February 2019 Hyattsville Life and Times by Hyattsville Life and Times

MY TWO CENTS

Recently retired local journalist reﬂects on his experience with volunteering. P. 2

HMS supply wish list gets community Vol. 16 No. 2 support

FOODIE ALERT

SECONDHAND NEWS

Area welcomes two new restaurants: Marco & Polo and Banana Blossom Bistro. P. 3 & 4

Columnist Lauren Flynn Kelly revives her popular column. P. 10

Life&Times

Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper

By Colleen D. Curran

February 2019

VALENTINE TIME

Teachers at Hyattsville Middle School (HMS) started their spring classes with school supply donations made possible by HMS administration, the Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO) and the local community. Buying classroom supplies is a common and even chronic struggle for teachers throughout the U.S., as demonstrated by a May 2018 U.S. Department of Education survey. HMS continued on page 13

District Council sends Magruder Pointe proposal back to the Planning Board By Ben Simasek

In the latest twist in the case, the Prince George’s County District Council voted unanimously to send Werrlein Properties’ Magruder Pointe development proposal back to the Planning Board. The written order of remand was officially approved at the Jan. 28 council meeting. Per county law, the Planning Board must hold a second hearing within 60 days following the remand. Equal time was allotted for oral arguments opposing and supporting the proposal at the Jan. 15 council meeting. MAGRUDER continued on page 12

JULIETTE FRADIN PHOTOGRAPHY

A girl goes through a box of stickers to embellish her Valentineʼs Day card at the Hyattsville Aging in Place Annual Valentine-making Party held Feb. 2.

City crime continues its downward trend By Heather Wright

Hyattsville rang in the new year with a shooting near Hyattsville Middle School. On Jan. 2, Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) officers responded to a call about gunshots in

the vicinity of 4200 Nicholson Street. HCPD reported that two people armed with semiautomatic handguns exchanged gunfire and fled the scene before police arrived. However, overall crime — including most gun-related crime — has been trending

downwards in Hyattsville. Although the more in-depth HCPD 2018 annual department report will be released within a month or so, according to HCPD Public CRIME continued on page 9

CENTER SECTION: FEBRUARY 12, 2019 ISSUE OF THE HYATTSVILE REPORTER — IN ESPANOL TOO! HYATTSVILLE MD PERMIT NO. 1383

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Page 2

Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

MyTwoCents

Safe Haven oﬀers warm shelter for homeless — and warm feelings for its volunteers By Pete Pichaske

On a bitterly cold night in late January, a couple of dozen men enjoyed a hot dinner and a cot to sleep on in the warm basement of the University Park Church of the Brethren. Most of the men were homeless, spending the night in the church

A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781 http://HyattsvilleLife.com http://facebook.com/HyattsvilleLife http://twitter.com/HvilleTimes Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Hyattsville Community Newspaper, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses below. Managing Editor Maria D. James maria@hyattsvillelife.com Associate Editor Heather Wright heather@hyattsvillelife.com

to escape the frigid temperatures. The others were volunteers, there to serve dinner, clean up or spend the night as chaperones. The overnight stay was part of Safe Haven, a 30-year-old, coldweather shelter for homeless men. Held annually from late November through early March, Safe Haven operates out of a rotating group of 15 churches in central Prince George’s County and is staffed entirely by volunteers. The homeless men get a cot to sleep on, a free hot dinner and breakfast. The volunteers, meanwhile, get a satisfying, heartwarming, often eye-opening experience. It’s hard to say which group gets more out of the arrangement. Finding volunteers can be difficult, especially those willing to spend a night or two away from home, said the Rev. Kim McDowell, pastor of the Church of the Brethren. But afterwards, she said, they’re always happy they did it.

“They really enjoy meeting the men, hearing some of their stories — just being there,” she said. “This year, the overnight people were the ones speaking most positively about their experience.” Michael Hagerty knows that feeling. Hagerty helps coordinate Safe Haven at St. Jerome Catholic Church, in Hyattsville, which hosted the shelter this month. This is only his third year as a volunteer, but already he’s hooked. “These are people we don’t often interact with, and we get to hear their stories, what they’re going through,” he explained. “It broadens your insights into the world beyond your normal day-to-day life. It gives you an appreciation of the challenges they face.” Lois Jones, director of the Safe Haven program for Help by Phone Ltd., the nonprofit organization that runs it, speaks glowingly of the volunteers. “They are tremendous people,” she says. “Very caring, very dedi-

cated to what they are doing, interested in helping their fellow person. … I could not have a better group of people.” Speaking as one of those volunteers, I don’t know if I’d go that far. But I know exactly what McDowell and Hagerty are talking about. I’ve been a volunteer with Safe Haven for the past 20 years, working at a trio of local churches: Church of the Brethren, Riverdale Presbyterian, in University Park, and University Christian, in Hyattsville. I coordinated the effort at Riverdale Presbyterian for several years, but stepped down from that role this year, tired of fretting over having enough volunteers, dealing with occasional squabbles and the unending logistical challenges. But I wasn’t ready to give up cold turkey, so this winter I agreed to spend a couple of overnights at two different churches.

I was glad I did. I reconnected with a couple of the homeless guys I’d seen in the program for years and who are very nearly friends. I got more appreciative smiles and heartfelt thank-you’s than I usually get in an entire year. And, yes, I heard the stories of the down-on-their-luck men who inhabit a different universe than mine, even as we live in the same neighborhood. I came away with that rosy, good feeling that McDowell mentioned. And in these troubled, divisive times, I also came away with the sense that if more men and women in my shoes could spend more time with the people in these homeless men’s shoes, some of those troubles and divides just might be bridged. Pete Pichaske recently retired from 40plus years as a local journalist, most recently as news editor of the Howard County Times/Columbia Flier. He lives in University Park.

AROUND TOWN

Digital Editor Krissi Humbard krissi@hyattsvillelife.com Webmaster Lindsay Myers lindsay@hyattsvillelife.com Layout & Design Editor Ashley Perks Copy Editor Nancy Welch Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com 301.531.5234 Writers & Contributors Victoria Boucher, Colleen D. Curran, Randy Fletcher, Juliette Fradin, Lauren Flynn Kelly, Ben Simasek, Camilia Velloso Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel Chris Currie — Vice President Emily Strab — Treasurer Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter Ross, Reva Harris, Maria D. James and Krissi Humbard — Ex Oﬃcios Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in Hyattsville. Additional copies are distributed to libraries, selected businesses, community centers and churches in the city. Total circulation is 9,300. HL&T is a member of the National Newspaper Association.

JULIETTE FRADIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Left: Suzanne Alolga, board member of Hyattsville Aging in Place (HAP) and organizer of the Feb. 2 HAP Annual Valentine-making Party, poses with her daughter Emma and Pvt. Jessica Mathews from the HCPD. Right: A mother and son who are planning to grow a garden this summer select seeds from the 10th Annual Hyattsville Horticultural Society Seed and Garden Fair held Feb. 2.

Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

Marco & Polo brings Uyghur cuisine to area By Camila Velloso

Hyattsville has a new Uyghur (pronounced “WEE-gur”) restaurant that opened in November 2018, and it has already gained a loyal following. Located at 6504 America Boulevard in University Town Center, Marco & Polo offers traditional Uyghur and Turkish cuisine, from lamb-centric dishes to hand-pulled noodles and homemade bread. “It’s like soul food, which speaks to you deeply,” Bethesda resident Lesley Krauland said. Krauland and her lunch companions, Sarah Elder and Cindy Hess, all heard about the restaurant through community group email lists and recommendations from friends. “Personally, I was just curious to see what Uyghur food was,”

Elder, dining at the restaurant for the third time, said. “Honestly, where else could you possibly find it?” Owner Gairatjan Rozi named the restaurant after 14th-century merchant Marco Polo, whose travels along the Silk Road promoted a cultural exchange and allowed for the spread of Uyghur cuisine to the West. Through food and music, Rozi hopes to introduce his customers to the history and culture of the Uyghur ethnic group, which hails from western China and central Asia. On weekends, Rozi provides musical entertainment with his dutar, a two-stringed lute. Sometimes he performs the song he says he played for the Dalai Lama’s 2012 birthday celebration in the Netherlands.

Page 3

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situation, it’s better to know about them ahead of time so you can budget properly. Remember, buying a home is a major milestone, and whether it’s your first, second or tenth, there are many small but important details, not to mention stress and excitement, to deal with during the process. The last thing you need are unbudgeted financial obligations in the hours before you take possession of your new home. To help homebuyers understand what these extra costs are, and in what situations they may

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UYGHUR continued on page 6

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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

Banana Blossom Bistro opens for business By Maria James

On Feb. 6 local residents Phil and Annie Esguerra witnessed their dream of running their own Vietnamese restaurant come alive. The couple are the owners of Riverdale Park’s newest restaurant, the Banana Blossom Bistro, located in the heart of Riverdale

Park’s historic downtown at 6202 Rhode Island Avenue, Suite 116. The restaurant is a bit different from the typical mom and pop Vietnamese restaurant. Phil says this was purposely done to create a place that was mindful of their daughter’s serious food allergy. “Our daughter is allergic to eggs, and it was difficult to find food

without eggs in it,” said Phil. “We wanted to created a place that was friendly to dietary restrictions.” Annie, who manages the kitchen, works with a staff of 12. All of the dishes are made from scratch. First-timers who are new to Vietnamese dishes are greeted by staff who are eager to explain the menu. Diners walk through a

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serving line to select the dishes, which are then brought to the table after checkout. The Esguerras selected the location for the restaurant because of its charm, the community and its central location. “We just saw and fell in love with this building and the strong sense of community — that’s what we’re all about,” said Annie. When the California natives relocated to Hyattsville four years ago, their dream of carrying on the family business traveled with them. “lt all started with my grandparents in Vietnam. After the Vietnam War, they escaped by boat and eventually ended up in San Jose, California,” said Annie. In the 1970s her grandparents opened one of the first pho (Vietnamese noodle soup) shops in that area, and it became the family business after that. According to Annie, the name of the restaurant reflects the heart and soul of Vietnam. “Not a lot of people know the banana blossom is the flower of the banana tree,” she explained. “Another name for the banana blossom is the banana heart. Ba-

nana trees are abundant in Vietnam. The same way the flower is the heart of the tree, we feel that hospitality and food is the heart of the restaurant.” The Esguerras’ love of community is visible in the products and goods from local artists featured throughout the restaurant. Local graphic designer Kate Geyer designed the banana flower logo and coordinated the fun, modern Vietnamese- and French-inspired interior design. The wall color is that of the banana blossom. The tables are handcrafted by another local, Blake Salon. And one special table near the register was handmade by Alex Heitkemper of University Park. The pottery along shelves near the serving line was designed by local resident Leah Schaperow. “All of the pottery was made [with] a handmade glaze,” said Shaperow. Custom pho bowls and spoons are coming soon. For now, the restaurant plans to maintain its soft launch hours, which are Tuesday through Sunday, from 4 to 9 p.m. Plans for a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony are underway.

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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

“It’s like soul food, which speaks to you deeply.” Bethesda resident Lesley Krauland

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UYGHUR

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Rozi previously ran a Uyghur restaurant there before moving to the U.S. three years ago. Rozi’s customers often ask him to play his dutar. “The first time we came here, [Rozi] came out and played some of the instruments,” College Heights Estates resident Jana Over said. “It was fascinating to see one of those long-stem guitars being played.” Walking into the restaurant, guests will find a variety of traditional Uyghur artifacts, including dutars and tapestries hanging on the walls. “We love the decoration, the design [and] hearing the stories that [Rozi has] told us,” said

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Over, who was out to lunch with her husband, David Harrington. Rozi enjoys interacting with customers and being part of their dining experience. From taking orders to preparing and serving food, he tries to make sure everything is to his customers’ liking. “I don’t want something [to go] wrong for people,” he said. Not even the frigid temperatures and snow during late January could keep customers away. “I think the Uyghur soup is really good, especially in this kind of weather,” Elder said. The family business — run by Rozi with the help of his son Bugra — is also contributing to the diversification of dining options in the area. “We have been here for 35 years,” Harrington said. “It’s so nice that so many of these really interesting restaurants have opened.” Many local residents have embraced Marco & Polo and would like to see it remain in the area. “There’s been a lot of excitement about this restaurant because we’d like to sustain it,” said Krauland. “I hope that people will come and try [the food],” Over said. Rozi decided on Hyattsville as the location for his newest business because of its proximity to D.C. and the University of Maryland. “These are good customers,” Rozi said. “I am happy here.”

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Then Then&Now

Vinegar: A mold-busting miracle! By Randy Fletcher

There are certain smells that take me back to my childhood and make me think of my grandparents. Coffee is one of them. My grandmother had three percolators going all the time: one in the kitchen, one next to the davenport in the TV room, and another one in the master bath. The smell of percolating coffee would waft through the house and wake everyone up at 4:30 a.m., which is when their day got going. Another smell that triggers memories of my grandparents is vinegar. My grandmother never used bleach, ammonia or Pine-Sol when she cleaned the house. She used vinegar — distilled white vinegar. I love that smell (which may have something to do with my love of pickles). This past summer, we went through almost 15 gallons of vinegar. I used it full strength to spray the weeds in our driveway. We also used it to clean out our coffee maker by running a cycle with vinegar and then another with tap water. It helps kill germs and remove mineral buildup. But we used most of those 15 gallons

on our antique wooden furniture. Don’t cringe; let me explain. Last year was one of the wettest years on record. It was really wet and humid. Great for trees, flowers and shrubs, but not so great for those of us who live in older homes with no central air. Our dehumidifier was on overdrive the entire summer. We only use window units to cool off a few essential rooms: kitchen, bedroom, office. One morning we woke up to find that all the windows and mirrors in the rest of the house were fogged up. The walls were literally dripping with condensation. The treads and handrail on the stairs felt saturated and sticky. But even worse than the dripping walls was the most fantastic mold bloom. All the antiques in our living room were covered with it. I panicked. I’d read that mold exposure can cause health problems for some people. I did a little research and discovered that vinegar kills around 80 percent of mold species, and I decided to give it a try. Removing mold from furniture is easy. Be sure to wear safety goggles and

protective clothing, and test a small area, first, to ensure that the piece will not be damaged. Then spray affected areas with full-strength vinegar. Let it sit for half an hour, and then wipe the area. Repeat this process, and let the piece dry completely. Next, treat the furniture with a good-quality paste wax. This penetrates deep into the wood and forms a moisture barrier which prevents a mold rebloom. We treated 16 pieces of antique furniture with vinegar; it took us a few days. For all that work, we gained a wonderful silver lining: Our furniture has never been so clean and gleaming. At least not all at the same time. Wherever you are, Grandma, thank you! Oh, and the coffee — it gave us the energy to make it through the entire cleaning process. Other practical uses for vinegar (and there are many more, too many to list): • To clean your dishwasher and its contents, add 1½ to 2 cups white distilled vinegar to the bottom of it. Run a regular cycle using the usual amount of detergent. You’ll get sparkling results. • Remove bathtub film by wiping the tub first with white distilled vinegar and next

with baking soda, then rinsing. • Prevent soap scum build-up on shower doors by wiping them with a sponge soaked in white distilled vinegar. (No need to rinse.) • To clean your microwave, heat ¼ cup white distilled vinegar and 1 cup water until steam forms on the window, then wipe away any residue. • Fresh flowers last longer if you add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of sugar to a quart of water; heat the water until the sugar dissolves, and let it cool before adding your flowers. Trim stems and change water every few days or when water starts to get cloudy. • Your windows will sparkle if you clean them with equal parts distilled white vinegar and water. Apply to windows with a sponge, and wipe clean with a squeegee. (Remember to wet the squeegee blade first so it won’t skip.) Please note: If you have a severe case of mold, such as large areas of black mold or any mold behind sheetrock, you should hire professionals to remove it. The Hyattsville Preservation Association (HPA) seeks to engage residents in the preservation and promotion of the many historic homes and buildings in our city. www.preservehyattsville.org

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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

the

Hyattsville Reporter No. 371 • February 12, 2019

www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

Trash Collection Changes

City offices will be closed Monday, February 18, in observance of Presidents Day. Emergency services will continue. There will be no yard waste collection the week of February 18. Compost will be collected from households participating in the volunteer composting pilot program on Tuesday, February 19. Trash collection will follow its regular schedule. Please call (301) 985-5000 if you have any questions.

Celebrating Black History Month

In celebration of Black History Month, join us Thursday, February 21, 7 p.m., at the City Building for a showcase of art projects from Hyattsville Teen Center students and a screening of The Hate You Give. Light refreshments will be served. If you have any questions, please call (301) 985-5021.

Researching Your Hyattsville Home

If the walls in your home could talk, what would they say? The City and the Hyattsville Preservation Association invite you to uncover the story of your home with us on Thursday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. in the City Building (4310 Gallatin Street). Participants are encouraged to bring a laptop and create an account at www.mdlandrec. net. For more information, please call (301) 699-5440 or email hpahyattsville@hotmail. com.

READ ALL ABOUT IT: Putting Findings into Action

The City of Hyattsville is using community-based feedback to develop plans for improving the quality of life for all Hyattsville residents. The final report of the 2018 Resident Satisfaction Survey, which includes feedback on City services, is now available at www.hyattsville.org/surveys. The Action Plan to Increase Age-Friendliness, adopted by the City’s Mayor and Council in January 2019, is now available at www. hyattsville.org/age-friendly. Mayor and Council have also adopted the final report of the Hyattsville Transportation Study, which looks at existing infrastructure and identifies project priorities for the next 20 years. That report is available at www.hyattsville.org/transportation.

Wanted: Micro Farmers Market Vendors

The City is looking for farmers, producers, and artisans to join the Hyattsville Micro Farmers Market family! The Market takes place alongside the Summer Jam Concert Series every third Friday from May to September, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the City Building (4310 Gallatin Street). For a vendor application and more details, email epreston@hyattsville.org or call (301) 985-5006.

Notice of City Election

The City of Hyattsville will hold elections on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Early Voting will take place on Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., at Magruder Park (3911 Hamilton Street). Mayor and City Council Member seats will be open in all five of the City’s Wards. For more information on voter qualifications and registration, visit www.hyattsville.org/elections. Residents wanting to run for office can file an application between Monday, February 25, and Friday, March 29. For more information, attend one of our Candidate Information Sessions on Monday, March 4, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday, March

Private Travon Campbell and Private Edgar Andrickson-Franco were sworn in as the Hyattsville Police Department’s newest members in December 2018. Los Oficiales Travon Campbell y Edgar Andrickson-Franco fueron jurados como miembros nuevos del Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville el pasado diciembre. 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the City Building (4310 Gallatin Street). To obtain a Candidate Packet, visit www.hyattsville.org/ elections or pick up a copy from the City Building Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Budget Work Session

Budget season is upon us! Mayor and Council invite all residents to the City Building (4310 Gallatin Street) on Wednesday, March 13, 8 p.m. to learn about and provide feedback on budget priorities for FY-2020. See you then!

Emergency Safety Alerts

The City of Hyattsville uses Nixle to send emergency alerts to residents concerning safety and road conditions via email and text message. To learn more and sign up, visit www.nixle.com.

Camp Coach in Training

Teens age 13 – 17 that are interested in working with children and developing leadership skills are invited to take part in Camp Magruder’s Camp Coaches in Training program. Coaches in Training play a key role in leading activities for Camp Magruder’s campers, and each summer have many opportunities to grow as leaders, communicators, and problem solvers. Participating can help satisfy at least 50 hours of the State of Maryland’s community service learning requirement and could even help you get a future job with Camp Magruder! The program is $50 upon acceptance through an application and interview. Applications are due March 22. Visit www.hyattsville.org/CCIT for more information.

Invasive Plant Removals

Join us at Magruder Park (3911 Hamilton Street) on the third Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., to learn how to identify and properly remove nonnative, invasive plants from Magruder Woods. A set of safety guidelines and cotton work gloves will be provided. Volunteers should dress for the elements, with sturdy boots or shoes, long sleeves and long pants. Don’t forget water and sunscreen. Warning: You will get dirty and have fun, too! Please note that participation helps to satisfy the State of Maryland Student

Service Learning Requirement. To learn more or confirm if an invasive removal is canceled due to inclement weather, please contact Dawn Taft at (301) 852-8790.

Teen Center

New Hours: The Teen Center is now open five days a week! Hang out with us at Magruder Park (3911 Hamilton Street) Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30 – 7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 – 8 p.m., and Fridays, 3:30 – 10 p.m. for fun afterschool activities! For more information and registration sign up, please visit www.hyattsville.org/teen-center or contact srauf@ hyattsville.org. Mentors and Tutors Wanted: Looking to serve your community? Volunteer as a mentor and tutor at the City of Hyattsville’s Teen Center! Volunteers provide homework help and serve as additional role models in the lives of local youth grades 6 – 12. It’s a commitment of one or two nights of tutoring per week, plus one recreational activity you plan each month. To learn more and get involved, please call (301) 985-5000 or email srauf@ hyattsville.org.

We’re Hiring

Serve your community by working for our local government! We’re currently seeking a code compliance inspector and police officers. Interested? Check out www.hyattsville.org/jobs to learn more and apply!

Parent Workshops

You can keep your family healthy and happy with various low-cost, bilingual resources in our community. Please visit www.hyattsville.org/workshops and join us at any or all our workshops where you can learn more.

Youth Programs

Creative Minds: The City of Hyattsville invites parents and their toddlers (ages 1 – 3) to Creative Minds, an educational enrichment program every Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at Magruder Park. For more information and to register, visit www.hyattsville.org/creativeminds or contact Veronica Rivera-Negrón at (301) 487-1703. Camp Magruder: Register your young-

ster (Grades K – 5), for any or all our upcoming Camp Magruder sessions! While schools are on break, enroll your child for fun-filled days of sports, arts, dance, indoor/ outdoor activities, and awesome educational experiments. For more information or to register for Camp Magruder, please visit www.hyattsville.org/campmagruder or email sjohnson@hyattsville.org. Spring Camp Magruder: April 15 – 19 $125 for City residents / $150 for non-residents Summer Camp Magruder: June 17 – August 23. $250 for City residents / $300 for non-residents

Did you Miss a City Council Meeting?

No problem! Visit www.hyattsville.org/ meetings to view a recording of all meetings, check out agendas, and much more! Don’t forget that the most recent meeting is also rebroadcasted seven days a week on cable channel 12 (Verizon) and channel 71 (Comcast) at 7 a.m., 12 p.m., and 8 p.m.

ESL Baking Classes

Interested in learning English as a second language while learning how to bake like a professional? Register for Prince George’s Community College’s FREE English as a Second Language (ESL) Bridge and Baking Classes. First, learn important vocabulary, procedures, and measurement skills with the bridge class. Then, learn how to bake and earn a ServSafe certificate at the baking classes. Space is limited so check out www.pgcc.edu/go/esl or call (301) 5468350 for registration and more information!

Free Transportation

Hyattsville residents can ride all University of Maryland Shuttle Routes for FREE! Route 113 loops through Hyattsville, stops at the Prince George’s Plaza Metro, and then heads to the University. To get your 2019 shuttle pass, please bring photo ID and proof of residence to the City Building, 4310 Gallatin Street, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Passes are issued the same day. Route maps and schedules are available at www.dots.umd.edu.

Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

Reportero de

Page HR2

Hyattsville

No. 371 • 12 de Febrero, 2019

www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

Recolección de Basura

Programas para Jóvenes y Niños Pequeños

Las oficinas de la Ciudad estarán cerradas el lunes, 18 de febrero para conmemorar el Día del Presidente. Los servicios de emergencia continuaran. No habrá recolección de residuos la semana de febrero 18 y el compostaje de hogares participando en el programa piloto será recogido el martes, 19 de febrero. Las rutas de colección de basura normal no están afectadas. Por favor llame al (301) 985-5000 si tiene preguntas.

Mentes Creativas: La Ciudad de Hyattsville invita a padres y a sus hijos (años 1 – 3) para Mentes Creativas, un programa de enriquecimiento y educación que empieza el 8 de enero, cada martes y jueves, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., en el Parque Magruder (3911 Calle Hamilton). El programa incluye una introducción a juegos de aprendizaje, arte, música y mucho más. Para más información y para registrarse para las sesiones del invierno y primavera, por favor visite www.hyattsville. org/creativeminds o contacte a Verónica Rivera-Negrón al (301) 487-1703.

Celebrando el Mes de la Historia Afroamericana

Continuando con la celebración del Mes de la Historia Afroamericana, acompáñenos el jueves, 21 de febrero, a las 7:30 p.m. en el Edificio Municipal para una exhibición de proyectos artísticos de estudiantes del Centro de Jóvenes. También proyectaremos la película El Odio que Das. Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor llame al (301) 985-5021.

Descubra la Historia de su Casa en Hyattsville

Si las paredes de su hogar pudieran hablar, ¿qué dirían? La Asociación Perseverativa de Hyattsville y la Ciudad lo invitan a descubrir la historia de su hogar el jueves, 28 de febrero, a las 7:30 p.m. en el Edificio Municipal (4310 Calle Hamilton). Sugerimos que participantes traigan una computadora y que crean un perfil vía www.mdlandrec.net. Para más información, llame al (301) 6995440 o mande un correo electrónico a hpahyattsville@hyattsville.com.

EXTRA-EXTRA: Encuentros Importantes Puestos en Acción

La Ciudad de Hyattsville está usando las opiniones de la Comunidad para desarrollar planes que mejoren la calidad de vida para residentes. El último reporte de la 2018 Encuesta de Satisfacción de Residentes, que incluye opiniones sobre servicios de la Ciudad, está disponible vía www.hyattsville. org/surveys. El Plan de Acción para Mejorar Hyattsville para Gente Mayor, que fue aceptado por el Consejo y la Alcaldesa el enero de 2019, ahora está disponible vía www. hyattsville.org/age-friendly. El Consejo y la Alcaldesa también han aceptado la versión final del Estudio de Transportación en Hyattsville, lo cual visita reconoce infraestructuras existentes e identifica proyectos para los próximos 20 años. El reporte completo está disponible vía www.hyattsville.org/ transportation.

Freezing temperatures don’t bother Hyattsville’s finest at the 2019 Maryland State Police Polar Bear Plunge. Temperaturas heladas no molestan a los oficiales de Hyattsville en el 2019 Salto de Oso Polar patrocinado por la Policía del Estado de Maryland. www.hyattsville.org/elections. Residentes interesados en ser candidatos para el puesto de Alcalde o Concejal se pueden inscribir entre el lunes, 25 de febrero y viernes, 29 de marzo. Para más información, atienda una de nuestras Sesiones de Información sobre ser Candidato el lunes, 4 de marzo, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. y el sábado, 23 de marzo, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., en el Edificio Municipal. Para obtener un Paquete de Candidatos, visite www.hyattsville.org/elections o recoja una copia del Edificio Municipal, abierto de lunes a viernes, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sesión de Trabajo del Presupuesto

¡La temporada del presupuesto ha llegado! La Alcalde y el Consejo invitan a todos los residentes al Edificio Municipal (4310 Calle Gallatin) el miércoles, 13 de marzo, a las 8 p.m. para aprender y dar proveer opiniones sobre las prioridades del presupuesto para el 2020 Año Fiscal. ¡Nos vemos allí!

Alertas de Emergencia y Seguridad

La Ciudad de Hyattsville usa el sistema Nixle para mandar alertas de emergencia a residentes de la Ciudad sobre avisos de seguridad y las condiciones de carreteras vía correo electrónico y mensaje de texto. Para aprender más e inscribirse, visite www.nixle.com.

del Futuro! Se Busca: Vendedores para ¡Entrenadores de 13 – 17 de edad que están inteel Mercadito de Hyattsville Jóvenes resados en trabajar con niños y en desar¡La Ciudad está buscando a artesanos y agricultores para que se unan a la familia del Mercadito de Hyattsville! El Mercado toma plazo junto a la Serie de Conciertos Summer Jam cada tercer viernes, empezando en mayo y hasta septiembre, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m., en el Edificio Municipal (4310 Calle Gallatin). Para una aplicación y para más detalles, mande un correo electrónico a epreston@hyattsville.org o llame al (301) 985-5006.

Elecciones de la Ciudad

La Ciudad de Hyattsville sostendrá elecciones el martes, 7 de mayo de 2019, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Votación Anticipada tomará plazo el sábado, 27 de abril, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. y el sábado, 4 de abril, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. en el Parque Magruder (3911 Hamilton Street). Los puestos Concejales del Municipio de la Ciudad para los cinco distritos y el puesto de Alcalde estarán abiertos para elección. Para más información sobre como inscribirse y las calificaciones para votar, visite

rollar sus capacidades de liderazgo están invitados a participar al programa de Camp Magruder para entrenamiento de consejero de campamento. Además de aprender como ser buenos comunicadores y saber cómo resolver problemas eficientemente, los Consejeros en Entrenamiento son claves para que el Camp Magruder sea exitoso diariamente. Participación puede satisfacer por lo menos 50 horas del requisito de aprendizaje-servicio del estado de Maryland. Aun mejor, ¡esta es una gran manera de ser competitiva para una posible posición de empleo en Camp Magruder! El programa sale $50 después de ser seleccionado por un proceso de solicitación y entrevista. Se aceptará solicitaciones hasta el 22 de marzo. Visite www.hyattsville.org/CCIT para más información.

Removiendo Plantas Invasoras

Acompáñenos en el Parque Magruder (3911 Calle Hamilton) cada tercer sábado del mes,

10 a.m. – 2 p.m., para identificar y ayudarnos a remover de los Bosques Magruder plantas invasoras y no nativas. Una orientación de reglas de seguridad y guantes de algodón serán provistos. Se les recuerda voluntarios de vestirse para los elementos, incluyendo mangas y pantalones largos y botas o zapatos resistentes. ¡No se olviden de traer agua y bloqueador de sol! Participación puede ayudar a satisfacer el requisito de aprendizaje-servicio del Estado de Maryland. Para aprender más y confirmar si el evento es cancelado debido al clima, por favor contacte Dawn Taft al (301) 852-8790.

Centro de Jóvenes

Nuevas Horas: ¡El Centro de Jóvenes ahora está abierto cinco días a la semana! Acompáñenos en el Parque Magruder (3911 Calle Hamilton) todos los lunes y miércoles, 3:30 – 7 p.m., martes y jueves, 3:30 – 8 p.m. y viernes, 3:30 – 10 p.m. para actividades divertidas. ¿Está buscando un tutor para su hija/o en una materia especifica? Para más información y para inscribir a su hija/o, visite www.hyattsville.org/centro-de-jovenes o mande un correo electrónico a srauf@hyattsville.org. Se Busca Tutores y Mentores: ¿Busca servir a su comunidad? ¡Conviértase en un mentor y tutor para el Centro de Adolescentes de Hyattsville! Voluntarios ayudan a estudiantes de grados 6 – 12 con sus tareas y sirven como un buen ejemplo adicional a los jóvenes. Sería un compromiso de una o dos veces a la semana en la tarde siendo tutor más una oportunidad de planear una actividad divertida junto al adolescente para un día al mes. Para aprender más e involucrarse, por favor llame al (301) 985-5000 o mande un correo electrónico a srauf@hyattsville.org.

Estamos Contratando

¡Sirva a su comunidad trabajando por su gobierno local! Estamos buscando un inspector de cumplimiento de código y oficiales para nuestro departamento de policía. Para obtener más información y solicitar, por favor visite www.hyattsville.org/jobs.

Talleres Gratuitos para Familias

¡Usted puede mantener el bienestar de su familia con varios recursos bilingües alrededor de nuestra comunidad sin que le cueste nada! Visite www.hyattsville.org/charlas y únase a uno o todos nuestros talleres donde puede aprender más información.

Camp Magruder: ¡Registre a su hija/o (Grados K – 5) para todas nuestras próximas sesiones del Camp Magruder! Cuando no estén en la escuela, inscriba a su hija/o para días llenos de deportes, artes, baile, actividades dentro y fuera y experimentos educativos. Para más información y para registrarse para las futuras sesiones del Camp Magruder, por favor visiten a www.hyattsville.org/campmagruder o manden un correo electrónico a sjohnson@hyattsville.org. Camp Magruder de la Primavera: 15 – 19 de abril. $125 para residentes de la Ciudad / $150 para ellos que no habitan en Hyattsville Camp Magruder del Verano: 17 de junio – 23 de agosto. $250 para residentes de la Ciudad / $300 para ellos que no habitan en Hyattsville

¿Se Perdió una Reunión del Consejo Municipal?

¡No se preocupe! ¡Visite nuestra página web www.hyattsville.org/meetings para ver las grabaciones de todas las juntas, revisar las agendas y mucho más! ¡No se olvide que la reunión más reciente también es retransmitida diariamente en los canales de cable 12 (Verizon) y 71 (Comcast) a las 7 a.m., 12 p.m. y 8 p.m. los siete días a la semana!

Clases de Inglés y Hornear

¿Está interesado en aprender inglés como segundo idioma mientras aprende como hornear delicias como un profesional? Inscríbase para las clases GRATIS de Aprendizaje de Ingles y Hornear por parte del Colegio Comunitario Prince George’s. Primero, aprenda el vocabulario importante, procedimientos y como proporcionar medidas con la clase de aprendizaje. Después, aprenda como hornear galletas, panecitos, pasteles y más delicias. ¡El espacio es limitado así que visite www.pgcc. edu/go/esl o llame al (301) 546-8350 para inscribirse y para más información.

Transportación Gratis

¡Residentes de Hyattsville pueden tomar todos los autobuses de la Universidad de Maryland GRATIS! La Ruta 113 pasa por Hyattsville, con paradas en la estación de metro de Prince George’s Plaza y al fin en la Universidad. Para obtener su pase del 2019 para el autobús, por favor presente una identificación con foto y prueba de residencia a la Ciudad en la 4310 Calle Gallatin, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., de lunes a viernes. Le podemos dar el pase el mismo día de su visita. Los Mapas y horarios de la ruta del autobús están disponibles por internet visitando a www.dots.umd.edu.

Page 8

Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

MissFloribunda Dear Miss Floribunda, I enjoyed the [Hyattsville Horticultural Society] seed sale in February and took a chance buying seeds that haven’t worked for me in the past. Generally, after some discouraging attempts at planting from seed, I’ve bought herbs and vegetables in six-packs commercially. That has become more of an expense than I can afford. I have had better luck growing annual flowers from seed, except for nasturtiums and moonflowers. The nasturtiums take a long time to come up and by the time they bloom summer is nearly over. The moonflowers never come up at all. I asked somebody at the sale’s information table what the problem could be, and she said that because the seeds are unusually hard they need “scarification.” When I asked what that meant, I was told I had to nick the seeds with a knife before planting them. Now, I have a tremor in my hands, and I could easily cut myself doing this. Couldn’t I maybe soak the seeds in warm water first? Would that help at all? I want my garden to succeed this year, but without wasting money or shedding blood. Scared of Scarification on Decatur Street Dear Scared, Moonflower seeds are so hard that they are impermeable to water until their coats are nicked or, more safely, abraded with

Consider using eggshells as biodegradable containers for seedlings.

sandpaper. Then, soaking them in water will speed germination. Nature’s purpose in making certain seeds so hard is to delay sprouting till such time as the survival of the sprout is most likely. You can learn the best ways to outwit nature’s timetable, and much more, at the Hyattsville Horticultural Society (HHS)’s upcoming seed germination workshop on Saturday, March 16, after a brief meeting at 10 a.m. It will take place at the home of Dr. Julie Wolf, 4008 Hamilton Street. Dr. Wolf, who is is a plant physiologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Beltsville, will address the many chal-

lenges facing gardeners who wish to give their seeds a head start indoors under controlled conditions. You are welcome to ask her about every type of herb, flower or vegetable seed that you want to plant, and she will provide expert advice. Along with scarification of large hard-coated seeds, she will demonstrate seed stratification, which is a method of providing damp conditions at specific temperatures to mimic the passing of seasons. This is necessary for the seeds of columbine and other native plants so desirable for attracting beneficial insects. In addition, she will show how to use

heating pads or other heat sources to start the seeds of peppers and other plants that sprout only in warm soil. She will give tips on watering and hygiene to prevent damping off (rotting) of your seedlings, as well as discuss how to provide enough light to prevent the legginess that often characterizes tomato seedlings. You will learn when to plant your seedlings outdoors according to day length and soil temperature, and about fertilization and other care. You won’t even have to take notes because Dr. Wolf is providing helpful handouts. She also will provide containers and soil blockers for those who want to plant on the spot and are not afraid of getting their hands dirty. If you want to emulate Dr. Wolf’s charming display at the seed sale, you can bring eggshells to use as biodegradable containers. If you decide you want more seeds, the opportunity will come on Saturday, April 6 at the Community Forklift Annual Garden Party. The HHS will set up a table there from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m and will offer not only seeds but gardening implements, books and decorative containers. You will enjoy the festive atmosphere, garden product displays, refreshments and live music. Then, don’t miss the HHS plant exchange on April 20. You might want to bring some seedlings and swap them for others. The location will be announced in next month’s column.

Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

Page 9

CRIME

continued from page 1

Information Officer Lt. Chris Purvis, its 2018 statistics report is already available online. Overall, crime in 2018 was down 11.6 percent from 2017, and down 20.2 percent from five years ago (2014). The HCPD report shows a total of 1,065 crimes committed within the city boundaries last year, compared to 1,205 in 2017 and 1,335 in 2014. Crimes were down in every major category except rape (3 in 2018, up from 2 in 2017). However, rape was down by 66.7 percent when compared to 2014 (3, down from 9). Total crimes against persons (which includes homicide, rape, robbery, carjacking and assault) decreased 25.4 percent from 2017 (138, down from 185) and 13.8 percent from 2014 (down from 160). Total crimes against property (which includes breaking and entering, stolen vehicle, theft and arson) decreased 9.1 percent from 2017 (927, down from 1020) and 21.1 percent from 2014 (down from 1175). Theft continues to be the most common crime committed in Hyattsville, accounting for 76.8 percent of last year’s total crimes. Importantly, then, theft is down 11.6 percent from 2017 (818, down from 863) and 17.1 percent from 2014 (down from 987). Gun-related crimes have largely been trending downward, as well. Commercial robbery with a gun was down 100 percent from 2017 (0, down from 4), and 100 percent from 2014 (0, down from 4). Citizen robbery with a gun was down 36 percent from 2017 (16, down from 25), and 23.8 percent from 2014 (down from 21). Although assault with a gun was down 27.3 percent from 2017 (8, down from 11), it was up 14.3 percent from 2014 (8, up from 7). The shooting incident on Jan. 2 would be counted in this category in the 2019 report. Some non-crime categories are also included in the HCPD sta-

tistics reports. Red light citations were up 30.7 percent (4793, up from 3667). In contrast, speed camera citations were down 21.1 percent (19,366, down from 24,537). DUI arrests were down 18 percent (41, down from 50). Purvis said during an interview, “We’ll ride this boat as long as we can; crime trends are going down. I can’t tell you why it’s going down, but I can tell you what we’re doing, and, apparently, it’s having an effect. But I’ve been here 30 years. Crime can turn around and just spike, and you do the best you can to address it and not ignore it.” To help prevent crime, the HCPD is using technology and community relationships to gather and analyze data. Purvis gave an example of responding to a rash of package thefts that occured at Arts District Hyattsville by EYA in November and December 2017. “As soon as we learned about it, we addressed it by looking at the data, listening to the citizen complaints, watching the reports coming in and the phone calls coming in, and the people sharing video,” said Purvis. “Fast forward to 2018, November, December, we already knew it was going to be an issue, or that it could be, so we directed patrols there before it even started and stepped up our patrols.” Numerous ongoing development projects in Hyattsville mean more people, more cars, more parking garages and, with

them, potentially more crime. In response, Purvis said, the HCPD tries to increase patrols in the area of newly opened developments and build relationships with new residents through community meetings and partnerships with homeowners associations. “A lot of [new residents] come in from areas where they just have the county, they don’t have a personalized police department, so … we try to encourage them to dial our police department’s phone number in case they need any assistance or have any questions, so a lot of it is just education,” said Purvis. Update on body cameras According to Purvis, the HCPD began a body camera pilot program in August 2013 through a grant from HCPD’s insurers, Local Government Insurance Trust, that provided the HCPD with 30 body cameras at no cost. Following a successful pilot program, the HCPD tried out several different body cameras and chose a Panasonic model. As of March 2018, every HCPD officer wears a body camera. Body cameras help provide accountability and transparency, address training needs and assist in investigating citizen complaints, said Purvis. For example, if a resident says that an officer used abusive language towards them, it’s no longer one person’s word against another’s, but officers and residents can review the tape of the incident in question.

MS-13 arrests attributed to HCPD work funded by Maryland state grant When asked about new programs that the HCPD wanted to highlight, Purvis called attention to a Maryland state grant, funded by the Governor’s Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) and the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network, that HCPD began receiving in February 2017. The grant, according to Purvis, allows the HCPD to bring in additional resources and to increase direct patrols around the city, including around University Town Center and the Mall at Prince George’s. In addition to providing general law enforcement, these patrols specifically seek to identify gang members. Through police work directly funded by the grant, four members of the

criminal street gang MS-13 were arrested for committing multiple robberies against taxi cab drivers in Hyattsville between Dec. 29, 2018 and Jan. 8, 2019, according to a HCPD press release. A search warrant yielded property that belonged to robbery victims, along with weapons, ammunition and cocaine. All four suspects admitted their involvement in the taxi robberies and in additional armed robberies that were under investigation. In the press release, GOCCP Executive Director Glenn Fueston said, “The success of this effort is a direct result of the strong collaboration among federal, state, and local partners, and we want to thank the City of Hyattsville Police Department for leading this effort in helping to make Maryland a safer place.”

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Page 10

Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

SecondhandNews Cookie Wear, Suﬀragette City bring vintage vibes to SoHy Arts District By Lauren Flynn Kelly

When I first launched this column in 2014, it was primarily to tell the stories of locals hunting for treasure at area thrift stores, swapping unwanted clothes and making beautiful things out of otherwise landfillbound items. I don’t think in my wildest dreams I could have imagined that an upcycled furniture haven (Tanglewood Works) and used bookstore (My Dead Aunt’s Books) would share a space in the SoHy Arts District, or that not one but two vintage-inspired shops would move in across the street at the old Liberty Tax office. Inside half of the 5101 Baltimore Avenue retail space is Cookie Wear, curating a retromodern vibe with digitally printed leggings and tote bags, large colorful canvases and embellished denim fashions — all the handiwork of local artists. On the other side of the store is a more muted but equally eclectic collection of clothing and accessories from a vast range of decades, with some items dat-

ing back to the early 1900s. To quote Suffragette City owner Holli Mintzer, the space truly offers “a little bit of everything.” She and Cookie Wear owner Michelle “Noodles” Smith moved in last August, after having run pop-up shops out of Tanglewood Works. Smith had operated Cookie Wear in a couple of different Washington, D.C., locations and wanted a larger, more permanent space, so she asked Mintzer, who had previously sold her vintage goods at the former Polly Sue’s, in Takoma Park, to share the space. Mintzer has scoured auctions, estate sales and flea markets — even purchasing a few items from locals such as yours truly — to stock up on vintage dresses, outerwear, hats, jewelry and some secondhand art and housewares. And under the Nonasuch Vintage and Craft brand, she sells her own upcycled “assemblage” jewelry and soft dolls handcrafted from wool felt and antique fabric scraps. Her delicate handmade necklaces feature gemstones, brooches and trinkets from pieces that otherwise wouldn’t be wearable on their own.

The name Suffragette City works on multiple levels, since it’s a nod to both the 1913 suffrage motorcade that started off in Hyattsville and the 1972 David Bowie song, and “we cover the whole span in between,” said Mintzer. Smith, meanwhile, adorns everything from T-shirts to vintage suitcases with pop culture images from the 1960s through the 1990s, and prefers to “support local brands that make either upcycled or redesigned pieces.” She runs the business with her husband and three daughters, who also contribute to the retro vibes of the store. Upstairs in the 4342 Farragut Street showroom, you can find skateboard decks designed by one daughter and scarves crocheted by another, in addition to other gifts and items in eye-popping designs and colors. And, according to Smith, the name Cookie Wear pays homage to her late father, who “made good cookies and loved nice clothes.” On warmer days, Smith often displays items outside under tents and plays music.

LAUREN FLYNN KELLY

Suffragette City showcases an eclectic collection of clothing and accessories from a range of decades.

“We like to have events, and we like to be noisy. We love to celebrate community, and I love the community here because everyone supports everyone, and I just hope we’ll be here for years to come.” Mintzer said she’s also looking for ways to interact more with the community outside of regular business hours, and has begun hosting craft workshops and trivia nights at the store. Both stores are open seven days a week, but shoppers are advised to check the stores’ respective Facebook pages for updated hours and events.

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Page 11

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Every Saturday in February

Creative Saturdays. Children ages 6 to 12 experience working with a talented local artist and learning about new art forms in creative and stimulating ways. $10 per child; free for adults. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. 301.699.1819

February 14-15

NextLOOK: A Letter to My Ex. Composer and vocalist Be Steadwell tells stories of love, loss and intimacy through LGBTQ-affirming pop music. $25. 7 to 10 p.m. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. 301.699.1819

February 16

Noche Romántica, a Night of Latin American Song. Nestle in for an intimate evening of acoustic Latin American songs of the last century and original compositions by vocalist Kristen Reed and guitarist Alex Martin. $12. 7 p.m. My Dead Aunt’s Books, 5132 Baltimore Ave. 240.472.9325

February 22

Folk Friday with Dan & Faith

and Paint Branch Creek. Dan and Faith are a New Englandbased husband and wife singersongwriter duo who describe their music as dream-inspired folk. $15. Doors open at 7:45 p.m. Show starts at 8 p.m. My Dead Aunt’s Books, 5132 Baltimore Ave. 240.472.9325

February 24

Linda Harris Jazz Series. Candice Bostwick with Wayne Willentz on piano. $18/advance, $20/door and $10/standing room only. 5 p.m. My Dead Aunt’s Books, 5132 Baltimore Ave. 240.472.9325 Family Fun Concert. The U.S. Army Field Band Woodwind Quintet performs The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas. Re-

EMAIL EVENTS TO THE COMMUNITY CALENDAR AT MARIA@HYATTSVILLELIFE.COM

freshments will be provided after the concert. All ages welcome. Free. Advance registration required by Feb. 20. 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420

March 2

Mardi Gras 5K Run/Walk. Sponsored by Riverdale Park Station. A 1K Kids Fun Run starts at 8:30 a.m. All registered participants will receive a T-shirt, and any participant 21 and older (with ID) will receive a post-race beer from Denizens Brewing Co. $30/5K; $15/2-mile walk; $10/Kids Fun Run. Race start times vary. 6621 Baltimore Ave., Riverdale Park. runsignup.com/ Race/MD/RiverdalePark/MardiGras5KMD

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Page 12

Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

MAGRUDER

continued from page 1

Greg Smith and Daniel Muth spoke on behalf of Save Our Sustainable (SOS) Hyattsville, an advocacy group that has collected nearly 600 signatures opposing the Magruder Pointe development. Both Smith and Muth reiterated their group’s concerns about the proposal to demolish the long-vacant Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) building and build town houses in that location and in the lower parcel, currently a parking lot adjacent to Magruder Park. The plan would require the county to approve a zoning change, since the lower lot is currently designated Open Space, and authorize significant stormwater mitigation, given that the area is currently on a 100-year flood plain. According to Jim Chandler, assistant city administrator, the city would like to retain Open Space zoning for the lower lot. Chandler also stated that Werrlein should submit a new application if they intend to proceed with the project, since the site plan the city reviewed last summer requested mixed-use zoning, rather than the residential designation currently on the table. Several Hyattsville residents spoke out in support of the proposal, emphasizing that the status quo has been an enduring blight to the neighborhood. In response to concerns about the flood plain,

COURTESY OF GOOGLE MAPS

An aerial view of the WSSC building and the lower parcel parking lot

it was noted that the development would include regrading and stormwater mitigation, which would be an improvement over the current parking lot. Supporters opined that since the lower lot was initially zoned as residential prior to the land being sold, new housing would not change the character of the neighborhood. “[Rezoning] is a necessary step to finally resolving this dilemma for our town. We don’t have any other solutions on the table,” said Nicholas Harris, who has lived near the WSSC building for 17 years. In addition to explaining their opposition to the details of the plan, Muth and Smith under-

scored their frustration with legal and procedural errors, which, according to Muth, “have denied citizens, the City of Hyattsville, and the District Council the right to have an open and informed record upon which to make a cogent decision.” The issues raised during the meeting included the failure of the Planning Board to post the technical staff report for public review the required two weeks prior to the July 26, 2018 hearing; the applicant’s initial failure to file proper business ethics affidavits prior to the council’s scheduled review in the fall; and the Planning Board’s unilateral decision to change the

zoning designation in the application without revising the technical staff report and without receiving a written request from the applicant, as required. Stan Derwin Brown, people’s zoning counsel for Prince George’s County, cited these issues as the basis for recommending a second hearing. Brown also pointed out that the Planning Board should have reviewed whether the zoning change would substantially impair the implementation of any master plan for the Development District Overlay zone, per CB-0262018, adopted by the County Council two days before the July

26 Planning Board hearing. On Oct. 30, 2018, Werrlein sent a letter to the Planning Board requesting a second hearing in order to address complaints about insufficient time for public review of the technical staff report prior to the first hearing. However, the Planning Board determined in November that it no longer had jurisdiction to grant Werrlein’s request, given the case required mandatory review by the District Council at that point. Norman Rivera, attorney for Werrlein, acknowledged both the public support and concerns they have received from Hyattsville citizens throughout the process and affirmed their commitment to move forward with the proposal. “We have strived to be open and transparent in our efforts as Hyattsville continues to evolve,” said Rivera. SOS Hyattsville’s leaders said they are encouraged by the opportunity for a second hearing. “This is a significant victory for our community and the environment, and significant setback for the project,” said Muth. He vowed to take advantage of the chance to reopen the public record on the project in order to continue organizing and expanding the group’s efforts. The new hearing date for Magruder Pointe has not yet been scheduled, but it will likely be on the Planning Board’s agenda in late February or early March, given the 45-day window recommended by Council Chair Todd Turner at the Jan. 15 meeting.

Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

Page 13

HMS

continued from page 1

The survey shows that 94 percent of public school teachers purchased school supplies without repayment during the 2014 school year. After HMS teachers voiced their concerns about their out-of-pocket expenses for school supplies, HMS Principal Thornton Boone reached out to PTSO President Justine Christianson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She spearheaded everything, and it has been a big success,â&#x20AC;? said Boone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We all know that teachers spend a lot of money out of pocket to buy supplies for their classrooms, so it was a way to sort of help out the teachers,â&#x20AC;? said Christianson, adding that she hopes this effort brings awareness to HMS and continues to build a strong bond between the school and the Hyattsville community. After Boone gathered a teacher supply wish list, Christianson used the PTSO Facebook page, Amazonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wish list feature and the H.O.P.E (Hyattsville Organization for a Positive Environment) email group to share the list with the community. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am so grateful. I started crying when I got my first thing,â&#x20AC;? said Jennifer Halligan, a reading and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) teacher. Halligan said that when she received Christiansonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s email about the donations, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I literally started crying.â&#x20AC;? Halligan requested young adult books in Spanish, as the majority of her students are from Central America. She also asked for Amharic dictionaries for HMSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s growing population of Ethiopian-born students. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Imagine reading in another language all day and having to think in another language,â&#x20AC;? Halligan said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I try to buy books that reflect my studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; situations, and when I hear students say, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;This is the first book where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve seen someone who looks like me

COLLEEN D. CURRAN

A selection of the books HMS teacher Jennifer Halligan requested and received off her wish list.

in the book,â&#x20AC;&#x2122; it makes it worth it.â&#x20AC;? Science co-teacher Lori Colding said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I just put in things, not really thinking I was going to get [them], you know, just a wish list, and pretty much everything weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve asked for we now have.â&#x20AC;? Colding said she requested colored paper, copy paper and a new, sturdy pencil sharpener, and em-

phasized that students often need simple supplies the most. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was stuff coming in every other day after we submitted the list,â&#x20AC;? she said with surprise. Colding teaches approximately 90 students every day, and has 18 years of teaching experience. When asked how often she pays out of pocket for school sup-

plies, she said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;All the time. Like every week, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m buying things, especially in the area of science, because sometimes you may not have the materials you need on hand. But even simple things like pencils and paper.â&#x20AC;? Coldingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s classroom also received new test tubes and beakers for science experiments. Other teachers requested graph notebook paper and calculators for math classes, pens, paper and art supplies, and larger items like whiteboards. One teacher even requested a mop for cleaning the dance studio. Both Boone and Christianson said they had seen positive reactions to the wish list project. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When teachers see results, they see people actually care. Bringing those packages kind of pumps them up, and they get excited about sharing it with the kids, which gets [the kids] pumped up,â&#x20AC;? said Boone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;So Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve noticed the school culture, the climate is more excited. The kids feel welcome here, but most importantly, my teachers are be-

ing taken care of. We have some dynamite teachers this year.â&#x20AC;? Christianson estimated that about 20 people have purchased items off the wish list so far, and, because she did not recognize all of the donorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; names, she thought that some of them might be community members who do not have children in the school system. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I think a lot of people look for ways that they can help, and they may not know what they can do,â&#x20AC;? she said. She described the list as an easy way for people to contribute and support their neighboring public schools. Christianson said she will consider spearheading the wish list project or something similar again next year to help support HMS teachers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is fulfilling to know that there are people out there who are willing to put that money out to make sure that kids can have great educational experiences,â&#x20AC;? said Halligan. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heartwarming to know that people still care about education, even if theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not connected to it.â&#x20AC;?

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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2019

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