October 2016 Hyattsville Life & Times

WEST HYATTSVILLE PRIDE

Editor touts the 'other side' of the city of Hyattsville. P. 2

ZOMBIE RUN

Pictures from the Hyattsville Elementary fundraising event. P. 6

First United Methodist Church hosts historic installation

By Helen Lyons

DOUBLE DOWN KINGS

Local graffiti crew holds gallery event. P. 8

Life&Times

Vol. 13 No. 10

Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper

October 2016

On Saturday, Oct. 1, Hyattsville’s own First United Methodist Church hosted the installation of Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling. This was the first time the church had ever hosted a bishop’s installation.

“It’s an honor for the church to be chosen,” said Donnalee Sanderson, the church’s secretary and a parishioner. “It is a big thing to me because this has been my church for most of my life, and it's the first time we’ve been selected. Very often it goes to one of the large churches in the District.”

The installation is a historic occasion for two reasons. Besides being the first United Methodist bishop installed in Hyattsville, Bishop Easterling is the first woman to head the 233-year-

HYATTSVILLE MD PERMIT NO. 1383

NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID

BISHOP continued on page 13

COURTESY OF JIM NUTTLE

Speak Up! Residents give input for city plan

By Krissi Humbard

Hyattsville residents young and old have been speaking up about what they want to see in the city’s future.

The City of Hyattsville is updating its community sustainability plan — the document the city uses to guide planning for the next five years in Hyattsville — and has asked

for input from residents. The plan is a strategic document encompassing a broad range of cultural, social, economic and other priorities of the city, and is used to set goals and mea-

sure progress. Speak Up! is a new initiative to engage residents to help set those goals.

City officials held three SPEAK UP continued on page 13

Residents wary of proposed redevelopment of Municipal Building Hyattsville Life & Times PO Box 132 Hyattsville, MD 20781

By Helen Parshall

On Sept. 7, residents were invited to the Hyattsville Municipal Building for an open house discussion of the upcoming redevelopment of the site. The structure has long been in need of repairs, but the question over what to do with the site and the services it houses

has only just been opened to the public.

“The possibility of relocating our administrative offices came about because the police force has outgrown their space and needs to move,” said Jake Rollow, city public information officer. “The current Municipal Building would likely need costly repairs to continue to be fully functional.”

Presentations were given by both Dillon/ Warner and Flywheel Development, laying out the scope of two vastly different proposals for transforming the site into residential areas over the course of the meeting’s first two hours.

REDEVELOPMENT continued on page 12

CENTER SECTION: OCTOBER 11, 2016 ISSUE OF THE HYATTSVILLE REPORTER — IN ESPANOL TOO!

Page 2

Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

FromTheEditor

The case for West Hyattsville

By Krissi Humbard

On Sept. 12, the news that I usually report on hit too close to home. I woke up to a crime scene in my driveway. A man had been stabbed a few blocks away, then ran until he collapsed, bleeding from multiple wounds just feet from my back door. Thankfully, I did not see the victim. But I saw the blood. It was a traumatic, frightening experience that

A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781 http://HyattsvilleLife.com http://facebook.com/HyattsvilleLife http://twitter.com/HvilleTimes Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Hyattsville Community Newspaper, Inc., a 501c(3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses below.

Managing Editor Maria D. James maria@hyattsvillelife.com

I wish no one would have to go through.

It shook me to the core.

I love Hyattsville. I’ve lived here seven years. My husband and I stumbled upon this city when we moved from Florida, and it has been such a happy accident. We found a charming, late-1940s house with beautiful wood floors and a big yard just a few blocks from the Metro, and we decided to buy the place not long after seeing it. We knew nothing about the neighborhood or city, but we loved the house. We lucked out that we moved into a great community, too.

My love of Hyattsville has grown over the years. There are so many good things about this city: the people, the public spaces and parks, the active arts community, the involved and responsive city officials, the many beautiful gardens, the engaged police department, the many events put on by the city, the sense of community,

the feeling that neighbors will help whenever you ask, the two Metro stops, the local businesses, the history that is still visible … really, I could go on and on.

But the morning of Sept. 12, I found myself questioning all of that. I found myself feeling vulnerable and unsafe. I found myself wanting to leave Hyattsville, or at least West Hyattsville.

I heard family and friends tell me “it was time to move across Queens Chapel” and that we “gave it a fair shake” but maybe we should consider moving. And for the next few days, I agreed with them, as much as it pained me. Like I said, the incident shook me to the core.

But then I snapped out of it and started remembering all the great things about West Hyattsville. And I remembered why I stay, even though there have been violent crimes over here: we can easily walk to the Metro (we’re about two blocks away); we have two great playgrounds,

a dog park and Heurich Park field just up the street; my oldest son just started kindergarten at Felegy Elementary, which is a beautiful, new school with an arts focus (perfect for my son); we can walk to grocery stores and shops; we have block parties and community meetings; and we have a diverse group of neighbors who will smile and say hello, even if they don’t know you well or even speak the same language. But mostly, I stay for the group of people who, like me, are involved and engaged and passionate about working to make this neighborhood better.

Nothing will change if we all just give up and move across Queens Chapel. And honestly, there’s nothing that says this can’t happen a mile up the road. As a matter of fact, the other side of Queens Chapel has had its share of violent crimes.

A lot of us in West Hyattsville feel forgotten. We feel separated

from Hyattsville, like the “other” Hyattsville. We haven’t seen the same pace of development over here. We haven’t seen the same improvements. We haven't seen a proportional amount of money spent on West Hyattsville.

We need more police patrols and better lighting to make our streets feel safer. We could use traffic-calming devices on Lancer Drive to curb speeders and stop-sign runners. Many of us would love to see some businesses catered more toward the middle-class residents of the neighborhood. We need community engagement to form a larger group of neighbors who invest in the community through action.

As a neighbor said: Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, it’s episodes like this that force us to rally together. Our group of activists doesn’t have all the answers.

But it’s time for all of Hyattsville to rally for a better, safer West Hyattsville.

Krissi Humbard is the digital editor for Hyattsville Life & Times.

A number of West Hyattsville residents provided input for this letter.

NEWS BRIEFS

READ THE FULL STORY AT HYATTSVILLELIFE.COM

Digital Editor Krissi Humbard krissi@hyattsvillelife.com Web Manager Lindsay Myers lindsay@hyattsvillelife.com Layout & Design Editor Ashley Perks Copy Editor Heather Wright Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com 301.531.5234 Writers & Contributors LaShon Bland, Peggy Dee, Precious Dorch-Robinson, Julia Gasper-Bates, Scott Gelman, Mark Goodson, Susan Hines, Lauren Flynn Kelly, Helen Lyons, Chris McManes, Mia O'Neill, Helen Parshall, Scarlett Salem, Fred Seitz, Ben Simasek, Kit Slack, Emily Strab Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel Chris Currie — Vice President Caroline Selle — Secretary Peggy Dee, Karen J. Riley, Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter Ross Maria D. James and Krissi Humbard — Ex Officios Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. Mail to every address in Hyattsville. Additional copies are distributed to libraries, selected businesses, community centers and churches in the city. Total circulation is 9,300.

HL&T is a member of the National Newspaper Association.

COURTESY OF THE HYATTSVILLE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT Members of the HVFD 2016 Stair Climb Team at the 2016 National Capital Region 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at the National Harbor in Maryland.

HVFD STAIR CLIMB TEAM RAISES $4,000 FOR NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION 9/11 MEMORIAL STAIR CLIMB On Saturday, Sept. 10, members of the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department’s Stair Climb Team participated in the 2016 National Capital Region 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at National Harbor in Maryland. The Hyattsville team raised nearly $4,000 to support the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation — the most ever raised for the team and the second largest amount at the event. Overall the event raised nearly $50,000, benefiting programs provided by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to support the families of our nation’s fallen firefighters. During the event, each participant pays tribute to a Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) firefighter by climbing or walking the equivalent of the 110 stories of the World Trade Center.

COURTESY OF KBE BUILDING CORPORATION. A photo of the Safeway at UTC, located at 6525 Belcrest Road.

SAFEWAY AT UTC CONTRACTORS RECEIVE MERIT AWARD FROM THE ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS On Sept. 22, KBE Building Corporation was recognized by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) Chesapeake Shores Chapter during its annual Excellence in Construction & Safety Awards program. The event was held at The Hotel at Arundel Preserve in Hanover, Maryland. KBE received a merit award in the category of “Commercial — $10–25 million” for its work as the general contractor for the Safeway at University Town Center (UTC). According to the association’s website, each year ABC Chesapeake Shores recognizes and celebrates outstanding projects built by Anne Arundel County, Southern Maryland, and Maryland's Eastern Shore ABC members. The awards competition serves to raise the level of construction standards throughout the industry by recognizing the workmanship of those who contribute and by showcasing the results of their dedication.

Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

Page 3

THE VIGILANTES #2: "ROASTER VIBES"

The Vigilantes is a Hyattsville Life & Times original comic strip.

How to Sell Your Hyattsville Home Without An Agent And Save the Commission

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Mowing Grass

Hyattsville—If you’ve tried to sell your home yourself, you know that the minute you put the “For Sale by Owner” sign up, the phone will start to ring off the hook. Unfortunately, most calls aren’t from prospective buyers, but rather from every real estate agent in town who will start to hound you for your listing.

Like other “For Sale by Owners,” you’ll be subjected to a hundred sales pitches from agents who will tell you how great they are and how you can’t possibly sell your home by yourself. After all, without the proper infor-

mation, selling a home isn’t easy.

Perhaps you’ve had your home on the market for several months with no offers from qualified buyers. This can be a very frustrating time, and many homeowners have given up their dreams of selling their homes themselves.

But don’t give up until you’ve read a new report entitled “Sell Your Own Home” which has been prepared especially for homesellers like you. You’ll find that selling your home by yourself is entirely possible once you understand the process.

Inside this report, you’ll find 10

inside tips to selling your home by yourself which will help you sell for the best price in the shortest amount of time. You’ll find out what real estate agents don’t want you to know.

To hear a brief recorded message about how to order your Free copy of this report call tollfree 1-800-380-8434 and enter 1017. You can call any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Get your free special report NOW to learn how you really can sell your home yourself without an agent and save the commission.

This report is courtesy of Ellen Levy, Associate Broker, RE/MAX Allegiance - Direct (301) 933-2824, Broker (202) 547-5600.

Not intended to solicit buyers or sellers currently under contract. Copyright © 2016

Raking Leaves

Cortar grama

Limpieza de patios

Yard Cleaning Shoveling Snow

The City of Hyattsville encourages residents to help neighbors in need - seniors and people with disabilities - with yardwork and other home maintenance work. If your neighbor helps you, or you're a helpful neighbor yourself, please call to let us know. We have yard tools and equipment we want to give you, free of charge, as a way of saying thanks. For more information, please call 301-985-5057.

Recoger hojas

Palear nieve

La ciudad de Hyattsville quisiera animar a los residentes ha apoyar a sus vecinos con necesitadades - Las personas mayores y personas con incapacidades - con limpieza de patios y otros mantenimientos de hogar. Si su vecino lo ayuda, o usted es un vecino útil y quiere brindar apoyo, por favor llame para informarnos. Tenemos herramientas y equipos de jardín que queremos ofrecer de forma gratuita, como una manera de decir gracias.

Para obtener más información, llame al 301-985-5057.

Page 4

Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

SecondhandNews Art on the front lawn? That’s ‘classic Hyattsville’

By Lauren Flynn Kelly

When my husband and I were first looking at homes with local real estate agent Dylan Hanna, one of the things that stood out to us was Clarke Bedford’s “art house” on Nicholson Street. Having grown up in a town where every lawn was perfectly manicured, I found it unusual to see a house, a fence, and three cars adorned with welded metal, glass, street signs, and just about anything else you can think of. When I asked Hanna what the story was behind the house, his simple response has served as a fitting explanation for many other oddities: “It’s classic Hyattsville!”

Since many of us got to see the inside of Bedford’s “Vanadu” art car at last month’s Arts and Ales Festival, I decided to explore the origins of some other notable recycled lawn art. Like the supine rock figure in front of Albert Donnay’s 42nd Avenue home.

Donnay, a toxicologist by trade, explained that those rocks came from a quarry in Baltimore where he and his wife used to go “rock stacking” when they were dating.

“There was this lovely couchshaped rock that fit my wife perfectly, so when I agreed to move here, as a testament to my love and the fact that I wasn’t going anywhere, I brought the rock with me.” (It was towed on a flatbed, in case you were wondering.) The pair of glasses that once sat on the figure has disappeared, but Donnay said things come and go and that the glasses had actually been left there by a passerby years ago.

Donnay attributes his inter-

LAUREN FLYNN KELLY A painted bathtub filled with rocks, a pink-haired dummy head, and rubber ducks is the centerpiece of a local garden.

est in rocks and stacking them to growing up with geologist parents, but he also credits British artist Andy Goldsworthy, whose “Roof ” installation is at the National Gallery, for “inspiring found art in nature.” And he’s grateful to the City of Hyattsville for “being liberal about letting whatever we have in our yard go as art.” Other Donnay works are often made of recycled metals, including “The Fool on the Hill,” which won Best in Show at the Frederick County Fair two years ago and is currently on his lawn.

Around the corner from Donnay on Jefferson Street, you might have seen a mannequin in a painted bathtub. That bathtub came straight out of the bathroom of homeowner Carol Funkhouser;

her daughter Cindy McManes said was it was supposed to be a planter but ended up as a centerpiece of the garden kept by Carol’s son Robert Schultz. It is now filled with rocks, a pink-haired dummy head, and rubber duckies!

Then there are some less obvious pieces. On the 4900 block of 42nd Avenue in the shaded yard of Joel Martin, you’ll find a stacked tower of rocks, several metal “planters,” and a giant mosquito sculpture made out of used car parts and shovels. Martin made the sculpture in the mid1990s when the Asian tiger mosquito arrived and recalled that children from the block were excited to watch him weld it in the backyard. The other metal pieces of art on his porch and lawn were

made by his brother, John Martin, of North Carolina, and the rocks came from a neighbor who threw them over the fence when he moved and said, “Here, do something with these!”

Finally, in the next yard over, there is Hyattsville’s original “bottle tree,” constructed by the prominent artist and scholar David C. Driskell in 1976. The white-painted tree is disassembled for the moment as it undergoes repairs, but a hand-painted plaque in the yard marks its pres-

ence. Driskell, who has a painting in the new National Museum of African American History and Culture, told me that while he was growing up in Georgia, his parents would deposit their used glass bottles at the base of a tree.

The ritual was intended to protect the home from evil spirits by capturing them. His own bottle tree includes pieces from his parents’ collection, like antique blue milk-of-magnesia bottles.

“When I went to Africa for the first time in 1969, I noticed that there were bottle trees, but the way we constructed them in the South was slightly different,” Driskell recalled. “They, for the most part, they did what my parents did, burying these bottles and pieces of broken pottery at the base of the tree, but not deep. And they don’t know why they did it, but their parents did it, and their parents did it ahead of them, so my interpretation — and there has been research done on this — is that this really is an African tradition of dealing with shrines, that it had some religious significance.”

Who knew what incredible backstories existed behind these things? It’s amazing what you’ll learn just by knocking on your neighbors’ doors. Please share your favorite lawn art with me on Instagram using the hashtags #classichyattsville and #hvillelife.

Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

Page 5

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Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

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KRISSI HUMBARD Top: Runners dressed as zombies enjoy the festivities after the Hyattsville Zombie Run on Oct. 1. Middle: Mayor Candace Hollingsworth poses with her training crew after the Hyattsville Zombie Run. Bottom: Runners wait at the start line for the Hyattsville Zombie Run 5K, which raised money for Hyattsville Elementary.

Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

Page 7

Chelsea School’s new leaders committed to personalized education, spreading the word

By Mia O’Neill

Situated unassumingly atop a parking garage opposite the Prince George’s Plaza Metro station in Hyattsville, Chelsea School might go unnoticed but for a blue banner bearing its name that hangs from the garage entrance.

But inside, one forgets quickly that the place is squeezed between a clinic, a gym, and rows of vehicles. Brightly lit hallways decorated with student artwork lead from room to room, and teachers and students talk and joke freely and affectionately.

On Sept. 14, Chelsea — a nonpublic day school for students in grades five through twelve with diagnosed reading and language disabilities and attention deficit disorders — hosted a “professional breakfast” and open house to give local educators, community leaders (including Hyattsville Mayor Candace Hollingsworth), and the general public an inside look at their programming.

It was also a chance for the school’s new co-heads, Kristal Weems-Bradner and Frank Mills — who took over this summer — to impress upon the Hyattsville community the importance of the school’s mission.

“Our commitment has always been to students who did not have the means to afford [traditional private school],” Mills said.

As a nonpublic school, Mills said, Chelsea is able to offer a significant number of scholarships through partnerships with public school systems. But they’d like to be able to offer more.

“That’s where we need your help,” Mills told visitors gathered in the school’s cafeteria.

Weems-Bradner and Mills, both longtime members of the Chelsea faculty, stressed the school’s commitment to individually tailored teaching approaches and a supportive learning environment. “We’re not trying to fit students into our mold,” said Mills. “We’re trying to fit our resources into what works best for our kids.”

Both said the school aims to give each student a personal, nurturing education while preparing them for success beyond high school. “Our kids meet all the curricular requirements of [public school],” Mills said.

Visitors had the opportunity to tour the school and hear from parents and students about their Chelsea experiences.

MIA O’NEILL Kristal Weems-Bradner and Frank Mills, new co-heads of school at Chelsea School, address members of the community at the recent open house.

A common theme was the school’s supportive atmosphere and the way it boosts kids’ selfesteem. Visitors to Chelsea often say that it “feels like a family,” Mills said. “That’s not accidental.” “If you don’t feel safe,” said Weems-Bradner, “how are you going to learn?”

Chase Yaculak, who has a form of dyslexia, came to Chelsea in middle school after struggling with large classes and limited teacher attention in public school. Now a sophomore hoping to study bioengineering in college, Yaculak said the personalized attention at Chelsea has helped him grow in both academic ability and confidence.

“When you’re actually able to see a teacher across the room, it does make a difference,” he said, adding that his largest class at

Chelsea had just six students. The maximum number of students in any class is eight, according to Chelsea’s admissions guide.

Parents said they can see the difference. When Veda Russ’ daughter was diagnosed with dyslexia in seventh grade, she realized she needed to put her in private school. At her daughter’s old school, Russ said, she got individual reading assistance, but “it still didn’t help, because they never did go back to basics.”

At Chelsea, “every child in this school has a reading tutorial class,” Mills said. “And we focus on getting that right, because the most important aspect in every child’s day is the literary reme-

diation they get.”

In addition to personalized reading instruction (plus regular core subjects including math, science, history and the creative arts), one of the primary skills Chelsea teaches is “executive functioning,” which includes organizing and time-management strategies.

According to the admissions guide, each student meets daily with a faculty advisor, who is able to assess the student’s executive functioning level and make adjustments accordingly. Advisors also help keep families in touch with their children’s progress.

Rik Goldman, who teaches advanced technology courses at

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Chelsea, said much of his curriculum (which includes web design and group collaborations on real-world projects like humanitarian software) demands project-management skills that he hopes will translate to their daily agendas and executive functioning repertoire.

The preparation is paying off. In the last two years, Chelsea had a 100 percent graduation rate.

With a majority of graduates accepted to four-year and two-year colleges, Chelsea has sent students to the University of Virginia and Bowie State University, to name just a couple, Mills said.

Others have found success in the workforce or by following their own paths. One student, Mills said, runs his own barbershop.

The two co-heads said they’d like to help more students go more places. And to get out of that garage.

Before they moved here four years ago, Weems-Bradner said, they had a bigger campus in Silver Spring with some land. But the school’s limited budget made it tough to keep up maintenance.

“Moving forward, we’d like to stay in Prince George’s County — [but] not necessarily in this location,” she said.

At Chelsea School, they seem to know they have something special. All they ask is that visitors “pass along the good news,” Mills said.

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Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

the

Hyattsville Reporter No. 343 • October 10, 2016

www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

Sustainable City Scoop

Did you miss the City’s Grassroots Expo? Well there’s still a way to get a rain barrel or two, and start using rainwater to irrigate your yard and garden, and prevent stormwater runoff.

Visit www.rainbarrelprogram/org/hyattsville for details. semester, and $30 for each additional child. Or try the first class for free! For more information contact Saarah Abdul-Rauf at 301-985-5065 or srauf@hyattsville.org.

Nutrition Volunteers Wanted

Should Non-Citizens Vote?

City Council wants to hear from the community on whether or not to allow City residents who are not U.S.-citizens to vote in our City elections. Come share your opinion at a public hearing on the issue on Wednesday, October 26, 8 p.m., at 4310 Gallatin Street. Can’t make the meeting but want your voice to be heard? Visit www.speakuphvl.com

Cops on Rooftops

Join the Hyattsville Police to raise funds for Special Olympics Maryland. Our cops will spend Saturday night, October 8, on the roof of the Dunkin Donuts at 3030 Queens Chapel Road. Come by to keep them company, have a doughnut, and make a donation!

Speak Up Hyattsville!

Please join your neighbors to plan Hyattsville’s future. At the final two public sessions to create the City’s next Community Sustainability Plan, residents will be asked to make decisions and priorities among all the ideas our community generated. (If you still want to submit ideas, visit www.speakuphlv.com.) Translation between English and Spanish will be available, and sign language translation is available with advance request.

Tuesday, Nov. 1, Doors Open at 6:30 p.m., Session Starts at 7:00 p.m., Edward Felegy Elementary School, 6110 Editors Park Drive Saturday, Nov. 5, Doors Open at 9:30 a.m., Sessions Starts at 10:00 a.m., City Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street

Hyattsville Health Haven

Movin’ with the Mayor is back, and this month Mayor Candace Hollingsworth will be at CrossFit Hyattsville for a free class. Join her! The class is limited to 30 guests and reservations are required so email epreston@hyattsville.org to reserve your spot. Participants must be 16 years or older. The 60-minute class is intended for those who are new to CrossFit, new to exercise, or who are looking to get back into working out again. Saturday, October 22, 12:30-1:30 p.m., 4616-B Ingraham Street.

Spooky Fest Halloween Party

Bring the little ghosts and goblins for our free annual Spooky Fest Halloween Party! We’ll turn the courtyard at University Town Center into a Monster Mash Dance Party with music, dancing, a photo booth, take home crafts and costume contests for kids 12 and under. Prizes will be awarded by age group. Saturday, October 29, 1-3 pm at University Town Center (across from Regal Royale theaters).

Community Conversation and Workshop – Affordable Communities

How can we create an amenity-rich, affordable community for all? This will be the question driving the panel comments and community conversation on Sunday, Nov. 13, 3-5 p.m. Details on panelists and location will be forthcoming. Refreshments will be provided. www.hyattsville.org/ communityconversations

Meet Up, Clean Up

Residents are invited to speak with a council member while walking through the neighborhood, and/ or collecting litter. Departure times and locations follow: Ward 1 – Bart Lawrence Oct. 15, 8 a.m., corner of 43rd Ave. and Oliver St. Nov. 5, 8 a.m., Burlington Park

Conversations with Hyattsville Police

The Hyattsville Police Department is partnering with our faith communities to host a series of community-building conversations with residents. All are welcome.

October 13, 7-8:30 p.m.

St. Matthews Episcopal Church 5901 36th Avenue November 10, 7-8:30 p.m.

University Christian Church 6800 Adelphi Road

Creative Minds

The City’s popular parent-tot program is back with art, music, movement and other activities for you and your little one. Sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at the Magruder Park Recreation Center, 3911 Hamilton Street. This semester runs through Dec. 15. Cost is $50 for your first child for the

The City of Hyattsville is partnering with Share Our Strength Cooking Matters to host residents on nutritional tours. Volunteers are currently needed to learn the nutritional curriculum and lead the monthly tours. If interested, please contact Colleen Aistis at 301-985-5057.

Sister Act

Seniors and residents with disabilities are invited to see Sister Act at Toby’s Dinner Theater on November 10. The performance will include a buffet dinner, with transportation provided by the City, for a total cost of $25. Bus pick-up will begin and 4:45 p.m. and residents will be dropped off by 11 p.m. To reserve a ticket call Beryl Johnson at 301985-5058. Payment is due October 7.

Senior Arts Academy

Our partnership with Art Works Now continues with the Senior Arts Academy this fall and winter. On Wednesdays, from 1 to 3 p.m. at 4310 Gallatin Street, Art Works Now will host arts workshops for seniors and people with disabilities. Participation and materials are free.

For more information call Beryl Johnson at 301-985-5058.

Call-A-Bus Shopping Trips

The Call-A-Bus takes seniors and people with disabilities to area stores on a regular basis. Reservations are required by calling 301-985-5000.

Oct. 18, 11 AM – 1 PM, Nov. 1, 10:30 AM – 2 PM, Shoppers & Price Rite Oct. 20, 1:30 – 4 PM, Price Rite Nutritional Tour Oct. 24, 11 AM – 1 PM, Giant Oct. 27, 11 AM – 1 PM, Nov. 1, 10:30 AM – 2 PM, Safeway & Aldi

Meetings

All meetings are at 4310 Gallatin unless noted otherwise: City Council Oct. 17, 7:30 PM & Nov. 7, 8 PM City Council Public Hearing Oct. 26, 8 PM Environment Committee Oct. 18, 7 PM Planning Committee Oct. 18, 7:30 PM Code Compliance Committee Oct. 19, 7 PM Board of Supervisors of Elections Nov. 1, 4 PM Police & Public Safety Advisory Committee Nov. 2, 7 PM

Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

Page HR2

el

Reportero de

Hyattsville

No. 343 • 10 de Octubre, 2016

www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

Ciudad Sostenible

Falto la Expo de Grassroots de la Ciudad?

Pues, todavia hay una manera de conseguir uno o dos barriles de lluvia para regar su patio y jardin, y prevenir escorrentía de aguas pluviales. Visita www.rainbarrelprogram/org/ hyattsville para detalles. incluirá una cena buffet, con transporte proporcionado por la ciudad, por un costo total de $25. El autobus comenzará recogida a las 4:45 p.m. y regresando a las 11 p.m. Para reservaciones contacte a Beryl Johnson al 301-985-5058. El pago es debido el 7 de Octubre.

Deben los Residentes no Ciudadanos Votar?

El Comité de la Cuidad de Hyattsville quiere escuchar de la comunidad sobre si debe o no permitir a los residentes que no son ciudadanos de los Estados Unidos votar en las elecciones de la Ciudad.

Ven a compartir su opinión en una audiencia pública sobre el tema el Miércoles, 26 de Octubre a las 8 p.m., 4310 Gallatin Street. No se puede atender la reunión, pero quiere que su voz sea escuchada?

Visita www.speakuphvl.com

Policías en los techos

Unase a la Policía de Hyattsville para recaudar fondos para las Olimpiadas Especiales de Maryland.

Nuestros policías pasarán la noche del Sábado 8 de Octubre, en el techo de Dunkin Donuts ubicada en la 3030 Queens Chapel Road. Ven a hacerles compañía, coma donas, y haz una donación!

Vea Nuestro Futuro!

Por favor, únase a sus vecinos para planificar el futuro de Hyattsville en las dos últimas sesiones públicas para crear el próximo Plan de Sostenibilidad de la Comunidad, se les pedirá a los residentes tomar decisiones y prioridades entre todas las ideas generadas a nuestra comunidad. (Si aún desea enviar ideas, visite www.speakuphlv.com.) La traducción entre Inglés y Español estará disponible, y traducción de lenguaje de señas está disponible con solicitud previa.

Martes, 1 de Noviembre, puertas abren a las 6:30 PM, la sesión comienza a las 7:00 PM en la Escuela Primaria de Edward Felegy.

Sábado, 5 de Noviembre, puertas abren a las 9:30 AM, la sesión comienza a las 10:00 AM en el Edificio Municipal de la Ciudad de Hyattsville, 4310 Gallatin Street.

Fiesta Espantosa

Lleve a sus pequeños fantasmas y duendes para nuestra fiesta annual de Halloween Spooky Fest!

Vamos a convertir el patio de University Town Center en un Monster Mash Dance con música, baile, una cabina de fotos, artesanía caseras y concursos de disfraces para los niños menores de 12 años. Los premios serán otorgados por grupos de edad. Sábado 29 de Octubre de 1-3 p.m. en University Park Center (frente al cine Regal Royale).

Conversación y Taller Comunitario – Comunidades Economicos

¿Cómo podemos crear una comunidad rica en ser-

vicios accesibles para todos? Esta será la pregunta a conducir las conversaciónes de comunidad el Domingo, 13 de Noviembre de 3-5 p.m. detalles de los panelistas y la localización se darán pronto. Se proporcionarán refrigerios. www.hyattsville.org/communityconversations

Encuentra y Limpia

Residentes estan invitado a hablar con un consejal mientras que caminar por el barrio y/o recolectando basura. Lugares y horas de salida estan abajo: Distrito 1 – Bart Lawrence Oct. 15, 8 a.m., esquina de 43rd Ave. y Oliver St. Nov. 5, 8 a.m., Burlington Park

Conversaciones de la Comunidad con la Policía de Hyattsville

El Departamento de la Policía de Hyattsville se ha asociado con nuestras comunidades de fe para crear una serie de conversaciones con los residentes para fortalecer la comunidad. Todos son bienvenidos.

13 de Octubre de 7-8: 30 PM Iglesia Episcopal de St. Matthews 5901 36th Avenue 10 de Noviembre de 7-8: 30 PM University Christian Church 6800 Adelphi Street

Mentes Creativas

El programa popular de la ciudad para padresniño esta abierto con arte, música, movimiento y otras actividades para usted y su hijito. Las sesiones son los Martes y Jueves, 10 a.m. a las 12 p.m. en el Parque Magruder Recreation Center, 3911 Hamilton Street. Este semestre corre hasta el 15 de Diciembre. El costo es de $50 por su primer hijo por el semestre, y $ 30 por cada hijo adicional. O trate la primera clase de gratis! Para obtener más información contacte a Saarah Abdul-Rauf al 301985-5065 o srauf@hyattsville.org.

Buscando Voluntarios de Nutrición

La Ciudad de Hyattsville esta trabajando con Share Our Strength Cooking Matters para dar tours de nutrición a los residentes. Se necesita voluntarios para aprender el plan de estudios y guiar los tours mensuales. Si tiene interés, por favor contacte a Colleen Aistis en 301-985-5057.

Sister Act

Las personas mayores y residentes con incapacidades están invitados a ver a Sister Act en el teatro de cena Toby el 10 de Noviembre. La actuación

Academia de Artes de Los Mayores

Nuestro programa con Art Works Now sigue con la Academia de Artes de los Mayores este otoño y invierno. Los miercoles desde 1 a 3 p.m. a 4310 Gallatin Street, Art Works Now tendrá talleres de arte para mayores y personas con discapacidades.

Participacion y materias son gratis. Para mas informacion, llame Beryl Johnson a 301-985-5058.

Llama-Un-Bus Viajes de Compra

El Llama-Un-Bus lleva mayores y personas con incapacidades a tiendas regularmente. Para reservaciones llame al 301-985-5000.

Oct. 18, 11 AM – 1 PM, Nov. 1, 10:30 AM – 2 PM, Shoppers y Price Rite Oct. 20, 1:30 – 4 PM, Price Rite Gira Nutricional Oct. 24, 11 AM – 1 PM, Giant Oct. 27, 11 AM – 1 PM, Nov. 1, 10:30 AM – 2 PM, Safeway y Aldi

Reuniones

Todas las reuniones serán en el Edificio Municipal, 4310 Gallatin Street a menos que se indique lo contrario Concejo Municipal Oct. 17, 7:30 PM & Nov. 7, 8 PM Audiencia Publica del Concejo Municipal Oct. 26, 8 PM Comité del Medioambiente Oct. 18, 7 PM Comité de Planificación Oct. 18, 7:30 PM Comité de Conformidad de los Códigos Oct. 19, 7 PM Junta de Supervisores de Elecciones Nov. 1, 4 PM Comité de Policía y Seguridad Pública Nov. 2, 7 PM

Ciudad Saludable Vuelve Muevete con la Alcaldesa, y este mes la Alcaldesa Candace Hollingsworth estará en CrossFit de Hyattsville para una clase gratis.

Unase a ella! La clase se limita a 30 personas y se requieren reservas, para reservar envie un correo electrónico a epreston@hyattsville.org.

Los participantes deben tener 16 años o más. La clase de 60 minutos es para aquellas personas que son nuevas al CrossFit, nuevo al ejercicio, o que están buscando volver a ejercitarse. El Sábado 22 de de Octubre de 12: 30-1: 30 p.m., en 4616-B Ingraham Street.

Page 8

Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

Local graffiti crew comes home for 22nd anniversary show

By Krissi Humbard

In 1994, two high school kids got into graffiti writing in Hyattsville and started the Double Down Kings (DDK). Twentyyears later, the crew, which 4547 Rhode Island Avetwo | Brentwood, MD 20722 hasofgrown to be the largest hip1 mile south Franklins hop crew in the tri-state area, back toPrinting where it all Offset Printing ♦ Fullbrought Color itDigital started with the Double Down: Wide Format Printing ♦22Graphic Design Services Years of the 2DK LAB gallery event.

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“We just started writing our names next to wherever else we saw graffiti,” said Cory Stowers aka Eon2, one of the founding members. “For me, it never went away.”

Over the past two decades, the crew has grown from its graffiti roots and has expanded to more than 300 members, some of whom still live in the community. Stowers said many of the artists who wanted to join the crew were younger than he was, so he tried to guide them with his graffiti workshops. “Their job when joining the Double Down Kings is to not only practice it themselves, but also to preserve [the culture] and pass it on to future generations.”

It’s clear Stowers is a mentor.

At any given point during the show, there were artists gathered around a table, sketching in notepads, perfecting their names or working out their next piece.

During the week, Stowers could often be seen walking around the table, offering tips here and there or stopping to help an artist get something just right.

“It’s out of the ‘each one, teach one’ philosophy,” Stowers said.

For Stowers, acknowledging and remembering the origins of his graffiti seems like a cornerstone of his current work.

“Being able to come back 22 years later and showcase work [that early on wouldn’t have had an audience] … for me, it’s really important to be able to come back and touch back on our origins,” Stowers said.

The week-long gallery event featured new works of art from many of the Maryland, DC and Virginia areas’ most notable graffiti artists, ephemera and retrospective works, documentary screenings, graffiti workshops, and live musical performances.

Studio SoHy, Artists & Craftsman Supply, and Pyramid Atlantic helped to make the show possible.

Bronwyn King, co-founder of Studio SoHy, said the event came about earlier this year when Stowers approached the studio about bringing the show to Hyattsville.

“Since a couple of the artists involved in the DDK are from Hyattsville, Cory thought it might be interesting to host the show where some of those artists got their start,” King said. “Daniel Si-

mon [founder of Studio SoHy], who owns space in Hyattsville, offered Cory the opportunity to host his week-long anniversary show in the Arts District Building on Baltimore Avenue. From there, the show just evolved, and Cory managed to put together a great lineup of artists!”

Several pieces in the show were from the private collection of a graffiti writer known as Kelt, who passed away about 15 years ago. The pieces had been in storage until a family member found them in a garage and contacted Stowers.

The works hadn’t been seen in years. Stowers felt it was important to show the pieces, he said, because “some of the folks ... aren’t with us anymore. Some of them don’t even paint graffiti anymore. But for the younger generation, who have never seen [some of these artists’] work on canvas, we’re hoping it will help push and inspire them to take the next step forward in their art.”

As the crew has grown, so has the art form. Graffiti is no longer restricted to out-of-sight walls or along train tracks. Cities like Hyattsville are embracing graffiti artists and muralists and hiring them to create public art.

“The climate has changed, people’s opinion has changed. … I think the whole idea behind what graffiti is and what it means — and the aesthetic value of it — I think it has all changed,” Stowers said.

The gallery show ended Sept.

17 with an all-day celebration featuring graffiti workshops in the afternoon, and later a DJ set

by DJ Rachi and musical performances. Artists were gathered around the table, laughing and sketching until the end of the night. People strolled in and out, admiring the art and pausing to hear the music and watch the performers drop rhymes. The show was as much a celebration of the history of Double Down Kings as it was of the thriving Hyattsville art scene.

“It feels really great to be able to come back to where we started so many years ago and show these kinds of work,” Stowers said. “Because at that time, when we were starting, people wouldn’t really imagine going to a gallery show that showcases graffiti work.”

Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

COMMUNITY CALENDAR October 14

Schubert, Schubert and Haydn and The Auryn Quartet string quartet will host a concert at First Baptist Church. $10. 8 p.m. 5701 42nd Ave. 301.699.5440.

October 15

Teens and the community are invited to participate in a teen summit hosted by the Metropolitan Seventh-day Adventist Church. The forum will be lead by a teenager who lost a brother to gun violence. 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 6307 Riggs Rd. 301.853.2224.

October 17

The Friends of the Hyattsville Library and the Creative Edge Collaborative will host a film screening of The Armor of Light. The film discusses issues of gun ownership and gun violence, and their intersection with pro-life and prochoice convictions. Creative Edge Collaborative will lead a discussion after the screen-

ing. Hyattsville Branch Library. 7 p.m. 6530 Adelphi Rd. 301.985.4690.

October 22

Local parents can find great deals on clothing, toys and much more at the Fall ’16 HY-SWAP Community Exchange. Share your infant, children's and maternity clothing, gear and toys by leaving them at one of the drop sites around Hyattsville from now until Oct. 16. Shop the swap on Oct. 22. Hyattsville Municipal Building. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 4310 Gallatin St. Email for information: empalus@ gmail.com or cree.finley@ gmail.com.

November 2

Page 9

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Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

Non-US citizens one step closer to being able to vote in local elections

By Scott Gelman

Residents of Hyattsville who aren’t United States citizens are now closer to receiving the opportunity to vote in city elections.

The mayor and city council approved a motion enabling the city attorney to draft an amendment that would change the voter qualifications in Hyattsville elections.

Noncitizens would be able to vote in local elections as long as they have resided in Hyattsville for at least 14 days, are at least 16 years old, and don’t claim the right to vote anywhere else in the United States, according to the motion. Similarly, noncitizens who are eligible cannot be “under guardianship for mental disability” or, if they are, they must not have “been found by a court to be unable to communicate a desire to vote.”

“Voting provides an opportunity for people who are affected by the government to have the ability to shape that government and the direction in which that government is going,” said Councilmember Joseph Solomon (Ward 5), who helped draft the motion. “Anybody who is impacted by the government should have that ability.”

About 15 percent of Hyattsville residents

are immigrants, according to CASA de Maryland data referenced in the motion; CASA is an organization that works to “organize, advocate for, and extend opportunities for Latino and immigrant people in Maryland.”

If the amendment is passed, Hyattsville would become the seventh Maryland municipality to give noncitizens the chance to vote in local elections, joining Barnesville, Garrett Park, Glen Echo, Martin’s Additions, Takoma Park, and Somerset.

Maryland ended noncitizen voting rights in 1851 but allowed cities to decide local voting rights, according to the motion.

The city is planning to hold a public hearing in October to receive residents’ feedback with regard to the amendment, which would be put into effect in 2017, according to the motion. However, Councilmember Paula Perry (Ward 4) believes the amendment needs to go to referendum.

“I’ve had several phone calls, not just from my ward but from other wards,” Perry said. “[Residents] will not come to a public hearing at all because of the name-calling and reactions that have been shown at the bench, and they don’t want to subject themselves to that.”

"Voting provides an opportunity for people who are affected by the government to have the ability to shape that government and the direction in which that government is going. Anybody who is impacted by the government should have that ability."

— Joseph Solomon Ward 5 Councilmember The change would also enable the city to administer at least a portion of its own voter roll, according to Solomon. Hyattsville relies on Prince George’s County’s roll, but since the county does not allow noncitizens to vote, the city would be responsible for managing a portion of its own voter roll.

Solomon first considered the idea of noncitizen voting when a resident mentioned it to him during a Ward 5 town hall meeting. During a Ward 4 meeting he attended,

though, noncitizens explained they were hesitant to contact city officials or utilize city programs because of their legal status.

“They had a fear that our city was more concerned with their legal status than actually addressing their concern,” Solomon said. “That troubled me in a way. We felt we needed to get something done in terms of empowering a class of citizens in Hyattsville.”

Ward 5 resident Shirley Fisher wondered if residents would have the opportunity to provide input, but Mayor Candace Hollingsworth said the amendment is not intended to go to referendum.

“We weren’t spoken to [about] teen voting, and now this is coming up,” Fisher said. “The change in the voting laws affects Hyattsville until Hyattsville no longer exists.”

Perry said some residents who oppose the amendment believe it would take away the significance of being a citizen, but Solomon is adamant the change is necessary.

“At no point in history did allowing Americans or classes of voters the right to vote diminish the value of anyone else’s vote,” Solomon said. “We want [noncitizens] to participate [in elections].”

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Page 11

Loving Care Pediatrics

MissFloribunda Dear Miss Floribunda, Last October your "War of the Weeds" column gave a rundown on the most evil weeds invading our gardens. It actually helped me figure out what to pull out this year. Still, my garden has gone through a horrible summer due to insect damage.

Maybe you could make a Halloween list of some of those baddies to help me identify them.

Nightmare on Nicholson Street Dear Nightmare, Although you haven't identified the plants damaged, it's not difficult to guess which marauders were most likely to ravage your garden. Here are the Top Ten Garden Horrors: 10) The Harlequin Beetles, or Killer Clowns.

They look bright and festive in their yellow and black spotted outfits, but they spell doom for your kale, collards, cabbages, and broccoli. Another cute but lethal look-alike is the yellowand-black striped or spotted cucumber beetle that not only kills cucumbers but melons and other cucurbits. And there's the pretty red and black bean beetle that doesn't limit itself to beans but will attack beets, squash, peas and tomatoes.

(Don't mistake it for its cousin, the beneficial ladybug — it's no lady.) The best deterrent for these bozos is the planting of strong-scented herbs, garlic, and/or pungent marigolds and chrysanthemums among your crops.

9) Tent Caterpillars, or The Mummy Multiplied. Larvae of an array of moths spin shrouds of silk around trees and shrubs and then proceed to devour the leaves at their leisure. Although many trees do survive defoliation and the shrouds fall off, it's best to remove them as soon as you see them. This mummy will return for sequel after sequel!

8) Tomato Hornworm, or The Invisible Mandible. This predator is hard to spot because it takes on the exact shade of green of the stem it crawls on and so blends right into the background. It not only chews up stems and leaves but even your fruit. Although the damage is done for this year, be sure to rototill the soil after taking away the plants so that all larvae are destroyed. If you are rotating your tomato patch, also rototill the new plot before planting again.

7) Japanese Beetle, or Bugzilla. Although not giant in size, this monster and its friends can devastate your rose garden as if it were Tokyo.

The only thing I've seen work effectively is a kind of sun tea my neighbor Nosmo King made from a gift of cigars. Reacting to tea sprayed on the roses, the beetles fell like kamikaze planes.

But nicotine is harmful to other insects too, so I can't recommend it. Prevention is better. If you see a beetle, nip the buds off your roses before they bloom to keep their fragrance from drawing this beast to them. The only good thing is that it doesn't reappear regularly — rarely does it produce a remake. By the way, milky spore disease is only helpful if everyone in your neighborhood applies it to their lawns also. NEVER use the traps — they draw beetles that might never have thought of coming and double the damage.

6) Cabbage Worms, or Zombie Invasion.

These creatures may not be after brains, but they certainly will devour the heads of cabbage, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts with savage gusto.

They are produced by those ghostly white butterflies that flutter about like spirits from the Elysian Fields. No, they are quite alive and they spawn relentless eating machines. To make them quite dead, sprinkle a combination of baking soda and flour on your crucifers. Remember to reapply after each rain.

5) Squash Bugs, or Life-Sucking Vampires.

They crave sap the way vampires crave blood.

Going even further, they use their needle-like mouthparts to inject a toxin into the tender stems and young fruit of squash and pumpkins.

You can vanquish them with a garlic spray made by soaking garlic cloves in mineral oil and adding water and soap. If you lay thin wooden boards down, they will go under them like Dracula retiring to his coffin. In the morning, you can lift the boards and dispatch them.

4) Whiteflies, or the Vineyard of the Damned.

These pallid little demons particularly like to gang up on grapes, citrus fruit, and tomatoes, but they will also swarm together to attack such vegetables as kale, okra, eggplant, and peppers, as well as winter-weakened azaleas and other shrubs. Explosives won't work with these creatures, but a strong spray of water will help, as will sticky traps and horticultural oil.

3) Slug, or The Blob. This disgusting mollusc eats everything in its path, including vegetables, flowers, mulch, earthworms, and carrion, and it can double in size in a single night. It has a teen's curiosity about beer, though, and some report success putting out pans of brewski in which the hapless creature drowns. Others prefer the deterrent of a rough surface of sand, crushed eggshells, or diatomaceous earth around vegetables and flowers. Copper tape, though expensive, will repel them. Don't use salt — it kills the slug but is bad for your soil.

2) Cutworms, or Edward Scissorjaws. If only they were artificial fantasies, but these creatures are very real and very destructive to lawns and gardens. They bite off seedlings and young plants right at ground level, so cardboard collars and aluminum foil around them is recommended. Like slugs, they don't like crushed eggshell or diatomaceous earth either. Make your garden bird-friendly, since birds can significantly reduce their numbers.

1) Squash Borer, or Alien. This creature destroys from within, and when it pops out, all is over for the plant — usually before anything edible can develop. It is the bane of zucchini. It overwinters in soil, so it is a good idea to rotate squash crops yearly. Also watch out for the "mom,” a rather attractive red and black clearwing moth. Put out sticky traps to catch her before she perforates your squash stems and lays the eggs that develop into this super-destructive larvae.

The next meeting of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society takes place on Saturday, October 15, at the home of Joe Buriel and Dave Roeder, 3909 Longfellow St. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. and includes a plant exchange.

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3311 Toledo Terrace, Suite C201 Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 Tel: 301-403-8808 Fax: 301-403-1341

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Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

REDEVELOPMENT continued from page 1

Residents were given opportunities to ask questions of each company and delve deeper into each of the proposed sites.

Dillon/Warner brought forth pictures of modern residential living, describing their “Gallatin Lofts” project as a “nontraditional” vision for activating the Route 1 Corridor.

Gallatin Lofts would combine community and residential living under a green-roof construction, offering 126 residential units as well as areas designated for community spaces and artist lofts and studios.

The driving force of the proposal is that residents can “live, work and play” in the same space.

Flywheel’s proposed “Arcade

Row” would alter the Gallatin Street site into 31 units of for-sale, net-zero-energy townhomes.

The Flywheel plan draws cues from neighboring community sites such as Vigilante Coffee in order to become “part of the community fabric.”

By transforming the space into single-family homes, Flywheel’s vision of activating the community spaces would also echo the Victorian styles of the historic district.

What was absent from the meeting was equal discussion of the potential reuse of the current building structure, rather than its demolition.

“At this point, the city does not have an estimate of the total cost of repairing the building, and there is no projected timeline for making a decision as to re-

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HELEN PARSHALL Jim Chander, Director of Community & Economic Development for the City of Hyattsville, introduces the presenters as they describe their vision for the 4310 Gallatin Street site.

location or repair,” said Rollow.

“Such a decision would require council approval.”

Many residents expressed wariness about dramatic changes to the existing city center.

“It just doesn’t make good sense,” wrote one resident on the group email list for the Hyattsville Organization for a Positive Environment (H.O.P.E.).

Concerns at the meeting ranged from the effects of such largescale development on the residents already living in the community to the aesthetics of each project merging with the already

existing, vibrant structure.

A resident lamented that in moving the Municipal Building away from the city center “something gets lost in the harmonious transition between the historic and commercial parts of the city.”

Both projects assume the relocation of the services within the current Municipal Building, but no decisions have been made at this time.

An unscientific poll conducted by the Hyattsville Life & Times on its website found resistance to proposals to move the municipal offices. As of Sept. 29, 60 percent of respondents believed that the

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city should renovate the existing Municipal Building rather than sell it for redevelopment.

In July 2015, the City of Hyattsville issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for firms interested in the redevelopment of 4310 Gallatin Street.

Responses were accepted from the two firms, and in February the city issued a Request for Proposal to move forward with more detail.

City officials stated at the meeting that their target is the end of December for moving forward on the future of the 4310 Gallatin Street site.

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Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

SPEAK UP

continued from page 1

“Community Vision� meetings to hear from residents about what they thought was working in Hyattsville, what they thought wasn’t working, and what they’d like to see the city focus on for the next five years. “This process is one of the best ways for residents to get involved in dictating our city's future,� said Katie Gerbes, Hyattsville’s community planner. “A community sustainability plan is a living document — it doesn't just sit on a shelf but is taken into consideration for many of the decisions the city makes.�

The city is working with consultants from Beyer Blinder and Belle (BBB), which helped facilitate the meetings. Gerbes and BBB associates Liz Ellington and Kevin Storm took turns giving a presentation about what a community sustainability plan involves, what it means to be a sustainable community, and what the city has accomplished since the last plan.

The presentation included text-in polling that showed live results when residents answered questions about Hyattsville and specific areas of the city. After the presentation and polling, residents in attendance were broken into smaller groups for table discussions facilitated by city employees.

Didn’t make it to a meeting?

There is a website — speakuphvl.com — which residents can use to answer the same questions from the meetings and offer their input. Gerbes said the city is working to get the website translated into Spanish so all residents can participate. “All comments made before Oct. 17 will be in the data set we use for the November

meetings. Our follow-up sessions, ‘Community Choices,’ will take place on Nov. 1 and Nov. 5 and will act as a validation to make sure that we got the main points from the meetings,� Gerbes said.

The first “Community Vision� meeting was held at Edward M. Felegy Elementary on Sept. 15; the second was held

“This process is one of the best ways for residents to get involved in dictating our city's future. A community sustainability plan is a living document — it doesn't just sit on a shelf but is taken into consideration for many of the decisions the city makes." — Katie Gerbes Hyattsville community planner at Hyattsville Elementary on Sept. 21; and the final meeting was held Sept. 24 at the Municipal Building. About 100 residents attended the meetings. Jim Nuttle, a freelance artist, created a mural during the final meeting using words and phrases from the live polling and the vision cards that residents were asked to fill out.

During the polling at the Sept.

24 meeting, residents seemed to agree that diversity, walkability, the two Metro stops, the sense of community, the neighbors, and the arts were the best parts of Hyattsville.

During the table discussions, residents touted Hyattsville’s “small-town feel,� civic engagement, government and police involvement, and the diverse

Page 13

school stock. “There are many people who believe in Hyattsville,� one resident said.

In another group, a resident said, “The open dialogue in the city is spectacular.�

Another resident who spoke during a table discussion said she moved to Hyattsville in 2003, thinking she’d only be here a year or two. “I didn’t plan to stay,� she said, “but got hooked on the neighborhood feel.�

As for things that residents felt needed improvement?

Parking, traffic calming, bikeability and lighting were mentioned.

One topic that kept coming up in the discussion groups: West Hyattsville. In the live polling, 68 percent of residents at the meeting said they rarely or never go to West Hyattsville, outside of using transportation or living there.

Many questioned why the area near the Metro station hadn’t been developed. Councilmember Kevin Ward (Ward 1) said he’d like to see a more varied type of business in West Hyattsville. Another resident mentioned his desire to see better-looking storefronts.

Gloria Felix-Thompson said West Hyattsville needs a community gathering space. Ann Barrett, a local realtor, praised the diversity of housing options and the lower home prices, especially for homes so close to a Metro station.

Gerbes said she was pleased with the way the three meetings had gone and added that she has received positive feedback from many residents. “Most of the people in attendance seem to share the common desire of wanting to make our city a better place, and we've had some really enlightened conversations of the best way to do that,� she said.

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old Baltimore-Washington Conference, and the second of two African-American women to be elected at the Northeastern Conference. The first was the Rev. Cynthia Moore-Koikoi, also elected to the Baltimore-Washington Conference. “We’re a large church, a large congregation,� said Ann Morgan, who serves as the administrative assistant for the church. “It’s going to be a large event because of the number of dignitaries coming.�

In addition to providing the venue for the momentous occasion, Hyattsville’s First United Methodist Church’s chantal choir performed, something that is not an automatic guarantee when a church is chosen as the site of a bishop’s installation. “They have asked us to sing ‌. It’s going to be a mass choir from the church so we’ve been rehearsing that,â€? said Sanderson prior to the installation. “Its an exciting opportunity.â€?

Rev. Dr. Yvonne Wallace Penn said that she was “on top of the world� as they prepared for the celebration. “This is such a blessing for First Church,� she said. “God has ordained us for this time, and I am honored to be the lead pastor at First Church for a female bishop. And to be installed at First Church, there is a special anointing on her life and there is a special anointing on this place.�

Additionally, Rev. Penn said that the effects of hosting such a historic event extend beyond just the church and its parishioners. “It’s a big deal for Hyattsville.

COURTESY OF TONY RICHARDS PHOTOGRAPHY Bishop LaTrelle Miller Easterling

All of us are involved, the university is involved, the entire town is involved, the entire community is involved. It’s such an honor to be the pastor of this wonderful church and to get the opportunity to work for Bishop Easterling.

I feel so honored and so blessed.

This is a big deal for women.�

Bishop Easterling will preside over the Baltimore-Washington Conference, an area that covers the majority of the state of Maryland, as well as the District of Columbia and a small portion of West Virginia. Each conference is governed by a bishop, with other reverends, administrators, and mission strategists serving specific, smaller areas under the guidance of the bishop.

Bishop Marcus Matthews formerly headed the BaltimoreWashington Conference, but retired on Aug. 31. Bishop Easterling began working on Sept. 1, but her installation ceremony was scheduled for a later date due to a number of other bishops being installed in different conferences.

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Hyattsville Life & Times | October 2016

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