Help make Columbia the next town profiled by Maryland Public Television

 I have never asked readers of this blog to take action on something until today.  Yesterday I attended a Listen Post hosted by Maryland Public Television in Ellicott City.  This is MPT effort to learn more about the issues that impact communities in Maryland.  During the discussions the program that MPT does called "Our Town" came up and they have done profiles of Hagerstown and Chestertown.  As they describe on their website,
"The 'Our Town' series is a collection of documentaries showcasing different towns across the great state of Maryland, from the Eastern shore to the Western mountains. But with a twist. Unlike a lot a historical documentaries seen on television, the "Our Town" series explores different Maryland communities through the eyes (and camera lenses) of the members of these communities. MPT has solicited the involvement of a wide variety of the community's populace, from the mayor to the bartender, from the high school student to the chief of police, new residents, old residents, any and all residents." When I asked how a town got selected the response was that we could comment to MPT asking that our community be profiled in "Our Town." The staff from MPT seemed interested in profiling Columbia. So I am asking all of you to comment to MPT asking that Columbia be profiled next.  Post this blog on you Facebook page and ask your friends to also comment to MPT.  This is something that all of our efforts can make happen. Email your request to comments@mpt.org

P.S.
Final reminder
Join Columbia Archives for Communication: Then & Now on October 12

Event will feature local media voices in a discussion of communications in today’s world

Communication methods have changed dramatically in the last 50 years, but the need to communicate is basic and constant. As part of its celebration for American Archives Month, the Columbia Archives will host a discussion with local voices in print and online media on tonight Wednesday October 12 at 7 p.m. at CA Headquarters. David Greisman, Columbia Flier/Howard County Times; Lisa Kawata, freelance feature writer; Lisa Rossi, Columbia Patch; and Duane St. Clair, HoCo Connect; will discuss the challenges, opportunities and importance of context in getting out the news in today’s world of instant messaging and sound bites. Archives have traditionally been a source for journalists to give context and perspective to current events, for as George Santayana said, “the one who does not remember history is bound to live through it again.”

When Jim Rouse posed the question in 1963 about how to communicate to the community, The Rouse Company answered with a carefully constructed marketing plan and innovative ideas including cable connections to every home. An exhibit of marketing materials, national media coverage, correspondence and local newspapers will highlight the ways The Rouse Company communicated the idea and reality of Columbia initially and how the responsibility for communication shifted to the local press and others in the community. The exhibit at the Columbia Archives is open to the public and will be up October 10 through December 30.

Columbia Archives preserves the history of Columbia and the career of James Rouse. It is a public research facility and offers outreach programs to make the material accessible. It is open to visitors on a daily basis Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit ColumbiaArchives.org, e-mail Columbia.Archives@ColumbiaAssociation.com or call 410-715-3103.