ANTS IN YOUR PLANTS? How to keep your peonies in the pink — and pests out of them. PAGE 6
Shalom School shut down by Julia Duin
Shalom School, a local afterschool program well known for its focus on the arts, was suddenly closed down at the end of February. The 16-year-old school, which was housed in the education wing of the First United Methodist Church on Queens Chapel Road at East-West Highway, had been operating for years without a license. School and church officials said they didn’t know one was required, nor had it been an issue when it opened in 1996. Shalom, which operated from 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays, had coexisted the whole time with a fulltime, church-run daycare center of about 60 children, also in the education wing. When a state inspector showed up in January for a periodic review of the daycare, she asked who the other children in the building were, said Donnalee Sanderson, the church secretary. When told they were part of another group, the inspector informed church officials that any children in a child-care program that runs five days a week without parental supervision requires a license.
PRIZE STUDENTS
IF YOU BUILD IT...
Northwestern sets sights on forensics nationals, while middle-schoolers shine at science. PAGE 4
... they will come. At least, that’s what developers are hoping as they fabricate hundreds of housing units on Route 1. PAGE 3
Hyattsville Life&Times
Vol. 9 No. 4
Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper
April 2012
New cameras expected to catch 480 speeders a day by Susie Currie
A traffic study has identified four primary spots for speed cameras in Hyattsville. During their first year, the monitoring devices are expected to issue a total of 480 citations a day to drivers on East-West Highway, Adelphi Road and Ager Road.
During the week of February 7, speedcamera vendor Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) surveyed 19 locations in designated school zones throughout the city. Maryland law defines where, when and how the cameras can operate: within a half-mile of a school, Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., recording speeds of at least 12 miles per
hour over the posted limit. Under those conditions, four test areas logged a combined 21,898 violations during the week-long study. Those are where the portable speed cameras will be most of the time (see chart). But they will rotate among CAMERAS continued on page 7
City clerk’s departure leaves big hole in staff
SHALOM continued on page 13
Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 43 Easton, MD 21601
by Paula Minaert
SUSIE CURRIE Three-year-old Ryan Blackerby and brother Nicholas, age 2, examine their finds from an Easter egg hunt as their mother, Christine, looks on. The annual city-sponsored event on April 7 drew hundreds of area children to Magruder Park.
Doug Barber, clerk for the city of Hyattsville, is leaving April 30 to become clerk for the city of Rockville. When he goes, a lot of history and knowledge will go with him. Barber started working for the city when he was 15 years old, in 1988. As part of the now-defunct summer youth work force, he mowed grass and worked in park programs. “That’s how it all started,” Barber says. It was right around the time he moved to Hyattsville, when he was in 9th grade. After that first summer, the city asked him to continue working on weekends. Among other things, he helped tend the SaturBARBER continued on page 11
Included: The April 11, 2012 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter — See Center Section
Page 2
Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
FromTheEditor
The best of both worlds by Paula Minaert
A lot of new growth is happening here in Hyattsville. The Route 1 corridor has blossomed since Busboys & Poets and the other shops at Jefferson Street have opened (see article on page 3). There’s a definite energy you can sense, something creative and exciting. And that energy has attracted more development, in the form of the new apartments and townhouses going up. Some scholars say that the history of civilization has been the history of cities, that when a critical mass of people comes together, something special happens. New ideas are born
A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781 Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Hyattsville Community Newspaper, Inc., a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation. Interested reporters should send their e-mail addresses to the editor to be reminded of deadlines and receive internal news. Articles and news submitted may be edited. The deadline is the last week of the month for the following month’s issue. Letters to the editor and opinions are encouraged. For all e-mail correspondence with HL&T: news, features, tips, advertising and business write to hyattsvillelifeandtimes@gmail. com. To submit articles, letters to the editor, etc., e-mail susie@hyattsvillelife.com. Executive Editor Paula Minaert paula@hyattsvillelife.com 301.335.2519 Managing Editor Susie Currie susie@hyattsvillelife.com 301.633.9209 Editorial Intern Scarlett Salem Production Ashley Perks Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com 301.531.5234 Writers & Contributors Victoria Hille, William Jenne, Valerie Russell, Kimberly Schmidt, Fred Seitz, Hugh Turley Board of Directors Julia Duin - President Chris Currie - Vice President Joseph Gigliotti - General Counsel Paula Minaert - Secretary Peggy Dee, Bart Lawrence, Karen J. Riley Susie Currie - 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.
and new experiments are tried, in art and technology and science. Look at ancient Athens, where Sophocles and Socrates and Euripides lived. Look at the city-states of Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries, which produced Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. Look at Paris in the early 20th century. I feel a real tug here. We all want the positive things that come with development. But what about other, less beneficial effects, like more traffic and congestion and perhaps less green space? And there’s more. Some recent research (published last year in Nature magazine) shows that city dwellers react differently to stress than do rural residents. And they have more anxiety and mood disorders. It was found that being raised in an urban environment or living in one changes specific parts of the brain, causing it to perceive threats in certain situations. The brains of people not raised or living in cities, by contrast, did not respond that way. Will we be changed, at our most fundamental level, our brains, as our city grows? Of course, the issue isn’t clearcut. When you dig deeper things get even more complicated. Ru-
ral life is certainly not perfect and visions of an idyllic past can be deceptive. Statistics reveal more health problems in this country in rural areas than in urban, partly from lack of access to health care and partly from the greater prevalence of factors such as obesity and smoking. And there is—there always is— still something else to consider. The Journal of Public Health has noted significant strengths of rural areas, like “dense social networks, social ties of long duration, shared life experiences, high quality of life, and norms of self-help and reciprocity.” That all sounds good to me. What can we do to hang on to those kinds of strengths here in Hyattsville, the strengths of smalltown living, but still reap the benefits of our growing urbanization? I think it’s worth exploring. What isn’t productive is an attitude reflected in a comment made last year in the discussion about Whole Foods coming to Riverdale Park. One supporter of that development, talking to people who were concerned about things like crowding and environmental effects, said, “This is an urban area. Get over it.” The goal here is to try for the
PAULA MINAERT Some of the new townhomes now available around Hyattsvilleʼs Route 1 corridor.
best of both worlds (not to mention listen well to each other),
rather than assuming that some things just aren’t possible.
Bestway lives up to its name by Paula Minaert
A month or so after it opened on the Hamilton Street site of the former Safeway, the Bestway is garnering positive reactions from Hyattsville residents. “It’s bright and clean and spacious,” said Councilmember Tim Hunt (Ward 3) who was found shopping there on the store’s opening day. One local 11-year old marveled, after a trip there with his father, “You couldn’t see the shelves. There were no empty spaces. Every time you go in there, you feel like you’re the first customer.” Reaction on the local H.O.P.E. listserv was overwhelmingly positive, with several residents posting reviews of the store
praising the selection, quality and prices. One person, Angelic LittleTurner, said that the best thing about it was the large seafood section. “Who can beat fresh salmon at $4.99 a pound?” she asked, which led another resident to point out some mislabeled fish seen there. A discussion went back and forth on the listserv about whether the store carried any organic food. The consensus seemed to be that the produce, while not labeled organic, is very good. It also carries some items not often found in mainstream markets, such as guava. The signs indicating where items can be found are in both Spanish and English – and many of them have the Spanish words
PAULA MINAERT Hyattsvilleʼs newest grocery story gets good reviews.
on top, in bigger letters. That’s not surprising, considering that Bestway’s website describes the
chain as “one of the largest Hispanic food retailers on the East Coast.”
Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
Page 3
More apartments, townhomes going up
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The biggest new construction in Hyattsville is happening along the east side of Route 1. A year after the first tenants opened there, the retail space at Jefferson Street is nearly at capacity. The Hair Cuttery opened last month, and the long-awaited Spice 6 Indian restaurant will open in May, according to Guy Silverman of Streetsense, the retail developer. Also coming – sometime this summer, he says – is My Eye Doctor optometrists. “That will fill the shopping center,” said Silverman. Meanwhile, a few blocks away, more development is underway. The three tall buildings going up just north of Longfellow Street will be apartments with some retail; the developer is Woodfield Investments, LLC. Two of the buildings, three stories each, will face Route 1 and one (five stories) is set back behind them; all together they will have 243 apartments. About 4,600 square feet of retail space is planned for the southernmost building. Margaret Smith Ford of Woodfield described the apartments as high-end. They will have granite countertops and stainless steel appliances; some will have fireplaces. The bigger building will house a pool, fitness room, club room and other amenities. “[Hyattsville] is a fabulous location for young professionals who want to be near all the amenities around there,” Ford said. Parking for the residents of the bigger building will take the form of what’s called a “Texas dough-
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PAULA MINAERT The beginning of what will be a cluster of new housing on and near Route 1.
nut,” according to Ford. “It’ll be a five-story garage in the middle and the apartments will wrap around it. You won’t see the parking from the outside.” The other two buildings will have surface parking adjacent to them. The first apartments will be available in October and the whole project is expected to be completed by the middle of next year, she said. The monthly rents will range from $1,400 to the low $2,000s. Another developer, Pulte Homes, is building a total of 180 townhomes, also on the east side of Route 1. Most of them are not right on Route 1 but are set back. Four different models are available. According to Kevin McGovern, sales consultant for Pulte, the homes sell for between $320,000
and $500,000, and 25 of them have already sold. Nineteen of them are occupied, with the remaining due to be occupied by the end of May. The design also calls for building a pool and playground with a picnic area. McGovern said that all the homes come with either a oneor two-car garage, and there are also 75 street parking spaces for residents and their visitors. And what’s the old boarded-up building sitting at the north end of all this construction? It used to be Jey’s Auto Care, which operated in that location for many years. According to realtor and listing agent Paul Buggappa, the property is a ground lease (meaning it can be built on) for $5,000 a month and, like the surrounding area, is zoned Mixed Use Town Center.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
Students shine in area contests by Susie Currie
While much of the country was watching the NCAA basketball championships, Prince George’s County Public School students were vying for titles of their own. Here’s a look at what our local high school and middle schools have been up to this spring. Northwestern High School courtesy of Jennifer Mendenhall From left: Diedra Campbell, Shane James, Natalia Mitiuriev, Henry Kramer, Talia Bridgmahnon and Christian Romero make up the Northwestern High School Forensics team, which earned a spot in the national championship to be held next month.
Northwestern High School students will represent the county at next month’s National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament. Team members Tahlia Bridgmahnon, Shane James, Henry Kramer, Natalia Mitiuriev and Christian Romero will enter events individually and in pairs at the tournament, which is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend in Baltimore. Their place at the national con-
test was secured on March 17, when longtime theater teacher Curt Somers coached them to a second-place showing at the Washington-Arlington Catholic Forensic League Metro Championships. Nearly 100 high schools from Maryland, D.C. and Virginia competed at the event, held at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney. These days, thanks to cable shows and bestselling authors, the word “forensics� is likely to conjure up images of crime labs. But before it became inextricably linked with DNA samples or autopsy reports, forensics was known as the art of argumentation and formal debate. It was used in criminal cases, but not in the CSI way. The word comes from a Latin term meaning “before the Forum,� referring to the place where criminal cases were heard in Ancient Rome. Instead of using physical evidence to es-
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tablish guilt or innocence, the accuser and accused made their case before a group. The winner was the one with the best argument and delivery. The National Catholic Forensic League was founded in 1951 to promote speech and debate activities in secondary schools – and thereby help develop articulate leaders. Open to both public and private high schools, the NCFL has local chapters in 35 states and the District of Columbia. Its annual tournament offers events in both debate and speech. The Northwestern students will be entering only speech competitions: Extemporaneous Speaking ( James), Original Oratory (Romero), Oral Interpretation (Bridgmahnon and Kramer), and Duo Interpretation (Mitiuriev and Kramer). Whatever happens in Baltimore, the team’s regional win has already led to an award, of sorts, for Northwestern: Next year, Somers will teach a speech class there to continue training future orators.
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Hyattsville Middle School At the 25th Annual Prince George’s County Science Bowl, defending champion Hyattsville Middle School was aiming to tie a record. It had won six times, including three of the last four contests; only Kenmoor, with seven titles, had more. And this year, Kenmoor had missed the entry deadline and wasn’t in the game. The stage was set. In November, the first round of competition had whittled 16 middle-school teams to four, including HMS. Team sponsor Howard Knights, who teaches 8th-grade science, worked with a group of seven students once or twice a week after school to prepare for the semifinals. They watched past shows on YouTube and staged in-house mock competitions, with Knights sometimes sweetening the pot by doling out Monopoly money, the school currency used to purchase homework passes and other prized possessions. On March 27, the four teams met at the Bonnie Johns Media Center in Landover. Representing HMS were Shawn Meepagala, Owen Roy – both veterans, having competed at the elementary-school level – and Shakera Gregory. Their match was against Beltsville’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School.
susie currie Shakera Gregory, Owen Roy and Shawn Meepagala of the Hyattsville Middle School Science Bowl team. Their semifinal loss to Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School was the closest match in competition history.
By the thinnest of margins – 210 to 205 – HMS fell to MLK. That school earned its third championship title that afternoon when it went on to defeat Clinton’s Stephen Decatur in a more lopsided contest (310 to 190). Blame pink slime. That was the answer to the last question of the game, a five-pointer that came with the score tied at 205. MLK buzzed in first, for the win. “With these two teams, we knew it would be close,” said Jeannine Dorothy, a contest judge for 22 years. “But I’ve never seen a fivepoint difference. It’s come down to one question before, but it’s usually a higher-point one: 20 or 25 points.” Similar to the Jeopardy! gameshow format, Science Bowl
rounds consist of questions chosen from a board with six categories, ranging from plants to physics to Science Potpourri. Five questions in each category are worth from 5 to 25 points. Teams start the round with 50 points and add to their score by being the first to buzz in with the correct answer. There are no penalties for incorrect answers. But as both teams learned, being too quick on the draw – buzzing in before hearing the whole question – can lead to the other team scoring. David Zahren, senior television specialist with the PGCPS Office of Television Resources, is the competition’s creator and host. He started the elementary com-
petition in 1986 and the middleschool one a year later. “We wanted to do something on par with ‘It’s Academic,’ which is for high-school kids,” said Zahren, who hosts the Baltimore version of that popular televised quiz show. A former middle-school science teacher, he writes all the questions, incorporating pop culture and current events where possible. During the HMS-MLK matchup, for example, one answer (“helium”) came from the Disney movie John Carter, which had opened just weeks earlier. Knights already has his sights set on the 2013 matchup. “That five of the current team members are 7th graders bodes well for … success come next year’s competition.” And, he said, they’ll be sure to “practice better timing on the buzzer.” The Science Bowl middleschool semifinals will air on cable channels 96 and 38 during the week of April 30, with finals scheduled to show May 14 to 28. Check local listings for times. Nicholas Orem Middle School Sixteen students at Nicholas Orem Middle School will be pitting their remote-controlled
underwater robots against those from other state teams this month at the Maryland SeaPerch Regionals. It’s one of 15 Prince George’s County middle schools competing at the tournament, which will be held at the U.S. Naval Academy on April 14. Funded by the Office of Naval Research, the SeaPerch program was designed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to teach underwater robotics to secondary-school students. Teams work from a kit that includes a design and all materials necessary to build a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). “They have the directions, but they have to decide how to best execute the procedures,” explained first-year teacher Charlotte Rajasingh, who founded the team in January with fellow science instructor Thomas Jensen. “This requires them to understand fully what they are doing and then make a plan of action. It is this kind of work that engineers and scientists do every day.” The Nicholas Orem students, nine 7th-graders and seven 8thgraders, make up four teams. Assisted by University of Maryland students, they have been meeting weekly since February to build the ROVs.
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Dear Miss Floribunda, Five years ago, I moved into a house with a garden notable for beds of beautiful peonies. For the past two springs, however, some groups have not bloomed despite plenty of buds. Adding fertilizer didn’t help. To add to my disappointment, ants overran the plants that did bloom. I am told this is because of the sweetness of their sap. Ant infestation has been a recurring problem, and has kept me from bringing bouquets of peonies into the house. Since I’m ecologically responsible I don’t want to use any toxic chemicals, inside the house or out. But what can I do? Ants in my Plants on Lancer Avenue Dear Ants, The latter problem is easily solved: Plant mint with your peonies and ants will stay away. I know this firsthand because I have a quite a nice collection of peonies myself, thanks to gifts and advice from my ChineseAmerican friend Virginia Li, whom I truly believe knows all there is to know about the plant
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she calls “the king of flowers.” Though she knows I love roses – “the queen of flowers” – she’s told me that she would never give me a rosebush because in Chinese culture it is believed that giving a friend a thorny plant will predispose the friendship to quarrels. It was she who suggested planting mint with the peonies to keep ants away. This was so effective that I then planted mint around the foundation of my house to effectively end formicular forays into my kitchen. I asked Virginia why your peonies would bud yet not bloom. She believes they are overcrowded and suggests you divide them next October. She cautioned against dividing them before then, even when blooming season is over. Peonies do not like to be disturbed until fully dormant. She also speculated that the fertilizer you used was too high in nitrogen. Too much nitrogen in the soil also keeps peonies from blooming. She advised using bone meal,
which is organic, safe and slowacting – and sweetens our overly acidic soil, which peonies dislike. As a dog owner, I advise that you dig in the bone meal during a heavy rain or else water down the area thoroughly with a hose. My dog, Barcus O’Drool, has invited all his canine friends over whenever I’ve made the mistake of applying bone meal to my garden in dry weather. They gobbled up most of the bone meal in no time, and, of course, disturbed the plants as well. For more on this and other gardening lore, you are invited to the next meeting of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 21, at the home of Joe Buriel and Dave Roeder, 3909 Longfellow Street. The highlight of the morning will be a plant exchange, so there’s a good chance you can acquire some irises to enhance those peonies. We also have a plant exchange in the fall, so you are welcome to share your extra peonies with us then.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
Page 7
SPEED CAMERAS AND SCHOOLS Ade 3
1. 3300 block of East-West Highway (near Post Park apar tments) Westbound. Speed limit: 40. Recorded violations: 7,851. Closest school: Nicholas Orem Middle
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Concordia Lutheran School
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The city is moving forward with plans to install four por table speed cameras at these locations. Plans call for them to rotate periodically with several alternate spots, including three along a 0.7-mile stretch of Route 1 and another three across the street from each of the primary sites on EastWest Highway and Ager Road.
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According to first-year projections, the program is expected to bring in $4,608,000. Of that, the city would net $1,580,000, while ACS gets $1,684,800 and the state, $731,614. The rest would fund the staff position (salary, benefits, uniform and vehicle) or be written off
as uncollectible ticket fines. During the third year, the number of tickets expected per day drops to 200. Under that scenario, annual revenue would total $1,920,000, with the city clearing $914,775. ACS would receive $702,000.
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2. 3700 block of East-West Highway (near America Boulevard) Westbound. Speed limit: 35. Recorded violations: 4,506. Closest school: Concordia Lutheran 3. 7000 block of Adelphi Road, Southbound. Speed limit: 30. Recorded violations: 4,148. Closest school: Nor thwestern
Baltimore Ave
Jefferson St.
Before
4. 5900 block of Ager Road, Nor thbound. Speed limit: 30. Recorded violations: 5,393. Closest school: Rosa Parks Elementary
After
CAMERAS
continued from page 1
six additional sites, which saw a total of 19,545 violations over the same period. Their locations, including any changes, are to be posted on the city website. A March 22 police memo to the mayor and council proposed issuing written warnings for the first 30 days. After that, violations will incur a $40 fine, sent to the owner of the vehicle as identified by license-plate images. A Maryland State Highway Administration brochure says that “in a school zone, staying alert and obeying the posted speed limit is imperative for public safety.” That’s why the cameras aren’t supposed to ticket on weekends. But the 14-hour weekday schedule runs year-round, whether school is in session or not. “Speed cams do not get spring
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break or summer vacation,” says Ron Ely, who operates an independent website dedicated to the Maryland law on the devices. In 2009, the state legalized speed cameras. By the end of 2011, according to Ely, it was home to more than a quarter of the 106 programs in the United States. The Hyattsville City Council approved automated speed enforcement in March 2011 and had budgeted a full-time police-department position for the current fiscal year. That employee would
be responsible for, among other things, running both the red-light and speed-camera enforcement programs. But before officials determined the scope of the program, the hire didn’t make sense. Now it does. “It’s time to enact the speed camera program,” said Mayor Marc Tartaro during a recent council discussion. “While there are many perspectives … the evidence continues to mount that speed cameras save lives. Public safety is a key consideration for the city.”
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Sat., Apr. 14 ONLY • 10:00 - 4:00 • 301-699-5552 3108 Queens Chapel Rd (Shops at Queens Chillum) • Hyattsville
Hyattsville Reporter Page HR1
Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
the
No. 238 • April 11, 2012
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
ANNOUNCEMENTS Carnival Planner - Thursday, April 12 through Sunday, April 15 Happy Birthday, Hyattsville! The City is 126 years young this April, and there’s a party in Magruder Park to celebrate. Thursday, April 12 PREVIEW NIGHT Rides open from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM Special ride-all-night passes and discount tickets available Friday, April 13 LUCKY THIRTEEN Rides are open from 5:00 to 10:00 PM Freaky Friday the 13th Dance Party teens 13 – 17 (Free, but please bring your school ID for admission! Photo booth pics just $1.) Saturday, April 14 HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HYATTSVILLE! Anniversary Parade at 11:00 AM The parade steps off from Hyattsville Middle School (6001 42nd Avenue) at 11:00 AM. Parade Route: The parade follows 42nd Avenue south to Jefferson Street, turns right on Jefferson and heads to Hamilton Street, where turns left and continues to the reviewing stage at Magruder Park (3911 Hamilton Street). Rides are open from 12:00 NOON to 10:00 PM Community news and information booths, 12:00 NOON Chesapeake & Potomac Vintage Base Ball will host their season opener at 1:00 PM Cousin John Band performs at 4:00 PM Mambo Combo takes the stage at 6:00 PM Fireworks ignite the night at 8:00 PM Sunday, April 15 FAMILY DAY Special ride-all-day passes available Rides are open from 12:00 noon to 5:00 PM Mandy the Clown will perform at 1:00 PM The local Fraternal Order of Police will play the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department in a charity softball game at 2:00 PM Free Admission! Charges apply for carnival rides, games, and food. Rides start at just $2. This schedule is also available online at http://www.hyattsville.org/ carnival
Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
Hyattsville citizen police academy In cooperation with the Prince George’s County Police, the Hyattsville City Police Department will host a twelve-week Citizens’ Police Academy this spring. There is no charge to attend, but an application is required. Participants must be 18 years of age or older by the first day of classes, and pass a basic background test. (Applicants should have no outstanding arrest warrants and have no felony convictions, including domestic violence, drugs, or the use of a weapon.) Classes meet Thursday evenings at the City Municipal Building, beginning Thursday, April 19, 2012. Participants will learn about many aspects of po-
The Department of Recreation and the Arts offers a fun-filled summer in Magruder Park for kids ages 4 through 12. The first session begins on Monday, June 18. Activities range from games and sports to arts, crafts, and eco-themed projects. Regular camp hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended day available. Extended mornings are available from 7:30 to 9:00 and extended afternoons are offered from 5:00 to 6:00 PM. Each two-week session includes one field trip and two swimming afternoons (weather permitting). All fees, including field trips, lunches and snacks are included in the camp rate. The extended mornings fee also includes breakfast. Tuition for each two-week session is $210/week, with an additional $20/ week for extended mornings and $20/ week for extended afternoons. Siblings discounts apply, and partial scholarships are available for City of Hyattsville residents. For more information visit http://www.hyattsville. org/camps
ROAD CLOSURES ON SATURDAY, APRIL 14 FOR PARADE The City’s 126th Anniversary Parade will take place on Saturday, April 14, 2012. The Parade will step off at 11:00 a.m. from Hyattsville Middle School (6001 42nd Avenue) and follow 42nd Avenue South to Jefferson Street, turn right on Jefferson and follow to Ham-
Looking for information on the City redistricting process? Visit the City’s website: http://www.hyattsville.org/ redistricting.
COMMUNITY YARD SALE DAY REGISTRATION OPEN Twice each year, the City offers residents a chance to participate in a Yard Sale Day, no permits required. This year’s dates are Saturday, April 21st and Saturday, October 6th. Registration is now open for April 21st! There is no requirement to register. However, residents who register will be included on the map showing all addresses. Visit http://www.hyattsville.org/yardsale or call 301/9855000 to register. No yard? No problem! For $5, reserve a table at Friendship Arms, 5805 42nd Avenue. Call Jackie Johnson at 301/277-6658 for information. Check the website after 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 18 to download a complete list of all participating addresses, or stop by the City Municipal Building at 4310 Gallatin Street to
Wednesday, April 11
Senior Services Open House 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Code Enforcement Advisory Committee Meeting 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Special Budget Work Session: Legislative, General Government, Fire, and Employee Health Insurance 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Friday, April 13
Anniversary Carnival at Magruder Park 5:00 to 10:00 PM
Saturday, April 14
For questions or to apply, please contact Officer James Denault at 301/985-5060 or jdenault@hyattsville.org. For more information on the City’s police department, please visit www.hyattsvillepolice.org. The application is available on the website, too.
REDISTRICTING CONTINUES; FIND INFORMATION ONLINE
April/May 2012
Anniversary Carnival at Magruder Park 4:00 to 9:00 PM
• Crime Scene Process • Firearms Training Simulations • K9 Unit Demonstrations • Traffic Law • Detectives and Investigation
ilton Street, where it will turn left and continue to the reviewing stage at Magruder Park (3911 Hamilton Street). Road closures will begin early Saturday morning before dawn, and remain in place until noon. http://www. hyattsville.org/parade for details, including a registration form.
CALENDAR
Thursday, April 12
lice work, including:
126th Anniversary Parade Steps off from Hyattsville Middle School at 11:00 AM Anniversary Carnival at Magruder Park
Sunday April 15
Anniversary Carnival at Magruder Park
IN OTHER NEWS... REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CITY SUMMER CAMPS
Page HR2
Monday, April 16 pick up a copy. Happy bargain hunting!
NUMBER CRUNCHING The City has been developing the FY13 budget. Residents are welcome to follow along by viewing budget documents online at http://www. hyattsville.org/budget or by attending Council Meetings. Council will meet every Monday and at least two Wednesdays in April to discuss. Not interested in being part of the live audience? Tune in to Channel 71 (Comcast) or 12 (Verizon).
MARY PRANGLEY CLEAN-UP DAY IS SATURDAY, MAY 5
THANK YOU TO OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE, MCDONALD TOWING DIVISION The Outback Steakhouse Summer Jam series returns on Friday, May 11. Thanks to Gregory Kithcart and the Outback Steakhouse at the Mall at Prince George’s Plaza for their signature sponsorship of this event. A special thank you also goes to McDonald Towing Division for underwriting Mandy the Clown’s appearances this summer. See the complete schedule online here: http://www.hyattsville.org/summerjam.
TWO SENIOR PROGRAMS ANNOUNCED BY COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBER WILL Any household served by the City of CAMPOS Hyattsville’s Department of Public Works is invited to take part in our Spring Mary Prangley Clean-up Day. Established by former Mayor Mary Prangley, Mary Prangley Clean-up Day is a chance to put out items for a special City-wide collection of bulk trash. Please note that several items are not collected. Yard Waste is picked up and recycled on Mondays. In addition, we cannot accept tires, appliances, construction debris, automobile parts, hazardous materials (paint thinner, pesticides, solvents, motor oil, etc.) General trash and large items are happily accepted. Just take all of your items to the curbline no later than 9 AM on Saturday, May 5. No need to call – our crews sweep the City.
The Office of Prince George’s County Council Member Will Campos (District 2) announces two programs of interest to senior residents and their families. On Monday, April 23 at 1:00 PM, the Office of the State’s Attorney Albert L. Reed Special Prosecutions Unit will discuss Elder Abuse and Fraud Investigations. C. Mercedes Rivera, Bilingual Speaking Victim Advocate, will also be on hand to discuss Coordinadora de Victimas On Friday, April 20 at 1:00 PM, Prince George’s County, Maryland Office of the Sheriff Jack Booz Community Affairs will discuss Senior Safety, along with Carolina Calabrese-Stallings, Senior Outreach Liaison.
Both events take place at Friendship Arms Apartments, 5805 42nd Avenue. Questions? Contact Grace A. Papagiannis, Office of Council Member Will Campos, at 301-952-4128, or Daniel Richardson, Resident Coordinator at Friendship Arms Apartments, 301779-6566.
NIXLE The City is now using Nixle to send public safety alerts and information via both email and text message. This system replaces the SafeCity website previously in use. Many of our neighboring jurisdictions also use Nixle to send out information. Please note that Nixle won’t report on every incident – typically alerts are sent when the HCPD needs to alert the public to a potentially dangerous situation, or when we are asking for your help solving a crime. In other cases, Nixle messages relate to road closures, power outages, etc. If you have a nixle.com account, there is no need to create a new one. Simply log in and add the City of Hyattsville to your wire. New to Nixle? Register at www.nixle.com or enroll using the widget online at http://www. hyattsville.org/stayinformed.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK Are you on Facebook? You can now keep up with City events and happenings at www.facebook.com/cityofhyattsville. When you see Vainglorious, the silver metal bird sculpture at Centennial Park, you’ll know you’re in the right place. He is kind enough to serve as the City’s wall photo.
Council Meeting, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM @ 4310 Gallatin Street
Wednesday, April 18
Hyattsville Environmental Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM @ 4310 Gallatin Street Special Budget Work Session: Public Works and Community/ Economic Development, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM @ 3rd Floor Council Chamber
Saturday, April 21
Spring Yard Sale Day, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM @ City-wide
Saturday, April 28
National Take Back Initiative for Prescription Drugs, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM @ 4310 Gallatin Street Turn in your unused or expired medication for safe disposal.
Monday, May 7
Council Meeting, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM @ 4310 Gallatin Street
Friday, May 11
Outback Steakhouse Summer Jam featuring The Magic Band, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM. City Municipal Building - outdoors on the parking lot and Gallatin Street in fair weather; indoors in the Multi-Purpose Room in the event of rain!
Monday, May 14
Council Work Session, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday, May 16
Hyattsville Environmental Committee Meeting, 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM @ 4310 Gallatin Street
Sunday, May 20
33rd Annual Historic Hyattsville House Tour, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM @ City Municipal Building
Monday, May 21
Council Meeting, 8:00 PM - 10:00 PM @ 4310 Gallatin Street
Unless otherwise noted, all events take place at the City Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street.
Page 8
Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
Q: What can a penny buy these days?
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
A: Your ad, in full color, delivered by U.S. Mail to a Hyattsville-area household (and with change to spare!)
Contact 301-531-5234 or advertising@hyattsvillelife.com
April 9 to June 2
The exhibit Forest of the Mind features the work of D.C.-based artist Laura G. Thorne and Baltimore-based artist Marcia Wolfson-Ray. Their styles vary, but both incorporate bits of the natural world into their pieces. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, with an opening reception on April 21 from 5 to 8 p.m. Free. Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood. 301.277.2863.
April 12
It’s opening day for the free Anacostia River Boat Tours, held Tuesdays through Fridays from noon to 12:45 through the summer. All ages are welcome to join a park naturalist on a pontoon boat to search for birds and other wildlife. Free; registration required for groups of 12 or more. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg. 301.779.0371.
April 12 to 15
Last year, it rained on the city’s parade. But plans for Hyattsville’s 126th Anniversary are bigger than ever, with a four-day carnival,
a Friday night teen dance party, and a Sunday softball game between city police and firefighters. On Saturday, the annual parade steps off from Hyattsville Middle School at 11 a.m., followed by a full day of 19th-century “base ball,” concerts and evening fireworks. Carnival hours are Thursday, 4 to 9 p.m.; Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is free; rides start at $2. All events are at Magruder Park except where noted. For details, visit www.hyattsville.org or call 301.985.5020 or
April 14
The D.C. Playwrights Beltway Drama Series continues with Kitty Felde’s award-winning drama A Patch of Earth. It’s drawn from Felde’s experiences as a radio reporter covering the war-crimes tribunal in the former Yugoslavia. Audience members can participate in a post-show discussion. Free, $10 suggested donation. 5 p.m. Zinn Room, Busboys & Poets, 5331 Baltimore Avenue. 202.294.9128.
April 19
Khalil Cruz-Hubbard is a 2-yearold triplet whose grandparents are longtime Hyattsville residents
Grigsby and Margaret MorganHubbard. He has a rare form of cancer that has required, so far, six rounds of chemotherapy and two bone-marrow transplants. Join his family and friends at a Children’s Organ Transplant Association Fundraiser, an evening of local performances with all proceeds going to the COTA Khalil fund. 6 to 8 p.m. Busboys & Poets, 5331 Baltimore Avenue. For more information, call 202.744.5119 or visit www.cotaforkhalilc.com.
April 20 and 21
Nimbaya! Women Master Drummers of Guinea stops here on its first U.S. tour in four years. This all-female drum and dance company performs songs and dances that, for centuries in Africa, only men were permitted to perform – using instruments that were also forbidden. Friday at 10:15 a.m. and noon and Saturday at 8 p.m. Prices vary; call for details. And on Saturday, from noon to 1:30 p.m., troupe members will be leading a dance workshop for ages 13 and up. $15; preregister to guarantee a spot. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly. 301.277.1710.
City of HyattsvillE
126th Anniversary
Parade &
presents
Carnival Summer Parade takes place on Saturday, April 14, stepping off from Hyattsville Middle School, 6001 42nd Avenue, at 11 AM
Magruder Park Carnival 40th Avenue & Hamilton Street
Thursday, April 12, 2012: 4 PM to 9 PM Friday, April 13, 2012: 5 PM to 10 PM Saturday, April 14, 2012: 12 NOON to 10 PM Sunday, April 15, 2012:12 NOON to 5 PM
Special ride-all-day rate on Thursday and Sunday. Fireworks at 8 PM on Saturday night! Regular rides start at $2 Live music & free family fun all weekend.
www.hyattsville.org/parade • 301/985-5020
Jam 2012 The second Friday of every month, May through September, 6:30 to 8:30 PM City Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street Rain or Shine!
Admission is free; delicious food for sale
May 11 – The Magic Band June 8 – Blues Condition July 13 – The Atomic Swing Club August 10 – N2N September 14 – Just Us
Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
April 21
Spring cleaners, mark your calendars for the Community Yard Sale. Registration isn’t required but will get you included on a map of participating addresses. Bargain hunting instead of selling? Check the city website for the map, available on April 18. Free. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Throughout Hyattsville. 301.985.5000. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for in Hyattsville, you can head to College Park for a Spring Rummage Sale at University United Methodist Church. Shoppers can browse an assortment of gently used kitchenware, jewelry, toys, DVDs and CDs, small appliances, clothing, games, books, and more. Free. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 3621 Campus Drive, College Park. 301.422.1400 or www.uumcp.org.
April 23
This month’s installment of the library’s Independent Film Series is Amreeka, which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Festival. It traces the emigration of a divorced mother and her teenage son from the West Bank to Illinois against the backdrop of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. After the movie, local filmmaker Andrew Millington will lead a brief discussion on it. Free. 7 p.m. Hyattsville Branch Library, 6530 Adelphi Road. 301.985.4690.
April 28
With 400 events to choose from, the tough part will be narrowing down what to do at Maryland Day, the University of Maryland’s annual open house featuring performances, concerts, demonstrations, sports and more. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Throughout the campus in College Park. For schedule and details, visit
Page 9
www.marylandday.umd.edu, where you can download a program or request a printed one.
“Life is SHORT — have a cupCAKE”
May 4
Today is the deadline for artists to submit original, two-dimensional designs to the Route 1 Ride Collaborative. The winning artwork will be showcased as a bus wrap on a new line that runs the length of inner-Beltway Route 1, from North College Park to the Mount Rainier traffic circle. Download an application packet at www.route1ride.org or contact 301.683.8267.
May 5 and 6
Sure, you’ve toured house museums – but have you ever spent the night in one? Here’s your chance. The 1812 Woman Weekend Experience is an overnight stay at the Riversdale House Museum, an immersion in living history that includes preparing dinner over the open hearth, learning about 19thcentury beauty and bookkeeping tips. From 9 a.m. Saturday to noon Sunday. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park. The $75 fee is required by April 30, and space is limited. To register, call 301.864.0420 or email riversdale@pgparks.com.
May 6
For more historic-house fun, visit the first ever Spring Festival at Bostwick, which is one of only four pre-Revolutionary War structures still standing in Bladensburg. The lineup includes a May Basket competition, live music, a plant sale, 19th-century craft demonstrations and children’s activities. 1 to 4 p.m. Free. Bostwick House, 3901 48th Street, Bladensburg.
Stop by Shortcake Bakery today and enjoy our one of a kind cupcakes that will leave you craving for more. Pastries, breads and savory items baked fresh daily. Call us for more information about catering your next special occasion.
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Weekly & Monthly Laundry Service Plans Available
calendar continued on page 10
Fleisher’s Jewelers
Celebrating 62 Years in Hyattsville Don’t forget Mom this year. Mother’s Day gifts from $9.95.
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Tax time again?
Page 10
Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
COMMUNITY CALENDAR calendar
continued from page 9
301.887.0777 or www.battleofbladensburg1812.org. Calling all art enthusiasts! The 5th Annual Riverdale Park Arts Fest will showcase the talent of more than three dozen local and regional artists and vendors. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. At the Riverdale Park Town Center, Queensbury Road and Rhode Island Avenue. 301.864.5561 or RPArtsCouncil@gmail.com. Community Calendar is compiled by Scarlett Salem and Susie Currie. It’s a select listing of events happening in and around Hyattsville. To submit an item for consideration, please email susie@hyattsvillelife.com or mail to P.O. Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781. Deadline for May submissions is April 26.
Some staffers question recent salary increase for treasurer by HL&T staff
A 15 percent raise for Hyattsville City Treasurer Elaine Stookey isn’t sitting very well with some city workers who are facing a possible reduction in health benefits. The city council votes on staff salaries and any adjustments to them in open session. But negotiations fall under the umbrella of “personnel issues” and are handled in closed session. In the last year, closed sessions during council meetings have become routine. Stookey was hired in August 2010 with an annual salary of $93,500. The one-year contract was renewed, with a 3 percent raise, in September 2011. Mayor Marc Tartaro sponsored a March 26 motion to increase her salary to $111,524. It passed – but not before some scathing public comments. Hyattsville Fraternal Order of Police President Patrick O’Hagan and Vice President Zach Nemser said that they objected to the raise, in large part, because it comes
on the heels of a proposal to change the payment structure for employee health care. Tartaro countered later in the meeting that the benefits change would not adversely affect the majority of staff. But O’Hagan said in an interview that the proposal would lock in health care at today’s prices, with employees expected to cover any increases in the future. “You tell us we are strapped financially, so you are cutting benefits to employees,” Nemser told the council before the vote. “And on the other hand a city employee … asks for a 15 percent raise.” The motion justified the increase because it is more in line with what city treasurers are paid in nearby municipalities of comparable size such as Bowie, Greenbelt and Laurel. But O’Hagan said the city council has rejected just that sort of comparison when considering other salary and benefit issues. “We’re outraged by this,” said O’Hagan. He called the motion “highly insulting to every city
employee. And it displayed poor leadership.” O’Hagan also questioned the timing of the raise, which came at the midpoint of her contract. Other employees have gotten mid-contract bumps – including, during the same meeting, acting Public Works Director Julia McTague – but that’s because they have taken over the duties of department heads who resigned. Stookey’s 18-month tenure makes her one of the city’s longest-serving department heads. Over the last year, Hyattsville has been wracked by several high-level resignations, including its city administrator, assistant city administrator and the directors of both public works and recreation. The city clerk departs at the end of this month (see cover story). The salary flap comes as the city council was poised to begin work on the 2013 budget request, a time when input from the city treasurer is crucial. Stookey did not respond to the Hyattsville Life & Times’ request for a comment.
Loving Care Pediatrics Janet V. Johnson, MD
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School Physicals • Immunizations • Sport Physicals • Minor Emergency Care • Ear Piercing • Urgent/Sick Child Visit • CPR/First Aid Class
M-F 9 - 6 p.m. • Evening & Saturday hours by appointment Same day appointment available *Most Insurance Accepted*
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CELEBRATE SPRING wITh ouR ANNuAL CoAT SALE!!
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Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
Barber
continued from page 1
day flea market that used to take place next to Magruder Park. He was following a family tradition; his uncle and grandfather both worked for the city. Barber worked in the recreation department until 1993, when he moved to the administrative offices. He took the clerk’s position in 2002. People who work with him say they have relied on his long experience in the city. Acting Public Works Director Julia McTague, who was his assistant in the clerk’s office, says, “He knows Hyattsville like the back of his hand.” It’s more than knowledge, though. “He loves Hyattsville,” says Paula Perry, councilmember for Ward 4. Essentially, Barber works to ensure the city runs smoothly. Communications Manager Abby Sandel says, “He doesn’t get the credit he deserves for keeping things moving.” His dedication won Barber the Maryland Municipal Clerks Association award for Best Clerk of the Year in 2008. A typical week for him begins with all the tasks necessary to get ready for the Monday night city council meetings. He sets up for the meeting and makes sure all councilmembers have their infor-
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mation packets. During the meetings, which sometimes go until 11 p.m. or later, he takes notes and oversees any roll-call votes. During the rest of the week, Barber is in charge of following up on what happens at meetings. Tuesdays he records staff meetings and goes over the upcoming meeting’s agenda. Wednesdays he starts the minutes from the preceding meeting. Thursdays and Fridays, Barber prepares councilmembers’ packets and finalizes the minutes. These tasks take place around the other things Barber handles, like opening and recording bids from vendors wanting to do business with the city and acting as liaison between the staff and city committees. He handles resident calls and Freedom of Information Act requests. Mayor Marc Tartaro said, “Doug has been an essential part of the City fabric for quite some time. My true understanding of his job only became clear when I assumed the office of mayor. He not only schooled me in what the office of Mayor entailed, he supported me in carrying out my duties.” Former mayor Bill Gardiner talks about Barber’s commitment. “I remember leaving the city building late after council meetings and closed sessions, and Doug would be in his office preparing meeting minutes or agendas.” Barber is responsible for all the
arrangements for the Maryland Municipal League meetings, which Sandel says is the only formal training most city officials get. An important part of Barber’s job is accounting for what happens at council meetings. He’s responsible for procedures and policies and making sure members follow the legal requirements. For example, he steps in if they go to pass a motion and it hasn’t been read yet. Former Ward 1 councilmember
Doug Dudrow says, “We liked that if there was a debate on the council, he stayed out of it. He didn’t take sides, wouldn’t make comments. He is very professional. Why he hasn’t turned and said to us to grow up, I don’t know. He just won’t do that.” Perry summarizes the prevailing attitude when she says, “I wish Doug the best of luck but am still upset he’s going. You can’t ask for a better person than Doug. I have so much respect for him.”
OLD DOMINION B
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china buffet
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Entire Dinner Check (Min. $15)
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DSC00841.jpg
paula minaert Doug Barber has worked for the city, in one capacity or another, since 1988.
University Town Center, across from Royal 14 Theaters 6504 America Blvd. #105 Hyattsville, MD 301-887-1991
Helping Sell Hyattsville
And our Neighboring Community
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DSC00675.JPG DSC00744.jpg Jefferson St, Hyattsville - UNDER CONTRACT
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If you would like to discuss the market and/or how to prepare your home for sale please call me!
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eN IN P o w o N IStrIct D S t r A I l l e! v S t t A Hy Paint your very own masterpiece (to take home with you) with step-by-step direction of a local artist! Sessions are 2 hours long, and cost $50! All supplies are included! Ideal for date night, girls night out, or private parties! Family sessions available. See website for class calendar and to book a session!
Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
NatureNearby A FUSIoN oF Art, wINe, MUSIc
Breaking news – A tree fell in the forest
wetyourpalettes.com
by Fred Seitz
AND FUN. 5608 Baltimore Ave. Hyattsville, MD 20781 301-779-0879 x201
Train Printing
4547 Rhode Island Ave | Brentwood, MD 20722
♦ Offset Printing ♦ Full Color Digital Printing ♦ Wide Format Printing ♦ Copy & Fax Services ♦ Wedding & Social Invitations ~ Rush Service Available ~
Open: Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
301-864-5552 fax: 301-864-0740 • email: info@trainprinting.com
www.trainprinting.com
CLASSIC CARDIOLOGY We fix broken hearts! SERVICES WE OFFER: CARDIOVASCULAR EVALUATIONS INTERNAL MEDICINE EVALUATIONS HYPERTENSION DIABETES MELLITUS PRE-OP CONSULTATIONS NUCLEAR STRESS TESTING ECHOCARDIOGRAMS VENOUS SONOGRAMS CAROTID DOPPLERS ARTERIAL DOPPLERS BLOOD SCREENINGS
PACEMAKER ANALYSIS HOLTER MONITORING CHOLESTEROL SCREENING BLOOD PRESSURE MONITORING ELECTROCARDIOGRAMS CARDIAC CATHERIZATIONS HEMO DYNAMIC MONITORING PULSE OXIMETRY YEARLY PHYSICAL EXAMS PATIENT HEALTH EDUCATION CLASSES SPIROMETRY
When weekend winds brought down a dead pine on top of Washington Gas’ new electronic gas line box last month, it definitely made a sound, much louder than that of one hand clapping. The fallen pine, near the Crittenden Street trailhead to Magruder Park, awakened some neighbors and posed a minor obstacle to people traversing the park en route to Metro or other destinations. A casual glance at the fallen tree revealed evidence of the perpetrators: nearperfect round holes along the trunk are signs of the ribbed pine borer’s modus operandi. Less than a half-inch long, this tiny villain often attacks and helps kill aging pines that may have been previously weakened by fungi or other fiends lurking in the dark forest. The mother pine borer lays her eggs on the bark of the potential victim and when her evil offspring hatch, the larvae burrow into the tree and create a small nest (resembling a miniature bird nest) from the wood that they eat. Other parts of the downed pine showed small chambers containing some minute dark material — most likely frass, which is the polite term for beetle poop. The pine borers will pupate into adult form and then exit the tree, seek out a partner to perpetuate their species, and create a lineage of like-minded offenders. All is not lost to this culture of predators, however. The pines are often policed by nuthatches and chickadees, who devour the small felons in various phases of their nefarious lifestyles.
At the risk of boring readers, this insect is only one of several local boring beetles. Far more infamous and destructive is the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle from Asia that has destroyed millions of dollars’ worth of ash trees. It was introduced into the Detroit area in 2002 in wood packing from Asia, and has rapidly spread through the northeastern states as well as Ontario. The USDA estimates that if unchecked, the beetles could kill up to $60 billion worth of ash trees nationwide. It has already killed approximately $300 million worth of ash trees in Baltimore. This bright green beetle, which has been spotted in Prince George’s County, has prompted the placement of bright purple traps in ash trees in the county (and elsewhere in the state) to help the Maryland Department of Agriculture monitor the insect’s spread. The emerald ash borer has also led to restricted transport of firewood across state lines and, sometimes, in even more localized regions. Another borer is the bark beetle, who carves elaborate passages in stumps and trees. This agriculturally minded beetle may actually cultivate fungus in some of their hosts’ chambers, to provide food for larvae. Some artistically minded humans have harvested the highly channeled stumps, applied shellac and used the stump as a decorative item in their homes and/or marketed them at art fairs. So when we encounter a downed tree or stump, the question can become not only “Did it make a sound?” but also, “Whodunit?”
RAYMON K. NELSON, M.D. ABIM BOARD CERTIFIED CARDIOLOGY & INTERNAL MEDICINE 6525 BELCREST ROAD, SUITE 220 HYATTSVILLE, MD 20782 (across from PG PLAZA)
OFFICE : 301-779-7525 FAX: 301-779-4997 MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED
www.classiccardiology.com PROVERBS 4:23– ABOVE ALL ELSE, GUARD YOUR HEART, FOR IT IS THE WELLSPRING OF LIFE.
PIANO LESSONS Children, Teenagers, Adults • Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Jeanne Olexy, BM, MM
3916 Madison Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781 E-mail: pianoteacher@verizon.net Phone: 301-277-9529
Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
SHALOM
continued from page 1
However, the state does not license two child-care programs in the same building. “We were shocked and quite surprised,” said Janice Miles, board secretary for Shalom. But by January, the program was facing other difficulties. Enrollment, said Miles, had fallen to 18 students, well below the 25 needed to keep Shalom viable. “The board was already struggling with what to do to keep ourselves afloat,” she said. “We had spent the last several months discussing what we might do about it and what options we had to squeak through ’til June. Then this happened. “ The Shalom program, which had a pick-up service for children from Hyattsville, Rosa Parks and Riverdale elementary schools – plus four children from University Park Elementary who arrived by a separate bus – was known for providing arts education to children who got minimal instruction at school. It started as a pilot program, offering three classes for ages 9 to 15 that met a few days a week. Over the years, it expanded to the point of offering up to five classes per day for students as young as kindergarten. Classes included African drumming, youth gospel choir, private
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music instruction (voice, piano, drums, steel pan, saxophone, clarinet, flute), ballet, tap, jazz, folk arts, painting, drawing, English instruction and various sports. It was one of the more expensive local after-school options, costing $75 a week plus $5 for the van service. The Rev. Joan Carter-Rimbach, pastor of First United Methodist, said there were 50 to 60 kids when Shalom began. “When the public schools diminished the arts in the classroom, parents were looking for something else,” she said. “It was a great win-win for everyone. There was a need for it in the community, but we can’t provide that service anymore.” Staff and board members met with officials from the Prince George’s County Office of Child Care in Landover, where they learned that regulations had changed since the school’s founding. The county gave the school a month to allow parents to find alternate child-care arrangements. Some switched to the Methodist daycare’s after-school program. Others signed up for a similar arts program at Joe’s Movement Emporium a few miles away in Mount Rainier. Shalom’s last day was February 24. All five part-time staff were laid off. The school’s director, Susan Halperin, refused comment when reached April 4 at her
home in northern Virginia. “When it opened, the original founders told us, they checked with the state as to whether they needed a license and the answer was no,” Miles said. The news of Shalom’s demise was bittersweet, she said. Arts education is still desperately needed but with the bad economy and low enrollment, “it probably would have been the last year.”
Taunya L. Jenkins, DDS, LLC
General Dentist 6525 Belcrest Rd Suite 201 Hyattsville, MD 20785 • RCT • Veneers • Crowns • Dentures • Bleaching • White Fillings Emergencies Welcome Most Insurances Accepted
community performing arts center
ALL YOGA CLASSES $5 www.joesmovement.org 301-699-1819
Tel 301-779-0522 Fax 301-927-1815 M-Thu 9-5 Sat by Appt.
Summer Arts Camps Joe’s Movement Emporium offers Summer Arts Camps for youth ages 3-13. • Fine Arts Intensive • Culture Camp Series (Espanol & Africa) • Dance Camp • Creative Movement Visit us at www.joesmovement.org to register or for more information.
Located at 3309 Bunker Hill Road, right off of 34th Street in historic Mount Rainier, MD
Kids ages 4 through 12, spend your summer at Magruder Park!
CAMP CAMP JAMBOREE JAMBOREE SUMMER SUMMER 2012 2012 The City of Hyattsville’s Summer Camp program is a great way for kids ages 4 to 12 to enjoy their vacation! Our staff strives to foster confidence and creativity in each child.
Camp Jamboree offers a mix of traditional camp activities like arts & crafts and sports, as well as weekly swimming trips and several special celebrations. Lunch, snack, and all field trips and activities are included in the camp tuition. Before and After Care are available for an additional fee. http://www.hyattsville.org/camps Questions? Contact Jacquay Plummer, jplummer@hyattsville.org or 301/985-5027.
SESSION DATES Session I: June 18 through June 29 Session II: July 2 through July 13 Session III: July 16 through July 27 Session IV: July 30 through Aug 10 Session V: Aug 13 through Aug 17 PROGRAM HOURS Before Care: 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM Regular Day: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM After Care: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
FEES Sessions I, II, III, and IV Camp: $210 Before-care: $20 After-care: $20 Session V (one week only) Camp: $105 Before-care: $10 After-care: $10
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Hyattsville Life & Times | April 2012
YOUR HOME WILL STAND OUT ®
Call Larry Perrin, Realtor to sell your home! 301-983-0601 LARRY’S LISTINGS: FOR SALE: 4000 Parkwood Street $199,995 - SALE PENDING 2414 Lewisdale Drive $179,995 4111 29th Street $299,995 9117 49th Place $199,995 - SALE PENDING 3105 Webster Street $299,000 3817 Newark Street $139,995 5302 39th Avenue $199,995 - SALE PENDING 14311 LongGreen Dr $264,900 - SALE PENDING 9701 Leather Fern $205,000 2507 Chapman Rd $139,995 - SALE PENDING 3720 Jackson $265,000 9515 Dunbrook Ct $199,000 4112 40th Street $209,000 Hunting Ridge Condominium
2 Bedroom, 2 Bath $125,000
Call
LARRY PERRIN
LARRY PERRIN PROPERTIES ®
Realtor ®
“THE” Hyattsville Realtor since 1977
301.983.0601 • 301.220.2229 Selling Your Home? Free Home Value Estimate! If your home is currently listed by another Realtor ®®, please disregard this offer. It is not my intention to solicit the offerings of other brokers.