Bowiegaz 022014 by The Gazette

NEW ROOTS

Kronos Quartet and Trio Da Kali set to collaborate at Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. B-1

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

DAILY UPDATES ONLINE www.gazette.net

Thursday, February 20, 2014

25 cents

‘You are tearing apart our family’ Parents share objections to school boundary changes in Hyattsville, Upper Marlboro n

BY JAMIE

ANFENSON-COMEAU STAFF WRITER

Parents of students attending Cesar Chavez and Perrywood elementary schools spoke out against proposed boundary changes Tuesday night, asking officials not to break apart the school communities they have built. “I don’t believe that this change is necessary,” said Elisa Aragon of Hyattsville, parent of a first-grader at Chavez Elementary in Hyattsville. Aragon spoke out against the proposed conversion of Chavez from a neighborhood school to a specialty dual-language Spanish immersion school, with a lottery held for seats. “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. And Cesar Chavez’s Spanish im-

BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE

Kristina Busch (center), 7, rides her imaginary horse through the mountains, formed by Lela-LaVonne F. Grant, 7; Amanda Magufﬁn; Jocelyn Gross, 7; and Justyn Hughes at the Bowie Community Theatre’s production camp Saturday for 6- to 10-year-old Bowie-area children.

Spotlight talent

A new class at the Bowie Community Theatre is not only inspiring youth to take interest in the performing arts, it’s inspiring their creativity, as well. “My character is named Ginny, and she likes to snowboard and read, sometimes at the same time,” Bowie resident Joan Reimer, 8, said of the character she created during the organization’s new children’s theater class. “And she can turn negative thoughts into positive thoughts.” The class started Feb. 1 to generate interest in theatrical arts and potentially lay the groundwork for a children’s theater that would put on family-friendly plays, said class teacher Amanda Magofﬁn, community theater member and actor. The class, a weekend course that runs about two hours, introduces students to the theater, to include acting, using makeup and costumes, and learning about behind-the-scenes

Production class at Bowie theater aims to spark youths’ interest, offer family shows n

work, Magoffin said. “It is not just about acting. A lot of things go into making a show,” Magoffin said. “You’d be surprised how many kids want to be in theater.” Most of the theater’s shows tend to be for mature audiences, so Magoffin said she hopes the classes will transition into a children’s theater that could provide shows that families could enjoy, because it is something she thinks the community needs. Magoffin is teaching two classes, one for children ages 6 to 10 and another for ages 10 to 14, where she teaches them about acting, stage design, makeup and costumes. There are 16 students, the max allowed in the younger group classes while 12 are enrolled in the older class.

See PARENTS, Page A-5

Viral campaign spotlights beauty of Branch Avenue

on growing

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

mersion program isn’t broken; it’s just gone unnoticed,” Aragon said. Under the proposed conversion, students currently attending the school will continue to do so, said Johndel Jones-Brown, director of pupil accounting and boundaries, but future kindergarten seats will be available only through a countywide lottery. Incoming students who would have attended Chavez as their neighborhood school will instead be zoned for Rosa Parks or Chillum elementary schools. Aragon said parents are very active in the school community and proud of its existing SpanishEnglish immersion program. “With the possible phasing out process that you are considering, you are tearing apart our family,” Aragon said. Liliana Cruz, president of the school’s Parent Teacher Or-

Magofﬁn said her students have really embraced the program. The theater received a $1,500 grant from Bowie’s Arts Committee to launch the class. The course costs $75, which Magofﬁn said goes toward renting theater space and paying for things that the grant didn’t cover. Joan’s mother, Patricia Reimer of Bowie, said her daughter enjoys acting and singing, so she decided to sign her up for the program. “She and her brother are always putting on little shows. And it teaches her new things about the stage,” Reimer said. Bowie resident Jason Craig, whose daughters Emma, 7, and Cara, 9, are in the program, said the classes have been a great opportunity to expose his children to the arts. “If your kid plays sports, there are plenty of chances to play as they

Business members tell the tales of their community BY

GREGORY DALE STAFF WRITER

In lieu of a runway, Temple Hills community members are showcasing the beauty of a longer stretch of property — the business corridor near the south end of Metro’s Green Line. “The Beauty of Branch Avenue” viral campaign is spotlighting residents and local businesses near the Branch Avenue and St. Barnabas corridors and allowing them to share their unique stories and photos on its Facebook page. The month-long campaign, which was launched at the beginning of February, is the latest project from Branch Avenue in Bloom, a program launched in 2010 by the Maryland Small Business Development Center. Daniel Ramirez, who works at

See SPOTLIGHT, Page A-6

the information desk at the Hillcrest Heights Library, shared his fondest “Branch Avenue” memory was when he helped a library visitor apply for a job. A few hours later, the visitor got called in for an interview that same day. “I think it’s good to get positive information about the community,” he said. “It focuses on the good things and [my feature] spotlighted the library as a community resource for information.” Danielle Nelson, retention manager at Carriage Hill Apartments, shared that she enjoys participating in her job’s annual senior pampering event where Carriage Hill seniors are given a spa and pedicures. “Branch Avenue has a lot to offer,” she said. “I think it’s important to promote local businesses to keep income and revenue growing in the community.” Jennifer Funn, program coor-

See CAMPAIGN, Page A-7

Snow day school closings in county begin to chip into summer break Academic calendar included four inclement weather days, but ﬁve have been used, so far n

BY JAMIE

ANFENSON-COMEAU STAFF WRITER

Prince George’s County students may have enjoyed an extra long weekend thanks to the snow storm Feb. 13, but the school closing that day may

have to be made up in June. With Feb. 14 being reserved for parent-teacher conferences and Monday being the Presidents’ Day holiday, county public schools students were able to enjoy a ﬁve-day weekend. The school system had four inclement weather days built into its academic calendar, but Feb. 13 marked the ﬁfth time school had to be canceled due to inclement weather this school year. School had also been canceled Dec. 10,

NEWS

BEST OF THE BEST

Former NFL player plans to take his new ﬁtness center franchise to the top.

A-3

Jan. 3, Jan. 21 and Jan. 22. Under Maryland law, school is mandated to be in session for at least 180 days, but the state can grant waivers for school systems that have experienced significant weather-related cancellations during the school year. “The superintendent, or CEO in our case, would have to request a waiver from the state,” school system spokesman Max Pugh said. “We’re going to wait and see how the weather turns out

SPORTS

YOUNG ADULT SWIM Many of Prince George’s County’s top high school swimmers are underclassmen.

A-9

before we decide whether or not to seek a waiver.” The four built-in inclement weather makeup days run Monday through Thursday, June 9 through June 12. A ﬁfth makeup weather day would likely make June 13 the last day of school. “If we start to get into six or seven days, it does begin to create issues for parents,” said Earnest Moore, Prince George’s County PTA Council president, mentioning the impact on sum-

Automotive

B-9

Calendar

A-2

Classiﬁed

B-7

Community News

A-4

Entertainment

B-1

Opinion

A-8

Sports

A-9 Please

RECYCLE

mer plans. “A lot of camps have to be paid for before the school year ends,” Moore said. “Some parents may have to decide whether or not to take their kids out of school early.” Moore said it can also pose problems for student employment. Employers who rely on large numbers of student workers in the summer,

See SNOW, Page A-7

Check out our Services Directory ADVERTISING INSIDE B SECTION

1906248

THE GAZETTE

Page A-2

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

PEOPLE& PLACES More online at www.gazette.net

Students win cash in Bowie art contest Ten Bowie students have been announced as the winners for the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest. The contest, which is held each year, takes art submissions from Bowie students and puts them on display during the city’s Martin Luther King Jr. program, according to Bowie press release. The submissions are then judged and winners from the coloring, poster and video contest are selected. First place winners received $100, second place $50 and third place $25. Winners for the coloring contest were Jocelyn Gross (first place), Benjamin Brensinger (second place) and Elizabeth Oldfield and Haider Syed (tied for third). In the poster contest competition Emily Galo and Bryanna Hurst tied for first place while Dominique

Harper earned second place.

For the video contest, winners were Samantha Friskey (ﬁrst place), Jeremiah Davis (second place) and Brenee Hill (third place).

Largo resident makes New York school’s honor roll A Largo resident has been recognized for her academic work while attending school at the big apple. Sharde’ M. Majors, 19, of Largo, was placed on the St. John’s University Queens New York Campus Dean’s List for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average, said Boyd Campbell, her uncle. Majors is studying accounting at St. John’s and is interested in poetry and acting, Campbell said. This Dean’s List continues Majors’ tradition of academic excellence, She was on the Largo High School Honor Roll from ninth to 12th grade, Campbell said.

EVENTS Bowie Senior Center Photovoltaic Roof Installation, 12:30 to 2:15 p.m.,

Bowie Senior Center, 14900 Health Center Drive, Bowie. Contact 301-2621780 or vkiviat@comcast,net. LEGO @ the Library, 4 p.m., Baden Library, 13803 Baden-Westwood Road, Brandywine. Make LEGO creations and hear about fun books. Contact 301-888-1152. Book Discussion, 7 p.m., South Bowie Library, 15301 Hall Road, Bowie. Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Eat, Pray, Love.” Contact 301-850-0475.

FEB. 21 Black History Museum, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Marlow Heights Community Center, 2800 St. Clair Drive, Marlow Heights. Exhibit features historic photographs and proﬁles of notable African-Americans. Contact 301-4230505; TTY 301-203-6030. Business Tools Workshop, noon to 1 p.m., Texas Roadhouse, 6011 Highbridge Road, Bowie. Business tax updates for 2014. Cost: $10 per person. Contact 301-262-0920 or kelly@bowiechamber.org. Xtreme Teens: Most Wanted DMV Teen Hip Hop Summit, 6:30 to 9:30

p.m., Newton White Mansion, 2708 Enterprise Road, Mitchellville. This year 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 301249-7200; TTY 301-218-6768.

Black History Theatrical Production, 7 to 9 p.m., Indian Queen Recre-

ation Center, 9551 Fort Foote Road, Fort Washington. Enjoy a theatrical performance rewinding time to depict the experiences of black leaders from the Civil Rights era. Cost: resident, $5; non-resident, $6. Contact 301-8399597; TTY 301-203-6030.

Catholic Business Network Breakfast, 7:30 to 9 a.m., Country Club at

Prince George’s County natives were among those recently named in West Virginia University’s fall 2013 president’s and dean’s lists. Students who were selected for the president’s list earned a 4.0 GPA, while dean’s list candidates earned a 3.5 grade point average. Dean’s list recipients included: Alexander Armstrong of Brandywine; Christopher Bolser of Glenn Dale, James Butler and Vernon Jones of Mitchellville; Samantha King and Mark Soderholm of Bowie; Shawnesha Minor of Oxon Hill; Joi Newberne of District Heights; and Ghislain Wassu Wassu of Upper Marlboro. Additionally, a handful of county natives were among the 1,330 students that graduated from the university during the fall 2013 semester. They were: Chloe Brown and Victor Bradford of Upper Marlboro; Adrianna Espinosa of Bowie; Nicole Grant of Suitland and Christopher Lanham of Brandywine.

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.

FEB. 20

County natives honored

Woodmore, 12320 Pleasant Prospect, Mitchellville. Speaker: Deacon Mike Yakir, chancellor of the Archdiocese of the Military. Cost: $20, members; $30, guests. Contact 240-271-8651 or www. aohare@stmatthias.org.

FEB. 22 Xtreme Teens: Snow Tubing Xscape, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Largo/Ketter-

ing/Perrywood Community Center, 431 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro. Explore Round Top Mountain Resort in Pennsylvania for an eventful day on the slopes. Cost: $30. Contact 301-446-3400; TTY 301-446-3402. Quilting Class, 10 a.m., Spauldings Library, 5811 Old Silver Hill Road, District Heights. Have fun learning to quilt. Beginner and intermediate levels. Contact 301-817-3750.

2014 Bi-County High School Oratorical Contest, 10 a.m., Prince

George’s County Administration Building, Main Hearing Room, 14741 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro. Contact 301-952-3783 or mfemmick@co.pg.md.us. Live Animal Show, 10 a.m., Watkins Nature Center, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro. Children will get 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. Ages 2 and older. SMARTlink #1292022. Cost: $2, residents; $3, non-residents. Contact 301-218-6702; TTY 301-699-2544. Live Animal Show, 10 to 11 a.m., Watkins Nature Center, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro. Let your child observe, touch and learn about animals through exciting hands-on activities. Cost: resident, $2; non-resident, $3. Contact 301-218-6702; TTY 301-699-2544.

Money Smarts for the Millennial Generation, 10:30 a.m., Oxon Hill Li-

brary, 6200 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill. Find out how to build your savings, establish good credit and more. Contact

SUN

Candidates for Maryland Governor to Speak, 9 to 11:30

a.m., Temple Solel, 2901 Mitchellville Road, Bowie. Three of the candidates for governor of Maryland — Democrats Douglas Gansler and Heather Mizeur and Republican Ron George — will discuss their priorities. Open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Contact 301-249-2424 or ofﬁce@templesolelmd.org.

MORE INTERACTIVE CALENDAR ITEMS AT WWW.GAZETTE.NET 301-839-2400.

Community Day Breakfast, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Newton White Mansion, 2708 Enterprise Road, Mitchellville. The Men Aiming Higher Community Day Breakfast. Join us as we celebrate our ﬁfth year of combined achievements, and help us salute individuals and organizations making a difference in our community. Cost: $35 per person. Contact 301-249-2004. Prezi Presentations, 11 a.m., Hillcrest Heights Library, 2398 Iverson St., Temple Hills. Learn a new way to set your best ideas free and creatively using Prezi — a cloud-based presentation software that allows you to spice up slide show presentations. Space is limited. Teens are encouraged to sign up, too. Contact 301-630-4900.

Third annual Black History Gospel Tribute and Bazaar, 12:30 to 4 p.m.,

Stephen Decatur Community Center, 8200 Pinewood Drive, Clinton. Join us as we pay tribute to Black History with a rousing gospel tribute and bazaar featuring poetry and dance. Light refreshments will be served. Doors open for bazaar at 12:30 p.m. Contact 301297-4648; TTY 301-203-6030. Crocheting and Knitting Literacy, 12:30 p.m., Hillcrest Heights Library, 2398 Iverson St., Temple Hills. If possible, please bring your own materials, due to limited supplies. No prior experience needed. Contact 301-630-4900. Black Indians: A History, 1 to 4 p.m., Watkins Nature Center, 301

The fall 2013 commencement ceremony was held in December.

Bowie to fertilize minds with lawn care workshop As spring approaches, lawn care amateurs may be wondering how they will spruce up their grass now that the snow has melted away. Bowie’s Green Team has the answer. The team will host a “Best Practices to Green Your Lawn” workshop to teach lawn owners and caretakers the best practices to keep grass green and shoo away pesky pests with alternatives to pesticides, according to a Bowie news release. The workshop starts at 9:30 a.m. on March 1 at the City’s Parks and Grounds Facility Second ﬂoor, 3106 Mitchellville Road in Bowie. Refreshments will be served and presentations on fertilizer law, lawn care management and natural pesticide alternatives start at 10 a.m., according to the news release. Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro. Join us at Watkins Nature Center for a viewing of “Black Indians: An American Story,” narrated by James Earl Jones. After the viewing, Aio Sifu will speak about the history of black Indians, her personal life experiences and answer questions. Space is limited; reservations required. Contact 301218-6702; TTY 301-699-2544. Highland Tea, 2 p.m., Darnall’s Chance House Museum, 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro. Celebrate the Scottish heritage of Darnall’s Chance by partaking in cozy winter afternoon tea. Cost: resident, $22; non-resident, $28. Contact 301952-8010. LEGO Mania, 2:30 p.m., Oxon Hill Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill. We’ll bring out the LEGOs and read stories. Ages 6 to 9. Contact 301839-2400. Black Musical Explosion, 7 to 9 p.m., Potomac Landing Community Center Park, 12500 Fort Washington Road, Fort Washington. Community members will sing contemporary and traditional black music. Cost: resident, $5; non-resident, $6. Contact 301-2929191; TTY 301-203-6030.

A&E

Tantallon Community Players to present August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars.” SPORTS The draw for the high school basketball tournaments is scheduled for Sunday. Check The Gazette’s basketball blog at www.gazette.net/nets to see the top matchups.

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

ConsumerWatch Does liquor like vodka or rum have a shelf life? Let’s look to Liz for a spirited response.

LIZ CRENSHAW

WeekendWeather FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Get complete, current weather information at

NBCWashington.com

FEB. 25 Girls Read, 4 p.m., Oxon Hill Library, 6200 Oxon Hill Road, Oxon Hill. Find out about the latest titles, share a favorite book, practice reading with games and other activities. Contact 301-839-2400.

Budget Public Hearings on the FY2015 Operating Budget, 7 p.m.,

Sasscer Administration Building, Board Room, 14201 School Lane, Upper Marlboro. The public hearings provide the community an opportunity to share their budget suggestions and priorities for the 2014-2015 school year. Contact 301-952-6115. Digital Drop-In Night, 7 p.m., LargoKettering Library, 9601 Capital Lane, Largo. Interested in learning about your library’s downloadable services? Feel free to drop by with your tablet or eReader for assistance from a librarian. Contact 301-336-4044. Black Literature, 7 p.m., Spauldings Library, 5811 Old Silver Hill Road, District Heights. Solomon Jones’ “The Last Confession.” Contact 301-8173750.

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

CORRECTION A Feb. 13 story incorrectly reported the academic performance of Prince George’s Community College sophomore men’s basketball player Gabe McCray. McCray, an honor roll student, had a 3.1 GPA, according to Owls’ coach Xavier Joyner, at Woodstream Academy during the ninth through 12th grades.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Prince George’s County police blotter is available online at www.gazette.net.

136926G

THE GAZETTE

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

Page A-3

LOCAL From football to franchising, Memorial planned for Bowie Bowie resident wants to score student found dead after ﬁre Former NFL player says desire to help others led to new career path

23-year-old was senior at Frostburg State University

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

Whether handling newspapers as a paperboy in Greenbelt, playing as a defensive back for Duquesne University football team or in the National Football League, Leigh Bodden said he wanted to be the best. So it is no surprise to his family that Bodden plans to take his new fitness center franchise to the top. “That’s how I approach everything,” said Bodden, 32, of Bowie. “Just wanting to be the best. I would do that paper route and try to imagine other paperboys, if they had a competition, I wanted to be the best at it.” Bodden, a Washington, D.C., native, grew up in Greenbelt and attended Northwestern High School in Hyattsville. On Feb. 7, he opened a Retro Fitness center in Lanham, which he said is a big step in one of his goals of becoming a franchise owner. “Fitness is obviously something I have experience in,” said Bodden, who is a self-described avid exerciser. “I want people to be healthy. It is great to see people transformed.” Bodden said he got the idea to franchise a fitness center after he retired in 2011 from his nineyear tenure in the NFL — where he played for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and New England Patriots — and started looking for new work. He started “Bodden’s Gym” out of his garage where he led workouts with his mother, aunt and two sisters, he said. While working out his family, and meeting Retro Fitness officials at a franchising conference, Bodden put a team together and

A memorial is planned Feb. 20 for a Bowie man found dead in his college rental home after it was destroyed by a fire at about 5 a.m. Friday. Lateef Gazal, 23, a senior at Frostburg State University, was discovered dead after about 75 Allegany and Garrett county firefighters battled the blaze on the 140 block of Bowery Street in Frostburg, said Oliver Alkire, Maryland State Fire Marshal spokesman. The cause of death and the fire have not been determined

GREG DOHLER/THE GAZETTE

Former NFL football player and Bowie resident Leigh Bodden opened Retro Fitness in Lanham. made the investment to build three stores in the Washington metropolitan area. Fitness is something Bodden knows, his family said and they are confident in his business decision. “I wanted to lose some weight,” said Carolie Walker, Bodden’s mother, who lost about 20 pounds working out with her son. “He was a taskmaster. I think he is going to accomplish a whole lot with this gym. He takes challenges. Whenever he gets a challenge he doesn’t stop until he succeeds.” His new financial endeavors are being financed by the money he earned in the NFL, but unlike many players who leave the league broke, Bodden has amassed enough money to live off the dividends and investment interests, said Allan Boomer, Bodden’s business partner and financial adviser. “He has a strong belief in himself,” said Boomer, who lives in New Jersey. “He has very good business instincts. I’ve got MBAs

from NYU, but you can’t teach instinct.” Bodden said his business instincts started at an early age when he would take sugar candy from his grandmother’s house and sell the candies at school. He also only bought what he needed throughout his whole life, something he did because he didn’t feel the need to overspend, Bodden said. “People called me ‘cheap,’ but I wouldn’t call it cheap,” he said. “I spend money on things I want. I don’t make too many impulse buys. I save money for things that I want.” Now that Bodden has everything in place with the ﬁrst gym opened, he said plans to open two more in the area. “I’m going to try and please everybody and be the best,” Bodden said. “People are going to respect what I’m doing in the ﬁtness industry. I want to have a great business and serve customers.” ccook@gazette.net

yet, Alkire said. The two-story home, which was converted from a family home to a college rental home, was destroyed in the ﬁre, Alkire said. The university plans to hold a public memorial service at 8 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Alice R. Manicur Assembly Hall in the Lane University Center, 101 Braddock Road, Frostburg. Three other Frostburg State University students who lived with Gazal were displaced by the ﬁre as well, said Liz Medcalf, Frostburg State University spokeswoman. Gazal was a senior business administration student at Frostburg State University who had transferred from Prince George’s County Community College, Medcalf said. The university’s campus

ministries and private fundraising have collected about $10,000 to help the three displaced students and Gazal’s family, Medcalf said. Contact information for Gazal’s family could not be located. “All of us at the College of Business are truly saddened for the tragic loss of our beloved student, Lateef Gazal,” Ahmad Tootoonchi, dean of the university’s College of Business, said in a statement. “Lateef was one of our best and brightest, and will be missed tremendously. He was enthusiastic, energetic and highly regarded by faculty, students and staff of our college.” ccook@gazette.net

Snow may delay bridge opening Ofﬁcials hopeful to still debut repaired Bowie connector within a week

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

Although recent snowstorms delayed bridge construction work on Governors Bridge Road, transportation ofﬁcials are still hoping for a Feb. 28 opening of the bridge connecting Bowie and Anne Arundel County that has been closed for almost a year. “We are still hoping to target that same date,” said Carol Terry, Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation spokeswoman. “We are going to make every effort to meet that date.”

The Truss Bridge on Governor’s Bridge Road was closed on March 6, 2013 after it was classified as deficient by a county inspection and in need of major repairs, according to Department of Public Works and Transportation records. Repairs included structural steel and a traffic barrier, according to transportation records. Work on the bridge didn’t begin until Jan. 6 after the project’s subcontractor had to be replaced, according to transportation records. The project’s cost of $248,000 was shared between the two counties, although Terry was unable to confirm Prince George’s exact cost. Bowie City Councilman Todd Turner (At-Large) said

he was pleased to know that the bridge is receiving the repairs it needed and that its opening means traveling to Anne Arundel County is a bit easier. With the bridge closed, people had to use John Hanson Highway or Central Avenue, about a five mile detour, when traveling between Bowie and Anne Arundel County, Turner said. He also said having the bridge repaired was necessary due to its previous condition and location. “That area is known for ﬂooding, particularly during heavy storms,” Turner said. “So obviously it was a needed form of repair.” ccook@gazette.net

The GBCC Women in Business Committee & Soroptimist International of Bowie-Crofton cordially invite you to attend the

7th Annual Taste of Bowie &

March into Spring Fashion Show To benefit our scholarship funds

Thursday, March 20, 2014 at 6:00p.m. Boswell Hall 6111 Columbian Way, Bowie, MD 20715

1884480

Cost: $40 by March 6; $50 after March 6 Tables of Eight $300 1884481

1911736

Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Alan H. Michaels • Sam J. Hamam • Jared W. Lamb

Bowie Montessori Children’s House

Most Major Insurances Accepted

5004 Randonstone Lane, Bowie, Maryland 20715

Premier

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

1884478

One of the Best Montessori Schools (Annapolis)

One of the Best Private Schools (Bowie-Crofton)

Best Daycare (Bowie-Crofton)

www.youtube.com search Bowie Montessori 1911737

301-868-0777

9015 Woodyard Rd., Ste. #104 Clinton, MD 20735 www.clintonfamilydental.com

1884469

• Serving the Community for 35 Years! • Affordable Whitening Systems Available • Braces for adults & children including Invisalign (invisible braces) • White Fillings • Digital X-Rays • Root Canal Treatment • Crown & Bridge • Implants & Dentures

THE GAZETTE

Page A-4

Forest Heights eyes new security camera program Town police department uses video technology to monitor public areas

GREGORY DALE STAFF WRITER

Forest Heights officials have a message for would-be area criminals: “You’re being watched.” The town recently installed the first phase of its security surveillance camera program — four cameras on poles at Comanche, Seneca, Talbert and Shawnee drives. According to officials, the new technology provides a keen advantage for authorities in thwarting crime. “I’m excited about the prospect of these new devices,” said Forest Heights Police Chief Stewart Russell. “We’re very excited over what they can do.” The high-tech devices boast infrared and night vision. They also come packed with highresolution zoom-in capabilities for capturing images such as license plates. The town hired SeeView Security, a Fairfax, Va.-based security camera installation company, to set up the devices. The price tag for the first phase was $60,000. Officials haven’t yet determined the total cost of the project. Councilman Robert Barnes (Ward 1) said the surveillance devices were financed solely through money received from speed cameras already in place in the town.

“[The process] is something new for us and it’s been a learning experience,” Barnes said. “But I’m very confident that it will be successful.” The new equipment is a major step forward for the police department, but Russell said it’s only one step. “Technology is not the sole answer to solving crime,” he said. “We hope the cameras will allow us to enhance what we’re doing patrol-wise. The public must call 911. We want to caution people that they will only be a tool to assist in our endeavors.” He added that the cameras aren’t monitored 24 hours a day — only when officers are on patrol in the area — but footage is recorded for later viewing in case of a crime. “If an incident occurs, officers can view footage using an app on their laptops in their vehicles,” Russell said. “From there, they can respond accordingly.” In addition to monitoring the area for drug activity, Russell said, officers also will rely on the cameras to deter illegal dumping and traffic accidents. For the next phase, the town will place additional cameras near local elementary schools and parks. Officials haven’t released a completion date for the project. Ultimately, there will be 22 cameras installed throughout Forest Heights, officials said. gdale@gazette.net

Police take ﬁghting crime to the tweets Ofﬁcials say social media could aid interaction n

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

Prince George’s County police district commanders will be hashing out another strategy to increase community connectivity by using Twitter as a tool to communicate with residents and collect criminal information. County Deputy Chief George Nader said police are being shown the benefits of the social media application as it allows officers to connect directly with residents and to receive and distribute information from them in real-time. “This police department is heavily ingrained in community policing, and the benefit is developing a relationship with the real live community,” he said. Nader runs his own Twitter account, where he tweets police information and retweets the county’s media account. With district commanders using the tools, distributed information will be focused on specific areas of the county, which may have different needs than other areas, Nader said. Officers can potentially collect real-time information after a crime or distribute information like Crime Solver fliers for those areas, Nader said. “The intelligence alone you can get from people is excellent,” Nader said. “We feed out information and also can be fed information.” There are no plans to mandate Twitter use, said Lt. Wil-

liam Alexander, county police spokesman. Alexander often runs the county’s media account, @PGPDNews, which distributes information to thousands of followers. Maj. Raphael Grant, formerly commander of police District IV, said he would use Twitter and email distribution lists as tools to connect with the community. District IV encompasses Oxon Hill, Fort Washington and other south county areas. Grant was commander for about six months, and he said Twitter, along with email chains, allowed him to spread information quickly to people in his community. Officers can’t share critical investigative information on accounts, such as where officers might do a search, but he did say it was a great tool to spread information like suspect photos and information. Grant said he now serves as the regional investigation division commander. “I used it really as a tool or vehicle to get the community involved,” Grant said. “Things we need to help solve cases. It was kind of a like a community forum. “ Grant said he liked that the police department was attempting to get more localized involvement with Twitter. He said police officers live and breathe off the information they get from the communities, so the more interaction the better. “You have to be tied into the community,” Grant said. “They live in the community you are protecting. “ ccook@gazette.net

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

Sing and shout

GREG DOHLER/THE GAZETTE

Woodstream Academy students (from left) Taylor Robinson, 15, as Paul McCartney; Toni Bass, 13, as George Harrison; Monica Echols, 15, as Ringo Starr; and Kara Hart, 16, as John Lennon, re-enact the 1964 performance by The Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show” as part of The British Invasion: The Beatles on Sullivan 50th Anniversary program Saturday at the Bowie Library.

Key county schools staff member departs n

Replacement yet to be named

BY JAMIE ANFENSON-COMEAU STAFF WRITER

Prince George’s County Public Schools is back in the market for another top position. A. Duane Arbogast, the former chief academic ofﬁcer for the school system, resigned Feb. 14 to become vice president of educational services and chief operating ofﬁcer at the Baltimore-based Children’s Guild as of Monday. School system spokesman Max Pugh said Monday that no one had yet been named

to replace Arbogast, but that an announcement will likely be made within the next few weeks. The chief academic ofﬁcer is in charge of the Division of Academics and is responsible for overseeing curriculum, testing and special education, and administration of Title I programs, as well as providing leadership and coordination of instructional programs and resources, according to the school system website. Arbogast served as chief academic ofﬁcer since 2010, and served as acting deputy superintendent for academics in the 2012-13 school year. Prior to that, he worked in Anne Arundel County Public Schools in a variety of capacities.

Arbogast said he was courted by the 60-year-old nonproﬁt. “They called me and spoke about how my experiences in PGCPS would help them. I was very impressed with their body of work,” Arbogast said. Children’s Guild serves Maryland children and adolescents who have been traumatized by life experiences, have autism spectrum disorder and/ or developmental disabilities, said Children’s Guild CEO Andrew Ross. Arbogast said in his new role he will act as a liaison with local education agencies and oversee the management of the Children’s Guild’s nonpublic and charter schools. David Cahn, co-chairman

of the educational policy advocacy group Citizens for an Elected Board, said he was sorry to hear of Arbogast’s departure. “I wish him well in his new role,” Cahn said. “It’s a great loss to the school system. He was one of the only people who injected a degree of candor into school system discussions and he will be sorely missed.” School board Vice Chairwoman Carolyn Boston (Dist. 6) said she is sorry to see Arbogast go. “He has done a wonderful job for our system over the four years he’s been here,” Boston said. janfenson-comeau@ gazette.net

Meeting spurs concern over community plans Residents say they haven’t been given reason for planned discussion n

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

Upper Marlboro residents are prepping for a meeting Feb. 24 about a residential development near their home — but residents don’t know why the meeting has been called and fear it could impact the historic legacy of the community. “This is nuts,” said Billie Hinnefeld of Upper Marlboro. “They need to tell us what the issue is.” Hinnefeld lives near Stratford Estates, a residential development in Upper Marlboro off Old Crain Highway. The development has a portion of its construction delayed due to building requirements on four of the site’s 20 lots. Homes on the four lots must be built out of all brick or Hardiplank, which offers a wood look-a-like material, as the properties are visible from historic sites, such as the Wyvill house built in 1889, according to Prince George’s County planning board reports. Nearby residents and the county preservation commission wanted the homes near those sites to reﬂect the era and not feature cheap or modernlooking materials like vinyl. “It shows that the county

One of four Stratford Estates lots located near historical property in Upper Marlboro. cares about history,” said Stratford Estates resident Al Weaver. “[The history] is one of the reasons we moved here.” Weaver said he thought the requirements were finalized since the developer, Dan Ryan Builders, the commission and residents gave approval. However, the District Council can appeal a planning board decision before a project is ﬁnalized, said Ruth Grover, the county planning board staff member assigned to the case. The Prince George’s County Council sits as the District Council when making decisions on zoning use. “It is their prerogative to call it up, and they aren’t obligated to tell anyone why they

called it up,” Grover said. Hinnefeld said the meeting, which was called by County Councilman Derrick Davis (D-Dist. 6) of Mitchellville, could impact the requirements on the four lots facing the historical sites. But she isn’t sure whether the meeting will be about building materials or something else. At the meeting, attendees get a limited amount of time to speak, and residents want to prepare their statements, she said. “We don’t know whether we support the discussion or are against it,” Hinnefeld said. Davis’ ofﬁce referred calls for comment to Karen Campbell, County Council spokes-

BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE

woman. Campbell said the meeting was regarding topics on the record, explaining that nothing new about the site can be brought up, but she declined to elaborate. Keith Tunell, Dan Ryan Builders land director, said he didn’t know why the meeting was called and that his company didn’t appeal to the council. He said he thinks Davis is looking out for the residents who raised issues in the past by reafﬁrming previous decisions. “He may just have this on his radar to protect them,” Tunell said. “It is my guess that he is protecting his constituents.” ccook@gazette.net

THE GAZETTE

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

A Forestville man has been charged with murder after a stabbing that punctuated an argument between the man and his uncle, who died 10 days after the incident. Prince George’s County police have charged Andray Dwayne Johnson, 35, of the 4000 block of Suit Road in Forestville, with ﬁrst- and second-degree murder, said county police spokesman Lt. William Alexander. Johnson was arrested on Feb. 4 after police responded to reports of a stabbing at about 2:15 p.m., where they found Michael Thomas Johnson, 34, of the 4000 block of Suit Road in Forestville suffering from multiple stab wounds, Alexander said. Michael Johnson was taken to a hospital where he died on Feb. 14, Alexander said. Police believe Andray Johnson stabbed his uncle during an argument. He admitted his involvement in the stabbing and remains in custody with the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections, Alexander said. Andray Johnson does not have an attorney listed on his court records, according to online Maryland court records. ccook@gazette.net

ganization and parent of a fourth-grader at the school, said families with pre-schoolaged children have relocated to the neighborhood because they want their child to attend Chavez and should not have to be asked to lottery into the program. “What we want is for the younger siblings of the upper

EMILIE EASTMAN STAFF WRITER

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

Continued from Page A-1

Residents unite to share expertise with other communities n

Police say argument sparked stabbing

PARENTS

Town’s solar efforts spark launch of company Some University Park residents are hoping to share their sunny outlook with the rest of the metropolitan area. In 2013, University Park Elementary School became the ﬁrst solarpowered school in Prince George’s County. Now, members of the group behind that initiative are planning to start similar projects across the greater Washington, D.C., area. University Park Councilman Dave Brosch (Ward 1), who helped lead the school project, is seeking community members to invest in another one, to install solar panels on the roof of Franklin’s Restaurant, Brewery and General Store in Hyattsville. Brosch licensed the for-profit venture under the title Community Solar Thermal, LLC, and said he would like to have local residents involved, each investing between $500 and $1,000. The total cost of the project is $34,200. “We’d like to keep it as local as possible,” Brosch said. “I think there’s an advantage to having people invest locally — because it’s their church or it’s their neighborhood.” Community Solar Thermal is still in negotiations with Franklin’s, but plans to fund the solar panels and sell the restaurant energy at a discounted rate, making a modest proﬁt, Brosch

grade students currently attending our school to be given the right to attend our school in the hope of keeping siblings together,” Cruz said. Jones-Brown said that under the current proposal, no preference in the lottery would be given to students with siblings already attending the school. Amanda Stewart, PTA president at Perrywood Elementary in Largo and parent of ﬁrst- and fifth-graders, also expressed

TOM FEDOR/THE GAZETTE

David Brosch, a University Park resident and president of Community Solar Thermal LLC, stands outside University Park Church of the Brethren on Saturday. The church is one of the ﬁrst locations to participate in a community model — having an array of solar panels mounted on the roof. said. The project will be a way for area residents to invest in their communities, Brosch said. “Solar needs to be right out in the community,” he said. “I think everybody needs to be doing it, seeing it and participating in it.” University Park’s ﬁrst major solar project, completed in 2010, used the roof of University Park Church of the Brethren to create an energy genera-

concern that under current plans, her children and others in her neighborhood will now be zoned for Kettering Elementary in Upper Marlboro, as more students are moved to Perrywood to relieve overcrowding at Barack Obama Elementary in

tor with 99 sun-absorbing panels. “I think some other communities have become a little inspired by the ﬁrst of these happening in Prince George’s County,” said University Park resident Chuck Wilson, who helped spearhead the school project. “There are some other communities interested in participating.” Brosch said he learned from the process of installing the church pan-

Upper Marlboro. “Perrywood has been our neighborhood’s school since it ﬁrst opened its doors 14-plus years ago. My neighbors and I have expressed a strong connection to Perrywood over all those years,” Stewart said. “We

els. He hopes to put his knowledge to use through Community Solar Thermal and help others through the process. “We didn’t know what we were doing at first,” he said. “It took a while.” University Park Councilman Jim Gekas (Ward 2) said he will help Community Solar Thermal get off the ground, although he will not join the company. “I think [residents] feel like we’re spearheading something that’s unique and very environmentally friendly,” he said. “There’s a lot of enthusiasm, and it’s building.” Community Solar Thermal is not just about making money, Brosch said. It’s about reducing greenhouse gases and preserving the environment. “I guess I’ve always been an environmentalist and I really do believe we have climate change,” he said. “I’ve got three kids and I want them to have a good future.” Company members are researching new projects in Hyattsville, Silver Spring and Washington, D.C., Brosch said. Wilson said University Park’s experience will serve as a model for these projects and future initiatives in neighboring towns. “The entire purpose of the Small Town Energy Project was to serve as a demonstration that transforming energy in a small community is possible,” he said. “It’s exciting to see other communities look to this example.” eeastman@gazette.net

as parents and you as a school board have a shared responsibility to strengthen these connections and not to shufﬂe kids around for the sake of numbers.” The school board is scheduled to vote on the proposed

boundary changes at its Feb. 25 meeting. Individuals may sign up to speak at the meeting or may email comments to the school system. janfenson-comeau@ gazette.net

Gallery Africa

KLMBGC SPRING SOCCER REGISTRATION

OPEN NOW!

AGES: 3-14 COST: $85

“where fashion is art”

Evaluations for 14U Team (12-14) Soccerdome, Landover, MD - March 1st from 12 Noon - 2PM WWW.KLMBGC.COM 1905722

Ethnic and authentic African clothing, jewelry and accessories in stock for the entire family

Shop online at www.galleryafrica.com

Tax Guide 2014

2 convenient locations: The Centre at Forestville Woodmore Towne Centre 3217 Donnell Drive Forestville, MD 20747

Call 301-670-7100

301-736-8107

2830 Campus Way North, Unit 616 Lanham, MD 20706

1911735

Forestville man charged after uncle’s death

Page A-5

301-773-8661

ROBERT BEATSON II

Attorney/Accountant, Former IRS Attorney Admitted to DC, MD, VA & NY Bars

Tax & Financial Planning for Individuals & Businesses

All Types of Federal, State, Local & Foreign Taxes

• Certified Public Accountants • Audit, Review & Compilations Services • Investment Planning Services

Individual • Business • Partnerships • Trusts • Estates • Wills Amended & Late Returns • Back Taxes • IRS Audits • Business Law • Civil Litigation

www.beatsonlaw.com • 301-340-2951

COASTAL CAROLINA BY MOTORCOACH

Special Discount: First time customers $75 off Tax Preparation if delivered by 3/15/14

Call Today To Reserve Your Ad Space!

counting &

6-Nights Cruise on RCCL’s Grandeur of the Seas With All Meals & Entertainment!

olutions

Office: 301-386-7700 Email: info@actsfin.com www.actsfin.com

$1503

EXPLORE THE WORLDS OF DOWNTON ABBEY & JANE AUSTEN! August 2 – 9

$2799

Includes 6-nights hotels, Daily Breakfast, 2 Lunches, 1 Dinner, 2 Teas, Sightseeing & Admissions – CALL FOR DETAILED ITINERARY Cost of Air will be quoted when you reserve. CALL FOR DETAILED ITINERARY!

1908691

COMPLETE PLUMBING SERVICE 336-1945 262-4045 336-1945

Bonded Licensed Insured Md. State 2392 AA Co. 816 WSSC 760

Join Prince George’s County’s FREE investment club. Meet other traders and share ideas!

For more information email: LegacyInvesting2008@gmail.com (advanced traders only please)

Carolyn McKenna • Shillelagh Travel Club 100 East Street #202 • Vienna, Virginia 22180 Phone: 703.242.2204 • Fax: 703.242.2781 www.shillelaghtravelclub.com

I do...

smile

A new is just an office

visit away NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS! • Metal-free tooth-colored fillings • Implant tooth replacements • Affordable, effective tooth bleaching • Denture Replacements for difficult-fit patients • Veneers

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

Dr. Leonard Bers Master in the Academy of General Dentistry

Melwood Professional Center

9650 Marlboro Pike Upper Marlboro

301-599-0303 Visit my website at www.DrBers.net

1910999

For Land Portion

1884441

Residential & Commercial Work (301) Hot Water Heaters (301) Drain Cleaning (866) Bath & Kitchen Remodeling Custom Plumbing Since 1974 www.rontheplumber.com

$586

ALASKA CRUISE on Celebrity’s “Soltice” May 23 – 30

Includes Air from Dulles to Seattle & return, 7-Nights Cruise with all meals & entertainment Transfers & Porterage

1300 Mercantile Lane, Suite 100C-2 • Largo, MD 20774

1905718A

April 26 – May 2

1911732

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

1905658

Page A-6

THE GAZETTE

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

Man arrested after robbery of driver stuck in snow Thief pretended to assist stuck driver, police said

BY CHASE COOK STAFF WRITER

BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE

Jocelyn Gross, 7, and Lela-LaVonne F. Grant, 7, act Saturday at the Bowie Community Theatre’s production camp for 6- to 10-year-old Bowie-area children.

SPOTLIGHT

Continued from Page A-1 grow older,” Craig said. “But for the arts, there isn’t a lot for the younger kids feeding into the high schools.” Magofﬁn said she hopes to expand the production camp into more classes that would focus on specific theater disciplines like acting and costumes. But, for now, she said

the focus will be on the current classes and their upcoming productions. The students all will participate in a yet to be determined family-friendly play during the final class of the program in April, Magoffin said. “I really want to create an associated theater for children,” Magoffin said. “A lot of parents are thrilled, and the kids are excited and want to come back.” ccook@gazette.net

A driver whose car was stuck in the snow in Oxon Hill became the target of an opportunistic robber who allegedly feigned aid before demanding the man’s property, police said. Prince George’s County police arrested Michael Dennis Jr., 21, of the 8700 block of Contee Road in Laurel after responding to a reported carjacking in Oxon Hill at about 8:45 p.m. on Feb. 13, said Lt. William Alexander, a county police spokesman. Dennis allegedly approached a man whose vehicle was stuck in the snow as if he was going to offer help, Alexander said. Dennis then allegedly climbed into the backseat and demanded the driver’s belongings, but not his vehicle, Alexander said. Dennis didn’t have a weapon, but had the driver’s wallet and cellphone in his possession when he was apprehended by police after a foot chase, Alexander said. Online Maryland court records don’t list an attorney for Dennis. He is being charged with robbery and assault in the second degree, according to court records. ccook@gazette.net

NEW Bakery-Café Coming Soon to Beltsville

NOW HIRING!

See Our ad in the Careers section of this paper!

1905661

1884468

1884456

THE GAZETTE

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

CAMPAIGN

Continued from Page A-1

SNOW

Continued from Page A-1 such as Six Flags America in Upper Marlboro, may have difficulty finding workers when the school year is extended. “Some students may have to work part-time while they finish the school year,” Moore said. Kenneth Haines, president of the Prince George’s County Educators’ Association, said the disruption in the class routine can create problems for teachers. “Whenever you have broken routines, you do have some disciplinary issues,” Haines said. The Maryland School Assessments in reading and mathematics are scheduled to be administered during the first two weeks of March, but Haines said recent studies have shown that snow days do not create any significant loss in performance. T. Carter Ross of Hyattsville, parent of two Hyattsville Elementary students, said his family is waiting to see what the school system will do before finalizing summer plans. “We’re early enough out that

BRANCH AVENUE IN BLOOM

Daniel Ramirez, an employee at the Hillcrest Heights Library, was featured in “The Beauty of Branch Avenue” campaign. today. My career has brought me back.” Since its inception, Branch Avenue in Bloom has hosted small business workshops in the area and has sponsored a weekly Farmer’s Market in the parking lot in Iverson Mall.

“We want to encourage residents to shop local,” Funn said. “That’s why they’re there. “We want to keep addressing issues in the community and we’re going to continue to promote it.”

we’ve just started planning summer camps and things, so there’s nothing that’s being broken yet. Hopefully the Board of Education will set out a plan sooner rather

than later and offer clarity as to what the impact will be,” Ross said.

gdale@gazette.net

janfenson-comeau@ gazette.net

Each Service as Personal as the Individual Family-Owned and Operated Pre-Arrangements Cremation Out of Town Arrangements Complete Funeral Services Complete Personalization Services

301-805-5544

1884442

dinator of the Maryland Small Business Development Center, said she came up with the idea to remind community members of the beauty of that’s in their backyards. Since the campaign began, Funn said she’s received numerous calls and emails from community members who have offered positive feedback. “It’s really been successful,” Funn said. “We just walked around with a camera and asked people to share a moment that was beautiful in their lives.” Although Funn doesn’t reside in Temple Hills, she said she does have a close tie to the community. “When I graduated from college, my ﬁrst job was working at an insurance company in Iverson Mall,” she said. “If it wasn’t for that experience, I may not have been the woman that I am

6512 NW Crain Hwy (Rt. 3 South) Bowie, MD 20715

www.beallfuneral.com

Emergency Services at

1911734

Bowie Health Center

Emergency medical services for adults and children Quicker than a traditional Emergency Room Board certified doctors, with a reputation for excellence Caring and highly skilled nursing staff 15001 Health Center Drive

(Off Northview Drive across from Bowie Town Center)

Open 24 hours, Seven days a week

301-262-5511

www.bowiehealthcampus.org

1884444

1884474

Page A-7

Gazette-Star OUROPINIONS

Forum

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Page A-8

Let the games begin Family members can criticize each other without backlash, whereas the same criticism from those considered outsiders is not so easily accepted — a lesson Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler is learning. Gansler, a Montgomery County resident running for governor, opened a campaign office recently in Forestville and made statements regarding issues he thinks need to be addressed in Prince George’s County. Among his comments, he cited the need for more high-end restaurants, shopping options and school improvements — common complaints cited in the DISPUTE county. OVER COUNTY And he was quickly COMMENTS slammed for his remarks by a STRAYS FROM THE host of Prince George’s leaders, most of whom are listed REAL ISSUES as having endorsed one of Gansler’s gubernatorial opponents, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, a Prince George’s resident. In an open letter emailed by County Councilman Derrick Leon Davis (D-Dist. 6) of Mitchellville, with nearly 30 other officials signed on, Gansler’s claim that it is still difficult to find a mall or “restaurant with a tablecloth in Prince George’s” comes under fire. “His words are demeaning and nothing could be further from the truth,” the email states. Granted, much of what Gansler stated about Prince George’s has been previously stated by others listed in the letter — perhaps in a different manner, but the sentiment was still the same. And Davis’ email agrees with Gansler’s school system comments in some respects, but argues that the overall progress made in the county should have been mentioned and chastises Gansler’s choice of words. So, in summary, Gansler said Prince George’s has more progress to make and supporters of one of his opponents agree — but want it said in a nicer way. Perhaps the comments would have been more palatable if Gansler’s running mate, Prince George’s delegation chairwoman Jolene Ivey, had said them. Given that she has had a hand in Prince George’s changes, maybe she would have been given a pass on mentioning the county’s progress as she cited where improvements are needed. A clear misstep for Gansler, however, was citing that he gained the support of eight former Brown supporters; The Washington Post identified at least one listed erroneously. Clearly, the many signatories on Davis’ email proves Brown still has a good number of county leaders’ support. It’s important, however, that voters not get bogged down in side issues. Rather than debate how a county concern was phrased, debate the best methods for addressing the challenge. Voters — and election hopefuls — must focus on what really matters as they head to the polls: candidates’ priorities, their strategies for achieving their goals and their records of bringing positive change.

School discipline is a balancing act

The primary goal in education is to keep children in the classroom. In recognizing this, the Maryland State Department of Education recently adopted new disciplinary guidelines to address the high number of out-of-school suspensions. There were 42,000 susNEW STATE pensions or expulsions last GUIDELINES school year, according to a WERE OVERDUE 2012-2013 report from MSDE. That’s 42,000 children likely sitting at home, ignoring schoolwork. While it should not be as big of a concern, it certainly should be taken into account that parents are inconvenienced as well, having to make arrangements for someone to watch the child who isn’t attending school. Of course, some instances warrant a child being removed from the school, especially when the safety of others is at stake, but not every child poses a dangerous threat to themselves or others in the school building. However, it can be a delicate balancing act as to when the school system needs to step in and punish children for other infractions. It should not have taken highly publicized incidents to make state education ofﬁcials look at suspensions. All they had to do was look at the numbers and see something was wrong. While graduation rates statewide increased, there still are individuals falling through the cracks. We understand that not every child can succeed in a classroom setting, but they need to be given every chance to try. Sending them home for minor infractions is like the Bill Cosby joke where his wife scolds him. Upon seeing his faux pas, “my wife sent me to my room … which is where I wanted to go in the ﬁrst place.” A few children will do silly things to get in trouble and get a couple days off school. Schools just can’t let them get a minivacation.

Gazette-Star Douglas S. Hayes, Associate Publisher

LETTERS TOT HE EDITOR

Put priority on what the American people need What difference does it make? What if gasoline were only $2 a gallon in the summer? Would this help the economy? Would more people buy RVs and take their families on vacations across the U.S.? Would more people visit the beautiful places such as Wild Wonderful West Virginia, the Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina beaches or even travel around the country to see our wonderful scenic vacation spots? Wouldn’t our new generation of children love to experience seeing the beautiful places they read about in school? What if our country would require businesses to re-establish manufacturing of textiles, steel, electronics, automobile parts and other essential products needed in the U.S. to be made here? Would this help our economy? We now have a large

population of people who need jobs and would work for $15 to $20 an hour to feed their families. The workforce needs our government’s leadership to raise our standard of living and reduce the handouts that we now give to the needy. Instead of taxing the rich, require them to bring at least 50 percent of their manufacturing of products back to this country. What if our health care was simpliﬁed to the extent that the billions being spent on the development of websites and Medicaid was given to the major health care facilities and spent on the uninsured? Doctors who participate in our health care program would also be reimbursed as Medicare is working today. Insurance companies would be regulated where standard medical procedures on cost would apply. Allow people to keep their

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

William R. Woodall, Waldorf

Marylanders we lost in 2013 • Art Donovan. NFL all-pro lineman who played on 1950’s championship Colts teams. • Earl Weaver. Hall of Fame Orioles manager who won 1970 World championship and four pennants. • Tom Clancy. Maryland author whose best-selling novels became hit movies, owned minority share of Orioles. • Richard Ben Cramer. Pulitzer prizewinning reporter who wrote Esquire’s seminal William Donald Schaefer profile. • Jack Pardee. AllAmerican fullback at Texas A&M under Bear Bryant, All-Pro during 15 year NFL career, coached Redskins, MY MARYLAND Bears, Chargers and BLAIR LEE Oilers. • Dick Hug. Leading Baltimore businessman, prolific GOP fundraiser, University of Maryland regent. • Paul Blair. Eight-time Golden Glove center fielder who won World Series with both Orioles and Yankees. • Steve Muller. Johns Hopkins University president led unprecedented growth effort during his 18-year tenure. • Mary Corey. Beloved lifelong Sun employee who rose from college intern to top editor, broke glass ceiling. • Lord Nickens. Founded Frederick NAACP in 1936, dodged murder attempts to lead civil rights fight long before it was popular. • Elsbeth Bothe. Brilliant but eccentric Baltimore Circuit Court judge known for wit, fairness and decorating her chambers with skulls. • Lou Panos. AP and Sun fixture covered Maryland politics, including 40 General Assembly sessions, and served 6 years as Gov. Harry Hughes’ press secretary. • Larry Simns. Founded and led the Maryland Waterman’s Association, lobbied for commercial fishermen’s rights and for the Bay for 40 years. • Joe Alton. Anne Arundel County’s

first county executive, architect of today’s charter government and a lifelong force in county politics. • John Tydings. Long-time Washington Board of Trade director who successfully pushed business’s agenda in Maryland, D.C. and Virginia. • Mac McGarry. Household name to generations of TV viewers who, for 50 years, watched “It’s Academic” in Baltimore and D.C. areas. • Lloyd Bunting Jr. Four-time All American lacrosse player whose Hopkins teams went 31-0 and won four national championships. • Vernon Dobson. Baltimore religious leader who founded BUILD and the Baltimore Food Bank, marched at Selma and worked with Martin Luther King Jr. • Ernie Crofoot. Son of a railroad worker, he became Maryland’s top labor leader, built AFSCME to 40,000 members. • Gus Triandos. All-star Orioles catcher and slugger beloved by Baltimoreans who named a street after him. • Ann Brobst. Baltimore County prosecutor who became tough but fair Circuit Court judge, widely respected. • John Harvill. Maryland’s all-time winningest high school football coach (312-97) over 43 years, trained a generation of future coaches. • Leonard Kerpelman. Gadfly civil rights lawyer who pushed his protests to the outer limits. • Bob Turley. “Bullet Bob” pitched Orioles first game in 1954, traded to New York Yankees. • Harold Carter. Baltimore pastor whose radio preaching and civil rights work made him a celebrity. • Jack Germond. Baltimore Sun Washington bureau reporter for 20 years, became syndicated political columnist. • Jerry Wolman. Rose from paint store clerk to real estate magnate and NFL Eagles owner but lost his fortune and ended in bankruptcy. • Phyllis Brotman. Baltimore PR whiz founded Maryland Public Broadcasting and advised many politicians including Mayor Schaefer. • Bobby Parker. P.G. County blues

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

Vanessa Harrington, Editor Jeffrey Lyles, Managing Editor Glen C. Cullen, Senior Editor Copy/Design Meredith Hooker,Managing Editor Internet Nathan Oravec, A&E Editor

insurance as the president promised. What if we required construction companies and engineers to hire military veterans and unemployed skilled workers on a government program to rebuild our infrastructure of bridges, roads and other facilities? We need to do these improvements before another disaster takes place. These issues need to be solved before we can raise the standard of living for all Americans. The American people need to let their elected ofﬁcials know that they support taking action on these issues. It’s time we put a priority on what the American people need instead of what other countries want us to do for them. Think about it. What difference do you think it will make?

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

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

guitarist who played with Bo Diddley, Sam Cooke and Fats Domino and whose style was copied by the Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Santana. • Bob Fustero. The Giant stock clerk who set off alarms in his quixotic 2002 Democratic gubernatorial bid by winning 20 percent of the vote against Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the rest is history. • David Ross. Former P.G. County state delegate who served 15 years on the county Circuit Court. • Hattie Harrison. The “godfather” of Baltimore’s east side politics, set record by serving in House of Delegates for 40 years. • Ike Dixon. Four-term state lawmaker from Baltimore City. • Bill McCaffrey. Affable P.G. County state delegate who later worked for state Transportation Department. • Gerry Curran. Member of the Curran/ O’Malley political family, served in state legislature. • Don Mason. Sparrow’s Point steel worker who rose to Baltimore County Council representing Dundalk. • Werner Fronos. Liberal Anne Arundel state lawmaker who ran for Congress. • Jack LaPorte. Top national mutual fund manager, quiet and respected Baltimore philanthropist. • Joe Blocher. Founding member of leading law ﬁrm, was the “workhorse” partner. • Dave Cahoon. Montgomery County councilman appointed to the circuit court. • Jack Kay. Built homes and apartments in suburban D.C. during the 50s and 60s boom, became a leading philanthropist. • Everett Wilson. Son of a sharecropper who broke the color barrier at St. John’s College, longtime state government worker. • Bill Brubaker. Founding member of the legendary Baltimore Colts marching band. Blair Lee is chairman of the board of Lee Development Group in Silver Spring and a regular commentator for WBAL radio. His email address is blairleeiv@ gmail.com.

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

FREDERICK DOUGLASS WINS THE CLASS 2A STATE INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP, A-10

SPORTS BOWIE | LARGO | UPPER MARLBORO | CLINTON

www.gazette.net | Thursday, February 20, 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

24-3 58

Henry A. Wise

17-2 56

Clinton Christian 16-6 45

Charles H. Flowers 16-4 42

Riverdale Baptist 25-7 39

Potomac

17-3 30

Gwynn Park

15-6 22

Eleanor Roosevelt 16-6 20

Frederick Douglass 11-8 12

10.

National Christian 15-8 4

Wise has a smooth ride with Sneed at the wheel n

An ‘SUV’ is only as good as it’s driver; Wise has the best BY

TRAVIS MEWHIRTER STAFF WRITER

Imagine an SUV. That’s the Henry A. Wise High School boys’ basketball team. That’s Micah Till. It’s powerful, strong, balanced and smooth with a little giddy-up and plenty of room for teammates. It’s a great car, and like any great vehicle, it needs a driver. Not just any driver —

it needs the best. Wise has exactly that. It has Justice Sneed. “I look at our team, and we always talk about the car of this team, and Micah Till is the car of this team,” coach Rob Garner said. “But the driver is Justice Sneed. He’s the driver of the car. Now Micah Till, we’re going to go where he rolls, but Justice Sneed is the driver. “We’re more of an SUV. We’re big, we’re diesel, man. We want to play a power game. In the past, we’ve been quicker, we’ve been more of a sports car. But we’re an SUV and that’s not

See SNEED, Page A-10

FILE PHOTO

Henry A. Wise High School’s Justice Sneed scores off a ﬁnger roll shot during a boys’ basketball game last season.

Others receiving votes:

Bowie 1; Capitol Christian 1

BEST BET

Clinton Christian at Riverdale Baptist, 7 p.m. today: The Nos. 3

and 5 ranked teams for the second time. Crusaders won Round 1.

TOP SCORERS

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

PPG 31.7 25.9 25.0 21.8 20.2 18.8 18.6 18.5 18.4 18.1 17.8 17.7 17.7 17.5 17.3 17.1 16.8

MAKING A

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

Rank 1.

Eleanor Roosevelt 19-0 60

Riverdale Baptist 18-3 54

Elizabeth Seton 22-5 48

Charles H. Flowers 15-1 42

Largo

15-5 35

Gwynn Park

17-3 29

Capitol Christian 17-6 23

Bowie

14-7 21

Crossland

14-5 12

10.

School

Record Pts

St. Vincent Pallotti 13-7 6

Others receiving votes: None.

Most of the county’s top swimmers are underclassmen

BY JENNIFER BEEKMAN STAFF WRITER

According to the adage, people are supposed to respect their elders. Apparently no one informed Prince George’s County swimmers of that principle. High school sports are cyclical by nature; each year a new wave of student-athletes replaces one departed by graduation. Some incoming classes are stronger than others and popularity in certain sports can ﬂuctuate over time, but in general, the majority of standout high school athletes tend to be seniors. However, as championship season results have shown, the county’s highest scoring swimmers are underclassmen. Eight of the top 10 individual point leaders on the girls’ side at the Prince George’s county championship Feb. 8 were freshmen and sophomores. Only two seniors were among the top 10 boys — there were two freshmen as well. The majority of the day’s double individual race winners — Charles H. Flowers sophomore Don Brazleton, Laurel sophomore Carolyn Sutton and Bowie freshman DeAngela Fobbs

See SWIMMERS, Page A-10

Laurel High School sophomore Carolyn Sutton (above) swims the 100-yard butterﬂy during the 4A/3A South Region championships on Monday at the Fairland Aquatic Center in Laurel. PHOTOS BY GREG DOHLER/THE GAZETTE

Charles H. Flowers High School sophomore Don Brazelton swims in the 200-yard freestyle during the 4A/3A South Region championships on Monday at the Fairland Aquatic Center in Laurel.

BEST BET

Largo at Gwynn Park, 7 p.m. today: The Lions clinch the

New faces, same results for Largo

3A/2A/1A League with a win while the Yellow Jackets would force a coin ﬂip to see who plays in county title game if they split.

TOP SCORERS

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

PPG 23.6 23.1 21.8 19.5 18.3 17.9 17.8 17.4 17.4 17.2 17.2 16.9 16.8 16.4 15.8 15.8 15.8 15.7 15.7 15.4

Lions thriving after graduating top scorers n

ERIC GOLDWEIN STAFF WRITER

BILL RYAN/THE GAZETTE

Largo High School’s Alexys Long (right) dribbles past Gwynn Park’s Chantelle Gross during a Jan. 16 game. The two schools at at the top of the 3A/2A/1A League.

The names have changed, but the results for the Largo High School girls’ basketball team — down seven seniors from last season — have remained the same, if not better. The Lions (16-5 overall, 16-0 3A/2A/1A League) have won nine straight and are in position to reach their first state tournament since 2011 after graduating Keena Samuels (20 points) and Kierra Williams (15 points) from last season’s 17-7 team. With a stingy defense and a balanced offense featuring five consistent double-digit scorers, Largo heads into tonight’s scheduled regular season-finale against rival Gwynn Park (17-2, 15-1) with a chance to

clinch the Prince George’s County 3A/2A/1A League. “Everybody contributes. We wouldn’t be the team we are without everybody,” junior Alexys Long said. “Everybody contributes something to the table. We just all put it together.” Long is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 15.8 points. The combo guard has transformed from a contributor averaging about 10 points per game to a dependable ball-handler and shooter, hitting a team-high 19 3-pointers and making 55 of 104 free throws (52.9 percent). “She’s improved a whole lot and she’s becoming a leader,” Largo coach Ayana BallWard said. But the 5-foot-10 junior isn’t doing it alone. The team has four other scoring options, including Amel Duggins (12.9), Chance Graham

See LARGO, Page A-10

THE GAZETTE

Page A-10

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

Douglass wins 2A state indoor track championship n

McNamara wrestler wins his fourth state title GAZETTE STAFF

Frederick Douglass High School edged Carroll County’s Century, 65-60 to win the Class 2A state championship in indoor track and field Monday. Frederick County’s Catoctin (55.50 points), Largo (50) and Oakdale of Frederick (30) rounded out the top 5 in the boys’ competition. The Largo girls finished second place by three points behind Baltimore County’s Western Tech, 64-61. Liberty (59) out of Carroll County, Oakdale (44) and Frederick County’s Middletown (43) finished third through fifth, respectively. The Central boys (third place) and girls (fifth place) were Prince George’s top finishers in the Class 1A competition. Fairmont Heights (seventh) and Surrattsville (eighth) earned top 10 performances

SNEED

Continued from Page A-9 something we’re going to hide.” The same analogy could have been made for Eleanor Roosevelt last year. The Raiders were built nearly identical — big man who can make a three, athletic swingmen, deep bench, tremendous point guard — to this Wise team,

SWIMMERS

Continued from Page A-9 — were sophomores or less; four events were won by freshmen. That trend continued during Monday’s primarily-Prince George’s Class 4A/3A South Region meet as Sutton (100-yard butterﬂy meet record, 100-yard backstroke meet record), Fobbs (50-yard freestyle meet record, 100-yard freestyle) and Brazleton (200-yard freestyle, 100-yard

on the girls’ side; Forestville Military (seventh) was the only other top 10 team on the boys’ side. — JENNIFER BEEKMAN

COUNTY ATHLETES WIN STATE TRACK TITLES Class 4A

McNamara wrestler wins fourth state crown Bishop McNamara High School senior Alfred Bannister, III, won his fourth Maryland Independent State tournament championship Sunday at McDonogh High School. The state record holder for high school victories defeated McDonogh junior Cameron Harrell 5-3 in the 145-pound title match. DeMatha senior Mac Meehan (220) was the runner-up in his weight class and Pallotti senior Antonio Santoro (285) was the runner-up in the heavyweight division on Sunday. — TED BLACK

Class 2A

n Kollin Smith, Douglass, boys high jump n Largo, boys 800 relay (Jerome Miller, Marcelle Preston, Derek Durham, Joshua Washington) n Largo, girls 800 relay (Devonni Farrar, Jennifer Goodman, Eboni Carter, Stephanie Magruder) n Largo, boys 1,600 relay (Joshua Washington, Jerome Miller, Daniel Enieruem, Marcelle Preston) n Largo, girls 1,600 relay (Devonni Farrar, Bria Jones, Dominique Devonish, Cayla Coleman)

n n n n n

n n n n

n Brenen Garrett, Henry A. Wise, boys 55 meters n Ryan Leterouea, Eleanor Roosevelt, boys 800 n Eleanor Roosevelt, boys 800 relay (Jawuan Brown, Trenson Terry, Julian Rowe, Ahman Potter) n Bowie, boys 1,600 relay (Justin Beatty, Maxwell Willis, Mohamed Roberts, Antonio Coleman) Anthony Chesley, Gwynn Park, boys 55 meters Marcelle Preston, Largo, boys 300 Rico Gomez, Frederick Douglass, boys 500 Terrell Green, Frederick Douglass, boys 1,600 Favour Ihekwene, Largo, girls shot put

Class 1A Chandler Cotton, Central, boys 300 Mary Foday, Central, girls 300 Chandler Cotton, Central, boys 500 Crystal Parker, Central, girls high jump

the county’s best shot at keeping Maryland’s 4A crown in Prince George’s. If Emmanuel Matey was the driver of Roosevelt, the county’s SUV last year, the keys have been tossed to Sneed. Unlike most point guards, an inherently altruistic bunch whose numbers don’t quite pop as most other positions’ do, Sneed’s value is clear as day on paper, if not only because the Pumas went

two games without him. While Kyle Hill was fine in replacement, Wise was a shell of its former self. With Sneed saddled by illness, a flu he caught overnight that made a gym “feel like negative 10 degrees,” he said, it needed a fourth-quarter comeback to beat DuVal and all 32 minutes to beat 6-11 Oxon Hill by five. “To me, it makes a world of difference,” Garner said. “He was

out two games and we were clinging for our lives. Kyle Hill did a solid job, a real solid job, man, but nobody does it better than Justice. He’s our leader. They have a little saying ‘In Just we trust.’” When Sneed returned, there was no more need for clinging. The Pumas thumped Bowie, Northwestern, and Suitland by double-digit margins, scoring 75, 73, and 76 in each, respectively,

leaving just one remaining game, an all-but guaranteed result against winless High Point, separating them from a perfect league record. Which is funny, because going undefeated in the league was never even on the lengthy list of goals Wise set out to achieve this year . In Sneed’s ﬁrst two years of high school, he played for the Washington Catholic Athletic

Conference’s Bishop McNamara, playing well enough to start his sophomore year, but he decided for a number of reasons to transfer to Wise. He had heard nothing but good things of Garner and the program the coach was running. “He wasn’t going to hand anything to me,” Sneed remembered, “and I respected him for that.”

backstroke) won two individual events apiece. There has been a definite changing of the guard this winter, longtime Laurel High coach John Venit said, and it is indicative of recent growth of popularity in swimming in the county. A sign that athletes are starting to take the sport more seriously at a younger age — more and more swimmers seem to be seeking out year-round training programs — county coaches and swimmers alike are hopeful this pattern will

continue and in turn close the gap between Prince George’s and the rest of the state. The top 16 ﬁnishers in each event at the state competition score points. Only two athletes — current seniors Jennifer Clune (Eleanor Roosevelt) and Saadiq Louisy (Bowie) — scored at last year’s state meet. Clune, who has been head and shoulders above the county ﬁeld since her freshman season, was outside the meet’s top 30 individual scorers. Sutton said she was encour-

aged by the number of underclassmen among the list of top scorers this postseason and said the ultimate goal among Prince George’s County’s top talent would be to catch up to Montgomery, which won 20 of 22 events at the last state meet. Athletes in the county are exposed to swimming at a young age thanks to the neighborhood pool Prince-Mont Swim League, which Flowers coach Jeff Ware said continues to ﬂourish. But swimming has been long over-

shadowed in the county by sports such as basketball and football. Recently, Ware added, parents and student-athletes have realized the opportunities that niche sports can also provide, such as college scholarships, and have become more open to them. While cost is always an issue with club sports, “It’s more spread,” Venit said. “It used to be one or two teams, now it’s deﬁnitely more spread.” Prince George’s might not make much of a splash at Satur-

day’s state meet but coaches are hopeful it is only a matter of time before they can truly contend. “There is a growing popularity at the younger levels [of swimming] and it’s only going to get better and better,” Venit said. “This is a step in the right direction [toward competing at states]. The younger kids are coming in and making things happen. The seniors are doing well, don’t get me wrong, they’ve done well over the past four years but it’s a changing of the guard.”

tmewhirter@gazette.net

LARGO

Continued from Page A-9 (11.7), Stephanie Guihon (10.8) and Antanae’ Cash (9.2). “I have a well-rounded team. I’m not just depending on one person to get it done,” Ball-Ward said. The way Long sees it, there’s not much of a difference between this year’s squad and last year’s, which lost to Gwynn Park 74-57 in the 2A South Region semifinals. “We expected to do well,” she said. “We came out really confident about how we were going to do this year and I feel like we’re [succeeding].” Most of the team played together in summer and fall leagues, helping the Lions establish a rhythm and overcome the loss of its seniors, including Samuels, a second team All-Gazette guard. “It kind of helped us build a little bit of chemistry,” said Duggins, a sophomore guard. “So when we came back, we were able to work more as a team and add more chemistry.” Duggins is averaging 15.5 points over the past 10 games and scored a game-high 21 points in Largo’s 75-70 win against Gwynn Park on Jan. 16. Graham, 5-foot-11 center, has been a consistent scorer and rebounder on the guard-heavy Largo team; the sophomore recorded 17 points and 23 rebounds in a 75-40 win over Potomac on Jan. 31. “We all stepped up as a team, I wouldn’t just pick any one person that stepped up. As a team, we all did what we had to do,” Graham said. And then there are the players who don’t stand out in the box scores, such as Alexis Chase and Mikayla Edgeworth. “If they had a column for steals per game or defensive stops per game, Chase and Edgeworth would win that battle every game,” Ball-Ward said. “They give us our defensive push.” The Lions are scheduled to play Gwynn Park at 7 p.m. in Brandywine. They clinch the 3A/2A/1A League with a win and earn a spot in next week’s county championship game against 4A League champion Eleanor Roosevelt. If Gwynn Park wins, the two schools share the league title and a coin flip decides who plays Roosevelt for the county title. “We want to win states,” Long said. “We’re going to go far in the playoffs. We just want to do the best we can and go to states.” 136957G

egoldwein@gazette.net

MOVIE REVIEW

OUT OF ‘THE OFFICE’

Rock star-turned-television eccentric Creed Bratton to bring bizarre tale to area.

The Gazette’s Guide to

Arts & Entertainment

Page B-5

www.gazette.net

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Page B-1

Guest artists Trio Da Kali preserve tradition while pursuing new collaboration

VIRGINIA TERHUNE STAFF WRITER

Kronos, an American quartet known for commissioning new music, and Trio Da Kali, a group from Mali playing griot music dating back centuries, will perform together Saturday at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center in College Park. “It’s ﬁlled with energy and life,” said David Harrington, Kronos’ founder and artistic director, about the music of Trio Da Kali. Kronos will perform 10 songs with the trio, which will include new arrangements of old music. “The traditional music of Mali is very ancient,” Harrington said. “It probably predates the major religions.” “It’s not only a matter of preserving songs, but as Bartók said of folk music, it’s a matter of grafting new roots [onto the past],” Harrington said. “It’s the old ﬁnding new expressions.” The members of Trio Da Kali, from the Mande culture in southern Mali, are descendents

of griots, who function as oral historians in their communities and who sing and perform at social and family occasions. “Da Kali” means swearing an oath, in their case, taking a pledge to preserve their art. “Each member of the trio comes from long lines of musicians,” Harrington said. “There’s a naturalness and ease about them that is really inspiring.” Before taking the stage with Trio Da Kali, Kronos will open Saturday’s concert with a piece it commissioned called “Aheym,”

composed by Bryce Dessner, guitarist for the rock band The National. The quartet will also perform “String Quartet No. 3” (2011) composed by Valentin Silvestrov, drawing on Ukrainian folk music Based in San Francisco, Kronos also works regularly with students in the University of Maryland Music Program. On Thursday, the quartet will perform new music composed by graduate students.

See MALI, Page B-4

Feeling the blues

n Where: Dekelboum Concert Hall, 3800 Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (off University Boulevard, Md. 193), University of Maryland, College Park n Tickets: $10-$35 n For information: 301-405-2787, claricesmithcenter.umd.edu

Ramone Williams stars as CJ Memphis in the 2nd Star Productions presentation of Charles Fuller’s “A Soldier’s Play.” See story, page A-4

WILL C. FRANKLIN STAFF WRITER

Playwright August Wilson lived through a time in American history where being a black man meant having to watch out for ﬂying bricks and those of a different color calling you vile names and threatening you. Growing up in a predominantly white, working-class neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Wilson was the only black student at Central Catholic High School. He bounced in and out of different schools for a while, but dropped out of school in the 10th grade.

n When: 8 p.m. Saturday (7 p.m. preperformance discussion; talk back with artists following concert)

‘Soldier’ on

Play focuses on the life of a singer in the 1940s

KRONOS QUARTET AND TRIO DA KALI

JIVON LEE JACKSON

Tillmon Figgs and Kandace Foreman star in August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars.” Wilson wrote about the bad times, as well as the good in “The Pittsburgh Cycle,” a series of 10 plays featuring black men

and women throughout different decades. One of those plays,

See BLUES, Page B-4

2ND STAR PRODUCTIONS

Top: Members of the Kronos Quartet from San Francisco will perform with Trio Da Kali from southern Mali in West Africa on Saturday at the Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts in College Park. The quartet will also perform “String Quartet No. 3” by Valentin Silvestrov and “Aheym” by Bryce Dessner. From left to right are David Harrington, John Sherba, Sunny Jungin Yang and Hank Dutt. PHOTO BY JAY BLAKESBERG

Vocalist Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté, holding a shaker, is part of Trio Da Kali from southern Mali in West Africa, which will perform arrangements of traditional griot songs and newly commissioned music with the Kronos Quartet. SEBASTIAN SCHUTYSER/AGA KHAN MUSIC INITIATIVE

THE GAZETTE

Page B-2

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

That’s absurd

Guest of Honor

JAYAMANGALA SCHOOL OF DANCE

The Jayamangala School of Dance, featuring dancers from Montgomery and Prince George’s County, will perform at the Intersections Festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. The following week, the dancers will perform during the Mahashivarathri Celebration at the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham on Feb. 27.

Jayamangala’s journey Founded in 1991, the nonproﬁt Jayamangala School of Dance will perform in concert during Saturday’s Intersections Festival at the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C., prior to a performance the following week at the Mahashivarathri Celebration at the Sri Siva Vishnu Temple in Lanham on Feb. 27. Led by Shobha Subramanian of Laurel, the nonproﬁt aims to promote and preserve Bharatanatyam, an Indian classical art form originating in ancient temples of South India using rhythmic footwork, facial expressions and exquisite hand gestures to tell stories of Hindu gods and goddesses. Company members hail from throughout Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. For more information, visit jayamangaladance.org.

Steve Martin’s comedy “Picasso at the Lapin Agile” opens Friday at the Laurel Mill Playhouse, and ﬁnds the titular artist crossing paths with Albert Einstein in a Parisian cafe circa 1904, just before the advent of cubism and the theory of relativity. Turning history on its head, Martin’s play allows his subjects to confer on the state JOHN CHOLOD of their century and those to come, Director Stephen Deininger also with hilarious portrays Gaston in “Picasso at the results. Produced Lapin Agile,” opening Friday at the by Maureen RogLaurel Mill Playhouse. ers and directed by Stephen Deininger, the fun continues to March 9. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for students, seniors and active duty military. For more information, visit laurelmillplayhouse.org.

PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Comedian, actor and activist Dick Gregory will speak at Prince George’s Community College on Wednesday.

Prince George’s Community College welcomes comedian, author and activist Dick Gregory as its guest of honor during Cultural Awareness Day, featuring workshops, ﬁlm screenings and discussions celebrating Black History Month. Gregory will speak Wednesday evening. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Queen Anne Hall at the Largo campus. Gregory, a voice for social justice for more than 50 years, has used his immeasurable talents to enlighten while exposing cultural truths, and has been recognized and revered by celebrities such as Stevie Wonder, Cicely Tyson and Bill Cosby. For more information, visit pgcc.edu.

Looking for a legend Ed Graczyk’s “Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean,” opens Friday at the Greenbelt Arts Center. Directed by Franklin Akers, the play follows an all-female fan club of the Hollywood idol, who reunite at a Woolworth’s on the 20th anniversary of his death. Via ﬂashback, the truth about their complicated lives is revealed. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, to March 15. The closing performance on March 15 will be a 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets are $17 for general admission, $14 for students, seniors and military and $12 for children with an adult. For more information, visit greenbeltartscenter.org.

1905683

Gazette Health 2014 Special Issue featuring

Senior Health Children’s/Family Health Women’s/Men’s Health

1884435

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

DEADLINES

Publication Date PRINCE GEORGE’S March 27 COUNTY June 26 Oct 2

Space

Ad’s Ok

Feb 25 May 27 Sept 2

March 18 June 17 Sept 23

Yearn to Learn Tours PRESENTS ESCORTED TOURS

LOCAL DAY TRIPS WITH TRANSPORTATION AND MEAL /OVERNIGHT AND INTERNATIONAL TRIPS! The 27th Annual Gullah Festival & Tour

May 22 to 26, 2014

$769 PP DBL/$1,095 SGL/Triple $709 5 Days 4 Nights of Fun & Learning!

Deluxe Motor Coach Transportation, Hotels, Charleston & Savannah Tours, Breakfast Daily, Gullah Musical with meal & dinner in Savannah included. “A trip you don’t want to miss!”

$75

DISCOUNT

1910991

PLEASE CALL YOUR MARKETING REP Signature OR CALL (240)473-7532 TO RESERVE AD SPACE

with sign up by March 1, 2014

10% OFF FOR RESERVING AT LEAST 2 EDITIONS

Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom

(Escorted) Tour Johannesburg, Soweto and Cape Town 10 Days & 8 Nights • October 16th-25th, 2014 $3,200 DBL occupancy / SGL $4,000 A trip you will never forget!! (Limited seating)

Let Yearn to Learn Tours Take you away for one or more days! Invite your friends & family to join you. Get flyers and brochures off the web for our 2014 tours at www.yearntolearntours.com Call Barbara at 301-390-5835 1910987

***11 YEARS IN BUSINESS***

THE GAZETTE

Thursday, February 20, 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, 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, The Waiting Room,

7:30 p.m. Feb. 20, 21-22, 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, RESCHEDULED for 7 p.m. Feb. 21; Soul in Motion Players Celebrate African-American History 2014, 8 p.m. Feb. 22; Joe’s Movement Emporium & Movement One present Reducing Neck & Shoulder Tension, 3 p.m. Feb. 23; 3309 Bunker Hill Road, Mount Rainier, 301-6991819, 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, Kristin Callahan, Jazz Vocalist, 8 p.m. March 7, 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, Mammoth Follies and Dinosaur Friends, 10:15 a.m. and noon Feb. 25; Sunjata Kamalenya, noon, Feb. 28, and 1 p.m. March 1; Free Platinum Movie: Beasts of the Southern Wild, 11 a.m. March 4, 5445 Landover Road, Cheverly, 301-2771710, arts.pgparks.com. 2nd Star Productions, “A Soldier’s Play,” 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.tantallonstage.com.

VISUAL ARTS Brentwood Arts Exchange, Bill

Harris, to March 8, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, 301-2772863, 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.

day, 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

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, Valen-

tine’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. 20; Open Mic with Joe Harris, 7 p.m. Feb. 20; John Guernsey, 6:30 p.m. Feb. 21-22; The Wharf Rats, 8 p.m. Feb. 21; Jazz Jam with Greg Meyer, 1 p.m. Feb. 22; Fast Eddie and the Slowpokes, 8 p.m. Feb. 22; Bob Sima, 6 p.m. Feb. 23; Grey Legends, 7 p.m. Feb. 25; Cajun Music Jam, 7 p.m. Feb. 26, 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.

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 Soci-

ety, 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.

ET CETERA College Park Aviation Museum, 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. Women’s Chamber Choir Auditions, by appointment for the con-

cert season of women’s chamber choir Voix de Femmes, 7:45-9:30 p.m. Thursdays, 402 Compton Ave., Laurel, 301-520-8921, annickkanter@gmail.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 Fri-

ANNOUNCEMENT The Offices of Mark S. Klein, MD PA Has Relocated

A Full Service Practice dedicated to spine care

Our New Address is 7915 MALCOLM ROAD, SUITE 103 CLINTON, MD 20735

301-856-2556

Now Accepting New Patients Mark S. Klein, MD

Associate Clinical Professor Dept. ofNeurological Surgery at the George Washington University

1918406

Warren D. Yu, MD

Associate Professor Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery and Neurological Surgery at the George Washington University Chief, Spine Section

March 14, 2014 - 7pm

FREE

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

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. 1910984

1910996

THE GAZETTE

Page B-4

‘A Soldier’s Play’ comes to Charis Center 2nd Star to stage Charles Fuller drama n

BY SAMANTHA SCHMIEDER SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Usually, 2nd Star Productions puts on traditional Broadway musicals, but their upcoming performance of “A Soldier’s Play” strays away from the norm and into a whole new dramatic genre. Charles Fuller’s “A Soldier’s Play,” opening Friday at the Charis Center for the Arts in Bowie, takes place in 1944 during World War II at Fort Neal, a segregated army camp in Louisiana. It tells the story of the murder of a sergeant within the base and focuses on the murder investigation while also exploring the racial tension within the base and toward the victim. The play premiered in New York City in 1981 and won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama the following year. The cast of “A Soldier’s Play” is all male and predominantly black, which producer Cheramie Jackson said was a bit difﬁcult to cast, but they were able to ﬁnd an extremely talented group. Jackson is also taking a step out of her comfort zone as the producer instead of her usual role as an actress. Though she says that she’s “totally an actress,” she re-

A SOLDIER’S PLAY n When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 21 to March 9 n Where: Charis Center for the Arts, 13010 8th Street, Bowie n Tickets: $15 n For information: 410-757-5700 or 301-832-4819, 2ndstarproductions.com

ally enjoyed producing because it was “exciting and super challenging.” “I wouldn’t say it’s been hard, I’d say it’s been different,” Jackson said. “It stretched 2nd Star pretty thin.” “A Soldier’s Play” comes right after the company’s production of “Funny Money,” which ended last weekend, and right before they start putting together “Hello Dolly.” Jackson was inspired to put on “A Soldier’s Play” after seeing another company’s production. Although it strays rather far from their usual light-hearted musicals, 2nd Star Productions took on the challenge. “There are not a lot of socially conscious plays going on,” said Jackson. “Not enough companies are doing avant-garde theater.” She said it’s been really great and really different working with this talented cast and they’ve all really poured their hearts into the show.

“I have a new respect for the casting process that I’ve never had before,” Jackson said. Jackson explained that now that she’s produced her ﬁrst show, she can more fully understand the amount of work that goes into it and when she sees ﬁlm producers win Academy Awards, she knows they deserve it. “When you’re an actor you’re only concerned with yourself, but when you’re a producer, you’re concerned with everything,” Jackson said. Jackson is a stay-at-home mom with four kids and has performed in two 2nd Star plays while pregnant. She joined the company about seven years ago after hearing about it from a friend and played a male role in “Pirates of Penzance.” “It’s a great company to go see do classic, traditional theater,” Jackson said. “The people are amazing and have such big hearts.”

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

MALI

Continued from Page B-1

Griot tradition Vocalist for the Trio Da Kali is Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté, who grew up in the Kela in region of southern Mali. “Hawa makes her living in Mali singing at weddings,” Harrington said. “There’s a kind of joyfulness around her. ... It’s a part of daily life.” When Diabaté ﬁrst met Harrington, she sang a praise song about him. Praise songs in the griot tradition seek to capture the essence of someone’s accomplishments or the nature of something. Harrington said her voice reminds him of American gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, and one of the songs she will sing at the concert is a piece that Jackson recorded called “God Shall Wipe All Tears Away.” “I felt a vocal connection between the gospel and the praise songs that Hawa and the members of the trio have grown up with,” he said. Accompanying Diabaté is Mamadou Kouyaté, who plays the bass ngoni, a long, fourstring lute-like instrument from the 14th century that predates the banjo in America. Fodé Lassana Diabaté plays the traditional 22-key balafon, a xylophone-like instrument dating back to the 13th century, originally from Guinea. During their collaboration, the seven musicians drew on the skills of both language and musical translators. Lucy Durán is an ethnomusicologist from England who speaks French and some of the dialects from Mali, and Jacob Garchik is an arranger. “He’s our music translator,” Harrington said. “He’s one of our favorite arrangers. He’s an omnivorous musician.” Working with Trio Da Kali has been a pleasure, “putting

music together in such a beautiful hand-made way,” Harrington said. Mixing the sounds of two violins, a viola and cello with the balafon, ngoni and Diabaté’s voice — “it doesn’t get too much better than this,” Harrington said.

Aga Khan initiative Kronos’ collaboration with Trio Da Kali is its third via its afﬁliation with the Aga Khan Music Initiative based in Geneva, which brings Kronos together with musicians from different traditions for collaborative performances of new works. The quartet has so far collaborated with Homayun Sakhi from Afghanistan, a virtuoso on the rubab (short-necked lute), and most recently with Azerbaijani singer Alim Qasimov. A stable, peaceful country for many years, Mali almost split in two several years ago when Tuareg nomads and Islamists in the dry desert north tried to break away from the government in the greener south. During the unrest, music was banned in both the north and the south. “There have been serious attempts to erase [the griot] tradition,” Harrington said. “[The trio’s] courage and devotion to their work, whether it’s playing or singing, is a true inspiration for Kronos,” he said. Harrington also said that the successful collaboration with Trio Da Kali shows that people from different traditions can work to understand each other and resolve differences. “It proves to the world that we can work things out and that you can ﬁnd ways to make beautiful things for the future,” he said. “It’s very uplifting and optimistic.” “Maybe this music can move things slightly to a better place,” Harrington said. vterhune@gazette.net

JIVON LEE JACKSON

(From left) Tilmon Figgs, Steven Butler and Jared Shamberger star in August Wilson’s “Seven Guitars.”

BLUES

136736G

Continued from Page B-1 “Seven Guitars,” earned him one of his two Pulitzer Prizes for Drama and a Tony Award for Best Play. The Tantallon Community Players will present Wilson’s “Seven Guitars,” starting Friday in Fort Washington. Director Rikki Lacewell, president of the Tantallon Community Players, said she really wanted to take the reins of a show that showed what Wilson could do as a writer. “There aren’t that many plays out there where men get to be men,” Lacewell said. “Real men that talk about their own issues the way that we used to talk about them back in the ’20s and the ’30s and the ’40s. This one, set in the 1940s, was quite pivotal in how these seven people got together in order to mourn a friend, but at the same time they’re mourning him, they start telling you the story of how they even got to this point.” There are three women in the show, and their roles are important, but Lacewell feels “Seven Guitars,” is really a strong show for men. “Out of all August Wilson’s plays, this one to me has the meatier roles for men,” Lacewell said. “That’s just something I don’t see a lot of, especially African-American men in community theater … something where they can really sink their teeth into it.” “Seven Guitars” follows Floyd “Schoolboy” Barton, a blues singer recently released from jail. Barton ﬁghts for understanding and a place in a socially unaccepting world. Lacewell calls Barton a “typical male who’s trying to make something of himself.”

SEVEN GUITARS n When: 8 p.m. Feb. 21-22, Feb. 28 to March 1; 3 p.m. Feb. 23 and March 2 n Where: Harmony Hall Regional Center, 10701 Livingston Road., Fort Washington n Tickets: $12-$15 n For information: 301-8637600; tantallonplayers.org

“He has the unfortunate bad luck of always running into problems,” Lacewell said. “Within that, he makes some really bad choices that cause him some grief. You end up feeling sorry for him through several parts of the show. Then there are other parts where, literally, as I was directing it, I’m watching it and I see some of my exboyfriend … people that are so trying to make it that they just step out on faith, which is a good thing, but they don’t have anything behind it.” When all is said and done, Lacewell said she hopes audiences take away a couple of things from the show. “I think you walk away with the understanding that you must be self-aware with your goal, you must be self-aware of your journey, and you must be self-aware of those around you,” Lacewell said. “Sometimes we’re so siloed with what we want out of life that we don’t notice how it affects others. … “Take whatever you can from it, but if you were in Floyd ‘Schoolboy’ Barton’s position, the decisions that you make really reach farther than the person next to you.” wfranklin@gazette.net

THE GAZETTE

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

Page B-5

Will the real Creed Bratton please stand up? n

‘Ofﬁce’ star set for State Theatre appearance

BY SAMANTHA SCHMIEDER SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE

Years ago, Creed Bratton had a conversation with a bunch of fellow musicians about what they would do if aliens came down to earth. Bratton decided that all he wanted to know was if they have chickens on their planet and, if so, what they taste like.

CREED BRATTON n When: 9 p.m. Saturday (doors open at 7 p.m.) n Where: The State Theatre, 220 N. Washington Street, Falls Church n Tickets: $25 in advance, $30 day of n For more information: thestatetheatre.com

The odd conversation stuck with him over time and when “The Ofﬁce” star released “Tell Me About It,” his 2013 “audio biography,” the album cover depicted Bratton being interviewed by an alien chicken. “I knew in my mind what kind of quirky thing it would look like,” Bratton said, explaining that an artist worked on it for months, tweaking it until it was just right. On Saturday, Bratton will climb on stage with just his acoustic guitar at The State Theatre in Falls Church to tell more unique stories and sing original songs about his life in the entertainment business. “I think what I’m going to be doing is giving them little tidbits in a hu-

morous way of how I survived the pop world,” Bratton said. “Which hopefully will be funny.” While Bratton got his start in entertainment in the late 1960s as a singer and guitarist for the rock band The Grass Roots, many may know him from playing an exaggerated version of himself on television’s hit sitcom, “The Office.” When Bratton, a fan of Ricky Gervais’ original British version of “The Office,” found out an American version was being made he desperately wanted to be a part of it, so he wrote and shot his own audition tape. Even though all roles were cast, the show’s producers liked his character so much that they brought him in as a regular for the following season. “I wrote the Creed character as if Creed the rock star stayed drunk and stoned all these years,” Bratton said, explaining that many people think that the man in real life is going to be just like the persona on “The Office” and are sometimes disappointed when they find out that’s not the case. “But there’s always a little bit of yourself,” Bratton said, adding that on stage when he’s being funny or over the top and making faces, the audience will see some parts of the Creed they grew to know and love from television. Although Bratton cannot decide whether he enjoyed acting or playing music on stage more, it’s obvious he loves doing both. He explained that with acting he is assuming a persona and with music he is telling personal stories. “Acting is interesting for me because you get to be different people, I did that crazy character for so long,” he said. Because he’s also been touring and performing for so long, he said as soon as he walks out on stage he’s “totally at

INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS AGENCY

Creed Bratton, formerly of The Grass Roots and “The Ofﬁce,” will perform in concert Saturday at The State Theatre in Falls Church. home” and never really gets stage fright. “There’s always a little bit of a pause. It’s a good rush. I guess you could call it fear, but it’s just awareness of, ‘Are you going to be able to do the best show?’” Bratton said. Bratton said that he personally likes to hear the back stories about the songs

that people write, so he tells his own back stories to the audience so they can get an idea of where he’s coming from. He said there will be stories about the songs, “The Ofﬁce” and The Grass Roots, and because his most recent album is basically an audio autobiography, all of the stories and songs are

about his life. All the audience sees up on stage during a Creed Bratton show is the performer and his guitar, but that’s not all Bratton sees when he’s on stage. “I have imaginary people I perform with,” he said with a laugh. “I love doing this stuff.”

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. 21 A Poetry and Praise Open MIC Event, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Ebenezer

AME Church, 7707 Allentown Road, Rooms 303-304, Fort Washington. Featuring The Anointed P.E.N.S and the Malcolm X Drummers. Contact 301-265-8254 or Poetry@ebenezerame.org.

FEB. 22 Third annual Black History Gospel Tribute and Bazaar, 12:30

to 4 p.m., Stephen Decatur Community Center, 8200 Pinewood Drive, Clinton. Join us as we pay tribute to Black History with a rousing gospel tribute and bazaar featuring poetry and dance. Light refreshments will be served. Doors open for bazaar at 12:30 p.m. Contact 301-297-4648; TTY 301203-6030. Annual Gospel Concert, 4 to 6 p.m., Greater Mount Nebo AME Church, 1001 Old Mitchellville Road, Bowie. As in years past, popular singing groups, including the Vintage Gospel Singers, Lomax Sisters and Queens Chapel Male Chorus will join the Silent Praise Mime Team. Tickets cost $15. Contact 202-581-8924.

brianpadamusus @yahoo.com.

Largo Community Church is revising its ﬁtness program, Mon-

days and Wednesdays, to include Latin-infused dance. Classes start 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 301-210-3170. 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.

1912535

FEB. 23 Black History Month Community Partner Recognition, 10 a.m.,

Accokeek First Church of God, 15821 Livingston Road, Accokeek. We will honor several AfricanAmerican elected government ofﬁcials and community organization leaders whose great work supports the efforts of southern Prince George’s County and Accokeek. Contact 301-283-2116.

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 301864-3869 or visit www.facebook. com/groups/praisercise/ or email

1905669

Mount Rainier Christian Church will conduct Praisercise, a Chris-

THE GAZETTE

Page B-6

1905686

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

1905682

1905685

1905684

1905687

1905688

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

Classifieds

Page B-7

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

LaPlata Grande Gardens I & II M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M First Month Free Rent for a limited time only M M NOW LEASING: Spacious 2 Bedroom Apartments M Adoring Couple; Financially Secure, M Starting as low as $1015.00 Sports, Travel, Art, Music M M Washer/Dryer/Dishwasher in Each Unit Call our office or stop by at awaits 1st Baby M M 656 Piscataway Court M M Expenses Paid M M LaPlata, MD 20646 Handicapped Accessible Unit Available NOW! M 1-800-562-8287 M 301-934-6814 Office TTY: 711 M M Nicole M Office Hours: Mon. 10am -7pm M Tuesday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MADOPTION:M

GUARANTEED INCOME FOR YOUR RETIREMENT. Avoid market

GP2387

references are required risk & get guaranteed 240-242-5135 income in retirement! CALL for FREE copy of our SAFE MONEY GUIDE. Plus Annuity. Quotes from A-Rated compaines! 800-669- CASH FOR UNEXPIRED DIA5471

Equal Housing Opportunity Handicapped Accessible GC3200

BOWIE:

Furn lrg DISCOVER open area w/priv Ba, DELAWARE’S REentra, park, kit, W/D SORT LIVING $850/mo + SD, no WITHOUT REcats, NS, inc util, CTV SORT PRICING! and Wifi, mo to mo, Low Taxes! Gated avl now 301-785-0465 Community,amazing amenities, equestrian facility, Olympic Pool. New Homes mid $40’s. Brochures available 1-866-629-0770 or GERM: 2BR, 2BA www.coolbranch.com Nr I-270, Bus, Shops, $1,275 + elec., water incl. HOC Pref. Avail Now. 240-498-0606

GERMANTOWN:

CONDO FOR RENT 3-BR, 2-Bathrooms, Kitchen w/ Gas Oven & Fridge; Living Room w/ Gas Fireplace & Wood Floor; Spiral Stair to Loft/ Enter-tainment Room. Call: 301-838-9443

UPPR MARLBORO:

2BR, 2 FBA w/d, hrd flrs, nr Largo metro NS/NP $1400/neg incl wtr 703-953-5113

DAMASCUS: 3BR

$1400/ 2BR $1150 +util NS/NP, W/D New Carpet, Paint, Deck & Patio, 301-250-8385

BELTSVILLE/LAU REL: furnished base-

ment with room with private BA in SFH. Gt community. $700 incl. utils. 240-273-2512

BOWIE: Furn rm in

SFH, $550/mo utils incl Free Cable. Available March 1st! Call: 301-509-3050

55 Years of Marriage! Happy Anniversary Martha & Jim Given (Feb 21st) Our Mom/Dad,Grandma/ Grandpa. We love you. Edie, Alan, Jamie Lynn, Vicki, Nathaniel, Jake, Justin, India, Octavia, and all the family pets!!

*OLD GUITARS WANTED!** Gibson,

Martin, Fender, Gretsch, Epiphone, Guild, Mosrite, Rickenbacker, Prairie State, D’Angelico, Stromberg, and Gibson Mandolins/Banjos. 1920’s thru 1980’s. TOP CASH PAID! 1800-401-0440

TOP CA$H PAID FOR OLD ROLEX, PATEK PHILIPPE & CARTIER WATCHES! Daytona, Submariner, GmtMaster, Explorer, Milgauss, Day Date, etc. 1-800-401-0440

GERM: Male 1Br in

TH Share bath & kitchen $450 ut inc Nr REQUEST FOR Ref’s Lovely SFH 3BR, MARC/Buses, PROPOSAL: Town Req. 240-370-2301 2.5BA, hdwd flrs, SS of Bladensburg appls, granite, W/D, Request for Proposal M shr GREENBLT: cent AC, gar, walk to Digital Signage The metro, NS $2200/mo n/s/p Sfh,$465+$475+ Town of Bladensburg $495+quiet,conv, Maid + dep Avail 3/1. Call Serv, Sec Dep, walk to (the Town) is seek240-461-8884. ing proposals from NASA 301-983-3210 qual-ified firms for Digital LANDOVER 3BR, HYATTSVILLE: 1 external dis1.5BA 2 story Bsmt Br in SFH priv Signage to TH off st pkg, W/D, Ba, beaut & renova, play information and as a AC, patio btwn 2 me- near shops/bus/metro op-erate bulletin tro stats $1400mo + $600/mo inc util community board at its utils 1st mo + sec dep Call: 202-725-0027 Town Hall. The deadCall 240-281.2312. line for receipt of proLANDOVER: RM w posalsis:March 12 microwave/fridge. LANHAM: 4 BD 3.5 $475 sec dep $100. 2014 at 3:00 BA end unit TH, fin- Near bus/shops. PM(Eastern Time). ished bsmt with yard & NS/NP 240-701-0474 Proposals must hardwood floors. Near be received by this metro. $1800 + sec deadline at the dep. 240-888-7541 following location: The LAUREL: 1Br furn, Town of Bladensburg in apt, shrd Ba, W/D, The Town nr 295, shops $600 inc Administrator 4229 util, + free CTV, pls Edmonston Road call : 301-793-8882 Bladensburg, MD HORSE LOVERS 20710 Any proposal reDREAM. 2.6 AC OnSILVER SPRING: ceived after the date ly $19,900 ADD’L 4.8 AC Avail! Pristine Mtn. 2Rooms avail Mar.1st and time listed above Setting. This parel has $550/$465 w/private will not be considered. bath shared kitch & Questions reqarding it all! Level ridgetop, this request must be hardwoods, open pas- utils, 301-404-2681 sent to the email adture with fencing, 180 W A S H I N G T O N dress below and degrees breathtaking DC: Brentwood NE, should include the mountain views, state Lrg furn Br, shrd Ba, proposal number and road frontage, easy kit & W/D, 1 blk frm any question(s) should access. Short dirve to bus & 5 blks from includea reference to town. Additional acreRed/Metro $800/util the approage available to make inc 202-361-8087 priate page and this a 7+ acre farmette section number of for under $50,000. 2 WHEATON: 2 BD in theRFP. Answers to percs, warranty deed, SFH Share Bath, NP, the queseasy low down financNS. $500 and $600, tions will be made to ing. Must see. CALL Util incl . Call 240the requestor. John NOW 1-800-888-1262. 271-3901 Moss Town Administrator Moss@bladensburg.net Copies of the Request for Proposal, area vailable at the Green Ridge House Opens Waiting List Town Hall (from the Office of the Clerk) and Green Ridge House, the City of Greenbelt’s on theTown of HUD Section 8-202 apartment building, will BladensburgsWebsite open its waiting list from March 3 thru 7, 2014 at: ww.townofbladensburg.net For more infrom 9:00am-4:00pm. Green Ridge House is formation about the rean independent living apartment building quest for proposal or located at 22 Ridge Road. All applicants must to obtain a copy, apply in person and be 62 years of age or older please contact John or be a disabled adult. All applicants must have Moss at with them a valid Maryland State ID or Drivers 301-927-7048 or License and their Social Security card. All jmoss@bladensapplicants will have a credit and criminal bug.net.

COLLEGE PARK

G535133

$2,000.00+ Per Week! New Credit Card Ready Drink-Snack Vending Machines. Minimum $4K to $40K+ Investment Required. Locations Available. BBB Accredited Business. (800) 962-9189

PART TIME OFFER :

BOWIE: Room for rent in TH, Shard Ba & Kit, NS, NP, $525 Utils Incl WANTED TO PURint/cable, Off Campus CHASE Antiques & Way 240-468-9817 Fine Art, 1 item Or EnGAITHERSBURG: tire Estate Or CollecGold, Silver, Male, 1 Br $299 & tion, 1 master BR w BA Coins, Jewelry, Toys, $399. Nr Metro/Shops Oriental Glass, China, NP/NS. Avail Now. Lamps, Books, Textiles, Paintings, Prints Call 301-219-1066 almost anything old G E R M A N T O W N Evergreen Auctions Mature Male, Furn 973-818-1100. Email BRs. Util not incl. Near evergreenauction@hot 61 Bus Line. Maria mail.com 240-671-3783

background check performed to determine eligibility. Applicants should be prepared to move within 30 days once they receive a call that a unit is available. Rent is based upon 30 percent of one’s income within a maximum gross income of $37,450 for individuals and $42,800 for couples. All apartments are one bedroom units. Only applicants who would consider moving within the next 6 months to one year should apply.

MAKE UP TO

It’s

FREE!

Buy It, Sell It, Find It GazetteBuyandSell.com

JOB

KENMORE W A S H E R & DRYER FOR SALE: Washing

machine is top loader, heavy duty, super capacity. Dryer is heavy duty, super ca-pacity with a buzzer alert when clothes are dry. Both are white and in VERY good condition. $300 for the set or $200 each if sold separately. 540-809-4939

With Attractive Good Pay! Carlson Enterprise is currently seeking a Store keeper, Sales rep and cashier PT. Position requires excellent organizational skills, APPLIANCE Abilityto multi-task REPAIR - We fix It no and prioritize projects matter who you in a very fast paced bought it from! 800envir. Send resume 934-5107 to:sales@carlsoncgcgroup.com DIRECTV - Over 140 channels only $29.99 a month. Call Now! Triple savings! $636.00 in Savings, Free upgrade to Genie AIRLINE CAREERS & 2014 NFL Sunday begin here - Get FAA ticket free!! Start Savapproved Aviation ing today! 1-800-279Maintenance training. 3018 Housing and Financial Aid for qualified students. Job placement KILL ROACHES! assistance. CALL Avi- Buy Harris Roach Tablets. Eliminate ation Institute of MainRoaches-Guaranteed. tenance 800-481No Mess. Odorless. 8974. Long Lasting. AvailaAIRLINES ARE HIR- ble at ACE Hardware, ING - Train for hands and The Home Depot. on Aviation Career. FAA approved program. Finanical aid if REDUCE YOUR qualified - Job placeCABLE BILL! * Get ment assistance. a 4-Room All-Digital CALL Aviation Institute Satellite system of Maintenance 877installed for FREE and 818-0783. programming starting at $19.99/mo. FREE HEATING AND AIR HD/DVR upgrade CONDITIONING for new callers, SO TECHNICIAN CALL NOW. 1-877TRAINING! Fast 388-8575. Track, Hands On, National Certification Program. Lifetime Job Placement. VA Benefits Eligible! 1-877994-9904

VETERANS! Take

full advantage of your Educational training benefits! GI Bill covers COMPUTER & MEDICAL TRAINING! Call CTI for Free Benefit Analysis today! 1-888-407-7173

MY COMPUTER WORKS Computer

problems? Viruses, spyware, email, printer issues, bad internet connections - FIX IT NOW! Professional, U.S.-based technicians. $25 off service. Call for immediate help 1-866-998-0037

PIANO:

Baldwin Hamilton Studio Piano Excel-lent condition. Negotiable. $4400 301-916-8707

ALL THINGS BASEMENTY!

Basement Systems Inc. Call us for all of your basement needs! Waterproofing? Finishing? Structural Repairs? Humidity and Mold Control FREE ESTIMATES! Call 1888-698-8150

DISH TV RETAILER . Starting at

$19.99/month (for 12 mos.) & High Speed Internet starting at $14.95/month (where available) SAVE! Ask About SAME DAY Installation! CALL Now! 1-877-992-1237

ONE CALL, DOES DROWNING IN IT ALL! FAST AND DEBT? Stop collection calls. New or con- RELIABLE ELECsolidated credit availa- TRICAL REPAIRS & INSTALLAble. Bad credit ok. TIONS. Call 1-800Call Century Financial 1-800-931-1942

GET FREE OF CREDIT CARD DEBT NOW! Cut

payments by up to half. Stop creditors from calling 877-8581386

BIGGEST R U M M A G E SALE EVER!! Mar.

wrongful death, insurance claims, medical malpractice, nursing home negligence, defective/unsafe products. Free Consultation CALL 1-866-2450391

1, 9 am - 2 pm. Little Flower School 5601 M a s s . A v e . Bethesda, MD 20816. Lots of furniture, clothing, housewares, books, toys, and more!

to advertise call GAITHERSBURG: 301.670.7100 MOVING SALE Feb 22 & 23 9-3 or email Chair, tools, kitchen class@gazette.net items, armoire much more! 18531 Boysenberry Dr. Apt #299

PROBLEMS WITH BETIC TEST STRIPS! Free Ship- THE IRS OR ping, Friendly Service, STATE TAXES?

Friday 8:00am-4:00pm

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer

PERSONAL LIVE IN NANNY/ F o r INJURY ATTORHOUSKPR household & children, NEY, Auto injury,

BEST prices and 24hr payment! Call today 877-588-8500 or visit www.TestStripSearch. com Espanol 888-4404001

VETERANS NEEDED Use your GI Benefits NOW for training in Healthcare. JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE Offered.

Call Now 1-888-3958261

796-9218

Dental/ Medical Assistant Trainees Needed Now Dental/Medical Offices now hiring. No experience? Job Training & Placement Assistance Available 1-877-234-7706 CTO SCHEV

SKILLED TRADE

HVAC SERVICE TECH

GC3201

IMMEDIATE Position Avialable for NATE and/or Journeyman HVAC service technicians. MUST have 2 yrs exp. Great hourly pay, commission, weekly bonus & insurance. Drug free, customer oriented, and motivated. Only qualified applicants apply. 301-670-1944 - Gaithersburg

SKILLED TRADE

PLUMBER IMMEDIATE Position Avialable for Plumber. MUST have 2 yrs exp. Great hourly pay, commission, weekly bonus & insurance. Drug free, customer oriented, and motivated. Only qualified applicants apply. 301-670-1944 - Gaithersburg

GC3183

IF YOU ARE READING THIS AD… You are either unhappy, unemployed, or just tired of having a job. We are hiring quality, career-oriented people who want above average income and are willing to learn cemetery arranging in the Washington DC area. We offer: ∂ Paid training ∂ Competitive compensation ∂ Incentive based pay ∂ Growth opportunities ∂ Comprehensive health benefits ∂ 401(k) ∂ Education and skill development

Requirements: ∂ Professional appearance and attitude ∂ Valid driver’s license ∂ Reliable transportation ∂ Willing to work some evenings & weekends ∂ Prospecting skills ∂ Must pass background screening

Contact Kelly Shrewsbury (301)881-4899 x 404 or email your resume to kelly.shrewsbury@sci-us.com

SALES

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A CAREER?

908-8502

ONE CALL, DOES IT ALL! FAST AND RELIABLE PLUMBING REPAIRS. Call 1-800-

Settle for a fraction of what your owe! Free face to face consultations with offices in your area. Call 855901-3204.

Established in 1962, Service Corporation International is the largest provider of products and services in the death care industry. Our top Cemetery Sales Professionals easily earn six figures annually. This is not just another job! We are looking for highly motivated individuals who want to assist families prior to the worst day of their lives. Let’s face it…death is a fact of life. Over 80 million "Baby Boomers" will be making their cemetery arrangements in the years to come. Our sales professionals are trained to assist families with their pre-arrangement decisions before the time of need. We currently have sales positions available all throughout the Washington DC area. If you are seeking a career with a future, we offer the following: ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂ ∂

Competitive compensation 401(k) Complete health package including medical, dental & vision care No overnight travel Paid training program Management advancement opportunities Contact Kelly Shrewsbury (301)881-4899 x 404 or email your resume to Kelly.shrewsbury@sci-us.com

Page B-8

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

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

NEW Bakery-Café Opening HIRING ALL POSITIONS (Beltsville) 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. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly by the hiring manager. EOE GC3199

REPORTER Comprint Military Publications has an immediate opening for a full-time, general assignment reporter in its Joint Base AnacostiaBolling Washington, D.C. office. Good writing and interviewing skills along with solid knowledge of AP Style a must; camera familiarity a help. E-mail resume and writing/photo samples to: jrives@gazette.net. We offer a competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, pension, 401(k) and tuition reimbursement. EOE.

Sales

Part-Time

Business Development Specialist Media Sales

We’re looking for a Specialist who has a documented history of driving new business. Post Community Media provides local news and information to communities in Maryland and Virginia. We are looking for a skilled sales professional to assist small businesses in marketing their products and services. This is a inside/outside sales position. You would develop an understanding of print, online, mobile advertising with a focus on retail and service business segments. Previous sales experience needed, enthusiasm, great work ethic and a strong desire to succeed. We offer a competitive compensation & comprehensive benefits package including pension, 401(k) & tuition reimbursement. If you believe this is the right position for your skills, talents and abilities. Please email resume to Doug Hayes at DHayes@gazette.net or call 240-473-7532. EOE Pharmacy/ Phlebotomy Tech Trainees Needed Now Pharmacies/ hospitals now hiring. No experience? Job Training & Placement Assistance Available 1-877-240-4524 CTO SCHEV

CEMETERY SALES? Before you say no, let’s talk. Top pay + benefits (301) 881-4899 x 404

Work From Home

National Children’s Center Making calls. For more info please call Weekdays between 9a-4p No selling! Sal + bonus + benes. Call 301-333-1900

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

Automotive

Page B-9

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

CA H

FOR CAR ! ANY CAR ANY CONDITION

WE PAY TOP DOLLAR-FAST FREE PICKUP! SELL YOUR CAR TODAY! CALL NOW FOR AN

INSTANT CASH OFFER

(301) 288-6009

G558500

CASH FOR CARS!

CARS/TRUCKS WANTED! Top

$$$$$ PAID! Running or Not, All Makes! Free Towing! We’re Local! 7 Days/Week. Call 1-800-959-8518

Any Make, Model or Year. We Pay MORE! Running or Not. Sell Your Car or Truck TODAY. Free Towing! Instant Offer: 1-888-545-8647

DONATE AUTOS, TRUCKS, RV’S. LUTHERAN MISbreast cancer families. SION SOCIETY.

DONATE YOUR CAR - Give hope to

Tax Deductible. Free Next-Day Towing. $1000 Grocery/Restaurant Coupons. Call 7 days/week United Breast Cancer Foundation 800-728-0801

Your donation helps local families with food, clothing, shelter. Tax deductible. MVA licensed. LutheranMissionSociet y.org 410-636-0123 or toll-free 1-877-7378567.

Place Your Vehicle for Sale online

24/7 at Gazette.net

30 Days

in print and online

4 NEED AUTO FINANCING ASSISTANCE? 4 TIRED OF HASSLES? 4 WANT A FRESH START? G560707

ALL APPLICATIONS REVIEWED WE HELP EVERYONE! EMAIL US AT BUILDMYCREDIT@JIMCOLEMANAUTO.COM OR CALL

1-866-464-1618

Page B-10

Thursday, February 20, 2014 bo

DARCARS VOLVO OF ROCKVILLE

YOU ALWAYS GET YOUR WAY AT OURISMAN EVERYDAY WINTER

2005 Mazda Tribute

SALE!

OURISMAN VW

2013 MODEL SALE

2014 JETTA S

2013 GOLF 2 DOOR

14,999

2014 PASSAT S

BUY FOR

16,999

OR 0% for 60 MONTHS

2013 BEETLE

10,980

2009HondaAccordCoupe

#9009449, Automatic, Power Windows/Power Locks, Keyless Entry, Cruise Control

MSRP $22,765 BUY FOR

18,999

OR 0.9% for 60 MONTHS

2013 GTI 4 DOOR

#1679497, Power Windows/Locks, Sunroof, Auto, Loaded

MSRP $24,490 - $5,000 OFF BUY FOR

19,490

OR 0% for 60 MONTHS

2014 PASSAT TDI SE

BUY FOR

MSRP 27,385 $

MSRP $26,960 BUY FOR

#9060756, Automatic, Power Windows, Power Locks, Sunroof

22,955

OR 0% for 60 MONTHS

BUY FOR

23,399

OR 0.9% for 60 MONTHS

2006 Lexus IS 250

#N0294, 89k Miles w/Navigation

11,480

2010 Lincoln Town Car

11,980

#426006A, AWD With Navigation, 176k Miles

2009 Volvo XC-90

18,999

2013 JETTA TDI

14,980

#438145B, WithNavigation, 77kMiles

16,980

#422037C, 71k Miles

2008 Ford Expedition L

#P8834, w/Navigation, 106k Miles

16,980

2009 Chevrolet Silverado LTZ Crew Cab

#7415025, Automatic Power Windows, Power Locks, Bluetooth

MSRP $25,510 - $5,000 OFF

17,280

#N0276, 22k Miles

20,155 2014 TIGUAN S 4WD BUY FOR

25,980

#N0290, With Navigation, 45k Miles

#N0279, With Navigation, 17k Miles

DARCARS

24,999

VOLVO

15401 Frederick Rd, Rockville, MD

www.darcarsvolvo.com

1.888.824.9165

20 Available...Rates Starting at 2.64% up to 72 months

DARCARS

2011 CC.....................#VP0032, White, 36,116 miles................$18,991 2013 Jetta SE...........#VPR0027, White, 6,101 miles...............$19,995 2013 Jetta SE............#VPR0030, Silver, 4,340 miles................$19,995 2011 CC.....................#VP0035, White, 38,225 miles................$20,991 2013 Passat S...........#VPR0026, Black, 6,891 miles................$20,995 2012 Toyota Camry.#V374559A, Gray, 19,681 miles..............$20,995 2013 Beetle Conv...#V827637A, Black, 20,496 miles..............$21,991 2013 Beetle.............#V606150A, Gray, 20,895 miles..............$21,991 2012 Routan SE......#VP0033, Maroon, 12,853 miles..............$24,991 2013 Subaru BRZ.....#V007888A, Gray, 5,589 miles...............$25,991

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. Ends 02/28/14.

Ourisman VW of Laurel

G560706

3371 Fort Meade Road, Laurel

Online Chat Available...24 Hour Website • Hours Mon-Fri 9 am-9 pm • Sat 9 am-8 pm

#327217C, 63k Miles

2010 Volvo XC-90.........................................................$25,480 2013 Lincoln Navigator L................................$46,480 #P8828, Entertainment System, 47k Miles

MSRP $28,936

1.855.881.9197 • www.ourismanvw.com

21,980

2007 Jeep Wrangler X......................................$13,480 2011 Volvo XC-90..................................................$32,980 #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

#13543457, Automatic, Power Windows, Power Locks, Keyless Entry

BUY FOR

#327213B, With Navigation, 87k Miles

#325118A

OURISMAN VW WORLD AUTO CERTIFIED PRE OWNED 2009 CC.....................#V0022A, Black, 90,298 miles................$14,491 2007 Passat ................#V003637A, Blue, 34,537 miles...........$15,491 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 2012 Jetta SE …......#VPR6113, Gray, 34,537 miles...............$16,495 2007 BMW Z-4.......#V006539B, White, 69,522 miles.............$16,991 2012 Jetta Sedan...#V348867A, Black, 14,749 miles..............$17,995 2012 Nissan Juke..#V257168A, White, 57,565 miles.............$18,491 2011 Jetta TDI..........#VP0034, White, 69,522 miles................$18,991

10,980

#326023A, 46k Miles

#4116048, Automatic, Power Windows/ Power Locks, Keyless Entry

2007 VW Passat

#422048B, 96k Miles

MSRP $22,765

2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited

#9009449, Power Windows, Power Locks, Keyless Entry

2007 Honda Accord EX-L

2014 PASSAT S 2.5L

MSRP $20,860

MSRP $17,810 BUY FOR

#3096366, Automatic, Power Windows/Power Locks, Keyless Entry, Heated Seats, Bluetooth, Cruise Control

7,980

#E0259A, 137k Miles

2012 Fiat 500 POP

#E0295, 42k Miles

#7380482, Power Windows, Power Locks, Keyless Entry

4,980

#N110008A, 144k Miles

2005 Ford Escape Limited

See what it’s like to love car buying.

YOUR GOOD CREDIT RESTORED HERE