columbia association newsletter - october 2013

MonthlyA PUBLICATION OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATIONCAOCT 2013

C A M O N T H LY 1

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2 CA Releases First QuarterFinance Report for FY 2014

3 Why I Serve:Interview with CA BoardMember Tom O’Connor

8 Be a Part of YourCommunity Events

Learn more about about CA upcomingprojects, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org.

Columbia DogPark will belocated on 2.7 acres off of RivendellLane, adjacent to the ColumbiaSportsPark in the village of Harper’sChoice. The CA Board of Directorshas approved $135,000 in funding for the DogPark. Howard County’s Department of Planning and Zoning approved the site plan forthe park in July. TheHarper’s Choice Village Board has also expressedits support for the project.

This will be only the second dog park in a county that has plentyof dog lovers, a community that has made CA’s Dog DayAfternoon a popular annual event. The Howard Coun t yDepa r tmen t o f Recreation and Parks operates the WorthingtonDog Park on Hillsborough Road in Ellicott City, and it is alsoplanning on opening a dog park in Blandair Park in east Columbia.

“Dog parks are really taking off across the country,” said Jane Dembner,

CA’s director of community buildingand sustainability. “We are alwaysinterested in serving ourcommunity in different and betterways. We have so many people who

love to walk with their dogs and havetheir dogs play, and now this will be a

really nice recreation and park setting forthem to do that.”Construction is underway. Most of

the features were expected to be completeby late September, weather permitting, and

then the grounds and grass are being given time to cure. ColumbiaDogPark is expected to open in late fall.

The DogPark will be open from sunup to sundown, seven days a week,and will have a nominal registration fee for yearly packages as well as anoption for one-day entry, according to Sean Harbaugh, assistant directorof CA’s Open Space Management Division, which will operate the park.

For more information, please contact CA’s Open SpaceManagement Division at 410-312-6330.

By David Greisman

Columbia

Opening Soon!DogParkEVERY DOG HAS ITS DAY, AND SOON DOGS IN COLUMBIA WILL HAVE THEIR OWN PLACE

to play. That’s because Columbia Association (CA) will be opening the community’s first dog park,

providing a great space for dogs to play or relax — and for their people to join them.

2 C A M O N T H LY

CA Releases First QuarterFinance Report for FY 2014ORGANIZATION-WIDE SUMMARY

COMMUNITY SERVICES

COMMUNITY BUILDINGandSustainability

OPEN SPACEMANAGEMENT

Columbia Association (CA) finished the first quarter of FY2014 at $1.1 million, or 4.5 percent,over the budgeted increase in net assets for the same period. Total income of $42.5 million wasessentially flat for the quarter, and $829,000 or 2 percent higher than the same period in FY2013. Total operating expenses of $15.9 million were 3.8 percent below budget, and $101,000, or .6 percent,higher than the first quarter of last year. Although it is early in the year, CA anticipates ending FY2014with an increase in net assets of $3.9 million.During the first quarter, the Finance and Internal Audit teams prepared for and participated in the

annual independent audits performed by CohnReznick. The results of the audits were presented to the Audit Committee by CohnReznick and shared with the CA Board of Directors.The Finance team also led and participated in the document management and imaging system

launch for accounts payable, purchasing and human resources. The full implementation of this systemwill move much of CA’s supply chain transaction handling to paperless processes.

During this first quarter, interest in the rain gardenprogram continued to increase with 36 rain gardensinstalled. Noteworthy accomplishments includedimplementation of the first phase of the gardenrestoration at the Kennedy gardens; landscaperenovations; planting of five new bio-retention areas;completion of the Lake Kittamaqundi pathwayreconstruction; replacement of the Golden Hook andEndymion Way tot lots; replacement of 12 bridges;restoration of the curvilinear section of the Town Centerrock wall and replacement of the final section of the pier;replacement/installation of 2,700 linear feet of concretesidewalk Columbia-wide; and resurfacing of 14 basketballand seven tennis courts Columbia-wide. We also receivedapproval from Howard County’s Department of Planningand Zoning for the Columbia DogPark, continued towork on the Comprehensive Plan for Serving OlderAdults, worked on the development of a SustainabilityOperational Plan and monitored planning anddevelopment initiatives in Columbia. The “Planning andDevelopment Tracker” was also updated twicemonthly. The latest version is available atColumbiaAssociation.com/pdfs/GetInformed/PlanningandDevelopmentTracker.pdf.

The Community Services Division finished the firstquarter $494,000 better than budget. The positivevariance is primarily due to increased tuition andenrollment income from School Age Services as a result ofincreased enrollment and savings in salary and wages,operating supplies, rentals and smaller savings throughouteach of the expense lines. Some of the important programs that are supported by

the first quarter subsidy of $776,000 from the annualcharge are: the Summer Lakefront Festival, ColumbiaArchives, Sister Cities, Columbia Art Center, VolunteerCenter Serving Howard County, Youth and Teen Center @The Barn, covenant enforcement fees and access to campsand before and after school care for income-qualifiedyoungsters. In addition, it provides support to the villagecommunity associations in the amount of $1,326,000.

A number of new programs and highlightsoccurred during the first quarter of FY2014, includingparticipation in the “World’s Largest Swim Lesson” and“Goggles for Guppies”; offering inexpensive lessons andsafety training through the “Columbia Swims” program;hosting the summer Kidz Triathlon at the ClemensCrossing Pool; offering the Columbia NeighborhoodSwim League to more than 2,452 participants with 14teams; launching the six-class pass for active adults ages 65and up; launching the new group fitness pavilion at StevensForest Pool; beta testing a new medically-based “BOOM”program that allows parti ci pants to increase lean body massand methodically burn fat; hosting a skateboardingcompetition at Columbia SkatePark; and offering the FirstTee programs with more than 700 participants.The division completed the quarter 5.7 percent behind

budget (due mainly to the timing of the payment oftickets for resale) but 21.2 percent ahead of where thedivision was at this time in FY2013. It is expected thatSport & Fitness will be slightly below (4.7 percent)below budget at the end of the year.

The Open SpaceManagement Division ended thefirst quarter better than budget by $434,000. Evenconsidering the significant impact on mowing andtrimming cycles due to higher than normal rainfall, thecontinued emphasis on outdoor recycling stations andother Open Space projects, Land Maintenanceexpenses were below budget in most line itemsthrough the end of the first quarter.

The RV Storage Park was below budget throughthe quarter in total operating expenses and is currentlyat 99 percent capacity.

By the end of the quarter, nearly $3.1 million ofannual charge revenue was used to protect andmaintain the environmental assets of Columbia.

Sports & Fitness

Sales& Marketing Columbia Association’s Sales and Marketing team develop

print ads, direct mailings, online advertising, social media

advertising and other tactics to promote and sell member -

ships and programs.

The Sales and Marketing team also continued several

partnerships with Howard County Tourism, Get Active Howard

County, the Howard County Office on Aging, the Choose

Civility Committee and the Ethnic Community Summit.

Total memberships were 2,130 ahead of the same time

last year. This increase is primarily due to the success of

Outdoor Pools/Columbia Swim Center and Hobbit’s Glen

memberships. This quarter, 850 CA Points students received

free memberships as a result of their exceptional work ethic

and grades during the previous school year.

* CA MON TH LY 3

New Pathway Portion Completed at

The section of path is 2,200 linear feet running

from the bridge on the southern end and through

the Kennedy Gardens area on the east side of the

lake. It needed to be replaced after the Howard

County government finished a sewer line

construction project, according to Denis Ellis,

division director of capital improvement projects

for Columbia Association (CA).

The county government reimbursed CA for

a total of $90,000 to install a new 8-foot-wide

pathway. CA allocated an additional $24,000

to make the path 10-feet wide, which makes it

easier and safer for pedestrians and bicyclists

to share, Ellis said. That width was among

the recommendations made in CA’s

Active Transportation Action Agenda,

which can be found online at

bit.ly/ConnectingColumbia. The

pathway’s sloping also conforms to the

Americans with Disabilities Act, he said.

Another pathway project at the lake is

planned for the future, one that will see CA

completing the long-anticipated loop around

Kittamaqundi.

Lake Kittamaqundi

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 ...................................420-730-0322

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

IMPORTANT CA PHONE NUMBERS

TOM O’CONNOR STEPPED BACK INTO THEboardroom at Columbia Association (CA)

Headquarters this July, returning to a role he’dpreviously served in for a decade.O’Connor had represented Dorsey’s Search on the

CA Board of Directors, including a stint as the board’schairman. He left in 2009, only to return this year afterthe departure of board member Tom Coale. Why come back? “They asked me to,” O’Connor said,

explaining that his familiarity with the workings ofColumbia Association and the needs of Dorsey’s Searchwould allow him to step right in and get to work.And O’Connor also stressed the importance of

community service, a value instilled in him while he wasattending the United States Military Academy in WestPoint, N.Y.“That’s the whole DNA of the community,” O’Connor

said. “It’s very gratifying to see that you’re making abetter community for everybody who lives there.”O’Connor has lived in many places, but decided to

bring his family to Dorsey’s Search in 1987. “We decided to raise our sons in a nice cul-de-

sac type of community and give them somestability,” he said. His sons are now 36 and 33, one a banker and the

other a professional baseball player.Tom O’Connor, meanwhile, is an outside sales

manager for a company that works with the electronicsindustry.The 62-year-old said he sees himself remaining with

the CA board for a year or two. One issue he says isimportant is increasing cooperation betweenorganizations in Howard County. He also wants to seethe proposed Inner Arbor Plan for Symphony Woodscome to fruition.James Rouse had seen Symphony Woods as being

the centerpiece of Columbia, O’Connor said.“Now we have an opportunity to make it that,” he said.

Nearly half a mile of pathway at Lake Kittamaqundi has been replaced after it

was removed during a county infrastructure improvement project — and

the pathway is now wider than before to make it better for the people who use it.

By David Greisman

An Interviewwith CABoard MemberTom O’Connor

WhyIServe

Monster MashFriday, October 11 • 6-8pmSupreme Sports Club7080 Deepage DrEnjoy ghoulish games, monster music, acostume/pumpkin parade, a contest andmore. Cost per Family • $10 for PPP/KidSpaceMembers; $12 for CA Residents; and $14 for Non-Members. Please call 410-381-7559 formore information.

Spooktacular FundayFriday, October 18 • 12-1:30pmHawthorn Center6175 Sunny SpringEnjoy lunch and fun at this special eventfor ages 5-12. Cost is $5. Early registration is required. Please call 410-730-7327 for more information or to register.

Halloween HijinxFriday, October 25 • 4:30pmSlayton HouseWilde Lake Village CenterThis fun event features a puppet show andtrick-or-treating. Please call 410-730-3987 for more information.

Haunted Hallow’s EveFriday, October 25 • 6-8pmClaret Hall • River Hill Village Center Enjoy a spooky Halloween haunted houseand trick-or-treating.Call 410-531-1749 for more information.

Boo BashFriday, October 25 • 5-6:30pmColumbia Athletic Club5435 Beaverkill RdHave fun with face painting, a costumecontest, creepy crafts and games. Cost is $10 for PPP/KidSpace Members; $12 for CA Residents; and $14 for Non-Members.For more information, please [email protected] for more information.

Halloween Party for Children For Long Reach ResidentsSaturday, October 26 • 1-3pmStonehouse • Long Reach Village CenterHave fun at this special Halloween party forkids (age 10 or younger) of Long Reach Village residents. Please call 410-730-8113 formore information.

Boo BashSaturday, October 26 • 10-11:30amColumbia Gym • 6151 Daylong LnHave fun with face painting, a costumecontest, creepy crafts and games. Cost per Family is • $10 for PPP/KidSpace Mem-bers; $12 for CA Residents; and $14 for Non-Members. For more information, [email protected].

Halloween HappeningsSaturday, October 26 • 5-7pmAmherst House Kings Contrivance Village CenterEnjoy some Halloween fun at AmherstHouse with tricks, treats and spooky goodfun. Please call 410-381-9600 for more information.

C A M O N T H LY 5

CelebrateHalloween inColumbia by Aria White Connor

There are plenty of fun activities this month for your family and kids to celebrate and have a spooky, good time for Halloween. Whether you’re into dancing, or lunchtime fun, or dressing up in costumes,there’s a Halloween event for you!

4 C A M O N T H LY

Please visitColumbiaAssociation.org/Events

each month to learn about new activities happening

around Columbia.

don’t forget!

efficiency boiler and replacement of occupancy sensors.CA has sunk its teeth into energy efficiency, and Columbia

residents can, too. Fall is a great time to replace your porch,garage and other outdoor lights withlong-lasting, energy-saving CFLs andLEDs. They provide the light you needfor winter’s longer nights while using farless energy, saving you money. Withinstant discounts from BGE’s SmartEnergy Savers Program®, you can save up

to $2.25 on select ENERGY STAR® certified CFLs and up to $5on select ENERGY STAR certified LED lighting.

For more information on how you can help improve thesustainability of our community and save money at the sametime, please go to BGESmartEnergy.com/Residential.

6 CA MON TH LY

Using Energy Efficiency Tricks for Cost Saving Treats During

Energy Awareness MonthCA Annual ChargeDollars HelpKeep ColumbiaPathways Clean

COLUMBIA ASSOCIATION (CA)maintains more than 3,600 acres of openspace. Of course, “open” doesn’t meanthat there’s nothing there. On the contrary,we’re talking lakes, ponds, parks, 93.5miles of pathways, bridges, basketballand tennis courts, picnic areas and more.Your assessment dollars help us

maintain those pathways by removingdebris and vegetation, clearing them ofsnow in the winter and leaves during thefall. The team members also inspect thepathways and bridges on an annualbasis for needed repairs. Your fees gotoward the equipment as well: mowers,snow removal gear, trucks, maintenanceequipment and everything else it takesto keep open spaces green, safe and“open” for your enjoyment.For more information on how your

annual charge dollars are used, visitWhyIPayCA.org.

Brian Dunn, Kings [email protected]

Michael Cornell, River [email protected]

Cynthia A.S.H. Coyle, Harper’s [email protected]

Nancy McCord, Wilde [email protected]

Gregg Schwind, Hickory [email protected]

Russell Swatek, Long [email protected]

Suzanne Waller, Town [email protected]

Andrew Stack, Owen [email protected]

Tom O’Connor, Dorsey’s [email protected]

ColumbiaAssociationBoard ofDirectors

20132014

Alex Hekimian, Oakland [email protected]

By Erin McPhail

TURN IT OFF – Even energy-efficient light bulbs and equipment should be turned off if there is noreason for it to be on. Be on the lookout for “phantom” standby loads from chargers or otherelectronic equipment that still use energy when they are turned off.BUY ENERGY STAR –When purchasing electronics and other appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR label.GET A SMART THERMOSTAT – Use programmed thermostat setbacks to reduce air conditioning andheating needs. Raising a thermostat setpoint a few degrees in summer and lowering it a fewdegrees in winter can have a significant impact on energy consumption.UTILIZE INCENTIVES – Participate in BGE’s numerous incentive programs, such as Home Performancewith ENERGY STAR, to get information and financial assistance for energy efficiency projects.GO NATURAL – Utilize passive strategies such as daylighting and outside air ventilation when possible.

OCTOBER IS ENERGY AWARENESS MONTH, ANDit is a great time to look at the numerous ways we can all bemore energy efficient. Columbia Association (CA) iscontinuing to make upgrades to its facilities to conserveenergy and save money, and the recently completed summershutdown of our fitness facilities was a great opportunity toundertake several significant projects. New light fixtureswere installed in the Columbia Athletic Club Tennis Arenaand the Supreme Sports Club Arena that improve lightquality and significantly reduce energy consumption. Olderhigh-wattage fixtures in these locations were replaced withhighly-efficient fluorescent fixtures; the new fixtures will alsolast longer and maintain light output better than the oldertechnology. Other projects completed at the fitness facilitiesincluded simple lamp upgrades, installation of a high-

What aresome other

thingsColumbiaresidentscan do to

start savingenergy

this month?

CA MON TH LY 7

YOURWORKOUTMIX-UP

WIT

H

MIXED MARTIAL ARTSat SupremeSports Club

By David Greisman

* The appointment of Anne Santos to theWilde Lake Architectural Committee.

* The concept of the Mind/Body/WellnessRetreat for the new CA operations in the oldRouse Company Headquarters building.

* A purchasing exception so thatClubIntel, Inc. can assist CA in developingthe marketing and pre-sales plans for thenew Wellness Retreat.

* Fiscal Year 2013 990 and 990T Forms.

* Increasing the dollar threshold for thethree reading rule from $25,000 to $50,000.

* Amending the President’s Goals andObjectives for Fiscal Year 2014 to includeresolution of the internal controlrecommendations made by CohnReznickduring their audits of both Fiscal Year 2012and Fiscal Year 2013 financial statements.

* Filing of the first quarter Fiscal Year 2014Board Report and Financial Statements.For current CA Board meeting minutes and

agenda please visit bit.ly/CABoardMeetings.A podcast of the meetings are also

available at bit.ly/CABoardPodcast.

RECAPCA BOARD

At the Columbia Association

(CA) Board of Directors

meeting on Thursday, Sept. 12,

these Recommendations for

Action items were approved:

This past February, Rose began takingBrazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai kickboxingclasses through Columbia Association (CA).The 24-year-old white belt from Columbia islearning by doing, both through instructor Alvin

Chan and by “rolling” with his classmates.“There’s this big mentality of allowing yourself

to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, totap out and to make mistakes, because that’show you learn,” Rose said. Chan, a personal trainer for CA, is a

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and is a formermember of the World Kickboxing Association’sU.S. Thai Boxing team.

“The experience and knowledge that hebrings is astounding,” Rose said. “He’sbeen in every single position and situationand knows how to teach it. He’s like awalking encyclopedia.”

The classes are held onMondays and Wednesdays atSupreme Sports Club,located at 7080 DeepageDrive in east Columbia.Classes are for all levels; noprior experience is required.Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes gofrom 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., andMuay Thai runs from 7:45 to8:45 p.m. Classes are open toanyone 14 and up. Waiversfor those 13 and younger willbe considered on a case-by-case basis. Youth classes areexpected to begin soon.The cost for unlimited MMA

classes is $125 a month for CAmembers and $135 a month fornon-members. Included in thatprice is a plain white BrazilianJiu-Jitsu gi — these classes

train with a gi on Mondays and without a gi onWednesdays. Regular gym attire is allowed atthe Muay Thai classes. Groin protection ishighly recommended for Muay Thai students.Go to ColumbiaAssociation.org/login

to sign up, call 410-381-5355 or visitSupreme Sports Club’s front desk. Formore information, please contact Chan [email protected].

Bill Rose had never done mixed martial arts before stepping onto themats at Supreme Sports Club. He knew martial arts would be a goodworkout, though — he’d done a few years of taekwondo in college, andhe much preferred this kind of exercise over lifting weights or running.

Mixed Martial Arts classes are offered at Supreme SportsClub on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Perspectives: A Mixed Media ExhibitNow-Sat, Oct 19 • Times varyBernice Kish Gallery in Wilde Lake410-730-3897

Oakland Mills Farmers MarketSundays through Nov. 249am-1pm • Oakland Mills VillageCenter • 410-730-4610

Ice Cream Sundae andScarecrow Making Fri, Oct 4 • 6:30-8pm Amherst House • 410-381-9600

Family Bingo NightFri, Oct 4 • 7:30-9pm • LongReach Community Association –Stonehouse • 410-730-8113

Bod Pod – BodyComposition TestingSat, Oct 5 • 7am-12pmColumbia Gym • [email protected]

Red Ribbon Yard SaleSat, Oct 5 • 8am-12pm •

Harper’s Choice Village •410-730-0770

Shred E-Cycle Event*Hickory RidgeResidents Only*Sat, Oct 5 • 9am-1pmHawthorn Center •Info@ HickoryRidgeVillage.org

Rock Your Jeans FitnessExpo and Fashion ShowSat, Oct 5 • 12-3pm • Lord & Taylor(The Mall in Columbia) [email protected]

Oakland Mills CulturalArts FestivalSat, Oct 5 • 11am-4pmOakland Mills Village Center410-730-4610

Monster MashFri, Oct 11 • 6-8pm • SupremeSports Club • 410-381-7559

Town Center Fall Yard SaleSat, Oct 12 • 9am-12pm • VantagePoint Road Park • 410-730-4744.

Long Reach Village Yard Sale Sat, Oct 12 • 8am-1pmLocations vary (look for ribbons)410-730-8113

11th Annual Hear MyVoice Teen Day and Teen Idol CompetitionSun, Oct 13 • 3-6pmDowntown Columbia Lakefront410-992-3726

Records ManagementWorkshopMon, Oct 14 • 4-7pm • HistoricOakland Manor • 410-715-6761

Owen Brown Community AssociationBoard MeetingTue, Oct 15 • 7pm • Owen BrownCommunity Center • 410-381-0202

Spooktacular FundayFri, Oct 18 • 12-1:30pmHawthorn Center • Earlyregistration [email protected]

Fall Hobby & Craft FairSat, Oct 19 • 9am-12pm ColumbiaGym • 410-715-3169

Town Center’s 40th Birthday CelebrationSat, Oct 19 •12-3pm • HistoricOakland Manor • 410-730-4744

Oakland Music Cafe with FourtitudeSun, Oct 20 • 3:30-5pm • HistoricOakland Manor • 410-730-4744

Bonita Glaser and Jing-JyChen GalleryThu, Oct 24 -Thu, Dec. 19Times vary • Bernice Kish Gallery410-730-3897

Afternoon TeaThu, Oct 24 • 4:30-6pm • HistoricOakland Manor • 410-730-4744

Boo BashFri, Oct 25 • 5-6:30pmColumbia Athletic Club • [email protected]

An Evening of Jazz withProject Natale Fri, Oct 25 • 7pm • The Other Barn• 410-730-4610

Haunted Hallow’s EveFri, Oct 25 • 6-8pm • Claret Hall410-531-1749

Boo BashSat, Oct 26 • 10-11:30amColumbia Athletic Club •

[email protected]

How To Do Cowboy TricksSat, Oct 26 • 11am • Kahler Hall410-730-0770

Halloween Happenings Sat, Oct 26 • 5-7pm • AmherstHouse • 410-381-9600

Salon Series: 50 Years in ClayMon, Oct 28 • 7pm • Columbia ArtCenter • 410-730-0075

Creating Columbia –50 Years Ago TodayWed, Oct 30 • 7-9pm • ColumbiaArchives • 410-715-6781

Baltimore Gallery TourThu, Oct 31 • 10am-3:30pmColumbia Art Center410-730-0075

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

COMMUNITY EVENTS

8 CA MON TH LY

columbia association newsletter - october 2013

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