Montgomery Community Media

Nearly 20 years ago on a snowy February Friday night, I was leaving my office as a Montgomery County, Md. public information officer, when the phone rang and a TV reporter who I often dealt with called and asked what we knew so far about this “train collision” in Silver Spring. I thought he was […]

I apologize in advance to anyone who may find this blog to be boring, offensive, off-the-mark, annoying, or even trivial. There. I said it. I’m sorry. Apologies don’t always come that easy and aren’t always that easy to deliver, are they? Then again, the circumstances begging for an apology – especially a public apology at […]

I almost hate to admit it, but I’m absolutely guilty of over-using a common phrase to suggest the level of one’s greatness, in any field or endeavor. Often, I’ll be heard saying: “He/she… is a real rock star!” I use it so much that I’m known within our company for periodically showering accolades on members […]

You’ve heard me make references in the past to how a healthy “generational divide” in the workplace can help to bring out the most creative and productive work atmospheres, by blending “seasoned,” experienced hands with dynamic young talents. Still, as the resident office “gray-hair” — affectionately dubbed “Papa Steve” by my younger, so often more tech-savvy […]

Brand management is big business. But more and more, we are all learning that brand management is not just for business, but for individuals too. To some extent, that goes for all of us, as virtually everyone who is living and operating in the age of social media needs to be cognizant of how they […]

BREAKING NEWS! There is absolutely NO “breaking news” in this article. As someone who has spent my whole life around the news and media business – dating back to my first editor’s job on the junior high school newspaper staff – I have always loved the notion of “breaking news.” I was that 12-year-old geek […]

The horrific tragedy that took place recently at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, left so many people simply feeling shocked, saddened, and essentially helpless, in the face of such an unimaginable event that claimed the lives of so many innocent children and adults. My good friend, Kristin O’Keefe, decided instead to do something […]

Certainly the action that the leadership took was a bold, but painful one, and it came off immediately as shocking and wildly unpopular. Still, it’s good to know that in potentially disastrous economic times like these, there is a president and governing body that is willing to do what is needed – despite the certain […]

  Just another day or two and we’ll finally be able to say it: “Our long national nightmare is over.” The incessant political ads on TV, that is. I don’t know about you, but I have had it. Let’s do this election thing on Tuesday and move on! I can honestly say that while I […]

  “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” I know what you’re thinking. Here he goes with yet another review of the first two presidential debates and the cumulative “split decision,” as we all now anxiously await the “rubber match” on Monday night. On the contrary, the two types of […]