INSIDE THE BUILDER AND THE RIVER: Is Werrlein polluting, or building better stormwater systems? P. 4 WHO'S WATCHING THE COPS?: Schaible proposes civilian oversight. P. 6
VOL. 18 NO. 7
HYATTSVILLE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
JULY 2021
City police mental health program continues to grow By Heather Wright Across the nation, many critics of police departments recommend reducing police budgets and diverting city funds to social service, community service, behavioral health and alternative public safety programs, instead.
In Hyattsville, a focus on police reform has led to increases in the police and public safety budget. For fiscal year 2022, the City of Hyattsville approved almost $135,000 for a new Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) mental health and wellness program, the cost of which will be divided between the police and the
human resources department budgets, according to Adrienne Augustus, HCPD mental health programs manager. Augustus said that $50,000 of the $135,000 is for the mental health and wellness check-in program, which includes mandatory quarterly sessions with a licensed clinical psychologist for
By Michelle Levine
SEE LANGUAGE ON 9
SEE POLICE ON 12
Local dance studio gets to perform for first time since lockdown
PGCPS strives to serve students learning the English language At its June 10 meeting, the county board of education voted to approve the final recommendations of its English Language Learners Focus Workgroup. The recommendations aim to increase, over the next nine years, the academic achievement of students who come from non-English-speaking homes. Hyattsville schools have high percentages of students learning English, ranging from 20% at Hyattsville Middle School to over 53% at Edward M. Felegy Elementary School, as shown in data published by the Maryland Department of Education. Pamela Boozer-Strother, school board representative for District 3, which includes Hyattsville,
all Hyattsville police officers and dispatchers. During a Feb. 16 presentation to the city council, councilmember Daniel Peabody (Ward 4), who sponsored the check-in program, promoted it by saying, “Our officers and dispatchers deserve our investment in their mental wellness,
‘This is really happening for them’ By Michelle Levine
After about a 30-minute rain delay, the dancers of Adagio Dance Studio took the stage for their spring recital, “Bloom.” COURTESY OF JAMILA LARSON
With pandemic restrictions lifted, families and friends huddled under a party tent to avoid rain showers in Driskell Park ( formerly Magruder Park) on June 13 as dancers from Adagio Dance Studio were getting ready to take the stage for the first time in 15 months. Waiting out the rain was well worth it to see “Bloom,” Adagio’s spring recital, said Sherece Bryan, mother of 6-year-old Ariyana. SEE DANCE ON 13
CENTER SECTION: The July 13, 2021 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter — in Español too! HYATTSVILLE MD PERMIT NO. 1383
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Hyatts KIDS
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
Page 2
ATTRACTIONS: AMUSEMENT PARKS
Welcome to a special Summer Entertainment Reviews issue of HyattsKIDS! Our editors are Evan LeFevre and Claudia Romero Garvey. To participate, contact adult adviser Mary Frances Jiménez: mf_jimenez@ yahoo.com.
SUMMER VACATION BY TALIKA GORSKI
By Claudia Romero Garvey Many amusement parks have reopened since their pandemic closures, and especially with vaccines now available, tickets have been selling rapidly. My family and I traveled to Orlando, Fla., to visit Universal Studios. Many things were the same as before COVID, such as ride capacity, water parks, and food options. But COVID still caused some differences, including mask requirements on and off rides, social distancing markers, and cancelled large gathering performances. On heavily wet rides, masks were not required. My personal favorite ride was the Escape From Gringotts ride in Universal’s Harry Potter World. The line was not too long, and the ride was a perfect mix of thrill, entertainment, and fear of death. There are many faraway amusement parks open today, such as Walt Disney World and Legoland, but there are also some local and regional ones in the mix, such as Dutch Wonderland, Hershey Park, Kings Dominion, Six Flags, and many more. I LOVE amusement parks, and I am grateful I still got to experience them during COVID, while keeping myself and others safe and healthy. We in Hyattsville have our own local amusements such as Riversdale Mansion and Park, and an area coming soon called The Spot, which my dad
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told me about. It sounds like a really fun place for kids and families to eat and hear music, kind of like a local mini amusement park.
BOOK: ‘THE SERPENT’S SECRET’ By Talika Gorski “The Serpent’s Secret (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond)” is an action-packed fantasy fiction chapter book by Sayantani Dasgupta. Published in 2018 by Scholastic Press, it is aimed at fifth to ninth graders, but fourth graders who love to read about breathtaking adventures will also enjoy this book. Our story starts with a legend: Long ago, the Moon Maiden and the Serpent King fell in love. The Serpent King persuaded the Maiden to come to his Kingdom and marry him. But she made a condition that she would only visit once a month.
Sadly, the Maiden forgot to include a clause about her children, and her first seven sons were turned into snakes. When her eighth child, a girl, was born, the Moon Maiden decided her daughter would not suffer the same fate as her brothers. She put her daughter in a clay pot and floated her down the River of Dreams. A farmer and his wife found the baby and looked after her. The Serpent King discovered what had happened and tried to claim the baby. An epic and complex struggle follows. I read “The Serpent’s Secret” in one day because it was so captivating. I liked the fact that Kiranmala is a courageous Indian princess because I am also Indian — and sometimes courageous! I did not enjoy the parts with the demons Rakkosh and Khokkosh, because they eat people and look disgusting. The illustrations in the book are very vivid and add detail to the story.
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Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel Chris Currie — Vice President Stephanie Stullich — Treasurer Emily Strab — Secretary Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Reva Harris, T. Carter Ross, Kit Slack and Mark Goodson — 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.
MOVIE: ‘LUCA’ By Evan Muynila Two fins up for “Luca”! “Luca” is a Disney-Pixar movie that was released June 18 on Disney+. It is about two kids that are sea monsters with a big dream to buy a motor scooter. “Luca” is a great summer movie because it takes you on a vacation to an Italian port town, with fishing boats, spaghetti, and Vespas! The animations of Luca and his friend transforming into humans were some of the coolest parts. The movie teaches us that it is okay to be different, so it is a good movie to watch with your family and friends.
TV: ‘SHE-RA AND THE PRINCESSES OF POWER’ By Dorothy Riggs “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” is a great family-friendly TV show to watch on Netflix. It is a 2018 reboot of an ‘80s animated series about strong women, and the new “She-Ra” also represents members of the LGBTQ+ community and nonbinary characters in starring roles. There is some violence, but nothing graphic. I highly recommend that you watch “She-Ra.” It’s an entertaining and inspirational show for people of any age.
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Did you know that PGCPS registration is open? Registration will be online this year. You can find more details about how to register, as well as the link to the online registration, all at https://www.pgcps.org/registration/ Folks who are interested in learning more are encouraged to reach out to Ms. Peterson at Hyattsville Elementary School, or the PTA. Ms. Peterson can put you in touch with Principal McKee or teachers, and the PTA would be happy to share parents’ perspective.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
Page 3
NATURE NEARBY
Summertime visitors who won’t leave willingly By Fred Seitz
M
ost of us enjoy summer outdoor gatherings with friends and food, but often we get swarms of uninvited guests who consume much of our grub and seldom leave, even when we let them know they’re less than welcome. These six-legged Formicidae, aka ants, creep on our picnic tables — as well as our feet — in their relentless quest to share our meals. Adding insult to injury, they often follow us home after the meal they have already disrupted, smuggling themselves in our leftovers and cruising around our furniture. While these party animals may irritate us, we must acknowledge that their ancestors beat us to the big party, originally showing up about 168 million years ago. And now ants creep across every continent on Earth except for Antarctica (though I suspect a few may have hitched a ride in supplies sent to researchers working there). There
COURTESY OF PEXELS
are an estimated 22,000 species of ants, including the infamous army ants that have gotten much of their negative PR from films that sensationalize them. Most ant species live in tropical regions, and even they are close relatives of our local ants. Five types of ants are most common in our area: carpenter ants, odorous house ants, thief ants, acrobat ants and pavement ants. While I do not consider any of these desirable roommates, carpenter ants get my vote for most annoying, given their predilection to destroy wood (especially damp wood). A close second in despicability might be the odorous house
ants. When crushed, these little folks smell like rotting fruit, and they have a distinct propensity for invading kitchens and munching on sweets and other available treats. Thief ants are very small and can be brown, black or yellow. Acrobat ants have a tendency to raise their heart-shaped abdomen. Pavement ants are notable for nesting in the cracks of sidewalks and other concrete structures. I believe that the pavement ants are the ones who build the familiar anthills made of sand and other soil. These locals have periodically been joined by invaders from some southern states, includ-
ing harvester ants, which gather seeds and parts of plants — their food. Their underground chambers help aerate the soil. A more insidious invader is the fire ant, whose sting is quite painful and a deterrent to predators and curious humans. While ants may have a variety of less-than-appealing qualities, they have a formal (if not rigid) social structure, as well as a talent for architecture and adaptability. And they demonstrate relatively sophisticated communication (mainly through pheromones). Hence, ants demonstrate qualities that people often commend in themselves. That said, we may be less willing to acknowledge another commonality we have with these miniscule neighbors — a propensity for making war, both within and between colonies. I remember, when I was growing up, my parents gave me an ant colony to tend and observe. In a moment of curiosity, I added a few ants from the back porch — a swift battle ensued, as my introduced invaders were quickly
attacked by those in the colony. The ants I owned were army ants, and they exemplify the ant’s warrior ethos. When these ants perceive a different group of ants or some unwelcome animal, they organize and attack as a single unit. Like some other types of ants, army ants can sting, but they also use their large mandibles to attack and dismember those who threaten them. Lest we be too hard on them, we should remember that our persistent picnic- and kitchenraiding neighbors are themselves a source of food for many other animals — birds, reptiles, spiders, bears, coyotes and even some humans — intentionally or accidentally. Still, when we encounter hordes of these pesky critters at our picnics and in our homes, our own war-like impulses towards them are understandable. Fred Seitz is the nature columnist for the Hyattsville Life & Times.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
Page 4
NEWS BRIEFS
What happens when it rains on Suffrage Point Is the development polluting the river or containing sediment runoff ? By Kelly Livingston
Kevin Ward, center, receiving the PGC Pride Excellence in Governance award, with Ashanti Martinez, left, and Krystal Oriadha from PG Change Makers, right. COURTESY OF THE CITY OF HYATTSVILLE
MAYOR KEVIN WARD HONORED BY PGC PRIDE On June 12, Mayor Kevin Ward was honored by Prince George’s County Pride (PGC Pride) with the group’s inaugural LGBTQ Excellence in Government Award. Ward was honored at the organization’s Run, Walk, or Ride with Pride event. “Thank
you, Mayor Ward, for serving as an inspiration and for helping uplift the LGTBQ+ community,” read a post on the City of Hyattsville’s Facebook page. The Run, Walk, or Ride with Pride event was co-sponsored by several local politicians, as well as the group PG Change Makers Coalition. Participants gathered for a 5K along the trolley trail, with a mixer afterwards at Streetcar
82 Brewing Co. Many among the diverse crowd, which included adults, children and dogs, wore rainbow attire and had colorfully decorated bicycles. Sgt. Calvin Charles, an officer with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police, and Casa Ruby, an organization providing social services and programs to the LGBTQ community, were also honored at the event.
Some Hyattsville residents remain at odds with Werrlein Properties, claiming their construction work at the Suffrage Point site next to Driskell Park has not been properly regulated by the county and contributes to local sediment pollution. The group Sustainable Hyattsville, which is involved in several lawsuits aiming to stop the development based on disputes over density and zoning, has compiled pictures of sediment flowing from the stormwater outfall at the bottom of the project towards the Anacostia River. Sustainable Hyattsville member Greg Smith explained some
of the group’s objections to the project to the Hyattsville Life & Times, saying Werrlein hasn’t respected the “total maximum daily loads,” or TMDL, allowed for sediment under the Clean Water Act. A TMDL is the maximum amount of a pollutant that can enter a body of water while still meeting water quality standards. Suffrage Point Project Manager Karl Granzow said in a June interview that “there has been no sediment that’s come off the property since we’ve owned it.” Granzow explained that during every storm event, the developer has an employee drive around the property and watch for any SEE STORMWATER ON 7
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
Page 5
AT HOME IN HYATTSVILLE
Excuse me ... Joy Jeffries lived here By Reva G. Harris
J
oy Jeffries is a friend of mine who has lived in Hyattsville since 1997. In June, she sold her well-appointed Victorian home, which was built in 1894. Her home was the venue for many fabulous parties, including the Hyattsville Preservation Association’s 2016 fall picnic. Before the sale, I stopped by to ask Joy about her 24 years of residing in Hyattsville. She shared, “When my brother attended DeMatha [Catholic High School] in the ‘80s, I would drive to Hyattsville from New Jersey to attend his football games. I fell in love with bungalow-style homes. In 1986 when my job relocated, I moved to Germantown.” In the mid-1990s, Joy’s son, Paige, was also a student at DeMatha. “I was ready to buy a home, and I knew I wanted to live in Hyattsville. My realtor kept showing me newer homes in Adelphi and University Park. ... In 1997, I met Christine Parus, who was one of the top realtors in Hyattsville,” explained Joy. “She showed me lots of bungalows. I made an offer on a bungalow on Jefferson Street that was not accepted. Christine said, ‘There is a house that has been on the market for quite a while that I believe you will like.’ She showed me the house, and I purchased it.” After Joy moved to her Gallatin Street home, she began to see ways the street could be improved. “When I moved to Hyattsville, in 1997, my street was zoned as commercial. I was appalled by the amount of trash that accumulated on the street where City Hall is located,” she explained. “One day, while I was picking up trash in my potholefilled alley, I met Chris Currie, who represented Ward 1 on the city council.” Currie helped Joy get the city to fix up the alley, provide residential parking and change the street’s zoning to residential. “People would say to me, ‘You need to run for mayor or city council.’ Police Chief Holland asked me to be the neighborhood watch captain. I was not interested in a position. I am just an active citizen who wants to live in a neighborhood where I can enjoy my surroundings. “In 2005, a few kids decided to spray paint [an inflammatory comment] on my gate. Hyattsville used to be like Mayberry, so I recognized the initials of
Joy Jeffries COURTESY OF CATHY A. EASTMAN
one of the kids. I told his mother, ‘I’m not going to call the police, but they need to come up here and clean my yard.’ I was disappointed when a city code enforcement officer threatened to give me a citation for not removing the graffiti after I was told the city would remove it.” Despite a few challenges with neighbors and city staff, Joy made many friends in Hyattsville and has served on several boards, including that of the Hyattsville Preservation Association (HPA), which she has been on since 2015. “My home was featured on the HPA home tour, in 2014. That year’s theme involved the covenant for no Blacks in Hyattsville [racially restrictive covenants].
One well-known neighbor who was touring my home asked, ‘How does it feel to be a darkie living in Hyattsville, showcasing your home?’ I was so shocked that someone would say that to me. I ignored him. Before he left, he repeated his question. I responded, ‘I’m done, now. You can get off my porch!’ “Sometimes, when I am outside cleaning my yard, people ask me to work for them. I let them know that I am the homeowner. Other times, people stare at me as if to ask, ‘What are you doing living here?’ Just the other day, while I was cleaning outside my home, a new resident asked to hire me. I responded, ‘Excuse me. I live here.’ “The thing that is so special about living in an old home in Hyattsville is that you can put your hands in the soil. You get a chance to cultivate your home. Some people assume that if you’re working in your yard, you are a hired hand. Perhaps, if they began to work in their own yards, planting flowers and pulling weeds themselves, they would really enjoy what it means to live in Hyattsville.” Joy has deep affection for Hyattsville and expressed concerns about recent development, saying, “People move to Hyattsville because it is special. But I am afraid that with all of
“Some people assume that if you’re working in your yard, you are a hired hand. Perhaps, if they began to work in their own yards, planting flowers and pulling weeds themselves, they would really enjoy what it means to live in Hyattsville.”
the new developments, Hyattsville is losing its hometown charm. There is too much traffic. The city seems to be overdeveloping, with no regard for the people who have lived here a long time.” Although Joy has enjoyed living in her Gallatin Street home for 24 years, she decided the time was right for selling, in part because the house has 28 narrow steps, which became a more obvious challenge as Joy thought about aging in place. “I am sad to be leaving my home, but now is the best time to move,” said Joy. “Right now, it’s a seller’s market. I would love to stay in Hyattsville. I want to find an old bungalow that is suitable for my mother and me.”
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
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Councilmember proposes civilian oversight of law enforcement incidents By Collin Riviello Hyattsville city councilmember Danny Schaible (Ward 2) announced in his April newsletter that he is sponsoring a new Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement Committee for Hyattsville. The proposed committee would adjudicate incidents that result in death while under police custody, any internal complaints involving heavy use of force, and all external complaints against Hyattsville police officers. The committee would make recommendations for possible disciplinary actions to the chief of police. If the city council approves Schaible’s proposal, Hyattsville will become Maryland’s second city, after Baltimore, that fields such a committee. Prince George’s County has a civilian oversight panel for the county police force that has been operating since 1990. “I think [this new committee] goes a long way in increasing accountability and transparency for our local police department,” Schaible told the Hyattsville Life & Times (HL&T). “This civilian oversight as a concept has been around for decades. It’s shown to be an effective construct in giving some nonpolice representation in that oversight process.” According to Schaible, the committee would consist of five members, one from each of Hyattsville’s five wards. The committee’s creation would cost the
The proposed committee would adjudicate incidents that result in death while under police custody.
Hyattsville police department. Augustus said in an email to the HL&T, “[Acting] Chief [Scott] Dunklee appreciates the call for police reform and is working with Councilman Schaible and the Police and Public Safety Citizens Advisory panel to establish reasonable and meaningful change that will benefit the department and the community overall.” Schaible and the police department aren’t the only members of the community who want to implement police reform measures. At the June 9 Police and Public Safety Citizens’ Advisory Committee meeting, after a debate about the proposed oversight committee’s member age requirements, members voted unanimously to send a public letter of support for the committee to the Hyattsville City Council. Schaible said his original proposal had a minimum age of 16 in order for the committee to be more demographically inclusive. Following discussion, a motion was made to change the age minimum to 21, which is the age at which a citizen can legally become a police officer for Hyattsville. Schaible said he hopes his proposal will be voted on and ratified by the city council soon, but expects it to take some time. Schaible still needs the support of the city council for his proposal to pass.
city $3,000 in fees paid to the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement, which offers specialized training to citizens on how to conduct oversight investigations. The current proposal outlines that the oversight committee would have access to evidence gathered during the internal affairs investigation. According to Schaible, following its review, the committee would recommend one of five possible findings to the police chief: sustained (improper conduct), exonerated (proper conduct), unfounded (didn’t happen), non-sustained (insufficient evidence) or administrative closure (e.g., officer no longer employed), and submit a findings letter. At the close of the calendar year, the committee would issue an annual report. Between 2017 and 2020, there were 27 external complaints, four of which were sustained, according to Adrienne Augustus, the media relations manager for the
Collin Riviello is an intern with the Hyattsville Life & Times.
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Page 7
STORMWATER
DPIE did not respond to requests for comment.
FROM PAGE 4
CITY OPPOSITION TO REZONING AND TREE FELLING
sediment that’s carried off. He said that once it appeared sediment was flowing down from a house around the corner. “The public seems to blame the big, bad villain there, and it’s just not accurate,” Granzow said. In a May interview, Granzow claimed that construction on the lower portion of the site would replace and expand stormwater management for the whole area.
WHAT’S WRONG WITH A LITTLE SEDIMENT ANYWAY? Sediment blocks light from reaching the bottom of rivers and streams, which keeps aquatic plants from being able to grow and creates “a dead area on the bottom,” according to Trey Sherard, who has the title of riverkeeper at a D.C. water quality nonprofit, Anacostia Riverkeeper. “So there’s mussels and some insects and worms and fish along the bottom of the river in a lot of places, but there’s not the lush, full ecosystem that should be there,” said Sherard. Sherard explained that the sediment also carries toxins such as pesticides. He said even banned chemicals like DDT have been found in the water column after contaminated sediment is carried there by stormwater runoff. “And now it’s back up in the water column for as long as it takes that sediment to settle back down or be flushed out to the Potomac and then the [Chesapeake] Bay and the oceans.” Construction often loosens soil and sediment while land is being cleared to make way for a new development, which can then be carried by stormwater runoff
As litigation continues, Werrlein Properties is installing stormwater containment infrastructure next to the playground in Driskell Park. KIT SLACK
into local bodies of water. “The river has always been and will always be brown,” Sherard said. “It’s a coastal plain river, but it should be brown like tea, where the light shines through it, not brown and murky and cloudy with high turbidity — that murkiness from all the silt and clay particles floating in the water, and they’re so fine that once they get into the water column, they just stay aloft for a tremendously long time.”
PERMITTING PROCESS Developers like Werrlein Properties need to be permitted for projects like Suffrage
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Point. In Hyattsville, that process is mainly handled by the Prince George’s County Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE). “I think there’s a systemic problem in Prince George's County, and not necessarily unique to Prince George's County, but there's a systemic problem here,” Smith said. “The laws and the [regulations] aren’t strong enough to be protective — to protect property or public health or the environment. They’re not well enforced, I think, in too many instances. … Most of the public records requests we have submitted to DPIE, most or all of them, have been stonewalled.”
Hyattsville City Councilmember Danny Schaible (Ward 2) has publicly announced his opposition to the project. In his June newsletter, Schaible wrote about the resumption of construction activity at the site “after a pause of nearly two years.” Granzow denies that the project had stalled, and says it was in a permitting phase. Schaible wrote, “The work has resumed despite pending lawsuits by the City of Hyattsville, Sustainable Hyattsville, and Hyattsville residents who seek to overturn the County’s ill-advised decision to strip the lower parcel of its open space protections and rezone it to enable 41 townhouses within the 100-year floodplain.” Schaible also said the developer recently cut down “many large specimen trees” without city permits.
HOUSES ALREADY ON THE MARKET Presales for the housing development began on June 1, and several detached houses priced at around $1 million already have offers on them, according to the Suffrage Point website, with one under contract. Granzow said that the development should be completed in “two to three years, tops,” though that depends on how fast the homes can be built and sold. He called the stormwater management system for the property a “significant improvement” for the area. Granzow also said Werrlein is reducing the amount of impervious surface on the land parcel, adding green space and planting around 400-450 new trees.
Page HR1
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
the
Hyattsville Reporter Notices & Updates
No. 400 • July 13, 2021
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000 activities, music, and free goodies! The night wraps with a walk around the neighborhood. See you there!
Run for City Council’s Ward 1 Seat: Be a voice for your community Hyattsville! Ward 1 residents have until 5 p.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021, to file for candidacy for their Ward’s vacant Council seat. A candidate guide, FAQs, and the candidacy paperwork needed can be found at hyattsville.org/candidates. The special election to fill Mayor Ward’s former seat will be in the form of vote-by-mail, with ballots being mailed in mid-August, and an in-person Election Day on Tuesday, September 14, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the City Building Polling Center. For election details, visit hyattsville.org/elections.
Stay Connected: Stay up to date on upcoming food and diaper distributions, summer jams, the sunset movie series, and other in-person events by signing up for City email and text alerts at hyattsville. org/notifyme. Bulk Trash Pop-Up Day: Mark your calendar for the City’s next Bulk Trash PopUp Day on Saturday, August 7, at the City Building and Heurich Park. Residents can drop off bulk trash items at either location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or until the containers reach capacity. For a list of acceptable items, visit hyattsville.org/bulk-trash.
COVID-19 Guidelines: The Maryland State of Emergency ended on July 1. Many State and County-imposed mandates and restrictions have been lifted, including the requirement to wear masks indoors. However, businesses may decide to enforce mask-wearing policies in their locations. Masks are still required on public transit. There is a 45-day grace period for some policies enacted by the State of Emergency like eviction and foreclosure moratoriums and extensions on driver’s license renewals. For complete details, visit governor. maryland.gov.
We’re hiring: The City of Hyattsville is seeking to hire a Department of Public Works project manager, a director of community services and programs, a part-time bilingual communications specialist, and an experienced/lateral police officer. Visit hyattsville.org/jobs to apply.
Age-Friendly Services Call-A-Bus Services: The City of Hyattsville Call-A-Bus will continue to operate under a modified schedule on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the time being. (Please note that this is a correction to an incorrect schedule published in the July Green Sheet.) For questions or to make a reservation, please call City staff at (301) 985-5000. The modified schedule will allow the bus to be used on off days for transporting food boxes and senior meals.
Back to School with PGCPS: Prince George’s County Public Schools has announced its back-to-school plans for fulltime, in-person learning this Fall. To learn more, visit pgcps.org or the student’s school website. PGCPS kindergarten registration is also open! Parents can find the online enrollment forms at pgcps.org/registration. Responsible Waste Disposing: Did you know that the City’s weekly trash and bulk-waste pick-ups go to the Prince George’s County Landfill? Or that items in a landfill can take up to 100 years to decompose, all while producing harmful gases? Help protect our mother earth and think before you toss! To help reduce unnecessary waste, ask yourself if the item could be composted, recycled, or reused! If you’d like to learn more and find resources and services for responsible waste disposal, visit hyattsville.org/waste. Mosquito Control: Through the end of September, the State of Maryland will monitor adult mosquito activity in Hyattsville. If certain risk thresholds are met, they will conduct spraying operations on Monday evenings. Residents should stay indoors, close their windows, and bring in pets when that occurs. To report a problem area or request an exemption from the State’s services, visit hyattsville.org/pests or call (410) 841-5870.
Programs, Services, and Events COVID-19 Vaccine and Testing: All County-operated vaccine sites are accepting vaccine walk-ups. Find a clinic site open at a time convenient for you and your family at mypgc.us/COVIDvaccine. In Hyattsville, the site at the First United Methodist Church on Belcrest Road accepts both appointments and walk-ups on Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To make an appointment, receive more information or for transportation arrangements, please call (202) 603-2961. A reminder that the First United Methodist Church site also offers free, non-ap-
Campers at Summer Camp Hyattsville in Driskell Park staying cool on Water Wednesday! ¡Campistas en el Campamento Veranal de Hyattsville en Driskell Park manteniendose frescos el miércoles de agua!
pointment COVID testing on Mondays and Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Residents can call (301) 985-5000 for vaccine or testing questions. Oliver Street Traffic Mitigation Community Meeting: A traffic mitigation virtual community meeting for the 3900 & 4000 Blocks of Oliver Street has been scheduled for July 15 at 6 p.m. Residents can pre-register for the meeting at hyattsville.org/calendar.
about returning to school on Thursday, September 2, 6 - 8 p.m., at the future Teen Center site, 5812 40th Ave. We’ll also have treats and details about the Center’s building plan! Visit hyattsville.org/back2school for more information.
Minority Mental Health Instagram Live Q&A: In honor of Minority Mental Health Month, the City (@cityofhyattsville) will hold an Instagram Live Q&A with the Hyattsville Police Department’s Mental Health Programs Manager Adrienne Augustus on Thursday, July 22, at 5 p.m. You can submit your questions in advance by emailing pio@hyattsville.org or via our social media pages.
Grant Programs for Hyattsville’s Businesses: The City’s Commercial Façade Improvement Program is open for applications through July 29! This program provides matching funding for business owners to make improvements to their building’s exterior. Find a list past project recipients and information on how to apply for a grant at hyattsville.org/facade. The City is also accepting applications for its Corridor Investment Grant Program! The CIP program provides grants of up to $5,000 to businesses and non-profit partners for creative placemaking projects, programming, or business development strategies. Applications are due August 13. For details, visit hyattsville.org/CIP.
Back-To-School-A-Thon: Help local neighborhood students this summer by donating school supplies for their return to in-person learning this Fall! You can drop off backpacks, notebooks, pens/pencils, and other school supplies at the City Building August 2 - 27 and on National Night Out at Driskell Park on August 3. The supplies will be distributed along with information
National Night Out: National Night Out is returning on Wednesday, August 3, 6 – 9 p.m., to Driskell Park! Meet with officers, community organizations, and neighbors to learn how to help prevent crime in Hyattsville. Community members can also donate school supplies towards the City’s Back-To-School-A-Thon supply drive for local students in need. For kids, we’ll have
Join the Age-Friendly Work Group: The Hyattsville Age-Friendly Work Group, a volunteer-led work group that advocates for enhancing housing, home and community-based services, health and safety, and communication and outreach for our senior population, is seeking residents of all ages to join! If you are interested or would like to learn more, please reach out to AgeFriendly Lead Marci LeFevre at mlefevre@ hyattsville.org or at (301) 985-5012. Meetings are held via teleconference on the fourth Friday of the month at 11 a.m. Visit hyattsville.org/committees for more information.
Youth Services Creative Minds at the Park: Creative Minds and Yard Dramas, an interactive storytelling program incorporating theatre, puppetry, music, and dance, are teaming up for a summer series of free fun at the City’s parks! Each program will offer two shows at 10:45 a.m. and noon. The series continues at Heurich Park on July 27 and concludes at the University Hills Duck Pond Park on August 10. All ages are welcome! To learn more and to register, please visit hyattsville.org/creativeminds. Summer Tutoring: Free in-person and online tutoring services for local students in grades 6 – 12 will be offered by the City from July 20 through August 19. Tutoring will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. In-person tutoring at the Driskell Community Park Recreation Center has limited spacing. To register your student, visit hyattsville.org and select the Recreation button on the left-hand side of the page.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
el
Reportero de
Hyattsville
No. 400 • 12 de Julio, 2021
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
Avisos y Noticias
Día Emergente de Basuras Grandes: Marque su calendario para el próximo Día Emergente de Basuras Grandes el sábado, 7 de agosto, en el Edificio Municipal y en Heurich Park. Residentes pueden llevar artículos grandes de basura a cualquier sitio de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m. o hasta que los contenedores se llenen. Para una lista de artículos aceptables, visite hyattsville.org/ bulk-trash.
Presente Candidatura para ser Concejal del Distrito 1: ¡Sea una voz para su comunidad Hyattsville! Residentes del Distrito 1 tienen hasta las 5 p.m. el viernes, 23 de julio de 2021 para presentar su candidatura para el vacante puesto de Concejal de su Distrito. Un guía de candidatos, preguntas frecuentes y los formularios necesitados pueden ser encontrados en hyattsville.org/candidates. La elección especial para llenar el asiento de Concejo dejado por el Alcalde Ward será de forma de voto por correo, con las boletas siendo enviadas por correo a medios de agosto. Habrá un Día de votar en persona el martes, 14 de septiembre, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., en el Edificio Municipal. Para detalles sobre la elección, visite hyattsville.org/elections. Directrices de COVID-19: El Estado de Emergencia de Maryland termino el 1 de julio. Muchos mandatos y restricciones impuestos por el Estado y el Condado han sido levantados, incluyendo el requisito de usar máscaras en interiores. Sin embargo, los negocios pueden decidir aplicar polizas de uso de máscaras en sus ubicaciones. Las máscaras todavía son necesarias en los tránsitos públicos. Hay períodos de gracia de 45 días para las leyes impuestas por el Estado de emergencia como las moratorias de desalojo y ejecución hipotecaria y las extensiones en las renovaciones de licencias de conducir. Para obtener más información, visite governor.maryland.gov. Regreso a las Escuelas PGCPS: Las Escuelas Publicas del Condado Prince George’s han anunciado sus planes de regreso a la escuela para el aprendizaje en persona a tiempo completo este otoño. Visite pgcps.org o la pagina web de la escuela del estudiante para más información. ¡La inscripción de kínder de las escuelas PGCPS también está abierta! Los padres pueden encontrar los formularios de inscripción en línea en pgcps.org/registration. Eliminación Responsable de Basura: ¿Sabía usted que las recogidas semanales de basura y basuras grandes de la Ciudad van al vertedero del Condado de Prince George´s? ¿O que los artículos de un vertedero pueden tardar hasta 100 años en deshacerse, mientras que producen gases contaminantes? ¡Ayude a proteger a nuestra madre tierra y piensa antes de tirar su basura! Para ayudar a reducir las basuras innecesarias, ¡pregúntese si el artículo puede ser compostado, reciclado o reutilizado! Si desea obtener más información y encontrar recursos y servicios para la eliminación responsable de basura, visite hyattsville.org/waste. Control de Mosquitos: Hasta el fin de septiembre, el Estado de Maryland vigilará los mosquitos adultos en Hyattsville. Si se cumplen ciertos umbrales de riesgo, llevarán a cabo operaciones de fumigación los lunes por la noche. Los residentes deben permanecer en el interior, cerrar las ventanas y traer mascotas cuando eso ocurra. Para reportar un área problemática en su vecindario o solicitar una exención de los servicios, visite hyattsville.org/pests o llame al (410) 841-5870.
Programas, Servicios y Eventos Sitio de Pruebas y Vacunas COVID-19: Todos los sitios de vacunación op-
Estamos Contratando: La Ciudad de Hyattsville está buscando contratar a un gerente de proyectos del Departamento de Obras Públicas, un director de servicios y programas comunitarios, un especialista bilingüe de comunicaciones a tiempo parcial y un oficial de policía lateral con experiencia. Visite hyattsville.org/jobs para solicitar la solicitud.
Servicios para la Tercera Edad Residents, City staff and members of our Council, and Hyattsville Police Officers (including Nola) enjoying the return of Coffee with a Cop! Stay tuned for the next event! ¡Los residentes, el personal de la Ciudad y los miembros de nuestro Concejo, y los oficiales de Policía de Hyattsville (incluidyendo Nola) disfrutando de la devolución del evento comunitario Café con un Policía! ¡Manténgase atento para el próximo evento! erados por el Condado están aceptando a personas sin cita. Encuentre una clínica abierta en un horario conveniente para usted y su familia en mypgc.us/COVIDvaccine. En Hyattsville, el sitio de vacunación en la Iglesia First United Methodist de Hyattsville en Belcrest Road está abierta para citas y visitas sin cita los martes, de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m. Para programar una cita, recibir más información o para realizar arreglos de transporte, por favor llame al (202) 6032961. Un recordatorio que el sitio de la Iglesia First United Methodist también ofrece pruebas COVID-19 gratuitas y sin cita los lunes y jueves, 9 a.m. a 3 p.m., y los sábados de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. Los residentes pueden llamar al (301) 985-5000 para preguntas sobre vacunas o pruebas en el sitio. Reunión Comunitaria de Tráfico para Oliver Street: Se ha programado una reunión comunitaria de mitigación de tráfico para los bloques 3900 y 4000 de Oliver Street para el 15 de julio, a las 6 p.m. Los residentes pueden pre-inscribirse para la reunión virtual en hyattsville.org/calendar. Instagram Live Evento de Salud Mental de Minorías: En honor al Mes de la Salud Mental de las Minorías, la Ciudad sostendrá un evento de preguntas y respuestas en Instagram Live con Adrienne Augustus, Gerente de Programas de Salud Mental del Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville, el jueves 22 de julio a las 5 p.m. Envíe sus preguntas con anticipación enviando un email a pio@hyattsville.org o por mensaje vía nuestras redes sociales. De Regreso a Las Escuelas: ¡Ayude a los estudiantes locales de la vecindad este verano donando materiales escolares para su regreso al aprendizaje en persona este otoño! Puede dejar artículos como mochilas, cuadernos, bolígrafos/lápices y otros materiales escolares en el Edificio Municipal del 2 al 27 de agosto, y en la Noche Nacional Contra el Crimen tomando plazo en el parque Driskell el 3 de agosto. Los suministros serán distribuidos junto con información acerca de regresar a la escuela el jueves, 2 de septiembre de 6 - 8 p.m. en el
sitio del futuro del Centro de Jóvenes, 5812 40th Avenue. ¡También tendremos regalos gratis y detalles sobre el plan de construcción del Centro! Visite a hyattsville.org/ back2school para más detalles. Programas de Subvención para los Negocios de Hyattsville: ¡El Programa para Mejoras de Fachadas Comerciales de la Ciudad está abierta para solicitudes hasta el 29 de julio! Este programa proporciona fondos complementarios para que los propietarios de negocios realicen mejoras en el exterior de su edificio. Encuentre la lista completa de proyectos pasados y información sobre cómo solicitar este ciclo de subvenciones en hyattsville.org/facade. ¡La Ciudad también esta aceptando solicitudes para su Programa Subvenciones e Inversiones para negocios! El programa provee subvenciones de hasta $5,000 a negocios privados y organizaciones sin fines de lucro para ayudar con proyectos creativos y estrategias para interactuar con la comunidad. El ciclo para solicitar se cierra el 13 de agosto. Para detalles, visite hyattsville.org/CIP. Noche Nacional Contra el Crimen: La Noche Nacional Contra el Crimen esta de regresando el miércoles, 3 de agosto, de 6 p.m. a 9 p.m., en Driskell Park (3911 Hamilton Street). Reúnase con oficiales, organizaciones comunitarias y vecinos para aprender cómo ayudar a prevenir el crimen en Hyattsville. Miembros de la comunidad también pueden donar materiales escolares para el regreso de escuela para estudiantes locales necesitados. Para los menores, habrá música, actividades de diversión, sorpresas y mucho más La noche termina con un paseo por el vecindario. ¡Nos vemos allí! Manténgase Conectado: Manténgase al día sobre las próximas distribuciones de alimentos y pañales, summer jams, la serie de películas al atardecer y otros eventos en persona registrándose para recibir alertas por correo electrónico y texto de la Ciudad en hyattsville.org/notifyme.
Servicios Llame-Al-Bus: El Llame-AlBus de la Ciudad de Hyattsville continuara operando bajo un horario modificado de lunes, miércoles y viernes, de 9 a.m. a 4:30 p.m. por el momento. (Por favor noten que esto es una corrección al horario incorrecto que fue publicado en el Reportero de Hyattsville de julio.) Para preguntas o para hacer una reservación, por favor llame al personal de la Ciudad al (301) 985-5000. El horario modificado permitirá al autobús a que sea usado durante los martes y jueves para transportar cajas de comida y comida para personas de la tercera edad. Únase al Grupo de Trabajo para la Edad: El Grupo de Trabajo para la Edad de Hyattsville, un grupo de trabajo dirigido por voluntarios que aboga para mejores viviendas, los servicios basados en el hogar y la comunidad, la salud y la seguridad, y la comunicación y el alcance para nuestra población de la tercera edad, ¡está buscando residentes de todas las edades para unirse! Si está interesado o desea obtener más información, póngase en contacto con Age-Friendly Lead Marci LeFevre en mlefevre@hyattsville.org o al (301) 985-5012. Las reuniones se llevan a cabo por teleconferencia el cuarto viernes del mes a las 11 a.m. Visite hyattsville.org/committees para más información.
Servicios para Menores Creative Minds en el Parque: Creative Minds y Creative Dramas, un programa interactivo de narración de cuentos que incorpora teatro, marionetas, música y danza, ¡se están asociando para una serie de verano de diversión gratis en los parques de la Ciudad! Cada programa ofrecerá dos shows a las 10:45 a.m. y el mediodía. La serie continúa en el Heurich Park el 27 de julio y termina en el University Hills Duck Pond Park el 10 de agosto. ¡Todas las edades son bienvenidas! Para obtener más información y registrarse, visite hyattsville.org/creativeminds. Tutoría de Verano: Los servicios de tutoría en persona y en línea gratuitos para estudiantes locales en los grados 6 – 12 serán ofrecidos por la Ciudad del 20 de julio al 19 de agosto. La tutoría se llevará a cabo los martes y jueves de 6:30 p.m. a 8 p.m. La tutoría en persona en el Centro de Recreación del Parque Comunitario Driskell tiene un espaciamiento limitado. Para registrar a su estudiante, visite hyattsville.org y seleccione el botón Recreation en el lado izquierdo de la página.
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
Page 8
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
From Rome to Hyattsville: an Italian resident’s journey By Julia Gaspar-Bates
B
eset by tragedy at a young age, Italian native Cecilia Volterra spent most of her early life in Rome, before she eventually settled in Hyattsville as a young adult. Volterra was born in a small village outside Rome, and when she was two years old, her life took a sudden turn when her mother was killed in a hit-and-run car accident. Volterra, who was in the car at the time, miraculously survived and, with her journalist father and infant sister, moved in with her grandparents in central Rome. Two years later, misfortune struck again when her father was killed in a car accident. “My dad was devastated because he loved [my mother] so much. He started doing drugs and was on his way to a job interview for a TV channel when he got into a car accident. I remember asking my grandfather when my dad was coming home. He kept saying he was at work and would come, and I had to wait. I always thought my father had died of a broken heart. I didn’t know that he had died in a car accident until I was 19.”
Cecilia Volterra
COURTESY OF CECILIA VOLTERRA.
Because she was so young at the time of both accidents, Volterra didn’t experience the loss acutely, saying instead that there was nothing she missed growing up. Her paternal grandfather, in particular, played a very active role in raising her and her sister. “My grandfather was super open-minded and had a lot of respect for everyone, regardless of race or identity, so everything I appreciate came from him. He was my best friend.” The girls divided their time between him and their maternal grandfather, too, who “was more closed-minded,” according to Volterra. “We were a bit scared. You had to finish your food, or we would get yelled at. The two families didn’t like each other. It was like Romeo and Juliet. One would talk badly about the other side of the family.” Volterra lived a normal teenage existence in Rome, although she says she did not conform to the Italian concept of “la bella figura,” which connotes a sense of proper dress and behavior and of projecting a positive image to the world. “I was a bit of a rebel. I had purple hair and baggy pants. I went through a punkrock phase, but just in the looks. My behavior was always very proper, but people would look at me like I was odd and weird.” She appreciated the access to cultural events, such as the “sagre,” or festivals with local foods, music and dancing. Volterra also spent summers in the southwestern province of Calabria, where she felt at home. She
explained, “People in southern Italy are very warm, and there is always a place at the table for you—’un posto a tavola.’” After finishing high school, Volterra spent a gap year in the U.S. Although she had never traveled, because her grandfather was afraid of flying, Volterra decided to venture out on her own. “I came here, initially, when I was 19, because a family friend invited me, and I needed to find myself and what I wanted to do with my life. I really enjoyed it. My grandfather was overprotective but also gave me my space. It was hard to leave everyone behind. I don’t regret it, but sometimes I wonder what it would have been like if I had stayed home.” Although Volterra did not experience major culture shock, she was surprised to discover she could no longer be served alcohol in bars in the U.S., as she was able to in Rome, due to the minimum drinking age. She also began to appreciate the history and culture of her home city more. “I began to realize how beautiful Rome is because it [had been] so available to me, so I never stopped to think about it. I would go on walks and see the Pantheon and St. Peter’s [Basilica], and here I would go to the [National] Mall.” Volterra graduated from the University of Maryland (UMD) with a degree in art and education, and currently works as an art teacher at Friends Community School in College Park. She met her husband, Rrezart, while she was at UMD. Eventually, they moved to Hyattsville to start a family. “I’m so happy living here. The neighborhood is excellent. There’s such a great sense of community. I like that I can walk places, which is something I missed, because living in Rome, I could walk anywhere. I like the different local stores, such as the farmers market in Riverdale, and the Hyattsville porch festival. I thought it was so fun to walk to different houses and listen to bands. That didn’t happen in Rome.” Although Volterra does not plan to move back to Italy in the foreseeable future, she is at times nostalgic for home. “I miss certain foods and speaking Italian. I miss friends and family eating together. It’s not just about eating. You stay at the table for five hours. Here you just eat and go. Maybe when I retire, I will live in Italy again. Who knows? I like the idea of going there as a vacation place, but I know that, living there, [it] is so hard to get a job, especially for young people.” “Cultural Connections” is dedicated to bringing forth the voices of Hyattsville’s international residents. Interested in sharing your story? Please contact culturalconnections@ hyattsvillelife.com.
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
Page 9
LANGUAGE FROM PAGE 1
says her district has been educating English language learners (ELLs) for a long time compared to other districts in the county. “We’ve had innovative programming and services and the best ESOL teaching staff for years,” Boozer-Strother asserted. “Some of these recommendations are certainly going to help schools throughout the county where the population is shifting.” The percentage of students learning the English language in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) has been increasing over the last few years, according to state data. In 2020, more than 21% of students in the county were learning English — a 33% increase from 2016. Data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the Latino population in Hyattsville has been growing over the last two decades. According to the 2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Data Profiles, Latino residents account for almost 37% of Hyattsville’s population, making it the largest ethnic group in the city, compared to about 18% recorded in the 2000 census. ESOL instructor and Hyattsville resident Kate Kowalski said that as more families who don’t speak English enter the county school system, increasing efforts to effectively communicate with parents should be the system’s number one priority. Kowalski, who has taught for six years at Templeton Elementary School in Riverdale, said that classroom struggles often result from language barriers. Kowalski compared conversations between families of ELLs and English-speaking teachers to the muffled phone calls that
The percentage of students learning the English language in Prince George’s County Public Schools has been increasing over the last few years, according to state data. In 2020, more than 21% of students in the county were learning English — a 33% increase from 2016. COURTESY OF UNSPLASH
are portrayed in Charlie Brown TV specials. “You just have to assume that anytime you talk, that’s what you sound like. So you can’t assume that the words you’re saying are getting any information across,” she explained. The new recommendations include plans to help mitigate language barriers, including creating a family literacy program and satisfying 100% of the requests made to the Office of Interpreting and Translation (OIT). The workgroup reported that of the 17,728 requests made to the OIT in fiscal year
2020, over 97% of them were fulfilled. Board member Raaheela Ahmed (District 5) and student member Ninah Jackson cochair the workgroup. Ahmed said that she and Jackson had been discussing the issues for months before the workgroup was officially created in 2020. As the daughter of immigrants, Ahmed said she is motivated to use her position on the board to advocate for English language learners. One of the workgroup’s goals is for all instructional and support staff to be trained to teach students
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academic success for those students learning English. “I always wanted it to happen but never imagined it could,” Ahmed said of getting the recommendations approved. Ahmed said that seeing the board take action gives her hope for the success of other workgroups, such as the Climate Change Action Focus Workgroup and the School to Prison Pipeline Workgroup, which are both in the early stages of creating recommendations.
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learning the English language. The workgroup also recommended collecting and analyzing data on exit rates, advance coursework enrollment and postsecondary outcomes, among other measures of success. “Data is, I think, the number one thing,” Ahmed said. Other workgroup recommendations include requiring an Ethnic and Cultural Studies graduation requirement for all students, hiring more immigrant teachers and staff, and developing virtual options for core classes in native languages — all with the goal of increasing
5606 43rd Avenue, Hyattsville This renovated 3 BR, 2 bath bungalow listed for $475,000 and received multiple offers!
4102 Jefferson St. Hyattsville. Sold for $595,000 3818 Oglethorpe St., Hyattsville. Sold for $450,500 5621 Lustine St., Hyattsville. Sold for $519,000. 4219 Nicholson St., Hyattsville. SOLD for $788,000
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
Page 10
MISS FLORIBUNDA
In the pink, but singing the blues Dear Miss Floribunda, I don’t like pink. Sorry, but I don’t, and you can’t talk me out of it. My favorite color is blue, and since I moved here three years ago, I’ve admired the gorgeous blue hydrangeas I’ve seen in many gardens. A neighbor of mine rooted cuttings from her mopheads and gave them to me. I planted them around my house. They bloomed this year but are a cloying shade of bubble-gum pink, not the blue I expected. My neighbor told me that the soil along the foundation of my house must be “sweet,”and the soil in her yard “sour,” explaining that hydrangeas are like litmus paper: They have pink flowers in sweet soil and blue flowers in acidic soil. Kind neighbor shared a bag of soil acidifier with me. One dose didn’t change the color much at all, so I doubled the dose, and the hydrangeas died. She’s thrown up her hands and is pretty much done with me. What do I do now? Moping over Mopheads on Madison Street Dear Moping, Although I believe all plant colors are lovely, I would never try to change your mind. I have heard that the oldest written saying in the world is the Latin “De gustibus non disputandum,” or, “You can’t argue about taste.” Consulting my old professor Dr. Wordsworth Worterbuch, I learned that the saying is even older than I thought and was found in the ancient Sumerian language on cuneiform tablets over 5,000 years old. It seems well established that you have the right to reject any color — or flavor — you choose. Blue is the rarest color in the garden, so hydrangeas are indeed special. In addition, many varieties of hydrangea have a long blooming period, need little if any pruning, don’t attract pests, are easy to propagate and thrive in shaded places where not many other flowering plants will grow. A few varieties are also fragrant. Others have leaves with velvety texture or that change to beautiful colors in fall. Most mopheads (Hydrangea macrophylla) dry well for winter arrangements. As you learned from bitter experience, changing the soil pH is not as quick or easy as some people assume. The pH, or potential hydrogen measur-
Moping over Mopheads wants to know how to change her bubble-gum pink hydrangea blooms to blue ones, such as the one shown here. PEXELS
ing scale, indicates hydrogen availability in the soil and the level of acidity or alkalinity that influences its uptake by plants. Without hydrogen, a plant cannot take in any other nutrients, and there is a complex chemical interaction between the ions of hydrogen and those of other elements in the soil. The blue color you like in hydrangeas comes from the absorption of aluminum, the ions of which are released when the pH of the soil is low, or acidic, with a higher concentration of hydrogen. Aluminum binds with an anthocyanin (plant pigment) called delphinidin 3-monoglucoside, which imparts the color blue. The substance your neighbor gave you to add to the soil was
probably aluminum sulfate. As you found out, too much applied at once burns the roots of the plants and will kill them. You needed to be more patient, watering the soil thoroughly before applying a small amount at monthly intervals during the growing season, mulching with pine needles and leaf litter, and putting your coffee grounds or tea leaves on the plants daily. However, I’m not sure you could ever have changed the color of your hydrangeas from pink to true blue. I suspect that the foundation of your house is concrete, which means that lime — a soil sweetener — is continuously leaching into your soil. Your best efforts might eventually lower the soil pH to the point where most
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mopheads would turn mauve or purple, which I assume you would still prefer to pink. You also could just replace the pink plants that died with white or red hydrangeas, whose colors are usually unaffected by soil pH. There are two-toned whites with red edges that are interesting. In general, the edges of white hydrangeas take on a pale green tonality if they are growing in shade (the Limelight variety is almost entirely green) and a faint rose if growing in sun. There are also many whose heads “antique” in the fall, taking on interesting metallic nuances.
What many of us call flowers on mopheads aren’t real flowers at all, but an inflorescence of sepals, or modified leaves. What true flowers exist are hidden in the center of the bloom. The lacecap varieties, however, have prominent clusters of tiny true flowers, surrounded by sepals of the same or contrasting colors. Wild hydrangeas have true flowers, are the easiest to grow, and are always white. In the meantime, you can study hydrangea varieties and plan a permanent selection for fall planting. This takes considerable thought, as they come in different heights and habits and vary in their tolerance of sun and shade, heat and cold, and dry or wet places. These are considerations that have to be taken into account, along with color. Because space is limited here, I can’t go into the fascinating history of hydrangeas — they are native both to the U.S. and Asia, yet mostly developed in France — but I think you will find this worth investigating, too. Over time, and since you love this plant, you may well become an expert. Please consider joining the Hyattsville Horticultural Society (HHS). Cautious plans are in progress to resume HHS (hyattsvillehorticulture.org) meetings in the fall, limited to those members who have been vaccinated. Miss Floribunda is the Hyattsville Life & Times garden columnist. You may email questions to floribundav@gmail.com.
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
Page 11
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Send your event information for the calendar to Kit Slack at kit@hyattsvillelife.com.
P
JULY 31
eople, it’s happening. I just realized that the barbecue we said we were going to this weekend is at the same time as our kid’s friend’s birthday party. We had almost forgotten what a normal summer was like. Cases are as low as they’ve been since we’ve had enough tests to get accurate numbers. And there are more events in our community than I can fit on a calendar, both for my family and this newspaper. Below you’ll find information on community events sponsored by local nonprofits and artists, current as of July 10.
Deep Shenoy’s group, Kundalika, will play Indian classical music “in an improvised conversation” with bluegrass and jazz. With Graham SmithWhite and Alex Martin. $20 general admission; $10 seniors, veterans, and children. 7 p.m. Outdoors at Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. joesmovement.org
AUGUST 6 Indie-folk singer-songwriter Hannah Goad, a member of the trio Whatever Honey, plays Maryland Meadworks. Free. Limited seating. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644
RECURRING The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation presents an acoustic blues jam every Saturday 1 to 5 p.m., open to the fully vaccinated, and indoors at 4502 Hamilton St. acousticblues.com Poetry open mic every Thursday at Busboys and Poets. $5. 9 to 11 p.m. 5331 Baltimore Ave. 301.779.2787. busboysandpoets.com
AUGUST 8
A goldfinch attends a free outdoor family event at the PG Pool in Mount Rainier.
Maryland Meadworks hosts Swing 5, a gypsy jazz band led by local guitarist James Key. Free. Limited seating. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644
Riverdale Park Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot near the Riverdale MARC Station, 4650 Queensbury Rd., with live music each week starting at 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact Jim Coleman at rpkfarmmkt@gmail. com. facebook.com/RPFMarket
Improbable Comedy presents “Mother of All Comedy Shows” at Joe’s Movement Emporium. Live standup featuring women and nonbinary comedians. $20 general admission; $10 seniors, veterans and children. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Outdoors at 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. joesmovement.org
JULY 17
JULY 18
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation presents Jazzing Up Your Blues, a guitar workshop by Matt Kelley, who will help players get unstuck while staying rooted in the blues. Prerequisites are knowing 1-IV-V blues chord progressions and being able to make a barre chord. $20. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 4502 Hamilton St., also available virtually. acousticblues.com
Joe’s Movement Emporium hosts “Dance Diaries,” featuring Teatro La Bolsa and GET Dance founder Carolina Hernandez. Travel the world through dance. $20 general admission; $10 seniors, veterans, and children. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Outdoors at 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. joesmovement. org
Art Works Now 10th Anniversary Celebration, a hybrid event with music, in person, by the Wild Anacostians, and, virtually, by Emma’s Revolution and by Amy K Bormet with Kim Bursic. Food by Pizza Paradiso, Simple Pleasures Ice, Concession Popcorn and Cotton Candy. Art on sale, and $10 workshops available: handbuilding, tie-dye, paint & sip. Collaborative mural and other art activities. $10. 1 to 7 p.m. 4800 Rhode Island Ave. artworksnow.org
JULY 24 Route 1 Corridor Conversations presents “Pluto: Planet or Not?” Join University of Maryland professor Douglas Hamilton in an online discussion of the 2006 reclassification of Pluto and the 2015 Horizon flyby that taught us more about the dwarf planet and its five moons. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Register at HyattsvilleAgingInPlace.org/events.
Learn an easy Brazilian two-step partner dance, the forró, at the For All Dance Party, by EducArte. Accordian player Rob Curto and vocalist Rose Moraes will play Brazilian music. Come early to learn from dance instructors
KIT SLACK
Kate Spanos and Pablos Regis. $20 general admission; $10 seniors, veterans, and children. 6:30 to 9 p.m. Outdoors at Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. joesmovement.org
Brunch with Becky Hill & Daniel Coolik includes clawhammer banjo, percussive dancing, oldtime and classic country. Next stop for Hill will be the Strathmore’s outdoor concert series on Aug. 11. Come see her here first. Maryland Meadworks. Free. Limited seating. Noon to 3 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
Page 12
POLICE FROM PAGE 1
as they do the intense work of providing safety to our community.” Another $60,000 provides for officers’ overtime so they can attend quarterly full-day trainings while still providing for full patrol coverage. One such training is the HCPD Mental Health and Wellness Day, which was held for the first time in April. The virtual session included presentations that were offered to the department for free by a number of nonprofits, including the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Prince George’s County and DC Safe, which supports survivors of domestic violence. According to Augustus, more than 70 people attended the program, including the entire Hyattsville police department and officers from Metro Transit Police and from the Brentwood, Carroll County, Upper Marlboro, New Carrollton, Glenarden and Amtrak police departments. A second HCPD Mental Health and Wellness Day is slated for late summer. And a mental health and wellness day for the Hyattsville community is scheduled for Oct. 2. This event will include food and entertainment, along with interactive activities, all centered around physical and
Hyattsville police officer K. Cherry, who attended the Mental Health First Aid for First Responders class earlier this year, provides support to a young adult who called 911 for help in June. Officer Cherry was able to get the caller to a hospital for psychological support. COURTESY OF THE HYATTSVILLE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
mental well-being. The HCPD, in conjunction with other neighboring police departments, is applying for several federal grants to supplement and bolster the mental health program, including one submitted in partnership with the Brentwood Police Department that would fund the mental health and wellness check-in program for both agencies for two years. During an interview, acting HCPD Chief Scott Dunklee pointed out that collaborating on programming with nearby police departments is important because his department has mutual aid agreements with other police agencies. “We also want to make sure,” he said, “that if other officers come in to help, that they have the same level of training, the same
ability to de-escalate a situation as our officers do.” The HCPD is also working towards having a mobile crisis team that would pair specially trained police officers with licensed mental health providers. Towards that goal, the Anne Arundel County Police Department provides classes, for free, to select Hyattsville officers so they can receive Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) certification. Augustus explained that her goal is to have at least two officers per squad who are CITcertified and more prepared to respond to behavioral health crises. She noted that six to eight HCPD officers will receive their certification by the end of August. Some residents would prefer to see city funding support
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other mental health services, though. In his statement to voters in the April Hyattsville Life & Times, Chuck Perry, who was running for a Ward 3 seat on the Hyattsville City Council at the time, wrote, “I would like to see a leaner police department and the formation of a professional, full-time non-law enforcement department of licensed mental health professionals that would be specifically tasked to help the homeless and the mentally ill.” Perry told voters during a virtual candidate forum that he decided to run for office following the death of Leonard Shand, a Black man armed with two knives who appeared to have been suffering from a mental health crisis when he was shot by multiple police officers in Hyattsville in September 2019. Overall, Hyattsville’s police and public safety budgeted expenditures increased from FY2020 to FY2022. Forecast total police and public safety expenditures, according to City of Hyattsville annual budget ordinances, went from $10.2 million (or 33.7% of the $30.2 million total expenditures) in FY2020 to $11.1 million (or 34.7% of $31.9 million) in FY2021 to $12.7 million (37.5% of $33.8 million) in FY2022. Asked about Hyattsville’s approach of increasing funding to benefit the police department, including funding the HCPD mental health initiative, Augus-
tus responded, “The term ‘defund’ — I feel like a lot of people have moved away from that, and it’s more about police reform, and so I think people are better able to embrace the concept of ‘reform’ because we need our officers.” Dunklee pointed to numerous large development projects in Hyattsville that could add 6,000 new residents within a few years, which would require ramping up staffing and the efforts of all the city departments, including police and public safety, in order to maintain quality services. “We’re trying to be careful [with the mental health initiative]. We want to do best practices, but also think outside the box,” said Dunklee. “We can’t just sit around and wait for someone to come down with an edict from the county, or somebody to spoon feed us something. We want to be out front, just like I think we have been for years.” “These officers already do a phenomenal job supporting people in behavioral health crises every day. I hear the stories; I hear how they speak about people in crisis with such respect and such empathy,” Augustus emphasized in an interview. “It’s been very clear to me that a lot of the officers bring, I think, the first most important element to the table, which is empathy, and that’s something that’s hard to teach.”
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
Page 13
DANCE FROM PAGE 1
“It was so beautiful to see how it all came together,” Bryan said. “And the girls had so much fun.” After a 30-minute rain delay, the sun came out, and the youngest dancers from Adagio danced to the “Frozen” soundtrack in front of an eager crowd. The recital was livestreamed on the studio’s website for those unable to attend in person. Company founder and director Christina Green said that it was rewarding to see the dancers finally get the chance to perform. “When they walked out in the purple [leotards], it was just tears in my eyes. Like this is really happening for them,” Green said. “It was a great feeling.” Green started Adagio Dance in 2010 in Cheverly and moved it to Hyattsville in July 2019. When the pandemic hit, Green said she was determined to continue teaching. “There is no such thing as a break. If the world has shut down, that’s fine, I can dance at home,” she said. “I’m always dancing, because it’s a part of who I am.” Green spent the first few weeks of the pandemic recording classes for her students to watch. She then moved on to teaching virtual group classes via Zoom. She decided to offer in-person classes outdoors as soon as state restrictions were lifted last summer. “I just knew this community would embrace it. And they did,” she said. Practices are held outdoors on Saturday mornings in Driskell Park, and now inside, as well, on Tuesday nights at Joe’s Movement Emporium in Mount Rainier. At Joe’s, participants have their temperatures taken at the door, and both students and staff keep their masks on for the session.
At 14, Sumyyah Butler (center, back) is the youngest member of Adagio Dance Studio’s predominantly adult ensemble. Above, the ensemble performs to “Rise Up” by Andra Day during Adagio’s spring recital. COURTESY OFJAMILA LARSON
Adagio founder and director Christina Green said that dance creates community, too: “We’re all different. We all look different. But we’re here with the common purpose of dance.”
Dancers also have the option to participate virtually. According to Bryan, Ariyana was excited for the move to inperson sessions since all her other activities were only available virtually. “They miss that interaction, but Adagio was able to at least provide some interaction for them,” said Bryan. Fellow dance mom Jamila Larson said Green’s creativity in finding a way to safely gather during the pandemic has been incredibly helpful for her daughter. The consistency of weekly practices has given Larson’s daughter, Violet, something to look forward to after months at home with her family, explained Larson. “She has the chance to learn a new skill, and it gives her a chance to safely socialize with her peers in the class,” she said. “Those efforts to restore a sense of community can’t be underestimated.” Green has been impressed with the sense of community in
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Hyattsville and said it is something she has never experienced before. “We’re all working together to get through this difficult time,” Green explained. “I love it here, and I don’t think we’re going to relocate anytime soon.” Green said that dance creates community, too: “We’re all different. We all look different. But we’re here with the common purpose of dance.” Surprisingly, Adagio’s enrollment numbers have increased over the past year.
Last year, Green had 13 students in her Hyattsville studio. Fifteen months and a global pandemic later, that number has quintupled. There are 65 dancers enrolled for this summer’s semester, which began with practices in Driskell Park on June 19. The growth of Adagio has not gone unnoticed by parents. “I can’t think of another business model that’s actually growing during COVID. Especially when your business model is inperson with kids,” Larson said. The skills taught by Green and her team have proven to have lasting effects. Sumyyah Butler, 14, started dancing at Adagio when she was just three years old. Sumyyah spoke at the June 13 recital before performing with the Adagio ensemble, a group of four experienced dancers. She credited a lot of her success to Green: “Not only is she my dance coach, but also my life coach.” Of Sumyyah, Green said, “I really see her going professional.” Watching Sumyyah and the rest of Adagio’s students get to perform was a surreal experience, according to Green. “That performance was like our ground zero. You know this is what we can do when the world shuts down,” she said. “Now let’s see what we can do now that the world is opening back up.” Michelle Levine is an intern with the Hyattsville Life & Times.
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2021
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‘The customer is my second family’: Queens Chapel Barbershop celebrates 80 years By Sophie Gorman Oriani The Queens Chapel Barbershop at 3108 Hamilton Street is celebrating its 80th year this summer. Ownership has changed hands a few times. Tina Sang, who came to the U.S. from Vietnam in 1989, has owned and operated the barbershop for the past 25 years. The barbershop serves adults and children alike, although their primary focus is on men’s haircuts. Throughout its history, the barbershop has served several well-known customers. Melvin Franklin (“Frank”) Key, whose father, Melvin Key, was a barber there for over 45 years, said his father cut the hair of many famous men, including former DeMatha High School basketball coach Morgan Wootten, former president of the University of Maryland Curley Byrd and former governor of Maryland Parris Glendening. Sang noted that the barber-
Queens Chapel Barbershop owner, Tina Sang (left), with a co-worker outside the barbershop COURTESY OF MELVIN FRANKLIN KEY
shop has seen some significant changes due to events of the past few years, most notably the death of her husband in January 2020, followed by the coronavirus pandemic and resulting restrictions. Sang closed her barbershop entirely from mid-
March until the end of May, and noted that many customers have yet to return. “Before COVID, we [were] very busy,” Sang said. “Now you see … ,” she trailed off, gesturing at her shop, which was entirely empty that Friday afternoon.
Sang said that there are other changes beyond the absence of customers. Although Prince George’s County has lifted the indoor mask mandate, she continues to require masks in her shop. “We work inside, and we [are] very close with the customer; that’s why we wear the masks,” she noted. Sang said that her customers have generally been happy to oblige. Due to a nation-wide increase in antiAsian racism and at the recommendation of her son, who is a police officer in D.C., Sang generally keeps her door locked so no one can come into the barbershop suddenly and surprise her. “This is a very hard time for me,” she noted. Sang added that she was grateful for the help she received from friends and from Councilmember Joseph Solomon (Ward 5), who helped her apply for COVID-19 assistance from the city. Sang said she has
received two relief grants, totalling a little over $500. The Rev. Jim Brobst, a priest who lives in the District, described himself as a regular at the Queens Chapel Barbershop. “We were delighted to see Tina reopen [after the pandemic],” he said. Brobst said that Sang came into D.C. to cut the hair of priests at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, including the rector, Monsignor Walter Rossi. Lien Briggs, who lives in Hyattsville, said she met Sang when her husband started getting his hair cut by her. “She’s like an aunt, I guess,” said Briggs, who helped Sang navigate modern technology after the death of her husband. “[Life]’s been pretty tough for her,” she added. Sang remains optimistic, though. She has no plans to close the barbershop. “I love to do my job,” she said. “The customer is my second family.”