Monthl y CA AUG 2013
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 Why I Serve: An Interview with Senior Advisory Committee Member Roger Chang 3 Downtown Columbia Lakefront Summer Activities Continue This Month 8 Be a Part of Your Community Events
Learn more about CA watershed management at ColumbiaWatershed.org.
Slow the Flow get the latest
on what’s
happening at Columbia Association with
thisweek@CA
a brief weekly
video series. you can watch the
videos online anytime at bit.ly/thisweekatca
Connect
with CA! It’s easier than ever to find us. ColumbiaAssociation.org/CAToday
Facebook.com/CA.ColumbiaAssociation Issuu.com/CA-ColumbiaAssociation Twitter.com/ColumbiaAssn YouTube.com/CATVchannel
With a Rain Garden
By Aria White Connor
I
nstalling 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.
and resident of Owen Brown, A rain garden involves recently had a rain garden strategically planting and installed through CA’s Rain placing a combination of plants Garden Cost Share Program. St. and river rocks to filter water Clair said he had the garden and slowly release it into the installed “to enhance the beauty ground. While there are several of my yard and help with a rain gardens in Columbia’s drainage problem after thunderopen spaces installed by CA, it storms.” is also important for Columbia “The problem starts with us. residents to get involved by Our lawns contribute to the having rain gardens on their pollution of our lakes and the property. To assist in this effort, Chesapeake Bay,” he said. He CA has established its Rain added that the process of Garden Cost Share Program. getting the garden installed was Using a grant funded by the easy. “I have mentioned [rain Maryland Department of Rain gardens use plants and river rocks to filter garden installation] to many Natural Resources, CA will pay water and slowly release it into the ground. people directly and through my 75 percent of the installation blog.” cost of a rain garden for interested residents in the villages of To learn more about how to participate in the CA Rain Owen Brown, Long Reach and Wilde Lake. Duane St. Clair, a local blogger (hococonnect.blogspot.com) Garden Cost Share Program, visit bit.ly/CARainGardens. C A M O N T H LY 1
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
Columbia Association Board of Directors
Why I Serve: An Interview With Senior Advisory Committee Member Roger Chang By David Greisman
OGER CHANG HAD RETIRED FROM HIS concerns of Columbia’s mature adult residents. career, but not from his community. And so, after “How do you stay healthy, both physically and mentally?” more than 30 years of work at Northrop Grumman, Chang said. “How do you stay safe? How do you stay engaged and after more than 30 years in the military, he turned to in meaningful activities? … As we grow older, a lot of us are thinking about the next phase of his life. deciding to stay in Columbia. A lot of people “A lot of people in the past were defined might need some additional modifications by their job,” said Chang, a 66-year-old who [made] to be able to stay in their homes. has lived in Kings Contrivance since 1978 How can you afford to stay in your home and and in Columbia since 1975. “If you’re not make it livable? Those become important in a structured job any longer, how does life issues that I wanted to focus on; to learn, become meaningful, if that was your life? contribute to and participate in. “I have to start to focus on what I want “All of us age. It’s inevitable,” he said. to do,” he said. “Those are issues that we are going to And so he enrolled in courses at Howard face.” Community College, received his black belt Roger Chang The Senior Advisory Committee’s in Taekwondo, and took other roles — monthly meetings are open to the public and including joining Columbia Association’s (CA) Senior are held at rotating locations throughout Columbia. For Advisory Committee as his village’s representative. more information on how to become involved as a committee The committee advises CA on the needs, interests and member, call 410-715-3161.
R
Michael Cornell
Cynthia A.S.H. Coyle
Brian Dunn
Alex Hekimian
Nancy McCord
River Hill • 410-531-9340 MichaelCornell@comcast.net
Harper’s Choice • 410-997-7637 CashCoyle2@aol.com
Kings Contrivance • 301-473-0077 BrianJDunn@gmail.com
Oakland Mills • 410-730-2583 AlexHekimian@hotmail.com
Wilde Lake • 410-730-2309 Nancy.McCord@LNF.com
Tom O’Connor
Gregg Schwind
Russell Swatek
Andrew Stack
Suzanne Waller
Dorsey’s Search • 410-336-9269 TomFOC3@Verizon.net
Hickory Ridge • 410-992-5043 Gregg.Schwind@usdoj.gov
Long Reach • 410-799-1497 Swatek1@yahoo.com
Owen Brown • 410-381-8897 Andy.OBCA@gmail.com
Town Center • 410-730-9132 SUZYQ1104@aol.com
2013 2014 2 C A M O N T H LY
Downtown Columbia
By Aria White Connor
LAKEFRONT T SUMMER ACTIVITIES Continue This Month
his year’s Lakefront Summer Festival is continuing throughout the month, with movies and concerts being held nightly at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront. Live bands will be performing at the lakefront every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday until Aug. 18. Concerts start at 8pm each night except for Sundays, when they begin at 6:30pm. In addition to the concerts, free movies will be screened every Monday and Friday through Aug. 23. After that, movies will be shown on Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 14 (and Sunday on Labor Day weekend); movies begin at dusk (approximately 8pm). Movies this month include Star Trek (2009), Paranorman, The Hobbit: An Unexpected
Journey,
Roald
Dahl’s
Matilda, Les Miserables, Oz: the
CA Working on
WATERSHED PROJECTS
in Owen Brown & Oakland Mills
By David Greisman
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.
Great and Powerful, Goldfinger, Skyfall, Captain America: The First Avenger and Iron Man.
Learn how to dance at Dancin’ Under the People Tree on Friday nights at 6:30pm before the movie starts! Learn more about the Lakefront Summer Festival at LakefrontFestival.com.
Columbia Matters
TV Schedule The Columbia Matters TV show can be seen online, any time at YouTube.com/CATVchannel. You can also catch the show on TV on the following channels:
Comcast Channel 96 & Verizon Channel 41 Mondays..............................................11am, 4pm and 7pm Saturdays .................................................................8:30pm
Comcast Channel 98 Mondays .............................................12pm, 4pm and 8pm Tuesdays .............................................10am, 2pm and 6pm Wednesdays .................................................12pm and 4pm Thursdays............................................10am, 2pm and 6pm Fridays ...........................................12pm, 4pm and 7:30pm Saturdays ............................................12pm, 4pm and 8pm
Comcast Channel 99 & Verizon Channel 44 Mondays.................................................................10:30am Tuesdays .............................................10am, 2pm and 6pm Wednesdays ...................................................8am and 7pm Thursdays.................................................................7:30am Fridays.......................................................8am and 7:30pm Saturdays ....................................................................10am Sundays .................................................................11:30pm
C A M O N T H LY 3
stay
connected a this is like
one-stop p o h s of inform ation
CA Today Blog
with
findin g wha t I ne ed is
super
The CA Today blog was created by CA to communicate and connect with the community. This blog serves to inform the community about the news, programs, initiatives, activities and services provided by the Columbia Association. Blog posts will not only include CA news, but also occasionally touch on Columbia-wide news and news about Columbia’s villages. Check it out online at ColumbiaAssociation.org/CAToday.
easy
CA Facebook &Twitter Page
CA is on your favorite social media sites! One can “Like” us on Facebook 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 to learn, share and discuss CA news and offerings.
Do you know a
Do you know a better 4 C A M O N T H LY
WAY?
Please email Communications@ColumbiaAssociation.org and let us know if you would like to receive CA news in another manner!
C
ch su
! s t t a s e o r g h
ke Mi
d an
e De
e ar
Columbia Matters/This Week @ CA Columbia Matters is CA’s monthly television program that takes viewers on a journey through Columbia and Howard County. It also provides information on local and CA-run programs, initiatives and events. Columbia Matters has been the recipient of 16 Telly Awards throughout 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 schedule of 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’s weekly video series that provides updates on happenings at Columbia Association for that specific week and information on programs 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.
CA Monthly
find out how to get the latest news from CA! by Erin McPhail
The CA Monthly is Columbia Association’s 8-page print newsletter. CA Monthly highlights CA’s latest news, programs, initiatives, budget and upcoming events to help educate and inform the public of what is going on at CA. You can find CA Monthly online at CAMonthly.org, at all three CA fitness facilities, inserted in the Columbia Flier on the first Thursday of every month, at your local village center, at the East Columbia Library, at the Central Library and in various locations and business throughout Columbia and Howard County.
CA
conveniently every issue is
deliv to mered y
door
C A M O N T H LY 5
Columbia Association’s
SCHOOL-AGE SERVICES GETS
S.A.S.S.Y. By Mary Weeks
C
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 of physical activity and provide structured physical activities that promote good health. CA staff members have been trained in facilitating healthy snacks and structured physical activities. CA’s School Age Services has partnered with the University of Maryland Extension Center to provide the nutrition curriculum and training to staff. Specialized versatile sports equipment was purchased from the GenMove company. GenMove will be providing structured activity training to staff. Beginning in September, CA’s Sport and Fitness Division also will be teaching weekly Zumba and fitness programs at each Before and After School Care location. It will be time for the kids to head back to school before you know it. If you are in need of before and after school care,
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
MAKE If
YOUR VOICE HEARD
at CA Board Meetings By Keithan Samuels
6 C A M O N T H LY
olumbia Association (CA) recently received a $40,000 grant
CA’s School Age Services Department offers Before and After School Care programs at 19 Howard County elementary schools and After School care at three middle schools. Full-day programs also are available on some of the days that Howard County schools are closed. Theresa White, assistant manager for School Age Services at CA, said, “The School Age Services Department strives to improve their programs a little more each year, with new offerings or new ways of doing things that add value or efficiency to the programs.” First Friday Family Night returns this year. Parents are invited to participate in activities with their children during the last hour of the program. First Fridays give parents an opportunity to interact with other parents from the program, get to know staff better and 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, please call 410-715-3164 or send an e-mail to SAS@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
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.
Doing the Laundry and Saving Money By Jeremy Scharfenberg
laundry as a result of this project, and Columbia
olumbia Association (CA) is working
residents also can take important steps to be
on a project at the Supreme Sports
more energy-efficient and water-efficient when
Club that will replace several of the
performing this household chore.
C
CA Public Information Guide 2014 Now Available f you’re interested in learning more about
I
air-conditioning units with new, high-efficiency
Incentives available through the BGE Smart
models to save energy, improve reliability and
Energy Savers Program can help consumers
reduce operating costs. In addition to being
make a smart choice when purchasing their next
very efficient mechanically, the new equipment
washing machine. From jeans to gym shorts, an
includes a heat recovery system linked to the hot
ENERGY STAR certified washing machine
CA’s services, programs and amenities and helps
water supply that is now preheating the water
sloshes out stains without draining your wallet.
show residents what they get for their annual
that is used for laundry and showers
Because they use about 20 percent
at the facility.
less energy and 35 percent less
Columbia Association (CA), be sure to check
out this year’s Public Information Guide. The
Public Information Guide features an overview of
charge dollars. This year’s guide includes
Instead of simply transferring the
water, ENERGY STAR certified
heat from inside the building to the
models can save up to $315 in
outdoors, this new system puts that
operating costs over their lifetimes.
projects, 2014 upcoming
heat to good use. By preheating the
These washers also extract more
projects, CA’s history and
water during spin cycles, reducing drying times
governance, CA’s board
amount of natural gas consumed by its boilers
and fabric wear and tear. Get yours now and
of directors, the CA
— especially considering that dozens of loads
save $50 with a rebate.
Sports Club. CA will be conserving energy and reducing operating costs associated with doing the
For more information on how you can help
C O L FISCA U M B I A L YEAR A May 1, S S O C I A 2013 thro ugh Apr T I O N il 30, 201 4
information on 2013
water, the facility significantly reduces the
of laundry are run every day at the Supreme
2014 PUBLIC
INFOR
GUIDE MATION
An informa an overvie tion guide to you r w open spa of CA’s budget, community’s offe ce and rings— recreati more. onal prog rams,
annual charge, CA’s
improve the sustainability of our community
budget, Columbia villages and more. You can view
and save money at the same time, visit
this year’s Public Information Guide online at
BGESmartEnergy.com/Residential.
bit.ly/CAPublicInfoGuide.
Roller Skating at
SUPREME SPORTS CLUB
LEARN MORE ABOUT admission and skate rental fees at ColumbiaSkateArena.org or call 410-381-5355.
for ble ls! a l i a av nta also ivate re s i rena d pr te A rties an a k S This The day pa h t r i s mo b
Hang o ut with y and ge t a littl our friends e exerc while R ise O and IN LLER SKATIN -LINE S KATING G !
avakating nth, Fr ilable oisn
12-idays 3pm 7-1 & 0p m
C A M O N T H LY 7
August
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Oakland Mills Farmers Market
Now-Nov • Oakland Mills Village Center • 410-730-4610
Summer Lakefront Festival
Now-Sat, Sep 14 • Nightly Downtown Columbia Lakefront ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events
Maryland Art League – Mixed Media Exhibit
Now-Thu, Aug 15 • Bernice Kish Gallery • 410-730-3987
Tool Time for Scrapbooking
Thu, Aug 1 • 6-8:30pm Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075 Tue, Aug 6 • 6-9pm • Harper’s Choice • 410-730-0770
National Night Out
CA Board of Directors Meeting Thu, Aug 8 • 7:30-11pm CA Headquarters 410-715-3000
Oakland Mills Community Pool Party Thu, Aug 8 • 6:30pm 410-730-4610
Sat, Aug 10 • 7-9pm River Hill Pool • 410-531-1749
Pool/Ice Cream Party
Wed, Aug 14 • 7:30-9pm Columbia Archives ColumbiaAssociation.org/ Multicultural
International Book Club
Thu, Aug 15 • 7pm • Owen Brown Community Center 410-381-0202
Fall Vegetable Gardening
8 C A M O N T H LY
Make Your Own Birthday Cards
Thu, Aug 15 • 7pm Kahler Hall 410-730-0770 Fri, Aug 16 6-9pm Supreme Sports Club KidSpace 410-381-7559
Family Luau
Adventure Day
Mon, Aug 19Fri, Aug 23 7am-6pm Supreme Sports Club and Columbia Gym KidSpaces ColumbiaAssociation. org/KidSpace
Desert Terrarium Design
Wed, Aug 21 • 6-8pm Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075
Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events to learn about more great events happening in Columbia!
Wed, Aug 28 • 7-9pm Wegmans Café (upstairs) ColumbiaAssociation.org/ Multicultural
World Languages Café
Save the Date: River Hill Yard Sale Sat, Sep 7 • 9-11am Varies • 410-531-1749
Save the Date: Dia De La Familia Sat, Sep 28 • 3-6pm Columbia SportsPark 410-715-3162
Have a question or comment? E-mail CAmonthly@ ColumbiaAssociation.org.