Hyattsville Life & Times July 2007 Issue

HL&T’s new team

by HL&T Writers

S

arah Nemeth, a newcomer to Hyattsville, will assume the roles of outgoing publisher Stephen Clements and will also serve in an editorial capacity alongside current managing editor Michael Martucci.

Nemeth was most recently a beat reporter with the Gazette newspapers in Hyattsville and Fort Washington. Before that she

Vol. 4 No. 7

Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper

Doggie DaVincis paint it pretty at Dogs for the Arts

July 2007

Development brings questions, concerns

by Carrie Wells

R

esidents are concerned that a multi-family housing development planned for Toledo Terrace paired with the cumulative effect of other Hyattsville development, could cause problems with traffic, pollution and the overcrowding of schools.

Sarah Nemeth

worked as a reporter for daily newspapers in Niagara County, NY and as a researcher and clerk for reporters on Capitol Hill. She is a graduate of Canisius College in Buffalo, Ny. Changes were made July 1 and Nemeth is expecting a gamut of challenges chock full of opportunities to increase the readership and appeal of the HL&T. “This is a super chance to work with great people, with a product that is already very quality,” she said. “Readers will see some immediate changes that we hope they will like. Down the pike we hope readers will see an even better community newspaper with even more proverbial resident fingerprints all over it.”

Please see accompanying “Changing of guard” story on page 4.

To view a color districting map, please go to: http://www.mncppc.org/ pgco/planning/pdf/05-10-7/ DSP-99048-01maps.pdf

Photos: Ashby Henderson

by Carrie Wells

C

hris Condayan lifts his threeyear-old boxer’s paw and dips it into yellow tempera paint, then smears it along a piece of construction paper. Some ants get mixed in with the artwork. “Olive likes mixed media,” he said. “She’s very avante garde.”

This is the annual Dogs for the Arts event held June 16th at Magruder Park in Hyattsville. Dogs are invited to make paw paintings, and there are several contests, in-

cluding dog tricks, owner dog lookalike and doggy dress up.

About 20 dogs and many more owners showed up to the free community event. This was the Dogs for the Arts’ 10th year running, said Gloria FelixThompson, one of the organizers.

“The neighborhood is filled with dogs,” said Jeanne Benas of Hyattsville, a first-timer at the event. “I know so many people with dogs.”

She brought her two basset hounds, Holly and Berry, for the doggy dress up. They wore purple scarves around their necks.

“Hyattsville is the land of dogs,” said Marialis Zmuda, the founder of the Lively Arts in Hyattsville, the organization sponsoring the event. “It was a natural leap.”

The Lively Arts, which sponsors performances and art-related activities in Hyattsville, first thought up the idea for Dogs for the Arts as a fundraising event, but it quickly turned into something that brought the community together, said Zmuda. Donations are still accepted,

DOGGIE DAVINCIS ontinues on page 17

A development team for the Landy property—a 35-acre lot located between Belcrest Road and Northwest Drive— on June 19 offered residents an opportunity to offer feedback on the proposed project which is likely to boast 1,216 apartments.

“I want to see them address infrastructure impacts, not the

DEVELOPMENT continues on page 12

Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781

Cafritz property discussions ongoing

n Route 1 property could see supermarket, housing developed

by Ronald F. Docksai, Jr.

B

PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 43 Easton, MD 21601

ookstores, hiker-biker trails, senior housing and a Whole Foods supermarket are all possible construction goals for a vacant property next to the postal facility on U.S. Route One in Riverdale Park. But some residents are not sure the site needs any new buildings at all.

Property owners Calvin and Jane Cafritz held a series of community meetings last month to cull public input for the 35.8-acre site they own next to a postal facility on the heavily traveled road just north of U.S. Route 410. We want to develop something that will be

of great appeal, and of great credit, to the community,” said Calvin Cafritz in a speech to a packed auditorium whose audience also included members of the College Park City Council and State Sen. Paul Pinsky.

Not all residents welcome the change.

“I’m quite content with it as it is,” said Harriet Komisar, a Riverdale Park resident during a June 14 meeting at the Riverdale Park Elementary School.

She expressed concern that the introduction of the new housing complexes and shops might increase traffic at the crossing of the roads.

“That intersection is already a very congested intersection,” she said.

“That’s clearly something they need to deal with.”

Posters along the meeting room walls illustrated suggestions residents made in earlier sessions. Included were scenes of playgrounds, café tables, bikers on bike paths and people of all ages strolling through verdant park space.

“We are asking the citizens what they’re interested in, and we’ll take it from there,” Jane Cafritz said. “After we’ve reached some goals everyone agrees upon, we’ll make a draft of the plan.”What we’ve done here is we’ve taken the community’s comments and represented them.”

Opportunities for development of the property include book stores,

art shops, music stores, bakeries and farmers’ markets, and senior and student housing, said Matthew Bell, an architect from Ehrenkrantz, Eckstut & Kuhn Architect who is working on the site design.

Ideas for retail opportunities also include a Whole Foods supermarket.

“They are interested,” Bell said of the supermarket chain, adding that the Cafritz family has spoken with

CAFRITZ continues on page 17

Included: The July 11, 2007 Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter—See Center Section

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 2

Editorial: Sure footing for a safe city

D

uring observation of roadwork on Ingraham and Madison streets last month, it was surprising to find the amount of unsightly and seemingly unsafe roadwork paraphernalia that lined the roads. There was construction “tape” around an especially dingy area, into which a small car might have been swallowed should it have fallen in.

Broken pieces of asphalt and jagged edges of road really were major concerns. Shredded tree boxes with mounds of upturned earth made navigating a trail from street to sidewalk something like an ant burrowing into a crème pie. At some spots along Nicholson Street, the gaps in walkable footing were several feet wide.

That is unacceptable, especially when such areas are abandoned by workers for days on-end.

What if a pedestrian walking down the street turned his ankle after mistakenly slipping on a loose stone? What about children riding their bikes up and down the sidewalks? Or the dog-walkers?

Usually it is understood that when roadwork is underway, there are going to be some messes, some inconvenience, and even

Letters to the Editor

the need to be a bit more alert to danger. That’s just part of living in a city where infrastructure improvements are happening. But where is the line drawn between what are likely foreseeable mishaps and what could be harrowing hazards?

In Ward 3, some roads recently were repaved and the gutter pans installed.

It is looking mighty fine since its completion. But for the fine folks who lived there through construction season, it was often intolerable.

It might have been the noisy construction vehicles that irked some residents after they were startled awake by the “beep, beep, beep” of the trucks thrown into reverse. Or maybe it was the stench of asphalt smoldering in the summer sun, or the burden on traffic negotiating the hilly streets.

Whatever the case, the city needs to clean up after its collective self and make sure subcontractors do the same. We need to keep in place the ability to emblazon ourselves with the moniker: “a world within walking distance,” as opposed to “a world within dangerous construction distance.”

Who do you trust?

by Michael Martucci

T

here is a movement afoot; one of intolerance. That is nothing new inside the Beltway however the rumblings in the halls of Congress are taking aim at talk radio, cable news networks, and in general freedom of speech.

Because of successful right leaning programs and the lack of a great number of successful liberal programming, the controversy has begun its slow ascent. In fact given progressive National Public Radio, the major news networks and particular bents of entertainment media there is enough sources to find two points of view; conservative and liberal. In Hyattsville and Statewide that balance might be a bit harder to find given the overwhelming number of registered Democrats versus Republicans.

Democrats traditionally tend to be more liberal folks. Nevertheless live and let live is a general rule in Hyattsville for quite a number of decades.

Nationally though, in the guise of fairness and balance you can expect a rising cacophony of voices to consider reviving “the fairness doctrine.” This standard was abandoned years ago. It existed for the

-------------

Bike to Work Day worked

S

ix miles. That is the distance, pretty much door to door, from my house to 16th and M Street, N.W., where I happen to be employed. Seems easy enough on the back of a bike except for one thing: people in cars are crazy!

I know, I’m usually one of them.

Driving too fast, running yellow lights, tailgating, honking the horn, not using the blinker and other reckless endeavors are part of the day-to-day grind known as rush hour(s). So it was with a little bit

of fear and a lot of caffeine that I signed up for bike to work day.

We met in Magruder Park and were greeted by several Hyattsville staff and Bike to Work volunteers.

There was coffee, food, T-Shirts, water bottles and Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFL’s) which are just the coolest give away there ever was. A pack of about six of us headed out to the Bike to Work rally downtown. It was a fairly cool, overcast day which made things a little better. Most of us in the pack

were first timers so we were all a little nervous. Our route brought us eventually up to Rhode Island Avenue and then down towards Union Station. This is not, I repeat, not the route to take if you are in anyway nervous or worried about being hit by a car. Thankfully, no one was and in about 45 minutes, we were at the rally with about 500 or so of our closest biker friends.

After showering at work and

BIKE TO WORK Continues on page 22

purpose to ensure that both political points of view were guaranteed to be aired. Notice the word “both.” The current movement’s intention is not for “all” points of view; which in itself makes its motivation dubious. It is a subtle political maneuver to reinstitute control over the media much like exists in more socialistic and communistic societies.

The members of Congress should do more than simply let their political minority in an area of the media influence their support for such overreaching controls. The fairness doctrine at this point would have a major silencing affect on conservative media outlets. That is ultimately the goal of the supporters of such a measure. They should familiarize themselves with the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution which states “Congress shall make no law... abridging the freedom of speech or of the press...” There is no ambiguity in the first amendment. So important was this right that it was listed as part of the first to be addressed by the founders of this country. Political grievances should not be allowed to give rise to stealth skullduggery for either

party at the governmental reigns of power in order to dictate what American’s say, watch, or listen to on their radios and television sets. If it were not attractive we wouldn’t listen and watch.

Nevertheless, this movement which has always been supported in Democrat circles and the left political side of the spectrum is gaining legs because of the annoyance of the conservative right. Since its departure, the fairness doctrine hasn’t stood a chance of being reinstated. With the immigration debate conservatives in Congress who have somehow felt that conservative talk radio and TV outlets were on their side are finding how delusional they have been. Those outlets have blisteringly laid bare the hypocrisy of Republican conservatives and both parties’ moderates. Driven by the market place, people’s voices are being heard and neither party likes what the public is saying; especially on immigration. Congress has so corrupted the thinking of learned men and women that they feel empowered to impose their will over that of the people. Again, they should

TRUST Continues on page 3

(YATTSVILLE

,IFE 4IMES

A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville

Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781 Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Hyattsville Community Newspaper, Inc. a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation.

Interested reporters should send their e-mail addresses to the editor to be reminded of deadlines and receive internal news.

Articles and news submitted may be edited.

The deadline is the last week of the month for the following month’s issue.

Letters to the editor and opinions are encouraged.

For all e-mail correspondence with HL&T: News, features, tips, advertising and business write to hyattsvillelifeandtimes@gmail.com Sarah Nemeth, Executive Editor 240.354.4832 or betweensundays@gmail.com Michael Martucci, Managing Editor 301.864.5621 Rick Docksai, Copy Editor To submit articles, letters to the editor, etc. please e-mail Hyattsvillelifeandtimes@gmail.com.

For inquiries re advertising rates or to submit ad copy please email to Hyattsvillelife@Yahoo.com Publication Production: Electronic Ink

Colleen Aistis Steve Clements Kristen Gunderson Phil Houle Karen Riley Hugh Turley

Writers/Contribtors: John Aquilino Rick Docksai Jim Groves Bert Kapinus Sol Sandberg

Keith Blackburn Colleen Durnan Ashley Henderson Michael Martucci Tom Slezak

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 7,500.

HL&T is a member of the National Newspaper Association

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 3

The next wave to save the union

by Michael Martucci

F

or all of the hoopla about illegal immigration there is one point that tips the scales.

It hasn’t been articulated, but may very well be a saving grace for the country. Aside from Republicans quivering to special business interests and Democrats throwing open the gates with a megaphone shouting, bring us your tired your hungry and especially your criminals, there is a profound factor in having immigration proceed with little legal limitation.

First let us agree, since most American’s do, that the borders must be secured.The Mickey Mouse game Congress has been playing leads the populous to believe that its time for more than a third party. It’s time for the people to take back their government.That implies force if the knuckleheads in Washington don’t get the point. Some quarters on the political extremes have been entertaining the idea , if not yet voicing it.

When the population feels strongly about such a vital issue, it is ill advised to have representatives with a collective tin ear. They are in their

jobs to represent their constituents; not to run roughshod over them.

Congress has not acted responsibly in the national interest to quickly eliminate illegal immigration.

The government only has two basic responsibilities. One is to protect and defend the nation by raising armies, and declaring and implementing war when necessary.

The other is to provide a social net of some source for those incapable of sustaining themselves. The latter shouldn’t entail a large body of folks, but forms of government always work better on paper than in practice.

Securing the border for protection, and enforcing the laws are what the population desires. Don’t let people with illegal status, nor terrorists across the border. Fence it, and punish any business substantially that hires illegal workers. Once these steps are implemented and the border is secured then letting everyone apply legally to be here is the way to go. The masses know this, and have been telling their government. The government is not listening.

The Republicans have squandered their chance and the Demo-

crats have pandered in the name of courting the sensitive and potentially powerful Latino voting block in this country. That is fine and dandy, however placating the majority of Americans, which by the way outnumbers the illegal alien’s in this country by 20 to 1, is the least the Congress should be doing.

Representatives should bend to the will of the people by creating tough measures and enforcement; not amnesty. Instead both parties are salivating over each other in their usual misguided way to achieve a political advantage of the future.

Here’s the part that has yet been ar-

Why walk when you can ride?

by David Zuk

L

ast month we decided on a trip to Assateague Island where we embarked in our canoes in search of the great outdoors. This month we figured why walk when we can ride? So we headed out to Stokesville, VA for the International Mountain Biking Association Festival. I am participating in a 100 mile mountain bike race there in September, so it was an ideal place to meet some of my fellow racers and get to know the trails. So the four of us—Anne, two of the kids and myself—loaded up the car, threw the bikes on top and started out for a 4 day weekend of camping, swimming and trying not to collide with anything at high speed (while riding the bike). Well, two-out-of-three ain’t bad.

The weekend started on a glorious Friday afternoon. With the perfect weather bringing smiles, we picked the kids up early from school and an easybreezy drive topped with a steak dinner, found us at our destination early with sunlight to burn. We quickly set up out tents - directly on top of the poison ivy - and proceeded to the registration gazebo - a

TRUST

Continued from page 2 revisit the U.S. Constitution and realize that it does not exist to protect the government. It exists to protect the people from of the government. Government abuse has eroded liberties and tried to make inroads into people’s lives for whatever reason. On immigration especially, the folks are voicing their opinion back to the government. The people are already to take back their government by whatever reasonable means necessary. The immigration debate has pushed them that way, and illuminated the gulf between them and their Congressional Representa-

very large structure with at least 20 large picnic tables.

We mingled with other riders and families, made sure to get our beer coupons and watched as the kids quickly befriended other little ones. All of us settled by the fire to finish off the night. Well, almost finish.

My youngest son didn’t agree with the steak dinner as much as the rest of us and I guess he wanted to share it with the tent. But finally we all settled down and enjoyed the first night under the stars.

The second day began bright and early. The pancakes were being flipped and the coffee was flowing nicely. The nice thing about this type of events is the fraternal atmosphere: There were plenty of people ready to watch our kids when we needed it. Now it was time to choose the days ride. I decided on the “big” ride, and Anne and I were soon on our way up the mountain with 3 new friends along for the ride. And, I must say, what a ride. First let me explain that I am a new comer to the mountain bike riding scene. This was a completely new kind of riding for me and yet, somehow I took off with the “fast” rid-

tives. Granting a fairness doctrine in order to disintegrate diversity of free speech may be a tipping point of unintended consequences if Congress proceeds in listen to themselves instead of the populace.

It is an issue of trust. Politicians believe in themselves and generally judge that they know what is right for the people. The people on the other hand are endowed with the Constitution, and will only be pushed so far before they push back. The question is who do you trust? The Constitution empowered the people to correct the wrongs of the government not the other way around.

WHY WALK Continues on page 7

ticulated, but which needs to be contemplated. Apart from the three ring circus, the main reason to support the influx of aliens into this country is one of self preservation. No country or empire in the course of human history has withstood a declining rate of reproduction in its populace for very long. Unfortunately for the U.S. that downward spiral began with the advent of “the pill” and has slid ever since.The resulting death of the family is leading the decline of the culture. It is time for an infusion of new blood; one that is family and work oriented. Ethnic groups that are disposed to raising the birth rate will be the saving grace of America. That waive of immigrants is crossing our southern border.

The amount of illegal immigrants in this country would make up about 15% of the Mexican population. Perhaps making Mexico the U.S.’s 51st State would be the quickest way to lessen the immigration problem. Just deputize the whole country by making everyone an American citizen with a land purchase. Something akin to the Louisiana Purchase may be in order south of the border.

Latinos, it is estimated will some day make up a hefty percentage of the population. Residing in close living quarters and being poor, fuses families together in ways unfathomable to the privileged. It creates a bond that lasts generations. That family strength gives rise to extensive reproduction and necessitates a work ethic. This is the condition many illegal immigrants and legal migrants find themselves in when arriving in the U.S. This “culture down under” in America is similar

to the very foundations of past immigrant waves that built this country, and made it strong. Whether the language that is spoken in the U.S. is English, Spanish, or perhaps a combination of both will soon not be the issue; survival will!

Whoever this rising tide of Latino’s votes for in future elections is of little consequence to what is important for America.The fact that the current wave fits all the criteria in the way that the Irish, German, Italian and all of the other groups of immigrants did before them is of substantial consequence.The Spanish heritage is destined to mingle with the U.S. These new immigrants are profoundly necessary if the country is to survive the coming scourge of Islamic radicalism beating the war drum against western values. The more Latino’s who become American’s the better for the country; not because of politics, but because they will proudly carry a gun and defend their new homeland. There is no greater reason to let immigrants in the country legally.

A quick solution on illegal immigration is essential because we are losing valuable time bickering about politics. The last time we did that, buildings fell in New York; enough of the infighting. It’s time to welcome our Spanish brothers, and any others who want the American dream. It is time to invite them to fight with us for the sake of the nation because they have already demonstrated their values by risking their very lives to get here.

They too have spilled their blood, and taken great risks in their own fight for freedom. There is nothing more American than that.

THE PUBLICATION DEADLINE

for articles and letters in the August issue is Friday, July 27th.

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 4

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HL&T announces changing of guard

by Michael Martucci

T

he Hyattsville Life & Times bids a fond farewell to two men who grounded the newspaper with solid roots and offered experience, knowledge and talent to set it aflight.

Stephen Clements and Nick Dunten, longtime Hyattsville residents, stepped down July 1 from their respective posts as publisher/business manager and executive editor after three years of operating the innovative, grass roots newspaper.

Clements, a former chief financial officer and vice president of a franchising company, will pursue other

Hyattsville businesses,� Clements said.

Of course, there were set backs. Early on the duo learned that the city’s initial mailing list comprised only one address per apartment building instead of each unit.

Since the new paper would be sent to every home, adjustments had to be made. As a result 2,000 additional addresses added an unexpected additional cost. However, support from the business community spurred on the optimistic endeavor. Most of the advertisers currently in the HL&T have been advertising for most of the life of the paper. “We have 12 advertisers who haven’t missed an issue,� Clements said.

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Steve Clements

areas of interest including financial consulting. Dunten, a former professional journalist, plans on enjoying his retirement and will do a bit of traveling.

The two were a rich blend of business savvy and journalistic grit that melded to form the original team of the monthly publication. “I had volunteered a lot working around the area and I wanted to volunteer [in] my adopted hometown of Hyattsville,� Clements said. A native of Washington, D.C., Clements has been calling Hyattsville home for 45 years. Dunten likewise has made his home in the city for over 35 years.

History’s mysteries When the idea for founding a local community newspaper came to fruition in August 2004 the principal players had already been working to organize the launch for several months. The initial brainchild of former city councilman Christopher Currie, the paper grew into what has become Hyattsville’s only city newspaper.

Dunten, who did the news gathering, coordination of writers, editing and layout, originally was not sure that Currie’s idea was feasible. “I was skeptical at first,� he said. However, advertisers took to the paper in startling fashion and any doubts as to the paper’s viability from that standpoint were quickly quelled.Together, Clements and Dunten forged a newspaper out of nothing.

Clements sought out existing publications for tips.

Part of the mold came from The Beltsville News, a community newspaper that had been in business for over 50 years.

Armed with the approval of the city council and some working capital they forged ahead. To help subsidize up front costs, the city agreed to include the Hyattsville Reporter insert in the paper. The effort has saved the city money in printing and mailing costs by offering the insert less expensively than as a stand alone mailing. “We wanted to provide a forum for community input, encourage opportunities for community involvement, and establish a business operation that helped promote

Nick Dunten

Flying off presses Clements and Dunten not only established the paper, they incubated it and charted its evolution.

Initially the publication was only eight local pages long with an additional four-page city insert. Now, the paper boasts 28 pages including the Hyattsville Reporter.

And how has that happened? It wasn’t easy. “We’re sensitive to the Community� Dunten said. “We take no positions on anything, and we try to be fair to everybody.� The two very early in the process decided that they would not include articles or opinions that were personal attacks on anyone and would try not to publicize negative news. “The people have been great,� Clements said of the community’s support for the paper. He believes “it has made a difference in some people’s minds.� The look of the paper has evolved also. Redesign of the initial logo and a higher quality layout bought a more professional air to the newspaper in the ensuing three years. “Initially we even did the layout ourselves,� Dunten said. With a preliminary goal to attract four regular writers, the writing staff now includes interns, student writers and residents.

One of the major accomplishments that the team undertook was to establish the Hyattsville Community Foundation as an outlet for excess funds and a foray into worthwhile community projects within the city. “The Foundation is exactly what we wanted,� Dunten said. “We wanted to give that extra money back to the community and we didn’t want to get into any of the complexities of that; we wanted to keep it separate.�

Just the beginning A new Board of Directors has been appointed under Currie’s leadership. The five-member board includes: Currie, Tim Hunt, Bert Kapinus, Matthew McKnight and Sarah Nemeth. A new Hyattsville resident and former journalist at the Gazette newspapers, Nemeth also has signed on as Executive Editor/Business Manager.

CHANGING OF GUARD Continues on page 5

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 5

Community Community Announcements Announcements Discover treasures and bargains The First United Methodist Church will hold Flea Markets on the third Saturday of the month in the church parking lot through October. Stop by between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on July 21st to shop for clothing and household items. If you have items you would like to sell, you can sign up for a space for $10 by calling 301.927.6133. The church is located at the corner of Belcrest and Queens Chapel Roads.

Educational classes offered at Prince George's Sports & Learning Complex Hone your skills by attending any number of educational classes offered at the Prince George’s Sports & Learning Complex, 8001 Sheriff Road, Landover.

July 16-27, 2007, MondayFriday from 5-6 p.m. refresh your skills in math enrichment. This class is for ages six to eight, SMARTlink activity #101005. For ages 8-10, class is held from 6-7 p.m., SMARTlink activity #101798. The fee is $50/resident, $60/non-resident, and $38/impact area.

July 16-August 1, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m., ages 12-17 learn proper finger placement and increase accuracy and speed in keyboarding for teens. The fee is $80/resident, $96/non-resident, and $60/impact area. This is SMARTlink activity #100994.

July 17, 19, and 20 from 7-9 p.m. Introduction to PC: Level 2 is offered for ages 18 and up; participants will build on the skills learned in Introduction to PC. Introduction to PC: Level 2 is designed to expand knowledge of Microsoft Windows

CHANGING OF GUARD Continued from page 4 Although not acquainted will all the new players, Clements made it clear he has faith in Currie and the new Board. “[Nemeth] is a professional journalist, a good writer, and should bring a lot to the paper,” he said.

What could the day to day operators of a community newspaper hope for when their time is through?

Dunten sees the newspaper going weekly someday, and hopes for the addition of full color capability on its pages. With the electronic age he suspects that there will be additional electronic versions of Hyattsville Life & Times.

Clements would like to see the paper grow even more. “It’s been a very interesting experience and a very rewarding experience,” he said.

“We’ve built a solid paper and are leaving it in good hands.”

and to begin to work with software applications such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. This is SMARTlink activity #100999.

Class is also offered on Mondays and Wednesdays, July 30-August 8 from 9:30-11 am, SMARTlink activity #104041. The fee is $50/resident, $60/non-resident, and $38/impact area.

For more information, call 301.583.2430, TTY 301.583.2483.

Historic Hyattsville book Hyattsville resident and Hyattsville Preservation Association Historian Andra Damron is hard at work on a pictorial history of Hyattsville, to be published by Arcadia Press in 2008 as part of its well-respected Images of America series. The book will tell the story of Hyattsville’s first 100 years (1886-1986) through approximately 200 historic photographs with captions. Particular emphasis will be given to how the different forms of transportation along the Route One corridor shaped the history of our City.

HPA is searching for photographs of people and places from Hyattsville’s first 100 years for possible inclusion in this book. If you have, or if you know of anyone who has, such photographs, please contact Andra Damron at 301.699.3371. You may also bring your photographs to the Municipal Building on Saturday, July 14th from 10 a.m. to noon, and Monday, July 16th from 7 - 9 p.m.

The Images of America Hyattsville book project is sponsored by the Hyattsville Preservation Association and supported by the City of Hyattsville and the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation.

M-NCPPC Trips are offered by the Langley

Park Community Center.

Explore Women in Space Explore women in space at the National Air & Space Museum in Washington, D.C. when you venture out on this trip from 9 a.m.

- 5 p.m. on July 14. Bring lunch or additional money to purchase lunch. Parents must accompany children under 12 years old. The fee is $8/resident and $10/nonresident. Pre-register by July 11.

The trip departs from Langley Park Community Center, 1500 Merrimac Drive.

Glenn Dale Splash Park A special trip to Glenn Dale Splash Park is being offered from 4:30 to 8 p.m. on July 17. Take the opportunity to spend a late afternoon and early evening with family and friends at the splash park.

Parents must accompany children under 12 years old. Space is limited so register soon. This activity is for ages 9 and up. The fee is $6/ resident and $8/non-resident. Preregistration is required by July 17, 2007. For information on any of these activities call 301.297.4575, TTY 301.699.2544.

M-NCPPC accepting 2007 adult Fall slow pitch softball Leagues The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission is currently accepting team registrations for men’s, women’s and coed leagues that will begin play the week of September 4.

Games are played at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, Fairland Regional Park in Laurel and the Tucker Road Complex in Fort Washington. Fees are $350 for bi-county teams and $410 for non bi-county teams.

M-NCPPC sponsors girls' Fall fast pitch softball leagues The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County will sponsor both a Girl’s High School, and a 14 and under Fast-Pitch Instructional Fall Softball League.

League play begins on September 16. Games are played at Fairland Regional Park in Laurel, or Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro. Fees are $150 per team, and entry deadline is Friday, August 24. For more information call the Sports Office at 301.918.8100 or TTY 301.918.8123. This program is offered by M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County.

SPIN showcase SPIN (Silk Painters International) headquartered in Lanham, MD are presenting the exhibit “Silk Is...” showcasing the work of 17 painters from Russia, Great Britain; Canada and the U.S. with over 60 pieces of art now Thurs.

December 27 at The U.S. District Courthouse 6500 Cherrywood Lane Greenbelt. Admission is free and there is an Artist Reception July 19, 5:30 - 7 p.m. at the courthouse. For additional information call 301.474.7347 or via email at SPIN@silkpainters. org.

Wild Onion opening slated for UTC

Wild Onion, a 60 seat establishment, and vision of Chef Rasheed Abdurrahman who is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America will open in the fall of 2007 at the University Town Center; Wild

Onion will feature a menu of tasty comfort foods, spicy ethnic dishes, vegetarian specialties, custom sandwiches, scrumptious baked goods, and organic coffees. The 2,500- square-foot restaurant will overlook the plaza area of University Town Center in Hyattsville near the Prince Georges Plaza Metro train stop on the green line. Contact Catherine Timko: 202.234.2666 or 202.365.7470.

Prince Georges Pool 'Killer Whales' enjoy first victory of season Prince Georges Pool’s 20th season began with a victory in a very close meet against Bowie’s Severn Crossing. At the end of the butterfly events, Severn Crossing held a 3 point lead with a score of 44 to 41.

After breaststroke, PGP had a one point lead, 97 to 96, but the score was tied at 145 after freestyle. It took the backstroke to finally give PGP a solid lead of 211 to 181. Because of PGP’s depth, the team was able to hold onto the lead through the IM and relays and go home with a win.

The final score was 271 to 233. In addition to being the first meet of the season, it was also the team’s first cardless dual meet, Inexperience on the part of both teams, caused unfortunate delays in starting the meet and also extended the meet beyond the normal finish time. But the swimmers had a good time and did well. Prince Georges Pool is located in Mt. Rainier and is a privately operated pool. After winning its division with an undefeated season last year, the PGP Killer Whales swim team moved up a division in the Prince Mont Swim League.

There are 36 “Hyattsvillagers” on the Team.

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 6

Ramblings &Musings

by Bert Kapinus

All’s well that ends well

H

eeeeeere’s Bert. I am extremely happy to write these words in light of my fears as described in last month’s article. My primary fear was that I would wake up dead after my surgery. As both of you who read this column know, I was extremely anxious about the TURP (Transurethral Resection of Prostate) which I was to undergo.

My concerns ranged from the surgical skills of my doctor to the anesthesiologist and my general treatment at the hospital. My specific concerns were whether I would die, whether all the levers and pipes in my body would work correctly and if I acquired a staph infection that would result in such complications that I wished I had died. My fear was that if anything could go wrong, it possibly would.

Let me tell you everything went perfectly and like clockwork.

Just getting to G.W. [George Washington] Hospital was a breeze.

I caught the Metro which took me to Foggy Bottom/G.W. University which exit happened to be directly at the front door of the hospital.

How much better does that get?

felt that I was showing more flesh than I wanted to and certainly more flesh than anybody looking at me would want to see. This gown had an overlap which covered my body entirely. My modesty was preserved.

(What modesty, Kapinus?)

After I got undressed and dressed - or dressed and undressed, whatever - my doctor came into see me. I explained to him that I preferred not to die on the operating table and he reassured me telling me that he would do [all that] he could to prevent such a result. The anesthesiologist also came in and spoke to me indicating that there was a TURP syndrome that happened in only four or five percent of cases. He asked me what type of anesthesia I wanted to lessen the chances of getting the syndrome. Apparently, the syndrome involves initial disorientation, confusion and eventually seizures. He explained that if he gave me a spinal epidural, I would be awake except I would not have sensations south of the equator. He said he could talk to me and determine whether I was experiencing the TURP syndrome and he could give me medication

operating room, the anesthesiologist was walking next to me and said that he had given me something to relax me. As soon as he said that, I felt extremely relaxed, even to the extent that I didn’t feel that I needed the gurney on which they were moving me. When I got into the operating room, they put the gurney next to the operating table and the nurse asked me if I could scooch over onto the table. At that point, I moved my leg to comply with her wishes and that was it. Lights out. As far as I know, I may have just floated onto the operating table because I have no memory of anything after that until I woke up in the recovery room after the surgery.

I didn’t know what to expect following the surgery, but when I woke up I didn’t feel much different than before the surgery. In other words, there was NO PAIN. If nothing else, just by the absence of pain, I felt the operation was a success.

Have I mentioned that George Washington University Hospital is fantastic? I don’t have a lot of experience with local hospitals other than the one or two including the Hos-

As any of you know hospital gowns are the handiwork of the devil.

I checked in at the desk and was handed one of those gizmos you get when you go to a crowded restaurant that blinks when they’re ready to call you to your table. After ten or fifteen minutes, the gizmo went off and I was escorted to a large room that had a number of beds separated by curtains. I was told to take all my clothes off and to deposit my clothes in bags that were provided. I was given a hospital gown to put on and as any of you know the gown is the handiwork of the devil. The front is in the back. In other words, the opening is in the back and you close it by tying two strings, one at the neck and one at the waist. So, if you’re scheduled for any sort of procedure where you expect to have to wear the gown, my suggestion is that you practice tying bows behind your back.

I have to say that the gown they gave me was a new and improved one. The gowns I had to wear in the past left a gap that ran from the neck down to the bottom of the gown.

When I put one of these on, I always

in the event that I was developing it. The other option was to give me a general anesthetic but he would not be able to determine whether I was developing the syndrome. My understanding of a spinal epidural is that they take this needle about 2 feet long and they stick it into your spine and inject an anesthetic into your spine. I have heard stories where this procedure was not done properly and the patient was reduced to communicating only by blinking his eyes for the rest of his life. This option did not have a lot of appeal to me. It was my feeling that if I had a general anesthetic I would not know what the doctor was doing to me which would be good. With the spinal epidural, I would of course be awake and able to watch all the activity of my doctor, who would be working south of the equator. I did not want to see him grimace or make some other sign that would suggest the procedure was not proceeding perfectly. I opted for the general anesthesia.

As I was being wheeled to the

pital for Medical Negligence, but I cannot think of anything I would do to improve the treatment I received at G.W. For instance, about 5 o’clock, I received a phone call and the voice at the other end said “This is food service. What would you like?” I was taken aback, but just as a throw away line, not really expecting to get it, I said I would like some roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes. In a half hour, my food arrived and guess what; I received roast beef, green beans and mashed potatoes. In retrospect I wished I had requested prime rib with a baked potato and Baked Alaska for dessert.

The next morning I received another call from food service asking what I wanted for breakfast. I said that I would like some eggs Benedict, sausage and fresh fruit. Half an hour later, my food arrived and the eggs Benedict came disguised as scrambled eggs. But that was okay because I got everything else.

I was released that afternoon

RAMBLINGS Continues on page 9

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 7

Cool off close to home

by Joan Martinez

summer months only. For more information call 301.

422.7284. re you looking for a quick break from the heat, Prince George’s Community Pool, located at 3311 exercise, or just some plain old-fashioned fun? Buchanan Street in Mount Rainier, is a private outHere are four swimming facilities that you can door pool cooperatively-owned and run by its memget to quickly this summer. bers. It features a newly renovated 50-meter pool, a Hamilton Pool, located in McGruder Park, is a 25- large pool for children, lush green lawns, and large meter outdoor public pool with a mushroom shaped shade trees. This family friendly environment is locatwater feature. It’s open daily, weather permitting, from ed just minutes from Hyattsville. The pool hosts swim noon to 7 p.m. through September 3. Entrance fees programs, lessons, and a children’s swim team for are $3 for children and $4 for adults (18 and up). The members.Visit www.pgpool.org or call 301.277.8896 facility offers a separate wading pool for kids, vending for information. machines, play equipment, a picnic area, diving board Ellen Linson Pool, located on 5211 Paint Branch and a changing area with showers. The pool is open Parkway (formerly Calvert seasonally, during the sumRoad) in College Park, offers mer months only. For infora 50-meter outdoor Olympic mation call 301.779.8224. sized public pool, a baby pool, Lane Manor Splash Park, a wading area, locker rooms 7601 West Park Drive, is with coin-operated lockers, another seasonal, outdoor a sand volleyball court, outpublic facility. Scheduled door basketball courts, and a pool hours are noon to 7 vending area. Swimming lesp.m. every day of the week sons for people of all ages and through September 4. It’s abilities, and specialty activilocated in the Lane Manor ties including water aerobics Community Recreation programs and day camps are Center, a 40-acre park in It's family summertime fun at Ellen Linson offered throughout Labor the Northwest Branch swimming pool.

Photo: Courtesy M-NCPP Day. Entrance fees are $4 for Stream Valley Park. This 25children and $5 for adults (18 meter pool has water features, including two slides, and over). Hours of operation are 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. lily pads, a snake, and an alligator, a separate wad- on weekdays and from noon to 7 p.m. on Saturdays ing pool, vending machine area, and a changing area and Sundays. Contact the facility at 301.277.3717 with showers. Play equipment and a picnic area are for information about classes, programs, day camps, also located at the pool site. Entrance fees are $4 for or job opportunities for lifeguards and water safety children and $5 for adults. The pool is open during instructors.

A

WHY WALK

Continued from page 3 ers and proceeded to fly down the mountain, over rocks and trees, and of course, getting lost along the way.

After a few ups and a whole lot of downs we finally made it back to a road that wasn’t too far from the campground. It was fantastic. The landscape flew past us at such an incredible speed and yet the sound was one of the things that stood out.

The whoosh, the grunts, the bangs and the breathing seemed to belong as much as the tweets and rustles from the wildlife. As I arrived back at camp, the kids ride was set to begin. I started off with Chloe and Anne rode with Caleb. The route soon proved too much for Chloe and I was far too tired to pull a rider around, but Caleb and Anne swallowed the course. Caleb was a monster. They must have been gone for two hours, and he was still riding after the ride was over. They followed a trail to a water hole in the stream that flows nearby and found some reprieve from the afternoon heat with a short swim.

Anne wanted to rest, so the kids and I headed down to the swimming hole—the second time for insatiable Caleb. After navigating through the poison ivy again, we threw off the shoes and shirts and took the plunge.

After a 15 mile bike mountain bike ride, there is nothing better in the world. It was exactly what we all needed so we took our time and enjoyed. After a while we headed back to camp and settled down for a potluck dinner, the talk turning to the next days epic ride. After spending a few hours watching the fire dance, we all went our ways, thinking of

the day to come.

Again the day started off to the sounds of pancakes flipping and bikes being tuned up. The epic ride was a 40 mile ordeal with 25 miles of mountain and 15 miles of road.

Needless to say, I enjoyed a hearty breakfast, knowing that these extra calories were going to be needed. I met a rider the night before, with whom I agreed to ride, so at 8 o’clock we headed off to find out what epic meant.

Epic meant a 5 mile steep climb to start followed by 15 miles of near-ridge riding and a 5 mile eyespeeled-back, as-fast-as-you-can-go decent to finish. Epic also meant a trail 20 inches wide with 6 inches of it being the easily-rode-off edge.

Epic meant choosing to run full speed into a tree instead of flying off into the nicely planted rock garden. Epic meant that when you got to the bottom, you were glad to be there, but you wanted to go back.

Epic meant you didn’t have enough in you to complete the road ride portion. Epic meant exactly what it advertised; it was truly an epic ride. And the perfect thing to follow an epic ride is a refreshing dip with the family into the cold water of the swimming hole, to let the blood stop and let the bruises heal.

We capped off the night with a tour of the observatory located on the campground.

The final day was spent saying

goodbyes, finishing up the leftover pancakes and packing up. We did sneak in a trip to the swimming hole which was the perfect ending to a perfect weekend. On the way back home we took some scenic byways instead of highways and started to dream up the next adventure. We’re not exactly sure where it’s going to find us, but I can assure you, it will be spent exploring the great outdoors, looking for one more epic rides.

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 8

Legal Briefs

Taking control: know what you want, make it known

by J. Carol Williams

T

he Series EE bonds were issued in 1985 and 1986. There are nineteen of them which, for the past two decades, have been in my safe deposit box. I was sure that I had named my young nephew as beneficiary when I purchased these bonds. I thought that in the event of my death he could use this small sum toward his college expenses. He is out of college now, but I still want him to have the small sum represented by these bonds after my death. So there was no need, I thought, to look at them.

When I did look recently, I discovered that I had named a very good friend who died in 1993 as the beneficiary, not my nephew. If I had died before discovering this, the bonds would have become part of my probate estate and would be distributed according to my will. My nephew would never have known of my intention to leave a little something to him.

Even though it would not have been what I intended, the consequences of me not remembering who I had named the beneficiary of these bonds would have been small, given their modest value. But the

consequences of not remembering who we have named as the beneficiary of significant bond holdings, IRAs, mutual funds and the like can be great. Each time we place money in an IRA or invest in a mutual fund, we are given the opportunity to name a beneficiary.

Keeping track of all these beneficiaries is challenging. And it is wise every few years to verify who your beneficiaries and to change them should you choose to.

Most of us have some assets for which we have not named beneficiaries and which we don’t hold with a joint owner who will take the property automatically in the event of our death. For this property, it is important to think about how it would get distributed if we die and to make sure it is done as we wish.

Making a statement If we die without a will saying how we want our property distributed, the State of Maryland will apply rules the legislature has adopted and distribute our estates accordingly. For example, if someone who dies is survived by a spouse and

minor children, the spouse will take one half of the estate and the minor children will take the other half. Or,

Checking beneficiary designations and reviewing your will are the first steps in ensuring that you have your say about the distribution of your assets after your death.

if the person is survived only by a spouse and parents, the spouse takes $15,000 plus one half of the remain-

ing estate and the parents take the other half. If a person is unmarried, the state rules provide that the deceased person’s children will take all of that person’s probate estate, even if the person is also survived by parents. If the unmarried person is not survived by children or parents, the brothers and sisters are next in line to receive that person’s estate.

The results imposed by the state in cases where individuals die without wills may not be what the deceased individual would have wanted, but it is what the state will require. In all cases, where the beneficiaries are minor children, the children will take their share when they reach age 18. The important thing, if we don’t have a will, is to understand the consequences of not having one and to be sure we are comfortable with those consequences. We can always override the state rules by executing a will in which we name particular individuals to whom we want our probate estate distributed.

uted to the individuals we name by creating a trust. Considering a trust is important if we have minor children or want to leave property to adults who might not be able to manage the property responsibly.

Once a will is executed, it should not be tucked away for years, like I did with my bonds. It is important to review the document occasionally and make sure it still reflects our wishes. And it is important to revise the document as soon as possible after major life changes, such as the birth of a child or death of a spouse.

Not doing so can lead to unintended and serious consequences.

It is July—half way to 2008. Now is a good time to check out those old beneficiary designations and to review our wills or find out more about the state rules governing distribution of your probate estate if you don’t have a will. Doing so is the first step in ensuring that you have your say about the distribution of your assets after your death.

Who, what, when

J.C. Williams may be reached at jcw@lcwlawoffice.com.

We can also stipulate in a will when the property will be distrib-

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 9

Health Corner Periodontal disease

by Dr. Ronald Grossman, DDS

The risk factors

or adults, periodontal (gum) disease is a major cause of tooth loss. “Periodontal” comes from two Greek words that mean “around the tooth.”

Healthy gum tissue and bone form the supporting foundation of each tooth.

Periodontal disease is caused by bacterial infections that attack the gums and bone. Often painless, the disease may develop slowly or progress rapidly. It can occur at any age.

The mouth contains many different bacteria that form a sticky film called plaque. These plaque bacteria produce toxins which irritate the gums and bone. Plaque that is not removed can harden into a rough deposit called calculus or tartar. Tartar, which can only be removed with a professional dental cleaning, makes it more difficult to remove plaque.

This creates chronic inflammation and infection. The gum tissue pulls away from the root, and a pocket or space develops that will also accumulate plaque.

n people who smoke or chew tobacco n poor diet makes gums less resistant to infection n pregnancy or use of oral contraceptives increase hormone levels that cause the gums to be more sensitive to the toxins n systemic diseases such as AIDS, diabetes n medications such as steroids, chemotherapy, calcium channel blockers n genetics—family members with gum disease

F

The warning signs n gums that bleed easily n red swollen, tender gums n gums that have pulled away from the teeth n pus between the teeth and gums where the gums are pressed n persistent bad breath or bad taste n permanent teeth that are loose or separating n any change in the way your teeth fit together when you bite

ramblings

Continued from page 6 without any pain or discomfort. As a matter of fact, I felt so good I told my wife that I would take the Metro to the West Hyattsville station and she could pick me up there. While I did not have any pain, I did not realize that the procedure had gone so well that I would have no problems discharging my retained water. (What is this “discharging retained water”?

The word is urination) While I had been discharging my retained water with some frequency in the hospital, unfortunately I did not recognize that my internal pump did not know whether I was in the hospital or riding a subway. My ride that day on the Metro was the longest and certainly the most distressing ride I have taken on the Metro. I kept

The treatment Treatment methods include a thorough cleaning that may include scaling to remove plaque and tartar beneath the gum-line.

The roots may be planed to smooth them. This will allow the gum tissue to heal and reattach to the tooth.

Irrigation with chemical agents and placement of antibiotic into the gum pockets after scaling and root planing may be done to control the infection. When deep pockets between the teeth and gums are present, surgery may be needed to reduce the pocket depths. The patient will then be able to clean these areas with brushing and flossing.

Good oral hygiene is not only essential to keep your teeth and gums healthy, but to keep periodontal disease from becoming more serious or recurring. You do not have to lose teeth to periodontal disease. Brush, floss, eat a balanced diet, and schedule regular dental visits for a lifetime of healthy and beautiful smiles. wondering whether anybody had ever had “an accident” on the Metro and how I would handle it if I had one. I thought if anyone noticed my accident that I would just say, “Oh, the water bottle in my pocket broke” or “I had to take my pants out of the drier before they were completely dry.” Finally, I settled on “Does anybody know a good lawyer that I can hire to sue McDonald’s because of the hot coffee I spilled on my self?”

My wife was at the station when I got there and I told her my problem. She put the little red light on the top of the car that we use for emergencies and we got home in about 45 seconds which was 5 seconds sooner than I really needed.

All in all, the operation worked as hoped and I found out that there is no reason to fear the TURP.

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Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 10

Concordia Lutheran reaches into community

Left, bottom and top: Concordia pupils mentoring at James E. Duckworth School in Beltsville. Above: Comunity Challenge Day at Duckworth.

by David Falkner

S

ixth-graders from Concordia Lutheran School have concluded a successful second year of mentoring intermediate students from Beltsville special education school, James Duckworth School.

The partnership began two years ago as an additional opportunity for Duckworth Elementary students to be able to interact with non-disabled students in a different setting. Duckworth Elementary invited Concordia to mentor some of their students. The students traveled in small groups of six to eight from Duckworth to the middle school campus of Concordia, located at 3705 Longfellow St., in Hyattsville.

SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE!

The students read stories, sang songs, completed art activities with a multicultural theme, as well as just sat and talk or played catch or kicked a ball back and forth. Each intermediateage Duckworth student was assigned a Concordia sixth grader for one hour per week. The mentoring program provided Duckworth students an opportunity to have language and social models in another school setting, as well as make new friends. The students from Concordia gained greater appreciation and respect for students with special needs. The shared activities enabled the Concordia students to be trained as ‘peer coaches’ for Duckworth students at their Challenge Day

(Special Olympics) held on May 18.

The program will continue with a few changes in the upcoming school year. The Concordia students will travel to James Duckworth Elementary school on Thursday mornings to provide their mentoring experience.

This should give the students more time together. The establishment of wonderful relationships has encouraged Concordia students to continue mentoring beyond the one year that they currently spend together. Students from both schools have benefited from this tremendous partnership.

CONCORDIA Continues on page 11

DEMATHA

BASKETBALL CAMP 2007

For Boys & Girls ages 7-16 Three Great Sessions: July 23-27 July 30-August 3 August 6-10 For more information go to demathahoops.com or call 240-764-2255

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 11

Religious Let go, get centered News

by Joan Martinez

T

Comunity Challenge Day at Duckworth School.

CONCORDIA

Continued from page 10 Younger Concordia students, in grades one through five, visited Independence Court Assisted Living Center, in Hyattsville each week on a rotational basis. Every Wednesday morning a class from Concordia visited Independence Court to perform skits and puppet shows, sing songs, play games, share stories. After the visits, the residents of Independence Court enjoyed sharing cookies with

the students as they said their goodbyes for that week.

Concordia students, who often have limited or no contact with their own grandparents are rewarded by this shared time as they take an older resident for a walk, play checkers, share photos, etc. The known result for students is that they appreciate doing things for others and when that becomes a part of their early learning, it is much easier for them to continue serving as community volunteers in high school and on into their adult years.

he First United Methodist Church, 6201 Belcrest Road, invites the community to experience an ancient meditative device, a prayer labyrinth, on July 22 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. A prayer labyrinth is one of the oldest contemplative and transformational tools known. They have been used worldwide since the 12th century for prayer, meditation, and spiritual growth.

Labyrinths were a feature of many medieval cathedrals and are still in use today. Unlike a maze or puzzle, they have only one path and are interactive installations for spiritual journeys.

Participants walk the labyrinth slowly, as an aid to reflection and spiritual exercise. Walkers can contemplate the deeper things of life—in particular relationships with themselves, one another, the planet and God. The church prepares their Fellowship Hall with candles, music, and literature so walkers can easily engage in prayer, quiet time, stress reduction and right brain activity. Caretakers are available to answer questions and encourage participants.

The path has three stages­—the “inward” journey, the center, and

Harold Auto B ’s ody

Photo: Joan Martinez, HL&T

the “outward” journey. The theme of the “inward” journey is letting go of things which hinder wholeness and an inner approach to God. The center is a place for meditative prayers and peace. The theme of the “outward” journey is relationships—as seen in the light of your relationship with God.

Pool Party!

Donnalee Sanderson, a church member, said, “Walking the path is a time for letting go of the world, centering yourself, and preparing to enter the world again while retracing your steps.” The prayer labyrinth is available on the fourth Sunday of each month. For more information, call 301.927.6133.

There is so much good news in the Hyattsville Area.

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Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 12

New construction imperils local carnival

by Ronald F. Docksai Jr.

N

ew construction near the West Hyattsville Metro Station may force the Hyattsville-Mount Rainier-Brentwood Boys and Girls Club to find a new location for its annual carnival or cancel it for good, said club members in interviews this week.

“There had been some mention of activity at the site, and they don’t know how much longer it would be available for,” said Marc Tartaro, club president.

For over 15 years, the club has had a lease from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority to hold a carnival each spring in the parking lot adjacent to the Metro tracks on Chillum Road. The carnival has served as an annual fund raiser for the club’s activities. This year’s

DEVELOPMENT Continued from page 1

least of which is traffic, which is getting to be quite a problem,” said Barbara Carlson of Hyattsville.

Developers said they would consider adding a shuttle service to the Prince George’s Plaza Metro station. Although the site is within walking distance of the station, 2,669 parking spaces are planned for the development.

The development, which was recently revised from its original 2001 site plan, was approved at that time by Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission. In its current form the proposal includes two 16-story buildings integrated with two parking garages, rooftop pools and recreation areas, said Megan

carnival, which ran from March 28 to April 8, raised $10,000.

Club Treasurer Wes Catron said that some have raised as much as $20,000.

This is about to change, however. The transit authority plans to sell the site to the Queens Chapel Shopping Center. The new ownership plans to build a new grocery store on the lot.

When that happens, the club will need to find a new site to hold the carnival.

“Our ability to have a carnival will be a problem after that,” Tartaro said.

Catron said that the club will probably hold a final carnival at the intersection next spring. The transit authority and the shopping center will not finalize the sale until next year.

“The Metro told me everything is a slow process,” Catron said.

He said that it might hold future carnivals on the grounds of the Prince George’s Plaza shopping center. The club had held several carnivals there before it began holding them at the intersection.

Bramble, an attorney with Rifkin, Livingston, Levitan & Silver, a Greenbelt-based law firm representing the developers.

The project was previously slated to be all condominiums, but developer Marvin Blumberg is beginning with rental units.

Plans are in flux regarding threebedroom units since they are not permitted under current zoning without a waiver unless the units are condo. The original plan in 2001 was an apartment complex which consisted at least in part of some three-bedroom units.

Blumberg said that the developers are trying to listen to residents concerns regarding the project.

If the project is approved for condominium sales, the units would cost $400,000 or more, developers said. Plaza Towers East, an existing 11-story high

Today, it would be a far more expensive proposition. The current ownership is asking for rental rates nearing $20,000.

“I don’t know if we’ll be able to swing it,” Catron said.

The club may have a cheaper al-

ternative if the Giant supermarket on Queens Chapel Road closes down, as is anticipated. The closure will leave a vacant lot that the club might be able to rent.

“If the store closes, part of that lot will be vacant for a while, and the owner may let us use the carnival there. There’s a possibility of that,” Catron said.

It is a possibility that Catron and other club members are counting on.

“There’s really no other property we can get,” he said.

Harvey Maisel, the shopping center’s owner, said that expanding the center will better meet the needs of the neighborhood’s increasing population.

“The hope is to redo the shopping center to accommodate a potentially changing demographic,” Maisel said.

He said it would also better serve

the numbers of Metro riders, which is likewise increasing.

“Metro transportation has become more and more popular these last several years,” he said.“This project is about improving proximity of services to these greater numbers of people,” he said.

Maisel said that he does not yet have a final plan for construction.

The site presents certain difficulties.

One is the closeness of the water table to the surface, which makes building any deep foundations almost impossible.

“The area…presents some significant environmental issues,” he said.

Maisel said that he will develop a proposal and submit to the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission later this year.

“It’s up in the air right now,” he said.

rise, will be incorporated into the development.

Hyattsville Mayor William Gardiner said he is watching the development progress with his eye on the city’s needs.

“The Landy proposal is challenging due to its size and possible impacts,” he said, adding that it would benefit the city for Blumberg to scale down and offer some housing available only to seniors.

Other residents expressed concern over the impact that the project could have on the environment. Mikey Lewis, a University Park councilman, warned developers of a danger to children playing near a creek running through the site.

“I would be scared to death to see a child go in that creek and come out with whatever disease,”

he said. Lewis suggested environmental stop gaps like retention ponds for water runoff.

Although the development is not certified “green,” some environmentally friendly elements were added. Storm drainage would be diverted into plantings and the amount of paved surface was reduced, said Tom Madden, a landscape architect for the project. A wooded buffer would be kept between the development and Northwestern High School.

Residents suggested that the influx of people into the area could cause unmanageable pressure on already crowded schools nearby. Additionally, University Hills’ resident Tim Hunt has concerns regarding who the developers are trying to attract to these units. He is also worried about the environment. “The duck

pond is gonna be messed up. We want to know the long and short term effects on the environment,” Hunt said.

Developers stressed that the impact on schools would be “less than a normal project”. But the addition of 3,000 potential new residents, many of whom could be school-age children, did not set well with some.

Gardiner said he has requested funding to expand local schools in response to development in the city.

“We need to ensure our school capacity and quality improve to attract and keep families in our community,” he said.

According to Prince George’s County Public Schools, Northwestern currently holds about 2,700 students; Nicholas Orem Middle has about 700 students and University Park Elementary has about 600 students. Developers are considering partnering with a charter school in order to minimize the impact on nearby schools, Madden said.

The project has been before the Hyattsville City Council twice and to the Prince George’s County Planning Board three times, said Maureen Foster, cochair of the Hyattsville Planning Committee. A county planning board hearing on the project is scheduled for July 12.

Construction could begin on the development in summer 2008.

It will be built in phases and will likely take about eight years to complete, Madden said.

This project is about improving proximity of services to greater numbers of people.

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Neighborhood opens doors to ‘Arts District’

h&RANKLINS IS AWESOME v O

n June 16th developers EYA hosted a grand opening of their new model row homes on the former Lustine property on Baltimore Avenue at Longfellow Street.

Hordes of people swarmed the models and toured the old Lustine car showroom, which is being converted into a community center.

According to Aakash Thakkar,

n0UBCRAWLER COM

EYA development executive, over 500 people toured the models.

Thakkar said sales have gone better and faster than expected at this point of development. A total of 78 contracts have been written for the first section of 130 homes, he said.

The first residents of the project have now moved in. Welcome to Hyattsville!

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Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 14

Bullshot: good sportsmanship, darts and board 37

by Scott Wythe

T

he large hotel conference room was filled to capacity. The attendees mingled about on an early Saturday morning, bleary-eyed and mostly silent. Cigarette smoke spiraled to the ceiling. There was tension in the room; the kind of tension you can feel in your ears. Nobody was sitting, although there were a few chairs spread throughout. Whatever walking there was took place in tight circles, lips moving in private pronouncements with eyes cast downwards. An amplified voice would occasionally slice to the bone, bracing us for the marching orders we either relished or dread.

“Scott Wythe, Board 37” blasted from a nearby speaker and froze the muscles in my chest. As I approached the makeshift wooden structure that held my destiny, I questioned God, the Universe, and all the forces that brought me here to try to win the 1987 U.S. Open Darts Championship.

I had thrown my first dart about a year earlier, fooling around at a bar during a World Series rain delay. The place was a beer and popcorn joint called Mr. Eagan’s, located in a slowly deteriorating building off Dupont Circle in Washington, DC. Inside, about 4 or 5 dartboards ringed the small seating area, and usually a game or two was in progress. The downstairs held even more boards and was a little more raucous. I had been a regular for years, but was intimidated by darts and all the rituals that seemed to go with it.

With the World Series on hold and few patrons in the bar, my friend Ed and I decided to try our hand at darts, borrowing a set of “bar darts” from the bartender. The three darts were each a one-piece formed hunk of plastic - the kind that comes in a child’s toy set.We didn’t care; we had our beer, a night ahead of us, and some inkling of how to keep score.

Thus began one of the most memorable periods of my life; one in which

I captained a team that won a City Championship, in which Ed become one of the best shooters in the DC area and I become one of the worst (a horrendous shooter and almost historically bad), and in which I would end up shaking with fear as I prepared to throw my first dart in the U.S. Open.

Ed and I threw darts that night until closing time, establishing our own ritual to be repeated many times. We started meeting more and more often to practice, and eventually worked up the courage to one night put our initials down on the chalkboard, signifying a challenge to the current players using the board.

I had never seen a good set of darts up close before. The guys we were playing against had these cool-looking, stream-lined instruments, which had pieces you had to screw together and thin, decorated, aerodynamical flights which you inserted into the back of each dart. Both these guys even had a cylindrical dart sharpener they kept on their key chains. Ed and I were sharing these single-piece plastic toys. Our opponents consoled us, saying that they too sometimes forgot to bring their darts, and wouldn’t we rather throw with theirs? People owned their own darts?! I felt like I had gone with a plastic hammer and a Bob-the-Builder T-shirt to a Habitat for the Humanities event. Embarrassed and feeling like wimps, Ed and I proceeded to get our asses kicked.

As time went on, we purchased our own darts and kept on playing. Eventually, we found out that Mr. Eagan’s had two teams in a local dart league, one team of very good players, who played in the “A” division, and the other a collection of inaccurate-shooting and otherwise dangerous misfits who played in the “B” division. After a brief trial, Ed was asked to join the “A” team, while I was told to show up for the “B” matches and maybe they could find a use for me.

Matches were held every Wednesday night, and I showed up as directed to the old Tucson Cantina, where Mr. Eagan’s B team was scheduled to play.

B division was a much more “social” league than was A division, which was all business. Everybody was having a great time and the captain (a fellow named Grog) put me in at the end of the night. I managed to do all right, and later in the year, when other shooters started showing up late or otherwise unfit to play, I inherited a regular spot in the rotation.

It doesn’t take long for bad dartshooters to forget what day they’re supposed to shoot or that they’re on a team at all. Quickly, through attrition, I became the captain of the team, trying to organize eight hard-drinking, funloving heretics to show up on time and at the right place. Rarely did those two requirements coincide. I was vested by the authority of the league to pull uninterested patrons off their barstools and deputize them as one-night members of “Eagan’s Irish Connection”.

That team name had been passed down for years, but didn’t really reflect the spirit of the team any longer.

One of my first acts as captain was to change the name of the team to something more fitting and that today, in 2007, would attract nothing but ire and venom. But back then, poor judgment or feeble attempts at humor was never confused with genuine misanthropy, so the following year we took to the line as “The Disoriented Nude Women”.

That name won over the other choice I offered the team,“Castrati.”

The downstairs at Eagan’s by this time had employed a bartender named Victor. Victor acquired the habit of selling stuff from behind the bar which can be charitably described as “offmenu.” There was more rolling paper than toilet paper at Eagan’s during this time, and I, like you, never inhaled.

Eagan’s basement took on a renegade character, and after hosting a team party

courtesy of Victor’s take-out menu, we became “Plan 9 From Outer Space”.

The whole team watched that awful movie 3 times in succession, and is one of my most cherished partial memories.

Victor eventually had to flee the country. His spot as Eagan’s downstairs barkeep was filled by Ginny, who became the Den Mother to the dart league. Ginny was great, but had never seen a place like Eagan’s before.

She didn’t have as casual an attitude as Victor did to the rodents that skirted around the basement floor during evening hours. One night, I arrived around midnight and the five customers at the bar were quietly sipping beer while baiting rat traps Ginny had provided. Each customer had an oldfashioned snap-trap onto which they were spreading restaurant-provided peanut butter. When I walked in all I could say was “Well, you can count on Zagat’s knockin’ a star off for this”.

Eagan’s A team, with my friend Ed now it’s star, became the consistent winner of the City’s top dart prize. My team, Eagan’s B, “Plan 9”, lost almost every week but started to develop an interesting character. We became famous for buying our conquerors a round of drinks, something never before done. The winners are supposed to do that.The league created the first ever “Good Sportsmanship Award” for us. Eagan hung that plague prominently, right up there with all the A division hardware.

With a consistent line-up and karmic good fortune, Plan 9 eventually won a City Championship in B division. We never had come close before and we never came close again, at least while I was captain. When Jimmy Eagan closed his doors in 1999, I had been long retired from darts, but Plan 9 was still active, and had become the longest-lived active team in the league.

For all I know, they’re still around somewhere.

As a captain, I never wanted to put my own name in the line-up. I was always the worst shooter on the team, but my teammates would insist that I play at least the “301” portion of the match, if for no other reason than the laughs they’d get.“301” is a shortened version of the professional game, “501”. It is a subtraction game, amplified by areas of the board that offer double and triple points. It is considered by most to be the purest form of darts. Sometimes I could pull of an upset, but rarely did I ever pull the winning dart from the board.

One season was a particular travesty.

“301” is a best two-out-of three contest. You’re expected in B division to win at least one leg of the three every now and then. I started the year with 10 consecutive match losses, but did so without winning a single leg along the way.Two straight losses every week. My record per game was 0-20.The League Director (a guy named “Smoke”) went to the history books and found, with one match left to go, I was about to accomplish something never before done. No one had ever gone an entire season without winning a leg.

With the whole damn league aware of this, I lost the first leg that final week. In the second leg, a dart I was throwing clicked off my glasses, flipped

stupidly through the air and landed in the right place to give me my only victory in a game that entire season. I was destroyed in the third and deciding leg.

Instead of being historically bad, with my name carved in stone, I was just another lousy shooter.

Fear of failure at darts never concerned me. I didn’t like losing, but every so often you’d throw three amazing darts that you just knew where going to bury themselves in the board just exactly as you willed them to. Golf is like that. We all suck at golf, but we play for that one moment, when we nail the green in two and hole out with a 15-footer. I’ll never use a short club off the tee for that reason; you’re there to try - to find that moment when you finally get it right and it all comes together. In ten years of shooting darts, I had precisely zero such moments, and in twenty years of golf, exactly one.

There are striking similarities in the mindset required to play either golf or darts. You have to play as if no one is watching, you have to relax and you have to visualize. You’re fighting your body’s reaction to tension. But there is a more simplistic difference. Golf is a game centered on mastering your movement; darts is a game centered on out-drinking your opponent.

I have played over 100 rounds of golf drinking nothing stronger than iced tea and enjoyed every horrible moment of it, but I would never, ever, think of throwing a dart until I was well into my third beer. Ask any dart shooter if he or she does it differently.

Darts and beer go together like golf and bad slacks. Darts are always played at night, golf never is. Story-telling, bragging, and jokes are as integral a part of darts as the 19th hole is to golf.

So it was to my horror that I saw the 1987 U.S. Open Darts Championship which I had entered was to begin at 10 am.

I arrived with Ed around 8 am, to get used to the surroundings and to see how other shooters were handling such an uncivilized starting time. By 9 am, most of the shooters had cracked their first beer, and some were well past that. I’ve never had a beer at 9 am, except for the times in college when I’d been up all night anyway.

All I could do was to grab a few cups of coffee and hope the event would be cancelled. Dart shooters from every State in the Union were present; anyone who traveled more than 100 miles to be here was here because they were the best player that State had to offer.

I was there because the event was in Arlington,Virginia, about 5 miles from my house. These guys wore embroidered shirts with their accomplishments sewn in with metallic thread.

I had on a stained Crosby, Stills, and Nash T-shirt.

I was so far out of my league that I suggested to Ed that I just bolt. Ed had become a great shooter; he had no fear of embarrassment. Without the atmosphere and liquid courage a traditional dart bar offers, I had no chance. Even worse, I was now shaking so bad from the coffee that I could barely hold a dart.

“Scott Wythe, Board 37” the speaker screamed again. I flustered about,

DARTS Continues on page 15

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 15

Summer Jams!

DARTS

Continued from page 14 looking for the jerry-rigged plywood mounting that held that particular board.A lot of carpentry went into this event; about 50 boards were hung on huge sheets of plywood. Not a sound was made except for the phftt, phfft, phftt, as each practice shot buried itself into the bristled construction of a professional dart board.

Standing at Board 37, awaiting my arrival, was the State Champion of Utah. For a moment I thought maybe this guy would be equally hindered by sobriety, but such was not the case.

Crumpled beer cans marked his spot, and an entourage of followers watched his every move. A rock star. This guy was so good he attracted a crowd from around the room when he shot.When

I showed up at the board, an Eagan’s shooter just happened to be there watching and all he said was “Oh, God”.

You throw one dart at the bull’s eye to determine who goes first, and that first shot is determined by a coin toss.

I won the toss, and elected to go first.

The U.S. Open was underway, with 50 simultaneous matches going on. All was silent, except the phftt, phftt, phfft.

I pulled my shaking right hand back to cast a single dart at the bull’s. I’d done it a thousand times, rarely winning but always making a presentable case.

Maybe now, Lord. Please.The dart left my hand and landed in the plywood backing with a thwack that echoed throughout the hall, stopping everything. I can still hear that sound today.

Every match within 30 feet was disrupted by the insult. I had missed the

board by a good 10 inches.

The rules of darts stipulate that a shot for bull’s eye to begin a game must land in the field of play. I had to try again. By now, I was almost weeping with fear. I knew, and I suspect you now know, what happened next.

A second thwack, as loud and incongruous as the first, and all players again stopped to look. Necks were really craning now.

I still had to land on the board, so I took my last dart and threw it lefthanded, a trick I’d employed before when nerves got the better of me. It landed on the board, but nowhere near the bull’s.

Utah killed me in the first game, before I ever got a chance to begin scoring. When he hit his winning dart, he turned to me to perform the obligatory handshake, muttering the equally

obligatory “good game”.

There was still at least one more game to go. An Eagan’s guy came up to me and said “Dude, settle down. If you came here to get noticed, you’re doing that”.Thanks, man. I started out better, at least hitting the board. Utah was throwing beautiful darts, but missing by millimeters. I began to hang my darts like loose teeth in very highscoring areas. Needing one dart to win, I launched it, felt it slam into the side of my glasses (my signature style), and watched along with everyone else as it flipped in the air and landed point-first exactly where it needed to go. I pulled the dart out before it could fall, turned to Utah, offered my hand, and said “good game”. I felt like a fraud.

I had won a leg in the U.S. Open.

Utah was one game away from wasting thousands of dollars on airfare, on ho-

tel accommodations, and on a twelve pack of morning Heinecken.

Ed was beaten in two straight. He was there to witness my destruction in the third leg of my match. I was the only Eagan’s shooter to win a leg that day. Utah lost in the second round.

I don’t shoot darts anymore because I can no longer handle the rituals that go with the game. But I frequently find myself on the road, sitting in a dart bar watching the younger kids throw.

When I see a pathetic shooter willing to lose but out to have fun, somehow an unordered beer shows up at his table. And at the end of the night, if his friends have left and he’s still shooting, I’ll go up and put my initials on the board. And I tell him a story.

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 16

Ottley music offering more than just a few notes

by Michael Martucci

M

usic changes over time whether it is the neo-romantic period of the 20th century, jazz, or Rhythm and Blues.

Nevilla Ottley sees the current trend of students coming back to what is melodic and harmonious. Sounds like that may be just what the world needs now to calm the savage beast. Along with her business partner and husband Edgar Adjahoe they are offering more than just music to students. They are imparting that very intangible quality music and performance often rewards its students.

In the overstressed fast-paced tempo of the modern world music is likely to propose an opportunity of tranquility to people’s lives.

One location offering instruction in the healing benefit of music is the Ottley Music School and the journey this institution has trekked is nearly as inspiring as its song.

Nevilla Ottley who was born in Trinidad was a likely candidate for a life in music. Her parents required her and her three siblings to learn an instrument in addition to regular piano instruction.

When her family came to the U.S. during her childhood Ottely began a voyage that she is still sailing. As perhaps one of the few home-schooled children at the time, the intricate family support became an integral part of her philosophy and success. Building on that groundwork she attended school in California. She attended

Caribbean Union College in Trinidad through the junior college level before furthering her degrees from Andrews University in Michigan. It was work and further study attending Catholic University that brought her to the D.C. Metro area.

Ottley has a wealth of historical knowledge of composers, artists, conductors and countless musical forms.

According to her research, her family genealogy includes Elizabeth Ottley who reportedly was a musician and pianist that rubbed elbows with members of the Bach family in London.

“Music has been important in the Ottley line of our families,” she said.

The school, which began modestly in 1973, originally was operated from Ottley’s home. As it grew branches

were established in several locations.

Now the current Hyattsville location has centralized operations for the estimated 200 students currently enrolled.

With numerous rehearsal spaces for every type of instrument form harp to steel drums, the Belcrest Road location has enough space for more than 500 students.

Pupils at the Ottley School of music range from age eight through their mid-60s with each expected to perform on an advancing level of performance.

Whether for fun performance or talent development, it is easy to see that the plain spoken Ottley has the gravitas to help any student toward success. The private lessons include many opportunities to perform and progress within a student’s field of choice. There are recitals monthly, gigs throughout the area and abroad, and work toward development of a full symphony orchestra.

One of the major factors in assisting students is support from one’s family and home life. The more a student has this support the greater the potential of a student might be achieved, Ottley said.

To ensure the wide range of inschool support Ottley has 18 teachers on staff offering lessons in piano, voice drums, dance, strings guitar, woodwinds, brasses, steel drums, opera, drama, orchestra, and chamber ensembles.

The walls of the school are loaded with pictures of great musicians of all talents and Ottley has a capacity to impart lessons on them all. She is an author, composer, conductor and entrepreneur. Many world leaders exceed to lofty heights in their lives because of the discipline that a music appreciation and foundation has afforded them.

This is part of the unique outlook at the Ottley Music School. Music is assistive to life.

“We are providing music experience for all ages,” Adjahoe said.

The visitor that spends any time with Ottley or the staff will surely know that there are as many life lessons of expression that the school imparts.

There has been work with schools in Prince George’s County that the Ottley School has assisted with in mu-

Nevilla Ottley

sical education. There are a number of students for whom public support has been invaluable including the likes of the county and Maryland Arts Councils respectively.

For all of the obvious rewards Ottley has seen distress. The most disappointing thing is when a student with real talent just stops. For such a music aficionado as Ottley it is hard to watch great talent throw it all away. Fortunately that is a rare occurrence.

“We need to get the word out there,” Ottley said. “There are a lot of people who still don’t know that we’re here.”

Ottley also would like to see the orchestra become a major force for pulling musicians together from Hyattsville and the greater Metro area. The school seeks to give every opportunity for their students to perform. Currently one is starring in the Prince Georges County Summer Teen Theater as Belle in Disney’ Beauty and the Beast. Others have just recently traveled out of the country to perform.

Ottley said she is indebted to the support of Hershel Blumberg, the developer of University Town Center, for his support with the school and the developing orchestra. She has great hope for its future including preparing and performing more operas from a growing student base. Adjahoe also wants to make sure from a business standpoint that the public realizes what a valuable resource is now in the city limits.

For lessons, pricing, curriculum and other information contact the Ottley Music School at 301.454.0991 or Email: contact@ottleymusic.org. Visit their website at www.ottleymusic.org.

Town center offers good, green homes

by Stephen Clements

U

niversity Town Center recently offered a tour of its two condominium buildings nearing completion just across the street from the new Royal 14 Movie Theater.

There are a number of unique features incorporated, particularly in the smaller of the two buildings. It has a very distinct shape—the front facade is bowed out and the front exterior wall is clad in zinc panels.

The reason zinc was chosen for these panels is that it is very light weight in it brings a sophisticated color and texture to the building. It also increases insulation capacity.

This building also has the first “green” roof built in our area. The first layer is made of live plant material, including a number of different shallow rooted plants. These are set

into a soil composition that can be adjusted for maximum efficiency and vitality. Beneath the soil layer, is the reservoir board, which includes the drainage and retention systems. This is the structure enabling plants to receive water. Imagine plastic like containers with little round cups across the bottom. The water runs into this when it rains. Plants drink the water.

As in nature, the roots find the pools of water. The other water goes into the next level—the base of the board and is drained off the building. All of this sits atop a waterproof membrane set on the roof base.

The Town Center continues to be a hub of activity. Restaurants including The Five Guys restaurant likely will be the next business to open in the complex, according to Catherine Timko, town center spokeswoman.

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 17

Photos: Ashby Henderson

DOGGIE DAVINCIS Continued from page 1

however.

Terri Cuppola, who describes herself as “muscle” for organizing the event, remembered one year where they had “Cats for Culture” in addition to the dogs.“It was pouring down rain and hardly anybody showed up,” she said. “We never did cats again after that.”

CAFRITZ

Continued from page 1 the company about possibilities for a store on the property. “That’s all we can say at this point.” Bell also showed maps of possible hiker/ biker trail routes, some of which could link with other trails in the surrounding area.

“One of the challenges I’ve heard people complain about trails in this area is how to link all these places,” he said. “This site could help be that missing link.”

Having stores and housing within walking distance of each other could help stem additional traffic brought

Angelina Doonis, 8, brought her dog for the paw painting and the doggy look-alike contest. She and Dozer, a six-year-old yellow Lab, both wore blue bandanas around their necks. “I wanted to come here with my puppy,” she said. “He’s very friendly.”

Entered into the doggy dress up were a dog with a basketball jersey and shorts, a “scuba diver” with a life vest and a snorkel. Holly and Berry ended up winning 3rd place. A couple of “hippie dogs” who showed

up late got special awards. One wore a curly black wig, a tie dye scarf and bell-bottom pants.

During the owner-dog lookalike, one man wore a rope around his waist and a white shirt and black pants to match his dog, which was black with a white spot on its chest.

He won first place. Angelina and Dozer won second place.

“Nobody forgets,” said Cuppola.

“Lots of dogs I see year after year, we always get a good turnout.”

to the area by development on the property, Bell said.

“If you design it right, then it will be a development in which people can walk to where they need to go rather than have to drive to Georgetown,” he said.

Riverdale Park resident Adele Ellis praised the inclusion of senior citizens’ housing in the list of proposed developments but urged caution over building new retail space. “I fear they’re overbuilding, and the stores are going to end up empty,” she said. “We already have empty stores and empty office space.

There’s a limit to how many stores you will need in the area.” However, opening some small stores

for the residents in the immediate vicinity would be a boost for the area, she said.”It’s nice to have a few little stores for the people that live there...,” she said. “Yoga classes, dance classes, cafes and things like that would be wonderful. But we don’t need a new supermarket.”

Riverdale Park resident Alexandra Lippincott echoed Ellis’s concerns over the proposed Whole Foods.“We already have a lot of grocery stores in the area,” she said.“Gourmet Safeway would be somewhat competitive.”

The Cafritzes plan future meetings to further discuss the plan and get more community ideas for the final proposal on July 26, July 28, Sep. 15 and Sep. 18.

A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 18

Hyattsville middle School school news News

by Gail Golden hat is happening at Hyattsville Middle School now that school is out? Of course, staff members are participating in workshops and staff development to help them to prepare for the 2007-2008 school year, the Year of Parents as Partners. Others are cleaning the school to make it look shiny and new when the students report back to school in August. Still others are examining the test scores and making plans to help students

month of school was a busy, productive one for the staff and students at HMS. After a year of increased testing to comply with the No Child Left Behind legislation that requires schools to meet certain standards regarding student test scores) everyone was ready to relax, to enjoy each other’s company, and to make a few lasting memories. One half of the school prepared to leave for high schools in the area. Although most of the eighth grade class is headed to Northwestern High School, about 20% of the class will attend Eleanor Roosevelt,

the annual Broadway Review and Silent Art Auction. Each performing arts group presented representative pieces from current and previous Broadway plays, while the Visual Arts students displayed their work proudly for all to see—and buy.

Edryn Coleman conducted the Chorus at HMS for the last time as he prepared to move up and out becoming Music Specialist for the [Prince George’s County] school system. He will be followed by Priscilla Neely, an experienced chorus and general music teacher.

address the needs reflected therein.

Some are working on records of students leaving and/or coming to HMS, building the master schedule, and scheduling students for classes.

The administration will be meeting with the parents of students who experienced difficulties during the 2006-2007 school year to make 2007-2008 a better year for all. They are working with Human Resources Department [to] locate replacement teachers or staff for those who are leaving HMS for a myriad of reasons - many this year, are leaving for retirement. Look for more information about the opening of school.

Registration is held daily at HMS from 8:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

For those who missed it, the last

Parkdale, High Point, Suitland, Bladensburg, DeMatha, High Schools, the Madieira School, and numerous other private institutions in the area. Therefore, it was especially important for those students to have closure to their years at HMS. Students were treated to the last of four multicultural assemblies for the school year, chosen to highlight the Culture of the Month. Shizumi, an artist, dancer and storyteller, shared her culture with the students as they celebrated Asian Pacific American Month; Shizumi was contracted through Class Acts and has been to HMS several times in the past ten years All of the Creative and Performing Arts students at HMS participated in

The school’s annual awards program saw the largest crowd ever assembled as parents watched their children and loved ones be recognized for their many successes academically during the school year.

An athletic banquet served as a culminating activity for the recognition of the HMS students for this school year long theme “the Year of Victory� in the Classroom.

On June 14, the last day of school, all students were given favors in the cafeteria by the principal—some might call them leftovers, but the students who chose their own selections were happy to have one last memory from HMS. Gail Golden is principal of Hyattsville Middle School.

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n 2006 after years of giving rowing instruction at other outlets Cynthia Cole founded her own school. Despite the name, The Washington Rowing School offers classes at the Bladensburg Waterfront. The transplanted Cole, originally from upstate New York has been a resident of the D.C. Metro region since 1979. Having spent many years as business manager for a boating repair establishment she not only knows the financial aspect of boating, but also the sport and recreation that can come from it.

In Boston during her college years she was part of the rowing establishment, perhaps because she sought to do something different. With that departure from the norm Cole found additional benefits. “Fitness is a pleasant side effect,� she said. “It just feels so good to do.� This hobby and sport has played a significant role in a portion of her life. It has her eyes open. What she is seeing is an attraction from the public to an endeavor that she finds exhilarating and freeing. “So many people know

how much fun rowing is,� Cole said.

She is excited as she finds the sport in rapid growth. She has taught at the Potomac Boat Club, and has trained individuals and crews in all sorts of settings, from the novice to the experienced, for decades.

Susan Dorn, a University Park resident, is one of Cole’s students.

She said that the intense workout is working wonders for her physical and mental health. “[Cynthia Cole] is a laid back, but intense instructor; supportive and positive,� she said.

During participation at a regatta Cole hit on the idea of offering classes at the Bladensburg waterfront. The water there - sheltered, very calm, and with few pleasure crafts to interfere - is an ideal location for rowing instruction, she said. And her enterprise is just being launched. As a coach at Walter Johnson High School she got to know the facility and the renovation that took place at the waterfront.

Cole is looking for students, adventurous and otherwise, to participate in her rowing program. Each session lasts about an hour and a half.

Cynthia Cole

Over the course of five outings, Cole is confident that anyone can become competent on the water, learning to row properly and very likely having the time of your life. “I just love when the light goes on and you see it in their eyes� she said, adding that in her experience people usually find out early on how much fun this activity can be.

ROWING SCHOOL Continues on page 20

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 19

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Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 20

Local theater group prepares for July premiere

by Thomas Johnson

T

he Production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast by Prince George’s Summer Teen Theater late this month and early next will culminate 38 days and over 106 hours of rehearsal for the cast and crew a schedule of performances are slated for the Bowie Center of the Performing Arts.

Until then, these teens will continue rehearsing Monday through Thursday, learning blocking, dancing, and getting into the mindset that will allow them to present the fantasy world of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast to an audience.

Gabriela Sotomayor, 15, of Adelphi, plays the lead role of Belle.

She found out about the program through a friend, and auditioned in May. This is her first year in Prince George’s Summer Teen Theatre.

“I’ve been doing theater for about four or five years,” she said. “My all-time favorite role was probably playing Sandy in Grease which was only my third show.”

Sotomayor described the audition process as a bit nerve-racking because it was her first big audition outside of elementary, middle, and high school.

“I was very excited when I called my dad after school to hear the news,” she said. “Just getting a callback was enough of an accomplishment for me.”

All members of the troupe, whether they are playing a lead role or are part of the ensemble cast, are encouraged to develop their characters.

Allison Bucca is a member of the ensemble cast, sometimes playing the town bookseller, and at other times an enchanted plate in Beast’s castle. The biggest hurdle of being a member of the chorus is being content with the role one has been given, she said.

“The most challenging aspect in being a part of chorus is humility,” she said.“You can get pretty bummed from not being a lead role and having the chance to be in the spotlight. It can be hard to find your place among so many others and to stand out in

ROWING SCHOOL Continued from page 18

What's happening in your area of the city? Tell us what you'd like to see in future issues of HL&T CONTACT:

Michael at 301.864.5621 or Sarah at 240.354.4832

“Students can go one of two different ways, recreational or competitive,” she said. Cole knows intimately about both having won her share of rowing trophies plus the stress relief and fitness that her sport can bring you.

“You might get hooked” she said.

“You might get in a boat and say this is great.”

Of the fitness aspects Cole says that rowing requires your whole body, its strength and stamina. If you don’t have any of that at the beginning of your sessions, you certainly will develop them. Those are byproducts of the active learning

the middle of all the commotion.

But once I find contentment in serving the leads humbly by moving the show along, being a chorus member can be lots of fun.”

Bucca, 19, is in her second year in the program. She keeps a blog about her experience in the program at www.patuxentblogs.com/bucca Mia Athley, a 16-year old Hyattsville resident is also a member of the chorus.

“As we all know, being a chorus member is a very multifarious role,” she said. “We are the foundation of the whole show. Juggling all the different parts is a bit difficult at first, but you get used to it.”

For Bucca, the cast this year has come together faster than during the previous year.

“This year the group became really tight, really fast,” she said. “Last year it took longer for us to feel like a group. Perhaps that was just because it was my first year and I didn’t know most of the people.”

Bucca said she has never been in a production where the cast has learned and remembered things so well and so quickly.

This optimistic attitude is one that

THEATER GROUP PREMIER Continues on page 21

Local theater group celebrates 40th anniversary

by Thomas Johnson

W

hen Prince George’s Summer Teen Theatre premieres Disney’s Beauty and the Beast on July 27 at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts it will mark a milestone.

It will be the group’s fortieth production since its inception in 1967.

Producers Marguerite Connolly and Rick Bergmann claim that the group is the longest running theater program for teenagers and young adults in the country. Both are determined to make this year’s production a testament to the longevity of the program. “[In choosing Disney’s Beauty and the Beast] we were searching for a show that we had not done in our previous 40 years,” said Bergmann. “We were also looking for a show that would stretch us as a group, challenge us to be creative.”

“We consider this anniversary as a special time in our program,” Connolly said. “The

process of rowing, she said. It may sound challenging but Cole alludes to the pleasure of it that so many people discover once they get on the water. “You have to concentrate on both oars and balancing the boat” she said. The occupation of your mind is where one finds the relief.

As Cole explains it: “It’s meditative.

It requires all of your focus.”

The sport is expanding according to Cole. The physical benefits available to a health conscious America might be driving it, but the all-body activity is one now being discovered by beginners and master’s alike.

Whether Cole is instructing in sculling (two oars per person) or sweep rowing (one oar per person) she is athletically fit and enjoying herself to no end. She wants to

board wanted to create a unique show that would be big and would allow us to showcase the great things our program can achieve.”

The troupe was established in 1967 with the assistance of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and the Beltsville Recreation Council. The program’s first production was Lil Abner. The subsequent thirty-nine productions have included South Pacific, Grease, The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma, and many others.

While the current producers were not involved at the start, they do draw some conclusions about the show’s early years.

“Some of the shows require large casts, so there must have been great interest in our program in order to put on the first few shows,” Connolly said.

“People who come to their first show with PGSTT are always pleasantly surprised by the quality of our productions.”

THEATER GROUP ANNIVERSARY Continues on page 21

share that experience with others because as she puts it “the public doesn’t know about rowing.” Cole aims to change that. She thinks the experience itself will propel beginners onward. She suggests that once individuals become competent in rowing then they become proficient, and speed becomes a motivator.

Cole is working toward buying a fleet of shared boats. In a sport that lends itself as much to recreation she gets “a huge kick out of starting people rowing,” and she’s betting that you could be next in discovering rowing as a source of immense pleasure.

For information on rowing classes contact Cynthia Cole at 202-3440886 or visit www.washingtonrowingschool.com.

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 21

THEATER GROUP PREMIERE Continued from page 18

is shared by the directors who have given their time and energy to the show, though the rehearsal process has not been easy. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is an extremely popular show, which can present challenges when teaching music which some of the cast is already familiar with.

“I think my biggest challenge has been getting the singers to go back to the music as written,” said Mark Hildrebrand, music director. “Because many people have heard other recordings of the songs being performed, they learned many of the styles and interpretations made by the recording artist. I have tried to teach the songs as they were written, and then encour-

THEATER GROUP ANNIVERSARY Continued from page 18

Public recognition and response to the productions is something that has increased over the last several years.

“Our typical shows until 2000, when we did Hello Dolly, attracted about 200 people per show,” Bergmann said. “We have steadily built an audience since then.

Our audiences typically range between 300 and 400 now.”

The group has always strived for excellence, but that there has been a gradual change in how the program operates as a group throughout the years Connolly said.

“We have made small changes to the productions in the last couple of years with our silent auction, our larger size program, our emphasis on mentoring young people through our program, and our encouragement of alumni to give back to the program what they have learned,”

age the PGSTT actors to add their own interpretation and style.”

Another challenge in staging this particular show is the fact that many of the actors are playing enchanted objects in the Beast’s castle, and therefore have to act, sing and dance in heavy costumes. This is something that has to be worked around when Nicole Hagey, director of choreography, is thinking up dances. “[Blocking actors wearing enchanted objects’ costumes] has been a very big challenge,” said Hagey.

“I always have to be thinking... well can this character kick that high in their costume...or can that character move like this when their dressed like a huge cabinet. It hasn’t been easy she said. “The involvement of [directors] Matt [Thorpe], Hark [Tagunicar], and [choreographer] Nicole [Hagey] is the result of this encouragement. We have also made an effort to include as many teens as possible into our cast.”

The biggest change Bergmann he has seen in the group since he became involved has been making the cast and crew more of a family, he said. “Even after teenagers have grown up and gone

but I’ve enjoyed the challenge.”

But what is it about the program that attracts teens and makes them want to come back?

According to Bucca and Athley, the friendly atmosphere is what makes it unique.

“This show is special because not only will it be amazing due to the talent of the directing and the choreography, but also because of the love and care we have for one another that really shows through our performance on stage,” Bucca said .

One of these talented crew members who is not as heavily recognized is Traci Dougherty, who handles ticket sales, ushers, silent auction, concessions, souvenirsand anything that happens on the audience’s side of the curtain.

“My job is seen mostly by the audience not the cast,” she said. “If I don’t get noticed it means I’m doing my job.”

Beauty and the Beast will be performed at 8 p.m. on July 27-28 and at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Aug. 4. A matinee at 1 p.m. on Aug. 1 and at 2 p.m. on Aug. 5 will also be offered. All shows will be held at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at the door.

on to other things, the group still tries to keep tabs on them,” Bergman said. “This has been a challenge for us, because currently most of us only go back about 10 years.”

The family atmosphere of the troupe is what many involved highlight as something that makes it unique, and some of the most memorable moments for the producers in the program relate to that sense of closeness.

“During my first year with PGSTT, my first tech crew member was this child, Emily Reams, who came up to me and proceeded to tell me what I was doing wrong,” Bergmann said.

“Emily turned out to be a better stage manager than I could ever hope to be.”

Beauty and the Beast will be performed at 8 p.m. on July 2728 and at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Aug. 4. A matinee at 1 p.m. on Aug. 1 and at 2 p.m. on Aug. 5 will also be offered. All shows will be held at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are available at the door.

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Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 22

The BackPage

by Giosue’ Santarelli

H

ow is one person’s junk another’s treasure? You could say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but backing up one cliché’ with another is likely to have the word police hunt down a writer and slap him silly with a thesaurus.

So let’s just say that people have differing views as what falls into the realm of valuable.

Have you ever driven through the neighborhood on trash day?

Very often some piece of discarded furniture will catch your eye. It’s like passing an accident where you know you shouldn’t stare. Human nature being what it is however, the surplus travesty found can have you envisioning all sorts of things.

Inside your head a little voice says, “Hey that would look nice in our pleasure room. It’s like you see right past the scars and the way the whole thing tilts at a 25-degree angle. You could solve that problem and nail that sucker to the wall. It’ll be perfect. You can see it in place in your mind’s eye. At times like this some-

one needs to smack your mind and put some glasses over its socket!

Of course you find the occasional refrigerator, couch, or table that looks in better condition than what currently occupies your abode. It becomes tempting to trade the neighbor’s garbage with your own in-use furnishings. Talk about curbside appeal! No one wants to negotiate with the trash man to keep it from his clutches. Trash men are sort of like mail delivery folks. They have their appointed rounds, and some customers even give them Christmas cards. Grab that three legged table from the trash pile as he’s reaching for it and you might have a skirmish on your hands. No one wants the embarrassment of negotiating with the sanitation engineer. After successfully bargaining the item from the grips of the city dump wagon, how tacky it is if you are seen smuggling refuse from someone’s heap and lugging it up the street? It’s better to wait for midnight, to make your move on that glorious early

One man’s ceiling American replica yet legless foot stool. Not to worry—you know the perfect place for it!

Many times before these cherished pieces hit the street

attend these functions. They scour the classifieds and pay close attention to telephone pole sign postings of such impending loot freefor-alls. You’ll know a pro because they are the one’s that show up considerably earlier than the start time listed on the yard sale announcement. Usually seasoned yard sale shoppers are eyeing the goods as the owner is still in set up mode or for the real hard core early cases while the seller is still in wake up mode. When a purchaser finds something they want it’s no matter to them that they are there before the sun comes up. Even if the owner is in their bathrobe they start in with the inquisition. They ask questions like a drill sargeant at Paris Island [South Carolina] inspecting new recruits. So many questions are asked that the annoyed owner offers them the family heirloom armoire for a buck ninety eight just to shut them up and move them along before the bulk of the crowd really shows up. What the heck, they’d like to shower and have breakfast before a long day of selling anyway. These early shoppers are usually the persnickety type; sort of like your Aunt

Yard Sale an owner will try to unload it at a yard sale. Another favorite American tradition, this display of “crap I no longer want”, can be found in most towns and cities on any warm Saturday morning. Of course there are quasi-professional consumers who

BIKE TO WORK

Continued from page 2 bragging to coworkers of my biking exploits, I realized that I still needed to bike home. I called one of my cohorts in the “Hyattsville Biker Gang” that worked nearby and off we went. This was a much more enjoyable ride as we were able to take a few more back roads and stay away from traffic. I got back in about 35 minutes. Not bad considering it takes me at least as long to drive in on most days.

Now that I knew it could be done, my next adventure was trying it out on my own. So, up on the bike I went and off to work. I quickly realized that riding an “SUV” type mountain bike with wheels roughly the size of Bigfoot from Monster Truck Fame really slows me down.

I started thinking about a nice racing type bike with thin wheels that let me coast for longer periods. This thinking stops quickly as I go over countless potholes, drainage gates, road kill, garbage and other bumps

Bernice! She’s your parent’s sister that is always snickered about at the family function by those gathered in the kitchen while she is creating more controversy at the dinner table.These experienced yard sale folk want to out-do the average schlub and grab up all the good trash before the rest of us get there to find even slimmer pickin’s.

The dregs of the yard sale usually end up in the last round up where the trash truck has it in its sights.

Still if it piques your curiosity there is no telling what lengths you’ll go to have the neighbor’s selected castoff replaced by your own reject at your own curbside.

Of course there are many times when roaming through the housing development you’ll see something and say, “Geeze, can you believe the Joneses had such a dilapidated relic on display in their showplace of a home? It looks so bad that it could belong in our house.” Usually you have such a high opinion of the Joneses and their mantle boasting picture perfect smiles with an appropriate portrait fitting of being on the cover of Life magazine. These two beautiful people with four lovely children have make-up and style down to the quintessential art form. It makes the rest of the neighborhood look like a gang of refugees from a third world nation who has just arrived via garbage scow. Nevertheless it is in their hideous reject where you could conclude that this glimpse of reality proves that they are no better than you, at least beneath the surface. In fact that couldn’t possibly be true. They have their groceries delivered, drive fancy cars and don’t pick through other people’s garbage.

Their discards are usually the treasures for the rest of us. For them the sky’s the limit. After all one man’s ceiling is another man’s floor. Look out! I hear the waffling sound of a word police thesaurus being aimed at my noggin.

in the road. I’ll keep my Hummer tires, thank you! Things went really well on this ride. I was able to find the perfect route that kept me out of traffic for a lot of the ride. People in cars were generally good, but then it only takes one.

Since Bike to Work Day, I have ridden in about twice a week. It takes me a little over a half of an hour and really is not that difficult. I have become more comfortable on the road and not squeamish about riding in traffic. So much so that I find myself running yellow lights, tailgating cars, not using hand signals, going to fast, ringing my bell and so on. When you are driving, I ask that you remember to watch for bikers. Know that it is more difficult to pedal than to push on a gas pedal so let them go through the intersection first. Keep room between the car and the curb so a biker can get by on the right. Lastly, before you make a right hand turn, please make sure that no crazy bell ringing, fast biker is coming up behind you.

–Jim Groves

He who laughs last, laughs slowest.

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 23

Hyattsville Life&Times | July 2007

Page 24

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