In early April at the meeting during which “The consultants emphasized the need to collaborate and move to a set of collective visions,” the message focused on communication and sharing of visions and information.

Good job. Columbia Borough for posting the information about the Public Invitation to Columbia River Park Celebration information. Good job on the share with the Columbia Police Department facebook page.

Could have been better if the local social media sites would have been included on the information releases sent to other media.

• You know you’re from Columbia if …

• Businesses and vendors of Columbia PA … and the scads of other social media sites in and about Columbia.

• The Columbia Spy – Cole Umber’s news site

• Columbia PA Online – Jesse’s news site

• Columbia news, views & reviews

Among the definitions of collaboration is this one: “to cooperate with an agency or instrumentality with which one is not immediately connected.”

Just a thought.

Here’s a big “shout out” to the person(s) who shared the release with us so we can share it with you!

Columbia Borough, Columbia Historic Preservation Society, Rivertownes PA USA and Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, are proud to announce a celebration of the newly finished River Trails Building located at Front & Walnut Street, Columbia, PA.

First to start this celebration on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 9:00 AM-1:00 PM is the Susquehanna Riverlands Conservation Landscape Summit. This is a RSVP event with Keynote Speaker Julie Fitzpatrick Assistant Director / Special Projects Coordinator for the Pennsylvania Downtown Center.

Second, a ribbon cutting ceremony at 1:00 PM, afterwards the public can tour the facilities that include kitchen, information desk, modern restrooms and deck that overlooks the riverfront. This 2 million dollar project is to guide visitors to the beautiful flowing hills of Chiques and the attractions in the Columbia area.

Our final event in the evening runs from 4:00pm to 8:00pm and is for the general public to explore Columbia’s past and future in many facets. Vistors can enjoy lectures by Jack Hubley (Nature Program for All Ages), Randolph Harris (Origins of the Underground Railroad), William Whipper portrayer (Richest Black American and famous Abolitionist), Lydia Hamilton-Smith portrayer (Thaddeus Stephens personal friend and Abolitionist) and Mike Acord, Susquehanna Fish & Tackle (fishing the Susquehanna).

We will also have boating safety, bicycle demonstrations, home composting and kayak demonstrations. Civil War recruiting officer to defend the bridge, and other Civil War era soldiers. Special guest Tom Hermansader, Art Flows in Columbia, a drawing experience, a riverfront demonstration on the Susquehanna River. Live music, food trucks, alpaca farm and the start of Columbia’s Litter Letter Project. Watch for another email blast for more information. Please note: River Park will be closed for boat trailers on this day. All parking will be directed by Columbia Fire Police to the field next to River Park.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency advises, “Communicating effectively with your community means communicating with the whole community. Communities are diverse. They include people of all ages and varied cultural backgrounds, individuals with disabilities, and people with other access and functional needs such as limited English proficiency or literacy limitations.”