04-2022 College Park Here & Now

Major construction continues along Route 1

By Hannah Marszalek

Anyone who’s navigated through College Park over the past many months is well aware of construction on major thoroughfares. Two projects that aim to improve travel in the city are the overhaul of Route 1, which is currently underway, and the addition of protected bike lanes on Rhode Island Avenue, which is slated to begin later this year.

By Sophie Gorman Oriani

On March 8, a grand jury indicted Lisa Kay Schuetz, a former University of Maryland (UMD) employee, on two counts of theft. Court records show Schuetz was indicted on one count theft or theft scheme of property or services with a value of $100,000 or more, and one count theft of property or services with a value of more than $1,500 but less than $25,000.

At a March 9 press conference, State’s Attorney for Prince

By Michael Purdie

April is Occupational Therapy Month, a time to bring awareness to this holistic healing approach and recognize its practitioners. The Movement Clinic, located on Baltimore Avenue in College Park’s Calvert Hills neighborhood, provides occupational therapy services to clients looking for physical and mental adjustments to better their everyday lives. “It’s really about time that everyone knows what occupational therapy is,” said Jutta Brettschneider, the clinician who owns this onewoman small business that’s served the city

since it opened in 2015.

Occupational therapy is a practice that aims to treat a broad range of issues that may prevent someone from participating in activities, completing daily tasks or moving around efficiently. The approach also aims to help patients to think creatively about limitations they experience and seek ways to adapt. “The [practice of] … occupational therapy comes from the idea that occupations are something meaningful for us,” noted Brettschneider, who is also an adjunct clinical instructor of occupational therapy at Howard University. “They’re activities that we either have to do, we want to

do, or we are expected to do.”

Often covered by health insurance, occupational therapy helps an individual who has a limitation — an injury, a disability, issues related to illness — make adjustments so they can carry out the fundamental tasks like bathing, dressing and eating. It can also help people regain ability with more complex activities such as playing an instrument, taking care of a pet or playing sports.

Brettschneider supports her clients with a broad range of services and tailors an individual’s therapy to meet their specific

THE SCIENCE OF THE CITY

City’s water woes, explained

By Paul Ruffins

In 2021, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) published a study documenting the growing issue of flooding in the state. The report’s warnings and calls for mitigation measures come as relatively old news to many College Park residents, however.

Brook Biddulph, who lives in the city’s Cherry Hill neighborhood, recounted a soggy experience some years back. “In May of 2018, we came home after a long rain, and our yard was flooded so deeply we couldn’t see our driveway. Later, we found that our garbage cans had floated off into the woods,” she said.

Resident Bob Baer recently told the Here & Now, “My property on Calvert Road has had sewage back up into our basement three or four times. WSSC is blaming the problem on a stormwater drain and is still only offering temporary fixes.” While the MDE report primarily addresses increased flooding due to global climate change, water-related problems here in the city run even deeper than that. In this edition of “The Science of the City,” we’ll dive into some of the city’s flooding issues and explore some of the reasons why some neighborhoods — Calvert Hills, in particular — suffer more than others.

UNDERSTANDING THE WATER-MANAGEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE

College Park’s sanitary sewer system is managed by WSSC, which operates six sewage treatment plants, all located in Maryland — though most of College Park’s sewage flows into the massive Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment

Plant in Southeast D.C. Blue Plains is operated by DC Water and has been treating waste water from the District and surrounding jurisdictions in Maryland and Northern Virginia for nearly a century. College Park also has a separate system of culverts and pipes for directing runoff stormwater into local waterways; this system largely dates to the 1940s and ‘50s and is maintained by Prince George’s County.

An advantage of having separate systems, one for managing residential and commercial sewage, and a second for stormwater runoff, is that by directing only sewage to treatment plants, millions of gallons of stormwater, which is comparatively clean, is not processed — a significant cost-saving move. Having parallel systems is also supposed to also prevent stormwater from overfilling sanitary sewer lines that could then discharge raw sewage. During large rain events, however, both WSSC’s and D.C.’s systems sometimes overflow and discharge untreated sewage onto customers’ properties or into local waterways, in violation of the Clean Water Act (1972).

Among the many stormwater management challenges that College Park faces, three are of primary concern: reducing the sheer amount of water and managing flow speed, controlling water pollution and upgrading the city’s infrastructure.

As climate change leads to more frequent and severe storms, some natural characteristics of our area further amplify the impact of these weather events. Soil in our region typically contains a lot of clay, which impedes drainage; the effects of poor drainage are generally more severe in neighborhoods located within

Managing Editor Mark Goodson mark@hyattsvillelife.com

the Anacostia River’s flood plain. Explosive development, much of which incorporates impermeable surfaces — roofs, roads and parking lots — further exacerbates the problem, as impermeable surfaces limit absorption. When soil isn’t sufficiently absorptive, excess water pools in flatter areas, and it travels downhill faster and potentially farther in hilly ones. As runoff moves through an area, it picks up oil, gasoline and antifreeze, road salt, pesticides, fertilizers and herbicides, and contaminants from animal waste. It also carries sand and dirt from construction sites, plastic bottles and bags, and other debris, all of which can clog culverts and storm drains. And even with measures introduced by WSSC in 2007 to regulate the food industry’s disposal of grease and fats, sewers may be clogged with discarded food and food byproducts. Individuals add to the problem when they flush products like baby and hand wipes.

The city is also struggling with the limitations of its aging stormwater infrastructure, the system of culverts and pipes that is 70 or 80 years old at this point. Pipes expand and contract with temperature changes, they are vibrated by nearby traffic, and they are ground down by the constant flow of grit and debris. They can be accidently broken by construction crews and compromised by tree roots. Sometimes they simply collapse into themselves — all pipes eventually wear out. Stormwater can easily infiltrate cracked sanitary sewer pipes, and excess stormwater in a sewer pipe can lead to sewer backups. You likely have heard about the sewer backups plaguing homes and businesses in the city — perhaps you’ve been

Advertising Sales Manager

Miranda Goodson

unfortunate enough to experience one.

College Park is responsible for reducing the city’s contributions to pollution — an example of this would be covering piles of salt used to treat icy roads. Cities and towns frequently have education programs to encourage citizens to pick up after their dogs, put used cooking oil in containers and discard them in the trash, and recycle household waste, including some hazardous materials such as pesticides and car batteries. And municipalities are responsible for enforcing new building codes, some of which regulate materials and methods; all construction sites in Prince George’s County (and in many other jurisdictions), for example, are now required to use protective fabric skirts to retain soil when it rains.

Prince George’s County also operates a program through which residents may earn rebates by installing rain barrels, cisterns and rain gardens; by planting trees and replacing old pavement with more permeable surfacing; and by installing a green roof to reduce runoff.

A nationally-recognized community newspaper chronicling the here and now of College Park.

Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781

The College Park Here & Now is published monthly by Streetcar Suburbs Publishing., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses provided. streetcarsuburbs.news

Associate Editor Nancy Welch nancy@hyattsvillelife.com

Writers & Contributors James Cirrone, Josie Jack, Hannah Marscalek, Michael Purdie, Sophie Gorman Oriani, Paul Ruffins, Taneen Momeni, Katharine Wilson.

Layout & Design Editors Ashley Perks, Valerie Morris

Web Editor Jessica Burshtynskyy

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Board of Directors

Joseph Gigliotti — President & General Counsel Stephanie Stullich — Treasurer Rosanna Landis Weaver, Gretchen Brodtman, Debra Franklin, T. Carter Ross, Emily Strab, Reva Harris, Maxine Gross Mark Goodson — Ex Officio

Kit Slack — Ex Officio

Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in College Park. Additional copies are distributed to popular gathering spots around town. Total circulation is 9,600.

CPH&N is a member of the National Newspaper Association.

Some mitigation actions can be fairly straightforward. Biddulph noted that in her Cherry Hill neighborhood, “the stormwater inlets were only about three inches high, and were easily clogged with sticks and leaves. Simply making the opening larger made a big difference.”

The water problem in Calvert Hills is a lot more complex, though, in part due to the presence of Gilford Run, a stream that starts in Guilford Woods, about a mile northwest of the university’s campus. City Councilmember Stuart Adams (District 3), who is a flood plain engineer, strongly opposed

developing Guilford Woods; his primary concern was that the tree canopy, which plays a crucial role in reducing runoff, should be preserved. Guilford Run flows in an open channel parallel to Guilford Drive, then crosses east under Route 1 through a series of pipes and culverts; it then flows for several blocks under the sidewalk along Calvert Drive and under the Metro and CSX tracks, finally emerging into an open channel leading to the Northeast Branch. Calvert Hills also receives water flowing in irrigation ditches along Rhode Island Avenue and the trolley trail. The county’s Calvert Hills Drainage Improvement Project is a significant engineering initiative that will upgrade road culverts and open channels, and add new storm pipes and a massive underground vault to contain stormwater. “The vault is basically an empty concrete box [that is] 100 long, 100 feet wide and ten feet tall installed under a playing field to hold excess stormwater,” said David Dorsch, a Calvert Hills resident with more than 30 years of commercial construction experience. “I believe it’s a good solution. The problem is that it was supposed to be completed in April 2021 and it hasn’t even started yet.”

Plans for these projects are posted on the city’s website, collegeparkmd.gov. For a timeline of the history of water management in College Park, dating back to the War of 1812, visit streetcarsuburbs.news

A crew installing a new drainage pipe along Rhode Island Avenue in Calvert Hills. PAUL RUFFINS

Paul Ruffins is a citizen scientist and professor of curiosity.

Il Cinema Ritrovato ON TOUR opens in Old Greenbelt Theatre

By Taneen Momeni

Il Cinema Ritrovato ON TOUR, the touring branch of an annual Italian film festival, opened at the Old Greenbelt Theatre on March 18. The touring festival was co-sponsored by the theater and the University of Maryland’s (UMD) Italian Studies Program, and the university’s program in cinema and media studies. The 5-hour program consisted of two screenings and a roundtable discussion with questions from the audience.

“It is an event about past cinema intrinsically connected to current cinema, and we believe that is a great tool to speak to a broad audience about a variety of themes, cultures, and languages within and outside of cinema itself,” Valeria Federici wrote in an email. Federici, who is a lecturer in the university’s Italian program, helped plan the event.

Il Cinema Ritrovato ON TOUR was inspired by and modeled after an annual film festival in Bologna, Italy. The festival in Italy showcases restored films, and particularly the latest restorations by Cineteca di Bologna, an Italian film archive. The UMD tour was co-curated by Guy Borlée, who is one of the Bologna festival’s coordinators.

“The festival happens under the ‘label’ of Il Cinema Ritrovato ON TOUR and it is [bound] to the festival in Bologna as movies come from their archives and restoration laboratories, or are secured through them,” Federici wrote. “They work with a vast network of institutions worldwide and they help local organizers of Il Cinema Ritrovato ON TOUR to access those organizations.”

The first film was “Ma l’Amore Mio Non Muore!” (“Love Everlasting,” 1931) starring Lyda Borelli. According to the event website, this film “started a new phenomenon: the Italian diva-film.” The second film was “La Notte” (“The Night,” 1962), a sound film with Marcello Mastroianni, Jeanne Moreau and Monica Vitti. Both films were restored from their originals to match the high definition quality that we see in movies filmed today.

According to Federici, planners considered many factors as they selected these movies, including, as Federici said,

“travel[ing] back in time to the era of silent film.” The planners also sought films that represent traditional Italian cinema.

“We picked ‘Ma L’Amore Mio Non Muore’ with Lyda Borelli who was one of the first cinema divas; and ‘La Notte’ by Michelangelo Antonioni with Monica Vitti, who passed away recently … The first one for historic reasons, the second one for an aesthetic choice. The role of women in both movies is crucial, and we wanted to discuss that within the context of the

Women’s History Month,” Federici wrote.

The roundtable discussion between the screenings included four speakers: Luka Arsenjuk, UMD associate professor of cinema and media studies; Joanna Raczynska, a film programmer with the National Gallery of Art; Mauro Resmini, UMD assistant professor of Italian and of cinema and media studies; and Caitlin McGrath, executive director of the Old Greenbelt Theatre. The panelists discussed the history of films and film res-

toration, and more. Arsenjuk, Resmini and McGrath helped organize the event, as well.

“We wanted to make sure we could be flexible about the roundtable, due to COVID[-19] regulations and restrictions,” Federici wrote. “At the same time, we wanted to make sure to have a panel of experts who could offer insights on the process of restoration, presentation and contextualization of historic films from all eras.”

During the discussion, McGrath talked about how events

like this festival offer broad community enrichment.

“What we try to do is expand people’s horizons as much as possible, and that happens in a number of ways. That can be through challenging audiences with something that’s a little bit more difficult, but bringing in an expert to talk about it, to not just show something thought provoking but to actually then have a discussion about it afterwards,” she said.

The team is already focused on similar events in the future, including a one-day event in fall 2022 and a longer festival in September 2023.

Federici summed up the group’s goals, going forward. “Through this project, in particular, we would like to bring together as many departments, institutions, from within the university and from the larger community outside of our campus, to offer a festival for all, representative of the breadth of world cinema, representative of diversity — a festival that speaks many languages, and it about many cultures,” she said.

Panelists speak about the two films, Italian cinema and film restoration. TANEEN MOMENI

Feasibility study starts for North College Park Community Center

By Katharine Wilson

The city’s North College Park neighborhood is closer to gaining its own community center with the launch of a feasibility study that started in March.

North College Park residents have been pushing for the center for many years. Mary Cook, president of the North College Park Citizens Association, said that the issue first came up in a meeting about eight years ago.

“We wanted something more local, something, a place where people could gather,” Cook said.

The existing College Park Community Center-Youth Sports Complex is across town from the North College Park neighborhood, near Paint Branch Elementary. The center offers a gym, a dance room and meeting spaces, and a soccer field.

The city will likely pay for a portion of the new facility, while the Maryland-National Capital Park

and Planning Commission (MNCPPC) would foot most of the bill.

Councilmembers have not decided how much the city will earmark for the project, but they have discussed allocating 10% of the total cost. (The council has been reluctant to pinpoint a precise percentage until they have a final cost estimate in hand.) At their March 8 meeting, councilmembers approved a letter to M-NCPPC confirming the city’s support of the center and interest in allocating funds for the project.

The city and M-NCPPC collaborated on a similar project to create the College Park Youth and Family Services building.

“A partnership will help expedite the construction. This will also help the city to have its stake in the way the services will be provided in the center once it’s built,” said Councilmember Fazul Kabir (District 1).

With a six-month window to conduct the feasibility study, a team led by WXY Studio will work to identify North College Park residents’ priorities for the new center. WXY Studio is a planning, urban design and architecture firm based in New York City. The team will also determine the type of facility that best addresses those priorities.

During the March 1 worksession, County Councilmember Tom Dernoga (District 1) and his team gave a presentation detailing the feasibility study to the city council. They outlined the work that the team has been tasked to complete by late August, including a needs analysis test. This test will determine what needs residents have that are not currently met by local community centers and recreation areas.

Claire Worshtil, lead strategic park planner for M-NCPPC, said during the worksession that the

team would take into consideration the planned multigenerational center that will be located near the Mall at Prince George’s.

“We want to make sure that we are complementing services, not duplicating them,” said Worshtil.

The team will look into existing surveys, including a needs survey done by the city and a second conducted by M-NCPPC.

To build on information in these surveys, the team will conduct a separate needs analysis and host two virtual public meetings to gain public input.

Once the community’s specific needs are determined, the team will then decide where the center should be located; under terms of their contract, the team can propose up to two possible sites. A preliminary analysis identified six potential sites; of these six, two are owned by the Prince George’s County Board of Education and one by the Al-Huda School. (The

remaining three are privately owned.) During the city council’s worksession presentation, Worshtil made it clear that the county would like the center to be accessible by public transportation and not have a large environmental impact.

“A place where people can walk to, basically, that’s centrally located,” said Cook.

Finally, the team will develop a design concept and determine the estimated cost of the proposed center. County regulations mandate that the center must be at least 12,000 square feet; the team will determine how much larger than that their proposed center would be. Specifics about the center will be determined, in part, by the feasibility study. At their worksession, several councilmembers recommended designating a room for the Meals on Wheels College Park organization. A number of councilmembers also suggested designating space for a computer room and library resources center.

Several councilmembers wanted more specific information about the amenities the center will offer, but the M-NCPPC representatives assured the council that their concerns would be addressed by the feasibility study.

Paint Branch Elementary’s immersion program thrives

By Josie Jack

Jing Shen, a fifth grade teacher at Paint Branch Elementary School, walked around her classroom, picking up students’ water bottles as she explained how to determine their various dimensions.

Shen’s students listened attentively to her instructions, then broke into pairs and began working. Most students understood the assignment, grabbing tape measures and worksheets. Shen’s co-teacher, George Rustad, observed the class and was ready to work with students who needed help.

Shen’s math challenge looked like any other Common Core math lesson in Maryland — except it was taught entirely in Chinese.

Paint Branch Elementary is one of 12 schools in the county with an immersion program, and it is the only elementary school that offers a Chinese program. The county also offers French and Spanish immersion programs, and enrollment is based either on a lottery system or districting, depending on the school.

According to Jane Tarwacki, the program’s instructional specialist, the county’s immersion program began in 1982 as part of an effort to help schools integrate students speaking a range of languages. The Chinese STEM immersion program began in 2012 and expanded to serve all grade levels by 2019. According to Tarwacki, the immersion program now provides educational

enhancement and cultural exposure to some 3,000 students in the county.

“We have a study here actually in Prince George’s County that was a blind study for us that said that students in immersion are more college- and career-ready than their counterparts who were not in immersions,” said Carmen Henninger, supervisor of the immersion program. The study, published in June 2017, was performed by county schools program evaluation specialists.

Students enrolled in the program may earn the Maryland seal of biliteracy, and some students graduating from the French immersion program have gone on to attend college in France, according to Tarwacki and Henninger.

Though elementary schoolers may not be thinking about college, some reported that they have used their Chinese language skills outside of the classroom.

Azim Donawa, one of Chen’s

and Rustad’s students, said he was able to speak with a Chinese woman who works at a local grocery store. He has also taught his mother some Chinese.

Overall, the program is popular

among students; they like learning a new language and about a different culture.

“I’ve never seen a kid that didn’t enjoy [the program],” said Rustad, who has worked at Paint Branch

Elementary for four years.

Henninger credits the teachers for creating an environment where the children are happy and the program is successful.

The National School Boards Association honored the program and its teachers, granting the county’s immersion program the 2022 Silver Magna Award in February. The award honors school districts that remove barriers to underserved students.

“I feel like it’s nice and deserved,” said Azim. “The teachers put in a lot of hard work to teach the students.”

Tarwacki and Henninger hope to provide more opportunities for students to use their language capabilities. Before the pandemic, students were able to travel to sister districts in China and France to use their new skills in a native setting.

“We’re just really proud to be one of the speciality programs,” said Tarwacki. “And we just hope that people continue to choose ours and really see the value in learning that language.”

Jutta Brettschneider, MS OTR/L and GCFP Occupational Therapy and Feldenkrais

Jin Shen teaches 5th grade at Paint Branch Elementary School.

COURTESY OF RANDALL PIKE, PGCPS

Study to guide future of Paint Branch Golf Course

By James Cirrone

Prince George’s County plans to renovate Paint Branch Golf Course might include a range of features including a new six-hole course, a miniature golf course, more variety in the length of holes and a putting green with at least 18 holes, according to Claire Worshtil, lead strategic park planner with the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation.

During a public meeting on March 15, Worshtil presented two proposed concept maps of the golf course created by Kington Golf, the Nevada-based group that is consulting with the county on the project. Both designs retain the nine-hole golf course, Worshtil said, and any renovations would be implemented after a countywide golf study that is set to begin in September. In an emailed statement, Worshtil said that the study could take a year or longer.

“Ideally, the construction of a new course would take three to four months and the course would be shut down for a

period of one year for construction,” Worshtil said. She added that construction could be done in phases to avoid closing the whole course, though this would likely mean that the project could take longer.

Dr. Keith Strong, a golfer and an activist, formed Friends of Paint Branch, a group that fought against the University of Maryland’s plan to replace a portion of the complex with a track and field facility. Strong, who attended the March 15 meeting, said that closing the course for a year would be “the death knell” for Paint Branch.

“Do you know what that’s going to do to all the leagues and all the people that play regularly? They’ve got nowhere to go,” he said.

The first concept map Worshtil presented included changes intended to make the course more challenging and improve playability; these changes would include new grass bunkers, rolls and chipping areas.

The second concept map showed the nine-hole course shortened by 200 yards and added a 535-yard, par-3, six-

hole course, Worshtil noted. The course would serve as a children’s training course and as an area for players who want to practice their short game. The second concept map also included a new clubhouse and maintenance facility, and an expanded parking lot.

Strong called both plans “cockamamie ideas.”

“They haven’t asked any of us what we wanted, and we don’t want … mini golf. They had it there about 20 years ago. It was an abject failure,” he said.

Worshtil said miniature golf could attract new customers such as college students and families, though she acknowledged that mini golf wasn’t a success last time it was tried at Paint Branch.

William Martindale, the junior golf programming director with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, said he didn’t have an opinion on which concept should be chosen but called a six-hole course “a great training facility.”

“I think the idea behind this … was to have a separate area for

Claire Worshtil stressed that the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Planning wants the golf community to be involved as the study begins.

tees could simply be placed halfway to the green on each of the nine holes.

“You don’t need to change the course to do that,” Strong said. “You just need to put in a junior tee on each of the holes, then you have a nine-hole junior course.”

Worshtil stressed that the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Planning wants the golf community to be involved as the study begins. She encouraged interested golfers to contact her about participating in focus groups.

“We’re going to be reaching out to users of all the different courses to understand pros and cons of the courses, things that they’d like to see.” Worshtil said at the meeting.

a lot of the junior stuff and a lot of the beginners,” he said. “You would still have a nine-hole golf course over on the other side there with a lot of redesigned holes.”

Strong disagreed with Martindale, calling the six-hole course “a complete red herring” and suggested instead that junior

Residents have expressed appreciation for the golf course’s affordability, its heated driving range and its flat walking trails. Paint Branch fans can continue to enjoy the course they know and love for the time being; changes to the course would hinge on the countywide study, and that won’t wrap until fall 2023 or later.

COLLEGE PARK POST

celebrating WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Celebrating Women’s History Month

Honoring our Female Leaders

In honor of Women’s History Month (which was in March), the City honors those women who served or are currently serving on the City’s Mayor and Council. We thank them for their contributions to our City and look forward to the many years of continued female leadership! Below is a list of those who have or are serving and the years they (photos on the right).

PREVIOUSLY SERVED

• Rose A. Fieghene, 1975-1977

• Marjorie Turbell, 1973

• Elizabeth Dougherty, 19691971

• Hazel Watkins, 1963

• Anna Owens

• Council, 1981-1985

• Mayor, 1987-1991

• Sherrill Murray, 1985-1989, 1999

• Kristian McNamara, 1987

• Maxine Gross, 1989-1997

• Lisa Ann Blevins-Steel, 19971999

• Nancy A. Gallagher, 1997

• Karen Hampton, 2001-2007

• Joseline Peña-Melnyk, 20032007

• Stephanie Stullich, 2007-2017

• Mary Cook, 2007-2009, 20152017

• Christine Nagle, 2009-2011, 2015-2017

• Dustyn Kujawa, 2015-2019

CURRENTLY SERVING

• Kate Kennedy, 2017 to present

• Denise Mitchell, 2009-2015, 2017 to present

• Maria E. Mackie, 2019 to present

• Llatetra Brown Esters, 2020 to present

• Susan Whitney, 2021 to present

STORYTIME WITH MAYOR, COUNCIL & FRIENDS: CELEBRATING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

e City has created several story-time read along videos for our residents and their families to enjoy. For Women’s History month, the women members of Council and the Mayor read empowering stories for our youngest residents. Check them out at www.collegeparkmd.gov.

spring cleanup Saturdays

APRIL 9, 30, AND MAY 21, 2022 | 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 recycling, brush, and yard trim. You must be a resident of the City of College Park and bring proof of City residency to participate, although anyone can buy compost or wood mulch during this event.

DURING CLEAN-UP DAYS, THE FOLLOWING WILL BE COLLECTED:

• Household batteries for recycling (small quantities): includes rechargeable batteries such as Li-Ion, Ni-Cd, Ni-MH, Ni-Zn; Singleuse 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: (small quantities) must be intact. Includes LED lamps, 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 only.

• Electronics that may be recycled include, but are not limited to: TVs, computers, monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, VCRs, CD, DVD & MP3 players, cell phones & PDAs, printers, scanners, fax machines, telephones, radios, stereos, electric tools, game systems, handheld games, microwaves, and cords/cables.

THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS DOES NOT ACCEPT: Bricks, concrete, rock, hazardous materials such as shingles, propane tanks, car batteries, paint, etc.

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

• Compost Bins $20 resident, $40 nonresident

• Yard Waste Carts $30, (residency required)

• Smartleaf Compost $28 a cubic yard

• Wood Mulch $12 a cubic yard

Advisory Boards

ARPA Assistance Programs Applications Now Open

e City has established two programs to assist businesses, non-pro ts, and residents address negative nancial impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

Each program is summarized below. e goal of these programs is to help our residents, businesses and non-pro ts get back on their feet and better prepared to be nancially 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 assistance programs.

2021 ARPA BUSINESS & NONPROFIT ASSISTANCE GRANT PROGRAM

Grants up to $25,000 for Operating and Small Capital Expenditures

is program can provide eligible small businesses and non-pro ts with nancial 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-pro ts must have a physical presence in the City of College Park, employ 75 or fewer full-time (or equivalent) sta , 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 required documentation, please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/ arpa#business.

2021 ARPA FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR INDIVIDUALS & FAMILIES

Grants up to $5,000 per applicant

e purpose of this program is to provide nancial assistance to eligible College Park individuals and families who have a demonstrated nancial 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 ful lls the program requirements.

e maximum nancial assistance per applicant is $5,000 for eligible expenses (vendors will be paid directly). Assistance for groceries will be in the form of gift cards to College Park stores. 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.

No-Mow April

Help our Local Pollinators!

Are you interested in serving on a City Advisory Board?

Serve your community, lend your talents, and meet your neighbors by applying to serve on a City advisory board:

• Advisory Planning Commission

• Airport Authority

• Animal Welfare Committee

• Bee City USA

• Board of Election Supervisors

Help Serve your Community! ank you to all those who have so far signed up to participate in the City’s inaugural No-Mow April! As of publication, we have 249 registrations (and counting)! If you haven’t signed up yet to participate, you can still do so at www.collegearkmd.gov/ nomowmonthform.

Are you one of the many residents who are participating in this year’s No Mow April? If so, we would love to hear from you! Tag the City (Twitter: @collegepark_md, Facebook and Instagram) with your photos of pollinators in your backyard!

• Committee for a Better Environment

• Education Advisory Committee

• Ethics Commission

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Tribute Committee

• Noise Control Board

• City Events Advisory Board

PUBLIC SAFETY Community Meetings

Every 2nd Monday of the Month 7:30 p.m.

zoom.us/j/96168994626

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.

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City Announcements

More information: www.collegeparkmd.gov

COVID-19 AT-HOME TEST DISTRIBUTION

e City of College Park has been distributing more than 1,000 athome COVID-19 test kits to City residents.

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SAT., APRIL 16, 2022

MARYLAND DAY

Saturday, April 30 10am - 4pm UMD Campus

10AM - 12PM

DUVALL FIELD - 9100 RHODE ISLAND AVE

EGG HUNT TIMES: 10:30 & 11:30, AGES 0 - 12

TICKETS REQUIRED: EGGHUNTCP2022.EVENTBRITE.COM

Featuring: Kids Concert Prizes Games Crafts Meet the Bunny!

Route One Rampage

Street Closures in Old Town for Bicycle Race on April 24

On Sunday, April 24, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the City of College Park will be closing several streets in the Old Town area for a collegiate bicycle race entitled “Route 1 Rampage.”

Between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., driving and parking will be prohibited along the race course which includes: 4500 - 4600 blocks of College Avenue; 4600 block of Norwich Road; 7400 - 7500 blocks of Hopkins Avenue; 4500 - 4600 blocks of Knox Road; 7500 block of Rhode Island Avenue; and 7400 block of Yale Avenue.

Crossing of the race course will only be permitted on foot when bicyclists are not present. All driveways not directly on the race’s course are accessible to Baltimore

Ave via other side streets. Please see the map above for more information. Expect tra c delays during this time.

Zone 6 City permit holders who normally park along the race’s route need to relocate their vehicles to the City’s Parking Garage located at 4509 Knox Road (above Ledo’s Pizza) beginning on Saturday, April 23rd at 6:00 p.m. Cars still parked on the race course by Sunday, April 24th at 6:00 a.m. will be towed to the lot behind e Hotel.

e public is encouraged to spectate at the Route 1 Rampage. is bicycle race is organized by the University of Maryland Cycling Team and draws collegiate riders from across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions.

If you are a City resident and would like a FREE COVID-19 AtHome Test Kit, you must ll out the reservation request form at https:// cityofcollegepark.formstack.com/ forms/covid19testkitrequest.

More details available on the City’s website and the form link above.

ARBOR DAY

Friday, April 29

2:00 p.m. 4601 Calvert Road

e City will be celebrating Arbor Day on Friday, April 29th at 2pm at 4601 Calvert Road. Two native trees will be planted on the south side of the building. All are welcome to attend.

THE CITY IS HIRING!

e City is Hiring! e City has several jobs available. Apply here: collegeparkmd.applicantpool. com/jobs.

e University of Maryland invites you to unlock a world of learning, discovery and exploration at Maryland Day. Take part of hundreds of family-friendly events and interactive exhibits during a daylong celebration and inspiring journey across campus. e City will have a tent on McKeldin Mallcome visit us!

ELECTRONICS DROP OFF LOCATION

City residents can bring electronics for recycling to the drop o box near the entrance of the front doors to Davis Hall. No more than 3 items can be disposed of at no cost.

Accepted: TVs, monitors, mouse pointers, keyboards, microwaves, gaming systems, computers, hard drives, cell phones, printers, laptops, surge protectors, copiers, fax machines, telephone systems, cable, circuit boards, and toner cartridges.

Not Accepted: Light bulbs (CFL or Tubes) or batteries of any kind.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

SAVE THE DATE

Later the Same Evening: Maryland Opera Studio. Visit The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland to experience a reimagining of composer John Musto’s one-act opera. Donations accepted. April 13 and 16, 7:30 p.m. For reservations call 301.405.2782.

Paint Night at STAMP. Paint your night away at the University of Maryland’s STAMP Student Union! Instructors and supplies on hand. Free. April 14 and 20, and May 12 from 6 to 8 p.m. Register at stamp.umd.edu/ StudioAClasses

Stick Fly. The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland presents “Stick Fly”, a drama by Lydia Diamond exploring issues of race and class privilege through the story of an African American family vacationing at their home on Martha’s Vineyard. Donations accepted. April 15, 16, 20, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. and April 16 and 24 at 2 p.m. For reservations call 301.405.2782.

Homeschool Day: Golden Age of Flight. Visit the College Park Aviation Museum to participate in STEM activities, crafts and experiments to explore aviation in the 1920s and 30s. Sessions last 2 ½ hours. April 19 at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr. Residents $5, non-residents $7. For more information and to register, email Kimberly Schwartz at kimberly.schwartz@ pgparks.com

Virtual Book Club. The College Park Arts Exchange invites you to discuss Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, on April 19 and Four Lost Cities: A Secret History

of the Urban Age, by Annalee Newitz, on May 17. Free. 7 to 8:30 p.m. RSVP by emailing info@cpae.org

University Park Easter Egg Hunt. Bring a basket to this free breakfast and Easter egg hunt on the lawn of the University Park Church of the Brethren. April 17 at 9:30 a.m.

4413 Tuckerman St. RSVP for the breakfast at upcob.org

Opera al Fresco: Maryland Opera Studio. Drop by the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland to observe a scene study of Maryland Opera Studio’s upcoming performance. Free. April 21, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. For reservations call 301.405.2782.

Chesapeake Woodturners Festival. Woodcutting demonstrations and more at the Montpelier Arts Center. Free. April 21 and 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 9652 Muirkirk Rd., Laurel. Questions? Call 301.377.7817.

St. Lawrence String Quartet with Osvaldo Golijov. Visit The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland to experience the St. Lawrence String Quartet and composer Osvaldo Golijov’s newest chamber music experiment. Donations accepted. April 22 from 8 to 10 p.m. For reservations call 301.405.2782.

Afternoon Aviators. Explore the multidisciplinary field of aviation at the College Park Aviation Museum on April 23, from 1 to 2 p.m. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr. Free with museum admission: adults $5, seniors $4, children $2; children 1 and under free. For more information call 301.864.6029

Sonic Frontiers Music Festival. The Brentwood Arts Exchange hosts this festival of intriguing soundscapes and dazzling visuals. Come to listen for $10 or play your instrument for free! April 23, 5 to 10 p.m. 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. For more information call 301.277.2863

Annual Yarrow Neighborhood Meeting. Join your Yarrow neighbors virtually on April 23 at 2 p.m. For Zoom link, email Wendy at wendybird85@yahoo.com

College Park Aviation Museum Airmail Tour. Discover how airmail got off the ground in College Park! Free with museum admission: adults $5, seniors $4, children $2; children 1 and under free. April 23 from 1 to 2 p.m. For

more information, contact Kimberly Schwartz, kimberly. schwartz@pgparks.com

How to Become a Food Critic. Route 1 Corridor Conversations will host Washington Post columnist James Beard in a discussion of his craft as food critic. Free. April 23 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. To register, go to hyattsvilleaginginplace.org and click on Programs and Activities.

Senior Golf League. Every Monday (except federal holidays) beginning on April 23, tee off with fellow seniors at the Paint Branch Golf Complex. Ages 50 and up. $25 cash to play. 8:30 a.m. sign in and 9:00 a.m. start. 4690 University Boulevard. To register, email Ray Prather at laurelduo@ msn.com or Joe Corson at jocorson@aol.com

Prohibition and Planes. College Park Aviation Museum transforms into a vintage speak-easy where you can sip retro cocktails and learn how Prohibition affected aviation. 1920s costumes are encouraged. Participants must be at least 21 years old. $20. April 27, from 6 to 9 p.m. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr. For more information and to register, contact Jamie Jones at jamie.jones@pgparks.com

College Park Farmers Market at Paint Branch Parkway. Farm stands, local vendors and more. Opening day Saturday, April 30, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 5211 Campus Dr.

Home Questions? I Have Answers

As a homeowner, there's always a lot to consider especially in today's market Refresh? Renovate? Relocate?

I'm a long-time real estate investor and Realtor and I've helped clients up and down the Route 1 Corridor I have insights to share, not only about buying and selling, but also about home improvements - big and small - that add value I talk with homeowners every day on all kinds of issues, whether they're looking to sell or planning to

Library reopening. Hyattsville library branch reopened its doors in new facility on March 30. COURTESY OF JULIETTE FRADIN.

The Route 1 revitalization project will upgrade the 1.4 mile stretch between College Avenue and University Avenue (MD 193). The initiative was announced in June 2015 as part of the Hogan Administration’s $1.97 billion infrastructure investment. According to a May 2020 press release from the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA), the project will cost $29 million. Construction began in May 2020 and is slated for completion in late summer 2023.

This stretch of Route 1 is a fivelane, undivided roadway with an intermittent shared middle turn lane, no shoulders and discontinuous sidewalks. Once the upgrades are complete, Route 1 will have two through lanes in each direction, and every intersection will have a dedicated center lane for drivers turning against traffic. The plan also includes a bicycle lane on each side of the road and a raised median, according to MDOT. ADA-compliant sidewalks will be installed, along with landscaping, and improved signage and lighting. Upgrades will also

address stormwater management issues.

Although construction began during the pandemic, crews have been making steady progress.

“While the University of Maryland campus had remote learning, MDOT SHA crews were able to work without impacting students, faculty, staff and the traveling public, which allowed us to remain on schedule,”

Shanteé Felix, MDOT’s assistant media relations manager, wrote in an email. She noted that supply chain issues related to the pandemic did lead to escalating costs, however.

MDOT conducted reviews to determine the project’s potential environmental impacts, and the initiative addresses all related issues, including erosion, stormwater runoff, and wetlands and waterways protection. According to Felix, MDOT’s efforts comply with National Environmental Policy Act regulations.

The Rhode Island Avenue Protected Bike Lane project is slated for construction, as well. The project launched in 2018, when the city received a Maryland Department of Transportation bikeways grant.

After receiving community

The Rhode Island Avenue Protected Bike Lane project is slated for construction, as well.

input during multiple city council meetings, the firm undertaking this project, RK&K Engineering Consultants, has completed a final design, which the city council has approved, according to Ryna Quiñones, the city’s communications and events manager. Quiñones also said that the transfer of Rhode Island Avenue from county to city jurisdiction caused a delay, but the project is now back on track.

Quiñones stated that the first phase of the project, which is due to start this summer, will see bicycle lanes installed between Muskogee Street and Greenbelt Road.

“The project was prompted by a need to improve existing striped shoulders used for bike lanes and provide more protection for bicycle users,” Quiñones wrote in an email. “It will provide a safer road overall for all users.”

George’s County Aisha Braveboy announced the indictment, stressing that her office takes economic crimes very seriously.

“The University of Maryland police conducted an investigation over several years and uncovered evidence that, from 2016 to 2020, Schuetz abused her official position and purchasing authority by engaging in a scheme to defraud the University of Maryland at College Park in an amount exceeding $1.1 million dollars,” Braveboy said.

Assistant State’s Attorney Nicholas Leonardi is the county attorney on the case, according to Denise Smith, communications director for the Office of the State’s Attorney for Prince George’s County. (As of press time, he is not currently listed in court records for this case.)

Leonardi declined to comment on what Schuetz is accused of stealing, or how the scheme worked. “That will be borne out at trial, should we get to that point,” he said at the press conference.

The university also did not offer any specific details. “[T]his individual was employed at the

University of Maryland from May 2001 to May 2020 and the university thanks the officials who have investigated and prosecuted this case,” wrote Hafsa Siddiqi, UMD’s media relations manager, in a March 11 email. According to public records, Schuetz earned $140,000 in 2017. A directory now marked as outdated on the university’s website lists her as a department representative in civil and environmental engineering. Schuetz left the university in 2020. She was listed on the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics’ website as a grants and contracts analyst as recently as March of this year, although that page has since been removed. On March 16, Jamie Smith, the marketing and communications manager for the Berman Institute, confirmed that Schuetz was currently employed by Johns Hopkins, and Smith confirmed Schuetz’s job title on March 18.

If convicted, Schuetz faces up to 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine. Under the state’s Hicks Rule, which guarantees the right to a speedy trial, Schuetz must be brought to trial by Sept. 13 unless she waives this right, or if a continuance for good cause becomes necessary.

Meals on Wheels of College Park celebrates one year in new home

By Taneen Momeni

After 45 years in the city, Meals on Wheels of College Park relocated to neighboring Riverdale Park; April marks its one-year anniversary at the new location. Increasing needs in the community prompted the organization’s move to a bigger home.

The nonprofit mainly supports senior citizens by providing services, including meals and safety checks, that help them stay comfortably and securely at home. During the pandemic, the need for these services has gone up at an unprecedented rate.

“Prior to the pandemic, we

were serving approximately 45 people in the area each day. Once the pandemic became rampant, we quickly soared to 200 clients,” Lisa Ealley, chairman of the organization, wrote in an email. “The facility we were using did not have the storage capacity to serve our needs. We were sad to leave our

home for 45 years, but in order to maintain costs and serve the increased clientele, we had to seek a new space.”

According to Ealley, the new and bigger space is serving the organization well. It offers more storage and expanded room for preparing and packing meals, and outside the building there’s more than enough parking for Meals on Wheels volunteers who work in the kitchen, pack food and load vehicles to make deliveries.

“The increased space was welcomed by all … We have ample room for our line assembly, which can span across the room in the morning, and the meals for each route sit comfortably on 15 tables, making it easy to pack and go. And importantly, it allows social distancing for the volunteers,” Ealley wrote. Ealley pointed to other benefits of the new facility, too.

“Lighting and air conditioning, heat, ventilation are up to date and functioning. The walk-in freezer is a dream.”

Even as Meals on Wheels of College Park is now located outside the city, their move hasn’t hampered their ability to deliver.

“Since we serve several

Patuxent Research Refuge, a remarkable local treasure

By Hannah Marszalek

With spring’s arrival, many people are looking for opportunities to venture out for fresh air. Patuxent Research Refuge, in nearby Laurel, offers visitors a chance to step away from everyday life and explore nature’s beauty.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the refuge in 1936, and it is the only national wildlife refuge created specifically to support wildlife research. The refuge is part of a large national network under the auspices of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and its research projects are managed by the U.S. Geological Survey. The refuge more than doubled in size in the early 1990s, after Fort Meade donated 8,100 acres now known as the North Tract.

Patuxent is also part of the Urban Wildlife Conservation Program, also under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which was founded in 2012 to promote environmental education and

provide greater public access to green spaces.

This 13,000-acre wildlife refuge has more than 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. There are also ranger-led programs such

as scavenger hunts, interactive hikes, stargazing and more.

Brad Knudsen, who was formerly a manager at the refuge, leads tours of the North Tract.

An amiable, well-versed fan of Patuxent, he focuses primarily

communities, it is easier now to access Riverdale, Hyattsville and places in between that were further away before the move. There is more distance from where we are now to Beltsville and some areas of Greenbelt. We have not made any changes to our routing and continue to serve the same communities,” Ealley wrote.

The move has also had a few impacts on operations. According to Ealley, the organization lost a few regular donors who supplied food, but they recruited new organizations to sustain the program. Some volunteers have stepped back, “but many have come forth to help,” Ealley said.

As much as the organization appreciates their new home, Meals on Wheels does plan to return to College Park.

“College Park is on our certificate of incorporation, and it means a lot to us to be physically in that community,” Ealley wrote.

The organization is seeking contributions to support its return to College Park; you can donate by going to mealsonwheelsofcollegepark.org/ donate. To volunteer, please visit mealsonwheelsofcollegepark.org/ volunteer/.

belong to Fort Meade. Even seemingly small things — an errant ripple in the water, for instance — might catch his attention. On a tour in midMarch, Knudsen explained how a part of the Patuxent River flows differently, noting that back when this area still belonged to the army installation, workers had deposited gravel in the river to create a ford for military vehicles. The gravel not only altered the riverbed but also made the water more acidic, which then allowed dragonflies to thrive there. Patuxent is now home to hundreds of dragonfly species.

During the tour, Knudsen also pointed out portions of the refuge that used to be Fort Meade’s shooting ranges. Soil in these areas had been contaminated with lead from bullets and toxins from clay pigeons. Fort Meade was required to replace the contaminated soil and did so with soil that not only met but exceeded EPA standards; that rich soil now supports exceptional wildlife habitat.

on the history of the refuge and wildlife habitats found there.

The North Tract has a fascinating history, and Knudsen readily connects elements of the area with the fact that this part of the refuge used to

“I think it’s a good point about how nature can overcome a lot of odds,” said Knudsen.

Programs at Patuxent are free, though some require advance registration, and some have age restrictions. For more information, go to fws.gov/refuge/ patuxent-research/visit-us.

The new Meals on Wheels of College Park building in Riverdale Park. TANEEN MOMENI

Visitors take a tour of the refuge. COURTESY OF BARRETT.DISCOVERY

Maryland Day at UMD. The university hosts family-friendly events and interactive exhibits during a daylong celebration of learning and discovery.

Saturday, April 30 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, go to marylandday.umd.edu

Jazz and Pop Jam Session. The Brentwood Arts Exchange hosts its monthly music session with the Ellington Carthan Trio. Come to listen for $10 or play with the band for free. May 6, from 7 to 9 p.m. 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. For more information call 301.277.2863.

Berwyn Yard Sale. The Berwyn District Civic Association hosts their annual yard sale throughout the neighborhood. Find old treasures and meet new neighbors! May 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain date May 8. Pick up a map of participating homes that day at Jack Perry Plaza in Berwyn.

Hollywood Farmers Market Opening Day. The market opens for the season on Saturday, May 7, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot of the Hollywood Shopping Center.

College Park Community Library Book Group. Discuss e Spinsters Fortune, by Mary Kendall, on May 10. The group meets on the lower level of the College Park Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Ave. For more information, email Carol Munn at donkinc@ msn.com

JTCC Champion Celebration. College Park’s own Junior Tennis Championship Center will join GEICO, Sandy Spring Bank and the Bisnow Family in honoring International Tennis Hall of Famer Tracy Austin and Tennis

Channel CEO Ken Solomon at the Columbia Country Club on May 19. Open to the public; time TBD. Purchase tickets at jtcc. org/gala

Hunt, Gather and Make. Route 1 Corridor Conversations will host multi-disciplinary artist Racquel Keller in a hands on discussion of how to transform your closet into an art supply store. Free. May 21 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. To register, go to hyattsvilleaginginplace. org and click on Programs and Activities.

ONGOING

College Park Community Library Story Time. Story time with Micki Freeny every Wednesday from 10:00 to 10:30 a.m. If weather permits, story time is outside on the church’s front lawn. If weather forces the event indoors, the library will require masks and respect social distancing. The library is located in the lower level of the College Park Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Ave.

Catherine Kleeman’s Yard Art Exhibit. Montpelier Arts Center presents the work of Catherine Kleeman, who found inspiration in the natural world of her backyard. Free. Monday through Saturday each week until May 22. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 9652 Muirkirk Rd., Laurel. Questions? Call 301.377.7817.

David Brosch’s Becoming Printmakers. David Brosch offered classes in printmaking for years; see his students’ works at the Montpelier Arts Center. Free. Monday through Saturday, each week until April 24. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 9652 Muirkirk Rd., Laurel. Questions? Call 301.377.7817

Free Football Skills Clinic. The Mount Rainier Nature Center offers free football skills clinics through May. Ages 12-17. Free. Sundays in May, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. 4701 41st Pl., Mount Rainier. To register email mtrainiernaturecenter@ pgparks.com

Toastmasters International Meetings. Our local Toastmasters International charter, Rivertech, meets virtually on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month from 12:05 to 1 p.m. For more information and to get Zoom link, go to rivertech.toastmastersclubs. org/directions.html and click Contact Us.

e Hall CP. Open mic nights, wine-down Wednesdays, live music concerts and more! For the latest information, go to thehallcp.com/events

Wednesday Tap Dance Workshops. Free virtual tap workshop with instructor Elizabeth Gardner every Wednesday until May 11, from 7 to 8 p.m. For more information and to register, email info@cpae.org

Cosmic Bowling at STAMP. Bowl under the stars at the University of Maryland’s STAMP Student Union Fridays and Saturdays from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. For more information call 301.314.2695 or go to stamp. umd.edu/terpzone

Extension Courses. Looking to spruce up your garden with native plants? Have a question only a master gardener can answer? The University of Maryland Extension, Prince George’s County, offers a wide range of virtual and inperson programs related to these topics and many more. For more information, go to extension.umd.edu/newsevents/events

Learn Brazilian Samba. Workshops on Brazilian drumming and dance, brought to you by the College Park Arts Exchange. April 23, and May 7 and 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. For more information, email info@ cpae.org

Patuxent Nature Reserve. Looking to enjoy the spring weather? You can do so right in your neighborhood nature reserve! Free programming in April. For more information, visit fws.gov/refuge/patuxent

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

Produce Delivery Every ird ursday. Sponsored by Community Connect Calvert Hills. Make your reservation by emailing your name, street address, email and phone to connectporfavor@gmail.com at least one day in advance of distribution. Individuals may register for a duplicate delivery so they can share extra food with others in need. Deliveries available to homebound individuals. Pickups between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. at a central location. For more information or to volunteer to help deliver, call 301.864.5267

Support College Park’s Senior Citizens. Meals on Wheels College Park needs licensed drivers, and all are welcome to volunteer for flexible slots on weekday mornings. Fill out an application at mealsonwheelsofcollegepark. org or call 202.669.6297

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. BDCA’s monthly meeting will be on April 21 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 NCPCA meets the second Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. For more information, go to myncpca. org.

Lakeland Civic Association. Next virtual meeting is April 15 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. For login 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. Next meeting is May 11 at 7 p.m. For more information, go to calverthills. weebly.com or email the board at calverthillscitizensassn@ gmail.com

needs. She has taught individuals with attention deficit disorders strategies to improve concentration, clients with carpal tunnel syndrome how to use a keyboard with less pain, and patients who suffered a brain injury how to use the phone again. Much of her work centers around encouraging clients to learn how to better manage their health. Brettschneider’s overarching goal is to work with her clients in a healing environment. “This is a very personal, safe space here,” she said. One of the core pillars of occupational therapy is the belief that everyone is entitled to engage in daily activities to the best of their ability. “If occupational therapy is about empowering people to the best quality of life, in community, what does it mean?” asked Brettschneider. “First of all, everybody has a right to participate.”

In addition to being a certified occupational therapist, Brettschneider is also a Feldenkrais practitioner, and she incorporates this mind-body technique in her work. The Feldenkrais Method, which is based, in part, on physics and biodynamics, is a form of holistic movement training that aims to strengthen one’s mind-body connection and incorporate new ways of moving to promote greater health.

Brettschneider also holds group classes that focus primarily on health education and incorporate Feldenkrais work aimed at preventing injury and illness.

Brettschneider also travels to clients’ homes, where she may assist someone who cannot leave their own space, and she presents educational sessions in corporate settings. Individuals can join Brettschneider’s guided nature walks, too, which focus on body awareness and connecting

with the environment.

Brettschneider is on track to earn her doctorate in occupational therapy from Howard University in May. She has been working with people to improve their quality of life for more than 35 years, and she is dedicated to serving her clients with services tailored to their specific, unique needs. “My vision is definitely to enable people of all ages to have the best possible quantitative life.”

“Having Jutta in the College Park area is such a blessing – she is pure joy,” said Aleesha Grady, whose son, Liam, has been working with Brettschneider for four years. “Jutta takes each individual and individualizes the [treatment approach] for that person and session.”

Grady’s son has benefitted from this work in important and impressive ways. “He’s more engaged, he has an ambition and will – an ‘I can’ attitude,” Grady said. “Jutta gives him that extra push that makes him feel like he can do more. She gives him the understanding to use his challenges to make them work for him and show him how to do things his way.”

The nation celebrates occupational therapy this April, but for Brettschneider every time she can support a client is cause for celebration. “Liam wakes up excited on Tuesday mornings because he knows he’s going to see Jutta,” said Grady. “He always comes up to me and says ‘I get to see Jutta today!’ with a smile on his face. She’s truly a blessing.”

FROM WHERE I STAND

Golden Basket

By Andriy B.

Have you ever heard of the Golden Basket?

It’s a term used to refer to my homeland of Ukraine. The fields of wheat and sunflowers, stretching as far as the eye can see, look like a golden basket. It is a land rich in natural resources, from sunflower seeds to the neon gas used in the production of semiconductors and microchips.

Today Ukraine is fighting a war. A war that she did not want. A war that was brought to her. Ukraine’s gardeners have had to switch from shovels to machine guns. Ukrainian people are fighting for democracy, and their freedom for their children and for their land.

I was 15 when the Soviet Union fell. Our currency collapsed, and our country had to rebuild.

As a country, however, we knew one thing: We were Ukrainians. We had our own language, history and culture. We learned this when we were children, and we believe it, still.

Moscow has tried everything to crush Ukrainians. In the 1930s, the Holodomor killed nearly 4 million of us in just two years. They tried to eliminate the Ukrainian language. They sent Ukrainian priests to the gulags. Yet parents passed on what it

meant to be Ukrainian to their children.

When the Soviet Union fell, we embraced the idea of being Ukrainian and flew our flag with pride.

As a nation, we had to rebuild. We had to discover what it meant to build our own democracy.

Since 1991, we have fought for that democracy. We have had a few false starts, but each one has pointed us in the direction of success, of a respectable, representative democracy.

Before February 24, Ukrainians’ daily lives didn’t look that different from yours. They sent their children to school in the morning before they headed to work. The children enjoyed using tablets and watching YouTube in their free time. People sat outside with their neighbors to grill; they ate at cafes. They embraced the potential they saw emerging in our ancient, and yet new, country.

On February 24, all of this was ripped away. I didn’t know where else to turn, so that evening I went to church with my family. The priest mourned with us and said that for generations Ukrainians have hoped to govern their own land. For the past 30 years, we thought we had finally achieved that goal. We slowly

started to relax and feel confident in an autonomous and independent Ukraine. Now, Russia has been bombing maternity hosptials, schools, theaters, and shelters where civilians have fled to escape the bombings. That peace is shattered.

Yet in this tragedy and chaos, a miracle has happened.

The Ukrainian people have become even more united. Where people once felt differences in political leanings, languages and backgrounds, everyone has come together. Teachers, farmers and actors alike have had to learn to bear arms to defend their homeland. The fight they are waging is the fight for the right to rule their own nation and to build up a representative democracy.

It breaks my heart to see the streets of cities I once walked reduced to rubble. But we are strong and tough, and I do feel a little hope.

Please consider supporting Ukraine. In addition to the national and international aid organizations, such as Caritas Ukraine (caritas.org/wherecaritas-work/europe/ukraine/), that welcome donations. We also have local institutions that are helping; including the Ukrainian Catholic National Shrine of the Holy Family, in the District, (ucns-holyfamily. org/orgs/help/index.php), and St. Andrew Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, in Silver Spring (standrewuoc.org/).

Happy birthday, Harriet: Cooking up a storm at Riversdale

By Michael Purdie

Using an open hearth and cast iron skillets, volunteers with the Riversdale House Museum Kitchen Guild demonstrated their expertise at a March 13 open house honoring Harriet Tubman, whose 200th birthday was three days prior.

“Food is a common denominator among people. Regardless of the time period, we all have to sit down to a meal,” Michelle Kretsch, a member of the Kitchen Guild, wrote in an email. “The open houses and the cooking demonstrations as a whole allow people to see how food was prepared [and] what were people putting on their table and how – depending on your socioeconomic condition, location or race, that meal might be different.” Kretsch founded the Riversdale Kitchen Guild in 2001. The open house featured meals that were typical of those cooked in slave quarters during the 1800s. According to Kretsch, guild members used recipes inspired by archaeological discoveries. the cooks

referenced small fish bones found during excavations at old plantations, for example, as they created a recipe for the fish chowder they prepared during the open house. The menu on March 13 included a meal of cornfield beans, potatoes and salt pork; Aunt Harriet’s Favorite Dish, which was cornbread with salt pork; and gingerbread, which Tubman would sell to Union soldiers for extra money.

This was Riversdale’s first open house since the start of the pandemic, and the community was glad to be welcomed back. “I have been waiting for a few years to participate in such an event, and even though it was very chilly, I learned a few things about cooking over an open hearth. I was also reminded of the old adage: A woman’s work is never done,” Mary Cook wrote in an email. “I love such events because they transport me back in time. They’re also a wonderful reminder as to all the luxuries we have today.”

Staying true to early 19th century cooking techniques,

the guild’s cooks eyeballed some measurements and used a sand hourglass to time their baking, but the meals they prepared were surprisingly familiar. “I think if people look at cookbooks from the early

American period, they would be surprised at how similar the recipes are to what we see in modern cookbooks and websites: A curry recipe in an 1824 cookbook, the variety of recipes for vegetables, [and]

the use of herbs and spices,” Kretsch remarked.

The Kitchen Guild’s cooks — there are currently seven — largely rely on seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, including produce from the museum’s interpretive gardens, though snagging a pint of milk from the grocer may be necessary from time to time. “Farmers Markets are becoming more commonplace in communities and I think that helps people understand their local area as well as the global marketplace for food when you look at what is available in the supermarkets,” Kretsch wrote.

The Riversdale House Museum is located on the site of a former slave plantation. According to the Maryland-National Park and Planning Commission, the house now on this site was constructed in the early 1800s. The museum plans to hold guided hours on Fridays and Sundays starting at noon, and the Kitchen Guild is aiming to hold monthly demonstrations into the fall. For more information and to register for events, go to riversdale.org.

Natalie Pappas works on a recipe from “The Historical Cookbook of the American Negro” by the National Council of Negro Women. MICHAEL PURDIE