INSIDE A GRINCH THRIFTS CHRISTMAS: Secondhand News, P. 5 MENTAL HEALTH EMERGENCIES: City to hire therapists to respond, P.9
VOL. 18 NO. 12
HYATTSVILLE’S COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
DECEMBER 2021
HOLIDAYS IN HYATTSVILLE
First plan for Purple Line station area released By Dan Behrend The same day that University of Maryland (UMD) President Dr. Darryll Pines announced a pause on plans to clear portions of Guilford Woods to build housing, Prince George’s County published a draft of its longterm vision for the area, which includes developing a similar portion of the woods. Guilford Woods covers roughly 15 acres along Guilford Run, a stream located in College Park just south of UMD. The Western SEE PURPLE LINE ON 13
A young resident watches Santa ride by on a Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department truck. See more holiday pics on page 6.
Mother and daughter chef team feed expats and locals at Carbon y Leña By Allan Walters If you want to savor the food of the farming villages that dot the mountains in the middle of the Dominican Republic, look no farther than Carbon y Leña, (in Spanish, coal and wood), where a family cooks from recipes that are not written, but have been passed down from mother to daughter SEE CARBON Y LEÑA ON 8
KYLE HEFLINGER
Northwestern soccer wins third state title By Chris McManes Northwestern High School boys soccer coach Victor Ramirez is well aware of the program’s legacy of success. He added to it Nov. 20 when he led his alma mater to the school’s third state championship. The Wildcats (12-2) won the Maryland Class 4A state title, 3-2, over Northwest High School by erupting for three second-half
goals in five minutes of play and then relying on their defense. “Winning a state championship takes a lot of hard work, a little bit of luck and a great team,” Ramirez said. “I often thank my players for allowing me to be part of their journey. For the rest of their lives, they will be state champions.” Playing on a chilly night at Loyola University Maryland, in Baltimore, Northwestern
trailed 1-0 at halftime. The Wildcats got on the board in the 53rd minute when senior midfielder Josue Guzman scored off a pass from Jefferson Estrada. Fifty-six seconds later, Jonathan Argueta-Hernandes found Edenilson Acevedo, who scored from about eight yards out. In the 59th minute, after dancing around a defender, Guzman fired a 30-yard pass that SEE NORTHWESTERN ON 13
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Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
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A Thanksgiving visit to a Hyattsville homeless center By Joanna Turner The Rev. Nathan Hill, pastor of University Christian Church (6800 Adelphi Road), has continued to directly support those in need throughout the pandemic. The Prince George’s Plaza Day Center, located at the church, opened in October 2016 and provides meals, showers, laundry services, WiFi, legal services, social services and spiritual support on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The center is sponsored by Congregations United for Compassion and Empowerment, or CUCE (pronounced “cookie”), a nonprofit organization comprising a dozen area churches committed to “serving the homeless and those in economic need.” Marcia Mityga, a retired social worker who volunteers for the day center and serves on its board, said the center is modeled on a similar program in Howard County.
Hill said the center follows Howard County’s no barrier model; “meaning that, all those that come to the center are not required to fill out government forms, etc. … We get to know you first, and then we ask, ‘How can we help you?’” Hill explained that he got the idea for the center after seeing a man escorted out of the public library for removing his socks; the pastor thought his nearby church, empty during the week, should welcome this man and others like him. When asked why the center isn’t open on more days, center coordinator Donny Phillips said, “It’s a funding issue and a space issue, and [it’s] because I’m not available for more than two days a week.” Hill said the center didn’t shut down during the pandemic. “We had to change our practices,” he noted. “We didn’t allow people inside the building. We didn’t do laundry or showers. We still did legal help as possible and
continued to give out bag lunches, but never shut down totally.” Hill said that the number of people who are being helped by the center has decreased, from more than 30 clients a day to about 20 clients, partially because the county-run Warm Nights Program — a hypothermia prevention center — has moved from churches into hotels. “People are in a different place because they’re in hotels elsewhere,” he commented.
THANKSGIVING AT THE DAY CENTER This Thanksgiving, the Hyattsville Mennonite Church, joined by volunteers from St. Jerome Catholic Church, supplied hot meals to the center. Herman Herbert stood out in the crowd of people who came into the center for a hot Thanksgiving meal. He sported a long gray ponytail, a leather jacket and a gold necklace. While enjoying his meal, Herbert recalled, “I used to go over to First United Methodist
(Left to right) On Thanksgiving, volunteers Denise Eggers, Kristin Sampson and Yihao Lin served hot meals at the Prince George’s Plaza Day Center, which is sponsored by Congregations United for Compassion and Empowerment. JOANNA TURNER
Church for meals, until they closed down. A friend told me about this place.” At the same table, a visitor asked William Boyd, an older Black man in a green military cap, what he was most thankful for. “I thank God for waking me up this morning!” he exclaimed. A younger-looking Black man sat down near Herbert and Boyd’s table with a great big smile. Herbert and Boyd told the Hyattsville Life & Times that the new arrival, who was deaf, didn’t speak English. Our reporter discovered, though, that the guest, Jimmy Uwaleke, could write well in English. Uwaleke wrote that he was 59 years old and came to the U.S. from Nigeria. “Worship should be free. There’s no pressure here to come to church,” he wrote, when asked about the center.
Uwaleke confirmed that he knows Hill, noting that the pastor likes everyone equally. Most churches give food and clothing only to members, he penned. “Here, no membership needed!” Mike Landon, who volunteers at the center, shared a portion of Proverbs 19:17: “He that gives to the poor, lends to the Lord.”
OUTSTANDING NEEDS The center is seeking to partner with local organizations and businesses that can commit to providing warm meals. Monetary donations (congregationsunited. org/home/donate) help cover a variety of needs, including rental assistance, medical bills and transportation. “Every person’s situation is different,” said Hill.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 3
Supporting small businesses to fill city storefronts By Winter Hawk and Kit Slack The resilience and vibrancy of Hyattsville’s small businesses attracted attention during the pandemic. Hyattsville has gained nearly as many businesses as it has lost, according to a recent city-commissioned report. Still, window-shopping is not everything it might be this holiday season. De Clichy Menswear and the Tiered and Petite bakery are among the businesses whose windows have gone dark — then there are the storefronts that have been empty since long before the pandemic began. The City of Hyattsville is launching a new strategic plan to help businesses that already have space in Hyattsville, and support them in hiring more workers. The city also plans to eventually help startups get into available retail spaces. A local real estate company, Go Brent Realty, has a new plan, too; in addition to selling houses, they are now also seeking to fill those empty storefronts. Owning a retail-focused property is a business in and of itself, according to Daniel Simon, who owns four buildings in Hyattsville, including the building housing Vigilante Coffee Company, on Gallatin Street, and Sangfroid Distilling, on Baltimore Avenue. Simon is also president of Rankin Upholstery, a Gaithersburg business specializing in auto upholstery. For building owners like Simon, the goal
ngs
m o r f
The City of Hyattsville is launching a new strategic plan to help businesses that already have space in Hyattsville, and support them in hiring more workers. The city also plans to eventually help startups get into available retail spaces.
is to have tenants with thriving businesses. “[The] renter really needs to demonstrate that they have a plan B, that they’ve done business in the past and have a background in what they’re doing,” he noted. He said all too often people look to shove a pet project into an available space, rather than propose a business tailored to the features of a property. “A property owner needs to hold hands with a business owner and work with them in a diligent fashion to help get them on their feet and support them before they can expect to make any money as a property owner.” Simon added, “Dealing with the county is a whole nother animal.”
GO BRENT LAUNCHES A COMMERCIAL INITIATIVE Go Brent, based in Silver Spring, is working to support a range of local businesses that qualify for class C real estate so that they can get into buildings along the Route 1 Corridor, according to Liz Brent, the company’s founder. Class C commercial spaces are older, smaller properties often found in downtown areas. “A lot of people who live in those communities feel like there’s a lot of potential in beauty and accessibility [of these properties]. ... They also tend to be what somebody just starting out can afford to occupy,” Brent explained. “So when you put those people in those buildings, it’s a
E L i IL t V ee r S G T T A Y H
catalyst. … It becomes what people love about where they live.” But sometimes business owners have to do a lot of digging to find out who owns a building, why it is vacant and what a potential renter needs to do to secure the space. That’s where Go Brent comes in. The company advocates for business owners, helping them contact property owners. Go Brent then helps clients market themselves to property owners and negotiate leases, according to Hannah McCann, the Go Brent commercial agent leading the company’s initiative. “We’ve started trying to make a very professional presentation for our clients, even if they’re just a brand-new business,” McCann said. Go Brent highlights narratives and key points about a client’s financials, emphasizing its strengths to property owners, she explained. Moving forward, Go Brent hopes to coordinate with government officials and building owners in Hyattsville to negotiate leases that are mutually beneficial to property and business owners.
HYATTSVILLE’S BUSINESS RETENTION AND EXPANSION STRATEGY On Nov. 15, Jim Chandler, Hyattsville’s director of community and economic SEE INITIATIVE ON 7
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Hyatts KIDS
Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 4
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.
SHARING ABOUT HANUKKAH
• Make a board (I use recycled cardboard) — and make it fancy! • Write down instructions. • Make or buy game pieces (air-dry clay works well). • Find and decorate a shoe box or other container to put it in. • Get some dice or a spinner, if needed. • Make playing cards and/or play tokens, if needed. • Play with friends and family!
By Delia Silva, age 12 Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish holiday celebrated between late fall and early winter. Many centuries ago, the Greeks banned practices of Judaism and destroyed the temple. But a small group of Jews fought back, and after they won, they found a small jar of oil that they thought could only last for a day. But, miraculously, the jar of oil lasted for 8 days straight! Some common traditions of Hanukkah include lighting the menorah, which is a candle holder that holds 9 candles. The 4 candles on each side represent each of the 8 nights and the center candle is used to light the other candles. You light the candles for 8 nights and say a special prayer in Hebrew. Also, kids like to play with a spinning top called a dreidel. A traditional food to eat during Hanukkah is called latkes, which are shredded potatoes that are cooked in oil. The latkes represent the oil that lasted for 8 days. In my house, we light the candles each night and say the prayer. Also, we exchange presents.
Many things you will need can be purchased at Artist & Craftsman Supply, such as giant wooden dice, blank puzzle pieces, play money, game pieces, regular dice, and a circle game board. They even have a section in the store dedicated to creating your own board game!
A DIY board game will please everyone on your list.
TALIKA GORSKI
By Talika Gorski, age 10
MAKING A DIY ORNAMENT FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY By Mason Vosmek, age 13 The holiday season is fast approaching, and that means you’ll have to think of gifts you can make for your loved ones. This year, why not try some ornaments? There are a lot of pros to making homemade ornaments. For one, they’re very easy to make. If you’re low on supplies, all you really need is some paper and crayons. However, they can be very complex too, if you want to challenge yourself. In this short article I’m going to go over three different methods of making a tree ornament, each of increasing complexity and difficulty. First, you can make a simple paper ornament with some blank paper, coloring tools and a hole puncher. To hang it on something, simply use a bent paper clip. Next is the foil ornament. By using
GAMES, PAINTINGS, AND MORE WITH SUPPLIES FROM ARTISTS & CRAFTSMAN
The Vosmek family has a tradition of making handmade tree ornaments each year. MASON VOSMEK
a small ball of foil, you can create a cool metallic effect with your ornament. It also has the bonus of being able to be made into whatever shape you want. Third, if you’re a little older and feel up to the challenge, you can make a wooden ornament. For this one you’ll definitely need
some woodworking tools and a parent’s assistance. However, the result looks very professional, and will be a great adornment for any holiday celebration. So if you’re looking for a gift, consider any one of these methods to have a great present — and to have a great time making it.
Artist & Craftsman Supply Hyattsville is a local shop that sells art supplies, DIY kits and assorted trinkets. They’ve been open for 5 years and they’re awesome! I interviewed Jen, a member of their staff, about good holiday gifts from the store. Jen’s personal recommendation was Prismacolor colored pencils because they are easy for kids to draw with. Jen suggested paint supplies for kids of different ages. For younger kids, acrylic paints are good for finger painting. Kids 9 to 12 are more serious about their art and may enjoy red, yellow and blue paints to mix their own colors, along with a 12 by 11 canvas. And finally, for ages 13 and beyond, Jen suggested oil paints and Princeton brushes because oil paints are useful for a variety of styles and Princeton brushes are high quality. A personal painting would make a great gift, but if you don’t like to paint, you could try making a board game! Here are some of my top tips for building a board game: • Think of a theme (i.e. superheroes, holiday, food, etc.) and a title. • Think of an objective (how you win). • Gather materials.
THREE LITTLE BIRDS: YOUR DESTINATION FOR DIY GIFTING By Bella Romero, age 12 The holidays are coming up, along with the cold winter season, and the perfect gift for a friend might be a handmade scarf or hat! One great place to find the supplies would be Three Little Birds Sewing Co., a local Hyattsville business located on Baltimore Avenue. They have a variety of supplies not only for sewing, but also knitting, cross stitch, and much more. Beautiful fabrics would make a great Christmas pillow. And for a younger kid learning to sew, they have many different sewing kits that could be good presents. Not quite comfortable with the needle yet, but aspire to be? Three Little Birds offers sewing classes for kids and adults. Whether you are an experienced needleworker or new to the art, Three Little Birds Sewing Co. has got the right gift for you or your friends.
HYATTSKIDS SEEKS SUBMISSIONS Are you a kid artist who’d like to see your work published in the Hyattsville Life & Times? How about a writer or comic aficionado looking to make your big break? HyattsKIDS seeks contributions from kids of all ages to feature in upcoming issues. Submit your art and story ideas, along with your name, age, address, and the name of your school to mf_jimenez@yahoo.com.
Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 5
SECONDHAND NEWS
COVID-19 holiday remix: Frankenstein gift wrap, reusable rainbow trees By Lauren Flynn Kelly
T
he holiday season is not, in my opinion, the most wonderful time of year, so please proceed with caution if you’re looking for something totally warm and fuzzy. I personally find the time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s to be fraught with excess, a general source of stress driven by deadlines and needless expectations. Sometimes the feeling of missing a loved one seems particularly unbearable. Don’t get me wrong: I love to make Christmas cookies and holiday magic for my kids, but I’d rather be carving pumpkins. Last year’s Christmas was especially hard as we kept our distance from loved ones because of COVID-19 and hoped our packages wouldn’t get lost in a mail facility (they did). This year we face new uncertainties with the emerging omicron variant; I sincerely hope by the time you’re reading this it hasn’t fully derailed the Polar Express. But thinking back to last Christmas in all its strangeness, I find certain bright spots. I am grateful for Hyattsvillager Jen Hanna, who happened to have a gently used set of Who Was? books in her basement that subbed in for my daughter’s gifts that were trapped in transit. I recall staying up late with my husband, Alex, as we used every last bit of ribbon, twine and paper in the house to wrap gifts Frankenstein-style and cut up old holiday cards to use as tags. We also discovered that edible gifts, like farmers market pickles and beans from Vigilante Coffee Company, were more appreciated than trinkets, and they didn’t have to compete for permanent shelf space. In fact, one of my favorite gifts was a jar of delicious booziness made by my neighbor Amy Boccardi. In a way, that Christmas might have been my most eco-friendly one to date. I’d like to carry some of those traditions forward. While writing this column, I was still debating whether to buy an artificial tree or a real one (as it turns out, neither is a very sound environmental choice). With a shortage of trees (and everything else) this year, it would be fun to have a turquoise — or maybe rainbow? — tree. I’ve also given myself an ambitious goal of reusing plastic yard signs
“Zero Waste of Time” columnist and local photographer Juliette Fradin puts words into action with her minimalist wooden Christmas tree. JULIETTE FRADIN
to make some epic toys that I can’t talk about here for fear that my children are reading this. At press time, I was finishing a handmade gift for fellow columnist Juliette Fradin, whose commitment to zero-waste living puts me to shame. (She even has one of those minimalist wooden trees in lieu of a “fresh” one.) And avid thrifter Krissi Humbard had just gifted me a vintage Lacoste sweater for our
annual Secret Santa exchange. I think our first COVID Christmas had a lasting effect on children in a positive way, too. When our Girl Scout troop recently began work on earning the savvy shopper badge, one scout immediately sighed, “I don’t need more stuff !” Right there with you, sister. So rather than honing our purchasing skills on ourselves, SEE SECONDHAND ON 12
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Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 6
HOLIDAYS COME TO HYATTSVILLE
Clockwise from far left: Santa at the Mall at Prince George’s; festive lights at Driskell Park; Santa visits Hyattsville! KYLE HEFLINGER
¡VAMOS A VACUNARNOS! Protéjase y proteja a su comunidad
LOVE LOCAL BUY LOCAL | EAT LOCAL | PLAY LOCAL
¡Vacunas disponibles para personas de 12 años o más!
Martes, 28 de Diciembre, 9AM-5PM
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Miercoles, 29 de Diciembre, 2PM-8PM
First United Methodist Church, 6201 Belcrest Rd. No se necesita cita. No se requiere seguro. Los niños menores de 18 años deben ir acompañados de un guardián.
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Detalles en hyattsville.org/covidvaccine PATROCINADO POR
CIUDAD DE HYATTSVILLE Y DELEGADA WANIKA FISHER
www.hyattsville.org
Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 7
INITIATIVE FROM PAGE 3
development, presented the city council with a draft of the new Hyattsville Business Retention and Expansion Strategy. Retail strategists Bobby Boone (of &Access) and Heather Arnold (of Via Metrics) drafted and presented the strategy. According to Chandler, the city council is expected to vote on the strategic plan in January 2022. The plan was developed with feedback from roughly 40 local business owners and details three stages. During the first stage, within one to three years, the city would hire a small business administrator to monitor and support businesses that are looking to expand, downsize, or apply for loans or grants. At a business roundtable in October, some business owners resisted the idea of the city hiring a small business administrator to monitor them, according to Arnold. But Boone and Arnold still recommend staffing the position for businesses who need the support.
Satchmoe Art Tattoo Lounge recently filled this storefront, after Three LIttle Birds Sewing Co. left the space to move into a vacant one nearby on Baltimore Avenue. KYLE HEFLINGER
The city would also connect small businesses to workforce development programs, and might also reduce taxes and license fees for small businesses to promote job creation. According to Arnold, employment in the city declined
by more than 1,200 positions between 2019 and 2020. In the second stage of the plan, within three to five years, the city would identify low-rent properties available to local businesses. To get start-up businesses into brick-andmortar spaces, the city would also help negotiate lower-than-marketprice rent for vacant buildings. Arnold and Boone recommend extending the University of Maryland’s Route 113 shuttle to the Gateway Arts District, during this second stage, to give residents and students easy access to the city’s commercial district. The city would provide free bus passes to Hyattsville residents. In stage three, by the fifth year of the plan’s implementation, the city would improve pedestrian walkways, increase Metro ridership and look into shared workspace for small businesses. During the Nov. 15 presentation, City Councilmember Joanne Waszcak (Ward 1) said that after the business roundtable, some small business owners told her they were interested in a deeper survey of businesses and in better understanding the strategic plan’s recommendations.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
the
Hyattsville Reporter No. 405 • December 14, 2021
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
Notice & Updates
for the City’s American Rescue Act Relief Fund. Register and learn more at hyattsville.org/calendar.
COVID-19 Vaccine: The U.S. CDC recently expanded their COVID-19 booster shot guidance to anyone 16 and older. The City of Hyattsville, Countyoperated vaccine clinics, and other health providers throughout the County are now offering the booster doses for ages 16+ as well as first and second COVID-19 vaccine doses for anyone ages 5+. Find the nearest location to vaccinate your family at mypgc. us/covidvaccine. The City, in partnership with State Delegate Wanika Fisher, is hosting a series of vaccination clinics at the First United Methodist Church on 6201 Belcrest Road for children and families on the following dates. First, second, and booster doses will be available:
Ward 1 Check-In: Join Ward 1 Councilmembers Sam Denes and Joanne Waszczak for a Ward Check-In on Monday, January 10, at 7 p.m. to discuss the American Rescue Act Relief Fund. Visit hyattsville.org/calendar to register.
Youth Services
Teen Center: Hyattsville’s Teen Center at Driskell Park will be closed from December 20 to January 7. The Center will re-start its Monday – Thursday, 3:30 – 8 p.m. regular schedule on Monday, January 10. To sign up your student for free after school programming, special events, or homework help and tutoring in the new year, visit hyattsville.org/teencenter.
• Saturday, December 18, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Sunday, December 19, noon – 4 p.m. • Tuesday, December 28, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (only ages 12+) • Wednesday, December 29, 2 – 8 p.m. • Saturday, January 8, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. • Sunday, January 9, noon – 4 p.m. A reminder that COVID-19 vaccines, booster doses, and flu shots are regularly available for anyone 12 and older at the church during the City’s Tuesday vaccine clinics from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are available but not required. Find details at hyattsville.org/covidvaccine. Hyattsville’s New Website & Newsletter: Have you seen the new hyattsville.org? The City’s website has a new look! Check out the site to find the local events, programs, and resources you need. The City also launched a new daily newsletter to make it easier for you to get Hyattsville updates right to your inbox and phone. Current City NotifyMe email and text subscribers have automatically been upgraded. If you are not yet signed up, visit hyattsville.org/notifyme to complete the short form. Newsletters are offered in both English and Spanish. American Rescue Plan Act Funds: The City is set to receive a total of $17.9M from the U.S. American Rescue Plan Act. A portion of the funds will be set aside for emergency relief for Hyattsville residents and businesses, available in early 2022. The City will be launching a community feedback campaign in January to help identify emergency relief needs. Please be on the lookout for a special mailing with more information in mid-January.
Programs, Services, and Events
Shop Local!: Have you seen the Love Local signs in stores around the City? Take the coupon included in the December Hyattsville Reporter to participating businesses listed at hyattsville.org/ lovelocal before December 31 to receive special discounts this holiday season! Love Local and Buy Local! Invasive Removals: Help your community and gain service hours! Join us on Saturday, December 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., to remove non-native, invasive plants from Driskell Park. The City provides work gloves and trash bags, but volunteers should dress appropriately by wearing sturdy shoes, pants, and long sleeve outerwear. You can confirm if the event is cancelled due to weather by contacting Dawn Taft
Community Services’ Deputy Director Cheri Everhart and Director Sandra Shephard organized a community Thanksgiving Food Drive and provided over 100 Hyattsville families in need with a thanksgiving meal for the holidays. La Directora Adjunta de Servicios Comunitarios, Cheri Everhart, y la Directora Sandra Shephard organizaron una iniciativa comunitaria de Acción de Gracias y proporcionaron a más de 100 familias necesitadas de Hyattsville con una comida de acción de gracias para las fiestas. at (240) 487-0290 or at dtaft@hyattsville. org. Please arrive on time or contact Dawn if you anticipate being late. Holiday Trees at Driskell Park: Couldn’t make it the City’s holiday tree lighting? No worries! Stop by Driskell Park any evening this December to admire the holiday tree and special trees representing each of the City’s Wards. Happy Holidays! Claus Applause Awards: It’s time to vote for your favorite homes for the Claus Applause Holiday Lights contest! Visit hyattsville.org/applause between December 20 to December 30 to let us know your favorite decorations for each Ward. First, second, and third place winners will be invited to the January 3 Hyattsville Council meeting to accept their awards as part of a virtual ceremony! Free Parking: The City is offering free parking in City-owned lots through January 2. Park for free and shop local this holiday season! Visit hyattsville.org/ parking to view a map of the City’s lots. Weatherize your Home this Winter: Keep your home warm and save on your winter energy bills! Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland offers free weatherization services like window sealing, insulation installation, and HVAC repairs. Qualifying applicants must be income-eligible and demonstrate a need for weatherization services. For full details, visit habitatmm.org. Holiday Services Update: City administrative offices will be closed on Friday, December 24 and Friday, December 31 to observe Christmas and New Year’s Day. Monday’s yard waste,
compost, and leaf services will be collected both weeks. Trash routes for both weeks will remain the same except for Friday’s, which will be picked up on Thursday. County recycling routes remain the same. The Hyattsville COVID-19 test site at the First United Methodist Church will be closed on Saturday, December 25 and Saturday, January 1. Bulk Waste Pop-Up Day: The City’s Public Works Department will host a Bulk Waste Pop-Up Day on Saturday, January 8, at the City Building and DPW Operations Center. Residents can drop off items at either location from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., or until containers reach capacity. Visit hyattsville.org/bulk-waste for a list of acceptable items. As a reminder, residential bulk waste pick-ups are suspended through midJanuary to allow team members to support leaf collection and snow removal services. For questions or concerns, please call (301) 985-5032 during normal business hours. My Hyattsville App: Request City of Hyattsville non-emergency services right from your phone or computer! Download the My Hyattsville app or visit hyattsville.org/request to report issues like missed trash routes, overgrown shrubs, code concerns, and much more. And if computers or smartphones aren’t your preferred communication options, request your service by calling the City at (301) 985-5000!
Ward Happenings
Ward 2 Check-In: Ward 2 Councilmembers Robert Croslin and Danny Schaible invite you to a virtual Ward Check-In on Tuesday, January 4, at 7 p.m. The Councilmembers will provide updates on Ward 2 related news as well as seek feedback for spending priorities
Tutoring Services Call for Volunteers: The City needs volunteers to provide academic support, homework help, and mentorship for a local youth in 4th through 12th grade! Email Saarah Abdul-Rauf, srauf@hyattsville.org and Jen Townsend, jtownsend@northstartutoring. org.
Age-Friendly Services
Free Movie Mondays: Come enjoy a classic film at the Old Greenbelt Theatre the first Monday of the month! Showtime is at 1 p.m. Transportation service is available from the City Building and Friendship Arms Apartments. Space is limited. Pre-registration and proof of vaccination is required. Contact Beryl Johnson at bjohnson@hyattsville.org or at (301) 985-5058 to register. Call-A-Bus: The City’s Call-A-Bus to help seniors and persons with a disability travel to medical appointments and grocery stores is operating from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday – Friday, with fees waived through the holidays! To request a ride, please call (301) 985-5000 before 2 p.m. at least one business day in advance. Ageless Grace: Ageless Grace seated exercise classes for seniors are back! The hour-long classes take place on Wednesdays at the City Building, 4310 Gallatin Street. Pre-registration and face coverings are required. Call program coordinator Beryl Johnson at (301) 9855058 or email bjohnson@hyattsville.org to learn more and to register. Frozen Food Meal Delivery: The County’s Frozen Food Meal Delivery will continue in January 2022 with meal delivery every 2 weeks starting January 6. Current participants who want to continue in the new year must complete a new registration form for 2022 and return it to the Municipal Building by December 22, 2021. Forms will be dropped off to all current participants on December 13 and picked up on December 16 when their regular meals are delivered. Forms can also be returned to Senior Services Coordinator Beryl Johnson’s office at 4310 Gallatin Street by December 22. For questions, call (301) 985-5058. Residents not currently participating in the frozen food program should contact Prince George’s County Dept. of Family Services Nutrition Division at (301) 2658475 to determine eligibility.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
el
Reportero de
Hyattsville
No. 405 • 14 de Deciembre, 2021
www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000
Avisos y Noticias
Vacuna COVID-19: El Centro de Control y Prevención de Enfemedades de los Estados Unidos recientemente expandió sus directrices para la vacuna de refuerzo COVID-19 a cualquier persona de 16 años o más. La Ciudad de Hyattsville, las clínicas de vacunas operadas por el Condado y otros proveedores de salud en todo el Condado ahora ofrecen dosis de refuerzo para personas mayores de 16 años, y también ofrecen la primera y segunda dosis de la vacuna COVID-19 para niños de 5+. Encuentre el sitio más cercano para vacunar a su familia en mypgc.us/ covidvaccine. La Ciudad, en asociación con la Delegada del Estado Wanika Fisher, está organizando una serie de clínicas de vacunación en la Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida en 6201 Belcrest Road para niños y familias en las siguientes fechas. Habrá disponible vacunas de primera, segunda dosis y de refuerzo: • sábado 18 de diciembre, de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. • domingo 19 de diciembre, del mediodía a las 4 p.m. • martes 28 de diciembre, de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m. (solo mayores de 12 años) • miércoles 29 de diciembre, de 2 a 8 p.m. • sábado 8 de enero, de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. • domingo 9 de enero, del mediodía a las 4 p.m. Un recordatorio de que las vacunas COVID-19, las dosis de refuerzo y las vacunas contra la gripe están disponibles regularmente para todos en la Iglesia los martes de 9 a.m. a 5 p.m. Las citas están disponibles, pero no son obligatorias. Encuentre detalles en hyattsville.org/ covidvaccine. Nuevo Sitio Web y Boletín de Hyattsville: ¿Ha visto el nuevo hyattsville.org? ¡El sitio web de la Ciudad tiene un nuevo look! Visite el sitio web para encontrar los eventos locales, programas y recursos que necesita. La Ciudad también lanzó un nuevo boletín diario para hacer más fácil para que usted consiga las actualizaciones de Hyattsville derecho desde su teléfono. Los suscriptores actuales de correo electrónico y texto fueron actualizados automáticamente. Si aún no se ha registrado, visite hyattsville.org/ notifyme para completar el formulario. Los boletines se ofrecen en inglés y en español. Fondos de la Ley del Plan de Rescate: La Ciudad recibirá un total de $17.9 millones de la Ley del Plan de Rescate Estadounidense. Una parte de los fondos se reservará para ayuda de emergencia para los residentes y negocios de Hyattsville, disponible a principios de 2022. La Ciudad lanzará una campaña de comentarios de la comunidad en enero para ayudar a identificar las necesidades de ayuda de emergencia. Esté atento a un correo especial con más información a mediados de enero.
Programas, Servicios y Eventos
Compra Local: ¿Ha visto las señales de Ama Local en las tiendas de la Ciudad? ¡Lleve el cupón incluido en el periódico Hyattsville Reporter de este diciembre a los negocios participantes que están mencionados en hyattsville.org/lovelocal antes del 31 de diciembre para recibir descuentos especiales en esta temporada de fiestas! ¡Ama Local y Compra Local!
Reunión del Distrito 1: Acompañe a los Concejales del Distrito 1 Sam Denes y Joanne Waszczak para una reunión del Distrito el lunes, 10 de enero, a las 7 p.m. para hablar sobre el Fondo de Ayuda de la Ley de Rescate. Visite hyattsville.org/ calendar para registrarse.
Servicios para Menores
Centro de Jóvenes: El Centro de Jóvenes de Hyattsville en Driskell Park estará cerrado desde el 20 de diciembre hasta el 7 de enero. El Centro reabrirá su horario regular de lunes a jueves, 3:30 – 8 p.m. el lunes, 10 de enero. Para inscribir a su estudiante para el programa gratuito que ocurre después de la escuela e incluye eventos o ayuda con tarea en el año nuevo, visite hyattsville.org/teen-center. A family enjoys the holiday tree in Driskell Park. Come see the tree and special trees for each Ward every evening this month! Una familia disfruta del árbol navideño en Driskell Park. ¡Venga a ver el árbol y los árboles especiales de cada Distrito todas las noches de este mes!
Removimiento de Plantas Invasoras: ¡Ayuda a tu comunidad y acumula horas de servicio comunitario! Acompáñenos el sábado 18 de diciembre, de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m., para eliminar las plantas invasoras no nativas de Driskell Park. La Ciudad proporciona guantes de trabajo, pero los voluntarios deben vestirse adecuadamente usando zapatos resistentes, pantalones y ropa exterior de manga larga. Puede confirmar si el evento esta cancelado debido al mal clima contactando a Dawn Taft al (240) 487-0290 o dtaft@ hyattsville.org. Por favor contacte a Dawn si anticipa llegar tarde. Árboles Navideños en Driskell Park: ¿No pudo llegar a la iluminación del árbol navideño de la Ciudad? ¡No hay problema! Pase por Driskell Park cualquier noche de diciembre para admirar el árbol navideño y los árboles especiales que representan a cada uno de los Distritos de la ciudad. ¡Felices fiestas! Premios Claus Applause: ¡Es hora de votar por sus casas favoritas para el concurso de luces navideñas de Claus Applause! Visite hyattsville.org/applause entre el 20 y el 30 de diciembre para hacernos saber sus decoraciones favoritas para cada Distrito. Los ganadores del primer, segundo y tercer lugar serán invitados a la reunión del Concejo de Hyattsville del 3 de enero para aceptar sus premios como parte de una ceremonia virtual. Parqueo Gratuito: La Ciudad esta ofreciendo parqueo gratuito en lotes de la Ciudad hasta el 2 de enero. ¡Estaciónese sin cargo y compre local esta temporada navideña! Visite hyattsville.org/parking para ver un mapa de los lotes de la Ciudad. Proteja su Hogar este Invierno: ¡Mantenga su hogar caliente y ahorre en sus pagos de energía de invierno! Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland ofrece servicios gratuitos de climatización como sellado de ventanas, instalación de aislamiento y reparaciones de HVAC. Los solicitantes que califiquen deben ser elegibles para ingresos y demostrar la necesidad de servicios de climatización. Para mas detalles, visite habitatmm.org. Actualizaciones de Servicios de la Ciudad: Las oficinas de la Ciudad estarán cerradas el viernes, 24 de diciembre y el
viernes, 31 de diciembre, para observar la Navidad y el Año Nuevo. Los residuos de yarda, el compostaje y la recolección de hojas de arboles serán recogidos ambos lunes. Las rutas de basura para ambas semanas no cambiarán, excepto por las rutas del viernes, que en vez se recogerán los jueves. Las rutas de reciclaje del Condado no cambiaran. El sitio pruebas COVID-19 de Hyattsville estará cerrada el sábado, 25 de diciembre y el sábado, 1 de enero. Día Emergente de Basuras Grandes: El Departamento de Obras Públicas de la Ciudad sostendrá un día de Emergente de Basuras Grandes el sábado, 8 de enero, en el Edificio Municipal y el Centro de Operaciones de Obras Publicas. Los residentes de Hyattsville pueden dejar artículos en cualquier sitio de 10 a.m. a 1 p.m. o hasta que los contenedores alcancen su capacidad. Visite hyattsville. org/bulk-waste para una lista de artículos aceptables. Como recordatorio, el servicio residencial de recolección de basuras grandes esta suspendido hasta medios de enero para permitir que los miembros del equipo apoyen los servicios de recolección de hojas y la limpieza de nieve. Para preguntas, por favor llame al (301) 985-5032 durante las horas de negocio. La Aplicación My Hyattsville: Solicite los servicios que no son de emergencia de la Ciudad de Hyattsville directamente desde su teléfono o computadora. Descargue la aplicación My Hyattsville o visite hyattsville.org/request para informar problemas como basuras no recogidas, arbustos demasiado crecidos, problemas de códigos y mucho más. Y si las computadoras o los smartphones no son sus opciones de comunicación preferidas, solicite su servicio llamando a la Ciudad al (301) 985-5000.
Ocurrencias de Distritos
Reunión del Distrito 2: Los Concejales del Distrito 2 Robert Croslin y Danny Schaible lo invitan a una reunión virtual el martes, 4 de enero, a las 7 p.m. Los Concejales proporcionaran noticias relacionadas con el Distrito 2 y también buscarán comentarios sobre las prioridades de gasto para el Fondo de Ayuda de la Ley de Rescate de la Ciudad. Regístrese y obtenga más información en hyattsville. org/calendar.
Necesitamos Voluntarios: ¡La ciudad necesita voluntarios para brindar apoyo académico, ayuda con las tareas y tutoría para un joven local de entre el 4 y 12 grado! Envíe un correo electrónico a Saarah AbdulRauf, srauf@hyattsville.org y Jen Townsend, jtownsend@northstartutoring.org.
Servicios para la Tercera Edad
Lunes de Cine Gratis: ¡Ven y disfruta de una película clásica en el Old Greenbelt Theatre el primer lunes del mes! Las películas empiezan a la 1 p.m. El servicio de recogida de transporte está disponible en el Edificio Municipal y la Vivienda Friendship Arms. El espacio es limitado. Se requiere inscripción previa y prueba de vacunación. Comuníquese con Beryl Johnson al bjohnson@hyattsville.org o al (301) 985-5058 para registrarse. Llame-Al-Bus: El Llame-Al-Bus de la Ciudad para ayudar a las personas de la tercera edad y personas con discapacidades a viajar a citas médicas y tiendas está operando de 9 a.m. a 2 p.m. de lunes a viernes, ¡sin cargo de tarifas durante los días festivos! Para solicitar transporte, llame al (301) 985-5000 antes de las 2 p.m. con al menos un día hábil de anticipación. Clases de Ejercicio: ¡Regresaron las clases de ejercicios sentados para personas de la tercera edad! Las clases de una hora se llevan a cabo los miércoles en el edificio de la ciudad, 4310 Gallatin Street. Se requiere pre-registración y cubre bocas. Contacte a la coordinadora del programa Beryl Johnson al (301) 985-5058 o bjohnson@hyattsville.org para obtener más información y registrarse. Servicio de Entrega de Comida: El programa de entrega de comida del Condado continuará en enero de 2022 con entrega de comida cada 2 semanas a partir del 6 de enero. Los participantes actuales que quieran continuar en el nuevo año deben completar un nuevo formulario de registro para 2022 y devolverlo a la Ciudad antes del 22 de diciembre de 2021. Los formularios se entregarán a todos los participantes actuales el 13 de diciembre y se recogerán el 16 de diciembre cuando se entreguen sus comidas regulares. Los formularios también se pueden devolver a la oficina de la coordinadora servicios para personas mayores antes del 22 de diciembre. Si tiene preguntas, llame al (301) 985-5000. Los residentes que no participan actualmente en el programa de alimentos congelados deben comunicarse con la División de Nutrición del Departamento de Servicios Familiares del Condado de Prince George al (301) 265-8475 para determinar la elegibilidad.
Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 8
CARBON Y LEÑA
homeland. She recounted how a family of 10 recently visited and wanted to personally thank the chef. “When I told them that I had done most of the cooking, they did not believe me,” she said. “They told me I made them feel like they were back in Santo Domingo in their abuela’s house.”
FROM PAGE 1
for generations. Owner Leidy Ramírez moved to New York from Costanza, Dominican Republic, when she was 14. Her hometown, located in the Cordillera Central mountain range, is the town at the highest altitude in the Caribbean; temperatures can drop below freezing. Ramírez said she has always loved to cook, and from a young age, she started helping to prepare family meals — food to fuel hard, physical work. Ramírez began to dream of owning a restaurant when she was 12. It took moving to Hyattsville to finally begin to realize that dream. Read on to learn about Carbon y Leña house specialties for each daily meal, along with the story of the restaurant’s founding, pandemic survival and current expansion.
BEGINNINGS AND BREAKFAST — LOS TRES GOLPES Plantains, a Dominican staple, show up in many different ways, from thickening stews to being pounded and fried into chips. The traditional breakfast starts with boiled plantains that are mashed, topped with sauteed onions and accompanied by the tres golpes (three hits) of fried salami, over-easy eggs and fried cheese. Cutting into the eggs releases the yolk to mix with the mangu (mashed plantains) and, when eaten together with the onion and a piece of salty cheese or salami, forms the perfect bite. When Ramírez first moved to Hyattsville, in 2011, owning a restaurant was still her dream.
CELEBRATING PANDEMIC SURVIVAL OVER DINNER — MOFONGO CON CAMARONES
Carbon y Leña owner Leidy Ramírez began to dream of owning a restaurant when she was 12.
She would drive down Route 1, looking for empty storefronts with for rent signs and write down the phone numbers. One place, a building on the east side of Route 1, a few blocks south of East-West Highway, stuck in her memory, even as she moved away from Hyattsville. When she returned three years later, it was still empty, but with the sign removed. Ramírez found the number she had written down years before and called the owner. A Subway sandwich shop and a pizza joint had made a go of it in the building, but each closed in less than a year. The landlord, recognizing Ramírez’s drive to open her own business, initially refused to rent to her because he did not want to see her fail as
the other businesses had. But her persistence paid off, and Ramírez opened Carbon y Leña in 2018, finally realizing her dream the year she turned 35.
WORKING TOGETHER AND LUNCH — LA BANDERA DOMINICANA No meal more typifies what most Dominicans eat daily, often at lunch, than la bandera (the flag). The red kidney beans, white rice and stewed meat are like the red, white and blue of the Dominican flag. Ramírez’s version, with stewed chicken (pollo guisado), offers succulent bites of meat still clinging to the bone in a sauce that has been cooked down for hours. Ramírez runs Carbon y Leña with her mother, Angela Lopez; they cook there together almost every day, preparing most meals fresh and to order. They start beans and specialty stews early to allow flavors to meld. Ramírez is proud to offer guests so many different tastes from her
ALLAN WALTERS
Ramírez runs Carbon y Leña with her mother, Angela Lopez; they cook there together almost every day, preparing most meals fresh and to order.
Another traditional dish is mofongo: fried green plantains mashed with salt, garlic, broth and olive oil in a wooden mortar and pestle called a pilón. Mofongo can be mixed with fried pork or topped with sauteed shrimp, which elevates mofongo to a dish worthy of a celebration and is Ramírez’s favorite style. When the restaurant first opened, there were lines of eager Dominican expats (and a few others) snaking out the door. But when the pandemic shut down most businesses, Ramírez was forced to make changes to stay afloat. She reopened the restaurant after two months with safety measures in place, indoors, and expanded outdoor seating. While business has not yet rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, it is on the upswing. Ramírez is adding seating on the restaurant’s second floor, along with a small bar that will serve alcohol. Ramírez estimates that about 50% of her current clientele is Dominican, coming to the restaurant from across the DMV. She hopes to continue to attract more locals. “I love when people come to the restaurant who have not tried Dominican food before,” she said. “They always leave saying they love our food and that they will be back with their friends and family.” Carbon y Leña is located at 6033 Baltimore Avenue and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
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Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 9
Federal grants propel HCPD mental health initiatives By Heather Wright One third of those arrested in Prince George’s County are suffering from mental illness at the time of arrest, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks told WTOP news in 2020. Nationwide, more police officers die by suicide than in the line of duty. As of Dec. 9, Maryland had recorded three suicides among officers in 2021. The Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD), in partnership with the City of Mount Rainier and the Town of Brentwood, recently secured two federal grants, totalling almost $350,000, to address issues that may lead to these tragic outcomes. One grant will support police response to mental health concerns in the community and fund a crisis intervention team; the other will support officers’ and HCPD staff members’ mental health and wellbeing by expanding the police department’s mental wellness check-in program.
MENTAL HEALTH CLINICIANS WILL RESPOND WITH POLICE Hyattsville was one of four Maryland municipalities to receive a federal community policing award this year. The $230,000 grant will fund the city’s new Joint Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Mobile Crisis Program, including the hiring of mental health clinicians, likely one full-time and one part-time, who will respond, along with specially trained police officers, to behavioral health emergencies in the community. HCPD Mental Health Program
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The $230,000 grant will fund the city’s new Joint Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) Mobile Crisis Program, including the hiring of mental health clinicians who will respond, along with specially trained police officers, to mental health emergencies in the community.
but are meeting people where they are with services,” HCPD Chief Jarod Towers noted. “If we could stand up a co-responder model, it’d … be a role model for law enforcement throughout Prince George’s County.” Mount Rainier Police Chief Linwood Alston said their department has recently hired a social services coordinator, and this has given him a taste of how an effective co-responder program could work. He recounted how a senior citizen
had called for Mount Rainier police services 50 times in three months; Alston eventually went out on a call to meet with her. “She was seeing spirits in her apartment, and I told her, face to face, ‘I’m going to get you help,’” he recalled. Alston initiated an adult protective services case for the woman, and when Social Services Coordinator Silvia Diaz joined the department, she followed up with the senior. “She’s no longer in our city, but she’s in a place where she can get
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HAULING SERVICES Manager Adrienne Augustus acknowledged that this funding will not be sufficient to fully address the city’s needs. “We know that this grant funding is just a drop in the bucket. … But the point is we’re getting started,” she said. “We’re not just taking law enforcement to the community
help now,” Alston noted. According to Augustus, both grants have a six-month rampup phase to allow agencies to establish their programs. This lead time will allow the police departments time to hire clinicians and contract with a local crisis support organization for oversight and supervision. Augustus said she’s seeking additional funding for the joint crisis team and hopes to have sufficient staffing, down the
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Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 10
MISS FLORIBUNDA
Don’t be snowbound, if you get my drift Dear Miss Floribunda,
I’m dreaming of a white Christmas, but am pretty sure I’d have to go back to New Hampshire to have a real one. People assume I miss the New England autumns and summers and am glad to get away from the winters. As a matter of fact, I like the autumns here because they last longer, and I prefer a more muted blend of color. Although your summers are hot, and I don’t like mosquitoes, I am glad to be away from the vicious black flies of a New Hampshire summer. I don’t miss the mud season of spring either. What I do so miss are the winter wonderlands of my childhood.
There is nothing more beautiful than seeing a white birch rising from glittering snow into a bright blue sky, or the lacey shadows cast by leafless maples on a white sheet of snow. As for conifers, they look completely out of place to me in winter if they aren’t surrounded by lots of snow. Frankly, Hyattsville winters are depressingly drab. Could you recommend some white ground covers that might give me at least the appearance of snow? Impossible Dream on Decatur Street Dear Impossible Dream, You certainly have an artist’s
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eye, and I hope you’ll use it to see the possibilities in your present surroundings, rather than try to create an illusion of the impossible. What could be more appropriate for Christmas than the holly and the ivy that grow so well in Hyattsville? There are even white-edged ivies that could also give you a look of the frostiness you miss. Our broad-leaved magnolias are anything but drab in December, and in this climate, you can actually find lovely glossy-leaved camellias that will bloom in December. I would recommend the red Korean Fire among the Camellia japonicas, and the white Snow Flurry among the Ackerman hybrids. Among the lightly fragrant Sasanqua camellias, the white Polar Ice, the red Yuletide and the pink Winter’s Rose are especially enchanting. You can view these in bloom if you make a trip to the impressive camellia garden at the National Arboretum nearby in northeast D.C. Also at the Arboretum, you might be inspired by the beautiful lace-bark pine (Pinus bungeana), with its near-white trunk and the striking dark silhouettes of local native river birches that are not prey
to the borers that make it impossible to grow northern white birches without resorting to poison. These trees can be seen in a number of gardens in Hyattsville, including that of my neighbor Wendy Wildflower. Wendy has a four-season garden that is always beautiful. Defying Emily Dickinson’s dictum, nature is never “caught without her diadem” in Wendy’s domain. I’ve always admired Wendy’s winterberry bushes and hellebores, but I suspected that the charm of her winter garden went beyond a few specimens. Her secret? “Clean, sharp edges around well-defined spaces,” she advised. You don’t have to hack back your whole garden. Along with berry-yielding shrubs and vines, dried stalks and seed heads give visual interest and attract the birds that make the winter garden lively and happy in our area. Who knows? A number of these pretty flutterers may be some of the very ones that have deserted New Hampshire during the winter. Bird feeders could make focal points in the pattern you want to create. Boxwood and santalina make attractive edgings for the beds you want to delineate. You could
even make an ingenious knot garden, something that in New Hampshire would be invisible when buried under many inches of snow. Here our occasional light snow falls would enhance the beauty of the patterns. Wendy adds that skillful use of the color red is another way of providing focal points in the winter garden, and certainly, the gem-like berries glowing in her garden accomplish just that. She also advises grouping similar plants together, rather than haphazardly dotting beds with disparate ones. For example, artfully arranged in her garden are masses of hellebores — both the snow-white Christmas rose (Helleborus nigra) and the later-blooming and multi-colored Lenten rose (Helleborus orientalis). These are placed beneath trees, but in the sunny south-facing area is a flotilla of snowdrops — some of which will bloom even in December. In the meantime, I have tried to find out what ground covers might to some extent simulate snow. If you don’t find it too tiring and expensive, you could plant veritable flurries of fluffy white pansies. They would look charming through Christmas, but the harder frosts of January will nip them in the bud quite literally. Although they’d bloom again in spring, it is unlikely the plants would survive the heat of summer, so you’d have to treat them as annuals. If you prefer low-care perennials, you might consider some of the silvery ivy varieties like Adam and Glacier that have white edges. While, of course, the white flowers of Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum) do not bloom in winter, the foliage of Cerastium tomentosum columna is a frosty celadon in winter. There are a number of euphorbias that are quite silvery, if not true white. Snow-on-the-Mountain (Aegopodium podagraria) has white-patterned leaves in winter, but can be quite invasive. Be sure you like it very much. Please check the Hyattsville Horticulture website (hyattsvillehorticulture.org) for information about our next meeting. Miss Floribunda writes about gardens. Email questions to floribundav@ gmail.com.
Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 11
COMMUNITY CALENDAR Send your event information for the calendar to Kit Slack at kit@hyattsvillelife.com.
F
ind below our list of events sponsored by local nonprofits, arts organizations and performance venues, occurring between Dec. 16 and Jan. 12. For events and meetings organized by the City of Hyattsville, see the Hyattsville Reporter in the newspaper’s centerfold. All events are current as of Dec. 6. Please send notices of events that will take place between Jan. 13 and Feb. 12 to kit@ hyattsvillelife.com by Jan. 7.
Poetry open mic every Thursday at Busboys and Poets. $5. 8 p.m. 5331 Baltimore Ave. 301.779.2787. busboysandpoets. com
RECURRING
ONGOING
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation presents an acoustic blues jam every Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. The jam is open to those who bring proof of vaccination and is held outdoors in the parking lot at 4502 Hamilton St. Check facebook.com/groups/aebhf for weather cancellations.
Brentwood Arts Exchange has two art exhibitions through Dec. 25: “Do Not Forget Us,” by Helen Zughaib, exploring the displacement of people during the war in Syria, and “Layers: Cause and Effect,” a group show. Free. Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.277.2863
Classical figure drawing sessions with a live model, beginning with short action poses and ending with one long pose. Hyattsville Figure Drawing Group. Nineparticipant limit; first come, first seated. Masks required. Legal guardian consent required for those under 18. $20. Wednesdays, 6 to 9 p.m. Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 4218 Gallatin St. meetup.com/ Hyattsville-Figure-DrawingGroup-Meetup
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., with live music each week. Contact Jim Coleman at rpkfarmmkt@gmail.com. facebook.com/RPFMarket
Pyramid Atlantic’s annual 10x10 Invitational art exhibition features small pieces by many artists. Through Jan. 2, 2022. Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m. 4318 Gallatin St. 301.608.9101. pyramidatlanticartcenter.org
DECEMBER 16 Holiday Soul Review. Enjoy Motown holiday favorites by the Temptations, Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men, Nat King Cole, the Jackson 5, James Brown,
Chuck Brown, Otis Redding and others. For ages 60 and better. $10. 11 a.m. to noon. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. To purchase tickets, call 301.277.1710.
DECEMBER 17 The Hyattsville Jazz Collective will perform holiday songs from the Ben Thomas Christmas Miracle. 7 p.m. Limited seating. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors. Maryland Meadworks, 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644 Tom Liddle, an alt-country rock musician and artist-inresidence at Brentwood Arts Exchange, will play the Fall Listening Room Season Finale, a showcase of Liddle’s work during his residency. Purchase $15 tickets through Parks Direct. 8 to 10 p.m. Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.277.2863
DECEMBER 18 Brentwood Arts Exchange instructors lead Let’s Get Ornamental, a workshop for crafting holiday ornaments. All ages. Free. 2 to 4 p.m.
Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.277.2863 Joe’s Movement Emporium presents Night of Yalda. Workshops and performances will be inspired by an Iranian holiday, Shab-e Yalda, the eve of the winter solstice (yalda), during which families and friends stay up until midnight telling stories, reading poems, drinking tea and eating fruit and nuts. 2 to 9 p.m. 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier. joesmovement.org Swing 5, a gypsy swing band, in the style of Django Reinhardt, will perform. Free. 7 p.m. Limited seating. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors. Maryland Meadworks, 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644
DECEMBER 29 Self-guided tours of Riversdale by Candlelight and its openhearth kitchen. There will be children’s crafts, live music and hot drinks, and the gift shop will be open. Advance registration includes a sweet treats box, discount shop coupon and a raffle ticket. All ages. $5; 2
and under free. 6 to 8 p.m. Register through Parks Direct. Advance registration closes Monday, Dec. 27. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale. 301.864.0420. riversdale@pgparks.com
JANUARY 7 Blues musicians John Shain (guitar) and FJ Ventre (bass) have been playing music together since they met in high school, in 1982. They’ll be playing songs from their new album, “Never Found a Way to Tame the Blues.” $20. 8 p.m. Archie’s Barbershop, 4502 Hamilton St. acousticblues.com
JANUARY 8 The local alt-pop Band Brûlée plays Maryland Meadworks. Free. 7 p.m. Limited seating. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644 Acclaimed blues guitarist Jon Shain teaches acoustic guitar improvisation, including turnaround riffs, walking bass and seventh chords. $35 donation recommended. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Archie’s Barbershop. 4502 Hamilton St. acousticblues.com
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Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 12
MENTAL HEALTH FROM PAGE 9
road, to ensure that two clinicians would always be available. In the meantime, the department will work to ensure adequate staffing during periods when the most behavioral health crisis calls come in. Because the county system currently used by the three municipalities doesn’t have a uniform way to track behavioral health crises, the Hyattsville department is creating and piloting a program to identify these calls, she said. Juliette Fradin designed this cross stitch to celebrate her favorite holiday.
SECONDHAND FROM PAGE 5
we decided to use “the most consumable time of the year” (to quote my troop co-leader, Katy Donovan) to put our resources toward gifts for children in need. As you think of your own shopping habits this year, I urge you to shop small and consider your carbon footprint. Support the circular economy by buying used records and books at Red Onion Records. Peruse the bookshelves
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR OFFICERS WILL EXPAND
LAUREN FLYNN KELLY
and clothing racks at My Dead Aunt’s Books and Suffragette City Vintage, and check out the new vintage housewares vendor, Cheeky’s Vintage, in the same space. Consider giving experiences, like a class at Three Little Birds Sewing Co., Art Works Now, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center or Material Things. Or thank a teacher or volunteer (like your, ahem, Girl Scout leader) with a gift card to one of Hyattsville’s dining and drinking outposts. When I asked my children what
they remember most about last Christmas, my older daughter thought for a second and replied, “You and Daddy making us wait to open presents until you made your coffee.” So really, not that much has changed, but, hopefully, what has changed is for the better. Secondhand News is the thrifting column for the Hyattsville Life & Times.
The Hyattsville City Council budgeted $50,000 for an HCPD mental wellness check-in pilot program, a proposal sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Peabody (Ward 4), for fiscal year 2022. The program requires all HCPD officers and dispatchers to meet quarterly in 50-minute, one-on-one virtual sessions with licensed clinicians who have experience working with first responders. Hyattsville was the only Maryland municipality to receive a federal law enforcement mental
health and wellness award in 2021. This $118,800 grant will extend the pilot program to two years and expand it. Brentwood police officers and dispatchers and all current HCPD staff will be eligible for services, including at least monthly therapy sessions, if requested. Interdynamics, Inc., a Maryland firm, is providing these services, which started on Dec. 6. Chief Towers was the first check-in session recipient on that date, and he hopes the mandatory quarterly sessions will eliminate any stigma around asking for help. “I know that they dedicate their lives to serve their community, and we need to ensure that our officers can cope with all these experiences they have to live through,” he noted. “If we can’t take care of our own, how can we take care of the community?” Towers also hopes that by participating in sessions with clinicians, officers in the program will be better able to relate to people in crisis. Brentwood Police Chief Bob Althoff said, “We see a lot of things in our travels, or in our duties, that would make a lot of people cringe. When I first started, 40 years ago, we didn’t have [any] of this. Either you sucked it up, or you were a coward.”
Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 13
NORTHWESTERN
PURPLE LINE
FROM PAGE 1
FROM PAGE 1
David Villatoro headed in for his ninth goal of the season. “We came out strong in the second half,” Guzman said. “I believe that our energy as a collective group is amazing.” Twelve seconds after Northwestern went up 3-1, Francis Sarpong scored to draw the Jaguars to within one. They had several opportunities to tie the contest, but junior goalie Luis Romero made several nice saves. Sarpong also had a shot that hit the right goal post. Guzman displayed his defensive ability late when he, as part of a wall, blocked and cleared a free kick. With three minutes to go, he stole a ball on his team’s side of the field. Ramirez thinks Guzman is the best player in Maryland. “He is the difference-maker, he is that ‘it’ factor,” he said. “The kids feed off of him, his adrenaline, his voice in the locker room. They just have that confidence when Josue’s on the field.” Guzman is expected to be named first-team All-Met. He led the Wildcats in goals (12), assists (14) and points (38). Villatoro was second in scoring with 22 points. Romero totaled 62 saves. Northwestern outscored its opponents, 37-16, and in The Washington Post’s final poll finished second. The Wildcats opened the year with a pair of shutouts before losing to High Point, 1-0, and Bowie, 2-1. After the Bowie loss, they closed with 10 consecutive victories. “I feel like that was our worst game ever,” Guzman said. “I told my teammates we’re not going to win anything if we keep performing like this. The next game, [a 2-1 win over Duval], we crushed it, and from there we haven’t lost.” Ramirez began thinking his
Northwestern High School players and staff celebrate the Wildcats’ 3-2 victory over Northwest High School for the 2021 Class 4A state championship. COURTESY OF VICTOR RAMIREZ
team would be special after its first win over Parkdale, 2-1, on Oct. 14. “We were still working through some situations and trying to figure out where to best position our players,” he said. “We went up 2-0, and I think that’s where the kids really started to believe in themselves, that they could play with anyone.” The Wildcats, seeded fourth in the eight-team state tournament, defeated top-seed Severna Park in the semifinals, 2-1, on Guzman’s overtime tally. Northwest (13-31) was the No. 2 seed. Northwestern won the 4A South Region 1 championship with victories over High Point and Parkdale. It downed Bethesda-Chevy Chase in overtime, 2-1, in the state quarterfinals. This was the Wildcats’ first state crown since 1995. The first came in 1973. That team was led by Nino Fleri and the Rada brothers (Gonzalo, Pedro and Fermin). Fleri scored both goals in Northwestern’s 2-1 state finals victory over Dundalk. The gamewinner came in double overtime when he headed in a crossing pass from Gonzalo Rada. Managing Editor Kit Slack kit@hyattsvillelife.com
A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781 http://facebook.com/ HyattsvilleLife http://twitter.com/HvilleTimes Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Streetcar Suburbs Publishing 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.
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The ’73 Wildcats finished 12-11 and won the program’s eighthstraight Prince George’s County championship. The ’95 squad was 14-4 and captured the title after Henry Garcia scored late in a 3-2 triumph over Perry Hall. Ramirez, who graduated from Northwestern in 1992, became the Wildcats’ head coach in 2016. He works as a lawyer and is a former state delegate and senator. He plans to run for county council in 2022. He played soccer under Tom Stickles, the man who led Northwestern to its first two state championships. “He made me believe that beyond the game, if you work hard and put in the effort, you will be successful in life,” Ramirez said. “I took what he gave me on the soccer field and applied it to other personal and professional parts of my life. “I hope that my players will realize that if they take the same effort and work ethic to other parts of their life that they will be successful.” Chris McManes (mick-maynz) played baseball and soccer at Northwestern. Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com 301.531.5234 Business Manager Catie Currie catie@hyattsvillelife.com Advertising Sales Manager Miranda Goodson miranda@hyattsvillelife.com Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel Chris Currie — Vice President Stephanie Stullich — Treasurer Emily Strab — Secretary Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Reva G.Harris, T. Carter Ross, Kit Slack and Mark Goodson — Ex Officio
Writers & Contributors Dan Behrend, Victoria Boucher, Winter Hawk, Kyle Heflinger, Lauren Flynn Kelly, Chris McManes, Fred Seitz, Allan Walters
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.
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Gateway project would have replaced roughly 9 acres of the woods with 81 townhouses and 300 units of graduate student housing. The university paused the project after community members, with the support of the local Sierra Club, voiced strong opposition. While community members were voicing their opposition to one Guilford Woods development plan, the Prince George’s County Planning Board was concluding a nearly year-long public engagement process and drafting of another one: the Preliminary Adelphi Road-UMGC-UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan. This preliminary sector plan represents the county’s longterm plans for the area around the upcoming Purple Line station, which includes Guilford Woods. The plan identifies portions of the woods as the site of future mixed-use buildings or townhouses, while also detailing policies designed to preserve the tree canopy and protect natural resources. Janet Gingold, Prince George’s County Sierra Club executive committee chair, noted in an email that the Sierra Club generally supports the type of transit-oriented development proposed around the Purple Line station. However, according to Gingold, “The few areas where we have mature forest become increasingly precious as we face a future with increasing frequency of excess heat and extreme precipitation events. The Sector Plan should specifically designate Guilford Woods as preserved open space.” The plan, published in late October, focuses on expected growth around the new Adelphi Road-UMGC-UMD Purple Line station, which will be built in the center of Campus Drive, near its intersection with Adelphi Road. When completed, the Purple Line, a 16-mile light rail, will connect 21 stations between Bethesda and New Carrollton. Over decades, plans for the Purple Line evolved and expanded from discussions in the 1980s among Montgomery County politicians and planners to build a trolley connecting Bethesda and Silver Spring along an abandoned CSX freight rail right of way. Construction of the Purple Line started in summer 2017. Litigation and contract disputes disrupted the project, however, and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) now expects to resume construction in early 2022 and to begin
operations around 2025. The sector plan area stretches across roughly a mile, from the University Hills Duck Pond Park, through Guilford Woods, to the religious student centers on the southern edge of UMD’s campus. It includes about 100 acres around the future Adelphi Road Purple Line station, and portions of both the City of Hyattsville (around St. Mark’s Catholic Church) and the City of College Park (just south of UMD). The Adelphi Road station will be the closest Purple Line station to the Prince George’s Plaza Metro station in Hyattsville. Planners recommend the creation of a new walkable neighborhood targeting UMD students, faculty and staff, along with seniors and Purple Line commuters. The county plans to designate most of the land for future mixed-use development, with smaller portions reserved for parks and institutional uses, such as university-related buildings. Currently, most of the buildings in the area are places of worship and apartment complexes. The proposed sectional map amendment, released with the preliminary plan, would update the zoning for the area to match the uses in the sector plan. Planners propose constructing the tallest buildings near the Adelphi Purple Line station, with mixed-use multifamily buildings or townhouses closer to existing neighborhoods with single-family homes. The plan incorporates wide sidewalks, marked crosswalks, landscaped buffers from car traffic, bike lanes along several streets and improved bus stops. Planners also recommend installing bike and pedestrian paths separated from car traffic. The plan aims to promote environmental sustainability by improving stormwater management, expanding the tree canopy over paved surfaces, encouraging the construction of permeable pavement and green roofs, and incentivizing buildings that meet green standards. Planners recommend expanding the University Hills Duck Pond Park to encompass the forested area to the east, and adding trails, benches and picnic tables. The county planning board and county council are soliciting additional public feedback on the preliminary area sector plan. To speak at or submit written testimony to the Jan. 18, 2022, joint public hearing, visit the sector plan’s website. One-onone chats with the project team are available during virtual office hours held every Wednesday and Friday through February 2022.
Hyattsville Life & Times | December 2021
Page 14
NATURE NEARBY
Autumn’s Silliloquy To leave the leaves or not to leave them? That is Autumn’s question pending. Whether ‘tis smarter to rake and leaf blower, into composting piles, Or let them lie upon the grass to die, to decay more slowly while They feed the soil and seeds below And shelter invertebrates and Ralph the turtle — This is our dilemma to hurdle. The grass may die but return in spring, Along with cocoons growing beautiful wings Both buried beneath the oak leaf sea. Winds this sea will scatter Producing more organic matter. Is our compulsion to rake and blow Social convention, or does it add safety? Do we know? To slip upon the damp leaves, or worse, when they freeze; Or let children plunge into the piles we leave? Leaves in the woods do remain, And neither trees nor people there complain. — Fred Seitz
NEWS BRIEFS
VISIT STREETCARSUBURBS.NEWS FOR MORE CITY INTRODUCES VACCINE INCENTIVE FOR CITY EMPLOYEES Cash incentives are the newest tool the City of Hyattsville is using to encourage its employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19. On Dec. 6, the Hyattsville City Council approved a new program that will provide a one-time $500 payment to any city employee who shows proof of full vaccination, meaning one shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine or two shots of an mRNA vaccine. The vaccine incentive program could cost the city up to $95,000 and will be paid for using American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds. City Administrator Tracey Douglas said that 92% of city staff are fully vaccinated. This is higher than the average for Hyattsville zip codes, which range from 64.9% of residents in 20782 having had at least one shot, to 75.9% of residents in 20781, according to county data as of Dec. 8. Staff who were fully vaccinated before the incentive program was created are also eligible for the payment. The city council had previously
discussed passing a law to mandate the vaccine for city employees, but did not end up using legislation to enforce staff vaccination. Instead, at the Nov. 15 city council meeting, Douglas said she had implemented a policy requiring all city employees to receive one shot, or a medical or religious exemption, by Dec. 10. Employees who remain unvaccinated must undergo weekly testing. “We continue to encourage our employees to be responsible and do the right thing,” Douglas said.
DOG BITES TEEN NEAR FARRAGUT STREET On the afternoon of Dec. 3, two large dogs chased a teenager who was out for a run on 42nd Avenue near Farragut Street. One dog bit him. The teen was not badly injured. The two dogs, who live near Robert J. King Memorial Park, have escaped many times before. Neighbors report that the dogs are aggressive when loose. According to the dog owner, Ted Porter, he had recently upgraded to an automatically closing hinge
for the gate to his yard, and added a new self-closing latch. On the afternoon of Dec. 3, the dogs got loose when the latch failed. Porter says he takes responsibility for what happened and for securing the dogs. He plans to build an enclosure around the gate to his yard, and a second gate for that enclosure. On Oct. 20, the same two dogs had bitten another dog repeatedly on the stomach. The dog was on a walk with its owner, an older woman, who had to take her dog to the vet to have the wound repaired. Porter says the dogs are siblings and that their breed is coonhound, an American hunting dog. Porter got them as young dogs in 2016. They were rescues in foster care. Porter’s wife, who had been ill, died a few days after Porter brought home the dogs. Hyattsville police responded to the October attack on the other dog. Both incidents have been reported to county animal control. Porter said he will have a hearing before the county’s animal control commission in January, concerning both the October and the December incidents.