Monthl y CA NOV 2012
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 in the Spotlight: An Interview with Aquatics Team Member Ken Zachmann 3 Learn Martial Arts with CA 8 Be a Part of Your Community Events
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Columbia Began
50 Years Ago This Month
B
By David Greisman
efore there were 10 villages with more than 30 neighborhoods for nearly
100,000 people, and before there were pathways and pools and gyms and
camps, there were the first four plots of land making up a total of 1,039 acres.
This is where the planned community of Columbia began, with
what was primarily farmland owned by R.G. Harper Carroll, William Kahler, James R. Moxley and Esther Wix. In early November 1962 — 50 years ago this month — those properties were acquired for just $655,000 by a company calling itself Howard Estates. Yet that was but a shell company of Community Research and
It’s easier than ever to find us.
Development, which itself was a subsidiary of The Rouse Company. And
ColumbiaAssociation.org/CAToday
those 1,039 acres, all located west of Cedar Lane in what is now part
Facebook.com/CA.ColumbiaAssociation Issuu.com/CA-ColumbiaAssociation
Photo from Columbia Archives
get the latest
Learn more about Columbia history at ColumbiaArchives.org.
of Harper’s Choice and Clary’s Forest, would be just the beginning. By October of 1963, a total of five shell companies had purchased a patchwork of 13,719 acres of land, done in this surreptitious
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manner so as to avoid price inflation. At the end of that month, The
The Security Realty sign from the first land purchase for Columbia, made in 1962.
YouTube.com/CATVchannel
Rouse Company announced that it was behind the mass land
in nine months under relative secrecy so that they kept the prices to
acquisition, and that it intended to use it to build a city.
a point where it was economically feasible.” Rouse had lived at the time in the Baltimore neighborhood of (continued on page 2)
“Being able to buy that much land is significant,” said Barbara Kellner, director of the Columbia Archives. “They were able to do it
C A M O N T H LY 1
Where
Columbia Began 50 Years Ago This Month
(continued from page 1) Roland Park, giving him insight to problems both urban and suburban, according to Kellner. In cities, he saw overcrowding, crime, slums and less than ideal living conditions. In suburbs, meanwhile, there were the issues of isolation and too much travel time between where people lived and what they wanted to do. As far back as the 1950s, Rouse had been speaking about cities and had been thinking about creating a different kind of community within a growing, metropolitan area. Later, a Community Research and Development board member saw the sign off Cedar Lane advertising the 1,039 acres of land for sale in this otherwise quiet section of Howard County. “Howard County fit that model of being in a growth area,” Kellner said. “The county had published the 1960 general plan, which called for great housing and industrial growth in this area, just because of this location.” The broker for that deal, Robert Moxley, had convinced his family and three other nearby landowners to sell their properties as one parcel. It was difficult for the people on these smaller farms to make a living, even back then, Kellner said. The buyers “were offering very decent prices, and most of the owners took that as an opportunity to take
James Rouse and his namesake company were able to build their planned community in his figurative backyard. By 1964, The Rouse Company had released its plan for the city, with preliminary drawings. In 1965, it went before the county government for the zoning process and passed without much discussion. Howard County in 1965 still had some segregated schools, a decade past the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, according to Kellner. A reporter asked Rouse whether Columbia was going to be a racially open city. “Rouse responded ‘Yes,’ that he couldn’t imagine building a city and not having it be open to everyone,” Kellner said. Columbia was founded two years later in 1967, and has grown in the 45 years since to become the second most populous community in Maryland. And it all started 50 years ago this month with those 1,039 acres.
A C t h g i l Spot in the
ith iew w ber v r e t An In Team Mem nn tics Aqua n Zachma e K
COLUMBIA WAS BUT A FLEDGLING COMMUNITY more than four decades ago, and Ken Zachmann was still a teenager when he began working in it. Columbia turned 45 this year, and Zachmann has been with Columbia Association (CA) for 43 of those years — longer than anyone else.
COLUMBIA ARCHIVES will be opening
In 1969, Zachmann got a job as an assistant manager at Running Brook Pool, one of a few new
an exhibit at the beginning of
pools to open that year. Several positions and
December on the 50th anniversary
all 12 pools on the east side of Columbia.
of the first land purchase, and it will be hosting an open house on
several decades later, he is now the supervisor for Zachmann was 19, approaching 20, back when he was hired. Now 63, he has worked at CA longer than any other employee. His job remains special
Dec. 11. Columbia Archives is
to this day, he says.
located at 10227 Wincopin Circle
around and people come up to me and talk to me
in Downtown Columbia.
the money and go elsewhere,” she said.
“I come here as a supervisor, but when I walk about how well my staff’s doing, or a certain program, or I see a child just learning to swim and they’re just so happy — and it’s unbelievable how excited they are — and to be able to say to them, ‘Wow, that is really great,’ and they just beam,” Zachmann said.
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“That dynamic would bring anyone back every single year,” he said. “That’s the best part of the job, without a doubt.” John Herdson, CA’s aquatics director, first met Zachmann 28 years ago when Herdson’s kids took swimming lessons with him. They have worked together for 24 years, and Herdson has been Zachmann’s supervisor for 14. “He has a teaching role with all of our staff,” Herdson said. “Most of them are in their first year of employment, and Ken can give them a working knowledge and an understanding of what to do and how to do it.” Every month, CA in the Spotlight highlights a different team member. For the full text of this interview, as well as a video, please go to bit.ly/zachmann. And for more stories, check out CA’s blog at ColumbiaAssociation.org/CAtoday.
2 C A M O N T H LY
CA Receives Grant for Watershed Improvement By Melissa Sinclair
COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION (CA) WILL RECEIVE $25,000 a year for three years as part of a larger grant awarded to The University of Maryland, Columbia Association and the Anacostia River Society. The larger grant, for $691,674, was awarded through EPA’s Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program for the Sustainable Community Oriented Stormwater Management (S-COSM) project. This project is part of the larger program, Sustainable Chesapeake: A Community-Based Approach to Stormwater Management Using Green Infrastructure.
In a nutshell, the project is designed to increase the adoption of residential stormwater practices such as rain gardens. Some of the grant money will go to social marketing and education programs to reach people and inform the public of the importance of storm water management. The grant will also help fund a decision support system for watershed stewards and other practitioners to help prescribe where management systems should be in the Wilde Lake watershed. A community Watershed Advisory Committee was established years ago to help guide CA in this process.
Learn Martial Arts with CA Have you ever wanted to get your child into martial arts
together, or start from scratch as a beginner.
By Erin McPhail
and focus in school, help build confidence and self esteem,
classes, but they just weren't old enough? Well, here at
CA Director of Martial Arts John Bannon has more
and teach respect and discipline. CA offers several different
Columbia Association (CA), you can enroll your child as
than 25 years of martial arts experience, and has been
types of martial arts programs such as Chinese Kung Fu,
young as 2 years old to learn the basics of martial arts. Most
teaching for 22 years. CA’s martial arts programs are held at
Judo, Aikido and Tae Kwon Do. Unlike most karate schools,
karate schools do not take children until they are 6 to 7 years
Columbia Gym and Columbia Athletic Club and have been a
there is no long term commitment required with CA’s martial
old, but CA opens its classes to young children. CA offers
success with both youth and adult programs. Studying martial
arts programs, and participants can try out a class for free. For
martial arts programming for the entire family. You can sign
arts can give one strength, grace, physical fitness and mental
a full description on CA’s martial arts programing, call John
up your Tiny or Little Dragon, take parent-child classes
tranquility. For kids, martial arts can improve concentration
Bannon at 410-531-8927 or visit ColumbiaMartialArts.org.
Filling Needs with By Mark Scott
F
“Empty Bowls”
or more than 30 years, FISH of Howard County Inc. has provided food, financial assistance,
referral information and more to county residents with legitimate emergency needs. On Oct. 6,
Columbia Art Center partnered with FISH to host “Empty Bowls” — a fundraiser aimed at
helping county families fight hunger. This year’s event is a response to the more than 2,250 requests FISH received over the last 12
months. The agency provided 29,000 nutritionally balanced meals; more than $40,000 in assistance for evictions, utility turnoffs or other crisis needs; and nearly $39,000 for prescription assistance. More than 300 handmade bowls were made by Columbia Art Center students and faculty and were given away to those who paid $20 to attend the fundraiser. At the event, donors enjoyed live music, a studio demonstration, silent art auction, light fare and could take home a bowl of their choosing. At last count, Empty Bowls raised $4,400. You may contact FISH at 410-964-8660 if you missed the event but are still interested in helping out.
C A M O N T H LY 3
Explore Columbia’s History Columbia was founded 45 years ago. Read on to learn about the organizations, facts and artifacts that have helped make this community great. Compiled by Aria White
What’s in a Name?
The objective in choosing the name of Columbia was to “seek out a useful name with a historical connotation that would be part of the tradition of Howard County.” More than 30 U.S. cities or towns are named Columbia. The development team selected Columbia from a list that also included Meridian and Wellspring as potential choices. Most street names in Columbia are derived from the works of poets, authors and artists. In the beginning, the theme seemed perfect — the best art and literature reflected in the city being built to be the best in the country. 44 CCAA MMOONNTTHHLY LY
Public Art in Columbia
There are many pieces of public art on display in Columbia, and while many residents know they are pretty to look at, you might not know the history behind them. The Hug, a sculpture by Jimilu Mason, was a gift to the people of Columbia from The Rouse Company and the Enterprise Development Company in honor of Mort Hoppenfeld in 1987. Hoppenfeld was an architect and urban planner who was the chief planner, vice president, and director of planning and design for The Rouse Company. He was responsible for overseeing the entire planning and development of James W. Rouse’s vision of Columbia. He designed the Columbia Town Center Lakefront, adapted from the Trivoli Gardens in Rome, Italy. At right: The Hug sculpture, located by the Downtown Columbia Lakefront, beside the American City Building
5
5
Organizations that Shaped Columbia
1
Howard County Arts Council Formerly Columbia Arts Council • Originally formed in 1969
A nonprofit organization, organized to produce, promote, encourage, sponsor and provide financial support for cultural activities in Howard County • Serves as a force for unifying the community through the arts and other cultural activities and strengthening the county’s cultural resources • Provides grants to local artists so they can practice and improve their skills •
Howard County Chamber of Commerce • Founded in 1969 Serves the following purposes: • To speak on behalf of the business community of the Columbia/Howard County area in matters that relate to the county and state authorities • To provide a meeting place where the business people of the area can bring their suggestions to improve the climate in which they operate • To develop sources of information of value to the members and devise methods to advance their interests • To promote the area as a desirable place to live and work • To promote greater awareness in the nation and abroad of the role the area plays as a model for the future
2
•
3
Roles Study Committee • Established in 1971 by Columbia Association (CA) and the Columbia village associations to respond to residents’ concerns about their participation in decision making in Columbia • The committee had three goals: identify goals for resident participation, analyze the effectiveness of
current organizational relationships and develop a plan of action to achieve optimum citizen participation • To achieve the goals, the committee conducted interviews, opinion surveys, held neighborhood meetings and published a report on their findings
4
Women’s Center of Howard County Opened in 1969 and closed in 1981 • The goal of the center was to “reach, encourage and provide tools for all women in the community to experience themselves as complete human beings with the potential to influence their own lives and the community in which they live and work” • The center hosted workshops for women, offered childcare services and published a newsletter providing information on sexuality, assertiveness, separation and divorce, nutrition, career choices and more •
Grassroots • Founded in 1970 as a hotline to provide counseling to Howard County’s youth • In 1989 Grassroots started operating as a 20-bed facility as an emergency shelter for individuals and families • The organization also operated a 12-bed transitional housing program to help people get financial stability through employment while staying in a supported group-living situation • Information on current services offered by Grassroots can be found on their website at GrassrootsCrisis.org
5
The temporary art installation named Prairie Ship Columbia was placed in Town Center by the Columbia Forum in 1989
What’s Next for Columbia?
Columbia just celebrated its 45th birthday, and the big 5-0 is right around the corner. In order to plan for the future, it’s important to look at the past and the goals that were set. Many of the goals looked at years ago are still relevant to Columbia’s development today. • The Columbia Forum presented “An Agenda for Columbia” to the community on Columbia’s 25th birthday in 1992 • The agenda included goals for Columbia’s next 25 years for arts, communications, cultural and religious diversity, downtown, economic development, education, environment, governance, health, housing, sense of community, transportation and the role of the Columbia Forum •
Some of the specific goals included: Downtown to create in downtown Columbia a vibrant, exciting urban center that welcomes people • Governance to encourage citizens to participate in governance • Housing to assure that affordable housing is available for all Howard County citizens • Transportation to develop public transportation which allows all citizens to move easily within our city and throughout the region •
Learn about Columbia with Columbia Archives Grassroots has provided shelter and support for the homeless in the community since 1970
Columbia Archives provides the community with a wealth of information on the history of Columbia. Columbia Archives is located at 10227 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, MD 21044 and is open Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm. Appointments are not necessary but are strongly encouraged. Contact Columbia Archives at 410-715-3103 or Columbia.Archives@ColumbiaAssociation.org. CCAA M MOONNTTHHLY LY 55
Deposit and Withdraw at the
spa days Nourish Your Body and Rejuvenate Your Skin
@ Columbia Gym!
November 12 & December 17
Pamper yourself with services from the Still Point Spa
While you are relaxing, your kids can enjoy two hours of KidSpace activities, including games, arts and crafts, music and more. Pre-registration is required. Call 410-531-8984 to register.
6 C A M O N T H LY
Time Bank By Mark Scott
MANY OF US HAVE TIGHT FUNDS AND TIGHT schedules. Great news! Columbia’s Community Exchange Time Bank provides a way for us to make helpful connections and meet basic needs. How valuable would the exchange of everyday services be to you? Columbia Association (CA) has teamed up with Howard County’s time banking program to provide Columbia residents with a good, old-fashioned bartering program that goes like this: Spend an hour doing something for another time bank member and earn a Time Dollar. Then use your Time Dollar to buy an hour from another member who can provide a service you might need such as house
sitting, dog walking, tutoring or minor repairs — trades of all types. Becoming a time bank member is free. Simply attend an orientation session and share your interests, skills and offers. (Please note that this
is not an agency and cannot mandate members to provide services.) Orientations are held the third Monday of every month and by appointment. Please contact the office at 410-884-6121 or CommunityExchange@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Teens, Parents Invited to Learn More About CA’s
2013 Sister Cities Exchange Program P
arents and teens interested in learning about the
family of a French or Spanish student. After returning to the
annual summer Sister Cities High School Exchange
United States, students will then host their French/Spanish
program are invited to attend one of four informational
counterparts for another two weeks. Throughout the trip,
sessions hosted by Columbia Association (CA).
there are organized group activities for the participants,
The sessions will take place at CA Headquarters, located
both abroad and in the U.S.
at 10221 Wincopin Circle in downtown Columbia, on
The program fee is $650 for Columbia residents and
Wednesday, Nov. 7; Thursday, Dec. 6; and Wednesday, Jan. 9.
$790 for non-Columbia residents, excluding airline tickets.
All are scheduled to be held from 7-8pm. Each session will
Airline tickets may range from $1,100 to $1,500 per
include teen and parent alumni of the program, as well as
participant. Applicants must be high school students
Laura Smit, program manager for CA’s international
residing in Howard County and must have completed high
exchange and multicultural programs, all of whom will speak
school level three of French or Spanish by the end of the
and answer questions about the month-long program.
current academic year or have the equivalent language
Teen participants spend approximately two weeks of
fluency. The application deadline is Feb. 22.
cultural and linguistic immersion during the summer in one
For an application or more information, please visit
of Columbia’s sister cities: Cergy-Pontoise, France, or Tres
ColumbiaAssociation.org/TeenExchange, or contact Laura Smit
Cantos, Spain. During this time, they are hosted by the
at 410-715-3162 or International@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Rock Your Jeans Journey Update By Melissa Sinclair
The Rock Your Jeans Expo was a rocking success. The classes were fun, energy driven and powerful. Something special was happening in the Supreme Sports Club Arena that day. You could feel it. The highlight of the day was, without a doubt, the very inspirational fashion show presented by Columbia Association (CA) and Macy’s. The models were members of CA who had transformed their lives and bodies through working out in CA classes and with personal trainers. They had dropped, on average, two dress/pant sizes, and it was so great that they got to celebrate the hardearned accomplishments with a fashion show. After seeing such inspirational models, how could anyone not hope for similar success with the new fitness challenge? The Rock Your Jeans journey began on Oct. 15 and will continue through Dec. 15. Participants are working hard to drop two jeans sizes so they can rock into the New Year with a rocking body! Follow my progress online at ColumbiaAssociation.com/CAToday.
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“Like” CA’s new Group Fitness Facebook page at Facebook.com/CA.GroupFitness to stay informed about group fitness classes at the CA fitness facilities.
Personal Training at CA By Erin McPhail
C
olumbia Association (CA) has recently unveiled its brand new, state-ofthe-art personal training studio for CA members and Columbia Card holders to use with their personal trainers at Columbia Gym. People now have an option to work out with their trainer in a private studio instead of in the general fitness areas. Personal training participants from any of CA’s three fitness facilities can utilize this studio, which is now home to the stateof-the-art Synrgy360 unit created by Life Fitness. Currently CA is the only fitness facility in Maryland that has this equipment. Personal trainers offer services such as TRX , kettle bells, free weights, center core and biometric trainings that can all be done in the new studio. A personal training client won't find a lot of machines in the studio, but what one will find is everything they need to get leaner, stronger, balanced and more flexible. By utilizing the services a CA personal trainer has to offer, participants won't have to work harder because they will be training smarter. Dena Taylor, assistant director for personal training at CA, states: “Trainers can help straighten your posture, eliminate aches and pains, help you sleep better and approach everything you do with more vigor and a better attitude. We prehabilitate your body to lessen the risk to have to rehabilitate your body!” For more information on personal training, please visit ColumbiaFitness.org/PersonalTraining or view a video about the new studio at YouTube.com/CATVchannel. ®
SouthAsia Culture Café
Sunday, November 4 • 1:30-4:30pm Howard County Library System’s Miller Branch 9421 Frederick Rd • Ellicott City • 21042 Bring your family to enjoy the cultures of South Asia during an afternoon of displays, dance performances, music, henna and children’s stories. South Asian snacks will be provided.
C A M O N T H LY 7
November Canned Food Drive
Nov-Dec • Owen Brown Community Center • 410-381-0202.
Senior Lunch for Long Reach Residents Only Thu, Nov 1 • 12-1:30pm Stonehouse • 410-730-8113.
Cardmaking for Veterans Sat, Nov 3 • 10am • Longfellow Neighborhood Center HCEvents@ColumbiaVillages.org.
Columbia Art Center Galleries Exhibition Reception: Triple Vision: Ceramics Show
Sat, Nov 3 • 4-7:30pm • Columbia Art Center • ColumbiaArtCenter.org.
Casino Night
Sat, Nov 3 • 7-10pm Owen Brown Community Center 410-381-0202.
Event Ticket Sales Begin for Lunch with Santa (Dec 8) and Cookies and Craft with Santa (Dec 15)
Mon, Nov 5 Kings Contrivance Village Center 410-381-9600.
Internet Safety for Kids and Parents
Wed, Nov 7 • 7pm • Claret Hall Events@VillageofRiverHill.org.
Sister Cities Information Session
Wed, Nov 7 • 7pm • CA Headquarters • 410-715-3162.
CA Board Meeting
Thu, Nov 8 • 7:30pm CA Headquarters • For updated dates and times, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org.
8 C A M O N T H LY
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Family Fun Bingo (6 Cards for $1)
Fri, Nov 9 • 7:30-9pm • Amherst House • 410-381-9600.
Harper’s Choice Village Board Meeting Tue, Nov 13 • 7pm Kahler Hall 410-730-0770.
Town Center Village Board Meeting
Wed, Nov 14 • 7pm Historic Oakland Manor 410-730-4744.
Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events to learn about more great events happening in Columbia!
Bernice Kish Gallery November Exhibit: Brian Miller and Izya Shlosberg
Thu, Nov 15-Fri, Dec 19 Hours vary • Reception: Sun, Nov 18, 3-5pm • Bernice Kish Gallery at Slayton House • CJBlack@Columbia Villages.org.
Lively Arts For Little Ones Presents: “Kidsinger Jim”
Fri, Nov 16 • 10am The Other Barn 410-730-4610.
Columbia Art Center Girl’s Night Out: Batik with a Twist – Craft Night Out with Your Friends! Fri, Nov 16 • 6:30-8:30pm ColumbiaArtCenter.org.
Holiday Craft Fair Sat, Nov 17 • 10am-3pm Historic Oakland Manor 410-730-4744.
CA Board Meeting
Tue, Nov 20 • 7:30pm CA Headquarters • For updated dates and times, please visit Columbia-Association.org.
Aquatics Feasibility Study Meeting
Tue, Nov 27 • 7-9pm Hawthorn Center Aquatics-study-design-concepts. eventbrite.com.
Master Gardeners Present: Tips on “Decking the Halls with Natural Materials” Wed, Nov 28 • 7pm The Other Barn 410-730-4610.
Owen Brown Resident Architectural Committee Wed, Nov 28 • 7:30-9pm Owen Brown Community Center • OBCovenants@ Columbia Villages.org.
Have a question or comment? E-mail CAmonthly@Columbia Association.org.