Dog park for Dog Days of Summer! See story on page 3 Vol. 5 No. 7
Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper
Cyber city
Massive snakehead caught in Hyattsville
What the Internet means for Hyattsville by Sarah Nemeth and Jessica Wilson
phy of an official city listserv that keeps residents informed about events, meetings and other community information. The listserv has been available
cess of the city keeping residents and business owner’s informed,” Murphy said. Another forum for community discussion is the Hyattsville H4X Podcast. Ward 2 residents Chris Condayan, Tim Rogers and Greg Tindale host the show – which has not aired in original form since January – where they discuss local happenings. The site is chock full of interviews and snippets of radio clips for residents to listen to. Condayan and Rogers, next-door neighbors, would toss ideas back and forth over the fence separating their properties. The banter finally morphed into something a bit more “official” with the podcast. “Think of a podcast as radio
Cyber continued on page 15
Photo|Megan Roberts-Satinsky
"We believe those services are important and integral to the success of the city keeping residents and business owner’s informed."
Photo|Sarah Nemeth
I
n the age of the Internet, keeping a community close is just a click away. In Hyattsville, various sources of content online and ways to surf the Web keep residents in touch and technically savvy. For residents, the city’s Web site offers updates on community and government issues, as well as links to send e-mails to the city officials. “The city utilizes many different types and forms of media to communicate to residents,” said City Administrator Elaine Mur-
since August 2000 and currently has 719 members and anyone can sign up by sending an e-mail to hyattsville-subscribe@yahogroups. com. As a member of Hyattsville’s IT committee, Matthew McKnight said redesign of the city’s Web site is top priority. “This is sorely needed,” he said. “The current Web page is difficult to navigate and is based on outdated technology. The city would also like to offer more e-services to its residents - something that I think they have had a lot of requests for - and would like to have a Web-based process in place for tracking citizen requests and archiving old documents.” While vendor requests are being culled for that project, other Web projects are getting on-boarded. In April of this year, the Hyattsville Police Department initiated its Safe City Alert System. This system provides 24/7 member access to important alerts regarding local public safety issues, Murphy said. Alerts can be received by e-mail or text message. “We believe those services are important and integral to the suc-
July 2008
Environmental scientists Justin Reel and Mike Schening display a snakehead taken from the Northwest Branch in Hyattsville.
by Chris Currie
A
sea monster was not what Justin Reel, Lauren Wanzer and Mike Schening expected to encounter during a routine stream survey of Hyattsville’s Northwest Branch on April 30. As part of the Wilson Bridge Mitigation Project, the environmental scientists were electroshocking the Anacostia tributary below a fish ladder at U.S. Route
1 in order to measure the spring runs of anadromous fish such as herring, gizzard shad, alewife and white perch. As they worked downstream into a deep hole under the CSX train bridge, the Potomac Crossing Consultants biologists found themselves nearly as shocked as their electrified prey. A 28-inch snakehead fish - one of the largest ever captured in U.S. waters
Fish continued on page 10
Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781
Tax break offered through city, state by Adam Copeland and Chris Holleman
A
t a June 2 meeting, the Hyattsville City Council passed a motion to draft an ordinance that establishes a 15 percent supplement to the state of Maryland’s homeowner property tax credit. If this ordinance is enacted, the City of Hyattsville would provide some tax relief to qualifying Hyattsville homeown-
ers. Because this program is administered by the state, homeowners need only apply for the state’s homeowner property tax relief program to be considered for this new Hyattsville property tax credit. The idea behind a Hyattsville tax credit came out of a Property Tax Task Force. The City Council established this task force to look at “taxes across the board but focus on tax relief for residents, particularly those having fixed income
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit # 43 Easton, MD 21601
BB&T Building Turnvoer
See story on page 10
or limited incomes,” according to council motion #08-01-08. The Task Force met several times over the beginning of this year, mainly looking at different tax relief programs for homeowners with limited incomes. The group quickly focused on tax credits which would be administered by the state, since this approach allows for comprehensive qualifying criteria and because the state does not charge for its services.
Local Historian Moves On See story on page 5
After extensive debate over the scope of the tax relief and whether qualified homeowners would have to be over 70 years of age, the group reached a consensus that age should not be a part of the tax relief criteria. This was done out of concern “for those Hyattsville homeowners, such as teachers and police officers, who have sacrificed material wealth to pursue careers
Tax continued on page 11
Local Summer Secrets See story on page 3
Center Pullout Section: The July 9, 2008, Issue of The Hyattsville Reporter
Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
Page 2
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Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
Page 3
Living a legacy
Prominent resident moves, leaves mark on Hyattsville by Sarah Nemeth
B
Photo|Sarah Nemeth
Miriam Howe settles in for a quiet evening with her pets in her historic home on a sleepy summer night.
“There are a lot of places where you can live where you’re kind of anonymous,” Howe said as she sat on her crimson sofa in the home’s parlor. “Here I probably know everyone walking by, if not them, I know their kid’s name … if not, then I know the name of the dog they’re walking.” And though it’s time for Howe – a past president of the Hyattsville Preservation Association and vicepresident of the HPA’s Hyattsville Historic House Tour – to move on from the grace and quaintness of Hyattsville, her time spent poring over the city’s past is something she cannot leave behind. Howe, who served on the Board of Directors for the HPA for six years, has lived in the Hyattsville area several times. Finally, in 2001, the attorney moved to the corner of Emerson and 41st, and sunk her teeth into indelible Hyattsville. “[History is] a lifelong interest but I’ve never been involved with it professionally,” she said. When she moved to her current home, Howe got involved with the HPA through friend Sharon Sweeting, who formerly worked with the group. “I think they wanted a place for their pool party and I had a pool,” she said with a smile. From 2002-2007 the HPA did, in fact, hold its annual splash party at Howe’s house. On July 7, Howe boarded an
by Sarah Nemeth
W
ith the amount of inquisitive noses sniffing out the city, snouts to the ground, it certainly would not take the likes of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle to have the makings of a novel, “The Hounds of Hyattsville.” What Hyattsville does not have is a place for pooches to mingle, socialize and run free of their leads. Maryland has a law that requires dog owners to keep their animals under control with a leash. The need, however, is about to be met with a new one-acre dog park planned for the far end of Heurich Park at Nicholson Street and Ager Road. County Councilman Will Toby, a yellow Labrador Retriever, can only go so far in his back yard Campos (D-Dist. 2) has set aside with a cable attached to his collar. A dog park in Hyattsville would about $100,000 for the building allow him and other dogs to run freely in a fenced-in acre of land. of the park, said Brad Frome, a Campos aide. The group also will be responwhy the larger bay will be grassy. “We have heard from a lot of There are some areas of the sible to provide liability insurance people about the need for a dog site, which is adjacent to a tree for the park. park,” he said at a June 11 commuA similar group manages the conservatory and just south of nity meeting held at the Hyattssome M-NCPPC ball fields, where College Park Dog Park, located ville Municipal Building. water collects, she said. M-NCP- at Acredale Park on Metzerott Eileen Nivera, of the MaryPC is likely going to plant a few Road. land-National Capital Park and That group’s liability insurance trees in these places to soak up Planning Commission, said the costs about $800 annually and it some of the water. area will be enclosed by a six-foot There will be no water source charges its members about $40 a high black, vinyl fence, and a shelon-site because of the expense, piece for their first dog who uses tered area for benches and tables. Nivera said. If water is needed, the park, Nivera said. The dog park will be situated Frome said members of the patrons will be required to bring west of Heurich Park’s playground, it to the site with them. Campos’s park would not bear this expense. with a 200-foot long pathway Charlene Howard, of Mount office is working with the City of leading from an existing parking Hyattsville to bring a water source Rainier, is a member of the Collot to a small, handicap-accessible, to the park, but did not want that lege Park Dog Park and said she enclosed lobby area, where ownhoped that M-NCPPC would issue to delay things, Frome said. ers can remove their dogs from Campos’s office is setting up pick up more of the tab for the leashes. Another gate will serve a membership committee, made Hyattsville venue. as an entrance into the larger play “Membership has gone up and up of residents, to ensure park area. rules are enforced and garbage is down [in the College Park group] The park itself will have a and I would hate to see this park collected. grass floor, but the lobby area will The volunteer group will decline,” she said. “Animals are be lined with stone dust to prevent enter into a use agreement with getting singled out … [there is] it from becoming muddy. M-NCPPC and will maintain liability at all parks, kids get in Stone dust has been known communication with Campos’s fights. I’m really hoping [Hyattsto cause foot injuries to dogs and office when needs or other issues ville] will see the success of Colmulch often retains the smell of arise. dog urine, Nivera said, explaining DOGS continued on page 12
Photo|Sarah Nemeth
ehind a host of hydrangeas, camellias and azaleas, the home of Miriam Howe and Dean Stackler stands – a jewel in the neighborhood of 41st Avenue and Emerson Street. With its sprawling gardens and outdoor pool, the house typifies what Howe calls the Historic District’s “charm.” It makes one wonder why there is a “For Sale” sign out front.
airplane bound for Chicago, where she will work as a legal overseer with responsibilities in the states of Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan. While living in Hyattsville, she was an attorney for the Internal Revenue Service, with an office in Greenbelt. With her law background, Howe was also able to volunteer her services to the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation. She also served on the CDC’s board of directors for a time. “Although we were thrilled for Miriam’s good fortune in obtaining such a prestigious and hardearned career advancement, we were disheartened at the prospect of losing her as a neighbor, advisor, and close by friend,” said Stuart Eisenberg, Executive Director of the CDC. “What a loss to us all and to Hyattsville. “As a board member, Miriam has been very supportive of the CDC’s mission: a highly ethical guide, and an effective advisor. Her tenure as the Hyattsville CDC’s legal counsel was marked by her expertise, productivity, and I’m sure we’ve had the drollest contracts and agreements in the county.” Her husband, Dean Stackler, will stay behind until their home in Hyattsville sells. Throughout her tenure with the HPA, Howe has worked on projects like the mural on Baltimore Avenue at Centennial Park; the preservation of the former Lustine Showroom; and with resident Andra Damron on an photographic history of Hyattsville – scheduled to be published this fall. “I think from when I was very young my father was a history buff so there were always lots of history books around,” she said. Howe’s great-aunt Laura founded the historical society for North Salem, N.Y. and conducted much genealogical work. Both of Howe’s grandmothers, who were southerners, had relatives who fought in the Civil War, and often told stories about the south. “I grew up hearing a lot about these relatives, so it was an amazing thing,” she said. Howe can also trace her lineage back to Theodore Roosevelt and Winston Churchill and through them to the Mayflower. She said keeping up with the past is vital for Hyattsville to retain its eclectic charm. “A lot of what’s attractive to me is the past, but another attraction for me is … Hyattsville has its eyes on the future,” she said. “What we’re living now is Hyattsville’s history.”
Hyattsville gets park for pooches
Write to us The Hyattsville Life & Times would like to hear from you. Send your thoughts and opinions our way by e-mailing Sarah at hyattsvil lelif ean dtimes@ gmail.com or by writing to P.O. Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781. Letters must include name, address and phone number of sender (addresses and phone numbers will not be published) and will be considered for publication in the following issue. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.
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Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
Page 4
Editor's Opinion
by Sarah Nemeth
Freedom and the Internet
A
s a child in Generation X, I grew up being introduced to many of the technological conveniences that we enjoy today. Cell phones came along when I was in junior high school (though they weren’t the sleek little ones we see now; they looked more like gray bricks). My family used “rabbit ears” most of the time, but cable TV was available for those who could afford it. We had a computer – one of those old Texas Instruments models – but it didn’t come with a mouse or any “drives” as we know them today. We had “cartridges” with games like Pac Man on them, and we played using the arrow keys and other buttons on the keyboard. No World Wide Web. No instant messaging. No e-mail. The advent of the Internet - which in my house was not until 1999 - to the masses in the 1990s truly made Earth a small world. Of course, we had the dial-up version of the Internet for years, so audio and video streaming were new to me in 2006 when we were finally hooked up to a high-speed cable Internet connection. Now I listen to services from my home church just south of Buffalo, N.Y. from my bedroom in Hyattsville. I see photos of my niece and nephew on a regular basis thanks to the MySpace social network phenomenon. I can even take a short video of my puppy playing with a new toy and send it over the computer to my aunt in Madison, Ind. While we enjoy the access we have to volumes of information literally at the push of a button - I wonder if we appreciate it fully. In some countries – Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Myanmar, China and Saudi Arabia – access to certain Web sites is restricted, especially if those sites are religious or political in content. Even though the free flow of information into our lives via technology such as the Internet can, at times, be cumbersome and overwhelming, we never once have to stop and think about whether we can access the Web site of our senators. We can freely discuss events at local churches without concern. On a recent visit to the National Gallery of Art, some friends and I couldn’t help but be inspired by a large carving of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution on the façade of the Newseum at Pennsylvania Avenue and Sixth Street in Washington, D.C. I was internally blown away by the thought that not only do we have the freedoms included in this amendment – press, religion, speech – but because of it, we also have the freedom to post our rights publically. I hope we take full advantage of the freedoms we have. The next time you log on, boot up, surf or IM, remember the huddled masses that don’t have the same rights.
COMMENTARY & OPINION ON HISTORY & POLITICS
Anonymous sources
O
n June 17 the Book Nook on Baltimore Avenue hosted a discussion about proposed federal legislation that would protect journalists from revealing anonymous sources. They could not be forced to reveal their sources, even in civil suits brought by those whose reputations have been injured by false allegations originating from such sources. Peter Spiegel, the Pentagon correspondent for the Los Angeles Times and attorney Mark Bailen spoke in favor of the legislation. The event was sponsored by the Media Law Resource Center. Spiegel and Bailen said the law would facilitate the “free flow of information.” Other professions like priest confessors, medical doctors and attorneys are not forced reveal confidential client information, Bailen noted. Journalists, he said, should be given the same protection. It should be noted, though, that unlike journalists, people in these professions do not trumpet their information to the world, with possible serious consequences for innocent parties. The “free flow of information” of the sort that the proposed legislation would facilitate led to the invasion and occupation of Iraq. Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and Saddam was linked to Al-Qaeda according to anonymous sources in the New York Times prior to the war. Spiegel defended protecting sources of false information. “To give up a source hurts your reputation,” he said, adding this could interfere with the free flow of information from the good anonymous sources. He said news organizations that do not permit stories from anonymous sources “do their readers a disservice.” This would include the Hyattsville Life & Times. To make sure there are good anonymous sources Bailen said, “There are going to be some bad sources...people who abuse the system...and unfortunately we might have to protect those individuals in some instances.” Bailen admitted that sometimes innocent citizens have been falsely accused in the press. The late Richard Jewell was accused of being the Atlanta Olympics bomber, Wen Ho Lee was accused of spying, and Stephen Hatfill was accused of being the anthrax murderer. Rene Descartes wrote, “It is a mark of prudence never to put our complete trust in those who
Hugh's News
by Hugh Turley
have deceived us even once.” It is remarkable we have reached a point where American journalists tell us we must be fed false information in order to know the truth. The legislation should be called the Slander with Impunity Law, (SWIL). Even the dead are not immune to slander from the press. Respected columnist and broadcaster Drew Pearson claimed America’s first Secretary of Defense made four suicide attempts. Pearson provided no details and named no sources. Spiegel responded to this by saying, “[Forrestal] did jump out a widow and kill himself.” Asked how, as a journalist, he knew Forrestal jumped out of a window, Spiegel responded, “I read it in a book.” It was news to the Pentagon correspondent, who majored in history, that the official report on the death of James Forrestal was publicly available.
This was reported in the Hyattsville Life and Times in December 2007. The official report did not conclude Forrestal committed suicide. American history books, often from second and third hand sources, have the facts wrong about the death of America’s first Secretary of Defense. The best available source of information is the official report, which includes the official records and testimony of the individuals who were present in 1949. After the meeting Spiegel examined Forrestal’s alleged “suicide note” from the official report and a sample of Forrestal’s handwriting obtained from the Truman Presidential Library. Without hesitation he agreed the suicide note did not look at all like Forrestal’s handwriting and called it “a fascinating news story.”
HUGH continued on page 12
(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. To submit articles, letters to the editor, etc. , e-mail Hyattsvillelifeandtimes@gmail.com. For inquiries re advertising rates or to submit ad copy please email to Hyattsvillelife@Yahoo.com. Sarah Nemeth, Executive Editor 240.354.4832 or betweensundays@gmail.com Ashby Henderson, Photographer Jessica Hanff, Publication Production
Colleen Aistis Steve Clements Bert Kapinus
Writers/Contributors John Aquilino Keith Blackburn Ashby Henderson Phil Houle Michael Martucci Hugh Turley
Board of Directors Christopher Currie Matthew McKnight Tim Hunt Bert Kapinus Sarah Nemeth 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.
THE PUBLICATION DEADLINE for articles and letters in the August issue is Friday, July 25th
Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
Page 5
Hyattsville moms support City may purchase Hamilton Street building by Sarah Nemeth each other Help for moms just a click away
by Olivia Overman
T
Photo|Sarah Nemeth
somebody else nearby is also up is kind of comforting,” said Renee “Absolutely invaluable,” - two Beesley, a member of the “Foxy words used by one new Hyattsville Moms” subgroup. And trying to mom to describe the help she and understand why you are up durher family received following the ing the night can invite so many thoughtful e-mail responses with birth of their first child. With the unexpected arrival of ideas for something to try, she her daughter four weeks early, the said. This particular subgroup has home-made meals delivered by the Hyattsville Nurturing Mom’s about 20 members from which group to Amanda Eisen and fam- Beesley receives both emotional and the social support she needs in ily, were a tremendous help. Born out of an informal gather- her life. Movie nights, book clubs ing at one woman’s house, Hyatts- as well as the priceless information ville Nurturing Moms, became a shared among members help build more formal group about three a sense of community that is diffiyears ago, said Julia Gaspar-Bates, cult to find in other communities. “The group makes Hyattsville one of the first members of the group. Since then, membership has feel like Mayberry,” Beesley said increased from six to over 90 moms of the opportunity for moms and who meet every few weeks for play children to bond and form frienddates, moms’ nights out and just ships that may last a lifetime. Nurturing Moms goes far simple get-togethers. Through the HOPE (Hyattsville Organization beyond just dealing with moms for a Positive Environment) list and children’s issues. For Gasparserve, moms in Hyattsville con- Bates, sending out an e-mail in the nected and formed a network of morning looking for recommendations on a support for one mechanic another. The group makes good resulted in five W h i l e the group as a Hyattsville feel like responses in just a couple of whole is large, Mayberry hours. it has been broHer group, ken down into “The Wild specific subgroups with each one named after a popular children’s Moms,” spearheads a community book. Who knew a group called service group involving outreach “The Wild Moms” could provide to moms in need, working with such a bonding, strong support the Hyattsville Police Department system? Each subgroup helps cre- on an annual toy drive as well ate and build an intimate network as contributing to the Alternaof moms who, from all accounts, tive Gifts Fair around Christmas. More recently, a group of moms are there for each other. “When you are up in the mid- took part in discussions about dle of the night, just knowing improving the elementary schools
he City of Hyattsville is considering purchase of a building that is now a branch of BB&T bank at 3505 Hamilton Street to use for some city activities and to lease to entities whose habitation in Hyattsville would benefit the community. According to recent legislation, the city is looking to, “facilitate the co-location of organizations
that provide a range of community services, including … music, art or culinary schools or programs; contract or charter schools; after-school programs, services to seniors, youth or other specific groups.” A request for proposals is currently out and responses are due to the city by August 4. “I would like to make sure we are going forth with something that is good for the city,”
The "Mustard Building" at 4318 Gallatin St., is undergoing structural rehabilitation, including the nearly completed roof replacement. The main building will house a two-story high assembly space with a 230seat capacity. The development plan unifies the upper story into a single accessible level. The Gallatin Street side will be redesigned as a retail facade to provide access to street level office or retail spaces and enhance the appearance and utility of the building.
said Councilman Anthony Patterson (Ward 3) at a City Council meeting. “We should pay attention to what the consultant says with caution. [There is] a good deal of investment up front.” The 19,500-square-foot building sets on about one acre of property just east of the intersection of Hamilton Street and Queens Chapel Road. The city has entered into a contract with BB&T – who is building a new location on East West Highway – to possibly purchase the property, which is assessed at about $2 million. The contract price for the City of Hyattsville would be $950,000. The property will likely be available in early 2009, and no later than fall 2009. The City of Hyattsville would retain use of a portion of the building for public meetings or other related activities, according to legislation. Most of the building would be leased to other entities, and the proceeds from those leases would be used to pay for the city’s purchase of the building. Though some residents and some councilmembers oppose the possible purchase, Mayor William Gardiner said having the property will allow the city to reach more residents who live in the western portions of the city.
BUILDING continued on page 14
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Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
Page 6
Who is at risk for acid wear?
A
by Ronald Grossman, D.D.S.
Photo|Dan Foy
patient’s lifestyle has clear ties to their dental health. They are keeping their teeth longer than ever before, which raises new concerns as they age. Modern life styles present a range of challenges to teeth that were not prevalent in previous generations. Acidic diets and stringent oral hygiene habits can contribute to tooth wear and acid erosion. Medications, eating disorders and acidic foods contribute to the loss of tooth structure. Many people sip soda, sports drinks and carbonated beverages throughout the entire day. This prolonged acid
attack prevents saliva from neutralizing the acidity or re-mineralizing the enamel, a process that takes several hours. Because saliva has a lot calcium and phosphorus, it helps to prevent the loss of tooth structure. Initially, as the enamel wears off, the teeth may become shiny and smooth looking, and then later develop a dull appearance. As the enamel continues to thin, teeth may appear yellow due to the underlying dentin showing through. After these stages, the structure and form of the teeth may be irreversibly damaged, pro-
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gressing from small cracks to fractures. An additional complication that can result from erosion is sensitivity. As the enamel Is worn away areas, dentin may be exposed. Erosion cannot be reversed, but preventive measures can be taken to slow or halt further progression by dietary adjustments and changes to oral health regimen. A soft toothbrush and high- fluoride toothpaste can be beneficial because fluoride helps to re-harden softened enamel. Regular dental treatment and the use of dental products containing fluorides and the avoidance of acidic foods can all be beneficial in the treatment and management of erosion and sensitivity. No one is immune to erosion, but education and heightened awareness can help patients prevent serious damage as they are. While erosion can take years to accumulate to the point where dental treatment indicated, proac-
HUGH continued from page 9
Asked if he would report the news to the public Spiegel said, “I’ll have to discuss this with my editor.� So much for the free flow of information. The public is not well served when our history books contain history that is false. It would be truly Orwellian should it become the law that anonymous sources of false information are to be protected. The December 2007 edition of the Hyattsville Life and Times mentioned in this article can be found online at: http://cdn4.libsyn.com/csuspect/HLT1207.pdf tive patients can begin to define their teeth from erosion right away. Maintaining healthy smiles and optimum dental health for decades to come is a goal for all to achieve.
Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008 in the area.
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Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
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From The Hills by Tim Hunt
July 1st, 2007, to officially start providing services and charging property tax. There was much debate among neighbors as it was difficult to discern exactly how much a home’s property tax bill would increase. Well, we know now. So, are we getting our money’s worth? “Absolutely,” replied Tom Slezak, president of the University Hills Area Civic Association. Slezak was instrumental in circulating the petition for annexation among residents and is pleased with the level of service provided by Hyattsville. According to Slezak, since annexation, 25 unlicensed vehi-
Happy in Hyattsville?
A
t the one year anniversary of the University Hills neighborhood’s annexation into the City of Hyattsville, feelings are mixed among neighbors as to whether or not we are getting services that are in line with the extra property tax now being imposed. After holding a referendum for annexation in 2006, the city, taking advantage of increased property assessments, waited until the start of the new fiscal year,
cles have been towed out of our neighborhood, police responses to service calls have occurred within minutes of notification, leaves have been vacuumed and the streets have been plowed on a timely basis. In addition, issues concerning overcrowded rental properties have been investigated and resolved and there has been less congestion on certain streets because of an effective “resident only” permit parking system. Slezak appreciates that he and others have more familiarity with local issues, concerns and events with receipt of the Hyattsville Life & Times, the Hyattsville Reporter and the city’s cable television channel 71. He also applauds the “excellent” representation from our two elected City Council members. “With street repaving on the horizon, I have an attitude of gratitude towards city staff and
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employees. Thank you Hyattsville!” Randy and Rose Fletcher moved to University Hills in April of 2007 from Cheverly where Randy described the town services to be “excellent.” The timing of their move, however, produced an unfortunate surprise. “Rose and I were both in shock. We hadn’t anticipated a tax increase on top of our new mortgage,” stated Randy in response to whether or not he feels as if he is getting his money’s worth from the City of Hyattsville. “That said, I think Hyattsville provides us with excellent trash and yard waste removal,” he said. “They have been very helpful over the phone when we’ve called in special requests.” Jim Menasian, after voting for joining the city, definitely does not believe we are getting our money’s worth. “When the petition for joining the city was first passed around, there was no mention of Hyattsville also annexing the high-crime rate areas of [the Mall at Prince George’s] and the Towers at [University Town Center],” he said. “The fact that commercial property in Hyattsville is taxed at exactly the same rate as [owner occupied] residential property also doesn’t go down well with me.” “While I definitely believe it is every citizen’s duty to pay taxes, I also believe it is every government’s responsibility to provide services. And therein lays the rub. I honestly cannot say I experience any better services as being part of the city than I did before we joined. My garbage and recycle collections are no better. My snow removal is no better.” “The one area I was hoping to see a greater improvement [in] was in code enforcement. But, there too, I have not personally witnessed any improvement,” Menasian said. “There are still multi-family houses in our immediate neighborhood, there are still noisy parties late at night, and there are still the ubiquitous barking dogs at all hours.” “[P]erhaps there is one area where we received something positive. When a matter comes before the [Prince George’s] county, we now have city representatives, who presumably have more influence than mere citizens, who could voice our concerns.” Currently no neighborhood concern is more pressing than the location and size of the new Hyattsville area elementary school slated to open in 2011. Local politicians have described it as a “coup” for the area to get funding for a school that would be completed by the fall of 2011 as opposed to waiting to get one built by the fall of 2015 which is what was projected by the county initially. At a public hearing conducted by the county Board of Education on June 19th at Hyattsville
Elementary School, state Delegate Justin Ross advocated for the county to build a preK-8 school on a proposed site next to Northwestern High School and the University Hills neighborhood. Hyattsville Mayor William Gardiner also had detailed ideas regarding potential sites. Never mind that there was no public information available as to what was going to be presented at this hearing until a seven-page document outlining the recommendation of the Nicolas Orem site and adjacent property was posted on the school district’s Web site on June 18th, the day before. This document did not contain any mention of the proposed school’s size (800 students) nor did it mention the other sites under consideration. Residents were left to discover those details during the school system’s presentation just before public comment was accepted. It is apparent that our local politicians at the city, county and state level have made a push to get this new elementary school in order to ease overcrowding without consulting their constituents and asking them what they actually want. In their haste, it seems as if the only option available is squeezing in a mega-school at a site that is considerably less than ideal. It would behoove our elected officials to proceed with caution. Schools of the size being considered diminish the sense of community an area has and are especially not a good idea with elementary school-age children. Educational trends such as the open classrooms of the 1970s and the preK-eight programs currently being discussed in the county come and go. Such measures are often done to cut costs, regardless of what those promoting the initiatives say. What works consistently is community involvement in a neighborhood school. Looking into the crystal ball and envisioning the near future for University Hills and other Hyattsville residents is daunting. Will our 5-year-olds be riding the bus with eighth-graders past the unhitched truck trailers and debris on Editor’s Park Drive on their way to school at the Nicolas Orem site? Considering that the school overcrowding problem would be “solved,” will our elected representatives allow development such as the Landy project behind Northwestern High School with its seven 16-story apartment towers and exemptions to laws that govern how many bedrooms units may have and how many parking spaces may be allotted to each unit? Meanwhile, will current residents be left to wade in the mess created by poor planning? Whatever happened to Hyattsville being “a nice place to live?”
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Page 9
Things that go, ‘clank!’ by Bert Kapinus
I
don’t know, maybe it’s my older age, but recently I have seen a couple of signs that just seem to go “clank” (The sound of a sour note). If you travel north on U.S. Route 1 at the Beltway or take Md. Route 202 toward Upper Marlboro, you will see signs that say, “Prince George’s County: a Livable Community.” My first thought when I saw these signs was, were they intend-
with it. Did someone actually get paid to create the idea that Prince George’s County was a livable community? I certainly hope not. I’d like to think that there was a contest for picking a phrase to describe the county which was limited to people whose IQ’s ranged from that of a stalk of broccoli to a Chesapeake Bay clam. My second clank award goes to whoever came up with the billboard next to the bridge over the railroad tracks in Hyattsville
dants.” He probably had been sitting there for at least a month or longer trying to figure out how to market the green tea. Certainly saying something like, “This green tea has a lot of antioxidants” doesn’t really have a buzz about it. Nor does “Antioxidants
are good for you, try our green tea.” I personally would not have used the word embrace. I would have said, “Suck up our antioxidants” or “Get your esophagus around our green tea”. It used to be when drinks were advertised, there would be an effort to market their delicious flavor or their ability to quench your thirst, or some other attraction to
one’s senses. No longer can a drink taste good, it also has to have a health benefit. I have a feeling that all of the conceivable marketing ploys have been used up and we will be seeing more clanks. Come to think of it, this entire piece may be just one big clank.
How about saying Prince George’s County is a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious community?
ed to reassure anyone who may think that the county is either a toxic waste dump or a nuclear accident site? I can understand such signs being erected in Chernobyl, Ukraine. I don’t understand why you would put such a sign in Prince George’s County. I would really like to understand the message that the signs intend to convey. To me, livability would be a minimum standard for human existence. Arguably, a malaria-ridden swamp would be livable if you had enough mosquito netting to keep the feisty creatures off of you. It seems however that the idea behind the signs was to convey some sort of positive or favorable image for the County. “Livable” strikes me as mediocre at best. How about saying Prince George’s County is a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious community? The other thought I had when I saw the sign was who came up
advertising Canada Dry Green Tea. The sign shows a bottle of Canada Dry Green Tea and then the words, “Embrace the Antioxidants.” According to the dictionary, “embrace” is defined as a verb meaning “to take or clasp in the arms lovingly.” I have a lot of trouble with “Embrace the Antioxidants.” First, I have no idea what an antioxidant would look like even if it were to come up and bite me on the ankle. I assume they’re relatively small because they’re contained in a bottle. Second, I think they’re probably so small that I really would have a lot of trouble getting my arms around one or even several. Finally, why would I even want to put my arms around an antioxidant? Are they fuzzy? How do they respond to an embrace? It must have been late in the day for the copywriter who came up with “Embrace the Antioxi-
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Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
Page 10
FISH
continued from page 1
mounted by a taxidermist and put on display at the Calvert Marine Museum at Solomon’s as part of a new exhibit on invasive species. DNR scientists estimate the snakehead to be about six years old, which means it could have been swimming in Hyattsville waters around the time of the first Maryland snakehead scare. In 2002 the Asian imports were found in a Crofton pond and then exterminated. Since then, snakehead populations have been identified in several places in the Potomac River watershed, including some reports of the fish in the Anacostia River. According to DNR biologist Scott Stranko, the snakehead is an invasive species and should not be returned to the water if it is caught. “We don’t want to encourage people to think of snakeheads as something desirable to have in our ecosystem,” he said. Although not the first nonnative fish to have invaded local waters, the snakehead has captured popular imagination. The creature’s size, exotic and ferocious appearance, aggressive predation on other fish, rapid reproduction and reported ability to survive for long periods of time outside of water, have contributed to its mystique. In Hyattsville, reports of the snakehead’s capture spread through the south side neighborhood bordering the Northwest Branch. On a recent June evening, several
children Crittenden Street perched residents catch on stream snakehead fever, but banks just no snakehead fish. above and below the fish ladder, trying their luck at catching the city’s second giant snakehead. Boys and girls held their fishing poles and stared intently at the murky waters, looking for some sign of their mysterious prey, while high above on the railing of the Route 1 bridge, night herons and the occasional passerby stared down at them. Asked if he’d ever seen a snakehead, Gregory Bowman, 5, answered that he had not. Nor did he have any idea what one looked like. Then why was he fishing for one? “Because it’s big!” he exclaimed. No snakeheads were caught that evening, although several redear sunfish kept the junior fishers entertained until the sun went down. They vowed to be back. After all, when you’re a kid, or a kid at heart, you really do believe the lines spoken by the boy in Dr. Seuss’ boo, McElligot’s Pool: “Cause you never can tell what goes on down below. This pool might be bigger than you or I know!” Indeed so, as three biologists learned in an unassuming little stream in Hyattsville this past spring.
Photo|Chris Currie
- emerged from the depths of the stream. “It was a little surprising when we shocked up the snakehead,” Schening said. “It was much larger than any fish we were expecting to capture and it made an exhaling sound when it breached the surface, kind of like a whale.” The toothy fish with a serpentine looking face had never before been reported in the Northwest Branch. “We typically electrofish smaller streams and very rarely capture any fish larger than a few pounds, so its size alone was surprising,” Schening said. “I didn’t expect them to be in that kind of stream environment. The stream there is relatively shallow, the bottom is sand and gravel, there is little cover and the water is clear and flowing quickly. My understanding is that they are ambush predators, like largemouth bass, and that they prefer still water with lots of aquatic weeds and in water cover, like branches and stumps.” After capturing the fish, the team placed it into a large plastic tote in water. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources was contacted and indicated that they wanted the snakehead alive. It was then delivered to DNR, which used the living fish for Maryland Biological Stream Survey training. The snakehead will soon be gutted and its carcass examined by scientists to provide clues about the fish’s history in the Anacostia watershed. Afterward, it will be
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DOGS
Page 11
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lege Park and what we’ve done on shoestrings.â€? Brentwood resident Rachel Kondor urged that the park be non-exclusive. “It’s good for the community,â€? she said. “Try to keep it as open as possible.â€? Kondor’s experience with membership at the College Park Dog Park, where initial visits must be made with a member, has prevented her from taking her dog to the park. “I tried more than once to call ‌ but I could never get a hold of them,â€? she said. “I gave up and have yet to be at a dog park. It was too much of a hassle.â€? Howard said the park has had a combination lock to keep out non-members. Initial plans called for separate areas for large and small dogs, but that idea has been nixed due to space constraints, Nivera said. Marlise Clements has taken her dog to the College Park location, where there were specific hours posted when small dogs could romp and play in the park. Plans for the park include refuse containers which would be emptied by volunteers into a larger Toter outside the park. The Toter
would then be emptied by a larger trash truck. Pet owners will be responsible to pick up after their dogs. The park could be open as early as this fall, but also possibly not until next year, Nivera said.
What’s happening in your area of the city? Tell us what you’d like to see in future issues of HL&T. Contact Sarah at 240.354.4832
TAX
continued from page 1
which contribute to the good of the town and its citizens.� (Hyattsville Tax Task Force Summary and Recommendation). Roughly in-line with the Task Force’s recommendations, the council’s motion calls for the Hyattsville tax credit’s qualifying criteria to include: • household income of under $80,000; • assessed home value under $350,000; • household assets of less than $200,000, not including house value and qualified retirement accounts; and • the home is the principal residence of the homeowner. This criteria is more generous than those for the state's homeowner tax credit, hence all those
eligible for the state's program are also eligible for Hyattsville's tax credit.
Some homeowners who are not eligible for the state homeowner tax credit will be eligible for Hyattsville's tax credit. In addition, some homeowners who are not eligible for the state homeowner tax credit will be eligible for Hyattsville's tax credit. In either case, Hyattsville owners apply for both programs by filling out the state homeowner tax credit application (Form HTC-60). When applying for the state's program, homeown-
ers automatically apply for the Hyattsville program. Application forms can be found on the State Department of Assessments web site (www.dat.state.md.us) or at City Hall, 4310 Gallatin St. The ordinance is scheduled to come back to the council for action in July. If the council enacts the tax credit program, the Property Tax Task Force will likely reconvene this fall. The task force then will consider how well the new tax credit program in working, evaluating, for example, if the criteria should be adjusted. As in the past, the task force is open to the public, and interested residents are encouraged to attend its meetings. Copeland and Holleman are members of the Property Tax Task Force.
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Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
Page 12
CommunityAnnouncements Celebrating safety
The “25th Annual National Night Out,” a crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Associtaion of Town Watch, is scheduled for 7 p.m. on August 5 at Magruder Park. Last year’s National Night Out campaign involved citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, neighborhood organizations and local officials from over 10,000 communities from all 50 states, as well as U.S. territories, Canadian cities and military bases worldwide. In all, over 34 million people participated in the event last year. Along with the traditional display of outdoor lights and front porch vigils, the event often includes activities such as: block parties; cookouts; visits from local police and sheriff departments; parades; exhibits; flashlight walks; contests; and youth programs.
Summertime fun • What: Summer Jam! • When: 6:30-8:30 on July 11 • Where: Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin St.
• What: Summer Jam! • When: 6:30-8:30 on July 11 • Where: Hyattsville Munici-
pal Building
16
• What: Family Fun Night • When: 6:30-8 p.m. on July
• Where: University Hills Duck Pond
• What: Shakespeare in the Park
• When: 7:30 p.m. on July 17 • Where: Magruder Park TrailClosureonNorthwest Branch
Approximately one-half mile of a trail used by hikers, bikers and equestrians on the Northwest Branch will be closed for about two months. The collapse of a 66-inch sewer main in Hyattsville is the cause. The trail will be closed from east of Magruder Park to Melrose Park near Rhode Island Avenue in Hyattsville while the WSSC makes emergency repairs to the utilities in the area. For more information call 301.699.2438.
Grand Opening
The Zimstone Gallery had its grand opening on June 21. Located at 4814 Rhode Island Avenue in the Arts District, the gallery features modern Zimbabwean sculptures.
Port Towns Regatta
On July 19, the Anacostia Watershed Society invites you to attend the 14th Annual Anacostia Port Towns Paddlesport Regatta at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Bringing Washington Metro Area residents together to discover recreation opportunities on the Anacostia, the Port Towns Regatta has been going on since 1995. Participants will compete in a series of canoe, kayak and Chinese dragon boat races. Races run from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are open to all ages and skill sets. Boats and safety equipment are provided free of charge. Spend time onshore at the eco-fair featuring eco-friendly exhibitors, a dunk tank with special guests, a silent auction and a live birds of prey exhibit. Entrance to the park is free but a $15 racing fee per event with pre-registration will be charged; $20 per event with same-day registration. For more information, visit www.anacostiaes.org or call 301.699.6204.
FreehealthtalksinHyattsville
Beginning August 1, the Hyattsville Seventh-Day Adventist Church will host free weekly health seminars for the local and surrounding community. Programs will be held each Friday from 7-8:30 p.m. • Colon Health: August 1 Venetta G. Kalu, ND, MPHA, Founder, Path of Life Wellness Center - www.drkalu.com • Mental/Emotional Health: August 8 Kim M. Barry, LICSW, LCSW-C, President, Rebound Center, Inc. • Childhood/Adolescent Health: August 15 Joanna Carter, Executive Director, Flexible Family Fitness - www.flexiblefamilyfitness.com Other upcoming topics include prostate health, domestic abuse and diabetes. The Hyattsville Seventh-Day Adventist Church is located at 4807 42nd Place. Meetings will be held in the fellowship hall. For questions, contact Leuanna Matheson at 202.437.4867.
Circus comes to town
The Golden Dragon Acrobats will be at the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly July 9-10, with performances at 10 a.m. and noon each day. This is the 30th Anniversary Tour of the Golden Dragon Acrobats, a Chinese acrobatic troupe that dates back 4,000 years. It is their first appearance at the Publick Playhouse. Tickets are $6. The Russian American Kids Circus on Stage! will also be at the Playhouse, back by popular demand with performances July 15-19. Matinees will be held at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. weekdays
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and 11 a.m. on Saturday. Tickets purchased after June 30 are $10. A four-day Circus Workshop is also available for $35. For more information on either performance or the Circus Workshop, call 301.277.1710.
Stilltimetoenterbike,iPod sweepstakes
There are only a few weeks left to get your 5 for Fun and Fitness card stamped and enter a drawing to win one of two mountain bikes or two iPods. Visitors to the M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County community centers and other staffed facilities still have time to pick up the cards to participate in a program to get the public acquainted with the commission’s facilities. The program began last month. Here’s how it works: participants’ visit five different M-NCPPC facilities in Prince George’s County (one community center, one nature center, one cultural arts center, one historic site/museum and one sports facility) and get their cards stamped. Once a participant has one stamp in each category, he mails it
to or drops it off at the M-NCPPC, 6600 Kenilworth Avenue, Riverdale, before July 15. All cards received or postmarked by July 15 that have 5 qualifying stamps and contact information, will be entered into a drawing to win one of two mountain bikes or two iPods. The public drawing will be held during a July 31 Concert in the Park at Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro. For information call 301.699.2255.
Swim free-for-all
All summer, M-NCPPC’s free Youth ID Card allows free admission to any Department of Parks and Recreation pool in Prince George’s County to children ages 6-17 on Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to closing. All county residents who have a valid Youth ID card may enjoy this program through August 30. All M-NCPPC pool policies remain in effect. Children ages 6-14 require supervision by a paying adult while swimming and ages 12-14 may swim on their own with advance authorization by a parent or guardian. For more
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Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
Page 13
Miss Floribunda
reasons in our area. It’s not too late to dig in some bone meal, which is very safe and will not burn plants even when applied directly. Also safe is Chesapeake Green, an excellent soil amendment containing lime in a safe amount. Although you have missed the HHS spring sale of it, you can pick some up at local nurseries. Also, if you are very careful, you can spray a calcium chloride solution on the foliage of the tomatoes - but be sparing. It can be toxic if overused. You might also try a fertilizer low in nitrogen but high in superphosphate, such as 4-12-4 or 5-20-5. Agronomosky says the best thing you can do is improve your soil tilth, adding lots of compost. Our area’s clay soil is heavy and prevents a plant’s root system from working efficiently. So even if the soil isn’t deficient in minerals your plants may not be able to access them well. Your squash are afflicted by a very common problem: an infestation of squash vine borers. You may have noticed tiny “butterflies� around your plant. Well, they have laid lots of little eggs and the larvae are devouring your stems from the inside. Having noticed that the garden of my neighbor, Pattipanelope Vegetatas, overflows each year with a superabundance of enormous squash and pumpkins I asked her for advice. A bee does his part to help this gardener She said that her secret enjoy a tasty treat.
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Dear Miss Floribunda,  With prices what they are, and now the tomato botulism scare, I am determined to grow my own vegetables. This is f irst year I’ve planted a vegetable patch, and the results have been mixed. I got some nice peas, and some lettuce - before it turned bitter. I understand that these vegetables have to be grown and enjoyed before hot weather sets in. What I don’t understand is why I’m not getting tomatoes. The bushes grew well and flowered, and then started to decompose before ripening. I planted various kinds of squash and the stems are rotting. I had mulched with straw, so I don’t think they are getting too wet.   Instead of getting a crop, I’ve “come a cropper�, as the old-timers say.  Cropless on Crittenden Street  Dear Cropless, What you describe is blossom end rot, which is a result of a calcium deficiency in the soil. The HHS soil expert, Dr. Agronomosky, suggests that you have your soil tested professionally. He supplied the following Web site: www. hgic.umd.edu. Select the Suggested Soil Testing Lab link. He estimates that it costs from $5.50 to $27 to have testing done by experienced technicians, which he thinks well worthwhile. There may be other mineral deficiencies you may not be aware of too. He doesn’t recommend the purchase of a home soil testing kit, because considerable expertise is needed to interpret results. However, I speculate that you may have neglected to add lime (calcium) to your vegetable garden, which is a necessity for various
weapon is aluminum foil. While she suggests possible damage control by heaping soil over what remains of the stalks of the existing plants to encourage re-rooting, there is still time to plant a second crop. This time place aluminum foil around the young plants. The mother moths will see the sky reflected in the foil and become disoriented. Instead of depositing their eggs in the soil around the stalk they will turn back. She also stresses thorough cleanup of vines after harvest, and that you not add them to your compost pile. She joins Agronomosky in urging the addition of much organic matter to your soil. If you’d like to bring the damaged vegetables for positive identification of their ills, please come to the next meeting of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society on July 19. We meet at 10 a.m. at the Multipurpose Room in City Hall, 4310 Gallatin St. You and other new members are very welcome. All questions for Miss Floribunda should be sent to floribundav@gmail.com.  Miss Floribunda is the collected wisdom of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society compiled and edited by Victoria Hille.
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Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
Page 14
Three quick summer secrets
by Sarah Nemeth
T
here are always boatloads of things to be entertained by in the Metro area. But it can be a challenge to mesh having fun with staying cool. Here are a few suggestions:
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of Prince George’s County. Amy O’Brien, visiting from Hamburg, NY, brought her children Jake, 9, and Hannah, 8, to Maryland for a vacation. They saw the Baltimore Zoo and other area attractions, but were ready for a cool dip away from the sun’s glare.
continued from page 5
Stuart Eisenberg, Executive concept and it can be a prudent pay the mortgage, is the right Director of the Hyattsville Com- use of the taxpayer’s money. The thing to do. If the city can settle on munity Development Corporation, opportunity to purchase this build- an operating model it can afford, said the city could capitalize on ing is now, not in 10 years, when the investment of the purchase of the venture, if it plays its collective the city might optimally be able the property will be a very good move. If it can’t make cards right. the purchase feasible, “While I respect where then the city can walk others are coming from on "I think the city needs to be away from the deal this issue … is that I think proactive in securing positive uses or help get new tenthe city needs to be proants whose presence active in securing positive for strategic properties." in Hyattsville will be uses for strategic properties a plus for the comthat might serve to house munity.” future municipal governA consultant and title search ment uses - planning outcomes, to use the space. Looking at ways not simply hoping for the best,” to secure the purchase opportunity, would likely cost the city under he said. “Land banking isn’t a new while exploring ways that might $10,000, Gardiner said.
Photo|Sarah Nemeth
Visitors to Solomon's Island splash at a beach just south of the St. Mary's Bridge.
Hit Solomon’s Island
This quiet cove on the coast of the Patuxent River mixes travelchic with family fun. With its nationally renowned Tiki Bar, and a number of shops and beachy restaurants, Solomon’s Island is a world away, though just about two hours drive from Hyattsville. The boardwalk is a great place to treat the family pooch to a splendid walk, complete with scenery and a stop at Clipper’s Canine Café. Kim’s Key Lime Pie shop is another hot spot to grab a drink of specialty coffee or tea and a slice of sweets. On the way out, the Calvert Marine Museum and Drum Point Lighthouse offers a scientific and historic perspective on local maritime operations, from crab shucking to the evolution of sharks, it is a must see for visitors and locals alike.
Get splashy!
The Rollingcrest Splash Pool is open year-round, but gives children and parents a respite from the blazing sun beating down on outdoor pools. This inside attraction offers waterslides – one covered slide courses outside of the building and back in – and other aquatic entertainment for $7 for residents
So they headed to the splash pool and made a day of it. “The kids said it was their favorite thing that we did during the trip,” O’Brien said after their visit to Rollingcrest. Located on Sargent Road in Chillum, the pool is just a couple miles and a few dollars away.
Bark at the basin
The saying that some dogs really enjoy water is the biggest understatement any Labrador Retriever owner can hear. At least, if the Lab happens to be yellow, hot, tired and named Toby. And while West Potomac Park offers plenty of pit stops with water fountains, some Tobys would rather wait until the walking path empties into a big, muddy puddle before they begin to enjoy the H2O. Peppered with a variety of species of trees, squirrels and birds, Potomac Park, just south of the Potomac Tidal Basin, is a destination for many locals who like a change of scenery now and then. With its winding path, at times nudging its muzzle against the basin, the park is also home to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial, ball fields, bridges, fishermen and tourists starving for the perfect photograph of the Jefferson Memorial.
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Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
INTERNET
Page 15 continued from page 1
Crash course in ‘how to’
For some, the Internet is a yet untapped wasteland, out of the realm of day-to-day life. American Computer Utopia, located near the corner of Hamilton Street and Ager Road, offers classes to anyone who is interested in learning more about the Internet, and computers in general. The business was founded in Hyattsville in 1996 by Seema Tavafian-Yazd and Seyid Ahmad Abediyeh. Both worked in the computer industry for decades. “ACU’s main mission has been to provide computer and Internet training and testing services to the Hyattsville residents and the greater Washington Metropolitan area, in order to empower them
www.hightechtrain“I just want to make this place to be productive ing.com or call accessible to everyone,” he said. in their daily lives, 301.559.0234. Other areas where the Interas well as being net is offered include Starbucks more efficient and on Belcrest Road and East West Want a change successful in their Highway, the Artmosphere Café of scenery? careers,” TavafianJoe Serrano, co- in Mount Rainier and the HyattsYazd said. “ owner of Café Azul ville branch of the Prince George’s Since its foundon Baltimore Avenue, County Memorial Library, on ing in 1996, thoujust added Wi-Fi to Adelphi Road. sands of individuals A bit farther out, the All City the menu. Patrons can have participated in and College Perk cafés, the Jerk stop by the indoor/ various computer Pit, all in College Park, offer outdoor café, purchase courses or taken a snack with comple- Wi-Fi. National Computer And while getting online is a mentary Wi-Fi pass Board Certification code to log on, and must for many, for those who are Exams at American hit the information just looking for a place to enjoy Computer Utopia’s the sunshine and play Solitaire or superhighway. campus in Hyatts“I wanted to offer work on spreadsheets on their lapAmerican Computer Utopia, near the corner of Hamilton ville, she said. Some something for people to top, the plaza outside the County of these National Street and Ager Road, offers training for Internet use. hang out and do some- Courthouse is a unique spot to Certification Board about 45 percent of Hyattsville thing …,” Serrano said. “I don’t spend a couple hours. Exams that American Computer residents use the Internet on a With its fountains, decks, feel like people should pay for [the Utopia‘s clients have taken are regular basis. benches and scenery, the brick Wi-Fi].” administered by Microsoft, Oracle, “…A large number of senior walkway offers a secluded and safe So far, a few people have used Cisco, and IBM, and CompTIA. residents, blue color workers, and ACU’s most popular classes first generation immigrants still do the free Wi-Fi at Café Azul, Ser- area to work or relax. At the municipal building, are the A+ Certification, and not have access to the Internet and rano said, adding that those have Computer Knowledge Essentials are missing out a lot,” Tavafian- been mainly business profession- Internet access is available within the building to guests or visia basic computer and Internet Yazd said. “It is incumbent upon als. tors who are making presentations, The extra draw is also good for Training course that teaches the the city administration, the city Murphy said. But logging on for business, he said. class participants basic computer media … the libraries, and the free anywhere in the city is not “I don’t mind it looking like and Internet knowledge, Tavafian- computer and Internet organizacurrently in the works. people are in here,” Serrano said. Yazd said. tions such as American Computer “This is ideal for individuals Utopia to make it easier for the “People bring more people. who feel they are computer illiter- other 55 percent of the Hyattsville ate,” she said. “The Internet offers residents to enter the information a world of information. Having age and become active Internet access to the Internet is extremely users.” important for the City of HyattsACU offers Internet classes * ville residents. It empowers them such as: in many different ways. They can ◼◼ Internet Essentials; shop online. They can use it as a ◼◼ WWW Essentials; (HURRY IN BUT DON’T SPEED.) research tool to perform various ◼◼ E-mail Essentials; and tasks, to book a trip, to find an ◼◼ E-commerce Essentials. See me today and get the discounts ideal job, etc. Access to the InterACU also offers computer labs net is access to information and for rent on short- and long-term and service you deserve. information is power.” basis. American Computer Utopia’s For more information, visit preliminary analysis estimates that Photo|Sarah Nemeth
programs on-demand,” Rogers said. “People tune-in and listen at their leisure.” Rogers said podcasts - which are essentially radio shows or videos posted online - are usually focused on a certain subject and target a specific audience. Where a subject matter might just get a few words on a radio station, a podcast can cover topics in a more in-depth manner. Condayan also founded a Wiki Web site for the city. A Wiki is a site that can be modified by anyone who is signed onto it. The site –hyattsville.wetpaint. com – offers an interactive look at Hyattsville, with separate pages devoted to community events, clubs, initiatives and interests. Serving as another community link, the HOPE (Hyattsville Organization for a Positive Environment) listserv offers message, file and photo posting for anyone. The information can be read by anyone who views the site. Residents often use this tool to find advice on home repair, to alerting the community about an upcoming event, to venting frustrations about myriad city issues. The site can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ HOPE_in_Hyattsville. With all of this local content out there, how do residents log on to receive it? Some of the internet service providers in the area include Comcast and Verizon. Verizon offers High Speed Internet, FIOS Internet and wireless broadband service in the city. FIOS is an advanced, all digital fiber-optic network that includes phone, broadband and TV. Residents can also get online through Comcast High Speed Internet. Comcast customers can also get phone and television services. They provide video, voice and data services to more than 1.1 million customers in the Potomac Region (parts of Maryland, DC and Virginia). Both companies declined to provide the Hyattsville Life & Times the number of customers in the city.
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Hyattsville Life&Times | June 2008
Page 16
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