Now that Columbia Association’s new and improved website has been launched, this CA Today blog will be shutting down.
But don’t worry — you can now find all of your CA-related news at ColumbiaAssociation.org, and you can even sign up for news updates by going to ColumbiaAssociation.org/notify, scrolling down to “News,” and then clicking on which news updates you would like to receive.
Columbia Association (CA) welcomes everyone to visit its revamped website, ColumbiaAssociation.org. Relaunched on Feb. 7, the new website has been designed in a user-friendly manner that will benefit the community.
The community’s input was essential. CA’s Communications and Community Engagement Division listened to community members through CA’s community engagement website, InspireColumbia.com; its social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter; interviews with residents; and through CA’s citizens academy, Excite Columbia.
Among what community members called for:
a simpler way to view class schedules for all of CA’s facilities;
consolidating CA’s various programs and services into a single main website so that information can be found in one place;
making navigating the website and finding information on it easier;
improving the way events and news are listed;
including interactive calendars;
and incorporating a notifications system so that people can stay informed on events and news without needing to keep returning to the website.
All of that, and much more, has been included in the new ColumbiaAssociation.org. The website also has a language translator that can translate the site into more than 50 different languages, reflecting the needs of our diverse community. In addition, an “I Want To” section assists visitors with finding the programs and services they are looking for.
Community members can let CA know what they think of the new site by filling out the feedback form at ColumbiaAssociation.org/feedback.
About Columbia Association
Columbia Association (CA) is a nonprofit service corporation that manages Columbia, MD, a planned community that is home to approximately 100,000 people and several thousand businesses. Additional information about CA is available at ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Two sessions remain in Columbia Archives’ mini-course on Columbia’s early history, and it’s not too late to sign up for one or both.
The sessions will be held on Monday, Feb. 10, and Monday, Feb. 17, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Slayton House, located at 10400 Cross Fox Lane in the Wilde Lake Village Center. Registration is encouraged but not required via CreatingColumbia.Eventbrite.com.
The Feb. 10 session will concentrate on the mystery of just who was making major purchases of thousands of acres in Howard County, and county residents’ subsequent reaction to the announcement about who was buying the land, and why.
The Feb. 17 session will examine the formation of The Work Group, a think tank of experts who helped turn Rouse’s idea of creating a better city into a reality.
These sessions will be led by Columbia historian Barbara Kellner, director of Columbia Archives. For more information, call 410-715-3103 or email Barbara.Kellner@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Columbia Archives collects and preserves the history of Columbia. The public is welcome to visit Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, go to ColumbiaArchives.org or contact Archives staff at Columbia.Archives@ColumbiaAssociation.org or 410-715-3103.
About Columbia Association
Columbia Association (CA) is a nonprofit service corporation that manages Columbia, MD, a planned community that is home to approximately 100,000 people and several thousand businesses. Additional information about CA is available at ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Louis van Amstel — the dance champion, coach and choreographer whose television work has included performances on the hit show Dancing with the Stars — will be coming to Columbia to teach a master class.
That master class will be in van Amstel’s new LaBlast dance fitness program. LaBlast is a fun-filled, high-energy dance fitness class that challenges and inspires people of all ages and fitness levels as they dance to a wide variety of music. Types of dance include cha cha, disco, the hustle, jive, the Lindy Hop, merengue, paso doble, quickstep, salsa, samba and the Viennese waltz.
The master class will be held on Saturday, March 15, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the Supreme Sports Club Arena, located at 7080 Deepage Drive in east Columbia. Check-in starts at 9:30 a.m.
The program is $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Participants can pay at any CA fitness facility or via telephone at Columbia Athletic Club (5435 Beaverkill Road in Harper’s Choice, 410-730-6744); Columbia Gym (6151 Daylong Lane in River Hill, 410-531-0800); and Supreme Sports Club (410-381-5355).
KidSpace will be available. It is free for KidSpace members and $8 per child for all others.
For more information on the event, please email Group.Fitness@ColumbiaAssociation.org. And for more information on van Amstel, go to LouisvanAmstel.com.
In addition, there well be LaBlast certification training for those seeking to become instructors. This will be held on Sunday, March 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Supreme Sports Club. The early bird rate through Feb. 16 is $289 (use code EARLY), and then goes up to $319. Sign up — for certification training only — is through LaBlastFitness.com/training.
About Columbia Association
Columbia Association (CA) is a nonprofit service corporation that manages Columbia, MD, a planned community that is home to approximately 100,000 people and several thousand businesses. Additional information about CA is available at ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Columbia Association (CA) is seeking a variety of artists and collectors of Ghanaian art for an upcoming exhibit that will introduce the community to Ghanaian artwork, while also celebrating Columbia’s new sister city of Tema.
“The Art of Ghana: A Contemporary and Traditional Art Exhibit,” will run from Thursday, May 8, through Sunday, May 18, at the Columbia Art Center. The exhibit will include paintings, sculptures, photography, textiles, jewelry, etc. It is being put on in collaboration with CA’s International Exchange and Multicultural Programs.
There are no fees for participating. Artwork can be for sale or not for sale. Any sales from the gallery will result in a 70/30 split, with 70 percent of the proceeds going to the artist. Artists can also choose to donate a larger portion of their commission to CA’s Team Sister City Committee Fund.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 10, from 2 to 5 p.m. Exhibitors will be invited to discuss their gallery works with guests during an afternoon of Ghanaian food, music and conversation.
Interested artists and collectors should email International@ColumbiaAssociation.org for an Exhibition Entry Form, which must be received by email, fax or U.S. mail no later than March 15. Forms should be addressed to Laura Smit, Columbia Association, 10221 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, Maryland, 21044. Acceptance letters and additional event information will be sent out after applications are received and reviewed.
Tema, a planned city of more than 160,000 people on the coast of Ghana, is located just east of the country’s capital, Accra. It is Columbia’s third sister city. The Tema Sister City Committee is focusing on developing virtual exchanges via online video chats between high schools in Columbia and secondary schools in Ghana; connecting Rotary clubs and religious institutions in both towns; showcasing Ghanaian art and music programs; and conducting artist exchanges.
CA’s International Exchange & Multicultural Programs foster international understanding and celebrate the diverse cultures of Columbia. The goals of the International Exchange Program include developing new exchanges with Columbia’s sister cities, and creating new Sister City relationships in other cities and nations. CA also develops multicultural programs for the community such as the World Languages Café, Culture Fests and the International Book Club. For more information, email International@ColumbiaAssociation.org or call 410-715-3162.
Columbia Art Center is located at 6100 Foreland Garth in the Long Reach Village Center. Hours are Monday-Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. For more information, go to ColumbiaArtCenter.org or call 410-730-0075.
About Columbia Association
Columbia Association (CA) is a nonprofit service corporation that manages Columbia, MD, a planned community that is home to approximately 100,000 people and several thousand businesses. Additional information about CA is available at ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Dear Columbia and Howard County community members,
We at Columbia Association remain heartbroken by the tragedy that transpired last weekend at The Mall in Columbia, but we have been heartened to see the outpouring of warmth and unity that has been seen in our community in the aftermath of such a harrowing event.
Please continue to keep the victims and those who knew and loved them in your thoughts during this difficult time. The Mall in Columbia is holding a candlelight vigil on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 5 p.m. at the outdoor memorial outside of Starbucks. Candles will be available for attendees.
CA is committed to the safety of its employees, members and the overall community. During the police response on Saturday, CA monitored the situation and placed its Membership Service Center and Columbia Swim Center on modified lockdown. CA will review its response and examine whether there are any lessons that can be learned and if any adjustments can be made to its plans.
CA also has general security measures in place in its buildings and facilities, has consulted outside experts when the need arises, and has a strong partnership with the Howard County Government and its emergency services.
Warmest regards,
Phil Nelson
President, Columbia Association
Columbia Association’s 2nd annual Starlicious Talent Show will feature 11 great youth acts — with 29 kids between the ages of 7 and 13 performing dance, music and poetry.
And these performers will not only have the support of their family and friends, but also will be cheered on by Mrs. Maryland 2014, Columbia’s own Zereana Jess-Huff.
Tickets can be purchased in advance at the KidSpace locations at Columbia Athletic Club (5435 Beaverkill Road), Columbia Gym and Supreme Sports Club (7080 Deepage Drive). Tickets will also be available at the door. The cost is $10 for adults, $5 for kids and $25 for a family of four.This year’s Starlicious Talent Show will be held on Friday, Feb. 7, at Columbia Gym’s Youth Arena. Columbia Gym is located at 6151 Daylong Lane, near the River Hill Village Center in Clarksville.
Doors open at 6 p.m., though those with early bird tickets can get Backstage Pass access at 5:30 p.m. The show officially begins at 6:15 p.m.
The first set of performances starts at 6:20 p.m. and includes:
Peacock Dance by the GinaLing Dance Chamber (Margaret Fang, Kailee Suess, Jessica Wang, Nicole Zhang and Victoria Zhang).
Singing/pop music by Brooke Berlin and Natalie Lubitz.
Poetry by Sydney Barnes.
Bollywood Dance by Sara Jain.
Singing/pop music by Kian Mostoufi.
Music by Christina Zhang.
The halftime show will be at 7 p.m., and will include a magic show with Pravin, and Zumba with CA’s Megan Cooperman.
The second set of performances begins at 7:30 p.m. and includes:
Lucky Gold Fish by the GinaLing Dance Chamber (Elizabeth Bai, Madeline Carter, Heidi Herschbach, Gwendolyn Ho, Claire Huang, Leslie Lin, Christina Liu, Anna Tzeng, Steven Tzeng, Claire Wang, Krystal Wu, Molly Xu, Amanda Zhang and Dora Zhou).
Singing/Broadway music by Susanna Hoffman.
Hip Hop Dance by Brayden Walker.
Singing/pop music by Khalisah Omar-Johnson.
Traditional Indian Dance by Kasturi Vedantham.
Mrs. Maryland 2014, Zereana Jess-Huff, will then present awards and prizes at 8 p.m. A grand finale will take place at 8:15 p.m., followed by a meet and greet with the Shining Stars of 2014.
For more information, please contact Melissa Capo at Melissa.Capo@ColumbiaAssociation.org or 410-715-3169.
About Columbia Association
Columbia Association (CA) is a nonprofit service corporation that manages Columbia, MD, a planned community that is home to approximately 100,000 people and several thousand businesses. Additional information about CA is available at ColumbiaAssociation.org.
The Columbia Association (CA) Board of Directors will be meeting this Thursday, Jan. 23, at 7:30 p.m. at CA Headquarters, located at 10221 Wincopin Circle in Columbia.
The agenda is available at http://bit.ly/1inG2dH.
Draft minutes from the Jan. 9 meeting are now available at this link.
Filed under Board News, Columbia News
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