for the village neighborhoods. In addition,each village also elects one ColumbiaCouncil representative to serve asa member of the ColumbiaAssociation (CA) Board of Directors.

Columbia VillagesThe village communityassociations around Columbiaeach play an important role in the community. The villageboards direct the business affairs ofthe community association, so if there’ssomething you’d like to see more of in yourvillage, or an issue that you want solved, be sure to vote.

Columbia Council, a.k.a.CA Board of Directors

The CA Board of Directors reviewspolicies and budget matters, developsstrategic initiatives for theassociation, addresses communityissues and appoints the CApresident. Since the CA Board is

the governing body of CA, it’sessential that residents have a say in

who sits on the board.The villages of Harper’s Choice,

Hickory Ridge, Oakland Mills, OwenBrown, Town Center and Wilde Lake havea Columbia Council seat open this year.Election times and locations vary; check out acomplete schedule on page 3.

Facebook.com/ColumbiaAssociation

Instagram.com/ColumbiaAssn

LinkedIn.com/company/Columbia-Association

Twitter.com/ColumbiaAssn

YouTube.com/CATVchannel

withCA!Get Social

It’s easier than ever to find us.

Columbia Association with

get the latest

anytime at bit.ly/thisweekatca

you can watch thevideos online

aweeklywebcast.

on what’shappening at

thisweek@CA

Visit ColumbiaAssociation.orgfor more information.

MonthlyA PUBLICATION OF COLUMBIA ASSOCIATIONCAAPR 2014

CA MON TH LY 1

2 CA Releases ThirdQuarter FinanceReport for FY 2014

3 Columbia ElectionsComing Up on April 26

8 Be a Part of YourCommunity Events

ColumbiaElections

Coming Up This Month:

By Aria White Connor

The Columbia village elections are coming up on Saturday,April 26. Each of the 10 villages in Columbia has a boardthat regulates the village’s covenants, organizes activitiesfor residents and determines the architectural guidelines

CA ReleasesThird Quarter FinanceReport for FY 2014

2 CA MON TH LY

Organization-Wide SummaryColumbia Association (CA) finished thethird quarter of FY 2014 with financialresults $1,756,000 more than the amountbudgeted, and $499,000 above the sameperiod in FY 2013. Total income of $56.7million was slightly less than what wasbudgeted for the period, and slightly morethan the same period in FY 13. Totaloperating expenses of $43.4 million were4.6 percent less than the amount budgeted,and $305,000 higher than the amountspent in the same period in FY 13. CAexpects to finish FY 14 with an increase innet assets of approximately $3.8 million.

During the third quarter, the Financeteam both led and supported the beginningof the two-year budget process for fiscalyears 2015 and 2016, working especiallywith new division and service bureaudirectors to develop their budgets. Thebudgets were approved by the CA Board inlate February. Finance team members arealso integral participants in the numerousprojects currently underway at CA, such asHaven on the Lake and the new Hobbit’sGlen Clubhouse in addition to the dailysupport of CA facilities, programs andcommunity services.

Community Buildingand Open Space

The Community Building and OpenSpace Service Bureau is made up of twodivisions (Open Space Management andCommunity Building) and includes thefunctions of Landscape Services, Capital

Improvements, Community Planning,Watershed Management, Open SpaceManagement Administration, LandMaintenance, Fleet Maintenance and theRV Park.

Noteworthy accomplishments during thethird quarter include completion of theconstruction of Columbia DogPark; snowand ice removal efforts; coordination withthe Howard County government on thecounty’s initiative to redevelop Long ReachVillage Center; preparation for andimplementation of the first public meeting aspart of the ongoing management of theColumbia Market Analysis study; preparationof the public review draft of the Communityof a Lifetime: CA’s Comprehensive Plan forOlder Adults and participation in two publicmeetings; continuation and monitoring ofplanning and development initiatives inColumbia and update of the “Planning andDevelopment Tracker.” The latest version isavailable online at ColumbiaAssociation.org/planninganddevelopment.

The service bureau ended the thirdquarter $2,003,000 under the FY 14budgeted amount and is projected to beunder budget by $1,601,000 for the year.

Community ServicesThe Community Services Division

finished the third quarter $103,000 underbudget and anticipates ending the yearessentially on budget. The positive varianceis primarily due to small savings throughoutmany of the expense lines.

There were several highlights in the thirdquarter. The International Exchange andMulticultural Programs’ Ghana Fest, held atSlayton House on Nov. 17. The Youth andTeen Center Teen Outreach Committeebegan collecting and sorting clothingdonations for the 5th Annual Clothing Drive.The School Age Services Departmentimplemented the SASSY program this year,purchased alternative exercise equipment andis working with the personal trainingdepartment that developed and isimplementing child-geared workout classes.Summer Camp registration began Jan. 16and introduced online registration. ColumbiaArchives hosted a three-part mini-course,Creating Columbia: 50 Years Ago Today.

Sales and MarketingTotal active memberships increased from

20,026 during the same period last year to20,949 through Jan. 31, 2014. Package Planmemberships have increased by 410, whilesingle facility memberships have increased513 memberships compared to last year.

Some of the highlights that will be thefocus of spring 2014 efforts include thefollowing:• The Marketing Team is part of the Havenon the Lake planning team and is developinga marketing plan for the retreat’s summer2014 preview event and the grand opening.• Golf memberships, Haven on the Lakememberships and general CA membershipswill be the focus of spring advertisingefforts in both digital and print.• Golf and tennis will be the focus of radio

(continued on page 3)

CA MON TH LY 3

Columbia ElectionsComing Up on April 26

Changes Coming toLong ReachVillage Center

Part of the Long Reach VillageCenter could soon be changingowners as part of a county

government plan to redevelop andrevitalize the center.

“The Long Reach community haslong been concerned over the declineof the village center. We’ve heardthose concerns and can’t wait anylonger to act,” said Howard CountyExecutive Ken Ulman. “Vacancies,security and maintenance are realissues, and we now have a uniqueopportunity to make progress.”

On March 5, the County Councilvoted to declare the village center anurban renewal area. This legislationwas needed to allow the county topurchase the shopping center andcreate the necessary redevelopmentplans. The county plans to purchase aportion of the village center fromAmerica’s Realty and then focus onshort- and long-term improvements.

“In the short term, the countywould hire a professional propertymanager and will undertake immediateefforts to improve the appearance ofthe property,” the county said.“Longer-term redevelopment plans will be developed with

By David Greisman

(continued on page 4)

Dorsey’s Search8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Linden HallDorseysSearch.ColumbiaVillages.org

Harper’s Choice9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Kahler HallHarpersChoiceCommunityAssociation.org

Hickory Ridge9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Hawthorn CenterHickoryRidgeVillage.org

Kings ContrivanceFri, April 25, from 5-7 p.m. and Sat, April26, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Amherst HouseKingsContrivanceVillageAssociation.org

Long Reach9:30 a.m.-noon at StonehouseLongReach.org

Oakland Mills8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at The Other BarnOaklandMills.org

Owen Brown9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Owen Brown Community CenterOwenBrownVillage.org

River Hill9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Claret HallVillageofRiverHill.org

Town Center9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Vantage Point Road ParkColumbiaTownCenter.org

Wilde Lake9 a.m.-3 p.m. at Slayton HouseWildeLake.org

Below is a listing of the times and locations for each Columbia village election, which will be held on Saturday, April 26.

and online streaming video ads onESPN980 during their coverage of themajor golf and tennis tournaments,including the Masters and US Open. Sport and Fitness

The Sport and Fitness Division finishedthe third quarter below budget duemainly to much lower than expectedrevenue. Some program and operationalhighlights from third quarter include:Wellness retreat: The development of CA’snew mind body wellness retreat was namedHaven on the Lake, and the combinedteam is working together on marketingand pre-sales initiatives. CA selected GeorgeVaeth and Associates (GVA) of Columbiato handle all detailed engineering and

architectural work for the project.Fitness and related Programs:• Best of Howard County: In earlyDecember, Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club,Columbia Gym and team memberBonnie Pace were honored by HowardCounty residents in the “Best of HowardCounty 2013” awards.• Zumbathon Fundraiser – SupremeSports Club: On Dec. 7, ZFitness MDshosted a Zumbathon Fundraiser to raiseawareness and funds for the work of LaClinica de Pueblo, a local charitableorganization that attempts to positivelyimpact the HIV epidemic in theBaltimore/Washington region.• CA’s three fitness centers experiencedmore than 100,000 visits during January2014.

(continued from page 2)

4 CA MON TH LY

C elebrate the cultures of NorthAfrica and the Middle East at an afternoon full of cultural

entertainment demonstrations.The North Africa and Middle

East Culture Fest will be held onSunday, May 18, from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Howard CountyLibrary System’s Miller Branch,which is located at 9421 FrederickRoad in Ellicott City.

It will highlight the countries ofAlgeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel,Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco,Oman, Palestine, Qatar, SaudiArabia, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey,United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

The event is free and is acollaboration between ColumbiaAssociation (CA) and the HowardCounty Library System.

“There are many misconceptions

in the United States about that partof the world, and a lamentable lackof knowledge about the people andcultures of that area,” said PatFisher, who heads up CA’sInternational and MulticulturalAdvisory Committee. “We don’trealize how much influence thatregion has had on Western culturesfor centuries, and how much ourcultures owe to theirs.”

Snacks and refreshments will beavailable at the North Africa andMiddle East Culture Fest. Peoplewill be able to pick up a “CultureCafé Passport” and complete it for door prizes by visitingexhibitors’ tables.

For more information, contactLaura Smit, at 410-715-3162 orInternational@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

Dog Day AfternoonReturns on May 3

North Africa and Middle EastCulture Fest Next Month!By David Greisman(continued from page 3)

ongoing community feedback.”Though nothing has been decided, the

county government would consider relocatingits Howard County Arts Council and Centerfor the Arts to the village center, which also ishome to Columbia Association’s (CA)Columbia Art Center.

Separate from the county’s plans is adecision by Celebration Church, which islocated in the center, to purchase the vacantgrocery store and expand into that building.

Meanwhile, CA, the Howard CountyDepartment of Planning and Zoning and theHoward County Economic DevelopmentAuthority are jointly undertaking a“Columbia Market Analysis and EconomicDevelopment Services” study.

The study is evaluating the market statusand future potential of Columbia’s villagecenters, as well as market relationships andopportunities for the Snowden RiverParkway and Dobbin Road areas. Work isexpected to be complete by this June.

Get your bark on! Columbia Association (CA) isexcited to announce that it will be hosting theeighth annual Dog Day Afternoon on Saturday,

May 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hopewell Park,located at 9200 Rustling Leaf in Columbia. CA inviteslocal canines — and their people — to an afternoon ofcontests, treats, activities and lots of tail-wagging fun.

New this year will be pet communications readingswith pet communicator Emerald DuCoeur andperformances by comedy dog act Mutts Gone Nuts.

Admission to Dog Day Afternoon is free. Registration is encouraged but not required viaColumbiaAssociation.org/DogDay.

Pets and their people enjoy a romp in the park at lastyear’s Dog Day Afternoon. CA will host the eighthannual event on Saturday, May 3 at Hopewell Park.

Changes Coming toLong ReachVillage Center

Spotlight on Columbia Residents:

An Interview with Mrs. MarylandBy David Greisman

WednesdaysLakefrontWednesdays, May 7-June 25 • 12-2pmDowntown Columbia Lakefront • FREE Event

Call 410-423-1891 for details or visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/LakefrontWednesdays.

Join the downtown Columbia community for free lunchtime concertsevery Wednesday featuring various musical artists at Lake Kittamaqundi.

Z ereana Jess-Huff doesn’tsee her pageant wins asmere prizes, but rather

as significant platforms. Afterwinning Mrs. Texas in 2008, shespoke on behalf of mental healthawareness. And now that shewears the sash and tiara of Mrs.Maryland 2014, Jess-Huffhopes she can bring moreattention to ovarian cancer.

Both are personal causes forJess-Huff, a 34-year-old whomoved to Columbia’s villageof Kings Contrivance in2013. Her family has ahistory of depression andbipolar disorder, and sheworks as the chief executiveofficer for an organizationthat assists with Maryland’spublic mental health systemin Maryland.

And two years ago, Jess-Huff was diagnosed with arare form of ovarian cancer.

“I was in emergencysurgery the followingmorning,” Jess-Huff said.“They pulled out a two-and-a-half pound tumor, and twosmaller ones were the size ofbaseballs. It’s so deadly,you’re just truly lucky if yousurvive. And if you dosurvive, you have anobligation to give back. Forme, it’s about advocacy andawareness.

“It’s time to think outsidethe bra,” she said. “We’vegiven a lot of awareness andeducation to breast cancer,and rightly so. But I thinkthere are other cancers thatwe’ve got to start looking at.Ovarian cancer moves soswiftly. It’s silent, and itmimics so many symptoms.

She has been free of cancersince the fall of 2012.

Jess-Huff ’s first pageantwin actually came about two

decades ago in Niceville, asmall city on the panhandle ofFlorida: “I won Little MissMullet in 1993,” she said.

“That’s a fish pageant, not ahair pageant.”

She earned an undergraduatedegree in broadcast journalismfrom the University ofTennessee, then receivedmaster’s and doctorate degreesin counseling therapy from St.Mary’s University in SanAntonio.

After nine years in Texas,Jess-Huff received a job offerin Maryland. Her husband’scompany also has officeshere. And so she, Michaeland their daughter, Hannah(who is 11), came toColumbia, drawn here by thecounty’s school system andthe community itself.

“It had a small-town feel. Itwas relatively suburban,which is important to us,”she said. “We have adaughter. We wanted a safeneighborhood. Everything isconvenient. I love it.”

CA MON TH LY 5

Zereana Jess-Huff

6 CA MON TH LY

Columbia AssociationCelebrates Earth MonthColumbia Association

(CA) is celebratingEarth Month by

highlighting some of the manyinitiatives currently underwayto make CA’s operations more sustainable and alsoempowering the communityto take similar actions.

CA operations impact the environment innumerous ways through themanagement of our facilitiesand open space. Below wehighlight aspects of ouroperations that impact energyand greenhouse gas (GHG)emissions, watershed qualityand waste management.

Energy and GHG Emissions.CA is actively working toreduce the energyconsumption and GHGemissions associated with itsoperations. Numerousupgrades have been madethroughout CA’s buildingportfolio to reduce lightingloads, improve the efficiencyof air conditioning and waterheating equipment andoperate our facilities so theyuse less energy. Reducing CA’senergy consumption by 10percent will saveapproximately $250,000 inutility costs and reduce GHGemissions by 1,000 metric tonsof carbon dioxide equivalent(MTCO2e) each year.

There are numerous

options available to helpColumbia residents reduceenergy consumption andGHG emissions as well. CAhas launched a ColumbiaHome Energy EfficiencyUpgrade Cooperative toguide residents through theENERGY STAR® homeimprovement process. Andthere are other ENERGYSTAR initiatives, somesponsored by Baltimore Gasand Electric (BGE), toobtain incentives for energyefficient products andactivities. To learn moreabout these BGE programs,visit BGESmartEnergy.com.To learn more aboutENERGY STAR, visitenergystar.gov.

Watershed Quality.CA’s watershed managementprogram has been workinghard to implement theWatershed Management Planaccepted by the CA Board ofDirectors in 2009.Stormwater runoff carriessediment into our streams,causes stream bank erosionand fills our lakes and pondswith the sediment. Therunoff includes nitrogen andphosphorus carried off oflawns and pet waste fromsidewalks and lawns, all ofwhich end up in our lakesand ponds and degrade waterquality. Program

achievements to help addressthese issues include plantingeight acres of trees, theconstruction of 10bioretention facilities, and 3large-scale stream restorationprojects.

As part of the Plan’scommunity engagementefforts, 107 residential raingardens have been builtthrough the CA Rain GardenCost Share program andmore than 500 soil sampleshave been analyzed forresidents.

Learn more by visitingColumbiaAssociation.org/watershed or the HowardCounty webpage,LiveGreenHoward.com/Water.

Waste Management.CA actively works tomanage its waste in asustainable manner. Fromscrap metal recovery toplant material mulching andcomposting, CA is helpingto reuse resources and divertmaterials away from

landfills. These efforts helpto reduce indirect GHGemissions associated withraw material production andlandfill disposal.

CA is also helpingmembers of the communitymanage their waste in anenvironmentally friendlymanner by providingrecycling stationsthroughout our facilities and in open space. Pet waste managementstations have also beeninstalled, and recentlyfishing line recyclingstations been provided atsome of our lakes andponds. Fishing line can beharmful in multiple wayswhen left or discardedaround our lakes. It isharmful to birds, fish,turtles, frogs and otheranimals by impairingmovement and causinginternal complications ifingested. Next time you are fishing at a lake or pond,please take a moment anddrop off your tangles,leaders or old line in one of our fishing line recyclingstations and help keep our waters healthier andcleaner.

CA invites all residentsand businesses to celebrateEarth Month and to help us make Columbia a moresustainable community.

CA invites all residentsand businesses to

celebrate Earth Monthand to help us make

Columbia a moresustainable community.

CA MON TH LY 7

Brian DunnKings Contrivance301-473-0077BrianJDunn@gmail.com

Michael Cornell River Hill 410-531-9340MichaelCornell@comcast.net

Cynthia A.S.H. Coyle Harper’s Choice410-997-7637CashCoyle2@aol.com

Nancy McCordWilde Lake410-730-2309Nancy.McCord@LNF.com

Gregg SchwindHickory Ridge443-831-8847Gregg.Schwind@yahoo.com

Russell SwatekLong Reach410-799-1497Swatek1@yahoo.com

Suzanne WallerTown Center410-730-9132SUZYQ1104@aol.com

Andrew StackOwen Brown410-381-8897Andy.OBCA@gmail.com

Tom O’ConnorDorsey’s Search410-336-9269TomFOC3@Verizon.net

Alex HekimianOakland Mills410-730-2583AlexHekimian@hotmail.com

CABOARD RECAP

CA Board of Directors 2013-2014

At the Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors meeting held onThursday, Mar. 13, these recommendations for action were approved:• The board, staff, and two members of the Older Adult Work Team discussed the draft“Community for a Lifetime: CA’s Comprehensive Plan for Serving Older Adult Community.”Staff will give village managers copies of the draft plan for review and comment. TheSenior Advisory Committee was asked to recommend priorities and metrics.

• The board approved CA’s contract with the State Highway Administration for the Old Columbia Road easement.

• The next scheduled meetings will be held on Thursday, April 10 and 24.• 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 at ColumbiaAssociation.org/Podcasts.

CA Headquarter .....................................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..............410-715-3054Columbia 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 CAPHONE NUMBERS

8 CA MON TH LY

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

Searching for SpringEgg HuntSat, Apr. 5 • 10-11:30amColumbia SportsPark •Contact your ColumbiaVillage Association

Town CenterCandidates’ ForumTue, Apr. 8 • 7-8:30pmVantage House •410-730-4744

CA Board of DirectorsMeetingThu, Apr. 10 • 7:30pmCA Headquarters 410-715-3000

Lively Arts for LittleOnes Presents: “Oh! Susannah”Fri, Apr. 11 • 10amThe Other Barn 410-730-4610

Visions of Hope GalaReceptionFri, Apr. 11 • 6-8pmColumbia Art Center 410-730-0075

Owen Brown Yard SaleSat, Apr. 12 • 8am-3pmOwen Brown Community Center 410-381-0202

Spring Break SkateMon, Apr. 14-21 • 1-4pmSupreme Sports Club ColumbiaSkateArena.orgClosed Easter Sunday

Long Reach Day of Service withHoward CountyAdoption FacilityWed, Apr. 16 • 11am-2pmStonehouse • 410-730-8113

Afternoon TeaThu, Apr. 17 • 4:30-6pmHistoric Oakland Manor410-730-4744Reservations required

Master Gardeners:Container GardeningTue, Apr. 22 • 7-8:30pmHistoric Oakland Manor•410-730-4744

Salon Series: Historyof the UniverseWed, Apr. 23 • 7pmColumbia Art Center410-730-0075

Master Gardener“Birds in YourBackyard”Wed, Apr. 23 • 7pmStonehouse • 410-730-8113

CA Board of DirectorsMeetingThu, Apr. 24 • 7:30pmCA Headquarters 410-715-3000

Remembering Jim RouseFri, Apr. 25 • 5pmWilde Lake ParkColumbia.Archives@ColumbiaAssociation.org

Flea Market atAmherst HouseSat, Apr. 26 • 9am-noonAmherst House Parking Lot • 410-381-9600

Shred & E-CycleSat, Apr. 26 • 9am-1pmHawthorn Center (rear parking lot)Joan@HickoryRidgeVillage.org.

Dorsey’s SearchVillage ElectionsSat, Apr. 26 • 8am-1pmLinden HallDorseysSearch.ColumbiaVillages.org

Harper’s ChoiceVillage ElectionsSat, Apr. 26 • 9am-3pmKahler HallHarpersChoiceCommunityAssociation.org

Hickory Ridge Village ElectionsSat, Apr. 26 • 9am-1pmHawthorn CenterHickoryRidgeVillage.org

Kings ContrivanceVillage ElectionsFri, Apr. 25 (5-7pm); Sat, Apr. 26 (9am-1pm)Amherst HouseKingsContrivanceVillageAssociation.org

Long Reach Flea MarketSat, Apr. 26 • 8am-noonLong Reach VillageCenter • 410-730-8113

Long Reach Village ElectionsSat, Apr. 26 9:30am-noonStonehouseLongReach.org

Oakland Mills Village ElectionsSat, Apr. 26 • 8:30am-5pmThe Other BarnOwenBrownVillage.org

River Hill Village ElectionsSat, Apr. 26 • 9am-3pmClaret HallVillageofRiverHill.org

Town Center Village ElectionsSat, Apr. 26 • 9am-2pmVantage Point Road Park(Rain Location: HistoricOakland Manor) 410-730-4744

Wilde Lake Village ElectionsSat, Apr. 26 • 9am-3pmSlayton HouseWildeLake.org

SAVE THE DATE: Dog Day AfternoonSat, May 3 • 11am-3pmHopewell Park 410-423-1891