The City of College Park will hold a special election Nov. 8 to fill the vacant seat on the city council following the resignation of Councilmember P. J. Brennan (District 2).
Ron Cameau, Llatetra Brown Esters and Lindsay Dively are running for the seat.
A native of Prince George’s
A new, half-mile paved and boardwalk trail is opening this fall, connecting the College Park Woods neighborhood to the Paint Branch Trail. This trail will make our neighborhoods more accessible to each other, and it will also serve as an important link to downtown College Park and other commercial areas, to the university, Lake Artemesia, and the Metro and MARC stations.
College Park Woods is a di-
The City of College Park is home to many longstanding institutions which have stood the test of time, and College Park Bicycles is one of them. Larry Black founded the shop in 1979, and he’s been providing bicycles and bicycle repairs to the city’s cyclists ever since. College Park Bicycles is located at the corner of Baltimore Avenue and Calvert Road, with a second shop in Mt. Airy.
Larry’s interest in all things bicycle was sparked in 1965, when, as a teenager, he started working at a store which sold things such as lawn mowers and bikes. Now 71, Larry is still working at both of his shops with an energy and rhythm built over years of service. And while he’s reduced his hours somewhat over recent years, his passion for bikes remains strong. When I interviewed him, Larry was in nearconstant motion, talking with his crew, working on a bike or helping out a customer.
Larry doesn’t stop, and neither does the flow of customers to the shop. As the pandemic has spiked an interest in biking, business at the shop is booming. To accommodate the city’s bicycle enthusiasts, Larry and his team offer same-day service.
Tariffs in recent years have impacted the industry, and as availability plummeted, so did sales. And while interest has surged during the pandemic, inventories are still limited. But
The City of College Park is one of the top performing municipalities in Prince George’s County, if not the state, thanks to a very talented city staff and an engaged populous. I’m proud of our city for having the secondlowest municipal tax rate in the county and for keeping the homestead tax credit at 0%, eliminating any immediate impacts to residential tax payers as property assessments increase. Much of
these savings and cost-avoidance is due to tax revenues from new developments and a very well-managed city budget.
The city has been able to maintain excellent services, proceed with significant capital projects and commit resources to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With a diverse population of just over 30,000 residents (both permanent and transient), a rich history and natural beauty, and a significant amount of underdeveloped zoned property, there’s a lot
of opportunity in College Park’s changing landscape. Development is inevitable in a city with valuable transportation hubs, major employers and, of course, the University of Maryland. We need to continually prepare for future population growth and the parallel growth needed to fuel our economy. Resident engagement is necessary to our city’s successful future, and we need more residents engaged and participating. Don’t forget that your contributions, however modest or bold, balanced with the perspectives of other
Since the early days of the pandemic, a local community initiative has been feeding families and funding small businesses in our area. The effort started in Riverdale and has expanded to serve many neighborhoods in adjacent communities, including College Park.
The initiative, Greater Riverdale Cares, has received more than $50,000 in donations since it was founded in April. These funds directly support local restaurants, which have distributed more than 5,000 meals.
“We knew there was an opportunity and a real desire to partner with local restaurants and support local restaurants,” County Councilmember Dannielle Glaros (District 3) said. “It’s been really helpful, because they’re getting a steady check every week.”
Glaros collaborated with local groups and organizations to create the initiative. Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitaliza-
tion Community Development Corporation (CKAR CDC), SEED (Sowing Empowerment & Economic Development) and Kaiser Permanente have played essential roles in the initiative.
“We’re really excited about the most recent addition, which is expanding the local restaurant meals to also include more restaurants along the Route 1 Corridor,” Glaros said. Route One Communities Care was created this summer to partner with Greater Riverdale Cares. The combined restaurant initiative, which started with five partnering businesses, now works with 10 eateries in the area.
Riviera Tapas Bar celebrated their one-year anniversary around the time the state mandated closures in response to the pandemic. Co-owner Patricia Martinez said that the business previously relied on dine-in customers.
“Back in March, when they shut down everything, we didn’t know what to do, honestly,” Martinez said. The initia-
Managing Editor Mark Goodson mark@hyattsvillelife.com
tive has helped them stay afloat, even when they could only offer carryout. “I would say this is a blessing, being able to have partners like Riverdale Cares.”
Riviera Tapas Bar, Banana Blossom Bistro, Denizens Brewing Co., 2Fifty Texas BBQ/Dumm’s and Geppetto’s Catering were the first restaurants to partner
Advertising Sales Manager Chris Currie
Business Manager Catie Currie
residents, and facts and data, can shape the city’s future landscape.
Six years on the city council has felt much longer, and I have appreciated every moment of it. It has been an honor to serve the residents of College Park and keep our city moving in a positive direction.
PJ Brennan is a former member of the College Park City Council.
donations quickly surpassed that. “We were really able to ramp up distribution on a weekly basis,” Glaros said. “And yet the need is great. You see people lining up two hours in advance to get food.” The current donation goal is $100,000.
A community newspaper chronicling the here and now of College Park.
Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781
The College Park Here & Now is published monthly by Streetcar Suburbs Publishing., 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 provided.
Associate Editor Nancy Welch nancy@hyattsvillelife.com
Writers & Contributors Christina Armeni, Gaganjyot Bhatti, Dawn Budd, PJ Brennan, Robert Hopkins, Anthony Fama, Luke Gentile, Julia Kyles, Rachel Logan, Julia Nikhinson, Eric Olson, Gabriel Pietrorazio, Lila Stiff, Emily Williams
Layout & Design Editor Ashley Perks
Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com
301.531.5234
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 Mark Goodson — Ex Officio
Kit Slack — Ex Officio
Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in College Park. Additional copies are distributed to popular gathering spots around town. Total circulation is 9,600.
CPH&N is a member of the National Newspaper Association.
with the initiative. With the exception of Gippetto’s Catering, all of the restaurants involved have been able to remain open.
“So far we’ve had an overwhelming response from most of the restaurants,” CKAR CDC Communications Specialist Jeanette Mitchell said. Emeritas Pupuseria & Carry-out, Shortcake Bakery, Food Factory, Krazi Kebob and Marathon Deli have joined the initiative since the Route One Communities Care expansion in June.
According to Mitchell, each meal that’s distributed includes a protein, starch and vegetable. While the offerings are simple, variety is important; meals have ranged from sandwiches to wraps to roasted pork. The goal is to provide healthy options for residents.
“We don’t want people to worry about where they are going to get their next meal from,” Mitchell said.
Most of the funding for this initiative comes from donors within the community. The original fundraising goal was $10,000, and
Meals are free to everyone, regardless of their residency status. The distribution sites accept walk-ups and drive-thru pickups. Everyone who participates is asked to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Prior to the pandemic, food distribution in the greater Riverdale area was limited to a few times a month. The restaurant initiative has been able to distribute meals once or twice a week.
“Being able to do these types of meals and being able to help other people was one of the greatest things we’ve ever done,” Martinez said. To show their appreciation for being able to participate in the program, Riviera Tapas Bar donates extra meals when they can. They’ve made and packaged as many as 200 meals for a single distribution. “At the end of the day, it’s about giving people hope. This is tough. We’re all living in a pandemic,” Glaros said. “It is so important to give people hope at this moment in time and to give people food and nourishment. And at the end of the day [to] see our residents really step up and contribute financially or contribute in person ... it’s been amazing to see these partnerships.”
Please consider donating to the initiative’s GoFundMe. A $40 donation can feed a family of four in the area while supporting a local business. Anything helps!
In 1630, Captain John Smith (remembered, in part, for his role in the Pocahontas legend) published, in his Advertisements for the Unexperienced Planters, a guide for exploiting the indigenous Americans of the Eastern Woodlands. Smith wrote, “for a copper knife and a few toys ... they will sell you a whole Countrey.”
More than three decades earlier, Smith had undertaken an expedition to the Chesapeake Bay, searching for supplies for the newly founded Jamestown. Sailing from Virginia up the Chesapeake, Smith observed that the shores were dotted with small villages — collections of log houses papered over with bark and defended on all sides by neatly cut wooden barricades. Throughout that summer, Smith came into contact with the Algonquian peoples of the area that became Maryland — the Nanticoke and Doeg on the Eastern Shore, and the Piscataway along the Potomac River in the west — in the very same region that would, two centuries later, be known as the Washington Metropolitan Area and include College Park.
The Piscataway’s principal village was Moyaone, which was about 35 miles south of where College Park was later established. Moyaone was the political and religious center of the Piscataway domain, which spanned the Potomac and Patuxent valleys.
By 1608, when John Smith set out from Jamestown to explore the Chesapeake, the
Piscataway empire was in decline. Villages in the Patuxent had broken away from Piscataway hegemony, the Iroquois began to migrate into the northern Potomac Basin. The next decades would prove disastrous for the Piscataway, and in 1623, Francis Wyatt, of Virginia, attacked and slaughtered the people of Moyaone, setting their homes and crops on fire. The Piscataway left Moyaone soon afterwards, moving further up the Potomac’s shores.
The Piscataway’s next encounter with the English was in 1634, when Lord Leonard Calvert led the first group of settlers from England to establish Maryland. Calvert met with the Piscataway tayac (emperor) Wannas, who cautiously gave him permission to settle in the area. Calvert then founded St. Mary’s.
The Piscataway’s caution did not last long, though, as Wannas was usurped by his brother Kittamaquund, who, finding himself surrounded by enemies both foreign and domestic, established friendly relations with the English at St. Mary’s.
In 1643, after converting to Christiniaty and shortly prior to his death, Kittamaquund gave to the English the right to select his heirs, and pledged subordination to St. Mary’s.
The Piscataway and English were on friendly terms for the next two decades. Geographically distant from the
English population and culturally resistant to change, the Piscataway retained their religion and they continued to choose their own rulers. They interacted with neighboring tribes, sometimes even waging war with the use of English weapons. (When the English refused to trade weapons, the
Piscataway smuggled them into Maryland through independent merchants.) In the 1680s, English settlers on the southern end of the Potomac hesitated to move into Piscataway territory; King Philip’s War devastated Native American tribes in Massachusetts
The life of a farmer is arduous, full of long days with little pay. But Phil Miller, a fifth-generation farmer and owner of Miller Farms, located in Clinton, doesn’t mind it much at all.
Each Saturday, he wakes before the crack of dawn and arrives at Paint Branch Parkway in College Park by 5 a.m., where he and his crew unload his truck, pitch his tents and sort his produce into baskets.
Clinton is roughly a 30-minute drive from Miller’s sprawling, 250-acre vegetable farm, which isn’t that far for any farmer to travel to market. And the College Park Farmers Market at Paint Branch Parkway is the only market Miller attends in Prince George’s County.
Each trip costs him about $400 in time, labor and travel. Some days he barely breaks even.
But for Miller, coming to the market has never been about the profits. It’s about serving College Park. Food stewardship is Phil’s mission, and his relationships in College Park have kept him coming — and coming back — for more than four decades.
“I have a connection with these people here, who are tremendous. Customers come
here every week, and they’re very loyal to me, and I need to be loyal to them ... I’m worried about it, because I’m getting older, and I don’t know what’s going to happen for the future,” Miller told the College Park Here & Now.
Even though his future remains uncertain, Miller is convinced that his family-owned farm will stay intact for years to come, with his two young sons someday inheriting the family business.
Yet Miller admittedly sees that his sons are “not interested in this [lifestyle]” and believes that
“they’re not people people.”
Miller is the polar opposite.
“I love the people here. I enjoy this. It’s hard work, but I really enjoy coming up here. It’s almost like going to a party. In other words, people are coming and going, and I think they’re pretty happy with what they get,” Miller elaborated.
As he likens the farmers market to a party, Miller treasures each and every encounter with his devoted patrons.
He may not remember everyone’s name, but he has a talent for remembering faces, which has earned him a strong rap-
port with his customers.
Even after 40 years at the market, Miller always greets new customers who come to shop under his tents.
Miller’s compassion for his customers is also evident in the generously filled baskets under his tent. He cares more about offering abundance than he does about his bottom line.
“I don’t want to sell out, because you got people coming in, and if they can’t buy anything, then they get disappointed, and they’re not coming back. So, we’ve taken a little bit of extra, knowing that we’re not going to sell everything,” he admitted.
Miller knows he’s taking his chances as he tries to find the balance between bringing too much fresh produce or not enough.
“You’re playing roulette, too, a little bit, if you have too much leftover, and then it goes bad,” he added.
Fortunately, Miller can always bring what he doesn’t sell back to his own farm stand.
Miller is proud to be a farmer, and he’s trying to protect his way of life.
He claims to have the largest produce farm in Prince George’s County and is county president with the Maryland Farm Bureau, a private, non-profit,
membership-based organization that aims to “increase the net farm income and improve the quality of life by providing a legislative voice, increasing public understanding and promoting member involvement,” according to their website.
At the state level, more than 26,000 member families are involved with the organization, which stretches across all 23 counties in Maryland.
Nationally, the American Farm Bureau Federation represents more than 6.2 million farmers across more than 2,800 counties.
Miller’s commitment to food stewardship and his leadership in the organization is notable. The Maryland Farm Bureau’s 2019 annual report gave him the organization’s High Roller designation, and he was honored with the award at the organization’s 2019 Council of Presidents meeting.
“The award recognizes members that go above and beyond in signing new members,” the annual report noted.
Miller signed more than 25 new members by the end of 2019.
For Miller, life as a farmer is an expression of his passion for service and stewardship.
He draws strength directly from his family farm, and channels some of that strength into supporting food bank initiatives, including the Capital Area Food Bank.
MIller considers his partnership with several of the county’s charitable food banks as “a great relationship.” He sometimes sells produce at reduced prices, too. And he notes that keeping his prices lower, but competitive, is important for feeding College Park.
“I mean, we’re charging $2.49 [a pound] on tomatoes. Maybe that’s a little high, but some of these farmers markets are charging $5 a pound,” he explained. He noted that many of his customers make purchases using assistance programs supporting low-income families.
On the first Saturday of September, Miller was the only produce vendor at the College Park Farmers Market at Paint Branch Parkway. As he greeted customers, he felt fortunate to be there, and his customers enthusiastically greeted him — and his produce — too.
At a Sept. 1 virtual city council meeting, members voted to sign an amicus brief to show their support for recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). On Aug. 11, councilmembers signed a similar amicus brief supporting Philadelphia’s intolerance for discrimination against same-sex couples. In the last five years, seven amicus briefs have come before the council, according to agendas and minutes posted on the city’s website.
An amicus brief — a brief submitted by “amici curiae,” which translates from Latin as “friends of the court” — is a legal document submitted to an appellate or supreme court to add weight to one party’s arguments. Those who write these briefs must have a strong interest in the case but no legal connection to it, and they can be anything from experts in a field to representatives of a nonprofit organization.
College Park Communications Coordinator Ryna Quinones said that the city’s lawyer, Suellen Ferguson, doesn’t write the amicus briefs that councilmembers review and vote on. “A councilmember or the mayor brings it to council.” she said. The amicus briefs signed by College Park councilmembers are usually written by attorneys representing other cities, and these briefs have been passed along to collect additional signatures. The DACA amicus brief was written by the Counsel for Amicus Curiae in Los Angeles. It states that it has the support of “109 cities, counties, municipalities and
local government advocacy organizations.”
While the August amicus brief elicited 21 statements from interested parties, the more recent DACA amicus brief prompted limited discussion. Mayor Patrick Wojahn said that the council had debated immigrant issues in the past, so there is existing precedent for what the council supports.
“The council has taken a position in support of recognizing Dreamers and making sure they are able to stay in our community several times over the years,” Wojahn said, referencing individuals protected by DACA. “Oftentimes, because we’ve signed on to [these amicus briefs], we receive emails when new opportunities are coming up.”
Wojahn said that he is part of the United States Conference of Mayors, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization which occasionally sends notifications about amicus briefs.
Councilmember Maria Mackie (District 4) abstained from voting on the most recent DACA brief because she didn’t feel sufficiently informed, she said. Mackie was voted onto the city council in November 2019.
“Since I am new on council, I had not been involved in past decisions,” she said. “My abstention was because I didn’t have what I thought I needed to make a fair decision, and also because I felt I could not vote yes or no without my residents knowing what’s going on and giving them a chance to contact me,” she added.
According to Wojahn, “Amicus briefs often come to us quickly,
by their very nature, due to deadlines on which they must be submitted.”
Quinones stated that “... deadlines are based on when the case is being heard. It could be next week, or it could be five weeks from now.”
According to minutes, the last time the council voted to support immigrants was in September 2019, when members voted unanimously to sign an amicus brief opposing President Trump’s decision to rescind DACA.
Other amicus briefs brought to councilmembers’ attention include one in 2017 supporting the Maryland attorney general’s opposition to Trump’s immigration ban, one in 2017 regarding the Environmental Protection Agency’s definition of “waters of the United States” and one in 2015 supporting same-sex couples’ freedom to marry.
PISCATAWAY
FROM
only a few years earlier, and the settlers in Maryland had no intention of replicating such bloodshed.
By the 1690s, the Piscataway tribe was in decline. Raids by more populous neighboring tribes had devastated Piscataway lands, smallpox had ravaged their members and the rapidly growing English population meant that St. Mary’s was no longer dependent upon the Piscataway for protection and survival.
In 1689, a religious rebellion upset the region’s stability. Maryland became a royal colony, and colonists began to stream into the northern Potomac in full force. Faced with social upheaval, the Piscataway tayac Ochotomaquath abandoned Maryland in 1697, moving his people to the Susquehanna Valley.
The Piscataway Indian Nation is not extinct. Though denied state recognition in both
1996 and 2004, the Piscataway remain in Southern Maryland. They were granted recognition in 2011.
College Park, outwardly a bastion of progressive policy, has done little to recognize the history of the Piscatawy people. Indeed, the city has instead named streets after tribes that never inhabited the area, such as the Huron, the Blackfoot and the Fox. By acknowledging tribes not from this area, while ignoring the tribe that did dwell here, the city devalues not only the Piscataway, but it’s own history, as well.
The history of the Piscataway is integral to the history of Maryland and to the history of College Park. Rather than obscure its ties to the Piscataway, College Park ought to celebrate its indigenous roots.
By Lila Stiff
Gardening brings joy, but it can also carry disappointments. This certainly can be true for me in late summer, when all the things that I could have done better turn and glare at me as I survey my scene. My yard reminds me that I didn’t always keep up with the mowing, and my vegetable garden is in its dying days. I sometimes shake my head and wonder if I could even call myself a gardener. But gardens are about changing seasons and evolution. And yes, they can also be about the mistakes that we sometimes make. Beginner gardeners, perhaps with just a pot on a windowsill, and veterans with gardens far larger and more complex than my own all experience ups and downs.
I walk through my garden and note that I didn’t space the tomatoes properly. I remember the seeds that I didn’t get into the ground. I tell myself that I should have harvested the peppers more quickly. I could have made more pesto from my abundant basil, and I might have labelled the green beans well enough to know which was our favorite for next year. The border beds I planned did not, in fact, magically come together over the course of the summer; indeed, it may take years for
them to fulfill my dreams. And as always, I remind myself that I should have weeded more. But each year, I move through my disappointments and realize that of course I will do this all over again next year.
I enthusiastically come to this conclusion each fall. Under autumn’s gusty blue skies and cooler temps, it’s easier to be gentler about one’s mistakes. Gardens, after all, are for growth, and we gardeners grow from season to season, just as our plants do. As the season shifts, I reflect less on my disappointments and more on what I’ve learned. I now know more about watering than I did in June.
I now know how to build next year’s cucumber trellis so it’s strong enough to withstand the fiercest of thunderstorms. I now know more about which plants would do well in my front border. I’m grateful for the learning that my garden offers, for the experiential knowledge — of specific plants, of ecology, of skills — that my gardening gives me. Even in the best of times, these lessons are affirming. And now, in such uncertain times, they give me assurance and hope.
The Trolley Trail segment and Hollywood Gateway Park are now open!
The beginning of October saw the culmination of two long-awaited City projects, the Hollywood Gateway Park and the Trolley Trail connection in Berwyn. These much anticipated projects were years in the making, and the City celebrated their completion with ribbon cuttings held earlier this month.
The Hollywood Gateway Park, located at the corner of Edgewood Road and 47th Place, is a serene place to come and enjoy a little bit of nature. There are two ways to enter the park, via accesses on Edgewood Road and 47th place.
This pocket park features a slide, walking path, landscaping and a two-story pavilion with bamboo chimes on the second floor and seating on both levels. Come by on a windier day to hear the bamboo chiming.
Please practice COVID-19 safety
and note the City COVID-19 park procedures and restrictions when using the park.
The Trolley Trail connecting segment in Berwyn provides an easier and more direct access on the trail making hiking, biking and commuting a breeze!
The Trolley Trail follows the old trolley train’s path along Rhode Island Avenue down towards the District. This is a 3.8 mile hiker/biker path that connects to multiple walking or bicycling trails, including the Indian Creek trail and the Paint Branch trail. From the trail you can access the College Park Aviation Museum, Lake Artemesia, and further destinations like Hyattsville and DC!
The Rhode Island Avenue Trolley streetcar ran from 1903 to 1962 and connected College Park to the nation’s capital. After streetcar service ended in the 1960s, parts of the path was converted into a trail. A permaculture garden resides along the trail in the Berwyn area.
The City of College Park Department of Public Works will be open for City residents to drop-off bulky trash, white goods, electronics recycling, brush, and yard trim. You must be a resident of the City of College Park and bring proof of City residency in order to participate, although anyone can buy compost or wood mulch during this event.
OCTOBER 24 FROM 8:00 A.M. TO NOON
Yuck Old Paint will be on hand to collect latex and oil-based paint. Paint needs to be in the original container. The City of College Park is partnering with Yuck Old Paint to collect paint from residents. This is a free service for College Park residents only. A representative of Yuck Old Paint will be on hand Saturday, October 24 to collect used latex and oil-based paint for recycling.
ONLY DURING CLEAN-UP DAYS, THE FOLLOWING WILL BE COLLECTED:
• Household batteries for recycling. This includes rechargeable batteries such as Li-Ion, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Ni-Zn; Single-use alkaline batteries such as AA, AAA, 9V, C, D, button cell, and lithium primary. No damaged batteries or automotive batteries can be accepted.
• Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes – must be intact. Includes U-shaped or circular fluorescent lamps, High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps, Ultraviolet (UV) lamps, Incandescent Bulbs, Halogen or Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL’s).
• Block Styrofoam for recycling (coolers and large blocks of packing material). No packing peanuts, cups or plates.
Once again, we are working with Community Forklift and GreenDrop to divert items from the landfill that are still in good condition. Clean out your homes, garages, and sheds, and bring your gently used items that you no longer use or need and donate them for reuse.
During the two clean-up day events, City residents may pick up 1 cubic yard of Smartleaf® screened compost for free. Limit 1 cubic yard per resident. You must bring proof of City of College Park residency to participate. We will load open bed trucks. If you don’t have a truck and want to get some compost, bring your own containers or bags as well as a shovel and be prepared to dig and get dirty.
The Education Advisory Committee (EAC) would like to announce an essay contest, open to all City students, Kindergarten through 12th grade.
The essay contest honors the memory of Doris Ellis, a long-time member of the EAC, who passed in April. Ms. Ellis always reminded committee members of the important role that sport and fitness activities have in developing leadership and good character.
In her honor, the essay question is: How have you kept your mind and body active during the pandemic?
There will be a $200 cash award to the winner in each category: elementary, middle, and high school. In addition, the winners’ school will receive $2,400 to use towards purchasing needed Physical Education equipment.
Students in Kindergarten and 1st grade may submit a drawing and a few sentences to explain the drawing. All other students may submit an essay of up to 250 words addressing the essay question.
Submissions must be received by October 30, 2020. Please note that this contest is only open to students who are residents of the City of College Park. Submit your essay online at www.collegeparkmd. gov/ellisessaycontest2020.
The CDC and Prince George’s County Health Department have released guidance for low, moderate and higher risk Halloween activities including trick-or-treating, hay rides, trunkor-treating, pumpkin patches, and more.
Traditional trick-or-treating is considered a higher risk activity and is not recommended by either agency. The CDC has provided lower risk alternative suggestions. For more information and links
to the guidance, please visit www. collegeparkmd.gov/covid19.
We regret to announce the cancellation of the City’s annual College Park Day, Halloween Thing and the College Park Blues Festival due to COVID-19 and Prince George’s County Executive Alsobrooks’ Executive Order prohibiting events and large gatherings of 50 people or more. The health and safety of our residents are what’s most important to us as we continue to monitor the situation.
On Sunday, November 8, 2020, the qualified voters of District 2 will elect a Councilmember to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Councilmember P. J. Brennan. Polls are open on November 8 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Special Election for District 2 Councilmember
Sunday, November 8, 2020
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
College Park Community Center
5051 Pierce Avenue, College Park
HOW TO VOTE:
VOTE BY MAIL
(ABSENTEE BALLOT):
You must apply to receive a ballot by mail (also called an “absentee ballot”). Registered voters were mailed an application for an absentee ballot in September. Applications may also be downloaded from the City website or by clicking here. Return your application as soon as possible. Ballot packets will be mailed to qualified District 2 voters between Tuesday, October 6, 2020 - Friday, October 30, 2020.
A voter who has requested a ballot by mail may not vote at the poll on Election Day.
RONALD CAMEAU
roncameau@gmail.com
240-391-8551
Ron Cameau is a lifelong Prince George’s County resident, attending St. Mark’s Catholic school in Adelphi, and DeMatha Catholic and Northwestern High Schools in Hyattsville. He enlisted in the United States Army Reserves as a high school senior, obtaining a high-level security clearance, which allowed him to work for several cleared defense contracting companies. Ron was one of the many victims of the 9/11 attack against the Pentagon, thankfully making it out alive and helping others evacuate.
Ron has completed combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan (2005, 2008 and 2013), where he was responsible for securing the cyber infrastructure and helping in major investigations with White House level visibility. Ron’s stellar work during these deployments earned him Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medals.
Ron is a 15+ year United States Federal law enforcement agency
BETWEEN NOVEMBER 2 - 6 (EXCEPT NOVEMBER 3, CITY OFFICES CLOSED):
Absentee ballots will no longer be mailed. From November 2 to November 6 a qualified District 2 voter may apply for an emergency absentee ballot in person at City Hall (8400 Baltimore Boulevard, Suite 375) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The voter may vote on-thespot or return the voted ballot as specified below.
Three ways to return your absentee ballot:
• By Mail: Must be postmarked no later than Saturday, November 7, 2020 in the ballot envelope to P.O. Box 626, College Park MD, 20741.
• Hand delivered to the poll: No later than Sunday, November 8, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. College Park Community Center, 5051 Pierce Avenue, College Park, MD, 20740.
• Hand delivered to the Election Drop Box at Davis Hall, 9217 51st Avenue: No later than Sunday, November 8, 2020 at 6:00 p.m.
VOTE AT THE POLL
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, FROM 9 A.M. – 6 P.M.:
If you choose not to vote by mail, you may vote at the poll:
College Park Community Center 5051 Pierce Avenue College Park, MD
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AT THE POLLS?
COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place and masks are required. Voters will enter the Community Center through the front door and exit through the back door that leads directly to the parking lot.
employee, focusing on cyber crimes and digital forensics. Ron has a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems with a concentration in Digital Forensics. He is a member of College Park’s American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars local chapters, and employed as a part time Enumerator for the 2020 US Census. Ron and his wife, Patrice, have three children.
Llatetra4cp@gmail.com
Llatetra Brown Esters has chosen College Park, Maryland as her home since 1999.
Over the last six years, she and her husband have lived in the Oak Springs neighborhood. She is a higher education administrator who has worked in the field for over 25 years. Her professional experience has helped her to develop the leadership skills necessary to deal with complex situations, make critical decisions, and engage with people from all walks of life.
For the past two years, Llatetra has represented District 2 on the College Park Advisory Planning
Commission (APC). She has also served as an Election Judge in Precinct 21001 at Paint Branch Elementary School.
If elected to City Council, Llatetra will listen to, maintain an open line of communication with, advocate for, and make informed decisions on behalf of the residents of District 2. Her priorities will focus on quality of life/ public safety, diversity and inclusion, fiscal responsibility and smart growth.
Llatetra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, from Adelphi University, a Master’s degree in Student Personnel from New York University (NYU), and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration/Community College Leadership from Morgan State University.
ldively11@gmail.com
240-289-5702
Lindsay is a longterm resident of College Park having lived in both the Berwyn and Branchville neighborhoods for 35 plus
WHEN AND WHERE CAN I FIND THE ELECTION RESULTS?
A preliminary count of Election Day ballots will take place at Davis Hall after the polls close. Due to COVID safety protocols, this count will be televised instead of inviting the public into the building. The preliminary count does not include the absentee ballots or validated provisional ballots.
The Official Canvass will occur on Friday, November 13, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Davis Hall. Due to COVID safety protocols, this count will be televised instead of inviting the public into the building.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
For more information about voting and elections in the City, please contact the City Clerk, Janeen S. Miller, at 240-487-3501 or cityclerkoffice@collegeparkmd. gov or the Chief of the Board of Election Supervisors, Jack Robson, at boeschief@collegeparkmd.gov.
years. After completing her undergraduate studies with a B.A. in Government and Politics at the University of Maryland, she continued her studies with a M.S. in Public Relations Management and an M.B.A. While completing her graduate studies she began her career in the non-profit sector as an Executive Director within a professional development association before shifting her focus to education.
She served six years as the Director of Admissions for St. Vincent Pallotti High School (’02) before moving abroad. In 2018, Lindsay had the life-changing opportunity to work on a gender empowerment project with The Happy Africa Foundation in Zambia. Quickly she fell in love with community outreach and advocacy for sustainable aid relief. Moving from Zambia to South Africa in 2019, Lindsay served as Project Manager for all education, health, and gender empowerment programs. Once returning to the states she began working as Community Liaison for Senator Jim Rosapepe and Interim Operations Director for 21st Century Democrats. Her love of community, small business entrepreneurship and wellness led her to open a holistic wellness center in Historic Laurel.
Please note that this information is for the Presidential Election only and not for City Elections. For information about the upcoming City election, please see page 2.
If you haven’t already, mark your calendars for the Presidential Election on Tuesday, November 3.
Voting by mail-in ballot has already started in Maryland. Voting by mail is safe and secure.
You can register to vote online until October 13, 2020. After the 13th, you can still register to vote in person during Early Voting or on Election Day. Not sure if you’re registered? Visit https:// voterservices.elections.maryland. gov/VoterSearch.
There is still time to request an absentee/vote-by-mail ballot; the deadline is October 20. Request your mail-in-ballot at https:// voterservices.elections.maryland. gov/OnlineMailinRequest.
If you are voting by mail, return your ballot (via United States Postal Service or secure ballot drop box) as soon as possible but no later than November 3. Your ballot must be postmarked by November 3 in order to be counted in the election.
There are several ballot drop-off boxes in and around the College Park area including The Pavilion at the University of Maryland Xfinity Center (8500 Paint Branch Drive), Parkdale High School, High Point High School, Northwestern High School, and after October 15-17, Eleanor Roosevelt High School.
For more information about ballot drop box locations, early voting locations and election day voting locations, please visit https://arcg.is/15SHqG. Track the status of your ballot at https:// voterservices.elections.maryland. gov/VoterSearch.
This year’s ballot provides voters the opportunity to vote in the Presidential, Congressional, County Board of Education, and Circuit Court Judges races, as well as several ballot questions.
Congratulations Teresa!
The City of College Park announced on October 5, 2020 the appointment of Teresa Way-Pezzuti as Director of Human Resources.
Way-Pezzuti will assume the position in December 2020. After twelve years with the City, Jill Clements will be retiring from her position of Director of Human Resources at the end of the year.
“We thank Jill for her service and wish her all the best in her retirement,” said City Manager Scott Somers, “I look forward to working closely with Teresa as we develop and implement our strategic priorities.”
Way-Pezzuti began working for the City of College Park in 2002 as the Human Resources Assistant. In 2015, she was promoted to the position of Human Resources Generalist.
Way-Pezzuti completed her B.S. in Human Resource Management from the University of Maryland as well as all three generalist certifications available to HR professionals: PHR, SHRM-CP and IPMA-SCP.
Way-Pezzuti has dedicated
more than 30 years of her career working in public service and has worked in the municipal, county and state levels of government.
“Our employees are our most valuable resource. The Director of Human Resources plays a critical role by leading the recruitment of, maintaining benefits for, and working with our employees for their general well-being at work.” said Somers, “please join me in congratulating Teresa on her welldeserved promotion!”
Save the date for the third installment of the City’s Continuing the Conversation virtual event series.
Racial Equity in College Park is the focus of the event, and will feature two main topics of Community Voices and the City’s COGGARE (Council of Government - Government Alliance on Race and Equity) projects. The Community Voices segment will discuss current issues as well as a roadmap towards the future. The COG-GARE segment will discuss projects City staff are working on and the Racial Equity Lens and Tool.
The City will bring panelis including Dr. Stephen Thomas from the UMD’s School of Public Health to participate. Councilmember Denise Mitchell will moderate.
The upcoming virtual forum will take place on Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom (link: https://zoom.us/j/99038599140).
All information is current as of October 10.
College Park Special Election. City residents must be registered to vote by Oct. 11 to be eligible to participate in the special election on Nov. 8. Polling will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the College Park Community Center, 5051 Pierce Ave. If residents choose to vote by mail, they must have their ballot postmarked no later than Nov. 7 or hand deliver their ballot to the polling place or to the ballot drop box located at Davis Hall, 9217 51st Ave., by Nov. 8.
Detectives seek tips on fatal shooting. On Oct. 1, 28-year-old Christopher Ryan Harrison of Camp Springs was fatally shot in the 4800 block of Berwyn House Road. Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit at 301.516.2512. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call Crime Solvers at 866.411.8477.
Posh Cycling & Fitness. Cycling, stretching, and
strength. Posh has expanded its fitness offerings, and new members receive a one-week free pass. For more information, go to posh.fit.
OpenBarre Studios. College Park’s dance fitness studio offers virtual classes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and outdoor classes Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Start your 3-day free trial today! For more information, go to openbarrestudios.com.
Numi Yoga. In addition to daily livestreamed offerings, Numi Yoga offers an outdoor yoga class each Wednesday from 7 to 8 a.m. and Saturdays from 9 to 10 a.m. Find out more and sign up at numiyoga.com.
Orangetheory Fitness. Free first class with individualized training. For details, visit orangetheory.com and enter your location.
Gentle and Advanced Chair Yoga. On-line and outdoor classes yoga classes to
increase resilience, improve fitness and promote mindfulness. No experience needed. First class free! For more information and to register, email yogiamalie@gmail.com.
Hollywood Farmers Market. Located in the parking lot of the Hollywood Shopping Center, the market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
College Park Farmers Market at Paint Branch Parkway. At 5211 Campus Dr., the market is open Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
October’s Virtual Art Dropin. At your own pace, in your own space, you can make a bird of your own, inspired by Gerald McDermott’s book, Raven. Visit cpae.org for a list of materials, instructional videos and more.
Friday Dance Workshops. Join instructor Karen Stewart of Jessie’s Soul Line Dancers, every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. for step-by-step instruction and dance along to soul, gospel
and pop music. For more information, go to cpae.org.
Saturday Tap Dance Workshops. Free online tap workshop with instructor Elizabeth Gardner every Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Email info@cpae.org for more information and to register.
Online Book Club. The CPAE book club will discuss Furious House: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee, by Casey Cep on October 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Email info@cpae.org for more information and to register.
Halloween Porch Play! The College Park Arts Exchange is hosting different musical acts in the different College Park neighborhoods. For more information, go to cpae.org. To perform or host, please email info@cpae.org
Novel Writing Retreat: Voice & POV. The College Park Arts Exchange’s virtual creative writing workshop will take place on Nov. 1 from 10 a.m.
to 5:30 p.m. Join local writers Mary Amoto and John Feffer for an energizing mix of lectures, discussions and writing sessions. Fee $40. For more information go to cpae.org.
Free movie on November
6. “Slay the Dragon” is not a martial arts movie, but a 2018 documentary that examines the impact of political gerrymandering on our democracy. From 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Hope Lutheran Church, 4201 Guillford Dr.
Saturday Night with Eric and Leo Maring. College Park’s music man Eric Maring hosts concerts each Saturday night at 9 p.m. with his son, Leo. For more information, go to maringmusic.com.
College Park Community Library. The library’s book club will meet on Nov. 10 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. to discuss Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant. Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Ave. Please bring a folding chair and face mask.
The safest and simplest way to vote is request and ballot by mail.
Unlike in the Primary, you will not receive a ballot unless you request it either online or by mail. You will get an application in the mail, and you can either return it by mail or go online and request your ballot there.
After you’ve received your ballot, there are three ways to vote:
1. Mail your ballot back.
2. Drop it off in a secured box at the Pavilion at the Xfinity Center, UMD.
3. Vote in person on election day or during early voting at the XFinity Center, UMD.
Request a Mail-in Ballot: Tuesday, October 20.
Early Voting in person: October 26 – November 2, 7am - 8pm
Election Day in person: Tuesday, November 3, 7:00pm - 8:00PM
www.elections.maryland.gov
PRESIDENT / VICE PRESIDENT
Joe Biden / Kamala Harris
US HOUSE
Steny Hoyer
JUDGES OF THE CIRCUIT COURT
April Ademiluyi
Wytonja Curry
ShaRon Kelsey
Cathy Serrette
Gladys Weatherspoon
COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS AT LARGE
E. Gregory Wells
Yes: Continuance in Office
STATE BALLOT QUESTIONS for EDUCATION FUNDING
#1: State Budget Amendment – FOR #2: Sports Betting – FOR
COUNTY BOND ISSUES FOR ROADS, LIBRARIES, SCHOOLS, and PUBLIC SAFETY
Questions A, B, C, D, and E – FOR
authority, Carolyn Brosch, Treasurer/ Team 21 Slate
County, Cameau cites his experience as a board member of the Berwyn District Civic Association and his participation in the neighborhood watch program as involvements that make him no stranger to the inner workings of the city.
Cameau has supported a number of community initiatives, including promoting installation of a stop sign and streetlight at an intersection and participating in a neighborhood garden clean-up.
But Cameau said he was looking for more involvement.
“I felt as though ... I can do a lot more for the city,” he said.
Cameau is eager to allocate less money to what he calls “vanity projects” and more to initiatives supporting the elderly and socioeconomically disadvantaged. Citing the pandemic, he said he would particularly like to see more funding go to Meals on Wheels.
Cameau would also like to improve communications between the council and the city’s residents and promote positive police-community engagement.
“Most residents don’t even know the name of the officers
that are assigned to our district,” he said.
Recognizing the role and importance of the University of Maryland within the larger community, Cameau would also push for transparency in the city-university relationship.
He would also consider banning non-biodegradable, singleuse plastic bags.
As an army reservist and a digital forensic examiner, Cameau has broad experience working with people from different cultures, managing large budgets and communicating with law enforcement organizations. He is a big fan of the city, too.
“I love that fact that it’s a real community,” he said, “My kids are safe here, and also the fact that we have so many options of various restaurants and amenities in the area.”
Brown Esters has a background in higher education and as District 2 representative with the College Park Advisory Planning Commission. She wants to represent all the voices in the community.
She said her experience as an administrator has allowed her to interact with a variety of people — students, parents and community members — who have different interests, and she noted
that listening to their voices has informed her decision making.
Brown Esters noted that, as a member of the planning commission, she has broad experience working with the city’s staff and has learned a lot about how the city functions.
She said her interest in local government began in 2017, following the murder of Lt. Richard Collins III.
“When that happened, I felt helpless, in a sense, because
something so tragic happened,” she said. “Not that I could have changed that situation as an individual, but feeling like I could contribute in some way to do something.”
That motivated her to join the planning commission.
Now, she said, she is enthusiastic about this new opportunity to contribute and participate in the community that has been her home since 1999.
“I have a great sense of pride
in where I live and want to make sure that people are made aware of things that are happening,” Brown Esters said.
Brown Esters is especially focused on public safety. She also said that she recognizes that the community is diverse, and that she wants to ensure that all voices are heard.
“I think that there are always voices, always people who make themselves heard,” Brown Esters said. “And oftentimes, that
may overshadow other voices that may not speak up as often.”
Brown Esters also wants to be a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and promote a strong relationship between the city and the university. She said that she would work to ensure that the city maintains green spaces and does not allow development to exacerbate environmental issues.
Brown Esters said she loves that College Park offers the ability for her to walk outside, visit shops on Route 1 and interact with neighbors. “I love the diversity of the community, too; there are different people from different backgrounds and places who converge here,” she said.
As a long-term resident of College Park and alumni of the University of Maryland, Lindsay Dively said she is passionate about participating in government at a local level. With experience as an educator and as a project manager doing humanitarian work in Africa, she wants to bring her people skills to serving on the city council. “I really want to focus on being a good listener to those in my community,” Dively said. Having grown up here, she has seen first-hand how the city has changed and how its relationship with the univer-
By Luke Gentile
College Park experienced a severe flash flood on Sept. 10 that caused damages throughout the city.
“My heart breaks for all the people who suffered such severe damage,” Mayor Patrick Wojahn said. “I know people are upset, and understandably so.”
homeowners.
Wojahn said that accurately reporting damages is critical, in part because a natural disaster is declared only if monetary losses exceed a specific threshold. Declaration of a natural disaster releases recovery funds.
sity has grown. Her experience as a small business owner has given her a broad perspective on community issues, and she is particularly interested in supporting the city’s growth.
Dively noted that there are vacant storefronts along Route 1. She said she would like to see more grant initiatives for small businesses.
“We need to bring businesses into those storefronts, and we need something that’s going to attract [families and professionals] here both residentially and economically as well,” she said.
Dively plans to focus her attention on infrastructure, small business growth, homeownership, sidewalk safety, bike lanes and community policing.
Dively is particularly focused on increasing the community’s trust in the city council, and hopes to collaborate with residents to ensure that their voices are heard in this process.
“We need to work as a community,” Dively said. “My real motto is to make sure that I’m accountable only to the residents of College Park.”
To participate in the special election, District 2 residents must have been registered to vote by Oct. 11. Polling will take place on Nov. 8 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the College Park Community Center, located at 5051 Pierce Avenue. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place during polling, and voters will be required to wear masks and adhere to social distancing practices. Each voter will receive a new pen, and hand sanitizing stations will be available.
If residents choose to vote by mail, they must have their ballot postmarked no later than Nov. 7. They may also hand deliver their ballot to the polling place or to the ballot drop box located at Davis Hall, 9217 51st Avenue, by Nov. 8.
Flooding has been a problem for many in College Park for years, and the damage from this storm is the most recent example of why the city’s response and recovery systems need major overhauls.
Several local areas reported extraordinarily high amounts of rain (Takoma Park’s city engineer noted more than 6” falling in less than a half hour). Basements in high-risk areas flooded, and sewers backed up as rain and debris overloaded systems.
Wojahn encouraged anyone who suffered property damages to file claims with both the Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC).
The city has a track record of miscalculating damages due to flooding, leading to inaccurate reporting to county officials and WSSC. In some cases, the city’s inadequate reporting has limited recovery assistance to
State damages are included in the city’s filings, and the University of Maryland submitted numbers for the damages it incurred.
Prince George’s County Councilmember Danielle Glaros (District 3) represents College Park. At the Sept. 15 city council meeting, she said that the storm was climate driven and was largely an unexpected weather event.
“The county doesn’t have a readily available assessment tool,” she said. “I expect it to be out in a few days.” The assessment tool is designed to measure storm damage.
Glaros also said the county was working on a more robust means of addressing severe weather like the county experienced in this storm. Currently, residents can call the Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management at 301.324.4530.
“As we move into extreme weather events occurring more frequently, we have to look at policy,” Glaros said. “[This] is a year of crises, and we need to rise to the challenges.”
By Anthony Fama
In spite of the challenges posed by the pandemic, the University of Maryland (UMD) football squad will be taking the field in 2020. Their season starts on October 24, when they go up against Northwestern. This is the Terps’ first game since last November, when they ended off on a tough 19-16 loss to Michigan State.
As the 2020 season nears, there is a lot to get excited about, as Maryland has a lot of talent, especially on the offensive side of the ball. With 2019 starting quarterback Josh Jackson opting out of the 2020 season, newly acquired Alabama transfer Taulia Tagovailoa will look to help the Terps rebound from a sub-par year of quarterback play. UMD head coach Mike Locksley pointed to the importance of leadership in the quarterback position and noted that Tagavailoa has embraced that role throughout his time at Maryland.
With new strength at the quar-
terback position, the talented core of wide receivers will look to help out either Tagovailoa or Lance LeGendre through the air. A major addition to the wide receiver core is the 6-foot, 190-pound, Rakim Jarrett, a D.C. native. After his decision to decommit to the former NCAA National Champions in Louisiana State University, the fivestar recruit decided to flip to the Terps. When describing Jarrett’s play on the field, UMD junior wide receiver Brian Cobbs notes that he makes “huge plays” and that he has “really strong hands at the catch point, and he is real creative within his routes.” This type of firepower may serve as a crucial piece in a wide receiving core that put up 2,088 receiving yards and a total of 16 receiving touchdowns last season. After finishing 3-9, and with only one win against Big Ten teams in 2019, the offense will look to putting more points on the board and, in the end, to winning more games. The wide receiver room, according
to Cobbs, is “explosive, smart, strong, physical, and just exciting, all in all,” which is what every Terps fan wants to hear. Coming back into the groove of things, and especially after not spending time together during the pandemic, it could be hard for student athletes — they’ve been without football for months. Junior defensive back Tahj Capehart says he has pushed to stay “level-headed,” and that he has “tried not to get too high or get too low.” He prepared to have a season, regardless of the situation. Coach Locksley also emphasizes how being away from the game for so long has deepened his love of football, and he’s sure that his players feel the same way. With so much unpredictability in the city as a result of the pandemic, this football season may give both residents and students something to rally around. With some new weapons on offense, the Terps have an opportunity to make this a special year.
Did you know your first ad can be FREE? Reach every household in College Park. Ask about all of our introductory offers. Email advertising@ hyattsvillelife.com or call 301-531-5234.
verse and quiet neighborhood of about 500 homes on the northwest side of the city. It sits between the greenery of a University of Maryland forest conservation area, the South Farm of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning (M-NCPPC) land, and the wooded administrative campus of the University System of Maryland. The neighborhood was largely built in the mid-1960s.
Much of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System, including the Paint Branch and Northeast Branch trails, was constructed from the 1970s through the 1990s, although the regional trails system has continued to grow to this day. It is a network that allows us to travel both within College Park and across the metropolitan area.
According to Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data, as compiled by Reviews. org, College Park is ranked as the 3rd top college town in the nation in the category based on the percentage of people biking, walking, and using transit. While much of College Park is connected to the trail system by the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail and its on-road extension along the avenue north of Greenbelt Road, and while the College Park Estates and Yarrow neighborhoods are connected to Indian Creek Trail, College Park Woods has been isolated from the trail networks, despite the neighborhood’s half-mile proximity to the Paint Branch Trail.
The neighborhood’s separation from the trail system ends this fall with the opening of the College Park Woods Connector Trail. In the early 2000s, the College Park City Council asked M-NCPPC’s Parks and Recreation Department to look at the feasibility of creating this trail. In 2007, funding was allocated to the M-NCPPC budget for this project.
The land between the neighborhood and Paint Branch Trail had several owners, though, and that presented certain challenges. The College Park Moose Lodge held title to the nearest land parcels, and the university’s land included its turf farm operations and a forest conservation area.
Gaining an easement or purchasing a portion of the Moose Lodge land was the most important first step in creating the trail. It was also the most time consuming step, in part because multiple routes through the property were considered, and also because the organization that owned the land took time
to consider their options. After years of on-again, off-again negotiations, an agreement was reached to run the trail along the edge of the Moose Lodge property.
In the meantime, M-NCPPC conducted feasibility studies (I recall one memorable afternoon walking through dense woods, mud and swampy wetlands with neighborhood leaders, M-NCPPC and university staff, and trail consultants to consider possible routes). The university understood the benefits of creating a trail and was a key partner, allowing passage across their land and cooperating on the project. The final trail alignment successfully avoids the university’s forest conservation area and only skirts the corner of the turf farm, which was deemed too hazardous an area for a trail to run directly through.
College Park Woods rallied behind the trail effort throughout the long process to make it a reality. Hundreds of residents signed petitions to support the trail’s construction and advocated to public officials for its completion. City leadership and College Park’s county and state representatives supported the idea from initial concept through the many steps to completion.
The trail itself holds a lot of beauty. It intersects the Paint Branch Trail at a straightaway section that is framed with a tunnel of trees. The trail then crosses wetlands on a wide, raised boardwalk bridge reminiscent of one we might see in a national park. One can pause at the wetland to see the forested floodplain that is regenerating after a devastating 2001 tornado ripped through that spot. You might spot a heron through the trees, or turtles, ducks and other wildlife enjoying this unique ecosystem.
Beyond the bridge, where the trail winds gently through the woods, you can listen for songbirds. The trail shares little-traveled Greenmead Drive for 200 feet, then crosses a small stream and is quickly off-road again at the turf farm with a sweeping view of Beltsville Agricultural Research Center’s farmland before it winds back into the woods. On the left, you may spot a massive oak with a whimsically bent trunk.
The trail continues on, between forest and farmland, before turning for the final stretch where it enters the neighborhood at DePauw Place.
See you out on the trails!
Eric Olson is executive director of the College Park City-University Partnership.
Larry’s enduring passion for bikes is paying off; as a dedicated collector, he’s been hoarding bikes for years. While his customers may not be able to get the bike of their dreams, they are flocking to Larry’s shops on two feet and riding out on two wheels.
It comes as no surprise that Larry’s an avid bicyclist, himself, riding for pleasure and racing for sport. He’s a fan of electric-assist and vintage high wheel bicycles, which date to the 1800s and are also known as penny-farthing bikes. Larry’s enthusiasm is infectious: His employees are as dedicated to cycling as he is. Indeed, one of his employees was a student in Larry’s basic repair class years ago, caught the bug, and has been working with him ever since. Larry considers himself an old man in a sandbox and says that if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life. And as Larry tinkers and cycles away, he certainly seems to be living out his passion.
Established in 1885, the Berwyn District Civic Association (BDCA) is the oldest civic association in Prince George’s County. According to the association’s website (myberwyn.org), “the mission of the BDCA is to preserve, protect, and promote the qualities that make Berwyn a great neighborhood we are proud to call home. It supports civic and community improvements and encourages efforts to advance the general welfare of Berwyn in its activities.”
The BDCA is open to all residents of the Berwyn neighborhood, which is bounded on the east by the CSX railroad tracks, the west by Baltimore Avenue, the north by University Boulevard and on the south by the subdivision lines of Lakeland.
“BDCA strives to encourage community engagement. We promote neighbors meeting, socializing and helping each other,” said Karyn Keating Volke, the associa-
tion’s co-president. According to Berwyn’s former representative to the City Council P. J. Brennan, “Even in the midst of a pandemic, the civic association has adapted to a digital format for meetings and newsletters to keep our neighborhood informed.”
Organizing community events is an integral function of the association. While the association cannot hold their very popular October bonfire this year, due to the pandemic, they did host a neighborhood-wide, contactfree yard sale on September 5 and are planning a holiday decorating contest. The association hopes to schedule other con-
tact-free activities for the rest of the year, as well.
The BDCA publishes a monthly newsletter featuring articles by residents, board members and District 2 councilmembers.
Topics range from the history of the Berwyn neighborhood to community affairs, humaninterest articles and delicious family recipes. The newsletter is distributed to every home in Berwyn, and the BDCA website has an archive of past issues.
The association’s current board officers were elected in June 2020 for a one-year term. Copresidents are Bob Catlin and Karyn Keating Volke. Other of-
ficers include Timothy Triplett, Chad Stern, Lily Fountain, Kelly Jordan, Jim Nealis, Ronald Cameau, and Kyle and Emily Shohfi. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of every month, except in July and August. Meetings are currently conducted virtually on Zoom; under more normal conditions, meetings would take place at Fealy Hall.
Membership is open to all residents of the Berwyn neighborhood who are 18 years old and older. The $10 individual membership allows the member to vote on board issues. A $15 family membership allows two members to vote.
Growing Roots in the Community, Branching Out and Flowering with Ideas!
Winterize your garden now with a fresh layer of mulch and give your yard some color! Expert advice and creative solutions, services based on your needs and budget.
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- Leaf Cleanup/Gutter Cleaning
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- Bed, Weeding, Edging and Mulching
- Pruning/Trimming (Natural or Formal)
- Tree and Shrub Removal
- Planting Trees, Shrubs, Perennials and Bulbs
- Mulch/Topsoil/Compost/Gravel
- Transplanting Small Trees, Shrubs and Perennials
- Lawn Cutting, Aerating and Fertilizing
- Grading and Drainage Projects
- Storm Cleanup and Debris Hauling
- Patios, walkways and walls
- Masonry and concrete repair
We have envelopes for correspondence, work orders for the job, proposals for the quote, brochures for advertising, directories for the club, newsletters for the newsworthy, postcards for the announcement, posters for the event, tickets for the show, programs for the concert, menus for the hungry, and stickers for identification.
Free parking and a free cup of coffee!
It’s a free activity for parents and children. It’s a way to record an important part of a child’s development. It’s an opportunity for families to become citizen scientists. It’s the KidTalk Scrapbook project (kidtalkscrapbook. org), and the principal researchers are eager for more families to participate.
To sign up, an adult simply creates an account on the KidTalk app, which does not ask for personal information, and reviews and signs the consent form. Then comes the fun, interesting, citizen-science part: Parents use short recordings of their kids to create shareable language scrapbooks.
The project, which went live on June 9, is collecting information about how changes brought by the pandemic — closures, social distancing, long periods at home and more — may be affecting children’s language development.
“Language connects our thoughts with words that connect with other people,” says Yi Ting Huang, Ph.D, a University of Maryland professor and head of the university’s Language
and Cognition Lab. Huang is one of the project’s principal investigators, along with Joshua Hartshorne, Ph.D, a professor who leads Boston College’s Language Learning Lab.
The app gives parents a great deal of control over how, and how much, of their recordings are shared. “They can have the data stay with the research team, or recordings can be deposited in [an] online scientific platform. You can also tag individual recordings as private,” so the researchers can’t access them at all, Hartshorne noted.
There are several ways to create and share a scrapbook, and the KidTalk website provides detailed instructions. You can make new recordings through the app or submit recordings that you already have, including recordings made before the pandemic started. You can edit recordings, write descriptions and use the app’s clipart to decorate your scrapbook. You can share the scrapbook with friends and family, just as you would using other social media apps, Hartshorne says. Another option is to “tag the different people in different conversations,”
Huang says.
The website offers tips if you need ideas for making recordings. Suggestions include asking your child to talk about their favorite food or an animal they like, or to describe a picture. Huang and Hartshorne also shared some of the ways they use the app with their own children.
“What I do is put my phone on the table during dinner and record dinner conversations. It’s fun to listen to,” Hartshorne says.
“My daughter does a lot of narration of wordless picture books … they’re a lot of fun,” Huang says. Links to free ebooks are in the tips section of the website, along with ideas for how a child can use a book, based on their age.
KidTalk is designed to work like a social media platform, but there are some key differences. “If you’re using our platform, it’s like social media, only we aren’t selling … ads,” Hartshorne says.
More importantly, KidTalk does not collect personal information such as full names, addresses or birthdates
— parents are asked to enter only the month and year of a child’s birth. Researchers can’t see the email addresses or other accounts (like Google or Facebook) that participants use to sign in to the app, and the electronic signature on the consent form is also hidden. “We’ve done everything we can to make sure we don’t have your information,” Hartshorne says. One significant difference between the KidTalk app and every other social media app is that KidTalk had to be reviewed and approved by an ethics board before it could be released to the public, Harthorne noted.
Children who are one to eight are the focus of the study because that is when language changes the most, but Huang and Hartshorne stress that the study is open to all children, including children who live in multilingual households and children with speech delay, autism or other diagnoses that may impact their language development or abilities.
“We want everyone,” said Huan, who hopes more families take advantage of a free and important online activity.
