Issa Moquete never had any direct interaction with the school resource o cer (SRO) at Northwestern High School, though she does recall the time he chased her and her peers from campus to the Prince George’s Plaza Metro station. It was 2003, and the students had staged a walkout to join an Iraq War protest in D.C.
“It’s a really scary time for artists of any medium,” said Hyattsville opera singer Teresa Ferrara. She was just days away from starting rehearsals for one of her dream roles when the governor initiated a shutdown. She was set to play Gilda in “Rigoletto” with the D.C. opera company, IN Series. “Everything came to a halt,” Ferrara said.
Before the pandemic, Ferrara spent her days at an o ce job
Hyattsville saw an overall decrease in crime through three-quarters of 2020; a decline that began in March, coinciding with Gov. Larry Hogan’s shutdown orders. The police department is preparing for the usual uptick
in crime around the holiday season, though — pandemic or no pandemic.
According to the Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) third-quarter re-
port, most major categories of crime are down, compared to 2019 numbers. Hyattsville is among many U.S. cities that have seen large drops in reported crime this year, according to researchers at the University of Pennsylvania tracking the changes.
Thefts, which are by far the most frequently reported crimes, decreased by about 55%, from 283 incidents in 2019 to 126 in 2020. While thefts spiked in 2019, the 2020 levels were considerably lower than in 2016-2018, as well.
“I’ve been doing [police work] since 1977, and this is something like I’ve never
SEE CRIME ON 8
Created by contributors in grades K-8, the HyattsKIDS Life & Times features local news, columns, and comics from our city’s youngest journalists. Our editors are Evan LeFevre and Claudia Romero Garvey. To participate, contact adult adviser Mary Frances Jiménez: mf_jimenez@yahoo.com. We also invite readers’ questions for an upcoming “Ask a HyattsKID” column.
BY NAOMI DANIELS. FOR FULL FIRETRUCK SANTA DETAILS, VISIT HVFD.COM/SANTA-RUN/.
The Prince George’s County library system is doing a new program called Book Bundles. First, you tell your library your age and other useful information, then the librarians pick out some books that they think you will like. Finally, you can go pick up the books using their curbside service.
“We wanted to give people an option to get books without coming into the library,” librarian Will Froliklong says.
The Book Bundles started on Nov. 3, but “I think we’re going to keep doing it even when the library is open. We’re going to continue to do a curbside service,” Froliklong says.
HyattsKIDS asked a Book Bundles user if they would recommend the service. “Yes,” says Vivian Nickel, a 10-year-old who enjoyed the five books she received.
For the 2020-2021 school year, St. Jerome Academy (SJA) decided to offer a hybrid learning model. Things were going smoothly, with only a few potential exposures and minor symptoms in some classes. But on Nov. 17, it was confirmed that the school had four positive asymptomatic cases in four separate classes. Those who tested positive were from the same household, according to an email from the principal to the school community.
With the safety of the students and faculty in mind, SJA went fully virtual a week before Thanksgiving in order to prevent further exposure. SJA Principal Danny Flynn confirmed that the school remained virtual a week after Thanksgiving.
The school nurse, Zoraida Baur,
Managing Editor Kit Slack kit@hyattsvillelife.com
wrote that, for her, taking school fully virtual wasn’t very surprising. “When cases of COVID-19 began to increase again in the wider state and local community, we knew that it was a real possibility.”
Nurse Baur informed HyattsKIDS that most of what is reported to her this year is either symptoms that could be related to COVID-19 or exposure to a person with COVID-19. “In these cases the health department will work with us on next steps. Testing may be combined with quarantining, or closure of a classroom.”
Other new duties she has include educating families and staff on best practices and writing heath protocols that help the school respond to illness quickly. “I am very blessed to be able to work with our health department liaison who is really amazing,” said Baur. But she said she was most impressed by how well students are responding to the changes. “Watching students come into the building, use hand sanitizer correctly, masked, and ready to
Business Manager Catie Currie catie@hyattsvillelife.com
go, is inspiring. It helps me keep in mind why we are doing what we are doing.”
There are several groups of kids who do good things in Hyattsville and they include Roots and Shoots, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and American Heritage Girls. They do activities such as picking up trash, fixing problems, and going camping together. Lately, clubs and organisations have had to follow certain protocols in order to stay around during the pandemic.
Ariana Casalini, who is in the Roots and Shoots group in Hyattsville, says that because of COVID-19, “things have definitely changed.” They do not do bake sales to raise money for charities but are “doing things like Zoom calls and online messaging instead of getting together in person.”
once a month since September, but each boy sleeps in their own tent or hammock. The Boy Scouts have been meeting in person since July, wearing masks when indoors, although they meet outdoors whenever possible. They do not regularly meet online. The American Heritage Girls have taken a different approach. For their hikes, they divide into smaller groups and wear masks. When the amount of people who felt comfortable doing AHG in person decreased, they switched to Zoom.
By Evan LeFevre
Is Santa Claus coming this year, or will I be getting “virtual” presents?
If I am getting real presents, do you have any advice for what my parents can do so I don’t get that really disappointed feeling once the last holiday present is open?
A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville
Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781
http://facebook.com/ HyattsvilleLife
http://twitter.com/HvilleTimes
Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Streetcar Suburbs Publishing Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses provided.
Associate Editors Sophie Gorman Oriani sophie@hyattsvillelife.com
Heather Wright heather@hyattsvillelife.com
Webmaster Jessica Burshtynskyy jessica@hyattsvillelife.com
Layout & Design Editor Ashley Perks
Copy Editor Nancy Welch
Writers & Contributors Christina Armeni, Dorvall Bedford, Victoria Boucher, Brandon Fastman, Juliette Fradin, Lauren Flynn Kelly, Chris McManes, Julia Nikhinson
Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com
301.531.5234
Advertising Sales Manager Brian Escobar brian@hyattsvillelife.com
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 — Ex Officio
Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in Hyattsville. Additional copies are distributed to libraries, selected businesses, community centers and churches in the city.
Total circulation is 9,300.
HL&T is a member of the National Newspaper Association.
Skye Kelley from Girl Scouts’ Junior Troop 23005, made up of mostly 4th-graders, says, “I like doing activities and helping people in need.” The troop has divided into three small groups for hiking and other safe activities. One fun online thing the troop did was a virtual haunted house tour.
Girl Scout Brownie Troop 23014, with 3rd- and 2nd-graders, has been meeting together with masks while taking other precautions. Troop co-leader Jessica Daniels says that the weather has cooperated for outdoor gatherings so far, but they are still figuring out what to do for the winter.
John Riordon, who works with the Boy Scouts, says that they have been doing camping trips
Santa is a mysterious fellow, but I’ve always believed that he’s been alive for so long that he and his reindeer can’t really get sick like us. Rest assured that you won’t need to worry about virtual presents.
For the past couple of years one person in my family would “play Santa” while wearing a little Santa hat and be the one to pass gifts under the tree to everyone. This way the receivers get to spread out the fun all through the morning, and the gifters get to enjoy each person’s reaction when they open up their gift.
Whatever holidays you celebrate, try to plan fun activities for the rest of the season so that once all the presents have been opened, you can feel thankful to do something special with your family.
e Hyattsville Life & Times invites local residents to join us for a community discussion broadcasted live on Facebook with City Council President Kevin Ward (Ward 1) on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 5 p.m.
Ward will serve as interim mayor of Hyattsville starting Jan. 1, 2021, following Mayor Candace Hollingsworth’s resignation. An election will be held in May of 2021 for a mayor to serve the remaining two years of Hollingsworth’s term.
Maria James, former managing editor of the Hyattsville Life & Times, will ask Councilmember Ward your questions, and ours, about the transition and the upcoming mayoral election.
Greta Mosher, Hyattsville’s chair of the Board of Supervisors of Elections, and City Clerk Laura Reams will also be on hand to take questions.
Please submit your questions to us via email, managingeditor@hyattsvillelife.com, or on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/HyattsvilleLife.
At the Nov. 16 city council meeting, councilmembers discussed a developer’s request that the city support rezoning of the Clay Property, a nearly 13-acre area near the University Hills neighborhood.
e property is currently zoned R-80, which permits single-family detached residential homes. As part of the upcoming Countywide Map Amendment (CMA), the developer seeks to have the Clay Property zoned, not as RSF-95, which would remain limited to single-family detached residential homes, but instead as RSF-A, which would permit town houses, according to the letter submitted on behalf of the Blumberg family, who own the property.
As part of the letter, the owners o ered several conditions, including designating 10% of the homes as moderately priced housing and creating buffer zones along the property’s edge. Several councilmembers, including Ben Simasek (Ward 3) and Robert Croslin (Ward 2), noted that these conditions
SEE BRIEFS ON 6
FROM PAGE1
and her evenings and weekends in rehearsal. Any free time she had, she spent practicing or learning music or translating texts. “All singers are basically freelance artists,” she explained. Most musicians can’t rely solely on performances to bring in a steady income. Having a day job or side hustle is very common, according to Ferrara. But the pandemic has taken away many of those jobs. College Park opera singer Elizabeth Mondragon, who worked for a nonpro t for 16 years, was laid o in May. “A lot of musicians are struggling,” she said. Ferrara and Mondragon have both been singing their whole lives. “People who are artists do it because it’s something they can’t not do; artists are drawn to express themselves,” said Mondragon. “Not having that form of expression really does something to a person, emotionally and mentally.”
Mondragon serves as the codirector of the D.C. Metro chapter of Opera on Tap, a nonpro t dedicated to bringing opera to unorthodox locations. Most of the venues they performed in before the pandemic have closed or aren’t putting on performances. Some opera companies are adjusting to restrictions during the pandemic by providing virtual performances. IN Series was one of the rst to make the switch. e company produced one of the rst-ever fully digital opera performance seasons and has been releasing content since May. Ferrara and Mondragon have both been able to sing and record music for the IN Series during the pandemic.
“To create a recording is far more di cult than singing live,” Ferrara said. “Opera is such a collaborative art.”
Ferrara explained that the accompanist relies on hearing and seeing the performers breathe. e pianist and singer now have to record separately and hope the recordings can be pieced
together. Without the immediate feedback of an audience’s applause, it can be di cult to know how a performance was perceived, said Mondragon.
“When you’re creating art, it’s art when you connect with other people, and so it’s hard when you don’t get to see that happening. What we have to remember is that it is happening; we just don’t get to see it,” Ferrara pointed out.
In September, Ferrara sang in person for the rst time since the start of the pandemic. IN Series performed outside the Supreme Court to honor the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was known for her love of opera. e singers wore face masks in front of a crowd of mourners.
“I feel very lucky that I’ve had opportunities to still sing,” Ferrara said. “It was so satisfying to actually see the reaction of people to music for the rst time in months. To see other people be touched by it is really why you do it.”
By Lauren Flynn Kelly
Every avid thrifter has a story (or two or 50) of how they connected with their favorite secondhand finds. For this month’s “Thrifting with … ” feature, Ohio native and local musician Janine Wilson shares her best 69-cent purchase, her love of “all things French” and her quest for the ultimate turquoise necklace. Follow her through the Instagram handle, @janinewilsonband.
When or how did you first get into thrifting?
Wilson: I’m originally from Columbus, Ohio, and Columbus has great thrift stores! I first discovered thrifting through my seventh-grade best friend’s dad. He would take us along on his trips to the Salvation Army or Goodwill, flea markets and yard sales. I remember especially the South High Flea Market, which takes place on the weekends at a drive-in movie theatre. I found my first treasures there. Happily, the flea market still exists.
What are some of your favorites places to buy second hand?
Wilson: I love going to estate sales! It does feel a little odd and intrusive, sifting through a life’s worth of belongings and mementos, but I love knowing where items came from. I visited a sale in University Park last year and found a copy of A Christmas Carol, where I found an inscription saying, “Merry Christmas to Barbara from Daddy. Christmas 1938.” That meant more to me than the book, honestly.
What kinds of things are you always on the lookout for? Is there anything you’re looking for that you never find?
Wilson: I always look out for vintage turquoise jewelry and items with French writing or made in France. (I have deep French roots and a love for just about all things French!) I’ve been collecting old silver champagne buckets or small creamers or pitchers to put plants and flowers in. The one thing I may
never find is a turquoise squash blossom necklace for under $100. I haven’t found one online for under $500 or $600, and most of the very cool ones are around $1,000 and up!
You are a musician (and have a lovely new song out, by the way!). Have you purchased any memorable musical items over the years?
Wilson: Aww, thanks on the song! When I went to an estate
sale some years ago in Alexandria, I bought a kid’s tiny “grand” piano and super funky piece of fabric on cardboard, framed in a beautiful vintage gold frame. It resides above my desk as a vision/idea/inspiration board of sorts. The folks having the sale were the sons of a music teacher, so they were happy to see some of their mom’s belongings go to a musician. Later on, one of them contacted me about an antique couch they were selling, and I bought it. And now they are fans of my music, as well! I love making those sorts of connections.
Are there any beloved holiday-themed items you’ve collected over the years?
Wilson: For years, I collected vintage Christmas decorations, though I’ve had to put the kibosh on that as it was starting to look as if Christmas exploded in my small bungalow! My most treasured ornaments are those from my grandma — she would give me and my sister an ornament every year. When she passed away at the age of 101, many of her ornaments, dating back to the 1920s and ’30s, were passed along to me.
What is one of your all-time thrifted scores?
Wilson: Years ago, I went into a big Salvation Army house
in a late 1800s brick building in downtown Columbus, and as I was walking up and down the aisles of bric-a-brac, my eye spotted something red among piles of dishware. As I looked more closely, I silently freaked out and grabbed a red bakelite pin of dangling apples. I walked around the store holding it tightly, wondering what to do because at the time there were signs that said “no price tag, no sale,” because people would rip off a tag and then ask the price in the hopes of getting a cheaper one. I walked up to the cashier and said I knew it didn’t have a price on it and came just short of begging her to “let me buy it, or I’ll die.” She said, “How about 69 cents?” I thanked her profusely and ran down the concrete stairs to my aunt and jumped up and down at my find. Our next stop was an indoor flea market where a woman sold bakelite. I showed her the pin, and she said she’d have sold that for $75! That was a huge deal to me then. I still have it!
were not binding.
Several residents spoke up at the city council meeting to oppose the rezoning, including Alyson Reid, who represented the University Hills Civic Association. Reid cited the potential negative environmental impact of developing the property and the incompatibility of the proposed development with the surrounding neighborhood.
A similar attempt in 2015 to have the Clay Property rezoned failed. A CMA hearing previously set for mid-November has been postponed; Director of Community & Economic Development Jim Chandler said that he anticipates that it will be rescheduled for the spring of 2021.
Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) Chief Amal Awad, who made Hyattsville history as the first African-American, first woman, and first member of the LGBTQ community to lead the department, has announced her resignation, effective Dec. 16. Awad will join the Anne Arundel County Police Department as their new chief.
According to a Nov. 16 press release, over the course of her three years with the HCPD, Awad has “worked to address pressing community issues,” such as increasing minority representation in the department and creating programs and positions to support the mental health needs of the community.
In the wake of the controversial shooting of Leonard Shand, Awad has attempted to improve the department’s response to
individuals with mental health needs, including developing a relationship with the Anne Arundel County crisis response team.
HCPD Deputy Chief Scott Dunklee will serve as interim chief of police.
On Nov. 10, Mayor Candace Hollingsworth announced that she was resigning from her position, effective Dec. 31, in order to focus on her newly created political organization, Our Black Party. She will continue to live in Hyattsville.
“Leading this city as its mayor for the last nearly six years has been, indeed, the best job I never knew I wanted,” wrote Hollingsworth on her Facebook page. “Because I care so deeply about this city and its future, I know it deserves more than what I am able to give.”
Hollingsworth was first elected as a Ward 1 councilmember in 2011 and became one of the youngest mayors in city history, as well as its first Black mayor, in 2015. She recently published a list of “35 policy recommendations to protect Black futures,” some of which the City of Hyattsville has already implemented.
LOCAL RESTAURANTS, THE HUNGRY
Central Kenilworth Avenue Revitalization Community Development Corporation and Greater Riverdale Cares & Route One Communities Care (GRC & ROCC) are hosting a virtual art sale Dec. 3-20. These organizations fund area restaurants to make simple meals, which are then distributed to residents along the Route 1 Corridor by
volunteers working in schools, churches and other locations.
GRC & ROCC has provided nearly 10,000 meals since the start of the pandemic and has received funding through a GoFundMe page, as well as from grants, including a $10,000 donation from the Hyattsville City Council and a $5,000 grant from Prince George’s County.
The sale features a variety of works created and donated by local artists. The works depict a range of subjects, from a photograph of the water lilies at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens to a linocut of a marriage scene in Western India. Many are framed, signed by the artist, or both. Prices range from $25-$400.
The sale can be accessed at go.dojiggy.io/grcrocc. You can also donate directly to GRC & ROCC at www.feedrouteone.org.
A car crashed into a building on Baltimore Avenue on Nov. 21, smashing glass and knocking masonry loose. The driver said she fell asleep at the wheel, according to a police report by the Hyattsville City Police Department.
The driver, a Silver Spring resident, crashed into the Go Brent Residential Real Estate Brokerage office located at 5101 Baltimore Avenue around 5:30 p.m.
The pre-war building, known as the Magruder Flatiron Building, is in a wedge shape, positioned where the old trolley line parted ways with Baltimore Avenue. In the past four years, several cars have missed the bend in the road there and crashed into the building, according to Go Brent realtor Don Bunuan.
The driver and the passenger in her car were both sent to Prince George’s Hospital.
Sending a holiday card this year might feel different, following months of social deprivation. While we’ve been keeping our distance with loved ones, we’re also craving deep connection and want to show our appreciation and gratitude to people near and far. We now pay more attention to and recognize simple things in life we often took for granted or overlooked: giving a hug, sharing a meal, or traveling. Many of us will remember this year as a time when we reevaluated the importance of relationships to our well-being. The simple gesture of sending a card remains popular with many, especially during the holidays. According to the Greeting Card Association, Americans purchase approximately 1.6 billion Christmas cards every year. A recent survey published in The New York Times showed that 60% of respondents plan to send holidays cards this year, compared to 38% last year. Card companies have put out creative, quarantine-themed messages. Even though everyone needs festive and fun notes, you may be wise to be careful in the message you share and with whom. More than half of
Americans now know someone who has been impacted by COVID-19. A popular word this year is “hope.”
Unfortunately, the lifespan of a card, from mantel to trash, is short. Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, American households will produce 25% more trash than usual — the equivalent of one million additional tons of garbage per week. Gift wrap and shopping bags, alone, result in 4 million tons of waste. And if you think we can just put
everything in the recycle bin, let’s think again. The paper we use to wrap gifts during the holidays costs us 30 million trees. Simple paper cards and envelopes are recyclable, but NOT if you add foil or plastic decorations.
So in the holiday spirit, be mindful of your environmental impact and follow these tips for sending greetings:
• Get rid of “the list.” Instead of sending cards to everyone you can think of, be selective and send physical cards to your
inner circle of family members and best friends.
• Send e-cards to your outer circle (you can do it yourself on canva.com). I know you won’t be featured on anyone’s mantel, but e-cards are more eco-friendly and much less work. You can even send a video: Record the family’s holiday message to friends and family, sing carols, dress up!
• Look for cards that are made with post-consumer recycled paper and are recyclable, themselves. Stop buying
cards that are manufactured out of new materials. I highly recommend Paper Culture (www.paperculture.com), as they offset their carbon footprint and plant a tree for each order they receive.
• Avoid cards with foil or foil-lined envelopes, glitter, metallic inks, ribbons, beads and velvet (etc.), as these materials make them impossible to recycle.
• Choose soy-based inks, which release fewer volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) during manufacturing and are easier for recyclers to extract before recycling the paper.
• No need for an envelope; send a postcard instead!
• Ditch photo paper, as it usually contains a protective plastic top layer.
• Before recycling any cards or gift wrapping, remove tape and decorations, including bows and ribbons. Reuse those decorations next year instead, and save money and materials.
• Make your own cards. Reuse materials you already have and be creative. If you feel artistic, design something, or let the kids do it. Your crafting will be way more appreciated than something generic.
All I really want for Christmas is for you to share the love while being mindful of the environment!
Thank you, Mayor Hollingsworth: Recently, our Mayor Candace B. Hollingsworth announced that she is resigning from her position at the end of 2020 to focus her efforts on Our Black Party, a political organization she co-founded this year. Candace, who joined City Council in 2011 representing Ward 1, became Hyattsville’s youngest Mayor, our second female Mayor, and our first Black Mayor in 2015. During Candace’s tenure, she oversaw increased City partnerships with businesses and nonprofit groups, expanded programming for seniors and youth, the expansion of voting rights for City elections, designation of Hyattsville as a Sanctuary City, and increased transparency and engagement in local government. Among her many accomplishments, Candace’s leadership has prepared Hyattsville to serve an anticipated population growth with funding for the construction of a public works facility and a new public safety headquarters, and acquisition of a facility to serve as a hub for our teen programming. She also initiated the Clean and Safe Team, founded the Race & Equity Task Force, Education Advisory Committee and Complete Count Committee, and established the $1M COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund for residents and businesses.
Though Candace may be leaving the City as Mayor, we are fortunate that she will remain our neighbor! We’d like to thank Candace for her exceptional work and the time she dedicated to Hyattsville. The City is proud to see her take her advocacy for equity and justice to even greater heights. Thank you, Candace!
Once Mayor Hollingsworth steps down, Council President Kevin Ward will serve as Mayor until the City elections in the spring of 2021. A new mayor will be elected at that time and serve the remainder of Mayor Hollingsworth’s current term (spring 2023).
Thank you, Chief Awad: It is also bittersweet to announce that our Hyattsville Chief of Police Amal Awad is resigning from her position on December 16, 2020. She has been selected as the new Chief of Police for the Anne Arundel County Police Department.
Chief Awad became the Department’s first Black, Female, and LGBTQ+ Chief in 2017. During her tenure, the Chief fostered meaningful relationships with the City’s youth, seniors, and businesses, expanded mental health and diversity training for the Department, launched a mental health crisis committee, and spearheaded a pilot COVID-19 public safety program. The City is grateful for her leadership over the last three years and wishes her personal and professional success in the next chapter of her life. Thank you, Chief!
Effective on December 17, 2020, Deputy Chief Scott Dunklee will serve as Interim Chief of Police as the Department conducts the search for its next Chief.
We Want to Hear from You!: The City’s Communications survey closes on December 15, 2020! Help City staff improve communications by completing a quick sevenquestion survey at hyattsville.org/surveys. And BONUS, participants can choose to be entered into a drawing for a Hyattsville swag bag – spread the word!
COVID-19 Update: Prince George’s County recently updated its Phase 2 guide-
Mayor Candace B. Hollingsworth recently announced her resignation from her position at the end of 2020 to focus her efforts on Our Black Party, a political organization she co-founded this year. Thank you, Candace for your years of service to Hyattsville! La Alcaldesa de Hyattsville Candace B. Hollingsworth recientemente anuncio su resignación de su puesto a fines de 2020 para enfocar sus esfuerzos a Our Black Party, una organización política que cofundo este año. ¡Gracias, Candace por tus años de servicio a Hyattsville!
lines reducing occupancy for houses of worship and most businesses to 25% capacity. Bars and restaurants are required to stop indoor services after 10 p.m., though take-out and curbside pick-up is still permitted. Outdoor gatherings are restricted to 25 people or less, while indoor gatherings are restricted to 10 or less. Wearing a face mask in public is a requirement at all times, except when exercising vigorously. Please continue to practice social distancing during the holidays and follow COVID-19 safety measures. Visit mypgc.us/ reopen for full guidelines from the County.
Free Parking in City Parking Lots: Make plans to support Hyattsville businesses this season! Shop locally and safely by wearing masks, following social distancing protocols, or using online local ordering and curbside pick-up options. To make it easier, the City is offering free parking in City lots until December 31. You can find a map of the City’s lots by visiting hyattsville.org/parking.
Hyattsville COVID-19 Testing Site: Free non-appointment testing is available at the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville (6201 Belcrest Road) through a partnership between the Church, Luminis Health, The County Health Department, and the City. The site administers walk-up and drive-thru tests on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until the site reaches capacity. Sign up for City emails and texts at hyattsville.org/
notifyme to be alerted of potential site closings due to inclement weather. For testing site questions, call (301) 985-5000.
City Building Closed to Public: To reduce the spread of COVID-19, the City Building at 4310 Gallatin Street is closed to the public and in-person permitting, licensing, and notary requests have been halted until further notice. City staff remains available remotely for questions and inquiries at (301) 985-5000. The City offers many of its services online at hyattsville. org.
Holiday Tree Lighting: We’re keeping this holiday bright with a virtual tree lighting! Tune in to our social media accounts on Friday, December 11, at 5 p.m. as Mayor Hollingworth lights the tree one last time!
Claus Applause: There’s just a few days left to nominate homes for the 2020 Claus Applause Awards! Visit hyattsville.org/applause to complete the online form or print the paper form and mail to 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781. Nominations close at 5 p.m. Monday, December 14, and judging takes place Wednesday, December 16. Questions? Email ceverhart@ hyattsville.org or call (301) 985-5021.
Mr. and Mrs. Claus Making House Calls!: Santa and the Mrs. are tele-working from the north pole and making house calls this season! If you’d like your child to receive a call from the jolly couple anytime from now until Christmas Eve (during
business hours 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), head over to hyattsville.org/santa and complete the form. Registration closes Sunday, December 20.
Leaf Collections: The City’s leaf collection services are operating on a limited basis due to COVID-19 related staffing shortages. Weekly leaf services will resume to normal as staffing permits. Trash collection routes and Monday yard waste and compost pick-ups will continue as normal. To help the remaining staff, residents can bag leaves in paper yard waste bags to be picked up with Monday collections, or mow them into lawns (which benefit soils for Spring!).
Trash Collection Changes: City offices are closed on Friday, December 25 and Friday, January 1, in observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day. Monday’s yard waste and compost will be collected both weeks. Trash routes for both weeks will remain the same, aside from Friday’s, which will be picked up on Thursday. County recycling also remains the same Monday through Thursday, and Friday’s collection will shift to Saturday.
Bulk Trash Pop-Up Day: Weather permitting, the City is hosting a Bulk Trash Pop-Up Day on Saturday, January 9, at the City Building and Magruder Park. Residents can drop off bulk trash items in dumpsters at both locations from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until containers reach capacity. As a reminder, the City has suspended bulk trash pick-ups until March 2021. For questions, please call (301) 985-5032.
Stay Connected: Keep up with events, notices of food distributions and resources, and local programming! Visit hyattsville. org/notifyme and sign up to receive alerts via your preferred method(s) of communication.
Benefits Check-Up: Did you know that the National Council on Aging offers a free online tool that can look up resources you or a loved one may qualify for? The secure site uses information to find programs that assist with medications, health care, income assistance, food and nutrition, tax relief, housing and utilities, employment, veteran benefits, and transportation. Visit benefitscheckup.org to learn more.
Cole the Deaf Dog: On Wednesday, December 30, at 1 p.m., join us for a live presentation with Cole the Deaf Rescue Dog, who’s on a quest to change the world one paw at a time! Cole, a certified therapy dog, will be performing while teaching life lessons of acceptance. ASL interpretation will be available. Visit https://hyattsville. recdesk.com/Community/Program to register.
Activity Boxes: Take a break from the screens and pick up an activity box for the whole family! Parents can purchase a $20 box ($10 for each additional box) filled with crafts and games by visiting hyattsville. org and selecting the “Recreation” button. Families who’d like to receive a box and need financial assistance can let us know, and families who’d like to donate boxes for others can do so as well. Boxes will be ready for pick-up on December 14 at the Teen Rec Center (3911 Hamilton Street). Have questions? Call (301) 985-5065 or email vnegron@hyattsville.org.
Gracias, Alcaldesa Hollingsworth: Recientemente, nuestra Alcaldesa Candace B. Hollingsworth anuncio que esta renunciando de su posición a finales de 2020 para enfocar sus esfuerzos a Our Black Party, una organización que cofundó este año.
Candace, quien se unió al Concejo Municipal en el 2011 representando al Distrito 1, se convirtió la Alcalde más joven, nuestra segunda mujer Alcalde y nuestra primera Alcalde Afroamericana en el 2015. Durante el mandato de Candace, ella supervisó el aumento de las asociaciones de la Ciudades con negocios y grupos sin fines de lucro, amplió la programación para personas de la tercera edad y los jóvenes, expandió el derecho de voto para las elecciones a la Ciudad, designó Hyattsville como una Ciudad santuario y incremento la transparencia y participación en el gobierno local. Entre sus muchos logros, el liderazgo de Candace ha preparado a Hyattsville para servir a nuestro crecimiento demográfico con fondos para la construcción de una instalación de obras publicas y una nueva sede de seguridad publica, y una instalación para servir como centro para nuestra programación de jóvenes. También inicio el Equipo de Seguridad y Limpieza, fundo el Grupo de Trabajo para Justicia y Equidad, Comité Consultivo de Educación y Comité de Cuento Completo del Censo y estableció el Fondo de Alivio de la Pandemia COVID-19 de $1M para residentes y negocios.
Aunque Candace esta dejando la Ciudad como Alcaldesa, ¡tenemos la suerte de que seguirá siendo nuestra vecina! Nos gustaría agradecer a Candace por su excepcional trabajo y el tiempo que dedicó a la Ciudad de Hyattsville. La Ciudad se enorgullece de verla llevar su defensa de la equidad y la justicia a alturas aún mayores. ¡Gracias, Candace!
Una vez que la Alcaldesa Hollingsworth ceda su puesto, el Presidente del Concejo Kevin Ward asumirá el cargo de Alcalde hasta la elecciones de la Ciudad en la primera de 2021. Un nuevo Alcalde será elegido en ese momento y servirá el resto del mandato de la Alcaldesa Hollingsworth (primavera de 2023).
Gracias, Jefa Awad: También es agridulce de anunciar que nuestra Jefa de Policía de Hyattsville Amal Awad esta renunciando de su posición el 16 de diciembre de 2020. Ella ha sido seleccionada para ser la nueva Jefa del Departamento de Policía del Condado Anne Arundel.
La Jefa Awad fue la primera Jefa Afroamericana, mujer y LGBTQ+ en el 2017. Durante su mandato, la Jefa fomentó relaciones significativas con los jóvenes, personas de la tercera edad y negocios de la Ciudad, amplió la capacitación en salud mental y diversidad para el Departamento, lanzó un comité de crisis de salud mental y encabezó un programa piloto de seguridad pública COVID-19 para la Ciudad. La Ciudad está agradecida por su liderazgo en los últimos tres años y le desea nada más que éxito personal y profesional en el próximo capítulo de su vida. ¡Gracias, Jefa!
A partir del 17 de diciembre de 2020, el Subjefe de Hyattsville Scott Dunklee servirá como Jefe de Policía Interino mientras el Departamento lleva a cabo la búsqueda de su próximo Jefa/e.
¡Queremos Escuchar de Usted!: ¡La encuesta de comunicaciones de la Ciudad se cierra el 15 de diciembre de 2020! Ayude al personal de la Ciudad mejorar comunicaciones completando una encuesta de siete
preguntas en hyattsville.org/surveys. Y un PLUS, ¡participantes tienen la opción a ser entrados a un sorteo para ganar una bolsa de regalos!
Actualización de COVID-19: El Condado Prince George’s recientemente actualizo sus pautas de Fase 2, reduciendo la capacidad de las casas de culto y la mayoría de los negocios a 25%. Se requiere que los bares y restaurantes paren servicios en el interior después de las 10 p.m,, aunque todavía se permite el take-out. Las reuniones al aire libre están restringidas a 25 personas o menos, y reuniones en interiores están restringidas a 10 o menos. Usar una mascarilla en público es un requisito en todo momento, excepto cuando se hace ejercicio vigorosamente. Por favor continúe practicando el distanciamiento social durante las vacaciones y siga las pautas COVID-19. Visit mypgc.us/reopen para más.
Parqueo Gratuito: ¡Haga planes para apoyar a negocios de Hyattsville esta temporada! Compre localmente y de forma segura usando máscaras, siguiendo protocolos de distanciamiento social, o usando opciones locales de pedidos en línea y de recogida en la acera. Para hacerlo más fácil, la Ciudad ofrece estacionamiento gratuito sus lotes desde ahora hasta el 31 de diciembre. Visite hyattsville.org/parking para ver un mapa de los lotes de la Ciudad.
Sitio de Pruebas COVID-19: Pruebas gratuitas y sin citas están disponibles en la en la Iglesia First United Methodist de Hyattsville (6201 Belcrest Road) por medio de una asociación entre la Iglesia, Luminis Health, el Departamento de Salud del Condado y la Ciudad. El sitio administra pruebas a conductores y a personas caminando los lunes, jueves y sábados, de 9 a.m. a 3 p.m., o hasta que el sitio llegue a capacidad. Inscríbase para avisos en hyattsville.org/notifyme para ser alertado sobre cierres potenciales debido
al clima. Para preguntas, llame a (301) 9855000.
Edificio Municipal Cerrado al Público: Para reducir la propagación del COVID-19, el Edificio Municipal en la 4310 Gallatin Street esta cerrado al público y parando los servicios de licencias, permisos y notaria en persona hasta un nuevo aviso. El personal de la Ciudad esta disponible para preguntas vía (301) 985-5000. La Ciudad también ofrece muchos de sus servicios en línea en hyattsville.org.
Iluminación del Árbol Festivo: ¡Estamos manteniendo esta temporada festiva viva con la iluminación virtual de nuestro árbol! ¡Sintonice a nuestras redes sociales el viernes, 11 de diciembre, a las 5 p.m. cuando nuestra Alcaldesa Hollingsworth prenda el árbol una ves más!
Premios “Claus Applause”: ¡Solo quedan unos días para nominar a hogares para los Premios “Claus Applause” de 2020! Visite hyattsville.org/applause para completar el formulario en línea o imprimirlo y enviarlo a 4310 Gallatin Street, Hyattsville, MD 20781. Nominaciones se cierran el 14 de diciembre y el juzgamiento toma plazo el 16 de diciembre. Contacte a ceverhart@ hyattsville.org o llame a (301) 985-5021 con preguntas.
¡Sr. y Sra. Claus Haciendo Llamadas a Casas!: ¡Santa y su esposa están trabajando desde el polo norte y llamando a hogares esta temporada! Si quisiera que su menor recibiera una llamada entre ahora y el 24 entre las 9 a.m. y 5 p.m., visite hyattsville. org/santa y complete el formulario. El ultimo día de registración es el 20 de diciembre.
Colección de Hojas: Los servicios de recolección de hojas de la Ciudad están operando de forma limitada debido a la escasez de personal relacionada con COVID-19. Los servicios de hoja semanales se reanudarán a la normalidad a medida que la dotación
de personal lo permita. Las rutas de recolección de basura y los residuos del yarda y compostaje los lunes y continuarán con normalidad. Para ayudar al personal restante, residentes pueden embolsar hojas en bolsas de papel para ser recogidos con las colecciones de los lunes, o cortarlos en el césped (¡lo que beneficia a los suelos para la primavera!).
Cambios de Recolección de Basura: Las oficinas de la Ciudad están cerradas el viernes, 25 de diciembre y el viernes, 1 de enero, para observar Navidad y el Año Nuevo. Los residuos de yarda y el compostaje serán recogidos ambos lunes. Las rutas de basura para las dos semanas se mantendrán igual, excepto por la ruta de los viernes, que será recogida el jueves. Lo mismo ocurre con el reciclaje del Condado y la ruta del viernes será recogida al sábado en vez. Para preguntas, llame a (301) 985-5032.
Día Emergente de Basuras Grandes: Clima permitiendo, la Ciudad sostendrá un Día Emergente de Basuras Grandes el sábado, 9 de enero, en el Edificio Municipal y Parque Magruder. Residentes pueden llevar artículos a ambos sitios entre las 10 a.m. hasta las 2 p.m., o hasta que se llenen los contenedores. Como recordatorio, la Ciudad ha suspendido los servicios de recolección de basuras grandes hasta marzo de 2021. ¿Preguntas? Llame a (301) 985-5032.
Manténgase Conectado: ¡Manténgase al día con eventos, avisos de distribuciones de alimentos y recursos y programación local! Visite hyattsville.org/notifyme y regístrese para recibir alertas a través de su(s) método(s) preferido(s) de comunicación.
Programas Amigables con la Edad
Chequeo de Beneficios: ¿Sabía que el Concejo Nacional sobre el Envejecimiento ofrece una herramienta en línea gratuita que puede buscar recursos para usted o un ser querido pueden calificar? El sitio seguro utiliza información para encontrar programas estatales y locales que ayudan con medicamentos, atención médica, asistencia de ingresos, alimentos y nutrición, alivio tributario, vivienda y servicios públicos, empleo y transporte. Para obtener más información, por favor visite a benefitscheckup. org.
Cole el Perro Sordo: ¡El miércoles, 30 de diciembre, a la 1 p.m., acompáñenos para una presentación en vivo especial con Cole el Perro de Rescate Sordo, que está en una búsqueda para cambiar el mundo una patita a la vez! Cole, que es un perro de la terapia certificado, presentara mientras enseña lecciones de la vida de aceptación. La interpretación de ASL será proporcionada. Inscríbase vía https://hyattsville.recdesk.com/ Community/Progam.
Cajas de Actividad: ¡Tome un descanso de las pantallas de esta temporada de vacaciones y recoja una caja de actividades para la familia! Padres pueden comprar una caja de $20 ($10 por cada caja adicional) llena de actividades de artesanía y juego visitando hyattsville.org y seleccionando el botón “Recreación.” Padres necesitando ayuda comprando las cajas o que quieran donar pueden hacerlo también. Las cajas estarán listas para ser recogidas del Centro de Jóvenes en 3911 Hamilton Street el 14 de diciembre. ¿Tiene preguntas? Contacte al (240) 687-8088 o a vnegron@hyattsville.org.
seen,” said HCPD Deputy Chief Scott Dunklee in a Nov. 23 interview. “You know, our calls for service, our crime report during the middle of COVID, actually dropped off. These aren’t exact numbers, but we usually handle 23-24 crimes a week, and we were down to 11.” Thefts reached a low in April, with just 26 reported, down from 100 in February and 73 in March.
Dunklee attributed some of the decrease in thefts to the closing of the Mall at Prince George’s. “The mall was closed, and so, therefore, the shoplifting and theft from cars was nonexistent,” he not-
ed. The mall closed in midMarch and reopened June 30, but with reduced hours and limited access.
Two categories of crime have increased during the pandemic, breaking and entering (B&E) and carjacking.
Residential B&E increased by 125%, from 8 incidents in 2019 to 18 in 2020. Most of the increase occurred in outbuildings (0 incidents in 2019, and 9 in 2020) versus in homes (8 incidents in 2019, and 9 in 2020).
“We had a string of sheds being broken into,” said Dunklee. He explained that sheds are often poorly secured and that “criminals like to take the path of least resistance.” The police depart-
ment recommends installing solar-powered lights and sturdy padlocks on sheds to secure them, he added.
Carjackings in Hyattsville increased more than 400% this year, from none in 2019 to 4 in 2020. Dunklee said that it’s a county-wide problem, and that several groups seem responsible for the incidents. He could not provide further details, though, as an active investigation is underway.
As of Nov. 30, carjackings in Prince George’s County had increased by about 270%, from 84 in 2019 to 228 in 2020, according to Prince George’s County Police Department Media Relations Division Director Julie Wright. Carjackings in the District have
also more than doubled over the same period last year, as noted in an Oct. 27 Washington Post article.
“It’s one thing to have your car broken into; it’s another thing to be in your car and to have someone order you out, while they take your car,” said Dunklee. “It’s terrifying, and we’re working real hard with other local jurisdictions to try and put a stop to it.”
To deter carjackers, Dunklee recommended being observant, knowing your surroundings, and keeping your car doors locked as much as possible. “If you see somebody lurking around that looks out of place, maybe go back into the store and wait a few moments,” he added.
FOR SALE: All Electric 2012 Nissan Leaf SL
Only 25K Miles, Excellent Commuter Car, Like New: Inside and Out, $9900 OBO Drive up to 75 miles a day and never stop for gas!
Details at http://thomasbannister.com/leaf
Although thefts have been down during the pandemic, overall, they usually increase in November and December as people shop more during the holiday season.
Dunklee said the HCPD has the same message every year: Don’t leave packages in seats. Make sure everything is locked in the trunk or taken inside. Don’t leave your car running when you leave it.
To thwart porch pirates, consider using a secure delivery option like the Amazon Hub Locker at the Riverdale Park Whole Foods. Or ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye out for packages if you’ll be away from home.
Dunklee urged everyone to be vigilant. ”If you see something, say something,” he cautioned.
“We’re here to support our community. We like to hear from people. You know who belongs in your neighborhood, who may not,” said Dunklee.
“So we would encourage people to call if [they] see something that they think is out of place.”
Come January, Prince George’s County may no longer have SROs in public schools. A measure to end contracts with law enforcement agencies failed in September, but the county school board will revisit the issue at its Jan. 14 meeting, after surveying the community for feedback.
A 2005 graduate of Northwestern, Moquete is now a social worker at a New Orleans high school. She recently joined a panel organized by the Mount Rainier Organization for Racial Equity to discuss the impacts of SROs in Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS). Moquete’s own school of about 900 students employs four mental health professionals and no law enforcement personnel. “I absolutely love my school,” she said, “and one of the reasons why is because it has invested so many resources into mental health services and scholar support services.”
e SRO who chased Moquete and her friends back in 2003 was then-Cpl. Mike Rudinski, who was Northwestern’s rst SRO. Rudinski served at the school for 17 years and retired from the Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD) in 2016. Now, he works for the Maryland Center for School Safety and trains other SROs. In a November presentation to the state of Maryland’s School Safety Advisory Board, Rudinski said he agrees that there should be more counselors, but that it doesn’t need to be an either/or choice. HCPD Chief Amal Awad explained that o cers, themselves, act as mentors, counselors and instructors, educating students, for instance, about illicit drugs and gangs. ey may also coach sports and participate in commu-
nity events. “Let me just say with our SROs … there’s an appreciation for them being there. Kids stop into their o ce, they seek counseling from our o cers.”
Unlike at most schools in the county, Northwestern’s SROs are not members of the Prince George’s County Police Department, but are HCPD o cers.
e county budget allots $17 million for law enforcement and security personnel in schools. e HCPD receives $80,000 for its SROs. According to a county police spokesperson, all of the money comes from the county’s general fund.
Before classes went virtual due to the pandemic, Northwestern had two SROs, one lead investigator, one investigative counselor and 12 security assistants, according to a PGCPS spokesperson. Nicholas Orem Middle School had one investigative counselor, three security assistants and one SRO from the county. Hyattsville Middle School had two security assistants.
e Hyattsville Life & Times requested interviews with school principals but did not receive responses before press time.
e measure to remove SROs was voted down 8-6 at the Sept. 17 county board of education (BOE) meeting. Two of the board members who voted against the measure lost their seats in the November election, though, so a second vote could reverse the decision.
BOE Member Pamela Boozer-Strother (District 3) said via email, “My vote was against the initial proposal to suddenly end the SRO program with no thoughtful transition. I did not consider this proposal in the best interest of PGCPS students. I … supported the CEO coming back with a security reform plan that may include SRO program reform.”
Advocates for removal of SROs argue that the mere presence of o cers diminishes an educational institution’s mission of nurturing and educating children. Tyler Smith, a Howard University student and COO of Stand Up!, a youth advocacy organization which includes former and current PGCPS students, takes this position. O cers “never really did contribute to me feeling safe or comfortable,” he said. It felt like “they were watching for us to make a mistake.”
e Maryland O ce of the Public Defender has advocated for an end to sta ng police o cers in schools. Michelle Hall, an assistant public defender who represents juveniles in the county, said that many of her clients are charged with o enses like
assault and robbery and trespassing when, absent an o cer, such behavior would probably be labelled ghting and bullying and loitering — teenage behavior that may require intervention, such as restorative justice or mental health services, but not engagement with the legal system.
“ e best thing that can happen when you end up in juvenile court,” she said, “is a net neutral.”
Moreover, there are racial disparities in the policing of students. According to Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) data, during the 2018-19 school year, African Americans accounted for 57% of the student population in Prince George’s County while they made up 87% of the 311 students arrested in public schools. Students with disabilities were also overrepresented in arrest statistics, according to MSDE data.
e rationale for keeping law enforcement on campuses is to protect students, not police them. Awad said that her department’s SROs have defused several dangerous situations. “We’re talking about incidents where assaults have occurred, students from other campuses showing up with an edged weapon, a replica gun,” she said.
Rudinski said he witnessed parents attacking administrators and even students. Rudinski said that arrest data does not account for all the situations in which SROs may be pressed to intervene. “We’re not getting a total picture; we’re just getting a piece of the puzzle,” he said.
Hall sees the lack of data di erently, noting, “ ere is no study, local or national, that talks about how the presence of police in schools has reduced violence by x amount.”
Advocates for removal of SROs argue that the mere presence of officers diminishes an educational institution’s mission of nurturing and educating children.
Dear Miss Floribunda,
Where can I find real mistletoe? Although I’m aware that, in this time of pandemic, it isn’t a good idea to encourage kissing by hanging it over entryways, I don’t see why I couldn’t include it in wreaths or arrangements. Maybe it’s because I hail from Georgia that I think it’s a Christmas necessity. Where I grew up, I remember people going out to shoot it out of oak trees every December. It would be for sale everywhere. Up here, even if you go to a florist, you only get plastic berries. Is it possibly illegal? I know it’s a parasite, but I didn’t notice any harm to trees back home near Mistletoe State Park.
Missing Mistletoe on Ingraham Street
Dear Missing Mistletoe, You may need to take a trip down to the Chesapeake Bay area to find mistletoe. Verdant Ewell, who manages the forest conservation program at the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, informed me that he has seen it growing in sweet gums and silver ma-
ples in several counties along Maryland’s Eastern Shore. He assuaged my fear it might be on a list of endangered species but told me that you would need a permit to harvest it legally in the wild. He actually suggested that you take a drive to the Eastern Shore and, if you spot it in a homeowner’s yard, just ask permission to take it. You’re right that mistletoe is a parasite, but because it grows slowly and makes its own chlorophyll, it’s generally not fatally dangerous to its host. In addition, its berries and foliage provide food for squirrels, porcupines, chipmunks and deer, as well as nesting places for a number of birds that are becoming rare, such as the spotted owl in the western U.S. In Maryland, mistletoe grows on coastal plains. Mistletoe shelters and feeds such birds as the bluebirds that used to be prevalent in our area, as well as butterflies as rare as the great purple hairstreak. Its leaf litter not only harbors a great number of beneficial insects but also enriches the fungal network in the soil.
American mistletoe (Phoradendron leucarpum), by the way, is not the same as Eu-
ropean mistletoe (Viscum album). Both belong to the family Santalaceae — but don’t let the Santa in this name fool you. The associations of mistletoe with love are preChristian, originating long before Christmas was first celebrated in Europe. Even in ancient Rome, it was included as a fertility symbol in the Saturnalia.
My old professor, Dr. Wordsworth Worterbuch, tells me that the mistletoe mystique began with an old Norse legend in which the fire god Loki, jealous of Baldur the Beautiful, tricked Baldur’s blind brother into fatally shooting the beloved youth with a dart made from mistletoe. Every other creature on Earth had promised Badur’s mother, Frigga, who was the goddess of love, not to harm Baldur. Mistletoe, which didn’t spring visibly from the earth but grew hidden high in leafy trees, had been overlooked by her, and so its promise had not been obtained. Frigga’s grief did not take the form of vengeance, but rather she pardoned mistletoe and made it a symbol of love and peace from that time forward.
The Celtic druids of the Brit-
ish Isles and the Gauls associated the herb with forgiveness as well as fertility, and it was nearly as sacred to them as the oaks it grew on. If two enemies met beneath mistletoe, they would lay down their arms and declare a truce. In Christian times, the plant retained its association with love and peace, and also with rebirth, because it flowers at a time when nothing else does. In Victorian times, there were so few occasions for hanky panky that having an excuse to kiss without censure was sure to be rapturously popular. (In fact, you could keep kissing your sweetie till all the berries on the overhanging ball had been plucked off by an accomplice.) Given your own childhood memories, you might be interested to know that shooting mistletoe out of trees with guns is based on an ancient superstition that it is bad luck to climb a tree and remove it manually. Before guns were invented, stones were used to knock it down. Although American mistletoe is far less poisonous than its European counterpart, it’s safer to hang any kind of mistletoe overhead, however seductively, than to put it in wreaths or arrangements.
While its berries are edible for birds and not fatal for humans, ingesting even a few will cause painful gastric disturbance. The curious child will probably not like the taste and not eat more than one, but still it’s best to keep the berries out of reach.
Properly used, mistletoe may have many healing properties. Most notably, American mistletoe has been included in preparations that effectively lower blood pressure. European mistletoe is included in treatment of some cancers. Now, where can you find some mistletoe if you don’t want to drive a long distance to beg it from homeowners on the Eastern Shore? You might want to check local farmers markets for sprigs. I have seen some at a local grocery store, but without any berries. There are native plant sites online that you can order from, too. Good luck!
Please check the website of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society (hyattsvillehorticulture.org) for any information concerning future events or meetings.
email questions at floribundav@gmail.com.
Miss Floribunda is the Hyattsville Life & Times garden columnist. You may
Send your events or information on local private aid efforts to Kit Slack at kit@hyattsvillelife.com.
How can we spread holiday cheer this year without spreading germs, too? See below for our guide to gifts from our sparklingly beautiful local stores, followed by a list of ways to donate time and treasure to organizations that help those in need in our city.
We’ve put the community calendar aside until there’s a better month for bigger gatherings.
The perfect package for the nerd on your list: A mask that won’t fog up eyeglasses ($15), a vintage book (and help selecting it) and the gift they didn’t know they needed — MacBath literary soaps etched with famous quotes! One choice we felt strangely drawn to was the black soap with a circle of golden runes carved into it — identical to those on Tolkien’s “one ring” ($7). Suffragette City and My Dead Aunt’s Books, 5132 Baltimore Ave.
For barflies who find the
evenings long: New hobby supplies! Stones, large enough to carve a bust out of, are on a manager’s special sale at Artist & Craftsman Supply, $1/ lb soapstone, marble or limestone. Embroidery hoops ($3). Any kind of sketchbook you can imagine ($5 to $30). Jewelrymaking supplies, origami paper packets, and more! 4902 43rd St.
Somebody due for some coal this year? Need to give a gift to someone who is not
doing their part to slow the pandemic? Give one that sends a message: Champion spray disinfectant ($9) or Lysol wipes ($8.50). And for a serious offender, an automated hand sanitizer dispenser ($24.50). Hyattsville Vacuum Service, 5221 Baltimore Ave.
Get their hands in the dirt, or at least in the clay: Buy your screen-saturated teens and kids handbuilding and wheel throwing pottery classes! $200
to $300. Material Things, 4531 Rhode Island Ave., North Brentwood. info@materialthingsboh.com
For the friend with the tips on how to look good on Zoom: Diamond stud earrings from Fleisher’s Jewelry. $215 to $2,550. Did you know Fleisher’s also carries a stunning collection of oneof-a-kind gold and silver rings, designed by City Councilmember Robert Croslin?
$300 to $1,500. Sterling silver jewelry designed and cast by local artist Richard Brown is available, too, including a pin in the shape of a cicada. $95. A New Year’s gift? Yes, the cicadas are coming in 2021. 5200 Baltimore Ave.
For those who are tired of looking at the same four walls: Brighten an interior with a gift from Will’s Decorating, the new interior de-
sign supply store in town. Everything from Frida Kahloinspired embroidered throw pillows ($69) to paint and wallpaper — even peel-andstick flooring! 5122 Baltimore Ave. Or buy supplies for DIY redecorating from Tanglewood Works. Alcohol ink tile kits will help your loved ones add psychedelic swirls to suitable surfaces. $30. 5132 Baltimore Ave. Sadly, the alcohol in the kit is all in the ink, a problem easily remedied next door at Sangfroid Distillery, 5130 Baltimore Ave.
For burnt-out parents of small kids: Buy them a block of time out of the house doing something uninterrupted: a one-on-one or a two-on-one workshop in screen printing from Pyramid Atlantic. $168 to $258. www.pyramidatlanticartcenter.org/workshops.
4318 Gallatin St. Pairs well
with outdoor masked babysitting. Priceless. Gifted by only the truest of friends.
For anyone else left, and when you need a little treat for yourself: Franklins Restaurant, Brewery and General Store has a dizzying variety of gifts, many in the $10-$25 range. Need hula hoops for socially distanced outdoor play dates? A taco holder shaped like a unicorn? Biden socks? Beer? Cookie cutters? A big tin of dominoes? Some kids’ umbrellas, for when they have to go outside even though it’s raining? Chocolate to eat when they are out there? Look no further! 5123 Baltimore Ave.
Wrap it up and throw in a stocking stuffer: Shizen handprinted 100% recycled wrapping paper ($6) and gift bags in bright colorful patterns ($3-$4) from Artist & Craftsman, which also has a huge array of ribbons and yarn to tie it all together. And while you are back there, pick up mini snow globes ($5), your choice of 60 separate
species of tiny rubber animals ($1), and some NeeDoh addictively squishy stress balls, in sparkly or cats ($3).
4902 43rd St.
Toy Drive: Donate new toys, wrapping paper, clear wrapping tape, gift bags, new clothes and new books to support a “toy store” in Langley Park where families in need can pick out gifts for their children on Dec. 12 and 19.
Prince George County Mutual Aid, Audelia Community Response Team and Silver Spring Takoma Park Mutual Aid are teaming up to host the drive. Drop off your toy donation in person at 8300 Carroll Ave., Takoma Park on Tuesdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m. or Thursdays, 3-7 p.m. Contact Camille Galles, cegalles22@gmail.com, for more ways to help.
Meals on Wheels needs drivers. Meals on Wheels of College Park serves senior and homebound clients throughout College Park, Greenbelt, Riverdale, Hyattsville and Beltsville. Deliver -
ies are Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. (or earlier) to 1:00 p.m. Volunteers needed for any/all days. Safety and hygiene precautions in place. Sign up to volunteer at www. mealsonwheelsofcollegepark. org/volunteer/. Donate at www.mealsonwheelsofcollegepark.org/donate/.
Hyattsville Aging in Place (HAP) helps Hyattsville residents age 60 and older and those with disabilities stay in their homes and remain active in the community. To keep seniors and HAP volunteers safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19, HAP currently limits services to delivering groceries and supplies and providing friendly check-in calls, information and referrals. HAP welcomes Hyattsville residents over 60 who need assistance, and those of any age who want to volunteer. hyattsvilleaginginplace.org/get-involved or call 301.887.3101.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Prince George’s County offers free virtual support groups and education programs for people living with mental illness and for people
with a loved one experiencing mental illness. Register at namipgc.org/online-supportgroup-registration.
Hyattsville now has more than one Blessings Box, free-standing pantry cabinets where you can pick up food if you need it, or donate nonperishable items if you are able. The Blessings Box on 43rd Ave. between Jefferson and Hamilton streets is a project of Girl Scout Troop #6899. Contact dinacolin@ netzero.net. The new Blessings Box at 6800 Adelphi Rd. is a project of University Christian Church, on whose property it is located.
Saint Jerome’s Café provides a free lunch-to-go every Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for those in need. 5205 43rd Ave. Table set up outside the rectory in the lower parking lot; please wear a mask. Since March, meals have been provided by local restaurants. Donations can be sent to the address above by check made out to St Jerome Catholic Church, with “Saint Jerome Café” in the memo line. The café will also distribute winter gear, including blankets and
clothing (warm clothes, coats, hats and mittens, etc.). Donations of new or gently used clothing, especially men’s, are needed and can be dropped off in the church vestibule. Shoes and new, packaged underwear are also needed.
Greater Riverdale Cares & Route One Communities Care ask you to help our neighbors in need and our local family-owned restaurants that are providing them meals. Your donation will pay for nutritious meals for neighbors facing food insecurity. Local participating restaurants include Hyattsville’s own Shortcake Bakery and Emerita’s Papuseria. Donate at gf.me/u/x4bmfa. See also art sale, in Briefs, p. 6.
St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church’s food pantry is open every Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the food runs out. 7501 Adelphi Rd. The pantry is primarily drivethrough, though walk-ups are welcome. Cars line up as early as 7:30 a.m. Due to a five-fold increase in families served, the pantry needs funds. Please contribute at gofundme.com/stmarksfoodpantry.
By Dorvall Bedford
Magruder Park was packed on Nov. 14, as dozens of cars arrived to pick up food that morning. Police officers and organizers controlled the traffic while volunteers quickly grabbed boxes and placed them into the trunks of people’s cars. The City of Hyattsville distributed 1,092 boxes of perishable food within only two hours.
“We needed to get people moving,” Community Services Manager Colleen Aistis said. e park was even more crowded on Nov. 21. A line of cars stretched from the park to the intersection of Hamilton Street and 38th Avenue. ere was also a long line of walk-ins.
e City of Hyattsville is currently hosting food distributions at Magruder Park every Saturday through Dec. 19. Volunteers start giving out boxes at 10 a.m.
e Department of Community Services, the Department of Public Works and the Hyattsville City Police Department are working together to coordinate the distributions. Cheri Everhart, events manager and acting director of the Department of Community Services, said the distributions aim to help local residents struggling during the pandemic.
“ ere’s a lot of food insecurity in this area, speci cally right now, due to lost wages,” Everhart said.
Aistis noted that the distributions also help people with more than just their immediate needs.
“I think it’s the human need that is being met,” she explained.
JULIA NIKHINSON“ is is a very scary time. It’s very unknown to all of us.”
Volunteers help create an engaging environment where people can nd human connection, said Aistis.
In addition to the Saturday food distributions, Hyattsville has been holding Tuesday noon food distributions since early April, according to Aistis. roughout the spring and summer, the city provided fresh fruits and vegetables. In early September, these distributions switched to a di erent model and provided nonperishable food, such as cereal and canned fruits.
e Capital Area Food Bank provides the food boxes for the Tuesday distributions.
e Department of Community Services receives its boxes of perishable food for the Saturday distributions from the
Prince George’s County Council and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
“We are very fortunate to partner with our county councilmember, Deni Taveras,” Aistis said. “And we’re very fortunate to partner with her as she forged a partnership with the USDA.”
Taveras represents District 2, which includes Hyattsville. She has consistently promoted area food distributions, including those held at the Langley Park Community Center, Metropolitan Seventh-day Adventist Church and Magruder Park.
Taveras said she is most worried about people who are undocumented or unable to support themselvese during the pandemic.
“ is is basically a community that’s living on the edge,” said
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!
Taveras.
e Department of Community Services has relied on dedicated volunteers who have been working at the distributions since the beginning, Everhart said. Recruiting volunteers for the Saturday distributions has been easier, since high school students can help.
“We rely heavily on volunteers,” Everhart said. “Without them, we couldn’t do this.”
City Councilmember Ben Simasek (Ward 3) was among the volunteers on Nov. 14.
“Everyone’s coming out and trying to help out their neighbors in need,” Simasek said. “I’m just happy to be a part of it.” Everhart said people who are struggling right now should take advantage of every opportunity available.
“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” she said. “ ere’s a lot of people out there that are willing to help and are available to do so.”
DeMatha Catholic High School administrators were concerned that with far fewer students on campus this year, its annual food drive would su er. So, they lowered their goal to 5,000 food items.
Instead, the school set a record, receiving more than 19,000.
“We monumentally exceeded our expectations,” said DeMatha Director of Christian Service Erin Bright. “People have been so kind and generous. It feels really good to exceed our goal by so much. Especially this year.”
About 6,000 items came from Hyattsville residents. Members of the crew team placed shopping bags and yers on porches in nearby neighborhoods, seeking nonperishable food. A DeMatha vehicle brought the students back after school twice to collect.
“I have been incredibly touched by the generosity of our neighbors in Hyattsville,”
DeMatha Principal Dr. Dan Mc-
Mahon said. “ eir response was overwhelming.”
e food will feed more than 500 families at anksgiving and throughout the Christmas holidays. It is distributed to St. Jerome and St. Mark the Evangelist parishes in Hyattsville, as well as Mary House, Holy Redeemer and Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, D.C. St. Augustine, also in the District, received $4,000 in Giant and Safeway gift cards.
St. Jerome provides a meal to those in need each Thursday through its café. St. Mark reports on its website that prior to the pandemic, its food pantry was distributing groceries to about 80 families per week. It is now serving well over 300.
“Even in the DeMatha community, we’ve had people hit hard by the virus,” Bright said.
Father Josh Warshak, the school’s director of liturgy and retreats, told the story of an elderly woman who was concerned that she couldn’t move the groceries she had purchased out of her car. He
told her not to worry, that they would retrieve them.
“She had 15 extra bags of groceries in her car,” Father Josh recalled. “And she said, ‘If you need more, call me.’ … e generosity and awareness that people have this year has been tremendous.”
e drive, which ran from Nov. 6-20, collected a broad range of items, such as cans of fruit and vegetables, pasta, rice, tomato sauce, co ee, tea and anksgiving side dishes. For monetary donations, each dollar was counted as one item. e DeMatha Student Government Association donated $4,500.
DeMatha also surpassed its goal of 11,500 items in 2019, when it collected about 14,500. But that was when its 800-plus boys were attending school in person. It is now operating at 25% capacity.
While DeMatha students are taught the importance of feeding the hungry and serving the poor, the food drive is an active witness to those principles.
“You can witness to a set of beliefs or a faith in more than
one way, and this sort of epitomizes St. Francis when he says, ‘Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words,’” Bright said. “All of us need to eat, so if people are struggling, that’s a pretty straightforward way to help them.”
e team e ort between DeMatha and its Hyattsville neighbors demonstrates how much can be accomplished when people work together.