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THE HIGH COST OF

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UM School of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies enters ‘The Waiting Room’ at Clarice Smith. B-1

Gazette-Star SERVING SOUTHERN AND CENTRAL PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COMMUNITIES

DAILY UPDATES ONLINE www.gazette.net

Thursday, February 13, 2014

25 cents

‘No confidence’ vote for mayor of Glenarden

On a rare (honor) roll

Residents say they are frustrated with infighting, city officials’ results

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BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

The second Glenarden mayor in a row was hit with a vote of no confidence Monday and residents pleaded with elected officials to work together for the betterment of the city.

“I think it is disrespectful to have this resolution on a mayor who has been in office for six

Bowie boy earns school’s highest award, twice Connor Fantasia only needed to do one more pull-up in physical education class last year to become the first student to make his school’s A-plus Director’s List twice.

The A-Plus Director’s List certificate is given to students who maintain a 99.5 or higher score in all of their studies, which includes math, science, history, physical education and Bible studies, said Laura Lee Ritter, Grace Christian School’s director of admissions.

Connor didn’t get that pull-up, but

that didn’t stop him.

The seventh-grader at Grace Christian in Bowie made the second quarter A-plus Director’s List for the 2013-2014 school year, making him the first student to achieve the honor twice, according to school records. Connor made the same list in the 2012-2013 third quarter as a sixth-grader.

He fell one pull-up shy in the fourth quarter of sixth grade, which would have made it three A-plus Director’s Lists.

“I’m proud of myself for being able to do it,” said Connor, 12, of Bowie. “Not many people can do it.”

Ritter couldn’t remember the last

Site has been slated for use as MGM casino training facility n

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

A decision to convert an old school building into a casino training facility has angered some Fort Washington residents who wanted the site to be used a community center.

The Thomas Addison Elementary School, an old Oxon Hill school building closed for about five years, was transferred to the Prince George’s County government for potential use as an MGM National Harbor Casino training facility. The Prince George’s County Board of Education voted on Jan. 23 to give the facility to the county government, which was required since school officials said there was no need

NEWS

PARKS BILL WOULD SNUFF OUT SMOKING A smoking ban on parkland in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties is being considered in Annapolis.

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for the building.

But residents in the area said they wanted to see the building become a community center. Fort Washington resident Joyce Evans said at local meetings there was support for a community center because it would be located in the heart of Fort Washington and new development at National Harbor, an entertainment and housing development in Oxon Hill.

“All these years … they could have renovated it and given it back to the community,” Evans said.

Joyce Thorpe of Fort Washington said MGM is getting special treatment.

“I find the whole thing unusual and it smacks of collusion,” Thorpe said. “I don’t want any more public property turned over to the county for the use of National Harbor, MGM and Tanger Outlets. Those are purely private enterprises.”

Officials: Secondary building would have seen upgrades to labs, roof n

time someone got on the A-plus Director’s List twice in the 39 years she has worked for the school.

“Our school theme is to strive for excellence,” Ritter said. “Connor illustrates what our students can do. Not everybody has the same abilities that Connor does.

We want every student to do the best they can.”

Connor described himself as “smart” and “funny.” He said his excellence comes from taking an interest in a variety of things and working hard. He enjoys baseball, basketball, building Lego ro-

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

State funding constraints have thrown another kink into Bowie’s requests for Bowie High School renovations, something city officials have pushed for — along with a new high school — for more than a decade.

Prince George’s County school officials requested $8.2 million from the state to renovate Bowie High’s annex building, which needs about 69

See AWARD, Page A-6

Old school’s transfer to county riles residents

Lack of lawsuit means MGM Resorts International decision is final n

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

Two losing casino companies have cashed in their chips, opting to recoup their application fees now instead of suing the state in the Prince George’s County casino license decision.

Penn National Gaming and Greenwood Racing both signed agreements not to sue the state after the Maryland Video Lottery Facility Location Commission

See TRANSFER, Page A-6

A STAR AMONG US McNamara wrestler should finish as one of nation’s all-time best.

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percent of its infrastructure replaced, but state officials have put the project on hold due to funding constraints, said Sarah Woodhead, Prince George’s County director of capital programs.

PGCPS requested upgrades to the school’s computer labs, science labs, its roof and other infrastructure, Woodhead said.

Bowie High School is about 50 years old and has had such an increase in students over the years that the school system moved students into a secondary building. Bowie officials have requested for more than

See ANNEX, Page A-7

Casino bidders say they will not sue over license decision

MGM Resorts International, which will operate the MGM National Harbor casino, plans to invest about $4 million into the old school and give the renovated building back to the community after the casino is operational, Lorenzo Creighton, MGM National Harbor president, said in an email to The Gazette. The casino can officially open in July 2016, according to state law.

Some of the county education board members expressed surprise about the building switching hands.

Board member Edward Burroughs (Dist. 8) said he didn’t know the county requested the facility, even though the request was dated Dec. 2 — 18 days before MGM received the casino license from the state.

Burroughs said he wished residents would have been given more time to

SPORTS

See MAYOR, Page A-6

Bowie annex repairs are delayed by state

BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE

Connor Fantasia (left), 12, and Jesse Parham, 12, students at Grace Christian School, work on a team-building exercise Friday with their Lego robot team. Fantasia made the school’s second quarter A-plus Director’s List for the 2013-2014 school year, making him the first student to achieve the honor twice, according to school records.

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

months,” said resident Mary Ann White to the council on Monday. “This has got to stop.”

The Glenarden City Council voted 4-3 Monday to pass a resolution for a vote of no confidence against Mayor Dennis C. Smith, who was elected in July 2013. A vote of no confidence is an act by the council to express displeasure with the work of an official, such as the mayor.

There are no repercussions for a vote of no confidence and the resolution is intended to publicly display the council’s issues

Automotive

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Classified

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Community News

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Entertainment

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Opinion

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Sports

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RECYCLE

awarded MGM Resorts International the state’s sixth and the county’s first casino license on Dec. 20. State gambling officials said this means the process will continue without the delays caused by a lawsuit.

The two companies had their application fees returned with Penn National Gaming receiving $18 million and Greenwood Racing recouping $28.5 million, according to a Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency news release. The agency oversees the state’s casino entities.

“This announcement is testament to the hard work and careful

See CASINO, Page A-6

Check out our Services Directory ADVERTISING INSIDE B SECTION

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THE GAZETTE

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PEOPLE& PLACES More online at www.gazette.net

Glenn Dale church announces chess tournament winners Reid Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in Glenn Dale held its first annual chess tournament on Jan. 25 and announced three youth winners and three adult winners.

Ten-year-old Kamara Manzie of Upper Marlboro, a fifth-grader at Highland Park Christian Academy in Landover, won first place in the youth division, followed by Jahnaiya Sutherland, 10, of Bowie and Khoran Reynolds, 14, of Bowie in second and third place, respectively.

Taking home titles for the adult division were James Fabunmi, Ernest Gooding and Peter Aimable.

Fabunmi and Gooding are also volunteers with Reid Temple’s chess ministry.

Sandy Campbell of Glenn Dale, president of the chess ministry and organizer of the event, said the tournament was part of the ministry’s one year anniversary celebration.

“We invited people throughout the [tri-state area] to come participate,” Campbell said. “It was well

attended.”

Campbell said chess contributes to health mental development, self-esteem and discipline.

“The goal [of the ministry] was to engage members in fellowship over the game of chess, as well as attract new members,” she said.

“We felt this was a way to help people of all ages.”

Campbell, who has been playing chess for more than 30 years, said the game encourages players to think carefully about their decisions and make the best possible one.

“Hopefully you relate that to the best choices in your life,” she said.

Small art on display in Bowie City Hall Bowie City Hall’s most recent art gallery is challenging artists to put their big talents in small packages.

“It just amazes me that they can paint small as well as large,” said Annette Esterheld, Bowie city liaison to the arts committee.

The Small Works and Miniatures art gallery has been on display

p.m., Newton White Mansion, 2708 Enterprise Road, Mitchellville. We’ll focus on up-and-coming teen artists, while raising community awareness on domestic violence issues among teens. The elements of hip-hop will also be discussed. Contact 301-2497200; TTY 301-218-6768.

Knitting & Crocheting Group, 7 p.m., South Bowie Library, 15301 Hall Road, Bowie. An evening of crocheting and knitting. If possible, please bring your own materials, due to limited supplies. No experienced required.

Contact 301-850-0475.

Microsoft PowerPoint, 7 p.m., South Bowie Library, 15301 Hall Road, Bowie. Leave the library feeling confident in your ability to create presentations using PowerPoint. No registration required. Contact 301850-0475.

FEB. 14 Animal Amore, 1 to 3 p.m., Clear-

water Nature Center, 11000 Thrift Road, Clinton. Join our naturalist in this interactive Valentine’s Daythemed program about animal courtship displays and meet some of our resident romantics. Pre-registration strongly encouraged. Programs may be canceled due to insufficient registration. Cost: resident, $2; non-resident, $3. Contact 301-297-4575; TTY 301-699-2544.

Enslaved Women of Darnall’s Chance Tours, 1 p.m., Darnall’s

Chance House Museum, 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro. Join us for a tour that focuses on the African-American women who lived at Darnall’s Chance. Tours begin promptly at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time. Reservations

Arrowhead students make Principal’s Honor Roll The following students at Arrowhead Elementary in Upper Marlboro were able to maintain high grades and make the school’s Principal Honor Roll for the second quarter of the 2013-2014 school year.

Students are placed on the Principal Honor Roll if they maintain a 4.0 grade point average.

Second-graders who received the award: Myles Andrews, Amanda Core Facey, John Edelen, Diego Gonzalez-Escamilla, Josiah Green, Aujenai Harris, Kennedy Heard, Regina Kulanda, Willie Matthews,

Marcus Molock, Mafuankeng Njinju, Martin Ohakah, Jordan Robinson, Ean Rodgers and Cori White.

Fourth-graders who made the cut were Anaiya Johnson and Jeremiah Kulanda.

Sixth-graders who earned a spot were Jayla Beidleman and Atemnkeng Njinju.

Bowie private school dishes out photography awards Grace Christian School in

Bowie held its Photography Project

judging in January and awarded several students with trophies and the chance to compete at the state level.

Multiple awards were given out to students, with the highest scoring winner earning a trophy and the students with the top two scores will represent the school at the Maryland Association of Christian Schools Fine Arts Festivals, said Laura Lee Ritter, Grace Christian School’s director of admissions.

Kyndall Crawford and James Miller will represent the school for first through third grades.

Adrianne Fantasia and Kylie Spath will represent fourth- and fifth-graders.

Morgan Skinner and Jaeda York will represent the sixth- through eighth-graders. your own set and clock. Contact 301262-7000.

Be an “E-Week,” 6 to 8 p.m., Southern Regional Technology and Recreation Complex, 7007 Bock Road, Fort Washington. Celebrate Engineers Week. Event explores how engineers make a difference in our word; unveils the profession of engineering to children, educators and parents through tactile events; and allows everyone to participate in interactive activities.

Contact 301-749-4160; TTY 301-2036030.

Black Literature, 6:30 p.m., Surratts-Clinton Library, 9400 Piscataway Road, Clinton. Victoria Christopher Murray’s “The Deal, the Dance, and the Devil.” Contact 301-868-9200.

BestBet

Send items at least two weeks in advance of the paper in which you would like them to appear. Go to calendar.gazette.net and click on the submit button.

Questions? Call 301-670-2070.

Xtreme Teens: Most Wanted DMV Teen Hip Hop Summit, 6:30 to 9:30

in Bowie since Jan. 13 and will stay up until April 11, Esterheld said.

Artists were told to create works that could were no longer than about a foot tall and a foot wide so the gallery has a nice variety of paintings, sculptures and other work, she said.

Anyone interested in viewing the collection can visit the gallery in Bowie City Hall, 15901 Excalibur Road. The gallery is free and open during City Hall hours from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Mondays through Thursdays, Esterheld said.

The Hall is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Fridays and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to noon.

A&E

Publick Playhouse welcomes “William’s Adventures in Black History.”

SPORTS Coverage of the state indoor track and field championships begins Monday on gazette.net.

For more on your community, visit www.gazette.net

EVENTS FEB. 13

Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

required for groups of seven or more.

Contact 301-952-8010;TTY 301-6992544.

Discovery Hike, 2 to 3 p.m., Watkins Nature Center, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro. Take a hike on the wild side. Children will get a chance to meet some of the center’s live animals, discover how the animals survive in the winter, listen to stories, enjoy the sights and sounds of nature on a hike, and make crafts. Advance registration required. Ages 4 and older.

Cost: resident, $2; non-resident, $3.

Contact 301-218-6702; TTY 301-6992544.

FEB. 15 Nature Craft, 10 to 11 a.m., Watkins Nature Center, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro. Meet-andgreet with a live animal, craft making and story time. Advance registration required. Cost: resident, $2; non-resident, $3. Contact 301-218-6702; TTY 301-699-2544.

Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Future Mobile Dental, 11 a.m., Hillcrest Heights Library, 2398 Iverson St., Temple Hills. Free dental screenings and oral health education to children.

Children will be able to visit the mobile dental van for a free dental screening and receive a goodie bag. Screenings last approximately two to three minutes. Parental consent form required.

Contact 301-630-4900.

Celebrate Black History – Negro Leagues, 2 to 3 p.m., Fort Washington

Forest Community Center, 1200 Filmore Road, Fort Washington. Former Negro League baseball player Luther Atkinson will provide a poignant account of his story, from overcoming obstacles such as racism to finding success on the baseball field as a professional player. Stick around for a film screening, view famous photographs and get a baseball signed. Contact 301292-4300; TTY 301-203-6030.

FRI

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Valentine’s Dance, 2:30 to 5:30

p.m., Indian Queen Recreation Center, 9551 Fort Foote Road, Fort Washington. Young ladies and gentlemen, you are cordially invited to a Valentine’s dance. Enjoy socializing with friends, dancing and fun. Cost: resident $5; nonresident, $6. Contact 301-8399597; TTY 301-203-6030.

MORE INTERACTIVE CALENDAR ITEMS AT WWW.GAZETTE.NET Beginning Genealogy Research, 2 p.m., Oxon Hill Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill. Participants learn how to access the federal census from 1790 to 1940. They will also learn research techniques to locate their ancestors. Contact 301-839-2400.

Call for Volunteers needed for Heritage Film Festival, 6:30 to 8:30

ConsumerWatch Where does the money go when big banks get fined millions — or billions — of dollars?

LIZ CRENSHAW

WeekendWeather

p.m., Conference Room, South Bowie Library, Bowie. The Heritage Film Festival is celebrating its ninth year.

We’re dedicated to making the art of independent filmmaking accessible to everyone. Contact 240-374-1405 or info@heritagefilm-videofest.org.

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Family Night at South Bowie: Game Night, 7:30 p.m., South Bowie Library,

FEB. 17 Reading Stories with Ranger Steph: When the Cat’s Away, the Mice

will Play, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Oxon Hill Farm/Oxon Cove Park, 6411 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill. Learn about the importance of a cat on a farm. Meet Kitty the Barn Cat and hear some “tales” about cats and mice. Meet Ranger Steph in the Visitor Barn. For babies, toddlers, preschoolers and the adults who love them. Contact 301-839-1176 or stephanie_marrone@nps.gov.

15301 Hall Road, Bowie. Bring family and friends to the library to enjoy an evening of board games. Bring your own games or play one of ours. Contact 301-850-0475.

Library, 15210 Annapolis Road, Bowie.

Ages 11 and older. We need to hear what you want at the library. Snacks provided. Contact 301-262-7000.

Cupcake Decoration Workshop, 4:30 p.m., Baden Library, 13803 Baden-Westwood Road, Brandywine.

A local baker will walk you through the steps to decorate cupcakes using icing and other toppings. All materials will be provided. Registration required.

Limit 15. Ages 10 and older. Contact 301-888-1152.

Fun Quest: African American History Games, 6:30 p.m., Oxon Hill

15210 Annapolis Road, Bowie. Learn to play and improve your game. Bring

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Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill. Bring the family to an evening of African-American history games. Contact 301-839-2400.

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NBCWashington.com

Mobile Download the Gazette.Net mobile app using the QR Code reader, or go to www.gazette.net/mobile for custom options.

GAZETTE CONTACTS The Gazette-Star – 13501 Virginia Manor Road Laurel, MD 20707 Main phone: 240-473-7500 Fax: 240-473-7501

Join us as we showcase everything Bridal on February 27th in our Prince George’s edition of the Gazette.

Share your offerings with the bride-to-be!

We will feature everything from the perfect venue, bridal boutiques, party favors to all that’s unique, fun and crazy.

Join us on this special day!

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014 5PM

Call today 301-670-7100

The Gazette

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Get complete, current weather information at

Teen Advisory Board Make a Difference @ Your Library, 3 p.m., Bowie

the Performing Arts, 15200 Annapolis Road, Bowie. The ensemble performs a year-round public concert series featuring varied programs of marches, orchestral transcriptions, patriotic music and classic wind band repertoire.

Contact 410-293-1262 or bandpao@ usna.edu.

Chess Club, 6 p.m., Bowie Library,

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FEB. 19

US Naval Academy Band — Concert Band, 1 p.m., the Bowie Center for

FEB. 18

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I do...

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Let’s let Liz follow the cash flow on this one.

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LOCAL County’s dropout rate drops for the first time in four years Graduation totals rise thanks to new programs, officials say n

BY JAMIE ANFENSON-COMEAU STAFF WRITER

For the first time in four years, the dropout rate in Prince George’s County Public Schools has declined, although it still lags behind most other Maryland school districts.

In Prince George’s, the dropout rate declined from 19.53 percent in 2012 to 18.5 percent in 2013 while the graduation rate increased from 72.87 percent in 2012 to 74.12 percent in 2013.

“We’re thrilled about the ongoing progress, but it’s not enough,” said school board chairman Segun Eubanks.

“We must continue the progress in bringing our graduation rate up and our dropout rate down.”

Janice Briscoe, special projects officer in the high school performance area, said the school system has instituted a number of policies and programs to reduce the dropout rate, including an “early warning system.”

“It flags students that may be in danger of dropping out, based on a number of criteria,

and targets extra resources towards them,” Briscoe said.

Briscoe said the school system also has increased credit recovery options, allowing students to make up failing grades as well as instituting targeted attendance initiatives and revising the Student Code of Conduct to reduce long-term suspensions and expulsions.

“The data shows that students need to actually be in school in order to be successful,” Briscoe said.

The school system’s fouryear cohort graduation rate has also increased, from 72.9 percent to 74.1 percent, paralleling a 1.5 percent graduation increase across the state as well.

Missing between the two numbers, Briscoe said, are “non-completers” — students who take more than four years to graduate and special education students who complete a course of study but do not earn a diploma.

County school system results mirror a decline across the state, according to data released last month by the Maryland Department of Education.

The state measures dropout and graduation rates based on the four-year adjusted cohort rate, which measures student progress

over a four-year span.

“What the four-year cohort rate does is if a student starts in ninth grade, it tracks whether or not that student graduates within four years,” Briscoe said.

The state dropout rates declined from 10.22 percent in 2012 to 9.36 percent in 2012. Overall, state graduation rates increased from 83.57 percent in 2012 to 84.97 percent in 2013.

The county dropout rate is higher than all other Maryland school districts with the exception of Somerset County, which saw its dropout rate increase from 12.44 percent in 2012 to 18.78 percent in 2013.

Only the Baltimore City School System had a lower graduation rate than Prince George’s County, with 68.5 percent graduating in 2013.

Ernest Moore, president of the Prince George’s County PTA Council, said the council’s executive committee is currently reviewing the graduation and dropout data.

“When parents ask us about this, we want to try and take a good look at the data, to better help them understand it,” Moore said.

Selection process

GREG DOHLER/THE GAZETTE

Librarian and instructor Amy Jenkins (left) selects from a bowl of beads with Tracy Burns of Upper Marlboro during a jewelry-making class Saturday at the Upper Marlboro Library. The workshop was sponsored by The Friends of the Upper Marlboro Library.

janfenson-comeau@ gazette.net

Improving Hispanic diversity remains a top focus for school system n

Officials say narrowing student/teacher gap will take time

BY JAMIE ANFENSON-COMEAU STAFF WRITER

The dropout rate for Hispanic students in Prince George’s County is over 25 percent, but school officials say they hope that hiring more Hispanic staff will help reduce that number.

“The children need to have representation from all

groups in the community,” said Vanessa Bass, recruitment coordinating supervisor for Prince George’s County Public Schools’ Division of Human Resources. “The more students see themselves reflected in the teachers, the staff around them, the more invested they are.”

Bass and Robert Gaskin, chief human resources officer, spoke to the New Americans Task Force on Saturday.

The task force was created by County Executive Rushern L. Baker III (D) to identify ways to improve minority representation in county government.

The dropout rate for Hispanics in the county is 27.9 percent, significantly higher than that of either black (16.9 percent) or white (15.7 percent) students, according to Maryland State Department of Education statistics.

Gaskin said the county’s student population is 22.6 percent Hispanic, yet only 3 percent of school system employees are Hispanic.

State Sen. Victor Ramirez (D-Dist. 47) of Cheverly, task force co-chairman, asked why this disparity is only now an issue.

“This situation didn’t happen overnight,” Ramirez said.

Gaskin attributed the problem to a lack of resources and funding due to budget cuts.

“We didn’t have the resources to target the areas we need to improve,” Gaskin said.

“We’ve had different superintendents, and I’ve had different chiefs, and the focus has not been where it is today.”

Gaskin said school CEO Kevin Maxwell has provided more funding for recruitment and charged the HR department with improving diversity.

HR Strategy and Workforce

Planning, the department responsible for recruiting and hiring new teachers, is funded at $11.4 million in Maxwell’s proposed 2014-15 budget.

“We can look at these percentages and say this is abysmal, but can we say this is a new day? What are the benchmarks for progress?” said Luisa Montero-Diaz, a task force member.

Gaskin said Human Resources’ goal is to increase the number of Hispanic employees 2 to 3 percent per year as nationally the demand for Hispanic teachers is very high.

Gaskin said he is hopeful, with a new school system focus on Hispanic recruitment, community outreach, the restoration of parent liaisons in schools with high Hispanic populations and the hiring of a Latino Diversity Officer, that HR can gradually increase the number of Hispanic staff.

“This is going to take time, however, as we transform our workforce so our employees mirror our community,” Gaskin said. janfenson-comeau@ gazette.net

We are interested in talking to people who meet one or more of the following criteria: Study 1 • Have either a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree or Ph.D. • Received any Scholarships or loans for college or graduate studies • Work in any field of computer science or mathematics Study 2 • Have moved in the last 2 years • Have remodeled their home in the last year • Have purchased a new home or refinanced their home in the last 2 years • Have been evicted or their house has been foreclosed on in the last 2 years Study 3 • Use census data, economic data, or demographic data in their work • Manipulate data or conduct statistical analysis for decision-making or grant writing Study 4 • Use census data, economic data or demographic data in their work • Manipulate data or conduct statistical analysis for decision-making or grant writing

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Study 5 • Must have a smart phone or IPhone • Know the type of operating system on your phone • Have at least 6 months experience using your phone

Please call Kevin at

301-763-4979 to see if you qualify

Bowie Montessori Children’s House 5004 Randonstone Lane, Bowie, Maryland 20715

301.262.3566 • bmch.net

PRESCHOOL • ELEMENTARY • JR HIGH • Extended Care & Enrichment Programs • Summer Session • 22-acre Wooded Campus

• AMI Teachers • Full-Time Reading Specialist • Educating the Whole Child since 1967

Promoting independence, a sense of order, and life skills needed for children to reach their full potential 1911736

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One of the Best Montessori Schools (Annapolis)

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www.youtube.com search Bowie Montessori

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The Census Bureau is looking for people to try out new questionnaires.

Participants will receive a stipend of $40 1884451

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Bill could puff out smoking Cities could take streetlights in Maryland’s public parks from utilities under new bill Measure eliminates haggling with companies n

Delegate says secondhand smoke is hazardous, even outside n

BY

BY

STAFF WRITER

ANDREW SCHOTZ STAFF WRITER

A smoking ban on parkland in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties is being considered in Annapolis.

The proposal, in a bill filed on Friday, would require action by the Maryland General Assembly.

The ban would expand upon Montgomery’s current smoking prohibition, which applies to a variety of public places, such as government buildings, businesses and many restaurants.

Last year, county property such as bus stops, parking garages and outdoor recreation areas was included, too.

Under the new bill, the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission would have to ban smoking of tobacco products on property under its jurisdiction, starting Oct. 1.

The new bill is sponsored by both the Montgomery and Prince George’s county delegations.

Del. Benjamin F. Kramer (D-Dist. 19) of Derwood, who worked on the idea and got his colleagues’ support for it, said a ban in parks makes sense because of the health risks associated with secondhand smoke, even outside.

There’s “no safe level of exposure,” he said, noting that secondhand smoke is a class A carcinogen, or cancer-causing agent. People might not realize that, even in open air, they need to stand at least 20 feet away to escape smoke, he said.

He said two other important reasons also are driving the proposed ban.

One is litter, which often is tobacco-related, such as cigarette butts, he said.

The other is the environ-

KATE S. ALEXANDER

GREG DOHLER/THE GAZETTE

Tina Williams of Laurel jogs around Laurel Lake in Granville Gude Park on Saturday in Laurel. mental damage tobacco trash can cause by leaching into the soil and the aquifer, Kramer said.

After visiting Ridge Road Dog Park in Germantown on Friday, Dr. Michael Raboy said he agreed with the proposed parkland ban, if the health dangers Kramer cited are true.

On Jan. 30, Montgomery County’s planning board expressed support for the bill.

“It’s going to happen,” Mary Bradford, director of parks at Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, said of the ban. “It’s the wave of the future; how you get there is the issue.”

One sticking point was that park employees would not have anywhere to smoke, a right protected under collective bargaining, Bradford said.

To solve that, the bill was rewritten to let the county des-

ignate certain areas within parks for employee smoking.

Amy Presley, a planning board commissioner, admitted she was trying to quit smoking.

“It’s a horrible habit,” Presley said. But without designated areas, smokers like her would be forced out of parks.

The bill also was changed so the county could exclude facilities rented out for events and certain venues, such as golf courses.

“I would support this bill the way that it is written,” said Francoise Carrier, the board’s chairwoman. “It gives us parameters.”

A hearing on the bill will be held in Annapolis on March 5.

Agnes Blum contributed to this report. aschotz@gazette.net

Maryland counties, cities and towns could soon have the power to take ownership of streetlights from utility companies.

A bill introduced by Del. Alfred C. Carr Jr. clarifies the process for local governments to assume ownership from utility companies with a goal of driving down the cost to operate the more than 300,000 streetlights in the state.

Carr (D-Dist. 18) of Kensington, said $60 million is spent annually across the state on street-lighting services.

“That’s an equivalent of $400 just to change a light bulb,” he said.

And in Montgomery County and Prince George’s counties, Carr said the cost to

maintain the lights could rise further if Pepco’s request for higher rates is approved by the Maryland Public Service Commission. Pepco serves portions of both counties.

Pepco is still reviewing Carr’s bill, spokeswoman Courtney Nogas said in an email.

“However, in recent years we have opposed several similar measures that aim to take utility owned streetlights without fair compensation,” she said. “We remain committed to negotiating with local governments who are interested in purchasing the streetlights within their jurisdiction.”

Carr said his bill attempts to define a formula for the value of the lights so that there is no haggling over the price to purchase ownership.

Nogas said Pepco implemented in 2008 a multi-year effort to replace all of its mercury vapor streetlights with highpressure sodium streetlights.

“High pressure sodium lamps were chosen by cities and utilities nationwide because they are more efficient than mercury vapor and were a cost effective option for large scale conversions,” Nogas said.

Carr said high-pressure sodium lamps are 1970s technology. Jurisdictions are now turning to induction or light emitting diode, LED, lights which last years longer and are more energy efficient than sodium lights, he said.

“It’s also a better service when you are able to put maintenance out to bid and hold a vendor accountable,” he said.

Montgomery County and Prince George’s County executives Isiah Leggett (D) and Rushern L. Baker III (D) are behind the bill.

Thirty delegates have cosponsored the bill. kalexander@gazette.net

County is state’s third best recycler Officials say new programs aided success n

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

Composting bananas peels and separating recyclables have paid off for Prince George’s County.

The county leapt over eight others to claim a top three state spot in recycling efforts — moving up from 11th place in 2011 — in overall waste diversion.

The county’s 2012 waste diversion rate rose to about 59 percent, up from 2011’s 49 percent rate, said Linda Lowe, spokeswoman for the county’s Department of Environmental Resources. The 2012 numbers are the most recent released by

the Maryland Department of the Environment.

Waste diversion is calculated by combining recycling, composting and other efforts to reduce waste, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

The 59 percent mark trails Harford and Montgomery counties, which have rates of 59.79 and 59.81, respectively, Lowe said.

“Our community engagement is working,” she said.

“Our new programs are working.”

Prince George’s recent efforts include ending the practice of collecting yard waste in plastic bags, which lowers the presence of plastic bags in the landfill, Lowe said. The county is also experimenting with new composting methods to com-

post food waste as well as yard waste, aimed at reducing landfill food scraps.

Residents are recycling and composting their waste, Lowe said.

“If everyone wouldn’t buy into recycling and reducing waste, these numbers would not be increasing,” Lowe said.

Deveda Spencer of Upper Marlboro said the county’s availability of recycle bins makes it easy for her family to recycle. It makes one proud to be part of the county’s recycling success, Spencer said.

“I’m very pleased to hear we are doing well,” she said. “It makes me feel good that I can tell our children that what we do matters and makes a difference.” ccook@gazette.net

Kenilworth Elementary fails to advances in Science Bowl semifinals Beacon Heights team moves on to Final Four round of competition

n

BY JAMIE ANFENSON-COMEAU STAFF WRITER

For the previous four years, Beacon Heights Elementary School in Riverdale battled its way to the Science Bowl semifinal eliminations, only to lose the last game. But five times proved to be the charm, as Beacon Heights advanced to a 250-135 win over Kenilworth Elementary School in Bowie.

“These kids really deserved it. They have been working for this for years,” said team sponsor Stephen Biller. “I had all these consolatory speeches planned out because we’ve lost every year, and now it’s six more weeks of practice, three and a half hours a week. I’m excited.”

The Science Bowl competition, now in its 28th season, is a televised quiz program pitting Prince George’s County public elementary and middle school teams against each other in a series of science-related questions worth five to 25 points, based on difficulty.

Beacon Heights’ team, comprised of fifth-graders Jennifer Taylor, 10, and Alia Ali, 10, and sixth-grader Miguel Garcia, 12, took an early lead, recogniz-

ing that Olympic gold medals are 93 percent silver and that penicillin is an antibiotic.

Kenilworth’s team, comprised of fifth-graders Alex Lemire, 11; Danielle Williams, 10; and Lindsey Beyes, 10, mounted a comeback late in the first half, answering that recent “Pineapple Express” storms hitting California originated in Hawaii, and that guinea pigs are a rodent associated with experiments, but Beacon Heights extended its lead in the second half to win.

“There wasn’t a weak member on the team. Each member contributed. They had a great synergy. They took their time, considered their answers and didn’t blurt out,” said Science Bowl host Dave Zahren.

With the win, Beacon Heights has earned a spot in the Science Bowl’s final four semifinals April 1.

“The pressure’s on now,” Jennifer said. “No one from our school has ever gotten this far before,” she said.

Earlier, Beacon Heights earned a 200-175 win over Whitehall Elementary in Bowie that hinged on the last question.

Whitehall’s team, comprised of fifth-graders Emily Short, 11; Khalil Greene, 11; and Samantha Roberts, 9, took an early lead with a question about television science personality Bill Nye the Science Guy and his favorite experi-

GREG DOHLER/THE GAZETTE

Kenilworth Elementary School students Maggie Eberhard, 10; Alex Lemire, 11; and Marco Washington, 10, compete Tuesday in the Science Bowl at the Bonnie F. Johns Educational Media Center in Landover. The team won against Vansville Elementary earlier in the day. ment of dipping roses in liquid nitrogen, and that the term “cooties” refers to lice, before Beacon Heights surged to take a 10-point lead by the end of the first half.

Samantha buzzed in early to answer a question on the difference between transparent

and translucent, to help propel Whitehall into the lead before Beacon Heights managed to tie the score 175-175 with only one question remaining.

Khalil answered that the term used to describe the increase in speed over time is acceleration to win the game.

Whitehall sponsor Cynthia Farmer said the game could have gone either way.

“That was a real nail-biter,” Farmer said. “Both teams did a great job.”

Before the final match, Kenilworth’s team of Alex, Maggie Eberhard, 10, and Marco

Washington, 10, scored a 285115 win against Vansville Elementary in Beltsville, whose team consisted of fifth-graders Joe Bui, 10; Dalila Ives, 11; and Jody Peacock, 11. janfenson-comeau@ gazette.net

THE GAZETTE

Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

Page A-5

POLICE BLOTTER

Headquarters, Bowie, 301-3902100 Glenn Dale, Kettering, Lanham, Largo, Seabrook, Woodmore, Lake Arbor, Mitchellville and Upper Marlboro.

FEB. 3 Commercial property break-in,

5000 block Brown Station Road, 7:59 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 10200 block Prince Place, 8:42 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 12500 block Central Ave, 9:04 a.m.

Robbery, 9500 block Acorn Park St., 12:22 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 7300 block Green Oak Terrace, 1:16 p.m.

Theft, 1400 block Perrell Lane, 2:32 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 900 block Capital Center Blvd, 4:19 p.m.

Robbery, 12100 block Wilmont Turn, 5:23 p.m.

FEB. 4 Assault with a weapon, Largo Road/Campus Way South, 12:47 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 11500 block Dunloring Drive, 5:24 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 5700 block Justina Drive, 6:34 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 800 block Dunloring Court, 7:15 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 7900 block Penn Randall Place, 7:15 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 9800 block Lottsford Road, 7:37 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 11400 block Dunloring Place, 7:50 a.m.

Theft, unit block of Watkins Park Drive, 8:53 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 7900 block Penn Randall Place, 9:08 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 7900 block Penn Randall Place, 9:08 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 7900 block Penn Randall Place, 9:09 a.m.

Theft, unit block of Watkins Park Drive, 9:29 a.m.

Theft, unit block of Watkins Park Drive, 9:35 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 7982-B Penn Randall Place, 9:45 a.m.

Vehicle stolen and recovered,

9400 block Largo Drive W, 10:03 a.m.

Theft, 3300 block Crain Highway Nw, 10:14 a.m.

Theft, 15400 block Emerald Way, 10:35 a.m.

Theft, 15400 block Emerald Way, 11:29 a.m.

Theft, unit block of Harry S Truman Drive, 12:00 p.m.

Vehicle stolen, 12500 block Central Ave, 12:40 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 5800 block Woodcliff Road, 12:46 p.m.

Vehicle stolen, 4300 block Whispering Leaves Lane, 1:28 p.m.

Theft, 15400 block Emerald Way, 1:41 p.m.

Theft, 8400 block Westphalia Road, 1:56 p.m.

Theft, 1400 block Kings Manor Drive, 3:23 p.m.

Theft, unit block of Watkins Park Drive, 3:29 p.m.

Theft, 12200 block Kings Arrow St., 4:54 p.m.

Assault, 15200 block Annapolis Road, 4:58 p.m.

Assault, 8100 block Good Luck Road, 5:01 p.m.

Theft, 600 block Crain Highway Sw, 5:18 p.m.

Theft, 12400 block Quiet Owl Lane, 5:51 p.m.

Theft, 15800 block Buxton Place, 6:23 p.m.

Theft, 9900 block Good Luck Road, 7:54 p.m.

Theft, 1300 block Minnesota Way, 8:27 p.m.

Theft, unit block of Watkins Park Drive, 8:54 p.m.

Theft, 10200 block Lake Ar-

bor Way, 2:52 p.m.

Theft, 2200 block Barnstable Drive, 3:54 p.m.

Theft, 15900 block Excalibur Road, 4:37 p.m.

Theft, 10200 block Prince Place, 6:00 p.m.

FEB. 6 Theft from vehicle, 14000

block Wescott Court, 1:59 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 9500 block Tuckerman St., 5:07 a.m.

Theft, 12200 block Raritan Lane, 6:05 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 2500 block Somerton Court, 6:57 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 11500 block Waesche Drive, 7:01 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 11500 block Waesche Drive, 7:32 a.m.

Vehicle stolen and recovered,

7900 block Penn Randall Place, 8:03 a.m.

Residential break-in, 13900 block Edsall St., 10:09 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 3200 block Edge Ave, 10:51 a.m.

Sexual assault, 10100 block Campus Way S, 10:57 a.m.

Theft, 9700 block Maryland St., 11:49 a.m.

Residential break-in, 12500 block Rambling Lane, 12:22 p.m.

Theft, 4900 block Collington Road, 2:25 p.m.

Theft, 1400 block Kings Valley Drive, 3:16 p.m.

Vehicle stolen, 1000 block Largo Center Drive, 4:08 p.m.

Residential break-in, 9100 block Utica Place, 4:56 p.m.

Theft, 9300 block Annapolis Road, 5:26 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 9800 block Good Luck Road, 5:31 p.m.

Theft, 3500 block Northshire Lane, 7:05 p.m.

Robbery, Eb Arena Drive/Nb Cap Belt Ol A Highway, 9:47 p.m.

Vehicle stolen, 8400 block Westphalia Road, 10:07 p.m.

Residential break-in, 13300 block 10th St., 10:29 p.m.

Vehicle stolen, 9200 block

Residential break-in, 10400 block Campus Way S, 9:57 a.m.

Robbery, 4700 block Colonel Dent Court, 1:27 p.m.

Assault, 500 block Largo Road, 1:50 p.m.

Theft, 15100 block Nashua Lane, 3:40 p.m.

Theft, 14100 block Guardian Court, 6:07 p.m.

Theft, 6800 block Race Track Road, 6:43 p.m.

Theft, 9900 block Greenbelt Road, 7:44 p.m.

Assault, 1100 block Shoppers Way, 7:53 p.m.

Robbery, 9400 block Annapolis Road, 8:47 p.m.

Vehicle stolen, 200 block Graiden St., 11:55 p.m.

FEB. 8

For additional police blotters, visit www.gazette.net Theft from vehicle, 12900 block Dunkirk Drive, 10:57 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 5700 block Justina Drive, 11:26 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 9800 block Good Luck Road, 12:35 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 9400 block Largo Drive W, 3:59 p.m.

Residential break-in, 9800 block Good Luck Road, 8:35 p.m.

Assault with a weapon, 800 block Shoppers Way, 10:17 p.m.

Theft, 1100 block Danbury Drive, 6:02 p.m.

FEB. 4 Theft from vehicle, 4200 block Southern Ave, 3:26 a.m.

Robbery, 6800 block Walker Mill Road, 4:25 a.m.

Vehicle stolen and recovered,

1100 block Kayak Ave, 5:34 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 1900 block Arcadia Ave, 6:06 a.m.

Vehicle stolen and recovered,

1500 block Blk Lorton Ave, 6:24 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 2900 block Donnell Drive, 6:51 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 5700 block South Hil Mar Cir, 8:43 a.m.

Theft, 7200 block Nimitz Drive, 10:46 a.m.

Residential break-in, 4300 block Will St., 10:48 a.m.

Theft, 4100 block Southern Ave, 1:00 p.m.

District 3 Headquarters, Palmer Park, 301-772-4900. Chapel Oaks, Cheverly, Glenarden, Fairmount Heights, Kentland, Landover, Palmer Park, Seat Pleasant, Forestville, Suitland, District Heights and Capitol Heights.

FEB. 3 Assault, 3400 block Parkway Terrace Drive, 12:48 a.m.

Theft, 7200 block Sheriff Road, 1:20 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 7100 block Silverton Court, 6:38 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 3900 block Ironwood Place, 8:05 a.m.

Theft, 8600 block Central Ave, 9:31 a.m.

Theft, 5300 block Sheriff Road, 10:34 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 5100 block Suitland Road, 2:22 p.m.

Vehicle stolen and recovered,

2000 block Addison Road S, 3:28 p.m.

Vehicle stolen and recovered,

4700 block Rolling Dale Way, 3:36 p.m.

Residential break-in, 2100 block Brooks Drive, 5:20 p.m.

Residential break-in, 6300 block Hil Mar Drive, 6:01 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 7600 block Barlowe Road, 8:12 p.m.

Vehicle stolen, 7700 block Burnside Road, 8:54 p.m.

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FEB. 5 Vehicle stolen and recovered,

4100 block Suitland Road, 6:38 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 7600 block Barlowe Road, 11:13 a.m.

11:20 a.m.

75th Ave, 11:41 a.m.

Assault, Ramblewood Drive/ Gateway Blvd, 12:32 p.m.

Vehicle stolen and recovered,

5800 block Jefferson Heights Drive, 2:44 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 4700 block Marlboro Pike, 2:44 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 5700 block Silver Hill Road, 4:15 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 5600 block Silver Hill Road, 4:21 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 8800 block Hampton Mall Drive, 4:46 p.m.

Residential break-in, 7200 block Hawthorne St., 10:29 p.m.

FEB. 6 Vehicle stolen, 200 block Westhampton Place, 6:34 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 4000 block Penn Belt Place, 7:12 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 3900 block Regency Pky, 7:14 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 8400 block Central Ave, 9:25 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 4000 block Suitland Road, 9:49 a.m.

Theft, 6800 block Walker Mill Road, 11:18 a.m.

Theft, 1200 block Elfin Ave, 1:55 p.m.

Theft, 5800 block Silver Hill Road, 2:11 p.m.

Residential break-in, 400 block Balboa Ave, 5:09 p.m.

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FEB. 5 Theft, Good Luck Road/ Cipriano Road, 12:19 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 9400 block Bluefield Road, 5:58 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 8900 block Fairview Ave, 6:53 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 8900 block Fairview Ave, 7:08 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 12500 block Millstream Drive, 7:10 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 8000 block Wingate Drive, 7:35 a.m.

Theft, 5400 block Barker Place, 9:51 a.m.

Commercial property break-in,

15201 Hall Road, Bowie, MD 20721

3200 block Superior Lane, 10:49 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 9100 block Fowler Lane, 11:27 a.m.

Theft, 1500 block Indiana Place, 1:44 p.m.

Commercial property breakin, 8400 block Westphalia Road,

9201 Basil Court 6985 Muirkirk Meadows Drive Largo, MD 20774 Beltsville, MD 20705

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Theft from vehicle, 500 block Ritchie Road, 7:09 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 8400 block Fieldstone Way, 7:24 a.m.

Theft, 6700 block District Heights Pky, 8:24 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 1100 block Kayak Ave, 9:16 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 5300 block Cumberland St., 10:05 a.m.

Theft from vehicle, 900 block Nadine Court, 11:10 a.m.

Theft, 3100 block Donnell Drive, 12:41 p.m.

Residential break-in, 3000 block Rainbird Court, 2:02 p.m.

Sexual assault, 3800 block Regency Pky, 3:31 p.m.

Residential break-in, 3500 block Pinevale Ave, 3:47 p.m.

Vehicle stolen, 7600 block Barlowe Road, 4:10 p.m.

Robbery, 600 block Suffolk Ave, 4:46 p.m.

Assault, 6100 block Old Silver Hill Road, 7:52 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 6700 block Walker Mill Road, 8:35 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 5800 block Hil Mar Drive, 11:49 p.m.

Vehicle stolen, 600 block Birchleaf Ave, 11:49 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 3100 block

The Centre at Forestville Woodmore Towne Centre 301-773-8661

FEB. 7

Commercial property breakin, 5800 block Silver Hill Road,

FEB. 8 Robbery, 1900 block Rochell Ave, 12:18 a.m.

Vehicle stolen, 4200 block Pennsylvania Ave, 1:07 a.m.

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Vehicle stolen and recovered,

2800 block West Ave, 8:25 p.m.

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Vehicle stolen and recovered,

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Assault, 7600 block Barlowe Road, 7:23 p.m.

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FEB. 7 Fowler Lane, 3:34 a.m.

Theft, 7300 block Landover Road, 2:51 p.m.

Theft from vehicle, 2100 block Brightseat Road, 3:26 p.m.

Theft, unit block of Ritchie Road, 4:16 p.m.

Residential break-in, 5200 block Marlboro Pike, 4:31 p.m.

Assault, 1100 block Mornington Place, 4:52 p.m.

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THE GAZETTE

Page A-6

AWARD

Continued from Page A-1 robots, singing with his sister and learning history.

Connor’s approach to his school work is businesslike — getting it done before the fun stuff — but he said he enjoys the work. He monitors his grades by checking online with the school’s Edline software to see what he needs to study. He hopes that focusing on what he needs to improve will get him another A-plus achievement.

“You get the schoolwork done first because everything else is extra,” Connor said. “So you do the other stuff if you have time. You have to get the school work out of the way first.”

Connor’s accomplishments don’t stop at high grades, though. He has won his grade level’s spelling bee since the first grade and won trophies at The 2013 Maryland Association of Christian Schools Fine Arts Festival with a duet with his sister, Adrianne, Ritter said.

MAYOR

Continued from Page A-1 with the mayor. In the vote of no confidence, the City Council members said they will do what is necessary to assist the city moving forward. The council started that process by changing the city’s charter to allow the council to hire a city attorney.

Glenarden’s previous mayor, Gail Parker-Carter, re-

Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

“I think [his accomplishments] speak very highly of him and his parents and the support they give him,” Ritter said.

Connor said he hadn’t decided on a career.

His mother, Mindy Fantasia, said she is proud of his varied interests and accomplishments, but they take a back seat to a broader goal.

“It is more important to me that he is a good person,” Fantasia said. “I would give this all up, if it meant that he would be a good person. And he is. I’m very proud of him.”

Connor said he will continue his efforts to make the A-plus Director’s List, especially working on the pull-ups that thwarted him last year.

“I haven’t done [pull-ups] as much as I should recently, but I want to keep doing them,” Connor said. “I’m proud of myself for the director’s list. It shows people what I can do. I’m happy.”

Adrianne Fantasia, 10, and her brother Connor Fantasia, 12, students at Grace Christian School, work with their Lego robot team, the Lego Life Savers, on Feb. 7.

BILL RYAN/ THE GAZETTE

ccook@gazette.net

ceived a vote of no confidence in April 2012 during her third term. The council voted 5-2 on the resolution, citing staff turnover and lack of leadership as reasons for the vote of no confidence.

The council accused the current mayor of firing the city attorney without notifying the City Council, not filing city mayor reports and not working with the council to establish contracts for city services.

Councilman James Herring (Ward 1) said during the meeting that Smith had not established a long-term contract for trash services, which expires at the end of the month.

Smith said the city attorney, Suellen Ferguson, was fired on Jan. 24, because he felt like she was working for the council and was not friendly toward the mayor’s office. Ferguson did not return phone calls for comment.

The city’s charter doesn’t say who has the authority to fire the city attorney, only that the position is appointed by the mayor and approved by the council.

Smith also denied not communicating with the council and said he was working on service contracts.

“I ask the citizens of Glenarden to rally to reclaim our city,” Smith said during the meeting. “To recognize ... that we should not allow a renegade group of council persons ... to continue with the chaos that has plagued our city for the past six years.”

Three council members, Maxine Phifer (At-large), Jennifer Jenkins (Ward 3) and council vice president Elaine Carter (Ward 2) voted against the vote

CASINO

TRANSFER

attention to detail the Maryland Commission and staff used throughout the licensing process, MGM National Harbor president Lorenzo Creighton said in an email to The Gazette. “Chairman [Donald] Fry deserves credit for guiding the Commission, the bidders, and the public through a process that proved to be comprehensive, transparent, and inclusive.”

discuss the building’s transfer.

“I’m not opposed to it being a training facility,” Burroughs said. “It is important that the school board and the administration at least consider what the community has to say.”

Thomas Himler, county deputy chief administrative officer, said the date of the request was merely the casino company and the county looking for property that would make a good training center.

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“To me, it is like he has no respect for the council,” Jones said.

Glenarden’s next election isn’t for another three years — the mayor and council serve four-year terms — so residents can’t vote out the officials without initiating a recall, but Jones said residents are going to make their voices heard while attending meetings.

“The citizens have been sleeping, but we have woke up and we want a better government,” Jones said.

The next step for the building is county government and MGM reaching an agreement on the terms to use Thomas Addison, said Himler, who declined to comment when that agreement would be completed.

Residents say they just want to make sure the building is used appropriately and given back to the community.

“I think it is window dressing,” Evans said. “Anytime they have given away something ... they are angling for something in return.”

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of no confidence. Council members Deborah Eason (Ward 2), Herring (Ward 1), Judy Diggs (At-Large), and council president Carolyn Smallwood (Ward 1) voted for the resolution.

“This is supposed to be behind-the-door stuff,” said resident Perry Hampton during the meeting. “We got to get somebody up here to vote everyone out of office.”

Resident Robin Jones said she supported the council’s vote of no confidence because she thinks the mayor won’t work with the council, she said. He isn’t communicating, she said.

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THE GAZETTE

Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

Page A-7

Body found after fire in Brandywine trailer A body was found in a burned-out trailer in Brandywine Tuesday evening, according to the Prince George’s Fire/ EMS Department.

Firefighters from the Baden Fire/EMS station reported to the scene in the 18100 block of Horsehead Road Brandywine at about 5 p.m. Tuesday after a nearby resident called to report seeing a burned-out trailer, ac-

cording to a release from the fire department Wednesday morning.

They found the fire already out, and found a body at the scene.

The trailer is home to an approximately 75-year-old man, according to the release. Officials could not determine the age or gender of the body so an autopsy will be required to make an identification.

Mark Brady, a spokesman

for the county fire/EMS department, said while autopsies are typically performed within 24 hours, he did not know for certain when this one would take place. He also said there was no additional information as of Wednesday morning.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation, and damages were estimated at about $5,000.

— JESSICA LODER

ANNEX

some legitimate concerns.”

Mary Nusser, who volunteers in the annex building and has had 12 of her family members attend Bowie High, said money for annex repairs has always finds its way somewhere else.

“No more marble floors get installed in any government building unless all of our roofs at schools are repaired,” Nusser

said. “Unless every child has a book in their hands, no more building upgrades at county buildings or state buildings.”

Woodhead said the school system hopes to get the high school priority list into the 2015 master plan, which would be released later this year.

Continued from Page A-1 ary building. Bowie officials have requested for more than a decade to build a new high school on Mitchellville Road, at a location already set for a new school, but their calls have not been answered. The delay of repairs to the annex building is just another notch in a belt of disappointment.

Bowie High has been part of the county school system’s Educational Facility Master Plans, which determines which school buildings need renovations and which areas need a new school, but the high school has bounced around.

“It should have been done years ago,” Bowie Mayor G. Frederick Robinson said.

“Worked our way up to the top of the list only to be knocked down. I’ve always been committed to a second high school. But I live in the world of reality, and if I can’t get a new high school than my plan B is to get a major renovation.”

Woodhead said the school systems plan to create a new priority list for high schools that take into consideration the school’s physical condition, utilization and educational adequacy. At the moment, the school’s physical condition is the primary factor in receiving renovations, she said.

“We are working to put measures in place that will be very clear and fair and transparent,” Woodhead said. “I do know that Bowie has some real concerns,

ccook@gazette.net

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1884444

1884455

Gazette-Star OUROPINIONS

Former Prince George’s County Councilman Tony Knotts is no stranger to election rules, but the redistricting process seems to have caught him by surprise.

Knotts, a Democrat who has lived in Temple Hills for more than two decades and served on the council from 2002 to 2010, went to file paperwork in November for a House of Delegates run in District 26— the area in which his home was located prior to redistricting in 2012. However, after the 2012 boundary changes were made due to population shifts, his longtime home had been switched to District 25.

Knotts’ home is near the border of the two FORMER districts, and the slight boundary adjustment COUNCILMAN’S made for a big difference REDISTRICTING in his election plans. While CONFUSION RAISES his longtime home was in EYEBROWS, SERVES a new district, the bulk of AS REMINDER TO the former District 26 was still part of the new DisCANDIDATES trict 26.

Fortunately for Knotts — who said he feels a stronger connection with District 26 — he had put his Temple Hills home up for sale in June after purchasing land to build a home in Fort Washington (which is also in District 26) and had been looking for a rental home. He began leasing a home in District 26 in December and filed to run for office in January.

The mishap is understandable — many residents probably don’t play close attention to their state legislative district numbers or redistricting details, especially those living near district borders — but, understandably, Knotts’ situation is still raising questions. After all, it’s a bit more unusual for a former elected official to be out of the loop regarding their own legislative district.

Residents questioned whether Knotts was trying to avoid running in his new district to avoid battling established incumbents seeking re-election. The facts so far appear to contradict that theory, however. In districts 25 and 26, none of the incumbents has filed yet for re-election to their delegate posts; two have filed for other state seats.

Also in Knotts’ defense, redistricting changes paired with the challenges of selling a home and planning to move could have simply caused a perfect, confusing storm.

At a minimum, however, it seems Knotts is guilty of being a seasoned official who doesn’t keep track of the district in which he resides, not even when planning a run for office. What may seem like a minor error could prove to be a large factor if Knotts’ competitors challenge his legislative awareness.

In the end, however, he is meeting election guidelines.

State delegate candidates must live in the district at least six months to run for the seat, and by the November election, Knotts will have lived in his district nearly a year.

Perhaps a bigger question is whether candidates should be required to live in the district for six months prior to filing for office rather than six months prior to winning the race.

With weeks left before the filing deadline, it’s clear that every detail of the upcoming elections will be examined closely. Other political hopefuls should take notes from Knotts and be sure to double check their districts before making a similar error so early in the campaign season.

Hope for Hyattsville’s international festival

It’s no surprise that as budget discussions begin in Hyattsville, one of the first requests from a resident was the restoration of the city’s International Street Festival.

The festival last year was combined with the celebration for National Night Out, a crime prevention event, to cut costs.

Economically, it made sense. Instead of spending $18,000 per year for the international festival, the city combined the event with National Night Out (which is generally funded through donations) and paid $15,000. It wasn’t an ideal scenario, but in light of the city’s $1 million deficit, the compromise was understandable.

Prior to 2011, when the festival was discontinued due to scheduling problems, the event attracted up to 1,000 visitors. The combined event last fall attracted about 500 — an average number for National Night Out, but not so good for the festival.

The city is still in the preliminary stages of planning its fiscal 2015 budget. However, given the cultural diversity of the Hyattsville community — about 34 percent of the community is Hispanic or Latino, 35.6 percent is black, 33 percent is white, and about 4 percent is Asian, according to the 2010 census — and the sense of community generated at past festivals, bringing back the event is definitely worth the effort.

Kudos to city officials for attempting to work out ways to keep the festival alive. Let’s hope revenue levels allow them to bring the event back to its former splendor.

Douglas S. Hayes, Associate Publisher

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Page A-8

Don’t forget nonprofits in minimum wage effort The Arc Prince George’s County supports efforts to raise the minimum wage.

But a key element has been omitted from both state and county minimum wage legislation: raising the level of funding to nonprofits for their employees who provide direct support to people with developmental disabilities. These experienced and dedicated employees have already lost ground. Since 2007 the minimum wage has risen 41 percent. Yet during this same time, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) has increased reimbursement rates for direct support staff by a mere 8 percent. New minimum wage legislation will make this disparity even larger.

Prince George’s County has already

passed a bill increasing the minimum wage. If the current increases in the minimum wage proposed by both county and state move forward without a commensurate increase in funding to the nonprofits who provide support to people with developmental disabilities, the impact will be devastating on the quality of life for our most vulnerable citizens.

There is an effort in the state legislature to fix the discrepancy. Senate Bill 890 and House Bill 1266 will require the state Department of Mental Health and Hygiene to raise the DDA reimbursement rates to assure that direct support staff earn a decent wage for the valuable services they render.

The Arc Prince George’s County supports SB 890 and HB 1266, and we urge all

Ken Sain, Sports Editor Dan Gross, Photo Editor Jessica Loder, Web Editor

citizens to contact their state legislators to express their support. We also ask the county executive and County Council to consider the impact that the recently passed county minimum wage bill will have on direct support staff, and to take similar steps to ensure the lives of our families and friends with developmental disabilities are not severely impacted by legislation that is meant to help everyone.

Simply put, state and local governments should do what they are requiring the private sector to do: raise the wage levels for employees whose wages depend on government funding.

Mac Ramsey is executive director of The Arc Prince George’s County.

State law still shortchanges students From 1896 through 1954, this nation endured the flawed “separate but equal” ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson that would eventually be overturned by the ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.

Fast forward to the 1980s, Marylanders began to notice inequitable education funding as a growing social COMMENTARY concern. In an efKENNETH HAINES fort to cope with wide economic disparities between certain geographic regions, a policy was adopted that any jurisdiction’s funding would be considered “equitable” as long as it fell above 80 percent of the wealthiest jurisdiction’s funding level.

With all deliberate speed, Maryland

had arrived at a policy of unequal is equitable: a move of near-Orwellian proportions.

Then, in 1984, the first iteration of the maintenance-of-effort law attempted, at least, to ensure a constant level of funding by requiring that local education providers annually adjust their local education spending upward to keep pace with inflation.

Per-pupil spending was still required only to remain above 80 percent of the highest rate in the state.

Incomprehensibly, the law was amended a few years ago, to a less rigorous formula that does not include compliance with the unfunded mandates of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act or funding for summer school which, together, constitutes a bit less than half of all education spending.

The result? Lower staffing ratios, larger class sizes and fewer resources for the fully

two-thirds of our students who live their lives at the economic margins and arguably demonstrate the most profound need of such advantages.

The Bridge to Excellence Act, inspired by the much celebrated Thornton Commission, once again called into question the apparent disparities between wellfunded and poorly funded schools, and the all-too-apparent discrepancies between the educational opportunities offered in affluent and socio-economically challenged communities.

The legislation mandated unprecedented new levels of contribution from the state legislature, but real “equity” in public education will remain a distant dream as long as we persist in furnishing only a fraction of what children need.

Kenneth B. Haines is the president of the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association.

An opportunity to show appreciation for veterans Valentine’s Day is a great time to say thank you to veterans throughout the country.

The VA National Salute to Veteran Patients Week observance runs from Feb. 9 through 15, and is timed to coincide with Valentine’s Day to connect the holiday’s sentiments of caring and sharing with expressing honor and appreciation to veterans for their sacrifice and service. Already, valentine cards are arriving at our three inpatient facilities to attest to the gratitude toward our nation’s veterans. During this observance throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System, community musical groups have volunteered to perform throughout our facilities, bringing their music, their talents and time to veteran inpatients.

As part of this weeklong observance, the VA Maryland Health Care System invites community members to learn more about volunteer opportunities at any of our VA inpatient or outpatient facilities.

There are more than 1,340 volunteers who gave over 113,000 hours of service during the past year to support the needs of Maryland’s hospitalized veterans. We cherish the time and talent volunteer community members dedicate to our veteran patients.

We hope that Marylanders continue to remember the

GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

The Public Safety Color Guard present the flags for the national anthem at an event honoring veterans in Upper Marlboro. Feb. 9 through Feb. 15 is VA National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, an opportunity to show appreciation to veterans for their sacrifices. needs of our veterans with a show of support and appreciation through continued visits and volunteer involvement. At the VA Maryland Health Care System, community volunteers can choose from an array of activities and assignments that can make their experience enjoyable for them and for our veteran patients. Whether you volunteer to sit and chat with a veteran patient, help them to write letters or come with a musical instrument to play for their enjoyment, just being present with a smile is sometimes all

Send us your letters Letters must include the writer’s name, address and telephone number. The phone number will not be published; it is for verification purposes only. We reserve the right to edit all letters. Letters selected may be shortened for space reasons. Send letters to: Editor, Gazette Newspapers, 13501 Virginia Manor Road, Laurel, MD 20707. E-mail them to princegeorges@gazette.net.

it takes to brighten a patient’s day.

Every citizen can make a positive difference in the life of a veteran patient. Visits from community groups and individuals do much to lift the spirits of our patients, some of whom may not have family to visit them. Many returning veterans are coming to the VA Maryland Health Care System with special needs and challenges that require the hearts and hands of a new generation of VA volunteers. For veterans, knowing that others appreciate their sacrifice and

Dennis Wilston, Corporate Advertising Director Doug Baum, Corporate Classifieds Director Mona Bass, Inside Classifieds Director

service can go a long way in the healing process.

I invite every community member to participate in any small way they can to thank the proud American men and women who have served and sacrificed for freedom around the world. You can send valentines to our veteran inpatients, or better yet, sign up to participate as a volunteer.

Anytime community members visit or interact with veteran patients, it serves as an excellent reminder that their sacrifices are appreciated.

To schedule a visit during National Salute to Veteran Patients Week, please contact the Voluntary Service Office at one of the following VA Maryland Health Care System facilities: • Baltimore VA Medical Center, 410- 605-7100 • Perry Point VA Medical Center, 410-642-1038 To learn more about the many volunteer opportunities available throughout the VA Maryland Health Care System, please visit our volunteer website at: http://www.maryland. va.gov/giving/volunteer.asp.

Please help us show Maryland’s hospitalized veterans that they have not been forgotten.

Dennis H. Smith is director of the VA Maryland Health Care System.

Celebrate a brainy Valentine’s Day As Valentine’s Day approaches, we are inundated with cards, candy, T-shirts, etc., embossed with hearts representing love. This may have been appropriate during the distant past, however, today we know that the heart is nothing more than a muscle, and the brain is the true seat of emotions.

I propose that the heart be replaced by the brain as the symbol of love. The word “heart” should also be replaced by the word “brain” on

13501 Virginia Manor Road, Laurel, MD 20707 | Phone: 240-473-7500 | Fax: 240-473-7501 | Email: princegeorges@gazette.net More letters appear online at www.gazette.net/opinion

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LETTERS TOT HE EDITOR

Blurred election lines

Gazette-Star

Forum

Jean Casey, Director of Marketing and Circulation Anna Joyce, Creative Director, Special Pubs/Internet Ellen Pankake, Director of Creative Services

all valentines, in love songs, love stories, religious texts, religious songs, etc.

It is time to leave the dark ages.

As a geek, I propose the following as the ultimate expression of love: I love you very, very much I love you like a hero I love you more than one over X As X approaches zero

John O’ Hara, Bowie

POST COMMUNITY MEDIA Karen Acton, Chief Executive Officer Michael T. McIntyre, Controller Donna Johnson, Vice President of Human Resources Maxine Minar, President, Comprint Military

LIST OF PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY ATHLEES WHO SIGNED LETTERS OF INTENT, A-10

SPORTS BOWIE | LARGO | UPPER MARLBORO | CLINTON

www.gazette.net | Thursday, February 13, 2014 | Page A-9

HOW THEY RANK BOYS The 10 best boys’ basketball teams in Prince George’s County as ranked by The Gazette’s sports staff:

Rank 1.

School

Record Pts

DeMatha

21-3 58

2.

Henry A. Wise

17-2 56

3.

Clinton Christian 16-5 47

4.

Charles H. Flowers 15-4 40

5.

Riverdale Baptist 22-7 38

6.

Potomac

7.

Eleanor Roosevelt 15-5 23

8.

Gwynn Park

9.

Frederick Douglass 11-8 14

10.

Capitol Christian 16-8 6

16-4 31

14-6 16

Bowie, 1.

Grappling with success

BEST BET

Gwynn Park at Largo, 7:15 p.m. Friday: If the weather cooper-

ates, this will be the final big clash in the 3A/2A/1A before playoffs.

TOP SCORERS

Name, school M. Reed, Capitol Christian A. Bundu, Largo D. Taylor, Central A. Fox, Eleanor Roosevelt E. Hill, Surrattsville D. Stockman, Pallotti G. Gray, Suitland R. Broddie, Potomac B. Better, Crossland D. Wiley, Potomac J. Davis, Clinton Christian M. West, Friendly B. Dawson, Forestville J. Gray, Bowie M. Till, Wise J. Grimsley, Capitol Christian B. Hawkins, Clinton Christ.

FILE PHOTO

Bishop McNamara’s Alfred Bannister (top) is signed to wrestle at the University of Maryland, College Park in the fall.

Others receiving votes:

PPG 30.8 25.9 25.0 21.8 20.2 18.8 18.7 18.6 18.5 18.4 17.7 17.7 17.5 17.3 17.2 17.1 17.1

McNamara wrestler nears end of national record-setting tenure

n

BY TED BLACK STAFF WRITER

Bishop McNamara High School senior Alfred Bannister III admits he sets goals. And when you’re from a family that has established itself in Maryland high school wrestling history, some of those goals will likely include that sport.

Such as graduating as the wrestler who won more matches than anyone else in state history.

Bannister has been there, done that. He has 257 wins, eclipsing the previous record of 249. In his four years at the Upper Marlboro school, he has lost only eight matches.

But Bannister the goal-setter isn’t done yet.

He is fourth in Unites States history in high school wins, and could finish this year in at least third. Justin Zeerip (260 wins) is ahead of him. It is unlikely he can catch Colton Palmer (284) for second or get close to all-time leader, Chad Pyke’s total of

327 wins at College Park Woodward Academy (Ga.).

“When I was a little kid, my dad [Alfred Bannister, Jr.] and my brother [Andrew] would wrestle with me downstairs in our basement,” Bannister said. “They were great competition and that’s what I wanted. I pride myself on being competitive. From the time that I started high school, I wanted to win more matches than my brother did [205]. Then coming into my senior year I knew that I was getting close to the state record and that became my next goal.”

See SUCCESS, Page A-10

GIRLS The 10 best girls’ basketball teams in Prince George’s County as ranked by The Gazette’s sports staff:

Rank 1.

School

Record Pts

Eleanor Roosevelt 18-0 58

2.

Riverdale Baptist 16-3 55

3.

Elizabeth Seton 20-4 49

4.

Charles H. Flowers 14-1 42

5.

Largo

15-5 36

6.

Gwynn Park

16-3 29

7.

Bowie

14-6 25

8.

Capitol Christian 15-6 16

9.

Crossland

10.

St. Vincent Pallotti 13-7 7

13-5 13

Others receiving votes: None.

BEST BET

Largo at Gwynn Park, 7 p.m.

Friday: The Lions can clinch the

3A/2A/1A League with a win. A Gwynn Park win triggers a tiebreaking coin flip to see who plays for the county championship.

TOP SCORERS

Name, school K. Conteh, Parkdale M. Fletcher, Potomac D. Boykin, Charles H. Flowers C. Ray, Riverdale Baptist K. Charles, Eleanor Roosevelt C. Tyler, Suitland J. Harris, Crossland C. Jackson, Riverdale Baptist C. Musgrave, Elizabeth Seton I. Quinn, Fairmont Heights L. Jing, Laurel I. Yates, Potomac Tak. Ellis, Gwynn Park M. Sisco, Friendly C. Lee, Henry A. Wise A. Long, Largo M. Brown, Laurel K. Horn, Forestville B. Hughey, Capitol Christian B. Ogunrinde, Pallotti

PPG 23.6 23.1 21.8 19.2 17.9 17.8 17.6 17.4 17.2 17.2 16.9 16.9 16.8 16.4 15.8 15.8 15.7 15.7 15.4 15.4

Potomac High School senior Myia Fletcher practices with her girls’ basketball team on Monday. She is the second-leading scorer in Prince George’s County this week.

BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE

AAU helped Potomac senior finally get noticed One of county’s top scorer credits summer team for college interest

n

Woodstream graduate pursues Division I goal n

BY

STAFF WRITER

McCray hopes to earn men’s basketball scholarship after improving grades BY

KENT ZAKOUR STAFF WRITER

Two years ago, as a senior at Woodstream Christian Academy, Gabe McCray thought he would be heading to one of the better Division I college basketball programs in the country. He had been offered to walk-on at Georgetown University and play for coach John Thompson III. But because of poor grades and a low SAT score, McCray was unable to qualify and was declared ineligible by the NCAA Clearinghouse. So, in search of a way to improve his academic standing and refine his basketball skills, he looked into attending a junior college or prep school. Eventually, he chose to enroll at Prince George’s Community College after developing a strong rapport Owls’ coach Xavier Joyner.

“Gabe’s a talented and good kid,” Joyner said. “He just

See WOODSTREAM, Page A-10

ERIC GOLDWEIN

GREG DOHLER/THE GAZETTE

Gabriel MCray (right) of host Prince George’s Communty College fights for a rebound Tuesday against Tyler Napierla of Harford Community College in Largo.

Senior Myia Fletcher has been one of the top Potomac High School girls’ basketball players for four seasons, averaging double-digit points as a freshman and since blossoming into one of the leading scorer in the Prince George’s County 3A/2A/1A Division. But it wasn’t until last year, when she started playing Amateur Athletic Union basketball, that the 5-foot-6 guard had even considered playing at the next level.

“That’s when it hit me,” said Fletcher, who averages 23.1 points. “I think when we started our first tournament [in North Carolina]. I saw coaches there and I was like, ‘Wow, this is amazing.’”

Fletcher played for the Metro Lady Celtics, an AAU team consisting mostly of Division II, Division III and junior college prospects. The team allows players such as Fletcher to not only improve their games, but also gain attention from schools.

Lady Celtics coach Derwin Faulkner said AAU can help athletes such as Fletcher who play for lesser known schools and have trouble getting noticed by college recruiters.

“She’s extremely intelligent, she knows the game, she makes good decisions with the basketball,” said Faulkner,

See AAU, Page A-10

Page A-10

THE GAZETTE

Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

WOODSTREAM

Continued from Page A-9 needed a little bit of seasoning.”

Following an inconsistent 2012-13 freshman campaign in which McCray averaged 7.2 points per game as a starter and bench player, he has emerged as the Owls’ (17-8 record) best player this winter. Starting all 25 games, the 6-foot-6, 200-pound Mitchellville resident has averaged a double-double (18.0 points per game, 10.9 rebounds) to go along with 2.2 assists per contest.

“My shooting has really developed and I’ve learned how to play hard and contribute everywhere,” the sophomore guard said. “Everything, really, is better. ... I just got to do anything to help us win.”

McCray, who says he holds a 3.2 grade-point average, does not have an official scholarship offer yet, but he expects to

AAU

Continued from Page A-9 who coaches Frederick Douglass’s girls. “But Potomac isn’t known for girls’ basketball.”

Fletcher said she has made contacts with multiple coaches through AAU and that she received a verbal offer from Shepherd University, a Division II school in West Virginia.

“A lot of these coaches have roster spots to fill,” said Potomac coach and Lady Celtics assistant Eli Horowitz. “I think a lot of seniors in our county could play at the next level but then they think it’s too late or their coaches might not know who’s out there.”

The AAU landscape has evolved over the past decade, with more teams popping up and players flocking to the elite organizations, Faulkner said.

SUCCESS

Continued from Page A-9 Michael Bressler, a 2007 graduate of Grace Brethren and Progressive Christian Academy, owned the previous state record before Bannister passed him.

Of Bannister’s eight losses, only three have come since his freshman season. And none have come during the past two years. Bannister said that his two wins at the Beast of the East tournament remain his personal highlights.

Less than a week after capturing his fourth consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title while competing at 140 pounds, Bannister officially took the first step toward his collegiate career Feb. 5 when he signed his national letter of intent to attend the University of Maryland, College Park.

His talents on the mat, honed by years of wrestling

transfer to a four-year Division I college following the semester. Joyner, meanwhile, says it is only a matter of time.

“His grades a strong now and he’s a little older, more mature,” Joyner said. “He’s worked real hard and has everything in order now. He’s only going to get better and you will probably see that next year.”

PGCC, which is hosting the MD JUCO tournament’s quarterfinal, semifinal and championship games this weekend, is scheduled to play No. 5 Garrett at 8 p.m. on Friday in the quarterfinals. The Owls came from behind to defeat Harford Community College 72-63 in Tuesday’s opening round.

McCray struggled shooting the ball against Harford, going just 4-of-13 from the field and 2-of-7 from the free throw line.

He scored just two points — off free throws — in the first half.

McCray, who also committed five turnovers and failed to con-

vert three alley-oop attempts, was better in the second half, finishing with 10 points.

Despite finishing well below his season average, McCray did not let his scoring difficulties affect the rest of his game — his intangibles are improved this year, according to Joyner.

He finished with 16 rebounds, five assists and two steals and sparked his team offensively early in the second half with several key hustle plays that led to transition baskets.

“That’s the difference in Gabe this year and last year,” said Joyner, who added that McCray is averaging 23 points and 14 rebounds per game in the second semester. “He’s a whole new player that’s much tougher — mentally and physically — and does a little bit of everything for us. When things don’t fall, he stays with it. [Miscues] don’t affect him like they used to.”

There is less continuity within the teams, said Keith McClung, who coached the Maryland Beltway Lady Cougars for the past two years. This past season, McClung said his girls’ team started with about 12 players and finished the season with nine — only six of the originals.

“It’s not like it used to be where players would start with their team from when they were six and seven [and play] all the way up until high school,” McClung said.

Fletcher has benefitted from the AAU experience, boosting her scoring average by about five points this season, Faulkner said. She has scored in double figures every game and hit the 30-point marker four times while leading Potomac to a 6-12 record as of Tuesday.

“If Myia was on an elite program, she would be in the

newspaper every week,” said Faulkner, who has coached girls’ AAU basketball for nine years.

“She would probably have better offers and she’d get the accolades she deserved.”

Fletcher said several aspects of her game, such as her 3-point shooting, have improved because of AAU. “That’s the reason why I’ve been successful scoring this year. The level from AAU is so much higher than in [Prince George’s] County,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher, who scored 46 points against Central in January, said she is undecided about her plans for next season.

“We’re just trying to be patient,” Horowitz said. “She’ll be playing somewhere but this is the first time she’s gotten any kind of attention.”

with his older brother, were so highly sought after that Maryland coach Kerry McCoy often personally scouted his matches and attended Bannister’s signing ceremony.

“From a technical standpoint, we’re a lot alike,” said McCoy, who wrestled for Penn State University in the ultracompetitive Big Ten, coincidentally the conference Maryland is joining for the 2014-15 school year. “But he wins with quickness, whereas I was a methodical wrestler.

“I had heard about his success at the major tournaments and I knew that I had to see him for myself in order to get him to commit. Everything he does on the mat is very effective. His quickness is one asset, but he also has very good technique and he doesn’t like to lose.”

Bannister’s father agreed.

“From the time he was a little kid, even before grade school, we always called him ‘Baby J’,” Alfred Bannister, Jr. said, refer-

ring to his son’s middle name, Jeffrey. “When he went to first grade, the teacher wanted to call him Alfred, but everybody knew him as ‘Baby J’ so I had to sign a permission slip allowing the teacher to call him by his nickname.

“He’s so humble and not the type that boasts. Most of his friends really didn’t realize that he wrestled until he started getting close to the state record.

From the time he started high school, he always wanted to wrestle for Maryland. He had interest from Virginia Tech, but Maryland was his first choice all along.”

Bannister won’t be the only one going to Maryland. At Bishop McNamara’s signing day ceremony, his football teammate, offensive lineman Damian Prince — the top-rated recruit in Maryland — announced he was signing to attend Maryland as well.

kzakour@gazette.net

egoldwein@gazette.net

tblack@gazette.net

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY NLI SIGNING DAY BY

GAZETTE STAFF

Wednesday was the first day high school seniors can sign a National Letter of Intent to play football, soccer, track and field, cross country, men’s water polo and field hockey in college. Below is a list of all the student-athletes from Prince George’s County that The Gazette has been able to confirm that have (or expect to) signed their national letters of intent. Athletes who plan to play at non-scholarship schools are also included.

This list will be updated. Coaches and athletic directors may send signings to sports@gazette.net.

Football

1884482

n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n n

Ayodeji Agbelese, DuVal, Morgan State Marcus Allen, Henry A. Wise, Penn State Mark Allen, DeMatha, Penn State University Jonathan Alley-Addo, DeMatha, Virginia Union Ja’Whaun Anthony, DeMatha, Purdue Justin Baynes, Riv. Baptist, Charleston (W.Va) Isiah Black, Henry A. Wise, St. Anselm’s College Marcus Bullock, Largo, Johnson C. Smith Anthony Chelsea, Gwynn Park, Coastal Carolina Claude Clark, Forestville, Bowie State Jordan Crockett, McNamara, Albany Brian Darby, Oxon Hill, Ellsworth CC Terrence Davenport, DuVal, West Virginia State Taiwon Deal, DeMatha, Wisconsin Sinmi Demurin, DeMatha, Maine Jerome Dews, Potomac, Tennessee Bakari Ellis, Suitland, Linwood Divonte Fox, DeMatha, Virginia Union College Brian Freeman, Suitland, Malone College Omar Geronimo, Forestville, Chowan Devonta High, Frederick Douglass, Bowie State Deonte Holden, DeMatha, North Carolina State Anthony Jackson, Suitland, Delaware Marcel Joly, Forestville Military Academy, Iowa

n Chris Jones, DeMatha, Wisconsin n Jarriel Jordan, Jr., DeMatha, Richmond n Spencer Kleinrichert, DeMatha, William and Mary n Elijah Liverette, Eleanor Roosevelt, W.Virginia St. n John Lovett, DeMatha, Princeton n Jesse Manful, DuVal, West Virginia State n Dale Matthews, Jr., DeMatha, Richmond n Malcolm McCoy, Frederick Douglass, Bowie State n Nick Nelson, Suitland, Hawaii n Terewell Newton, DuVal, Dean College n Cameron Phillips, DeMatha, Virgina Tech n Damian Prince, McNamara, Maryland n Khalil Proctor, Forestville, Shepherd n Jamal Robinson, DeMatha, Albany n Brock Ruble, DeMatha, Florida State n Earon Settles, Forestville, Glenville State College n Joseph Shelton, Henry A. Wise, Alderson Broaddus n Jamaal Woodland, DuVal, Toledo

Soccer n Matthew Bautista, DeMatha, Coastal Carolina n Brendan Burke, DeMatha, Navy n Joe Conti, DeMatha, Massachussetts at Lowell n Koby Osei-Wusu, DeMatha, George Washington n AJ Read, DeMatha, Coastal Academy n Arion Sobers-Assue, DeMatha, Florida Gulf Coast

Wrestling n Alfred Bannister, III, McNamara, Maryland

Baseball n Isaiah Chambers, McNamara, Maryland, ES

Track and field n Javonne Antoine, Seton, North Carolina State n Paris Vaughn, Henry A. Wise, Miami of Ohio

MOVIE REVIEW

&

PERFECT FIT

Tiny plastic pieces unite for a surprise hit in “The Lego Movie.”

The Gazette’s Guide to

Arts & Entertainment

Page B-4

www.gazette.net

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Thursday, February 13, 2014

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Wanda (Jennifer Rosenberg) and Victoria (Naomi Cohen) share a scene in the upcoming production of “The Waiting Room” at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park.

PHOTO DYLAN SINGLETON

Play focuses on women’s social norms throughout history n

BY

WILL C. FRANKLIN STAFF WRITER

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

The old idiom certainly rings true — what may be beautiful to some might not be as lovely to others. That’s especially true when dealing with what constitutes beauty throughout different points in history.

The School of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies at the University of Maryland will be performing Lisa Loomer’s “The Waiting Room,” starting Friday at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

“The Waiting Room” is a dark comedy about beauty throughout the ages — and what it takes to have PHOTO BY DAVID OSTERGAARD

See DEEP, Page B-4

THE WAITING ROOM n When: 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 14-15, and Feb. 19-22; 2 p.m. Feb. 16 and 22 n Where: Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, 3800 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, College Park n Tickets: $10-$25 n For information: 301-405-2787; claricesmith.umd. edu

Traveling actors with the Bright Star Touring Theatre will return to the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly with a new show for children called “William’s Adventure in Black History.” The playhouse will host two matinee performances on Wednesday.

ONE ACTOR, 20 CHARACTERS, TWO MATINEES

n

Building ‘Our Town’ n NASA-based troupe brings Thornton Wilder’s idealistic burg to life

BY SAMANTHA SCHMIEDER SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

BY

VIRGINIA TERHUNE

T

STAFF WRITER

raveling actors with the Bright Star Touring Theatre will soon return to the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly with a new show for children, “William’s Adventure in Black History.”

The Playhouse will host two matinee performances on Wednesday. The 45-minute show is recommended for children in prekindergarten to grade five.

“William’s Adventure” is about a student (actor Devin Finn) who is asked by his teacher (Aiesha Dukes) to write a report about famous

people stretching back through 400 years of black history in America.

William involves the audience by asking for help to write the report.

“He talks to the audience and asks for their input,” said David Ostergaard, founder and owner of the North Carolina-based Bright Star Touring Theatre.

Meanwhile, Dukes is scooting on and off stage, rapidly changing costumes and props to play 20 characters, he said.

Among such icons are Dr. Martin Luther King, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Thurgood Marshall and Mae Jemison, the first AfricanAmerican woman to travel in space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeav-

See HISTORY, Page B-3

WILLIAM’S ADVENTURE IN BLACK HISTORY n When: 10:15 a.m. and noon, Wednesday n Where: Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly n Tickets: $6 per person; $5 per groups of 15 or more. Recommended for children in prekindergarten through fifth grade. Call for ticket availability. n For information: 301-277-1710, arts. pgparks.com

It doesn’t usually take a rocket scientist to put on a play.

However, for MAD, the music and drama club at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, it takes rocket scientists, engineers, astrophysicists, analysts and variety of others to produce their annual winter show. This year the group is performing “Our Town,” a 1938 play written by Thornton Wilder about the community in the small town of Grover’s Corner.

“I wanted to put on this play with this group because this group is a community,” Jon Gardner said.

Gardner is an astrophysicist and chief of the Laboratory for Observational Cosmology at Goddard, but this year he takes on a new role as the director of MAD’s winter play. Gardner explained that he chose “Our

OUR TOWN n When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2:30 p.m.

Sundays, Feb. 21 to March 8 n Where: Barney and Bea Recreation Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, 1000 Good Luck Road, Greenbelt n Tickets; $18 n For information: 240-475-8800; madtheater.org

Town,” in particular, because it shows the cycle of life in a small community and he felt it was reminiscent of the things that happen in the MAD community.

“Our Town” is made up of three acts chronicling the daily life of Grover’s Corner spanning from a normal day to marriage and even a funeral.

Gardner sees the members of MAD, who range from 9 to 89 years old, as a group of people who really pay attention and care about what’s going on with

See TOWN, Page B-2

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Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

College collection “UNVEILED, works from the UMUC Art Collections,” continues to March 30 at the University of Maryland University College Arts

JOHN WOO

Grace Hartigan’s painting, “Watteau’s Musicians,” is one of 33 pieces in the “Unveiled” exhibit running to March 30 at UMUC in Adelphi.

PHOTO BY PETER ADAMIK

Program’s main gallery in Adelphi. Featuring the work of more than 30 artists, the focus of the collection is on artists who have lived or worked in Maryland, as well as art from Asia, including China and Japan. An opening reception is scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 20 at the gallery. Normal hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, visit umuc.edu/visitors/events/art/ friends.cfm.

Valentine’s Day dips, dives and twirls

The Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet: (clockwise, from left) Marion Reinhard, bassoon; Fergus McWilliam, horn; Walter Seyfarth, clarinet; Michael Hasel, flute; Andreas Wittman, oboe.

Winter wind

Joe’s Movement Emporium will host a

Valentine’s Day Swing Dance at 7 p.m. Friday at the Mount Rainier dance center. Admission

The Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet will perform in concert at 8 p.m. Saturday at the Gildenhorn Recital Hall at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park. Featured on the program will

be Mozart’s “Fantasy for mechanical organ, K. 608,” arranged for wind quintet by Michael Hasel; Joseph Bohuslav Foerster’s “Quintet in D major op. 95” and Kalevi Aho’s “Windquintet.” The University of Maryland’s Graduate Fellowship Woodwind Quintet will join the ensemble in a performance of Gounod’s “Petite symphonie.” Tickets are $40 for general admission, $32 for subscribers and UMD faculty and staff, $35 for seniors and UMD alumni association and $10 for students and youth. For more information, visit claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.

MELISSA ROSENBERG

Dance instructor Ken Roesel does a dip with Neena Narayanan at Joe’s Movement Emporium.

includes a swing dance lesson, music and dancing, desserts and a cash bar, with proceeds benefiting Joe’s Educational Services for youth in Prince George’s County. Swing era attire is encouraged. Tickets are $15 per person or $25 for couples. For more information, visit joesmovement.org.

Gazette Health 2014 PHOTO BY JON GARDNER

Special Issue featuring

Senior Health Children’s/Family Health Women’s/Men’s Health in partnership with local hospitals

GAZETTE HEALTH WILL PROMOTE THE FOLLOWING: • Front page of The Gazette the week of publication • Quarter page display ads in The Gazette • Gazette.Net homepage and local pages • Social Networking Sites (Facebook, Twitter) • Web version on Gazette.Net homepages

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(From left) Dave Buckingham as Howie Newsome, James Kalshoven as Constable Warren and Jason Kalshoven as Joe Crowell rehearse for MAD’s production of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.”

TOWN

Continued from Page B-1 each other. The play is multigenerational and many families, including Gardner, his wife and two of his three children, are involved in it together, using it as a way to spend time with each other.

“It would be hard to justify spending this much time on an activity that didn’t involve my kids,” Gardner said.

Rebecca, Gardner’s 9-yearold daughter, said that her favorite part about being in the play is learning her lines and practicing. Gardner’s 15-year-old son, David, is also involved backstage and is in charge of lighting for the show.

With about 10,000 employees, Goddard is often referred to as a campus, and just like any good college campus, it boasts an array of these sorts of clubs, ranging from beer-making to dance and even a softball league.

Kathy Fontaine, the current president of MAD and a policy analyst at Goddard, explained that anyone who has an interest can start a club.

“It’s my job to make sure we put on the best show,” Fontaine said.

She explained that MAD is completely self-sufficient and

although they used to receive money from the Goddard Employee Welfare Association, now they completely thrive off of their ticket sales.

“Getting people to the door has been challenging,” Randy Barth said.

Barth is a computer scientist at Goddard and is playing the role of the on stage narrator in “Our Town.” Barth has been involved with MAD since 1975, just five years after it began, and has seen a lot of changes over the years, particularly a decline in ticket sales in the last decade or so as other forms of entertainment push going to the theater to the bottom of some peoples’ lists.

“Our Town,” which features a pre-show cabaret, premieres on Feb. 21 and runs to March 8 with Friday and Saturday evening performances and Sunday matinees.

Hors d’oeuvres and soft drinks are included with each ticket. “Our Town” will be the final production staged at the Barney and Bea Recreation Center on Goddard grounds before the space closes for renovations.

Though unsure where the club will move to just yet, Fontaine, Barth and Gardner were optimistic about the future of MAD, explaining that the shows will continue.

“The club will go on,” Gardner said.

10% OFF FOR RESERVING AT LEAST 2 EDITIONS

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Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

Page B-3

Complete calendar online at www.gazette.net

PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY’S ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR For a free listing, please submit complete information to noravec@gazette.net at least 10 days in advance of desired publication date. High-resolution color images (500KB minimum) in jpeg format should be submitted when available.

THEATER & STAGE Bowie Community Theatre, “Dark Passages,” Feb. 28 to March 16, Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Park Drive, Bowie, 301-8050219, www.bctheatre.com.

Bowie State University, Batik Masterclass Workshop and Demonstration: hands-on workshops from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 13 and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 14; WonderWorks presents “Are You a Wild Thing,” 10 a.m. Feb. 21, Fine and Performing Arts Center, Bowie State University, 14000 Jericho Park Road, Bowie, 301-860-3717, www.bowiestate.edu.

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, Maryland Opera Studio:

New Works Reading Series, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15; The Waiting Room, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14-15, 19-20, 2122, 2 p.m. Feb. 22; Berlin Philharmonic Wind Quintet, 8 p.m.

Feb. 15; Music, Mali and Citizen Diplomacy, 12:15 p.m. Feb. 20; Kronos Quartet: Student Composition Reading, 7 p.m. Feb. 20; Graduate Fellowship Chamber Ensemble: Excelsa Quartet, 8 p.m.

Feb. 21; Preserving Art, Preserving Cultural Identity, 7 p.m. Feb. 22; Kronos Quartet and Trio Da Kali, 8 p.m. Feb. 22; Faculty Artist Recital: Goldman, Heineman and Andrist, 8 p.m. Feb. 24; Annette Gordon-Reed, 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27; Spring Awakening, 7:30 p.m. Feb. 28;UMD Wind Orchestra: Resurrection, 8 p.m. Feb. 28 University of Maryland, College Park, claricesmithcenter.umd.edu.

Harmony Hall Regional Center, Concert: Global Drumming, 8 p.m.

March 15, call for prices, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, 301-203-6070, arts.pgparks.com.

Greenbelt Arts Center, “Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean,” Feb. 21 to March 15, call for prices, Greenbelt Arts Center, 123 Centerway, Greenbelt, 301-441-8770, www. greenbeltartscenter.org.

Joe’s Movement Emporium, Joe’s Movement Emporium Valentine’s Day Swing Dance, 7 p.m.

Feb. 14, 3309 Bunker Hill Road, Mount Rainier, 301-699-1819, www.joesmovement.org.

Laurel Mill Playhouse, “Picasso at the Lapin Agile,” Feb. 21 to March 9; call for ticket prices, times, Laurel Mill Playhouse, 508 Main St., Laurel, 301-452-2557, www.laurelmillplayhouse.org.

Montpelier Arts Center, Dinner and a movie: “Bird,” 6 p.m.

Feb. 15; Let’s Sing Gospel 101, 2 p.m. Feb. 16; 9652 Muirkirk Road,

Laurel, 301-377-7800, arts.pgparks. com.

MAD Theater, “Our Town,” Feb. 21 to March 8, Barney and Bea Recreation Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, 1000 Good Luck Road, Greenbelt. www.madtheater.org.

Prince George’s Little Theatre, “The Fox on the Fairway,” May 2-18, call for tickets and show times, Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Park Drive, Bowie, 301-957-7458, www.pglt.org.

Publick Playhouse, Global Beat: Percussion Workshop for Tiny Tots, 9:30 a.m. Feb. 13; “William’s Adventures in Black History,”10:15 a.m. and noon, Feb. 19, 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly, 301277-1710, arts.pgparks.com.

2nd Star Productions, “A Soldier’s Play,” Feb. 21 to March 9, Bowie Playhouse, 16500 White Marsh Park Drive, Bowie, call for prices, times, 410-757-5700, 301-832-4819, www.2ndstarproductions.com.

Tantallon Community Players, August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars,” Feb. 21 to March 2, Harmony Hall Regional Center, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, 301-2625201, www.tantallonplayers.org.

VISUAL ARTS Brentwood Arts Exchange, Bill Harris, to March 8, opening reception on Jan. 18, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, 301-277-2863, arts.pgparks.com.

College Park Aviation Museum, “The Rescue of College Park Airport,” to Feb. 28, 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive, College Park. www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com.

Harmony Hall Regional Center, “Celebrating Civil Rights Milestones: From Emancipation to Administration in Prince George’s County, 1864-1994,” to March 7, gallery hours from 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10701 Livingston Road, Fort Washington, 301-203-6070. arts. pgparks.com.

David C. Driskell Center, “Charles White - Heroes: Gone But Not Forgotten,” to May 23, University of Maryland, College Park. www.driskellcenter.umd.edu.

Montpelier Arts Center, “Direct Current: A Multimedia Exploration of Black Life Within Prince George’s County,” to Feb. 24, gallery open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 9652 Muirkirk Road, Laurel, 301377-7800, arts.pgparks.com.

New Deal Cafe, Marjorie Gray.

collage, through March, 113 Centerway Road, Greenbelt. 301-4745642, www.newdewalcafe.com.

University of Maryland University College, “Unveiled: Works

A CLOSER LOOK

from the UMUC Art Collection,” to March 30, opening reception from 6-8 p.m. Feb. 20; Joseph Sheppard - “The Art of Portraiture,” opens April 1, 3501 University Blvd., Adelphi, 301-985-7937, www. umuc.edu/art.

NIGHTLIFE DC Hand Dance Club, Valentine’s Dance, Feb. 22; Hand Dance Lessons from 7-8 p.m., music from 8-11:30 p.m., Riverdale Elks, 6700 Kenilworth Avenue, Riverdale. $10, $15 for non-members. www. dchanddanceclub.com New Deal Café, Mid-day Melodies with Amy C. Kraft, noon, Feb. 13; John Guernsey, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 14-15; The GoodFellas, 8 p.m. Feb. 14; Bruce Kritt, 4 p.m.

Feb. 15; Anthony “SwampDog” Clark, 8 p.m. Feb. 15; Not2Cool Jazz Trio, 11 a.m. Feb. 16; Kids’ Open Mic, 1:30 p.m. Feb. 16; Fez Tones Hafla, 6 p.m. Feb. 16; Reel & Meal at the New Deal: “In Transition 2.0,” 7 p.m. Feb. 17; Poetry Night Open Mic, 7 p.m. Feb. 18; Pub Quiz, 7 p.m. Feb. 19, 113 Centerway Road, 301-474-5642, www.newdealcafe.com.

Old Bowie Town Grill, Wednesday Night Classic Jam, 8 p.m. every Wednesday, sign-ups start at 7:30 p.m., 8604 Chestnut Ave., Bowie, 301-464-8800, www.oldbowietowngrille.com.

GREENBELT ARTS CENTER

BACK TO THE ‘FIVE AND DIME’ (From left) Rachel Duda, Elizabeth Dapo and Barbara Lambert pay tribute to the McGuire sisters as Mona, Sissy and Joanne in The Greenbelt Arts Center’s “Come Back to the Five & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean,” opening Feb. 21. For more information, visit greenbeltartscenter.org.

Peter Pan Club, 10:30-11:30 a.m. second and fourth Thursdays of every month, activities for preschoolers, $4, $3 seniors, $2 ages

2-18; Afternoon Aviators, 2-4:30 p.m. Fridays, hands-on aviationthemed activities for age 5 and up, $4, $3 seniors, $2 ages 2-18, events

free with admission, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park, 301-864-6029, www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com.

OUTDOORS Dinosaur Park, Dinosaur Park programs, noon to 4 p.m. first and third Saturdays, join paleontologists and volunteers in interpreting fossil deposits, 13200 block Mid-Atlantic Blvd., Laurel, 301627-7755.

Mount Rainier Nature Center, Toddler Time: hands-on treasures, crafts, stories and soft play, 11 a.m. to noon Thursdays, age 5 and younger free, 4701 31st Place, Mount Rainier, 301-927-2163.

Prince George’s Audubon Society, Bird Walks, 7:30 a.m. first Sat-

urdays, Fran Uhler Natural Area, meets at end of Lemon Bridge Road, north of Bowie State University, option to bird nearby WB&A Trail afterward; 7:30 a.m. third Saturdays, Governor Bridge Natural Area, Governor Bridge Road, Bowie, meet in parking lot; for migrating and resident woodland and field birds, and waterfowl. For beginners and experts. Waterproof footwear and binoculars suggested. Free. 410-765-6482.

March 14, 2014 - 7pm

FREE

Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on the Campus at the University of MD

ET CETERA College Park Aviation Museum,

HISTORY

Continued from Page B-1

PHOTO BY DAVID OSTERGAARD

Traveling actors with the Bright Star Touring Theater will return to the Publick Playhouse in Cheverly with a new show for children called “William’s Adventure in Black History.” The playhouse will host two matinee performances on Wednesday. Pictured: Triza Cox portrayed Harriet Tubman in a previous Bright Star production.

our in 1992.

The production is one of 12 new black history shows launched in January by Bright Star, said Ostergaard. Also new is “Lincoln and Tubman” and “Let It Shine.”

“We’ll be doing 125 shows in 10 weeks,” he said about the slate of new plays being performed at venues up and down the East Coast.

Ostergaard, who founded Bright Star 11 years ago, said the company, which currently produces nearly 40 shows for children, continues to grow.

Bright Star actors recently performed at the National Theater in Washington, D.C., he said, and last September traveled to Moscow.

“We specialize in literary classics, historical shows and character education productions,” Ostergaard said. vterhune@gazette.net

S P E L L I N G

C H A L L E N G E

Can You Spell... e e mozzarella • mät s ‘re l

Noun

This word is from Latin.

Example

Mario dips each stick of mozzarella in spaghetti sauce before eating it.

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THE GAZETTE

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Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

AT THE MOVIES

Those pesky little pieces add up to long-awaited laughs n

‘Lego Movie’ is cleverly constructed BY

MICHAEL PHILLIPS CHICAGO TRIBUNE

Finally! A comedy that works.

An animated film with a look — a kinetic aesthetic honoring its product line’s bright, bricklike origins — that isn’t like every other clinically rounded and bland digital 3-D effort. A movie that works for the Lego-indebted parent as well as the Lego-crazed offspring.

A movie that, in its brilliantly crammed first half especially, will work even if you don’t give a rip about Legos.

“The Lego Movie” proves that you can soar directly into and then straight past product placement into a realm of the sublime, if you’re clever enough. This isn’t just the funniest PG-rated animation in too long; it’s the funniest film, period, in months, since the

kid-hostile “This Is the End” and “The World’s End” came out last summer. I would like to nominate the screenwriting team of Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (“21 Jump Street,” “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs”) for the Nobel Peace Prize, even though very little about “The Lego Movie” is peaceful. It is, in fact, a manic wonder, sneaking in so many small, medium and large jokes on the sly, it has an instantly re-watchable appeal.

The setup of “The Lego Movie,” also directed by Lord and Miller, recalls both “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” and the recent “Wreck-It Ralph” in its mashup of familiar characters and imaginative worlds. (Confession: I always found “Roger Rabbit” a technically remarkable but mean-spirited drag, and consider “Wreck-It Ralph” clever but exhausting. So consider that when considering my response to “The Lego Movie.”)

The prophecy dictates that

THE LEGO MOVIE n 4 stars n PG; 100 minutes n Cast: Chris Pratt, Morgan Freeman, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Liam Neeson, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Charlie Day, Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill, Alison Brie n Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller

WARNER BROS. PICTURES

(From left) LEGO minifigures Superman, Green Lantern and Emmet (Chris Pratt) in the 3D computer animated adventure “The LEGO Movie.” the one who will save the world is a person born with “face of yellow.” So says the Yoda-style soothsayer voiced by Morgan Freeman. The hero? An ordinary Lego construction worker, with the classic waist-bendy design and fondness for right angles

and orderly skylines of many colors. Emmet is his name, and he lives and resides in the bustling community of Bricksburg.

This world’s overlord, President Business (Will Ferrell doing the vocals, in full snivel), has nefarious plans for maintaining that

order permanently. But a mighty band of resistance fighters has other plans, and pretty soon safe, routinized, anonymous Emmet is mistaken for the saviors’ ringleader and mastermind, even though he’s never really put much stock in individuality. He’s a good little Lego. The way Chris Pratt of “Parks and Recreation” voices this fellow, his sweetness is never in doubt.

The movie flings Emmet, and the audience, into one Lego universe after another. There’s a Wild West sequence that owes as much to “Son of Paleface” as anything else. When other Lego favorites are introduced into the action — Will Arnett voices an exceedingly narcissistic Batman — they’re given distinct and vivid comic personalities. Liam Neeson is superbly cast as the voice of the quick-change artist Bad Cop/ Good Cop, tasked with capturing Emmet and implementing the end of Bricksburg as we know it.

Each facet of Emmet’s world is part of an insidiously entertaining mind-control experiment. The citizens of Bricksburg all tune into the same officially sanctioned hit show, “Where Are My Pants?”; everyone sings the same annoyingly hummable hit song, “Everything

Is Awesome.” (Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo did the score.) This isn’t paradise; it’s hell. Or both.

The satire’s extremely deft, and even when Lord and Miller, working with animation co-director Chris McKay, indulge their snarky postadolescent sensibilities with one too many torture sequences, the style of the animation doesn’t mistake “realism” for “quality.”

We’re happily and fully in thrall to the stop-motion Lego world writ large, to the point that when a huge change occurs at the climax, it’s a bit of a killjoy. We don’t really want to leave the Lego world, even for sincerely wrought pathos, and a complicatedly affecting message to parents everywhere.

Nick Offerman pirates his way, merrily, through the role of Metal Beard; Elizabeth Banks is Wyldstyle, the driven revolutionary with the mad motorcycle skills. The sight gags, most of them quick as an eyeblink, are shrewdly timed; considerable credit goes to editors David Burrows and McKay, who really know how to bite off the end of a scene at precisely the right moment.

I suppose it’s a bit much toward the end. A little more breathing room en route might’ve helped sell the heartfelt wrap-up. But most of the way “The Lego Movie” plays like the world’s greatest fan tribute, and I can’t wait to see it again.

PHOTO DYLAN SINGLETON

(From left) Conor Scanlan as Larry, Avia Fields as Cerise and Mavonte Johnson as Douglas in the UMD School of Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies’ presentation of “The Waiting Room” at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

DEEP

136493G

Continued from Page B-1 it. Three women from different periods in time — 18th century China, 19th century England and modern-day New Jersey — talk with each other about the pains of being beautiful.

Mary Coy wasn’t the first person chosen to direct the show. By the time Coy was on board, the actors had already been cast and the design process had been established. “[It] has been a wonderful experience for me because the structure was already in place and I really had no control over it,” Coy said. “All I could do was use the elements to tell the story. … It’s been a great exercise to insert yourself into somebody’s original idea and try to find your own creative contribution to it.

But that’s what theater is in a nutshell.”

Naomi Cohen, who plays Victoria, said it was a little scary at first knowing the person who cast them and set everything up wasn’t going to be a part of the show.

“I think we bonded together because we knew we were all part of this show from the beginning and Mary wasn’t, so we really had to get ourselves together to prepare for her because she was coming in so late in the process,” Cohen said.

However, Cohen said Coy brings different ideas for the characters and working with her has been great.

“There are a lot of stereotypes in the characters,” Cohen

said. “The play is really written for stereotypes. What’s been really cool about Mary is she’s really actively fighting all of those stereotypes because it will make the play more interesting.”

Loomer has written more than a dozen plays and her screenplay for “Girl, Interrupted” helped win Angelina Jolie an Academy Award. However, “The Waiting Room,” remains one of her more popular works. Coy said she believes the play stands out because of its ability to show the cost of what women do in the name of fitting in.

“We all know that desire to fit the mold — that desire to be as skinny as we can be or to have our hair the way it should be or our smile the way it should be. I think [the play] touches a nerve that … women have,” Coy said. “The desire to conform and adapt and be part of what’s going on and to have yourself look like someone who is in the acceptable part of culture. It hits a nerve, but at the same time it’s funny.”

Cohen hopes the audience, especially the women, take a moment to step back and look into their daily beauty rituals.

“I blow dry my hair every day, or I put on mascara and makeup,” Cohen said. “We all are still doing all of these crazy things to make ourselves beautiful and that’s like an everlasting idea — that we have to do this.

To get the audience members thinking about that, like ‘What is really the cost of beauty?’ I think would be really great.” wfranklin@gazette.net

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Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

Page B-5

RELIGION CALENDAR To submit a calendar item online, go to calendar.gazette. net and click on the submit button in the lower left-hand corner. To find an item, go to The Gazette’s home page at www. gazette.net. You can mail them to The Gazette, 13501 Virginia Manor Road, Laurel, MD 20707; fax, 240-473-7501. Items must be received by Wednesday to appear the following week.

FEB. 15 Prayer Breakfast, 8:30 a.m., Bride of Christ Church Ministries, 3500 Enterprise Road, Mitchellville. Presenting the Missions Fundraiser “Calling the Nations” Prayer Breakfast. Donation is $20.

Register online at www.brideofchristcm.org. Contact 301-8832121 or boccm@verizon.net.

at 7 p.m. and the fee is $5. The church is at 1701 Enterprise Road in Mitchellville. E-mail justfit4life @yahoo.com.

Body and Soul Fitness presents “I’m All In,” Bethany Community

Church, 15720 Riding Stable Road in Laurel. Sessions start with cardio/strength classes from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday, with a co-ed session from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. For more information, call Abby Dixson at 301-5491877, email abbyfitness@aol.com or visit www.bodyandsoul.org.

Touch of Love Bible Church, conducts weekly support group

meetings for people who are separated or divorced, 11 a.m. every Saturday at the church, 13503 Baltimore Ave. in Laurel. Call 301210-3170.

Ladies Bible Study Class on the book of Esther, Maryland City

Baptist Church, 1:45 p.m. Tuesday afternoons at the church, 326 Brock Bridge Road in Laurel. Free nursery. Call Tammie Marshall at 301-498-3224 or visit mdcitybaptist @yahoo.com.

Free First Place 4 Health series, 7 p.m. Tuesdays at Berwyn

Baptist Church, 4720 Cherokee St. in College Park. Call 240-601-1640.

Anti-domestic violence and stalking support group meetings,

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday. Abigail Ministries offers the meetings in Hyattsville. Call 301277-3775 for exact location.

Maryland Family Christian Center’s Praise Dance Ministry, 7

p.m. Tuesdays at North Forestville Elementary School, 2311 Ritchie Road in Forestville. Ministry teaches people to dance. Call 240392-2633.

New Creation Church Bible study meetings, 7 p.m. Wednes-

days at the Bladensburg High School auditorium, 4200 57th Ave.

in Bladensburg. Sunday services are at 10 and 11 a.m.

New Broken Vessels Ministry Women’s Bible Study and Discussions, 9 a.m. every Friday at It’s

God’s Choice Christian Bookstore, 1454 Addison Road South in Capitol Heights. Call 301-499-5799 for information.

Vocalists/singers needed to harmonize “Inspirational Music,”

every Saturday at 8221 Cryden Way in Forestville. Call 301-5990932 or 301-219-4350.

Baha’i devotions, 10 to 11:30 a.m., first and third Sunday of every month. Breakfast served at

10 a.m. All are welcome. The devotions are at 14200 Livingston Road in Clinton. Call 703-380-7267.

Urgent call for 50 prayer warriors, noon to 1 p.m. Monday

through Friday. Christian Outreach International Center calls for prayer warriors in intercessory prayer with Bishop Janie Carr at the church, 3709 Hamilton St. in Hyattsville. Call 301-927-1684.

Hidden Strengths Support Ministry Inc. Phone Line Prayer Ministry, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. every

Wednesday. Email requests to hssministryinc@aol.com. Call 202372-7716.

H.E.A.L. Workshop: Take Charge of Your Health, 4:30 to 6

p.m., Capitol Free Mission, 8201 Cryden Way, Forestville. An eightsession lifestyle workshop for those who want to improve their health by dealing with chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart failure, stress, depression and pain. To register, call 301-4945550 or visit www.capitolcitymission.org. Limited seating. Contact 301-494-5550 or helpdesk@mygospelworkers.org.

ONGOING Women’s Bible Study, 9 to 11 a.m. every Thursday, Berwyn Baptist Church, 4720 Cherokee St., College Park. Study the book of Romans. Women of all ages are invited. Cost of $6.50 for textbook.

Contact 301-474-7117 or secretary@berwynbaptist.org.

tian exercise group meeting at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays at the church, 4001 33rd St., Mount Rainier. The exercise group will have exercise education about nutrition and more. Professional instruction from University of Maryland, College Park, kinesiology students and the program. Open to people of all ages and fitness levels. Free.

Call 301-864-3869 or visit www. facebook.com/groups/praisercise/ or email brianpadamusus @ yahoo.com.

Largo Community Church is revising its fitness program, Mon-

days and Wednesdays, to include Latin-infused dance. Classes start

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Mount Rainier Christian Church will conduct Praisercise, a Chris-

THE GAZETTE

Page B-6

Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

Gia Mora, Brad Brown bridge mysteries of love and science ‘Einstein’s Girl,’ Hyattsville teacher co-write songs for cabaret act n

BY

VIRGINIA TERHUNE STAFF WRITER

As Valentine’s Day approaches, Gia Mora — an actress, singer and comedienne — sees parallels between the unfolding of romantic relationships and the history of the universe.

“I see them as being similar, because they’re both momentous events,” said Mora, who mixes science, song and standup in her latest cabaret show, “Einstein’s Girl.”

A one-time Silver Spring resident now living in California, Mora will return to the Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club on Saturday with an updated version of her show about “the science of love, theoretically speaking.”

Her first performance of the show at Bethesda Blues and Jazz was in April 2013.

“Music, physics and love go together,” said Mora, a multifaceted performer who also writes her own comedy material.

“How to tell a story in as short a time as possible — I love that challenge,” she said.

Accompanying her on piano is her musical collaborator, pianist and producer Charlie Barnett, who underscores her monologues.

“He improvises [while I’m] speaking. ... We have a symbiotic relationship,” she said.

Mora also co-writes some of her songs with her “other half,”

Brad Brown of Silver Spring.

Brown teaches middle school at the private Chelsea School for children with reading disabilities, which relocated from Silver Spring to Hyattsville over the summer.

Brown was recently recognized in the middle school category in The Gazette’s “My Favorite Teacher” contest for making reading and writing fun for his students.

Brown said he doesn’t often talk to his students about his involvement in showbiz, but sometimes in the five minutes before the end of class, he’ll play a recording of one of Mora’s songs.

“They love to hear them,” he said.

Both Mora and Brown have become fascinated with developments in science and technology, trading books and articles that also help them come up with song lyrics, while Mora works with Barnett on the music.

As a vocalist, Mora puts her own spin on romantic classics such as “Stardust” and “What a Little Moonlight Can Do,” but she also performs her own musical and comedic take on love in the digital age mixed in with the latest in physics, technology and cosmology.

Mora also envisions writing for television and moved to Los Angeles more than a year ago to pursue opportunities there. She and Brown often collaborate long-distance via phone and email in what is a new phase of their nine-year romantic collaboration.

“It’s sort of tests the thesis of the show, which is about love

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EINSTEIN’S GIRL n When: 8 p.m. Saturday n Where: Bethesda Blues & Jazz Supper Club, 7719 Wisconsin Ave, Bethesda n Tickets: $25 n For information: 240-330-4500; bethesdabluesjazz.com; einsteinsgirl.com

transcending space and time, 3,000 miles and a three-hour time difference,” Mora said.

Inspired by multi-faceted entertainers such as Hugh Laurie and Tracey Ullman, Mora is working with Brown on developing scripts for a potential TV pilot in which she might also perform.

“I’m so impressed with the medium of TV — it’s a way to reach an even greater audience,” she said.

“I’d love to have a show with Brad in the team of writers,” she said.

A born performer A Colorado native whose father plays jazz guitar, Mora has been singing since age 3.

She also started writing plays early, earning an undergraduate degree in screenwriting and playwriting from the University of Colorado.

“I’ve always loved writing, but good writing is extremely hard,” she said. “Singing comes more naturally to me.”

She met Brown about 13 years ago through mutual friends in Denver.

Brown, who had earned an undergraduate degree at University of Southern California in theater, was working on a master’s degree in educational psychology at the University of Colorado.

Mora said she decided to take on the origins of the universe after hearing an NPR “Science Friday” radio show featuring a dialogue between cosmologists and a novelist who incorporates science into his stories.

Astrophysics and love have things in common, she said.

“There’s the Big Bang theory

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FROM GIA MORA

Actor, vocalist and raconteuse Gia Mora will bring her cabaret show, “Einstein’s Girl,” to Bethesda Blues & Jazz on Saturday, Feb. 15. Accompanying her will be pianist and composer Charlie Barnett. [about the origin of the universe] ... where everything collides and explodes,” she said.

Cosmic dust coalesces into planets, and things start to settle down a little, much like falling in love and entering into a relationship over time.

“I dived into it and thought, ‘This metaphor could really work,’” said Mora, who started reading about everything from

particle accelerators to multiple universes.

The day before she debuted “Einstein’s Girl,” she cowrote a song with Brown called “E=mc2,” in which she asks Einstein, “What is love?”

“He said, ‘Well, my girl, I know a lot about physics.

“And I’ve studied me a little bit of chemistry, too.

“But nothing in mathematics can explain love’s boogie woogie for two.’”

Mora also throws into her act songs about romance and social media, such as “Oh Internet,” “I Google You” and “The Facebook Song,” as well as a song she wrote called “Missing David B.-w4m-41” about missed connections on Craigslist.

She also weaves in what’s new in science and high-tech, such as China’s lunar rover and Google Glass.

On Saturday at Bethesda

Blues & Jazz, she will also be singing a “quirky song” written by the composers of the musical “Orphie and the Book of Heroes,” which premiered Feb. 8 at the Kennedy Center.

Mora sings the part of Persephone in the show.

She is also working on new songs with Barnett for her next album, and a new cabaret act that will likely focus on feminism and the environment with some science mixed in.

In the meantime, as Valentine’s Day approaches and she prepares to perform “Einstein’s Girl” with Brown in the audience on Saturday, she remains focused on the parallels romances and universes.

“They’re explosive, momentous, life-altering events, and they take time to develop,” she said. vterhune@gazette.net

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To oversee all bar/banquet room/restaurant in 1920’s thru 1980’s.

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MADOPTION:M

LEGAL NOTICE CITY OF BOWIE, MARYLAND REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS VIRTUAL SET SYSTEM The City of Bowie is seeking proposals for the acquisition of an HD/SD Virtual Set System with 5 video inputs and outputs and the products and services required for installation and training. By submission of a bid, the bidder represents that he has the ability to comply with all requirements contained in the Specifications, Instructions to Bidder, General Conditions, and all other Bid Documents. The City reserves the right to reject any and all bids or any portion thereof where such rejection will, in the Coty’s sole and absolute discretion. Be to the best advantage of the City.

Bid packages will be available in the Coty Manager’s office in Bowie City Hall after 9:00 a.m. Friday, February 14, 2014.

Bids must be submitted in a sealed envelope marked "Virtual Set System" no later than 2:00 p.m., Friday February 28, 2014, to the City Manager’s Office, Bowie City Hall, 15901 Excalibur Road, Bowie MD 20716 at which time the bids will be publicly open and read.

All blanks on each and every form provided by the City in connection with the RFP must be filled in, and no change shall be made in either the phraseology of, or in the items mentioned in the form. All proposals must be signed in ink by the bidder, with signature in full. When a firm is a bidder, the agent who signs the firm name shall, in addition, state the names and addresses of the individuals composing the firm. The lower left corner of the envelope must contain the name of the bid, the date and the time of opening, and the bidder’s name and address.

The City encourages all minority, women, and handicapped-owned businesses to submit proposals.

Please contact Denise Mahoney at 301-809-3031 or at dmahoney@cityofbowie.org with any questions.

David J. Deutsch, City Manager

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(2-13-14)

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WANTED TO PURCHASE Antiques & AIRLINES ARE HIRFine Art, 1 item Or EnING - Train for hands tire Estate Or Collection, Gold, Silver, Coins, Jewelry, Toys, Oriental Glass, China, Lamps, Books, Textiles, Paintings, Prints almost anything old Evergreen Auctions 973-818-1100. Email evergreenauction@hot mail.com

Panera Bread, your neighborhood bakery-café, is currently seeking ALL POSITIONS for our new Beltsville location (on RT 1, across from Costco, beside Aldi Store). We are looking for cashiers, sandwich/salad makers, prep associates, dishwashers and dining room crew as well as catering coordinators.

Ideal candidates will be articulate and experienced in dealing with the public in a customer service capacity, bring lots of enthusiastic energy, and capable of multi-tasking. We have flexible full and part-time positions available for shifts ranging from early mornings and mid-days to evenings and weekends. We offer a competitive hourly wage and other employee benefits.

To apply, please go to: www.panerabread.jobs for an application, search Hourly Associate Candidates and specify location 203780 Beltsville.

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We offer a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, pension, 401(k) and tuition reimbursement. EOE.

Page B-8

Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo NOTICE OF THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM

DRIVERS HOME WEEKLY & BIWEEKLY - Earn

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Prince George’s County Maryland is operating an Automated Speed Enforcement Program (Speed Cameras). This Program includes the use of speed monitoring systems which photograph vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit by twelve (12) miles per hour or greater, in designated School Zones and designated Institution of Higher Education areas listed in this record. Prince George’s County began operation of its Automated Speed Enforcement Program with a 30-day warning period on August 22, 2011. On September 21, 2011, Prince George’s County Maryland began issuing $40.00 violation (Fine) notices to the registered owners of vehicles that exceed the posted speed limit by twelve (12) miles per hour or more in these areas. This Program allows the movement of speed monitoring systems to various locations.

Prince George’s County has used and/or intends to use speed monitoring systems at the locations listed below. This record is an advertisement of prior and new locations. All Maryland State Highways on this list are subject to approval by the Maryland State Highway Administration. ∂Accokeek Academy (Eugene Burroughs Middle School and Henry Ferguson Elementary School): 14400-15400 blocks of Berry Road ∂Andrew Jackson Academy: 3000-3700 blocks of Regency Parkway ∂Antioch Church Learning Center: 4800-5000 blocks of Brown Station Road ∂Ardmore Elementary School: 9100-9400 blocks of Ardwick Ardmore Road ∂Arrowhead Elementary School: 2100-2500 blocks of Sansbury Road ∂Avalon Elementary School: 4600-4700 blocks of Henderson Road and 4800-4900 blocks of Dalton Street ∂Baden Elementary School: 13400-13800 blocks of Baden Westwood Road and 16700-17000 blocks of Horsehead Road and 16400-16500 blocks of Baden Naylor Road ∂Barack Obama Elementary School: 12500-12700 blocks of Brooke Lane ∂Barnaby Manor Elementary School: 2200-2400 blocks of Owens Road and 5100-5300 block of Wheeler Road ∂Beddow High School: 400-600 blocks of Bryan Point Road ∂Beltsville Academy: 4200-4400 blocks of Howard Road ∂Bishop McNamara High School: 6700-6800 blocks of Marlboro Pike ∂Bowie State University: Laurel Bowie Road (MD Rt. 197), from intersection of Old Jericho Park Road to Race Track Road, Race Track Road from Laurel-Bowie Road (MD Rt. 197) to Patuxent Riding Lane ∂Calverton Elementary School: 3100-4000 blocks of Beltsville Road ∂Capitol College: Springfield Road from Odell Road to one half mile south of Capitol College property ∂Carmody Hills Elementary School: 6700-6800 blocks of Seat Pleasant Drive ∂Catherine Reed Elementary School: 9800-9900 blocks of Good Luck Road ∂Cesar Chavez Elementary School: 5900-6600 blocks of Riggs Road MD Rt. 212 ∂Charles Herbert Flowers High School: 9100-9400 blocks of Ardwick Ardmore Road ∂Chillum Elementary School: 1300-1900 blocks of Chillum Road MD Rt. 501 and 5400-6100 blocks of Sargent Road ∂Clinton Grove Elementary School: 9400-9700 blocks of Temple Hill Road ∂Columbia Park Elementary School: 6700-7100 blocks of Columbia Park Road ∂Concord Elementary School: 5400-6100 blocks of Walker Mill Road ∂Cool Spring Elementary School: 1900-2200 blocks of Metzerott Road ∂Cooper Lane Elementary School: 3600-3900 blocks of Cooper Lane ∂Cora L. Rice Elementary School: 7400-7900 Hill Oaks Road and 900-1100 blocks of Nalley Road ∂Croom Vocational High School (formerly RICA - Southern Maryland): 9200-9400 blocks of Surratts Road ∂Crossland High School: 5700-6000 blocks of Temple Hill Road ∂Deerfield Run Elementary School: 12700-13600 blocks of Laurel Bowie Road (MD Rt. 197) ∂District Heights Elementary School: 2100-2400 blocks of County Road ∂Divine Peace Lutheran School: 1400-1500 blocks of Brown Station Road ∂Dodge Park Elementary School: 3400-3500 blocks of Hubbard Road ∂Doswell E. Brooks Elementary School: 1100-1500 blocks of Brooke Road ∂Drew Freeman Middle School: 2400-2700 blocks of Brooks Drive ∂Dr. Henry A. Wise, Jr. High School: 12500-12700 blocks of Brooke Lane ∂DuVal High School: 9800-9900 blocks of Good Luck Road ∂Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School: 13700-13900 blocks of Briarwood Drive ∂Ernest Everett Just Middle School: 1100-1200 blocks of Campus Way North ∂Fairmont Heights High School: 4700-5300 blocks of Addison Road ∂Faith Baptist Christian School: 8600-9100 blocks of Montpelier Road ∂Forestville High School: 3800-3900 blocks of Donnell Drive and 7000-7100 blocks of Beltz Drive ∂Forestville Military Academy: 3800-3900 blocks of Donnell Drive and 7000-7100 blocks of Beltz Drive ∂Fort Foote Elementary School: 8100-8400 blocks of Oxon Hill Road ∂Frances Fuchs Early Childhood Center: 11000-11100 blocks of Cherry Hill Road ∂Francis T. Evans Elementary School: 6600-6900 blocks of Old Alexandria Ferry Road ∂Friendly High School: 9800-10000 blocks of Allentown Road ∂G. James Gholson Middle School: 7400-7900 Hill Oaks Road and 900-1100 blocks of Nalley Road ∂Glenn Dale Montessori School: 7300-7500 blocks of Hillmeade Road ∂Glenridge Elementary School: 7200-7300 blocks of Gallatin Street ∂Green Valley Academy at Edgar Allan Poe: 2000-2400 blocks of Shadyside Avenue ∂Gwynn Park High School: 13700-13900 blocks of Brandywine Road MD Rt. 381 ∂Gwynn Park Middle School: 7700-8400 blocks of Dyson Road ∂High Bridge Elementary School: 6800-7100 blocks of High Bridge Road ∂Holy Trinity Episcopal Day School: 11700-12300 blocks of Daisy Lane ∂Horizon Learning Academy (formerly Our Savior’s School): 2900-3200 blocks of Forestville Road ∂Howard University (Beltsville Campus): Old Baltimore Pike from the intersection of Ammendale Road to Muirkirk Road, Muirkirk Road from Old Baltimore Pike to the intersection of Ellington Road, Ellington Road to Odell Road and Odell Road to Ammendale Road ∂Imagination Public Charter School: 13800-14200 blocks of Oak Grove Road ∂Independent Baptist Academy: 9300-9500 blocks Piscataway Road MD Rt. 223 ∂Indian Queen Elementary: 9400-9700 blocks of Fort Foote Road ∂Issac J. Gourdine Middle School: 8400-9000 blocks of Allentown Road ∂It Takes a Village Educare School: 12100-12200 blocks of Windbrook Drive ∂James E. Duckworth Regional Center: 11200-11350 blocks of Evans Trail ∂James H. Harrison Elementary School: 8300-8600 blocks of Contee Road ∂James Madison Middle School: 6900-7300 blocks of Woodyard Road MD Rt. 223 ∂James Ryder Randall Elementary School: 5300-5800 blocks of Kirby Road ∂Jessie B. Mason Regional School: 2500-2900 blocks of Iverson Street ∂John H. Baynes Elementary School: 6900-7400 blocks of Walker Mill Road ∂John Hanson French Immersion (formerly G. Gardner Shugart Middle School): 2000-2100 blocks of Calloway Street ∂John Hanson Montessori School: 6100-6400 blocks of Oxon Hill Road MD Rt. 414 ∂Judith P. Hoyer Montessori School (formerly Oakcrest Elementary School): 800-1100 blocks of Hill Road ∂Kenmoor Elementary and Middle Schools: 8000-8500 blocks of Landover Road MD Rt. 202 ∂Kettering Middle School: 02-206 blocks of Herrington Drive ∂Kingsford Elementary School: 1200-1600 blocks of Enterprise Road MD Rt. 193 and 12100-12200 blocks of Kings Arrow Street ∂Lake Arbor Elementary School: 1100-1200 blocks of Campus Way North and 10000-10500 blocks of Lake Arbor Way ∂Lewisdale Elementary School: 6900-7100 blocks of 23rd Avenue and 2200-2500 blocks of Banning Place ∂Longfields Elementary School: 7300-7500 blocks of Marlboro Pike ∂Marlton Elementary School: 8500-8700 blocks of Heathermore Boulevard and 8400-12200 blocks of Old Colony Drive ∂Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School: 3900-5200 blocks of Ammendale Road ∂Mattaponi Elementary School: 11700-11800 blocks of Duley Station Road ∂Matthew Henson Elementary School: 8000-8500 blocks of Landover Road MD Rt. 202 ∂Melwood Elementary School: 6900-7300 blocks of Woodyard Road MD Rt. 223 ∂Montpelier Elementary School: 9000-9200 blocks of Muirkirk Road ∂Mount Calvary Catholic School: 6700-6800 blocks of Marlboro Pike ∂National Christian Academy: 6300-6600 blocks of St. Barnabas Road and 6700-6800 blocks of Bock Road ∂New Chapel Christian Academy: 5500-5700 blocks of Old Branch Avenue ∂North Forestville Elementary School: 2200-2500 blocks of Ritchie Road ∂Northwestern High School: 6900-7600 blocks of Adelphi Road ∂Oaklands Elementary School: 13500-13900 blocks of Laurel Bowie Road MD Rt. 197 ∂Overlook Elementary School: 3300-3400 blocks of Curtis Drive ∂Oxon Hill Elementary School: 7500-7900 blocks of Livingston Road ∂Oxon Hill Middle School: 9400-9700 blocks of Fort Foote Road ∂Perrywood Elementary School: 200-1200 blocks of Watkins Park Drive MD Rt. 193 ∂Phyllis E. Williams Elementary School: 001-800 blocks of Harry S. Truman Drive ∂Potomac High School: 1500-1800 blocks of Iverson Street ∂Potomac Landing Elementary School: 12300-12600 blocks of Fort Washington Road ∂Prince George’s Community College: Largo Road (MD Rt. 202) from Central Avenue (MD Rt. 214) to Homestead Drive; Campus Way South from Largo Road to Harry S Truman Drive; Harry S Truman Drive from Campus Way South to New Orchard Drive ∂Princeton Elementary School: 6100-6400 blocks of Auth Road ∂Reid Temple Christian Academy: 11300-11500 blocks of Prospect Hill Road ∂Ridgecrest Elementary School: 5900-6600 blocks of Riggs Road MD Rt. 212 and 800-900 blocks of Ray Road ∂Riverdale Baptist School: 900-1200 blocks of Largo Road MD Rt. 202 ∂Robert Goddard Montessori School: 9800-9900 blocks of Good Luck Road ∂Rosa L. Parks Elementary School: 5700-6300 blocks of Ager Road ∂Rosaryville Elementary School: 9900-10000 blocks of Rosaryville Road ∂Samuel Chase Elementary School: 5500-5700 blocks of Fisher Road ∂Samuel P. Massie Academy: 3000-3700 blocks of Regency Parkway ∂Seabrook Elementary School: 9400-9500 blocks of Annapolis Road MD Rt. 450 ∂St. Ignatius Loyola Church and School: 2300-2400 blocks of Brinkley Road ∂St. John the Evangelist School: 8800-9000 blocks of Old Branch Avenue ∂St. Joseph’s Regional Catholic School: 11000-11100 blocks of Montgomery Road ∂St. Margaret of Scotland Early Learning Center: 300-600 blocks of Addison Road South ∂St. Mark’s Elementary School: 6900-7600 blocks of Adelphi Road ∂St. Mary of the Assumption School: 4600-4800 blocks of Largo Road MD Rt. 202 ∂St. Mary’s School of Piscataway: 13400-13500 blocks of Piscataway Road MD Rt. 223 ∂St. Phillip of the Apostle School: 5500-5600 blocks of Auth Road ∂Suitland High School: 4900-5400 blocks of Silver Hill Road MD Rt. 458 ∂Tall Oaks Vocational: 2000-2300 blocks of Church Road ∂Tayac Elementary School: 8400-9000 blocks of Allentown Road ∂Thomas Johnson Middle School: 9400-9500 blocks of Annapolis Road MD Rt. 450 ∂Thomas G. Pullen K-8 Creative and Performing Arts School: 500-1100 blocks of Brightseat Road ∂Thurgood Marshall Middle School: 4600-5600 blocks of Brinkley Road ∂Vansville Elementary School: 11600-11900 blocks of Old Baltimore Pike ∂Waldon Woods Elementary School: 10100-10400 blocks of Thrift Road ∂Washington Bible College: Princess Garden Parkway from Good Luck Road to Hickory Hill Avenue, Good Luck Road from the underpass at Interstate Rte. 95/495 to Cipriano Road ∂William W. Hall Academy: 5000-5300 blocks of Marlboro Pike ∂William Paca Elementary School: 6600-8200 blocks of Sheriff Road ∂Woodmore Elementary School: 12000-12500 blocks of Woodmore Road For further information, please call the Prince George’s County Police Department, Automated Enforcement Division at (301) 955-0790.

(2-13-14)

Thursday, February 13, 2014 bo

Automotive

Page B-9

Call 301-670-7100 or email class@gazette.net

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2007 Jeep Wrangler X......................................$13,480 2011 Volvo XC-90..................................................$33,980 #325118A #P8827, Navigation, 32k Miles 2008 Mazda MX5 Miata Grand Touring.......$17,480 2012 Volvo XC-60 R-Design Platinum..........$35,980 #325094A, 21k Miles #422036A, 37k Miles 2012 Volvo C30 Premium Plus................$18,480 2011 Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ.............................$37,980

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OURISMAN VW WORLD AUTO CERTIFIED PRE OWNED 22 Available...Rates Starting at 2.64% up to 72 months

2009 GTI..................#V551811A, White, 99,448 miles.............$12,991 2006 Toyota Tundra #V001658A, Gray, 51,123 miles..............$13,999 2009 CC.....................#V0022A, Black, 90,298 miles................$14,491 2006 Dodge Charger. .#V007711A, Yellow, 65,873 miles........$14,491 2011 Toyota Corolla #VP0020, Black, 30,992 miles................$14,991 2012 KIA Rio............#V415025A, Red, 57,565 miles...............$15,491 2012 Mazda 6..........#VPR0023, Black, 44,340 miles...............$15,491 2012 Nissan Altima.#VPR0024, Gray, 42,366 miles...............$15,991 2013 Passat S….....#VPR0031, Silver, 34,132 miles...............$15,999 2007 BMW Z-4.......#V006539B, White, 69,522 miles.............$16,991 2010 Tiguan.............#V563875A, Gray, 77,182 miles..............$17,491

2012 Jetta Sedan...#V348867A, Black, 14,749 miles..............$17,995 2012 Nissan Juke..#V257168A, White, 57,565 miles.............$18,491 2011 CC.....................#VP0032, White, 36,116 miles................$18,991 2011 Honda CRV.....#V003776A, Gray, 37,086 miles..............$18,992 2011 Tiguan S..........#VPR0017, White, 32,529 miles..............$18,995 2011 Jetta TDI...........#VP0034, Blue, 44,443 miles................$18,999 2013 Jetta SE...........#VPR0027, White, 6,101 miles...............$19,995 2013 Jetta SE............#VPR0030, Silver, 4,340 miles................$19,995 2013 Passat S...........#VPR0026, Black, 6,891 miles................$20,995 2013 Beetle Conv...#V827637A, Black, 20,496 miles..............$21,991 2012 Routan SE......#VP0033, Maroon, 12,853 miles..............$24,991

All prices exclude tax, tags, title, freight and $200 processing fee. Cannot be combined with any previous advertised or internet special. Pictures are for illustrative purposes only.

See dealer for details. 0% APR Up To 60 Months on all models. See dealer for details. Ourisman VW World Auto Certified Pre Owned financing for 60 months based on credit approval thru VW. Excludes Title, Tax, Options & Dealer Fees. Special APR financing cannot be combined with sale prices. * 32” HDTV quantities limited. Ends 02/28/14.

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Looking for a new convertible?

3371 Fort Meade Road, Laurel

1.855.881.9197 • www.ourismanvw.com Online Chat Available...24 Hour Website • Hours Mon-Fri 9 am-9 pm • Sat 9 am-8 pm

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