It was St. Patrick’s Day, so how fitting that we would get held up on our post lunch walk to the Capitol by the Irish Prime Minister’s visit. We all stood waiting on the presidential motorcade to cross the street Read more

Every month it is my responsibility to compile the “factoids” that appear in the magazine. The idea of having a regular compilation of numbers based facts relating to a particular theme stems from the famous Harper’s Index—and I tend to Read more

Having experienced numerous recessions in my professional lifetime, I’ve come to the conclusion that for all their destructiveness, some good comes out of them. It’s not always evident at the time. But you can observe tell-tale signs, especially when you hear the phrase, “New Normal,” as in we’ll be operating in a new Read more

There’s something to be said for attending certain events in person, rather than just reading about the results later. The Rockville City Council meeting to decide the fate of RedGate Golf Course seemed straightforward but subtle undercurrents in the room Read more

The group of Maryland NRPA members I shadowed was fortunate Their Hill visits were with lawmakers sympathetic to parks. I heard a couple of stories as we navigated the halls of the Longworth building about past meetings with brusque, impassive, Read more

Despite my having lived in Rockville, Maryland, for 15 years, last week was the first time I ever attended a city council meeting. What would drag me out on a cold, dark February night at my normal (admittedly early) bedtime? Read more

  With this missive, Parks & Recreation magazine opens up a new venue for communicating ideas, issues, and trends. Now in its 45th year, the print edition of the magazine has brought NRPA members a wide range of information on Read more

Capitol Hill has always seemed like alien territory to me. I like writing about policy, and I like learning about policy. But something about the Hill and all of its staffers and lingo and inner circles and very young people Read more

This weekend found me scrutinizing the thin branches of the weeping cherry tree in my front yard. The blossom buds were frustratingly tiny, not surprising given that our nights have still been falling below freezing more often than not. Blossom Read more