February 2026 Volume 3, Issue 7

Disclaimer: This column reflects the views of Columbia Council Representative Karin Emery only and not necessarily those of the CA Board or the Oakland Mills Village Board of Directors

Tell The CA Board of Directors What You Think

 

You can share your thoughts and opinions with the Columbia Association and its Board of Directors.

1. Email the CA Board of Directors - This link will take you to an online form to complete that is sent to the entire CA Board of Directors.

2. Sign Up for Resident Speak Out - Use this link to sign up for Resident Speak Out. Before every CA Board meeting residents are given the opportunity to speak to the Board either in person or virtually, about any issue that's on their mind with respect to CA. Individuals are allotted 3 minutes and groups are allotted 5 minutes. You need to sign up by 5pm the day prior to the Board meeting. The Board is no longer allowed to ask follow-up questions during Resident Speak Out. Instead, the chair of the Board will thank you and request that in addition to speaking, you please submit your testimony in writing in case any Board member would like to contact you with questions. Despite this lack of in-person interaction, your testimony is still meaningful and many of your fellow residents are watching the live streamed meetings.

Watch Columbia Association Board Meetings Live or In Person

Residents are welcome and encouraged to attend Columbia Association (CA) Board Meetings in person. Board meetings are held at 6310 Hillside Court, Suite 100, Columbia, MD 21046. If you are unable to attend in person, CA broadcasts Board Meetings live on its YouTube channel. You can use the Watch link found on the CA website for upcoming meetings: Watch CA Board Meetings Live or you can go directly to CA's YouTube Channel and stream the meetings from there: Columbia Association Live Stream

Board Meeting Schedule

Thank You for Your Patience!

The winter storm of January 25th has been a real test for all of us. First an ice storm mixed with a little bit of snow followed by one of the longest stretches of below freezing weather. It's meant that digging out has been extremely challenging and taken extra time. Watching neighbors help neighbors clear driveways and sidewalks has made me immensely proud of our community. 

The staff at the Oakland Mills Village Center offices have been fielding calls on snow plowing status by both the county and the Columbia Association (CA).

Plowing our roadways belongs entirely to Howard County and you can get updates/general information on their website: Snow Removal

Plowing of the pathways, however, is a CA operation. CA is responsible for more than 100 miles of pathways. Yesterday, Jeremy Scharfenberg, CA's Vice President of Community Operations shared the progress the open space staff had made to date:



We still have a few more freezing days to get through but I understand there's a large sporting event on Sunday to distract us.

Where's My Mail?

Folks in Oakland Mills are reporting that since the January 25th ice/snow storm there has been no mail delivery. The United States Postal Service (USPS) made the following statement on their website:

Severe winter weather systems and storm cleanup impacting operations

As severe winter weather systems, together with snow and ice cleanup, continue to impact major portions of the United States, the Postal Service (as with other national, regional, and local logistics service providers) is notifying customers that there may be delays in service due to the inclement weather and blocked or unsafe transportation routes. 

Safety of the public and our employees is the top priority as we work to restore nationwide mail pickup, processing, transportation, and delivery, and resume regular retail hours at Post Offices, stations, and branches that may have temporarily closed due to weather conditions. Customers are requested, for the safety of our employees, to clear a path to access the mailbox. 

Customers can track packages directly from the usps.com home page and check the status of local operations by following the “Service Disruptions” links below. 

We thank our customers for their patience.

If you're able to, please clear the path to your mailbox. In the meantime, while we await warmer temperatures and melting expected next week, you can pick your mail up at the post office, 6801 Oak Hall Lane, Columbia, MD 21045.

BG&E Bills Are Out of Control

Last year at this time residents were experiencing out of control BGE bills and this year the problem has been even worse. I've reached out to Delegate Jen Terrasa (D13) and her staff has shared that the state legislature is working on this problem.

At the end of January, Governor Moore announced the "Lower Bills and Local Power Act" to combat rising utility costs.

Just like last year though, it's important that you reach out directly to your state representatives on this issue. Their contact information is below:

District 13

Guy Guzzone, State Senator:

410-841-3572

guy.guzzone@senate.maryland.gov

Pam Guzzone, Delegate:

410-841-3083

pam.guzzone@house.maryland.gov

Gabriel Moreno, Delegate:

410-841-3471

Gabriel.moreno@house.maryland.gov

Jen Terrasa, Delegate:

410-841-3246

Jen.terrasa@house.maryland.gov

District 12

Clarence Lam, State Senator:

410-841-3653

clarence.lam@senate.maryland.gov

District 12a

Jessica Feldmark, Delegate:

410-841-3205

Jessica.feldmark@house.maryland.gov

Terri Hill, Delegate:

410-841-

terri.hill@house.maryland.gov

District 9a

Chao Wu, Delegate:

410-841-3556

chao.wu@house.maryland.gov

Natalie Ziegler, Delegate:

410-841-3352

Natalie.ziegler@house.maryland.gov

District 9b

Courtney Watson, Delegate:

410-841-3077

courtney.watson@house.maryland.gov 

The Columbia Association Calendar of Events

Click on the link to see the full Columbia Association Calendar of Events.

Columbia Association Calendar of Events

Get A Columbia Card for Discounts & Guest Passes

If you live on CA-assessed property but don't purchase a CA membership, you can request a free Columbia Card to access our facilities at a reduced, pay-as-you-go rate.

To get your Columbia Card, you can fill out the online form. You can also reach out to CA’s Customer Care Team via email at CustomerCare@ColumbiaAssociation.org or by calling 410-730-1801, and choosing option 6, between the hours of 9:00AM and 4:00PM Monday - Friday.

SECOND SUNDAY FREE ADMISSION: All Columbia Cardholders also get free admission to CA’s outdoor pools on the second Sunday of each month during the summer season. 

SUMMER BONUS: Columbia Cardholders receive 4 single-use guest passes per family on their Columbia Cardholder accounts. These guest passes are automatically added. The passes can be used at any of CA’s 23 outdoor pools throughout the summer, Monday – Thursday only (excluding Holidays). They cannot be used at other Columbia Association facilities or programs.

Meet Up With Karin at the OM Farmers' Market

See you in the spring when the Farmers' Market returns to the Village Center.

Announcements

KIDS MAGIC WORKSHOP

The Columbia Conjurors, the longtime magic group based in Columbia, Md., announces its next annual, popular Kids Magic Workshop, a fun, educational and entertaining hands-on magic workshop for kids 9 to 17 years old!

The next Kids Magic Workshop will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, at the community meeting room at the New Brick Building at the Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, Md., 21045! There is plenty of free parking! 

Longtime, experienced local and regional magicians Rob Niccolini, Bob Leedom, Matt Neufeld and John Gazmen, with a tentative appearance by magician Peter Wood, will perform and teach a variety of classic magic tricks covering established genres, including sleight of hand, card, coin, rope, mind-reading/mentalism and other areas of magic! The workshop will concurrently include instruction and insight into established magic theories, methods, manipulations, misdirection, history and other related areas of conjuring, prestidigitation and the magical arts!

The cost is a low $20.00 (twenty dollars) per child! Each Workshop participant will receive several of their own magic tricks, and instructional handouts, to take home with them! There may be other magic giveaways, too!!

If you would like to enroll your child in The Columbia Conjurors' Kids Magic Workshop on Feb. 7, 2026, please RSVP soon to Rob Niccolini at robert.niccolini@ogletreedeakins.com. But please RSVP soon----the Kids Magic Workshop usually sells out fast!

Here are the details:

WHO: Kids 9 to 17 years old who are interested in magic!

WHAT: The Columbia Conjurors Kids Magic Workshop

WHERE: Community meeting room, New Brick Building, Christ Episcopal Church, 6800 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, Md., 21045. Free parking! 

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to noon.

WHY: To teach kids the art and craft of magic!

WHO, ALSO: Presented by The Columbia Conjurors, a Columbia, Md.-based chapter of the Society of American Magicians (SAM). 

If you have any questions, please e-mail Rob Niccolini at robert.niccolini@ogletreedeakins.com; or call or e-mail (no texts) Matt Neufeld at (301) 385-5848, cell, or mattneufeld@hotmail.com.

We look forward to seeing you on Feb. 7, 2026!!

Please Consider Serving on the 55+ Aging Well in Columbia Advocacy Committee

The mission of the Aging Well in Columbia Advocacy Committee (AWCAC), is to identify to the Columbia Association (“CA”) the special needs of Columbia's seniors, herein defined as Columbia residents who are 55 years of age or older (55+).

Goals

1. Inform and advocate to CA on community issues and opportunities as they relate to Columbia’s 55+ population.

2. Review CA policies and programs related to the mission of this Committee and recommend changes as appropriate.

3. Assist CA in disseminating information about the needs and concerns of Columbia’s 55+ population.

4. Encourage a broad range of businesses, organizations and associations to contribute to the richness of the quality of life of Columbia's 55+ population.

5. Increase public awareness of Columbia's 55+ population as a distinct and active population within the Columbia community.

For more information contact Virginia (Ginny) Thomas at ginny.thomas65@gmail.com or call at 410-992-7984 if you are considering volunteering or if you want to share with us your concerns about the needs of 55+ individuals.

Other Local Newsletters

The Oakland Mills Community Association shares information on local events as well as updates on maintenance going on in your neck of the woods. For example, street repaving. A good list to be on.

Click here to sign up for the OMCA newsletters.

• Do More With CA - a weekly newsletter with all things CA
• CA Digest - monthly community updates and events
• CA Fit - Keeping health and wellness top of mind

Click here to sign up for one or all of the CA Newsletters.

The Inner Arbor Trust (IAT) puts on free concerts throughout the year. You don't want to miss out! Scroll to the bottom of the main page after clicking on the link below to add your name to their mailing list.

Click here to sign up for the IAT Mailing List

Follow Me