I received an e-mail from Rob Goldman, the Columbia Association's vice president for sports and fitness, about last week's column concerning the construction of a new clubhouse at the Wilde Lake Tennis Club and the plans to cut down some trees there. Rob wrote, "CA is committed to be a leader in the going green movement and the CA senior team has drafted and the CA Board has adopted a going green plan."

He explained that the reason two trees were being cut down is to allow space for an expanded patio which would provide a more suitable venue for large events. He went on to mention that the extended roof line of the new clubhouse would provide refuge during rain and additional shade.

Rob also pointed out that the relocation of the clubhouse entryway is a major improvement. The new entry will have a more pleasing view for those driving past and for members and guests walking into the tennis club.

"The new landscaped area will include four new trees, 28 new shrubs and numerous other plantings. We believe that the benefits of the new patio to CA's members and guests justifies the removal of the two trees," he wrote.

I am reasonably certain that those members of the Columbia tennis community who signed a petition to keep the existing trees don't believe that anything justifies their removal. The petitioners are in a dilemma of sorts. On one hand, they are getting a beautiful new and much-needed clubhouse with a patio. But are those perks worth losing the trees?

Then, of course, what does going green mean? Progress and going green don't seem to be compatible to me.

Volleyball players help cheer on Special Olympians

There are numerous feel-good stories that rarely get mentioned. Here is one that deserves some ink. A volleyball tournament between Special Olympics teams from Howard County and Washington County was recently held at Mt. Hebron High School. The Centennial girls junior varsity team, and members of the Centennial High School Best Buddies program, along with a number of their parents, came out to cheer the Howard County team, and especially one of its players, Mary Condron. Mary is the Centennial JV team's manager.

According to a number of viewers, the support by all those in attendance was not only terrific, but it was also heart warming. We need more of these happenings.

Baseball equipment drive a big hit again

I was at Reservoir High School Sept. 25 when Baltimore Orioles third baseman Melvin Mora was collecting baseball equipment for kids in his native Venezuela. This is the fourth year for this program and for the first three years, three trucks left Howard County filled to the top with equipment. This year, the Orioles assisted and provided a larger truck so at this point I am not certain if that big boy was completely full, but I do know that people were arriving with lots of donated equipment.

While I realize that I will miss some names of those involved in this worthwhile project, Adam Leader, Reservoir's baseball coach, Rich Jenkins, Howard's longtime baseball coach and Sam Adelman of Nightmare Graphics deserve to be singled out for their contributions.

user comments (0)