U N I T S E B THIRD
Two bodies found in West Hyattsville residence by Caroline Selle
On the evening of June 24, Hyattsville police (HCPD) and the city’s volunteer fire department (HVFD) responded to a call at a home on the 3500 block of Madison Street in West Hyattsville. Inside the house, officials found two bodies. As of publication, no cause of death has been released. Police say no foul play is suspected. “A family member was concerned, hadn’t heard from his mom or dad in about a week. He came over to check on their welfare and couldn’t get in,” said HCPD Lt. Chris Purvis. After trying the front and back doors, the son called for assistance. Police and firefighters responded, and once on scene, the fire department was able to gain entry to the residence. Inside, Purvis said, “We found what we believed to be his mom and dad in the house, deceased.” He said the bodies will be assessed by the medical examiner to determine cause of death. “It’s a hazmat situation at this point because there were maggots in the house and it looked like the bodies were decomposing,”
W E N L A C O S A FO R L
Vol. 12 No. 7
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Life&Times
Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper
July 2015
Light rail project may expand local transportation palette by Rebecca Bennett
None of the planned 21 stops on the Purple Line that will connect Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties land in the City of Hyattsville, but local leaders say that if the line is built, its impact will certainly be felt within city limits. Proposed station locations include Riverdale Park — at Kenilworth Avenue and East West Highway — across from the
new Riverdale Park Station at M Square Research Park and near the intersection of Adelphi Road and University Boulevard. “The line comes close enough to where it will make a big difference for some west or eastbound commuting Hyattsville residents, especially those residing in University Hills near the planned Adelphi Road-West Campus Station,” said Hyattsville Community Development Corporation Director Stuart Eisenberg.
“The line comes close enough to where it will make a big difference for some west or eastbound commuting Hyattsville residents.” — Stuart Eisenberg Hyattsville Community Development Corporation Director
He cited reduced road congestion and quicker transit access to points west on the line as benefits for Hyattsville residents. Since his election last year, media reports speculated Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan could cancel the Purple Line project altogether. On June 25, Hogan announced the light rail project could move forward but that the state would be contributing only RAIL continued on page 13
Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781
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BODIES continued on page 12
GET LOOSE
DeMatha football team using yoga to prepare for challenging schedule By Chris McManes
AMBER SPEIGHTS
Elijah Brooks is always searching for anything that will give his football team an edge; The DeMatha Catholic High School coach thinks his latest idea will help his program navigate perhaps its toughest schedule ever. Brooks’ players and coaches are taking yoga classes this summer at Bikram Hot Yoga in Riverdale Park. “It’s easily the most difficult workout regimen I’ve ever participated in,” said Brooks, who played football and basket-
ball at DeMatha and was a running back at Kent State and William and Mary. “As football players, we’re not accustomed to that type of training — it’s tough.” The 90-minute yoga classes consist of 26 postures and two breathing exercises performed in a precise sequence. They are held in a 105 degree studio with 40 percent humidity. Players and coaches have a free pass to go a second time each week on YOGA continued on page 12
Included: The July 15, 2015 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter — See Center Section
Page 2
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
FromTheEditor Gazette closure strips community of information by Rebecca Bennett
As we went to press, the National Newspaper Association announced the winners of its 2014 Better Newspaper Contest. We are pleased to report that the Hyattsville Life & Times placed third for Best Local News Coverage, among all publications with a circulation greater than 6,000. Evaluating the March and September issues, judges called our product “excellent,” describing it as “thorough
A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781 http://HyattsvilleLife.com http://facebook.com/HyattsvilleLife http://twitter.com/HvilleTimes Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Hyattsville Community Newspaper, Inc., a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses below. Managing Editor Caroline Selle caroline@hyattsvillelife.com 410.991.9209 Editor and Web Manager Rebecca Bennett rebecca@hyattsvillelife.com Editor Mark Goodson Production Ashley Perks Digital Archives Manager Susie Currie Copy Editor Sean Bennett Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com 301.531.5234 Writers & Contributors Diane Contreras, Julia Gaspar-Bates, Lauren Kelly, Andrew Marder, Chris McManes, Gray O’Dwyer, Kit Slack,Scarlett Salem, Fred Seitz Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti - President and General Counsel Chris Currie - Vice President Caroline Selle - Secretary Peggy Dee, Karen J. Riley, Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter Ross Rebecca Bennett - 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.
coverage of a niche community with special attention to details.” So you could say that we believe strongly in the importance of community journalism. Here in the City of Hyattsville, we are fortunate to have multiple publications that inform residents. But last month, we lost one of the best. The June 12 announcement that the weekly Gazettes in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties were to close was a sad day for the community. If you have one laying around, hold onto it tightly, because both operations ceased publication on June 18. In many areas of Prince George’s County, the Gazette was the only local newspaper. Regional media does not usually devote resources to reporting on what most affects our daily lives. This year, the Gazette has reported on many stories from our neighborhood, such as Hyattsville’s city election and the election of Hyattsville’s first African American mayor. It reported on
the police department’s pending move to the BB&T building and local schools participating in Science Bowl finals. The Hyattsville beat reporter, Jamie Anfenson-Comeau, is one of nearly 70 staff members who will be let go in this process. Anfenson-Comeau, a City of Hyattsville resident and father, was notably seen at every Hyattsville City Council meeting scribbling notes about the proceedings. His next job will be for the Maryland Independent in Charles County. In this hyperconnected world, it is very difficult to keep up with the news media, let alone keep up with newsgathering. There are dozens of places to look for information and dozens more questions to ask. Just being informed in the City of Hyattsville requires reporters and editors at the Hyattsville Life & Times to chase down threads of business development, criminal cases and legislation on the city, county, state and federal levels. For the av-
NEWS BRIEFS
erage citizen, remaining informed about our city would require attending or watching meetings or events four to six days on some weeks. What is the average citizen supposed to do if the effort to keep informed about the neighborhood takes this kind of commitment without local news media helping out? I could insert here a rant about how media is changing or how “Post Community Media should have…” But, it’s complicated. We all know the media landscape is changing. We know media companies have to make difficult decisions, and we all know that they are motivated by money in one form or another. With the advent of the web and free content, it becoming more and more difficult for papers to generate the ad revenue needed to pay staff. Now that the Gazette is shutting its doors, the question is less “why” and more “what.” What are we as citizens going to do about it? More than 10 years ago, a group of
Hyattsville residents came together to launch a local newspaper: The Hyattsville Life & Times. The non-profit Hyattsville Community Newspaper, Inc., which oversees the Hyattsville Life & Times, met for its quarterly board meeting on June 18. The board, including our editors, discussed some difficult questions. The end of the Gazette means an end, or at least a temporary dearth, in local news coverage in the greater Hyattsville area. Right now, the Hyattsville Life & Times focuses on stories within the city limits. What does this mean for Hyattsville? What does this mean for the Hyattsville Life & Times? What does this mean for other municipalities near us? How do we take this bad news and make the most of it for the citizens of Hyattsville given our current scope and resources? The Gazette closure is not only difficult for journalists, but for the communities those publications served.
READ MORE AT WWW.HYATTSVILLELIFE.COM
HL&T WINS NATIONAL AWARD The Hyattsville Life & Times is proud to announce a third place win in the National Newspaper Association’s Better Newspaper Contest. The paper placed in the local news category for papers with a circulation over 6,000, beating out daily and non-daily competitors. The Suffolk Times, a New York paper, placed first, and The Union, a California paper, placed second. DEMATHA GAME TO BE TELEVISED ON ESPN On Saturday, Aug. 29 at noon, DeMatha Catholic High School will play Miami Central High School in what is projected to be a showdown between two of the top 20 football teams in the country. The game will be played at Prince George’s County Sports & Learning Complex, DeMatha’s home field. It will also be televised live on ESPN. PATRICIA WELCH INDICTED FOR PERJURY On Tuesday, July 7, Hyattsville resident Patricia Welch was indicted on perjury charges in Bedford County, Va. She is accused of lying to a grand jury involved in the Lyon sisters case. Her husband, Richard Welch, is a person of interest in the girls’ 1975 disappearance. HES ART MURALS According to Hyattsville Elementary School
T. CARTER ROSS One of the murals on display at Hyattsville Elementary School.
(HES) Art Teacher Sarah Yazvac, the school partnered with Art Works to commission local muralist Peter Krsko for three pieces that are showcased on the Jefferson Street school walls. The project was funded by the Anacostia Watershed Society and the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, she said. According to Yazvac, Krsko collaborated with HES fifth grade students on the project beginning last fall. Students sketched ideas with the theme Maryland natural habitat. Krsko and team took those ideas and created the murals, she said.
POLICE HOST NATIONAL VERBAL DEFENSE TRAINING From July 6 to 9, the Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) partnered with Vistelar to host a four day instructor course on verbal defense and influence. According to HCPD, course topics included keeping conflict from escalating into confrontations, defusing confrontations and de-escalating violence. HCPD said a total of 24 representatives from 16 agencies regionally and nationwide participated in the training.
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
Page 3
County seeks feedback on trails plan by Caroline Selle
Hyattsville residents use area trails for multiple purposes, from recreation to commuting to exercise. Currently, paths run through Magruder Park and along the Anacostia River. But there are clear gaps in the network: bicycle commuters in particular have cited a lack of connections between metros, major roads, and their destinations. The Prince George’s Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) intends to create hundreds more miles of trails by 2040 as part of the Formula 2040 Functional Master Plan for Parks, Recreation & Open Space. The plan more than triples the current 120 miles of trails in the county. For Hyattsville residents, that means planned trails connecting Queen’s Chapel Road to Magruder Park, another running along the length of Belcrest Road between Queen’s Chapel Road and Adelphi Road, and one along Route 1 / Rhode Island Avenue from Hyattsville through Riverdale and up into University Park.
“The plan is an important starting point to making Prince George’s County — and particularly the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area — a major walking and bicycling hub for the Washington Metro region. The connections that are being examined and discussed are going to be vital to making a strong network of trails for visitors and residents alike,” said Aaron Marcavitch, executive director of Maryland Milestones, the regional heritage organization behind the Anacostia trail system. As part of the Formula 2040 Functional Master Plan, DPR hosted several open houses and listening sessions, including one on June 10 in Riverdale. Meetings with stakeholders and government officials will continue throughout the summer and into early fall, said Eileen Nivera, the planner-coordinator at DPR. Though some trails are already planned, DPR is seeking public feedback. An interactive map is available online where visitors can note how they currently use trails, what they like and dislike about planned trails, and where
mark goodson Trail construction in progress along the Anacostia River, south of the Bladensburg Waterfront Park.
they would like to see trails constructed in the future. “We used the county’s master plan of transportation which has a trails and bicycle facilities component,” said Nivera. She said DPR will be looking at how proposed bike lanes and trails connect to each other and how
new trails can connect in the best places with existing routes and roads. “Right now we’re still in the information gathering, listening phase of the project,” she said. On the interactive map, users asked for a trail from Adelphi Road in University Park, along
Queen’s Chapel Road, Jamestown Road (through the West Hyattsville neighborhood), and down to Hamilton Street. The path would connect the West Hyattsville and Prince George’s Plaza metros. “This corridor is one I use regularly for commuting [and it] desperately needs better infrastructure on Queens (sic) Chapel, south of East-West Highway,” wrote wikimap user kwaka. “Almost everyone walking to the metro from the South side of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia uses this route,” wrote wikimap user drybock. “There is no sidewalk and often the side of the road captures water and people are forced to walk in the street.” Another user asked for a trail along Queensbury Road — a “trail connecting [the] metro to [the] major artery of [the] existing bike/walk trail system along [the] Anacostia.” Many voiced support for a planned trail connecting Hyattsville and College Park through the Arts District. According to the DPR website, “A recent community survey trails continued on page 8
Page 4
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
HMS to welcome a new principal by Caroline Selle
This fall, Hyattsville Middle School (HMS) will welcome a new principal. Once hired, he or she will join a slew of other relatively new school administrators in the city: In 2014, University Hills Elementary, Northwestern High School, and Edward M. Felegy Elementary (which opened its doors that year) all received new leadership. Former HMS principal Kimberly Washington announced her resignation at the end of the school year in a letter to students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Washington was hired in 2011. “It is with mixed emotions that I am writing to let you know that I have submitted my resignation as Hyattsville Middle School principal effective June 30, 2015,” she wrote. “...In the coming weeks, I will transition as a mentor and coach to aspiring and sitting principals. I look forward to expanding my reach in the Mid-Atlantic region with the aspirations of positively impacting multiple schools in multiple school districts.” Prince George’s County’s principal selection process is rigorous. At a June 23 community meeting attended by teachers, parents, and community members, Chris Mills, an instructional director for High School and Middle Schools in the county, explained the procedure. “In the past, principals in our district were hired through an actual community
interview,” he said. According the the Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) website, the interview was conducted by “...a small panel of select community members [who] were allotted an opportunity to provide input into the selection of school principal where vacancies existed.” The new procedure, which PGCPS is following for HMS, “... was developed to broaden the input and provide a forum for all vested stakeholders ….”
“The principals who are the most effective are the principals who can communicate with the staff, the community and the parents.”
A pre-screening helps PGCPS develop a list of eligible candidates in the rigorous process. Those candidates “... participate in various principal leadership exercises to further assist the committee in determining each candidate’s skills and abilities,” according to the PGCPS website. Next, a committee of PGCPS employees develops a candidate pool based on credentials, experience, and leadership activity scores.
Associate Superintendents identify school needs and review candidate applications to determine who might fit best with each school. Only then are a select few candidates interviewed for the open position. After the interviews, the PGCPS CEO, Dr. Kevin Maxwell, makes the final selection and sends his decision to the Board of Education for final approval. “It’s a very systematic, objective process,” Mills said. At the June 23 meeting, community members highlighted several criteria they considered priorities in the hiring process. Pointing to the school’s large English as a Second Language (ESOL) population, several parents and teachers noted that bilingual language abilities and an understanding of diverse cultural backgrounds were priorities. “The principals who are the most effective are the principals who can communicate with the staff, the community and the parents,” said one attendee. Precious Carter, the school’s creative and performing arts coordinator, asked that the school continue its arts magnet program. “It’s very important that we select a leader that supports that environment here,” she said. Some addressed academic challenges on both ends of the spectrum, with parents hoping to hire an advocate of services for both academically advanced students and those behind grade level in learning objectives. Notes from a staff meeting discuss-
ing the change in leadership showed many wished for continuity. “Maintaining current policies for management of school,” read one bullet point. “... continue and expand on work to set the culture and climate in the building to promote a safe and orderly educational environment,” read another. So far, the school’s Parent-TeacherStudent-Organization (PTSO) has been active in the principal selection process. “Mr. Mills ... has been great at communicating with us. I only wished that a parent representative could actually interview the candidates,” said Seiji Hayashi, the vice president of the PTSO. “... The new principal will be overwhelmed by all the pent-up needs of students, teachers and parents. There will not be enough time in the day to do it all, so he/she will need to delegate well, and prioritize … The candidates should know that this is a school ripe for transformation because the community is ready to support,” he said. In a letter drafted to Dr. Kevin Maxwell, Prince George’s County school superintendent, the PTSO advocated for a principal whose priority is “... the academic and developmental well-being of all Hyattsville Middle students.” ESOL, arts education, and “a plan for improving student behavior, while creating a climate of respect” were also listed as priorities. “With a visionary and dedicated Principal in place, Hyattsville Middle can become a model school for the county and the entire state: a school that sees rising academic outcomes for learners of all levels,” the letter read.
City CounCil Wants to Give you Money
El ConsEjo MuniCipal QuiErE DartE DinEro
Mayor Candace B. Hollingsworth (2019) 202/423-7752 chollingsworth@hyattsville.org
alcade Candace B. Hollingsworth (2019) 202/423-7752 chollingsworth@hyattsville.org
In the form of small grants to fund neighborhood projects. For more information, contact one of your City Councilmembers (Don’t know your Ward? www.hyattsville.org/538/ResidencyVerification-Page)
Ward one Bart Lawrence (2017) 301/312-9170 blawrence@hyattsville.org Kevin Ward (2019) 202/436-2533 kward@hyattsville.org Ward two Robert S. Croslin (2017) 240/460-1827 rcroslin@hyattsville.org
Shani N. Warner (2019) 202/661-6082 swarner@hyattsville.org
Paula Perry (2019) 301/853-3194 pjperry@hyattsville.org
Ward three Patrick A. Paschall (2017) 301/887-3284 twright@hyattsville.org
Ward Five Clayton R. Williams (2017) 301/531-4052 cwilliams@hyattsville.org
Thomas Wright (2019) 301/422-1506 ppaschall@hyattsville.org
Joseph Solomon (2019) 240/487-9179 jsolomon@hyattsville.org
Ward Four Edouard Haba (2017) 202/560-4157 ehaba@hyattsville.org
En forma de becas pequeñas para proyectos en los barrios Para mas informacion, contacte a uno de tus miembros del Consejo Municipal (No sabes tu Distrito? www.hyattsville. org/538/Residency-Verification-Page)
Distrito uno Bart Lawrence (2017) 301/312-9170 blawrence@hyattsville.org Kevin Ward (2019) 202/436-2533 kward@hyattsville.org Distrito Dos Robert S. Croslin (2017) 240/460-1827 rcroslin@hyattsville.org
Shani N. Warner (2019) 202/661-6082 swarner@hyattsville.org
Paula Perry (2019) 301/853-3194 pjperry@hyattsville.org
Distrito tres Patrick A. Paschall (2017) 301/887-3284 twright@hyattsville.org
Distrito Cinco Clayton R. Williams (2017) 301/531-4052 cwilliams@hyattsville.org
Thomas Wright (2019) 301/422-1506 ppaschall@hyattsville.org
Joseph Solomon (2019) 240/487-9179 jsolomon@hyattsville.org
Distrito Cuatro Edouard Haba (2017) 202/560-4157 ehaba@hyattsville.org
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
Page 5
Residents gather to stand with South Carolina victims by Mark Goodson
After a white gunman shot and killed nine black church-goers during a Bible study on June 17, mourners gathered at the University Park Church of the Brethren for a candlelight vigil to stand with the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Charleston, SC. The vigil took place on June 19 at the Memorial to the Lost, an aptly named display of t-shirts commemorating victims of gun violence — in the front yard of the University Park church from June 7 to 21. The rows resembled tombstones and were meant to catch the eye: each of the 155 shirts was labeled with the name, age, and date of each citizen shot to death in 2014 in the greater Washington area. Organizer Lisa Delity, who works for the faith based movement Heeding God’s Call, hopes the display caused people to “stop, read, pray, and remember.” “When you only read the stories in the local paper and you see maybe one or two a week, the numbers of deaths do not really affect you. When you see 155 tshirts representing the lives lost in our area in 2014 all together in a churchyard, it causes folks to stop and think,” she said. She and her brother Bryan Miller work in honor of their brother, an FBI agent shot and killed over twenty years ago. “Our brother has been remembered and honored. But, many on the shirts are not. We do this for them,” she said. The shirts were intentionally
pam rutter/ UPCOD.ORG Residents gather in the wake of South Carolina massacre.
placed only feet from a busy thruway so that motorists and pedestrians might take notice, a certainty for drivers heading north on Route 1. Victims remembered include Cortes Catina, shot dead in a College Park hotel room, Everett Brown of Cottage City, Ali Amir of Bowie, and Knijah Bibb, a 3-year-old killed from stray gunfire. “It was heartbreaking to read the names of the youngest victims, 3 and 4 years old. Too often we imagine that these things don’t happen near us; the memorial reminds us that these deaths are right here in our front yard,” said Cindy Lapp, Lead Pastor of the Hyattsville Mennonite Church. Lapp was one of the original
members of Heeding God’s Call Greater Washington. When she heard about the memorial, she knew she wanted to display it in Hyattsville. She contacted Pastor Kim McDowell of the University Park Church of the Brethren to unite their congregations’ efforts to remember the dead and promote gun violence awareness. “Sitting in silent prayer or even gathered worship with others is not our only option when it comes to spirituality,” Lapp said. “We can put our faith into action by working together across religion, race and culture. We must join together to dismantle systemic racism in this country.” America continues to lead the world in per capita gun deaths,
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Antoine Delity The Memorial to the Lost was organized by the University Park Church of the Brethren and the Hyattsville Mennonite Church.
and the South Carolina shooting is one of several racially instigated national emergencies in recent memory. It was a fact remembered at the June 19 vigil, where all were welcome. The evening included prayer and song. Supporters lit their candles from nine main candles,
representing each life lost on June 17; others lit their candles from their neighbors’. As a light rain fell, those gathered remained and sung under umbrellas. The June 19 vigil occurred two days before the Memorial to the Lost was moved to its next destination in Washington D.C.
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Page 6
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
Bricks&Mortar
New design for Hyattsville library incorporates green space and glass by Gray OʼDwyer
Plans for the replacement Hyattsville Branch Library were presented to the Hyattsville community on June 15 by the county’s chosen architectural firm, Grimm + Parker. Lead architect Melanie Hennigan gave the presentation, supported by G + P Director of Design Antonio Rebelo and landscape architect Sharon Bradley of Bradley Site Design. The new library design incorporates an open floor plan and lots of window-glass to improve sight lines within the reading rooms. The second floor’s height and open areas allows sunlight and a sense of airiness, and also have the practical ability to act as community shelter in times of emergency or inclement weather. The design is thoughtfully planned for future library system needs; none of the fixtures or finishes are ‘tied’ to the floor plan, so that renovations in the future have the luxury of a blank slate within a useable building. The proposed design covers a compact footprint, with a single pedestrian entrance opening onto
Adelphi Road. Most parking will be underneath the building. The entire building will be 39,000 square feet and include 123 parking slots. Surrounding the library are integrated green spaces intended to engage visitors with the environment while meeting updated standards for lot coverage, drainage, and stormwater management. Grimm + Parker made an effort to respond to community interests by focusing heavily on children and teen reading areas, the Maryland Room history center, and by including trendy architectural features such as a green roof. The children’s area in particular is a “magical place” with a yellow brick road, houses for little pigs and little humans, and furniture that is “childfriendly in scale,” Rebelo said. (No plans yet on how librarians will explain the literary mismatch. Dorothy isn’t going to huff or puff or blow anything down, and the Big Bad Wolf will not “Follow the Yellow Brick Road.”) The teen area features computers, LCD displays, and a smart board so users can express themselves on the walls of ‘their’ space. (No plans
CAROLINE SELLE The scaled model included the planned gardens and parking.
yet on how librarians will keep teenagers from expressing themselves with less-than-PC content.) There will also be a self-service vending café, bookstore, and safely enclosed gas fireplaces for that lit-
tle extra ambience. Hennigan said she wants the new library to “sit nicely as a neighbor,” serving all of the Hyattsville community and creating a bridge between residential
and commercial areas. At previous meetings, residents had expressed concerns about accessibility because the library lot is surrounded on two sides by heavy commercial development that is not pedestrian-friendly. The planned entrance on Adelphi Road does little to make the library safer or more convenient for walkers, but the covered parking does provide shelter and security for those who drive. The land along quieter Toledo Road will become the stormwater retention pond and a garden, and according to Bradley there will be connections to walking trails in the area. Though many Hyattsville residents were saddened by the decision not to preserve the historic Hyattsville library with its space-age design, Hennigan said designers intend to maintain the “iconic” feel in the new building. The beloved flying saucer that has caused so much controversy will, according to the new design, be saved from demolition. The dissociated saucer will form part of the new library’s main entrance on Adelphi Road. A memory wall in the main lobby will reference the original library’s contributions to Prince George’s County’s civil rights history. Hennigan says that the saucer “connects us to the past but also helps connect us to a more sustainable future.” The new design incorporates many of the elements Hyattsville residents hoped for, and Grimm + Parker is committed to expanding library services with the new building. Community members are encouraged to attend future design presentations to continue public involvement as the plans get closer to final approval.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
Page 7
MissFloribunda Dear Miss Floribunda, Not many of my annual seedlings survived our unusually hot, dry May, and the spring perennials have died back or look shabby. I am not doing much about weeds because they at least cover the ground and because I can’t stand spending time outside in what feels like a sauna. I notice that a lot of people in Hyattsville have orange daylilies growing in their gardens right now and I’m told they are easy to grow. Frankly, they make me hot just to look at them. I’d rather see cool pastels, shadowy dark colors, or white. I have bought some hostas with lavender flowers for the shady areas of my garden and snowball hydrangeas for the semi-shaded areas, but I still need something for the sunny areas. Can you recommend anything relatively easy to grow that would give me results this summer and in summers to come? It may be too much to ask, but I would hope for flowers I could admire from my window or at the cool beginning or end of the day. I really don’t want to risk heat stroke by having to go out to water and weed in temperatures near 100 degrees. Feeling the Heat on Hamilton Street Dear Feeling the Heat, You may want to investigate the easy-care and indestructible daylilies further. There are show gardens to visit at this time of year that enchantingly
demonstrate how far daylilies have advanced since the common daylily, Hemerocallis fulva, was introduced from Asia in the 19th century. Beginning in 1921, Dr. Albert Steward, a botanist at Nanjing University, sent radically new cultivars to Dr. Arlow Stout of the New York Botanical Gardens. Since that day, almost 40,000 new daylilies have been developed. You would be astonished at the seemingly endless variety of heights, habits, sizes, flower shapes, ornamentations, colors and combinations of colors to choose from. Take a look at the website of the American Hemerocallis Society and be dazzled. Aside from their beauty, these new varieties are better than the common daylily because they are not stoloniferous (they do not send out underground runners to form new plants) and so are not invasive. They retain the qualities that make daylilies among the plants best suited to our area and its summers. Daylilies thrive despite our heavy soil and resist pests and diseases so well they require no poisons; they are tolerant of polluted air, and can even be planted under black walnut trees or near pavement that has been covered with salt. Rabbits and deer generally leave them alone. You can get away with leaving them un-watered during drought and you need not worry about them during periods of heavy rain. If you let them spread, they form a ground cover that efficiently
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suppresses weeds. If you don’t want them to spread, plant only one fan (offshoot from a clump) in a spot. If you do want them to spread, plant several fans at a time. Plucking off the dead blooms in the cool of twilight will help “re-blooming” make for a long flowering season. Daylilies love full sun but will still bloom in partial shade. In fact, the darker ones are often grown in partial shade so the colors don’t fade. More and more are being developed with fragrance. I get my daylilies from auctions or just by visiting the fabulous garden of my friend Fay DeLis, who persuaded me to become a member of the National Capital Daylily Club. All a member or visitor need do is write down the name of any coveted lily and after new fans develop, DeLis will dig some up and sell them for a fraction of what they would cost in a nursery or online. Of the many I’ve acquired from her, my favorites from the purple palette range from the dainty 12” high ‘Velvet Shadows,’ which have a lavender watermark and a green eye, to the 24” high ‘Blue Grass Memories’ with their ruffled backward-curved petals that surround a green throat and a violet-blue eye. Between the purples and reds is the elegant 33” ‘Bela Lugosi,’ which is more the color of the wine that Dracula did not drink than the blood that he did. The 22” ‘Scarlet Orbit’ is a sizzling red, but the 34” tall
‘Carmine Monarch’ has petals the color of frosty cherry popsicles. Among those in mellow shades of peach and nectarine, my favorite is ‘Microburst,’ which although it’s 35” tall bears miniature pompoms of petals. If you want to expand your spectrum, you can find many other varieties in gentle as well as bright shades of yellow, as well as some knockyour-eye-out orange varieties. Names like “Primal Scream” tell you how vivid these are! In my opinion, the refreshingly frosty whites are the most marvellous because they are often tinged with a whisper of other colors: mauve, ice blue, chartreuse, blush pink or ivory. The ones I cherish most in my garden are ‘Tuscawilla Snowdrift,’ which are 24 inches tall, fragrant, and night-blooming; the slightly taller ‘Tip of the Iceberg,’ which sparkles with
what is termed “diamond dusting,” and ‘Early Snow,’ a 29-inch-tall plant with huge flowers that open wide and flat like magnolia blooms. The nocturnal whites open in late afternoon and illuminate the night garden till the sun comes up. If you like diurnal blacks for daytime drama you can’t do better than the almost-black red ‘Midnight Magic’ (24”) or the almost-black purple, ‘Black Friar,’ which adds stately height (60’’) to its imposing presence. If you would like to discuss daylilies and other good choices for the summer garden — such as native plants — please join the Hyattsville Horticultural Society at 10 AM on Saturday, July 18 at the home of Theresa Goedeke, 5006 37th Place. There will be a brief meeting and a guided tour of a garden that features many interesting native cultivars.
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Hyattsville Reporter Reportero de Hyattsville No. 314 • July 15, 2015
weekday but Tuesday, which is set aside for grocery store runs, visits to the Farmers Market, and special trips. To make a reservation, please call 301-985-5020 no later than 2 p.m. the day before your trip.
Shakespeare in the Park
Romeo and Juliet will be sharing their love story at Magruder Park on July 24 at 7:30 p.m. Bring a blanket and a picnic, and maybe tissues for the final act. The free live performance is brought to us by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. For more information call them at 301-4463232.
National Night Out Against Crime
This year the party with the police will take place at Heurich Park on Tuesday, August 4, 6-9 p.m. The night promotes community connection to our Hyattsville Police Department and is part of a national event that will be celebrated by millions that evening. Come by for moonbounces, music, K-9 demonstrations, and face painting. It’s all free. Police will be there looking forward to meeting you, and to lead a Take Back the Night walk through our neighborhoods. Please direct questions to 301-985-5021.
New and Improved Farmers Market
The new market has so much good stuff – fruits, vegetables, herbs, meats, eggs, bread, pastries, honey, doughnuts, crepes, popcorn and more! And we always have a free food preparation demonstration going on, which means delicious samples are handed out, too. Come see us at our new location, 3799 East-West Highway, at the corner with Queens Chapel Road, in the parking lot of Redeemer Lutheran Church. We’re open Tuesdays, 3-7 p.m., through September. Free
rides from your home and back are available on the City’s Call-A-Bus. Ride reservations must be made by 2 p.m. the day before by calling 301-985-5020.
More Call-A-Bus Service
The City of Hyattsville’s Call-A-Bus has extended its hours of operation to 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. That means seniors and people with disabilities can be picked up at home and taken to and from their medical appointments and pharmacies more than ever before. Rides are only $2 each way. Reservations are available every
No. 314 • 15 de julio, 2015
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
August Summer Jam
If you haven’t made it to a Summer Jam yet, you’re missing out. We’re now offering a variety of beers, and at our last Jam we had a food truck, too! We’ll host the party again on August 14, with the Dave Kline Band performing contemporary folk, rock and world music. Of course we’ll also have our moonbounce, clown and face-painters there for the kids, and we may announce a few last-minute surprises on facebook and twitter, so be sure to check us out there. We hope to see you on Aug. 14, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at 4310 Gallatin Street.
CALENDAR
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
Mercado Campesino visitas al Mercado Campesino, y Nuevo y Mejorado viajes especiales. Para hacer una El nuevo mercado tiene tantas cosas buenas – frutas, verduras, hierbas, carnes, huevos, panes, pasteles, miel, donas, crepes, palomitas y mas! Y siempre tenemos una demostracion de preparacion de comida, que significa que hay muestras ricas para comer. Venga y veanos en nuestro lugar nuevo, 3799 EastWest Highway, en la esquina con Queens Chapel Road, en el estacionamiento de la Iglesia Redeemer Lutheran. Estamos abierto los martes, 3-7 p.m., hasta octubre. El Llame-Un-Bus de la Ciudad estará disponible para llevarse de su casa y volverse despues, totalmente gratuita. Hay que hacer reservaciones del bus antes de 2 p.m. el dia anterior, por llamar 301-985-5020.
Mas Servicio de Llama-Un-Bus
El Llama-Un-Bus de la Ciudad de Hyattsville ha extendido sus horas de operacion a 9 a.m. a 4:30 p.m. Eso significa que, mas que nunca, mayores y personas con discapacidades pueden ir y volver de sus casas a sus citas medicas y farmacias. Cada viaje cuesta solo $2. Reservaciones estan disponible cada dia laborable menos martes, que es para viajes a las tiendas de abarrotes,
reservacion, por favor, llame a 301-985-5020 antes de 2 p.m. el dia antes de su viaje.
Shakespeare en el Parque
Romeo y Julieta compartiran su historia de amor en el Parque Magruder el 24 de julio a las 7:30 p.m. Lleve una cobija y picnic, y tal vez unos Kleenex para el acto final. Nos lleva la obra, en vivo y gratuita, el MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission. Para mas informacion, llamales en 301446-3232.
Noche Nacional Contra El Crimen
Este año la fiesta con la policia estara en Heurich Park el martes, 4 de Agosto, 6-9 p.m. La noche promueva conecciones entre la comunidad y nuestro Departamento de Policia de Hyattsville. Tambien es parte de un evento nacional que celebraran millones esa noche. Venga para la brinca brinca, musica, demostraciones de K-9, y cara-pintadores. Todo es gratuita. La policia estaran en el parque con emocion de conocerle a usted y para un camino por los barrios para Recoger La Noche. Por favor llame 301-9855021 con preguntas.
Fiesta de Agosto
Si ya no ha estado en una fiesta del verano, te falta mucho. Ofrecimos una variedad de cervezas y en la ultima fiesta tuvimos una troca de comida, tambien!
Tendremos la fiesta otra vez el 14 de Agosto con La Banda de Dave Kline tocando musica contemporanea de folk, rock, y mundial. Claro que tambien tendremos nuesta brinca brinca,
payaso y cara pintadores para los niňos, y tal vez revelamos unas sorpresas en facebook y twitter antes. Esperamos verles el 14 de Agosto, 6:30-8:30 p.m., en 4310 Gallatin Street.
CALENDARIO
Hyattsville Farmers Market
Hyattsville City Council Meeting
Hyattsville City Council Meeting
Mercado Campesino
Reunion del Consejo Municipal
Reunion del Consejo Municipal
Ageless Grace Exercise Classes
Hyattsville Planning Committee
National Night Out Against Crime
Gracia sin Edad Clases de Ejercicio
Comité de Planeación de Hyattsville
Noche Nacional Contra el Crimen
Hyattsville Code Compliance Advisory Committee
Hyattsville Education Advisory Committee
Summer Jam - Dave Kline Band
Comité de Cumplimiento de Codigos de Hyattsville
Comité de Educación de Hyattsville
Fiesta del Verano
Every Tuesday through September 3 - 7 PM, 3799 East-West Highway More information: Ellarose Preston, 301-985-5006, epreston@hyattsville.org Every Wednesday and Friday through August 21 10 - 11 AM, 4310 Gallatin Street More information: Beryl Johnson, 301.985.5058, bjohnson@hyattsville.org
Wednesday, July 15, 7 PM Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street More information: Chris Giunta, 301-985-5017, cgiunta@hyattsville.org
Sports Field Permit Meeting
Wednesday, July 15, 7 PM Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street More information: Cheri Everhart, 301-985-5021, ceverhart@hyattsville.org
Monday, July 20, 8 PM Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street More information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, lreams@hyattsville.org Tuesday, July 21, 7:30 PM Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street More information: Jim Chandler, 301-985-5013, jchandler@hyattsville.org Thursday, July 23, 6:30 PM Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street More information: Jake Rollow, 301-985-5031, jrollow@ hyattsville.org
Shakespeare in the Park: Romeo and Juliet Friday, July 24, 7:30 PM Magruder Park, 3911 Hamilton Street More information, MNCPP, 301-446-3232
Monday, August 3, 8 PM Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street More information: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, lreams@hyattsville.org Tuesday, August 4, 6 - 9 PM Heurich Park, 2800 Nicholson Street More information: Cheri Everhart, 301-985-5021, ceverhart@hyattsville.org Friday, August 14, 6:30 - 8:30 PM Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street More information: Cheri Everhart, 301-985-5021, ceverhart@hyattsville.org
Cada Martes Hasta Octubre 3 - 7 PM, 3799 East-West Highway Mas informacion: Ellarose Preston, 301-985-5006, epreston@hyattsville.org Cada Miércoles y Viernes hasta el 21 de Agosto 10 - 11 AM, 4310 Gallatin Street Más información: Beryl Johnson, 301-985-5058, bjohnson@hyattsville.org
Miércoles, 15 de Julio, 7 PM Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin Más información: Chris Giunta, 301-985-5017, cgiunta@hyattsville.org
Reunion Sobre Canchas de Deportes
Miércoles, 15 de Julio, 7 PM Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin Más información: Cheri Everhart, 301-985-5021, ceverhart@hyattsville.org
Lunes, 20 de Julio, 8 PM Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin Más información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, lreams@ hyattsville.org Martes, 21 de Julio, 7:30 PM Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin Más información: Jim Chandler, 301-985-5013, jchandler@hyattsville.org Jueves, 23 de Julio, 6:30 PM Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin Más información: Jake Rollow, 301-985-5031, jrollow@ hyattsville.org
Shakespeare en El Parque: Romeo y Julieta Magruder Park, 3911 Hamilton Más información: MNCPP, 301-446-3232
Lunes, 3 de Agosto, 8 PM Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin Más información: Laura Reams, 301-985-5009, lreams@ hyattsville.org Martes, 4 de Agosto, 6 - 9 PM Heurich Park, 2800 Nicholson Street Más información: Cheri Everhart, 301-985-5021, ceverhart@hyattsville.org Viernes, 14 de Agosto, 6:30 - 8:30 PM Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin Más información: Cheri Everhart, 301-985-5021, ceverhart@hyattsville.org
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
trails
continued from page 3
conducted during the development of DPR’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan found that construction of more trails in the county was the number one priority among county residents.� Trails in the Hyattsville area, said Marcavitch, are of increasing economic importance. “With businesses like Arrow Bikes and Franklins seeing such a major economic benefit from bikes (and walkers/users), Maryland Milestones and our partners have all recognized the importance of these trails for more development. The challenges with the trails aren’t so much about the trails themselves as it is the connections between communities.� “There needs to be a way to get people off the Anacostia Trail into Hyattsville,� said Chris Militello, coowner of Arrow Bicycle. “There’s no signage.� He said many of his customers take advantage of the nearby trail systems. “Our trails are safe, but there is a perception of problems (as well
as a few actual problems),â€? said Marcavitch. “We need lighting in spots, cameras, call boxes, and we need to make sure the trails are open and maintained on a regular basis — including winter — for all users.â€? Implementing the 2040 plan will include prioritizing what trails will be built first, said Nivera, as well as setting design and maintenance standards. “How are we going to build these things and how are we going to operate them?â€? Nivera asked. “If we’re going to build a trail, we’re going to know that we have the staff resources and the police resources to operate it well‌ [the 2040 Plan and the listening process] will help us determine what kinds of resources we need to allocate to a trail.â€? According to Nivera, recommendations for trail improvements and expansions are expected to be finalized in January or February 2015 after an additional stakeholder in fall 2015. The Planning Board is expected to offer its decision in spring 2016.
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
July 17
Art Works hosts Parents Night Out from 5 to 9 p.m. This evening is dinosaur themed and features a screening of “The Land Before Time,� a pizza dinner, and a dinosaur print-making activity. $20 per child, ages 3 through 12. Advance registration required. For more information, call 301.454.0808 or email juliana@ artworksnow.org.
July 18
Celebrate the groundbreaking of Art Works and Pizzeria Paradiso at 4800 Rhode Island Avenue in Hyattsville. Guest speakers will include Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker III, Hyattsville Mayor Candace Hollingsworth, Prince George’s County Council Member Deni Taveras, and Maryland State Delegate William Campos. More information available at www.artworks.org.
Head over to a neighboring town for the Southside Mount Rainier Music and Skate Series. The popular summer concert/skateboarding competition returns at 12 p.m. with a musical performance, followed by a skating competition with live announcers and local DJs. Southside Mount Rainier Skate Park. Free, all ages.
Lawn at Riversdale House Museum. Gina DeSimone & the Moaners perform on July 16, while The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation Jambassadors are scheduled for July 30. Rain means the show moves indoors. Free. 7 to 8 p.m. 4811 Riverdale Road, Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420.
July 26
July 23
Tonight, take a trip to Joe’s Movement Emporium for a Swinging Summer Celebration for a swing dancing lesson and music curated by DJ Tom Koerner from Gottaswing. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.. The beginner lesson runs 6 to 6:30, and the DJ dance runs 6:30 to 8. $20 per adult, $10 for children 12 & under. 3309 Bunker Hill Road.
July 22 and August 5 Bring a picnic blanket or lawn chair to enjoy some Jazz on the
Come to the Peter Pan Club for pre-school fun! Ideal for little learners up to five years old, the club includes story-time and hands-on craft activities. To schedule a group larger than 10, please call the museum to make a private group reservation. 301.864.6029. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park.
July 24-5
The Prince George’s Summer Shakespeare Festival performs Romeo and Juliet as part of
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Page 9
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Shakespeare in the Park. This year, the production takes place in Magruder Park. In case of rain, the performance will be held in the 1st Floor Multi-Purpose Room of the Municipal Building. For more information call 301.446.3232 or visit www.pgparks.com.
lic. 4310 Gallatin Street.
Ongoing
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System will provide free lunches to youth up to age 18 during the summer through August 21. Lunch is served at noon on Monday through Friday at the Hyattsville Branch. 6530 Adelphi Rd.
July 30
Today is the last day to apply to be a Volunteer Legislative Leader during the 2015 2016 session of the Maryland General Assembly. The University of Maryland’s Legacy Leadership Institute is looking for volunteers aged 50 and up. Volunteer assignments include ten weeks of classroom training and two days per week of service in the Annapolis office of various senators and delegates. For more information, contact Wesley Queen at 301.405.2529 or wqueen@umd.edu.
July 31
It’s the last day to check out the SoHy Skate Show at Studio SoHy. Guest curators CHELOVE and MasPaz brought together over thirty artists for the show, including illustrators and street artists. Pieces revolve around the skate deck, an important place for selfexpression for skateboarders. Free. 4327 Gallatin Street.
August 4
Celebrate at the National Night Out Against Crime. From 6 to 9 p.m., head over to Heurich Park for the city’s celebration, one of over 15,000 taking place throughout the United States. See K-9 demonstrations, meet police officers and law enforcement professionals, and participate in a variety of carnival activi-
Bronwyn King Kerim the DJ at SoHy Skate Show
ties. End the evening with a Take Back the Night walk through the West Hyattsville neighborhood. Free, all ages. 2800 Nicholson Street.
August 8
Arrow Bicycle offers a Basic Maintenance Clinic the second Saturday of every month from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. which includes basics such as how to change a tube and lube your chain and those who attend can work on their own bike in a professional setting (the shop). The clinic is generally offered by Chris Militello, co-owner, who was a former bike mechanic for a small pro team and is USA cycling licensed and was trained at the U S Olympic Training Center, per Militello. Sign-up required at www.arrowbicycle.com. 301.531.9250.
August 14
The Dave Kline Band performs at this evening’s Summer Jam. Head over to the City Building for music, a beer and wine garden for adults and a moonbounce for the younger participants. Rain or shine! Free and open to the pub-
TIRED of doing laundry?
The Hyattsville Farmer’s Market has a new location, new vendors, and new transportation! Now at 3799 East West Highway (in the parking lot of Redeemer Lutheran Church), the market is open every Tuesday from 3-7 p.m. through Sept. 29. Vendors hawk fruits and vegetables, prepared food, meat and eggs, and local honey. The Hyattsville Call-A-Bus will pick you up at your home and take you to the market and back, for free. Call 301-985-5020 by 2 p.m. the day before the market to make your reservation. The producers-only Riverdale Park Farmer’s Market has moved back outside, with a variety of local vegetables and fruits, honey, baked goods, meat, jams, flowers and more. Free. Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m. 4650 Queensbury Rd., Riverdale Park, 301.332.6258. The Prince George’s County Audubon society and the Patuxent Bird Club team up to host an early-evening guided bird walk along the Luther Goldman Birding Trail at Lake Artemesia. Walks are held every first and third Thursday at 6 p.m. and start at the lake parking lot at Berwyn Road and Ballew Avenue. Free. 301.459.3375 or
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mozurk@bellatlantic.net. The free Anacostia River Boat Tours begin this month and will be held throughout the summer Tuesdays through Fridays at noon and weekends at 5 p.m. Led by a park naturalist, riders on the pontoon boat can 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.
7 p.m. English-Spanish Storytime for ages 3-6: Saturdays, 11 a.m. 6530 Adelphi Road. 301.985.4690.
On Fridays, seniors can participate in Ageless Grace, a fitness and wellness program designed to improve healthy longevity. Almost anyone can do these 21 simple exercises, which can be performed while sitting. $2 per session. 10 to 11 a.m. Magruder Park Recreation Building, 3911 Hamilton Street. 301.985.5058.
A group bike ride starts every Sunday at 9 a.m. at Arrow Bicycles, 5108 Baltimore Avenue. This is a 32-mile, moderately paced ride that emphasizes group riding techniques. New group riders welcome. The route can be found by searching ‘arrow hyattsville’ at www.mapmyride.com. 301.531.9250.
The Hyattsville library offers a variety of storytimes. Space is limited; free tickets available at the children’s desk. Ages 1-2: Mondays, 10:15 a.m. and 11 a.m. Ages 2-3: Thursdays, 10:30 a.m. Ages 3-5: Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. and
Rise + Rhyme kicks off the week for the 5-and-under set with storytelling, performances and more. Suggested donation, $5. Monday mornings from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Zinn Room, Busboys & Poets, 5331 Baltimore Avenue. 301.779.2787.
Community Calendar is a select listing of events happening in and around Hyattsville from the 15th of the issue month to the 15th of the following month. To submit an item for consideration, please e-mail caroline@ hyattsvillelife.com. Deadline for August submissions is July 29.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
CulturalConnections
From France to the United States by Julia Gaspar-Bates
When Juliette Fradin first arrived in the U.S. from her native France seven years ago, she was impressed with the warmth of Americans. “I was totally blown away because people here are so welcoming,” she said. “... It’s really pleasant to live here where people are always optimistic.” Fradin’s experience in the U.S. has been surprising on multiple fronts. After her husband Antoine was offered a teaching position at the University of Maryland, “The adventure of living in the U.S. was really appealing. There are lots of clichés about Americans in France but we are raised with American culture, so there is always this American dream. I thought it would be the same in France and U.S. since American culture is everywhere in France. But now I can say that we are two different cultures.”
It took Fradin time to fully understand these differences and for her culture shock to subside. “There is no spontaneity,” she said. “Everything is scheduled. You need an invitation, and they’re sent one month in advance. Here you have a party with a defined timeframe. There is no possibility of just being in the moment. It’s always so busy. Last year we spent a month in Paris and people just sit around on benches or terraces reading books, watching people and socializing with friends.” “Also, I didn’t expect to see so many churches,” she said. “I come from a country where being secular is a religion so it was really strange for me to see how many people were going to church, and God is everywhere.” Fradin also initially struggled to find deeper connections with American people. “People are friendly but don’t necessarily want
to be your friend. It was confusing for me in the beginning because people were welcoming but there was nothing behind [it],” she said. “In France it’s the opposite. People are stiff at first and then the friendship grows slowly over time but it’s more secure.” Eventually, Fradin was able to develop friendships “thanks to my daughter and the Hyattsville Nurturing Moms group, which is awesome. It helped me meet new people and get me out of my shell; being in a new country was difficult because you don’t master the language so it was hard to meet people. With kids it’s easier because there are meetings with new moms and multiple activities.” Fradin has settled into her new country and said there are many reasons she wants to stay. “Here people really take care of each other. People say “hi” in the streets. I like the spirit of sharing. ...People give freely without expecting any-
thing in return.” She appreciates that living in a new country offers her the ability to reinvent herself. Prior to moving abroad, Fradin worked as a vocational counselor in Paris. Since she didn’t initially have an American work visa, she had ample time to think about what she wanted to do. She has since launched a photography business, working with several local clients. “The first year I had to adjust a lot,” she said. “I got involved with a French association and headed up the Job Networking Club. This gave me a sense of how to seek a job in the U.S. My father was a professional photographer so I was always interested in photography. Here there’s a strong interest in family portraits. I mostly document families in their homes to capture ordinary life.” Despite adopting the U.S. as her home, there are certain aspects of French culture that Fradin misses.
“I miss the history. Everywhere you go you have something that tells about French history — old stones, old churches or castles. I miss cheese, charcuterie and the social life around food. In France, food is a ceremony. Even in the average family, you have a threecourse meal. I miss having some of those refined things in my life.” Hyattsville has helped Fradin feel more at home. “I like that Hyattsville is developing more and more. I like the sense of community. Actually this is my next photographic project — to photograph the community. Basically everyone is so proud to live in Hyattsville because of the community, because people have each other’s back, because of the mom’s group. My children will grow up in a multicultural environment that is gay friendly. I’m happy my kids are exposed to that diversity.” Julia Gaspar-Bates is a cross-cultural trainer and consultant. “Cultural Connections” is devoted to bringing forth the voices of immigrants and other foreigners who have settled in Hyattsville.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
Page 11
NatureNearby
Dragons and damsels in Magruder Park by Fred Seitz
In late spring and early summer, Magruder Park goes into medieval mode as the air fills with dragonflies and damselflies. These moderately large insects emerge from their multi-year development in the streams and swamp to swarm the park to dazzle viewers with their colorful appearances and flying skills. While both names include the word “flies,” neither damsels nor dragons belong to that species. They are both members of the odonate “toothed ones” order of insects. Toothed ones indeed, for their pincer jaws make them effective predators both in their aquatic larval stage and their adult flying stage. In their larval stage, both dragonflies and damselflies will eat mosquito larvae. Larger dragonfly larvae may eat small fish and tadpoles. As adults, they prey on mosquitoes, smaller
dragonflies, and sometimes butterflies or moths. Some hunt on the wing, whereas others ambush flying insects from a perch on a tree limb near the streams. Dragonflies are perhaps the more familiar of the two. Many people see them perching or standing in the grass or on sidewalks with their wide wings spread. By contrast, damselflies have slighter builds than dragonflies and when perched on a plant or on the sidewalk, they usually have their wings folded upright behind their backs. Both are strong fliers and very colorful. The most commonly seen dragonfly in our park and in our area is the white tailed skimmer. Their thick bodies fly close to the surface of the small streams in the park, but they also venture elsewhere, like the drainage pond on the west side. They are seen throughout Maryland near slow moving bodies of water and
Our resident damselfly is the ebony jewelwing.
ponds. Their blue body becomes white towards the end of the tail, giving the dragonfly his common name. Another common dragonfly in our park is the saddlebag skimmer. A little smaller than the whitetail, it is dark colored and has dark black “saddlebag” spots (stigma) on its wings. It commonly perches on the sidewalks through the park and also hunts over the soccer field. Our resident damselfly, the ebony jewelwing, is the darling of our park a stunning, slender
NEW & IMPROVED!
HYATTSVILLE
bodied metallic green body with black wings (the males have a white spot near the end of the wings). This damselfly is often present flying over the swamp and along the boardwalk, though it is also seen in the more open parts of the park, as well as along the bike path. All three of our “toothed ones” begin their lives in water and some remain in their aquatic larval stages for up to three years. All engage in their mating activity in late summer or early fall and are often seen in airborne courtship
at that time. A curious observance may be noted by humans at the time when females are ovipositing their eggs. The female dragonfly (or possibly damselfly) may be touching her tail (where the ovipositor is located) on the hoods of cars. The female often mistakes the shiny hoods of cars for water and sadly may place her eggs in an inappropriate place. These beautiful and amazing animals have been around since before the dinosaurs. They were even more impressive in their earlier forms with wingspans up to 36 inches. While our current generation of dragonflies and damselflies are still impressive predators and help dispose of our less desirable fliers like mosquitoes, we can also be thankful that their size is reduced and we need not fear them as they grace our skies in summer and early fall.
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Page 12
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
yoga
continued from page 1 caroline selle Members of the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department clean equipment during the emergency call.
bodies
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Purvis said. A bystander walking to the bus stop reported that an unusual, unpleasant smell was detectable Wednesday morning. After officials removed both the front door and front windows, some of the contents of the house were visible from
the street. It appeared to be a hoarding situation, Purvis said. At approximately 9:30 p.m., HVFD firefighters emerged from the house in hazmat suits and hosed themselves down in the middle of Madison Street in a makeshift decontamination station. Bystanders watched from front porches wearing face masks.
Church of God and Saints of Christ
4203 Farragut Street, Hyattsville, Maryland Pastor: Evangelist Samuel Wade Time of Services: Beginning of the Sabbath (Friday Night) 7:30pm - 9:30pm Sabbath Service (Saturday) 11:00am to Sunset
We invite you to come and worship with us and to be inspired by the preaching of the unadulterated word of the Lord. The house of God is the house of prayer for all people. All are Welcome!
their schedule. “It’s so hot in there, and you’re just sweating for an hour-and-a-half,” rising senior running back Lorenzo Harrison said. “We do a lot of stretching and a lot of us are real tight, so that’s real hard, too. It’s been a hard time adjusting for a lot of us.” The Stags’ greatest benefit could be mental health, though, with improved focus and concentration. “I think it’s going to help a lot mentally because it teaches you discipline,” Harrison said. “With all the [stretching], you can go down kind of far if you want to, but if you really want to improve your flexibility, you’re going to have to push yourself, and that’s going to help us with discipline and mental toughness.” Brooks said he “absolutely” thinks the yoga will help his team this season. Harrison agrees: “It’s improving our flexibility and we can get more explosive, so I think it’s a great opportunity.” Harrison, who’s committed to play for the University of Maryland, said about 30 minutes of each session focuses on balance, a critical element in football. The player who can stay on his feet has a better chance to fulfill his assignment, be it block, tackle, or in Harrison’s case, carry the football. “It definitely helps,” he said. DeMatha, which won its final six games last year
to finish 9-3 and win the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship at Byrd Stadium, opens up the season Aug. 29 at Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex against national power Miami Central High School. The Rockets, 14-1 a year ago, have won three straight Florida Class 6A state championships and are loaded with Division I prospects. They have been in the state title game five years in a row — winning four — and have won 38 of their past 40 games. The Stags’ second game will be at American Heritage School in Plantation, Fl. The Patriots were 12-3 in 2014 and captured their second consecutive state 5A championship. Yoga is playing a key role in DeMatha’s preparation. “We have to have any mental edge we can get,” Brooks said, “and I don’t want the weather to be a factor that holds us back. I want [my players] to know that no matter how hot it is on [August 29 or September 5], we know that we’ve worked and trained in elements similar to how it’s going to be.” Game three, after a bye week, will be played at home against La Salle College High School (8-2). League games include stalwarts Good Counsel, Gonzaga, and St. John’s. Football camp opens Aug. 1. “We’re playing some really talented teams, but we feel this could be the most talented team that I’ve coached since taking over [in 2011],” Brooks said. “We’re up for the challenge, so we’re excited for the season.”
Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
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RAIL
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$168 million, a fraction of the original $700 million proposal. “I have always said this decision was never about whether public transit was worthwhile, but whether it is affordable and makes sense,” Hogan said. “The Governor’s announcement … clearly shows that he recognizes the positive impact this project could have on the region and State of Maryland,” County Executive Rushern Baker said, citing estimates that the project will create 23,000 jobs and spur economic development. According to the Prince George’s County Council, who said they support the project, eleven Purple Line stops are planned for Districts 2 and 3. “I am thrilled that Governor
Calling Photographers!
Hogan has made the decision to move the Purple Line forward. However, his announcement that the State’s contribution is dropping from $700M to $168M is puzzling. The Purple Line project is crucial for the State of Maryland to connect our knowledge centers, increase jobs, and ensure the state’s economic competitiveness,” County Councilmember Dannielle Glaros (District 3) said. “Building the Purple Line will better connect our communities and businesses, and expand employment opportunities for thousands of Marylanders. This effort will be just as transformative for our region in the 21st century, as Metro, the Beltway and Bay Bridge were for previous generations,” said County Councilmember Deni Taveras (District 2).
Baker said the governor put contingencies on the plan, including a requirement for increased contributions from the two counties. “We will work in concert with Montgomery County to analyze whether this new proposal maintains the spirit of the initial plan for the Purple Line and will lead to the outcomes and benefits we have been talking about for years,” Baker said. Hogan announced $210 million in cuts to the project on July 6, according to the Washington Post. Those cuts include reducing the project’s art allowance by 50 percent, not requiring a fully enclosed platform at the Riverdale Park station and not requiring overhead structures to take into consideration future widening of Kenilworth Avenue and East West Highway.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | July 2015
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