-Brian

-Brian

p.s. Here’s what we can continue to expect of Symphony Woods if we don’t act:

First, let me say that I think Michael McCall has hit a home run with this plan, and I hope we can see his vision come to fruition as soon as possible. I’m glad CA realized that this was their chance to give Columbia something truly special, something that could be enjoyed by everyone in our community for generations to come.

The Inner Arbor plan masterfully incorporates art, music, theater, food and culture into the natural setting of the woods. It provides a place where people can gather to enjoy the myriad of events that will take place there. It will not only be a regional and national  attraction, but I predict it will be an international one as well.

I really have a hard time believing anyone could find fault in this plan, but we all know there is a small group of people amongst us who have vowed to do whatever it takes to sabotage real progress in Columbia. Some of them showed up last night and expressed anger at the process and their perceived notion that the plan was hatched in secrecy.

Former Boardmember Russ Swatek even went so far as to submit what has now become known as “The Swatek Memo”, which is a rambling 19 point document, “related to Symphony Woods development spanning the direction of CA, the process being employed, and the plan itself.”

If Russ and Company continue to rally against this plan, they will once again be showing their true no growth colors. Last night I testified in favor of the plan to the CA Board, and I encourage you to do the same. You can write to the entire CA Board here.  Let them know you support moving forward on the Inner Arbor plan!

-Brian

As I was a student athlete at Maryland in the 90’s, it hit especially close to home.  It’s been a while since I’ve written anything here, but I couldn’t hold it in on this news.  I’m doing my best to keep an open mind about it as things develop.

I’ll be honest: I don’t know how good or bad of a move this is.  We have no idea what the real state of our athletic program is, what other factors were involved, or what the future holds.  We can speculate and we can gnash our teeth, but it doesn’t really do any good, does it?  What’s done is done.

I have heard that the only sports programs that are making money are football and basketball; the rest are losing money.  That equation doesn’t work long-term.

I gained some respect for President Walt Loh after hearing him speak at the press conference yesterday (some great sound bytes here).  That’s as natural and earnest as I’ve ever seen him.  He didn’t use the P.R.-speak that we’ve come to expect at press conferences.  He didn’t say this was the best thing that’s ever happened and that God had blessed this union.  He didn’t pretend that everything was great and there was no uncertainty about anything.

He pretty much came out and said that they’d done what they had to do because, for one, their financial situation was so dire.  And, notably, he said that he his responsibility is to the school, not to “any conference.”  He’s right, and sometimes we forget that the sports program, while it may be a defining part of the school, is just that: a part of the school—it’s one piece of a larger institution that has its own priorities and concerns.

I got the feeling that Loh saw this as “taking one for the team” (pun intended) because he knew this was the only thing to do.  I give the guy a lot of credit for making and owning decision that he had to know would be unpopular, even upsetting, for a lot of people.

Another interesting moment was when Big Ten commissioner Jim Delaney said, “You’re not joining a Midwestern conference. We’re moving here. We’re opening up offices on the East Coast. We’re not asking you to become us – we’re asking you to allow us to partner with you.”  What?!  Can you imagine anything even close to that coming from John Swofford or anyone at the ACC?  (Oh, and I loved Athletic Director Kevin Anderson’s comment on a future relationship with Commissioner Swofford: “I believe there would be some awkwardness.” Yes, Kevin, there would be.)

Who knows how this will turn out?  We can only wait and see.  At the end of the day, though, I’m a Maryland fan no matter what.  I’ll still be watching and supporting and hoping for the best.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.  I know I haven’t written in a while, and I probably won’t once the holidays get started again!  I hope you all have an awesome holiday season.

- Brian Dunn

And speaking of Greenberries, check them out getting some love from Fox5 in DC.

Owner Rachel Baliff has really tapped into something special with Greenberries. There was a constant stream of mothers, fathers, grandparents and of course children coming and going all day yesterday. I even signed my almost 5 year old daughter up for a cooking class next week!

I am absolutely thrilled to see a Columbia store doing so well, and I wish Rachel and her delightful staff all the best moving forward. Who knows, maybe they’ll outgrow this space like they did their old space, and I’ll have to help her out with another sign! And if you find yourself over near Oakland Mills or Snowden River Parkway, please be sure to stop in and check out this unique children’s boutique.

-Brian

A short time after that, I was driving on Snowden River Parkway heading west toward Oakland Mills Rd when I happened to look over and noticed that there was a small vinyl banner hanging on the facade of the building to my right. I was driving too fast to notice what it said, but the next time I drove by, I was going slower and noticed that it was a Greenberries banner. Now at least I knew exactly where they had relocated.

But I am from Columbia, and I knew about them before I happened to glance over and notice the banner. The point is, it wasn’t so hard for me to find them. But I would wager that it’s almost impossible to find them if you’re not even vaguely familiar with the area. Compounding the problem was the huge new signs for 2 other Snowden-facing tenants immediately to the left of Greenberries.

I understand the importance of visibility for a business such as Greenberries, and with my background being in digital printing and signage, I approached Rachel Baliff, the owner of Greenberries and inquired if she was planning on getting a permanent sign.

Obviously she knows the importance of visibility too, and said that she had already begun planning for it. What came next was a seemingly endless process of waiting for approvals, designs, more approvals and permits, but I am proud to say that my company, CompletelyDunn, is a mere 2 weeks away from installing a custom, state of the art, LED channel letter sign for Greenberries. So when you’re driving on Snowden River Parkway, be sure to be on the lookout for it!

And if you have children, or grandchildren, be sure to get out and support this wonderful store!

-Brian

Whole Foods is coming to town. My commentary? John DeWolf is the man. On behalf of everybody here in Columbia, I say thank you John!

-Brian

President of MTC Logistics, Harry Halpert, has coined the phrase “Global SeaPort” when describing the unique position of the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore in the international maritime community:

Ensuring that Maryland can join this National Gateway project includes moving forward on a key construction project: the development of a “Baltimore-Washington Rail Intermodal Facility” somewhere along the rail corridor between Baltimore and Washington. The new intermodal facility would allow containers to and from ships in the port to be transported to this location and quickly transferred to double-stacked trains, connecting our state to a wide array of new markets in an efficient manner. (Cargo transfer facility well worth state’s investment, Baltimore Sun by Harry Halpert.)

The “Global SeaPort” is a gem for any politician to strengthen and tout. You noticed how every GOP presidential candidate claimed to be the biggest supporter of expanding the Port of Charleston during the GOP primaries in South Carolina. Governor O’Malley certainly underscored the power of the port and its expansion in this ad during his last race for governor.

If Mayor Rawlings-Blake can speed up the process, make the port more immediately competitive and put an old industrial site back to work in this economy, people all around Maryland will see this no nonsense, impatient-for-results leadership as exactly the kind of character that port union Democrats, chamber of commerce Republicans and practical Independent voters want in an elected official- whether a local or a statewide candidate.

-Brian

Tomorrow night, one of my clients, the famous Irish Tenor Karl Scully is performing at the prestigious Barns at Wolf Trap and I would like to invite you all to attend. March is Irish American Heritage Month so it would be a wonderful way to get out and celebrate. Here is a clip of Karl singing The Lord’s Prayer. Hope to see you tomorrow night. Tickets can be purchased here.

-Brian

Yesterday, I attended the Howard Hughes Corporation’s event that sought to re-imagine what could be done with the Rouse (now Howard Hughes) building. It was a beautiful day, and everybody was in good spirits talking about what the new Downtown might look like.

My mood dimmed when I bumped into a friend who told me that Bring Back the Vision Founder Emily Lincoln had passed away over the weekend. The irony struck me that here we are envisioning the changes that Emily fought so hard for, only to find out she is gone.

I always enjoyed speaking with Emily because her passion to see Columbia become the city it was always meant to be really resonated with me personally. She was passionate about the changes that we’ve all been advocating for and she yearned to actually see them happen. To know that she won’t makes me very sad.

Emily was one of the first people I spoke to about getting involved in the downtown debate. A mutual friend had suggested I give her a call, and after speaking with her, I could tell she was one sharp woman. Her dedication definitely influenced me to learn all I could about the plan that was being shaped for Downtown.

I will miss Emily, and I hope that her family finds peace in this difficult hour.

-Brian