INSIDE REMOTE HANDCUFFS: Police propose buying lasso-type restraint.. P. 3 BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENTS: See Community Calendar, P. 11
VOL. 18 NO. 2
HYATTSVILLE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
FEBRUARY 2021
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FROM THE HL&T!
Reading between the power lines By Paul Ruffins
The COVID-19 testing site at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro (shown here on Jan. 29) transformed into a vaccination site on Feb. 5.
JULIA NIKHINSON
Vaccine distribution lags, sites increase By Rachel Logan Erica Wolf, a city of Hyattsville councilmember (Ward 5), went to the Cheverly Health Center Jan. 21 for what should have felt like a significant hospital visit. She was getting her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, after all. It was a brisk afternoon, and the sun was getting low. Wolf walked across the parking lot to where a security guard stood waiting to confirm her appointment before letting her into the building — the reflection of evergreens visible in its wide windows. Another worker took her temperature and checked she was wearing a mask before di-
The First United Methodist Church in Hyattsville has hosted COVID-19 testing since June 2020. The church’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Yvonne Penn, quotes Scripture to describe their mission during the pandemic. “We are living by Isaiah 43:19,” said Penn in a phone interview. “God is
recting Wolf to a desk for contactless checkin. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary for the pandemic’s new normal. Wolf was pointed toward a basic exam room, where a nurse asked about allergies and described possible side effects. Wolf pulled up the sleeve of her red Hyattsville polo, with its large emblem reading “a world within walking distance,” and readied herself for the prick. The nurse kept Wolf for about 20 minutes after the pinch to check for an allergic reaction, and then Wolf was free to go. Twenty-four hours after receiving her first dose, Wolf said all she noticed was some
SEE TESTING ON 5
SEE VACCINATIONS ON 13
COVID-19 testing site does ‘a new thing’ By Joanna Turner
Have you wondered how our community became bi-polar? It’s pretty common to see tall, greenish utility poles next to shorter, brown poles just a few feet away. You didn’t see this in 2010 and might not see it much longer. Hyattsville residents have a real advantage over people living in downtown Washington, D.C., or midtown Manhattan. Their utilities are buried underground. We’re lucky — we can watch the fascinating upgrades. Having an overhead grid didn’t always feel so fortunate. In DeSEE ELECTRIC ON 12
Homeschools launch during pandemic By Heather Wright Prior to the pandemic, Hyattsville resident Sharon Chua and her husband had considered homeschooling their children because they wanted the flexibility to travel regularly to the Philippines, where Chua is from. When schools closed because of the pandemic, the family took the plunge and began homeschooling their oldest child. SEE HOMESCHOOL ON 8
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Hyatts KIDS Page 2
THE SPOTLIGHT IS ON MS. CONRAD
Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
Created by contributors in grades K-8, the HyattsKIDS Life & Times features local news, columns, and comics from our city’s youngest journalists. Our editors are Evan LeFevre and Claudia Romero Garvey. To participate, contact adult adviser Mary Frances Jiménez: mf_jimenez@yahoo.com. We also invite readers’ questions for an upcoming “Ask a HyattsKID” column.
HYATTSVILLE LOVE STORIES BY TALIKA GORSKI
By Tes Schooley and Evan Muynila Hyattsville Elementary School would like to shine a spotlight on our music teacher, Ms. Conrad. Throughout her college years at Lebanon Valley College, Ms. Conrad played the saxophone in the concert, jazz, and marching bands. She became a music teacher 7 years ago because she knew she loved working with kids and she loved music. She says, “Being a music teacher is the most fun job in the world! Every day I get to play music and work with some really awesome kids!” Ms. Conrad decided to make YouTube videos once a week when Covid started. She wanted to be able to let kids sing along to fun songs even though we were not in person. Some of the songs were “Stand by Me” and “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Ms. Conrad says, “My number one goal is to instill a love for music in children.” Third grade student Andriel Siyaka loves Ms. Conrad’s music class. He said, “I really enjoy when she is teaching us how to play instruments like the drums.” As you can see, this is our shining spotlight on Ms. Conrad.
HYATTSVILLE HOPES AND DREAMS FOR 2021 By Delia Silva 2020 was a hard year for all of us. People’s lives changed in a
way none of us expected. Reporter Delia Silva interviewed three local Hyattsville kids about how last year changed their lives and what they hope this year will bring. These kids have similar hopes and different hopes too. The first kid she asked was Lillie Bangoura, age 6. She said that she didn’t want to wear a mask in 2020. She hopes that there’s no coronavirus and she doesn’t have to wear a mask in 2021. Gabriel Melara, age 8, told Delia that last year, “I really wanted to socialize more, play in public places, and go to friends’ houses. I also wanted to check out my new school.” In 2021, he wants the pandemic to end, to stop wearing masks, and to “visit Six Flags!” The last kid was Eliza Munks, age 10. She said that last year, “I wanted to go on a field trip with my class that I’ve been waiting for for 4 years.” This year, she wants everyone to get the vaccine and things to go back to
By Ryan Blackerby Dear HyattsKIDS, On top of the pandemic, our family has been stressed by all the news surrounding the 2020 presidential election and the mob violence at the Capitol that followed in January. Hyattsville is very close to D.C. We visit often and many kids have parents who work downtown. How can families talk about events like these in a way that will be honest and reassuring? As they watched events unfold on January 6th at the U.S. Business Manager Catie Currie catie@hyattsvillelife.com
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ASK A HYATTSKID: TALKING TO KIDS DURING NATIONAL CRISES
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normal. Finally, she said that she looks forward to hanging out with friends and not worrying about Covid-19.
Layout & Design Editor Ashley Perks Copy Editor Nancy Welch Writers & Contributors Victoria Boucher, Juliette Fradin, Lauren Flynn Kelly, Rachel Logan, Chris McManes, Paul Ruffins, Joanna Turner Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com 301.531.5234
Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel Chris Currie — Vice President Stephanie Stullich — Treasurer Emily Strab — Secretary Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, T. Carter Ross, Kit Slack and Mark Goodson — Ex Officio Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in Hyattsville. Additional copies are distributed to libraries, selected businesses, community centers and churches in the city. Total circulation is 9,300. HL&T is a member of the National Newspaper Association.
Capitol, most parents were distressed and feeling some strong emotions. Though the events at the Capitol were felt by adults everywhere, kids were impacted too. Our parents were talking and listening to the TV, and the kids didn’t know what was going on. Kids are interested in what their parents feel and think. Parents are our role models. So, especially in moments of crisis, it is a good idea to keep kids updated on what is going on outside our homes and let them think for themselves about topics. When I was watching the storming of the U.S. Capitol unfold, I was in disbelief that this had happened. Many kids felt
this way, and many parents may have wanted help introducing these more mature topics to their children. Some good ways for parents to introduce difficult topics include: Be patient. Be kind. Let them think about it. Don’t rush. Convey the severity of the action accurately, so kids don’t over- or underthink it. Keep them interested. Kids should remember that parents are always there for you. If you want to talk to someone about something then just know you can talk to them.
Part-time job networking with local businesses Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, a nonprofit organization, seeks an ad sales manager. Our volunteer-run organization publishes two monthly newspapers, the Hyattsville Life & Times and the College Park Here & Now. Each paper is delivered to every address in the city it covers, for a combined circulation of nearly 18,000. Our nonpartisan, independent newspapers connect people in our communities, giving all residents free access to information on local government, services, schools, nonprofits, businesses, and the arts. We also introduce residents to each other through profiles. Advertising subscriptions by local businesses help keep those businesses’ lights on during the pandemic, help residents shop local, pay the newspapers’ expenses, and keep our newspapers independent. The sales manager handles all advertising sales and earns a commission on all advertising revenue. This includes revenue from existing business and from responding to leads generated by the newspaper itself, on our query form. This position could be a great opportunity for the right extrovert thwarted by the pandemic, someone who wants to make a bit of money on the side, support community journalism and get to know the local business scene. For more information, contact advertising@Hyattsvillelife.com.
Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
Page 3
NEWS BRIEFS COUNCIL APPROVES CHANGES FOR 2021 ELECTION The 2021 election is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11. Each of the five wards has one seat open. Residents will also be voting for a new mayor to fulfill the remainder of former Mayor Candace Hollingsworth’s term, which ends in May 2023. Voting in Hyattsville’s 2021 election will be primarily by mail. Every registered voter will be mailed a ballot, which they can return by mail or to a cityinstalled dropbox. Voters can also register to vote and vote in person at the municipal building on election day. Candidate registration began on Feb. 1 and will close on March 12. At the Jan. 19 city council meeting, the council voted unanimously to shorten this time frame, which in the past has lasted until the end of March. This change allows the city to print ballots in time to be mailed in early April. The city council also voted to amend the budget for the May 2021 election, increasing funding from $55,000 to $100,000.
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CITY COUNCIL DISCUSSES BOLAWRAP RESTRAINT At the Feb. 1 city council meeting, the council discussed, for the second time, whether or not to purchase BolaWrap restraint devices for the Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD). The motion would allocate $12,039 from the speed camera special revenue fund for the purchase of 10 BolaWrap devices and 90 single-use cartridges. Acting Chief of Police Scott Dunklee made a presentation about the device to the council. The BolaWrap, which is described on the BolaWrap website as “remote handcuffs,” can be used to restrain a noncompliant suspect from a distance. The BolaWrap fires a Kevlar tether with a four-pronged hook at each end, which wraps around a person’s arms or legs to temporarily restrain them. According to Dunklee, a number of Mary-
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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
SECONDHAND NEWS
Aren’t you glad you didn’t throw that away? By Lauren Flynn Kelly
S
ometime in mid-December, when I was scrambling to get Christmas presents in the mail and worrying about the ones that were already trapped at Postal Service facilities, my daughter announced that two of her Barbie dolls were getting married. “The wedding is Jan. 15,” she said. “And I’ll need five blue bridesmaid dresses. One of them is for Skipper, so it’ll have to be junior size.” Christmas came and went, and before I knew it, it was Jan. 14, and a desperate voice reminded me, “The fitting is today!” My daughter and I dashed to the basement and tore through multiple boxes of fabric remnants, many of which had already been cut to bits to make personal protective equipment (PPE). Finally, at the bottom of the third bin, we found an old crib skirt in a pale blue cotton
with coral embroidery. There was only enough for four dresses (sorry, Skipper), but we made it work, and the wedding was a success. We even set up a wedding venue using more fabric, cardboard and twinkle lights. Despite my complaints about having too much stuff, there have been so many moments like the Barbie wedding when I was happy to have all that stuff. For this month’s column, I asked my Hyattsville neighbors and other area residents if they had similar stories to share. I discovered that a) you all are very industrious, and b) there are a lot of reasons to save cardboard boxes and paper towel tubes.
SEW MANY MASKS Making masks to protect against COVID-19 was one of the most popular pandemic projects. Frequent sewers were happy to find a purpose for their fabric scraps, while Three
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making racetracks out of cardboard tubes for her children’s Matchbox cars. And 10-yearold Jackie Daniels used plastic sheeting and a deep cardboard box to make a swimming pool for her Barbie dolls, complete with a springy diving board and a car to get them there.
WOOD YOU TRY THIS AT HOME? For the more ambitious DIYer, Nigel Maynard recommends “found” wood (i.e., any wood left over from prior home projects) for woodworking. “I also tell my friends to save any salvage lumber they pull from old houses, or I save usable wood that I find in dumpsters. Using salvaged or old lumber in woodworking is perfect, because the wood is coming from older trees and the woodgrain is tighter and stronger,” he said. A few examples Maynard shared from the last year include using leftover cedar from his Hyattsville home renovation to make picture frames and porch planters, and repurposing straight-grain fir doors salvaged from a friend’s 19th-century Baltimore town house to make a dining room table. “I had those doors in our basement for about five years,” he admitted. Maynard also plans to use more leftover decking to build an outdoor table this spring.
Let in the light: Industrious DIYer Rachel McNamara made this Filipinoinspired parol out of bamboo, mulberry paper and a repurposed light fixture. COURTESY OF RACHEL MCNAMARA
Little Birds Sewing Co. regularly filled curbside orders of fabric for PPE purposes. “I sewed 250 masks with what I had on hand,” said one former Hyattsville resident. “No one can tell me I don’t need those scraps of fabric I keep anymore!” Others told me they cut up curtains, cloth napkins and clothes. Sarah Eisen made a mask using her son’s old pajamas, while her sister, Amanda Eisen, repurposed Zombie Run T-shirts, cloth napkins and fabric scraps for masks and other craft projects. Sarah Noreen said she made dish towels from remnants of curtains that she shortened. “Who knew you’d go through so many dish towels in a day!?” she marveled. “We were constantly running out, so I made more out of what I had.” In addition to “about a million masks,” Rachel McNamara said she sewed a pocket for remote controls out of a pair of cross-
stitched curtains she acquired through the Hyattsville Barter & Trade Facebook group. She also shared a beautiful photo of a Filipino-inspired parol: a star-shaped pendant light she fashioned out of backyard bamboo, “hand-pulled (not by me!) mulberry paper from my stash” and a light fixture from Barter & Trade.
CARD-BORED NO MORE Kristen Wares also completed some DIY projects while keeping her two children busy with items on hand. She refinished two bedside tables, using chalk paint purchased from Tanglewood Works, and she and her preschooler made playdough in every color, thanks to old food dye from neighbor Amanda Eisen. They also repurposed cardboard boxes to make dioramas — just for fun! “I feel like we used up a lot of dregs of old paint and stuff,” said Wares. Another neighbor reported
Lauren Flynn Kelly writes about repurposing for the Hyattsville Life & Times.
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Page 5 ed through Facebook, Zoom and YouTube, according to Penn. Sunday services and Sunday school are virtual. Apart from hosting the testing site, their inperson ministries are limited to food distributions. The church delivers food to a homeless shelter and through their Tuesday street corner ministry, during which parishioners go out in a
A vaccination site is planned at First United Methodist with a tentative start date of March 1, though logistics are still being ironed out. JULIA NIKHINSON
TESTING FROM PAGE 1
saying He is doing a new thing. COVID-19 is a ‘new thing;’ we just want to do what God has called us to do!” COVID-19 testing, which is free at this site, is normally offered on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the church parking lot off Belcrest Road. No appointment is necessary, and one can either drive through ( from the East-West Highway entrance to the parking lot) or walk up. At the outdoor site, testing is at the mercy of the weather, however. On Saturday, Jan. 23, with temperatures feeling like the low 20s, winds at 26 mph and snow flurries, testing was cancelled for the day, said a City of Hyattsville worker at the testing site, who did not give his name. He explained, “It’s said to be too cold for the workers,” who would be doing tests under makeshift tents. According to Hyattsville EmerCPA with 15+year experience. Personal and Business tax preparation and problem resolutions. Bookkeeping and Payroll. Management and financial consulting. Business start-up help.
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gency Operations Manager Reggie Bagley, as of Jan. 16, the city had conducted 10,642 tests at the site, with 3,784 administered to Hyattsville residents. The highest daily total was 301 tests on Nov. 16, 2020, which occurred during the holiday season, a surge in testing seen nationwide. “It’s been a blessing to help the community. We’ve had thousands of people come for testing. Our lines aren’t getting any smaller,” said Penn. “We send out email blasts letting our congregation know to sign up for vaccinations.” Congregation members of First United Methodist stay connect-
church van to feed the homeless, said Penn. City Administrator Tracey Douglas reported to the city council on Feb. 1 that a vaccination site is planned at First United Methodist with a tentative start date of March 1. That date may change, as logistics are still being ironed out with the church, and Luminis Health
and the county health department, the city’s testing site partners. Vaccinations would be offered indoors by appointment only. Testing would still continue in the church parking lot. Residents can register at www.hyattsville.org/notifyme to receive email notifications from the city as plans for a vaccination site progress.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
ZERO WASTE OF TIME
What are the most eco-friendly trash bags? By Juliette Fradin
down, but the process could take months, years or decades. Also, a biodegradable item isn’t necessarily all-natural, and it may be toxic (but it also might not be). Biodegradable bags are usually stronger and hold better than compostable ones but might contain more plastics. Another option is to use bags made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastics. This reduces the production of new plastic, which in turn reduces oil and energy consumption.
S
ince moving toward a more intentional and low-waste lifestyle, I always try to lower the amount of single-use plastic bags I use as every one of them eventually ends up as waste. I’ve found easy ways to switch from plastic to ecofriendly bags in many cases, including food conservation, grocery shopping, produce and trash. In my family of four, we generate less than a trash bag’s worth of waste per week, but I am finally running out of my plastic kitchen trash bags. Now I face the question: Should I bother buying compostable/biodegradable trash bags, since most of them won’t break down in landfills anyway? The answer is complicated, but there are resources like Columbia University’s Earth Institute out there to help.
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ble bags are usually made of natural substances (plants) and will decompose way faster in the ocean, if they end up there. But as these bags are so often made from corn, there are the environmental impacts from pesticides and greenhouse gases to consider. Compostable bags might also be less sturdy: Liquids from coffee grounds, fruits, or veggies could jumpstart their decomposition process. To solve this, start composting kitchen scraps instead of bagging them and adding them to your trash. Thanks to Hyattsville’s compost program, it is now easier than ever. Put your weekly remnants in a sturdy, sealed container and place it on the curb on Sunday night for a Monday pickup. Biodegradable means that the item will eventually break
With lots of pros and cons for each bag option, there is only one easy solution: Reduce your litter. Here are some tips to help you cut back on single-use items: • Avoid unnecessary packaging and try to get things in glass, metal or paper containers, which are easier to recycle. If paper gets food on it, compost instead of recycle. • Always use up what you have before replacing it — no need to throw something perfectly functional away, just because it’s made of plastic. • If you need to replace something, find items made from natural, recyclable and/or renewable resources: compostable bamboo toothbrushes, wooden kitchen utensils, natural-fiber brooms or dusters, toothpaste tablets that come in a glass jar, a fountain pen. The internet is full of clever zero-waste shops! • DIY a newspaper bin liner. Find a video on YouTube that teaches
the proper way to fold a newspaper so it handles your kitchen or sanitary waste. And don’t forget to line trash bins in your office, too. • Start a BYOB(ag) mission, and use your reusable bags and containers for everything at the store. You can use small mesh or cotton bags for produce instead of using the clear plastic ones, even if they are compostable. • Buy in bulk. Bulk buying has become harder with COVID-19 restrictions, but you can still find bulk items at local grocery shops like Glut Food Co-op, MOM’s Organic Market and Yes! Organic Market. For cleaning products, check The Fulfillery, a plasticfree-packaging shop based in Takoma Park that sells online with a curbside pickup option. • Visit your favorite farmers market to find packaging-free seasonal produce. Remember that, per county guidelines, all trash must be bagged securely. When it comes to your recycling, though, you should not wrap items in plastic bags; just place everything loosely in your recycling bin. Each of us can make a difference by reducing our consumption and cutting back on plastic. And remember, the more we support green companies, the more the industry will grow, and the more truly eco-friendly choices we will have. Juliette Fradin is the Hyattsville Life & Times columnist focused on sustainability.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
Page 7
BRIEFS FROM PAGE 3
land police departments, including Bladensburg, are already using the BolaWrap. He said he and some of the other officers tested the device on each other, and it did not cause pain. During the meeting, Chuck Perry, a Hyattsville resident, questioned the cost of the device. He also stated that 53% of HCPD’s arrests are of African American males. If true, this would imply a significant overrepresentation, given that Hyattsville’s population is approximately one-third African American. HCPD Media Relations/Mental Health Programs Manager Adrienne Augustus noted in a Feb. 5 email that while the police department doesn’t break down their crime statistics by race, a majority of their arrests are of nonresidents. Coucilmember Bart Lawrence (Ward 1) expressed reservations about the lack of evidence for the effectiveness of the BolaWrap, saying that he was skeptical that the device works as well as promised. In a Feb. 5 email, Dunklee said, “This is not something we foresee being used a lot. It doesn’t fit in a lot of situations because individuals need to be relatively still for the BolaWrap to work. It is always our goal to bring people into custody peacefully without using force. Anything that allows us to do that is a valuable resource to have. BolaWrap may be another
The city council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution condemning the events of Jan. 6.
PHOTO BY IAN HUTCHINSON
ON UNSPLASH
helpful tool for the officers to use in the right scenarios.” The council will vote on the motion at a later date.
COUNCIL APPROVES LETTER IN SUPPORT OF CLEAN ENERGY FOR SCHOOLS At the Jan. 19 city council meeting, councilmembers voted unanimously in favor of interim Mayor Kevin Ward’s sending a letter entitled “Support of Adoption of a Resolution Committing to 100% Clean Energy Schools and Implementation of a Focus Workgroup” to the Prince George’s County Board of Education, prior to the board’s Feb. 11 meeting.
The resolution, which was introduced to the board at their Jan. 14 meeting by Board Member Pamela Boozer-Strother (District 3) and student member of the board Ninah Jackson, calls for Prince George’s County Public Schools to create a focus workgroup to design an action plan that will guide the school system toward 100% cleansourced electricity and zero food waste by 2030, and 100% clean transportation and energy, and zero landfill waste by 2040.
CITY COUNCIL CONDEMNS CAPITOL ATTACK The city council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution
condemning the events of Jan. 6, when attendees at a pro-Trump rally stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress was certifying results of the presidential election. The threepage resolution cites the “brazen acts committed by the group of misguided and angry agitators and insurrectionists,” as well as former President Donald Trump and other elected officials for encouraging these acts. The council also authorized interim Mayor Kevin Ward to send a letter to the Maryland State General Assembly regarding the attack on the Capitol. The letter covered multiple points, including calling for a commission or task force to de-
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velop a plan for state and local agencies to respond to domestic terror threats, creating a commission “to determine the extent and pervasiveness of biased or extremist views” among law enforcement in the state, and increasing the power of Maryland prosecutors to “protect Maryland communities from domestic terror.” Councilmember Bart Lawrence (Ward 3) expressed hesitation about the speedy turnaround of the letter to the general assembly, emphasizing the need for councilmembers to be fully informed about the context of the requests in the letter, especially given their importance. “I’m really concerned about us moving too quickly on something that really deserves deeper consideration,” he said. Councilmember Robert Croslin (Ward 2) agreed with Lawrence’s concerns. “I did do my homework!” Councilmember Joseph Solomon (Ward 5), who drafted the motion, responded. Lawrence made a motion to table the letter for two weeks, until the next council meeting. “I get that it was a compressed schedule, but … the goal is to get this to the general assembly while they’re still in the timeframe of generating legislation,” said Solomon. The motion to table failed, despite yes votes from four councilmembers. Lawrence also expressed concern about potential overpolicing, expressing his opinion that any additional powers granted to prosecutors should be aimed at increasing trust with marginalized populations rather than result in overpolicing them. He made a motion to amend the letter by adding this clause. Councilmembers unanimously approved of and passed the amendment.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
the
Hyattsville Reporter Notices & Updates
No. 395 • February 9, 2021
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000 County who are 19 years and older looking to improve their vocational skills and find pathways to employment. Learn more about the services available at a special information session for City residents on Saturday, February 20, 2021, at 12 p.m. in English and at 1 p.m. in Spanish. To register for a session, visit hyattsville.org/calendar. If you’re unable to attend the session you can call (301) 429-5933 for more information.
Public Hearing: City Council will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, March 1, 2021 at 6:30 p.m., to consider public testimony regarding a Traffic Calming Petition submitted for the 3900 block of Oliver Street, located in Wards 2 and 3. To attend the hearing, register in advance at hyattsville.org/calendar. If you are unable to attend, comments may be submitted via email to cityclerk@hyattsville.org. Upcoming City Election: The City’s 2021 Election to select a new Mayor and Councilmembers from each of Hyattsville’s five Wards will be vote-by-mail! Residents are encouraged to update and verify their voter registration information at hyattsville.org/vote to ensure they receive their ballots in the mail this April. Ballots can be returned via mail (no postage required) or at a secure drop-off box. In-person voting and same-day voter registration will also be available on Election Day, May 11, 2021 at the City Building. Residents eligible to vote in the City elections must be at least 16 years old, a resident of the incorporated City of Hyattsville for at least 30 days, and not claim a right to vote elsewhere in the country. U.S. Citizenship is not a requirement to vote in City elections. Run for Office: Be the change you wish to see in Hyattsville! Residents have until March 12 to file as candidates for Mayor or for their Ward’s open Council seat. A candidate guide and the registration link to a virtual Candidate Information Session on Saturday, March 6 at 10 a.m. is now available at hyattsville. org/candidates. COVID-19 Vaccine: Prince George’s County remains in Phase 1 of its vaccine distribution plan. Residents who live or work in the County and are 65 and older, healthcare, public safety and other essential workers, education and childcare sector employees, or critical government leaders are now eligible to receive the vaccine. Individuals must pre-register at mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine to be notified of appointment availability. Senior residents and others experiencing difficulty accessing the online forms to pre-register for a vaccine appointment can call a new County hotline by dialing 311 and selecting the # button. Once you have made an appointment, please arrive at the vaccination site no more than 10 minutes before your designated time. After the first dose is administered to them, residents will receive an email to help schedule an appointment for the second dose. For the latest information, visit http://mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine.
Programs, Services, and Events
Tree Education & Sustainability Workshops: Starting in March, the City is partnering with several local environmental organizations to offer a series of free tree education and stormwater management workshops for residents. These workshops will provide education on the importance of stormwater management and how trees play a significant role in efforts to improve stormwater runoff. The City is also sponsoring 10 City residents to participate in the Anacostia Watershed Stewards Academy. Learn more at hyattsville.org/tree-education.
Age-Friendly Programs City of Hyattsville volunteers and staff participating in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service last month. Together, they packaged boxes of food at the Capital Area Food Bank for local community members in need. Voluntarios y personal de la Ciudad de Hyattsville participando en el Día de Servicio de Martin Luther King Jr. el mes pasado. Juntos, empaquetaron cajas de alimentos en Capital Area Food Bank para miembros de la comunidad locales en necesidad. partment, and the City. The site administers walk-up and drive-thru tests on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until the site reaches capacity. To be alerted of a potential site closure due to extreme weather conditions, sign up for City alerts at hyattsville.org/notifyme. For testing site questions, please call (301) 985-5000. Diaper Distributions: The City is partnering with the Greater DC Diaper Bank to distribute free diapers ranging in size newborn to 6. Hyattsville residents can now fill out a pre-registration form for each child at hyattsville.org/residentresources or call (301) 985-5000 for assistance. Supplies are limited. Proof of the age of the child will be required at the time of pickup. Acceptable proof may include but is not limited to a birth certificate, insurance card, passport, immunization record, or a childcare bill. Service Updates for Presidents Day: City Administrative Offices and the COVID-19 testing site at the First United Methodist Church on Belcrest Road will be closed on Monday, February 15, in observance of Presidents Day. There will be no yard waste or compost collection that week. Regular trash and County recycling routes are not affected. For questions, call (301) 985-5000.
Black History Month: Celebrate Black History Month through a variety of COVID-19 conscious events and programs in our area! Links to virtual exhibits, tours, and live programming are available at hyattsville.org/blackhistory-month.
Bulk Trash Pop-Up Day: The City is hosting a Bulk Trash Pop-Up Day on Saturday, February 27, at the City Building and Magruder Park. Residents can drop off bulk trash items at either location from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until containers reach capacity. Questions? Call (301) 985-5032.
Hyattsville COVID-19 Testing: Free non-appointment testing is available at the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville (6201 Belcrest Road) through a partnership between the Church, Luminis Health, The County Health De-
Bulk Trash & White Good Appliances Services Resume in March!: The City is resuming bulk trash services on Wednesday, March 3, with pickups on the first and third Wednesday of each month. White good appliances will be
picked up as needed by request. Residents may begin requesting pick-ups on February 17 for dates in March. A pickup can include no more than four items. To make a request, use the My Hyattsville App, call (301) 985-5032, or fill out the form at hyattsville.org/request. Once an appointment has been made, residents can place the item(s) curbside no earlier than 6 p.m. on the evening before their pickup. Items placed curbside without an appointment or before the evening of their pickup may be subject to a citation. For more information, visit hyattsville. org/bulk-trash or call (301) 985-5032. We’re Hiring: Serve your community! We’re seeking to hire a police chief, a senior administrative coordinator, a community & economic development coordinator, and an experienced lateral police officer. To apply, visit hyattsville.org/jobs. Heritage Tree Campaign Contest: To celebrate Hyattsville’s 135th Anniversary, the City is asking residents to identify trees on their property that were likely growing when the City was founded in 1886. Residents with a Heritage Tree can apply to receive a commemorative plaque. Please visit hyattsville.org/trees for details. The City also invites Hyattsville middle and high school students to enter the Heritage Tree Campaign Contest! From March 1 through April 30, students can write an essay or share a creative response (like a painting, drawing, or digital illustration) to the following question: “If a tree could talk, what would it say about the events it has lived through?” Winning essays and art submissions will receive a $150 prize! For full details and requirements, visit hyattsville.org/trees. Free Education Services: Want to advance your career? The University of Maryland Educational Opportunity Center can help! The Center offers free services for residents of Prince George’s
Join the Age-Friendly Work Group: Did you know that the City of Hyattsville was the first Maryland city to join The AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities? As a member of this national network, Hyattsville joins six states, one territory, and over 500 communities whose elected leadership have committed to work towards making their states, cities and towns a great place to live for people of all ages. The Hyattsville Age-Friendly Work Group, established last January, helps inform and guide implementation of the City’s Age-Friendly Action Plan. The plan, developed by senior community members and approved by Council in 2019, includes recommendations for enhancing housing, home and community-based services, health and safety, and communication and outreach. The plan can be viewed at hyattsville.org/age-friendly. If you have an interest in participating in the work group, contact Age-Friendly Lead Marci LeFevre at mlefevre@hyattsville.org or at (301) 985-5012. Members of all ages are welcome. Meetings are held via teleconference on the fourth Friday of the month at 11 a.m. Visit hyattsville. org/committees for more information.
Youth Services
Teen E-Center: The City’s E-Teen Center offers various programs for Hyattsville teens and tweens – check out their February programs below! Visit hyattsville.org/teen-center for more information and to register. • Tutoring and Homework Assistance: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, 6:30 – 8 p.m. • Real Talk Series: Friday, Feb 12, 5 p.m. • Black History Month Night: Friday, Feb 19, 5 p.m. • Boys & Girls Club: Monday, Feb 22, 5 p.m. Spring Camp Dates CORRECTION: Enjoy your school break this year with our Hybrid Spring Camp! From Monday, March 29 to Friday, April 2, youngsters in grades K-5 can enjoy a mix of active activities and crafts, DIY projects, and even participate in a virtual field trip! Registration opens on Wednesday, February 27 at just $20 per camper. To learn more, visit hyattsville.org/camp.
Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
Page HR2
el
Reportero de
Hyattsville
No. 395 • 9 de Febrero, 2021
Avisos y Noticias
Audiencia Pública: El Concejo Municipal sostendrá una Audiencia Publica el lunes, 1 de marzo, 6:30 p.m., para considerar el testimonio público con respeto a una Petición de Calma de Tráfico presentada para el 3900 bloque de Oliver Street, localizada en los Distrito 2 y 3. Para atender, regístrese en hyattsville. org/calendar. Si no puede atender, envíe comentarios a cityclerk@hyattsville.org. Próximas Elecciones Municipales: ¡Las Elecciones de la Ciudad de 2021 para seleccionar a un nuevo Alcalde y Concejales de cada uno de los cinco Distritos de Hyattsville será de forma de voto por correo! Residentes son alentados a actualizar y verificar su información de votador en hyattsville.org/ vote para recibir sus boletas por correo este abril. Boletas pueden ser retornadas por correo (no se requiere franqueo) o en una caja de entrega segura. Las opciones de registración de mismo día y votar en persona estarán disponibles el Día de Elección, 11 de mayo, en el Edificio Municipal. Residentes elegibles para votar en las elecciones municipales deben de tener por lo menos 16 años, ser residente de la Ciudad de Hyattsville por lo menos de 30 días y no reclamar derechos de voto en otros lugares de los Estados Unidos. No se requiere ser ciudadano de los Estados Unidos para votar en las Elecciones Municipales. Presente su Candidatura: ¡Sea el cambio que quiere ver en Hyattsville! Residentes tienen hasta el 12 de marzo para presentar su candidatura para Alcalde o para puesto de Concejal de su Distrito. Un guia para candidatos y el enlace de registración para una sesión virtual de información de candidatos el sábado, 6 de marzo, a las 10 a.m. está disponible en hyattsville.org/candidates. Vacuna de COVID-19: El Condado Prince George’s permanece en la primera fase de su plan de distribución de vacunas. Residentes que viven o trabajan en el Condado y tienen 65 años o más, trabajan en la salud, la seguridad pública y otros trabajadores esenciales, los empleados del sector de la educación y cuidado infantil, o líderes gubernamentales críticos ahora son elegibles para recibir la vacuna. Personas deben preinscribirse en mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine para ser notificadas de disponibilidad de citas. Residentes de la tercera edad y personas con dificultades para acceder a formularios en línea para preinscribirse para una cita pueden llamar al 311 y marcar el #. Al tener cita, llegue al sitio no más de 10 minutos antes. Después de que se les hayan administrado la primera dosis, residentes recibirán un correo electrónico para programar una cita para la segunda dosis. Para la información más reciente, visite http:// mypgc.us/COVIDVaccine
Programas, Servicios y Eventos
Mes de la Historia Afroamericana: ¡Celebre el Mes de la Historia Afroamericana a través de una variedad de eventos y programas conscientes al COVID-19 en nuestra área! Los enlaces a exposiciones virtuales, tours y programación en vivo están disponibles en hyattsville.org/black-history-month.
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000 Talleres de Educación y Sostenibilidad de Árboles: A partir de marzo, la Ciudad se asociara con varias organizaciones ambientales locales para ofrecer una serie de talleres gratuitos de educación en árboles y manejo de aguas pluviales para residentes. Estos talleres proporcionarán educación sobre la importancia de la gestión de las aguas pluviales y cómo los árboles desempeñan un papel importante en los esfuerzos por mejorar la escorrentía de las aguas pluviales. La Ciudad también está patrocinando a 10 residentes para participar en la Anacostia Watershed Stewards Academy. Aprenda más en hyattsville. org/tree-education.
Sitio de Pruebas COVID-19 de Hyattsville: Pruebas gratuitas y sin citas están disponibles en la en la Iglesia First United Methodist de Hyattsville (6201 Belcrest Road) por medio de una asociación entre la Iglesia, Luminis Health, el Departamento de Salud del Condado y la Ciudad. El sitio administra pruebas a conductores y a personas caminando los lunes, jueves y sábados, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., o hasta capacidad. Inscríbase para avisos en hyattsville.org/notifyme para ser alertado sobre cierres potenciales debido al clima. Llame a (301) 985-5000 para más. Distribuciones de Pañales: La Ciudad se está asociando con Greater DC Diaper Bank para distribuir pañales de tamaños recién nacidos hasta la talla 6. Residentes pueden llenar un formulario para cada menor en hyattsville. org/resident-resources o llamar al (301) 985-5000. Los suministros son limitados. Se requerirá una prueba de la edad del niño en el momento de la recogida. La prueba aceptable puede incluir, entre otros, un certificado de nacimiento, una tarjeta de seguro, un pasaporte, un registro de inmunización o una factura de cuidado infantil. Cambios de Servicio para el Día de los Presidentes: Las oficinas de la Ciudad y el sitio de pruebas COVID-19 en la Iglesia First United Methodist Church en la Belcrest Road estarán cerrados el lunes, 15 de febrero, en observancia al Día de los Presidentes. No habrá recolección de residuos de yarda o compostaje esa semana. Rutas de basura y reciclaje del Condado no son afectadas. Para preguntas, llame al (301) 985-5000. Día Emergente de Basuras Grandes: la Ciudad sostendrá un Día Emergente de Basuras Grandes el sábado, 27 de febrero, en el Edificio Municipal y Magruder Park. Residentes pueden llevar artículos a ambos sitios entre las 10 a.m. hasta las 2 p.m., o hasta que se llenen los contenedores. ¿Preguntas? Llame a (301) 985-5032. ¡Servicios de Basuras Grandes y Electrodomésticos Resumen en Marzo!: La Ciudad está resumiendo los servicios de basuras grandes el miércoles, 3 de marzo, con recolecciones ocurriendo los primeros y terceros miércoles de cada mes. Electrodomésticos serán recogidos por solicitud. Residentes pueden empezar a solicitar recolecciones empezando el 17 de febrero para marzo. Una recolección no puede incluir más de cuatro artículos. Para solicitar una recolección, use la aplicación My Hyattsville, llame al (301) 985-5032, o llene el formulario en hyattsville.org/request. Al tener una cita, residentes pueden dejar los artículos en su acerca no antes de las 6 p.m. la noche antes de recolección. Artículos dejados afuera sin cita o antes de la noche de su recolección pueden ser sujetos a una multa. Para más información, visite hyattsville.org/bulk-trash o llame a (301) 985-5032. Estamos Contratando: ¡Sirva a su comunidad! Estamos buscando a contratar a un jefe de policía, un coordinador superior, un coordinador de desarrollo económico y un experimentado oficial de policía lateral. Para solicitar, visite hyattsville.org/jobs.
Programas Amigables con la Edad
Ward 5 Councilmember Erica Spell Wolf received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine under Phase 1B of the County’s vaccine distribution plan. Read additional details here and visit mypgc. us/covidvaccine for the latest information. La Concejal del Distrito 5 Erica Spell Wolf recibió su primera dosis de la vacuna COVID-19 bajo la fase 1B del plan de distribución de la vacuna del Condado. Lea detalles adicionales aquí y visite mypgc.us/covidvaccine para la información más reciente. Conmemorando Árboles de Hyattsville: Para celebrar el 135o Aniversario de Hyattsville, la Ciudad está pidiendo a residentes que identifiquen árboles en sus propiedades que probablemente crecieron cuando la Ciudad fue fundada en 1886. Residentes con árboles de patrimonio en sus propiedades pueden solicitar para recibir una placa conmemorativa. Visite hyattsville.org/trees para detalles. ¡La Ciudad también invita a estudiantes de las escuelas intermedias y secundarias de la Ciudad a participar en el Concurso de la Campaña del árbol del Patrimonio! Del 1 de marzo hasta el 30 de abril, estudiantes pueden escribir un ensayo o compartir una respuesta creativa (como pintura, dibujo o ilustración digital) a la siguiente pregunta: “Si un árbol pudiera hablar, ¿qué diría de los acontecimientos que ha vivido?” ¡Ensayos y presentaciones de arte ganadoras recibirán $150! Para obtener información detallada y los requisitos, por favor visite hyattsville.org/trees. Servicios Educativos Gratuitos: ¿Quiere avanzar su carrera? ¡El Centro de la Oportunidad Educativa de la Universidad de Maryland puede ayudar! El Centro ofrecer servicios gratuitos para residentes del Condado Prince George’s que tienen 19 años o más y buscan mejorar sus habilidades profesionales y encontrar caminos al empleo. Aprenda más sobre los servicios disponibles en una sesión de información especial para residentes de la Ciudad el sábado, 20 de febrero de 2021, a las 12 p.m. en inglés y a la 1 p.m. en español. Para registrarse, visite hyattsville.org/calendar. Si es incapaz a atender la sesión, llame a (301) 429-5933 para más información.
Únase al Grupo de Trabajo para la Edad: ¿Sabía que la Ciudad de Hyattsville fue la primera Ciudad de Maryland en unirse a la Red de AARP? Como miembro de esta red nacional, Hyattsville se une a seis estados, un territorio y más de 500 comunidades cuyos líderes electos se han comprometido a trabajar para hacer de sus estados, ciudades y pueblos un gran lugar para vivir para personas de todas las edades. El Grupo de Trabajo de Hyattsville para la Edad, que fue establecido el pasado enero, ayuda a informar y guiar la implementación del Plan de Acción Favorable a la Edad de la Ciudad. El plan, desarrollado por miembros de la comunidad mayor y aprobado por el Concejo en 2019, incluye recomendaciones para mejorar la vivienda, los servicios basados en el hogar y la comunidad, la salud y la seguridad, y la comunicación y divulgación. El plan se puede ver en hyattsville.org/age-friendly. Si está interesado en participar en el grupo, contacte a la Coordinadora Marci LeFevre vía mlefevre@hyattsville.org o al (301) 985-5012. Todas las edades son bienvenidos. Las reuniones toman plazo por teleconferencia el cuarto viernes de cada mes a las 11 a.m. Visite hyattsville. org/committees para más información. E-Centro de Jóvenes: El Centro de Jóvenes de la Ciudad ofrece varios programas divertidos y educativos para los adolescentes y pre-adolecentes de Hyattsville – vea sus programas de febrero. Visite hyattsville.org/teen-center para más detalles. • Tutoría y Ayuda de Tarea: martes, miércoles y jueves, 6:30 – 8 p.m. • Serie de Conversaciones Reales: viernes, 12 de febrero, 5 p.m. • Noche de Mes de la Historia Afroamericana: viernes, 19 de febrero, 5 p.m. • Club de Chicos y Chicas: lunes, 22 de febrero, 5 p.m. Corrección de Fechas de Campamento Primaveral: ¡Disfruten sus vacaciones escolares este año con nuestro Campamento de Primavera Hibrido! Desde el lunes, 29 de febrero hasta el viernes, 2 de abril, ¡jóvenes de grados K-5 pueden disfrutar de una mezcla de actividades activas y artesanías, proyectos DIY e incluso participar en una excursión virtual! La registración se abre el miércoles, 24 de febrero a solo $20 por participante. Para más información, visite hyattsville.org/camp.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
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Chua’s son, William, now 7, was enrolled in a Montessori school last year, which they loved. Following the midMarch shutdown, the school transitioned to virtual classes. Chua explained in an email that “because his schooling … [had been] very hands-on, with a lot of manipulatives and real-life ‘work,’ and not as academically focused, [going virtual] was not a very fun experience for him.” Emily McNally’s son, Ciaran, is a 5-year-old kindergartener who started at University Park Elementary School last fall. “His teachers were wonderful and were doing the absolute best they could under really difficult circumstances, but we found that virtual school was not a good fit for our son or our family,” said McNally in an email. Since last year’s closures, almost everyone in the area with school-aged children has been helping school their children from home, at least part-time. Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) remain fully virtual as of press time. Some local private and parochial schools have transitioned to a
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hybrid model, which incorporates both distance and in-person classes. The American Association of Pediatricians (AAP) recommends that children between the ages of 2 and 5 use screens for no more than one hour per day. Current guidelines for school-aged children are more flexible, with the AAP emphasizing that children and teenagers need adequate sleep, physical activity, and time away from media. Overall, those who seem to struggle most with hours upon hours of virtual schooling are younger children, who usually have more limited attention spans and a greater need for hands-on activities. English-language learners and students with learning disabilities also struggle more with virtual schooling. While Maryland officials have called on schools to reopen for hybrid in-person learning by March 1, a Jan. 28 PGCPS press release says that they are continuing to assess options for resuming in-person learning this spring and would provide an update in mid-February. “During the virtual classes, Ciaran was at best unfocused and at worst having a meltdown,” McNally said. “We often had to
Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
Page 9
Peter Witte, an English professor at the University of Maryland, homeschools his children at his University Park house on Jan. 27. Witte’s wife, a philosophy professor at the university, works in the background. JULIA NIKHINSON
bribe him to do the classes or had to pull him away from an activity he enjoyed, like reading a book or playing with his brother, to sit down in front of a screen.” She added, “It was hard to watch a kid who was previously interested in learning and generally even-tempered become frustrated, bored, and moody after a day in front of a screen.” Some older children in the area are frustrated with online learning, too. Peter Witte, a
University Park resident, described how both of his children, a 10-year-old fourthgrader and an 8-year-old third-grader, struggled with distance learning during the end of the 2019-20 school year. “Nearly all of this had to do with the remote, technological changes to their learning experience. They felt alienated from their education,” he explained in an email. “During this experience, we [Witte and his wife] also had to keep them
on task or encourage them to stay engaged. ...This was new. They had loved learning in the past, during ordinary in-person schooling.” A PGCPS spokesperson noted that approximately 132,000 students were enrolled for the 2020-21 school year, down from about 136,000 last year. The decrease reportedly reflected students opting to homeschool, delaying entering school ( from preschool or kindergarten) or transferring
to private schools. Approximately 3% of U.S. students, ages 5-17, were homeschooled in 2016, a percentage that has been fairly consistent since about 2007, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. According to the Maryland Department of Education, 3,177 students were homeschooled in Prince George’s County during the 2019-20 school year, which was confirmed by a PGCPS
representative. Data for the 2020-21 school year was not currently available but would be updated on a rolling basis, according to PGCPS. Witte said that although homeschooling has gone well, he and his wife plan to send their children back to school after the pandemic. “Our kids would like a schooling experience that is more social,” he noted, adding that he and his wife both had demanding, fulltime jobs. McNally also plans on sending her son back to school after the pandemic. She said that although there are plenty of ways for homeschooled children to connect with others, “I feel the social aspects of in-person school are so important.” She also plans to return to in-person work, herself, which would rule out homeschooling. McNally emphasized, “I’ve really loved this time learning along with them.” Chua and her husband think that they will continue homeschooling after the pandemic resolves. “The pandemic accelerated the process, but our original motivation still remains,” she said. “In fact, we’re about ready to add our daughter, Alexandra, to the mix! It will be different because she’s just three, but we’ve gained confidence with the experience.”
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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
MISS FLORIBUNDA
Courting catastrophe: Toxic houseplants Dear Miss Floribunda,
comosum) is nontoxic as well, and, like the Boston fern, can be hung out of reach from the ceiling — although your cat sounds as if he might like the challenge of hanging from a botanical chandelier. If you want a palm tree, you’re safe with the parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans). Your cat may need a vegetable supplement to his diet, and this could be one of the reasons he goes on the hunt. There are a number of cat grasses you can grow, the most popular of which is Dactylis glomerata. If you dare, you could also grow a pot of two of catnip (Nepeta cataria), but if your cat is already hyperactive, you might find your furniture toppled over when he’s under the influence. Despite the name you gave your cat, it would not be safe to indulge him with cannabis. Though less toxic to cats than to dogs, it can still cause severe vomiting and even seizures.
My cat, Hunter Tomson, is a plant pouncer. Even before the pandemic, he was always kept indoors, and until lately, he was happy wrestling with his toys. Now he seeks bigger game and likes to attack plants and chew on them. Occasionally he’s gotten sick and thrown up. Knowing that poinsettias are poisonous, I didn’t get any last December, and got an amaryllis instead. When I took it out of the kitchen window and put it on the floor, Hunter shredded its leaves and gnawed on the stem. He was sick for days, and couldn’t eat anything. Now I’m wondering about getting rid of other of my houseplants and replacing them with pet-friendly ones. Can you tell me which plants are bad for pets, especially dangerously so? Which plants are OK? Fending For My Feline On Farragut Street
Please check the website of the HHS (hyattsvillehorticulture.org) for any information concerning future events or meetings.
Dear Fending, As it happens, poinsettias are far less harmful to cats than are amaryllis. Poinsettia sap irritates their mouths and gums, so very little is likely to be swallowed. Even if your tom does ingest some, he’d likely experience only enough nausea for one vomit and then would go about his business. But amaryllis, and any other plant in the lily family, could be fatal to cats. (Dogs are less susceptible, but still would get sick.) The peace lily (Spathiphyllum), although not a true lily, can be very harmful to cats as well. A better holiday plant is the Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) with its long-lasting, colorful blooms that won’t poison your pet. Don’t confuse this with the equally colorful Kalanchoe, which is quite poisonous. Keep Kalanchoe out of your cat’s reach — if that is possible. Now, rather than give you a long list of houseplants that are poisonous to pets — because most of them are, to some extent — I’d rather let you know which plants will not harm your imprudent predator. With the exception of oregano, you can grow most aromatic herbs with impunity. Basil, sage, rosemary, rue and thyme are harmless, in the unlikely event your cat would come near. Cats are a challenge to houseplant lovers because of their ability to climb and jump. Fortunately, there are ways of deterring cats from houseplants.
Cats are a challenge to houseplant lovers because of their ability to climb and jump. Fortunately, there are ways of deterring cats from houseplants. PEXELS
Though it might repel you as well as the cat, you can sprinkle cayenne pepper on your plants. Because you’d need to repeat the process frequently, your cayenne pepper bill could mount up quite a bit eventually. Just as effective as a repellent are citrus rinds. Actually, putting orange peels around your plants is a convenient way to dispose of them after you eat the orange. Even though lavender and oregano could be harmful to cats, their strong odor acts as a repellent. In fact, you might consider planting a pennyroyal, creeping thyme or serpentine rosemary as repellents in the same pot with large plants
that are notoriously dangerous to cats and dogs, such as ficus and sago palm. Although cats are not repelled by African violets (Saintpaulia) and polka dot plants (Hypoestes phyllostachya), they will leave them alone. They are indifferent to the lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus radicans) and other peperomias. Thorny plants and cacti will not be approached more than once. All of these plants require a fairly sunny spot in your home. Low-light plants that are safe to have in your home are the aluminum plant (Pilea cadierei), the prayer plant (Calathea), and the Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata). In fact, the only “fern”
that is not safe for your cat is the asparagus fern, because it’s really not a fern, but a member of the lily family. The airplane or spider plant (Chlorophytum
Miss Floribunda is the Hyattsville Life & Times garden columnist. You may email questions to floribundav@gmail.com.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
Page 11
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Send your events or information on local private aid efforts to Kit Slack at kit@hyattsvillelife.com.
B
elow you’ll find community events sponsored by local nonprofits and artists, as well as a Give Help/Get Help section, where we list some of the ways neighbors are helping each other during the pandemic. All information is current as of Feb. 5. As we wait for case counts to fall and spring to come, local arts and nonprofit groups are bringing neighbors together through a surprising variety of virtual gatherings. During the city of Hyattsville’s first official Black History Month, declared in the Feb. 1 council meeting, you will find many events celebrating Black culture and history.
February 13
Art Works Now and Pizzeria Paradiso present a virtual event, Valentine’s Day Shenanigans, featuring an Out of this World Love Mobile Art Kit and wood-fired pizza. $35 to $55. 3 to 4 p.m. artworksnow. org/valentines-day-shenanigans Mount Rainier Elementary School PTO and Joe’s Movement Emporium are sponsoring Salsa Y Amor, a Valentine’s Day extravaganza, which features a dancing and a cooking demonstration. Virtual. Suggested $15 donation. 6 to 7 p.m. joesmovement.org/newevents
February 14
Black History Scavenger Hunt: Double Team. Bring a smartphone and download a free app to participate in this scavenger hunt at Bladensburg Waterfront Park involving trivia, taking photos and videos, GPS check-ins, and prizes for winners. $3 residents, $4 nonresidents. 8 a.m. to noon. 4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg. 301.699.2255. pgparks. com/pgparksdirect.com
February 19
Composer Carlos Simon and Lineage Percussion present Shadows of Lakeland, in partnership with The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center and Joe’s Movement Emporium. An exploration of the history and resilience of the historically Black community in College Park. Part of the NextLOOK series supporting new works by regional performing artists. Virtual. Pay-as-you-wish. 7 to 9 p.m. joesmovement.org/newevents
in a wide range of techniques including Afghan illuminated manuscripts, spinning paper thread and animation. $40 to $300. Hyattsville residents receive 15% discounts. pyramidatlanticartcenter.org Step Afrika Masterclasses. Percussive dance as practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities, blended with traditional African and contemporary styles. Free. Saturdays from 1 to 2 p.m, Feb. 6, 13, and 20. Virtual. pgparks.com/2280/The-PrinceGeorges-Publick-Playhouse PEXELS
February 21
Concert by Heritage Signature Chorale, founded in 2000 by Artistic Director Stanley J. Thurston, featuring African American choral music and interpretations of music from around the world. Free. Virtual. 6 to 7 p.m. pgparks.com/2280/ The-Prince-Georges-PublickPlayhouse
February 25
Discussion of the history of North Brentwood, the first African American incorporated town in the county, entitled “Black Lives Matter ... 1887 to Today,” cosponsored by Hyattsville Aging in Place as the first event in a new Corridor Conversations series. Free. Virtual. 2 to 3:30 p.m. hyattsvilleaginginplace.org/programsand-activities/corridor-conversations
February 26 - April 4
An art exhibition at Pyramid Atlantic entitled Relief includes relief print works by artists including Daniella Napolitano and Heather O’Hara, and featuring light subject matter including bunny families and a mythical monster in tighty-whities. Online at pyramidatlanticartcenter. org, or in person. Wednesday and Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday noon to 5 p.m. 4318 Gallatin St. 301.608.9101
February 27
It’s a Family A-Fair: African American Family Festival. Virtual festival including workshops, performances, storytellers, crafts and vendors selling African and African American goods and products. Free. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. pgparksdirect.com
March 4
2Fifty Texas BBQ Take-Out Fundraiser: 15% of your meal price goes to Hyattsville Elementary School if you mention the fundraiser as you place your order. 12:30 to 9 p.m. 4700 Riverdale Rd. Riverdale Park. 323.761.4535
March 5
Art Works Now hosts their first-Friday Virtual Parents’ Night Out. Movie and a craft to occupy children aged 5-12. Pay-what-you-can, $5/$10/$20. 6 to 9 p.m. artworksnow.org/ virtual-parents-night-out
Recurring Art Works Now offers virtual weekly art classes in six-week sessions. Preschool art, painting, photography and stop-motion animation for kids. Classes for adults include linoleum block printing, collage and acrylic painting. Wheel-throwing pottery offered in person in a small group. 301.454.0808. www.artworksnow.org The M-NCPPC Black History Program presents a virtual exhibit entitled Black Health Matters: An Undoctored History of Health Care and Healing Traditions in the Black Community. Mini-documentaries, interviews and profiles, and related virtual events in February and March. pgparks. com/1378/Black-History Poetry open mic every Thursday at Busboys and Poets. $5. 9 to 11 p.m. 5331 Baltimore Ave. 301.779.2787. busboysandpoets.com Pyramid Atlantic, the nonprofit art center at 4318 Gallatin St., is open to the public and offers online, one-on-one or two-on-one in-studio classes
Riverdale Park Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot near the Riverdale MARC Station, 4650 Queensbury Rd. Many vendors offer pre-order. facebook.com/RPFMarket Three Little Birds Sewing Co. offers virtual classes, including classes on quilting and making women’s wardrobe staples. $40-$145. 202.246.5396. threelittlebirdssewingco.com
Give Help/Get Help National Alliance on Mental Illness Prince George’s County offers free virtual support groups and education programs for people living with mental illness and for people who have a loved one experiencing mental illness. namipgc. org/online-support-groupregistration Hyattsville has two Blessings Boxes, free-standing pantry cabinets where you can pick up free food and donate nonperishable items. The Blessings Box on 43rd Ave., between Jefferson and Hamilton streets, is a project of Girl Scout Troop #6899. Contact dinacolin@ netzero.net. The Blessings Box at 6800 Adelphi Rd. is a
project of University Christian Church, where it is located. 301.864.1520. info@uccmd.org Help By Phone. Short-term help offered to Prince George’s County residents, including food staples, winter shelter for homeless men, help with certain prescriptions, transportation to medical appointments and financial counseling. Hyattsville’s affiliated food pantry is at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 5205 43rd Ave. 301.699.9909 Hyattsville Aging in Place (HAP) helps Hyattsville residents age 60 and older and those with disabilities stay in their homes and remain active in the community. HAP delivers groceries and supplies and provides friendly check-in calls, information and referrals. HAP welcomes Hyattsville residents over 60 who need assistance, and volunteers of any age. 301.887.3101. hyattsvilleaginginplace.org/get-involved Saint Jerome’s Café provides a free lunch-to-go every Thursday 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those in need. Table outside the rectory in the lower parking lot. 5205 43rd Ave. Donations can be sent to the address above by check made out to St. Jerome Catholic Church, with “Saint Jerome Café” in the memo line. Greater Riverdale Cares & Route One Communities Care pays local restaurants to supply meals to neighbors in need. Participating restaurants include Hyattsville’s own Shortcake Bakery and Emerita’s Papuseria. Donate: gf.me/u/x4bmfa St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church’s food pantry is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the food runs out. 7501 Adelphi Rd. Drive through or walk up. Donate: gofundme. com/stmarksfoodpantry
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Page 12
Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
City science: Look up and spot it challenge INSTRUCTIONS: The first two kids to find examples of each of these items connected to utility poles in Hyattsville, and send pictures of each to kit@hyattsvillelife.com, with the email subject “spotted,” will win a 6-foot string of mini silver lights. For spotters aged 12 and under. Pictures received will be posted in an album on the Hyattsville Life & Times’s website or social media accounts. All photos courtesy of Paul Ruffins.
Four lines heavy-duty service
Pole tag showing inspection date and treatment
Cable TV amplifier
Three-line residential service
Cable snowshoe
Orange fiberoptic lines coming UP
When Pepco installed new utility poles in Hyattsville, they quickly moved electrical lines to the thicker structures. PAUL RUFFINS
ELECTRIC FROM PAGE 1
cember of 2011, Pepco’s electrical reliability was so bad that Maryland fined the utility $1 million. State Delegate Anne Healey (District 22), a longtime Hyattsville resident, recalled, “The 2012 derecho caused a huge mess. Power was out for about a week during a heatwave. But everyone understood that the derecho was a major, powerful storm. What people in my neighborhood wanted to know was why our power would regularly go out during an ordinary, gentle rain.” Maryland and the District accused Pepco of neglecting its infrastructure for years. Regional leaders wanted Pepco to remain an independent local utility and only approved its 2016 merger with Exelon because the larger company promised the resources to boost reliability. According to Pepco, area residents “experienced the lowest frequency of outages ever in
2020,” a 68% reduction in outage frequency compared with a decade earlier. Pepco Smart Grid and Innovation Manager Robert Stewart explained, “Our improvements came from adopting new smart grid technology and hardening our traditional infrastructure.”
SMARTER GRID HELPS KEEP THE POWER ON Smart grid improvements are important because the higher voltage electric wires at the top of utility poles are completely uninsulated and prone to temporary faults. The 110-volt lines and the neutral wire connecting poles to residences start off insulated but may become damaged or worn. The lower sections of the poles may carry traditional copper phone lines, and also carry the amplifiers, batteries, snowshoes and splice-boxes needed to provide high-speed internet through Comcast’s coaxial cables or Verizon’s fiber-optic lines. This equipment adds a lot of weight and stress, particu-
larly during wind or ice storms. Back in 2010, before Pepco hired more outside contractors to aggressively trim trees, one of the greatest threats was tree branches. Pepco’s power lines running through the greater Washington area were crossing one of the densest and most beloved urban tree canopies in the nation. Even a slight gust of wind could bend a small branch across two energized lines. This would cause a brief, temporary fault that might blow an overhead fuse called a cut-out. Birds and squirrels also tripped fuses. Unfortunately, Pepco’s outdated grid meant that when the power went out, it stayed out for entire neighborhoods until customers complained and a crew was dispatched to locate the problem and fix it. This often took hours, sometimes days. Stewart noted, “During the last decade, our smart grid incorporated a lot of new technology to increase reliability. Automatic circuit reclosers are
a type of circuit breaker that resets itself three times to clear temporary faults. They only stay open after the fourth time. Smart meters let us know exactly where customers have lost power and when it’s restored. And, automatic-sectionalizing and restoration lets us instantly reroute electricity around problems to restore as many people as possible while crews are making repairs.”
BUNDLING WIRES AND PUTTING IN POLES In 2010, most houses connected to utility poles through two insulated 110-volt lines and a neutral wire. At thousands of homes in this area, Pepco replaced the neutral wire with a much thicker bare conductor called tree wire, or strand. Then they wrapped the two hot wires around it for support, creating a single bundle many times stronger than three individual wires. In Hyattsville, you can see bundled service going to many homes, while the house next
door still has three wires. In nearby Mount Rainier, almost 100% of the service is already bundled. But the most obvious change to the infrastructure was the installation of thousands of new, thicker poles with stronger fiberglass crossbars. It’s easy to see the difference. Older poles are brown and are often gouged from years of workers climbing them wearing spikes. The thickest of these old poles measure about 35.5 inches in circumference, while some are much thinner. In contrast, newer poles are green, pressuretreated wood and are about 43 inches around. Hyattsville became bi-polar when Pepco installed new poles and quickly moved its electrical lines to the thicker structures. Pepco left the fiber-optic, cable and phone lines on the old poles, but cut the poles off right above those wires. When the other utilities finally move their wires to the new poles, the old ones will be taken down, and we’ll be unipolar once again.
Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
Page 13
VACCINATIONS FROM PAGE 1
soreness on her arm. “I have to say, there are no major differences in terms of side effects from when I got the flu shot last year.”
WHO ELSE IS GETTING VACCINATED? Maryland is rolling out Food and Drug Administrationapproved vaccines in three phases, following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. All residents who fall into the first phase (1A, 1B, or 1C) are now eligible for vaccines, including essential workers, such as healthcare providers, postal workers and educators. Phase 1 also includes individuals 65 and older. The county estimates that 250,000 of its over 900,000 residents qualify for vaccination in the first phase. As of Feb. 3, 31,000 county residents had received a first dose of the vaccine, and nearly 5,000 had received a second, according to county data. In late January, as many as 2,000 people were being vaccinated a day. Phase 2 is slated to start in April. Individuals over the age of 16 with a higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness, essential utilities workers and incarcerated adults are currently grouped in this phase. Phase 3 is tentatively set to start in May and will serve the general population. However, after all of Phase 1 was opened, Gov. Larry Hogan said at a Jan. 26 press conference that “beginning Feb. 1, we’re expanding eligibility for severely immunocompromised individuals, such as those receiving chemotherapy and those with certain immune disorders who require frequent medical care.” He continued, “Those individuals will be eli-
A worker adjusts her personal protective equipment at the COVID-19 testing site at Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro on Jan. 29. JULIA NIKHINSON
gible to receive vaccinations through their hospital-based providers.” The state’s website specifies that individuals included in this expansion must be currently receiving hospital-based treatment, and can include cancer patients, diabetic patients and organ transplant recipients. Lisa Walker, chair of Hyattsville Aging in Place, raised concern about people who might fall through the cracks. “Some people in the community are immobile,” Walker explained, mentioning those living with muscular dystrophy, or who might be bedridden or confined to a wheelchair. “They might have a hard time getting to vaccination sites,” she said. “What’s the possibility of inhome vaccinations?”
WHERE CAN YOU GET A VACCINE? The county works with, among
others, the Sports and Learning Complex and Luminis HealthDoctors Community Hospital in Lanham, and is planning a vaccine site in Hyattsville slated to open in early spring. (See p. 5.) The state has its own separate list of vaccine locations. Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, which has been a COVID-19 testing site since June, is serving as a drive-through vaccination site as of Feb. 5. At Hogan’s Jan. 26 press conference, Acting Health Secretary Dennis Schrader said state officials are laying the groundwork for expanded vaccinations once the federal government gives Maryland more doses. Hogan said that the state had authorized 51 new vaccination locations the week of Jan. 25, including five Safeway and two Giant Food grocery stores in Prince George’s County. The Giant location on the EastWest Highway in Hyattsville is
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one of those now authorized for vaccines, by appointment. WBAL-TV11 reported on Feb. 3 that no appointments are available at any Giant Food sites, and no waiting list is maintained. The chain is distributing 5,000 doses per week through 22 sites. On Feb. 3, Hogan released an update stating that 18 CVS Pharmacy locations across the state, including one in Bowie, would begin offering vaccinations starting Feb. 11. Booking for those locations is to start for registered and eligible residents on or after Feb. 9. Hogan mentioned that CVS and Walgreens both were contracted by the federal government to help with nursing home vaccinations. “Through the federal contract, CVS and Walgreens have completed all initial clinics in all 227 nursing homes across Maryland,” he said. “They’re contracted to provide three clinics at each nursing home in the state to make sure the vaccine is available to each resident or staff member who wants one.”
NOT ENOUGH VACCINE Hogan said he is pushing for a higher vaccine allotment from the federal government.
As of Feb. 3, nearly 22,000 shots are administered each day in Maryland, but only 11,000 doses arrive daily from federal providers, according to a press release by Hogan. “There’s only two companies — they just can’t make them fast enough,” Hogan said. “Everyone in the world wants them, and there’s only so many [doses being manufactured].” He continued, “There’s no place for us to go buy them, even if we were allowed to, which we’re not.” In the beginning of the pandemic, Hogan secured his own deal to buy testing kits from South Korea. To combat vaccine hesitancy in minority and underserved communities, Hogan released GoVax, a marketing campaign to inspire confidence in the vaccine, on Jan. 29. The campaign includes leaders like Maryland State Delegate Joseline PeñaMelnyk, who represents Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. Peña-Melnyk offered a fervent plea at the event to get vaccinated. “Do it for you, do it for your family, do it for your friends. Please, so that we can build enough community immunity, so that we can again hug our loved ones, give them a kiss, feel that warmth. So that we’re not lonely at home, so we can live, so we can travel, so you can spend time with a good friend and have a nice cup of tea — please get your vaccine.” Prince George’s County leads the state with over 68,000 confirmed novel coronavirus cases as of Feb. 4. New cases were down 15.6% to 2,102 new cases during the last week of January. Individuals must pre-register for vaccinations, which are available only by appointment. Individuals can pre-register at covid19vaccination.princegeorgescountymd.gov, or by calling 311 and then pressing the # button. At this time, only residents of Prince George’s County can register for and receive vaccinations at county-run facilities. Due to limited vaccine allocations throughout the state, it may take several weeks, or longer, for residents to receive scheduling information from the county’s health department after registering.
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Page 14
Hyattsville Life & Times | February 2021
In Memoriam: Longtime DeMatha principal John Moylan By Chris McManes John L. Moylan twice prevented DeMatha Catholic High School from closing. He then built the all-boys Hyattsville school into an institution nationally recognized for excellence in academics, athletics and music. Moylan, who died Jan. 15 at age 88, served DeMatha in several capacities for 60 years, including 32 as principal, from 1968 to 2000. “John was the inspiration and perspiration for taking DeMatha to great heights,” DeMatha President Father James Day said. “No matter what auxiliary duties he assumed, and they were many, he never lost sight of the fact that he was, above all, an educator.” Dr. Dan McMahon, Moylan’s successor and current DeMatha principal, said Moylan’s “force of will, stamina and leadership saved the school from closing. Without John’s leadership and guidance, there would be no DeMatha.” Moylan came to DeMatha in 1956 to teach French and Spanish. A year later, he founded the school’s counseling center and was director of guidance. In 1958, he established the first co-ed summer school program for area Catholic high schools.
As principal, he oversaw the expansion of campus facilities to accommodate a student body that increased from 425 to 925. “Once he became principal, his vision for the school was the driving force to expand our programs and increase our population,” Day said. “He was really the DeMatha Energizer Bunny, and nothing was beyond his vision or work ethic.” During Moylan’s principalship, the school’s academic reputation grew. The U.S. Department of Education twice recognized (1984, ’91) DeMatha as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. It was the first Washington-area private school to be so honored. McMahon said Moylan recognized that one didn’t have to be a faculty member to be a teacher. He recalls him often assigning boys who got into trouble to work with the school’s janitor, Clarence Wesley. “The reason was that Wes was such a good teacher of kids,” McMahon said. “A kid who had to follow him around for an hour after school on two consecutive days ended up being a better kid. … John was always looking for who would have the best influence on the trajectory of a kid’s life.”
John Moylan, who served DeMatha Catholic High School for 60 years, saved the school from closing twice (1969, ‘71) and led it to national prominence. His biggest impact came as principal (1968-2000). COURTESY OF DEMATHA CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL
Moylan started the school’s computer science and business departments. In 1970, he established its music program, which has grown into one of the nation’s finest. DeMatha music students routinely win top honors at competitions and earn college scholarships. Moylan worked with the football team’s kickers and punters for 60 years (1956-2016). He was an assistant basketball coach from 1959-66 under Morgan Wootten. In that role, Moylan helped the team prepare for a 1965 game against New York’s Power Memorial Academy, which
featured 7-foot-1 center Lew Alcindor (now Kareem AbdulJabbar). Moylan offered his tennis racket to 6-8 power forward Sid Catlett and suggested he practice with it over his head. The strategy helped the Stags end Power’s 71-game winning streak, 46-43. “We wanted to emulate [Jabbar’s] wingspan,” Moylan said in 2015. “The idea was to get the players to shoot their regular, normal shot but know where to shoot from and not get blocked.” Moylan greatly expanded DeMatha’s athletic offerings by adding sports like soccer, hockey, crew, lacrosse and golf. Among
the highly successful coaches he hired were Ray Smith (golf), Dick Messier (wrestling) and Bill McGregor ( football). “John was interested in finding outlets for kids, ways to express themselves,” McMahon said. “If it served kids, he wanted it. … He hired great coaches and then for the most part, got out of the way.” When Moylan was hired, he was the first lay principal of any Catholic school in the Archdiocese of Washington. After he retired in 2000, he assisted in admissions for eight years and was principal emeritus until his death. Among Moylan’s many awards, The Washington Post named him 1993 Principal of the Year. Twice within a few years after Moylan became principal, the Trinitarians, the religious order that runs DeMatha, were seriously considering closing the school over finances. Both times, by a vote of 3-2, they decided to remain open. “The reason was because John was the principal, and they trusted him,” McMahon said. Moylan is survived by his wife of 66 years, Joan, four children and six grandchildren. Chris McManes (mick-maynz) has a son attending DeMatha.