09-2021 College Park Here & Now

Pines’ first year in office

By A.R. Cabral

For nearly 25 years, Darryll Pines has been stopping at Bagel Place on his way into work. His interactions with workers there have always been pleasant — but also unremarkable. And then he became president of the University of Maryland (UMD), and everything changed.

“The day I was announced president, I go in there, maybe two days later. Same person, and I can tell everything has changed. They go, ‘I think that’s him!’ And I’m the same person who has been coming here for 25 years,” Pines exclaimed, adding, “When you’re an unknown figure, all you have to do is become somebody called the president, and your whole

Relief arriving for Green Line riders

By Ashley Rodriguez

For beleaguered local Green Line commuters, relief is arriving — and further improvements are on the way, as the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) moves forward with platform upgrades. This work, which closed the Greenbelt, College Park, Prince George’s Plaza and

West Hyattsville stations in May, should be done by the time you read this — the target date for completion is Sept. 6.

While many of us were able to avoid mass-transit troubles by working from home during the pandemic, commuters still taking Metro had to trudge the winding, fenced-in path at the College Park station to reach the stop for the shuttle buses

offering service to Fort Totten. I personally gave up on that leg of my commute and began driving directly to Fort Totten. I also started biking a dozen miles downtown to work, which was a simpler option.

WMATA is making a number of changes in hopes of increasing ridership. As Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg said, in a recent press release, “This is a time of change for Metro and our customers, and it’s an opportunity to make our service work better for all riders whether they take

By Melissa Ballard

The newly formed Calvert Hills Green Team enthusiastically embraced its early goal of increasing environmental awareness by inviting a group of 10 neighborhood residents on a tour of the Anacostia River. The Anacostia Riverkeeper, a nonprofit organization whose mis-

thing changes.”

These days, his order is ready before he even walks through the door.

It’s been just over a year since Pines became one of College Park’s most notable residents — he began serving as president in July 2020, but wasn’t inaugurated until April 2021, due to restrictions on in-person gatherings. He is continuing to find new ways of interacting with city residents, and focusing on addressing their concerns.

When he is not overseeing the largest school in Maryland, Pines is often out walking his 8-year-old Goldendoodle, Rocky. Pines enjoys the many trails in College Park, particularly those around Lake Artemesia.

sion is to protect and restore the river, described for us the interplay of stormwater runoff and water quality, and civic action and public policy, as we floated peacefully along the water. Stormwater management is an ongoing challenge for College Park, particularly in the Calvert Hills neighborhood. More

Darryll Pines was appointed president of the University of Maryland in July 2020. COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

FROM WHERE I STAND

Save Guilford Woods

By Meg Oates

Ayear ago, my street flooded. Today, the University of Maryland’s (UMD) proposed Western Gateway project threatens to make future flooding even worse.

UMD President Darryll Pines has an opportunity to change that by relocating planned graduate housing and preserving Guilford Woods.

The university and Gilbane Development plan to remove

approximately 1,000 trees, on what is currently publicly owned land, in order to build 81 private town houses and some graduate housing. I live one mile from the proposed development, but more importantly, I live downstream from Guilford Woods. The woods provide headwaters for Guilford Run, buffer storms, and support biodiversity. With porous soils and water-absorbing trees and vegetation, Guilford Woods provides important

stormwater flood protection for my neighborhood. This is even more important as climate change promises more intense rain events. Without the woods, flooding will get worse. While Western Gateway is bad news for residents, it’s no good for the university either. Over 400 University of Maryland faculty and staff who oppose the project have already signed a letter (available at tinyurl.com/7fbh8jx9) that elaborates on why this development is so problematic. The

project would deforest 9 acres of woods — 28% of the remaining forest on campus. Yet only a fraction of that land would be for graduate housing. Meanwhile, tearing down a forest takes away teaching and field research opportunities, and backtracks on the university’s climate and sustainability goals. Fortunately, there are smarter choices. Lot 1, Leonardtown and Graduate Hills all offer opportunities to reduce existing stormwater runoff while providing graduate student housing close to campus and transit. Unfortunately, little consideration has been given to redeveloping these locations before

proceeding with the Western Gateway project. The university can build graduate student housing and simultaneously live up to its commitments to sustainability by protecting Guildford Woods. But doing so will require strong leadership from President Pines and a willingness to do what is hard rather than what is easy.

College Park

resident Meg Oates is a University of Maryland alumna with 15 years of experience in environmental policy.

Terp alum Jeremie Bacon redefining recreation

By Meghan Curtis

Jeremie Bacon, 46 years young, built a small network of technology companies after graduating from the University of Maryland (UMD) with a master’s degree in technological entrepreneurship. Bacon then took on a new challenge: founding and building an outdoor adventure park outside of Chicago.

A Colorado native, Bacon planted his feet in the Windy City after completing his master’s degree, in 2016. Bacon received his bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Global Economic from Brigham Young University and a research diploma in Japanese and economics from the University of Tsukuba, in Japan.

partnership allowed him to establish the park on land that is partially owned by the city.

The park’s many walking trails are open to the public, free of charge. A number of activities in the park are also free, while others, like zip-lining, require waivers and carry an admission fee. The park also hosts ticketed concerts at an amphitheater that can seat 2,000.

The Forge isn’t just for outdoorsy types, though. “There’s something for everyone, for any age and ability,” Bacon said. He founded The Forge on inclusivity, and it is one of a handful of parks in the country that are adapted for people with disabilities. Visitors of all abilities can participate in activities like zip-lining and kayaking.

Managing Editor Mark Goodson mark@hyattsvillelife.com

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Writers & Contributors Melissa Ballard, Zelda Bell, A.R. Cabral, Meghan Curtis, Lily Fountain, Julia Kyles, Meg Oates, Ashley Rodriguez, Kim Seif

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Board of Directors

Joseph Gigliotti — President and General Counsel

Chris Currie — Vice President

Stephanie Stullich — Treasurer

Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter Ross, Emily Strab, Reva Harris Mark Goodson — Ex Officio

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Bacon, who’s a self-taught computer coder, was drawn to UMD’s technology entrepreneurship program, with particular focus on the entrepreneurial elements of that degree. Entrepreneurship “is what you are and who you are,” he emphasized.

After graduating from UMD, Bacon embraced the challenge of taking familiar activities like zip-lining and climbing to new levels to create an adventure park unlike any other in the country. And in July 2020, The Forge: Lemont Quarries Adventure Park was born. Bacon chose to plant his adventure park in Chicago, and proclaimed it the “Walt Disney World of outdoor recreation.” He collaborated with Chicago’s mayor, and their

The adventure park offers fitness classes, too, and holds a popular summer camp for kids.

Like businesses across the country, The Forge has been adjusting to the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerts and entertainment have been heavily impacted; the amphitheater has held a reduced number of performances, and with limited capacity.

Yes, The Forge: Lemont Quarries is one of a kind — but Bacon hopes to build more like it across the nation in the future.

To check out The Forge: Lemont Quarries, go to forgeparks. com. And for the complete transcript of the Here & Now’s interview with Jeremie Bacon, visit StreetcarSuburbs.News.

Maryland grad Jeremie Bacon is the co-founder of The Forge: Lemont Quarries Adventure Park. COURTESY OF THE FORGE: LEMONT QUARRIES

College Park’s physical transformation

By A.R. Cabral

College Park is undergoing a facelift to transform the stripmall thoroughfare through the city into a hub of dynamic residential life.

At the helm of this mission is the Terrapin Development Company (TDC), a real estate and economic development company, co-owned by the University of Maryland (UMD) and University of Maryland College Park Foundation.

“That robust vibrant place, you know, when people think of great college towns, they think they are immersed in innovation, arts and culture and vibrancy,” said Ken Ulman, TDC’s president. “We had a real need at the time to reinvest in Baltimore Avenue and Route 1.”

Ulman became the university’s chief strategy officer for economic development in January 2015. When the TDC was established, in July 2017, Ulman stepped up to run the new company. According to Ulman, a good deal of the company’s already-completed work has evolved from the University District Vision 2020, a plan developed by the College Park City-University Partnership (CPCUP), in 2011. The central objectives of the plan were to improve public safety, transportation, housing, sustainability and pre-K through 12 education.

CPCUP has developed a subsequent 10-year plan, the University Community Vision 2030. This new plan seeks to build on the progress made over the last decade with an expanded focus that wraps in affordable housing and residential stability.

space for city and university staff, and two housing projects geared toward the UMD community. The Southern Gateway apartment project, which will be located between Guilford Drive and Baltimore Avenue, will include 393 units for graduate students, university faculty and young professionals. The first floor’s 70,000 square feet of retail space will house a mix of retail, including a grocery store and a Crunch Fitness gym.

TDC is also on track to develop undergraduate student housing at the intersection of Knox Road and Sterling Place. According to the developer’s website, this building will also include ground-floor retail.

Even as TDC’s projects are largely geared toward the university community, Ulman works to include city residents in planning stages of the company’s work.

“I’m as bullish as ever that we are the best of all worlds,” Ulman said about College Park.

“Very few places do you have the opportunity to live in a wonderful place and go to a wonderful school, then jump on the Metro and have all of these opportunities of the nation’s capital.”

The TDC has a number of projects on the front burner, including the new city hall, at the corner of Knox Road and Baltimore Avenue, which will provide office

“The TDC has also been very purposeful about reaching out to the community, civic associations, the city council [and] city government when they pursue different projects,” said Mayor Patrick Wojahn. “They are consistently looking for feedback.”

As TDC looks forward to additional projects in College Park, Ulman expressed his appreciation for the city. “I have a great affinity for this place. I understand the unique opportunity we have in the place between the University and the surrounding community,” he said.

The Terrapin Development Company has a number of projects on the front burner, including the new city hall, at the corner of Knox Road and Baltimore Avenue, which will provide office space for city and university staff. PEXELS.COM

“Very few places do you have the opportunity to live in a wonderful place and go to a wonderful school, then jump on the Metro and have all of these opportunities of the nation’s capital.”

Ken Ulman president of Terrapin Development Company

Developers propose multifamily housing in place of hotel

By Kim Seif

As the hospitality industry continues to struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic, one developer seeks to change the zoning of a site in College Park to make way for a multifamily development, instead of a hotel.

The site, located on the corner of Campus and Corporal Frank Scott drives, was slated for construction of a Marriott Residence Inn. The city council and Prince George’s Planning Board approved plans for the hotel in September 2020. The site’s developer, Republic Properties, no longer believes that it would be feasible to build a hotel in this location.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry has taken a severe

hit as people have canceled vacations and stayed home.

According to the American Hotel Lodging Association’s 2021 State of the Hotel Industry Report, occupancy fell to a record low of 24.5% in April 2020, and hotel room revenue dropped by 50% for the year.

As more people are fully vaccinated, the hospitality industry is showing signs of improvement. According to the report, 56% of Americans plan to travel for leisure this year, and hotels are planning to create more than 200,000 jobs. Despite these projections, the report projects that half of the hotel rooms in the country will likely remain empty this year. A full recovery to pre-pandemic levels is not expected until 2024.

“The financing community who would participate with us … has evaporated. You can’t get financing for a hotel today,” Stacy Hornstein, director of development for Republic Properties, said during the College Park City Council worksession on Aug. 4.

The county has jurisdiction over the site, including zoning and designation of the developer.

“The site still is owned by

Prince George’s County, and the rights to develop it were given to Republic Properties on the basis that they would build a hotel,” College Park Director of Planning, Community and Economic Development Terry Schum said during the Aug. 4 worksession.

Mark Vogel, founder of the investment firm Mark Vogel Companies, which could partner with Republic Properties on this site’s development, sent a letter to Mayor Patrick Wojahn. The letter, which Schum presented to the city council, underscored that the council’s support is important for obtaining the county’s approval.

The proposed housing development would have smaller units than those in nearby apartment buildings, which are largely occupied by University of Maryland students. According to Vogel, the onebedroom apartments in the new development would be marketed to both young professionals and the 55-andolder community.

Vogel also noted that the site is close to the College Park Metro and Purple Line sta-

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry has taken a severe hit as people have canceled vacations and stayed home. PEXELS.COM

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

All information is current as of September 5.

SAVE THE DATE

College Park Youth Choir & Rocetti. Join the choir (ages 4-9) or Rocetti (ages 9-16); weekly rehearsals start Thursday, Sept. 9 at the Old Parish House. Cost is $85 for the semester. For more information, go to cpae.org

Draw like Jacob Lawrence. Zoom with artist Racquel Keller on Sept. 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Free, virtual art workshop sponsored by the College Park Arts Exchange. For more information, email info@cpae.org

College Park Youth Orchestra Auditions. Audition to join the College Park Youth Orchestra on Sept. 12, beginning at 2:45 p.m. at the Old Parish House. For more information, go to cpyo.net

College Park Youth Music Traditions. College Park’s youth (ages 8-18) are invited to join experienced musicians in the community to learn about a variety of music traditions. We will meet every other Monday, beginning Sept. 13, from 6:15 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. at the Old Parish House. Cost for the 10-session semester is $175. For more information, email Eric Maring at maringmusic@ gmail.com

College Park Community Library Book Club. Discuss The Spy Who Came in from the Cold, by John Le Carre, on Sept. 14, and The Huntress, by Kate Quinn, on Oct. 12. The group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the College Park Church of the Nazarene. For more information, email Carol Munn at donkinc@msn.com

Theater Thursdays at Aviation Museum. Discover the heroes, heroines and history of aviation at the College Park Aviation Museum. Starting Sept 16., and every third Thursday after that, the museum will feature Smithsonian Channel films. Free with museum admission: adults $5, seniors $4, children $2; children one and under free. 1 to 2 p.m. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr.

Trekking the Tarmac. Take a guided, outside walking tour of the College Park Airport, the oldest continuously operating airport in the world. $13. Sept. 18 from 11:00 a.m. to noon.

Virtual Tour of the Aviation Museum. On Thursday, Sept. 23, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., Route 1 Corridor Conversations hosts Kevin Cabrera, director of the College Park Aviation Museum. Cabrera will guide visitors through a collection of artifacts, newspapers and photographs. Register at hyattsvilleaginginplace.org/ programs-and-activities/ corridor-conversations

Gospel Line Dance. Lakeland’s Embry Center for Family Life is hosting a gospel line dance workshop on Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. 5101 Lakeland Ave. For more information, email embryfamctr@gmail.com

Girls in Aviation. Discover the possibilities of a career in aviation with this free program at the College Park Aviation Museum. Morning and afternoon sessions on Sept. 25. For more information, including session times, contact jamie.jones@pgparks. com

Latinas in Aviation. Visit the College Park Aviation Museum on Oct. 2 for a program featuring 22 Latinas from across the globe sharing insights about their experiences in aviation — You will be able to meet these women as they fly into the College Park Airport! For more information, email collegeparkaviation@pgparks. com

Plein Air Painting. Join the College Park Arts Exchange for a free outdoor painting event, with sessions on Oct. 2 and Oct. 16, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Bring your own supplies. Location TBD. To register, email info@ cpae.org

College Park Day. The College Park Aviation Museum celebrates the city with its annual College Park Day on Saturday, Oct. 9. For the latest information and announcements, visit collegeparkday.wordpress.com

Draw like Gwendolyn Knight. Zoom with artist Racquel Keller on Oct. 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Free, virtual art workshop sponsored by the College Park Arts Exchange. For more information, email info@cpae.org

Berwyn Bonfire. The Berwyn District Civic Association’s annual bonfire will be held on

Sunday, Oct. 24, at the Berwyn Neighborhood Park.

Windsock Winedown: Haunted Hanger. Celebrate Halloween at the College Park Aviation Museum on Oct. 27. Enjoy seasonal cocktails and mocktails while listening to some of the airport’s haunted tales. One ticket for $20 includes one free drink and a meal. For more information, contact jamie.jones@pgparks. com

City Elections. Vote for your district’s councilmembers and the city’s next mayor on Sunday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the College Park Community Center, 5051 Pierce Ave. To vote by mail, you must return the ballot application mailed to you by Oct. 26.

Election Forums. Stay tuned to the Here & Now print edition and the streetcarsuburbs. news website to watch the forum held for each contested election. Have a question for the candidates or a topic for debate? Scan the QR code below to submit it to the Here & Now

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

The Hall CP. From open mic nights, to wine-down Wednesdays, to live music concerts, The Hall CP has a packed September calendar. For the latest information, go to thehallcp.com/events

College Park Community Library Story Time. Story time with Micki Freeny. Bring a blanket to the courtyard of the College Park Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Ave. Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Free Yoga by the Lake. Enjoy a free yoga class at Lake Artemesia. Saturday mornings through Sept. 25, from 9:15 to 10:15 a.m. Meet near the restrooms. To register, visit pgparks.com/calendar. aspx?CID=22 and click on the date of your choice.

Free Produce Delivery Every Third Thursday. Email your contact information (name, street address, email and phone) by the third Monday of the month to receive fresh produce delivered to your door three days later. Central location pickups are also available. Brought to you by Community Connect Calvert Hills. For more information, call 301.864.5267 or email connectporfavor@gmail.com

ONGOING

Friday Dance Workshops. Join instructor Karen Stewart, of Jessie’s Soul Line Dancers,

and all are welcome to volunteer for flexible slots on weekday mornings. Fill out an application at mealsonwheelsofcollegepark. org or call 202.669.6297.

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. Farm stands, local vendors and more. Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5211 Campus Dr.

OpenBarre. OpenBarre has 22 in-person classes and three virtual classes per week. For more information or to sign up, visit openbarrestudios.com

UMD Extension. The University of Maryland Extension, Prince George’s County, offers a variety of programs, from free online webinars about duck ecology, to in-person sessions focused on residential septic maintenance. For more information, go to extension. umd.edu/news-events/events

Food Assistance Available. Help by Phone Ltd. operates food pantries across Prince George’s County, with locations at Berwyn Presbetyrian Church, on Greenbelt Rd., and University Baptist Church, on Campus Dr. If you would like to schedule a pickup this week, call 301.699.9009, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Support College Park’s Senior Citizens. Meals on Wheels College Park needs licensed drivers,

Aviation museum adapts for College Park Day

By Julia Kyles

Mark your calendar and make plans to stop by the College Park Aviation Museum after hours on Oct. 9.

The museum is planning events for that day, which is College Park Day 2021, but offerings will be scaled back due to the pandemic, said the museum’s director, Kevin Cabrera.

This time last year, the College Park Aviation Museum was closed to the public, and College Park Day 2020 had been canceled. While this year’s festivities are still a work in progress, the museum does plan to invite the public to stop by after hours to pick up a crafts project put together by museum staff, Cabrera said.

He also confirmed that the museum is following the city’s lead for the celebration. “The last that we’ve heard is that it is going to go into a hybrid approach,” he said,

which suggests a combination of live and virtual events.

Keep an eye on the College Park Day website (collegeparkday.wordpress.com) for updates about the event as the city solidifies its plans.

”I would love for everything to be normal,” Cabrera said, though the museum is ready to adapt to the city’s plans.

“What can be done, we’ll do,” he added.

The museum reopened in March and will be operating as usual on College Park Day, welcoming the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To plan your visit, check the museum’s website at mncppc. org/1593/College-Park-Aviation-Museum.

If you come during regular hours, be sure to visit the Columbia Air Center gallery, which honors one of America’s first Black-owned and operated airfields, which was located in Croom, Md., near Clinton.

tions, ensuring easy access to the campus.

Councilmember Denise Mitchell (District 4) expressed her support of the proposed housing development during the worksession.

“We have many young professionals, and we have many of our 55-plus members who do not want to leave College Park and would prefer to stay here but downsize,” she said. The proposed multifamily development would retain the ground-floor retail and restaurant space from the original site plan. It would also include a parking garage and green space, according to Hornstein.

Councilmember Llatetra Esters (District 2) said she appreciated the need to appeal to multiple demographics. She asked if the proposed development would offer units at affordable housing rates. Vogel said that the proposed development would not include affordable housing units but noted that rates would be reasonable.

“The idea of keeping the units smaller will be that the

55-and-overs and the young professionals can afford them,” he said, during the worksession.

During their Aug. 10 meeting, city councilmembers voted to send a letter to Prince George’s County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks showing their support for the change of use for the site and for Republic Properties to continue as site developer. The letter stated that Republic Properties is best suited to continue the project, as the company has already invested time and money in the site to combat flooding. The site is located in a hazardous floodplain, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The letter also underscored that a multifamily development would “contribute to the building of a new neighborhood at this location and provide needed housing for workers in the Discovery District.”

If the change of use is approved and Republic Properties is retained, the developer would start working with an architect on preliminary plans and a detailed site plan for the county’s planning board to review.

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“We have many young professionals, and we have many of our 55plus members who do not want to leave College Park and would prefer to stay here but downsize.”

Councilmember Denise Mitchell (District 4)

COLLEGE PARK POST

Fall is a Great Time to Start Planting Trees

Why plant trees on your property? Trees provide many benefits for homeowners, including interception of rain water and reduction of storm water runoff, reducing residential cooling & heating costs, carbon sequestration, and increasing property values (just to name a few).

Did you know that the fall season is a good time to plant a tree? This is because the tree roots will begin to grow into the surrounding soil and start to establish before the stress of the next summer’s heat and drought.

When you decide to plant a tree, consider the site, species of tree, how to plant the tree, and how to care for it its first year.

BEST PRACTICES

Site selection is key. Consider the mature height and width of a tree relative to overhead power and utility lines, underground utilities,

Here are Some Tips and How-Tos for Planting Trees at your Home!

and distance from your house and other buildings.

To determine if the site you are considering is sufficiently clear of gas, water, and sewer lines, contact Miss Utility (Miss Utility of Maryland; 410-710-0052). Miss Utility will mark the location of lines, so you can avoid interfering with them when planting the new tree.

Once you have identified a site, choose a type of tree you wish to plant. Factors to consider when selecting the tree species include soil type, amount of sunlight, and potential height of the tree (i.e., will it be a canopy or an understory tree?).

Native trees are a good choice because they support the biodiversity of our State. The City of College Park has a list of recommended trees for this area on our website at www. collegeparkmd.gov/trees.

HOW TO PLANT A TREE

• Before planting, be sure to water the tree well.

• Identify the root flair, which is where the first roots emerge from the trunk. Then loosen the roots and soil around the flair and across the top of the root ball.

• Dig a hole two to three times the width of the root ball; just deep enough to allow the root flare to be at or just above the ground.

• Back fill around the root ball with one-part high-quality compost to three parts’ soil.

• Water the soil and gently compress it by stepping on it.

• Do not mulch within 5” of the trunk, to avoid fungal diseases.

• During the first year, water the tree root ball and surrounding soil weekly, increasing the frequency if there is a drought.

CITY & STATE TREE PROGRAMS

Help increase the tree canopy!

Residents and property owners in the City of College Park may apply for the Tree Canopy Enhancement Program (TCEP). Approved applicants can receive a reimbursement of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00) towards the purchase of an approved tree.

The application form (and more information) is available here: www.collegeparkmd.gov/tcepapp.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources also offers a $25.00 coupon valid at select nurseries towards the purchase of a native tree. Visit dnr.maryland.gov/forests/ pages/marylandersplanttrees/ introduction.aspx for the coupon and more information (including program requirements). The coupon can be printed prior to visiting the participating nursery.

e Evergreen tree that was planted during the 2021 City Arbor Day event in April.

PUBLIC SAFETY Community Meetings

Every 2nd Monday of the Month 7:30 p.m. zoom.us/j/96168994626

City Elections Notice

City Elections will be held on Sunday, November 7, 2021

The City of College Park will hold its municipal election for Mayor and Councilmembers on Sunday, November 7, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at the College Park

We are encouraging residents to vote by mail using the absentee

Applications for absentee ballots will be mailed to all registered voters in September. Applications will also be available from our website and City offices. You may return your absentee ballot application by mail, or to one of our secure ballot drop boxes. We must receive your application by October 26 in order to mail you a ballot.

ballot in the mail during the week of September 20.

I NEED TO UPDATE MY REGISTRATION:

If you have moved or changed your name since the last election, you must update your Voter Registration. Voter registration is handled by the Prince George’s County Board of Elections.

To check your registration status or make changes, call them at 301341-7300, or visit www.elections. state.md.us. You may not receive an absentee ballot application in the mail but may download one from the City’s website or pick one up from any City building.

September 13

Topic: Personal & Family All Hazards Emergency Prepardness. Presented by the Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Preparedness. Participate in preparedness quiz and win a personal preparedness kit!

Please join City Elected Officials, Police, Department of Public Services staff, and your neighbors from all around the City, for an informative monthly community meeting.

This community meeting will discuss City-wide crime statistics, recent incidents of public interest, neighborhood watch tips, and special public safety related topics.

VOTER REGISTRATION MATTERS

I AM REGISTERED:

If you are already registered to vote with the Prince George’s County Board of Elections at your current City address, you are automatically registered to vote in the City Election. You will receive an application for an absentee

THE LAST DAY TO BE REGISTERED TO VOTE IN THE CITY’S ELECTION IS OCTOBER 10, 2021.

DON’T DELAY – REGISTER TODAY!

For More Information Contact Janeen S. Miller, at 240-487-3503 or jsmiller@collegeparkmd.gov.

Las elecciones municipales se celebrarán el domingo, 7 de noviembre de 2021 una solicitud para una boleta de voto en ausencia por correo durante la semana del 20 de septiembre..

La Ciudad de College Park llevará a cabo su elección municipal para Alcalde y Concejales el domingo 7 de noviembre de 2021, de 9:00 a.m. a 6:00 p.m. en el Centro Comunitario de College Park.

Estamos animando a los residentes a votar este año por correo usando el proceso de boleta de voto en ausencia. En septiembre, las solicitudes de boletas de voto en ausencia se enviarán por correo a todos los votantes. Las solicitudes también estarán disponibles en nuestro sitio web y en las oficinas de la Ciudad. Usted puede devolver su solicitud de boleta en ausencia por correo, o a una de nuestras cajas de seguridad para la entrega de boletas. Debemos recibir su solicitud antes del 26 de octubre para entonces poder enviarle por correo una boleta electoral.

CUESTIONES DEL REGISTRO DE VOTANTES

ESTOY REGISTRADO:

Si ya se ha registrado para votar a través de la Junta Electoral del Condado de Prince George, usando su dirección actual en la Ciudad, entonces también está registrado automáticamente para votar en le Elección Municipal.. Usted recibirá

NECESITO ACTUALIZAR MI

REGISTRO:

Si se ha mudado, o ha cambiado su nombre o apellido desde que votó en la última elección, debe actualizar su Inscripción como Votante. La Junta Electoral del Condado de Prince George maneja dicha Inscripción. Para verificar su estado de inscripción o para realizar cambios, llame al 301-3417300, o visite www.elections.state. md.us. Es posible que no reciba una solicitud de boleta de voto en ausencia por correo, pero puede descargar una del sitio web de la Ciudad o recoger una de cualquier edificio de la Ciudad.

EL ÚLTIMO DÍA PARA REGISTRARSE PARA VOTAR EN LA ELECCIÓN DE LA CIUDAD ES EL 10 DE OCTUBRE DE 2021. NO TE DEMORES, ¡REGÍSTRATE HOY MISMO!

Para obtener más información, comuníquese con Janeen S. Miller, al 240-487-3503 o jsmiller@ collegeparkmd.gov.

October Cleanup Saturdays

OCT 2*, 16, & 23, 2021

7:30 A.M. TO NOON DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

9217 51ST AVENUE

The City of College Park Public Works facility will be open for City residents to drop-off bulky trash, white goods, electronics, 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. Bulk trash brought on cleanup days does not count toward bulk trash limits, nor are any fees applied for appliances, televisions, or monitors. There is a $4 fee for all tires.

DOCUMENT SHREDDING - ONE DAY ONLY!

*SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2 FROM 8:00 A.M. TO NOON

Bring your old tax records, medical paperwork, and any other confidential papers to be shredded while you wait. All paper will be recycled. You must be a resident of the City of College Park and bring proof of residency to participate.

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; no automotive batteries.

• 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.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DOES NOT ACCEPT: Brick, concrete, rock, propane tanks, hazardous materials such as automotive batteries, ammunition, automotive fluids/fuels, cleaning agents, cooking oil, mercury, insecticide/herbicide, fertilizer, oil-based paints, pool chemicals, photographic chemicals, roof shingles, smoke detectors, solvents, sealants, varnishes and stains.

ITEMS FOR PURCHASE

You don’t need to be a resident to purchase any of the products except yard waste carts. Check the website for latest information regarding availability.

• Rain Barrels $72, limited number available

• Compost Bins $20 resident, $40 nonresident

• Yard Waste Carts $25, residency required

• GAT traps $50, limited number available

• Smartleaf Compost $28 a cubic yard (we anticipate having some, but check website)

• Wood Mulch $12 a cubic yard

Trees provide many benefits including reduced cooling and heating costs, interception of rainwater, increased property values and improved air quality.

City Board & Committee Vacancies

Serve your community, lend your talents, & meet neighbors!

Interested in ways you can contribute to your community or have your voice heard? The City of College Park has vacancies in nine City Board and Committees.

The City utilizes Boards and Commissions to advise the Mayor and Council on a variety of topics in the City.

Members of the City’s Boards and Commissions give generously of their time and talents to make valuable contributions to the City.

The following advisory boards have vacancies:

• Advisory Planning Commission – Volunteer from District 2 or 3

• Animal Welfare Committee –Volunteer from District 4

• Committee for a Better Environment – Volunteer from District 2

• Ethics Commission –Volunteer from District 3

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Tribute Committee –Volunteers from any district

• Noise Control Board –Volunteer from District 2

• Recreation Board –Volunteers from District 2 and 3

• Seniors Committee –Volunteers from Districts 1 and 2

• Veterans Memorial Committee – Volunteers from any District

Interested in volunteering?

Please complete and submit an application to jsmiller@ collegeparkmd.gov or to your City Council representative by October 1, 2021.

The Mayor and Council will make appointments in late October 2021.

More information about City advisory boards can be found on our website at www.collegeparkmd. gov/boards. This page has more details and information about each Board and Committee including purpose or function, when the committee meets, and agendas and minutes.

College Park Day Event Cancellation

We regret to inform that the 2021 College Park Day event that was previously scheduled to be held on Saturday, October 6, 2021 has been unfortunately cancelled.

A photo of a bee taken by Bee City USA Committee Member Anahí Espíndola for Pollinator

42 years of the farmer’s market

By A.R. Cabral

Phil Miller stood proudly next to a 1990 International truck bearing the name of his farm. The sun had been up for only two hours, and he already had a decent crowd of patrons browsing his tables of fresh produce.

“This is the only market I attend; I don’t go to this one or that one,” Miller said, pointing his finger north and south, “It’s busy farming during the week, but I do take off and come here. I enjoy it — I really do.”

Miller, current owner of Miller Farms, in Clinton, Md, oversees the 300-acre vegetable farm with his family. He’s been selling produce at the College Park Farmers Market at Paint Branch Parkway since it was established in 1979.

Miller has been selling at the market since it first opened, 42 years ago — the only vendor holding this record. The market is home to other vendors, too, including crafters and home improvement specialists — and food trucks, which are always a big draw.

“We have such a huge selection of a variety of different things,” said Robyn Gaston, the market’s volunteer market coordinator. “The other thing is that [our customers] feel vendors really are the faces of the community. So we have a variety [of vendors]: male, female, Black, white, Latino — it’s mainly the variety.”

According to Gaston, nearly four dozen vendors now participate in the market.

Gaston is a vendor herself — she sells organic soaps, and bath and body accessories. Her small business, Three Peas, is named for her fraternal triplets. As volunteer coordinator, she also selects other vendors for the market. Gaston said she looks for people who enjoy what they do and can support the community.

The pandemic trimmed the market’s vendor ranks in half last summer, and many of the vendors selling food were on hold until restrictions lifted. Gaston noted that the market has largely returned to its prepandemic flow. And the market’s vibrancy is returning, too.

Nancy Lachance, a newcomer to the market, sells hand-

dipped beeswax candles that she often decorates with dried flowers from Smile Herb Shop. She also sells a variety of embroidered linens like napkins and baby swaddles. She was upbeat and enthusiastic about joining the market. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the community a little bit,” she said.

“I just moved to Hyattsville last year. I’m hoping to let people

Phil Miller of Miller Farms in Clinton, Md., has been selling produce at the College Park Farmer’s Market since it was established in 1979. A.R. CABRAL

Mason McCormick performs at the College Park Farmers Market at Paint Branch Parkway. A.R. CABRAL

The pandemic trimmed the market’s vendor ranks in half last summer, and many of the vendors selling food were on hold until restrictions lifted. Gaston noted that the market has largely returned to its prepandemic flow.

YOU ARE WELCOME HERE

MARKET

FROM PAGE 5

know about beeswax and getting to know people”

Lachance wasn’t the only person attending for the first time on the day the Here & Now perused the market. Lin DeVore was exploring the market with her daughter Rachel and their dog, Lucy, as well. Devore was drawn to the Miller Farms stand and a vendor who offered beard balm and oil, both items she said her husband would appreciate.

Kamiani Middleton, a teacher at Montgomery Blair High School, was also checking out the market. He told the Here & Now that he hoped young people would be drawn to ventures like the market. “I’d like to see some younger entrepreneurs, maybe younger people with their crafts, ideas. Just more young people — middle schoolers, high schoolers — volunteering, even if they are

getting community service hours.”

As Middleton rode away on his bicycle, the farmers market had found its hum. Vendors and patrons were conversing about products, and children begged mom for another dollar to buy snacks. Over all of this noise, the sound of a folk guitar filled the air.

Mason McCormick, dressed in a cowboy hat and boots to match, played guitar next to the Miller Farms stand. “I play fine and wild songs for fine and wild folks,” said McCormick, folk laureate of the College Park

CALENDAR

FROM PAGE 5

COLLEGE PARK CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS

Yarrow Civic Association. Membership is free. For more information, email Wendy Kelley at wendybird85@yahoo. com

College Park Estates Civic Association. For more information, email Ray Ranker at rayranker@gmail.com

West College Park Citizens Association. Membership is open to all residents of West College Park over age 18. For more information, email Suchitra Balachandran at cp_woods@yahoo.com

Berwyn District Civic Association. The BDCA’s monthly virtual meeting will be on Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. and on each third Thursday of the month after that. To register,

WMATA

FROM PAGE 1

Metro to work, the grocery store, visit family or friends or just get around town.”

Starting Sept. 5, Metrobus service will be upgraded. Buses on many lines will run more frequently, and riders will receive free transfers between bus and rail. Normal bus service will resume at the Prince George’s Plaza station and at a number of others, as well. A table of changes is available on the WMATA website (wmata.com).

Metrorail service is also being upgraded with shorter wait times, even outside of rush hour, at stations served by multiple lines. All Green Line stations will have shorter wait times, as these stations will again serve multiple lines, with the resumption of Yellow Line

Farmer’s Market. “I am your friendly neighborhood cowboy; I am playing at the red tent just west of the vegetables.”

McCormick hopes to see more local musicians play there, too. It’s a good spot to workshop songs, he noted.

Shoppers, vendors and entertainers mingle with each other as if they’re old friends. And then there’s Phil Miller, with his truck and his tent and his produce. When he sets up his stand on a Saturday morning in College Park, he can’t help but smile at all the people showering each other with kindness.

email president@myberwyn.org.

North College Park Community Association. The next meeting will be on Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m. Email ncpcivic@gmail.com or visit www.myncpca.org for meeting information.

Lakeland Civic Association. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 14, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For meeting and registration information, email lakelandcivic@gmail.com

Old Town College Park Civic Association. For more information and to add your name to the listserv, email Kathy Bryant at kdbryant20740@yahoo.com

Calvert Hills Civic Association. For more information, email the association at calverthillscitizensassn@gmail. com or Rose Greene Colby at rgreencolby@gmail.com

service north of Mount Vernon Square. Customers can expect to wait no more than 3 to 6 minutes for weekday trains through the day on the Red Line and at multi-line stations; after 9:30 p.m., trains servicing these stations will run every 5 to 8 minutes. On Friday and Saturday, trains will run until 1 a.m., instead of midnight, and service will start one hour earlier on Sundays, at 7 a.m. Finally, on weekends, trains will run every 5 to 8 minutes at multi-line stations and every 10 minutes on the Red Line. One-way trips will be a flat $2, so tourists will no longer have to squint at fare charts and do the math.

This fall, commuters, students and tourists will be able to reap the benefits of new platforms, more trains and fewer shuttle rides as they ride Metrorail throughout the region.

CANOE? CAN YOU

By Lily Fountain and Zelda Bell

Ready to try something new? Paddling around in a canoe or kayak is fun, easy, inexpensive, and family- and senior-friendly, too. You’re outdoors, with built-in social distancing. We have been exploring paddling opportunities in and around College Park, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned. You can start at our beloved Lake Artemesia, so beautiful this time of year. Get a close-up look at the aquatic plants and wildlife by joining a 1- to 2-hour kayak class offered by Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation (pgparks.com — go to classes and enter “kayak” in the search box). The county’s upcoming events include Kayak With a Ranger (Sept. 4 and Oct. 2) at Lake Artemesia, rent a kayak and receive paddling instruction and safety training, and venture on a guided tour of the lake — all at a cost of only $5 for residents. At this website you can also register for a guided kayak tour of the Patuxent River for seniors (Sept. 8), a guided kayak trip to see fall foliage along Mataponi Creek (Oct. 29) and kayak lessons at Bladensburg Waterfront Park (Sept. 11 and Oct. 9). You can also kayak and canoe at other nearby spots. Some that we think look especially interesting are Buddy Attick Lake, Duckett Dam, and the Patuxent Research Refuge.

Greenbelt’s Buddy Attick Lake, named for one of the community’s early residents and first firemen, is a small lake,

which makes it a great spot for beginners. It’s also a good choice if you’re using an inflatable kayak, since there is no boat ramp. You’ll need to bring your own boat and a boating permit, which you can obtain from Greenbelt’s administrative coordinator (301.397.2200). You’ll also need a parking permit; contact the Greenbelt Department of Planning and Community Development for one (301.345.5417).

You can also bring your own boat to Rocky Gorge Reservoir, also known as Duckett Dam (named for T. Howard Duckett) and Supplee Lane Recreation Area, which is a paddling spot that is a WSSC reservoir near Laurel. You’ll need a daily or seasonal permit, which you can get online at wsscwater.com/watershed or by calling 301.206.4386. (Permits for seniors are not available online; seniors must go to WSSC building at 14501 Sweitzer Lane in Laurel or to the Brighton Dam visitor center in Brookeville to obtain them. Bring an ID to verify your age.)

And if you’re eager to combine paddling with fishing, the U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s (FWS) Patuxent Research Refuge may be just the spot for you. You’ll need a State of Maryland non-tidal fishing license, which you can obtain at the state’s Department of Natural Resources (dnr. maryland.gov/Pages/service_license. aspx). The refuge is just up the BaltimoreWashington Parkway; you can read more about it on the FWS site (fws.gov/refuge/ patuxent).

If you’d like to avoid permit fees, head

to Bladensburg Waterfront Park. There is a put-in very close to the parking lot and a lovely boardwalk along the river. Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens is just a short paddle away from the park. Every time we paddle from the park to Kenilworth, we see turtles, osprey, herons and an abundance of aquatic plants — with nothing between our boats and nature. You can rent canoes and kayaks at the park.

If you use your own boat, be sure to also bring a personal flotation device for each person in your party, along with sunscreen and your phone in a waterproof phone bag. Wear a hat and closedtoe water shoes, and carry along a first aid kit, map and whistle. Bring water and snacks, especially if you’re planning a long paddle, and a dry bag for supplies. If you’re venturing into a local river, you should always check tides (tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/tide_predictions.html — select Maryland and then scroll to the nearest station).

Many folks wonder about the differences between kayaks and canoes. Kayaks seat one or two people and are lightweight, agile and fast. Canoes, which are generally quite stable, seat one to four people. While you’re on the water, it pays to be quiet and keep your eyes open. Your silence will allow you to observe wildlife — a group of turtles sunning on a log or bald eagles soaring overhead — as you float through aquatic plants along the way. Lessons can be helpful, and experienced paddlers can also teach you the basics. Two great references are Paddle Maryland, by Bryan McKay, and Quiet Water Mid-Atlantic, by Rachel Cooper. We hope you enjoy exploring paddling resources within easy distance of your College Park home.

Lily Fountain (L) and Zelda Bell, longtime College Park residents, have been friends for decades and now enjoy paddling together, too.

You can start at our beloved Lake Artemesia, so beautiful this time of year. Get a close-up look at the aquatic plants and wildlife by joining a 1- to 2-hour kayak class offered by Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation.

College Park resident Zelda Bell is an avid kayaker. COURTESY OF SAMSARA HASHIMI

frequent and severe storms due to climate change are putting increasing pressure on aging and insufficient infrastructure. The resulting flooding significantly impacts residents’ safety and homes, and polluted runoff can find its way into Indian Creek and Paint Branch and then flow into the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River. Our tour launched from Yards Marina, located in Yards Park, in the District. Robbie O’Donnell, Watershed Programs Manager for Anacostia Riverkeeper, took the group on an hour-long tour from the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge upriver to just past the John Phillips Sousa Bridge. The journey took us along Anacostia Park, a national park, which was created by filling in wetlands in the early 1900s.

High volumes of sewage in the Anacostia have led to laws against swimming and restrictions on fishing. The District has a combined sewer system, meaning that sewage and rainwater runoff flow together in the same pipes. Heavy rainfall often pushes beyond the capacity of old sewage systems — a challenge shared by many

older urban communities. Sewage brings a mix of pollutants including bacteria, pesticides, heavy metals, other toxic substances and sediment that can have negative health impacts on humans, animals and plants. The river has been home to several toxic industrial sites over time, making remediation an uphill battle.

Around 800,000 people live in the Anacostia Watershed, which spans 176 square miles across the District, and Montgomery and Prince George’s counties. Communities of color and low income neighborhoods within the watershed are disproportionately impacted by

the river’s contamination and the flooding that results from poor watershed management. Thanks to decades of work by neighborhood civic associations, conservation groups and advocacy organizations, there have been recent environmental successes along the Anacostia. According to the Anacostia Watershed Society’s 2021 State of the River Report Card, which tracks several indicators of water quality and remediation, the river “received a passing grade for the third time in four years with a score of 63%, tying the highest score to date, despite it being the 3rd wettest year on record.”

O’Donnell expects that within the next 5 to 10 years, the Anacostia River will be swimmable. A major driver in getting the Anacostia River swimmable sooner than later is that DC is currently adding significant capacity to its sewage system, which is expected to reduce overflow to the river by 98%.

O’Donnell stressed the need for future urbanization efforts to take equitable and sustainable approaches to development, so that those who call the Anacostia Watershed home will not be displaced by gentrification. During a post-tour wrapup, participants asked lingering questions and wanted to learn

Dear College Park neighbors –

more about what College Park residents could do to help the restoration effort. The Green Team may organize a second field trip to explore the Anacostia River, further upstream, near Bladensburg, or to visit a water treatment plant to better understand how chemicals and bacteria are removed from our water.

Anacostia Riverkeeper regularly runs free boat tours, financially supported by the plastic bag fees charged by the District’s Department of Energy and the Environment. And most importantly, the organization’s advocacy and education efforts continue to protect and restore these waters, with the goal of making the Anacostia River swimmable and fishable for all. A number of local and national advocacy organizations — the Anacostia Watershed Society, Earthjustice, the Anacostia Waterfront Trust and others — have joined Anacostia Riverkeeper in their work to preserve the river.

For more information about the Calvert Hills Green Team, contact co-chair Urs Weber at ursofcourse@gmail.com. Green Team member Melissa Ballard can be reached at melissa.j.ballard@ gmail.com.

Our top priorities for this year are beating COVID and getting Maryland back to work Our post-recovery agenda includes climate change, smart growth, health equity, expanded PreK, and higher incomes for working people

And, as always, helping you, and all of our neighbors solve problems in College Park

We appreciate the opportunity to represent the 21st District and to serve you To learn more about what we've been working on and our priorities going forward, visit our website.

We look forward to keeping in touch over the coming months!

Many thanks, Mary, Ben, Joseline, and Jim

21 st District Democratic Team

By authority, Carolyn Brosch, Treasurer/ Team 21 Slate

Members of the Calvert Hills Green Team take a tour with the Anacostia Riverkeeper. COURTESY OF URS WEBER

With his background in aerospace engineering, he is naturally drawn to the College Park airport, too. Pines was the dean of UMD’s A. James Clark School of Engineering before assuming his role as president.

President Pines sat down with the Here & Now in August to discuss a number of issues impacting the city. The Western Gateway development, for example, has garnered interest from residents because it would clear nine acres of forest to make way for graduate student housing.

“From a university perspective first, there is a need for affordable graduate housing,” he said, citing the Western Gateway project. “For 30 to 40 years, there has only been two parcels of land that have graduate housing: Graduate Hills and Graduate Gardens.”

To learn more about residents’ concerns about the development, he met with leaders of Save Guilford Woods, a group that’s advocating to protect the forested acres slated for development.

Residents have also organized in opposition to the university’s plans to demolish portions of the Paint Branch Golf Complex to make way for new track and field facilities. The Friends of Paint Branch Golf Course meet each week to mobilize support for the existing complex, which is the only municipal golf course in northern Prince George’s County.

Pines said that he supported the collaboration between the university and county to advance this project. “We simply want to build a track and field complex, and we want to share that track and field complex with the community,” he said. “When we are not doing activities there, we would provide all the maintenance, and they’d be able to do track and field events for high schools and maybe for the State of Maryland championships.”

Pines also touted the university’s collaboration with the city in developing the Discovery District.

The Terrapin Development Company, co-owned by UMD and the University of Maryland College Park Foundation, has been developing and implementing plans to make Baltimore Avenue more walkable. Pines couldn’t be happier about this initiative.

“We care about all the same things that the city cares about and the community cares about,” he said. “We want to be good neighbors; we are looking to enhance the area where people live, work and play around here.”

The university is enrolling more students than ever before during Pines’ tenure — 37,961 last spring, alone. Applications are also at an all-time high, with more than 50,000 submitted for enrollment so far this year, according to a university spokesperson.

“What we are really trying to do is accommodate that interest,” said Pines. “We have the capacity to handle it.”

Pines attributes the rise in applications to the range of new majors offered by the school, including programs offered by the School of Public Policy, the School of Public Health and the College of Information Studies.

When asked about the university’s preparations for inperson classes this fall, Pines was confident that students can safely return to campus. “We need to learn how to be safe and healthy. I think we will do a really good job for our students this fall.”

Now that Pines is President Pines, he has a bit more on his mind most mornings. But he still heads over to Bagel Place for his sausage and cheese on toast and a friendly hello.

For a full transcript of the Here & Now’s interview with President Pines, visit streetcarsuburbs.news

“We care about all the same things that the city cares about and the community cares about. We want to be good neighbors; we are looking to enhance the area where people live, work and play around here.”

Darryll Pines was appointed president of the University of Maryland in July 2020. COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND

University of Maryland President Darryll Pines

Today’s Hair exceeds fundraising goal

By Meghan Curtis

Today’s Hair, located at 4437 Lehigh Road, has been closed since a fire, on Feb. 3, that caused significant damage to the shop. According to the University of Maryland’s newspaper, The Diamondback, the fire sparked in an HVAC unit and spread to the salon’s roof. Damages came to about $60,000.

The owners, Pola and Sokha Kry, have struggled to make rent payments while also paying renovation costs not covered by insurance.

Longtime client Mary Warneka launched a GoFundMe page on Feb. 5 to support the Krys. Fans of the shop have opened their hearts and wallets; 257 donors have pushed the fundraiser beyond its $27,000 goal. As of press time, it totaled $27,160.

To find strength as they face these challenges, the Krys turned to their faith in God. “We keep our hearts and soul[s] in his hand,” they wrote in an email.

The shop’s fan club extends beyond the city; indeed, the greater College Park community has also helped the Krys by

scheduling home haircuts. Two such patrons are Robert Baum and Matt Gembecki.

Baum said that he has many cowlicks that make cutting his hair challenging. He became a dedicated customer because the Krys do such a good job with it. And Baum discovered that the couple is so much more than skilled with their scissors. “They are community binders who help us see the best in ourselves,” he wrote, adding, “Their love for each other infuses their business and personal relationships.” Gembecki, also a long-time customer, wrote that he was “so shocked and wanted to help” when he heard about the fire. Gembecki coordinated a neighborhood initiative that brought the Krys to porches and yards for haircuts outdoors.

Gembecki spoke enthusiastically about the Krys. He thinks of them as neighbors and wrote, “Yes, they’re professionals of course and good at what they do … It feels like they’re really a part of the community. … they can do everything – kids, men and women.”

Pola and Sokha Kry inspect fire damage at Today’s Hair. ERIC HARKLEROAD

To schedule a haircut, text Pola Kry at 240.476.162.