You Spoke, We Listened:Columbia Speaks Brings Community Input

Pickleball: Funny-NamedSport is CA’s Latest Offering

2014 HolidayEvents Calendar

CA MON TH LY 1

MonthlyA PUBLICATION OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION DEC2014

ColumbiaAssociation.org • Facebook.com/ColumbiaAssociation • Instagram.com/ColumbiaAssn • Twitter.com/ColumbiaAssn • YouTube.com/CATVchannelJoin theConversation!

48CA 3

(See Sun, page 6)

CA Makes Major Solar Energy Pact

By Tripp Laino

FILE PHOTO

Columbia Association will be installing a similar set of solar panels at an adjacent site at Nixon's Farm in West Friendship.

Hop on a bike for a spin class, use anelliptical trainer or simply flick a lightswitch at Columbia Gym or ColumbiaAthletic Club beginning in 2015,

and the energy you use will no longer come from sources that include fossil fuels, but ratherfrom clean, renewable solar power.Columbia Association (CA) has agreed to use

solar power generated at Nixon's Farm in WestFriendship. The two-megawatt system will providenearly a quarter of the electricity CA uses annually,which essentially equals moving two of theorganization's most energy intensive facilities to aclimate-friendly power source.CA does not have to provide the resources for

building or maintaining the solar installation, but has committed to buy electricity generated from thesystem for 20 years. In addition to the generation of power, the agreement includes solar renewableenergy credits, which enables a meaningful reductionin CA’s greenhouse gas emissions.“This will result in a 13-percent reduction in CA’s

carbon footprint and significantly improve CA’s

Here Comesthe Sun!

2 CA MON TH LY

The latest edition of CA’s seasonal Activities Guide has arrived, andbrings with it a new way to get up-to-the-minute information on your favorite CA programs and activities.By visiting ColumbiaAssociation.org/ActivitiesGuide,

on your phone, tablet or computer, you can not only have access to the guidewherever you go, but you can also sign up to be notified when new guides arepublished, and see instantly when any changes have been made.Activities with updated or changed information will be highlighted by the asterisk

graphic seen above. Clicking on the graphic will show you the new information.The new design also features video presentations about selected topics,

updated with each edition of the guide. The winter edition will highlight the renovations at the Hobbit’s Glen Golf Clubhouse, trends in group fitnessclasses and personal training tips for stronger abs.As always, the guide also highlights new classes, programs and activities

offered by CA. Inside, you’ll also find schedules for your favorite CA locations,like pools, tennis courts and the skating rink, as well as a full listing of all offeredclasses and programs.

Brian Dunn, Kings Contrivance301-473-0077Brian.Dunn@ca-board.org

Reginald Avery, Oakland Mills443-545-6714Reginald.Avery@ca-board.org

Michael Cornell, River Hill410-531-9340Michael.Cornell@ca-board.org

Alan Klein, Harper’s Choice410-992-3025Alan.Klein@ca-board.org

Tom O’Connor, Dorsey’s Search410-336-9269Tom.Oconnor@ca-board.org

Andrew Stack, Owen Brown410-381-8897Andrew.Stack@ca-board.org

Russell Swatek, Long Reach410-799-1497Russ.Swatek@ca-board.org

Gregg Schwind, Hickory Ridge443-831-8847Gregg.Schwind@ca-board.org

Nancy McCord, Wilde Lake410-730-2309Nancy.Mccord@ca- board.org

Jeanne Ketley, Town Center301-596-1097Jeanne.Ketley@ca-board.org

CA BOARD OF DIRECTORS2014-2015

*Winter Activitiesfor the Whole Family!

CA MON TH LY 3

In mid-October, ColumbiaAssociation (CA) hosted“Columbia Speaks, CAListens” at the Wilde Lake

Interfaith Center. Nearly 100people participated in thisinteractive meeting and providedtheir ideas on CA’s programs andservices; governance structure; and communications andcommunity engagement efforts.In addition to these three topic areas, participants wereencouraged to pose questions andcomments on other topics viahandwritten note cards.CA President Milton Matthews

and board member Nancy McCordwelcomed the participants andstressed how much they valuedtheir input. During the meeting,Matthews also answered questionsand committed to responding toeach and every one question raisedduring the event.The participants discussed their

issues and ideas in small groupswhile note takers at each tabledocumented the discussions. These discussions were facilitated by volunteers from HowardCommunity College’s Mediation

and Conflict Resolution Center.Overall, the meeting was

well-received based on commentsmade at the event and via theevaluation form responses. Theevaluation asked participants to rate

their level of satisfaction with themeeting. Of the people whoresponded to this question, 82percent rated their satisfaction ashigh or very high with 13 percentindicating medium satisfaction. Onlythree people (5 percent) indicated alow level of satisfaction. No onescored their satisfaction as very low.Following the meeting, CA

encouraged community membersto submit additional ideas and keptthat option open throughmid-November. All informationprovided at the event, along withthese additional comments, will becompiled and made available in asummary report posted on CA’sColumbia Speaks website —ColumbiaAssociation.org/ColumbiaSpeaks— in December,including the response to allquestions. Follow up discussion andpotential action to address ideas andchallenges raised will be consideredin the New Year.

And the conversation will continue…While the rich cache of hundreds of ideas

are being compiled from “Columbia Speaks,CA Listens,” here are a few of your commentsabout changes you’d like to see regardinggovernance, CA programs, services, facilitiesand communication methods:• The ability to purchase services, classes, andvarious fitness memberships (Package Plan,etc.) completely online via CA’s website.

• Re-examine village and board elections.

Lack of voter participation is a major issue.• It would be great to offer residents new to the city a welcome packet that not only describes CA and how it works, but also includes budget info andsummaries of places to go.

• Drop-in exercise classes that are more accessiblefor working parents. Evenings, later in the dayon Saturdays, ones that don’t conflict withSunday morning religious services.

PHOTO BY KEITHAN SAMUELS

About 100 residents attended “Columbia Speaks, CA Listens,” held in mid-October at the WildeLake Interfaith Center. Participants discussed ways CA could better serve the community.

PHOTO BY KEITHAN SAMUELS

Information from “Columbia Speaks, CA Listens”will be available in a report posted on CA’s website ColumbiaAssociation.org/ColumbiaSpeaks in December.

YouSpoke,CAListened

4 CA MON TH LY

By

By Tripp Laino

Pickleball is a game with a funnyname, but it’s a sport rising inpopularity in pockets nationwide that has now reached Columbia

Association’s (CA) courts.Brine-haters rejoice; it has nothing to do with

cucumbers. Pickleball mixes elements ofbadminton, tennis and ping pong, according toAnish Manrai, CA’s general manager of tennis.The unusual name for the game comes from thecreator’s dog, Pickles, who used to chase downthe errant balls and retrieve them.Pickleball requires far less running than tennis

due to its smaller 44-foot-by-20-foot court (a tennis court is 78 feet by 36 feet). The game moves swiftly thanks to quick volleysbetween players. Most drop-in games areplayed as doubles, further cutting thecourt size down for easy maneuvering.

CA provides rackets and balls for play; the rackets are about twice thesize of a ping pong paddle, and theball is about the size of a tennis ball,but looks more like a wiffle ball.

The change in size makes things a bitinteresting for tennis players, Manrai said.“If you’re a tennis player, it takes getting used

to,” Manrai said. “You’re playing with a muchsmaller-sized racket and the wiffle ball gets affectedby the air. It bounces lower, a little bit funnier.”CA launched the game with a social event in

July, and since then has hosted weekly drop-intimes for the gameat facilities. Nowthat the weather’scolder, the game isavailable at theOwen BrownTennis Club, 7150Cradlerock Way, onWednesdays from1pm to 3pm.Drop-in time is $3 for members, $5 for ColumbiaCardholders and $6

for non-members. Manrai said he’s hoping to startoffering leagues and lessons, but for now thedrop-in time is helping keep players busy.Manrai assured me that anyone can pick up a

racket and get into a game of pickleball, so Idecided to take up his challenge, despite mycomplete lack of tennis skills and having neverplayed the game before. Frankly, I hadn’t pickedup a racket of any sort (unless a flyswatter counts),since a brief flurry of racquetball with friends incollege years ago.I quickly found out Manrai was right —

Silly Name, Exciting New Game

Pickleball “I was picklingcucumbers and was on the internetlooking for recipes,and I tripped overpickleball, and I thought ‘That’sfor me.’”Sylvia Bell, Pickleball player

CA MON TH LY 5

pickleball is simple, easy to learn and a whole lotof fun. Within just a few minutes of learning theropes from fellow players Consuelo Stewart andSylvia Bell, I was zipping around the court,enjoying the unique thwock of the wiffle ballbouncing off the thick paddle. An hour later, Iwas a full-fledged pickleball convert, playing rapidback-and-forth rallies with an ear-to-ear grin.Stewart has been playing the game since

August and said she started attending CA

drop-in times after researching the game online.She said she had very little experience with otherracquet sports, having played racquetball whenshe was younger, but that she enjoyed pickleball’seasy entry for new players.Bell, who has been playing the game

since September, found pickleball completely by accident.“I was pickling cucumbers and was on the

internet looking for recipes, and I tripped over

pickleball, and I thought ‘That’s for me,’ ” shesaid, laughing.She said she hadn’t played tennis in about 10

years but enjoys pickleball’s lower impact on herjoints and the camaraderie of her fellow players.“Play once and you’ll be hooked,” she said.

To see Pickleball in action, visit CA’s YouTube page at bit.ly/CAPickleball

FILE PHOTO

Consuelo Stewart returns a shot from Sylvia Bell, who has been playing the game since September. Bell says she enjoy’s pickleball’s lower impact on her joints and the camaraderie of fellow players.

6 CA MON TH LY

operational sustainability,” said JeremyScharfenberg, Columbia Association’s energymanager. “For an organization as large as CA,getting nearly a quarter of its electricity supplyfrom solar is a great achievement.”It’s the most significant of recent efforts

CA has made to utilize renewable energy andreduce greenhouse gas emissions, Scharfenbergsaid. Those projects include solar panelinstallations at Amherst House and River HillPool, as well as a solar hot water system at

Swansfield Neighborhood Center.“CA is excited to be taking this important

step toward clean energy to protect theenvironment and help reduce the threat ofclimate change,” he said. “Through this effortCA is also contributing to Maryland’srenewable energy goal of 20 percent of totalgeneration by 2022 and supporting the ‘cleantech’ economy through jobs and hardware tobuild and maintain the solar installation.”

Find a video tour of CA’s soon-to-be builtsolar farm, visit our YouTube page atyoutube.com/user/CATVChannel

Sun(continued from page 1)

CA makes green updates in 2014

Over the last year, CA workedaggressively — its second yearas an ENERGY STAR® Partnerwith the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency — to implement energyefficient upgrades in numerous facilities,resulting in lower utility costs, reducedgreenhouse gas emissions, and improvedsustainability. Efforts included:• Replacement of nearly 200 exterior

light fixtures with high-efficiency LED alternatives at several locations,reducing energy consumption by morethan 50 percent and saving more than$30,000 annually.• Installing high-efficiency fluorescent

fixtures at the Columbia Gym andColumbia Swim Center pools.• Installation of high-efficiency

condensing boilers at the Columbia SwimCenter, Columbia Gym and ColumbiaAthletic Club.• Installing ENERGY STAR®HVAC

equipment for the new Hobbits Glen Golf Clubhouse.CA also worked with Baltimore Gas

and Electric to promote various ENERGYSTAR® products and programs available tohelp Columbia residents and businesses be

more sustainable. CA strongly encouragesall community members to explore theseresources and take steps to reduce energyconsumption, fight climate change, and save money.

FILE PHOTO

Jeremy Scharfenberg, CA’s energy manager, standsamid a sea of solar panels on Nixon’s Farm. CA’sarray of panels will be installed later this year.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Columbia Teen Center.......410-992-3726

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

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

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

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

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

CA PHONE NUMBERS

CA MON TH LY 7

At the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directorsmeeting held Nov. 13, the CA Board approved resolutionsfor CA to open a brokerage account with FidelityInvestments and to have CA’s advisory committees present

their committee charges every other year instead of annually. The Boardalso heard a recommendation from the ERC that the Board inviteHoward County School Superintendent Renee Foose to an open CAwork session to discuss ways to further partner with the school system.The next scheduled Board of Directors meeting is Dec. 11. There is only

one CA Board meeting scheduled for December. Meetings typically beginat 7:30pm and are held at CA Headquarters, 10221 Wincopin Circle.For current CA Board of Directors meeting minutes and agendas, visit

ColumbiaAssociation.org/Agendas. Podcasts from board meetings areavailable at ColumbiaAssociation.org/Podcasts.

CA Pays Off Bonds

As of Dec. 1, Columbia Association (CA) achieved a significant milestone by paying off the last SeniorSecured Bonds issued between 1973 and 2001. Atotal of $133 million was raised during that time from

the bonds – money that was the main source for the building upof Columbia Association and CA’s physical amenities. CA created Columbia’s amenities in advance of what was long

a developing community. Issuing bonds allowed for theseamenities to be built for those moving to and living inColumbia, creating the high quality of life that has become thehallmark of this area. With the bond debt paid off, CA was able to take out a

15-year bank loan at a low interest rate of 3.63 percent, lockingin this rate before it can rise. CA also has a line of credit of $25million to access on an as-needed basis at a variable interest rate.These will help pay for CA’s capital projects, which are alsofunded by income from operations and the annual charge.

Haven on the LakeSlated to Openon December 15

BoardRecapCA

By Tripp Laino

Haven on the Lake,ColumbiaAssociation’s (CA)new mind body

wellness retreat, is slated to open Dec. 15, perfect for helping alleviate the stresses of the holiday season.The facility features healing

environments, wellness spaservices, and a variety of mindbody movement classes.“Haven on the Lake is a

wonderful addition to downtownColumbia,” said Rob Goldman,acting general manager of Havenon the Lake and CA vicepresident and manager of specialprojects. “We’re excited to bringpeople in and show off thisbeautiful retreat.”CA is partnering with The Still

Point Spa, founded by MarlaPeoples and Tori Paide, toprovide wellness spa services tothe community. The spa will have10 treatment rooms and offerservices including acupuncture,Reiki, massage therapy, holisticskin care, naturopathic medicine and nutrition counseling, among others.The wellness spa will open

Saturday, Dec. 6, with the healingenvironments and mind body

movement classes opening thefollowing week on Dec. 15.

Unlimited use of the healingenvironments, which includes amovement and relaxation pool, a hot tub with a waterfalloverlooking Lake Kittamaqundi, a crystal salt therapy room, steamroom, cold plunge and tropicalshower, costs as little as $10 permonth per person for CA PackagePlan Plus members.

In addition to the healingenvironments, Haven on the Lakehas three mind body movementstudios — Energy, Flow andVitality — each designedspecifically for certain practicesand offering classes in a variety of disciplines.

Though Haven on the Lake is for adults aged 18 and older,there is also a KidSpace forchildren at the retreat.

Haven’s hours will be from6am to 10pm Monday throughFriday, and from 7am to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday.

A number of packages for useof the healing environments,classes and spa treatments, with awide range of prices are available, as well as a la carte availability. For more information, visitHavenOnTheLake.org or call443-864-0557.

8 CA MON TH LY8 CA MON TH LY

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

Jazz in the Mills Presents Holiday Extravaganza featuring Davey Yarborough and Esther WilliamsSun. Dec. 7 • 5-8pm The Other Barn • 410-730-4610

Breakfast with SantaSat. Dec. 6 • 9-11am Claret Hall • 410-531-1749Tickets are $5 for River Hillresidents, $7 for all others. Get tickets at Claret Hall. No reservations are accepted over the phone.

Breakfast & More with SantaSat. Dec. 6 • Breakfast at 9am or lunch at 11:30am Slayton House • 410-730-3987

Ladies NightSat. Dec. 6 • 6-9pm Supreme Sports Club, KidSpaceMelissa.capo@ColumbiaAssociation.org • Eat, drink andshop! Exclusive access to specialoffers, giveaways and holidayspirits. Enjoy more than 25 vendors,pampering sessions and a chance to win a fabulous gift!

NutcrackerSun. Dec. 7 • 3pm Stonehouse • 410-730-8113

Holiday Tea at Historic OaklandSunday, Dec. 7 • 3:30-5 pm5430 Vantage Point Road410-730-4744 • $28 plus tax perperson. Reservations required.

Breakfast with SantaSat. Dec. 13 • 9:30-11amSupreme Sports Club, KidSpace410-381-7559 • Santa is coming to town! Enjoy continental breakfast,holiday stories, crafts, and festiveholiday music! Each child can havetheir photo taken with Santa.

Movie Night: “Elf”Fri. Dec. 12 7-9pm The Hawthorn Center 410-730-7327• Advance ticketpurchase required. $5 per person.

Breakfast with SantaSat. Dec. 13 • Two seatings forbreakfast 9am and 9:45am The Other Barn • 410-730-4610

Lunch with SantaSat. Dec. 13 • 11:30am-1pm Amherst House • 410-381-9600 Tickets are $5 for residents living on Columbia assessedproperty; $5.50 for all others.

Snacks with SantaSat. Dec. 13 • 12-1:30pm 6800 Cradlerock Way 410-381-0202 • You mustpre-register to attend this event.Please bring a canned food donation.

Town Center Holiday Party withVolunteer RecognitionSun. Dec. 14 • 6-7:30 pm Historic Oakland • 5430 VantagePoint Road • 410-730-4744 Town Center residents only. Free.

Pizza with SantaFri. Dec. 19 • 6 pmLinden Hall • Lien-$4 per person, non-lien $5 per person. Magic show and balloon art. Ages 2+.

Pizzawith SantaSat. Dec. 20 • 11amKahler Hall • 410-730-0770 Please bring one non-perishablefood item per ticket: Items are given to the Howard County Food Bank.

Cookies with SantaSat. Dec. 20 • 2-3:30pm Amherst House • 410-381-9600Tickets are $3.50 for residents livingon Columbia assessed property; $4 for all others.