INSIDE
Life&Times & &Times
VOL. 17 NO. 6
HYATTSVILLE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FROM THE EDITOR: Challenging readers to do a heart check on racism. P. 2
JUNE 2020
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS: City’s COVID-19 grant helps small businesses survive. P. 7
Graduation adapts to pandemic, goes virtual, mobile By Heather Wright A tight cluster of caps taking flight — an iconic image of a pre-pandemic graduation. This year’s graduation celebrations, however, will more likely be remembered for the clusters of faces on screens and cars on parade. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) held a televised “eGraduation” that aired live on May 30, and was rerun on May 31, to celebrate the more than 8,000 PGCPS high school graduates. The commencement speaker was Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson, who graduated from Oxon Hill High School in 1988. Other guest alums included R&B singer Kenny Lattimore, radio host/comedian Joe Clair, NFL cornerback Joe Haden and local news anchor Taylor Thomas. Valedictorians from each PGCPS high school addressed their classmates, and the names of seniors scrolled during the broadcast. “I wanted a celebration that would feature other graduates who understand what it means to be Prince George’s County Public Schools-proud,” PGCPS CEO Dr. Monica Goldson said in an announcement of the virtual event. “I know that there is SEE GRADUATES ON 13
Members of the community participated in a standing protest in Hyattsville on June 6. COURTESY OF JULIETTE FRADIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Lights in the darkness Residents peacefully protest racism in America By Lindsay Myers and Emily Strab Several local peaceful protests have garnered citywide attention as the Hyattsville community grapples with the killing of George Floyd. On May 30, residents around Hyattsville made a show of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and in memoriam for Floyd, who died as Derek Chauvin, then a Minneapolis police offi-
Hyattsville reacts to the reinstatement of officers By Sophie Gorman Oriani
cer, held Floyd’s neck to the ground with his knee. In response, cities around the nation have held vigils to shed light into the darkness. Los Angeles shined a search light into the sky. Residents in Minnesota’s Twin Cities turned on porch lights and headlights. In Hamburg, New York, the porches glowed red. In Hyattsville, people of diverse color and creed
Over the six weeks since the reinstatement of six officers involved in the Sept. 26 shooting of Leonard Shand, local residents have continued to make their opinions known about this Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) action. Many area residents have
SEE VIGILS ON 5
SEE REINSTATE ON 12
CENTER SECTION: JUNE 9, 2020 ISSUE OF THE HYATTSVILLE REPORTER — IN ESPANOL TOO! HYATTSVILLE MD PERMIT NO. 1383
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor
ILLUSTRATION COURTESY OF LILIANA MCGEE (10TH GRADE, ELIZABETH SETON HIGH SCHOOL)
FROM THE EDITOR
Words aren’t enough against racism By Maria D. James
“H
ello, Hyattsville.” These two words were the headline of my first column for this paper in January 2016. Now, our journey together is slowly coming to an end. This issue will be my last as managing editor for the Hyattsville Life & Times. It feels bittersweet. I feel honored to have a place in the city’s history as
the first black editor of this newspaper, and I’ve held the title the longest. In the four years I’ve served in this role, I’ve witnessed both the best and worse in this community — and our country as a whole. As I’ve covered stories on important social issues of the times— immigration reform, racism, police brutality and crime — I’ve become increasingly aware that, in order to make a real difference, Managing Editor Maria D. James maria@hyattsvillelife.com
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 provided.
Associate Editors Sophie Gorman Oriani sophie@hyattsvillelife.com Heather Wright heather@hyattsvillelife.com Webmaster Lindsay Myers lindsay@hyattsvillelife.com Layout & Design Editor Ashley Perks Copy Editor Nancy Welch Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com 301.531.5234
we need people of all races to back their words with actions. My heart broke as I watched the video of George Floyd, an African American who was killed in the Powderhorn community of Minneapolis, Minn., on May 25. While the details about the circumstances of his death are still under investigation, the video shows Floyd handcuffed and lying face down on a city street while a police officer kneels on his Writers & Contributors Anuoluwapo A. Adefiwitan, Victoria Boucher, Julia Gaspar-Bates, Lauren Flynn Kelly, Chris McManes, Anna Walker Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel Chris Currie — Vice President Reva Harris — Treasurer Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter Ross, Emily Strab Maria D. James — Ex Officio 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.
neck. The vision of the knee pressing against Floyd’s throat, and the sound of his cries for help have ignited a sense of rage, and people all across the world are calling for justice. We’ve seen the peaceful demonstrations, fiery riots where buildings and vehicles were set ablaze, and even violent clashes between protestors and the National Guard sent by the president of the United States. The rally cry that can be heard is, “Yes, black lives do matter.” I have read comments in which the protestors are called thugs, and asking if it really takes “all that.” These comments fail to recognize that we are witnessing a volcanic eruption in reaction to hundreds of years of systematic racism and injustices delivered to African Americans here in the United States. While I applaud corporations and businesses for issuing statements in support of diversity and black voices, I would like to see them back their words with actions. Racism and discrimination runs far deeper than what you see on the news. It infects our daily lives and is deeply rooted in the heart. It comes out in
that quick switch to lock your car door when a person of color walks by. It is present when a derogatory word is thrown towards a person of color, that word that bystanders don’t question. Racism and discrimination is on the surface when it’s suggested that a person of color should just forget about the effects of slavery and Jim Crow. It comes when a person’s entire existence is regulated, as if they require permission to just exist in your space. And it happens when the police are called against a person of color — an act that is often cloaked in the spirit of concern or safety. As we watch the cases of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor unfold in the days ahead, I challenge our community to do a heart check. The power of our voice comes in how we live. Remember that your silence speaks your approval. Maria D. James has been managing editor of the HL&T since December 2015. Connect with her at mariadjames@gmail.com.
Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
Page 3
Route 1 Mask Match provides homemade masks to residents By Sophie Gorman Oriani A group of committed craftivists is doing their part to slow the spread of coronavirus, one cloth mask at a time. A group called Route 1 Mask Match (R1MM) organizes local volunteers to sew and distribute masks to those in need. After a discussion on Facebook about distributing cloth masks along with the laptops being distributed to public school students, “a few of us got to talking offline,” said Laura Usher, one of the R1MM coordinators, “and that’s how this thing got started.” R1MM is an all-volunteer organization, with a team of volunteer coordinators to help keep the process running smoothly. Usher says there are 20 volunteers behind the scenes managing supplies and working on the website and social media, and “probably 35 to 40” volunteers sewing masks. “It’s a pretty big crew,” she laughed. As of May 24, volunteer crafters had supplied R1MM with 3,600 masks, all of which were already donated or spoken for. “It keeps growing,” said Usher. “It’s pretty remarkable!” Just four days later,
Usher announced on Facebook that the group had passed the 4,000 mask mark. “The sewers that are involved are just incredible,” Usher said, noting how they share tips and encouragement in the R1MM Facebook group. “It’s really all of their energy that … makes this possible.” Rozanne Wijesinghe oversees inventory for R1MM. She matches donated supplies with sewers in need of materials, and manages the flow of masks in and out of the organization. She says her favorite aspect of working with R1MM is “see[ing] the incredible talent and creativity in making masks of all shapes and sizes.” R1MM is still looking for volunteers, especially crafters who can sew masks and individuals to reach out in the community. “We would love to find someone who could be a bilingual volunteer,” Usher said. For more information and to get involved, visit www. route1maskmatch.org or www.facebook.com/groups/ route1maskmatch, or follow @ route1maskmatch on Instagram.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
SECONDHAND NEWS
Adventures in eBay selling: Spring cleaning goes online By Lauren Flynn Kelly
S
o the pandemic began and you thought, “Well, at least I’ll have a few weeks to get some things done around the house.� How’d that go for you? If you’re anything like me, you ended up providing constant tech support to distance-learning children while balancing a full-time job and a schedule full of Zoom happy hours. Then there was that one Saturday you spent cleaning out a closet and putting together a bag of clothes to give away. But the weeks turned into months, and that bag is still sitting by the bedroom door. Usually around this time of year, I’d bring that bag to one of our awesome thrift stores or a GreenDrop site, but while these places were temporarily closed (and still are closed, depending on the location), I’ve turned to eBay to unload my gently used items. I’ve always dabbled in eBay, selling as much as I’ve bought, and the thing I love most about it is I feel like I’m connecting items with the people who truly want them. As they say, one woman’s “trash is another man’s treasure.� I’m definitely not in it for the money. Case in point: Precious Moments figurines. You know what I’m talking about. The candycolored big-eyed porcelain children posed for all of life’s occasions. The boxes feature
uplifting, often religious sayings like, “May Your Birthday Be a Blessing.� Rarely do these figurines sell for more than a few bucks on eBay, unless they are somehow affiliated with Disney, and mine were no exception. Rescued from a box in my dad’s attic, “Love Lifted Me� ( featuring a boy and a girl on a seesaw) sold for 99 cents to a woman in Florida. A vintage Goofy riding a surfboard, however, went for $9.50. I like to imagine either buyer as the mother of Rob Delaney’s character in the dark sitcom “Catastrophe� (portrayed by Carrie Fisher in one of her best and final roles), yelling at the computer screen and scrolling through eBay listings until she passes out. More recently, I’ve been saving a few items from that giveaway bag I’ve become so good at ignoring. If these treasures are practically new, I take several photos with my phone and peruse listings of similar items on eBay to see if they’re selling (if they already have several bids, you know you’ve got something you can sell). I use the eBay app to upload photos directly from my phone and choose the “sell one like this� function; that way, most of the work is already done for me in terms of identifying the right categories and descriptions. Almost immediately after I posted a never-worn Ann Taylor dress, I started receiving bids and inquiries. One person
An unused set of vintage General Hospital puzzles sat in my living room for years, until someone on eBay purchased it for her grandma. LAUREN FLYNN KELLY
asked for a waist measurement, and after I sent it, she replied, “Oh, never mind, I ate too many Doritos during this quarantine.� I broke even on the sale ($10, even though it still had the original tags), but the person who did end up buying it gave me a great review and helped me save some space in the closet. Another cute anecdote: Vintage General Hospital puzzles I’d had listed for years finally
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sold to a woman in Maryland, but when I printed the shipping label it was addressed to someone in Ohio named “Memaw.â€? I love to think that my puzzles may have entertained someone’s grandma who’s been isolating during the pandemic. If something is sitting unused in your house, why not find someone who is actively seeking it? Based on my very lowstakes eBay selling experience, here are a few tips to get started: • Photography matters. I have hastily taken some really crummy photos with an unflattering background and dim lighting, and some of these items haven’t moved while other sellers appeared to have no trouble auctioning off the same items. • Relist at a lower price. If an item has been listed for some time, you might want to con-
sider relisting it at a discount rather than letting eBay automatically rerun the same listing over and over. • Communicate. If a potential buyer asks you a question, you’d better respond quickly, as they may have already bid on the same item from another store by the time you get back to them. I often find that the request is for a different photo or more precise measurements, so try to include as many angles of the item in photos and, especially if clothing, many measurements. Also, when I fail to ship something on time because of illness or travel, I always send a nice note giving the buyer a heads up. • Ship as quickly as possible. Buyers love the near-instant gratification of seeing the item they just purchased arrive within the week, and your prompt shipping will earn you positive feedback. I promise a two-day turnaround on shipping, and usually force myself to print the shipping label as soon as I receive payment and mail the item the next day. The Hyattsville post office on Gallatin Street currently has a contactless drop-off system in place; you just attach your own prepaid label and drop the item in a crate to the far right of the doors. • Always leave feedback. If your experience with a buyer was positive, a quick “Great buyer! Super fast payment!â€? and five stars does the job, and your praise may prompt the buyer to reciprocate, too. Seller ratings can matter; I like to think that my 100% positive rating gives potential buyers a level of trust in what is an otherwise impersonal exchange. Lauren Flynn Kelly is the Hyattsville Life & Times’s repurposing columnist.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
Page 5 problems in American society that have fostered divisions that have erupted with new strength in the wake of Floyd’s death. “This society is morally sick when one is crying for their life, bystanders are crying out for someone’s life, and yet the one who took an oath to serve and protect refused to remove [his] knee. Something is morally wrong in America. We have taller buildings, but shorter tempers. We have fast and better information processing systems, but less wisdom and common sense,” said Kearney. “Something is erroneous about the society we live in because we have been able to find our way to the moon and back, but we can’t find our way across the street to meet our neighbor.”
On May 30, Hyattsville residents gathered on their porches to speak the names of victims of racial violence. COURTESY OF JOCELYN TWIGG
VIGILS FROM PAGE 1
gathered on their porches to silently hold candles and pray, and to speak the names of the too many victims of racial violence in the recent past. At a home across from the Hyattsville Justice Center, the homeowners placed signs with the names of victims of racial violence in their yard and wrote “say their names” on the risers of the porch stairs. “The night of the vigil, on our porch with our candles lit, we went through the names. We spoke them out loud. We told our children the stories behind those names. It’s important to my husband and me that our children understand that the peace we enjoy on a daily basis as a family might not be the norm for many others, including people we know well and love, who have to alter the way they act, live and move in society to be safe in a way we never have to consider,” said Jocelyn Twigg. Speaking of her family’s participation in the porch vigil, Monica Casañas said, “We needed to make sure our daughter knew we didn’t sit on the sidelines. We wanted her to see that we stand in solidarity with our black brothers and sisters. We protest differently now that we’re parents. Nonetheless, we need to show our anger at the current state of things.” On June 4, University Christian Church on Adelphi Road hosted a “non-violent demonstration of solidarity with George Floyd and other victims of racial terror,” as described by an event flier. Participants observed social distancing guidelines and wore masks. Those who brought
signs were encouraged to stand facing Adelphi Road to attract the attention of passing drivers. The event featured speakers and 8 minutes, 46 seconds — the amount of time Chauvin knelt on Floyd’s neck — of near silence, punctuated only by a reading of the names of black Americans who have been killed by police. The list included George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Ahmaud Arbery and Tamir Rice — and Leonard Shand, who was fatally shot by members of the Hyattsville City Police Department last September. The Rev. Dr. D.K. Kearney spoke about the deep-rooted
Kearney advocated for the growth of authentic communities — communities that live, talk, and vote together — as the only solution that will eventually heal American society. “Tonight we are demonstrating community. We have prayed together, we have cried together, we are standing together. Tonight
we are demonstrating the power of community. Our destinies are interwoven.” he said. “The power we feel tonight cannot remain in this place. When community comes together, no demon in hell can stop us. No injustice can stop us. No racist can stop us. When we as a community come together, there’s nothing that is impossible.”
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
From the Ecuadorian highlands ...to the Maryland lowlands By Julia Gaspar-Bates
G
rowing up in a conservative and insular family in Quito, Ecuador, Daniela Collaguazo would never have imagined that her life journey would eventually lead her to live abroad. “When I was 10 years old my parents took us to Disney, and we had a couple of trips to Colombia, but when I was an adult, I wanted to explore the world. I was the first in my family to go to Europe. It was supposed to be a three-month internship, but I ended up staying one year in Hamburg,” said Collaguazo. Although Collaguazo’s parents rarely traveled internationally, they made it a priority to expose her and her brother to the offerings of their small and diverse South American country that boasts an emerald-green coastline, the Amazon jungle and the Andes mountains, and has a predominantly indigenous population. “I grew up surrounded by mountains. I would wake up every morning and see Pichincha volcano from my window. My father enjoyed outdoor sports and would take us to the mountains all the time. He was very concerned about us being strong and healthy.” Collaguazo also had the op-
Daniela Collaguazo
COURTESY OF
DANIELA COLLAGUAZO
portunity to experience the rich cultural diversity of her country and often accompanied her economist father on business trips to the Oriente region in the Amazon. There, she would “visit very remote cities with clean rivers [and] the jungle, and play with native people and eat local food. I didn’t have any fears.” It was this zest for adventure and discovery that honed Collaguazo’s strong sense of social justice and sparked her desire to live abroad, and these directly led to her current work at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in Washington,
D.C. “I grew up seeing poverty that caused violence and abuse. Those realities are more shocking than seeing a child without shoes. I didn’t take my security for granted. When you grow up with that perception, you see the world differently. I wonder every day how I can do better to help people. I feel very privileged that I come from a middle-class family, and I’ve been able to travel so much. I see that there are so few people like me.” After completing her undergraduate studies, Collaguazo received a scholarship from the German government to undertake a master’s degree in Germany. “I’m very grateful that I had this opportunity because it opened so many doors in my life. The fact that I lived abroad has made me value even more what I have.” After her sojourn in Germany, Collaguazo returned to Quito and stayed for two years, teaching at Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. After learning about an opening at IDB from a friend, she relocated abroad again — this time to the United States. “I came to Washington when I was 18 on a one-week scholarship program at Georgetown [University]. I fell in love with the buildings. I visited the museums and monuments. I remember thinking that I would love to live here sometime.” Her time in Germany paved
“It’s difficult to communicate ideas in a foreign language. People sometimes think you are stupid or don’t have anything to say. Many foreigners have to overcome this barrier.” Daniela Collaguazo
the way for a relatively smooth adjustment to American life. Nonetheless, Collaguazo noted some differences from life in Ecuador. “There is no need that is not supplied in this country. Everything is so practical. What I admire is the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. Americans are very hard workers.” At the same time, she reports that being a foreigner is not al-
ways easy. “It’s difficult to communicate ideas in a foreign language. People sometimes think you are stupid or don’t have anything to say. Many foreigners have to overcome this barrier. When I go to Ecuador, it’s much more comfortable. I am a person who likes to make jokes, and it is super challenging to translate the humor [here]. It makes it hard to start a new life abroad.” Collaguazo moved from the District to Hyattsville last year to live with her American boyfriend, and she’s been pleasantly surprised by the family-oriented community with its many Latino residents. “My boyfriend says, ‘these are your people.’ I go to Latino restaurants and supermarkets. I can joke with the people and have a connection easier.” Although Collaguazo misses her family and friends, and the more affordable lifestyle in Ecuador, she does not plan to move back for now. “I embrace the future. If I have to go back, I will make the best out of the situation.” “Cultural Connections” is dedicated to bringing forth the voices of Hyattsville’s international residents. Interested in sharing your story? Please contact culturalconnections@ hyattsvillelife.com.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
Page 7
TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS
Getting small businesses back to business By Anna Walker
S
Love Yoga Studio in action prior to the pandemic
COURTESY OF ASIA
VIANNA LEAK
mall businesses in Hyattsville have opportunities to gain assistance through the city’s COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Grants for Businesses. At the May 4 city council meeting, the mayor and council voted to move forward with plans for a $1 million relief fund for Hyattsville residents and businesses. The COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund will distribute grants through several channels, including the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation (HyCDC), Employ Prince George’s, CASA de Maryland, and the city-administered Pandemic Relief Grants for Businesses program. In funding this program, the city has designated $500,000 to support Hyattsville’s small businesses, working artists and childcare centers through grants of up to $2,500 per quarterly cycle, and is now
accepting applications. “This has been a very challenging time for our community,” said Tracey Nicholson-Douglas, city administrator. “We have all witnessed the toll this catastrophic pandemic has had on families, as well as businesses. Most of our beloved and valued businesses had to close their doors to the public and — with no playbook to follow — are struggling to find ways to sustain during this unprecedented crisis. Some businesses were able to change their business models to retain employees and cover expenses, while others continue to struggle with limited relief.” Councilmember Carrianna Suiter (Ward 3) commented, “This is an unprecedented crisis, and the city is taking the necessary steps to help mitigate the challenges our community is facing. We know that the federal response isn’t enough to tackle the depths of the eco-
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nomic impacts this pandemic created, so we are providing emergency support to those who need it.” Love Yoga Studio is one of the businesses that has pivoted to work within this new reality. This popular business is the 2019 awardee of the city’s Economic Development Week Certificate of Recognition for Communal Engagement and Capacity Building, which was presented by Mayor Candace Hollingsworth. Although Love Yoga has been providing virtual classes since March 15, co-owner Asia Vianna Leak noted they have still struggled: “While our membership base has remained fairly secure, we have been impacted by the great reduction in drop-in students and the loss of our youth programs such as Dear Yogi with the Hyattsville Teen Center, Yogi Night Camp, Yogi Spring Break Camp, and general youth classes.” Longtime Hyattsville staple Franklins Restaurant, Brewery and General Store has adapted its restaurant service. According to owner Mike Franklin, “We’ve moved into carryout and takeout with limited delivery. We’re about at 40% of where we are supposed to be.” Franklin credits loyal neighborhood support for sustainability of the business during this time of significant challenges. Concerning the possibility of receiving grant support through the city, he added, “Funding would help with outdoor service. With everything.” The HyCDC is a nonprofit that strives to spur economic development and improve the quality of community life while encouraging widespread leadership for community revitalization, ac-
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
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Hyattsville Reporter No. 387 • June 9, 2020
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
Notices and Updates
Council Adopts Resolution in Defense of Black Lives: At the June 1 City Council meeting, the Mayor and Council unanimously adopted a resolution in defense of Black lives. Through this resolution, the City of Hyattsville commits to enacting policies that unequivocally defend Black life and aim to undo the effects of systemic racism affecting Black people in the City of Hyattsville. To read the full resolution, visit www.hyattsville.org. Prince George’s County Begins Modified Phase 1 Reopening: The Stay-atHome Order in Prince George’s County is lifted, with some activities and businesses allowed to resume operations under certain restrictions. This includes curbside pickup for non-essential retail stores, hair salons & barbershops by appointment only, and restaurant outdoor dining. Social distancing is still recommended, and face coverings are required in retail stores and on public transit. Visit princegeorgescountymd.gov for additional guidance. Outdoor Dining, Curbside Pick-Up, and Alcohol Consumption Designated Areas: At its June 4 meeting, Hyattsville Council adopted an ordinance which permits City establishments to set up temporary spaces near or outside their property for outdoor dining, consumption of alcohol, or curbside pick-up. The ordinance will remain in effect until guidance from the CDC and state and local leaders deem it safe to begin indoor seating and dining. Establishments can learn more and apply at www. hyattsville.org/TOS. For questions, please call (301) 985-5000 or email permits@ hyattville.org. County COVID-19 Hotline and Screening: If you have questions or believe you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms such as a fever, shortness of breath, loss of taste or smell, chills, muscle pain, or a sore throat, please call the Prince George’s County Coronavirus Hotline at (301) 883-6627. Residents that meet the CDC’s guidelines for testing can schedule an appointment at the PG County’s Cheverly Health Center. There are also several CVS locations in Prince George’s County now scheduling testing appointments. Visit princegeorgescounty.md.gov and select the Coronavirus button to find a site near you. If your symptoms worsen before you receive your test results, please seek immediate medical help. Those who are experiencing a medical emergency and are unable to speak can text 911 for emergency assistance. Notice of Suspended Mosquito Control Spraying Services: The State of Maryland has suspended mosquito spraying operations for the season due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. However, in order to prevent and monitor mosquito borne diseases, residents are still encouraged to report problem areas by calling (301) 9855032 or by completing a complaint form on www.hyattsville.org/pests.
Census
#Take 10 Challenge: More than 50% of Hyattsville residents have completed their Census either by visiting mycensus2020. gov or completing a paper form. Support the Take 10 initiative by taking 10 minutes to complete the 9 simple census questions! If you need help completing your 2020 Census questionnaire or would like a paper form mailed to you, please call 1-844-3302020. Each completed Census question-
In a demonstration of solidarity, the Hyattsville community gathers at University Christian Church for a socially distanced vigil of George Floyd. En una demostración de solidaridad, la comunidad de Hyattsville se reúne en la Iglesia Cristiana Universitaria para una vigilia socialmente distanciada de George Floyd. naire translates to approximately $18,250 in support for our local schools, hospitals, roads, and more!
Programs, Services and Events
A list of suspended, limited, and continuing services is listed below. Visit www.hyattsville.org or call (301) 985-5000 for the most up-to-date information. Continuing Services: • Bulk Trash Item Pickups (first and third Fridays of each month – must submit a request) • Compost & Yard Waste Pickups • Parking Enforcement • Permit Processing • Police Patrols & Emergency Response • Solid Waste & County Recycling Collections • Virtual Hyattsville Council Meetings • Virtual Board and Committee Meetings • Virtual Ward Check-Ins and Community Meet Limited or Suspended Services and Activities: • Access to Municipal Facilities (call (301) 985-5000 for details) • Call-A-Bus Transportation • Licensing (business, single-family, and multi-family licenses expiring during State of Emergency extended additional 30 days after Emergency is lifted) • Notary & Fingerprinting • Parks (only open from dawn to dusk) • Playground Areas (closed until further notice) • Public Information Act Requests • UMD Shuttle Transportation • White Good Appliances (submit request for pickup) Cancellations and Postponements: • Ageless Grace Exercise Classes • Community Yoga • Invasive Plant Removals • Police Ride-A-Long’s • Senior Bus Trips • Senior Dining & Lecture Series • Summer Jam, June 19 • Teen center and Tutoring Services • Trolley Trail Day, June 13 Grant Funding Applications for City’s $1M Pandemic Relief Fund Now Open: Applications for the City’s $1M COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund are now being accepted. $500,000 of the funds are reserved to support Hyattsville businesses, childcare providers, and working artists through quarterly grants in amounts of up
to $2,500 ($1,000 for working artists). To apply and learn more, visit www.hyattsville.org/relief-fund or call (301) 985-5085. Respectively, through partnerships with Employ Prince George’s (EPG), the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation (HCDC), and CASA Maryland, the remaining $500,000 are reserved to support Hyattsville hourly workers who earn less than $19 an hour, Hyattsville residents needing financial assistance with rent, mortgage, utilities, and other emergency relief needs, and undocumented Hyattsville residents excluded from Federal or State aid programs. The funds at HCDC and EPG will also be able to accept donations from the public to increase the pool of available monies. To learn more and to apply, visit www.hyattsville.org/relief-fund. Public Meetings Notice: Following state and county health guideline recommendations, all Hyattsville Council meetings continue to be conducted virtually through videoconference. City of Hyattsville advisory boards and committees have also resumed meetings through videoconference. To see the list of all upcoming public meetings or to register to attend a meeting, visit www.hyattsville.org/meetings. Hyattsville Helps: In need of groceries? Or do you have a task you’re unable to do during this time? Let Mayor Hollingsworth and City staff know! They are using all available resources to get community members the help they need. Residents can also donate or volunteer to help! To get started, please call (301) 985-5020, text the keyword “Hyattsville” to 31996, or visit hyattsville.org/hyattsvillehelps. Commercial Façade Improvement Program: The application deadline for the City’s Commercial Façade Improvement Program has been extended until July 17. This program matches owners dollar-fordollar in amounts ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 to make exterior improvements to their businesses. Visit hyattsville.org/ facade for guidelines and additional information. Waste Services: The City’s yard waste and voluntary compost program has resumed its weekly Monday pickup schedule. The bulk trash collection service has also resumed its normal schedule, with pickups occurring on the first (June 5) and third Friday (June 19) of each month. White good appliances will be picked up as needed by request. Solid waste and County recycling schedules remain the same. To re-
quest a bulk trash or white good appliances pickup, please use the My Hyattsville App, visit www.hyattsville.org/request, or call (301) 985-5032. Stay Connected: Keep up with events, notices, and programming through your local government! We’re on Facebook (facebook.com/cityofhyattsville), Instagram (@ cityofhyattsville), and Twitter (@HyattsvilleMD, subscribe to email and text alerts notices at hyattsville.org/notifyme, and text “HVL” to 99411 for emergency safety alerts. Trash Collection Changes for Week of Independence Day: There will be no yard waste or compost pick up on the Monday of Independence Day week (June 28 – July 4). All regular trash routes will also take place one day earlier. If you have any questions, please call (301) 985-5000.
Age-Friendly Programs
HAP is Here to Help: Seniors needing help during the current pandemic can call on Hyattsville Aging in Place (HAP) for support. A local all-volunteer organization, HAP works to ensure seniors can live independently here in Hyattsville. Thanks to a generous grant from the Greater Washington Community Foundation, HAP is providing limited financial assistance to Hyattsville seniors and their families affected by the coronavirus pandemic. For details and information, please visit hyattsvilleaginginplace.org/covid19, call (301) 8873101, or email HAPcares@gmail.com. HAP can also help seniors get to and from necessary medical appointments. This is a telephone-based service that connects you with rideshares paid for by HAP, thanks to the Community Foundation grant. Other HAP services include friendly check-ins, delivery of groceries, supplies, and masks, and help connecting with resources to assist with household and yard problems. For more information, to request help, or to volunteer with HAP, visit hyattsvilleaginginplace.org Meals on Wheels: Seniors or individuals with a disability that cannot prepare food on their own can reach out to Meals on Wheels of College Park, who also serves Hyattsville. For $5 per day and up to 5 times per week, they can deliver lunch, dinner, and breakfast for the next morning. Hyattsville residents that meet income requirements may qualify for free meals. To sign up or for more information, call Meals on Wheels at (301) 474-1002 or the City’s Coordinator at (301) 985-5058.
Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
Page HR2
el
Reportero de
Hyattsville
No. 387 • 9 de Junio, 2020
Avisos y Noticias
• Solicitudes de la Ley de Información Pública • Transportación de los Autobuses de UMD • Recolección de Electrodomésticos (debe solicitar una solicitud)
Concejo Adopta Resolución en Defensa de Vidas Afroamericanas: En la reunión del Concejo Municipal del 1 de junio, los Concejales y la Alcaldesa unánimemente adoptaron una resolución en defensa de las vidas afroamericanas. A través de esta resolución, la Ciudad de Hyattsville se compromete a promulgar políticas que defiendan inequívocamente la vida afroamericana y pretendan deshacer los efectos del racismo sistémico que afecta a los afroamericanos en la Ciudad de Hyattsville. Para leer la completa resolución, visite www.hyattsville.org. Condado Prince George’s Inicia Reapertura de Modificada Versión de Fase 1: La orden de quedarse en casa para el Condado Prince George’s dejo de estar en efecto, con algunas actividades y negocios autorizados a reanudar operaciones con ciertas modificaciones. Esto incluye el servicio de recoger productos de tiendas no esenciales, ir a salones y peluquerías con cita previa y comer en restaurantes en el aire libre. El distanciamiento todavía se recomienda y máscaras de tela siguen siendo requeridas dentro de tiendas y cuando se usa el transporte público. Visite princegeogrescountymd.gov para orientación adicional. Áreas Designadas para Comer al aire libre, Consumir Alcohol y Recoger Comida para Llevar: En su reunión del 4 de junio, el Concejo de Hyattsville adopto una ordenanza que permite a establecimientos de la Ciudad a establecer espacios temporales cerca o fuera de su propiedad para comer al aire libre, consumir alcohol o recoger comida para llevar. La ordenanza permanecerá en vigor hasta que la guía de los CDC y los líderes estatales y locales consideren que es seguro comenzar a sentarse y comer en el dentro de espacios cerrados. Establecimientos pueden aprender más y aplicar en www.hyattsville.org/TOS. Para preguntas, por favor llame al (301) 985-5000 o envíe un correo electrónico a permits@hyattsville.org. Sitio de Detección y Línea Directa del Condado: Sí tiene preguntas o piensa que está teniendo síntomas del COVID-19 como una fiebre, falta de respiración, pérdida de sabor u oler, escalofríos, dolor de músculos o dolor de garganta, por favor llame a la Línea Directa de Coronavirus del Condado Prince George’s al (301) 883-6627. Personas que llaman y cumplen con las pautas del Centro de Enfermedades para hacerse la prueba pueden hacer una cita en el Centro de Salud de Cheverly. Tambien hay varias Farmacias CVS el Condado Prince George’s que están tomando citas para hacerse la prueba Visite princegeorgescounty.md.gov y seleccione el botón Coronavirus para encontrar un sitio cerca de usted. Sí sus síntomas empeoran antes de que reciba sus resultados de la prueba, por favor consiga ayuda médica inmediata. Gente que está sufriendo de una emergencia médica y no puede hablar ahora puede enviar textos al 911 para ayuda. Aviso de Servicios Suspendidos de Fumigación de Control de Mosquitos: El Estado de Maryland ha suspendido las operaciones de fumigación de mosquitos esta temporada debido a la siguiente pandemia de COVID-19, Sin embargo, a fin de prevenir y vigilar las enfermedades transmitidas por mosquitos, residentes todavía están alentados a reportar áreas de problema llamando al (301) 985-5032 o completando una forma de queja en www.hyattsville.org/ pests.
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
Eventos Cancelados o Pospuestos:
• Clases de Ejercicio Ageless Graces • Yoga Comunitario • Eventos Voluntarios de Remover Plantas Invasoras • Paseos con Policías • Viajes de Autobuses para la Gente de Tercera Edad • Serie de Lectura y Comida para la Gente de Tercera Edad • Summer Jam, 19 de junio • Servicios de Tutoría y Centro de Jóvenes
Hyattsville celebrated its 2020 graduates by asking them to come out to their porches as a City-wide caravan, led by Mayor Hollingworth, City Council and staff, and the Hyattsville Police Department, cheered them on! Congrats again grads! ¡Hyattsville celebró a sus graduados de 2020 pidiéndoles que vinieran a sus porches mientras una caravana que paso por toda la ciudad, dirigida por el la Alcaldesa Hollingworth, el Concejo Municipal y el personal, y el Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville, los felicito! ¡Felicidades de nuevo a los graduados!
Censo
Reto #Take10: Más de 50% de los residentes de Hyattsville han completado su Censo por internet, my2020census.gov, o con la forma de papel que recibieron por correo. ¡Apoye a la iniciativa “Take 10” y tome 10 minutos para completar 9 simple preguntas! Sí necesita ayuda para completar su Censo o quisiera una forma de papel enviada, por favor llame al 1-844-330-2020. ¡Cada cuestionario completo del Censo se traduce en aproximadamente $18,250 en apoyo para nuestras escuelas locales, hospitales, carreteras y más!
Programas, Servicios y Eventos
Una lista de servicios suspendidos, limitados y continuando que la Ciudad ofrece esta debajo. Por favor visite a www.hyattsville. org/covid-19 o llame al (301) 985-5000 para la información más reciente. Servicios y Actividades que Continúan:
• Recolección de Basuras Grandes (primeros y terceros viernes de cada mes – debe someter una solicitud) • Recolección de Compostaje y Residuos de Yarda • Enfuerzo de Parqueo • Procesamiento de Permisos • Vigilancia de Policía y Servicios de Emergencia • Recolección de Basura y Reciclaje del Condado • Reuniones Virtuales del Concejo de Hyattsville • Reuniones Virtuales de Comités de Hyattsville • Reuniones Comunitarias
Actividades y Servicios Limitados o Suspendidos:
• Acceso a Facilidades del Municipio (llame (301) 985-5000 para detalles) • Transportación del Llame-Al-Bus • Licencias (licencias de negocios, multihogar o de rentar expirándose durante Estado de Emergencia tendrán fechas limites extendidas 30 días más al día después de que el Estado de Emergencia haya pasado) • Notario y Servicio de Huellas • Parques (abiertos de amanecer a anochecer) • Área de Juegos (cerrados hasta un nuevo aviso)
Aplicaciones para Subvenciones de Fondos de Alivio de $1M de la Ciudad Ahora Abiertas: Aplicaciones para el fondo de $1M de alivio de la pandemia COVID-19 de la Ciudad ahora están siendo aceptadas. $500,000 de esos fondos están reservados para aliviar a negocios de negocios, proveedores de cuidado infantil y a artistas trabajantes de Hyattsville a través de subvenciones trimestrales en cantidades de hasta $2,500 ($1,000 para artistas). Para aplicar y para aprender más, visite www.hyattsville. org/relief-fund o llame al (301) 985-5085. Respectivamente, a través de asociaciones con Employ Prince George’s (EPG), la Corporación de Desarrollo Comunitario de Hyattsville (HCDC) y CASA Maryland, los restantes $500,000 están reservados para aliviar a trabajadores que ganan menos de $19 la hora, residentes que necesitan asistencia financiera con la renta, hipoteca o facturas de utilidades y a residentes indocumentados de Hyattsville que están excluidos de programas federales o estatales. Los fondos en HCDC y EPG también podrán aceptar donaciones del publico para aumentar los fondos disponibles. Para aprender más y para solicitar, visite www.hyattsville. org/relief-fund. Aviso de Reuniones Públicas: Siguiendo las recomendaciones de salud del estado y del condado, todas las reuniones entre el Concejo Municipal de Hyattsville seguirán tomando plazo virtualmente por videoconferencia. Comités de Hyattsville también han resumido reuniones publicas a través de videoconferencias. Para ver la lista de reuniones que vienen o para registrarse para atender a una reunión, visite www.hyattsville.org/meetings. Hyattsville Ayuda: ¿Está en necesidad de comida? ¿O tiene algo que hacer que no puede hacer en estos tiempos? ¡Deje que la Alcaldesa Hollingsworth y los empleados de la Ciudad le ayuden! Ellos están usando todos los recursos disponibles para conseguir la ayuda necesaria a los miembros de la comunidad quienes lo necesitan. ¡Gente que tiene tiempo o un recurso que dar también pueden ayudar! Para empezar, llame al (301) 985-5020, envíe un texto con la palabra “comunidad” al 31996 o visite a www. hyattsville.org/hyattsvillehelps. Programa CFI: La fecha limite para someter aplicaciones para el Programa de la Ciudad de Subvenciones de Mejoramientos para Negocios Comerciales ha sido extendido hasta el 17 de julio. Este programa iguala dólar por dólar la cantidad que el dueño invierte (cantidades de $5,000 hasta $50,000) para hacer mejoramientos al exterior del negocio. Por favor visite el sitio web hyattsville.org/facade para información adicional. Servicios de Basura: El programa de compostaje voluntario y el servicio de recolec-
ción de residuos de yarda han resumido sus horarios normales de recolección de cada lunes. El servicio de recolección de basuras grandes además ha resumido su horario normal, con los días de recolección siendo los primeros (5 de junio) y los terceros viernes (19 de junio) de cada mes. Electrodomésticos serán recogidos según sea necesario por solicitud. Los horarios de la basura normal y el del reciclaje del condado siguen siendo los mismos. Para solicitar una recolección de basura grande o electrodomésticos, utilice la aplicación My Hyattsville, use www.hyattsville.org/request o llame al (301) 985-5032. Manténgase Conectado: ¡Este al tanto con eventos, noticias de emergencia y generales, programas y mucho más con su gobierno local! Siga nuestras cuentas de Facebook (cityofhyattsville), Twitter (@ HyattsvilleMD), Instagram (@cityofhyattsville), inscríbase a recibir alertas de texto o correo electrónico en www.hyattsville.org/ notifyme y envíe un texto con la palabra HVL al 99411 para recibir alertas de emergencia y seguridad. Cambios de Recolección de Basura para el Día de Independencia: No habrá recolección de compostaje ni residuos de yarda el lunes de la semana del Día de la Independencia (28 de junio – 4 de julio). Todas las rutas de basura regular tomaran plazo un día anterior. Sí tiene preguntas, por favor llame al (301) 985-5000.
Programas Amigables con la Ciudad
HAP está Aquí para Ayudar: Gente de mayor edad que necesitan ayuda durante esta pandemia pueden llamar a la organización Hyattsville Aging in Place (HAP) para apoyo. Una organización local hecha de solo voluntarios, HAP trabaja para garantizar que las personas de la tercera edad puedan vivir de forma independiente aquí en Hyattsville. Gracias a una generosa subvención de la Greater Washington Community Foundation, HAP está proporcionando asistencia financiera limitada a las personas mayores de Hyattsville y sus familias afectadas por la pandemia del coronavirus. Para detalles y para más información, visite www.hyattsvilleaginginplace.org/covid19, envíe un email a HAPcares@gmail.com o llame al (301) 887- 3101. HAP también puede ayudar a la gente de mayor edad y ir a venir de citas medicales cuales son necesarias. Este es un servicio telefónico que te conecta con servicios de taxi pagados por HAP, gracias a la subvención Community Foundation. Otros servicios de HAP incluyen visitas amistosas, entrega de comestibles, suministros y máscaras, y ayudar a conectar con los recursos para ayudar con los problemas del hogar y la yarda. Para más información, para pedir ayuda, o para ayudar, visite hyattsvilleaginginplace.org/ covid19. Servicio de Comida a Domicilio: Gente mayor o individuales con una discapacidad y que no puede preparar comida si mismos pueden contactar a la organización Meals on Wheels of College Park (quienes también sirven a Hyattsville). Por 5$ al día y hasta 5 veces por semana, la organización puede llevar un almuerzo caliente, una cena y un desayuno para la próxima mañana a domicilio. Residentes de Hyattsville que cumplan con los requisitos de ingresos también pueden calificar para comidas gratuitas. Para inscribirse o para más información, llame a Meals on Wheels al (301) 474-1002 o llame a la Coordinadora de la Ciudad, Beryl Johnson al (301) 985-5058.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
DeMatha All-American Jack Bulger weighing college baseball vs. the pros By Chris McManes Jack Bulger is pleased with the two major decisions he’s made in his young life. The biggest one awaits. Bulger, one of the top amateur baseball players in America, just graduated from DeMatha Catholic High School. He has signed to play for reigning national champion Vanderbilt and had interviews with about 25 pro teams. He is under serious consideration to be chosen between the third and fifth rounds of the June 10-11 Major League Baseball Draft. “It’s definitely been stressful, … but I look at the two options I have: the best baseball college in the country or playing professional baseball,” Bulger said from his home in Bowie. “That brings it into perspective that I really shouldn’t be that stressed. “Both of my options are insanely good and will set me up for the future.” Bulger, a 6-foot, 205-pounder, hit .545 as a junior with five home runs, six doubles, three triples and 32 RBIs. He was a first-team All-Met catcher and
two-time Gatorade Maryland Baseball Player of the Year (2019, ’20). Under Armour and Perfect Game named him All-American. Bulger emerged on the national radar during summer 2016, between eighth and ninth grades, when he placed second in the 14U division of the Junior Home Run Derby. The event was held in conjunction with the MLB All-Star Game in San Diego. It is one of several Major League stadiums he has performed in. He spent last summer playing across the United States and in Korea with the 18U National Team. Pro scouts are impressed by his ability to hit the ball hard. Balls routinely leave his bat at more than 100 miles per hour. “His power bat is highly sought-after in today’s game,” DeMatha Coach Steve Miller said. “He has an advanced mental approach to the game and how he works pitchers. Defensively, I think he was much better after working with Team USA last summer.” Bulger spurned playing for Archbishop Spalding in Severn, a program he greatly respects, to
Jack Bulger, who just finished one of the finest four-year varsity careers in DeMatha sports history, will choose between playing in the minor leagues or at Vanderbilt. Upwards of 25 Major League Baseball teams have expressed interest in drafting him. COURTESY OF KRISTER HOLLADAY
attend high school in Hyattsville. “The relationships I made at DeMatha and the school in general, I have nothing but good things to say,” he said. “It was a brotherhood created with the coaches, the players and the students. I wouldn’t change it for anything.
“It was an incredible experience.” His next big decision was where to attend college. After seriously considering scholarship offers from Maryland, Virginia, Mississippi State and North Carolina, he chose to head to Nashville, Tenn., and play for Vanderbilt. Under Coach Tim Corbin, the Commodores are 753-359-1, (.667 winning percentage) and have appeared in 14 straight NCAA Division I Tournaments. They have advanced to the College World Series Finals three times and won two national championships. Bulger should fit right in at the academically strong private school. During his four years at DeMatha, he carried a 3.85 GPA. If he chooses to attend, class registration is June 8-12. It would also mean he wouldn’t be eligible for the draft again until 2023. “Vanderbilt is an incredible place,” he said. “I couldn’t be at a better program.” Bulger explained that before a big-league club chooses him, it will call and present its offer. Teams don’t want to spend a high pick on a guy it can’t sign. While money is a big factor, he said it’s
not his only consideration. “It’s not just the financial aspect of it. … I also have to feel it’s the right fit,” Bulger said. “There has to be a clear path for me to get to the Major Leagues as fast as possible.” In addition to catching, Bulger also plays left field, third base and pitches. This year, he added second base. It’s his nature to do whatever it takes to help his team win. The Stags were 6-0 before the pandemic curtailed the 2020 season. They featured three other Division I seniors: Blake Badman (Maryland), Jake Maske (Mount St. Mary’s) and Alex Greene (Virginia). Bulger and Greene attended school together for 12 years. “I think we only would have lost a couple games all year,” Bulger said. Miller, whose son, Sean, plays in the Baltimore Orioles organization, said if Bulger takes the pro route, “he’ll be able to handle the ups and downs and all the free time. He has a maturity that is years ahead of players his age.” Bulger’s immediate future will clear up soon: “It’s going to be interesting to see how it all unfolds.” Chris McManes (mick-maynz) is an assistant baseball coach at DeMatha.
HYATTSVILLE AYUDA Hyattsville tiene una orgullosa tradición de conexión de la comunidad, y durante este tiempo de crisis nos necesitamos más que nunca.
¡Cada censo completado en Hyattsville se traduce en alrededor de $18,250 en apoyo para nuestra comunidad!
Cada 10 años, se solicita que gente que vive en los Estados Unidos que completen un cuestionario de censo simple. Las respuestas son confidenciales y proporcionan datos importantes que ayudan a los gobiernos a determinar dónde distribuir los fondos para escuelas, hospitales, carreteras y más.
Hyattsville Ayuda conecta a voluntarios y resoursos con sus vecinos en necesidad.
Preguntas Incluyen: El numero de personas que viven en su hogar Los nombres y edades de los encuestados La raza/etnia de los encuestados
Sí es un residente de Hyattsville que necesita asistencia, llame al: (301) 985-5020
La ciudadanía estadounidense no se requiere para completar el censo y no es verificada en la forma. Cualquiera que reside en los Estados Unidos puede llenar sin peligro el censo. Haga una diferencia para su familia y vecinos. Llene un cuestionario por hogar: POR INTERNET my2020census.gov POR TELÉFONO 844-330-2020. (En Español: 844-468-2020; TDD: 844-467-2020)
Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
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HYATTSVILLE ARTISTS The Hyattsville Life & Times is featuring artwork submitted by youth pre-K through 12th grade. We provide the theme each month and welcome creative interpretations. June’s theme was “What Makes You Happy.” For July, we’re asking kids to show us “What Do You Love About Summer?” Submit drawings with the child’s name, age, grade and school as a jpg file to managingeditor@hyattsvillelife.com by July 1. All submissions will be featured on our Facebook page.
LEFT: ZINNIA GASPAR, AGE 10, 4TH GRADE GLENARDEN WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; ELLIE WHEATLEY, AGE 9, 4TH GRADE, HYATTSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL; MAGDALENA YORK, AGE 11, 5TH GRADE, GLENARDEN WOODS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL BELOW: BRIAN VALLE MARROQUIN, AGE 8, 3RD GRADE HYATTSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ABOVE: TES SCHOOLEY, AGE 7, 2ND GRADE HYATTSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RIGHT: REGINA ARAGON ARGUETA, AGE 4, PRE-K KENMOOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
MISS FLORIBUNDA
Brooding about bugs: how cicadas affect planting Dear Miss Floribunda, I was about to order some fruit trees to plant this spring when I heard that we’re going to have cicadas in our area this year. Are they anything like locusts? Will they destroy my plantings? One of my neighbors suggested I wait till fall, till after the cicadas have passed through. What do you think? Hesitant on Hamilton Street Dear Hesitant, This is not a good time to plant trees or shrubs, but not because there will be many cicadas imminently arriving. You will hear the usual number of annual cicadas, and we may get a few stragglers from the Brood IX (9) periodical horde that is currently descending on southwest Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. It’s next year that we will bear the brunt of Brood X (10), which will spread over an area ranging from Georgia to New England. This system of using Roman numerals to track the emergence and progress of periodical Magicicada eruptions was established in 1898 by C.L. Marlatt, and is particularly useful in distinguishing between cicadas that emerge after 13 years underground and those that emerge after 17 years. Both Brood IX and X are 17-year cicada hordes. Do be aware that any woody plant you introduce into your garden this year will still be vulnerable to the 2021 horde. It would be better to wait till autumn of 2021 to plant fruit
trees. Learning about the cicada life cycle will help you understand why. The cicadas’ above-ground life cycle is only about six to eight weeks — starting from whenever the soil temperature reaches 64 degrees F and they emerge from underground. By August most cicadas will have courted, mated, laid eggs and expired naturally — or been eagerly eaten by birds, wild turkeys, bats, turtles, frogs, spiders, reptiles, squirrels, ‘possums and even your family dog, if given the opportunity. Probably one of the reasons cicadas reproduce in such huge numbers is that they are a sought-after delicacy. (Recipes exist for preparing them for human consumption.) They don’t live long after mating, anyway, and in their weakened state they are easy prey. By the end of summer, the new cicada nymphs will have hatched and gone underground to wait 17 years for their own coming of age and brief but exuberant halcyon days. Some people find the cicada mating season noisy and annoying, though others of us find their music hauntingly beautiful. The problem they pose to gardens, however, comes from the ovipositing of the females. They cut small v-shaped slits into tree bark to deposit their eggs. Well-established trees can tolerate this, but young ones can be seriously weakened. Even with mature trees, sometimes you will see “flagging,” which means that the damage wrought by cicadas has caused leaves to turn brown and weaker branches to die. This is, in fact, a service to the tree, which will
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no longer have to provide nutrients to those weaker branches. And the bodies of those cicadas not gobbled up by animals provide compost for the tree, while the underground larvae aerate the soil. Unlike locusts, cicadas don’t chew the leaves and stems of plants, but they do suck a little sap during their brief life cycles, and their larvae feed on fluids from tree roots while developing. In fact, a change in the root xylem fluid signals the end of the 17-year cycle for them, while warming soil temperature tells them exactly when to come out and party. The mighty oak isn’t going to be fazed at all by this, but a young sapling isn’t strong enough to have its roots fed upon. Cicadas and locusts belong to different taxonomic families. While cicadas are related to crickets (Grillidae), locusts are
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related to grasshoppers (Acrididae). What the two families have in common is that they make their “music” with stridulation, a scraping together of two body parts that produces sound the way a bow does when it passes over violin strings or a needle does on a vinyl phonograph record. Locusts, however, are a genuine menace to mankind. The terrible clouds of them descending on Kenya and other areas of Africa right now are devastating crops, which locusts devour in their entirety. Also, while climate change doesn’t really affect cicadas (although if ground temperature warms early cicadas might emerge sooner than normal), it may have a great deal to do with the scourge of locusts. My consultant in entomology, Dr. Honeywell, tells me that unusual storm activity in East Africa resulted in heavy rainfall in desert regions. This increased the lo-
cust population 8,000-fold, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization. While locust infestations are nothing new in Africa, the stupendous size of current swarms is unprecedented. Curiously enough, in the 19th century the Rocky Mountain locust caused much devastation in the western United States. Late in the century it suddenly disappeared, and although theories abound it still remains an ecological mystery. Its reappearance would be a catastrophe. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to plant trees and shrubs in the fall whether or not there are insect invasions. The Hyattsville spring isn’t long enough to establish them before the brutal heat of our summers sets in. Autumn here is long and mild, and it gives a sapling ample time to establish itself before hard frost. That sapling then gets a chance to continue its growth during the next year’s spring before the advent of dog days. If you’ve already planted your young fruit trees, be sure to keep them wellwatered this summer. Before the cicadas arrive next near, cover them with plastic netting and secure it well. April is not too early to do this. It is still not known when meetings of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society will resume. The society will post updates on our web page, hyattsvillehorticulture.org. Miss Floribunda is the Hyattsville Life & Times garden columnist. You may email her your questions at floribundav@ gmail.com.
Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
Page 11
COMMUNITY RESOURCES All information is current as of June 6 College Park Arts Exchange. Interactive art opportunities online, including a creative writing course. For information and schedules visit cpae.org/ arts.
Recreation and exercise Adult chair yoga online. Accessible yoga class designed for all bodies and all ages. No experience needed. Mondays from 1 to 2 p.m., 5-week session for $25. To register, email yogiamalie@gmail.com. Posh Cycling & Fitness. Free courses. For information, visit their Facebook page: facebook. com/pg/poshcyclingandfitness. OpenBarre online courses. Streaming for $15/month. openbarrestudios.com/online
Student resources UMD’s Crisis Fund supports students in financial distress. To apply for aid, go to www.crisisfund. umd.edu/gethelp.html; to donate, go to www.crisisfund.umd.edu. Meal program for students. Starting May 6, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) students can pick up supper as part of their “grab and go” meals. Breakfast and lunch will continue to be served twice a week; the snack will be discontinued and replaced with supper. Students can get meals for two days on Mondays and three days on Wednesdays. Parents may pick up meals for students who are unable to come to the site by showing a student ID or report card. Meals are available from 10
a.m. to 1 p.m. Parents and guardians are not required to accompany students, nor are students required to show ID. For a list of participating schools, visit pgcps. org/coronavirus/meal-sites.
County library resources Prince George’s County Memorial Library System is offering a wide variety of online programs for children, teens and adults. pgcmls.info
General assistance Make or Donate Masks. To help make and donate masks, go to www.route1maskmatch. org and www.weneedmasks.org. Hyattsville Helps Initiative. The
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
REINSTATE FROM PAGE 1
submitted public comments to the city council. The vast majority expressed their dissatisfaction with the decision, although one commenter weighed in in support of the reinstatement “until a complete investigation has been done and submitted.” The six officers in question have been on administrative leave until the Prince George’s County Police Department finishes investigating the Shand shooting. It is standard practice for officers to be placed on administrative leave after an officer-involved shooting. “I made the decision to return the six officers to full-duty to ensure that the Department is able to meet the public safety demands
of our City and that we are staffed to continue our law enforcement mission in the event any of our officers are affected by COVID-19,” wrote Chief of Police Amal Awad in an April 14 press release. The City of Hyattsville held a community meeting on Oct. 1 to discuss the shooting. Many residents at the meeting called for the HCPD to explore additional nonlethal options and de-escalation tactics, and to increase their training in mental health and anti-bias issues. “We have explored additional nonlethal options,” said HCPD Chief Amal Awad at the May 18 city council meeting. “[The options are] very limited. We pretty much have all that’s available out there, with the exception of one piece of equipment, specifically, the BolaWrap.” According to its
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website, the BolaWrap is a form of what are called “less-lethal” weapons; it fires a tether which can be used to restrain a subject from a distance. Awad said she has evaluated BolaWrap and was “not comfortable” with its discharge. She also said she is working on providing additional training for officers. Community Justice, a community-based advocacy group, has organized several socially distanced car rallies in Hyattsville to protest the reinstatement of the officers. Kema Harris, a co-founder of Community Justice, described it as a “coalition of community members, organization leaders and activists working together in solidarity to stop corrupt police officers from terrorizing people of color.” Harris founded Community Justice after her son was assaulted by police officers in 2017. “I lost hair, teeth, weight, just fighting for my son, and I just thought about the mothers out here who are doing the same,” she said. Harris said that Community Justice is calling for the firing of the reinstated officers, Chief Amal Awad and City Administrator Tracey Douglas. “I would like to see … transparency [from the City of Hyattsville] like they promised on October the 1st [during the community meeting]. They asked us to trust the … investigation process but then let Chief Awad circumvent it.”
Hyattsville celebrates this year’s graduates By Anuoluwapo A. Adefiwitan Hyattsville pulled out all the stops to celebrate the city’s graduates amidst the ongoing pandemic. Mayor Candace Hollingworth, along with city staff, councilmembers and members of the Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) formed a caravan on June 5 that meandered through the city to congratulate graduates, from kindergarten through college. Families and neighbors cheered from their front lawns and porches throughout the city as the caravan passed by with honking horns and flashing lights. Laura Reams, director of Communications and Legislative Services “spearheaded the event,” according to HCPD Chief Amal Awad. “It’s been a really fun event to plan,” said Reams. “We wanted to make sure that our graduates got the recognition that they really deserve, particularly during this COVID-19 pandemic.” CMIT Academy North High School graduate Camille Fabiyi felt bittersweet about graduating during the time of the novel
Residents celebrated graduations along with the city’s caravan on June 5. ANUOLUWAPO A. ADEFIWITAN
coronavirus. Fabiyi said that she had been looking forward to walking across the stage after all of her hard work over the last four years. “We have to take everything in stride. Our accomplishment is still there,” she said. Fabiyi will attend the University of Maryland, College Park in the fall.
HYATTSVILLE HELPS Hyattsville has a proud tradition of community connectedness, and during this time of crisis we need each other more than ever. Hyattsville Helps matches volunteers and resources with their neighbors in need.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
Page 13
GRADUATES
BUSINESS
FROM PAGE 1
FROM PAGE 1
nothing that can replace walking across the stage, … but I hope our students feel our love and pride for all they have accomplished.” PGCPS also set up a website showcasing senior photos from each PGCPS high school, along with photos from college signing days. According to Northwestern High School Principal Dr. E. Carlene Murray, her staff also sent their seniors “congratulatory videos and words of encouragement.” When asked about her thought process about how to celebrate Northwestern’s approximately 440 graduates, Murray explained, “It was and is extremely important to me that all members of the Northwestern High School Community remain safe and healthy.” Eleanor Roosevelt High School (ERHS) asked its seniors to contribute their favorite photos for use in a Class of 2020 video and held a virtual awards assembly on June 3, according to the school’s website. Other area high schools celebrated their graduating seniors, as well. DeMatha Catholic High School held three virtual events honoring graduates: a Mass on May 27, an awards ceremony June 3, and a graduation on June 5. And after the graduation ceremony, 40 faculty and staff delivered diplomas and awards in special Class of 2020 DeMatha memory boxes to the homes of the school’s almost 200 graduates. Chelsea School, which serves students in grades 5-12 with learning differences, had seven graduates this year. The school celebrated them with a virtual graduation on June 5 which featured pre-recorded speeches from staff, teachers and each graduate. At the end
On May 20, after coming in to record their graduation speeches, Chelsea School graduates posed for joke photos as they received their diplomas in a socially distant manner. COURTESY OF AARON WILSON
of the event, participants were given time to speak about each graduating senior, creating “an open community celebration, where community members who are viewing the video can offer their congratulations — just sort of a show of love,” said Head of School Frank Mills in a June 1 interview. For Mills, the goal of Chelsea School’s graduation events, including shout-outs to seniors posted on the school’s Facebook page, was simple. “When it comes down to this stuff, my goal is to get tears out of people,” he said with a laugh. Many high schools are hoping to provide in-person celebrations later on, either during the summer or fall. Father James Day, president of DeMatha, noted that DeMatha would hold an event “when the county restrictions have been amended, so that all of our graduates and their parents could be together to celebrate this milestone in their academic life.” ERHS anticipates holding its senior prom in
late July at Camelot by Martins, a venue in Upper Marlboro. The Chelsea School is aiming to have a fall party and will feature a rereading of graduate speeches — this time, live and in-person. And how are local families celebrating their graduates? Edmonston resident Meredith Massey said her daughter, Zosia, is a 2020 graduate of ERHS’s science and technology program. Massey wrote in an email, “We are having a little drive-by parade — a tour of sorts with a few other ERHS and Northwestern families and then a Zoom open house for friends and family to (virtually) stop by and wish her congratulations.” In a follow-up interview, Massey said that cars and bikes drove by their yard on May 30 to congratulate Zosia. “People drove by, honking their horns and throwing candy. It was very festive.” According to Massey, at the end of the day’s events, her daughter came to a realization, saying, “I guess graduations are kind of a big deal.”
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cording to their website. Through its partnership with the HyCDC, the city will make $300,000 from the relief fund available to support residents with rent, mortgage, utilities and other qualifying expenses. “Since Hyattsville CDC’s constituency is the community-at-large, and our community revitalization and economic well-being are so intertwined with the ability of our community to function at its best, this fund employed, in combination with other social safety net programs — such as unemployment insurance, county emergency rental assistance — will help to mitigate some of the pending outstanding expenses that will be due for some when the state of emergency and socially tempering policies surrounding late rent payments, loan and mortgage debt deferral, suspension of evictions, and consumer debt protections are lifted,” explained HyCDC Executive Director Stuart Eisenberg. As Prince George’s County begins the process of emerging from stay-at-home orders, Hyattsville’s small businesses may still face challenges ahead. Leak expressed deep concern, saying, “These stayat-home orders have caused us to have to seriously consider whether or not we renew our lease. This decision is super gut-wrenching. We are hoping that grant funding will allow us to keep our beloved space, yet are realistic that our virtual studio may be the new normal for quite some time.” “It’s going to be a tough 18 months,” Franklin observed.
Impacts on small businesses also reverberate throughout the community. “The pandemic caused an economic sinkhole under ‘nonessential’ businesses,” said Eisenberg. He expressed optimism that funding from the city “enables Hyattsville CDC to help our most affected residents to temporarily stand on firmer ground, so they might raise themselves out of the risk pit, when more robust economic activity resumes.” Nicholson-Douglas offered encouragement, saying, “The fund will be managed by the city staff, which gives an added layer of comfort to applicants as they will have a direct line to our Economic Development Department staff, who remain eager to help. We want to do all we can to support our community and our businesses and help them come back stronger and better than ever.” Visit hyattsville.org/relief-fund for more information. Mayor Candace Hollingsworth continues to offer a weekly call, Mondays at 1 p.m., for Hyattsville business leaders to share community updates and information about federal, state and county business resources. To join, email mayor@hyattsville.org. Businesses and nonprofit organizations impacted by the pandemic can visit hyattsville. org/covidbizresources for information about available federal, state, and local grants and loan programs. Anna Walker is the business columnist for the Hyattsville Life & Times. She also blogs about organization culture on her website thesagerconnection.com.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | June 2020
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