancy.McCord@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
Janet Evans Long Reach 724-516-0550 Janet.Evans@ca-board.org
Andrew Stack Owen Brown 410-381-8897 Andrew.Stack@ca-board.org
Jeanne Ketley Town Center 301-596-1097 Jeanne.Ketley@ca-board.org
Chao Wu River Hill 240-481-9637 Chao.Wu@ca-board.org
A
CA
Board Recap
t the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors meeting held Oct. 8, CA’s Board approved granting easements to the county for Open Space Lots 282 and 284 in Kings Contrivance and voted to hold stakeholder dinners with the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee, Howard County State Delegation and Howard County elected officials, Howard County Citizens Association and the League of Women Voters board of directors, and Village Board Chairs and Village Managers. CA’s Planning and Strategy Committee held a work session to gain a sense of CA’s Board member’s priorites regarding capital projects for FY 17. CA’s Board requested additional information from staff regarding construction of a park in Hickory Ridge and the future of Waiting Spring Pond in Long Reach and Pushcart Pond in Oakland Mills. The next scheduled Board of Directors meetings are Nov. 12 and Dec. 10. Meetings typically begin at 7:30pm and are held at CA Headquarters, 6310 Hillside Ct., Suite 100. For current CA Board of Directors meeting minutes and agendas, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Agendas. Podcasts from board meetings are available at ColumbiaAssociation.org/Podcasts. 2 C A M O N T H LY
Letter from Wilde Lake
W
Columbia’s first village focus of reinvestment ilde Lake is Columbia’s first village. When Columbia turns 50 in 2017, so too will the Village of Wilde Lake — which is named for Frazar B. Wilde of Connecticut General Life Insurance, the company whose financing was instrumental at the beginning of James Rouse’s dream. While Columbia’s downtown is just beginning the process of redevelopment, the process has been underway Nancy McCord for several years nearby in Wilde Lake. Work is being done Village of Wilde Lake to update the village center, reinventing it in a manner Columbia Council that should have a positive impact on the surrounding Representative residential and business/commercial properties. Already, the newly reopened and expanded David’s Natural Market and a new convenience store/pharmacy are open and serving the community. Soon, there will be a beautiful apartment complex with more than 200 units, whose residents will become consumers in the village shopping center. It is key that people continue to support the village center’s businesses. Throughout this redevelopment process, Wilde Lake has been fortunate to have Kristin Shulder, first the community association’s covenant adviser and in recent years its village manager. She has been there from the beginning with an even temperament, attention to detail, and knowledge of a cumbersome process. Kristin has been a great benefit to the community and the changing faces of the Wilde Lake village board. I’m also very excited that Columbia Association will refurbish the SplashDown feature at Columbia Swim Center. While SplashDown is being refurbished, CA has installed the Wibit™ inflatable water play features, which are fun for kids and parties. Howard County is also reinvesting in Wilde Lake. Construction of a new Wilde Lake Middle School is underway; when completed, it will be one of only three net zero energy schools in the state of Maryland. The village center isn’t the only place undergoing improvements. Homeowners are also renovating their houses, many of which are more than 40 years old. These renovations play a significant role in bringing a fresh look to Wilde Lake. Meanwhile, the village continues to foster a sense of community with events like the annual Wilde Lake Old-Fashioned Picnic. The village board members also deserve mention for their commitment. For example, board member Bess Caplan began Wilde Lake Community Action and Resources for Environmental Stewardship (CARES), an initiative focusing on environmental integrity, including the removal of invasive vegetation. The changes happening in Wilde Lake are, in many ways, a microcosm of what’s going on in Columbia: economic reinvestment, a renewed emphasis on community spirit and a focus on environmentally sensitive practices. After all, a vital, engaged and healthy community will only help us continue to grow and thrive. Thank You, Nancy McCord
CA PHONE NUMBERS
PHOTO BY DAVID WRIGHT
This recently renovated tot lot in Hickory Ridge’s Clemens Crossing neighborhood, near Sixpence Circle and Buglenote Way, has a unique character. It was designed by the late Fred Jarvis, who was a landscape architect, professional planner and Columbia resident.
Hidden (from page 1)
you on our Facebook page about some favorite spots provided by Columbia Association that might be a little tucked away. “Jackson Pond!” responded Nina Basu of the Long Reach Village Board, picking the first place that also came to this writer’s mind. “Do you know how many people in Phelps Luck can’t find it?” Indeed, this gorgeous pond is situated just off two well-traveled thoroughfares, north of Tamar Drive and east of Phelps Luck Road in the village of Long Reach, but gets surprisingly blank stares when mentioned to those unaware of it. “Jackson Pond attracts some really interesting wildlife,” said Ned Tillman, an Owen Brown resident and environmental author who recently led a series of outdoor walks around Columbia for CA. “I certainly like the view from the mouth of the pond where the stream comes in, looking all the way down the length of the water. There’s also a little pathway out to an island, and I see a lot of
people who just enjoy sitting there. It’s a nice destination.” One of the other top picks we received was the tot lot at Rain Dream Hill in the Wilde Lake neighborhood of Bryant Woods, where a playground has long existed in the remains of the historic Bleak House that once was part of Oakland Manor. And in Hickory Ridge’s Clemens Crossing, near Sixpence Circle and Buglenote Way, is a tot lot with unique character that was designed by the late Fred Jarvis. It was recently redone while still preserving as much of the original character as possible. If you want some help exploring Columbia, check out Columbia Association: Pathways app, available on the App Store for iOS® and Google Play Store for Android® phones. Printed maps are also available at the Customer and Member Service Center for a small fee. What other off-the-beaten path places provided by CA should people know about? Let us and your neighbors know by emailing Communications@ ColumbiaAssociation.org. Please put “Hidden Gems” in the subject line.
CA Headquarters ............................................410-715-3000 Customer and Member Service Center.........410-730-1801 Aquatics Office................................................410-312-6332 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 Columbia Youth and Teen Center ..................410-992-3726 Fairway Hills Golf Club ..................................410-730-1112 Haven on the Lake..........................................410-715-3020 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 ......................................410-715-3164 Supreme Sports Club .....................................410-381-5355 Wilde Lake Tennis Club ................................410-730-3767
Studentscreate Symphony Woods Park in Minecraft Michael Hobson’s students at Oakland Mills Middle School weren’t just building homes and avoiding spooky creatures in Minecraft — the way many do when playing the game — they turned the game into an engineering program, creating a scale model of Symphony Woods Park. For more about their work, see full story at CAMonthly.org.
CA releases first quarter financial information CA finished the three months between May 1 and July 31 $833,000 better than budget, and $471,000 below the same period in FY15. Although it’s early in the fiscal year, CA projects finishing FY2016 with an increase in net assets of approximately $3.6 million. Financial highlights from several of CA’s divisions are available online at ColumbiaAssociation.org/Financials. C A M O N T H LY 3
November Community Events The Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House
Reception: Sun. Nov. 1 • 3-5pm Thu. Oct. 29 – Sat. Dec. 12 Baltimore Watercolor Society Slayton House 10400 Cross Fox Lane Carole Black, Gallery Director gallery@wildelake.org 410-730-3987
Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24 • 7pm $10 per person for the full four weeks. You do not need a partner to sign up for this class. 6800 Cradlerock Way 410-381-0202 events@owenbrownvillage.org
Salsa Dance Class
Fri. Nov. 6 • 7:30-9pm Join us for cheap family fun! Cards are 5/$1, drinks 75 cents and snacks are free. The Hawthorn Center 6175 Sunny Spring 410-730-7327 Joan@hickoryridgevillage.org
Family Night Bingo
Fri. Nov. 13 • 5-9pm; Sat. Nov. 14 • 11am-4pm Traditional craft show and fine craft gallery. Slayton House 10400 Cross Fox Lane 410-730-3987 events@wildelake.org
Lively Arts for Little Ones Presents: “Rocknoceros”
Fri. Nov. 20 • 10am Admission $5; ages 2 and older. The Other Barn • 5851 Robert Oliver Place • 410-730-4610 Brigitta Warren events@oaklandmills.org Sun. Nov. 22 • 2-5pm Free. Shop for all handmade crafts from a variety of vendors. The Hawthorn Center 6175 Sunny Spring • 410-730-7327 Joan@hickoryridgevillage.org
Holiday Craft Shop
Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events to learn about more great events happening in Columbia!
Breakfast and More with Santa
Decorate Your Own Gingerbread House
Sat. Dec. 5 • 9am and 11:30am Breakfast and lunch, plus visit with Santa. Secret Shop for shopping. Slayton House 10400 Cross Fox Lane 410-730-3987 events@wildelake.org
Wed. Dec. 9 • 6:30pm $20 per person; Children younger than age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. • The Other Barn 5851 Robert Oliver Place 410-730-4610 Brigitta Warren events@oaklandmills.org
Ladies Night Out: Holiday Greens Workshop
CA Supports Grassroots’ Food Drive for the Homeless
Mon. Dec. 7 • 7-9pm Design and take home a beautiful winter-themed greens centerpiece while enjoying delicious food and drinks with friends and family. Registration required before Fri. Nov. 20; $20 per person. Stonehouse 8775 Cloudleap Court 410-730-8113 events@longreach.org
Through Nov. 30 The next time you visit Columbia Gym, Columbia Athletic Club, Supreme Sports Club, Columbia Swim Center or the Customer and Member Service Center you’ll have the opportunity to help the homeless in our community. CA is supporting Grassroots by collecting canned food for their Rt.1 Day Center Pantry. Last year CA collected 1,000 pounds of food for their pantry; our goal this year is 2,000 pounds of canned goods! The collection bins will be available through Nov. 30 in the above locations.
Artfully Wilde
Fri. Nov. 20 • 7:30-9pm Enjoy an evening of fun with family and friends playing bingo at Amherst House. Purchase six cards for $1, drinks are 75 cents and prizes and snacks are free! Amherst House 7251 Eden Brook Drive 410-381-9600 Dawn Linthicum – kcevents@columbiavillages.org
Family Fun Bingo
4 C A M O N T H LY
Sat. Nov. 7 • 8:30am-noon We are looking for outgoing, energetic and motivated people to join our personal training teams! Visit Jobs.ColumbiaAssociation.org to complete an application and bring it with you to the open hire event. CA Headquarters, 6310 Hillside Court, Suite 100 For more information, please call 410-730-6744 or email Jennifer.Medillin@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
CA’s Personal Training Open Hiring