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Hyattsville residents reimagine Magruder Park
By Ben Simasek
What do you imagine when you picture your ideal public park? A splash pool? Sports fields? Nature trails? A community center? How does your dream park compare to the current Magruder Park?
Over the past seven months, the Neighborhood Design Center (NDC) has given the City of Hyattsville an opportunity to reimagine Magruder Park. At the city council meeting on Feb. 19, Marita Roos and Allie O’Neill of NDC
MAGRUDER continued on page 6
Archie Edwards Blues Foundation relocates
By Allan Walters
If you’ve walked around Riverdale Park on a Saturday, you have probably heard music that reminded you of an old movie, with sounds and melodies that we rarely hear being played anymore. A few of you may have been able to identify the instruments being played — a harmonica, a guitar. If you were curious, you might have even tried to find the source of the unique sound you were hearing and walked over to an unassuming building across the street from the train station. If you peered in the window or opened the door to look inside, you would have
BLUES continued on page 12
BOOK SMARTS
HOPPING INTO SPRING
On Feb. 28,
on page 2.
leukemia into the ground
By Lillian Reese
One family. One little boy with a cancer diagnosis. Two running teams with the same goal: to change the way young children in Hyattsville feel about their athletic abilities.
The friendly greetings of Monica Serrano, her husband, Mickey Torrealba, and their three children — Victoria, Angelo and Giovanni — can often be heard behind the counter as the family mans the register or swipes credit cards at their Venezuelan res-
taurant, Cafe Azul - Caracas de Ayer, in Hyattsville’s Arts District. The family is doing much more than supplying the community with delicious empanadas and renowned
continued on page 13
SHOURJYA MOOKERJEE
the City of Hyattsville’s Creative Minds Parent & Child Program welcomed Squeals on Wheels, a traveling petting zoo. Read the full article
Creative Minds Parent & Child Program hosts Squeals on Wheels petting zoo
By Shourjya Mookerjee
Cristina Soto lay down a tarp in the Magruder Park Recreation Center as parents filed in with their toddlers, some holding on to hands and others peeking out of strollers. As the room filled with families, the children’s eyes remained fixed on Soto, who was now busy setting up a few small animal pens for what was to come. This was a special occasion. The city’s Creative Minds Parent & Child Program normally convenes for two hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but on
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Writers & Contributors
Victoria Boucher, Richard Cunningham, Colleen D. Curran, Juliette Fradin, Shourjya Mookerjee, Lillian Reese, Fred Seitz, Ben Simasek, Allan Walters
Board of Directors
Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel
Chris Currie — Vice President Reva Harris — Treasurer Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter Ross, Emily Strab, Maria D. James and Krissi Humbard — Ex Officios
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Wednesday, Feb. 28 the program welcomed Squeals on Wheels, a traveling petting zoo.
Soto, an animal handler and educator with Squeals on Wheels, began the event by introducing the children to familiar animals like rabbits and ducks — and even a bearded dragon. Toddlers were then allowed to pet the animals under their parents’ supervision.
Hosting the community event was a big step for Creative Minds, which started as a drop-in day care approximately 10 years ago. The program is evolving to offer broad educational experiences for toddlers and serve as a burgeoning community for parents.
Originally, Creative Minds was called the Hyattsville Parent/ Child Program and served toddlers enrolled in morning programs three days a week in winter and spring sessions. In 2014, the city moved to rebrand the program by moving from open play to more structured programming, including interactive movement, story time and creative activities.
“Over the past two years, the program has sort of blown up. At first, we had about 10 kids, but soon the numbers got so high that we had to cap it at 20 toddlers a session,” said Saarah Abdul-Rauf, the city’s supervisor of youth programs. “[Squeals on
Wheels] was more of a community-organized event to bring out as many people as we could.”
The recent hiring of Veronica Rivera-Negrón, the city’s newest youth programs coordinator, also signals Creative Minds’ growing ambitions. The University of Texas at Austin graduate holds multiple licenses and certifications in interdisciplinary education.
Regarding the evolving vision for Creative Minds, Rivera-Negrón, who joined the program in November, said, “We really wanted to add something more for the
children. They are introduced to interactive activities like [Squeals on Wheels] and story time, or we work on their motor skills, make art — it’s a lot of things.”
Abdul-Rauf and Rivera-Negrón are members of the city’s Child & Teen Programs team, which oversees and runs Creative Minds. The team’s staff includes two additional youth program coordinators. Two communications managers assist with Creative Minds, as well.
Both Abdul-Rauf and RiveraNegrón voiced optimism about the program’s future.
CELEBRATING DR. SEUSS
“Currently we have three sessions, but with [just the] four of us, we are at capacity,” said Abdul-Rauf. “Adding more of a structured curriculum is … our primary goal as we think about expanding.”
Creative Minds winter session ends on March 14, and registration for the spring session (March 26 to June 6) opens that same day. For more information on the Creative Minds Parent & Child Program, please contact Verónica RiveraNegrón at 301.487.1703 or vnegron@hyattsville.org.
RICHARD CUNNINGHAM
On March 1, University Park Elementary School held its annual Dr. Seuss breakfast celebration. The annual event celebrates the life of beloved children’s author, Theodore Geisel, also known as Dr. Seuss, and highlights March as Read Across America Month. The day began with a student singalong, and parent volunteers served toast with green eggs and ham. Students enjoyed listening to excerpts of The Cat In the Hat. There were even guest appearances by the mayor of University Park and a few of Prince George’s finest. Earlier in the week, for Read Across America Month, Prince George’s County officers read Dr. Seuss stories to the pre-K and kindergarten classes. Left: Lt. Martin of the Prince George’s County Police Department, dressed as The Cat in the Hat, breaks out some dance moves to entertain the students. Right: Students listen to an excerpt of the book Green Eggs and Ham
SHOURJYA MOOKERJEE
Parents and children pet a bearded dragon during the Squeals on Wheels event, held Feb. 28.
Literacy Lab proposes partnership with Hyattsville schools
By Colleen D. Curran
Reading success took top priority at the Hyattsville Education Advisory Committee (EAC) meeting Thursday, Feb. 28, as members heard from The Literacy Lab, an educational nonprofit which may partner with Hyattsville elementary schools to help students gain stronger reading skills.
“[The Literacy Lab] was interested in expanding to Hyattsville due to proximity and need,” said Will Staton, an EAC member and a part-time Literacy Lab employee.
EAC members began discussing a possible partnership after Staton joined the committee in September. “It was a matter of fortuitous circumstance that I was able to facilitate the connection,” he said.
Kindergarteners through thirdgraders who score below benchmark assessment targets or those who need more practice with
their reading skills could be eligible for free tutoring, possibly as early as this fall, if funding can be secured.
The Literacy Lab, headquartered in D.C., was founded in 2009 with the goal of advancing student reading achievement through tailored practice. The organization partners with schools and provides tutors trained in an evidence-based approach of daily one-on-one, 20-minute sessions to help young readers improve. According to Literacy Lab Regional Director Sarah Rose Dorton, the nonprofit currently serves over 5,000 students.
According to Dorton, tutors work closely with an “internal coach,” a school staff member, who helps structure the type of reading practice — whether it be a phonics- and fluency-targeted approach, an assessment-based intensive approach, or another training approach that meets the
27 Quick and easy fix ups to sell your Hyattsville home fast and for top dollar
Hyattsville - Because your home may well be your largest asset, selling it is probably one of the most important decisions you will make in your life. And once you have made that decision, you’ll want to sell your home for the highest price in the shortest time possible without compromising your sanity. Before you place your home on the market, here’s a way to help you to be as prepared as possible.
To assist homesellers, a new industry report has just been released called “27 Valuable Tips that You Should Know to Get Your Home Sold Fast and for Top
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ZeroWaste of Time
Zero waste: when recycling is not enough
By Juliette Fradin
sciously, sorting, and recycling was all for so little. But I decided to dig deeper into the subject and had an epiphany moment when I discovered a zero waste lifestyle.
Zero waste is a movement to reduce the resources you consume and the trash you produce. It is about reducing what you need, reusing as much as you can, sending little to be recycled and composting your food waste. We currently live in a linear economy where products need to be bought again and again because of planned obsolescence, or trashed daily because of singleuse design. It is a “take, make, dispose” approach. In contrast, zero waste promotes a circular economy that encourages you to minimize waste and make the most of resources.
The U.S. generates more waste than any other nation in the world, about 30 percent of the planet’s total waste is produced by 4 percent of the world’s popu-
lation. Half of U.S. garbage consists of nondurable goods (deodorant, shampoo, light bulbs and other consumables), containers and packaging. We live in a disposable society where we don’t always value our belongings as much as we should, and we consume too many resources. In 2010, U.S. landfills had the highest quantity of methane emissions in the world, significantly impacting climate change. Zero waste helps consumers move away from single-use products in favor of long-lasting, reusable ones. Adopting zero waste practices can help us slow down, improve our health, focus on experiences rather than stuff, and even save money.
My goal with this column is to spread the word about zero waste living and inspire you to take action. Through conscientious consuming, you can definitely
A few months ago, I, along with my husband and two young kids,
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MAGRUDER continued from page 1
presented two concept plans for what a redesigned Magruder Park might look like and described the public engagement process behind these concepts.
NDC partnered with Bradley Site Design, a landscape architecture firm, and Rivera Group, which supported the community engagement and translation elements of the project. They conducted community conversations with focus groups, online surveys through SpeakUp! HVL, onsite observations and surveys, and held a visioning workshop in September.
Altogether, 69 people participated in online surveys, and an additional 97 people completed surveys in the park. Additionally, 29 people attended the visioning workshop, and more than 100 came to meetings with Department of Public Works employees and Teen Club members, and to open community listening sessions, which were conducted in both Spanish and English. “Our goal was to engage as many people as possible, [both] in the park … and around the community,” said Roos.
Of those surveyed, 55 percent said they visit the park on a weekly basis. Many people said that Magruder Park is important to them as a place to exercise, explore nature, play and spend time with family. However, the NDC found that large portions of the park are often unused and that visitors are adapting the park infrastructure
“I love that [the concept designs] bring to the forefront the natural assets around the park … and that there are also elements for environmental education.”
Candace Hollingsworth
Hyattsville mayor
for uses other than those intended. The two concept plans presented by NDC increase the variety and amount of infrastructure in the park. Both designs include full-court basketball, sports fields, fitness equipment, expanded playground space, new nature trails, and shaded areas with seating and barbeque facilities. Both designs have a gateway to the Northwest Branch Trail along the Anacostia River. Many residents see the park’s proximity to the river as a unique plus, but the river also poses a risk, as the park is in a low lying floodplain. The new design will require improving stormwater management and regrading the playing fields for better drainage. Concept 1 offers separate entrances for cars, pedestrians and cyclists to increase safety and improve flow, and features a new community center in the middle of the park. The layout of concept 2 is closer to the park’s current design, with some tweaks, including more picnic spaces and a larger community center.
As O’Neill explained, the intention of presenting the two concepts at this stage is to spark reaction, but neither represents a final design. Already, strong reactions to the lack of tennis courts in the first concept underscores how important they are to many park visitors. City councilmembers shared positive feedback on the creative community engagement process and the concept designs.
“I love that [the concept designs] bring to the forefront the natural assets around the park … and that there are also elements for environmental education … so schools can take trips there to experience and learn about something that’s right in your backyard. I think that’s a wonderful thing,” said Mayor Candace Hollingsworth.
Based on public input, NDC will continue to work with the city to incorporate elements that people like from each concept in a final design. According to Lesley Riddle, director of Public Works, design of a master plan for the park is in the upcoming budget for fiscal year 2020.
NatureNearby
Who went there? Tracking the tracks
By Fred Seitz
The recent rains and spotty snows have provided a marvelous opportunity to see the passing activities of our furry and feathered friends. Whether in mud or snow, animals’ prints, diggings and other marks have been more obvious than they may be in drier times.
Our own boot and shoe prints, and occasional treads of cyclists, are the most frequent and noticeable markings in snow and mud. Paw prints from our accompanying dog friends are a close second. When identifying animal prints, trackers consider details such as the number and shape of toes, the presence or absence of claws, and gait patterns. Dog tracks, for example, show four toes, a triangular-shaped heel pad, and often claw marks. In contrast, cat prints show toes but usually no claws. A commonality between human and dog tracks is the irregularity of gait patterns. If you compare these tracks to the marks of our non-domestic local canine, the red fox, you can see that the fox’s tracks usually occur in a single line, as it tends to place its following paws in the marks from its front paws. In contrast, our domestic dogs and our stumbling selves are rarely so precise, and we leave somewhat messier trails. Less prominent, but more abundant than fox tracks are the marks left by birds, with leading claws and a single following claw.
Deer, who are widespread in our Hyattsville neighborhood, leave obvious and recognizable heart-shaped hoof prints.
Crows’ tracks are some of the most frequent and obvious, but these birds are not the only ones whose prints are on display. Newly fallen snow often features an array of prints left by birds searching for their next meal.
Ubiquitous squirrels leave bounding prints
in mud and snow, with their five-toed hind feet almost always marking ahead of their four-toed front ones. Mice and voles occasionally scamper on the surface of snow, too, but their prints are smaller and their bounds shorter. They also leave small tunnels in snow (and grass) as they move below surfaces in search of their daily repasts.
Deer, who are widespread in our Hyattsville neighborhood, leave obvious and recognizable heart-shaped hoof prints. Because their hind feet tend to step on top of their front tracks, their tracks sometimes appear distorted.
As the days become warmer, close observers will be able to see snakes’ swayed tracks and the leap marks left by our local frogs and toads, and even grasshoppers.
Donald and Lillian Stokes’ Guide to Animal Tracking and Behavior is an excellent guide for track identification, and apps like iTrack Wildlife or MyNature Animal Tracks are especially handy in the field. While we’re often in a rush to reach our destinations, slowing down — and looking down — reminds us of the fascinating company we keep.
Hyattsville Reporter the
Egg Hunt and Pancakes!
Join us Saturday, April 13, for some fun hop-penings in Magruder Park! First up is our annual Pancake Breakfast from 9 to 11 a.m. Meals are $5 each and FREE for kids ages 2 and under. The Great Magruder Park Egg Hunt begins at 11 a.m., with FREE egg hunts organized by age group. Please BYOB (Bring Your Own Basket) and come enjoy all the festivities with a V.I.B. (Very Important Bunny)! Reservations are recommended and can be made at www.hyattsville.org/egg-hunt. For more information, contact Cheri Everhart at ceverhart@hyattsville.org or (301) 985-5021.
Anniversary Festival
The City will celebrate its 133rd Anniversary in Magruder Park from Thursday, April 25, until Sunday, April 28. There’s fun for everyone – including a carnival with food, games, and rides. Be sure to join us on Saturday, April 27, for the main events! The City’s parade will step-off at 11 a.m. that morning, and that evening we’ll have live music, good beer, and some spectacular fireworks!
Thursday, April 25 (Carnival): 5 – 9 p.m.
Friday, April 26 (Carnival): 5 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 (Parade): 11 a.m.
Saturday, April 27 (Carnival): 12 – 10 p.m.
Saturday, April 27 (Concert & Fireworks): 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 28 (Carnival): 12 – 5 p.m.
For more updates, please visit www.hyattsville.org/anniversary and follow us on Facebook (@CityofHyattsville), Twitter (@ HyattsvilleMD), and Instagram (@CityofHyattsville)!
Please note that special parking restrictions will be in effect before and during the parade from Hyattsville Middle School along 42nd Avenue (starting at Oliver Street), Jefferson Street, and Hamilton Street (between Gallatin Street and 40th Place up to 37th Place) until it reaches the reviewing stage at Magruder Park.
New Traffic Light
Wondering what happened to the plan for a traffic light at the corner of Queens Chapel Road and Nicholson Street? Maryland State Highway Administration had hoped to install it last summer. They recently told the City their goal is this summer, but the project has been delayed by the federal tariffs on steel and aluminum, which have slowed manufacturing of the lights.
Coffee with A Cop
Join our Hyattsville Police Department
Friday, March 22, for Coffee with a Cop! From 8 – 10 a.m., meet them at Starbucks (3601 East West Highway) where you can stop by and say hello, voice your concerns, and ask any questions you may have for them. We’ll see you there!
COMING SOON:
My Hyattsville
On April 1, the City of Hyattsville will launch a website and mobile app to help residents easily report non-emergency issues like potholes, graffiti, and more. Stay tuned for more details!
Money For Your Business
Looking to invest in new growth for your business? Through the generous support of a Community Legacy grant from the State of Maryland, the City of Hyattsville can once again match local businesses dollar-for-dollar, for an amount
between $5,000 and $50,000, on exterior development projects. This includes repainting, exterior shutters, gutters, windows, siding, doors, masonry, finishes, lighting, and signage. Applications will be accepted from Wednesday, March 27, until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22. Visit www.hyattsville.org/facade-improvement to learn more and apply today!
Spring Cleaning
Electronics & Paint Recycling: Electronics can be dropped off FREE of charge on Saturday, April 20, 7 a.m. – 1 p.m., at 4633
Arundel Place. Hyattsville Public Works staff will be on-site to answer any questions you may have. Call (301) 985-5000 to learn more.
Yuck Old Paint staff will be with us, too. They recycle wet paint, in its original container, for $5 per container (cash, checks, or charge). Questions? Call (888) 509YUCK (9825).
Mary Prangley Cleanup Day: Place your bulk trash items curbside after 6 p.m. on Friday, April 12, for collection that Saturday morning. FREE of charge, rain or shine, the City will pick up mattresses, box springs, chairs, tables, room doors, grills, swings, cabinets, empty paint cans, TV carts, bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and wall units. Questions? Please call (301) 9855000.
Free Clothing, Toys & More!
On Saturday, April 6, come shop the Spring HY-Swap for FREE infant, children’s and maternity clothing, toys, and gear. Doors will be open from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on the first floor of the Hyattsville City Building (4310 Gallatin Street). HY-
Swap volunteers are collecting the items mentioned above (if in good condition) from now until March 24. You can also donate large items (strollers, car seats, cribs, highchairs, etc.), but only the morning of the event (April 6) starting at 9 a.m. The Greater DC Diaper Bank will also be on hand to accept diapers and sanitary items. The HY-Swap is organized completely by volunteers, including local parents dedicated to sharing items with the community, helping families save money, and reducing waste. In the spirit of reducing, reusing, AND recycling, this year the HY-Swap will also recycle the following items on April 6: natural corks, batteries, old cell phones, water filters, and plastic bags. Please remove all food remnants or liquids before bringing them in! For more information about when and where to donate goods or how to volunteer, contact hyswap@gmail.com, or visit www.hy-swap.com!
Spring Community Yard Sale
Our Spring Community Yard Sale will take place April 5 – 7, during daylight hours. Participation is free, and registration is voluntary. Residents who do register will have their address included on a “treasure map” on the City’s website. The sale dates will also be listed on Craigslist under their Yard Sale Section with a link to the map. The last day for registration is Friday, March 29. For more information and to register, visit www.hyattsville.org/ yardsale or call (301) 985-5000. If you’d like to rent a table from Friendship Arms Apartments for $10 a day, please contact Jackie Johnson at (301) 277-6658 (there’s no charge for Friendship Arms Residents).
Wanted: Micro Farmers Market Vendors
The City is looking for farmers, producers, and artisans to join the Hyattsville Micro Farmers Market family! The Market takes place alongside the Summer Jam Series every third Friday from May to September, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the City Building (4310 Gallatin Street). For a vendor application and more details, email epreston@hyattsville.org or call (301) 985-5006.
Invasive Plant Removals
Join us at Magruder Park (3911 Hamilton Street) on the third Saturday of every month, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., to learn how to identify and properly remove nonnative, 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. To learn more or confirm if an invasive removal is canceled due to inclement weather, please contact Dawn Taft at (301) 852-8790.
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 nonresidents
Summer Camp Magruder: June 17 –August 23
$250 for City residents / $300 for nonresidents
Camp Coach in Training
Teens ages 13 – 17 interested in working with children and developing leadership skills are invited to take part in Camp Magruder’s Camp Coaches in Training program. Coaches in Training play a key role in leading activities for Camp Magruder’s campers, and each summer have many opportunities to grow as leaders, communicators, and problem solvers. Participating can help satisfy at least 50 hours of the State of Maryland’s community servicelearning requirement and could even help you get a future job with Camp Magruder! The program is $50 upon acceptance through an application and interview. Applications are due March 22. Visit www. hyattsville.org/CCIT for more information.
We’re Hiring
The City of Hyattsville is seeking to hire a responsible individual who can drive the City’s afterschool bus routes. The routes would approximately take two hours each afternoon, with occasional opportunities to drive and participate in fun senior outings. No CDL is required. The driver must also have a clean driving record and successfully complete a background check. For more information, please visit www.hyattsville.org/jobs.
City Elections
The City of Hyattsville will hold elections on Tuesday, May 7, 2019. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 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. More information can be found at www.hyattsville.org/elections.
Residents can register to vote with a form available at the City Building (4310 Gallatin Street) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., or by visiting www.hyattsville.org/elections. DON’T FORGET: Both non-U.S. Citizens and teens who are at least 16 years old can vote in the City elections if: the City is your primary residence, you do not vote elsewhere, and a court hasn’t restricted your ability to vote. If you have any questions, please contact the City Clerk’s Office by calling (301) 9855001 or emailing cityclerk@hyattsville.org.
Election Judges Needed
Interested in becoming a judge for the City’s elections? The City seeks judges for the two Early Voting Days, as well as Election Day. Regular judges are paid $150 per day and the chief judge is paid $175 per day. Please note that judges must be registered voters in the City and attend a training prior to serving. To learn more and apply, visit www.hyattsville.org/elections or contact (301) 985-5001.
Emergency Safety Alerts
The City of Hyattsville uses Nixle to send emergency alerts to residents concerning safety and road conditions via email and text message. To learn more and sign up, visit www.nixle.com.
Squeals On Wheels, a traveling pet zoo, visited toddlers at the City’s Creative Minds program at Magruder Park. Squeals On Wheels, un zoológico itinerante, visito a los niños de Hyattsville y al programa Creative Minds en el Parque Magruder.
Reportero de Hyattsville el
¡Búsqueda de Huevos y Panqueques!
¡Acompáñenos el sábado, 13 de marzo para un día lleno de diversión en el Parque Magruder! Primero es nuestro Desayuno Anual de Panqueques, lo cual toma plazo de 9 a.m. hasta las 11 a.m. El desayuno cuesta $5 por persona y es GRATIS para niños memores de dos años. ¡Después, a las 11 a.m., continua la diversión con la Gran Búsqueda de Huevos en el Parque Magruder! La búsqueda es completamente GRATIS y es organizada basada por edad. ¡Por favor traigan su propia canasta y vengan a disfrutar junto al Conejito de la Ciudad! Recomendamos que visiten www.hyattsville.org/egg-hunt para reservar un espacio. Para más información, contacte a Cheri Everhart vía ceverhart@hyattsville.org o llamándole al (301) 985-5021.
Fiesta del Aniversario de Hyattsville
¡La Ciudad estará conmemorando sus 133 años con una Fiesta de Aniversario en el Parque Magruder! Las fiestas empiezan desde el jueves, 25 de abril y duraran hasta el domingo, 28 de abril. Habrá diversión para todos – incluyendo un carnaval, comida, juegos y mucho más! Asegúrense de acompañarnos el sábado, 27 de abril, para las atracciones principales. El Desfile de la Ciudad empezara a las 11 a.m. esa mañana y en la tarde, tendremos música en vivo, cervezas frías y fuegos artificiales.
Jueves, 25 de Abril (Carnaval): 5 – 9 p.m. Viernes, 26 de Abril (Carnaval): 5 – 10 p.m. Sábado, 27 de Abril (Desfile): 11 a.m. Sábado, 27 de Abril (Carnaval):Mediodía – 10 p.m. Sábado, 27 de Abril (Concierto & Fuegos Artificiales): 6:30 p.m.
Domingo, 28 de Abril (Carnaval): Mediodía – 5 p.m.
¡Para más información, por favor visite www.hyattsville.org/anniversary y síganos en Facebook (@CityofHyattsville), Twitter (@HyattsvilleMD) e Instagram (@CityofHyattsville)!
Por favor note que habrá restricciones de parqueo antes y durante el desfile. Las rutas desde Hyattsville Middle School por la Avenida 42 (desde la Calle Oliver), Calle Jefferson y Calle Hamilton (desde Calle Gallatin y 40th hasta 37th Place) todas estarán afectadas hasta que llegue el desfile al Parque Magruder.
Semáforo Nuevo
¿Pensando que paso con los planes para un semáforo nuevo en la esquina de la Calle Nicholson y la Carretera Queens Chapel?
La Administración de Autopistas del Estado de Maryland tenía planes para instalarlo el verano pasado, pero no paso. Recientemente, la Administración le aviso a la Ciudad que sería instalado este verano, pero el proyecto ha sido demorado de nuevo debido a precios altos del acero y aluminio (lo cual atrasa la fabricación de semáforos).
Café con un Policía
¡Acompañe nuestro Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville el viernes, 22 de marzo para el evento Café con un Policía! De 8 a.m. – 10 a.m., encuéntrelos en el Starbucks (3601 East West Highway) donde puede saludarlos, expresarles sus opiniones y pregúntales cualquiera pregunta que tenga. ¡Nos vemos allí!
PRÓXIMAMENTE:
My Hyattsville
El 1 de abril, la Ciudad de Hyattsville estará lanzando un sitio web y aplicación móvil que ayudará residentes a reportar asuntos de no emergencia. Se podrá reportar baches,
Lt. Purvis enjoys a delicious snack baked by ESL students from Prince George’s Community College. El Oficial Purvis disfruta de un rico aperitivo que fue horneado por estudiantes de aprendizaje de ingles del Colegio Comunitario Prince George´s.
grafiti, y mucho más. ¡Manténganse sintonizados!
Dinero Para Su Negocio
¿Quieren invertir en el crecimiento de su negocio? Gracias al apoyo generoso del Estado de Maryland mediante una subvención de Legados Comunitarios, la Ciudad de Hyattsville nuevamente puede igualar, dólarpor-dólar por una cantidad entre $5,000 y $50,000, a negocios que realicen proyectos de desarrollo en sus exteriores. Se incluye re-pintura, contraventanas exteriores, canales, ventanas, revestimiento, puertas, albañilería, refinamiento, iluminación y señalización. Aplicaciones estarán siendo aceptadas desde el miércoles, 27 de abril, hasta las 4 p.m. el miércoles, 22 de mayo. ¡Visiten a www.hyattsville.org/facade-improvement para ver más y solicitar hoy!
Días
de Limpieza
Reciclaje de Electrónicos y Pintura Expirada: Usted puede dejar sus electrónicos para reciclar GRATISMENTE el sábado, 20 de abril, en la 4633 Arundel Place, desde las 7 a.m. hasta la 1 p.m. Empleados del Departamento de Obras Públicas de la Ciudad estarán ahí para responder a sus preguntas. Llame al (301) 985-5000 para aprender más. Empleados de Yuck Old Paint también estarán ahí. Ellos Reciclan pintura expirada en su contenedor original y pagan $5 por cada contenedor (en efectivo, cheques o tarjeta). ¿Preguntas? Llame al (888) 509-YUCK (9825). Día de Limpieza Mary Prangley: Dejen sus basuras grandes en el bordillo después de las 6 p.m. el viernes, 12 de abril y la Ciudad la recogerá GRATISMENTE la siguiente mañana. Se puede dejar colchones, bases de cama, sillas, mesas, puertas, parrillas, columpios, gabinetes, latas vacías de pintura, muebles de televisores, bañeras y lavamanos. ¿Preguntas? Llame al (301) 985-5000.
¡Ropa,
Juguetes Y Más!
¡El sábado, 6 de abril, venga de compras GRATISMENTE al HY-Swap para ropa de infantes, niños pequeños, ropa de maternidad, juguetes y bienes! Las puertas estarán abiertas desde las 12:30 p.m. hasta las 2 p.m., en el primer piso del Edificio Municipal de Hyattsville (4310 Calle Gallatin). Voluntarios del HY-Swap estarán recolectando los bienes ya mencionados (si están en buenas condiciones) desde ahora hasta el 24 de marzo. También puede donar bienes más grandes (cunas, sillitas de paseo y sillas infantiles) pero solo la mañana del evento (6 de abril), empezando a las 9 a.m. La organización DC Diaper Bank también estará presente aceptando donaciones como pañales y artículos sanitarios. El HY-Swap es completamente compuesto de voluntarios y familias lo-
cales que se dedican a compartir bienes, ayudar familias y a reducir el desgaste. ¡Siguiendo con el tema de reducir y reusar, este año el HY-Swap se enfocará en reciclar! El día del evento, podrá venir y reciclar los siguientes artículos: corchos naturales, baterías, celulares viejos, filtros de agua y bolsas de plástico. Por favor remuevan los residuos de comida o liquido antes de traerlos. ¡Para más información acerca de dónde y cómo puede donar bienes o para convertirse en un voluntario, contacte a hyswap@gmail.com o visite www.hy-swap.com!
Venta Comunitaria de la Primavera
Nuestra Venta Comunitaria de la Primavera tomará plazo desde el 5 hasta el 7 de abril durante las horas que esté afuera el sol. Participación es gratis e inscripción es voluntaria. Los residentes de la Ciudad que se inscriban tendrán sus direcciones incluidas en un “mapa de tesoros” del sitio web de la Ciudad. Las fechas de venta también estarán listadas en Craiglist con un enlace para el mapa. El último día para inscribirse es el viernes, 29 de marzo. Para más información e inscribirse, visite www.hyattsville.org/yardsale o llame al (301) 985-5000. Si quisiera rentar una mesa de los apartamentos de Friendship Arms por $10 al día, por favor contacte a Jackie Johnson al (301) 277-6658 (no hay cargo para residentes que viven en los Apartamentos).
Se Busca: Vendedores para el Mercadito de Hyattsville
¡La Ciudad está buscando a artesanos y agricultores para que se unan a la familia del Mercadito de Hyattsville! El Mercado toma plazo junto a la Serie de Conciertos Summer Jam cada tercer viernes, empezando en mayo y hasta septiembre, 4:30 – 8:30 p.m., en el Edificio Municipal (4310 Calle Gallatin). Para una aplicación y para más detalles, mande un correo electrónico a epreston@hyattsville.org o llame al (301) 985-5006.
Removiendo Plantas Invasoras
Acompáñenos en el Parque Magruder (3911 Calle Hamilton) cada tercer sábado del mes, 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. Para aprender más y confirmar si el evento es cancelado debido al clima, por favor contacte Dawn Taft al (301) 852-8790.
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 ellos que no habitan en Hyattsville
Camp Magruder del Verano: 17 de junio –23 de agosto. $250 para residentes de la Ciudad / $300 para ellos que no habitan en Hyattsville
¡Entrenadores del Futuro! Jóvenes de 13 – 17 de edad que están interesados en trabajar con niños y en desarrollar sus capacidades de liderazgo están invitados a participar al programa de Camp Magruder para entrenamiento de consejero de campamento. Además de aprender como ser buenos comunicadores y saber cómo resolver problemas eficientemente, los Consejeros en Entrenamiento son claves para que el Camp Magruder sea exitoso diariamente. Participación puede satisfacer por lo menos 50 horas del requisito de aprendizaje-servicio del estado de Maryland. Aun mejor, ¡esta es una gran manera de ser competitiva para una posible posición de empleo en Camp Magruder! El programa sale $50 después de ser seleccionado por un proceso de solicitación y entrevista. Se aceptará solicitaciones hasta el 22 de marzo. Visite www.hyattsville.org/CCIT para más información.
Estamos Contratando
La Ciudad de Hyattsville está buscando en contratar un individuo responsable que pueda manejar las rutas del autobús para los programas escolares que ayuda a patrocinar la Ciudad. Las rutas tomarían aproximadamente dos horas cada tarde, con oportunidades ocasionales para manejar y participar en eventos divertidos para otros programas. No se requiere licencia de CDL. El manejador también tiene que tener un historial limpio de registro de conducir y pasar una verificación de antecedentes. Para más información, por favor visite www.hyattsville.org/jobs.
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 pueden inscribirse para votar completando una forma disponible en el Edificio Municipal (4310 Calle Gallatin), abierto lunes a viernes, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. ¡También puede visitar el sitio www.hyattsville.org/elections! NO SE OLVIDE: Residentes de la Ciudad que no son ciudadanos y jóvenes que tienen por lo menos 16 años pueden votar en las elecciones de la Ciudad si: La Ciudad es su primaria residencia, no ha votado en otro lugar y la corte no ha limitado su habilidad para votar. Si tiene alguna pregunta, por favor contacte a las Oficinas de las Secretarias Municipales llamando al (301) 985-5001 o mandando un correo electrónico a cityclerk@hyattsville.org.
Buscamos Jueces para la Elección
¿Está interesado en convertirse en un juez para las Elecciones de la Ciudad? La Ciudad está buscando a jueces para los dos Días de Votación Anticipada y el Día de Elección. Jueces regulares son pagados $150 por día y el juez presidente es pagado $175 por día. Por favor note que los jueces deben ser votantes registrados en la Ciudad y deben atender a un entrenamiento antes de servir. Para aplicar y aprender más, visite www.hyattsville. org/elections o contacte al (301) 985-5001.
Alertas de Emergencia
La Ciudad de Hyattsville usa el sistema Nixle para mandar alertas de emergencia a residentes de la Ciudad sobre avisos de seguridad y las condiciones de carreteras vía correo electrónico y mensaje de texto. Para aprender más e inscribirse, visite www.nixle.com.
MissFloribunda
Dear Miss Floribunda,
You wrote about various kinds of salts in a column last summer, some of which are good for plants and others not. We’ve had several snowfalls this year, and I’ve seen trucks putting what looks like salt on our roads and alleyways. What kind of salt is it? Is it beneficial, or could it harm plants growing nearby, like the irises I have planted along my back alley? I once heard that the Romans used to put salt on the fields of the people they conquered to kill their crops. What salt was that?
Salt of the Earth on Emerson Street
Dear Salt of the Earth,
The mixture used on icy roads is based on sodium chloride (NaCl), which melts snow and ice quickly because it lowers the freezing point of water, but it can harm plants by inhibiting water intake and retention. This causes what’s called “physiological drought” within the plant. I doubt that enough salt was used this past winter to cause any significant problem, but I recall the blizzard of February of 2010, dubbed Snowmageddon. Hyattsville’s streets were deeply buried in snow. After a great deal of salting and plowing of roads, which left salt and snow above the curb line, real damage to some plants occurred. However, subsequent years of heavy rainfall have probably leached all of that salt
out of the soil by this time. If you do have any doubt, you can have your soil tested at a number of laboratories. The University of Maryland Extension Service website lists laboratories to which you can send samples: extension.umd.edu/hgic/soils/ soil-testing. It is always a good idea to have your soil tested periodically, anyway.
I referred your question about the Romans to my learned friend, Dr.
Wordsworth Worterbuch. He knows the legend, which alludes to Rome’s crushing of its archrival Carthage. However, he assured me sodium chloride was far too precious a commodity in those days to have been so wantonly squandered. Roman soldiers were paid in salt, the Latin word for which is “sal,” and the word “salary” originates from this kind of payment — as does the expression concerning people who are or are not “worth their salt.” Dr. Worterbuch surmises that even were the soldiers ordered to salt any fields, they’d have managed to “salt away” most of it for themselves.
Getting back to Snowmageddon, its devastation of the creeping juniper along my curbside caused me to contact my Cousin Sally, who lives in the tiny town of Briny Beach, N.C. She informed me that coniferous evergreens are particularly sensitive to salt because they can’t get rid of it by shedding replaceable leaves, but drop their needles instead. Without any needles at all, they die. She advised me to dig up my junipers and plant something more salt tolerant in their place. Knowing soil in Briny Beach to be sandy, I asked her for recommendations for my clay soil. The salt-tolerant perennials she considered best for our area were daylilies, goldenrod, lamb’s ear, ice plants and other succulents. Sally also suggested creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia), but she warned that it could become invasive. The goldenrod
and lamb’s ear did well, but I replaced some of them later with plants I preferred. The daylilies thrived, and led to a nearaddiction on my part, when I discovered the many beautiful varieties continuously being developed and learned how little care they need. For whatever reason, the ice plants did not long survive, but I found creeping Jenny to be a very easy and attractive low ground cover that spills prettily over curbs. It does tend to spread beyond the desired area, but is easy to pull out. The annuals she recommended — marigolds, cosmos, blanket flower and salvia — did very well indeed.
Spurred on by your irises question, I called Sally recently to ask about their reaction to salt. She characterizes irises as moderately tolerant of salt, and said that only heavy salt would permanently harm them. If you are worried about salt damage, she said, you could remove some of the soil around your irises and replace it with compost. Spring rain should finish the job for you if you have good drainage — and I assume you do, because irises won’t grow where drainage is not good. To discuss this and other matters, please come to the next meeting of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society on Saturday, March 16, at the home of Dr. Julie Wolf and Corey Twyman at 4008 Hamilton Street. The meeting starts at 10 a.m. and will be followed by a seed germination workshop conducted by Dr. Wolf.
continued from page 4
improve your life while helping the planet. Here are some common misconceptions about the zero waste movement:
ZERO WASTE IS JUST UNATTAINABLE!
OK, this one is actually true. Nobody will ever be totally zero waste. Even if you produce the very Instagrammable one Mason jar of trash per year, this doesn’t take into account the manufacturing or agricultural waste that occurs before you even put an item in your cart (or cloth bag). Your goal should be to reduce the amount of trash you create, recognizing that every little effort counts. It is not about being perfect — it’s about making one change at a time, at your own pace, in a way that fits your household’s needs.
NOTHING I DO MAKES A DIFFERENCE ANYWAY ...
You might think that using a cloth napkin won’t make a dent in climate change, but do not underestimate your actions as an individual. We all have choices, and every person
makes a difference. Every time you buy something, you encourage or support a practice or a company, for better or worse. You can choose “for better” by shopping sustainably and locally. The way you live
can encourage and inspire others, creating a powerful ripple effect and strengthening your community.
RECYCLING IS GOOD ENOUGH. Recycling is NOT the solution,
but rather part of the problem. It is hard to recycle properly, it consumes a lot of energy, and a lot of what ends up in recycling plants can’t be processed because it’s contaminated. Contamination occurs when recyclables contain residual food waste, oil or grease, or when items that can’t be recycled (like plastic bags or frozen food boxes) enter the system. (China, which used to process recycling for the U.S., no longer accepts our stuff because of this problem.) There are easy ways you can reduce your waste and plastic consumption so that you don’t even have to worry about recycling: compost, bring your own water bottle, use your own produce bags, clean with vinegar, and so on. The solution to the waste and plastic problem is not to recycle more but to consume less.
KIDS AND A ZERO WASTE
LIFESTYLE ARE NOT COMPATIBLE.
It is true that kids often mean
lots of clutter and unwanted stuff, but you can still lead by example. Educate yourself and your family, and take easy, small first steps like switching to bamboo toothbrushes. Let your kids help at the bulk food aisle, tag along at the farmers market and bake snacks with you, and teach them to say no to freebies. Kids are often genuinely happy and feel empowered when they have the knowledge and tools to help protect the planet. Also, Hyattsville has an active parents’ community on- and offline; you can request to join the Hyattsville Nurturing Parents email group at hnparents-subscribe@ yahoogroups.com. And the upcoming HY-Swap on April 6 will be a great place to score secondhand clothes and toys for kids. So welcome to “Zero Waste of Time.” I hope it can provide inspiration and empower you to start your own zero waste journey. Let’s get better together.
JULIETTE FRADIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Zero waste is more than Mason jars.
continued from page 3
student’s needs. Internal coaches also help determine if students who receive English language or special education services are also in need of The Literacy Lab’s
lish as a second language. Dorton said the program works with many English-language learners (ELLs). She noted that across the five Alexandria City public elementary schools that partner with The Literacy Lab, 68 percent of the students enrolled in the program are learning English. Reading growth for ELL students was most significant for second- and third-graders “who, despite starting with similar scores in the fall, by spring were
reading on average 10-14 words faster per minute than non-ELL students in our program,” Dorton said.
One-third of The Literacy Lab’s funds come from federal grants through AmeriCorps. The cost of one tutor, after AmeriCorps support, is $16,500, which is usually covered by schools or districts and local government and foundation grants.
The Literacy Lab does fundraising and works with area jurisdic-
tions to help them access Literacy Lab programs, said Dorton. Daniel Broder, EAC chairman, said he thinks the partnership “could really provide an excellent service to our students.” However, he added that the biggest obstacle facing the committee would be securing funding and creating a concrete plan for implementation.
“Students deserve every minute of effective support we can provide them,” Staton said, “so ideally, Literacy Lab tutors would be in Hyattsville schools this fall.”
March 14
The Art of Business + The Business of Art. Art business talk with Quest Skinner for aspiring and established artists and entrepreneurs moderated by Nexus. Skinner has been creating and selling art for over 20 years, and her solo exhibition, “Soul Illuminance: A Retrospective of Quest Skinner,” is displayed in the galleries through April 30. $8. 6 to 8 p.m. Prince George’s African American Museum and Cultural Center, 4519 Rhode Island Ave., North Brentwood.
March 16
Taratibu Youth Association: Unspoken Stories. The unspoken stories of tragedy, survival and emancipation of people of color, as seen through the eyes of our youth. Adults $25; Students & Seniors $20; Children 16 & under $15. 4 to 5:30 p.m. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. For tickets, visit joesmovement.org.
March 17
Jazz with a touch of the Irish. St. Patrick’s Day performance featuring the Julie Mack/David
Jernigan Duo. Wear your green. $15. 5 p.m. My Dead Aunt’s Books, 5132 Baltimore Ave. 240.472.9325
March 24
Just Jazz on Sunday. Jazz music featuring Mike Cemprola and Chris Ziemba. $15. 5 to 7 p.m. After party to follow. My Dead Aunt’s Books, 5132 Baltimore Ave. 240.472.9325
March 28
Learn about MD Historic Tax Credits. Come learn about state tax credits for homeowners. Hyattsville Preservation will host guest speakers Megan Klem and Elizabeth Totten, preservation officers of The MD Historic Trust. Free. 7:30 p.m. Hyattsville Municipal Building, 4310
Gallatin St. Call 301.699.5440 or email hpahyattsville@hotmail.com.
March 29
Movie Premiere & Relationship Panel: ‘Nothing But Love.’ “Nothing But Love” is a short film that reveals what can happen when one person in a relationship loves the other person way too much. Tickets from $15, includes a complimentary glass of wine. Other refreshments will be on sale. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. 7 to 9 p.m. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. For tickets, visit joesmovement.org.
March 31
Sing Volumes — a series of
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Book+Music Events. Sarah Fridrich discusses Virginia Wolff’s A Room of One’s Own and presents music inspired by the book. $20, includes ticket and a copy of the book. 5 p.m. My Dead Aunt’s Books, 5132 Baltimore Ave. 240.472.9325
April 6
Spring HY-Swap. A free community exchange of infant, children’s and maternity clothing, gear and toys, presented by a group of local parents. Donations accepted until March 24. A reception for new parents and families will be held on April 5. Hyattsville Municipal Building,
4310 Gallatin St., First Floor Multi-purpose Room. Email hyswap@gmail.com to register for the reception and for more details on the donation drop-off site.
April 13-14
alight dance theater: Faerie. Family-friendly fantastical and mythical dance work explores the culture of fairy lore. Adults $23; Students/seniors/veterans $17; Children 16 & under $12. April 13 at 8 p.m. April 14 at 4 p.m. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mount Rainier. For tickets, visit joesmovement.org.
continued from page 1
seen a group of friends playing instruments and carrying on the tradition of the Saturday afternoon jams that started over 50 years ago in Archie Edwards’ barbershop in Northeast Washington, D.C.
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation (AEBHS) hosted their final Saturday jam on Jan. 26 at their “barbershop” at 4701 Queensbury Avenue in Riverdale Park. The foundation, the “only organization dedicated to Piedmont acoustic blues in the country,” according to treasurer, Miles Spicer, occupied the space since March 2009 under an agreement with landlord Douglas Development that the rent would not be raised until there was an opportunity to develop the site. With recent development around the train station, including the opening of two new restaurants, an opportunity to develop the building finally came, and the foundation had to begin the search for a new home.
Longtime AEBHS member and current bookkeeper Jim Lande describes Piedmont blues as a “fingerstyle blues, where the guitar player plays chords with the left hand while using the right thumb to pick out a baseline.” He described the resulting sound as being similar to ragtime. According to the foundation’s website, the name comes from the Piedmont region along the East Coast of the U.S., where the style originated.
The foundation’s music builds upon the traditional instruments — guitar, harmonica and fiddle — and adds other instruments, based on who comes to the jam with their instruments. “Over the years, many different types of instruments have made it into the jam, ranging from the up-
right bass and mandolin, to a washtub bass and even a South American instrument called a charango, which is traditionally made from the dried shell of an armadillo,” said Lande.
The final jam, attended by over 75 musicians who came from across the D.C. area, was not a somber reflection, but rather a six-hour, joyous goodbye to the Riverdale Park location and a look forward to the future.
Spicer has been through this before. He lives in Riverdale Park and was instrumental in AEBHS’s move there 10 years ago. “The important thing was to bring the community with us,” he said.
The foundation is planning to relocate
and continue the Saturday jams and workshops focused on guitar and harmonica instruction. The good news for Hyattsville residents? The new AEBHS location will be 4502 Hamilton Street.
Wily Leibel, AEBHS president for the past four years, confirmed that “we have a signed contract and are really happy with the new location.”
Stuart Eisenberg, of the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation, helped find the new location. Lande said that the foundation focused on Hyattsville during their search for a new location, noting that the area is close to “our center of gravity and a convenient location to people who come to play from all over the area, to in-
clude Virginia, Baltimore, Montgomery County and southern Maryland.”
AEBHS moved out of the Riverdale Park location in mid-February and began their transition to the new location. Leibel said the move should take about one month. On Feb. 23, the foundation teamed up with Maryland Meadworks to host a “Greetings Hyattsville Blues and Barbeque” to introduce themselves to their new neighborhood.
While the AEBHS readies its new home, Saturday jams started back up on March 2 at The Public Option, a brew pub located at 1601 Rhode Island Avenue in Washington, D.C.
COURTESY OF MARCIA EUGENIO
A group of blues enthusiasts gathers at Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation on Jan. 26 for the final Saturday jam at their previous location in Riverdale Park.
page
arepas, however.
The children have always been active: 7-year-old Victoria plays tennis, and she began running cross country in the first grade; the boys love to play together. But in May 2016, just after Angelo’s third birthday, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. During certain phases of his treatment, Angelo would still accompany his big sister on her runs.
However, when he began receiving chemo later in his treatment, Angelo’s energy levels shifted, and he began to shy away from running.
Serrano and Torrealba began to grow worried that Angelo was lacking confidence when it came to participating in physical activities. Refusing to let her son feel defined by his illness, but mindful of his limitations, Serrano signed Angelo up for the beginner fitness and running club she helped start at her children’s school.
“I feel like your childhood is [a time] you need to enjoy,” Serrano said. “Especially with an illness like this, you look at life differently. I wanted him to enjoy his childhood and do as much as any other normal kid.”
In the spring of 2018, Serrano helped launch a beginner running team at St. Jerome Academy (SJA) for students in kindergarten through third grade.
“Monica started the club because she wanted to give students a chance to be active outside of recess. They run relay races, have agility courses and run for longer distances,” said SJA Vice Principal Michelle Trudeau. “It’s been really great for our students.”
The club aims to instill healthy habits in young children and promote running as a social event. According to Serrano and
Trudeau, the after-school running program is a hit.
“We do it to motivate the little kids. We just opened registration for this spring, and it’s already full,” Serrano with a disbelieving laugh. “We have 40 kids!”
According to Serrano, Angelo became much more open to running when he was able to do it with his friends. Behind his hidden, shy smile, Angelo’s self-assurance began to shine through.
Coincidentally, in November 2018, while Angelo was a part of the SJA beginner running club, he was drafted by the University of Maryland (UMD) track and field team through Team IMPACT, a nonprofit organization that places children with chronic illnesses with university athletic programs. According to its website, Team IMPACT aims to foster lifelong connections among participating children, their families and athletic team members.
Since he joined the team at Maryland, Angelo has enjoyed running around the track, stretching and performing agility exercises with his teammates.
According to Serrano, each time Angelo goes to practice and sees his friends, he is more encouraged to be active than he was before.
Team IMPACT track representative Leah Blackall agrees. “We run a warm-up lap with [Angelo], and we all stretch together. He loves this. He never stops smiling. I can see he’s really happy to be a part of something so great,” she said.
Both teams have made running fun for the 5-year-old. Serrano said that the SJA club made running feel like a social event for him, and when the team at UMD stepped in, they welcomed Angelo with open arms and empowered him. Angelo is eager to practice with the UMD team, and he’s excited about having his
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own personal locker.
“They probably forget about the fact that he’s on treatment because now he is just like any other 5-year-old because he wants to go out and run around and hang out,” said Serrano. Angelo and the two running teams will be coming together on May 3 for UMD’s Kehoe Twilight Meet, during which the SJA running club is scheduled to participate in a special race.
Blackall, a junior triple-jumper with the Terps, looks forward to the event: “When [the SJA] running club comes to our home meet, it will be such a fun and amazing thing for them to experience. To be recognized and cheered on by a crowd of fans will definitely boost their confidence. We are all so excited to have them here.”
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COURTESY OF MONICA SERRANO
Angelo running at Kehoe Track on Feb. 5 during University of Maryland track and field practice
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Doctors Community Health System is dedicated to helping you maintain and improve your health. Providing same-day appointments and accepting most insurance plans, our network of care has offices at convenient locations.
Doctors Community Practices at Bowie (Primary Care)
4000 Mitchellville Road, Suites B216 and 422 Bowie, Maryland 20716 301-262-0020 and 301-262-9872
Doctors Community Practices at Crofton (Primary Care and Family Medicine) 2191 Defense Highway, Suite 201 Crofton, Maryland 21114 410-451-9091
Doctors Community Practices at District Heights (Primary Care and Family Medicine) 6400 Marlboro Pike District Heights, Maryland 20747 301-736-7000
Doctors Community Practices at Laurel (Primary Care and Diabetes Care) 13900 Baltimore Avenue Laurel, Maryland 20707 301-725-5652
Doctors Community Practices at Riverdale (Primary Care, Family Medicine and Endocrinology) 6502 Kenilworth Avenue, Suite 100 Riverdale, Maryland 20737 301-927-0088
Doctors Community Practices at Temple Hills (Primary Care and Family Medicine) 5859 Allentown Way Temple Hills, Maryland 20728 240-563-1026
Metropolitan Medical Specialists (Primary Care and Family Medicine) 8116 Good Luck Road, Suite 300 Lanham, Maryland 20706 240-241-7474
Health and Wellness Center (Urgent Care Inside Safeway) 4101 Northview Drive Bowie, Maryland 20716 301-383-2559
