INSIDE
Life&Times & &Times
CONFRONTING HOMELESSNESS: What happens if you can’t pay the rent during the pandemic? P. 6 SECONDHAND NEWS: Making crafts out of cat hair P. 9
VOL. 17 NO. 8
HYATTSVILLE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
AUGUST 2020
Mayor launches Our Black Party By Anuoluwapo A. Adefiwitan Hyattsville Mayor Candace B. Hollingsworth launched a new political party, Our Black Party, on July 14, alongside former vice mayor and city councilmember of Charlottesville, Va., Dr. Wes Bellamy. “This is about designing policy and programs that ensure that SEE PARTY ON 8
Illegal fireworks spark debate
Instruments salvaged from the Atkins’ basement after the July 18 house fire LINDSAY MYERS
Helping hands
By Zamir Courtney and Kit Slack “The night before last, someone set off a rocket (super loud), and a few seconds later we could hear the pieces of debris hitting our aluminum awning as we sat outside,” wrote Alexi, who asked that only his first name be used for this article. “I had to check nothing was burning on my asphalt roof,” he added in a July 2 message to the H.O.P.E. (Hyattsville Organization for a Positive Environment) email group. “That’s when it’s not so festive.” In Hyattsville, residents have been hearing nightly fireworks since June. Some people are SEE FIREWORKS ON 13
Community rallies around family after devastating house fire
By Lindsay Myers The Atkins’ house on 42nd Avenue, following the July 18 fire LINDSAY MYERS
On the evening of July 18, dozens of volunteers gathered in the yard of Joe Atkins’ home in the 4900 block of 42nd Avenue. Masked and sweating, they worked systematically to dry off and load up
what was left of Atkins’ possessions into a U-Haul parked in the driveway. Atkins’ home had caught fire earlier that afternoon. Items from the basement were wet but salvageable; almost everything else was gone. SEE FIRE ON 12
CENTER SECTION: The August 11, 2020 Issue of The Hyattsvile Reporter — in Español 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 | August 2020
FROM THE EDITOR
There’s a new editor on your doorstep By Kit Slack I used to want to make the news, not cover it. My first job out of college was to pull janitors who worked in office buildings in a wealthy suburb of a big city out on strike. The janitors earned about a third the money that their peers downtown made. A supervisor caught me at an office building after hours, and I argued with him as I retreated through a parking lot where I was technically trespassing. “Your Spanish stinks!” he yelled. “And if these people get the raise you are promising them, all these illegals will lose their jobs!” His staff — members of the union I worked for — tried to calm him down. Though they weren’t working legally, they didn’t think minimum wage was fair for the work they did, and they were willing to take risks — risks that they understood better than I did — to increase their pay. Even so, I worried about what he said. All the downtown janitors I knew had their papers, and none of the suburban ones did. Would the higher wages hurt the people who fought for them in the end? I didn’t stay to find out the rest of that story. Later, when I worked as a lawyer, it often was my job to find out what was really happening: Why were single moth-
ers and homeless men ending up in jail for not paying fines? How much of the purchase price of a company would its executives walk away with when it was sold? The unsatisfying part was that I usually wasn’t supposed to tell anyone what I found out. At best, we picked the facts that built a case. At worst, we followed the law and hid the story. I can’t believe my good fortune in becoming managing editor of Hyattsville’s newspaper last month. My mother is a history professor, and my father taught English to troubled teens for most of his career. They get stories right, tell them clearly and teach people to do the same. I want to do that kind of work too. I’ve lived in Hyattsville for seven years now; three of my children were born here. I look forward to staying around, finding out what happens, and telling the story as clearly as I can. I’d certainly rather cover the news in this month’s paper than have the harder work of making it. Our mayor is starting a brand new political organization that aims to dramatically improve quality of life for Black people in America (see p. 1). In sweltering heat, my neighbors helped salvage what they could after a devastating house fire this month (see p. 1). The nursing home staff at Sacred Heart Home have been
Sacred Heart Home adapts to coronavirus restrictions By Sophie Gorman Oriani Two young women, both wearing masks, stand outside Sacred Heart Home. Inside, behind a glass door, stands one of the home’s elderly residents. They can wave at each other through the glass and talk on the phone, but they cannot breathe the same air or touch each other. This is the new normal at Sacred Heart, as the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate are find-
A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781 http://HyattsvilleLife.com http://facebook.com/ HyattsvilleLife http://twitter.com/HvilleTimes Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Hyattsville Community Newspaper, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses provided.
ing new ways to help the residents cope with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Maryland’s nursing homes, like so many throughout the nation, have been hit hard by COVID-19. As of July 30, approximately 60% of the more than 3,500 deaths reported in the state have been in nursing homes, group homes and assisted living facilities, according to the Maryland Department of Health. This includes five deaths at Sacred
Heart prior to June 15. As of the week of July 30, there were over 680 active cases in nursing homes in Prince George’s County. While Sacred Heart had no active cases in July, more than two dozen staff members and residents had previously tested positive for COVID-19. “[The Maryland Department of Health] warned us that it’s a matter of time before employees would be bringing it to the facility,” said Sister Va-
Managing Editor Kit Slack kit@hyattsvillelife.com
Business Manager Catie Currie catie@hyattsvillelife.com
Associate Editors Sophie Gorman Oriani sophie@hyattsvillelife.com
Advertising Sales Manager Brian Escobar brian@hyattsvillelife.com
Heather Wright heather@hyattsvillelife.com Webmaster Lindsay Myers lindsay@hyattsvillelife.com Layout & Design Editor Ashley Perks Copy Editor Nancy Welch Writers & Contributors Anuoluwapo A. Adefiwitan, Victoria Boucher, Zamir Courtney, Julia Gaspar-Bates, Lauren Flynn Kelly, Kylie Rau Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com 301.531.5234
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.
caring for elderly patients with COVID-19 and struggling to stay well themselves (see story below). School administrators have had to cancel in-person school to protect, among others, the 27% of school staff in our county who are at risk from COVID-19 (see p. 4). And while I am one of the residents who is making news by masking up, backing up, staying home, and being part of the reason we can report that not so many people are sick right now (see p. 5), I sure am tired of it. I bet you are too. In a time when I cannot visit my neighbors, I am happy to be part of the team that sends them all this paper. Join me! The Hyattsville Life & Times needs volunteer writers to cover beats including development, racial equity, police, health, arts and the environment. You can send your pitch and a writing sample to kit@hyattsvillelife.com. Want to have a page of the paper that kids write and edit during the pandemic? Me too! Reach out to kit@hyattsvillelife.com if you can help get it going. Kit Slack is the managing editor of the Hyattsville Life & Times.
cha Kludziak, Sacred Heart’s administrator. Kludziak added that most of the employees were asymptomatic when they tested positive. Since the sisters live on the property, they were able to fill in, in the event that there was a staffing shortage. “There were some days that I was literally numb because I was doing everything we could,” commented Kludziak. “We were doing everything and anything possible, handson, and it was so hard sometimes.” Kludziak said that as of June 15, most of the employees had received the two negative tests required before they could come back to work. “We just go by the guidelines of [the] CDC and health department,” said Kludziak, noting that when guidelines differ, Sacred Heart uses the more stringent set. Daily life at Sacred Heart looks different now, too. Essential employees are screened more frequently, and only two of the nine sisters go out on errands, while the other seven, including Kludziak, all stay on the property to limit their contact with the outside world. “Everybody has to make a sacrifice and do their part in order to protect others,” said Kludziak. Kludziak says the average age of residents is around 90 years old. She described the population as “very vulnerable, with a lot of underlying conditions.” While no visitors are allowed
in the building, the staff has been creative in finding ways to keep residents happy and help them have virtual contact with their families. Staff with the home’s activity department visit residents in their rooms with books and puzzles. Sacred Heart staff has turned to Zoom and FaceTime, too, especially for residents who struggle to make phone calls on their own. When visitors come, they stay outside the building and see residents through windows while talking with them by phone. “It’s difficult for the residents,” according to Kludziak, to see the employees wearing all the necessary protective gear. A number of residents who suffer from cognitive decline struggle to understand why the rules have changed. “What I realized is, it’s easy to trust God and see His will when everything goes … according to your plan,” explained Kludziak. “But … if everything doesn’t look that good right now … that’s the time that your faith has a chance to grow and mature.” Kludziak is hopeful that conditions will start to improve soon, but she’s not counting on anything. She draws strength from “seeing God” in every resident. “No matter how tired you are, no matter how frustrated or scared you are. …. You say, ‘OK, God, I’ll do whatever You want me to do today, but I need You to be right there,’” said Kludziak. “You just take it one day at a time, one step at a time, and that’s it.”
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
NEWS BRIEFS RICHARD MCKEE TO BE PRINCIPAL OF HYATTSVILLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Richard T. McKee Jr. has been announced as the new acting principal for Hyattsville Elementary School (HES). According to his Aug. 3 letter of introduction, McKee has served as a teacher, resource educator and administrator for Prince George’s County Public Schools for over 18 years. He is currently writing a dissertation for his doctorate in educational leadership. “I am passionate about finding equality in education through equity and social justice,” McKee wrote in his letter. McKee attended the Aug. 4 PTA meeting and emphasized his commitment to good communications; he plans to revamp the HES website, launch a monthly newsletter and increase the school’s social media presence. McKee also spoke of the need for reciprocal trust and the importance of the instructional program and mission of the school. “Your voice is very important,” added McKee. “I guarantee you that your voice will always be
heard. We may not always be able to give you the answer that you want, but I guarantee you your voice is heard.” “I look forward to an amazing year building relationships with everybody,” McKee said. “[It] might be challenging, virtually, but we’re still going to do it!”
CITY MAKES PROGRESS TOWARDS VOTE-BY-MAIL SYSTEM At the July 20 city council meeting, City Clerk Laura Reams gave a presentation about the potential to hold the May 2021 Hyattsville city election via a vote-by-mail system. Reams said that the Hyattsville election philosophy is that voting should be “easy and convenient, safe, secure and accessible, and, of course, it should be fun!” Hyattsville has implemented a variety of strategies to expand voting rights and increase voter turnout, such as allowing 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in 2015, allowing non-U.S. citizens to vote in 2017, and implementing same-day voter registration and pop-up polling in 2019.
Page 3
Homo Habilis Construction LLC* 2 million years of experience wrapped up in one small company!
Kitchens, Baths, Basements, Remodeling, Additions, Repairs
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.
VOLUNTEERS WANTED USE YOUR SKILLS TO BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY! LOOKING FOR: BOARD MEMBERS, WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS CONTACT ROSANNA@HYATTSVILLELIFE.COM
SEE BRIEFS ON 5
CONGRATULATIONS DON BUNUAN! We're thrilled that Washingtonian has named Hyattsville's Don Bunuan a "Top Agent" for 2020. It's great to see Don's hard work and unparalleled commitment to his clients recognized by the area's leading magazine. Please join us in congratulating Don and, if you're thinking of making a move, don't hesitate to reach out and see what a difference a Top Agent can make!
Don Bunuan | Realtor 5101 Baltimore Ave., Hyattsville, MD 20781 301.565.2523 | info@GoBrent.co | www.GoBrent.co
301.213.6332 Don@GoBrent.co
Page 4
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
Prince George’s County Public Schools to reopen virtually By Sophie Gorman Oriani On July 15, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) announced that, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020-2021 school year will start virtually. “There is a significant public health concern if schools were to reopen this fall for inperson instruction,” said a July 15 PGCPS press release. Prince George’s County has been the hardest hit county in the state, with over 23,000 diagnosed cases of COVID-19. In a July 15 interview, Dr. Monica Goldson, the CEO of PGCPS, stressed her concern for the health and safety of the over 150,000 PGCPS students and employees. She said the State of Maryland would have permitted PGCPS students to attend school in person “if I could have figured out how to do it safely.” According to Gabrielle Brown, the PGCPS media relations director, 27% of PGCPS staff is in a high-risk cat-
egory for COVID-19. Parents’ responses to the PGCPS decision have varied. Karma Foley, whose child is entering kindergarten at Cesar Chavez Elementary School, called the decision to go virtual “the best … and the most responsible choice to make, given the circumstances.” Kristen Wares, who has a preschooler and a rising secondgrader at Hyattsville Elementary School, said that although she was “very emotional” when she heard the news, “[being virtual] will allow us all to plan for the likely reality that between flu season and holiday travel, the pandemic is likely to still be a concern for at least the first two quarters of the school year.” Foley and her husband have been flexing their schedules to provide childcare for their son, and they intend to continue this arrangement. They have considered trying to form a learning pod with another family to share the responsibilities
PGCPS hopes to be able to transition to a hybrid staggered schooling option for the third quarter.
of distance learning, but Foley noted, “It feels beyond my mental capacity right now to try and plan something like that.” Jennifer Weber, who works as an emergency room nurse, called the decision to do distance learning until January “pretty drastic” and added, “It feels like [people who have to work outside the home have] been forgotten.”
Weber has been trying to form a learning cooperative with other families, but she wishes PGCPS had offered a hybrid option. She is also concerned about the amount of required screen time her 5-year-old twins will have. According to the Fall 2020 Reopening Plan Summary, which PGCPS published online July 25, students will receive live daily lessons, with extra support provided for English language learners and special needs students. “We’ve built in 30-minute lessons at the elementary level every day around providing socioemotional support,” noted Brown. “At the secondary level, it’ll be immersed throughout the content areas.” Interscholastic sports have been suspended until further notice. The full-time distance learning option will remain for parents who choose it for the second semester. PGCPS hopes to be able to transition to a hybrid
staggered schooling option for the third quarter, which will start in February. This schedule would involve two days of inperson learning and three days of distance learning. New this school year are parent support centers, which will open Sept. 1 at nine PGCPS schools. These centers are designed to support parents with “tech support and other needs, such as navigating aspects of distance learning or accessing instructional packets,” according to the Fall 2020 Reopening Plan Summary. Each student will receive a Chromebook or iPad to facilitate distance learning, and families who need one can also receive a Wi-Fi hotspot. “While this is not the school year we could have imagined, I am still looking forward to upholding a learning and working environment where students, employees and families can thrive. We will get through this together and come out of this stronger,” wrote Goldson in the press release. Registration is open online for kindergarten and pre-K at pgcps.org/registration. Pre-K spots are still available to those that meet income eligibility requirements. For help registering, contact your local school.
WE’RE HERE FOR YOU! Your Health & Well-Being are Our #1 Priority. • Affordable Dentures
• Relines & Repairs
• Extractions
• Free Consult & X-Ray for New Denture Patients*
• Affordable Implants
BEST PRICE GUARANTEE** CALVIN J. WILSON, DDS, GENERAL DENTIST CALVIN WILSON, DDS, P.C. 7530 ANNAPOLIS ROAD • GLENRIDGE CENTER HYATTSVILLE, MD 20784
GO AHEAD & SMILE!
*Free Consult & X-ray offer has a minimum value of $75 and covers a consult & a traditional 2-D X-Ray at initial visit. **Bring in a treatment plan from any competitor and we will beat the total treatment plan for comparable services. Treatment plan must come from a licensed dentist within the past six months for comparable services and is subject to verification. Some plans are excluded. Full details of the Best Price Guarantee are available from our web site or at this practice. [Valid until December 31, 2020.]
855.882.4578 | AFFORDABLE DENTURES.COM
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
BRIEFS FROM PAGE 3
A motion to explore holding elections using vote-by-mail was first suggested in 2018. With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, many other municipalities are also considering vote-by-mail options. Multiple councilmembers spoke in support of vote-by-mail elections. While no details have been finalized, Reams suggested a system in which ballots and postage-paid return envelopes would be mailed to all registered voters. Those not wishing to entrust their ballot to the mail could use a secure drop box. Ballots would be mailed 30-45 days before the election. Individuals could still vote in person, and even register in person, on election day. Hyattsville generally has a voter turnout of around 15%. Nearby municipalities such as Rockville and New Carrollton have implemented vote-by-mail systems with good results, seeing increases in voter turnout from 3% to 33% in New Carrollton and from 15% to 31% in Rockville. Reams said, however, that implementing a vote-by-mail system is likely to increase infrastructure costs, especially initially. She declined to speculate on specific costs, as expenses related to vote-by-mail systems vary widely. The City of Hyattsville will put out a request for proposals, which will be discussed at the September city council meeting.
COUNTY PLANNING BOARD APPROVES DETAILED SITE PLAN FOR MAGRUDER POINTE UPPER LOT At its June 11 meeting, the Prince George’s County Planning Board unanimously approved, with conditions, a detailed site plan (DSP) for the upper lot of the Magruder Pointe development, the former site of the Washington Suburban Sanitation Commission headquarters. The DSP, submitted by Werrlein Properties, specifies development of the 3.59-acre parcel with 16 single-family detached houses and 15 single-family town houses. The proposed single-family houses are located in two groups, one facing 41st Avenue and the other facing Hamilton Street. The proposed town houses primarily face Gallatin Street. The plan calls for an alley bisecting the triangular lot and allowing access to most of the dwellings.
BY THE NUMBERS: LOCAL COVID-19 RATES AS OF EARLY AUGUST According to city officials, 3,337 patients were tested for
COVID-19 at the City of Hyattsville’s free testing site at First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville. About 5.6% tested positive, roughly the same as the rate for the county overall, and a little higher than the average for the state (under 5% for the month of July). Positive test rates in the county peaked at 43% in midApril and have remained under 7% since mid-June. After July 4, the county, like the rest of the state, did a lot more tests. During the week of July 12 to 18, the county tested about 20,000 people, which was twice as many as in the last week of June. New cases in Prince George’s County were under 600 per week at the end of June but jumped to closer to 900 per week at the end of July. This is still much lower, however, than the 2,400 new cases per week in Prince George’s County at the end of April. Some 23,000 are known to have been infected with COVID-19 in Prince George’s County, including 161 nursing home residents and three nursing home staff members. Approximately 750 people have died. For context, in 2015, when the county had 909,000 residents, the number of people who died of any cause during the entire year was 5,576. The leading causes of death that year were heart disease and cancer, each of which caused more than 1,300 deaths. For the week of July 26 - Aug. 1, 65 people were hospitalized for COVID-19 in Prince George’s County, down from 244 at the beginning of May. The county had 64.3% of ICU beds available.
Page 5
Need to register your child for Elementary School?
¿Desea inscribir a su hijo en la escuela primaria?
Registration for PGCPS elementary schools is now available online at https://www.pgcps.org/registration/.
La inscripción para las escuelas primarias de las Escuelas Publicas del condado de Prince George (PGCPS) está disponible ahora en línea en https://www.pgcps.org/registration/.
Pre-K spots are still available to those who meet income eligibility requirements. The county is working hard to ensure a robust and meaningful educational experience through its remote learning model, and timely registration of all incoming students ensures schools are allocated the resources and staff needed to support children now and when they return to school buildings! If you need assistance, please contact your school directly.
Los espacios para Pre-K todavía están disponibles para aquellos que califiquen con los requisitos de elegibilidad de ingresos. El condado está trabajando fuertemente para asegurar una educación sólida y experiencia significativa a través del aprendizaje virtual, y la inscripción a tiempo de los nuevos estudiantes asegura que las escuelas reciban los recursos y el personal necesario para apoyar a los niños ahora y cuando regresen a las escuelas. Si Usted necesita ayuda, por favor comuníquese directamente con la escuela.
Hyattsville Elementary staff can be reached at (301) 209-5800 on Monday and Wednesdays between 9am and 2:30pm or you can email Vice Principal Mr. Durkin (duff. durkin@pgcps.org) or Registrar Ms. Quinteros (catalina. quinteros@pgcps.org) for help at any time.
Se puede contactar al personal de Hyattsville Elementary al (301) 209-5800 los lunes y los miércoles entre las 9 am y las 2:30 pm o enviar un correo electrónico al subdirector Sr. Durkin (duff. durkin@pgcps.org) o a la Sra. Quinteros (catalina.quinteros@pgcps. org) para recibir ayuda en cualquier momento.
Families registering students in other schools can find office phone numbers and emails on the school’s websites.
Las familias que van a inscribir a estudiantes en otras escuelas pueden buscar números de teléfonos y correos electrónicos en los sitios web de las escuelas.
A-1 YARD SERVICES Complete Lawn and Property Maintenance LAWN & YARD SERVICES
• LEAF REMOVAL • GUTTER CLEANING • WEEDING, MOWING & MULCHING • TREE & BUSH REMOVAL, TRIMMING
HAULING SERVICES
• APPLIANCE, FURNITURE & DEBRIS REMOVAL • ATTIC, GARAGE & BASEMENT CLEANING • YARD CLEANING
YOU CALL, WE HAUL!
CALL RON AT 202-431-1236
CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE!
Page 6
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
Confronting homelessness during the pandemic By Heather Wright You’re an essential employee who tests positive for COVID-19. Your father, who lives with you, is immunocompromised, but you’re barely scraping by and can’t afford a hotel room. “One of the reasons people are homeless right now [is] because they test positive, or they get symptomatic, and they need to quarantine,” explained Community Crisis Services, Inc. (CCSI) Executive Director Timothy Jansen in a July 23 interview. “They don’t want to put everyone else in their home at risk.” CCSI’s business offices are based in Hyattsville, although they don’t meet clients there. Among other services, CCSI has a 24-hour Homeless Hotline (211 or 1.888.731.0999) that county residents on the verge of homelessness can call. Jansen said that their priority is to first save someone’s housing through means that include helping to solve legal issues, facilitating mediation or linking to rental assistance. “We are certainly ready, willing and able to provide shelter, but we want shelter to be the last option,” said Jansen. “So we try really diligently to help folks stay where they are.” CCSI coordinates emergency placements at the county’s five shelters, one of which — Safe Passage — is specifically for individuals who have experienced domestic violence. In addition to coordinating placements, CCSI also runs two of those shelters — Safe Passage and one that opened during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic, CCSI worked with churches to provide pop-up shelters for a program called Warm Nights, which
provided housing to about 30 people a night on average. With the onset of COVID-19 and resulting regulations, CCSI worked with the county to open a facility that could house about 300 people. This shelter has a wing reserved for people who test positive for COVID-19 or have symptoms of the disease. The wing has its own entrance, is staffed by certified nursing assistants and is run “according to CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] and HUD [Department of Housing and Urban Development] guidelines to provide appropriate shelter for those with COVID diagnoses or those under quarantine,” noted Jansen. So if you were that essential worker living with your immunocompromised father, you might very well have a place to go. “I do believe that Tim Jansen does an amazing job with Warm Nights and his homeless prevention programs,” said County Councilmember Deni Taveras (Ward 2). “He provides a steady hand and steady leadership.” At the shelters, residents receive case management to help them address issues that can lead to homelessness. Mental health counseling, job coaching, and transportation and employment assistance are some of the services that the shelters provide. Jansen gave an example of a shelter resident who was hired by Metro in mid-July but was hesitant to accept the position because of a lack of childcare. CCSI worked to link her to childcare so that she could take the job.
RENTAL ASSISTANCE Access to rental assistance can be a key piece of addressing homelessness. Through a partnership with Hyattsville
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.
“We’re all in this, and no matter how wonderful your world might be, there are moments when we all struggle. So it’s really important that we take care of each other and that we reach out when we need help.” Community Crisis Services, Inc. (CCSI) Executive Director Timothy Jansen
Community Development Corporation (HyCDC), the City of Hyattsville has made $300,000 available as $1,500 emergency grants to support eligible Hyattsville residents with rent, mortgage, utilities and other qualifying expenses. As of Aug. 3, according to an email from HyCDC Executive Director Stuart Eisenberg, 74 grants had been awarded, 75 applications were still in pre-review processing, and funds were available for more than 125 grants. The county has set aside approximately $5 million in emergency rental assistance, according to Taveras. The COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program opened for applications on May 11 and had to close May 18 due to overwhelming demand, receiving over 7,000 applications in just seven days. As of July 24, 187 applications had been cleared for payment and $593,216 had been released, said Taveras, citing a Department of Housing and Community Development report. CCSI processes these applications, according to Jansen, and then forwards them to the county for remittance.
NO TURNAWAYS The county has worked to bring in people who were on the streets and homeless prior to the pandemic. Jansen noted, “The county did a really beautiful job doing outreach into some of the encampments and into the woods and all those places where some of the chronically homeless have resided and worked very diligently to bring them into shelter … to protect them from COVID.”
According to Jansen, Prince George’s County committed to “no turnaways” of those seeking shelter during the pandemic. Taveras said that in addition to emergency shelters, hotel rooms are being used as temporary housing. As of Aug. 4, no one had been turned away from county shelters since March 1, according to Jansen. Still, he expressed deep concern for the future, as the pandemic and its economic impacts continue: “I’m terrified, honestly, that the fall and winter are going to be horrible.” Jansen has been encouraged, though, by how the community has come together during the crisis to support the county’s homeless. Individual donations to CCSI have increased by about 200% since May. The Greater Washington Community Foundation donated $100,000 in early April to help during the pandemic. And Jansen credited Pizzeria Paradiso for “the amazing number of meals they’ve donated.” “We’re all in this, and no matter how wonderful your world might be, there are moments when we all struggle,” said Jansen. “So it’s really important that we take care of each other and that we reach out when we need help.” If you can give assistance, consider donating to, or volunteering with, CCSI (communitycrisis.org) or donating to the City of Hyattsville’s Community Action Fund: COVID-19 Relief and Assistance Grant program (hycdc.org/support-the-covidrelief-fund).
WE ARE OPEN! FREE PICK UP AND DELIVERY AVAILABLE
Rising Sun Motors Your Local Auto Repair Facility since 1977 9001 Rhode Island Ave, College Park, MD 20740 301-345-2600 • risingsunmotorsmd.com Monday — Friday, 7:30 a.m. — 5:00 p.m.
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
Page 7
CULTURAL CONNECTIONS
Civil war sent Sierra Leonean to the US By Julia Gaspar-Bates
H
uman rights activism is deeply woven into Matthias Seisay’s story, and eventually led to his immigration to the U.S. Born in Kenema, in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, Seisay grew up in a large extended family. “What I cherish the most is that every adult is an uncle or aunt. For blood relatives, the family dynamic is very deep,” said Seisay. “This creates a sense of comfort and confidence. You never have to tell a relative that you’ll be coming over for a visit. You just show up at their house.” Seisay’s father passed away when Seisay was 12, and two months later he was sent to an all-boys Catholic school and subsequently to boarding school. “There was no grief counseling in those days. You have to grow up quickly and stand your ground. The rule is to respect people who are older. Boarding school, in those days, was highly disciplineoriented. I learned a lot about who I am now from there.” After completing high school, Seisay decided to take a year
Matthias Seisay COURTESY OF MATTHIAS SEISAY
off before starting university to work as a supervisor in his uncle’s diamond mine. During that time, an 11-year civil war broke out, wreaking havoc in the country. “The war was a result of chronic greed and bad governance. We had a government in power for 24 years that neglected the youth and many other facets of society. People were aggrieved. The rebels were very strategic: They took control of the diamond fields and exchanged the gems for weapons. They argued that the war was about freeing people from dictatorship, but in reality, it was about personal gains, and
children were used as soldiers to shed their blood for a cause planned by adults.” Seisay continued his studies and began to teach high school in the capital city of Freetown but was nonetheless impacted by the war. “Eventually the rebels took over the entire country. They amputated people’s limbs and would showcase them so everyone could see their reign of terror.” While volunteering with refugees as a university student, Seisay began to write articles about the war and submit them to different international organizations. This caught the attention of the then-president
of Defence for Children International, who then visited the country. Seisay subsequently founded a local chapter of the organization, where he worked to release child soldiers and reintegrate them into society, either reuniting them with their families or placing them in orphanages. A fierce advocate for these children, Seisay traveled extensively throughout Europe and Africa speaking about the situation in Sierra Leone. This ultimately opened the door to an internship at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland. In 1999, Seisay traveled to the Netherlands with child soldiers to attend a peace conference. There, he met his future wife, Anne-Claire, an intern at the conference. While this encounter blossomed into a crosscultural friendship, it would be many years before they eventually married. In 2001, the situation in Sierra Leone became dire for Seisay, and it became imperative that he leave the country. He traveled to the U.S. and ended up in Milwaukee, Wis., where a cousin was living. After studying at Marquette University, Seisay went on to work there, helping low-income, first-generation kids enroll in college. Seisay experienced significant culture shock in the U.S., where people carry guns, particularly as he was coming from a coun-
Helping Sell Hyattsville
And our Neighboring Community The Hyattsville market is HOT!
COMING SOON
4114 Gallatin St., Hyattsville. Sold for $675,000
Inventory and interest rates are at an all-time low. Buyers are fleeing the city and want a piece of land. Owners are receiving multiple offers for their homes with few or NO contingencies and for well above list price!
If you are thinking of making a move now is the time to SELL! Call me to discuss!
SOLD
4207 Jefferson St., Hyattsville. Sold for $607,000 6103 42nd Pl. Hyattsville, Sold for $492,000
5813 40th Avenue, Hyattsville. The super charming yellow bungalow on the corner is coming to market! 3 BRs, 2 baths with a lovely updated kitchen and a fabulous deck and corner lot. Listing for $395,000
UNDER CONTRACT
6013 44th Ave., Hyattsville. Sold for $429,000 1422 Ray Rd., Hyattsville. Sold for $365,000 4713 Oliver St., Riverdale Park Sold Above List: $440,000 4405 Longfellow St., Hyattsville Sold for $465,000 3909 Jefferson St. Hyattsville Sold Above List for $510,000
4106 Oglethorpe Street, Hyattsville. Multiple offers received for this super charming Tudor-styled cape with 4 BRs, 2 Baths and a fabulous garden. Listed for $450,000
5903 Chillumgate Road, Hyattsville. Classic brick colonial with 3 BRs, 1 1/2 baths on 3 finished levels. Lovely fenced rear yard with shed and patio. Listed for $375,000
6121 54th Ave, Riverdale Park Sold Above List for $415,000
Ann Barrett
try rife with war at that time. “Also, the individualism of life in the U.S. where you have to schedule everything [was a culture shock]. The fact that people complained about trivial things, like power cuts, made me laugh.” Seisay and Anne-Claire eventually moved to Hyattsville in late 2019 to continue his passion for working with first-generation and low-income students at Bowie State University. “We wanted to find a place where we would be tolerated as a biracial couple. What we really like about Hyattsville is its unmistakable level of diversity. It is pretty much the United Nations. You do not only have people from countries around the world, there are businesses and restaurants showcasing their backgrounds.” Although Seisay misses his family and his many friends in Sierra Leone, he does not intend to move back home any time soon. “Each time we go to Sierra Leone, my friends show up and just tell my wife stories about our childhood days. I know many people there at all levels of society — from ministers to cab drivers. Sierra Leone is now a stable country, with resilient and tolerant people. They have put those dark days behind them, I should say, and are working hard to rebrand their country.” “Cultural Connections” is dedicated to bringing forth the voices of Hyattsville’s international residents. Interested in sharing your story? Please contact culturalconnections@ hyattsvillelife.com.
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!
Proven Results:
Top-Producing Individual Agent, Long & Foster College Park 2009 - 2019!
Top Listing Agent, Long & Foster Prince George’s County Southern Maryland Region, 2018-2019 The information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted.
COME SCULL IN THESE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER It’s a great pandemic activity! • Outdoors • Super exercise • Social • Naturally distanced
Pick a Learn to Scull Class, then join our Youth and Adult Programs
BEGINNERS WELCOME!
FUN, FRIENDS AND FITNESS! All activities are at
Bladensburg Waterfront Park 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg WashingtonRowingSchool.com
202-344-0886
Page HR1
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
the
Hyattsville Reporter No. 389 • August 11, 2020
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
Notices & Updates
Age-Friendly Programs
Revised Prince George’s County Phase Two Update. Prince George’s County remains in a Phase Two re-opening status, and additional clarification has been added restricting all public and private gatherings to 50 people or less. This is due to the high number of virus transmissions that health officials have traced back to parties and family gatherings. Visit mypgc.us/reopen for details.
Age-Friendly Work Group Meeting. The Hyattsville Age-Friendly Work Group is holding its next virtual Zoom meeting on Friday, August 28, from 11 a.m. to noon. The informal group holds monthly meetings to discuss initiatives of the City’s AgeFriendly plan, and provide updates on resources and support for seniors. For questions, or to join the group, email mlefevre@hyattsville.org or call (301) 985-5012.
Required Use of Mask Order for all Marylanders. By Executive Order, Governor Hogan has expanded the requirement for Marylanders to wear masks in all businesses, on public transportation, and in outdoor public spaces where safe social distancing cannot be observed. For details, visit https:// governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus/.
Home Modification Program. Following CDC guidelines, the City of Hyattsville is resuming its partnership with Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland and Hyattsville Aging in Place to offer free home modification services to eligible residents. Services under this program include therapy for functional limitations, fall prevention and recovery strategies, and structural modifications to make homes more age-friendly. To learn requirements, visit hyattsville.org/capable. To request a mailed application, call (301) 990-0014 ext. 27 or email sarah.reddinger@habitatmm. org. For help completing the application or to volunteer, call (301) 887-3101 or email HAPCares@gmail.com.
Voting in Upcoming Presidential Elections. The November 3, 2020 presidential election and early voting days will be here before you know it! The City would like to remind all voting age residents to ensure their voter registration information is up-to-date and to request a mail-in ballot before the October 20, 2020 deadline. Residents can either visit elections.maryland. gov, or contact the County’s Board of Elections office at (301) 341-7300 to request a paper application. Pre-K and Kindergarten PGCPS Registration.Parents can still register their child for pre-k and kindergarten with the Prince George’s County Public School (PGCPS) system online at pgcps. org/registration. To be eligible for kindergarten, a child must be five years old on/ before September 1, and to be eligible for pre-k, a child must be four years old on/ before September 1 and meet the income eligibility requirements. For questions and assistance, please contact PGCPS at (301) 952-6000 or your local public school.
Programs, Services, and Events Disposable Masks Available to City Residents. The City of Hyattsville has a limited supply of disposable masks available for residents. Community members seeking masks can call (301) 985-5000 to request a pick-up on Mondays, Wednesdays, or Fridays between 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the 4310 Gallatin Street City Building. Local COVID-19 Testing Locations. The City of Hyattsville is working to reopen another local testing site in the coming weeks and will make an announcement once details are final. In the meantime, a full list of testing sites can be found using the County’s testing locator at princegeorgescountymd.gov/3472/COVID-19-Testing or by calling 311. #CountMeIn Census Challenge.With only 30 more days to go until the Census Bureau stops collecting data on September 30, 2020, we want to see everyone’s Hyattsville pride by participating in the #CountMeIn Census Challenge! In either a photo or a 15-30 second video, simply and creatively explain why you took the Census and why others should too. Submissions are encouraged in all languages! The best photos and videos could end up on the City’s social media pages and the top three will win gift certificates to Hyattsville lo-
Behind-the-scenes of a summer camp online video with Coach Connor making paper mache monsters and aliens. You can still register your child for the last weeks of camp online at hyattsville. recdesk.com/Community/Program.; Detrás de las escenas de un video en línea de campamento de verano con el entrenador Connor haciendo monstruos y extraterrestres de mache de papel . Todavía puede registrar a su hija/o para las últimas semanas de campamento en línea en hyattsville. recdesk.com/Community/Program. cal businesses or restaurants. Rules and instructions to submit can be found on hyattsville.org/census. And a reminder that if you haven’t completed your household’s Census, you can head over to my2020census.gov to fill out the questionnaire – it only takes about 10 minutes! Bulk Trash Pop-Up Day.City of Hyattsville residents living in townhomes, condominiums, and apartments who have bulk trash items can drop them off in either Magruder Park or at the 4307 Jefferson Street parking lot on Saturday, August 22, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until container capacities are reached! FREE OF CHARGE, the City will accept most furniture pieces, bathtubs, sinks, toilets, sofas, lawnmowers with no gas inside, and empty/dry paint cans. The City will NOT accept construction items or debris. Questions? Call (301) 985-5032. PLEASE NOTE this event is only for residents who are not able to participate in regular bulk trash pickup events like Mary Prangley Day. Residents living in singlefamily homes can schedule bulk trash pickups, which typically occur on the first and third Fridays of each month, by using the My Hyattsville App or calling (301) 9855032. Grant Funds Available to Residents, Childcare Providers, and Working Artists. $200 cash cards are available for Hyattsville residents earning $19 or less an hour as part of the City’s Pandemic Relief Fund partnership with Employ Prince George’s, as well as $1,500 emergency grants for Hyattsville residents through the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation’s COVID-19 Relief and Assistance Program. Eligible applicants can use the emergency grants to cover rent, mortgage, utilities, and other urgent needs. Visit hyattsville.org/relief-fund for more information and links to apply. Funds from the $1M Relief Fund that were set aside for Hyattsville childcare providers and working artists also still available. The second cycle of the fund is now open and providers and artists can apply once again for grants of up to $2,500
($1,000 for artists) through the hyattsville. org/relief-fund page. Corridor Investment Grant Program. The City is accepting applications until August 27, 2020 for the Corridor Investment Grant Program. The program provides grants of up to $5,000 for creative place making projects, programming, or business development strategies. Applicants are eligible to receive a grant of up to 80% of the total cost of the project or program. For details, visit hyattsville.org/corridorinvestmentprogram. Announcement of City Services. A list of suspended, limited, and continuing services for the City of Hyattsville is listed below. Visit hyattsville.org or call (301) 9855000 for the most up-to-date information. Continuing Services
• Bulk Trash & White Good Appliance Pickups (by request only) • Bulk Trash Pop-Up Day (restricted to apartment & townhouse residents), August 22, 10 am – 2 pm • Creative Minds at Home • Compost & Yard Waste Pickups • Licensing & Inspections • Notary (by appointment only) • Parks & Playgrounds (follow safety guidelines) • Parking Enforcement • Permit Processing • Police Patrols & Emergency Response • Solid Waste & County Recycling Collections • Summer Camp Online & Tutoring • Virtual Committee & Community Meetings • Virtual Hyattsville Council Meetings
Limited or Suspended Services and Activities • Access to Municipal Facilities • Call-A-Bus Transportation • Fingerprinting • Public Information Act Requests • UMD Shuttle Transportation
Cancellations and Postponements • Ageless Grace Exercise Classes • Community Yoga • Invasive Plant Removals • Police Ride-A-Long’s • Senior Bus Trips • Senior Dining & Lecture Series • Summer Jam, August 21 • Sunset Movie Series, August 28 • Teen Center
Frozen Meals Program. The County´s Senior Nutrition Program offers a free frozen meals delivery service to seniors of ages 60 or older in need during this pandemic. The meals include perishable items such as bread, milk, and microwaveable foods that are dropped off every Thursday for the whole week. There is no income requirement and residents can call the County at (301) 265-8475 or the City’s coordinator at (301) 985-5058 to sign up.
Youth Services Tutoring Services. Free tutoring services for local students in grades 6 – 12 are now offered virtually! Summer tutoring currently takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., and fall tutoring will expand to Wednesdays starting September 1. Students can receive help with schoolwork, brush up on a challenging subject, and receive help with homework through one-on-one engagement. To register your child, visit hyattsville. recdesk.com/community/program. End of Summer Events. As the virtual school year approaches, end summer the right way and attend our Hyattsville Youth Services’ upcoming events! First up is the Real Talk Series event “Confronting Biases” taking place on Wednesday, August 19, at 2 p.m. where teens can have honest conversations about what’s going on in the community and have their voices heard. Then, on Friday, August 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., teens can express their creativity through a virtual open mic night – master your stage fright or just strut your stuff in a supportive virtual environment! We’ll be ending August’s events with a Grab n’ Go Back 2 School Drive Thru Jam on the 26th, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 3911 Hamilton Street. Parents and students can stop by to learn about the Teen Center, tutoring services, and pick up some school supplies! To register for the Real Talk Series and the Open Mic Night, visit hyattsville.recdesk. com/community/program (no registration is needed for the Back 2 School Jam).
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
Page HR2
el
Reportero de
Hyattsville
No. 389 • 11 de Agosto, 2020
Avisos y Noticias
Fondos de Subvención Disponibles para Residentes. $200 tarjetas de efectivo están disponibles para residentes de Hyattsville que ganan menos de $19 la hora como parte del Fondo de Alivio de la Ciudad y Employ Prince George’s, tanto como $1,500 subvenciones de emergencia para residentes de Hyattsville a través del programa de asistencia y alivio de COVID-19 de la Corporación de Desarrollo Comunitario de Hyattsville. Solicitantes elegibles pueden usar los fondos para ayudar con la hipoteca, utilidades, alquiler y otras necesidades urgentes. Visite hyattsville.org/relieffund para información sobre todos fondos disponibles y los enlaces para solicitar. Los fondos del Fondo de Alivio de $1M que fueron reservados para los proveedores de cuidado infantil de Hyattsville y los artistas que trabajan también están disponibles. El segundo ciclo del fondo ya está abierto y los proveedores y artistas pueden solicitar una vez más subvenciones de hasta $2,500 ($1,000 para artistas) a través de la página hyattsville.org/relief-fund.
Actualización del Plan de Fase Dos del Condado Prince George’s. El Condado Prince Gorge’s permanece en un estado de reapertura de la fase dos, y se ha añadido una aclaración adicional que restringe todas las reuniones públicas y privadas a 50 personas o menos. Esto se debe al elevado número de transmisiones de virus que los oficiales de salud han rastreado hasta fiestas y reuniones familiares. Visite mypgc.us/ reopen para obtener más información. Orden Requiriendo Residentes de Maryland a Usar Máscaras. Por Orden Ejecutiva, el Gobernador Hogan ha ampliado el requisito de que residentes de Maryland usen máscaras en todos los negocios, en el transporte público y en espacios públicos al aire libre donde no se pueda observar distanciamiento social seguro. Para obtener más información, visite https://governor. maryland.gov/coronavirus/. Votación en Próximas Elecciones Presidenciales¡. Las elecciones presidenciales del 3 de noviembre de 2020 y los días de votación anticipada estarán aquí antes de que se dé cuenta! La Ciudad les desea recordar a todos los residentes en edad de votar que se aseguren de que su información de registro de votantes esté actualizada y que soliciten una boleta postal antes de la fecha límite del 20 de octubre de 2020. Los residentes pueden visitar elections.maryland.gov, o comunicarse con la oficina de la Junta Electoral del Condado al (301) 341-7300 para solicitar una solicitud en papel. Registración de Pre Kínder y Kínder. Padres todavía pueden registrar a su hija/o para el pre kínder y kínder con el sistema Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) en línea en pgcps.org/registration. Para ser elegible para el kínder, el niño debe tener cinco años de edad el/antes del 1 de septiembre, y para ser elegible para el pre kínder, el niño debe tener cuatro años de edad el 1 de septiembre y cumplir con los requisitos de elegibilidad de ingresos. Para preguntas y asistencia, comuníquese con el PGCPS al (301) 952-6000 o a su escuela pública local.
Programas, Servicios y Eventos Máscaras Desechables Disponibles para Residentes de la Ciudad. La Ciudad de Hyattsville tiene un suministro limitado de máscaras desechables disponibles para los residentes. Miembros de la comunidad que buscan máscaras pueden llamar al (301) 985-5000 para recoger unas los lunes, miércoles o viernes entre las 9 a.m. y las 11 a.m., en el Edificio Municipal (4310 Gallatin Street). Ubicaciones Locales de Pruebas COVID-19. La Ciudad de Hyattsville está trabajando para reabrir otro sitio de pruebas local en las próximas semanas y hará un anuncio una vez que los detalles sean definitivos. Mientras tanto, puede encontrar una lista completa de sitios disponibles utilizando el localizador del Condado en princegeorgescountymd.gov/3472/COVID-19-Testing o llamando al 311. #Cuentame Reto del Censo. Con solo 30 días más hasta que la Oficina del Censo deje de recopilar datos el 30 de septiembre de 2020, ¡queremos ver el orgullo de todos de Hyattsville participando en el Reto del Cen-
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
The Prince George’s County Department of Public Works & Transportation upgrading one of 13 bus stops within City limits to make them ADA compliant; El Departamento de Obras Pública y Transporte del Condado de Prince George’s actualizando una de las 13 paradas de autobús dentro de los límites de la ciudad para que cumplan con los requisitos ADA. so #Cuentame! En una foto o un video de 15-30 segundos, explica de forma sencilla y creativa por qué tomaste el Censo y por qué otros también deberían hacerlo. ¡Se animan las sumisiones en todos los idiomas! Las mejores fotos y videos podrían terminar en las páginas de redes sociales de la Ciudad y los tres mejores ganarán certificados de regalo para usar en sus negocios o restaurantes locales de Hyattsville. Las reglas e instrucciones para enviar se pueden encontrar en hyattsville.org/census. Y un recordatorio de que si no ha completado el Censo de su hogar, puede dirigirse a my2020census.gov para llenar el cuestionario - sólo toma unos 10 minutos! Día Emergente de Basuras Grandes. Residentes de la Ciudad de Hyattsville que viven en townhomes, condominios y apartamentos que tienen artículos de basuras grandes pueden dejarlos en el Magruder Park o en el lote de estacionamiento por la 4307 Jefferson Street el sábado, 22 de agosto, de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m., ¡o hasta que se llenen los contenedores! GRATUITAMENTE, la Ciudad aceptara casi todo tipo de mueble, bañeras, inodoros, sofás, cortadoras de césped sin gas y latas secas/vacías de pintura. La Ciudad no aceptara desechos ni objetos de construcción. ¿Preguntas? Llame al (301) 985-5032. POR FAVOR NOTE que este evento es solo para residentes que no pueden participar en eventos de recolección de basuras grandes como el Día Mary Prangley. Residentes viviendo en casas pueden programar una recolección, que normalmente ocurren los primeros y terceros viernes de cada mes, a través de la aplicación My Hyattsville o llamando al (301) 985-5032.
Programa de Subvenciones para Negocios. La Ciudad está aceptando aplicaciones hasta el 27 de agosto de 2020 para el Programa de Subvenciones e Inversiones. El programa proveé subvenciones de hasta $5,000 para ayudar con proyectos creativos y estrategias para interactuar con la comunidad. Solicitantes pueden ser elegibles para ayudar con hasta el 80% del costo del programa o proyecto. Visite al sitio hyattsville. org/corridorinvestmentprogram detalles y para más información. Anuncio de Servicios de la Ciudad. Una lista de servicios suspendidos, limitados y continuando que la Ciudad ofrece esta debajo. Visite hyattsville.org o llame al (301) 985-5000 para la información más reciente. Servicios y Actvidades Continuando
• Recolección de Basuras Grandes y Electrodomésticos (por solicitud) • Día Emergente de Basuras Grandes (restringido para residentes de townhomes y apartamentos), 22 de agosto, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. • Recolección de Compostaje y Residuos de Yarda • Inspecciones y Licencias • Notario (con cita) • Parques y Áreas de Juegos (siga pautas) • Enfuerzo de Parqueo • Procesamiento de Permisos • Vigilancia de Policía y Servicios de Emergencia • Recolección de Basura y Reciclaje • Virtuales Sesiónes de Campamento y Tutoria • Reuniones Virtuales de Comités y la Comunidad • Reuniones Virtuales del Concejo Municipal
Actividades y Servicios Limitados o Suspendidos • Acceso a Facilidades Municipales • Transportación Llame-Al-Bus • Huellas • Solicitudes de la Ley de Información Pública • Transportación de los Autobuses UMD
Eventos Cancelados o Pospuestos
• Clases de Ejercicio Ageless Grace • Yoga Comunitario • Eventos Voluntarios de Remover Plantas • Paseos con Policías • Viajes para la Tercera Edad • Series de Lectura para la Tercera Edad • Summer Jam, 21 de agosto, • Serie de Películas al Atardecer, 28 de agosto • Centro de Jóvenes
Programas Amigables con la Edad Reunión del Grupo de Acciones Amigables con la Edad. El Grupo de Acciones Amigables con la Edad de Hyattsville estará sosteniendo su próxima reunión virtual el viernes, 28 de agosto, de 11 a.m. a mediodía. El grupo informal sostiene reuniones mensuales para hablar sobre iniciativas sobre el plan de acciones amigables de la Ciudad, y proveer actualizaciones sobre recursos y apoyo para la tercera edad. Para preguntas, o para ser parte del grupo, contacte a mlefevre@hyattsville.org o llame al (301) 985-5012. Programa de Modificaciones para Hogares. Siguiendo pautas de seguridad, La Ciudad está resumiendo su asociación con Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland y Hyattsville Aging in Place (HAP) para ofrecer servicios gratuitos de modificaciónes de casa para residentes que sean elegibles. Para aprender más, visite hyattsville.org/capable. Para solicitar una aplicación por correo, por favor llame al (301) 887-3101 extensión 27 o mande un email a sarah.reddinger@habitatmm.org. Si necesita ayuda con la aplicación, contacte a HAP al (301) 887-3101 o envíe un email a HAPCares@gmail.com. Programa de Comidas Congeladas. El Programa de Nutrición para Personas de la Tercera Edad del Condado ofrece un servicio gratuito de entrega de comidas congeladas a personas 60 o más años necesitadas durante esta pandemia. Las comidas incluyen productos perecederos como pan, leche y alimentos microondas que se dispersan los jueves para toda la semana. No hay requisito de ingresos y los residentes pueden llamar al Condado al (301) 265-8475 o a la coordinadora de la ciudad al (301) 985-5058 para inscribirse.
Servicios para Menores Servicios de Tutoría. ¡Servicios de tutoría para estudiantes locales en grados 6 – 12 están disponibles virtualmente! Los servicios de verano toman plazo los martes y jueves, 6:30 – 8 p.m. y los servicios de otoño se expandirán a los miércoles empezando el 1 de septiembre. Estudiantes pueden recibir ayuda con la tarea o con una material difícil con un tutor asignado específicamente para el estudiante. Visite hyattsville.recdesk. com/community/program para inscribirlo(s). Eventos de Fin de Verano. A medida que se acerca el año escolar virtual, ¡termine el verano de manera correcta y asista a los próximos eventos para menores de Hyattsville! En primer lugar está el evento de Conversaciones Reales “Enfentrar los Sesgos” que tendrá lugar el miércoles 19 de agosto, a las 2 p.m. donde los adolescentes pueden tener conversaciones honestas sobre lo que está pasando en la comunidad y hacer que sus voces se escuchen. Luego, el viernes 21 de agosto, de 7 p.m. a 9 p.m., adolescentes pueden expresar su creatividad a través de una noche de micrófono abierto virtual - dominen su miedo escénico y tomen cargo este evento virtual! Terminaremos los eventos de agosto con una Fiesta de Regreso a Clases el 26, de 6 p.m. a 7:30 p.m. en 3911 Hamilton Street. ¡Padres y estudiantes pueden pasar a aprender sobre el Centro para Jóvenes, servicios de tutoría y recoger algunos útiles escolares! Para inscribirse para los eventos de conversaciones reales y la noche de micrófono, visite hyattsville.recdesk.com/community/program (no se necesita registro para la Fiesta de Regreso a Escuela).
Page 8
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
PARTY FROM PAGE 1
America’s promise is extended to everyone,” Hollingsworth wrote in an Aug. 5 email. “There has been no consequential policy aimed at improving the lives of Black people in this country since 1968. It is not enough to say ‘Black lives matter.’” The organization’s website proclaims, “We are committed to creating an agenda and elevating policies and people focused on Black liberation. With this agenda, we will energize voters — current and new — reframe the national political landscape, and reshape culture for the benefit of Black people.” Our Black Party also plans to educate Black Americans so that they can expect more from politicians seeking their vote and hold elected officials accountable. Hollingsworth does not believe that the party will distract her from her responsibilities as mayor. “If we are truly committed to our stated values, I think Hyattsville can only benefit from my work helping to build Our Black Party,” she said. Upon launching, the organization released their agenda to defund the police, decriminalize poverty, legalize marijuana, guarantee income for all, address racism in healthcare, grow Black businesses, demand statewide equity officers, advocate for high quality and afford-
Hyattsville Mayor Candace B. Hollingsworth is a founding member and co-chair of Our Black Party. COURTESY OF OUR BLACK PARTY
able education, and build intergenerational wealth. Another item in their agenda is to newly elect 1,000 Black officials as cabinet-level appointees in state government by 2024. “We are working to change the laws and lawmakers that undermine Black life,” said Hollingsworth. Developing a platform to advocate for Black issues has been on her mind for at least several years. In an Our Black Party launch interview with the Power 105.1 radio show “The Breakfast Club,” Hollingsworth noted that the organization is “taking advantage
of the fact that this is a moment of collective frustration for everybody across the country.” Before becoming Hyattsville’s first African American mayor, Hollingsworth served the city as a councilmember (Ward 1) in 2011, becoming council president in 2013. Since January of 2019, she has been director of AmeriCorps programs at The Corps Network, an association of service and conservation corps. Hollingsworth also has a background in nonprofit management consulting and a master’s degree in public policy from Georgetown University.
¡Únase a un comité!
Conviértete en un héroe voluntario de Hyattsville ¿Quiere hacer un diferencia en tu ¿comunidad?
Únete a uno de los 13 juntas asesoras o comités que tienen vacantes abiertas! Miembros ayudan a la Alcaldesa y Concejo Municipal de Hyattsville en crear políticas y procedimientos para la ciudad.
Junta de Supervisores de Elecciones Comité Consultivo de Cumplimento con el Código Comité Consultivo de Educación Comisión de Ética Comité Consultivo de Salud, Bienestar y Recreación Comité del Medio Ambiente de Hyattsville Comité de Planificación Comité Consultivo de Policía y Seguridad Pública
Grupo de Trabajo para Justicia y Equidad Junta del bienestar de arboles Comité Consultivo de Adolescentes Comité de la Compensación Grupo de Trabajo de Estructuras Educativas
Escoge un comité
Para aplicar, visite
hyattsville.org/committees ¿Preguntas? Llame al (301) 985-5032
Our Black Party’s co-chair, Dr. Wes Bellamy, is a former global equity advocate, political science professor at Virginia State University and author of the book Monumental: It Was Never About a Statue. The book chronicles his time as vice mayor, during which he encountered a neo-Nazi rally and championed removal of statues of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson. Bellamy’s work as a vice mayor also included a city council-approved equity package that provided nearly $4 million dollars in aid for underprivileged communities.
Hollingsworth and Bellamy both understand that strong movements have allies. Both have said that party participation is not exclusive to Black Americans and public leaders. Hollingsworth encourages non-Black constituents to ask themselves, “How can I, as a non-Black constituent, get involved to help grow this resource for our community?” The party is technically a Federal Election Commissionregistered political committee and does not operate as a third party. They eventually hope to gain ballot status. According to Revolt, a Blackowned cable network and online publication, the co-chairs said that Our Black Party already has advocates, policymakers, Black elected officials, and community, cultural and spiritual leaders as members. They aim to have 250,000 members before the upcoming presidential election. Dream Village Center, a coworking space on Baltimore Avenue in Hyattsville, serves as Our Black Party’s headquarters. If you desire to get involved, email Hollingsworth at candace@ ourblackparty.org. You can also sign up and donate at ourblackparty.org. Anuoluwapo A. Adefiwitan is a summer intern with the Hyattsville Life & Times.
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
Page 9
SECONDHAND NEWS
Making sculptures out of cat hair, and other crafts for desperate times By Lauren Flynn Kelly
our store-bought fairy figurines and set up little scenes outside in the containers that LOL Surprise! dolls come in. I played along and made a small door and some faux logs and mushrooms, but after getting rained on too many times, they fell apart.
F
or those of us struggling to entertain bored kids or occupy our own idle hands this summer, I urge you to channel your inner camp counselor and dive into arts and crafts. The challenge is you must use only items around your home. Following this rule, my daughters and I have completed (with varying degrees of success) at least a dozen fun projects while safely isolating during the pandemic. Here are a few such projects you can hopefully take on yourself !
AMATEUR EMBROIDERY
MOSAIC GARDEN STONES Take those old chipped plates outside, set them on the ground in a plastic bag and pound them with a hammer! Seriously, I let my kids do this while wearing giant sunglasses. Use an adhesive (thinset mortar works well) to glue down leftover backsplash tiles, broken pottery or pretty stones to an existing stone paver, or make your own paver using mixing cement and a disposable tray, and gently push your mosaic design in place. If you used an existing paver, use sanded grout to fill in the gaps and let it dry before spraying grout sealer and displaying your stones in the garden.
Pottery shards and bathroom tiling supplies turned two old pavers into stepping stones. LAUREN FLYNN KELLY
FAIRY GARDENS Pop solar twinkle lights in an old jar, hot glue moss and sticks together to make a cabin, or set a path of tiny stones winding out from a tree trunk. Regardless of what they’re made of, miniature dwellings will delight both fairies and small passersby. Using old clay from a school project, my 9-year-old made tiny beds and chairs for
You know all those jewelry-making kits that your kids received as birthday gifts and are sitting half-used in the closet? They might contain embroidery floss, and while it may not be top quality, putting it to use is a great way to get kids familiar with needlework. If you don’t have an embroidery hoop, you can cut up a used yogurt container. (I’m not kidding; search YouTube for “DIY embroidery hoop.”) Find a needle with a large eye and some old linen or cotton fabric and practice your stitches (again, see YouTube), or just do some free hand straight-stitching. My 7-year-old took to the latter option once she realized it was like drawing on cloth.
MASON JAR PIN CUSHION This is another easy needle-and-thread project. Loosely sew around the perimeter of a circle of fabric, gather it to make a shallow bowl shape, fill with a handful of cotton or Poly-Fil stuffing and glue it to a felt disc the size of the lid. Or help your child cut two scraps of fabric into a crea-
we miss you and are ready to serve you safely! now offering
NEW — NEXT DAY DELIVERY!
• Indoor & Outdoor Dining and Shopping
Place your online order by 8 pm, get your delivery between noon and 5 pm the next day. See website for details.
• Curbside Pickup and Carryout
franklinsbrewery.com
ture of their own imagining, hand-sew it and stuff it for a DIY lovey.
DIY JEWELRY While you’ve still got that needle threaded with embroidery floss, string a necklace of beads or sew a strand of old buttons together. With flexible packing foam, we made some cool wrist cuffs by gluing fabric around strips of foam and sewing the ends together with two buttons. Cardboard box city. Washer wind chimes. Baking soda bath bombs. Milk carton bird houses. The list goes on. With a little glue or thread, you can pretty much stick anything together and turn it into something else. After brushing our shedding cat, my daughter even used a fistful of fur to model a tiny cat! Weird, yes. But desperate times call for desperate measures. Now let me hear your ideas! Please share photos of your recent DIY creations by tagging @starlessskyediy on Instagram and using the hashtag #hvlcrafts. Lauren Flynn Kelly is the secondhand and thrift columnist for the Hyattsville Life & Times.
Page 10
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
MISS FLORIBUNDA
Duck(weed) and cover Dear Miss Floribunda, Years ago you wrote a column where you surprised me by recommending a water garden as a way to reduce the mosquito population. Your “Mr. Minnowhaven” had one, and it was stocked with minnows that lived on mosquito larvae. I did put in a very little pond, with plenty of minnows, and can say that I don’t have a mosquito problem anymore. Sometimes I’ve added mosquito fish, but raccoons soon ate them. Although I’m very careful to use tightly sealed raccoon-proof garbage containers, one night I was awakened by splashing and looked out the window to see a raccoon fishing right in the middle of my pond! I put wiring over the pond, but raccoon hands removed it. Last weekend I visited someone who has amazing koi in her pond. She has no netting or wire over it. I asked her how she keeps raccoons away, and she pointed out the lacy network of tiny green leaves covering the water. She said it was “duckweed” and that it hid the koi from predators. I’d like to try this, but I’ve been warned that duckweed is invasive. Is it? If it is, is there something else that might work? I’ve heard that koi are “living jewels,” and I’d like to have some. Coveting Koi on Kennedy Street Dear Coveting Koi, You may want to give both koi and duckweed more thought. You say you have a very little pond, and if they survive predators and find enough to eat, twoinch koi easily grow to 24 inches
Goldfish in a garden pond can help cull the spread of duckweed because it’s one of their favorite plants to eat. COURTESY OF WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
in two years. They don’t stop growing. In addition, they much prefer eating minnows and small fish to eating mosquito larvae. The rarer of these living jewels can be very expensive. While you can get a tiny gem in a pet store for just a fin ($5), if you look at online auctions, you’ll see Tiffany prices. And you would want a very controlled environment for such an investment. Have you considered goldfish (Carassius auratus)? They are cousins of koi (Cyprinus rubrofuscus), both being in the carp family (Cyprinidae), but goldfish actually do eat mosquito larvae, are very inexpensive, and they don’t get as enormous as koi. Given a hospitable natural environment, they will grow to 12 to 14 inches long. The world record for size was won by a goldfish in the Netherlands that reached 19 inches. By comparison, the largest koi ever recorded is 4 feet long, 90 pounds, and is still living in England — and continuing to grow. But regardless of size, even those feeder goldfish you can get for pennies come in many attrac-
YARD BY YARD MAKEOVERS Growing Roots in the Community, Branching Out and Flowering with Ideas!
SPRING SPECIAL: 10% discount on any cleanup with this ad! Expert advice and creative solutions, services based on your needs and budget. 30 Years of Experience as a Master Landscaper, Designer and Gardener
tive patterns of gold, red, white and black. In general, be sure to research any ornamental fish that tempt you to make sure they are not going to eat the minnows. Minnows devour enormous amounts of mosquito larvae, are minimal maintenance, and are seemingly impervious to climate change. In addition, they eat algae — a serious threat to any pond. Now, here’s where the smallness of your pond is an advantage: Even though native duckweed (Lemna valdiviana) and the nine native forms of the common duckweed (Lemna minor) can spread very rapidly, they aren’t difficult to control in a small pond. You can cull duckweed from time to time and use the excess to mulch your garden. If you get goldfish, they will help you out because it’s one of the plants they like most on their menu. For larger ponds, however, Dr. Greengenes recommends a water fern called Azolla. Among its common names, interestingly enough, are duckweed fern and mosquito fern. Not only does it
SERVICES INCLUDE - Leaf Cleanup/Gutter Cleaning - Landscape Spruce Ups/Clean Ups - Bed, Weeding, Edging and Mulching - Pruning/Trimming (Natural or Formal) - Tree and Shrub Removal - Planting Trees, Shrubs, Perennials and Bulbs - Mulch/Topsoil/Compost/Gravel - Transplanting Small Trees, Shrubs and Perennials - Seasoned Split Firewood Available - Lawn Cutting, Aerating and Fertilizing - Grading and Drainage Projects - Storm Cleanup and Debris Hauling
Call 301-270-4642 for FREE ESTIMATES 7304 Carroll Avenue, Suite 229 Takoma Park, MD 20912 • yardmakeovers@yahoo.com
weave a floating veil of beauty over a pond, but it suppresses mosquitoes, cleans the water and fixes nitrogen. She tells me it has been used in rice paddies in China for centuries to actually fertilize the rice. You might choose a North American variety, such as the beautiful Azolla caroliniana, also known as Eastern mosquito fern, fairy moss and water velvet. It can overwinter in our area and is not considered invasive. It has earned fame for its use in decontaminating waters polluted with heavy metal. Few fish find it palatable. Now have you considered the low-maintenance and lovely waterlily to hide fish and suppress algae? Submerged plants provide wonderful hiding places and the handsome horsewort does not need any substrate because it is rootless.
It aerates the water and tastes good to goldfish. And because it provides such a cozy enclosure away from prying eyes and grasping jaws, it is popular for trysts at breeding time. Consider installing artificial shelters, and if you can’t afford a stylish rocky formation, or even plastic or mesh shelters, PVC pipes offer an inexpensive and easy alternative. A PVC pipe well-anchored in the bottom of your pond will give fish a place to swim into when frightened. I’m sorry to report that at this time no date has been set for the next meeting of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society. Please watch our website, hyattsvillehorticulture. org, for information. Miss Floribunda is the Hyattsville Life & Times garden columnist. You may email questions at floribundav@gmail.com.
Loving Care Pediatrics Janet V. Johnson, MD
6525 Belcrest Road Suite #203 Hyattsville, Maryland 20783 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*
Lawson’s Pharmacy
Richard Sabatelli, R. Ph
301-864-4043
All Major Insurance Accepted. We Deliver! 3415 Hamilton St, Hyattsville
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
Page 11
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Send your events or information on local private aid efforts to Kit Slack at kit@hyattsvillelife.com.
F
ive months into the pandemic, innovative events are still happening in Hyattsville. This month we are adding a section called Give Help/Get Help, where we list some of the ways neighbors are helping each other during the pandemic.
August 18
Join historian Kacy Rohn for a virtual lecture entitled “Maryland and the March of the Army of the Hudson: Women’s Suffrage on Route 1,” hosted by Maryland Milestones (Anacostia Trails Heritage Area). The 1913 march from New York to Washington, D.C., inspired local suffragists and exposed both racism within the movement and opposition to their cause. 7 to 8:30 pm. Free. Email info@ anacostiatrails.org to register.
August 22
Women’s Suffrage Bike Tour, sponsored by Maryland Milestones (Anacostia Trails Heritage Area), to locations referenced in the Aug. 18 lecture: an easy 3-mile loop to explore local history! Masks, physical distanc-
ing, advanced registration: capped at 10 participants. $3 per person. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Email info@anacostiatrails. org to register.
Recurring
Acoustic blues jam sessions have resumed, outside in the parking lot behind Archie’s Barbershop — note new location: 4502 Hamilton St., Saturdays 1 to 4 p.m. Check the Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation webpage, acousticblues. com, or their Facebook page for more information. Poetry open mics are back up and running every Thursday night at 9 p.m. at Busboys and Poets, 5331 Baltimore Ave. busboysandpoets.com. 301.779.2787
Hamilton Splash Park, the outdoor pool at 3901 Hamilton St., is open for the season. To swim, residents must register at pgparksdirect. com and book a reservation 24 hours in advance. Closed Mondays. $4 for adults, $3 for children and seniors, free for children 2 and under. Residents may sign up for one two-hour session per day: 10 a.m. to noon; 1 to 3 p.m.; or 4 to 6 p.m. 301.779.8224 Pyramid Atlantic, the nonprofit art center at 4318 Gallatin St., is open to the public and continues to offer arts workshops online through August in techniques ranging from pop-up paper engineering to copper plate photogravure. pyramidatlanticartcenter.org
International Travel Vaccines 6525 Belcrest Road Suite #203 Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 (301) 403-8808
Yellow fever, Typhoid, Cholera, Hepatitis A, Malaria, Polio, etc.
AdirondAck Tree experTs
Riverdale Park Farmers Market is open every Thursday in the parking lot near the Riverdale MARC Station, 4650 Queensbury Rd. Hours: 3 to 7 p.m. for those who are 60 or older or immunocompromised; 4 to 7 p.m. for all shoppers. Many vendors are offering pre-order options to reduce time spent shopping. No live performances for now. facebook.com/RPFMarket Local yoga studios are back up and stretching. Love Yoga is offering outdoor yoga classes, including an outdoor family yoga class. lovey ogastudio.c om/sch edul e. html. Yoga Space is offering yoga, Pilates and yogalates classes online. Yoga-space. org. Yogi Amalie offers adult chair yoga online, accessible yoga for all bodies, ages and experience levels. Email yogiamalie@gmail.com for more information.
Give Help/Get Help
The Blessings Box on 43rd Ave. between Jefferson and Hamilton is a regularly stocked Little Free Pantry box. Please drop off nonperishables, and come get them if you need them! This is a project of Girl Scout Troop #6899. Contact dinacolin@ netzero.net with questions.
set up outside the rectory in the lower parking lot; please wear a mask. Since March, meals have been provided by local restaurants. Donations can be sent to the address above by check made out to St. Jerome Catholic Church, with “St. Jerome Café” in the memo line. Email katherinesomok@ gmail.com for more information. Greater Riverdale Cares & Route One Communities Care ask you to help our neighbors most in need and our local family-owned restaurants. Your donation will pay for nutritious meals for neighbors facing food insecurity. Local participating restaurants include Shortcake Bakery and Emeritas, in Hyattsville, and others in the region. Donate at gf.me/u/x4bmfa. St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church’s Food Pantry is open every Tuesday at 10 a.m. until the food runs out, 7501 Adelphi Rd. The pantry is primarily drive-through, though it accepts walk-ups who live in the community or come by bus. Cars line up as early as 7:30 a.m. Due to a three-fold increase in families served, the pantry needs funds. Please contribute at gofundme.com/ stmarksfoodpantry.
St. Jerome’s Café provides a free lunch-to-go every Thursday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those in need. 5205 43rd Ave. Table
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 | August 2020
FIRE
“In a weird way, it seems like people needed this as a chance to, like, reach out and actually do something about something. To be united over a thing you can’t argue about.”
FROM PAGE 1
Atkins, a band leader both literally and metaphorically, directed the army of volunteers and cracked jokes at firefighters who came by afterward to see the charred remains of the home. “You’re late!” he yelled across the yard. “He just orchestrates things,” said Rebecca Gitter, Atkins’ longtime friend, who showed up to help. “That’s just his personality. I think that’s why he’s so resilient.” Atkins’ wife and band partner, Dana, died of cancer in November 2019. While Joe was navigating her death with their two teenage children, the novel coronavirus hit the world and changed their day-to-day lives again. The night before the fire, they put down the family dog. “How is freaking out going to help?” said Atkins. “The only reason I was able to look composed [that day] is because it wasn’t all my problem. It was my house, but everyone was there helping me. You couldn’t keep people away.” Friends, neighbors and people who simply saw the smoke above the tree canopy all gathered to watch the house burn. When the fire department had finished their work, most of the onlookers stayed to help. Those who couldn’t lift things
Joe Atkins
The doorway of the Atkins’ house on 42nd Avenue, following the July 18 fire LINDSAY MYERS
Join a Committee!
Become a Hyattsville Volunteer Hero Looking to make a difference in your community?
Join one of the 13 advisory boards or committees that have open vacancies! Members help the Hyattsville Mayor and Council create policies and procedures for the City.
Board of Supervisors of Elections Code Compliance Advisory Committee Education Advisory Committee Ethics Commission Health, Wellness, and Recreation Advisory Committee Hyattsville Environment Committee Planning Committee Police and Public Safety Citizens Advisory Committee
Race and Equity Task Force Shade Tree Board Teen Advisory Committee Compensation Review Committee Education Facilities Task Force
To apply, visit
Choose a committee
hyattsville.org/committees Questions? Call (301) 985-5032
ran home to get tents and coolers. People dropped off water and Gatorade by the cases. An employee of the Anacostia Watershed Society brought over a bunch of hip waders so volunteers could wade through the basement and rescue Atkins’ many instruments, including an upright piano. Others clipped wet documents and sheet music to makeshift clotheslines they strung in the yard. The next day, the PG Pool swim team showed up to lend muscle and a water mister that kept everyone cool. “In a weird way,” said Atkins, “it seems like people needed this as a chance to, like, reach out and
actually do something about something. To be united over a thing you can’t argue about.” Gitter and her husband, Jim Groves, who has also known Atkins for years, set up a GoFundMe page to help Atkins cover any immediate expenses. They set the initial fundraising goal at $7,500, which was met within four hours. “I am blown away by the amount of money people have donated,” said Groves. “And not just people who know Joe, [but] people who know friends of Joe or know of Joe. ... The community just steps up.” The day before the fire Atkins received some good news from the county: His permit to rebuild the wraparound porch on his home had just been approved. Twenty-four hours later Atkins realized he was going to need many more permits. When designing his new home, Atkins says his main goal is to make sure the house reflects the spirit of friendship he and his wife always tried to extend to the community. “[So] anyone would feel comfortable … coming in to say hi. Walk in, sit down and immediately feel like you’re at home, part of the family. Like you have the run of the place,” he said. “We have always carried it that way, so if we can do that, and make it feel like it’s always been there, then we’ve been successful.”
Hyattsville Life & Times | August 2020
Page 13
FIREWORKS FROM PAGE 1
losing sleep and are tired of comforting scared children and pets. Others enjoy the celebrations. One single mother, an essential worker who asked to remain anonymous, said she has been stocking up on fireworks since finding a good deal on a trip to the beach in the spring. She made two more trips to Pennsylvania to get ready for a Fourth of July get-together with one other family. She warned her neighbors about the show she was going to put on in the alley behind her house, put tarps on their cars and kept her pets inside. Complaints on the H.O.P.E. email group first made her realize that setting off fireworks was illegal. At first she was scared, she said. As the complaints kept coming, she became irritated by the lack of understanding of people’s need to celebrate. She went through with her party — and launched more fireworks on several other nights, as well. “Every night it seems to be later and later with more and more participants,” wrote Sharon O’Donnell on July 6 to the H.O.P.E group. “I literally call the police — every night. I feel so bad for our new neighbors with young children, whose bedroom window … must feel the full impact. I know my dog does. … Can someone tell me why I don’t see any community policing?” “The vast majority of complaints lead to no action,” according to a July 16 email from Acting Lt. Zachary Nemser of the Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD), because when officers arrive, fireworks and those who set them off are gone. “In the few cases where the perpetrators remain on scene,” he said, officers confis-
According to the state fire marshal’s office, fireworks are illegal in Baltimore City, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties without a permit. Permit applications carry a $150 filing fee and applicants must take an exam. COURTESY OF PEXELS
cate fireworks and sometimes issue nuisance warnings. “We have not made any arrests or issued any fines for fireworks this year,” wrote Nemser. He also said that his department understands that the cancellation of public fireworks, as well as the Fourth of July being “the first major holiday since the County entered Phase II of the reopening plan … fed the exponential increase.” Fireworks are “the new pandemic national pastime,” according to Bloomberg, one which “pits reformers of urban policing against the equally powerful phenomenon of urban complaining.” New York has had a 40,000% increase in fireworks complaints, catching up to Washington D.C., which has a long tradition of illegal fireworks. The District saw a fivefold increase in complaints this summer, according to The Washington Post.
Residents in D.C. and Montgomery County have been posting flyers that provide alternatives to calling the police, including contacting conflict resolution centers, crisis hotlines, and services that offer counselors and practical assistance to crime victims. “We should have the same for Prince George’s County, or barring that for Hyattsville,” Ruthanna Emrys wrote to the H.O.P.E. email group on July 7. “Where there are gaps, … we should be working to fill them.” Hyattsville resident Maurie Kathan said she was disappointed in neighbors calling the police. “We need to figure out how we can address issues as a neighborhood without bringing in law enforcement,” she said. Not all residents agree. Hyattsville resident Nina Faye wrote in a July 6 email to HCPD Chief Amal Awad and others that she believes that Hyattsville residents pay to have a city police
TRAIN PRINTING COMPANY, INC. Celebrating our 40th year serving the area!
We have envelopes for correspondence, work orders for the job, proposals for the quote, brochures for advertising, directories for the club, newsletters for the newsworthy, postcards for the announcement, posters for the event, tickets for the show, programs for the concert, menus for the hungry, and stickers for identification.
Free parking and a free cup of coffee! Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 4547 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood, MD 20722
301-864-5552 | www.trainprinting.com | info@trainprinting.com
department in order to have “local control and oversight over our superior officers. Their function is to take care of dangerous situations — personal injury, property damage, fire.” Faye believes that, when it comes to municipal code violations, talking to neighbors before calling the city is the right approach. “Explosives and gunfire strike me as a totally different matter,” she explained. Some residents, including Michael Gorman, enjoyed this year’s festivities. “The abundance of do-it-yourself fireworks contributed to an energetic and friendly vibe
on my street, and I have to confess that I’d be quite happy if it happened that way every year,” he said. Gorman sympathized with those startled awake in the small hours, however, saying he would prefer fireworks for just one night, rather than for a month. According to the state fire marshal’s office, fireworks are illegal in Baltimore City, Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties without a permit. Permit applications carry a $150 filing fee and applicants must take an exam. Zamir Courtney is a summer intern with the Hyattsville Life & Times.
BRICK WORK PLUS Specializing in maSonry & Small concrete conStruction FOr yOur cOnStructiOn neeDS, call uS at
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 | August 2020
La Clínica del Pueblo serves the community amidst the pandemic
La Clínica has adapted to the pandemic by moving many of their programs online. In March, the majority of the staff began to work remotely and offer telehealth services. The Hyattsville clinic closed for almost a month but is now open. In addition to offering telehealth appointments, it serves patients onsite once a week and offers coronavirus testing on another day each week. “Although our entire workforce is es-
PIZZA KINGDOM PIZZA KINGDOM
SE HABLA ESPAÑOL | WE SERVE HALAL FOOD HOME OF THE JUMBO SLICE
SE HABLA ESPAÑOL | WE SERVE HALAL FOOD
Peach Or Apple Cobbler ............................................3.99 ............................................ SPECIALTY PIZZA PIZZA
APPETIZERS
PIZZA KINGDOM
10" Cake 12" 14"PASTA 16" Carrot .................................................................3.99 ................................................................. Select Pan/Thick, Thin Crust, or Square for $2 additional DESSERTS HOMEMADE 10" 12" 14" 16" Small Medium Large X-Large Cheesecake .................................................................3.99
13.99
THE KINGDOM SPECIAL Sweet Potato Pie ........................................................ ........................................................3.99 1Ground X Large Beef, Italian Salami, Onions, Black Olives, Fresh Tomatoes, JUMBO CHEESE SLICE 5.99 • add toppings for $1.00 Meat Sauce 2........................13.99 X Large Peppers & Feta................................12.99 Cheese Peach Or Apple Cobbler ............................................ ............................................3.99 3Green Topping Pizza Topping Pizzas THEMushrooms KINGDOM...............................12.99 VEGGIE LOVERS 22........................13.99 Medium 2 Large Carrot Cake................................................................. .................................................................3.99 Fresh Mushrooms, Onions, Green Peppers, Black Olives, 1 Medium 1 Parmesan 2 Topping Pizzas 2 Topping Pizzas Chicken ....................12.99 ........................13.99 ADDITIONAL TOPPINGS Fresh Tomatoes & Extra Cheese Baklava .......................................................................3.99 Topping Pizza Eggplant Parmesan ........................13.99 THE KINGDOM MEAT...................12.99 LOVERS 16"
PIZZA & WINGS!
21
24 27
Tossed Salad .................................................................7.99 Greek Salad .................................................................. ..................................................................9.99 Italian Salad ................................................................. .................................................................9.99 Caesar Salad ................................................................. .................................................................9.99 Chicken Caesar Salad ................................................ ................................................10.99 Grilled Chicken Salad ................................................ ................................................10.99 Tuna Salad ..................................................................10.99 Chef Salad (A Meal In Itself) .......................................9.99
3299
2399
$
$
32
23
42
FIRST TO INTRODUCE the jumbo slice to College
42
Not Valid with Any Other Discount. Valid For Limited Time Only.
CHICKEN 4439 Lehigh Road 4 Pc. Fried Chicken W/FFof ...........................................9.99 Just off Baltimore Ave 3 Pc. Tenders W/ FF .....................................................7.99 Park! near the center of campus 5 Pc. Tenders W/ FF ...................................................12.99
Valid For Limited Time Only.
Valid For Limited Time Only.
FIRST TO INTRODUCE Sun - Thurs 10:00am - 2:00am • Fri & Satthe 10:00am - 4:00am jumbo slice to College Park!
202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777
Not Valid with Any Other Discount. Valid For Limited Time Only.
202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777
Not Valid with Any Other Discount. Valid For Limited Time Only.
• Ham & Cheese • NEW! Steak & Shrimp
Marinara Sauce, Fried Mushrooms, Green Peppers, Fried Onions
Half Sub (8") $10.99 Whole Sub (12") $14.99
University
MD HOUSE ofSPECIALS Campus Dr. Lehigh Rd. Pizza Kingdom University
of MD 10 Pc. Tenders W/ FF .................................................18.99 4439 Lehigh Road Adelphi Rd. University Campus Dr. FIRST INTRODUCE of MD 15 Pc.TO Nuggets W/ FF & Sauce ..................................10.99 201 Just off of Baltimore Ave SpinachCampus pie ...................................................................5.99 Lehigh Rd. 4439toLehigh the jumbo slice College Road Park! near the center of campus Dr. Pizza Kingdom Gyro 410 sandwich .............................................................7.99 WINGSJust off of Baltimore Ave Adelphi Rd. Chicken gyro .................................................................7.99 Lehigh Rd. 201 near the center of campus Gyro platter Pizza Kingdom Buffalo Or Boneless Wings 410 (served w/ fries) ............................................................9.99 Served As Mild • Hot • BBQ • Honey BBQ • Lemon Pepper • Old Bay Adelphi Rd. Roasted Garlic Butter Chicken gyro platter 201 $ Choice Of Ranch Or Blue Cheese Dressing (served w/ fries) ............................................................9.99 DINE IN/ DELIVERY/ CARRY OUT Minimum order 15.00 for limited delivery area. $ platter 5 Pc. ............................................................................. .............................................................................5.99 Shrimp Minimum order 15.00 for limited delivery area. Delivery charge may apply. Sorry no personal checks. ORDER ONLINE 410 (w/ sauce fries) .........................................................9.99 10 Pc. ........................................................................... ...........................................................................9.99Delivery charge may & apply. Sorry no personal checks. Prices are subject to change without notice. subject to change without notice. flounder platter ....................................................9.99 15 Pc. ......................................................................... .........................................................................14.99Prices areFish Eggplant platter ...........................................................9.99 20 Pc. ......................................................................... .........................................................................19.99CORP CUSTOMERS/CATERING/FUND RAISING FREE DELIVERY For Online Orders Only Ask for Ali New! Turkey platter .....................................................9.99 ......................................................................... 50 Pc. .........................................................................49.99 for discounted pricing Ask for Ali for$15.00 discounted pricing Falafel ..................................................................7.99 Minimum order forNew! limited delivery area. 100 Pc. ........................................................................99.99
COLLEGE PARK
Valid For Limited Time Only.
202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777
• Fish Flounder W/ Cheese
Lettuce, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Onions, Cucumbers, Black Olives, Ham, Sliced Turkey Breast, American & Provolone Cheese.
FREE
19
• Regular Coldcut
d.
19
• Hamburger
.
8 14
All Salads Come With Your Choice Of Dressing: Thousand Island, Ranch, Blue Cheese, Italian, Caesar, Honey Mustard & House Dressings
lvd
99
Veggie W/ Cheese Chicken Filet W/ Cheese Chicken Parmesan Pizza Sub Pizza Steak Italian Cheesesteak
yB
$
99
• • • • • •
rsit
32
23
$
• Pizza Burger
FRESH SALADS
Blv
14"
ty
12"
599
$
rsi
10"
Pepperoni, Ground Beef, Ham, Italian Sausage, Canadian Bacon & Italian Sausage .........................12.99 ........................13.99 Small Medium Large X-Large Cheese 1 XExtra Large 1.09 1.39 1.59 1.79 2 X Large Chicken ..........................................................14.99 3 Topping PizzaAlfredo THE KINGDOM LORD PIZZA PIZZA DEALS One Large Two Large • PepperoniPICKUP SPECIALS • Anchovies • Spinach 2 Topping Ham, Shrimp Green Peppers, Ground Beef, Onions, Canadian Bacon, Pizzas Alfredo ...........................................................15.99 2 Medium 1 Topping Pizza 2 Topping Pizzas • Canadian Bacon • Chicken • Broccoli 2 Large Pineapple & Extra Cheese 1 Medium 1 2 Topping Pizzas 2 Topping Pizzas $ 99 10 Buffalo Wings 15 Buffalo Wings • Italian Sausage • Green Peppers Topping Pizza • Jalapeño Peppers THE KINGDOM GYRO PIZZA $ • Banana 99 $Peppers 99 • Black Olives Gyro Meat, to Onions, Tomatoes, Green Peppers, Black Upgrade Olives, Upgrade X-Large to X-Large • Ground Beef Feta Cheese & Mozzarella Cheese • Italian Salami • Fresh Tomatoes • Onions 1 X Large $3.00 more $6.00 more $ 99 Large 3 Topping Pizza $ 99 • Ham • Fresh Mushrooms22 X • Extra Cheese NEW!! THE KINGDOM SHRIMP (OR) Topping Pizzas 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 202-832-7777 | •301-927-7777 Pineapple • Fresh Garlic • Feta Cheese CHICKEN ALFREDO Not Valid with Any Other Discount. Two Large Not Valid with Any Other Discount. One Large Grilled White Chicken or Shrimp with Creamy Alfredo Sauce & Valid For Limited Time Only. Valid For Limited Time Only. 1 Topping Pizza 2 Topping Pizzas Fresh Tomatoes PIZZA & WINGS! 10 Buffalo Wings 15 Buffalo Wings FAMOUS STROMBOLI NEW!! THE KINGDOM GREEK PIZZA Mozzarella, Provolone, Cheddar & Feta Cheese with Tzatziki to Sauce, One Large Two Large Upgrade to X-Large Upgrade X-Large Topping Pizza 2 Topping Pizzas Spinach, Red Onions, Black Olives & Gyro Meat REGULAR 1............................................................................. 8.99 $3.00 more $6.00 more 99 99 FACELIFT 15 Buffalo Wings $ FREE PIZZA10 Buffalo Wings $ SUB SPECIAL THE KINGDOM STEAK ............................................................................ ONE ITEMUpgrade 9.99 to X-Large Upgrade to X-Large 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 Onions, Mushrooms, Green Pepper & Steak BuyAny oneTWO XL pizza with $3.00 more $6.00 more ........................................................................ ITEMS 10.99 2-8” Subs, 2 X-Large Not Valid $ with Any Other Discount. $ Not 99Valid with 99Other Discount. 3 topping or more, get 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 KINGDOM CHICKEN PIZZA Valid For Limited 2 THE Fries, Pizza Valid For LimitedBBQ Time Only. Time Only. 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 THREE ITEMS ................................................................... 11.99 BEVERAGES Not Valid with Any Other Discount. Grilled with BBQ Sauce w/ 2 Toppings a medium cheese pizza Not Valid with Any Other Discount. 2-12 oz.Chicken Sodas Valid For Limited Time Only. Valid For Limited Time Only. ............................................... VEGETABLE STROMBOLI 14.99 15 Buffalo Upgrade for Orange,BUFFALO THEApple, KINGDOM CHICKEN PIZZA Cranberry Juice .......................................2.50 Wings SUPREME STROMBOLI ................................................... 14.99 Buffalo Chicken Cheese Two 12’ Subs forand $6.00 12 Oz. Can Of Soda ...........................................................1.25 LOVER STROMBOLI ............................................. 14.99 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 NEW! KINGDOM HAWAIIAN FACELIFT FACELIFT FREE PIZZA FREEMEAT PIZZA SUB SPECIAL SUB SPECIAL 20THE Oz. Bottle Soda ............................................................2.50 NotCanadian Valid with Bacon, Any Other Discount. ExtraNot Valid with Any Other Discount. Not Valid with Any Other Discount. Pineapple, Cheese STEAK STROMBOLI ......................................................... 14.99 Buy one XL pizza with 2-8” Subs, $ 2 X-Large Liter Soda .......................................................................3.50 $ 99 Valid For2Limited Time Only. Valid For Limited Time Only. Valid For Limited Time Only. 99 Buy one XL pizza with 42 2-8” Subs, $ 2 X-Large 3 topping or more, get 19 2 Fries, Pizza $ 99 99 Punch, Lemonade, Orange) .........2.50 a medium cheese pizza 2-12 oz. Sodas w/ 2 Toppings 3 topping or more, get 2 Fries, Gatorade (Blue, Fruit Pizza 15 Buffalo Upgrade for a medium cheese pizza FREE 2-12 oz. Bottled Sodas Water ....................................................................2.00 w/ 2 Toppings Wings Two 12’ Subs for $6.00 SPECIALTY PIZZA 15 Buffalo Upgrade for We carry Pepsi products 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 202-832-7777 | 301-927-7777 Wings Not Valid with Any Other Discount. Not Valid with Any Other Discount. Not Valid with Any Other Discount. Two 12’ Subs for $6.00
ive
12.99
Un
9.99
.
8.99
Blv d
8 $ 2199 $2499 $ PICKUP SPECIALS $ 1499 PIZZA DEALS 2799 $ 99 8 $ 2199 $2499 PIZZA & WINGS! $ $ 1499 2799
CHEESE
Strawberry Cheesecake..............................................3.99
Pepperoni, Mushrooms, Black Olives, Green Peppers, Italian Sausage, THE KINGDOM WHITE PIZZA 9.99 10.99 13.99 15.99 Topping PizzaSauce Marinara .........................11.99........................12.99 Our Fresh Dough Onions & Double Cheese Chocolate Cheesecake ................................................3.99 Basted with a Touch Of ................................................ Oil, Sprinkled Lightly with Garlic, Topped with a Special Blend of Mozzarella, Provolone and Cheddar Cheese. Meatballs ...................................12.99........................13.99
ty
2 Medium 2 Large Italian Lasagna THE KINGDOM Spaghetti or Stuffed Shells 2 Topping Pizzas 2 Topping Pizzas
Pickup Special
French Fries ..............................2.99................. W/ Gravy 3.99 HALF SUB (8") $7.99 WHOLE SUB (12") $11.99 Western Fries.............................4.99................ W/ Cheese 5.99 ALL SUBS COME WITH YOUR CHOICE OF Pizza Fries (Oven baked) .....................................................6.99 THESE FREE FIXINGS: ...................................................................... Tater Tots ......................................................................4.99 H O M E O F T H E J U M B O S L I C Lettuce, E Tomatoes, Mayo, Fried Onions, Raw Onions, Hot Peppers, ......................................................... Mozzarella Sticks .........................................................5.99 Ketchup, Mustard, Oil & Vinegar Gyro, Falafel, ......................................................... Jalapeño Poppers .........................................................5.99 8” Cheesesteak, SE HABLA ESPAÑOL | WE SERVE HALAL FOOD • Cheesesteak • Chicken Italian Sausage .................................................................. Onion Rings..................................................................4.99 or 8” • Cheeseburger • Chicken Steak Cheesesteak .................................................... Breaded Mushrooms....................................................5.99 • Italian Coldcut 5.99................ W/ Cheese 6.99 Breadsticks ................................5.99 • Tuna Salad • Italian Meatball NEW! Cinnamon Sticks ...............................................5.99 • Eggplant Parmesan • Sliced Turkey Breast Garlic Bread ..............................Sm 3.99 ................... Lg 4.99 • Club • Chicken Cheesesteak (W/ Cheese)................................Sm 4.99 ................... Lg 5.99 • Pepperoni Pizza Sub
Small Medium Large X-Large PIZZA DEALS PICKUP SPECIALS 14.99 .......................................................................3.99 16.99 18.99 20.99 Baklava
99
Gyro, Falafel, 8” Cheesesteak, or 8” Chicken Cheesesteak OVERSTUFFED SUBS
rsi
Sweet Potato Pie ........................................................ ........................................................3.99 Cheesecake .................................................................3.99 Peach Or Apple Cobbler ............................................ ............................................3.99 Strawberry Cheesecake..............................................3.99 Carrot Cake................................................................. .................................................................3.99 Chocolate Cheesecake ................................................ ................................................3.99 Baklava .......................................................................3.99 Sweet Potato Pie ........................................................ ........................................................3.99
$
Gyro, Falafel, 8” Cheesesteak, or 8” Chicken Cheesesteak
ive
DESSERTS
Chocolate Cheesecake ................................................ ................................................3.99
SUPREME
99 5 Pickup Special $ 99 5 $
HOME OF THE JUMBO SLICE
Strawberry Cheesecake..............................................3.99
ALL PASTA INCLUDES GARLIC BREAD THE KINGDOM 1 Medium 1
Pickup Special
Kylie Rau is a summer intern with the Hyattsville Life & Times.
Un
Cheesecake .................................................................3.99
m • Fri & Sat 10:00am - 4:00am FREE
M
Catalina Sol, executive director of La Clínica del Pueblo
ive
Fear, terror, anxiety, stress and community pride: Catalina Sol, the executive director of La Clínica del Pueblo, used these words to describe what staff members have felt during the coronavirus pandemic. La Clínica, a nonprofit community health center, aims to increase health equity for Latino immigrants, according to its website. Before the pandemic, La Clínica served around 1,000 patients on a regular basis each year at its Hyattsville location near the Prince George’s Plaza Metro station, and a total of around 5,000 patients on a regular basis each year in the Washington D.C. area. According to Sol, the pandemic has been hard on Latino immigrants because many lack access to public benefits, have essential jobs or work in service industries. La Clínica has had 280 clients test positive for COVID-19. “We have had, unfortunately, also a few patient deaths within the pandemic. One of our patients was a resident of Prince George’s County who DESSERTS passed away, along with his son. It was a very tragic experience for their family
“It’s not possible for everybody to be strong every single minute of the day, but we can share that burden among each other.”
Balt. Ave
and for the community,” said Sol. Sol explained that La Clínica’s mental health team has been extremely busy meeting with patients by phone or video due to the overwhelming mental health stressors that the community has faced, especially for families with children at home. “It is very, very difficult. Especially in a community that also has a high mental health burden from previous exposure to traumatic events — violence, separation from family — it’s a difficult time for our community,” she said. Therapists have reported to Sol that many patients have been participating in telehealth appointments from their cars to have privacy. Although the community is under great stress, Sol noted that there has been an unexpected, positive outcome in terms of mental health. “Being able to connect with the providers from home has been a very good option [ for our clients],” she said. Implementing virtual mental health services and support has reduced barriers for people who are not comfortable going into the clinic.
Un
By Kylie Rau
sential, we have been rotating our staff through onsite work, telehealth work or COVID testing,” said Sol. The staff is focused on community safety and is following all of the guidelines put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “The requirements for social distance ...mean that we can only have two or three people in the waiting room, as opposed to the 10 or 15 that we had before,” Sol explained. Chronic diseases that La Clínica typically treats include hypertension, diabetes and obesity. Through its mental health program, the clinic also treats depression, anxiety and alcohol addiction. In addition, La Clínica has a community health action department, through which it offers wellness education, with an emphasis on women’s health, LGBTQ health and sexual health. Sol is hopeful that the community will recover from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. “I like to hope for the best and plan for the worst. I don’t think a global pandemic was in my mindset of worst case scenarios,” she said. “We are trying to all hold ourselves together in collective strength. It’s not possible for everybody to be strong every single minute of the day, but we can share that burden among each other.”
Balt. Ave
M
Balt. Ave
301-927-7777 COLLEGE PARK pizzakingdom.com DINE IN/ DELIVERY/ CARRY OUT 301-927-7777 • Fri &PIZZA Sat 10:00amKINGDOM - 4:00am 202-832-7777 pizzakingdom.com ORDER ONLINE 202-832-7777 Fax H301-209-9082 OME OF THE JUMBO SLICE COLLEGE PARK Fax 301-209-9082 301-927-7777 www.pizzakingdom.com 301-927-7777 Feb 2019 , 301-927-7777 4439 Lehigh Road, www.pizzakingdom.com CORP CUSTOMERS/CATERING/FUND pizzakingdom.com COLLEGE PARK College Park DINE IN/ DELIVERY/ CARRY RAISING OUT FREE DELIVERY For Online Orders Only 202-832-7777 ORDER ONLINE Delivery charge may apply. Sorry no personal checks. Fax 301-209-9082 Prices are subject to change without notice. 301-927-7777 www.pizzakingdom.com Feb 2019 THE KINGDOM SUPREME
THE KINGDOM SPECIAL
THE KINGDOM VEGGIE LOVERS
Feb 2019 THE KINGDOM MEAT LOVERS