2 Why I Serve: An Interview with Kings Contrivance Village Board Member Brian Dunn
Monthl y CA NOV 2011
3 New Fitness Programs Being Offered This Fall
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
4 Be a Part of Your Community Events
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extras
Learn more about CA’s Open Space Division by visiting ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Log on to CAmonthly.org for these extras:
Expanded Village Events Calendar Columbia Association Events
THIS MONTH ON
On November’s show, learn about Healthy Families of Howard County; discover more about the Columbia Art Center; get information about CA’s Community Solutions Program; learn about treasures from the Columbia Archives Collection; find out what happened at the 2011 Columbia Teen Idol Singing Competition; and more!
Watch Columbia Matters online anytime at ColumbiaMatters.org. Columbia Matters airs Mondays at 11am, 4pm and 7pm and Saturdays at 8:30pm on Comcast channel 96 and Verizon channel 41; Mondays and Fridays at 12pm, 4pm and 8pm, Wednesdays at 12pm and 4pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am, 2pm and 6pm, Saturdays at 12pm, 4pm and 8:30pm and Sundays at 10am, 4:30pm and 6:30pm on Comcast channel 98; and Mondays at 10:30am, Tuesdays at 7:30am, Wednesdays at 8am and 7pm, Thursdays at 7:30am, Fridays at 8am and 7:30pm, Saturdays at 10am and Sundays at 11:30pm on Comcast channel 99 and Verizon channel 44.
Like us on Facebook! Facebook.com/CA.ColumbiaAssociation
One Leaf At A Time atching the red, yellow and orange leaves on the trees can be one of the greatest perks of the fall season. But once they drift down from the trees, leaves and branches become work that covers the lawns and open areas in our community. Whether you’ve lived here for 40 days or 40 years, you might be confused as to who collects the leaves from your yard. This month, in the second of a series of articles that will explain the difference between Columbia Association programs and programs run by other agencies in the county, we’ll discuss how leaf cleanup and collection are handled in the area. Columbia Association (CA) rakes and cleans the open space areas that are owned by CA, while the Howard County government handles the collection of leaves from residential properties.
W
Open Space Cleanup
CA’s Open Space Management Division maintains and routinely cleans up leaves, twigs and trash along the 93.5 miles of pathways and 3,500 acres of open space owned by CA in the community. CA also takes care of the village centers and the areas around the lakes, footbridges and tot lots in Columbia with ongoing cleanup going on throughout the fall. While some of CA’s open space
By Aria White
Although CA regularly removes leaves and lawn trimmings from some of the open space areas in Columbia, residents are encouraged to contact the association whenever they notice an area that needs to be taken care of. Individuals can submit comments
or
questions
to
Columbia
Association Community Solutions Program
(Solutions.ColumbiaAssociation.org) or their local village community center. Private Property Cleanup
Just as CA cleans the areas that it owns, residents are responsible for cleaning property that they own. After the leaves are raked on CA’s property, our Open Space Management team handles the disposal, while the Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services organizes the collection and recycling of the leaves and yard trimmings that residents gather from their lawns.
land might connect to residential yards, CA does not rake or collect
When you put your lawn waste on the curb for collection, the Howard County government picks up and disposes of those items. For residents living in most single family homes, townhomes and trailer parks in Eastern Howard County, including Columbia, Howard County offers Curbside Collection. Each week, between April 1
leaves from any private property.
and mid-January, residents can have unlimited amounts of grass,
“It was Jim Rouse’s vision to have beautiful places in the community for people to relax and get away and not worry about it being well-maintained,” says Daniel D’Amore, CA’s director of Open Space Management. “It’s our job to make sure we’re upholding Rouse’s plan and help make Columbia a clean and clutter-free community.”
leaves and light brush collected.
A separate truck picks up yard trimmings, so it’s important to remember to separate your household single-stream recyclables from your lawn items. Learn more about recycling leaves and yard trimmings in Howard County, or find the answers to your questions about curbside pickup by visiting HowardCountyMD.gov/YardTrim.htm. C A M O N T H LY 1
Why I Serve
By Aria White
Learn more about CA’s Board of Directors and Columbia village boards, by visiting ColumbiaAssociation.org.
An Interview with Kings Contrivance Village Board Member Brian Dunn he Columbia community is full of leaders who work to make this area a spectacular place to live. Residents volunteer on the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors, the village boards and homeowners associations. In the village of Kings Contrivance, Brian Dunn has helped his community by being a member of the board for the past year and a half. “I consider myself lucky for having grown up in Columbia, and I want to give back to the community that helped shape me as a person,” Dunn says. In addition to being on the Kings Contrivance Village Board, Dunn maintains and writes for the Columbia 2.0 blog (Columbia2.wordpress.com), which supports legislation for the redevelopment of Downtown Columbia.
T
Serving your community can be a rewarding and enriching experience because you are helping to make your environment a better place to be for your family and your neighbors. “To be honest, I love everything about it,” Dunn says about being active and involved in local leadership. “I really enjoy when our residents take the time to speak up about the issues that concern them.” Because he’s active in the world of blogs, Dunn adds a social networking component to his role as a leader in the community. “I think my best asset is my ability to communicate,” he says. “In today’s world, many people get their news from their social networks. I think it’s a great way to engage our residents in real time.” It takes a special type of person to
Kings Contrivance Village Board Member
Brian Dunn
take time out of their busy schedule to work on a village board. “We meet for a few hours twice a month. Plus, I try to attend as many CA or
County sponsored events whenever I can,” Dunn says. “It is definitely worth the time and commitment!” Even if you don’t have time to run for a position, you can still attend meetings and get involved in the decisions being made about your community. Dunn says the board meetings can help residents gain insight into what the boards do and inspire them to get involved. He adds, “I think civic engagement and leadership are important if we want Columbia to thrive.” For any resident who’s interested in serving the community by running for a leadership position on a village board or the CA Board, elections are held in April each year for open positions. Please visit ColumbiaVillages.org or ColumbiaAssociation.org for more information.
CA’s 2011 Group Fitness Expo Introduces Residents to New Workout Programs!
On October 1, CA hosted the 2011 Group Fitness Expo at Columbia Gym. The event introduced many residents to the group fitness programs and classes that are being offered this year. Learn more about fitness classes at ColumbiaAssociation.org, click on “Get Fit.”
2 C A M O N T H LY
Check out
the exciting fitness programs being offered at CA this fall! Feeling bored with your fitness routine? Looking for an opportunity to try a new activity? Check out the Fall Activities Guide for information on the activities listed below and all of the other programs being offered this fall at CA.
Boot Camp Get in the best shape of your life with military-style training in a small group setting with quick intervals and the implementation of gym toys.
Day Boot Camp Starts November 7 8-week session; Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9:30-10:30am • Columbia Athletic Club Cost: Members with MA, $126; Club Members, $144; CA Resident Non-Members, $216. Call 410-730-6744 to register.
Evening Boot Camp Starts November 8 8-week session; Tuesday and Thursday • 6-7pm Columbia Gym Cost: Members with MA, $84; Club Members, $96; CA Resident Non-Members, $144. Call 410-531-0800 to register.
Intro to Dance Saturday, November 12 • 1-2pm Supreme Sports Club Have you tried Zumba® or Danceworks and felt completely lost? If so, this class is for you! Learn the basic dance steps that are the foundation for a lot of dance forms, including Latin and hip-hop.
Upcoming Community Programs Donate Your Gently Used Clothes to the Needy! The Columbia Teen Center’s Teen Outreach Committee is sponsoring its third annual clothing drive this fall to collect clothing items for individuals and families in need. Items may be dropped off at the Columbia Teen Center now through November 30. Please do not donate items with stains, holes or broken zippers. Columbia Teen Center is located at 5853 Robert Oliver Place in Columbia. For more information, please call 410-992-3726.
Parent/Teen Information Sessions for Summer 2012 Sister Cities High school Exchange Program
Learn more about CA’s Sister Cities High School Exchange Program by attending one of the parent/teen information sessions. Sessions will be held on Tuesday, November 15; Wednesday, December 7; and Thursday, December 15 from 7-8pm at Columbia Association Headquarters (10221 Wincopin Circle).
Congratulations to the Winner of This Year’s Teen Idol Competition and the People’s Choice Award: Montira Walker from Ellicott City!
Are you a high school student? Do you speak French or Spanish? Are you interested in traveling abroad? Each year, Columbia Association (CA) hosts the Sister Cities High School Exchange Program, during which Howard County students spend two weeks in one of Columbia’s sister cities, CergyPontoise, France, or Tres Cantos, Spain, where they will be hosted by the family of a French or Spanish student. After returning to the United States, students will then host their French/Spanish counterpart for another two weeks. During the program, students will enjoy organized group activities abroad and in the U.S.
Cost: Members with MA, $12.50; Club Members, $14; CA Resident Non-Members, $18. Call 410-381-0800 to register.
Extreme Aeroboxing with Darrell Starts November 9 • 4-week session; Tuesday and Saturday • 6:30am • Columbia Athletic Club Enjoy this new group training class featuring intense boxing/martial arts interval and agility training using heavy bags, focus mitts, thai pads, medicine balls and jump ropes. Cost: Club Members, $160; CA Resident Non-Members, $240. Call 410-730-6744 to register.
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.
C A M O N T H LY 3
November
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Be A
Part
Of It!
Chicago-Style Dancing for Couples Tuesdays • 7-8:30pm Stonehouse. Information: 410-730-8113.
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.
Tea in Our World Thursday, November 3 • 7pm Kahler Hall. Information: 410-730-0770.
4 C A M O N T H LY
Oakland Mills Lively Arts for Little Ones: Rocknoceros
Friday, November 4 • 10am The Other Barn. Information: 410-730-4610.
Family Fun Bingo Friday, November 4 • 7:30-9pm Amherst House. Information: 410-381-9600.
Visit CAmonthly.org for event details and a listing of many more free events!
Reverse Mortgage Presentation
Decking the Halls with Natural Materials
Tuesday, November 8 • 7-8pm Historic Oakland Manor. Information: 410-730-4744.
Thursday, November 17 • 7pm Owen Brown Community Center. Information: 410-381-0202.
CA International Book Club Meeting: The Invisible Mountain by Carolina de Robertis
Frederick Art Tour— Frederick County Galleries and Artists’ Studios
Wednesday, November 9 7:30-9pm CA Headquarters. Information: 410-715-3162.
Thursday, November 17 10am-3:30pm Columbia Art Center. Registration is required. Information: 410-730-0075.
CA Board Meeting
The Game of Life
Thursday, November 10 7:30pm CA Headquarters. For updated dates and times, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Thursday, November 17 • 7pm Kahler Hall. Information: 410-730-0770.
Holiday Craft Fair Rain Barrels: A Master Gardener Seminar Thursday, November 10 • 7pm Kahler Hall. Information: 410-730-0770.
Holiday Craft Shop Mom and Son Get Together
Sunday, November 20 • 2-5pm Hawthorn Center. Information: 410-730-7327.
Friday, November 11 • 7-8:30pm Columbia Athletic Club KidSpace. Information: 410-730-6744.
CA Board Meeting
Kings Contrivance Village Center Walk About Saturday, November 12 10:30am Amherst House Lobby. Information: 410-381-9600.
Family Bingo Night Friday, November 4 6:30-8:30pm Claret Hall. Information: 410-531-1749 or events@villageofriverhill.org.
School’s Out Program for Grades 1-8 Friday, November 4 Wednesday, November 23 Friday, November 25 Full Day: 7:30am-5:30pm Half Day: 7:30am-12pm Columbia Art Center. Registration is required. Information: 410-730-0075.
Saturday, November 19 10am-3pm Historic Oakland Manor. Information: 410-730-4744.
Registration Opens for Breakfast with Santa and Storytime with Santa Saturday, November 12 • 8am Linden Hall. Dorsey’s Search residents only. Information: 410-730-4005.
Pumpkin Chucking Sunday, November 13 • 12-3pm Columbia SportsPark. Information: 410-715-5523.
Thursday, November 24 7:30pm CA Headquarters. For updated dates and times, please visit ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Save the Date: Make and Take Holiday Crafts Sunday, December 4 • 3pm Kahler Hall. Information: 410-730-0770.
Save the Date: Snacks with Santa Saturday, December 10 • 3-5pm Owen Brown Community Center. RSVP is required. Information: 410-381-0202. Have a question or comment? E-mail CAmonthly@ColumbiaAssociation.com.