every day in hundreds of ways to make Columbiaan even better place to live, work and play. Andthese values form the foundation of CA’s newstrategic plan, which went into effect on May 1.To develop this plan, CAreached out to numerous areastakeholders, conducting surveysof and speaking with multipledepartments of the HowardCounty Government, localnonprofits, community partners,commercial property owners,village board chairs, residents,local businesses, CA advisorycommittee chairs and CA teammembers.Their thoughts brought us aneven greater understanding of how theneeds, interests and expectations of thecommunity are changing. Members of the community spoke often ofthe value of CA’s programs, services andfacilities, and how important it is that they areregularly evaluated and updated, evolving with

the changing needs of the community. There are several other important goals in theplan, including enhancing connectivity andenvironmental stewardship, maintaining CA’s

open spaces, strengthening CA’scommunication and communityengagement efforts, continuing toimprove transparency, maintainingstrong fiscal discipline andinvesting additional effort incommunity partnerships.As CA does all of this, it willdo so with those five values inmind. We deliver fun and havea great time providing it. Withevery service we provide, westrive for excellence. We

celebrate diversity. We build lasting andtrusting relationships. And we fosteropportunities to connect with others. Thisplan will guide the CA Board, its newpresident and its great staff as we all work tokeep this the community of choice today —and for generations to come.

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MonthlyA PUBLICATION OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATIONCAMAY 2014

CA MON TH LY 1

2 NAACP RecognizesYTC as 2014 Young TrailblazersAward Winner

3 Columbia Home TourReturns Next Month

8 Be a Part of YourCommunity Events

StrategicPlanIntroducing CA’s New

We’re fun. We’re excellent. We’re inclusive, trustworthy andconnected. These are the values that guide ColumbiaAssociation’s (CA) approach to fulfilling its mission of working

With everyservice

we provide, we strive forexcellence.

The popular Columbia Home Tourwill soon be returning for its fifthyear. The self-guided tour will be

held on Sunday, June 1, from 11 a.m. to5 p.m. Tickets are on sale for $20 fromany of the 10 village communityassociations. On the day of the tour,tickets will be $25 and will only beavailable at Amherst House in KingsContrivance.Proceeds will benefit the local charityRebuilding Together Howard County,which provides free home repairs to low-income families in Howard County.The Columbia Home Tour, which issponsored by the villages of Columbia andColumbia Archives, provides aninteresting perspective on what facets ofarchitecture in Columbia endure and whatfacets change so as to reflect the needs and

styles of today’s residents. With a tour guidebook and map,participants will head to the five homes,where docents will welcome and guidethem. People may tour as many homes asthey wish and in any order they choose. This year’s featured homes include aCalifornia contemporary in Harper’sChoice, a transitional two-story on thegolf course in Harper’s Choice, a modernrancher in Oakland Mills, a traditionaltwo-story in Owen Brown and a VantageHouse penthouse in Town Center.Participants are also invited to visitAmherst House for light refreshments andto see displays provided by ColumbiaArchives and Rebuilding TogetherHoward County. For more information, please go to

ColumbiaHomeTour.org.

NAACP Recognizes YTC as 2014Young Trailblazers Award Winner

2 CA MON TH LY

By Mary Weeks

The YTC was awarded the 2014 Young TrailblazerAward from the NAACP.

The popular Columbia HomeTour returns Sunday, June 1.Participants can take a self-guided tour through fiveunique homes around Columbia.

Recently, Columbia Association’s(CA) Youth and Teen Center(YTC) was awarded the 2014

Young Trailblazer Award from theNational Association for the Advancementof Colored People (NAACP). This awardrecognizes the contributions of youngleaders within the Howard Countycommunity. “To the kids, receiving this award meansthat they are making a great contributionto our community,” said Rene Buckmon,manager of youth and teen programs. “Itencourages them to continue to be young

leaders within the Columbia and HowardCounty community and to always be theconduit forging a positive path for theirpeers to emulate.” YTC provides great programs andactivities for youth in the Howard Countyarea. The center offers programs such asthe Teen and Middle School AdvisoryCommittees, Teen Outreach Committeeand mentoring groups for girls and boysthat teach leadership and life skills. For more information about YTC and

how your kids can get involved withprograms and activities at the center, visitColumbiaAssociation.org/Teens.

COLUMBIA HOME TOURReturns Next Month By David Greisman

A re you in the mood for a little bitof R&B? How about some funkor rock songs? Well, we have you

covered at this year’s LakefrontWednesdays Lunchtime Concert Series. That’s right, the lunchtime concertsare back! Enjoy live concerts by thelake on Wednesday every week in Mayand June. In addition to great livemusic, guests will receive free coldbeverages and be eligible to win araffle! This year’s performers include

series favorites and popular localmusicians representing a wide variety of musical styles, includingrock, folk, jazz, blues and R&B. To get a sneak peak of these greatartists, or to find more information on the Lakefront WednesdaysLunchtime Concert Series, please call 410-423-1891 or visitColumbiaAssociation.org/LakefrontWednesdays. We will see you at the lake!

CA MON TH LY 3

The 2014 ConcertSeries Lineup Includes:

Lakefront Wednesdays Lunchtime Concert SeriesStarts this month

Enjoy a free lunchtime concert at Lakefront Wednesdays. This year’s concerts start May 7.

By Erin McPhail

May 7:May 14:

May 21:

May 28:

June 4:June 11:

June 18:

June 25:

Ted Garber, rock/folkThe Dan Haas Band, various genresAngela Sheik, electro-acousticUnity Reggae Band, reggaeJanice B, R&B/soulDamon Foreman, rock/funkPan Fried Steel, steel drumCara Kelly & The Tell Tale, blues/soul

4 CA MON TH LY

T he winter 2014 class of Columbia Association’sExcite Columbia graduated in early April.Excite Columbia is a five or six-week program

implemented by CA Communications and CommunityEngagement Division. The main goal of the program is toeducate, inform and give residents an in-depth view on howCA operates and serves the community. Excite Columbiaalso provides a forum for CA and community members tointeract and engage with one another. We would like tooffer congratulations to the following graduates: MarcelinoBedolla (pictured), Lisa Cole, Bill Dragovich, FeniseDunson, Atal Eralp (pictured), Maria Gavrilas-Guinn(pictured), Marianne Heritage (pictured), SharonRichardson, James Robinson (pictured), Gloria A. Smith.The next session will take place in the fall. If you wouldlike to be placed on the waiting list, please emailCommunications@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

Columbia DogPark Opening May 24

From Left: Former Harper’ s Choice CA BoardRepresentative Cindy Coyle, James Robinson,Marcelino Bedolla, Marianne Heritage, Atal Eralp,Maria Gavrilas-Guinn, CA Board Chairman Andy Stack.

By David Greisman

Come out May 24 — and don’t forgetyour pooches and pups — for thegrand opening of Columbia

DogPark, the first dog park in Columbia.Dog lovers have been, uh, houndingColumbia Association (CA) for sometime about giving their canines a greatplace to run and play. Fortunately, theywere barking up the right tree. CAlistened and found a great spot: ColumbiaDogPark is located on 2.7 acres at 5901Rivendell Lane, off Cedar Lane andadjacent to Columbia SportsPark in thevillage of Harper’s Choice.The May 24 grand opening is a freeopportunity for people and their dogs tosee the park, which has a two-acre area forlarge dogs (more than 25 pounds) and 0.7acres for small dogs (less than 25 pounds).CA staff will be on-site that day for those

But there’s no need to wait until then.Pre-registration for Columbia DogParkis available at CA’s Open SpaceManagement Division at 9450 GerwigLane in east Columbia. Dog owners willneed to fill out an application and liabilitywaiver form and will need to provide acopy of a current dog license and rabiescertification. Registered users will be issued aColumbia DogPark Dog Tag for eachregistered dog, giving them access to afacility that is open from sunup tosundown, seven days a week. There is amaximum of two dogs per handler inthe off-leash areas.For more information on ColumbiaDogPark, please contact CA’s Open SpaceManagement Division at 410-312-6330or go to ColumbiaAssociation.org/DogPark.

Congratulations to the Winter 2014 Excite Columbia Graduates

interested in annual registration. Theannual rate is $35 for CA residents and$40 for non-CA residents for a maximumof three dogs per household. One-daypasses to Columbia DogPark also areavailable for $5 for CA residents and $6for non-CA residents.

The Columbia DogPark grandopening will take place onSaturday, May24 from 10am-noon.

CA’s Annual Charge HelpsFund Swim Programs

All About the Clippers Swim Team

ColumbiaAssociation’s (CA)annual charge helps

fund many of CA’s programsand activities, including thefree Summer LakefrontFestival concerts and movies,village elections, open spaceand more. Money from theannual charge also supportsthe upkeep of CA’s 23outdoor pools and helps CAprovide programs to ensurethat all residents have accessto the pools, regardless ofincome level.CA’s Aquatics Departmentwill be holding free swimminglessons on the followingdates: Thursday, June 20, atKendall Ridge Pool, at

The ColumbiaAquatics Association(CAA), better known

as the Clippers Swim Team,is a competitive swim teamsponsored by ColumbiaAssociation. Columbia hashad a competitive swim teamsince the late 1960s. The present day Clippersbegan in 1987 with 30swimmers. The team nowhas more than 330swimmers ranging from 6 to

18 years old, in 12 differentpractice groups. Swimmerspractice from Septemberthrough July, from three toeight times a week andsometimes twice a day onTuesdays and Thursdays.Practice starts as early as5:30 a.m. and end as late as8:45 p.m. to accommodateas many participants in theprogram as possible. Many swimmers go on toswim in college, masters

programs, triathlons and,more importantly, forphysical fitness. Swimming isa sport that many cancontinue to enjoy allthroughout their life.During the championshipmonth of March, theClippers will be sending 50swimmers to the MarylandSwimming StateChampionship Meet at theNaval Academy, 63swimmers to the Junior

Championship Meet at St.Mary’s College and 20swimmers to the Speedo®Championship Series Meetat Virginia Tech.At a recent meet, theClippers hosted swimmersages 6 to 18 at HowardCommunity College. Morethan 700 swimmersparticipated in more than2,800 events! The 200Clippers swimmers achievedmore than 650 best times atthe meet. For moreinformation, visitClippersSwim.org.

10:15am or 11am; andFriday, June 21, at River HillPool, at 10:15am or 11am forthe World’s Largest SwimLesson.CA will also be hostingColumbia Swims from June

21-Aug. 3 this year to helpensure that all Columbiaresidents have theopportunity to be safe aroundwater. This program is forages 6 and up (under 13 mustbe accompanied by an adult).

A variety of skill stations willbe available at each class,including water acclimation,basic skills to feel safein/around water, how torespond to an aquaticemergency and more. Sessions will be held onSaturdays at Talbott SpringsPool, from 5-6pm and Sundaysat Running Brook Pool, from5-6pm. Cost is $2 for CAMembers/Columbia CardHolders and $8 for non-members. Participants mayattend multiple classes. You canregister by calling CA’sAquatics office, visiting any CApool, or visitingColumbiaAssociation.org/Pools.This year, CA’s 23 outdoorpools will open on Saturday,May 24.Learn more about the waysCA uses the money broughtin by the annual charge byvisiting WhyIPayCA.org.

CA MON TH LY 5

CA offers programs each year give residentseasy access to CA’s outdoor pools.

By Aria White Connor

6 CA MON TH LY

By David Greisman

By Jeremy Scharfenberg

CA’s World Languages Café

Celebrates1-Year Anniversary

Spring into Summer with Cool HVAC Upgrades

I t began at one table and then wentfrom another to the next, on and on,all singing “Happy Birthday,” each

table doing so in a different language.They were celebrating the firstanniversary of Columbia Association’sWorld Languages Café program, whichthis past March marked one year ofhosting monthly evenings ofconversation and culture in 15 differentlanguages.Thanks to the continuing partnershipand support from Wegmans, the WorldLanguages Café provides communitymembers with a great place to speak alanguage they know or are learning, toconverse in a friendly atmosphere, meetnew people who enjoy learning aboutother cultures, increase their fluency byspeaking and listening, pick up useful

also getting in touch with the culture,” said Laura Smit, manager ofCA’s International Exchange andMulticultural Programs. “There aren’tthat many opportunities in HowardCounty to practice language.” Languages include Arabic, Chinese,Dutch, English, Farsi, French, German,Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese,Korean, Portuguese, Russian andSpanish. Language tables are hosted bynative speakers who will facilitateconversation; these gatherings are notgrammar or vocabulary classes.To find out if there will be a nativespeaker of the language you areinterested in practicing, if you’reinterested in hosting a language tablethat is not listed above, or for moreinformation, please contact Laura Smit,at 410-715-3162 or Laura.Smit@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

phrases to use when traveling and recalltheir childhood languages.The World Languages Café meets onthe fourth Wednesday of the month atthe Wegmans Café, located at 8855McGaw Road in Columbia. More than

400 people have come through, usuallywith between 60 and 100 people thereeach month.“Language and culture are justintimately intertwined. When peoplecome to practice a language, they’re

As an ENERGY STAR®Partner, ColumbiaAssociation (CA) is

actively working to upgrade itsheating, ventilation and airconditioning (HVAC)equipment in order to reduceenergy consumption,maintenance costs andgreenhouse gas emissions. Forboth new and existing facilitiesCA is choosing equipment

that meets ENERGY STARstandards and/or exceedsbuilding energy coderequirements. Several of thesenew HVAC units, which areamong the most energyefficient available, can be seenon the roof of the SupremeSports Club. And spring is a great timefor Columbia residents toupgrade air conditioningequipment before the heat ofsummer sets in. The Baltimore

Gas and Electric (BGE) SmartEnergy Savers Program offersup to $900 in rebates forENERGY STAR certifiedheating and coolingequipment. If your equipmentis more than 10 years old, itmight be time to replace it.Choosing ENERGY STARcertified equipment can helpyou improve comfort, reduceenergy use and save money.Although ENERGY STARcertified models can

sometimes be more expensiveupfront, the additional cost istypically recovered throughlower energy use. So startsaving today!To learn more visit

BGESmartEnergy.com.To learn more aboutENERGY STAR, visitenergystar.gov.

CA MON TH LY 7

CA Board RecapAt the Columbia Association (CA) Board ofDirectors meeting held on Thursday, April 10,these recommendations for action were approved:

• The Planning and Strategy Committee recommended to the boardapproval of the Comprehensive Plan for Serving Older Adults, asamended, as a guiding framework and that the staff report annuallyon the progress of implementation of the plan.

• The Planning and Strategy Committee moved its End-of-Year reportto the board for its review.

• The board approved the recommendations from the Subcommitteeon Advisory Committees.

• The board approved the issuance of long-term debt.

• The board approved the Minority Business Policy with a targeted 12 percent procurement from minority businesses, with a sunsetdate of April 30, 2017.

• The board elected Nancy McCord as a representative to the InnerArbor Trust Board of Directors.

• The next scheduled Board of Directors meetings will be held on Thursday, May 8 and 22.

•Meetings are held at CA Headquarters, which is located at 10221 Wincopin Circle, across the street from The Mall in Columbia. Meetings begin at 7:30 p.m.

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

CA Headquarters ...........................................................410-715-3000CA Membership Service Center...............................410-730-1801Aquatics Office ..............................................................410-312-6332Columbia Art Center ....................................................410-730-0075Columbia Athletic Club ...............................................410-730-6744Columbia Association Camps...................................410-715-3165Columbia Gym ................................................................410-531-0800Columbia Horse Center...............................................301-776-5850Columbia Ice Rink.........................................................410-730-0322Columbia SportsPark/SkatePark .............................410-715-3054

Columbia Swim Center................................................410-730-7000Columbia Teen Center .................................................410-992-3726Fairway Hills Golf Club................................................410-730-1112Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club ...............................................410-730-5980Inclement Weather Hotline........................................410-715-3154Indoor Tennis, Columbia Athletic Club..................410-720-0149Owen Brown Tennis Bubble ......................................410-381-7255Supreme Sports Club ...................................................410-381-5355The Racquet Club at Hobbit’s Glen ........................410-715-3080Wilde Lake Tennis Club...............................................410-730-3767

IMPORTANT CA PHONE NUMBERS

What do you want to read more ofin the CA Monthly newsletter?

Columbia Association (CA)currently writes and publishesthis monthly communitynewsletter featuring CA news,events, programs and projects.The newsletter is inserted on thefirst Thursday of each month inthe Columbia Flier and is postedonline. You can read the latestissue at CAMonthly.org. Take alook and let us know what youwould like to read more of in the newsletter.

Visit bit.ly/camonthly to let usknow what you think, or emailCommunications@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

We Want To

HEARFROM YOU!

Dog Day AfternoonSat, May 3 • 11am-3pmHopewell Park 410-423-1891

Red Ribbon Community Yard SaleSat, May 3 • 8am-noonHarper’s Choice Community •�410-730-0770

Remembering JimRouse - Birthday PartySun, May 4 • 5-7pmMerriweather Post Pavilion410-715-3103

Mother DaughterNight OutThu, May 8 • 6pm Owen Brown CommunityCenter • 410-381-0202

CA Board of DirectorsMeetingThu, May 8 • 7:30pmCA Headquarters � 410-715-3000

50+ LunchThu, May 8 • 11:30am-1pmThe Hawthorn Center410-730-7327

The Art of GhanaThu, May 8-Sun, May 18(Reception: Sat, May 10,2-5pm) • Times vary Columbia Art Center � 410-730-0075 • 410-715-3162

KidSpace 2nd AnnualHip-Hop Dance OffFri, May 9 • 6-8pm Columbia Athletic Club �410-715-3169

Lively Arts for LittleOnes Presents: “Rocknoceros”Fri, May 9 • 10am • TheOther Barn • 410-730-4610

Rainbow TheatreFri, May 9 • 10am • SlaytonHouse Theatre •�410-730-3987

Summer Camps Open HouseSat, May 10 • 11am-2pmColumbia Gym�• 410-715-3165

Town Center VillageBoard MeetingWed, May 14 • 7pm Historic Oakland Manor �410-730-4744

Bingo Ladies Night OutThu, May 15 • 7-9pmAmherst House 410-381-9600

Family Bingo at The Other BarnThu, May 15 • 7pm • TheOther Barn�• 410-730-4610

Bernice Kish GalleryMay Exhibit: Jenny Singleton and Beatrice HardyThu, May 15-Sat, Jun 14(Reception: Sat, May 17, 3-5pm) • Times vary� Slayton House�• 410-730-3987

Birds in the BackyardFri, May16 •noon-1:30 pmThe Hawthorn CenterJoan@HickoryRidgeVillage.org

Columbia WalkAlongSat, May 17 • 10am Wilde Lake Park 410-715-3103

River Hill Flea MarketSun, May 18 • 10am

River Hill Village CenterParking Lot 410-531-1749

Culture Fest on NorthAfrica and Middle EastSun, May 18 • 1:30-4:30pmHoward County Library System’s Miller Branch �410-715-3162

Columbia AssociationAquatics AdvisoryCommittee MeetingTue, May 20 • 7-8:30pmColumbia Swim Center � 410-312-6332

CA Board of DirectorsMeetingThu, May 22 • 7:30pmCA Headquarters 410-715-3000

Flea MarketSat, May 24 • 8am-noonThe Hawthorn Center Parking Lot Joan@HickoryRidgeVillage.org

Afternoon TeaThu, May 29 • 4:30-6pmHistoric Oakland Manor �410-730-4744

SplashDown Teen NightFri, May 30 • 7-9pm Columbia Swim Center �ColumbiaAssociation.org/Pools

SAVE THE DATE: Columbia Home TourSun, Jun 1 • 11am-5pmVarious locationsColumbiaHomeTour.org

8 CA MON TH LY

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

HipHopDANCEOFF