Monthl y CA DEC 2011
2 Why I Serve: An Interview with CA Board Chair Michael Cornell 3 CA and Wilde Lake High School Partner to Build Rain Garden
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
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extras
Log on to CAmonthly.org for these extras:
Expanded Village Events Calendar Events at Columbia Association
THIS MONTH ON
On December’s show, learn about the Volunteer Center Serving Howard County and its annual “Holiday Guide to Giving”; discover more about the Columbia Ice Rink; get information about the Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club Clubhouse project; learn about the history of the Young Columbians; find out about CA’s rain garden project with Wilde Lake High School; and more.
Watch Columbia Matters online anytime at ColumbiaMatters.org
Like us on Facebook! Facebook.com/CA.ColumbiaAssociation
4 Be a Part of Your Community Events
Working Hand in Hand: A Look at the Relationship
Visit ColumbiaVillages.org to learn more about the ten Columbia villages.
Between CA and the Columbia Villages
By Aria White
Y
assessment share. Each community association uses its ou’ve heard the phrase “it takes a village to raise a assessment share to fund architectural guideline enforcement, child,” right? Since you live in Columbia, you’re also village board activities, information and referral services for probably aware that it takes the Columbia Association residents, village-wide and community-wide events and more. (CA) and the Columbia village community associations to In Fiscal Year 2012, CA provided $2,468,000 to the ten make this community as great as it is. What you might not Columbia village community associations. know is that even though CA and the villages work closely “Having a strong CA and village relationship is important to together, they’re totally separate entities. residents because we want to make sure your annual charge dollars For example, CA owns the community association buildings are used efficiently and that you are informed in a variety of ways in each village, but the village staff — under a management about issues and events that are of importance contract with CA — manages and operates to you,” says Michelle Miller, director of CA’s the buildings. And those architectural Community Services Division. guidelines that tell you whether you can a strong CA put the addition on your house? Those Coming Together aren’t determined by CA; they’re designed and village relationship is One of the ways CA works with the villages is and regulated by your village community important to residents because the CA Board. Every April, village elections association, and if you’ve ever moved across we want to make sure your are held for open spots on the individual town from one village to another, you’ve village boards and the Columbia Council. The annual charge dollars are used probably learned that each village’s Columbia Council then elects themselves to efficiently and that you are guidelines are different. Although each be the members of the CA Board. In case you informed in a variety of ways community association has its own board didn’t already know, the CA Board is made up about issues and events that are of directors, each village elects a Columbia of one representative from each village. This Council representative that serves as a of to you. way, the board gets input from each village, member of the CA Board of Directors. and each village can, in turn, get information Michelle Miller This might sound confusing, so let me about CA from their representative. Director of CA’s Community break it down a bit for you. Services Division Beyond the board and the facility
Having
importance
Building Community Remember when you attended that cool class at your local village community center? Or when you took your kids to have cookies with Santa at the community center? All of those activities are organized and managed by the village community association, not CA. While the Columbia Association doesn’t organize any village activities, CA does provide each village with funding, called an
functions, CA and the village community associations also work together to educate and inform residents on issues including master planning, watershed improvement and other items that are of interest to the people of Columbia. It’s really a two-way relationship that focuses on making Columbia a unique and amazing place to live, work … and play! There’s more information about CA’s relationship with the Columbia villages at ColumbiaAssociation.org. Check it out! C A M O N T H LY 1
Why I Serve
By Aria White
Get involved! Learn about CA and Columbia village board meetings and elections at ColumbiaAssociation.org.
An interview with CA Board Chair Michael Cornell t’s no secret that Columbia is a great place to live: we were named the second best place to live by Money Magazine last year! In this ever-changing community, we’re lucky to have residents who are interested in rising to the challenge of leading us into a bright future. We have residents who serve on boards of their village and homeowner associations, the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors and Resident Architectural Committees. Michael Cornell, the current chair for the CA Board, has been on the board for the past five years, and he remains dedicated to making Columbia an even better place to live than it already is! For Cornell, who works as a business and marketing consultant in Baltimore, the need to volunteer came when he was young. “Serving the community is a strong ethic instilled in me from a very early age,” Cornell says. “My parents were very active in charity and community organizations while I was growing up.” Cornell is no stranger to politics and elections; he got his start in politics in college at the University of Maryland. He ran for Student Government Association (SGA) vicepresident on a ticket with the first African-American to be elected SGA president in the school’s history. Since college, he has volunteered for several community leadership positions, including his village board and the CA Board. “I have served as youth coach in a variety of sports, as a youth group advisor, as a Cub Scout master, as a board director at my congregation, as a representative to the
I
Michael Cornell, Chair of CA Board of Directors
Maryland State Green Party, as a delegate to the Green Party National Convention and as co-chair of the Maryland Green Party,” Cornell says. Giving back to your community by volunteering and holding a leadership position is rewarding and can inspire you to do all that you can to improve the environment. “Working to help make Columbia a greener place to live— by any measure—has been extremely rewarding,” Cornell says. “One of my favorite memories is walking through Symphony Woods Park with the board and a land planning
consultant envisioning what Symphony Woods Park might look like one day. It felt like we were completing Jim Rouse’s dream. That was inspiring, to say the least.” Not only does Cornell enjoy volunteering as a community leader, but he’s passionate about encouraging others to do the same. “At the risk of sounding trite, I think we all have a responsibility to give back to the community in any way we can,” he says. “To help leave the world a better place, what better place than where you work or live?” There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available at the village and CA-wide level. “Find something you are passionate about or identify an area of expertise you have to offer,” Cornell suggests. “Volunteer, go to a meeting, find something you’re interested in or simply ask how you can help.” During this time of redevelopment of Downtown Columbia, we are at a turning point for the community. “Our focus has been building partnerships—with villages, county government, interest groups and the Howard Hughes Corporation,” Cornell says. “The possibilities for public and alternate transportation, watershed management and reforestation and restoration projects are no longer dreams. These groups are working in concert to make them a reality.” If you’re interested in getting involved and serving the community by running for a leadership position on your village (or CA’s) board, elections are held in April each year for open positions. Please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org or ColumbiaVillages.org to learn additional details.
’Tis the Season to Donate and Volunteer! t this time of the year, most people are looking for opportunities to give back to their community. The Volunteer Center Serving Howard County will be offering residents its annual “Holiday Guide to Giving” at VolunterHoward.org to give people ideas of where to volunteer or donate items this year. The guide includes local nonprofits and government agencies that are in need of donations or volunteers. And remember, the organizations listed in the guide offer opportunities to volunteer throughout the year, not just during the holiday season. Whether you’d like to donate your time, money, food or gifts, there are plenty of chances to help your fellow Columbians. Residents are invited to give back by donating to one of the Volunteer Center’s charitable projects going on this holiday season.
A
Angel Tree
Doghouse of Joy
Basket of Hope
Sponsored through the Salvation Army
Located in the Volunteer Center, 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia
Located in the Volunteer Center, 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia
• Donate new items for animals, including dog and cat treats, washable dog and cat toys, blankets and towels, etc. • Donations must be received by Thursday, December 22.
• A basket will be placed in the Volunteer Center to collect gift cards from Wal-Mart, Target, Giant, Safeway, Michaels, Sears, Best Buy and other local retailers. • The Volunteer Center will distribute the gift cards among nonprofits requesting them in this year’s “Holiday Guide to Giving.” • Gift cards must be dropped off by Thursday, December 22.
Located at CA Headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia • Angels and stockings on the tree have gift ideas and information about a local child or adult. Choose an angel or stocking from the tree and visit the Volunteer Center to register your name. • Unwrapped gifts must be dropped off at the Volunteer Center by Thursday, December 8 for delivery to the Salvation Army.
2 C A M O N T H LY
CA and Wilde Lake High School
Partner to Build a
Rain Garden he Columbia Association, along with the
T
University of Maryland Sea Grant Extension
Service (UMSGES), has formed a partnership
with
the
Wilde
Lake
High
School
(WLHS)
Environmental Club to design and create a rain garden behind WLHS. A rain garden is a garden in a small, shallow bowl that is designed to catch water runoff and infiltrate it into the ground. When the club expressed interested in starting this project, Maryland State Delegate Liz Bobo put the club’s leaders in touch with John McCoy, CA’s watershed manager, and Amanda Rockler, the regional watershed restoration specialist for the UMSGES. The project was
Upcoming Community Programs Collision Avoidance Training
The bricks are back!
The Howard County Police Department is offering newly licensed teen drivers (ages 1619) a course in collision avoidance. The course will be held at the James N. Robey Public Safety Training Center, on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10. Training will include information on evasive maneuvers, emergency braking, braking, skid recovery and more. Classroom lessons will be given on Friday followed by behind-the-wheel training on Saturday. Cost is $95 and teens must bring a car. Call 410-313-3758 for more information.
After five years, CA is once again hosting its Buy-A-Brick program in honor of Columbia’s 45th birthday celebration, which will occur in the summer of 2012. The personalized bricks will be placed on the walkways in front of the downtown lakefront restaurants. Bricks are $65 for two lines and $75 for three lines. Each line has a maximum of 15 characters per line (spacing is considered a character). Orders will be taken via postal mail or at CA’s Maggie J. Brown Welcome Center, December 12-February 24. We cannot take orders before December 12. Orders are payable by checks only. Checks should be made out to Columbia Association. Go to ColumbiaAssociation.org/Buy-A-Brick for more information or please contact Erin McPhail at Erin.McPhail@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Annual Holiday Exhibition: Singular Sensations Reception Thursday, December 8 • 5:30-8pm Columbia Art Center Enjoy viewing fine artwork in a variety of media at this year’s annual holiday exhibition at the Columbia Art Center. All artwork will be on sale for $150 or less. The exhibition will be on display in the main and window galleries at the art center from December 8-16. Call 410-7300075 for more information.
funded through a grant from the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund, which is also being used for demonstration rain gardens at the Columbia Athletic Club and Kahler Hall, a bioretention facility at the Athletic Club and rain gardens in Wilde Lake. At the beginning of the project, McCoy and Rockler worked with the students to develop a design plan for the rain garden. Once the design was finalized, Susheela Varma, WLHS science teacher and the leader of the environmental club, contacted the Board of Education for approval and arranged for the Dorsey Hall Garden Club to help with the maintenance of the garden during the summer when the students are out of school. Students and volunteers constructed the garden on Saturday, November 19. If you have any questions about this rain garden project or any of
WhyIPayCA.org We invite you to go to WhyIPayCA.org to learn more about where your annual charge goes, as well as get answers to your questions. You can also go to ColumbiaAssociation.org where you can find CA’s most recent financial statements and independent audit report. The more you know, the more we think you’ll feel good knowing how much you get for your money.
IN
caSE YOU DIDN’T KNOW...
There are lots of ways to learn more about the workings of CA and how you help to make what we do possible. Check out these resources: CA Activities Guide shows up at your door three times a year. Maggie J. Brown Welcome Center located at 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia. Talk to your CA representative or come to a board meeting.
CA’s other watershed projects, visit ColumbiaWatershed.org or contact John McCoy at John.McCoy@ColumbiaAssociation.com.
C A M O N T H LY 3
December
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Be A
Part
Of It!
Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House Exhibit: Baltimore Watercolor Society
Now-Thursday, December 15 Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House. Information: 410-730-3987.
Holiday Food Basket Canned Goods Donation Drive Now-Thursday, December 15 Owen Brown Community Center (donation box in front lobby). Information: 410-381-0202.
The Polar Express Thursday, December 1 • 5:30pm The Other Barn. Tickets are required. Information: 410-730-4610.
50+ Lunch Thursday, December 1 11:30am-1pm Hawthorn Center. Reservations required. Information: 410-730-7327.
4 C A M O N T H LY
The Polar Express
Friday, December 2 5:30 and 7:30pm The Other Barn. Tickets required. Information: 410-730-4610.
27th Annual Breakfast and More with Santa Saturday, December 3 8:30am and 11:30am Slayton House. Information: 410-730-3987, Ext 17.
Free Demo Spanish Class for Children Saturday, December 3 9:30-11am Stonehouse. Information: 410730-8113.
Make and Take Crafts (For All Ages) Sunday, December 4 • 3pm Kahler Hall. Information: 410-730-0770.
Visit CAmonthly.org for event details and a listing of many more events!
Holiday Jazz Extravaganza
Gluten Free Cooking for the Holidays
Sunday, December 4 • 5-8pm The Other Barn. Information: 410-730-4610.
Monday, December 12 6:30-8:30pm Columbia Art Center. Preregistration required. Information: 410-730-0075.
River Hill Board Meeting Monday, December 5 7-9:30pm Claret Hall. Information: 410-531-1749.
Sister Cities High School International Exchange Program Information Session Wednesday, December 7 7-8pm CA Headquarters. Information: 410-715-3162.
Dorsey’s Search Board of Directors’ Meeting Wednesday, December 14 7-9:30pm Linden Hall. Information: 410-730-4005.
Sister Cities High School International Exchange Program Information Session Thursday, December 15 • 7-8pm CA Headquarters. Information: 410-715-3162.
CA Board Meeting Thursday, December 8 • 7:30pm CA Headquarters. For updated dates and times, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Snacks with Santa Saturday, December 10 • 3-5pm Owen Brown Community Center. Preregistration required. Information: 410-381-0202.
50+ Holiday Dinner and Bingo Saturday, December 10 • 6-8pm Owen Brown Community Center. Preregistration required. Information: 410-381-0202.
Breakfast with Santa Saturday, December 10 9am and 9:45am The Other Barn. Tickets required. Information: 410-730-4610.
Lunch with Santa
Breakfast with Santa Saturday, December 17 9:30-11am Columbia Athletic Club and Supreme Sports Club. Preregistration is required. Information: 410-730-6755 or 410-381-7559.
Long Reach Board Meeting Tuesday, December 20 7:30pm Stonehouse. Information: 410-730-8113.
CA Board Meeting Thursday, December 22 7:30pm CA Headquarters. For updated dates and times, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Oakland Nights Music Series: Steve & Laura Lesche
Saturday, December 10 11:30am-1pm Amherst House. Tickets required. Information: 410-381-9600.
Friday, December 23 7:30–9pm Historic Oakland Manor. Information: 410-730-4744.
Annual Cookie Swap
Have a question or comment? E-mail CAmonthly@ColumbiaAssociation.com.
Sunday, December 11 • 3-5pm The Other Barn. Information: 410-730-4610.