Monthly CA OCT 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
2 CA Releases First Quarter Finance Report for FY 2015 4 Battling Cancer and Finding Solace Through QiGong 8 Be a Part of Your Community Events
Don’t be haunted this October by your energy bills. Find out more on page 6.
you talk we
LISTEN!
Inspire
Columbia! CHECK OUT
CA’s community engagement site at InspireColumbia.com.
Get Social
with CA! It’s easier than ever to find us.
ColumbiaAssociation.org Facebook.com/ColumbiaAssociation Instagram.com/ColumbiaAssn LinkedIn.com/Company/ColumbiaAssociation Twitter.com/ColumbiaAssn YouTube.com/CATVchannel
Off theWall Famous Art Comes to Columbia Lakefront, Howard County
Fishmonger’s Shop” is now at L a k e K i t t a m a q u n d i i n downtown Columbia. There is a “Tiger at Rest” in Ellicott City. And be on the lookout for an “Approaching Storm” at Centennial Park. These paintings are three of six replicas from the collection at The Walters Art Museum that can be found in prominent outdoor locations throughout Howard County as part of the museum’s “Off the Wall” exhibition. “By taking artwork ‘off’ the Walters’ Scott Kramer/Howard County Government walls and bringing it outside of the “A Fishmonger’s Shop” is unveiled at Lake Beltway, we hope it will inspire people to Kittamaqundi. From left: Coleen West, executive explore the wonderful parks, galleries and director of the Howard County Arts Council; community centers in Howard County Howard County Executive Ken Ulman; Julia MarciariAlexander, executive director of The Walters Art — and remind them that the great Museum; and CA President/CEO Milton W. Matthews. collections of the Walters are truly public,” said Coleen West, executive • “Mud Pies,” by Ludwig Knaus, located at director of the Howard County Arts Council. Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Look near The People Tree at the Columbia Columbia. Lakefront to see “A Fishmonger’s Shop,” an • “The Painter and His Model,” by Alfred 1873 painting by an English artist named Stevens, located at the Howard County Arts Frederick Walker. The other paintings are: Council, 8510 High Ridge Road, Ellicott City. • “Approaching Storm,” by Emile van • “Tiger at Rest,” by Antoine-Louis Barye, Marcke de Lummen, located at Centennial Park, located at Roger Carter Community Center, 3000 north entrance, 9801 Old Annapolis Road, Milltowne Drive, Ellicott City. Ellicott City. (continued on page 7)
A “
C A M O N T H LY 1
CA RELEASES
FIRST QUARTER FINANCE REPORT FOR FY2015SUMMARY Organization-wide
Columbia Association (CA) finished the first quarter of Fiscal Year 2015 at $2 million, or 7.9 percent, over the budgeted increase in net assets and at $1.2 million higher than the same period in FY 2014. The total income of just over $43 million was essentially flat for the quarter, and it was $615,000 higher, or 1.4 percent, than the same period in FY14. The total operating expenses of $15.3 million were below budget by 10.4 percent. That figure is $611,000 lower, or 3.8 percent, than the first quarter of FY14. Although it is early in the year for these projections, CA does anticipate ending FY15 with an increase in net assets of approximately $3.9 million. The Community Building and Open Space Service Community Bureau completed the Building and first quarter of FY15 at Open Space $512,000 under the budgeted amount for total operating expenses. Among the highlights from the first quarter: Columbia DogPark opened in May. Through the end of the first quarter a total of 264 people had obtained annual DogPark registrations, and there have been an additional 272 daily visitors. The last required permit for the Lake Kittamaqundi pathway loop project was received, and construction is underway. 2 C A M O N T H LY
A total of 34 rain gardens were installed, bringing the number installed as part of CA’s cost share program to 152. CA, with the help of 40 volunteers, completed the first bicycle and pedestrian count. The data collected from these counts will help CA better understand user demographics and establish a baseline of usage for comparison with future counts. CA continues to monitor planning and land use development initiatives in Columbia. The “Planning and Development Tracker” is updated online and can be seen at ColumbiaAssociation.org/ Transparency/Columbiaplanning-development-tracker. The Sport and Fitness Division completed the first quarter of FY15 at Sport and $427,000 better than Fitness budget, or 3.9 percent better than FY14, due mainly to the timing of operating expenses. It is expected that the division will be essentially on budget for the year. Among the highlights from the first quarter: Construction was completed on a new facility at the Owen Brown Tennis Club and Bubble. Work continues on the new Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club clubhouse and turn house. CA participated in the “World’s Largest Swim Lesson;” hosted
KidsDay for the community at the Columbia SportsPark; offered inexpensive lessons and safety training to 124 participants through the “Columbia Swims” program; had 2,380 participants on 14 teams in the Columbia Neighborhood Swim League; held group fitness programs at the Stevens Forest Pool pavilion; and hosted 375 participants at the CA Kids Triathlon. The First Tee golf programs had more than 400 participants in the spring and summer sessions. The Junior Development and Competition Tennis Program launched in May with 174 kids enrolled. And the game of Pickleball has been introduced to Columbia. The Community Services Division finished the Community first quarter of FY15 at Services $514,000 better than budget, primarily due to increased income from School Age Services thanks to increased enrollment in summer school and an increase in registrations for the upcoming school year. In addition, $190,000 of grants fees expenses were written off in the first quarter relating to the State of Maryland assigning a $190,000 bond bill grant from CA to Inner Arbor Trust Inc. for the design and construction of Symphony Woods Park. There also were savings in operating supplies, rentals and taxes throughout each of the expense lines. Some of the important programs supported by the first-quarter subsidy (continued on page 6)
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 Andrew.Stack@CA-Board.org
Russell Swatek, Long Reach 410-799-1497 Swatek1@yahoo.com
Be Heard on Oct.18 When
Columbia Speaks R egister now for “Columbia Speaks. CA Listens,” which will be hosted by the Columbia Association Board of Directors on Saturday, Oct. 18. The community-input meeting will be held at the Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, which is located off Trumpeter Road across from Wilde Lake High School. It will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon. A social hour from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m will precede the event. Pre-registration at ColumbiaSpeaks. EventBrite.com is encouraged.
CA is seeking to hear from a diverse cross-section of the Columbia community regarding some specific issues that are important to the community. Facilitators will help moderate the meeting and guide discussions. Child care will be provided at the meeting. Those seeking assistance with transportation should email Columbia.Speaks@Columbia Association.org. CA will also be providing methods for those who cannot
attend in-person to still be able to participate electronically and to submit comments afterward. More information on this option will be posted at ColumbiaAssociation.org. C A M O N T H LY 3
SolaceThrough QiGong While Battling Cancer, Haven Instructor Found
By David P. Greisman
he cancer had started in one of Felicia J. Ho’s breasts and spread to her lymph nodes. She had been diagnosed in the beginning of 2011, and the chemotherapy, radiation and surgeries lasted for nearly all year. Sometimes she dreamt that she didn’t have cancer. Other times her battle with cancer would fill her dreams. Ho would rouse from sleep believing that it was all but a nightmare. Sadly, cancer was still the only reality. Throughout, the QiGong (pronounced “Chee-gung”) classes Ho participated in through Columbia Association were her respite and her joy. “It was my heaven on earth, like the light at the end of my tunnel,” Ho said. “The challenge was to still be a mom, take care of my son, run a household and still stay together. All I had to go do was get myself to a QiGong class and it would just help me process. There’s something about QiGong that releases the emotions and engages the spirit in play.” There’s been no evidence of cancer for more than a year and a half. The 43-yearold Clarksville resident can now look back at the role QiGong played during her battle. And as an instructor at Columbia Association’s (CA) new Haven on the Lake mind body retreat, Ho speaks highly of the numerous benefits that QiGong can provide. “It’s an exercise that works on the mind, body and spirit and to heal all three aspects,” she said. “And most importantly, it’s fun!” QiGong utilizes the ancient Chinese art of meditation and energy cultivation
T
4 C A M O N T H LY
Keithan Samuels/Columbia Association
Even while battling cancer, Felicia J. Ho sought to get to Qigong classes whenever she could. Ho will teach QiGong at Haven on the Lake.
by performing specific postures, slow gentle movements, controlled breathing and mental focus. Regularly engaging in QiGong can bring balance and harmony to the entire mind and body, promote healing and increase vitality. It is one of several mind body movement classes offered at Haven on the Lake, which is expected to open in December on the lake level of the new Whole Foods Market in downtown Columbia. More information on the wellness retreat can be found at Haven OnTheLake.org or by calling 443-864-0557. Ho grew up in Columbia, graduated from Wilde Lake High School and then moved to Pennsylvania to get her
bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College. She later headed west to the University of California, Los Angeles, earning her master’s degree in East Asian Languages and Cultures. She recently received her Ph.D. in the same subject. Ho returned to Howard County with her husband, Lan-Feng Tsai, and their son, who is now 11. She started taking Tai Chi and QiGong classes through Columbia Association and began teaching a few years ago. She is looking forward to what Haven on the Lake will bring to the area. “I think it’s sometimes hard for us all to take a breath and take the time to heal,” Ho said. “Haven is a perfect place to realize how much we really deserve that.”
Haven on the Lake Begins to Take Shape Construction is underway at Haven on the Lake, the Mind Body Wellness Retreat opening in December on the lake level of the new Whole Foods Market in downtown Columbia. From left: A sign marks the main entrance to Haven on the Lake. Emily Talbot, Haven on the Lake’s general manager, discusses construction progress in one of the movement class studios. Framing and drywall is now complete. Haven’s main entrance is located on the south side of the former Rouse Company headquarters building. Learn more about classes and membership at Haven on the Lake by visiting havenonthelake.org or by calling 443-864-0557.
C A M O N T H LY 5
Don’t Be Haunted by Your Energy Bills ctober brings Halloween, and it’s also Energy Awareness Month. What are some things that Columbia residents can do to avoid being haunted by their energy bills? • Turn it off: Even energy-efficient light bulbs and equipment should be turned off if there is no other reason for it to be on. And be on the lookout for “phantom” usage from chargers or other electronic equipment that still use energy when they are turned off but still plugged in. • Get a smart thermostat: Use programmed settings to reduce air conditioning and heating needs. Raising your thermostat by a few degrees in summer and lowering it a few degrees in winter can have a significant impact on energy consumption. • Go natural: Utilize passive strategies such as daylighting and outside air ventilation when possible. • Buy ENERGY STAR: When purchasing electronic equipment, look for the ENERGY STAR label. • Utilize incentives: Participate in BGE’s numerous incentive programs such as Home Performance with ENERGY STAR to get information and financial assistance for energy efficiency projects. Fall is also a great time to replace your porch, garage and other outdoor lighting with long-lasting, energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and lightemitting diodes (LEDs). BGE’s Smart Energy Savers Program can help you save up to $2.25 on select ENERGY STARcertified CFLs and up to $5 on select certified LED lighting. For more information on how you can help improve the sustainability of our community while also saving money, go to BGESmartEnergy.com/Residential.
O
6 C A M O N T H LY
By Jeremy Scharfenberg
BGE’s new Natural Gas Connection Program: BGE has announced that it will waive its fee for those who switch to its new Natural Gas Connection Program. That’s savings of up to $2,000, depending on your home’s proximity to the gas line. Gas furnaces bring warmer air and heat your home quicker. Gas water heaters can work twice as fast as electric ones. And they can save you money. Install both and your annual heating costs will be, on average, 45 percent lower than electrical systems (actual savings may vary). There’s also BGE’s Smart Energy Savers Program, which offers rebates ranging from $300 to $1,000 for high-efficiency gas furnace and central A/C equipment, as well as a $150 rebate on ENERGY STAR-certified gas water heaters. The offer runs through Dec. 15. For complete details and information on restrictions, go to BGESmartEnergy. com/Gas or call 877-685-7377. •
Jeremy Scharfenberg is CA’s energy manager.
First Quarter Finance Report for FY 2015 (continued from page 2)
Package Plan memberships dropped slightly by 14. from the annual charge are: the Columbia Association’s Sales and Lakefront Summer Festival; Columbia Marketing team develops print ads, Archives; the Sister Cities program; direct mailings, online advertising, social Columbia Art Center; the Youth and media advertising and other Teen Center @ The Barn; covenant tactics to promote and sell enforcement fees; and access to memberships and programs. camps and Before and After School Sales and Among the notable Care for income-qualified youth. In Marketing efforts is the launch of the addition, it provides support to the village community associations in the online Activities Guide, amount of $1.37 million. which is interactive and features the ability to register online for classes, make notes on pages and more. View Total memberships were 221 ahead of the same time last year. Single-facility it at ColumbiaAssociation.org/ memberships increased by 235, while ActivitiesGuide.
CA Board Recap t the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors meeting held on Sept. 11, the CA Board heard a presentation on the feasibility study for a new bridge in Downtown Columbia. The CA Board also approved the process and schedule for the coming budget, approved the appointment of an at-large representative to CA’s Watershed Advisory Committee, and approved IRS forms. A work session on zoning was scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 18, which is after
A
50+EXPO to Return on Oct.17 he Howard County Office on Aging’s annual 50+EXPO will return on Friday, Oct. 17, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wilde Lake High School, 5460 Trumpeter Road. Columbia Association (CA) is proud to once again be a sponsor of the 50+ EXPO. Stop by CA’s exhibit area in the school Guidance Office during the 50+ EXPO and learn about all of the programs, events and activities that CA offers to the mature adult community.
T
CA’s exhibit area also will include personal training and group fitness demos. Here is a schedule: 11 a.m., Kettle Bells; 11:30 a.m., Golf Fitness; 12:30 p.m., Zumba®Gold (low-impact) For more information on the 50+ EXPO, call 410-313-5980.
CA Monthly went to press. The next scheduled Board of Directors meetings are Thursday, Oct. 9 and Oct. 23. Meetings typically begin at 7:30 p.m. and are held at CA Headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle. For current CA Board of Directors meeting minutes and agendas, visit Columbia Association.org/Agendas. Podcasts from board meetings also are available at ColumbiaAssociation.org/Podcasts.
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
Off theWall (continued from page 1)
• “Wildflowers with a View of Dublin,” by Andrew Nicholl, located at the North Laurel Community Center and Park, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel. There are nearly three dozen other paintings in the Baltimore area for the “Off the Wall” exhibition. For a map, go to TheWalters.org/ OffTheWall. “We tried to choose works that have relevance to the locations in which we place them,” said Julia MarciariAlexander, executive director of The Walters Art Museum, which is located at 600 N. Charles St. in Baltimore. “A Fishmonger’s Shop,” which depicts exactly what the title describes, was selected for the Columbia Lakefront because it brings together fish, commerce and recreation. “The Walters Art Museum has shared its impeccable collection of art for 80 years and we are extremely proud to expand that tradition at outdoor spaces in Howard County,” Marciari-Alexander said. “As the community experiences reproductions of these famous paintings, we invite residents of the county to visit us and see the real works of art in person.” Funding for this exhibition comes from a $6,000 grant from the Howard County Arts Council’s Outreach Howard grant program, which is funded by the Howard County Government. C A M O N T H LY 7
October To Your Health: How Community Design Can Promote Healthy Lifestyles Thu, Oct. 2 • 7-9pm Oakland Mills Meeting House • 410-715-3166
Rock Your Jeans: Kickoff and Fashion Show Sun, Oct. 5 • 11am-1pm Columbia Gym Sam.Yurko@Columbia Association.org
Salon Series with Gene Oishi Mon, Oct. 6 • 7pm
Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075
CA Board of Directors Meeting Thu, Oct. 9 • 7:30pm CA Headquarters 410-715-3000
Family Bingo Night Fri, Oct. 10 • 7:30-9pm
Stonehouse at Long Reach Community Association 410-730-8113 • Bingo cards are 5 for $1 and drinks are available for purchase.
Fall Community Clean-Up Sat, Oct. 11 • 10am-1pm
Amherst House 410-381-9600
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Bod Pod Metabolic and Body Composition Testing Sat, Oct. 11 • 8am-noon Columbia Athletic Club 410-730-6744
12th Annual Oakland Mills Cultural Arts Festival Sat, Oct. 11am • 11-4pm The Other Barn 410-730-4610
Fall Senior Luncheon Thu, Oct. 16 11:30am-1pm Historic Oakland 410-730-4744. Free to Town Center residents.
Community Energy Meeting Thu, Oct 16 • 7-8 p.m.
Stonehouse at Long Reach Community Association Learn how to save up to 65 percent on energy upgrades. retrofitbaltimore.org/ columbia
School’s Out Lunch Fri, Oct. 17 • noon-1:15pm
Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events to learn about more great events happening in Columbia!
Columbia Speaks CA Listens Sat, Oct. 18 • 9:30am-noon Wilde Lake Interfaith Center Columbia.Speaks@ ColumbiaAssociation.org. RSVP at ColumbiaSpeaks. EventBrite.com
Afternoon Tea Sun, Oct. 19 • 3:30-5pm
The Other Barn 410-730-4610
Pumpkin Painting and Pizza Fri, Oct. 24 • 5:30-7pm
Historic Oakland 410-730-4744 • Reservations required. $28 plus tax per person.
Owen Brown Community Center • 410-381-0202. $2 per person. Pumpkin and pizza included. Must call to reserve your pumpkin
Discover Downtown Columbia 5k (and 1-mile Fun Run) Sun, Oct. 19 • 9am
Explore Lake Kittamaqundi with Ned Tillman Sat, Oct. 25 • 9-11am
The Mall in Columbia’s new plaza area. 5k is for ages 10 and older, fun run is for ages 10 and younger. Register online at Discover Downtown5k.com/register
Gallery Tour: Annapolis Wed, Oct. 22 9:30am -3:30pm
Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075 • $45 per person
The Hawthorn Center 410-730-7327 • $5 per person. Space is limited. Call to reserve your spot.
CA Board of Directors Meeting Thu, Oct. 23 • 7:30pm
Town Center Fall Yard Sale Sat, Oct. 18 • 9am-noon
Haunted Hallow’s Eve Fri, Oct. 24 • 6-8pm
Vantage Point Road Park 410-730-4744
Lively Arts for Little Ones Presents: Pam the Kindersinger Fri, Oct. 24 • 10am
CA Headquarters 410-715-3000
Claret Hall and River Hill Village Center • 410-531-1749
CA Pathway around Lake Kittamaqundi. Must register with Ned Tillman. ned@sustainable.us.
Long Reach Halloween Party Sat, Oct. 25 • 1-3pm Stonehouse
•
410-730-8113
Transformations in Color, Light and Line Exhibit Reception Sat, Oct. 25 • 3-5pm
Slayton House • 410-730-3987
50+ Lunch Thu, Oct. 30 • 11:30am-1pm
The Hawthorn Center 410-730-7327 • $5 per person. Space is limited. Call to reserve your spot.
Halloween Hijinx Fri, Oct. 31 • 4:30pm
Slayton House Theatre 410-730-3987 8 C A M O N T H LY