FROM THE EDITOR
Get to know your neighbors better with the debut of ‘Humans of Hyattsville.’ P. 2
Traffic under review for Jefferson, Nicholson Streets By Sophie Gorman Oriani
At the Aug. 5 Hyattsville City Council meeting, the council voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing about traffic calming measures on the 3900 block of Jefferson Street and the 4200 block of Nicholson Street. The hearing, which will be Oct. 7 at 7 p.m., will allow the public to provide comments about the potential change. If the residents of a block wish to have their opinions about traffic calming measures considered, the Hyattsville code
TEEN CENTER UPDATE
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Plans are in the works to expand the Teen Center to a second location. P. 4
There’s plenty to do in September. Check out our full event listing. P. 11
Life&Times
Vol. 16 No. 9
Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper
September 2019
A SWEET START
TRAFFIC continued on page 8
City adopts new pay regs for council By Sophie Gorman Oriani
On Aug. 5, the Hyattsville City Council passed a new charter amendment, clarifying the procedures by which the pay of the mayor and city council is set. This was the second attempt to pass Charter Amendment Resolution 2019-02, after the initial attempt at a public hearing in May turned out to have been improperly advertised due to what Laura Reams, city clerk, referred to in the Aug. 5 hearing as a “clerical error.” The new charter amendment lays out the procedure for setting the salaries for the mayor and city council. According to the new amendment, the ComSALARY continued on page 12
COURTESY OF THE HYATTSVILLE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
A Hyattsville City Police Department officer greets and gives candy to a Hyattsville Elementary School student on the first day of school, Sept. 3.
CENTER SECTION: SEPTEMBER 10, 2019 ISSUE OF THE HYATTSVILE REPORTER — IN ESPANOL TOO! HYATTSVILLE MD PERMIT NO. 1383
Reach every consumer in Hyattsville ... for less! Contact advertising@hyattsvillelife.com or 301-531-5234
Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Page 2
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
FromTheEditor
A new series for an old problem By Lindsay Myers
How do you describe a community? What sort of information matters? Thorton Wilder’s 1938 play “Our Town” considers these questions as it explores the lives of several residents in a small New England town around the turn of the 20th century. The people are ordinary folk, marking their days by the births, mar-
A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781 http://HyattsvilleLife.com http://facebook.com/HyattsvilleLife http://twitter.com/HvilleTimes Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Hyattsville Community Newspaper, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses below. Managing Editor Maria D. James maria@hyattsvillelife.com Associate Editors Sophie Gorman Oriani sophie@hyattsvillelife.com Heather Wright heather@hyattsvillelife.com Webmaster Lindsay Myers lindsay@hyattsvillelife.com Layout & Design Editor Ashley Perks Copy Editor Nancy Welch Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com 301.531.5234 Writers & Contributors Victoria Boucher, Juliette Fradin, Lauren Flynn Kelly Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel Chris Currie — Vice President Reva Harris — Treasurer Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter Ross, Emily Strab Maria D. James — Ex Officio Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in Hyattsville. Additional copies are distributed to libraries, selected businesses, community centers and churches in the city. Total circulation is 9,300. HL&T is a member of the National Newspaper Association.
riages, and deaths of their friends and neighbors. And though none of the residents are important enough to be mentioned in a history book, the ordinary events of their lives are important to them. The narrator of the play reflects on this distinction as the first act unfolds: “Y’know — Babylon once had two million people in it,” he says, “and all we know about ‘em is the names of the kings and some copies of wheat contracts … and contracts for the sale of slaves. Yet every night all those families sat down to supper, and the father came home from his work, and the smoke went up the chimney — same as here.” History, the narrator suggests, misses the poetry of the commonplace: the bonds formed through shared daily meals and work, the laughter of neighbors lingering too long on a front porch, the security of a supportive community. These moments, these relationships, are what really matter to the living, breathing human beings whom history attempts to record. To solve this problem for the members of his little town, the narrator decides to have a copy of the play put into a time capsule. “[So] the people a thousand years from now’ll know a few simple facts about us, “ he explains. “This is the way we were: in our growing up and in our marrying and in our living and in our dying.” Here at the Hyattsville Life & Times (HL&T), we like to think that we play a role in recording “the way we were.” And though this mostly translates to reporting the cold hard facts that belong to history, we recognize that many of us stick around Hyattsville because it lives and breathes that poetry of the commonplace: It’s a place where families and neighbors really do want to know one another and to be with them through their growing up, their marrying, their living, and their dying. Thus, every couple of weeks, in an effort to support these sorts of relationships, the HL&T will publish an interview with a member of our community as part of a new series called “Humans of Hyattsville.” It is our hope that these interviews will give you a glimpse into how re-
but being a mother isn’t my identity or even an identity to me. It’s just my relationship to one specific person. It’s an important relationship, of course, but how I relate to my daughter is not who I am. My self is ontologically prior to my relationships with other people, except, I suppose, my own parents, which explains why family membership (the Church is another family I was born into) seems to qualify as identityconstituting. But whenever anyone who’s not my child addresses me as “mom,” I want to put them in a cannon and fire them into the sun.
COURTESY OF MONICA GORMAN
Monica Gorman after voting in last springʼs local election
markable your neighbors really are — even if they’re not someone who would ordinarily make local headlines. We’ll feature most of these profiles online, but we’re kicking off “Humans of Hyattsville” in this month’s print edition to help spread the word. If you like what you see, write me at Lindsay@HyattsvilleLife. com with the names of other members of our community who might make for a good feature. Now, without further ado, we present our first Human of Hyattsville: Monica Gorman, a 24-yearold operations research analyst who lives with her husband and young daughter on “Hamilton, like the president” Street. Why did you decide to settle in Hyattsville? My family lives here, and my husband and I knew we wanted to live near them. We also wanted to go to St. Jerome’s parish. What are some of your favorite aspects of life in Hyattsville? My family, of course! I love the community at St. Jerome’s, and I like being able to walk and take public transit (we don’t have a car). I also want to shout out my favorite local business: Emerita’s Pupuseria!
What do you wish Hyattsville did differently? How can it be improved? Like I said, I like walking, but I would love to be able to do it without being harassed by groups of strange men hanging around on the sidewalk. When I tell them to cut it out, they’ve responded with unprintable slurs, and when I ignore them (the standard advice, especially from my parents’ generation), they just keep on, or sometimes follow me down the sidewalk a ways. They also do it when my baby daughter is with me, and I don’t want her to grow up thinking that it’s normal for a woman to be subject to sexual comments and questions from strangers just because she dared to step out the door. How would you describe yourself? I’ve been thinking a lot lately about motherhood as an identity. During pregnancy I had a lot of trouble holding on to my sense of self, and everyone telling me that I would “become a different person” when I gave birth certainly didn’t help. Being a woman feels like part of my identity, as does being Catholic and being a Gorman,
How does your vision of who you wanted to become when you were a kid match up with your vision for yourself right now? When I was little, I was totally convinced I wanted to be a stayat-home, homeschooling mother, a charming plan that didn’t take my personality into account at all, so I’m not sad to have changed course. I also wanted a horse (obviously), which doesn’t seem to be in the cards right now. What are some important causes that matter to you, both locally and beyond? I wish we, as a society, had a much stronger ethic of unchosen obligation — that we had the moral and political language, in common, to insist that we have duties towards other people, even when we don’t know them or didn’t ask for any responsibility towards them. Whether those people are poor, or sick, or lonely, or unborn, or undocumented, or homeless or orphaned — or what have you — their needs obligate us, individually and collectively, just because they’re people, and they’re there. Sometimes this is a terrible burden, but it’s part of being human. Not everyone can provide every support, but everyone has a right to support. What are your favorite things to do offline? Every so often, I get to go camping or hiking and remember how much I love it. Being outdoors always makes me feel very peaceful (and I come home with no desire to get online, though that obviously doesn’t last forever).
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
Page 3
Homo Habilis Construction LLC*
MyTwoCents An education fight we can all support By Peter Daniels
Hyattsville residents have engaged in a vigorous debate recently over the location of a desperately needed new middle school. As students prepare for a new year of learning, I want everybody in our community to be aware of another crucial education debate that will play out over the next few months at the state capitol in Annapolis. This upcoming session, lawmakers will decide whether to enact an ambitious education plan that promises to put Maryland back at the top of the list of high-achieving school systems and make us internationally competitive. Our district, whose population includes many students who are considered low income or receive special education services, stands to benefit significantly. The plan, by a group called the Kirwan Commission, focuses on critical
areas like early education; teacher recruitment; retention and diversity; and college and career readiness, while also correcting Maryland’s flawed education funding formula. Those who worry about the cost of reforming education should think about the return on investment that benefits us all, including a more prosperous tax base, lower crime rates, and communities that are attractive to job creators. That is why we cannot let pessimistic voices dominate the debate. We as a community must advocate on behalf of our children and their teachers because these reforms are critical to our long-term success as a city, county and state. As a steering committee member with Strong Schools Maryland, I will be working with local parentteacher organizations, our school board and other leaders to make sure state lawmakers understand that full education funding is our top priority. I hope you will join me in this effort.
le
5804 43rd Avenue $350,000
rS
1810 Jasmine Terrace $189,500
d ol
S
4326 Kennedy Street $450,000
ld
So
4213 Longfellow Street $262,000
Peter J. O’Day
3811 Nicholson Street, Hyattsville, MD
240-441-2792 oday.homohabilis@gmail.com *Ho-mo hab-i-lis, n. (handy man, skillful man). A species of humans considered to be an ancestor of modern humans and the earliest hominid to make tools. This species existed between 1.5 and 2 million years ago.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! FACEBOOK: HYATTSVILLELIFE
TWITTER: @HVILLETIMES
INSTAGRAM: @HVILLETIMES
ale
S or
F
4555 Longfellow Street $459,900
ale
Fo
Kitchens, Baths, Basements, Remodeling, Additions, Repairs
Peter Daniels is a Hyattsville resident, co-regional leader for Strong Schools Maryland — Prince George’s County, and the father of two girls who attend Prince George’s County Public Schools.
a rS
Fo
2 million years of experience wrapped up in one small company!
er
d Un
ct
ra
t on
C
4410 Oglethorpe Street #303 $115,000
de
Un
r
nt
o rC
t ac
Serving Buyers and Sellers in Hyattsville & along the Route 1 Corridor
Don Bunuan don@gobrent.co 301.213.6332 cell
5617 Lustine Street $459,900
ld
So
4510 Kennedy Street $425,000
Ben Kaufmann ben@gobrent.co 202.744.5598 cell
301.565.2523 • www.GoBrent.co
Page 4
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
A second room of their own: City close to purchasing second Teen Center site By Heather Wright
The Teen Center @ Magruder, currently located at Magruder Recreation Center, is poised to expand into a second site, although the space won’t be ready for use this coming school year. The city has entered into a purchase agreement for a property at 5812 40th Avenue
for a second Teen Center location. According to Community Services Director Jake Rollow, the city should close on the 40th Avenue property within about a month. The 40th Avenue property was attractive to the city, said Rollow, because it has green space and also is adjacent to city-owned green space. Additionally, the city could buy
(versus rent) the property, which would allow the city to both gain an asset and seek more grant funding. The building, although old and in need of renovations, is structurally sound and in good shape. According to Rollow, some of the necessary renovations involve bringing the building up to code, making it ADA accessible, and con-
Let us take the stress out of moving day! COURTESY OF THE CITY OF HYATTSVILLE
Honest - Courteous - Trustworthy
The city has signed a purchase agreement for the property at 5812 40th Avenue to turn it into the second Teen Center site.
verting existing offices into flexible space for the Teen Center. Rollow said that plans will ideally include storage space, a small reception and office area to support student check-ins and private conferences, and a small stage or performance space. The city is also considering tearing down the entire front facade to create a single entryway and install additional glass to bring in more natural light. Outdoor renovations will likely
• 25 years of experience in the moving industry • Expert packing to assure everything arrives in good condition • Affordable and reliable, with our trustworthy team of professionals • Detailed moving survey helps streamline your moving process • Accommodating and works around your needs • Efficiently working to make your move happen quickly and without extra problems to alleviate stress
301-613-8079 • goldenrulemoving.com
Helping Sell Hyattsville
And our Neighboring Community FOR SALE
UNDER CONTRACT
SOLD 4111 Crittenden St., Hyattsville. Sold for $444,000 3811 Oliver St., Hyattsville. Sold for $364,000
2909 Powder Mill Rd, Adelphi $300,000 Artist Oasis - 4 BR, 2 Bath with studio & fish pond on a fenced 1/4 acre lot.
4013 Kennedy Street, Hyattsville $440,000 Super charming & updated brick colonial with landscaped lot on one of HVL’s favored streets! Multiple offers received for this seller!
SOLD!
5813 33rd Ave., Hyattsville. Sold for $300,000 4014 Jefferson St., Hyattsville Sold for $538,000 3404 Nicholson Street, Hyattsville Sold above list at $330,000! 6901 25th Ave., Adelphi Sold for $420,000 5907 Berwyn Road, Berwyn Heights Sold For $454,000
8308 Longfellow St., New Carrollton $345,000 Beautiful updated brick rambler on lovely corner lot. 4BRs, 2 1/2 baths! Easy access to major roads & Metro!
6122 42nd Avenue, Hyattsville — Historic Paxton House Spectacular 4+ BR, 3.5 bath Victorian home with large studio detached garage & fabulous landscaped garden. Listed and sold for $700,000.
5606 Hawthorne St., Cheverly, Sold for $400,000. 4910 43rd St., Hyattsville, Sold for $379,000.
Ann Barrett Realtor®, ABR, SRS
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
9094 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740
cell: 240-938-6060 office: 301-441-9511 ext. 261
email: ann.barrett@LNF.com www.longandfoster.com/ANNBARRETT
Honored to be a Volunteer Ambassador for the City of Hyattsville!
Top-Producing Individual Agent, Long & Foster College Park 2009 - 2018! Top Listing Agent, Long & Foster Southern Maryland/Prince George’s County Region, 2018
include eliminating the parking spaces near the front entry for safety purposes and replacing other parking areas with walking paths and fun equipment, such as big swings, to make the property more attractive to teens and other community members. The Neighborhood Design Center has submitted preliminary renderings that are based, in part, on feedback from Teen Center participants. Rollow emphasized that the city would continue to seek community input on renovation ideas and designs. “I should add, especially for the outdoor space, we would have opportunities for the public to see, weigh in, provide input — just the same as we’ve done for other park renovations. We especially want the folks who will be the users, who live in the neighborhood, to have the chance to see pictures and say, ‘That looks like it would be fun,’ or ‘I’d never use that,’” he said. Given the necessary renovations, the new site will not be open for the 2019-2020 school year. Rollow said his hope is that it can open the following school year, but that will depend, in large part, on financing and grant support. According to Rollow and Youth Programs Supervisor Saarah Abdul-Rauf, the Teen Center’s primary needs are space, additional tutors and a third youth programs coordinator. Rollow said that on tutoring nights last school year, the Magruder Park Community Center — with tutor/student pairs, Northstar Tutoring staff and city staff — quickly filled up. Jennifer Townsend, executive director of Northstar, the nonprofit the city contracts with to coordinate its tutoring program, said that
The information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted.
TEEN continued on page 12
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
Page 5
STATE OF THE ART FACILITIES
THE SHOPS AT QUEEN CHILLUM, 3114 QUEENS CHAPEL RD, HYATTSVILLE, MD 20782
301-338-8888
WE ACCEPT MD, DC MEDICAID AND PPO INSURANCES FOR KIDS AND ADULTS
SEARCH FOR HEALTHY DENTAL HYATTSVILLE AND LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
ACEPTAMOS MEDICAID DE MD, DC Y SEGURO PPO PARA NIÑOS Y ADULTOS
www.healthydental.com DR. MADHU VENKATA NADIMPALLI DDS, MPA DR. SAPNA NANDYALA DDS and ASSOCIATES
Page 6
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
ZeroWaste of Time
Four things you can do right now to decrease your household waste By Juliette Fradin
Re
With environmental issues at the forefront of global politics, the desire to make small changes on an individual level is on the rise. But where to start? Everyone has their own journey to a more eco-friendly lifestyle. There are plenty of reasons to start a zerowaste lifestyle: Maybe you care about nature, wildlife or sea conservation, or you want to live a more frugal life; maybe you are terrified by facts about climate change, or you are drawn to the aesthetic of natural, pristine and quiet zero-waste interiors. You might want to improve your
gi st OW er
WANTED: YOUTH FOR JUNIOR CREW JULIETTE FRADIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Easy swaps for cultivating eco-friendly habits at home
Send your favorite young person to make friends, learn teamwork, and grow strong. Middle and high schoolers, boys and girls, are welcome!
Join us for fun, friends, and fitness!
Yes! Organic Market 5331 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville MD 20781
BEGINNERS WELCOME
(next to Busboys, up the street from Franklins)
4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg
Reg is at W ter on hStack ole uplinsavings! e or F O oo 30P ct. 4th ds M-8Best Prices of :3the 0PM Year
All activities are at
Bladensburg Waterfront Park WashingtonRowingSchool.com
202-344-0886
$1 off each 4 pack and 6 pack. Plus additional volume discounts.
Attendance is Free. Don’t forget your ID
health by cutting your plastic consumption (literally: According to a study conducted for the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, you could be ingesting approximately the equivalent of one credit card of plastic per week). Of course, you can be motivated by several of these reasons (and others), but when you identify your main motivations for going zero waste, you will find resources that will help you maintain your goals. Now where to start to reduce your ecological footprint? Reducing your trash to a mason jar a year might not be your goal — yet!— but here are four easy steps to cut down waste. The first and easiest thing you can do is to start composting. You will reduce your trash by a third, return valuable nutrients to the soil, and improve your soil’s quality and fertility. The City of Hyattsville has a supply of backyard compost bins available to residents free of charge. Contact Volunteer Services Manager Colleen Aistis at caistis@hyattsville. org or 301.985.5057. If you are the DIY type, a quick search on the internet will give you lots of tips for making a compost bin on a budget. You can also look at sharewaste.com, a website that connects people who have a compost pile (or chicken coop) and will recycle your scraps. Get rid of single-use items. In my household, we now use cloth napkins and handkerchiefs, compostable Swedish cloths instead of paper towels, bamboo toothbrushes, bar soaps and shampoo bars (no more plastic bottles and harmful chemicals), DIY toothpaste, reusable totes, stainless steel straws and cutlery, menstrual cups, reusable water bottles, a French press coffee maker, bamboo dish brushes, WASTE continued on page 12
SATURDAY SA SATURDA OCT OCT. 5TH
1K Family Fun Run 5K, 1M Run 8:30AM - 11:30AM MAGRUDER PARK
Volunteers Needed
Taste more than 50 brews – local & imported brews
BEST PRICES OF THE YEAR
Find out how YOUR school can raise money
Hyattsville5k@gmail.com Register now or sign up to volunteer at: www.runsignup.com/Hya svilleZombieRun
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
Page 7
SecondhandNews
Getting ‘familiar’ feels at Vintage House Parts & Radiators’ new locale By Lauren Flynn Kelly
LAUREN FLYNN KELLY
Some rescued chandeliers at the new Vintage House Parts & Radiators location in Cheverly
If you’re a regular reader of this column, you know that I support reducing waste, reusing old items and maintaining original components of the home. Saul Navidad, owner of Vintage House Parts & Radiators in nearby Cheverly, shares this philosophy. About five years ago, I featured Vintage House Parts’ former location in North Brentwood, known to many as “that old radiator place on Rhode Island Avenue,” and was charmed by its vast inventory of beautiful, hard-to-find items salvaged from homes in the Washington, D.C., area. Navidad opened the business in 2012 after working for many years with The Brass Knob
DENTURES Glenridge Center Calvin J. Wilson, DDS GENERAL DENTIST
The leader in tooth replacement since 1975 CONSULT People like us. Check out our rating –& 4.7X-RAY stars as of November 201 8.
STARTING AS LOW AS
Architectural Antiques (which, sadly, will close its Adams Morgan shop after 38 years of operation on Nov. 1). Filling the void left by the 2011 closure of The Brass Knob’s salvaged parts warehouse, Navidad continued to work with area contractors to swoop in before a historic house demolition or renovation and save items such as chandeliers, doors and fireplace mantels from being trashed. On a hot summer day at the new warehouse, Navidad told me he rescues these pieces because their craftsmanship and durability are superior to those of today’s modern fixtures. And there are homeowners from here to BaltiVINTAGE continued on page 9
$325
FOR UPPER OR LOWER ECONOMY DENTURES
10% OFF
DENTURES & EXTRACTIONS*
WITH PURCHASE OF NEW DENTURE WEARER PACKAGE
FOR NEW DENTURE PATIENTS
CALVIN J. WILSON, DDS, GENERAL DENTIST
FREE
CONSULT
& X-RAY
FOR NEW DENTURE PATIENTS**
CALVIN WILSON, DDS, P.C. 7530 ANNAPOLIS ROAD GLENRIDGE CENTER HYATTSVILLE, MD 20784
FOR MORE INFO CALL
301.918.1951 EXPIRES 12.31.2019
Offer good only at designated location. *10% discount good on dentures and extractions with purchase of New Denture Wearer Package, Economyplus or higher. Coupon must be presented at time of initial payment and cannot be combined with any other coupon, discount, package price, insurance program or prior order. Offer may change or end without notice. Limit one coupon per person.**Free Consult and X-Ray offer has a minimum value of $75 and covers a traditional 2-D X-Ray at initial visit. Additional fees may be incurred depending on individual cases. Advertised fees effective through 12/31/19.
AFFORDABLEDENTURES.COM
Page HR1
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
the
Hyattsville Reporter No. 378 • September 10, 2019
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
Coffee with a Cop
map. For more information and to register, please visit www.hyattsville.org/yardsale or call (301) 985-5000. If you’d like to rent a table from Friendship Arms Apartments for $10 a day, please contact Jackie Johnson at (301) 277-6658 (there’s no charge for Friendship Arms Residents).
New Emergency Notification System
HY-Swap
Join our Hyattsville Police Department on Thursday, September 12, 8 – 10 a.m., at Shortcake Bakery for Coffee with a Cop! Stop and say hi, voice your concerns, and ask any questions you may have for them. We’ll see you there!
All residents are encouraged to sign up for the City’s new emergency alert system by texting HVL to 99411 or visiting www.hyattsville.org/safetyalerts. The Hyattsville Police Department is no longer using the Nixle system to send emergency alerts.
Electric Vehicle Car Show
Hyattsville’s fourth annual Electric Vehicle Car Show is here! Join us Sunday, September 15, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the City Building parking lot as we kick off National Drive Electric Week. With support from the Electric Vehicle Institute and Studio 3807, our car show will display various electric vehicles from all around the Washington, D.C., area – Teslas, electric motorcycles, and Hyattsville’s own fully marked Chevrolet Bolt Police Cruiser – the first of its kind in the nation, will all be there. Admission is free, and all attendants should register for a chance to win $250 and raffle prizes! To register, visit www.ndew.org. Additional volunteers are needed to help with the event. Participating as a volunteer helps satisfy the State of Maryland Student Service-Learning Requirement. To register, please call (301) 985-5057 or email caistis@hyattsville.org.
Residential Parking Permits Enforcement
The City of Hyattsville is now accepting applications for Special Residential Parking Permits and additional permits for all zones. Special permits and additional permits are not guaranteed, and are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Residents that live within a Residential Parking Zone and have not yet applied are encouraged to do so immediately. Enforcement will begin September 16 with warnings, and fines will be issued starting October 7. Please note that applications can still be submitted by mail or at the City Building during business hours, but the fastest way to receive your permits is by applying online at www.hyattsville. org/res-parking. For questions, please call (301) 985-5027.
Teen Center
September Hours: The City’s Teen Center at Magruder Park is back and will be operating under special hours in September. The Center will be open Monday through Thursday, from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., September 6 until September 26. On Friday, September 13, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Center will host a Back 2 School Night Party, and on Friday, September 20 and 27, it’ll be open from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Normal hours will begin Monday, September 30. To learn more, visit www. hyattsville.org/teen-center. Tutors and Mentors Needed: Volunteer as a tutor and mentor at the City of Hyattsville’s Teen Center! We´re still seeking role models for the school year who can help with homework for local students in grades 6 – 12. It’s a commitment of a couple hours, one night a week, or more if you’d like. To learn more, visit www.hyattsville.org/tutor.
Camp Staycation teens enjoyed a visit to the Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center before the start of school.; Jóvenes del programa Camp Staycation disfrutaron de una visita al Museo Afroamericano y Centro Cultural de Prince George’s antes del empiezo de la escuela.
Park(ing) Day
On Friday, September 20, the City of Hyattsville will host its fourth annual Park(ing) Day – a day that parking spaces across town are turned into pop-up parks! Each parking space is hosted by a local business, group, or organization. Visit www.hyattsville.org/PARKingday to learn more.
place on Saturday, October 5. Please note that there will be no parking allowed on the race routes that day from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. Residents who live within the race course streets are encouraged to plan accordingly. To find out which streets are affected, please visit www.hyattsville.org/5k or call (301) 985-5000.
Summer Jam
Heat’s On – Water’s Off
The 2019 Summer Jam Series comes to an end Friday, September 20, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the City Building. Help us celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Mariachi Aguila while enjoying delicious pupusas from Leyla’s Restaurant. Franklin’s Brewery, Maryland Meadworks, and Sanfroid Distilling will be providing refreshments. While we won’t be needing volunteers to paint the little libraries anymore, they’ll still be installed across the City! To learn more, visit www.hyattsville.org/summerjam.
Arts & Ales Festival
The Downtown Hyattsville Arts & Ales Festival will take place Saturday, September 21, noon – 6 p.m. in the City’s Gateway Arts District. Join us, the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation, and other sponsors to celebrate the 12th anniversary of the festival with over 100 artist exhibits, breweries, food trucks, live entertainment, and more! For the latest information, visit www.hyattsvilleartsfestival.com
Movin’ with the Mayor Special Event
Did you know that 38th Avenue Park just got a brand-new fitness center that is free and available for use now? In honor of this new addition, we’re hosting a special Movin’ with the Mayor event on Saturday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Snacks, music, and water are on us! No registration is needed – just show up and have fun!
Sunset Movie Series
We’re screening Ralph Breaks the Internet on Friday, September 27, at 7 p.m., at Heurich Park. Come enjoy this FREE movie – don’t forget the blankets and chairs!
Zombie Run & Road Closures
The 2019 Zombie Run, hosted by the Hyattsville Elementary School PTA, will take
The Prince George’s County Department of Family Services, the Mechanical Contractors Association, and the County Fire Department are proud to sponsor the Heat’s On - Water’s Off project on October 5, 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. The project provides homeowners ages 60+ with a FREE safety check for their heating/plumbing systems and smoke detectors. For more information and to register, please call (301) 265-8485.
Cyclocross
Ready, set, go! The annual Hyattsville Cyclocross Bike Race, sponsored by Route 1 Velo Cycling Team, will take place Sunday, October 6. This off-road bicycle race through Magruder Park and Woods will benefit the Prince George’s County Special Olympics. For more information and to register, visit route1velo.com/hyattsvillecx.
Public Hearing
On October 7, at 7 p.m., Hyattsville’s City Council will hold a Public Hearing to consider public testimony regarding Traffic Calming Petitions submitted for 1) the 3900 block of Jefferson Street located in Ward 2 and 2) the 4200 block of Nicholson Street located in Ward 1. The Public Hearing is an opportunity to learn more and provide feedback. It will be held on the third floor of the City Building. Can’t attend the hearing? No problem! Just email comments or questions to cityclerk@hyattsville.org.
Fall Community Yard Sale
The City’s 2019 Fall Community Yard Sale will take place October 11 – 13, during daylight hours. Participation is free, and registration is now open until Friday October 4. Residents who register voluntarily will have their address included on a “treasure map” on the City’s website. The sale dates will also be listed on Craigslist under their Yard Sale section with a link to the
Shop the HY-Swap for FREE infant, children’s and maternity clothing, toys, and gear. Donations are from the local community, for the local community! On Saturday. October 19, doors will be open 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and again from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the first floor of the City Building. The HY-Swap is organized by local parents dedicated to sharing items within the community, helping families save money, and reducing waste. Items mentioned above that are in good condition are collected in advance from now until Sunday, September 29. The exception is large items (strollers, car seats, cribs, highchairs, etc.), which can be brought the morning of the event, starting at 9 a.m. No other items will be accepted by HY-Swap on October 19, but Greater DC Diaper Bank will be on hand to accept donations of diapers and sanitary items. For more information about when and where to donate goods or how to volunteer, contact hyswap@gmail.com, or visit www.hy-swap.com.
Financial & Relationship Workshops
Looking for financial and relationship advice? Sign up for the Together Program – a free six-week workshop for Englishspeaking couples seeking to improve their communication and finance management skills. Each session includes a light meal and licensed childcare (if needed). Couples can even earn up to $160 in gift cards! Sessions will be held every Tuesday beginning on October 8 through November 12, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., at St. Matthew’s Church (5901 36th Avenue). Please note that English and Spanish session have different dates. To learn more and register, visit www.togetherprogram.org or call 1-877-432-1669.
Youth Programs
Creative Minds: Parents and toddlers (ages 1 – 3) are invited to Creative Minds, an educational enrichment program that meets every Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at Magruder Park. Registration opens September 17 and the program begins September 26. Visit www. hyattsville.org/creativeminds or contact Veronica Rivera-Negrón at (240) 487-1703 to learn more. Mini-Camp Magruder: Is school out on October 18? Mini-Camp Magruder isn’t! Open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., students in grades K -5 are invited to join us for a Farm-tastic day at 3911 Hamilton Street! We’ll make meals using fresh, local produce, host a “pretend” farmers market, and have plenty of games. The registration link opens September 18. To sign up, please visit hyattsville.org/MiniRegistration.
We’re Hiring
Serve your community by working for our local government! We’re seeking a building and grounds supervisor, a project manager and analyst, a youth programs coordinator, and several positions for the Hyattsville Police Department. Visit www.hyattsville. org/jobs to learn more and apply!
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
el
Reportero de
Page HR2
Hyattsville
No. 378 • 10 de Septiembre, 2019
Café con un Policía
inscribirse – ¡simplemente venga a pasar un buen tiempo!
¡Acompañe nuestro Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville para el evento Café con un Policía! Estarán en Shortcake Bakery esta vez el jueves, 12 de septiembre, de 8 a.m. a 10 a.m. Vaya a saludarlos, exprésele sus opiniones, o pregúnteles una pregunta que tenga. ¡Nos vemos allí!
Serie de Películas al Atardecer
Estamos proyectando la película Ralph Breaks The Internet en el Parque Heurich el viernes, 27 de septiembre, a las 7 p.m. ¡Traiga sus mantas o sillas y venga a disfrutar de esta película GRATIS en el Parque!
Nuevo Sistema de Alertas de Emergencia
Carrera Zombi y Cierre de Carreteras
Estamos pidiéndoles a todos los residentes que se inscriban para el nuevo sistema de alertas de emergencia de la Ciudad. Para recibir alertas, envié un texto al 99411 con las letras “HVL” o visité www.hyattsville.org/ safetyalerts. El Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville ya no está usando el sistema Nixle para enviar alertas de emergencia.
Show de Vehículos Eléctricos
¡Nuestra cuarta anual Exhibición de Vehículos Eléctricos ya llego! Acompáñenos el domingo, 15 de septiembre, de 11 a.m. a 4 p.m. en el Edificio Municipal y ayúdenos a lanzar la Semana Nacional “Drive Electric.” Junto al Instituto de Vehículos Electrónicos y Studio 3807, tendremos varios vehículos eléctricos de todos lados del área de Washington, D.C. Habrá Teslas, motocicletas eléctricas y el Chevrolet Bolt de la policía de Hyattsville – la primera patrulla eléctrica de este tipo en la nación. ¡La entrada es gratis y todas las personas que atiendan deberían inscribirse para la oportunidad de ganar $250 y premios de sorteo! Visiten www.ndew.org para inscribirse. También se necesitan voluntarios para ayudar con el evento. Participando como voluntario ayuda a satisfacer el requisito de aprendizaje-servicio del Estado de Maryland. Para inscribirse, por favor llame al (301) 985-5057 o mande un correo electrónico a caistis@hyattsville.org.
Enfuerzo de Permisos de Parqueo Residencial
La Ciudad de Hyattsville ahora está aceptando aplicaciones para Permisos Especiales de Parqueo Residencial y permisos adicionales. Permisos especiales y permisos adicionales no son garantizados y serán revisados en la orden en que se recibieron. Residentes que viven dentro de una Zona de Parqueo Residencial y todavía no han entregado una aplicación deberían de aplicar inmediatamente. El enfuerzo de permisos empezara el 16 de septiembre con advertencias. El enfuerzo con multas empieza el 7 de octubre. Todavía se puede solicitar permisos por correo o en persona visitando el Edificio Municipal pero la manera más rápida es en línea, vía www.hyattsville.org/res-parking. Para preguntas, llame al (301) 985-5027.
Centro de Jóvenes
Horas de septiembre: El Centro de Jóvenes en Magruder Park está de regreso y operara bajo horas especiales en septiembre. El Centro estará abierto de lunes a jueves, de 3:30 p.m. a 7 p.m., desde el 6 de septiembre hasta el 26 de septiembre. El viernes, 13 de septiembre, de 5 p.m. a 7 p.m., tendrán una fiesta de regreso de escuela y los viernes de septiembre 20 y 27, estarán abiertos de 3:30 p.m. a 10 p.m. Horas regulares empiezan el lunes, 30 de septiembre. Para más información, visite www.hyattsville.org/teen-center. Necesitamos Tutores y Mentores: ¡Conviértase en un mentor y tutor para el Centro de Jóvenes de la Ciudad de Hyattsville! Estamos buscando a personas ejemplares para este año escolar que puedan ayudar a estu-
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
Mayor Hollingsworth and City staff met with residents for an information session about the Census Complete Count Committee. The Committee will be tasked to help increase participation in the 2020 Census.; La Alcaldesa Hollingsworth y empleados de la Ciudad se reunieron con residentes para una sesión de información sobre el Comité Completo del Conteo del Censo. El Comité estará encargado en ayudar a aumentar la participación en el Censo de 2020. diantes locales de grados 6 – 12 con la tarea. Es un compromiso de un par de horas una vez a la semana o más si quiere. Visite www. hyattsville.org/tutor para más detalles.
Día de Parqueo
El viernes, 20 de septiembre, la Ciudad sostendrá su cuarto anual Día de Parqueo – ¡un día en lo cual espacios de parqueo por toda la Ciudad son convertidos en parques! Cada espacio de parqueo es hospedado por un grupo, negocio local u organización. Visite www.hyattsville.org/PARKingday para más.
Summer Jam
La Serie de Summer Jam concluye el viernes, 20 de septiembre, de 6:30 a 8:30 p.m., en el Edificio Municipal. Venga y ayúdenos a celebrar el mes de la Herencia Hispana con música de Mariachi Águila y con deliciosas pupusas de Leyla’s Restaurant. Pueden combinarlo con una bebida adulta y sabrosa de Franklin’s Brewery, Maryland Meadworks y Sangfroid Distilling. ¡Aunque ya no ocuparemos voluntarios para pintas cajas para libros, de todos modos serán instalados alrededor de la Ciudad! Visite www.hyattsville.org/summerjam para información.
Festival de Artes Y Bebidas
El Festival de las Artes y Bebidas de Hyattsville tomará plazo el sábado, 21 de septiembre, de 12 – 6 p.m. en el Distrito de las Artes. Acompáñenos a nosotros, Hyattsville Community Development Corporation y otros patrocinadores para celebrar el duodécimo aniversario del festival. ¡Habrá más de 100 exhibiciones artísticas, cervecerías, camiones de comida, música en vivo y más! Para las ultimas noticias, visite www.hyattsvilleartsfestival.com.
Evento Especial de Acción con la Alcaldesa
¿Sabía que el 38th Avenue Park acaba de obtener una nueva corte de ejercicio que es gratuito y está disponible para uso? Para celebrar esta nueva adición, tendremos un evento especial de Acción con la Alcaldesa el sábado, 21 de septiembre, de 10 a.m. a 11 a.m. ¡Nosotros nos encargamos de las barras de granola, el agua y la música! No necesita
La Carrera Zombi de 2019, organizada por el PTA de la Escuela Primaria Hyattsville, se llevará a cabo el sábado, 5 de octubre. Tenga en cuenta que no habrá estacionamiento permitido en las rutas de la carrera ese día de 6 a.m. a 11 a.m. Residentes que viven dentro de la carrera se les recomienda que planifiquen en consecuencia. Para averiguar qué calles están afectadas, visite www.hyattsville.org/5k o llame al (301) 985-5000.
El Proyecto Heat’s On – Water’s Off
El Departamento de Servicios Familiares del Condado Prince George´s, Mechanical Contractors Association y el Departamento de Bomberos del Condado están orgullosos de patrocinar el proyecto Heat´s on – Water´s Off, el sábado, 5 de octubre, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. El proyecto provee una revisión gratis de los sistemas de calefacción, la plomería y los detectores de humo para dueños de casa de 60 años o más. Para más información y para registrarse, por favor llame al (301) 265-8485.
Intercambio Comunitario
Venga de compras al HY-Swap, un intercambio comunitario GRATIS para ropa de infantes, niños pequeños, ropa de maternidad, juguetes y bienes. El 19 de octubre, las puertas se abrirán de 11 p.m. a 12:30 p.m. y de nuevo de las 1:30 p.m. a 2:30 p.m. en el primer piso del Edificio Municipal. El HYSwap está organizado por un grupo local de padres dedicados a compartiendo bienes dentro de la comunidad, ayudando familias y reduciendo el desgaste. Se recolecta bienes que ya fueron mencionados y estén en buenas condiciones desde ahora hasta el 29 de septiembre. Bienes más grandes como cunas, sillitas de paseo y sillas infantiles no serán colectadas hasta el día del evento empezando a las 9 a.m. El HY-Swap solo colectará los bienes grandes el 19 de octubre, pero la organización DC Diaper Bank estará presente para aceptar donaciones como pañales y artículos sanitarios. ¡Para más información acerca de dónde y cómo puede donar bienes o para convertirse en un voluntario, contacte a hyswap@gmail.com o visite www. hy-swap.com!
Taller Financiero y de Relaciones
La carrera anual de bicicletas de Hyattsville, patrocinada por Route 1 Velo Cycling Team, toma plazo el domingo, 6 de octubre. Esta carrera por todoterreno tomara plazo en el Parque Magruder y Bosques de Magruder. Todos los procedimientos beneficiarán las Olimpiadas Especiales del Condado Prince George’s. Para más información y para inscribirse, visite a route1velo.com/hyattsvillecx.
¿Busca asesoramiento financiero y de relación? Inscríbase para el programa Juntos en Pareja – un taller gratuito de cuatro semanas para parejas hispanohablantes que buscan mejorar sus habilidades de gestión de comunicación y finanzas. Cada sesión incluye una comida ligera y cuidado de niños con licencia (si es necesario). ¡Las parejas pueden incluso ganar hasta $ 260 en tarjetas de regalo! Sesiones empezaran el 5, 12, 19 de octubre y el 2 de noviembre, de 8:30 a.m. hasta las 1 p.m., en la Iglesia San Mateo (3901 36th Avenue). Por favor note que las sesiones de español e inglés son diferentes. Para obtener más información y para inscribirse, mande un correo electrónico a juntosenparejavt@gmail.com o llame al (703) 538-3779.
Audiencia Pública
Programas para Niños
Carrera de Ciclócross
El 7 de octubre, a las 7 p.m., el Concejo Municipal de Hyattsville llevará a cabo una Audiencia Pública para considerar el testimonio público con respecto a las peticiones para calmar el tráfico presentadas para 1) la cuadra 3900 de Jefferson Street ubicada en Ward 2 y 2) la cuadra 4200 de Nicholson Street ubicada en Ward 1. La Audiencia Pública es una oportunidad para aprender más y proporcionar comentarios. Se llevará a cabo en el tercer piso del edificio de la Ciudad. ¿No puede asistir a la audiencia? ¡No hay problema! Simplemente envíe sus comentarios o preguntas por correo electrónico a cityclerk@hyattsville.org.
Venta Comunitaria del Otoño
La Venta Comunitaria del Otoño de la Ciudad de Hyattsville tomará plazo desde el 11 hasta el 13 de octubre durante las horas del día. Participación es gratis y la registración está abierta desde ahora hasta el 4 de octubre. Los residentes de la Ciudad que se registren voluntariamente tendrán sus direcciones incluidas en un “mapa de tesoros” en el sitio web de la Ciudad. Las fechas de venta también estarán listadas en Craiglist con un enlace para el mapa. Para más información o para inscribirse, visite www. hyattsville.org/yardsale o llame al (301) 9855000. Si quiere rentar una mesa de los apartamentos Friendship Arms por $10 al día, contacte a Jackie Johnson al (301) 277-6658 (no hay cargo para residentes que viven en los apartamentos).
Mentes Creativas: Padres e hijos (años 1 – 3) están invitados a Mentes Creativas, un programa de enriquecimiento y educación que empieza el 26 de septiembre, cada martes y jueves, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., en el Parque Magruder. La registración se abre el 17 de septiembre y el programa empieza el 26 de septiembre. Para más información, visite www.hyattsville.org/creativeminds o contacte a Verónica Rivera-Negrón al (240) 487-1703. Mini-Camp Magruder: ¿La escuela está cerrada el 18 de octubre? ¡El campamento de un día de Camp Magruder no! De 8 a.m. a 6 p.m., estudiantes de grados K – 5 pueden acompañarnos para un día lleno de diversión en la 3911 Hamilton Street. Sera un día dedicado a la agricultura y los granjeros. Para divertirnos, prepararemos una comida usando productos locales y frescos, tendremos un simulado mercado agrícola y juegos de recreación. El enlace www.hyattsville.org/MiniRegistration para la inscripción se abrera el 18 de septiembre. ¡No se lo pierdan!
Estamos Contratando
¡Sirva a su comunidad trabajando por su gobierno local! Estamos buscando a un supervisor de edificios para el Departamento de Obras Públicas, un director de proyectos, un coordinador para programas de jóvenes y varias posiciones para el Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville. ¡Visite www.hyattsville.org/jobs para solicitar!
Page 8
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
TRAFFIC
continued from page 1
Prince George’s County’s Largest Gathering of Arts & Craft Brewing
Sponsored ponsored By
allows them to submit a petition to the city. The petition must be circulated among the residents of the block in question and the blocks directly on either side. Moreover, if the block “provides the only means of ingress and/or egress for other streets,” those streets must also be included in the petition. Sixty percent of the houses must sign the petition. In their petition, which reached more than an 80 percent signature rate, residents of the 4200 block of Nicholson Street stated their concern for the safety of more than 10 children below the age of 10 who live on the block. The petition also describes motorists who speed frequently and a dog that was hit and killed last year. Bart Lawrence, city councilmember of Ward 1, where the relevant block is located, said in an Aug. 14 email, “The process for requesting traffic calming measures was revamped about six years ago to make the final decisions based more on data and the knowledge of our professional staff. If my memory is correct, since these changes were enacted, Council has always accepted staff ’s recommendation.” The petition for the 3900 block of Jefferson Street also
reached above an 80 percent signature rate. It cites a host of concerns about drivers along Jefferson Street who speed, pass other cars unsafely, damage cars parked along the street and fail to come to a complete stop at stop signs. Backing up those assertions, a City of Hyattsville Transportation Plan WikiMap records multiple complaints about the behavior of drivers at the intersection of Jefferson Street and 40th Avenue. According to the petition, Jefferson Street is a major throughway, with many people going to Magruder Park having to cross Jefferson Street at 39th or 40th Avenue. Moreover, many area children walking to both the elementary and middle schools traverse Jefferson Street on their way to school. “For a residential street, Jefferson gets a high volume of traffic. Within the last six months, we have seen several accidents on Jefferson between 39th and 40th, including a high speed collision into a telephone pole,” wrote City Councilmember Danny Schaible (Ward 2) in an Aug. 14 email. Schaible lives on Jefferson Street and signed the petition. “I support my neighbors who took the initiative to try and calm traffic and reduce the likelihood of future accidents on this street.”
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
VINTAGE
continued from page 7
more who “are smart enough to know that it’s better quality and are looking for this kind of stuff to put back in their houses, so it looks original,” said the Riverdale resident. When the Rhode Island Avenue building was put up for sale at a price that was out of range for a salvage business, Navidad began relocating the inventory to the rented warehouse space at 4809 Lydell Road in October 2018. Nestled behind another warehouse down the road from the Pepsi-Cola bottling center, it may not be as easy to find as the old location, but it is much better suited to hous-
ing tall items (like street lamps from Silver Spring!) and has a more walkable and organized layout. One section features brass and crystal doorknobs, drawer pulls, brackets and other antique hardware neatly displayed in glass cabinets and old card catalog cabinets. Another area allows employee Roy Wheeler to polish and clean old items onsite. During my visit, he was busy brightening up a set of Victorian heat registers. There’s also a warehouse cat named Shuggy who served as an excellent tour guide as we walked past little pieces of D.C. history, like a pair of massive doors that came from the old Masonic Temple on 9th and F, as well as old fireplace ac-
Page 9
cessories, built-in shelves and clawfoot tubs. There is even a small antique cradle that had my kids cooing at the air. As my oldest daughter put it, everything there feels “familiar.” And of course, there are the cast-iron radiators, which line at least one-third of the space. When I asked Navidad if there is still a market for old radiators, he firmly replied, “Yes,” and said he’s been told Vintage House Parts is the largest used radiator supplier in the area. Vintage House Parts is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To keep up with new arrivals and snag ’em before they’re gone, follow their Instagram handle, @vintagehousepart, maintained by marketing director, Jorge Lopez.
LAUREN FLYNN KELLY
Salvage Dawgs: (from left to right) Owner Saul Navidad and employees Roy Wheeler and Jorge Lopez are happy to house their rescued goods at the new Vintage House Parts & Radiators location in Cheverly.
E & V Hauling Service
We haul it all! Call Lenny Van-Tull 301-864-8355, 301-252-5449 clenny753@aol.com
Based in Hyattsville, serving Hyattsville and surrounding areas
Got a House Project? Call Local Handyman Vincent Brandi House Painting, Drywall & Plaster Repair Landscaping Design and Maintenance LOCAL REFERENCES AVAILABLE
Yes! Organic Market 5331 Baltimore Ave, Hyattsville MD 20781 (next to Busboys, up the street from Franklins) Stack up savings!
Best Prices of the Year
$1 off each bottle. Buy 6 bottles, extra 5% off. 12 bottles, extra 10% off.
Attendance is Free. Don’t forget your ID
Call or Text 631-353-1661
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
Tel 301-779-0522 Fax 301-927-1815 M-Thu 9-5 Sat by Appt.
Christian Christian Science ScienceChurch Society 8300 Adelphi Road, Hyattsville • 301-422-1822
Taste more than 50 wines – worldwide selection
BEST PRICES OF THE YEAR
Sunday church services — 10:30 a.m. Sunday school (youth up to 20) — 10:30 a.m. Wednesday evening testimony meetings — 7:30 p.m.
All are welcome • Free literature available
Page 10
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
MissFloribunda Dear Miss Floribunda, I was really appalled by the insults from neighbors that “Eating Dirt� described in last month’s letter. While my very polite neighbors have been wonderful to me, a life-long resident of Arizona who moved to Hyattsville, I suspect they want me to make changes. There have been many friendly offers to help me with weeding that I haven’t accepted, just because I am so thrilled to finally have a lush green garden for the first time in my life. It’s true that I have a lot of plants I can’t identify, but I recognize quite a few that I’ve seen in Nicholson Park and especially Magruder Park, where my grandchildren and I spend a lot of time. The kids, by the way, think Magruder Park is as wonderful in its small way as the Grand Canyon. They not only like the events, the baseball diamond and the pool, but the nature walks we take there. So, is there a list of plants in Magruder Park that I could look up and find pictures of? I’d like to know which of my plants are desirable and which might be invasive weeds I should get rid of. Thank you so much. Newcomer on Nicholson Street Dear Newcomer,
An important pollinator, the Baltimore checkerspot butterflyĘźs numbers have been declining in Maryland and in other regions, so it is something of an honor that our own Magruder Park is providing a habitat for it.
Welcome to Hyattsville. You will encounter new gardening challenges in our microclimate, of course. Weeds thrive in our what you term our “lush� gardens. However, you are certainly right that most of what you see in Magruder Park, which is carefully overseen by Hyattsville’s Department of Public Works, is proba-
bly desirable in your own garden. Situated on the Anacostia River flood plain, this beloved park was donated to the City of Hyattsville in 1927, and it preserves a still-untainted ecosystem full of lovely native plants that house and feed many rare species of insects as well as the bats, frogs and toads that keep down our pesky
mosquito population. You can get descriptive lists of its native plants, pollinating insects, and birds from Dawn Taft, supervisor of Environmental Programs for Hyattsville. Contact information is on the City of Hyattsville website: www.hyattsville.org. You can also get a list of the invasive plants you do not want in your
h&RANKLINS IS AWESOME v
n0UBCRAWLER COM
7JTJU )ZBUUTWJMMF T NPTU VOVTVBM SFTUBVSBOU BOE FOKPZ PVS PXO NJDSPCSFXT PO UBQ ĂąOF XJOF BOE HPPE GPPE
&RANKLINS
#BMUJNPSF "WF )ZBUUTWJMMF .%
garden from Marc Imlay, chair of the Natural Places Committee of the Sierra Club (marc.imlay@ maryland.sierraclub.org). You might want to encourage your grandchildren to volunteer to help weed in Magruder Park with the experts. A group gathers there the third Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. to remove invasive species. You can get details from Colleen Aistis, Hyattsville’s Community Services manager, or just show up at the park and join the group. This would be hands-on learning, and would give the kids a way to participate in improving their new community. In the long term, it might even open up a career path in ecology for them. In the short term, Magruder Park is in very great need of boosters just now. As you’ve come from Arizona, I’m sure you know that your magnificent Grand Canyon is famous for its ecosystem. Yet there are powerful forces seeking to open it to development, beginning at the edges, as well as a project for a tourist tramway across it that comes with restaurants and restrooms. Even more horrifying, recent news concerning wildfires in Amazonia, “the lungs of the world,� illustrate the disastrous consequences of allowing commercial interests free rein. Magruder Park, though it comprises only 32 acres, is the “lungs� of the City of Hyattsville, and has its own complex and delicate ecosystem in need of respect. To give only one example of what the park protects, the pretty white turtlehead (Chelone glabra) you find in the wetland area of the park is host to Maryland’s state butterfly, the Baltimore checkerspot. An important
pollinator, this butterfly’s numbers have been steeply declining in Maryland and in other regions, so it is something of an honor that our own Magruder Park is providing a habitat for it. And, in addition to pollinators and mosquito-eaters, deer and other wildlife displaced by construction all around have found a haven in the park. Should any part of the park be nibbled away, there would be even more deer in our gardens helping themselves to our shrubs! Because there is talk of building a new middle school in the park, I want to go on record as opposing this as well as any high-density town house development in the flood plain adjacent to Magruder Park. My personal feeling is that the old school ought to be renovated, because renovation, with possible expansion, is the only genuinely “green� building. (Think about it — it makes sense to retain what is still usable rather than starting from scratch.) Nor do I understand the need to move the location of the school to another place. When Northwestern High School in Hyattsville was demolished in 2000, it was rebuilt on-site. Of course I agree that a better Hyattsville Middle School is needed, but I do not believe there can be any valid reason to violate Magruder Park. To discuss these matters and to participate in a plant exchange that might prove very useful to you, please come to the next meeting of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society. As there will be no September meeting, the next meeting will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10 a.m. at the home of Joe Buriel and Dave Roeder, 3909 Longfellow Street.
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
Page 11
COMMUNITY CALENDAR September 14
HPA Porch Fest. Stroll Hyattsville while listening to 30 musical performers on 10 porches. A variety of styles ranging from acoustic to electric, jazz and Celtic harp as well as poetry and storytelling. 2 to 6 p.m. List of locations will be announced online on Sept. 13. Preservehyattsville.org Homebuyers Seminar. Hosted by Housing Initiative Partnership, Inc., a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. $55/ person; $100/couple. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Must register in advance. Participants will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the class. Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin St. 301.699.3835 Community Health Fair. Community event designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, prevent and manage disease, and connect to resources. Free. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville, 6201 Belcrest Rd. fumchy.org
September 15
ASL Board Games Day. These board games are designed to help people think outside the box to win. Beer at own expense. Hosted by Roll’em Bones Cafe and Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. 1 to 5 p.m. $5/person. Streetcar 82 Brewing Co., 4824 Rhode Island Ave. 240.782.0152
September 21
Downtown Hyattsville Arts Festival: Arts & Ales. The festival spans Farragut St., Gallatin St. and Church Alley in downtown Hyattsville. Noon to 6 p.m. 301.683.8267. Hyattsvilleartsfestival.com
September 23
Library Independent Film Series. “Ruben Blades is Not My Name” is an award-winning documentary about this famous Panamanian singer/songwriter/ politician who brought salsa music to an international audience. 7 p.m. Free. University Christian Church, 6800 Adelphi Rd.
October 5
Hyattsville Zombie Run. Hosted by the Hyattsville Elementary School PTA. This 1K Family Fun Run/Walk starts at 8:45 a.m. Cost is $15 plus fee. One-Mile Kids Run/Walk starts at 9:05 a.m. Cost is $15 plus fee. 5K Run/Walk starts at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $30/ runner before Sept. 12. $35/runner afterwards. Participants are encouraged to pick up their pack-
International Travel Vaccines 3311 Toledo Terrace Suite C201 Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 (301) 403-8808
Yellow fever, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Malaria, Polio, etc.
AdirondAck Tree experTs
ets (race bib, goody bag, and race T-shirt) on Oct. 4, 4 to 9 p.m. at Whole Foods on Route 1 in Riverdale Park. Participants can also pick up packets on race day, 7:30 to 9:15 a.m. at Magruder Park. Register at hyattsvillees-pta. org/zombierun. College Park Day. Day of fun for the whole family with live music and bands, awesome kids zones, delicious food and drink, and live performances. Free museum entry during the event. Noon to 6 p.m. College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr., College Park. Collegeparkday.org
Lawson’s Pharmacy PICK-UP & DELIVERY OF PRESCRIPTIONS Ostomy Supplies, Sr. Citizen’s Discounts Convalescent Aids Sales & Rentals Richard Sabatelli, R. Ph.
301-864-4043
3415 Hamilton St., Hyattsville, MD 20782
Loving Care Pediatrics Janet V. Johnson, MD
3311 Toledo Terrace, Suite C201 Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 Tel: 301-403-8808 Fax: 301-403-1341
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*
Proudly serving the Citizens of Hyattsville since 1996
Combine & Save.
Recipient of Checkbook Magazine’s “Check of Quality”
REMOVAL • PRUNING TRIMMING
Free Estimates!
301-595-2827
Paul Dougherty Ins Agcy Inc Paul Dougherty, Agent 3420 Hamilton Street Hyattsville, MD 20782 Bus: 301-927-1391
Good things happen when you combine your home and auto insurance with State Farm®. Like saving an average of $894.* Plus, you’ll have a good neighbor like me to help life go right. CALL ME TODAY.
On-Line Coupons
www.adirondacktreeexperts.com FULLY LICENSED AND INSURED Senior Citizen Discounts • Visa and Mastercard Accepted
*Average annual household savings based on 2016 national survey of new policyholders who reported savings by switching to State Farm. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company • State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL State Farm County Mutual Insurance Company of Texas, Dallas, TX • State Farm Lloyds, Richardson, TX State Farm Fire and Casualty Company • State Farm General Insurance Company, Bloomington, IL 1606203 State Farm Florida Insurance Company, Winter Haven, FL
Page 12
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
WASTE
SALARY
glass containers, silicone baking mats, beeswax wraps, plastic-free water filters and so on. They are all easy swaps that help to lower your home waste. Try to implement one thing at a time, and once you are comfortable, make another swap! New habits take at least two weeks to be integrated, so don’t give up. Regarding grocery shopping, we are lucky to have multiple choices for bulk shopping in and around Hyattsville. My number one stop is Glut Food Co-op. They are raising funds right now and need some neighborhood love. You can bring your own containers, tare them and pay for your produce only. They have an amazing collection of culinary and medicinal herbs and spices, and loose tea and coffee. For bulk shopping, you can go to Yes! Organic Market, Whole Foods, Safeway or the Takoma Park-Silver Spring Food Coop in Takoma Park. You still have a few weeks left to visit some local farmers markets. They are a great way to shop plastic-free, wholesome foods! Just bring your bags. You can shop the Riverdale Park farmers market on Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m., the Downtown College Park, the Greenbelt and the Takoma Park farmers markets on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Paint Branch farmers market in College Park Saturdays from 7 a.m. to noon. Finally, the way we consume is impactful. Fast fashion is the reproduction of highly fashionable clothes at high speed and low cost. It’s terrible for the environment (it takes 10,000 liters of water to make one pair of jeans), it encourages forced labor around the globe, and it’s bad for your health due to the chemicals used in the clothing. To lower our impact, we can shop secondhand. Your wallet will be much happier, and doing so prevents garments, toys, home goods and lots more from ending up in landfills. It also frees you from the grip of advertisement and corporations. Another bonus: You get to experience the thrill of the hunt. Ready to grab your tote bags? Send me your questions and comments at bonjour@juliettefradin.com.
pensation Review Committee (CRC), “a seven person compensation review committee whose membership shall be comprised of at least one member from each Ward of the City,” is formed at least 180 days before every mayoral election. The CRC makes a recommendation regarding salary at least 90 days prior to the election, which the sitting mayor and council can accept or reject, but not amend. Under the new amendment, while the councilmembers vote shortly before the election, the new salaries do not take effect for two years. This en-
continued from page 6
continued from page 1
sures that every city council seat has been up for election before the new salary takes effect. “The intent behind the charter amendment was to match the process that we’ve been following,” said Mayor Candace B. Hollingsworth during the May 6 public hearing. “There was lack of clarity, or ambiguity, in the way that the charter was written. Even though our procedures matched that, the charter had an ambiguity in it.” On May 6, the city held a public hearing regarding the charter amendment. One public comment was made to confirm that the intention of the amendment was to establish that no councilmember is voting on his or her
own salary. “It’s to match the process that we’ve articulated every time we’ve gone through it; it’s just [that] the wording was unclear,” Hollingsworth assured him. The city council passed the charter amendment without discussion. However, the story did not end there. The public hearing had not been advertised for the required four weeks, so the process had to start over. On Aug. 5, a second public hearing was held. “We’ll get it right this time,” laughed Reams. No one gave additional testimony at the hearing, and the city council again passed the amendment with no discussion during the regular council meeting that same evening.
TEEN
continued from page 4
COURTESY OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD DESIGN CENTER
A proposed rendering of the new Teen Center exterior space at 5812 40th Avenue
the Teen Center tutoring program served approximately 35 students last year and, as of press time, had a waiting list of 20 students. Townsend anticipates that the waiting list would grow once applications for the new school year start coming in. Rollow indicated that space constraints and the need for more tutors limited the number of students who could be part of last year’s tutoring program. “The tutoring program is actually the most popular element of the Teen Center, which is not what I expected,” he said. Overall, according to Rollow, there were 76 students who regularly participated in the Teen Center last school year. Since the 40th Avenue site won’t be ready this school year, Rollow said that the city plans to use public school facilities, in addition to the recreation center, to help alleviate the tutoring program’s space constraints. As of press time, Rollow said he had received one verbal commitment from a school administrator to use their school for the evening tutoring program.
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
Page 13
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
BRICK WORK PLUS Specializing in maSonry & Small concrete conStruction FOr yOur cOnStructiOn neeDS, call uS at COURTESY OF THE HYATTSVILLE CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT
Officers from the Hyattsville City Police Department welcomed Hyattsville students back to school on Sept. 3.
TRAIN PRINTING Offset Printing ♦ Full Color Digital Printing Wide Format Printing ♦ Copy & Fax Services Design Services ~ Rush Service Available ~
301-864-5552 4547 Rhode Island Ave | Brentwood, MD 20722 Monday – Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. E-mail: info@trainprinting.com Fax 301-864-0740 • www.TrainPrinting.com
301-864-8161 • Fax 301-864-0013
Office: 4318 Hamilton St. #106 • Hyattsville, MD 20781
George W. Reaves, Owner
Income Tax Preparation “An excellent service at a fair price!”
GETS Financial Incorporated 6213 Balfour Drive Hyattsville, Maryland 20782-1506 By Appointment Only
Michelle A. Goetzinger, President Richard N. Goetzinger, General Manager Notary Public Service Available
301 559 6503 Same Location Since 1959
Page 14
Hyattsville Life & Times | September 2019
Comprehensive and High-Quality
Health Care
Right in Your Neighborhood 95
1
97
32 1
95
97
Laurel
200 Doctors Community Health System is dedicated to helping you maintain and improve your health. Providing 1 same-day appointments and accepting most insurance plans, our network of care has offices at convenient 32 200 locations. 95
Doctors Community Practices at Riverdale (Primary Care, Family Medicine and Endocrinology) 295 6502 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 100 3 97 Riverdale, Maryland 20737 Crofton 301-927-0088Bowie
Doctors Community Practices at Bowie (Primary Care) 4000 Mitchellville Road, Suites B216 and 422 Bowie, Maryland 20716 495 301-262-0020 and 301-262-9872 193 Doctors Community Practices at Crofton (Primary Care and Family Medicine) Riverdale 2191 Defense Highway, Suite 201 1 295 Crofton, Maryland 21114 410-451-9091
193 495
50
Doctors Community Practices at District Heights202 (Primary Care and Family Medicine) 6400 Marlboro Pike District Heights, Maryland 20747295 214 301-736-7000 695 1
Doctors Community Practices at Temple Hills 450 (Primary Care and450 Family Medicine) 50 193 3 Lanham 5859 Allentown Way Temple Hills, Maryland 20728 240-563-1026 50 Metropolitan Medical Specialists (Primary Care and Family Medicine) 301 193 8116 Good Luck Road, Suite 300214 214 Lanham, Maryland 20706 495 240-241-7474 202
Doctors Community Practices at Laurel (Primary Care and Diabetes Care) 13900 Baltimore Avenue 295 Laurel, Maryland 20707 301-725-5652 4
395 395
495
495
Temple Hills
Health and Wellness Center (Urgent Care Inside Safeway) 4101 Northview Drive Bowie, Maryland 20716 301-383-2559 4
District Heights
495
4
5
4
We will also support your overall health goals by streamlining your access to additional Doctors Community Health System services: weight loss program, breast health, digestive disease care, orthopedic services, surgical services, vascular health, endocrinology services and many others. 5 301
Schedule an appointment today. Also, visit us at DCHweb.org.