Monthl y CA MAR 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
Columbia Association Looking to Complete the
2 Why I Serve: Interview With CA Board Member Andy Stack 3 CA Working on Lake and Pond Management Plan 8 Be a Part of Your Community Events
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he circle could soon be complete — in more ways than one. Lake Kittamaqundi has been one of the gems of Columbia’s downtown from the moment the community was officially founded in 1967. Yet while people can walk along most of the lake, there has never been a pathway going the entire way around it. But now, as several other projects begin that will help bring the dreams of Columbia’s downtown to reality, Columbia Association (CA) is moving toward completing the loop around Kittamaqundi. “This project has been a long time in coming to fruition. There has always been an expectation from many people that there would be a pathway that would complete the loop around Lake Kittamaqundi,” said Dennis Mattey, CA’s director of construction. Presently, there is an undesignated dirt path along part of the eastern side of the lake, a route created by people who have walked through. But that dirt path doesn’t encourage people to walk entirely around the lake, Mattey said. A feasibility study conducted by Hanover-based BayLand Consultants & Designers produced three options for completing a
pathway around Kittamaqundi: one option would loop entirely around the northern end of the lake; another option would include a boardwalk crossing over a northern section of the lake; the third option would have a boardwalk and a landmark bridge over the lake. BayLand recommended the first option, which has the lowest upfront costs, the lowest long-term maintenance costs, and provides the longest route (2 miles) around the lake, Mattey said. Completing that loop would involve paving 1,800 feet of existing trail; creating 670 feet of new trail meandering between trees; 90 feet of boardwalk in a flood-prone area; and 36 feet of bridge across a swale. The estimated cost of design and construction is about $513,000, according to BayLand — which is $131,000 less than option two and $386,000 less than option three. Infrastructure maintenance costs for the project would be an estimated $2,110 a year, contrasted with $4,520 and $6,760 a year for options two and three. CA staff will be making a presentation to Town Center residents on March 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Historic Oakland. Construction on the loop could be completed by mid-2015, Mattey said. C A M O N T H LY 1
Get Involved
Columbia Elections Coming Up Next Month By Aria White Connor
EACH OF THE 10 VILLAGES IN COLUMBIA HAS A VILLAGE COMMUNITY association that regulates the village’s covenants, organizes activities for residents and determines the architectural guidelines for the village neighborhoods. In addition to having a vilage board, each village also elects one Columbia Council representative to serve as a member of the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors. This year, elections will be held on Saturday, April 20. Election times and locations vary. Visit ColumbiaVillages.org for village community center contact information.
An Interview With CA Board Member Andy Stack
Why I Serve
Dorsey’s Search
A
Election Day: April 20, 8am–1pm, at Linden Hall (4765 Dorsey Hall Drive in Ellicott City) Seats available: Three on the village board, one on the Columbia Council
spend time enjoying what their village has to offer, be it
Harper’s Choice
walking and biking to the East Columbia Library, the Owen
Election Day: April 20, 9am–3pm, at Kahler Hall (5440 Old Tucker Row in Columbia) Seats available: Three on the village board
Brown Village Center or around Lake Elkhorn.
Hickory Ridge
What is your role with the CA Board and the Owen Brown Village Board? Stack: I am currently the Owen Brown Columbia Council representative.
Election Day: April 20, 9am–3pm, at the Hawthorn Center (6175 Sunny Spring in Columbia) Seats available: Five on the village board, one on the Columbia Council
By Keithan Samuels
ndy Stack has lived in Columbia for 36 years — 33 in the village of Owen Brown. In that time, Stack has been very involved in the community.
When he’s not serving on the board, Stack and his wife
Long Reach
As such, I am an ex-officio member of the Owen Brown Village Board (which means I don’t have a vote, but I do have all the other duties and responsibilities of a village director), and I am a member of the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors (where I do have a vote). For this year, I am the vicechairman of the CA Board of Directors. I see my role as representing Owen Brown to CA.
Election Day: April 20, 9:30am-12pm, at Stonehouse (8775 Cloudleap Court in Columbia) Seats available: Two on the village board, one on the Columbia Council
What motivates you to serve? Stack: I enjoy living in Columbia and in Owen Brown. I want to help Owen
Kings Contrivance Election Day: April 19, 5–7pm, and April 20, 9am–1pm, at Amherst Hall (7251 Eden Brook Drive in Columbia) Seats available: Three on the village board, one on the Columbia Council
Oakland Mills Election Day: April 20, 8:30am–5pm, at The Other Barn (5851 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia) Seats available: Seven on the village board, one on the Columbia Council
Owen Brown Election Day: April 20, 9am–3pm, at the Owen Brown Community Center (6800 Cradlerock Way in Columbia) Seats available: Three on the village board
River Hill Election Day: April 20, 9am–3pm, at Claret Hall (6020 Daybreak Circle in Clarksville) Seats available: Three on the village board, one on the Columbia Council
Town Center Election Day: April 20, 9am–5pm, at Historic Oakland Manor (5430 Vantage Point Road in Columbia) Seats available: Three on the village board
Wilde Lake Election Day: April 20, 9am–3pm, at Slayton House (10400 Cross Fox Lane in Columbia) Seats available: Five on the village board, one on the Columbia Council 2 C A M O N T H LY
Brown and Columbia succeed. Serving on the village board allows me to find out what is occurring in the village and surrounding area. When problems occur, the village board is able to get information. Being on the village board means I can influence the direction the village is taking, and I can serve our residents. It is also a great way to hear from people and to meet people.
What issues do you feel are important to Owen Brown? Stack: Development of the Snowden River Parkway corridor and the widening of Snowden River Parkway; completion of the dredging of Lake Elkhorn and the implementation of watershed improvements to reduce silt flowing into the lake; improving communications with our residents; ensuring that the village is operated in a fiscally responsible manner; adopting a community plan to help guide redevelopment of the Owen Brown Village Center.
How can residents get involved with the board? Stack: Attend the village board meetings (generally the first and third Tuesdays of each month); read our newsletter and website; [and] tell us your comments/concerns.
Lake and Pond Management Plan CA Working On
By David Greisman
C
olumbia Association (CA) is developing a lake and pond management plan that will bring a more proactive approach to dealing with sediment once it is in Columbia’s lakes and ponds. In future years, the plan also would address other issues such as water quality, vegetation and wildlife. “If you don’t manage the sediment, you reduce the aquatic habitat and the aesthetic value of CA’s lakes and large ponds,” said Dennis Mattey, CA’s director of construction. The plan would include the use of bathymetric surveys that measure the topography at the bottom of the lakes and provide information on how much sediment has accumulated. These surveys would lead to a timeline for regular maintenance of the lakes. The survey data would also help CA staff know when enough sediment has accumulated that it is time to remove it — and before
CA Board Approves Inner Arbor Concept Plan for Symphony Woods By David Greisman
the sediment has built up to the point that it becomes overly expensive to remove. “It’s possible to do intermediate and small dredging operations when the sediment has accumulated at the upper end of a lake or creek,” Mattey said. “That will allow us to push major dredging efforts out a bit, all while maintaining the appearance of the lakes and saving money on dredging.” Dredging was completed in early February at Lake Elkhorn, the last of Columbia’s three man-made lakes to have sediment removed during the past few years. This new lake and pond management plan would allow for sediment to be removed before it can again build up to a similar extent. “This plan may change over time in frequency, in methodology and in focus on new
THE COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION (CA) BOARD OF directors voted Feb. 14 to move forward with the Inner Arbor concept plan for Symphony Woods, a proposal that would potentially turn the park into more of a destination — while still respecting and even incorporating the trees that define it. The proposal passed by an 8-2 vote, and also included establishing a 501(c)(3) notfor-profit entity that would implement the plan. CA will now be able to begin the site development plan part (also known as steps 9 through 16) of the county government approval process for phase one of the park. CA President Phil Nelson said after the meeting that he hopes to start that part of the approval process “as soon as possible.” As for the future phases of the Inner Arbor Plan, CA would begin at step one of the 16-part approval process, which provides numerous opportunities for public input. CA staff will be meeting with county government officials about moving
areas. Right now we’re trying to get a handle on conditions, including what we experience historically, where we are now and where we need to go,” Mattey said. A draft of the lake and pond management plan is expected to be developed before the end of April. The final plan will tie the management of sediment, water quality and vegetation in the lakes to Columbia’s Watershed Management Plan, which is being implemented to improve water quality in the streams feeding the lakes and to reduce the amount of sediment being carried by our streams to the lakes and ponds.
forward with that, according to Nelson. The Inner Arbor concept plan proposes several new amenities for Symphony Woods, incorporating elements intended to turn the 36-acre park into something more than a place that is barely and rarely used — excepting people walking through the park while en route to concerts at Merriweather Post Pavilion, as well as annual events such as Wine in the Woods. New features potentially would include a dinner theater, a children’s theater, a community venue, an iconic sculpture, a treehouse amphitheater, an elevated tree canopy walk, a sculpture garden, a restaurant and cafes, a fountain plaza, meandering paths and CA headquarters. A 1,750-space parking garage would be nearby, outside of the park where Toby’s Dinner Theatre is presently located. For more information, go to ColumbiaAssociation.org/ SymphonyWoodsPark. C A M O N T H LY 3
Personal Training Programs @CA
Columbia Association (CA) has plenty of personal
trainers to help you get in shape and reach your fitness goals faster this year. Read on to learn how a personal trainer can help you become healthier and happier.
D
o you lack motivation or can’t find time to
proper way to exercise and design a workout for
include working out into your daily
your level. If you work out on a regular basis and
routine? Did you promise yourself that
just want to kick your workout up to the next level,
this would be the year that you take better care of
then a personal trainer can help you with that, too!
yourself? Do you want to start a fitness program but
“Personal trainers provide fun, challenging and
aren’t sure where to start? A personal trainer can
effective workout sessions for their clients,” says
help motivate you and get you started on the right
Sam Yurko, CA’s Director of Personal Training. “They
track on your journey to a healthier lifestyle. CA has
will also make it easier for the client to understand
a variety of Personal Training Programs to choose
what is best for them to do when they are not with
from. If you are just getting started and have not
the trainer. Many trainers keep in regular contact
exercised in a while, that’s OK. CA can match you
with their clients to make sure they are keeping on
up with a trainer who can educate you on the
track with the program so they achieve their goals.”
4 C A M O N T H LY
Adding fitness
can be fun There are so many personal training programs, from one-on-one sessions to small group training. CA also has several fitness challenges throughout the year such as The Biggest Winner and Rock Your Jeans. “CA personal training has been a wonderful asset to my health. Having a trainer not only helps me hold myself accountable for making my lifestyle a healthier one, but it also gives me the ability to learn new ways of doing it,” says Biggest Winner participant Felicia Haggerty. Check your current CA Activities Guide or visit ColumbiaFitness.org for a list of personal and group training sessions.
How do I start working with a
personal trainer?
Getting started with your own personal trainer is just a click away. To learn more about CA’s personal training programs, visit ColumbiaFitness.org, click on the “Contact Us” tab at the top of the page and fill out the questionnaire and tell us about your health, fitness goals and objectives. We will match you with a trainer that will meet those goals and objectives. “CA personal trainers are positively changing the lives of those individuals and groups living and working in Columbia every day,” Yurko says. “I love to hear the personal improvement stories that our trainers and their clients communicate to me on a weekly basis.” Let one of our personal trainers create a program at your level of fitness so that you can learn ways to include health and fitness in your life — and so that you can be the healthiest that you have ever been!
CA’s Personal Trainers Will Guide You to a New Level of Fitness Here’s How They Will HelpYou
REACH YOUR GOAL
1 2
3 4
KNOWLEDGE All CA’s Personal Trainers are certified by nationally accredited certifying organizations. CA’s Trainers keep up with the latest in health and fitness through professional training and internal and external continuing education programs. SAFETY Proper form reduces the likelihood of injury. Our trainers are extremely conscientious of your safety and will instruct you on proper form/ technique, and the use of all facility fitness equipment. If necessary, trainers will communicate with your doctor or therapist to follow their recommendations. All trainers are certified in CPR and the use of an Automatic External Defibrillator. TIME EFFICIENCY Save time by having a thorough workout pre-planned by your trainer. Follow structured workouts to meet your fitness goals. MOTIVATIONAL COACHING Like quality coaches, Personal Trainers provide you with great inspiration and instill a desire for personal improvement.
C A M O N T H LY 5
CA Hosts 4th Annual
O H L t iNg C
DriVe
By Erin McPhail
T
he Columbia Association’s (CA) Youth and Teen Center at the Barn (YTC@TheBarn) recently held its 4th annual clothing drive to help those living in Columbia who are in need. We got a chance to speak with Youth and Teen Program Coordinator Safire Windley to get a quick recap of the event. The event was held on Saturday, Jan. 19, and Sunday, Jan. 20.
What kinds of items were you offering to those in need? Windley: Shoes, sneakers, jeans, coats, sweaters, shirts, jackets, pots, pans, purses, book bags, jewelry and books. Although we only requested clothes and accessories, we received all kinds of items. We collected more than 3,000 items! It was great to see most of everything go! How many people were in attendance? Windley: This year we served a total of 528 individuals. We had 33 volunteers register and help through our National Day of Service request. There were also a total of 49 volunteers who helped from the start of the project, which includes all 27 Teen Outreach Committee (TOC) members. How does it feel to know that you were able to give back to the community? Windley: One the greatest feelings in life is to purposefully lessen the burden for someone, through a simple act of kindness. Giving back is like Columbia, or even the world — one big circle; because we dwell in the same circle, and we all benefit. On behalf of the entire TOC, it was truly a time-consuming project that took a lot of perseverance — and I do mean A LOT! Collecting, sorting, labeling, transporting thousands of items to the distribution area, then organizing and setting up for distribution (for both days). Though the work was challenging, the faces of gratitude and overall assurance of folks knowing that their community had their back was invaluable. Actually, it was priceless — so much so that TOC has declared that we will be back for year number five in 2014. Is there anything else you would like to add about the 4th annual Clothing Drive? Windley: I would personally like to give a special thanks to all the 10 Columbia Village Associations, Columbia Art Center, Supreme Sports Club, and Warren’s Barber Shop in Owen Brown for welcoming our collection boxes at their facilities. Kudos to all 10 finalists of the 2012 “Hear My Voice Teen Idol” competition for decorating and delivering collection boxes to the designated drop-off sites. A heartfelt thanks to Eggspectation in Ellicott City for donating fresh coffee, muffins, fruit and lunch for our volunteers. Thank you to Harris Teeter grocery store in Kings Contrivance for donating bags for our “shoppers” to put their donated items in. And of course, we could not have had such a successful event without the driving force, the Columbia community! Much thanks to all who gave; we simply cannot thank you enough! For more information on the Youth and Teen Center at the Barn or CA’s Teen Outreach Committee, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/teens or like us on Facebook at Facebook.com/YTCAtTheBarn.
Columbia Art Center Hosting
Best Foreign Films
Presentation C By Keithan Samuels
alling all movie critics! As part of the Columbia Art Center and Little Patuxent Review’s Salon Series, Howard Community College professor Marie Westhaver and Howard Community College professor and movie critic Mike Giuliano will host “Best Foreign Films,” a presentation that will show clips highlighting some of the greatest foreign films. At the end of the screening there will be a discussion with Westhaver and Giuliano. “Film has such a universal appeal to all ages,” said Liz Henzey, director at the Art Center. “Mike’s and Marie’s presentations really engage the community. You end up walking away feeling very inspired to check out different genres of film.” This marks Westhaver and Giuliano’s second film presentation. Last year, the two professors held a Salon Series presentation on the best films in history, which brought in more than 40 people and was well-received. “Last spring’s movie discussion received such a positive response and had one of our largest Salon Series audiences,” recounted Henzey. “As a result of the positive feedback, we asked both film historians to speak again.” “Best Foreign Films” will take place on Wednesday, March 13, at 7pm at Columbia Art Center. For more information about this event, please contact Columbia Art Center at Art.Staff@ ColumbiaAssociation.org or call 410-730-0075.
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/Scholarships. The deadline to apply is March 15. For more information, call 410-715-3161.
6 C A M O N T H LY
CA Supporting Electric Vehicle Infrastructure in
Bring Your Canine to
DOG DAY Columbia Afternoon Saturday, April 27 E FRENT EVE
By Chick Rhodehamel
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION (CA) RECENTLY FORMALIZED ITS participation in a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) program to support clean electric vehicle fleets in the United States. CA is in the process of installing three electric
11am-2pm Hopewell Park
vehicle charging stations in two of our villages — Harper’s Choice and Owen Brown.
These charging stations will contribute to the development of an infrastructure in
the community that improves the viability of electric vehicle ownership. Several car manufacturers offer electric vehicle models, and these types of vehicles are
Bring your best four-legged friends out for an afternoon of entertainment, contests, treats and fun activities for dogs and their owners. Area pet vendors will be available to supply information on keeping your dogs happy and healthy.
expected to become a growing segment of the automotive market.
Why support electric vehicles in our community? The average gasoline-powered
vehicle emits about one pound of greenhouse gas emissions for every mile driven.
Mobile fuel combustion is a significant share of our overall carbon footprint and associated climate change impacts.
While electric vehicles charged from the grid still have the upstream emissions
associated with electricity generation, those emissions are much lower than if the
vehicle were burning gasoline to operate. If we are better able to leverage clean
electric vehicles in our community, we reduce our contribution to climate change
and increase the sustainability of our transportation infrastructure.
The ultimate goal of electric vehicle charging stations is to augment the service
with solar photovoltaic electricity generation. Under this scenario, a portion of the
For more information call 410-715-3104 or visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events.
electricity that powers the vehicle would be from a renewable source and have no
associated greenhouse gas emissions. CA is taking important steps to help foster
a clean energy economy in our community.
sign upnow for
2013
CAcamps
It’s not too early to start thinking about what your kids are doing this summer. Register now for the 2013 CA Camps Season! Register before April 5 to save $100 off four weeks or $200 off eight weeks of camp. The camp season will be from June 24–August 23. For more information, go to ColumbiaCamps.org or call 410-715-3165 or e-mail Camps@ColumbiaAssociation.org. C A M O N T H LY 7
March Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House: “Arcane Convergence”: Adam Zynger (fractal prints) and Linda Trope (Mixed Media) Now - Sat, Apr 13 Hours vary • Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House CJBlack@ColumbiaVillages.org
Flower Arranging – A Master Gardener Program
Sat, Mar 2 • 10am • Claret Hall 410-531-1749.
Baltimore Watercolor Society Exhibition Thu, Mar 7-Sun, Mar 31 Reception: Sat, Mar 9, 3-5pm • Columbia Art Center • 410-730-0075.
Rainbow Theater Fri, Mar 8 • 10am Slayton House Theater WLEvents@ ColumbiaVillages.org.
Biggest Winner Success Celebration Sat, Mar 9 • 11am-1pm Columbia Athletic Club Biggest.Winner@Columbia Association.org.
Baby Expo
Sat, Mar 9 • 11am-4pm Owen Brown Community Center 410-381-0201.
Duct Tape Purses
Sat, Mar 9 • 10am-12pm • The Hawthorn Center • 410-730-7327.
Indoor Triathlon Challenge
Sun, Mar 10 • 6am Supreme Sports Club 410-381-5355.
Spa Day
Mon, Mar 11 • 10am-3pm Columbia Gym KidSpace 410-531-8984. 8 C A M O N T H LY
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Ingredients for a Successful Vegetable Garden – A Master Gardeners Presentation
Thu, Mar 14 • 7pm • Owen Brown Community Center • 410-381-0201.
Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events to learn about more great events happening in Columbia!
CA Board Meeting
Family Bingo Night
Family Bingo Night
Girls’ Night Out: Decorative One Stroke Daisy Votives
Thu, Mar 14 • 7:30pm • CA Headquarters • For updated dates and times, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org. Fri, Mar 15 • 7:30-9pm • The Hawthorn Center • 410-730-7327.
Fri, Mar 15 • 6-7:30pm Supreme Sports Club • 410-381-7559.
Fri, Mar 15 • 6:30-8:30pm Columbia Art Center • 410-730-0075.
Master Gardeners – Pruning
Wed, Mar 20 • 7pm Stonehouse • 410-730-8113.
Town Center Senior Luncheon
Wed, Mar 20 • 11am-1pm Historic Oakland • 410-730-4744.
Lively Arts for Little Ones Presents: Chris Fascione – Storyteller Fri, Mar 22 • 10am The Other Barn in Oakland Mills 410-730-4610.
Town Center Egg Hunt
Sat, Mar 23 • 10-11am Vantage Point Road Park 410-730-4744.
Spring Ice Skating Show: Come Fly with Mickey
Sat, Mar 23 & Sun, Mar 24 Times vary • Columbia Ice Rink ColumbiaFASC.com.
CA Board Meeting
Thu, Mar 28 • 7:30pm • CA Headquarters • For updated dates and times, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Save the Date: Searching for Spring
Sat, Apr 6 • 10-11:30am Columbia SportsPark • 410-381-0202.
Save The Date: King’s Contrivance Village Flea Market
Sat, Apr 20 • 9am-12pm King’s Contrivance Amherst House 410-381-9600. Have a question or comment? E-mail CAmonthly@ColumbiaAssociation.org.