Columbia Association Newsletter - February 2013

Page 1

Monthl y CA FEB 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

CA Studying Ways to Serve

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/CA_Today YouTube.com/CATVchannel

2 Liz Henzey: Columbia Association in the Spotlight 3 CA’s Watershed Advisory Committee Hosting Forum on Sustainable Stormwater Management 8 Be a Part of Your Community Events

You can learn more at ColumbiaAssociation.org/OlderAdults

Older Adult Community in Columbia

By David Greisman

Columbia Association (CA) is developing a comprehensive plan for serving older adults — a plan that will help decide how best to serve all of the segments of the older adult community into the future. “CA has long worked to provide programs and assisting with interviewing older adults throughout the “CA understands services that are attractive to the older adult county and identifying regional and national best that there are lots community, and we want to take a step back, reassess practices. of segments of the our efforts in this area, and make sure that we do CA will also be examining local, regional and community that it absolutely as much as we can to serve that growing national trends relating to the aging population or that needs to serve segment of our community,” said Rob Goldman, impact older adults; documenting all of the services, CA’s chief operating officer and the chairman of the facilities and programs that serve older adults well, and has long team of CA staff and volunteers working on the throughout the county, as well as the marketing and sought to serve as comprehensive plan. promotion of these. The work team will then part of its mission Demographic and census data show that the older recommend the implementation of new programs and of making adult population is the fastest growing segment of amenities based on analyzing the gaps between this the community. But the focus on older adults won’t research and current programs and services. come at the expense of other age groups, according This will ultimately lead to a draft plan that will to Goldman. recommend and prioritize how to enhance and a great place to live, “CA understands that there are lots of segments of promote CA's programs, facilities and services. That work, play, learn the community that it needs to serve well, and has draft plan will come before the community and the CA and grow.” long sought to serve as part of its mission of making Board of Directors for input and revision before Rob Goldman, Columbia a great place to live, work, play, learn and implementation. CA Chief Operating Officer grow,” he said. “And if the plan identifies something that the CA has brought together a work team that includes CA staff, a county or some other organization can provide, our plan can village community association representative and members of CA's advocate for it,” Goldman said. Senior Advisory Committee. It will also be consulting with local The meetings of the work team are open to the public, and there experts, including community agencies and Dr. Kevin Carlson, a local will be other opportunities for public participation as well, which will physician with a specialty in gerontology. A work group comprised of be announced in the future. For more information, go to members from the Leadership Howard County program will be ColumbiaAssociation.org/OlderAdults.

Columbia

C A M O N T H LY 1


Mix Up Your Workout With Splash this r Winte

Splash Down Just because it’s winter, doesn’t mean swim season is over!

Come on over to SplashDown

and enjoy fun, events and more.

COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION (CA) IS OFFERING NEW

e I d X Martial S r At

M

a Make

By Aria White Connor

mixed martial arts classes at Supreme Sports Club. These classes combine various martial arts styles into one workout to help participants get into excellent shape. Classes are now being offered in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

(6:30-7:30pm)

and

Muay

Thai

kickboxing (7:45-8:45pm) on Mondays and Wednesdays at the Supreme Sports Club Youth Arena. The classes are available to all fitness levels for anyone ages 14 and up. No prior experience in mixed martial arts is required. Prices for unlimited mixed martial arts classes are $125 a month for CA members and $150 a month for non-members. An introductory price of $99 is being offered for first-time registrants. Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/login or call 410-381-5355 to sign up.

A C t h g i l Spot

By David Greisman LIFE BEGINS AS A BLANK CANVAS, IN ESSENCE,

in the

h w wit e i v r te An Iniz Henzey L

with dashes and dabs over the years and decades coming together to form a complete picture. Liz Henzey’s canvas wasn’t blank when she arrived in Columbia — and at Columbia Association — in the early 1990s. But her years spent working at Columbia Art Center have brought more color and companionship to her life. Henzey, 51, is now the Art Center’s director.

“I’ve always loved the arts, and I thought being part of

Snack and Slide SplashDown – Have tasty ice cream, soda, chips and water slides! Monday, February 18, from 2-4pm Cost: $5 Package Plan Plus Members; $12 Package Plan or Club Members; $15 Columbia Card Holders; $17 Non-Members

SplashDown Teen Nights –

Unlimited SplashDown rides and music!

a community center would be ideal,” Henzey said recently while standing in the center, which is located in the Long Reach Village Center. “I have seen this place grow and evolve. I think being a part of the arts is really rewarding. I love the idea of people coming to take classes and showcasing different artists in the community.” “It’s so important for each of us to explore our creativity and to have access to honing those skills, whether you’re going through a life change or have always wanted to paint and never did, or you did do painting in school and want to revisit it,” she said. “I think it’s so important to have a place where you can go and be among people doing the same thing. And it’s very important in this date

Friday, February 22, from 7-9pm Cost: $4 with valid Howard County school ID For students in grades 6-9

and time — it’s a very fast-paced world we live in — that people are

Learn more at ColumbiaPools.org

team member. For the full text of this interview, as well as a

able to stop, breathe and enjoy exploring their creativity.” Every month, “CA in the Spotlight” highlights a different video, go to bit.ly/lizhenzey. And for more stories, check out CA’s blog at ColumbiaAssociation.org/CAtoday.

2 C A M O N T H LY

Liz Henzey

Columbia Art Center Director


CA’s Watershed Advisory Committee Hosting Forum on

Sustainable Stormwater Management By Keithan Samuels

Local residents play a key role in keeping Columbia’s creeks, lakes and ponds – as well as the region’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay–protected from the damage of rainwater runoff. That’s why residents are invited to “Sustainable Stormwater Management,” a forum hosted as part of Columbia Association’s (CA) Community Building Speakers Series, co-hosted by CA’s Watershed Advisory Committee (WAC). The forum will be held on Thursday, Feb. 21, from 7-9pm at Slayton House in the Wilde Lake Village Center. A meet and greet will be held prior to the event, from 6:30-7pm. The forum will focus on how residents, CA and the local government can work effectively to slow the flow of damaging rainwater runoff, and will provide information about the stormwater utility fee that the county government will be enacting. This event will be a great way for local residents to learn how rainwater runoff can affect them both environmentally and financially. “The development of our county has decreased the landscape’s ability to store and infiltrate rainwater into the ground,” said John McCoy, CA watershed manager. “This has created more runoff during storms, which has created a number of issues of concern, including increased flooding; the destruction of our streams and what lives in and around them; and the movement of sediment into our lakes and ponds, and subsequently our rivers and then the Chesapeake Bay. “The impact is not just to the environment, but also to the economy,” McCoy said. “It costs money to repair infrastructure damaged by eroding streams, to dredge sediment out of our lakes and ponds, and to stabilize

stream banks that threaten homes.” Forum presenters will include McCoy; Jim Caldwell, Howard County stormwater manager; Ned Tillman, an award-winning author on Chesapeake Bay restoration; and Donald Tsusaki, program manager for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. CA has already taken measures to reduce the volume of stormwater that runs off every surface in Columbia during rain, ice and snow storms with its “Slow the Flow” campaign. To date, CA and community volunteers planted more than five acres of rain gardens – which are designed to collect stormwater and bring it into the ground before it drains into creeks, lakes and ponds – in the villages of Oakland Mills and Long Reach. Want to be a part of CA’s Slow the Flow campaign? Thanks to a grant from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, CA has implemented a Rain Garden Cost Share Program that provides a cost-effective way to help residents of Owen Brown and Long Reach villages plant their own rain gardens. Learn more about the program at bit.ly/raingardencost. For more information about the Sustainable Stormwater Management Forum or CA’s Slow the Flow campaign, contact John McCoy at John.McCoy@ColumbiaAssociation.org. Registration for the Speaker’s Forum is encouraged, but not required. Registration is available online at watershed-speakers-forum.eventbrite.com

CA’S COMMUNITY BUILDING SPEAK ER SER IES PRESENTS

Sustainable Stormwater Management

Attention DIY Brides:

Work on Crafts for Your Wedding at Columbia Art Center! By Aria White Connor PLANNING A WEDDING CAN BE EXPENSIVE AND stressful, but with Do-It-Yourself crafts at Columbia Art Center you can have fun and create decorative items for your big day. Columbia Art Center will be hosting two Do-It-Yourself Bridal Workshops in February and March. This month, try making fun favors in the Decorative Etching on Glass workshop. Learn how to use etching cream, a brush and stencils to turn regular glass into creative, one-of-a-kind creations. This class is being held on Sunday, Feb. 10, from 1-3pm at Columbia Art Center. Price is $30 for CA residents and $40 for non-residents. Cost includes supplies and two wine glasses to decorate and take home. In March, Columbia Art Center will be hosting the Silver Tube & Teardrop Bracelet Workshop. Participants can learn how to use crimping beads, silver tubes and teardrop beads to create beautiful necklaces. The class is being held on Sunday, March 10, from 1-3pm at Columbia Art Center. Cost is $30 for residents/$40 for non-residents. Price includes supplies. For more information about these workshops, or to register, please call 410-730-0075 or visit ColumbiaArtCenter.org.

Enjoy a presentation on how to effectively slow the rainwater runoff and get information about the imminent stormwater utility fee on

Thursday, February 21 • 7-9pm

Slayton House • Village of Wilde Lake 10400 Cross Fox Lane • Columbia, 21044

Light refreshments will be served from 6:30-7pm.

Call 410-312-6336 for more information or 410-730-3987 for directions.

C A M O N T H LY 3


fall in For Fitness Enthusiasts Fitness Facilities

The couple that sweats together, stays together (and looks good together)! Work up a good

group fitness class together (studio cycling,

enjoy a Snack and Slide event for ice cream, soda

BodyPumpÂŽ, etc.), or see who can outrun who

and swimming. Or come by for one of the Dive

side-by-side on the treadmill. For hours of

In Movies and float around in an inner tube

operation, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org.

while watching a movie together. Learn more at

sweat at any of CA’s three fitness facilities with

SplashDown at Columbia Swim Center

your valentine. You can try special personal

Get wet and wild together at SplashDown. You

training sessions just for the two of you, attend a

and your honey bunny can splash around and

44 CCAA MMOONNTTHHLY LY

ColumbiaPools.org.

For Kids-At-Heart

Columbia SportsPark/SkatePark Spark up your romance with miniature golf,


WithValentine’s Day coming up, love is in the air! Here are some of the best ways to have fun and stay fit with your sweetie around CA this month and all year round.

at Co lumbia As sociation batting cages and skating! The SportsPark and

the Skate Arena to rekindle those memories! Visit

SkatePark are open on weekends through the

ColumbiaSkateArena.org for more information.

winter, and starting in April they’re open every day. Visit ColumbiaSportsPark.org for more info.

Columbia Ice Rink Winter is the perfect time to go ice skating. Chill

For Creative Types Columbia Art Center

Explore your creativity together with an art class at Columbia Art Center. Make each other a painting, a piece of pottery with a wheel throwing class, or

Skate Arena at Supreme Sports Club

sweetheart and then warm up with hot chocolate

just walk around the gallery and pretend to be art

Remember roller skating and rollerblading back

afterwards at Columbia Ice Rink. Visit

critics! Go to ColumbiaArtCenter.org for more

in the day with your friends? Have a date night at

ColumbiaIceRink.org to learn more.

information.

out while skating hand-in-hand with your

CCAA M MOONNTTHHLY LY 55


Where the

SNOWgoes Spiritof Columbia Scholarship Deadline Coming Up

CA is currently accepting applications for the 2013 Spirit of Columbia Scholarship. Applicants must be students who live on CA-assessed property or have a parent that works on CA assessed property, have a minimum of a C grade average, and have demonstrated a history of voluntary service to the Columbia community. Applications can be found at ColumbiaAssociation.org/Scholarship. The deadline to apply is March 15. For more information, call 410-715-3161.

Tell Us What You Think! Cut out this box with your comments & mail it to:

Columbia Association Attn: Communications 10221 Wincopin Circle Columbia, MD 21044 1 Do you subscribe to the Columbia Flier? 2 Do you read the CA Monthly every month? 3 Do you prefer reading the CA Monthly online (at CAMonthly.org) or in print? 4 Is there anything you’d like to see more of in the CA Monthly newsletter?

6 C A M O N T H LY

By Aria White Connor lthough we haven’t seen any significant snow yet this winter, we all know there’s plenty of time left for the next Snowmaggedon to sneak up on us. As a reminder, Columbia Association (CA) and the Howard County government are in charge of snow removal around Columbia. CA handles snow around the open space areas that are owned by CA, and the Howard County government removes snow on highways and public streets.

A

OPEN SPACE CA’s Open Space Management Division removes snow that accumulates on the pathways; footbridges; overpasses and underpasses; and the areas around CA-owned lakes and tot lots around the community. CA also handles snow removal around the buildings and property managed by the village community associations in Columbia. ROADWAYS AND PUBLIC STREETS As far as the public streets and highways in the

county go, the Howard County Department of Public Works handles snow removal. If you live on a private road, you are responsible for clearing your own streets and sidewalks. To find out if you live on a private road, contact the Howard County Real Estate Division at 410-313-2330. You can also learn more about Howard County snow removal and how to track snow plow progress at co.ho.md.us.

SCHOOLS CA works to clear pathways that lead to elementary and middle schools following a snow storm on school days. Each year the Howard County Department of Public Works partners with CA, the Howard County Public School System and the Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks to make sure bus stops around the county are clear of snow after a storm. So if the snow does come this winter, rest assured that CA and the county are working together to keep the roads and pathways as clear and safe as possible.

Becoming an Energy Star By Jeremy Scharfenberg

residents and businesses achieve energy

Columbia Association (CA) recently became

efficiency. Locally, the Baltimore Gas and

a formal U.S. Environmental Protection

Electric Company (BGE) offers financial

Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® Partner by

incentives and other services through their

agreeing to actively monitor our energy

Smart Energy Savers Program® to help all

consumption, develop and implement an

residents and businesses become more

energy management program and

energy efficient and save money.

work towards reducing the energy

For residents, the BGE Quick

building

Home Energy Check-up is a free

portfolio. Such progressive energy

consumption

and simple step to improve energy

management

of

our

efforts

will

help

efficiency and reduce your BGE

reduce CA’s operating costs and environ-

bill. Opportunities for businesses range

mental footprint as we strive for a more

from

sustainable Columbia.

detailed

There are several ways for all Columbia residents and businesses to also become

incentivized

lighting

engineering

retrofits

analysis

to for

retrocommissioning. For information on how to save money

energy stars. The EPA ENERGY STAR

and

Program provides substantial, tried and

programs please visit EnergyStar.gov or

true best practices and resources to help

BGESmartEnergy.com.

energy

by

participating

in

these


CA Releases Demographic Report on

Columbia By David Greisman

Words

Hi h School Exch nge Who: 35-50 Columbia/Howard County

high school students in Level III+ of Spanish or French participate in Columbia Association’s (CA) Sister Cities High School Exchange program with Columbia’s Sister Cities in France and Spain.

Where: Cergy-Pontoise, France, (near Paris) and Tres Cantos, Spain (near Madrid)

What: The teens live with a Spanish

or French family for two weeks, experiencing a new culture. A few days after they return, the same Spanish or French teen they lived with comes to stay here, and the American teens introduce them to their life and friends here.

are not the only things that tell a story — numbers can, too. And the figures contained in “Characteristics of Columbia, Maryland: a demographic and socio-economic profile” tell numerous stories. Columbia Association (CA) recently published the 178-page report, which is based on analysis data from the Census Bureau’s 2010 Census and the latest estimates from its American Community Survey. It answers questions such as: What percentage of Columbia residents have college degrees? Which village has the highest rate of households that own their homes, free and clear? What village has the largest average household size? And what percentage of Columbia households include children? But most importantly, it provides a basis for understanding the demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of Columbia and its villages. “This information can be utilized to tailor programs and facilities to meet the needs of the Columbia community,” said Jane Dembner, CA’s director of community building and sustainability. “The village associations also will be able to utilize this information when developing their village community center plans, understanding better how the makeup of their village compares to others.” The report is presented in three sections: Columbia as a whole, village profiles, and village comparisons. It shows where Columbia and the villages are now, though it does not analyze trends looking backward or forward. In line with CA’s sustainability initiatives, the report is being published in electronic format and can be found online at bit.ly/columbiacharacteristics. A limited number of CD copies of the report also are available. CA staff are available to make a presentation of highlights from the report’s findings. For more information, please contact Jane Dembner at Jane.Dembner@ColumbiaAssociation.org or call 410-715-3107. The report was developed with the assistance of the Research Division of the Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning, and the Demographic and Socioeconomic Projections Division at the Maryland Department of Planning.

SISTERCITIES

Cost: The program fee is $650 for 2013 for Columbia Residents on CA-assessed property and $790 for Howard County residents. Estimated airfare is $1,100-1,500. Follow @CA_Specials on Twitter to learn about the latest and greatest Columbia Association specials and discounts!

How to get more info:

Applications are available at ColumbiaAssociation.org/TeenExchange or call 410-715-3162. Deadline if Friday, February 22!

Visit Twitter.com/CA_Specials for more information. C A M O N T H LY 7


February

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Bernice Kish Gallery January/February Exhibit: Joan Raciti (Fiber Art) “The Handpainted Quilt Aesthetic” and Dorothy David and Kathy Glyshaw (photography) Now - Sat, Feb 23 Hours vary • Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House cjblack@columbiavillages.org.

Travel the World in Transparent Media: April Rimpo Paintings and Glass and See, Feel, Paint: Yolanda Koh Paintings

School’s Out Lunch with Daisy the Clown

Fri, Feb 15 • 12-1:30pm • The Hawthorn Center • 410-730-7327.

Girls’ Night Out! Wire-Wrapped Bracelets

Fri, Feb 15 • 6:30-8:30pm Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075.

Out of the Bins Artwork Sale

Sat, Feb 16 • 12-4pm Slayton House WLEvents@ColumbiaVillages.org.

Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events to learn about more great events happening in Columbia!

Lively Arts for Little Ones Presents: “Cantare”

Fri, Feb 22 • 10am The Other Barn 410-730-4610.

CA Sister Cities High School International Exchange Application Deadline

Fri, Feb 22 ColumbiaAssociation.org/ TeenExchange or 410-715-3162.

SplashDown Teen Night (For Grades 6-8)

Fri, Feb 22 • 7-9pm • SplashDown ColumbiaPools.org.

Beginning Wire Wrapping

Sat, Feb 23 • 12:30-2:30pm Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075.

CA Board Meeting

Thu, Feb 28 • 7:30pm • CA Headquarters • For updated dates and times, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org.

Thu, Feb 7-Sun, Mar 3 • Hours vary Reception: Sat, Feb 9, 3-5pm Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075.

Starlicious Talent Show Fri, Feb 8 • 6-9:30pm • Columbia Gym KidSpace • 410-531-8984.

Valentine Cake Toppers with Susan Kieffer Sat, Feb 9 • 1:30-3:30pm Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075.

Decorative Etching on Glass with Donna Weeks

Sun, Feb 10 • 1-3pm • Columbia Art Center • 410-730-0075.

Camp Oasis Registration Begins

Mon, Feb 11 • Phelps Luck Neighborhood Center 410-730-8113.

Love Poems: Open Mic Night Tue, Feb 12 • 7pm Columbia Art Center 410-730-0075.

CA Board Meeting

Thu, Feb 14 • 7:30pm • CA Headquarters • For updated dates and times, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org. 8 C A M O N T H LY

Snack and Slide at SplashDown

Mon, Feb 18 • 2-4pm SplashDown ColumbiaPools.org.

CA’s Community Building Speaker Series Presents: Sustainable Stormwater Management Thu, Feb 21 • 7-9pm Slayton House 410-312-6336.

Save the Date: Master Gardeners Program – Flower Arranging

Sat, Mar 2 • 10-11am • Claret Hall 410-531-1749.

Save the Date: Baby Expo

Sat, Mar 9 • 11am-4pm Owen Brown Community Center 410-381-0202. Have a question or comment? E-mail CAmonthly@Columbia Association.org.


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