ca monthly april 2015

CA Launches OnlineMemberships, NewClass Signup Process

Creating ColumbiaMini Course Backby Popular Demand

Dog Day AfternoonReturns May 2

CA MON TH LY 1

MonthlyA PUBLICATION OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION APRIL 2015

45

CA 3

ColumbiaAssociation.org • Facebook.com/ColumbiaAssociation • Instagram.com/ColumbiaAssn • Twitter.com/ColumbiaAssn • YouTube.com/CATVchannel • Pinterest.com/ColumbiaAssnJoin theConversation!

By Tripp Laino

Columbia Association (CA) has bigplans for fiscal year 2016,bringing improvements to manyCA facilities and locations.

A series of amendments to the CapitalBudget for fiscal year 2016, which runsfrom May 1, 2015 through April 30, 2016,was approved by the CA Board in March,covering a variety of projects to take placethroughout Columbia. These projectsrange in size and include everything fromnew signs to replacing aging roofs.

A major project from last year was theclubhouse at Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club,which was revamped inside and out,including improved layout and design aswell as other new features. The clubhouse isslated to open later this month, with agrand opening to follow in May.

Two ponds in Long Reach — DannonGarth Pond and Jackson Pond — will berestored and improved. Jackson Pond willbe dredged, while Dannon Garth Pond will

(See Fiscal, page 6)

Pool,Pond, Energy UpgradesCA Makes Changes in FiscalYear 2016:

Photo BY Keithan SamuelS

Renovating the Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club clubhouse was one of many capital projects completed by CA in fiscal year 2015.

2 CA MON TH LY

Dear Friends,Columbia Association is turning to technology in order

to provide a better experience for its members — and aneasier experience for those looking to become members.

You can now sign up to become a member atColumbiaAssociation.org. We have been working hard atmaking this as seamless and effortless as possible. Thewhole process should take no more than 10 minutes.

The online portal lists 11 membership plan types withinformation about each. The options in the online portalreflect CA’s broad range of membership types, includingmemberships to single facilities, tennis, golf and pools, aswell as the more comprehensive Package Plan and PackagePlan Plus memberships. After you choose one and put in your payment information,you will receive an online confirmation email along with a temporary membership card.

The memberships offered online are based on non-resident rates. Customers whobelieve they are eligible for lower rates or qualifying discounts and have supportingdocumentation may upload the documents or bring them for verification to CA’sMembership Service Center. If you’ve submitted documents online, CA staff will respondwithin 48 hours to let you know whether your request for a discount has been accepted.

Meanwhile, CA is also in the process of making changes to its online registrationsystem for members.

This spring, there will be a new and improved online system for accessing classschedules, registering and paying for classes, reviewing reservations, making changes orcancellations, and browsing through programs in which you may want to participate.

Reflecting the many ways we now shop and make online transactions, theseimprovements will be mobile-friendly for smartphones and tablets.

These are convenient options for residents and professionals whose schedules maymake it difficult for them to sign up over the telephone or in-person. We don’t wantto delay your decision while you wait until your schedule permits you to come toone of our facilities.

But if you do need any assistance, the Membership Service Center is availableMonday through Friday, 10am to 7pm and Saturday, 10am to 5pm, to answer anyquestions about memberships. Call 410-730-1801 or [email protected] for assistance.

We’re also continuing to fine-tune ColumbiaAssociation.org, making CA’swebsite easier to navigate.

These improvements were among the suggestions CA received last year duringColumbia Speaks. CA Listens. We heard you. CA will continue to look at providingbetter experiences for its members and users throughout the community.

Sincerely,Milton. W. Matthews, Columbia Association President/CEO

Milton W. Matthews

Improving experiencesthrough technology

President’sUpdate

BoardRecapCA

CA BOARD OF DIRECTORS2014-2015Reginald AveryOakland [email protected]

Michael CornellRiver [email protected]

Brian DunnKings [email protected]

Jeanne KetleyTown [email protected]

Alan KleinHarper’s [email protected]

Nancy McCordWilde [email protected]

Tom O’ConnorDorsey’s [email protected]

Gregg SchwindHickory [email protected]

Andrew StackOwen [email protected]

Russell SwatekLong [email protected]

At the Columbia Association (CA) Board ofDirectors meeting held March 12, the CA Boardapproved the draft minutes of all closed boardmeetings during fiscal years 2014 and 2015 and

approved guidelines for closed meetings. Additionally, thePlanning and Strategy Committee recommended that theBoard approve a staff recommendation to do repairs in fiscalyear 17-18 to preserve the Swim Center.

The board’s March 26 meeting took place after CAMonthly went to press.

The next scheduled Board of Directors meetings are April 9and 23. Meetings typically begin at 7:30pm and are held atCA Headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle.

For current CA Board of Directors meeting minutes andagendas, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Agendas. Podcasts from board meetings are available atColumbiaAssociation.org/Podcasts.

CA MON TH LY 3

Join Columbia AssociationOnline Memberships Make it EasyColumbia Association (CA) is making it

easier than ever to join and takeadvantage of our 35 facilities by addingthe ability to purchase memberships

online at ColumbiaAssociation.org.The online portal lists 11 types of membership

plans with information about each. The optionsreflect CA’s broad range of membership types,including memberships to single facilities, tennis,golf and pools, as well as the morecomprehensive Package Plan and Package PlanPlus memberships. After you choose one and putin your payment information, you will receive anonline confirmation email along with atemporary membership card.

The eleven available memberships are Package

Plan, Package Plan Plus, Columbia Athletic Club,Columbia Gym, Supreme Sports Club, ColumbiaSwim Center/Outdoor Pools, Fairway HillsAnnual, Fairway Hills Weekday, Hobbit’s GlenAnnual, Hobbit’s Glen Weekday and Tennis Club.

The prices offered online are based on non-resident rates. Customers who believe they’reeligible for lower rates or qualifying discountsand have supporting documentation may uploadthe documents or bring them for verification toCA’s Membership Service Center. If you submitdocuments online, CA staff will respond within48 hours to let you know whether your requestfor a discount has been accepted.

Signing up online should take no more than 10minutes. Customers receive a confirmation email

and temporary membership card that can be usedto access the facilities specific to the membershipthey purchased. After the application andsupporting documents are approved, customerswill then get membership information and an IDcard in the mail. New members will be asked tohave their photographs taken upon their first visitto a CA facility.

As always, the Member Service Center will beavailable during working hours (Mondaythrough Friday, 10am to 7pm and Saturday,10am to 5pm) to answer any questions aboutmemberships. Call 410-730-1801 or [email protected] for assistance.More information is available atColumbiaAssociation.org/Membership.

Don’t miss your favoritegroup fitness class!Columbia Association’s(CA) new system,

Spectrum NG (SNG), makes iteasier to register.

Effective Monday, April 13, CAmembers will no longer useBookings Plus to register for groupfitness classes, so update youraccount to take advantage of all that CA has to offer!

New enhancements include acentral location for registering foryour favorite CA programs andclasses; an easier, more efficientregistration process; real-timeschedules; and the ability to see whichclasses your favorite group fitnessinstructors are teaching. Drop-ins arestill welcome, as space permits.

A mobile app with all of thesefeatures will launch soon, allowingyou access to the system anytime,anywhere.

To use the new system you musthave an online account with a validemail address. If you haven’t already,set up your online account at

ColumbiaAssociation.org/login(non-CA members can create aguest account). If you do have anonline account, check to make sureyour contact information is current,including a valid email address. Youmay also visit the front desk of any CAfacility to update your email address.

For more information, includinginstructions on how to set up youronline account and register for classes,visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Spectrum or the front desk of any CA facility. For questions aboutGroup Fitness classes, [email protected].

CA’s New Enhanced Class Reservation System SpectrumNG Launches April13

DaviD Wright

It’s now easier than ever to register for classes like Total Conditioning at Supreme Sports Club.

Back by Popular Demand:

4 CA MON TH LY

CREATINGCOLUMBIAA MINI-COURSECreating Columbia: A

Mini-Course is returningwith evening sessions,thanks to popular

demand. The free mini-course fromColumbia Association’s (CA)Columbia Archives is great forthose interested in learning aboutthe events of a significant period inthe history of Columbia.

“Creating Columbia: A Mini-Course” will be held on threeThursdays: April 30, May 7 andMay 14, from 7 to 8:30pm atHistoric Oakland, 5430 VantagePoint Road, Columbia. The mini-course is free, but registration isencouraged. People can choose to register for all three Thursdays or for individual sessions atColumbiaMiniCourse.Eventbrite.com or by calling 410-715-6781.

Led by Columbia historianBarbara Kellner, director ofColumbia Archives, these sessionswill cover the presentation of theplan for Columbia more than 50years ago. The announcementmade on Nov. 11, 1964, was metwith many questions and someanswers. The period that led up toit had included a year of hard work,

but what followed was an evenmore hectic schedule.

“Creating Columbia: A Mini-Course” looks at the period fromNovember 1964 to August 1965,covering the formal Columbia plan,the initial reaction to it and thefeverish work that followed in orderto fine tune the plan, cementrelationships within HowardCounty and ensure that the planwould be accepted and thengreenlighted for development.

The April 30 session,“Introducing the Plan,” will focuson the Nov. 11, 1964,announcement and the initialreaction to it.

The May 7 session, “Inspirationand Perspiration,” will paint apicture of the period in whichColumbia transitioned from an ideainto the business of planning,including the all-consuming detailsof zoning regulations, institutionaland industrial development andpublic relations.

The May 14 session, “Jim RouseJuggles Big Picture and Details,”captures Rouse’s schedule,illustrating the pace at which he metthe opportunities and challenges of

This is the third exhibit in the“Celebrating Columbia: 50 YearsAgo Today” series, which traces theevents leading up to Columbia’sofficial beginning on June 21,1967. The series will conclude inJune 2017, when the communitycelebrates its 50th birthday.

renDeringS CourteSY oF ColumBia arChiveS

Artist’s conceptual renderings of a village center (top) and The Mall inColumbia (bottom) were used toillustrate the Columbia plan in 1964.

building Columbia and otherbusiness ventures.

For more information, call410-715-3103 or [email protected].

A related exhibit can be viewed atColumbia Archives until May 2015.The Archives is located at 10227Wincopin Circle in downtownColumbia in the American CityBuilding and is open Mondaythrough Friday from 9am to 5pm.

It’s the most wonderful time ofthe year — for dogs that is! May 2 marks the ninth annualDog Day Afternoon, Columbia

Association’s (CA) event for familiesand their four-legged friends.

This year the event moves toColumbia DogPark, 5901Rivendell Lane, adjacent to theHarper’s Choice Village Center inColumbia. The event runs from11am to 3pm.

Erin McPhail, CA’scommunications and eventsmanager, calls Dog Day her favoriteof CA’s events.

“Not only is it awesome to hangout with dogs and puppies all day,but it’s also a great way to getconnected and meet the wonderfulpeople in our community,” she said.

This year things continue togrow, including pet activities andcontests, demonstrations, amoonbounce (sorry, humansonly!), arts and crafts, a DJ andmore. Back by popular demand thisyear will be readings with petcommunicator Emerald DuCoeur.

CA also will be selling officialDog Day Afternoon T-shirts for$10, or two for $15. Petcommunications readings will be$10 for 10 minutes. Caricaturedrawings of your loveable four-legged friend(s) are $5 for ablack-and-white drawing and $10 for a color drawing.Microchipping will also be available for a minimal fee. Onlycash will be accepted during DogDay Afternoon. A portion of theproceeds will benefit a localnonprofit to be announced.

In addition, CA will be collectingitems to be donated to a local petnonprofit.

This year’s event is beingsponsored by our Tail Waggin’Sponsor: Camp Bow Wow ofColumbia, and by the Top DogSponsors: Banfield Pet Hospital, Bark! Pawsitive Pet Food, Pet BarnMaple Lawn, Subaru and VCA Animal Hospitals.

For more information or a listing of donation items, visitColumbiaAssociation.org/DogDay or call 410-423-1891.

CA MON TH LY 5

Dog Day Afternoon returns May 2

Dog Day Afternoon returns May 2, promising fun for the whole family, especially the four-legged members!

“Not only is it awesome to hang out with dogs and puppies all day, but it’s also a great way to get connected and meet the wonderfulpeople in our community.”Erin McPhail, CA’s communications and events manager

6 CA MON TH LY

M ark your calendars for the RiverHill RideAbout, a familyfriendly bicycle ride that will beheld on Saturday, May 16, at

9:30am, and will introduce a short, 2.8-mile route through beautiful open spacein the village of River Hill.

The ride was developed after feedbackfrom participants in the popular annualColumbia BikeAbout, which has a lengthierroute through the natural topography ofColumbia and can be difficult for some.

“We wanted to design an event thatwould be easier for young children andothers who are perhaps just gettinginterested in cycling,” said Barbara Kellner,director of Columbia Association’s (CA)

Columbia Archives, which is co-sponsoringthe event with the River Hill CommunityAssociation. “The River Hill RideAbout notonly offers a short route but also enablespeople to explore River Hill, which hasnever been featured in a BikeAbout.”

The marked route will include two stopshighlighting the history of River Hill andthe work of the village’s watershedcommittee to improve the environment.

Pre-registration for the RideAbout isencouraged online at RiverHillRideAbout.EventBrite.com. For more information,please email [email protected] or call 410-715-6781.

Columbia BikeAbout returns Sept. 26.

SAVE THE DATE:River Hill RideAbout on May16

have more improvements in addition to dredging, saidDennis Mattey, CA’s director of open space and facilityservices. Dannon Garth Pond’s improvements arebudgeted at $300,000, while Jackson Pond is budgeted at$100,000.

Dredging is a vital part of improving the pond’sfunction as an ecosystem, Mattey said. Over time, runofffrom parking lots and other drainage areas depositssediment in ponds and lakes, which makes it shallower,raising water temperatures in the summer and reducingaquatic habitat values.

“It’s not good for a habitat and it diminishes the qualityof the pond,” Mattey said.

Dannon Garth Pond will see additional improvementsto help reduce the erosion on the banks near the stream,Mattey said. CA will add step-pools, a water feature thathelps slow the water on its way downstream, which inturn helps control erosion.

“The water is going downstream and cutting a deepchannel,” Mattey said. “It’s not controlled, so we’regoing to put in a series of controls — the step pools willslow the water velocity and reduce the erosive forces ofstorms.”

The ponds aren’t the only aquatic locations where CA is making upgrades. Three swimming pools arereceiving new beach-entry style entries, which make thepool compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act,and offer an improved experience for children as well,Mattey said.

Upgrades are in progress at Longfellow Pool, andFaulkner Ridge Pool is expected to start later this year.Dorsey Hall Pool will see the same upgrades this fall.

In addition to the improved entrance, Longfellow willalso receive a new shade canopy on the edge of the pool,allowing parents and their children to cool off whilestaying close to the water.

CA is also allocating resources toward ongoing energyefficiency upgrades. Two of the projects this year includeGoing Green and Building Retrofit capital projects aimedat reducing energy consumption, utility costs, andgreenhouse gas emissions, said Jeremy Scharfenberg, CA’senergy manager. The most significant of the anticipatedprojects this year is a combined heat and power generatorat the Supreme Sports Club that will simultaneouslyproduce hot water and electricity for the facility, he said.Other projects will include lighting upgrades to highefficiency LED technology and the installation ofENERGY STAR® air conditioning equipment.

Fiscal(continued from page 1)

Congratulations to Ann Fondi, 2015’sBiggest Winner! Fondi was a member of Team Red, trained by Judy Reese, andlost 21.5 pounds over the eight-weekcompetition, an 11.7 percent change.

Congratulations to Ann Fondi,2015’s Biggest Winner

CA MON TH LY 7

CA Headquarters .........................................410-715-3000

CA Membership Service Center .................410-730-1801

Aquatics Office ............................................410-312-6332

Columbia Art Center....................................410-730-0075

Columbia Association Camps ....................410-715-3165

Columbia Athletic Club ...............................410-730-6744

Columbia Gym.............................................410-531-0800

Columbia Horse Center...............................301-776-5850

Columbia Ice Rink.......................................410-730-0322

Columbia SportsPark/SkatePark................410-715-3054

Columbia Swim Center ...............................410-730-7000

Fairway Hills Golf Club ...............................410-730-1112

Haven on the Lake ......................................410-715-3020

Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club...............................410-730-5980

Inclement Weather Hotline ........................410-715-3154

Indoor Tennis, Columbia Athletic Club........410-720-0149

Owen Brown Tennis Bubble........................410-381-7255

The Racquet Club at Hobbit’s Glen ............410-715-3080

School Age Services ...................................410-715-3165

Supreme Sports Club ..................................410-381-5355

Wilde Lake Tennis Club .............................410-730-3767

Youth & Teen Center ...................................410-992-3726

CA PHONE NUMBERS

‘

Feel good. Be happier.Enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

unewPhysician Referral Programs to Improve Your Health

8-week session begins Tuesday, April 21.Register now by calling

410-715-3128.

YouthFit

Optimal

Helping families get healthier through motivation, physical activityand healthy eating!8-week session begins Wednesday, April 226:30-8:30pm • Columbia GymCA Mbrs, $250, Non-Mbrs, $350Prices are per family. Register now by calling410-715-3128.

Health

COLUMBIAASSOCIATION

Lose weight the rightway through exercise,proper nutrition, andlifestyle changes.

“This is the best stepI’ve ever taken to improving my health.”Nathan, program participant

8 CA MON TH LY

AprilCommunity Events Visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/Events to learnmore about great events happening in Columbia!

Searching for Spring Egg Hunt Sat. April 11 • 10-11:30am Columbia SportsPark • 5453 HarpersFarm Road • 410-715-3054 • Free ticketscan be picked up from village offices.

Artists’ Gallery Showcase ReceptionSun. April 12 • 3-5pmExhibit open April 2-May 9Gallery Hours: Mon-Thu, 9am-9pmFri: 9am-5pm, Sat: 9am-2pmThe Bernice Kish Gallery • 410-730-398710400 Cross Fox Lane • Carole Black,Gallery Director, [email protected]

Jazz in the Mills ConcertSeries Presents Bonnie HarrisSun. April 12 • 5-7:30pmThe Other Barn • 410-730-4610 5851 Robert Oliver [email protected] oaklandmills.org • $15 in advance; $20 at the door

Retirement Party for Patricia LaidigSun. April 12 • 3-5pmHistoric Oakland • 5430 Vantage PointRoad • 410-730-4744 • Help bid a fondfarewell to Patricia Laidig after 16 yearsof dedicated service as village manager.

Columbia Art Center Salon Series: MountainView Bluegrass ConcertMon. April 13 • 7pm6100 Foreland Garth • 410-730-0075Art.Staff@ColumbiaAssociation.orgColumbiaArtCenter.org • Free Enjoy an evening of bluegrass musicwith group Mountain View.

Paint ‘N pARTyThu. April 16 • 6pmOwen Brown Community Center6800 Cradlerock Way • 410-381-0202Contact Meghan Pierce, [email protected] $20 per ticket. Advanced ticket purchase required.

Columbia Art CenterBlossoms of Hope 6th AnnualJuried Theme Show—Portraits and Profiles:Inspirations in My LifeShow runs from April 16-May 3Awards Ceremony and Reception:Fri. April 17 • 5:30-7:30pm6100 Foreland Garth • 410-730-0075Art.Staff@ColumbiaAssociation.orgColumbiaArtCenter.orgProceeds benefit the Claudia Mayer/Tina Broccolino Cancer Resource Center.

Lively Arts for Little OnesPresents: Barry GFri. April 17 • 10amThe Other Barn • 410-730-46105851 Robert Oliver Place [email protected]

Weddings and EventsShowcaseSun. April 19 • 2-5pmHistoric Oakland • 5430 Vantage PointRoad • 410-730-4744 • Visit with 60local vendors from all facets of the eventindustry. Free admission.

Solar Energy PresentationTue. April 21 • 7-8:30pmHistoric Oakland • 5430 Vantage PointRoad • 410-730-4744 • Learn about solarelectric systems, federal and state subsidies, leasing, installation.

Long Reach MasterGardeners: SpringVegetable GardeningTue April 21 • 7pmStonehouse • 8775 Cloudleap Court410-730-8113 • [email protected]

Health and Safety FairSat April 25 • 10am-2pmKahler Hall • 410-730-07705440 Old Tucker Row Contact Susan Coghlan, [email protected] Child ID services, bike safety checks,and other fun surprises!

Kings Contrivance MovieNight at Amherst House Thu. April 23 • 7:30pm7251 Eden Brook Drive • 410-381-9600 Contact Dawn Linthicum, events and information coordinator • Join us inwatching ‘St. Vincent,’ $3 per ticket.Wine, cheese and refreshments will beserved. For ages 21 and older; purchasetickets at Amherst House by April 20.

Long Reach Flea MarketSat April 25 • 8am-noonStonehouse • 410-730-81138775 Cloudleap [email protected]

Hickory RidgeShred and E-cycle Sat. April 25 • 9am-1pm The Hawthorn Center • 410-730-73276175 Sunny Spring • Free to village residents, $3 to non-residents.Limit 3 bags.

Kings Contrivance Spring Flea Market at Amherst HouseSat. April 25 • 9am-12pm7251 Eden Brook Drive • 410-381-9600Contact Dawn Linthicum, events and information coordinator. Come findbargains at our annual flea market hosting 38 vendors. Flea market will beheld in Amherst House parking lot.

Town Center Spring Yard and Plant SaleSat. April 25 • 9am-NoonVantage Point Road Park • 410-730-4744Free to sellers; bring your own table. No rain date.

Oakland Mills Plant SaleSat. April 25 • 9amThe Other Barn • 410-730-46105851 Robert Oliver Place [email protected]

Oakland Mills Kids CarnivalSat. April 25 • 1pm-3pmThe Other Barn • 410-730-46105851 Robert Oliver Place [email protected]

River Hill Gold Party Event FundraiserSat. April 25 • 9am-2pmClaret Hall • 410-531-17496020 Daybreak Circle [email protected] evaluations of old, broken or unwanted silver and gold items. You keep100% of the cash, and a percentage ofthe total amount collected will be donatedto Grassroots and Food on the 15th.

Columbia Village ElectionsSat. April 25Kings Contrivance also has voting Friday, April 24.

Education ForumWed. April 29 7pm-9pmThe Other Barn • 410-730-46105851 Robert Oliver Place [email protected]

Columbia ArchivesCreating Columbia — A 3-Session Mini-CourseThursdays: April 30, May 7 and May 14 • 7pmHistoric Oakland, Town Center 410-715-31035430 Vantage Point Road Registration encouraged at ColumbiaMiniCourse.Eventbrite.com.

Hickory RidgeSchool’s Out Lunch: Worms 101Fri. May 1 • Noon-1:15pmThe Hawthorn Center • 410-730-73276175 Sunny Spring • Enjoy pizza lunch,learn about worms, explore a worm bin,and make a craft. $5 per person, Grades K-3.

ca monthly april 2015

Documents