January 2019 Hyattsville Life & Times

FROM THE EDITOR

Associate Editor Heather Wright reflects on Hyattsville’s gains and losses in 2018. P. 2

The Tire Place shuts down for good

SHOOTING REPORTS

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

HCPD responded to reports of a shooting near Hyattsville Middle School. P. 3

Check out what’s happening around town in January. P. 11

Life&Times

Vol. 16 No. 1

Hyattsville’s Community Newspaper

January 2019

By Wendy Beatty

A Hyattsville fixture since 1999, The Tire Place closed its doors to customers on Dec. 23, 2018. This time it’s permanent.

According to owner Yanira Castro, she could no longer sustain the business, which was located at 5504 Baltimore Avenue. She cited a recent decline in business and longstanding contention with Prince George’s County over licenses, permits and building codes as reasons for the closing.

Castro said she has struggled to TIRE PLACE continued on page 13

New funding strategy may expedite HES, HMS projects

By Ben Simasek

As Hyattsville’s population continues to grow and its schools age, local officials and advocates are coordinating closely with Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) to ensure that the area’s education facilities meet the needs of young students.

By the 2021 school year, PGCPS projects Hyattsville Elementary School (HES) will exceed its state-rated capacity by 39% and Hyattsville Middle SCHOOL continued on page 10

KRISSI HUMBARD

Chief Amal Awad, the City of Hyattsville’s eighth police chief, poses for a photo after her swearing-in ceremony.

Many firsts for city’s eighth chief of police

By Emily Strab

Hyattsville made history when its new police chief was sworn in.

On the afternoon of Dec. 13, Amal Awad was sworn in as Hyattsville’s chief of police, becoming only the eighth police chief in the city’s 132-year history. Moreover, she is the first female, first African-Amer-

ican and first LGBTQ chief in the Hyattsville City Police Department’s (HCPD) history, as highlighted in the city’s press release and mayor’s post on Facebook.

In the packed council chambers, Awad took the oath of office administered by Mayor Candace Hollingsworth. She was joined by her siblings, Carl and Mary, who attached the shoulder boards of her new

office to Awad’s uniform, and her wife, Jade, who pinned on her badge. Retired chief Col. Douglas Holland was also there with his wife and daughter to give Awad her hat and flowers.

“My heart is filled with excitement and pride as I accept this appointment and AWAD continued on page 12

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Page 2

Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

FromTheEditor

We say goodbye, and we say hello, hello, hello

By Heather Wright

As 2018 ebbs away, we take this opportunity to look across the expanse of the receding year, reflecting on what we as a community lost and what we gained.

GOODBYE In 2018, we said goodbye to a number of people who served the City of Hyattsville long and well. In July, two paragons of police and community service

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 501(c)(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 Associate Editor Heather Wright heather@hyattsvillelife.com Digital Editor Krissi Humbard krissi@hyattsvillelife.com Webmaster Lindsay Myers lindsay@hyattsvillelife.com Layout & Design Editor Ashley Perks Copy Editor Nancy Welch Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com 301.531.5234 Writers & Contributors Wendy Beatty, Victoria Boucher, Gretchen Brodtman, Magdalene Cramer, Roxanne Ready, Fred Seitz, Ben Simasek, Emily Strab, Gabrielle Wanneh Board of Directors Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel Chris Currie — Vice President Emily Strab — Treasurer Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter Ross, Reva Harris, 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.

stepped down: Col. Douglas Holland retired from the Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) after almost 20 years of service as chief of police, while Sgt. “Suzie” Johnson retired after 25 years with the HCPD. We gave a more final goodbye to Sgt. Anthony “Tony” Knox, who died July 17. Knox served the HCPD since January 2006 and had been battling cancer since 2016.

Dave Hang, who spent more than 23 years with the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department (HVFD), retired in September, after serving for 13 years as the department’s chief.

And Paula Perry retired from the city council in December, following more than 20 years as a councilmember (Ward 4).

We said goodbye to a few businesses, as well. Although Old Maryland Grill still exists at The Hotel at the University of Maryland, as of this past October, it is no longer run

by Mike Franklin, longtime owner of Franklins Restaurant, Brewery and General Store. And in this edition, there’s an article about the December closing of The Tire Place, which had operated on Baltimore Avenue since 1999.

And while we said these farewells and more, we also welcomed in the new.

HELLO Amal Awad began serving as interim HCPD chief of police in July and was sworn in as Police Chief Awad in December. As you’ll read in this edition, Awad is Hyattsville’s eighth chief of police and the first female and first African-American chief in the city’s 132-year history.

Following Fire Chief Hang’s September retirement, the HVFD board of directors unanimously appointed former HVFD Deputy Chief Mitchell Kannry

ing Co. became the first brewery on the East Coast, and only the second in the U.S., to be deaf-owned and -operated. And Maryland Meadworks held its grand opening in October as the first meadery in Prince George’s County. Then in December, just under 2018’s wire, Sangfroid Distilling opened its doors as the first distillery in Prince George’s County since Prohibition.

I don’t think living in Hyattsville causes people to drink, but if one does imbibe, there are now even more local opportunities to partake in high-quality craft alcohol.

If coffee is your drink of choice, you can now satisfy your craving at Vigilante Coffee Company’s second location, which opened in College Park in March. Or if you can’t decide between brews, maybe you can still try out the coffee stout that Vigilante and Streetcar 82 launched together. Hello, indeed!

HELLO AGAIN Robert Harper Books was closing its Riverdale bricks-and-mortar store just as 2018 began, and many mourned that departure well into the year. But, wait, there’s more! Robert Harper teamed up with Sue Older-Mondeel to open My Dead Aunt’s Books in Older-Mondeel’s Tanglewood Works on Baltimore Avenue. Welcome back, Robert Harper! to serve as interim fire chief.

Hyattsville continued to be a hot spot for new business ventures and restaurants. Last winter, two coworking spaces, Dream Village and CAMPspace, opened their doors, following the worldwide trend of flexible work spaces meeting demands of entrepreneurs, freelancers and others who work remotely. The Mall at Prince George’s continued its rebranding and renovation efforts with the addition of Five Below and eat-

eries including Chipotle, &pizza and Mezeh Mediterranean Grill.

Marco & Polo, which opened this fall in University Town Center, now serves Uyghur (pronounced “WEE-gur”) and Turkish cuisine.

And although it’s a bit premature to fully greet the new Hyattsville library branch, its construction is underway following the Nov. 19 groundbreaking ceremony.

Hyattsville also saw a number of alcohol producers pour onto its scene in 2018. In July, Streetcar 82 Brew-

HELLO???

A number of us had hoped to greet — with cheers and, yes, sighs of relief — a new traffic signal at the intersection of Nicholson Street and Queens Chapel Road this past year. But with the delay of this installation, all we can manage are fearful, taking-our-life-inour-hands screams as we inhale deeply and plunge across Queens Chapel Road. May 2019 bring us, if not world peace, then at least a new traffic light!

LettersToTheEditor The day after my former neighbor and dear friend Peggy Ann Dee celebrated her 79th birthday, she was brutally mugged at the Four Way Stop Market on 40th Avenue in Hyattsville.

The perpetrator staked her out from inside the store, and once she walked outside, this man violently body-slammed her down onto the parking lot pavement, stole her purse with money, ID, credit cards, keys, etc., and basically left her

for dead. Luckily, she survived this brutal attack.

Peggy Dee was able to make a positive identification of this perpetrator to the Hyattsville City Police Department. However, the Hyattsville police did not file any charges against her attacker, and this vicious thief is free to continue mugging women in Hyattsville.

What’s wrong with this picture? I will not rest until this ruthless criminal is behind bars where he belongs.

Barbara J. Runion is a resident of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and was a resident of Hyattsville from 1969 to 2014.

SPECIAL NOTE: The Hyattsville Life & Times has not yet confirmed this incident with the Hyattsville City Police Department. We are currently working to gather more information from relevant sources and will publish an online article soon regarding the alleged incident.

Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

Police investigate reported shooting near Hyattsville Middle School

By Krissi Humbard

Just before 11 a.m. on Jan. 2, police received a call about gunshots near Hyattsville Middle School (HMS). Residents reported on social media that they heard up to five shots in rapid succession.

On Jan. 2 at 10:54 a.m., Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) officers responded to a call about gunshots in the vicinity of 4200 Nicholson Street. Police reported that two people armed with semi-automatic handguns exchanged gunfire. The investigation revealed that suspect #1, located at the intersection of 42nd Place and Nicholson Street, shot at suspect #2, who was at the intersection of 42nd Place and Oglethorpe Street. Suspect #2 returned fire. No injuries were reported, but vehicles in the area were damaged.

Suspect #1 was described as a thin, black male wearing a blue jacket with a hood, white Tshirt, gray sweatpants and white tennis shoes. Suspect #2 may be either male or female and was described as tall and thin, wearing a ski mask with a single oblong eyehole, black sweatshirt with a wide white stripe on the left sleeve, and dark pants.

Both suspects fled the scene before police arrived. One suspect fled up Nicholson Street and attempted to carjack a van, but the driver refused, ducked down and then went in reverse to get away from the shooter, who continued on foot. Police spoke with a witness and canvassed the area for hours, recovering shell casings.

A U.S. Park Police helicopter assisted with the search, circling the area for more than an hour.

No suspects were in custody as of press time.

Residents reported the arrest of a person of interest on social media, but HCPD Lt. Chris Purvis said no arrests have been made related to the shooting.

HCPD coordinated with HMS because the school is in close proximity to the vicinity of the shooting. School officials locked down the school to keep students and staff safe. They lifted the lockdown at approximately 1:18 p.m.

DeMatha Catholic High School was closed for the holidays at the time of the incident.

Police were still on the scene when HMS parents were gathering across 42nd Place to pick up their kids. One of the parents, Evelin Letarte, was frustrated by lack of communication during the school lockdown.

“There was a lack of solid information getting to both parents and students, which led to angst,” Letarte said.

Her daughter, Quinlan, a seventh-grader at HMS, agreed.

“I was told that someone hijacked a car and they were trying to make sure he couldn’t hide in the school,” Quinlan said. “But a lot of us [students] thought the lockdown was from email threats to Parkdale [High School], William Wirt [Middle School] and Bladensburg [High School].

[The threats] said, ‘We gonna kill everyone,’ and it sounded like they didn’t care if they were gonna die.”

According to Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), those three schools received email and social media threats.

“Additional safety measures were taken at all three schools today,” said Monica Goldson, Interim Chief Executive Officer for PGCPS, in a Jan. 2 statement.

“PGCPS and law enforcement authorities have identified the individual behind email and social media threats to Bladensburg and Parkdale High Schools and William Wirt Middle School.

The threats were deemed noncredible.”

HCPD released a statement about these threats on Facebook on the evening of Jan. 2, saying, “We want our community to know that we take all threats to our schools seriously. At this time, investigators do not believe the threat to be credible.

Although no schools in the City of Hyattsville were mentioned, we will be increasing our police presence at our schools.”

Residents with information about the shooting can call the HCPD at 301.985.5060.

Gretchen Brodtman contributed to this report.

Page 3

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Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

City council works to streamline and improve election process

By Roxanne Ready

Members of the Hyattsville City Council updated the city’s election code in December 2018 to distribute vote-by-mail ballots earlier, make it easier to report suspected campaign finance violations, and streamline the financial reporting process for candidates.

They also made changes in midNovember 2018 to implement same-day voter registration.

Councilmembers voted unanimously on Dec. 3 to repeal and replace Chapter 8, the portion of the city’s legal code that governs election policies and procedures.

According to Hyattsville City Clerk Laura Reams, most of the updates related to the implementation of changes that the council voted on in late 2016.

At that time, lawmakers voted to allow same-day voter registration starting in 2019. Residents may now register to vote during early voting or on Election Day if they can show proof of identity, age and residency, according to updates made in mid-November 2018 to the board of elections

rules and regulations.

Preliminary plans allow early voters to register at their polling places, while voters on Election Day will need to visit a central location. But, Reams said, the councilmembers will not finalize these logistics until early 2019.

Councilmembers also increased the time residents have when voting by mail to complete their ballots. According to Reams, in the last election the city distributed vote-by-mail ballots seven days prior to Election Day. After receiving feedback from residents, she said, the city council adjusted the code to require ballots be mailed to voters 10 days in advance.

Changes also included removal of a requirement that residents cite specific law codes when reporting suspected campaign finance violations. Previously, complaints that did not include code citations were dismissed as incomplete, according to Deputy City Clerk Nicola Konigkramer.

Reams said she hopes the change will make the process of reporting easier.

“If they see a campaign violation … we want that information to be able to come forward to us,” Reams said, stressing that residents can report suspected violations even if they don’t know the law in question.

The council also reduced required campaign finance reports from four to three: two during the campaign cycle and one annual report.

Finally, the council clarified and adjusted penalties for violating campaign finance requirements.

These changes include adding penalties for failure to appoint a campaign finance treasurer, file appropriate forms or appear for a hearing summons before the elections supervisory board.

Most of the penalties are fines up to $500.

“The city clerk’s office did a tremendous and thorough job in restructuring [Chapter 8],” said Councilmember Tom Wright (Ward 3) in an email. “The task helped to streamline the election process and cleared up much of the confusion from the original chapter.“

Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

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Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

Girl Scout troop hopes to spread kindness, fill need with Blessing Box

By Magdalene Cramer

A group of bright and enthusiastic young ladies and their passionate troop leader are putting the Girl Scouts’ mission to help others and make the world a better place into practice in Hyattsville.

Adina McGee, the leader of Hyattsville’s Girl Scout Troop #6899, spoke enthusiastically about how the scouts came up with the idea to create a free food pantry, which became their summer project. The idea “was generated kind of on two different streams,” McGee said. “Every year when we do our cookie sale, people donate cookies. Usually we donate them to the Armed Forces. This year, we had a Plan B.” One ambitious girl in the troop said, “What about a food pantry?”

The troop decided to build a “little free pantry” using the familiar concept of the Little Free Libraries that dot the city. But instead of promoting literacy, the pantry battles food insecurity, according to a press release from the troop. Called the Blessing Box, the pantry offers a place where neighbors can come together to meet community needs, whether

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COURTESY OF ADINA MCGEE

Girls from Girl Scout Troop #6899 pose with the Blessing Box they created for the community.

for food or other necessities. Its motto is “Take what you need, bring what you can. Above all, be blessed!”

When the girls came up the idea, they had recently built objects for their woodworking badge with McGee’s partner, who is a carpenter. They applied their newfound construction savvy to building the food pantry. The pantry was paid for, in part, by a fundraiser at Chipotle — where the girls raised $400 — and partly by a $250 grant from Community Forklift.

“The girls are very interested in

keeping things green,” McGee said. The troop found a cabinet at Community Forklift to rehab.

The girls helped paint the cabinet, built a roof for it and replaced the glass panes with plexiglass.

The Blessing Box is located at the entrance to the St. Jerome parking lot on 43rd Avenue. Inside the box is a card with information about donating to and receiving from the pantry, which is used on a daily basis, according to McGee. The items that get taken the fastest? Toiletries, tuna, soups and canned meals.

Since the Blessing Box sits on St. Jerome’s property, the troop partnered with the church, which already tries to address food insecurity through St. Jerome’s Café by providing a hot meal to those in need each Thursday.

“Having this pantry at St. Jerome’s ties our teachings and our community service together impeccably,” the troop said in their press release. “There’s no better way to improve a community than by one small act of kindness at a time, and this Blessing Box can be just that.”

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NatureNearby

A little smelly start to spring

By Fred Seitz

FRED SEITZ

Green shoots and a reddish spathe signal the presence of skunk cabbage.

Walking along the Trolley Trail the last week in December, I noticed some familiar green shoots vigorously coming up.

Then on New Year’s Day, I spotted a reddish spathe (a large sheathing bract enclosing the flower cluster) along the boardwalk in Magruder Swamp.

The shoots and the spathe signaled skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), the familiar harbinger of spring.

Both glimpses of skunk cabbage were pleasant reminders that spring will soon be knocking at our doors. A member of the arum family (Araceae), the skunk cabbage has a chemistry that can produce heat — temperatures up to 55 degrees — which gives it some help coming up even as early as late winter. Indeed, in the coming weeks, skunk cab-

“Some gardeners plant skunk cabbage to protect their veggies from furry animals like squirrels and raccoons.”

bage will flourish in our swampy, moist areas.

This heat also helps disseminate the “delightful” odor which gives the plant its charming name.

Skunk cabbage thrives in wet ar-

eas and truly smells like its mammalian namesake.

We’re not alone in finding skunk cabbage stinky. Indeed, some gardeners plant skunk cabbage to protect their veggies from furry animals like squirrels and raccoons.

Some of our beneficial and attractive insects, including butterflies and bees, don’t mind the stink. They are skunk cabbage pollinators. Other less endearing insects, such as carrion flies, are also attracted to skunk cabbage and help pollinate it, too.

The cabbage’s large leaves can be eaten after being boiled in several changes of water. People have also used the leaves to treat headaches and earaches, but this is illadvised as the chemical (calcium oxalate) that warms the cabbage in spring can burn your mouth and cause your throat to close up.

Hence, it is preferable to restrain children and curious pets from eating the beautiful green leaves of the skunk cabbage. Hopefully, its odoriferous nature will also do some restraining of its own.

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Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

the

Hyattsville Reporter No. 370 • January 8, 2019

www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

National Day of Service

Make MLK Day a day ON, not a day OFF! Join volunteers from the City’s Teen Center on Monday, January 21, for a largescale trash and debris removal from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We’ll meet in the parking lot of Northwestern High School at 9:30 a.m. Volunteers of all ages are welcome, but those 13 years and younger must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Be sure to dress for the elements: long pants, long sleeves, and sturdy shoes or boots.

Safety guidelines, cotton work gloves, litter sticks and trash bags will be provided. Participation can also help satisfy the State of Maryland’s Student Service Learning requirement. To register, call (301) 985-5057 or email caistis@hyattsville.org.

Holiday Trash Collection

City offices will be closed Monday, January 21, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Emergency services will continue. Changes are as follows: There will be no yard waste collection the week of January 21. Compost will be collected from households participating in the volunteer composting pilot program on Tuesday, January 22. Leaf pickup will resume after Monday. Trash collection will follow its regular schedule. Please call (301) 9855000 if you have any questions.

Leaf Collection

Citywide leaf collection ends Friday, January 25. However, you can always put leaves in paper yard waste bags (no plastic bags) and put them out for pickup on Mondays.

For more information, visit www.hyattsville.org/leaves or call (301) 985-5000.

Parent & Child Dance Party

Explore outer space with us at the 2019 Parent & Child Dance Party on Saturday, February 9, 5 – 7 p.m., at the City Building (4310 Gallatin Street). We’ll have family-friendly music, dancing, and fun!

And what party would be complete without refreshments and photo opps? Tickets are $5 per person at the door and we accept cash, check, and credit card. Children must be accompanied by an adult throughout the evening. Space is limited, so reservations are required. To make a reservation, please call (301) 985-5021 or fill out the form at www.hyattsville.org/danceparty.

Movin’ With the Mayor

Mayor Hollingsworth invites you to a FREE four-part series that focuses on selfdefense tactics and safety techniques for women. PLEASE NOTE THAT SESSION DATES HAVE CHANGED. Sessions will take place every Wednesday from January 23 through February 13, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Participants of all ages are welcome and attendance at all sessions is strongly encouraged. Reservation is required. To register, email epreston@hyattsville.org or call (301) 985-5006.

Special Senior Valentine Social

Love and friendship is in the air! Join us Thursday, February 14, 1 – 3 p.m., for our FREE Valentine’s Day Celebration. We’ll have music, games, prizes, and plenty of treats! RSVPs required. Please RSVP to Beryl Johnson by calling (301) 985-5058.

Youth Programs

Creative Minds: The City of Hyattsville invites parents and their toddlers (ages 1 – 3) to Creative Minds, an educational

Resident Jennifer Kubit accepts the 2018 Hyattsville Volunteer of the Year Award at the City’s Volunteer Recognition and Appreciation Reception.

Residente Jennifer Kubit acepta el 2018 Premio de Servicio Voluntario de Hyattsville en la Recepción de Reconocimiento y Apreciación para Voluntarios de la Ciudad. enrichment program every Tuesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at Magruder Park. For more information and to register, visit www.hyattsville.org/creativeminds or contact Veronica Rivera-Negrón at (301) 985-1703.

Camp Magruder

Register your youngster (Grades K – 5), for any or all our upcoming Camp Magruder sessions! While schools are on break, enroll your child for fun-filled days of sports, arts, dance, indoor/outdoor activities, and awesome educational experiments. For more information or to register for Camp Magruder, please visit www.hyattsville. org/campmagruder or email sjohnson@hyattsville.org.

Spring Camp Magruder, April 15 – 19 $125 for City residents / $150 for non-residents (Registration opens January 9 for residents / January 16 for non-residents) Summer Camp Magruder, June 17 – August 23 $250 for City residents / $300 for non-residents (Registration opens February 6 for residents / February 13 for non-residents)

We’re Hiring

Serve your community by working for our local government! We’re currently seeking a city planner, a CDL driver, and police officers. Interested? Check out www.hyattsville.org/jobs to learn more and apply!

Did you Miss a City Council Meeting?

No problem! Visit www.hyattsville.org/ meetings to view a recording of all meetings, check out agendas, and much more!

Don’t forget that the most recent meeting is also rebroadcasted seven days a week on cable channel 12 (Verizon) and channel 71 (Comcast) at 7 a.m., 12 p.m., and 8 p.m.

Teen Center

New year, New Times: The Teen Center is now open five days a week! Hang out with us at Magruder Park (3911 Hamilton Street) Mondays and Wednesdays, 3:30 – 7 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:30 – 8 p.m., and Fridays, 3:30 – 10 p.m. for fun

after-school activities! Looking for help on a specific subject for your child? We also offer tutoring Tuesdays and Thursdays! For more information, please contact srauf@ hyattsville.org

Mentors and Tutors Wanted:

Looking to serve your community? Volunteer as a mentor and tutor at the City of Hyattsville’s Teen Center! Volunteers provide homework help and serve as additional role models in the lives of local youth grades 6 – 12. It’s a commitment of one or two nights of tutoring per week, plus one recreational activity you plan each month.

To learn more and get involved, please call (301) 985-5000 or email srauf@hyattsville. org.

Invasive Plant Removal

Join us at Magruder Park (3911 Hamilton Street) on Saturday, January 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., to learn how to identify and properly remove non-native, invasive plants from Magruder Woods. A set of safety guidelines and cotton work gloves will be provided.

Volunteers should dress for the elements, with sturdy boots or shoes, long sleeves and long pants. Don’t forget water and sunscreen. Warning: You will get dirty and have fun, too! Please note that participation helps to satisfy the State of Maryland Student Service Learning Requirement.

Save Energy, #GoGreen!

Not sure what’s causing your high electric bill? Use an energy usage meter to find out!

The meter can calculate how much energy a device is consuming. Simply connect an electronic device to an outlet, disconnect it after a couple of minutes, and then plug the meter into the outlet. Knowing exactly where your energy is gong can help you lower your bill and #GoGreen at the same time.

Did you know the Hyattsville Library even loans out energy usage meters?

Call (301) 985-4690 to learn more!

Free Transportation

Hyattsville residents can ride all University of Maryland Shuttle Routes for FREE! Route 113 loops through Hyattsville, stops at the Prince George’s Plaza Metro, and then heads to the University. To get your

2019 shuttle pass, please bring photo ID and proof of residence to the City Building, 4310 Gallatin Street, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. Passes are issued the same day. Route maps and schedules are available at www.dots.umd.edu.

Upcoming City Elections

The City of Hyattsville will hold elections on Tuesday, May 7, 2019, 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Early Voting will take place on Saturday, April 27, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturday, May 4, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at Magruder Park (3911 Hamilton Street). Mayor and City Council Member seats will be open in all five of the City’s Wards. For more information on voter qualifications and registration, visit www.hyattsville.org/elections.

Residents wanting to run for office can file an application between Monday, February 25, and Friday, March 29. For more information, attend one of our Candidate Information Sessions on Monday, March 4, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., and Saturday, March 23, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the City Building.

To obtain a Candidate Packet, visit www. hyattsville.org/elections or pick up a copy from the City Building. Packets will be available starting Monday, January 14.

City Updates

Visit www.hyattsville.org/notifyme and sign up to receive email and text message notifications from the City of Hyattsville!

Parent Workshops

You can keep your family healthy and happy with various low-cost, bilingual resources in our community. Please visit www.hyattsville.org/workshops and join us at any or all our workshops where you can learn more.

Make Your Voice Heard!

Mayor Hollingsworth and City Council Members invite all residents to learn about the City’s budget process and to provide feedback before Council drafts priorities for Fiscal Year 2020. Join them on Tuesday, January 29, at 6 p.m. at Northwestern High (7000 Adelphi Road) or on Thursday, January 31, at 6 p.m. at the City Building (4310 Gallatin Street). If you have any questions or would like more information, please call (301) 985-5000.

Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

Page HR2

el

Reportero de

Hyattsville

No. 370 • 8 de Enero, 2019

www.hyattsville.org • 301-985-5000

Día Nacional de Servicio

¡Convierta el día conmemorativo de Martin Luther King Jr. en un día de servicio y no de hacer nada! Desde las 10 a.m. hasta la 1 p.m., acompañe a voluntarios del Centro de Jóvenes de la Ciudad de Hyattsville el lunes, 21 de enero para ayudar a remover basura y desechos. Antes de empezar, Nos reuniremos en el lote de estacionamiento de la Escuela Northwestern High a las 9:30 a.m. Voluntarios de todas edades están bienvenidos, pero menores de 13 años tienen que ser acompañados por padre o adulto. Acuérdense de vestirse apropiadamente: pantalones, camisas con mangas largas y botas o zapatos duraderos. Una orientación de reglas, guantes, recogedores y bolsas de basura serán proveídas. Participando también puede ayudar a satisfacer el requisito de aprendizaje-servicio del Estado de Maryland. Para inscribirse o para más información, por favor llame al (301) 985-5057 o mande un correo electrónico a caistis@hyattsville.org.

Recolección de Basura

Las oficinas de la Ciudad estarán cerradas el lunes, 21 de enero para conmemorar el Día Martin Luther King Jr. Los servicios de emergencia continuarán. No habrá recolección de residuos la semana de enero 21, el compostaje de hogares participando en el programa piloto de compostaje será recogido el martes, 22 de enero. La recolección de hojas continuará después del lunes. Las rutas de colección de basura normal no estarán afectadas. Por favor llame al (301) 985-5000 si tiene preguntas.

Recolección de Hojas

La recolección de hojas en la Ciudad termina el viernes, 25 de enero. Acuérdese que siempre puede recolectar sus hojas en bolsas de papel (no en bolsas de plástico) para que sean recogidas los lunes con los residuos.

Para más información, visite www.hyattsville.org/leaves o llame al (301) 985-5000.

Baile de Padres e Hijos

Explore el espacio extraterrestre con nosotros en el 2019 Baile de Padre e Hijos el sábado, 9 de febrero, 5 – 7 p.m., en el Edificio Municipal (4310 Calle Hamilton). ¡Vamos a tener un ambiente familiar, baile y muchas divertidas actividades! ¿¡Y cuál fiesta sería completa sin refrescantes y oportunidades para sacarse fotos especiales!? Cuesta $5 la entrada por cada persona en la puerta. Aceptamos efectivo, cheques y tarjetas de crédito. Niños deben ser acompañados por un adulto a todo tiempo. ¡El espacio está limitado, así que hagan una reservación! Para hacerla o para más información, llame al (301) 985-5021 o visite www. hyattsville.org/danceparty.

Acción con la Alcaldesa

Alcaldesa Hollingsworth los invita a una serie GRATIS de cuatro partes sobre tácticas de defensa personal y técnicas de seguridad para mujeres. POR FAVOR NOTE QUE LAS FECHAS HAN CAMBIADO. Las sesiones tomarán plazo cada miércoles, del23 de enero al 13 de febrero, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Participantes de todas edades están bienvenidos. Además, sugerimos que atiendan a todas las sesiones. Para reservar su espacio, mande un correo electrónico a epreston@hyattsville.org o llame al (301) 985-5006.

Fiesta del Día del Amor para Gente Mayor

¡El amor y la amistad está en el aire!

Acompáñenos el jueves, 14 de febrero, 1 – 3 p.m., para nuestra fiesta GRATIS del día del amor y amistad. ¡Tendremos música, juegos y sorpresas especiales! Para reservar su es-

uso de energía para averiguar! El medidor puede calcular cuanta energía está consumiendo un aparato. Simplemente conecte un aparato electrónico a un enchufe, desconéctelo después de unos minutos y conecte el medidor al enchufe. Sabiendo exactamente donde se gasta la electricidad puede resultar en facturas más bajas mientras ayudar al medioambiente. ¿Usted sabía que la Biblioteca de Hyattsville presta medidores de energía? ¡Llame al (301) 985-4690 para más información!

Transportación Gratis

Mayor Candace Hollingsworth swears in Awal Amad as the City of Hyattsville’s new Chief of Police.

Alcaldesa Candace Hollingsworth jura a Amal Awad como la nueva Jefa de Policía de la Ciudad de Hyattsville. pacio, por favor llame a Beryl Johnson al (301) 985-5058.

Programas para Jóvenes y Niños Pequeños

Mentes Creativas: La Ciudad de Hyattsville invita a padres y a sus hijos (años 1 – 3) para Mentes Creativas, un programa de enriquecimiento y educación que empieza el 8 de enero, cada martes y jueves, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., en el Parque Magruder (3911 Calle Hamilton). El programa incluye una introducción a juegos de aprendizaje, arte, música y mucho más. Para más información y para registrarse para las sesiones del invierno y primavera, por favor visite www.hyattsville. org/creativeminds o contacte a Verónica Rivera-Negrón al (301) 985-1703.

Camp Magruder

¡Registre a su hija/o (Grados K – 5) para todas nuestras próximas sesiones del Camp Magruder! Cuando no estén en la escuela, inscriba a su hija/o para días llenos de deportes, artes, baile, actividades dentro y fuera y experimentos educativos. Para más información y para registrarse para las futuras sesiones del Camp Magruder, por favor visiten a www.hyattsville.org/campmagruder o manden un correo electrónico a sjohnson@hyattsville.org.

Camp Magruder de la Primavera, 15 – 19 de abril $125 para residentes de la Ciudad / $150 para residentes que no habitan en Hyattsville (Registración comienza el 9 de enero para residentes de la Ciudad / 16 de enero para residentes que no habitan en Hyattsville) Camp Magruder del Verano, 17 de junio – 23 de agosto $250 para residentes de la Ciudad / $300 para residentes que no habitan en Hyattsville (Registración comienza el 6 de febrero para residentes de la Ciudad / 13 de febrero para residentes que no habitan en Hyattsville)

Estamos Contratando

¡Sirva a su comunidad trabajando por su gobierno local! Estamos buscando un planificador, un conductor con licencia CDL y oficiales de policía. Para obtener más información y solicitar, por favor visite www.hyattsville. org/jobs.

¿Se Perdió una Reunión del Consejo Municipal?

¡No se preocupe! ¡Visite a www.hyattsville.

org/meetings para ver las grabaciones de todas las juntas, revisar las agendas y mucho más! ¡No se olvide que la reunión más reciente también es retransmitida diariamente en los canales de cable 12 (Verizon) y 71 (Comcast) a las 7 a.m., 12 p.m. y 8 p.m. los siete días a la semana!

Centro de Jóvenes

Nuevo Año, Nuevo Horario: ¡El Centro de Jóvenes ahora está abierto cinco días a la semana! Acompáñenos en el Parque Magruder (3911 Calle Hamilton) todos los lunes y miércoles, 3:30 – 7 p.m., martes y jueves, 3:30 – 8 p.m. y viernes, 3:30 – 10 p.m. para actividades divertidas. ¿Está buscando un tutor para su hija/o en una materia especifica? ¡También ofrecemos ayuda con tutores los martes y miércoles! Para más información, por favor mande un correo electrónico a srauf@hyattsville.org

Se Busca Tutores y Mentores

¿Busca servir a su comunidad? ¡Conviértase en un mentor y tutor para el Centro de Adolescentes de Hyattsville! Voluntarios ayudan a estudiantes de grados 6 – 12 con sus tareas y sirven como un buen ejemplo adicional a los jóvenes. Sería un compromiso de una o dos veces a la semana en la tarde siendo tutor más una oportunidad de planear una actividad divertida junto al adolescente para un día al mes. Para aprender más e involucrarse, por favor llame al (301) 985-5000 o mande un correo electrónico a srauf@hyattsville.org.

Removiendo Plantas Invasoras

Únase a nosotros en el Parque Magruder (3911 Calle Hamilton) el sábado, 19 de enero, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., para identificar y ayudarnos a remover de los Bosques Magruder plantas invasoras y no nativas.

Una orientación de reglas de seguridad y guantes de algodón serán provistos. Se les recuerda voluntarios de vestirse para los elementos, incluyendo mangas y pantalones largos y botas o zapatos resistentes. ¡No se olviden de traer agua y bloqueador de sol!

Participación puede ayudar a satisfacer el requisito de aprendizaje-servicio del Estado de Maryland.

¡#VamosVerde, Ahorre Energía!

¿No está seguro porque le sale la factura de electricidad tan alta? ¡Use un medidor de

¡Residentes de Hyattsville pueden tomar todos los autobuses de la Universidad de Maryland GRATIS! La Ruta 113 pasa por Hyattsville, con paradas en la estación de metro de Prince George’s Plaza y al fin en la Universidad. Para obtener su pase del 2019 para el autobús, por favor presente una identificación con foto y prueba de residencia a la Ciudad en la 4310 Calle Gallatin, 8:30 a.m.

– 5 p.m., de lunes a viernes. Le podemos dar el pase el mismo día de su visita. Los Mapas y horarios de la ruta del autobús están disponibles por internet visitando a www.dots. umd.edu.

Elecciones de la Ciudad

La Ciudad de Hyattsville sostendrá elecciones el martes, 7 de mayo de 2019, 7 a.m.

– 8 p.m. Votación Anticipada tomará plazo el sábado, 27 de abril, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. y el sábado, 4 de abril, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. en el Parque Magruder (3911 Hamilton Street).

Los puestos Concejales del Municipio de la Ciudad para los cinco distritos y el puesto de alcalde estarán abiertos para elección. Para más información sobre como inscribirse y las calificaciones para votar, visite www.hyattsville.org/elections.

Residentes interesados en ser candidatos para el puesto de alcalde o concejal se pueden inscribir entre el lunes, 25 de febrero y viernes, 29 de marzo. Para más información, atienda una de nuestras Sesiones de Información sobre ser Candidato el lunes, 4 de marzo, 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. y el sábado, 23 de marzo, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., en el Edificio Municipal. Para obtener un Paquete de Candidatos, visite www.hyattsville.org/elections o recoja una copia del Edificio Municipal. Los paquetes estarán disponibles empezando el lunes, 14 de enero.

Noticias de la Ciudad

¡Visite a www.hyattsville.org/notifyme para recibir correos electrónicos y mensajes de texto (en español) sobre las últimas noticias en la Ciudad de Hyattsville!

Talleres Gratuitos para Familias

¡Usted puede mantener el bienestar de su familia con varios recursos bilingües alrededor de nuestra comunidad sin que le cueste nada! Visite www.hyattsville.org/charlas y únase a uno o todos nuestros talleres donde puede aprender más información.

¡Exprese su Opinión!

Alcaldesa Hollingsworth y Miembros del Concejo Municipal invitan a residentes para aprender sobre el proceso de crear el presupuesto de la Ciudad y a que proveen opiniones antes que se entregue un preliminar plan de presupuesto para al Año Fiscal 2020. Acompáñelos el martes, 29 de enero, a las 6 p.m., en la Escuela Northwestern High (7000 Carretera Adelphi) o el jueves, 31 de enero, a las 6 p.m., en el Edificio Municipal (4310 Calle Gallatin). Si tiene preguntas o quisiera más información, por favor llame al (301) 985-5000.

Page 8

Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

MissFloribunda Dear Miss Floribunda, I have decided to plant a pollinator-friendly garden this year. However, I suspect that this is trickier than most of us think. For instance, I visited a honeybee sanctuary last summer and saw bees simply swarming around in a tall stand of catnip. That’s great, but catnip also attracts cats, and even raccoons and skunks. Perhaps I’m feeling cautious because as a retiree I watch TV late at night and am horrified by those ads for medications. While grinning people romp around in the sunlight, a voice as fast as an auctioneer’s lists side effects usually worse than the disease the medication is supposed to help.

Maybe you can tell me which plants will bring bees and butterflies to my garden without attracting any undesirables.

Leery on Livingston Street Dear Leery, Mother Nature is more trustworthy than the companies who have created the ads on TV that disturb you. Catnip, a member of the mint family, does make cats happy, and it has the added “side effect” of soothing human beings when made into a tea. It isn’t a particularly strong lure for raccoons and skunks, although there are reports that squirrels have gotten even squirrelier while visiting catnip patches. If you are inclined to worry, then you might not want

Pick up packages of catnip seeds and seeds for other pollinator-attracting plants at the 10th Annual Hyattsville Horticultural Society Seed and Garden Fair on Feb. 2.

to attract bees at all. As you know, a tiny percentage of people are allergic to bees.

I assume you are not, but what if the bees were to create a honeycomb in one of your trees — theoretically, you could find yourself with an invasion of bears. And to have a garden at all in our area is to risk visits by voracious deer. My point is that it’s pointless to worry unduly.

However, If you want a more informed opinion than mine, I suggest you come

talk to experts at the Butterfly and Pollinator Information Table being featured at the 10th Annual Hyattsville Horticultural Society (HHS) Seed and Garden Fair on Saturday, Feb. 2. The fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Mary Prangley Room on the second floor of the Hyattsville Municipal Center, 4310 Gallatin Street. With the guidance of HHS experts, you can buy seeds for plants likely to bring bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects to your garden. The same day at the same address, but on the ground floor, you might also wish to visit the Hyattsville Aging in Place (HAP) Annual Valentinemaking Party taking place from 10 a.m. to noon. You can then go upstairs and lunch on homemade soups, vegan as well as meaty. In addition to cakes, cookies and candies, you can enjoy savory baked goods such as mini-quiches and sausage balls. There will also be a veggie tray, a fruit bowl, and, of course, coffee and tea.

Among the pollinator-attracting flowers whose seeds will be on sale are monarda (aka bee balm), fiddlehead flower (aka bee’s friend), asters, tithonia, poppies, cosmos, black-eyed Susan, four varieties of hollyhocks, four varieties of nasturtiums, seven varieties of marigolds, seven varieties of cosmos, 15 varieties of sunflowers and 11 varieties of zinnias. Red zinnias, monarda and nasturtiums also attract hummingbirds, as do scarlet runner beans and petunias — also offered for

sale. Herbs such as anise hyssop, fennel, parsley, sage, rosemary, thyme, mints, lavender, dill, marjoram and basil (four varieties) are also effective attractants, and you will find their seeds for sale as well.

Last but not least, packages of catnip seed will be available.

Back by popular demand is the Southern Exposure line of heat-tolerant vegetables.

You can choose among six varieties of heat-resistant lettuce alone, plus summer spinach, peppers, mustard greens, asparagus beans and the broad-shouldered Chantenay Red Core carrot that can make its way up through our heavy clay soil.

Vegetables for the fall garden — autumn cauliflower, leek, radishes, and Chinese cabbage, for example — will be represented. Of course, we will have the same fine varieties of tomatoes, corn, squashes, cucumbers, eggplants and other heat-loving vegetables from Hart Seeds. Also on sale will be gently used gardening books donated by My Dead Aunt’s Books and beautiful ornamental pots and vases donated by HHS members. For a nominal price, you can buy pots of spring flowers to help beguile away the last dark days of winter.

And if you’d like to participate in some of the last-minute planning of our sale, please come to the next meeting of the HHS at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19 at the home of Susan Hines and Peter McClintock at 4901 40th Place.

Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

Page 9

SHOP WITH A COP

More than 90 police officers from local law enforcement agencies took local children shopping for Christmas gifts during the Hyattsville City Police Department’s annual Shop with a Cop event on Dec. 15. GABRIELLE WANNEH

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Page 10

Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

SCHOOL

“I think parents of younger children should know that county and city elected officials and PGCPS staff recognize the dire need. There is a lot of work being done within the PGCPS Capital Improvements office to develop a plan that will provide relief in Hyattsville ...”

continued from page 1

School (HMS) by 27%, assuming it begins to accommodate all sixth-graders within the school boundary (currently, some feeder elementary schools house sixth-graders who then enter HMS starting in seventh grade). Even if HMS were to grow to serve all sixth-grade students within its boundary, elementary school enrollment in the Hyattsville/Riverdale area is still expected to exceed current facility capacity by nearly 300 students within the next three years. Both HES and HMS have supplemented their learning space with temporary buildings, but more permanent solutions are necessary.

Beyond the capacity constraints, several other factors place HES and HMS high on the county’s list for investment. PGCPS’s 2017 Educational Facilities Master Plan (EFMP) includes assessments of the schools’ physical conditions and educational adequacy, which encompasses factors such as accessibility, configuration, security, technology, acoustics, lighting and furnishings.

HES (built in 1935) and HMS (built in 1938), both reside in old buildings that are deteriorating and heading towards obsolescence. HMS Parent Teacher Student Organization President Justine Christianson, who has two children enrolled at HMS, mentioned the leaky windows and roof and pipe condensation issues among many physical problems with the middle school, but she expressed relief that the gym roof is scheduled to be replaced at

Justine Christianson HMS Parent Teacher Student Organization President

the end of January.

Christianson cited these conditions and overcrowding in area schools as major drivers for engagement on these issues among the county, city and local residents. She also lamented that HMS’s space barriers to sixth-grade realignment limit sixth-graders from participating in the school’s renowned Creative and Performing Arts Program. She remains optimistic that progress is on the horizon. “I think parents of younger children should know that county and city elected officials and PGCPS staff recognize the dire need,” Christianson said. “There is a lot of work being done within the PGCPS Capital Improvements office to develop a plan that will provide relief in Hyattsville and surrounding areas within the next three to six years, but it will take advocacy on the part of city residents and our elected officials to make it happen.”

The initial version of the EFMP proposed renovations that would address physical conditions and additions to HES and HMS to increase student capacity at both. However, the FY 2019 amendment to the plan outlines the county’s new strategic delivery model to expedite financing and construction via Public/Private Partnership (P3) agreements, which would allow PGCPS to lease newly built school buildings from private entities. Under this strategy, HES and HMS could be replaced within the next five years. (A new Adelphi-area high school with a capacity of 1,700, which would partially relieve Northwestern High School’s demand for student space, is also proposed in the

plan.) This P3 strategy was presented at a school board meeting on May 10, 2018, and a report with implementation recommendations is expected to be released in early 2019.

According to PGCPS Public Information Officer John White, it is still too early to estimate a timeline for new Hyattsvillearea school construction, given that nine other county schools are slated for renovation or replacement first. “We are hopeful that we can include the Hyattsville school projects in future State Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funding requests, possibly in the next five years,” says White.

More support from state resources will help. Maryland’s Building Opportunity Fund, announced by Governor Larry Hogan this past December, will provide an additional $1.9 billion boost from casino revenue to the $1.6 billion already budgeted in the state’s CIP for public school construction across the state over the next five years. According to County Board of Education Chair Alvin Thornton, the funds will help the county achieve its priorities for school construction, but it has yet to be determined what portion of these resources will be allocated to PGCPS. Currently, the City of Hyattsville is seeking residents knowledgeable in local public school needs, architecture, land use, urban planning and PGCPS policy to serve two-year terms on a new Education Facilities Task Force, which will help ensure school infrastructure needs are met. The task force will share updates on its progress and any recommendations for action with the city council at least once a year.

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Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

Page 11

COMMUNITY CALENDAR January 12

Celebrating Langston Hughes.

Join Levine faculty members Charles Williams (voice) and Gary Prince (guitar) for a memorable evening of music and spoken word celebrating the poetry of Langston Hughes. Reception to follow. $18/advance; $20/door. 7 to 9 p.m. My Dead Aunt’s Books. 5132 Baltimore Ave. 240.472.9325

January 16

Windsock Arms Happy Hour.

Try out a new specialty cocktail each month while chatting with our guest bartenders. Enjoy after-hours access to the exhibits, socialize with friends, and snack on appetizers. For ages 21 & over only. $12/advance; $15/ door, includes food. College Park Aviation Museum. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr., College Park. 301.864.6029

January 17 through March 15

Art Exhibit: Mixed-Media Collage Quilt Paintings. Curtis Woody is a mixed-media collage artist who draws inspiration from historical connection points that join together individuals, families, generations

and communities. All ages welcome. Free. 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Public reception for the artist on January 24, 7 to 9 p.m. Publick Playhouse. 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710

January 20 & February 10

Jazz on Sundays Series. Hosted by the renowned vocalist Linda Harris. Lanah Koelle with David Jernigan on bass. $18/advance; $20/door; $10/standing room only. 5 p.m. My Dead Aunt’s Books. 5132 Baltimore Ave. 240.472.9325.

January 24

Fireside chat about the history of Maryland politics. Hosted by the Hyattsville Preservation Association. Guest speaker is

John Peter Thompson, chair at Prince George’s County Historic Preservation Commission. Seats are limited. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Hitching Post Hill. 3308 Rosemary Ln. RSVP at 301.699.5440 or hpahyattsville@hotmail.com.

January 31

Here We Go Team! Presented

by Smithsonian Associates Discovery Theater on tour. This Discovery Theatre original scores big in a musical play about sharing and taking turns, the importance of personal space, and the awesome power of teamwork. Recommended for grades pre-K–2. $5 per person. 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.

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February 10

Honoring Emily Saunders Plummer. Join the Riversdale House Museum for a Black History Month program that brings the story of Emily Saunders Plummer to life, and celebrates her entry into the Maryland Women’s Hall of Fame. Features an illustrated lecture by Dr. Leigh Ryan. $5/adults; $4/ seniors; $2/students. Cost includes a tour of the historic house. 1:30 to 3 p.m. Riversdale House Museum. 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park.

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February 24

Linda Harris Jazz Series. Candice Bostwick & Wayne Willentz on piano. $18/advance; $20/door and $10/standing room only. 5 p.m. My Dead Aunt’s Books. 5132 Baltimore Ave. 240.472.9325 Family Fun Concert. The U.S. Army Field Band Woodwind Quintet performs The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas.

Refreshments will be provided after the concert. All ages welcome. Free. Advance registration required by February 20. 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Riversdale House Museum. 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420

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Page 12

Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

AWAD

continued from page 1

the responsibility that the City of Hyattsville has bestowed upon me,” said Awad, upon hearing of her selection as the city’s next chief of police.

After Holland’s July retirement and prior to her promotion, Awad had been serving as interim chief. She has become a presence in Hyattsville, in part through her efforts to foster community relations and develop the police department’s social media communications. “I proclaimed her social media queen,” Hollingsworth said with a smile. Many of Awad’s positions in her career as a police officer have focused on community outreach.

Hollingsworth cited Awad’s successful 27-year career of police service, which she began in Hyattsville as a Prince George’s County Police Department (PGCPD) officer. Awad went on to serve as commander with PGCPD’s District 2 Bowie

Little girls look to me with amazement and share their sentiments of pride and excitement as some exclaim, ‘Wow, our chief is a girl! How cool is that?’

Amal Awad

Hyattsville City Police Department Chief

Station and as a major working under the county’s chief of police.

Awad has a master’s degree in management from Johns Hopkins University where she was awarded the university’s prestigious Public Safety Leadership Award.

But most importantly, Hollingsworth noted, was how Awad “has demonstrated that she will lead this department at the highest level.”

“Chief Awad quickly established herself as a respected leader of our police department and member of our community,” said Hollingsworth in a press release from the city. “Residents have expressed loud and clear that they

KRISSI HUMBARD

Mayor Candace Hollingsworth administers the oath of office to Amal Awad as she is sworn in as the city’s eighth chief of police.

desire a police department that remains committed to community policing at the highest level, and I know without a doubt that Chief Awad will make them, and all of us, proud as the department’s next leader.”

In her statement to the crowd, Awad said that prior to coming to HCPD in 2017, “I was attending to my life’s most personal highest calling, as I was home caring for my mother.” She retired from PGCPD to be with her mother, and during that time, she watched the profession of policing struggle on a national level. After caring for her mother until her passing, Awad decided to come out of retirement, having witnessed “so many incidents occurring across the country, and knowing full well that we, as a collective, had so much more

to contribute and offer to our communities.”

Awad is already looking to the future of policing in Hyattsville and beyond, remarking that, “Little girls look to me with amazement and share their sentiments of pride and excitement as some exclaim, ‘Wow, our chief is a girl! How cool is that?’

I am approached by younger and older African-American men and women, and other women and men from various backgrounds, who simply want to take a photograph with me, thank me for my service, or relate with me regarding 21stcentury policing, our community and its complexities.” Awad is poised to continue the work of her predecessor, Holland, in making the HCPD “one of the most progressive 21st-century

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police departments in this region.”

In a statement to the Hyattsville Life & Times, Awad detailed what the future of the HCPD will look like under her watch: “The HCPD is positioned to quickly become one of the leading municipal policing agencies in this region. The foundation has been laid by my predecessor, retired Col. Douglas K. Holland. We are fulfilling our commitment to our community, equipped with the latest technology, trained with the most contemporary certifications, and exploring the final design phase for completion of our new police headquarters on Hamilton Street.

“We will continue our focus on strengthening our relationships with all of our community’s members; we will continue our focus with our schools to ensure our children feel safe as they travel to and from school; we will continue our focus on ensuring we recruit the most talented and engaging police officers, and extend competitive incentives to retain them within our HCPD; we will continue to focus on officer safety and wellness, as a healthy HCPD will ensure that we deliver the best in service to our #HVL community. A Police Explorer Program may also be on the horizon, as we continue in our desire to guide, mentor, and serve our youth.”

Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

Page 13

WENDY BEATTY

Yanira Castro and her son Brandon pose for a photo on The Tire Place’s last day of business, Dec. 23, 2018.

“Unfortunately, The Tire Place is a prime example of county regulations not assisting local businesses in a way that helps them flourish.�

Kevin Ward

Ward 1 Councilmember

TIRE PLACE

continued from page 1

get the necessary licenses and permits since as far back as 2004, when she and her husband purchased the property and business from the previous owner.

Castro said that initially the city and then the county took issue with The Tire Place working on cars outside in the parking lot, limiting them to working on one car at a time since they only had one service bay. But getting permission to add another bay or for any other renovation was a long, fruitless battle that drained her resources and left her exhausted. “They don’t want auto mechanics,� said Castro. “They want nothing to do with cars in this area of Hyattsville. The only

available permits are for restaurants and other retail.�

Additionally, in 2017 a car careened off of Baltimore Avenue and crashed into the shop, which shut the business down for three months. According to Castro, the lost profits took a heavy toll and business has been in a slump since then.

When contacted for comment, Councilmember Kevin Ward (Ward 1) said he was aware that the business would be closing and that he reached out to Castro to offer assistance. “We work very hard to support and be a partner to local businesses in our city,� said Ward. “Unfortunately, The Tire Place is a prime example of county regulations not assisting local businesses in a way that helps

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them flourish. We need more guidance for small business owners in these types of situations.�

Prince George’s County did not respond to a request for comment as of press time.

The Tire Place has had many firm supporters over the years.

Online reviews indicate that their most appreciated service was flat-tire repair. “I really appreciated The Tire Place,� said Lara Payne, a resident of Brentwood. “They were always professional and never

tried to upsell us on pricier tires.

We’ve used Costco for tires, and the prices compared, but the service at Costco usually takes an hour or more. At The Tire Place I was usually in and out within 20 minutes.�

As for Yanira Castro, the decline of her business has drained her resources and left her exhausted.

She is looking forward to some much needed downtime before planning her next endeavor: “I can’t continue like this. My health has gone down the drain. I think I just need to recover.�

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Hyattsville Life & Times | January 2019

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