12-2021 College Park Here & Now

Northwestern boys soccer team wins third state championship

By Chris McManes

Northwestern High School boys soccer coach Victor Ramirez is well aware of the program’s legacy of success. He added to it Nov. 20 when he led his alma mater to the school’s third state championship.

The Wildcats (12-2) won the Maryland Class 4A state title, 3-2, over Northwest High School by erupting for three secondhalf goals in five minutes of play and then relying on their defense.

“Winning a state championship takes a lot of hard work, a little bit of luck and a great team,” Ramirez said. “I often thank my players for allowing me to be part of their journey. For the rest of their lives, they will be state champions.”

Playing on a chilly night at Loyola University Maryland,

Smile Herb Shop, a cornerstone of the College Park community

By Eva Sanchez

“If you can’t shop, smile as you go by,” reads the hand-painted sign outside Smile Herb Shop, an emporium of healthy living. The shop is located in a grand old home that used to house the first telephone exchange in the area.

“Customers who have come here for quite some time, and even the new ones, they understand that there’s a sense of community and belonging here. It’s just not your typical type of place,” said Emanda Thomas, one of Smile Herb’s floor managers.

A bulletin board right at the front door details the rich history of the building and the shop, which was founded by a woman known as Sweet Cicely, in the early 1970s. In 1975, Tom Wolfe stopped in, and over time, their friendship blossomed. Eventually, Sweet Cicely decided to sell Smile Herb to Tom and his wife, Linda. Thomas says that customers drop in all the time with their

By Pierce Panagakos

After a tumultuous six months, Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation (PGCDPR) announced on Dec. 1 that the department would no longer be pursuing a collaboration with the University of Maryland

to build an NCAA track and field stadium where the Paint Branch Golf Complex (PBGC) is located.

Bridget Stesney, division chief of Park Planning and Development, PGCDPR, released a statement detailing that, while the county initially

Northwestern players and staff celebrate the Wildcats’ 3-2 victory over Northwest for the

Remembering Mr. Gailes

By Eric Maring

Mr. Gailes was a hero to me. I always called him Mr. Gailes, never Bill, and he’s one of very few people that I always referred to with that formal title. His passing Nov. 12 really made me pause. I always had a high respect for him and his role in my musical community. Both of my sons studied violin, and I never anticipated how much the place where we got the instruments, Gailes’ Violin Shop, would have so much to do with my children’s success

in having music central to their lives.

Whenever we would go to Mr. Gailes’ shop, we always felt cared for; whatever we needed, he’d help with. We always felt his presence. All of this comes from the top, the center — however we might see Mr. Gailes’ role in his shop.

I was amazed that when I or my child spoke to Mr. Gailes in his shop, he always gave us his full attention and time, which is how the Gailes staff has always been as well. He took your child’s and your own musical growth seriously, knowing that the bow that you

chose, the violin or cello, had a special part in helping you become your fullest musical self. Hats off to Mr. Gailes. I felt a sense of relief and spirit when the shop affirmed that the business will go on.

Mr. Gailes knew that being a leader meant being part of something bigger than himself, and that’s why he commanded his community’s respect.

Eric Maring is a local music educator and performer, and author of the book, Two Little Blackbirds

Meet the two newest councilmembers

By Kelsey Ward

WHITNEY AIMS TO FOSTER MORE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Susan Whitney is the new District 2 representative on the College Park City Council. She replaces Monroe Dennis, who decided not to run for a sixth term. In the Nov. 10 election, 271 voters cast ballots for District 2 candidates. Whitney received 164 votes, and Llatetra Esters held onto her seat, with 170 votes.

Whitney grew up in Texas and attended Tulane University, in New Orleans. She lived briefly in New York, then returned to New Orleans. She has worked in fine dining, retail, freelance photography and journalism.

Whitney earned a masters in photojournalism from the University of Missouri in 2001, then relocated to Maryland.

She bought her home in College Park in 2005. Whitney worked as assistant photo editor for Prince George’s County at The Gazette, a group of community newspapers owned by The Washington Post. In 2009, she joined FlemingAOD, in Silver Spring and is the company’s bookkeeper and office manager.

“I have a knack with legal documents and handle all official contracts. I am the first stop for clients who are signing up for our services,” she said.

Whitney’s good at juggling

Managing Editor Mark Goodson mark@hyattsvillelife.com

more than one job. When she was a journalist, she shot weddings on the side. When she started working at FlemingAOD, she also launched D.C. Lady Arm Wrestlers, a nonprofit organization focused on empowering women. They host events and donate the funds they raise to organizations supporting women and girls.

“We built the idea from scratch. A lot of women who participated said the events boosted their confidence in a way that was really meaningful to them,” said Whitney.

Whitney has also volunteered extensively to support her College Park community, giving time and energy to her daughter’s schools, parkrun, the College Park Community Food Bank and Llatetra Ester’s 2020 campaign for the College Park City Council District 2 seat. Whitney is looking forward to representing her district as she takes her seat on

the council and hopes to engage more residents in local politics.

“I love solving problems, getting things done and helping people. I want to be persistent and see what we can do to make positive change for our neighbors,” she said.

ADAMS TO FOCUS ON COMMUNITY RESILIENCE

Stuart Adams was elected to represent District 3 on the College Park City Council on Nov. 10. He is replacing Robert Day, who served on the council for 10 years. District 3 had the second highest voter turnout in the election, with 478 total votes cast in person and by mail. Adams garnered 275 of the votes.

works at Santec, an engineering services company in Laurel. He manages technical support provided to a number of local entities, including the City of Annapolis, the Maryland State Highway Administration, the Maryland Department of Transportation, Amtrak, GSA, HUD and FEMA and is particularly focused on helping communities prepare for and recover from natural disasters.

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Writers & Contributors Dan Behrend, Yasmine Cowan, Kyle Heflinger, Eric Maring, Chris McManes, Sophie Oriani, Pierce Panagakos, Paul Ruffins, Eva Sanchez, Kelsey Ward

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Adams has been active in the community since he moved here in 2015. He has served as the vice president, president and secretary of the Calvert Hill Civic Association. His home is next to the tree that serves as the neighborhood’s official Christmas tree each year, and he offers up his garage as the studio for pictures with Santa.

Adams grew up in Mississippi. He has an undergraduate degree in civil engineering and a masters in structural engineering from Louisiana State University. From there, he went to MIT for a diversity and research program before deciding to settle in D.C.

“I’ve always been drawn to university towns. I like the activity and being able to meet younger folks,” he said.

Adams, who specializes in floodplain management, sustainability and construction,

“That’s been my passion for a while, community resilience. I know what it’s like when your family loses your home and your community gets completely uprooted,” said Adams, whose family lost their home in Hurricane Katrina. He plans to use his expertise to tackle the stormwater management issues in District 3.

Adams lives in Calvert Hills with his wife and dog. They love to walk or bike on the trolley trail, go to Lake Artemesia and walk around the university’s campus when it isn’t busy. Callie, Adams’ Lab/ German Shepard mix, is famous around the neighborhood. Indeed, some of the kids in the neighborhood call the Adams’ yard Callie’s Corner.

“There were a lot of kids who couldn’t see their friends during the pandemic, so they would come hangout with my dog. She’s partially named after Calvert Hills,” he said.

Bill Gailes grew up in College Park, attended the University of Maryland and ran a local business. COURTESY OF GAILES’ VIOLIN SHOP

Susan Whitney COURTESY OF SUSAN WHITNEY

Stuart Adams COURTESY OF STUART ADAMS

College Park Arts Exchange uplifts and inspires

By Pierce Panagakos

College Park Arts Exchange

(CPAE) has been bringing a broad range of arts programs to the greater College Park community since it was founded, in 1998.

CPAE Executive Director Melissa Sites underscored the breadth and depth of the nonprofit’s programming. “We bring all types of arts events, because we’re a multi-disciplinary arts organization ... we bring performing arts, visual arts, music, crafts for little kids, dancing; basically if it can be construed as an art, we bring it,” she said.

Birgit Meade, CPAE’s secretary, concurred. “I think we do a nice job providing good programming. I would like to make sure that all people are aware of the good programs. And we do try to reach all kinds of demographics, and have programs for the elderly as well as the young and all in between,” she said.

CPAE’s range of offerings is particularly impressive, given the organization’s humble beginnings and the Herculean efforts of Sites, its chief organizer. “Melissa runs programs all around College Park trying to target all different age groups and interest groups so in the broadest sense people could participate in whatever they’re interested in,” said CPAE President Richard Biffl. Sites, herself, is quick to shower praise on the College Park community, noting that the organization is strongly engaged with the city. “Before the pandemic, we were reaching about 9,000 people and doing well over 150 events in a year,” she said. Many of CPAE’s programs are run by residents who offer their expertise for free or charge nominal fees.

One such expert is Eric Maring, a lifelong musician and CPAE teacher, who also serves on the organization’s board. Maring leads CPAE’s College Park Youth Music Traditions, which has been able to meet virtually during the pandemic. (Maring also offered, separately from his work with CPAE, some 60 virtual performances.) With the easing of some of the pandemic-related restrictions, Maring has been holding in-person practices with the youth group, with necessary precautions in place.

Another hard-working instructor is Allison Hughes, who directs the College Park Chorale, CPAE’s adult choir, and also serves as the organization’s treasurer. Hughes is a huge fan of the organization — and of Sites. “Melissa is definitely the heart and soul of the organization. And she’s just so

open to any idea like anybody in the community who has an idea for an arts event, you know, music or visual arts or whatever, to bring it to her and she makes it happen,” she said.

In addition to benefiting from the contributions of local artists, the organization has received support from the city, county and state levels. In an email, Biffl noted that county councilmembers Dannielle Glaros (District 3) and Tom Dernoga (District 1), as well as former councilmembers Eric Olson and Mary Lehman worked to secure funding for CPAE.

CPAE’s visibility recently got a

boost when the city’s Committee for a Better Environment asked the nonprofit to find artists to paint storm drains in the city. Two drains have been painted, with one more to come. CPAE also helped plan the mural for the Route 1 underpass leading to Lakeland.

Organizers and residents alike agree that CPAE provides the city’s foremost path offering the community access to the arts. They also agree that that path runs through the Old Parish House (OPH), which is the second oldest building in the city. Maring and the youth group have met there, and he has performed there

frequently, himself. “It’s really a nice place that you don’t find in every neighborhood,” he noted. A number of CPAE’s board members are OPH fans, too. Meade noted that she became involved with CPAE after attending a lecture at the venue.

“Some professor gave a talk at the Old Parish House. I just attended one of those very successful community talks. And I think that was kind of my first awareness [of the organization],” she said.

While OPH is a typical gathering place for CPAE events, Sites pointed out that the mission of the organization is to bring the arts to

every neighborhood in the city, not just Calvert Hills and Old Town. “It’s vital to our mission to bring the arts to formal and informal venues all around the city,” she wrote in an email.

Conditions brought about by the pandemic have prompted the organization to experiment with program delivery over the last 2 years, unexpectedly advancing that mission. With OPH closed, CPAE pivoted to virtual programming. While this has worked well for Maring and the youth group, it’s had a negative impact on Hughes’ work with the adult choir. “We sort of tried some of the Zoom things with the choir, and it’s just awful because there’s the time delay. ... the timing is off. You can’t hear,” she said. According to Sites, CPAE has promoted outdoor performances throughout the pandemic, too, in an effort to safely connect the community with resident musicians.

For over three decades, the CPAE has been offering events and activities for and by the people of the greater College Park community. Whether you’re drawn to literature, music or dance; whether you are young or not so young; and no matter your experience level, you need look no further than the College Park Arts Exchange (cpae.org) to pursue a journey in the arts.

The College Park Youth Orchestra performs on Dec. 5. KYLE HEFLINGER

The challenge of combining fire careers and volunteers

By Paul Ruffins

To celebrate the Prince George’s Fire Department’s (PGFD) 50th anniversary, the College Park Here & Now brings you Paul Ruffins’ research into the issues our firefighters and EMTs face. This is the second in a series of articles about the department; earlier pieces in series are available at streetcarsuburbs. news/tag/science-of-the-city/

“The oldest cliché in firefighting is that when an old lady calls 911, she doesn’t doesn’t know which company will respond and doesn’t care why they were dispatched or whether they’re paid or volunteers. She just wants them to get there fast,” said Patrick Marlatt, deputy director of the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute at the University of Maryland. The institute’s scorched burn building allows firefighters to experience the heat, smoke and stress of a live fire, but in a controlled environment.

PGFD responded to more than 33,000 fire emergencies and 122,000 EMS calls in 2020, making it the 12th busiest department in the nation. That same year, it ranked as the nation’s busiest department that relies on a combination of career members and volunteers. Marlatt’s goal is to train both the 991 paid firefighters and EMTs, and the approximately 1,000 active volunteers to all meet the same professional standards and work together seamlessly.

In her Virginia Polytechnic Ph.D. thesis, Natalie Heffernan concluded that, when comparing departments operating with a complement of volunteers to a wholly paid force, departments with a combination of the two deliver performance and response times approaching those of paid departments, and at a lower cost. However, combination departments can be challenging to manage and may experience more internal conflict.

Managing the PGFD is, indeed, challenging, in part because firehouses can be staffed at least eight different ways. Some rely on all-volunteer crews, while others are staffed only by paid career firefighters. Many

firehouses use career members for day shifts and volunteers on evenings and weekends.

In addition, PGFD’s volunteer fire departments are more powerful than volunteer departments in many other parts of the country. Local volunteer departments are independent nonprofit corporations that

pick their own fire chiefs and own their own stations and equipment. In 2019, volunteer companies in the county owned 33 firehouses and 146 pieces of major apparatus, while the county only owned 10 stations and 128 pieces of apparatus. With its mix of volunteers and career members, PGFD has a complex budget to juggle, as well. The department covers some of the volunteer companies’ fuel, maintenance and equipment costs and provides a modest pension to individual volunteers who have been with the department for 25 years or more. In 2021, the department spent $21.5 million to support the volunteer companies. In the same period, PGFD budgeted just over $185 million for wages and benefits, at an average cost of approximately $175,000 per paid employee. By relying on a substantial cadre of volunteers, the department saves some $40 million in wages and benefits annually, and millions more in equipment and real estate costs.

PGFD uses the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) standards to measure its

performance. The department meets the NFPA requirement of always dispatching at least four people per engine or ladder truck and two per ambulance. In 2021, PGFD projected that the department would meet the standard of a four-minute travel time 63% of the time. An excellent score would be 90%, and the department is pushing to achieve that by 2025.

According to the analysis in the county’s 2021 operating budget, PGFD’s primary challenge with response time is that most volunteer companies are understaffed. For example, if the station closest to a fire only has seven people on duty, NFPA standards say it couldn’t deploy its engine and its ladder truck at the same time. It could send five people on the engine, and leave two to staff an ambulance. The ladder truck would have to be dispatched from another company further away, lengthening response time.

Former PGFD Fire Chief Marc Bashoor notes that if you took a fire station and drew a circle around the people it could reach in four minutes, (the NFPA standard) College Park, Hyattsville, Mount Rainier and other towns would have several overlapping circles of stations that could reach them in that time. But some communities wouldn’t have any station close enough to them to achieve the same response standard.

Bashoor believes it would be safer if the county could merge or move volunteer companies to create fewer stations staffed with more people in places efficient to enhance response time to all citizens.

Fortunately, new technologies can help mitigate the impacts of less than optimal response times. According to Dr. Jim Milke, chairman of the University of Maryland’s fire safety engineering program, the most critical period in a fire emergency is the time between when the fire starts and when it is detected. “America’s dramatic 60 to 70% decrease in fire deaths and losses since 1970 hasn’t primarily resulted from [our] becoming better at fighting fires,” he explained. “It came from firefighters pushing for better building codes. The universal adoption of residential

smoke alarms means that, in many cases, the fire department doesn’t even have to respond, because homeowners are quickly alerted when the fire is still small enough to put out themselves.”

As a result, the PGFD has been aggressively inspecting residences to ensure that smoke alarms are correctly installed and working, and the department will install alarms at no cost for anyone who needs them. With their Close Before You Doze campaign, PGFD is also advocating to change the building code to require selfclosing bedroom doors, which significantly increase the odds of surviving a fire.

According to data compiled by the Maryland’s Office of the State Fire Marshal, the state’s average number of fire deaths per year has been decreasing over the past 35 years: In 1975, 184 Marylanders lost their lives in fires; that number dropped to 71 in 2010, and in 2020, it fell to 51. Fire deaths in Prince George’s County fluctuate, with a high of 15 in 2013 to a low of five in 2014. Last year, 12 county residents died in a total of 11 separate fires. Despite being chronically short of both paid and volunteer members, the PGFD has some real strengths. Its budget is increasing, and its response times are improving. Many volunteer department fire chiefs and senior officers are also experienced career members of neighboring departments in Maryland, D.C., Baltimore, and Northern Virginia. Such overlap can reduce tensions between career firefighters and volunteer firefighters. Another plus for the county is the innovative bunkhouse program, which was pioneered by the university and the College Park Volunteer Fire Company. The program allows students from local colleges to become live-in volunteer firefighters while keeping up with their studies.

Stay tuned to the Here & Now for a deeper look into the sustainability of volunteer firefighting in the city and county alike.

Paul Ruffins is a citizen scientist and professor of curiosity.

The burn building at the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute. PAUL RUFFINS

Managing the PGFD is, indeed, challenging, in part because firehouses can be staffed at least eight different ways.

PGCPS holds public meetings

By Sophie Gorman Oriani

On Nov. 1, Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) held the first of five virtual public meetings to discuss proposed changes to school boundaries for the county’s neighborhood schools.

WXY Studio, an urban design, planning and architectural consulting firm, is leading a team of consultants to redraw school boundaries and balance enrollment between neighborhood schools. Changing enrollments have led to some schools being overcrowded, while others are under-enrolled.

Chris Rice, WXY Studio’s planning director, spoke to over 450 attendees, including parents, students, teachers and community members. According to Rice, the main goal of the Comprehensive School Boundary Initiative is to balance school utilization. Currently, fewer than 27% of elementary and K-8 schools, 33% of middle schools and 19% of high schools are utilized at the optimal rate of 80 to 95%.

Rice acknowledged that last year’s drop in enrollments has

not reversed. Many predicted that this year’s kindergarten class would be very large, due to parents’ delaying enrollment in 2020 because of the pandemic, and choosing, instead, to enroll their children in 2021. The predicted surge in enrollment did not materialize. Rice also pointed out that economic downturns in the future might lead to increased public school enrollment, as parents facing financial hardship are more likely to choose free public education over private school.

The WXY team used computer modeling to create three potential school boundary maps and is now seeking public input on them to develop a single proposal.

As part of the redistricting initiative, all PGCPS sixth graders will be moved from elementary schools to middle or K-8 schools. Other students will be affected, too. According to the boundary initiative scenarios map, each of the three scenarios would impact some College Park and Hyattsville students, though specific impacts vary from one scenario to another.

While all three scenarios keep most College Park elementary

students in their current schools, each would move some middle schoolers from Greenbelt Middle School to Buck Lodge, in Adelphi. Some College Park high schoolers would move from Northwestern to Parkdale High School, or vice versa, depending on the scenario. Cherokee Lane Elementary,

which serves College Park Woods families, moved students to St. Mark Catholic Church, in Hyattsville, for the 2021-2022 school year so Cherokee can be rebuilt.

A new high school, which is in the planning phase, would accommodate 2,600 students in the College Park Woods neighborhood.

Councilmembers Denise Mitchell and Maria Mackie,

both of whom represent District 4, oppose the proposed high school because of potential environmental impacts and a possible increase in traffic.

“If we need a new public school built, we can find a place that is more equitable, a better place for the students and closer to where they live,” said Mackie.

For more information, go to pgcps.org/boundary.

County council passes redistricting map

By Sophia Gorman Oriani

Editor’s note: Last month, we published an article by Nolan Clancy about proposed redistricting in Prince George’s County that would impact the City of College Park. The county council has moved forward with its process; we are bringing you this update describing the council’s decision.

Despite widespread citizen opposition, the Prince George’s County Council voted on Nov. 16 to accept a redistricting map. The map, which divides the City of College Park along new lines, went into effect on Dec. 1.

In January, the county council appointed a redistricting commission to develop a new map. County district boundaries are redrawn every ten years, following the U.S. Census, to ensure that the districts have approximately equal populations. Prince George’s County has nine districts, with one council member elected from each district. Two at-large members are elected, as well.

On Sept. 1, the redistricting commission presented their proposed map to the council. Following a public hearing, county councilmembers then introduced two alternative maps in mid-October. The first of these two alternative maps, which was introduced by Councilmember Derrick Davis (District 6), placed all of College Park, including the university, in District 1. This proposal sparked protests in the City of College Park, and the university also opposed the change. A week later, a second

alternative map, proposed by Councilmember Mel Franklin (At-Large), left most of College Park in District 3, but with a long thin finger of District 1 extending south from the Beltway.

Over 150 opponents of Franklin’s map registered to speak at the Nov. 16 county council meeting. Commenters said that the map had been gerrymandered, redrawn to favor some electoral candidates — in this case, those who support unchecked development — over others.

At the meeting, the county council approved Franklin’s map 6 to 3. Dannielle Glaros (District 3) voted against it, as did Thomas Dernoga (District 1) and Jolene Ivey (District 5).

The Davis map, and the map proposed by the commission, were shelved.

Under the ratified map, the

new boundaries directly affect three residents who considered running for the county council. Krystal Oriadha, who lost a 2018 race by fewer than 100 votes, announced her campaign for a District 7 seat, but has withdrawn from the race, as the new map places her residence in District 5. Tamara Brown, who had not announced her candidacy for the District 9 seat, ran in 2018 and, like Oriadha, lost by a narrow margin. The new map places Brown’s residence in District 8.

College Park resident Eric Olson, who had already announced his intention to run for the District 3 seat, was impacted by the redistricting, as well. The new map designates Olson’s home in District 1. Olson, who served on the county council from 2006 to 2014 and has a track record as an environmentalist,

said in an email that he is investigating his options. All three candidates identify as politically progressive. A person must have lived in a district for at least one year before running for office, so the redrawn boundaries make all three candidates ineligible to run for office in summer 2022.

College Park Mayor Patrick Wojahn spoke on behalf of the College Park City Council, which voted unanimously to oppose the Franklin map. “The current proposed map divides College Park right through its center,” he said.

Glaros expressed her disappointment with Franklin’s map and its impacts on the

College Park neighborhood. “I deeply question the moral compass of my colleagues,” she said.

Deni Taveras (District 2), who is the county council’s vice chair, defended Franklin’s map on the grounds that the redistricting commission did not have enough time to review census data, as conducting the census was delayed by the pandemic. Taveras said that Franklin’s map, which was developed later, does a better job than the commission’s map of incorporating the census data. “This map does more for black and brown communities than any other map ever submitted,” she said.

According to geographer D. W. Rowlands, though, the ratified map does not significantly change minority representation in District 2. According to Rowlands, the redistricting commission’s map would also draw District 2 as a majorityLatino district. The only metric significantly impacted by the ratified map is the percentage of voting-age Latino residents in the district; that percentage increased from 49.5% to 50.6%, a majority. Being of voting age does not necessarily correlate to being qualified to vote, which depends on status; about half of Latino residents in the district are citizens, and thereby qualify.

For more information on the redistricting map, go to pgccouncil.us/845/Maps.

New county district map approved on 11/17/21

Former county district map 11/16/21

Former Councilmember (District 3) Announced candidacy for District 3 seat in 2022 race. Announced candidacy for District 7 seat in 2022 race.

COLLEGE PARK POST

New City Hall Opens; Celebrates Dedication Ceremony

The City of College Park’s New City Hall Opened to the Public on December 6, 2021

The City of College Park and University of Maryland will celebrate the dedication of College Park’s new City Hall on Tuesday, December 14, 2021.

The first collaborative project of its kind, the 95,000 square foot building is home to City Hall services, University of Maryland offices, retail space, and a large public plaza in downtown College Park.

“Our new City Hall will serve multiple purposes – offices for our City government; services and meeting spaces for residents; and a vibrant plaza with retail creating a new center for downtown College Park. The new City Hall will be the beating heart of a new College

Park” said City of College Park Mayor Patrick L. Wojahn.

The building is anchored on the first and second floors by City Hall offices, Council Chambers, and meeting rooms. The University of Maryland (UMD) has offices on the third and fourth floors and the Terrapin Development Company (TDC) will manage the first-floor retail spaces.

This collaboration leverages the shared interests of the City and University to make and stimulate investment that will create one of the best college towns in the country.

The 7,000 square feet of retail space spread across four suites is

anticipated to be a mix of food and beverage operators and retailers selling soft goods.

This state-of-the-art building and plaza feature a bioretention system for stormwater management and is expected to achieve a LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The City had been exploring locations and options for a new City Hall for many years, and after selecting the site in 2014, started discussions with the University to combine adjoining properties and construct a shared building and plaza fronting Baltimore Avenue. The project broke ground in February 2020 and has received $1,000,000 in state funding.

City departments of Administration (including the Office of the City Manager, City Clerk, Communications & Events, Economic Development, and Information Technology), Finance, Human Resources, Public Services (including Code Enforcement and Parking), and Planning and Community Development moved into the new City Hall in early December.

City phone numbers and email addresses remain the same, but please note our new mailing address of 7401 Baltimore Avenue Suite 201, College Park, MD, 20740.

City Hall hours also remain the same; offices are open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

ARPA Assistance Programs Applications Now Open

City Business & Non-Profit and Individual & Family Assistance Grants

required documentation, please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/ arpa#business.

2021 ARPA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES

Grants up to $5,000 per applicant

The City has established two programs to assist businesses, non-profits, and residents address negative financial impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The American Rescue Program Act (ARPA) has provided funds that the City is using for these and many other projects.

Each program is summarized below. The goal of these programs is to help our residents, businesses and non-profits get back on their feet and better prepared to be financially successful in the future.

For additional information, please visit collegeparkmd.gov/arpa. Have questions? Email arpa@ collegeparkmd.gov with questions for any of the City’s ARPA programs.

2021 ARPA BUSINESS & NONPROFIT ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM

Grants up to $25,000 for Operating

and Small Capital Expenditures

This program can provide eligible small businesses and non-profits with financial assistance for a wide range of operating expenses and capital investments, such as new equipment, website/ online shopping enhancements, façade improvements, and other costs associated with COVID-related business impacts.

Businesses and non-profits must have a physical presence in the City of College Park, employ 75 or fewer full-time (or equivalent) staff, and have been in operation as of November 1, 2021.

Certain age-restricted stores are excluded, and national franchises with local owners will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For additional details, as well as the application form and

The purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance to eligible College Park individuals and families who have a demonstrated financial hardship created by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Eligibility is determined by residency in the City of College Park and proof of need. Applicants are required to provide proof of residency, proof of hardship, and provide certain information/ documentation so the City’s review committee can ensure the request fulfills the program requirements.

The maximum financial assistance per applicant is $5,000 for eligible expenses (vendors will be paid directly). Only one application per household.

For additional details, as well as the application form and required documentation for resident assistance, please visit www. collegeparkmd.gov/arpa#resident.

City Earns Perfect Score in Municipal Equality Index

The City Scored 100 out of 100 for LGBTQ+ Support

The City of College Park is very proud to announce that the City is a welcoming and inclusive home for everyone.

The City earned perfect marks on the Human Right Campaign’s 2021 Municipal Equality Index (MEI) for the City’s commitment to the health, welfare, safety, equality and inclusiveness of its lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer community.

This is the second time the City has earned a top score of 100. The rating is based on several factors including non-discrimination laws, municipal workplace policies, City services and City leadership public position on equality.

Released on November 19, the MEI rates 506 cities across the nation on 49 different criteria, of which College Park scored a perfect 100 out of 100 points.

This recognition showcases the City’s commitment to celebrate diversity and work towards equity, part of a key objective of our 20212025 Strategic Plan.

Thank you to our residents, Mayor and Council, and staff for making the City of College Park a community for all! To read the full report or learn more, please visit hrc.org/mei.

For more information about the City’s Strategic Plan, please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/ strategicplan.

Deck the City Holiday Decorating Contest

The City’s Annual Holiday Decorating Contest Runs

December 1 through 19, 2021!

It’s that time of year again. Get into the festive spirit with some twinkling lights, inflatable characters, and tons of garland!

The City’s annual Deck the City Holiday Decorating Contest is back!

Nominate your own home, your neighbor’s home, or as many awesomely decorated homes you see in College Park! The nomination period is between December 1 through 19, 2021.

We are hosting a safe pandemic contest again this year. To ensure safe physical distancing, all entries must have photos of the decorations in order to be entered.

Nominated homes will be posted on the City’s Facebook page. The photo with the most likes will be the online digital winner! We will also be awarding 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners and Mayor’s Choice awards.

All entries must be submitted by 11:59 pm on Sunday, December 19. Online voting will occur on the City’s Facebook page (www. facebook.com/collegeparkmd) on

WINTER WONDERLAND:

Join Santa’s Team

Earn your antlers through a series of

December 20th through December 22nd and winners will be announced online on December 23, 2021.

Visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/ deckthecity to nominate homes.

NEW THIS YEAR

Winners of the Online Voting will receive a gift card to their favorite College Park business for $100, $50, and $25 for first, second and third place.

Winners for both online voting and Mayor’s Choice will receive yard signs to show off their accomplishment.

2021 RULES & ENTRY INFO

To enter a College Park home into the contest, please visit www. collegeparkmd.gov/deckthecity.

Rules and all entry information including deadlines, requirements, and important dates, is also available on www.collegeparkmd. gov/deckthecity.

Come on College Park, let’s see your holiday spirit SHIINE!

PUBLIC SAFETY Community Meetings

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 meeting takes place every second Monday of the month via zoom.

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

Getting Ready for Winter

Some Key Tips and Information to Be Prepared for Potential Winter Weather Events

The Department of Public Works plows and treats City maintained streets and City parking lots to clear snow and ice during winter storms. Public Works crews work around the clock during snow emergencies to clear the 51 miles of City streets.

SNOW REMOVAL ACTIVITIES

These steps will be followed during a snow emergency:

• Snow removal equipment will be dispatched to predetermined routes when snow or ice is imminent. Depending upon the weather forecast, some streets may be pretreated with a brine solution. Salting operations may begin at the onset of precipitation, depending if streets have been pretreated or not.

• Snow removal routes are divided into primary and secondary streets. Primary streets will be treated and/ or cleared first, followed by secondary streets.

• When snow begins to accumulate to cover roadways, plowing operations will commence.

• Initially, one lane will be plowed on all streets to them make passable. As conditions allow, all streets will then be widened and plowed curb to curb, where possible.

City parking lots will be plowed by pickup trucks equipped with plows and salt spreaders.

DRIVEWAYS

Crews following the City established snow plan work to clear travel lanes and move snow back as close to the curb as possible. This process takes multiple passes down the street over an extended period of time and snow will unavoidably accumulate in driveway entrances. Snow is not intentionally pushed into residential driveways.

Residents should be aware that the best way to avoid extra shoveling is to wait for City crews to finish clearing the streets before opening driveway entrances to avoid shoveling more than once. While clearing driveways, residents are encouraged to deposit snow to the right of the driveway (facing the street). Do not shovel snow back into the street after the snow plow has cleared it.

FENCES & MAILBOXES

All fences and mailboxes abutting City streets should be constructed to withstand the force of snow pushed from the street by snow plows. The City is not responsible for replacing or repairing property damaged by snow or snow removal.

TRASH & RECYCLING

City staff will make every effort to maintain collection schedules, but may not be able to do so because of hazardous conditions.

Please check the City website at www.collegeparkmd.gov, City social media, call or email the Department of Public Works for changes to the collection schedule.

PARKING DURING SNOW EVENTS

Vehicles parked on the street are the greatest obstacle for City plows clearing the streets.

The following are parking guidelines for City residents:

• Park off the street whenever possible to allow snow plows to clear snow to the curb.

• Park on the even side of the street if off-street parking is not available. Exception: if your address is odd-numbered and the area across from your house is undeveloped, park on the odd side of the street.

• Park as close to the curb as possible. Vehicles parked more than 12” from the curb may be ticketed or even towed, as this severely inhibits the passage of snow plow trucks.

SIDEWALKS, STORM DRAINS & FIRE HYDRANTS

Property owners, occupants, and merchants are reminded of the City requirement to remove accumulated snow and ice from all public walkways, driveways, parking lots, and other areas used by pedestrians or automobiles.

The City Code states that snow and ice be removed within the first twenty-four (24) hours after snowfall stops. Residents should work together to clear storm drains and make fire hydrants accessible to emergency crews.

UPDATES DURING SNOW EVENTS

The Department of Public Works is staffed around the clock during snow events; please call 240487-3590 or email publicworks@ collegeparkmd.gov with any questions or concerns.

You may also find updated information by visiting the City’s website at www.collegeparkmd. gov/notices, social media: facebook.com/collegeparkmd, twitter.com/collegepark_md or by signing up for emails via College Park Connected at www. collegeparkmd.gov/cpconnect.

You can check on the status of street plowing and traffic information at www.511portal. com/collegeparkmd.

COUNTY & STATE ROADS

The City does not treat the following streets. Please report potholes and other adverse road conditions (including snow/ice) to the appropriate agency:

State Highway Administration

301.776.7619

• Greenbelt Rd/MD 430

• Kenilworth Ave/MD 201

• Baltimore Ave/US Route 1

• University Blvd/MD 193

Prince George’s County 301.499.8520

• Rhode Island Ave, N of Greenbelt Rd

• Metzerott Rd

• Campus Dr East

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

SAVE THE DATE

Guided Birding at Lake Artemesia. Join the Prince George’s Audubon Society for guided birding around the lake, which hosts ducks, mergansers and other diving species, while sparrows and other wintering birds frequent the pollinator meadow. Dec. 16, 3 p.m. Tours start from the main gate, north of the lake. For more information, go to pgaudubon.org/events

Berwyn Holiday Lighting. Join neighbors at Jack Jerry Plaza for the Berwyn neighborhood’s annual decorative lighting event at 6 p.m. on Dec. 16.

Paint Night at the University. Feeling creative this holiday season? Visit the University of Maryland’s Stamp Student Union for a painting workshop on Dec. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. Materials provided. Students $8, university staff $10, general public $15. Register at stampunion.umd. edu/studioa/classes

Friday Dance Workshop. Join instructor Karen Stewart, of Jessie’s Soul Line Dancers, for step-by-step instruction and dance along to soul, gospel and pop music. The last class of the year is Friday, Dec. 17. For additional details, register by emailing info@cpae.org

Plein Air Painting. Join the College Park Arts Exchange for a free outdoor painting workshop in Guilford Woods. Dec. 19, from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring your own supplies and meet in the metered parking garage at 7509 Mowatt Lane. To register, email info@ cpae.org

Virtual Book Club. Need a creative outlet for all that quiet time at home? The College Park Arts Exchange invites you to discuss Nell Irvin Painter’s A Memoir of Starting Over on Dec. 21 and Eliza Griswold’s Amity and Prosperity on Jan. 18. Free. RSVP by emailing info@cpae.org

Christmas Caroling. Join neighbors for Christmas caroling on Dec. 22. at 7 p.m. Gather on the trolley trail where Guilford Rd. meets Rhode Island Ave.

Community Art Project. Creating a collage with your neighbors! Bring magazines, photographs, scissors, and a glue stick, if you have one. Masks required, and social distancing observed. This free event will begin on Jan. 4 at 7 p.m. at the College Park Community Library, located in the basement of the College Park Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Ave. College Park Community Library Book Club. Discuss The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig on Jan. 11 and Band of Sisters by Lauren Willig on Feb. 8. The group meets from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the College Park Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Ave. For more information, email Carol Munn at donkinc@msn. com

Draw Like a Famous Artist. Join Racquel Keller and explore the techniques of a famous artist in this free virtual workshop sponsored by the College Park Arts Exchange. Jan. 15 and 29 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. For more information, go to cpae.org Free Art Workshop. Celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day with a free virtual workshop hosted by the College Park Arts Exchange. Jan. 17 at 7 p.m. For more information, go to cpae.org

Adult Creative Writing Class. Join local author Mary Amoto for a class on writing songs and poems for children. There will be four virtual sessions: Jan. 19, Jan. 26, Feb. 2 and Feb. 9. $40 for all four sessions. Register at cpae.org

February at the Aviation Museum. Visit the College Park Aviation Museum on Saturdays in February for a series on the airport’s impact on Black history. Free with museum admission: adults $5, seniors $4, children $2; children 1 and under free. For more information contact Jamie Jones, jamie.jones@pgparks.com

ONGOING

Meeting Space Available. Tired of crocheting alone? Need a place to gather to draft your fantasy baseball team? The College Park Community Library has space available on the 3rd and 4th Tuesdays of each month, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. For more information contact the library at colparklib@ gmail.com

Free Art Program. The College Park Community Library is holding a free arts program on the 1st Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Neighbors lead neighbors in a variety of arts and crafts. For more information, contact the library at colparklib@gmail.com

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

Seasonal Nutrition Information. The University of Maryland Extension, Prince George’s County, offers a variety of virtual and in-person programs about seasonal topics, including food preservation for the winter and holiday meal webinars. For more information, go to extension.umd.edu/news-events/ events

OpenBarre. In December and January, OpenBarre will be offering periodic free classes for first-time visitors. Find your first class and register at openbarrestudios.com

College Park Community Library Story Time. Story time with Micki Freeny. The library is located in the basement of the College Park Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Ave. Wednesdays from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m.

Free Produce Delivery Every ird ursday. Send your contact information (name, street address, email and phone) by the third Monday of the month to receive fresh produce three days later. Produce will be distributed between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at a central location. Brought to you by Community Connect Calvert Hills. For more information, call 301.864.5267 or email connectporfavor@gmail.com

Free Lyft Rides with Medicare. Community Connect Calvert Hills is spreading the word that you can contact your healthcare provider or Medicare (using the phone number on your Medicare card) to receive a free Lyft ride to and from medical appointments. For assistance with this or if you have questions call 301.864.5267 or email communityconnectcalverthills @gmail.com

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 meeting will be on Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and on each third Thursday of the month after that. To register, email president@ myberwyn.org

North College Park Community Association. The next meeting will be on Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be both virtual and in-person at 5051 Branchville Rd. For more information, email ncpcivic@gmail.com or go to myncpca.org

Lakeland Civic Association. 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@gmail. com

Calvert Hills Citizens Association. For more information, go to calverthills. weebly.com or email the board at calverthillscitizensassn@ gmail.com

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University’s Black community gives new voice to concerns

By Yasmine Cowan

The University of Maryland’s (UMD) Office of Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy (MICA) hosted a town hall, The State of Black Terps, on Nov. 30 for students to discuss issues and concerns within the university’s Black community. MICA held the meeting in hopes of hearing from a broad range of Black student voices, not just from the community’s student leaders.

“We wanted to invite students who didn’t have a specific title to come out and express their concerns and opinions,” said Brianna Hayes, the university’s graduate coordinator for Black student involvement and advocacy. “The university thought it would be a great idea to come to Black students, and ask them about their critical issues going on, not just on campus, but in College Park,” she added.

According to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website, “The administration reached out to Black students to be in community with them.” The university partnered with five student leaders: Adam Ahmed, cofounder of the Somali Students Organization; Jehnae Linkind, president of the Black Graduate Student Union; Nadia Owusu, cofounder of Black Terps Matter; Pauline Sow, director of diversity for the University of Maryland Student Government Association; and Saba Tshibaka, cofounder of Black Terps Matter, to discuss ways in which their concerns could be addressed. The Black organizations generated a list of 25 priority concerns, which are listed as action items on the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website (diversity.umd.edu), along with status reports for each item.

“The purpose of this meeting was to stress the importance of revisiting those demands and ensuring that they are actually being captured, in the way that the administration is putting them out,” said Hayes.

During the town hall, Hayes specifically focused on the third item in the list, which pertains to funding of the University of Maryland Police Department. Black student organizations on campus have pressed for excess funds currently allocated to

the university’s response to this issue is ongoing; the last update was posted on Aug.18.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is responsible for posting status updates on it’s website. Student leaders indicated, though, that the office was not meeting with or providing sufficient information to Black student organizations.

Kelsey Coleman, a junior with a double major in Black liberation studies and public policy, and president of the university’s chapter of the NAACP, said, “If you go on the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website for UMD, they say that certain changes have been enforced, but they never met with our groups.”

Hayes added, “this [the third item on the list of concerns] is also something that we need to bring to their attention, especially because they say it’s in progress, but it seems as if they’re working their way around it to not reduce the funding.”

However, UMD says 18 out of 25 critical issues are sustained and completed according to their website, but MICA is not sure of that, said Hayes.

Coleman cited the university’s apparent lack of transparency as one of the concerns that prompted MICA to hold the meeting. “How can you say that something was met, and you didn’t even consult us to say that we agree with that,” she said.

the police department to be redistributed to the Nyumburu Cultural Center and the African American Studies Department.

UMD President Darryll Pines moved to address this issue by establishing the University of Maryland Task Force on Community Policing, which is tasked with examining current practices and recommending improvements, with the goal of increasing safety while fostering trusting partnerships between the university’s police department and the university community. The university anticipates implementing task force recommendations during the 2021-22 academic year.

According to the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website,

Hayes expressed a similar concern. “I want to see all the statistics; I want to see how things have improved since 2020,” she said.

Kiara Anthony, a senior majoring in government and politics, said that she attended the meeting to “understand what’s going on, on campus, and the fundamental importance of how we can make advancements when it comes to understanding Black voices and getting things done.”

“We’re trying to create a community, but you can’t have a community if people are still separated from each other,” she said.

Follow MICA on Instagram (instagram.com/umdmica) to stay updated on this issue and others impacting the university’s underrepresented communities.

UMD says 18 out of 25 critical issues are sustained and completed according to their website, but the Office of Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy is not sure of that, said Brianna Hayes.

Brianna Hayes speaks at The State of the Black Terps town hall. COURTESY OF YASMINE COWAN

welcomed the university’s 2019 proposal to redevelop the complex, the county is no longer considering that as a viable option.

“After several months of conversations with residents and community stakeholders, the University and the Department have determined that the Paint Branch Golf Course will not be used for this purpose,” Stesney wrote in an email. She suggested, however, that the county and university might pursue other projects in the future. “Groundwork has been laid for future collaboration between the University and the Department of Parks and Recreation,” she wrote. The planned Purple Line will require portions of the university’s track and field stadium to be demolished.

Friends of Paint Branch Golf, a group that opposed plans to redevelop the complex, received Stesney’s email and welcomed the decision. The group met virtually on Dec. 2 to celebrate their apparent victory and discuss ways to improve the complex going forward.

Dr. Keith Strong, a member of Friends of Paint Branch Golf who has been in the forefront of the movement to save the golf complex, expressed caution.

“The message sounded good,” he said, but he also wondered if the county and university might revisit changes to the golf complex at some point.

Strong described PBGC as “not a money sink, but a money source” and noted that the complex had remained profitable through the pandemic. He also stated that the driving range and the course at PBGC both brought in similar amounts of revenue, although the driving range is likely more profitable due to lower maintenance costs.

Friends of Paint Branch discussed a number of options to promote use of the complex,

including establishing a winter league, offering a spring tune-up course to help golfers shake the rust off their swing after not playing for a few months, and promoting PBGC to younger golfers and students. The group strongly supported forming a playerbased advisory committee that would work with the complex’s management to improve the course over time.

While the university and the county’s plans to build a track and field stadium at another site in College Park remain up in the air, one thing for certain is that PBGC is not going anywhere in the near future. And those who are glad that it’s presence is ensured, at least for the foreseeable future, have the Friends of Paint Branch Golf to thank for that.

Dr. Keith Strong, a member of Friends of Paint Branch Golf who has been in the forefront of the movement to save the golf complex, described PBGC as “not a money sink, but a money source” and noted that the complex had remained profitable through the pandemic.

Protestors rallied at Paint Branch Golf Complex on Oct. 3. COURTESY OF KEITH STRONG

personal stories about coming to Smile Herb through the years. “They have stories about the staff, they have stories about the shop, they have stories about the garden, you know; they’ll tell you stories about like, ‘Oh, I’ve been coming since the 70’s.’ You know, ‘Tom helped me with this,’ or ‘I took this class.’”

Thomas applied to work at Smile in 2017, and though she wasn’t hired then, she contacted the shop again in 2019, when she was on the hunt for an internship. She was studying Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional practice rooted in Hinduism, and had a hunch that Smile would be a perfect

fit. And Smile Herb responded to Thomas with, well, a smile. “They just welcomed me with open arms, you know, like, there was no concern about me being an intern, and so fresh and new,” she said.

Thomas was hired in August 2020, and she stepped into her current position shortly after joining the team.

Thomas observed first-hand how the pandemic impacted Smile’s customers, who weren’t able to enter the store for more than a year.

When Smile Herb reopened its doors in June 2021, customers were excited to reconnect with the staff and browse the herbs. The shop strives to make herbs and healthy living alternatives broadly available to the community.

“[We work to make] herbalism accessible, in many ways,” said Thomas. “Oftentimes, when you go somewhere, you have to pay a big amount of money to get your answers and needs met, and here you can come, and we can give you so much support that goes beyond a lot of people’s expectations.”

Thomas underscored that Smile Herb’s products, classes and support aren’t a substitute for advice from a medical doctor, but anyone looking for assistance in their journey with herbalism will find it at Smile. “We are a space that can offer them what they’re looking for,” she said. “Customers have come, and they’ve shared their stories of overcoming all types of illnesses because of the help that they received here at Smile.”

Customers’ experience, and their enthusiasm for the shop, is a direct reflection of Tom and Linda’s dedication, along with that of their staff. Together, they offer decades’ worth of experience in herbalism — and they make a point of offering, with every sale, a smile.

To learn more about Smile Herb Shop, explore the store at 4908 Berwyn Rd. or visit online at smileherb.com.

(above) and Jaime (below) serve customers at Smile Herb on

in Baltimore, Northwestern trailed 1-0 at halftime. The Wildcats got on the board in the 53rd minute when senior midfielder Josue Guzman scored off a pass from Jefferson Estrada. Fifty-six seconds later, Jonathan Argueta-Hernandes found Edenilson Acevedo, who scored from about eight yards out.

In the 59th minute, after dancing around a defender, Guzman fired a 30-yard pass that David Villatoro headed in for his ninth goal of the season.

“We came out strong in the second half,” Guzman said. “We were matching their energy and they had to match ours. I believe that our energy as a collective group is amazing.”

Twelve seconds after Northwestern went up 3-1, Francis Sarpong scored to draw the Jaguars to within one. They had several opportunities to tie the contest, but junior goalie Luis Romero made several nice saves. Sarpong also had a shot that hit the right goal post.

Guzman displayed his defensive ability late when he, as part of a wall, blocked and cleared a free kick. With three minutes to go, he stole a ball on his team’s side of the field.

Ramirez thinks Guzman is the best player in Maryland.

“He is the difference-maker, he is that ‘it’ factor,” he said. “He gives us that burst of confidence that no matter if we’re down, we’re going to come back and win. The kids feed off of him, his adrenaline, his voice in the locker room. They just have that confidence when Josue’s on the field.”

Guzman is expected to be named first-team All-Met. He led the Wildcats in goals (12), assists (14) and points (38). Villatoro was second in scoring with 22 points. Romero totaled 62 saves.

Northwestern outscored its opponents, 37-16, and in The Washington Post’s final poll finished second.

The Wildcats opened the year with a pair of shutouts before losing to High Point, 1-0, and Bowie, 2-1. After the Bowie loss, they closed with 10 consecutive victories.

“I feel like that was our worst game ever,” Guzman said. “I told my teammates we’re not going to win anything if we keep performing like this. The next game, [a 2-1 win over Duval], we crushed it, and from there we haven’t lost.”

Ramirez began thinking his team would be special after its first win over Parkdale, 2-1, on Oct. 14.

“We were still working through some situations and trying to figure out where to best position our players,” he said. “We went up 2-0, and I think that’s where the kids really started to believe in themselves, that they could play with anyone.”

The Wildcats, seeded fourth in the eight-team state tournament, defeated top-seed Severna Park in the semifinals, 2-1, on Guzman’s overtime tally. Northwest (13-3-1) was the No. 2 seed.

Northwestern won the 4A

South Region 1 championship with victories over High Point and Parkdale. It downed Bethesda-Chevy Chase in overtime, 2-1, in the state quarterfinals.

This was the Wildcats’ first state crown since 1995. The

first came in 1973. That team was led by Nino Fleri and the Rada brothers (Gonzalo, Pedro and Fermin). Fleri scored both goals in Northwestern’s 2-1 finals victory over Dundalk. The game-winner came in double overtime when he headed in a crossing pass from Gonzalo Rada.

The ’73 Wildcats finished 12-11 and won the school’s eighthstraight Prince George’s County championship. The ’95 squad was 14-4 and captured the title after Henry Garcia scored late in a 3-2 triumph over Perry Hall.

Ramirez, who graduated from Northwestern in 1992, became the Wildcats’ head coach in 2016. He works as a lawyer and is a former state delegate and senator. He plans to run for county council in 2022. He played soccer under Tom Stickles, the man who led Northwestern to its first two state championships.

“He made me believe that beyond the game, if you work hard and put in the effort, you will be successful in life,” Ramirez said. “I took what he gave me on the soccer field and applied it to other personal and professional parts of my life.

“I hope that my players will realize that if they take the same effort and work ethic to other parts of their life that they will be successful.”

Chris McManes (mick-maynz) played baseball and soccer at Northwestern.

Josue Guzman was Northwestern’s leading scorer with 12 goals and 14 assists. COURTESY OF FINCHAM PHOTOGRAPHY

County releases preliminary plan for Purple Line station

By Dan Behrend

The same day that University of Maryland (UMD) President Dr. Darryll Pines announced a pause on plans to clear portions of Guilford Woods to build housing, Prince George’s County published a draft of its long-term vision for the area, which includes developing a similar portion of the woods.

Guilford Woods covers roughly 15 acres along Guilford Run, a stream located in College Park just south of UMD. The Western Gateway project would have replaced roughly 9 acres of the woods with 81 townhouses and 300 units of graduate student housing. The university paused the project after community members, with the support of the local chapter of the Sierra Club, voiced strong opposition.

While community members were voicing their opposition to one Guilford Woods development plan, the Prince

George’s County Planning Board was concluding a nearly yearlong public engagement process and drafting of another one: the Preliminary Adelphi RoadUMGC-UMD Purple Line Station Area Sector Plan.

This preliminary sector plan represents the county’s long-term plans for the area around the upcoming Purple Line station, which includes Guilford Woods. The plan identifies portions of the woods as the site of future mixed-use buildings or town houses, while also detailing policies designed to preserve the tree canopy and protect natural resources.

Janet Gingold, Prince George’s County Sierra Club executive committee chair, noted in an email that the Sierra Club generally supports the type of transit-oriented development proposed around the Purple Line station. However, according to Gingold, “The few areas where we have mature forest become

increasingly precious as we face a future with increasing frequency of excess heat and extreme precipitation events. The Sector Plan should specifically designate Guilford Woods as preserved open space.”

The plan, published in late October, focuses on expected growth around the new Adelphi Road-UMGC-UMD Purple Line station, which will be built in the center of Campus Drive, near its intersection with Adelphi Road. When completed, the Purple Line, a 16-mile light rail, will connect 21 stations between Bethesda and New Carrollton.

Over decades, plans for the Purple Line evolved and expanded from discussions in the 1980s among Montgomery County politicians and planners to build a trolley connecting Bethesda and Silver Spring along an abandoned CSX freight rail right of way. Construction of the Purple Line started in summer 2017. Litigation and contract disputes

disrupted the project, however, and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) now expects to resume construction in early 2022 and to begin operations around 2025.

The sector plan area stretches across roughly a mile, from the University Hills Duck Pond Park, through Guilford Woods, to the religious student centers on the southern edge of UMD’s campus. It includes about 100 acres around the future Adelphi Road Purple Line station, and portions of both the City of Hyattsville (around St. Mark Catholic Church) and the City of College Park (just south of UMD).

Planners recommend the creation of a new walkable neighborhood targeting UMD students, faculty and staff, along with seniors and Purple Line commuters. The county plans to designate most of the land for future mixed-use development, with smaller portions reserved for parks and institutional uses, such as university-related buildings.

The proposed sectional map amendment, released with the preliminary plan, would update the zoning for the area to match the uses in the sector plan.

Planners propose constructing the tallest buildings near the Adelphi Purple Line station, with

mixed-use multifamily buildings or town houses closer to existing neighborhoods with single-family homes.

The plan incorporates wide sidewalks, marked crosswalks, landscaped buffers from car traffic, bike lanes along several streets and improved bus stops. Planners also recommend installing bike and pedestrian paths separated from car traffic. The plan aims to promote environmental sustainability by improving stormwater management, expanding the tree canopy over paved surfaces, encouraging the construction of permeable pavement and green roofs, and incentivizing buildings that meet green standards.

Planners recommend expanding the University Hills Duck Pond Park to encompass the forested area to the east, and adding trails, benches and picnic tables.

The county planning board and county council are soliciting additional public feedback on the preliminary area sector plan. To speak at or submit written testimony to the Jan. 18, 2022, joint public hearing, visit the sector plan’s website: mncppc. org/4947/Adelphi-Road-UMGCUMD-Purple-Line-Statio