On April 18, the Hyattsville City Council voted to award an $18.7 million contract to renovate the former BB&T bank building at 3505 Hamilton Street. The renovated building will serve as the new station for the Hyattsville City Police Department (HCPD).
For the first time in two years, Northwestern High School’s Jim Henson Visual and Performing Arts Academy held an in-person play, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”
Their April 28 opening performance of Oscar Wilde’s three-act play included a female Jack Worthing, Instagram posts, handmade background portraits, selfies, present-day clothing — and a live audience. Their other most recent productions, like “Twelve Angry Jurors,” were presented virtually due to the pandemic. Director Jessica Rodriguez, who has been directing plays for nine years, with the past three of those years at Northwestern, explained that live performances strengthen a play.
The contract went to the WhitingTurner Company, a Maryland-based national company that built the Alexandria police station for $5.1 million, in 2011, according to the City of Alexandria’s website.
The council also agreed to increase the maximum cost of the contract with Johnson, Mirmiran, & Thompson, a large
Maryland-based design firm, to $4.75 million, including an expenditure of $1.2 million for construction management of the same project.
The building at 3505 Hamilton Street was designated for renovation by the city council in 2017, following extensive discussion of other options, including renovating on site and renovating the
nearby vacant county services building. At the time of the project’s approval, then-Mayor Candace Hollingsworth noted that the reuse of 3505 Hamilton Street was the largest item the council had budgeted in six years. When the project is complete, the HCPD will move from the Hyattsville Municipal Building
By Hunter SaveryFernando Gonzalez isn’t a chef. He isn’t from Texas, either. And yet, this civil engineer from El Salvador is the culinary force behind what some call the DMV’s best Texas-style barbecue.
On paper, Riverdale Park’s 2Fifty Texas BBQ should have never gotten off the ground. However, the dedication and sheer will of husband-and-wife duo Fernando Gonzalez and Debby Portillo have made it an undeniable success.
In spite of opening near the start of the pandemic, a difficult time to run a business anywhere, 2Fifty went on later that year to be ranked the No. 1 barbecue restaurant in the D.C. area by The Washington Post. The restaurant would get that nod again in 2022.
2Fifty now has a second location at D.C.’s Union Market, and the couple has taken over Dumm’s
On April 18, Hyattsville Aging in Place (HAP) won a first annual Founders Award For Village Excellence from the Washington Area Villages Exchange (WAVE). The award recognized HAP’s Route 1 Food Security Project, which combats food insecurity among seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
WAVE helps to connect and provide resources for 74 D.C.-area villages, grassroots organizations which coordinate volunteer help for seniors. HAP was one of two organizations to receive founders awards, winning for villages with budgets under $25,000. Little Falls Village in Bethesda won for villages with budgets of $25,000 or more, in recognition of its COVID-19 vaccination clinics.
HAP, founded in 2011, is focused on helping Hyattsville seniors stay in their homes as they
age. HAP offers loaner medical equipment, rides to stores and doctors’ appointments, social events and help with finding resources, among other volunteer services.
The food security program, for which HAP was recognized, is a newer program entering its second year. Last year, HAP provided over 1,400 prepared meals and 700 boxes of produce to Hyattsville area seniors, as well as stocking local Little Free Food Pantries and delivering groceries. HAP partnered with the Central Kenilworth Area Revitalization Community Development Corporation, food pantries, restaurants, farmers markets and Meals on Wheels to deliver food to those in need.
The Greater Washington Community Foundation and the City of Hyattsville provided funding for this program; the WAVE award comes with an additional $1,000 grant.
HAP Treasurer Lisa Walker
said HAP is always in need of help, both financial and volunteer. As grants come and go, they scale back or expand programs based on need and the availability of resources. Currently, HAP doesn’t have the funding to continue providing as much food delivery, so they are focusing on delivering fresh vegetables from the Riverdale Park Farmers Market.
Walker noted that HAP has no central office and is both run and staffed by volunteers. Most of HAP’s funding comes from one-off or recurring monthly donations. “We rely on the community to support us,” she said.
Want to help? Send a donation to HAP, P.O. Box 113, Hyattsville, MD 20781, or go to hyattsvilleaginginplace.org to donate or sign up to volunteer. Need help? Call 301.887.3101, email HAPCares@gmail.com or go to hyattsvilleaginginplace.org.
Amid restructuring and resignations on the school board for Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS), Hyattsville’s representative seeks to stay put, running for a second four-year term.
Incumbent board member
Pamela Boozer-Strother (District 3), a marketing professional from Mount Rainier, is running against challenger Varinia Sandino, a Hyattsville resident and state political staffer.
Boozer-Strother represents the school board district that includes Hyattsville, Lewisdale and Langley Park. She has championed the rapid construction of new schools in the area through public-private financing. She also co-chaired the work group that wrote the school board’s climate change action plan, passed April 28, which
aims to make county schools zero emissions by 2040.
“I still have a lot more I want to accomplish on behalf of our community,” Boozer-Strother said.
Boozer-Strother’s challenger, Sandino, said that as a 20year Hyattsville resident and the mother of three boys, she is running to make sure that children in the majority-minority
community have a world-class education. “When I see my boys, I see the community I am in,” she said. She added that she would advocate in particular for more resources to prepare children, fifth grade and older, to be successful after high school.
Sandino is chief of staff for Maryland State Delegate Wanika Fisher (District 47B), who is running for county council. Sandino is also the sister of Hyattsville City Councilmember Rommel Sandino (Ward 5).
Four members of the PGCPS Board of Education have resigned in the middle of their terms since December 2021. Among them are three elected board members who left to run for higher office. All three were accused of ethics violations by a school board ethics panel last summer. According to a letter obtained by Maryland Matters, all members of that ethics panel resigned April 3.
Disputes between elected board members and appointed board members have made consensus elusive on the board in the past two years. Under recently enacted state legislation, by 2024, the board will be returning to the all-elected structure last abandoned in 2013. In the meantime, the county executive can nominate replacements for open seats, to be confirmed by the county council.
So far, only one of the four recently vacated seats has been filled. Madeleine LaSalle Frazier, a long-time administrator with Arlington Public Schools, joined the school board this spring, becoming the board’s only Latino member other than the student board member, Alvaro Ceron-Ruiz.
Route One Corridor Conversations, a program started by Hyattsville Aging in Place (HAP) in tandem with other local aging organizations, is a Ted Talk-esque presentation to help older adults keep in touch with the community. Each month, anyone from the Route 1 area can call in or join a Zoom meeting to hear an expert presenter speak on a different topic. This month, award-winning food critic Tim Carman, who writes for The Washington Post, joined the meeting to discuss his job. He talked about the ins and outs of the food industry and how he picks the restaurants to review.
With our area’s quickly growing restaurant scene, there are so many new places to review! A couple of years ago, Tim wrote an article about Taqueria Habanero, which my mom cut out of The Post and added to our stack of restaurants to try out. I can definitely say, after eating there a couple times, Tim Carman is the man to trust with good restaurant recommendations.
But beyond looking to him for your next destination, anyone with an interest in food writing can learn a lot from him.
Although the meetings have a goal of including seniors in the community, anyone is welcome to join. Corridor Conversations has had presenters cover topics ranging from nature, art and astronomy to racial justice, literature and poetry. The team encourages anyone with an interest in the month’s topic to listen in for a bit and learn something new. In addition, if you have a grandparent who would like to hear a bit about what’s going on in their favorite grandchild’s neighborhood, suggest you watch one together. They’d love to hear from you!
You can find the information for upcoming Corridor Conversations, as well as recordings from past events, on HAP’s website, hyattsvilleaginginplace.org.
Created by contributors in grades K-12, the HyattsKIDS Life & Times features local news, columns, and comics from our city’s youngest journalists. Would you like to see your art or writing on our page? Send submissions to hyattskids@hyattsvillelife.com.
Hyattsville Elementary School (HES) held their annual STEM fair during the first week of spring. Students got to present their projects to their class. If they received a good grade, they went on to present to STEM fair judges from other schools. Ms. Robinette Boone is the fourth grade science teacher at HES, and this is what she had to say about this year’s fair: “I thought it went well this year. Everyone did a good job on their project, and [it] was better because it was in person and not online.”
This year’s fair was interesting because students were allowed to choose their STEM projects themselves about anything they wanted. In previous years, there was a required theme. In the fourth grade class, projects included the growth of brine shrimp, packaging for apples, and even a simulation of the Earth out of orbit! Many schoolmates agreed that presenting to their friends and teachers in the classroom was better than virtual and good practice for public speaking too. The STEM fair ended with a picnic where everyone who had a project was given a certificate. Students that placed in their grades were given ribbons. There was even music and ice cream. I think it was a wonderful experience for everyone who was able to participate, and we all hope it can happen again next year.
First graders at Hyattsville Elementary School (HES) have been learning about inventors, and what a great way to wrap up the unit by bringing in an inventor to show us an amazing creation: the Catzenpup.
As we were learning about inventors and how people decide on things to invent, Marighny thought about the cool device her dad invented to make sure their cat was fed while her family was away.
Mr. Wilson showed the first graders his invention and gave the students the opportunity to touch and explore the materials he used. He shared the steps of getting ownership of your invention.
all got to see a real patent. After this presentation, the kids thought about what new things they could imagine and create. Our first graders’ creativity went to work.
and gadgets so much that he started connecting many of the pieces to try to make a new machine. Way to go, first graders! And watch out, world: HES has future inventors.
By Sophie Gorman Oriani
On May 2, the Hyattsville City Council held a public hearing on the proposed real property tax rate.
The current tax rate is $0.63 per $100, and the city council proposed to keep the tax rate the same for the upcoming fiscal year. The constant yield tax rate, which is the tax rate necessary to produce as much revenue as last year, is $0.5945 per $100 of assessed value. Due to the increase in home values, keeping the tax rate at $0.63 would generate an additional $911,606 over what the constant yield rate would generate, according to the notice the city published in The Prince George’s Post
Six residents spoke at the May 2 hearing, including Claire Panak, who suggested using the extra revenue to provide direct cash payments to families with children living in poverty.
Other speakers supported lowering the property tax rate, citing concerns such as rapidly increasing home values, rising inflation and financial burdens from the coronavirus pandemic.
“We’re all pinched, so let’s be a little pinched together,” said resident Melissa Schweisguth.
City Treasurer Ron Brooks noted that the council plans to hire a consultant to examine current tax programs, such as the homestead tax credit and the homeowners’ tax credit, in an effort to increase targeted tax relief. Brooks said that it will take time to determine workable options.
City Councilmember Joseph Solomon (Ward 5) proposed an amendment to set the tax rate at $0.60 per $100 of assessed value. Councilmember Edouard Haba (Ward 4) agreed, saying that although he would have preferred to see the constant yield tax rate adopted, $0.60 would be better than $0.63. Haba suggested that the city could readily absorb a revenue gap for one year, and revisit this issue next year, if need be.
Councilmember Danny Schaible (Ward 2) said that some homeowners, including a number of long-term residents he’d spoken with, were unaware of the available tax credit programs. He suggested a $0.61 tax rate amendment, a compromise proposal that Solomon and others on the council in favor of lowering the tax rate accepted. (Schaible and interim Mayor Robert Croslin are both running in the city’s mayoral race.)
Most residents who spoke at the May 2 hearing supported lowering the property tax rate, citing concerns such as rapidly increasing home values, rising inflation and financial burdens from the coronavirus pandemic.
Croslin objected to cutting the property tax rate and said he wanted to keep politics and the upcoming election out of the discussion. He noted that cutting taxes would lead to difficult decisions about cutting cityfunded programs.
Solomon’s amendment for a lower tax rate failed, due, in part, to opposition from other councilmembers, including Daniel Peabody (Ward 4) and Ben Simasek (Ward 3), who favored retaining the higher tax rate to enable the city to provide aid for residents in need. Simasek noted that owners of more expensive properties typically benefit most from lower property taxes.
After much discussion, the council voted to keep the property tax rate at $0.63 per $100 of assessed value.
Councilmembers Sam Denes (Ward 1), Joanne Waszczak (Ward 1), Ben Simasek (Ward 3), Jimmy McClellan (Ward 3), Daniel Peabody (Ward 4) and interim Mayor Robert Croslin voted in favor of maintaining the current tax rate. Councilmembers Danny Schaible (Ward 2), Edouard Haba (Ward 4), Joseph Solomon (Ward 5) and Rommel Sandino (Ward 5) voted against it.
Los padres de crianza o acogida temporal no son reemplazos. Representan una ayuda adicional para niños y familias que lo necesitan.
Si usted vive en el Condado de Prince George y desea más informacion sobre como ser un padre de crianza o acogida temporal, llame al
The Hyattsville Life & Times reached out to all candidates registered to run in the city’s 2022 mayoral election. You’ll find their statements in this section, listed alphabetically by last name.
Election day is June 7. City of Hyattsville residents age 16 and older are eligible to vote, regardless of immigration status. Residents can register in person on the day of the election at the Hyattsville’s Municipal Building, 4310 Gallatin Street.
Registered voters who receive mail-in ballots may vote by mail or deliver their ballots to drop boxes at the Hyattsville Municipal Building, at Heurich Park (2800 Nicholson Street), or at the Hyattsville Branch Library (6530 Adelphi Road). The ballot box at the library is inside and accessible only during library hours.
neighboring communities as a life coach, or I can be found at a local cafe studying to improve (further) my own life.
Statement to Voters: Hyattsville is a great city, but we can improve it. Our city has done a lot of reactive problem solving; however, I want to bring about proactive assistances.
1. I especially want to bring about sound mental health for all followed by excellent recreation. I want every Hyattsville resident to have great health.
2. Secondly, I want to double our support of our teens. They are our future, and our future deserves our dedication. I want them to at the least be happy future employers and employees of our prospering community.
Age: 34
Day Job: My day job is founder and CEO of brain2co, a small tienda that makes software for creative writing, organized data curation, and data sharing. Previously, I worked hands-on with technology systems, as computers were my favorite toys to take apart. Then I became a business analyst, as I could guide businesses after understanding that they were also “systems.” Until I decided to start my own. Now, leveraging my problem-solving skills with varieties of systems, I am running for mayor.
Community Involvement: In the evening, I serve our community and our
3. Thirdly, I want to work very closely with the Maryland Department of Labor and other partners to make Hyattsville truly gainful. As of now, there is little direct support from Hyattsville governance to Hyattsville’s workforce, and that must change.
4. Lastly, I also want to strengthen our emergency preparedness; and
5. Optimize our city governance wherever possible.
If I were to remove something, it would be the sharp focus on race, as I think it only makes mountains out of molehills.
I think there is no more systematic racism, and we are all, together, working on minimizing systemic racism. Please vote. Allow me to bring my systems expertise to Hyattsville’s governance. With your vote, we can take strides in a positive direction. Enjoy your summer.
Age: —
Day Job: I am an artist with a master’s degree in landscape architecture. I previously worked for a landscape architectural and civil engineering firm in Baltimore, but I am also a trained goldsmith. I design and create fine jewelry in gold and silver using precious stones.
Community Involvement: I founded the Bridging Cultural Gaps Book Club, which meets monthly to help bring about better cultural understanding and dismantle the artificial boundaries that divide people of different backgrounds. I am a co-founder of Hyattsville Aging in Place and the Community Artists’ Alliance.
I volunteered at Driskell Park alongside
other volunteers and city staff distributing food to families with food insecurity.
I have served on the health fair committee at the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville, and I am council liaison to the citizen-run Police and Public Safety Advisory Committee, where citizens review police procedures and make recommendations to the city council. I am also liaison to the Race and Equity Committee, where citizens explore how to ensure fairness and equality in how the city deals with all segments of our community.
Statement to Voters: The mayor’s job is part time on paper but requires a full-time commitment. I know Hyattsville; I have lived here for more than 30 years. Our children grew up here. After the tragic passing of Mayor Ward, I became the interim mayor. I’ve served on the council for eight years and participated on many boards and selection committees. I envision Hyattsville making strides to recover from the effects of COVID-19. As a community, we must make every effort to move toward a healthy and “new normal.”
Residents have lost jobs, struggled to pay rent and childcare, and suffered from food insecurity and mental health challenges. Businesses, experiencing a reduction in customers, have been forced to lay off staff. I believe I can motivate council and city staff to investigate creative ways to address these problems. I will, as I always have, work collaboratively with members of the community, councilmembers and our expert city staff to make Hyattsville an even more inclusive, supportive, prosperous and family-oriented community.
Age: 45
Day Job: National Park Service, project manager of design and construction projects, Transportation Division.
Community Involvement: My primary civic engagement is serving on the Hyattsville City Council, where I have represented Ward 2 since 2019. To help keep Hyattsville residents informed and engaged, I publish an email newsletter, The Schaible Scoop. I serve as a council liaison to the Hyattsville Police and Public Safety Citizen Advisory Committee and the Shade Tree Board. To promote street safety and walkability, I helped organize an informal group of area residents called the HVL Street Design Team that has been meeting monthly since September 2021. I am also a core team member of a Route 1 Corridor group called Pathways to Unity, where area residents and elected officials collaborate on addressing regional issues, taking on topics like affordable housing, police reform and mental health services.
Statement to Voters: In Hyattsville, we have been fortunate to have had amazing leadership that has represented our city with compassion and principle, putting us at the forefront of leading issues of the day. Back in January, we lost one of those amazing leaders, our mayor Kevin Ward. While the city grieves this loss, we have no choice but to pick ourselves up and move forward.
Hyattsville has developed an identity as a regional leader on issues of democracy
reform, civil rights protections, environmental sustainability and community engagement. On these big issues, Hyattsville is recognized as a small town that punches above its weight. While this work has not been easy, it would have been impossible without engaged residents and supportive city leaders. I need your help to keep Hyattsville moving in the right direction. If elected, I will fight for:
• Affordable housing
• Walkable neighborhoods
• Police reform
• Environmental sustainability
• Affordable youth aftercare
TO LEARN MORE, VISIT ME ONLINE:
FROM PAGE 1 on Gallatin Street to their new location on Hamilton Street closer to the West Hyattsville Metro station.
At the April 4 city council meeting, Deputy Director of Public Works Hal Metzler noted that the estimated cost of the project was approximately $10 million in 2017. Metzler noted significant increases in the price of raw materials since then, as well as delays in acquiring materials, largely due to supply chain issues. At the April 18 meeting, City Administrator Tracey Nicholson-Douglas said there was not enough space for police officers to work in their current location, even as some work from cubicles in a community meeting room or offices set up in closets. Moreover, victims, suspects and visitors all use the same entrance to the department. According to City Communications Manager Cindy Zork, the current police station is about 6,500 square feet.
According to a March 29 memo from Metzler, the City of Hyattsville issued an open request for qualifications (RFQ) for the project last summer, and then invited four pre-qualified firms to
each submit a full proposal. Whiting-Turner was one of two companies who responded to the city’s request for proposals. The contractor selection committee consisted of Metzler, Director of Public Works Lesley Riddle, City Treasurer Ron Brooks, HCPD Chief of Police Jarod Towers and Helder Almeida, the city’s project manager.
Whiting-Turner had a better score, overall, on factors that included ability to keep the project on schedule and budget, than did Keller Brothers, the only other bidder to submit a proposal. Keller Brothers’ proposal scored better on costs, but according to Zork, Keller Brothers’ proposed cost of construction was only about $300,000 less.
The proposed renovations to the former BB&T building include a three-story addition, a separate one-story addition with a secured door (called a sally port) for controlled transfer of individuals who are being transported in or out, and an elevator. With additions, the building will be 33,000 square feet.
Whiting-Turner’s contract commits the company to finish the project within 545 days of receiving notice to proceed; the new police station is slated for completion in fall 2023.
As soon as you step off of the elevator at the Montpelier Arts Center, in Laurel, you’re greeted by a large colorful quilt with a pattern reminiscent of cicada wings, in a nod to Brood X’s emergence in 2021. As you step forward, smaller quilts in warm autumnal colors and adorned with stitches shaping leaves embrace you.
Catherine Kleeman has filled the gallery with more than 20 pieces of artwork depicting elements of her own backyard.
“Every piece is a reflection of some event or presence in my yard,” Kleeman wrote in an email.
The artist began making quilts in the 1980s, initially giving them as gifts.
“I have always been a hand crafter. Embroidery, knitting, painting, macrame — I have worked with my hands since I was a child.”
Kleeman devoted 10 months to creating quilts for the exhibit. While she was not sure which one took her the longest, she did
find certain pieces particularly challenging.
“Some were more difficult to execute because I had to figure out how to achieve my vision for the piece,” she wrote. “As an example, Blood Moon is the partial eclipse of the moon we had last November. Trying to get the reddish color of the moon and also get a representation of what the surface of the moon looks like
took me several tries.”
Kleeman’s “Blood Moon” quilt features an iridescent partial circle — the shadowed portion of eclipsed moon — depicted in bold reds, oranges and yellows, with swirling stitches texturing the surface. A bright white sliver of visible moon peeks out from behind the shadow.
Four of Kleeman’s quilts — “Snow Days,” “Fall Colors,” “Pond #3” and “Signs of Spring” — represent the seasons. Each has unique combinations of colors and stitching evoking the time of year. Kleeman incorporated symbols, including zodiac signs, in these quilts.
“I often use symbols such as Xs, or Os, or hash marks or some other type of mark — this is just mark making for design elements,” she wrote. “The zodiac signs I used are easily rendered in fabric and also in the quilting design. No deep hidden meaning, they just happened to fit the idea.”
While Kleeman deliberately incorporated the zodiac signs, she
noted that some elements in her art were not as calculated.
“I found it interesting that the quilts quite naturally fell into seasonal groups. It was not intentional, but since I made them over the period of nearly a year, it makes sense that I would have been influenced by my surroundings,” she wrote.
Kleeman said that she does not have a favorite piece.
“I like different pieces for different reasons,” Kleeman wrote.
Only one of the quilts, “Deer Lettuce,” featured text — noting, appropriately, a recipe for deer repellent.
“I did this piece to make a record of this recipe because I am often asked for it by friends who have deer who eat their plants,” wrote Kleeman. “The postcard I made for the show uses the image of that quilt, and so I am hoping that they keep it for reference.”
Kleeman’s art was chosen as part of a juried competition, according to Alan Ernstein, the technical director at the arts center.
“The jury process is just a couple of weeks. … We have a jury who spends a week or two deciding which are their choices, and then we invite the artists for specific periods. … When they’re scheduled to bring the artwork in, I have a week to put it up on the wall and light it. Then they run for two months,” he said.
Entering the competition was a first for Kleeman, and she submitted entirely new pieces.
Both Ernstein and Kleeman emphasized the importance of offering the community a broad range of art and media through the center’s exhibits.
“We’re trying to attract as many different parts of the community as we can. … We hope to have as many different kinds of things as we can so that people can come in every two months and see something that is a different way to express themselves,” Ernstein said.
“I hope the community understands the concept that quilts are more than just utilitarian objects. They deserve a place on the wall in art galleries alongside all the other forms of art,” Kleeman said. “Quilts and other textiles have primarily been the work of women and have frequently been relegated to second-class positions. I hope that my work and the work of my peers can be given their due.”
To provide every child with the tools to succeed, Victor will push for early childhood programs. He will also advocate for vocational education and make sure our kids have the school buildings they deserve.
On the County Council, Victor will work every day to bring life to public spaces and preserve green space. He will advocate for smart growth, and bring businesses and jobs to every part of the district.
Victor will work to make sure families can afford to live in our county by supporting policies that push for housing and health care that’s affordable and accessible to all of us.
Caring for his now-retired parents, Victor has seen firsthand the challenges seniors face every day. He will fight to ensure that Prince George’s County seniors can afford to stay in their homes and have the services they need to age in place.
There is too much litter and illegal dumping in Prince George’s County. Victor Ramirez will demand respect for every neighborhood and timely cleanup and trash collection throughout the county.
Victor will work to make sure our municipalities and neighborhood associations have a voice in future growth and receive their fair share of county investments.
For the past 20 years as a practicing attorney, Victor Ramirez has been defending the rights of the people of the State of Maryland, and served as a State Delegate and Senator for 16 years.
Vote Local, Hyattsville!: Hyattsville’s vote-by-mail special mayoral election is on June 7, 2022. Ballots and election guides are expected to arrive at the homes of registered voters by mid-May. Voters registered with the State do not have to additionally register with the City to vote and should automatically receive a ballot. Voters have until 8 p.m. on June 7 to return their ballot by mail or to one of three secure drop boxes, located at the City Building (4310 Gallatin St), Heurich Park (2900 Nicholson St), or inside the Hyattsville Branch Library (6530 Adelphi Rd). Postmarked ballots that arrive after June 7 will not be counted! After May 27, the City recommends using a drop box to return ballots instead of mailing. The status of your returned ballot can be tracked at hyattsville.org/vote.
If you do not receive a ballot by May 16 or need a replacement, you may request and pick one up in person at the City Building by appointment. Same-day voter registration, curbside voting, and in-person voting will also be available on Election Day, June 7, from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m., at the City Building, 4310 Gallatin Street. If you have questions, call (301) 985-5000 or email votebymail@ hyattsville.org
Meet your Candidates: The Hyattsville Life & Times will host two Candidate Forums for the 2022 Special Mayoral Election. A virtual Forum will take place May 12 on Facebook.com/HyattsvilleLife.
An in-person Forum with Spanish translations will take place May 18, at St. Matthew’s Church, 5901 36th Ave. Both Forums will begin at 7 p.m. Details at hyattsville.org/registered-candidates.
COVID Relief Assistance Programs
Coming Soon: City Council is finalizing Hyattsville’s emergency relief assistance programs using the City’s federal Rescue Plan funds. Using community feedback gathered earlier this year, Council has prioritized relief programs to help individuals and families, small businesses, and nonprofits. Applications are expected to be available by the end of this spring. Find details at hyattsville.org/rescueplan.
Hyattsville COVID-19 Vaccine Site: Protect yourself and your family before heading out for summer trips or gatherings! The City’s vaccine clinic at the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville, 6201 Belcrest Rd. is open every Tuesday from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. for vaccines and booster doses. Anyone 12 and older can get vaccinated or boosted all day, and pediatric vaccines for ages 5-11 are available from 3 – 7 p.m. Learn more and find additional COVID-19 resources at hyattsville.org/covid-19.
Traffic Calming Measures Hearing: Hyattsville City Council will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, May 16, at 6 p.m., to discuss proposed traffic calming measures for the 3400 & 3500 blocks of Lancer Drive, the 3500 block of Longfellow Street, and the 4900 block of 41st Place. Residents wishing to provide testimony can pre-register using the link at hyattsville.org/calendar or email cityclerk@hyattsville.org by 4 p.m. on Monday, May 16.
Mosquito Control: The State of Maryland will resume residential mosquito surveillance and spraying operations in Hyattsville starting May 25 through September 30. Please note that mosquito spraying only occurs when certain risk
¡El estudiante de la escuela Northwestern High y residente de la Ciudad se registró exitosamente para votar en la próxima Elección Especial de Alcalde de la Ciudad que tomará plazo el 7 de junio de 2022! Para aprender acerca de la Elección, los candidatos y las pautas de elegibilidad, visite hyattsville.org/vote.
thresholds are met in our area. You can sign up for spraying notifications, report problem areas, and request an exemption from mosquito control services at hyattsville.org/ pests or by calling (410) 841-5870.
Ward 5 Chat & Clean-Up: The Ward 5 Chat & Clean-Up series organized by Hyattsville Councilmembers Rommel Sandino & Joseph Solomon continues Saturday, May 14! Starting at 10 a.m., community members can connect with the Councilmembers via Zoom using the link at hyattsville.org/calendar. Residents are also invited to help clean up the Northwest Branch Trail. The clean-up crew is meeting behind the West Hyattsville Metro Station at Little Branch Run and the trail entrance after the Zoom meeting ends. Questions? Contact Ward5@hyattsville.org.
24/7 Mental Health Awareness in Hyattsville: May is Mental Health Month, and the City is launching its Mental Health 24/7 program in order to destigmatize mental health and wellness and provide access to resources year-round. Join the City for events throughout May and stay tuned for future Mental Health 24/7 activities in upcoming months. Full event details and lists of community and family resources are available at hyattsville.org/mentalhealth.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: The City of Hyattsville recognizes May as Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month and proudly celebrates the past and future generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success. You can find a variety of local and regional programs celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at hyattsville.org/aapi.
Bike to Work Day: Bike to Work Day, a nationwide event that promotes a cleaner and healthier way to commute to work, is back on Friday, May 20!
Visit biketoworkmetrodc.org and sign up to make a pit stop in Driskell Park that morning between 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Our HCPD officers will be there to greet you and staff from Arrow Bicycle will be handing out free t-shirts!
Department of Public Works Open House: We’re excited to finally welcome the community to the City’s new Department of Public Works Operations Center, which opened in the spring of 2021. Join the DPW Team at a family-friendly Open House on May 21 from 11 a.m. - to 3 p.m. for free food, building tours, a truck touch, updates on City public works projects, and more! Members of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society will be on hand to sell seeds for your spring gardens. Details at hyattsville.org/openhouse.
City Services Update for Memorial Day: City offices & the COVID-19 Testing Site at the First United Methodist Church of Hyattsville will be closed Monday, May 30 for Memorial Day. There will be no yard waste or compost collection the week of May 30 – June 3. Regular trash and County recycling routes are not affected.
Hyattsville Business Grants:
Applications for the City’s Commercial Façade Improvement Program are due by June 3, 2022! Local business owners looking to make exterior improvements to their properties are encouraged to apply for matching grants of up to $50,000 at hyattsville.org/facade.
The City’s next Corridor Investment Grant Program cycle opens May 25! This program can provide grants of up to $5,000 to businesses and non-profits for creative placemaking projects, programming, or business development strategies. Visit hyattsville.org/CIP for guidelines and to apply.
Spring Economic Development Report & June 9 Business Roundtable: Check out the Spring Economic Development report included in this paper for updates on City developments, grants, and upcoming activities! Hyattsville business owners should also save the date for the June 9 virtual Business Roundtable starting at 10 a.m. Find details and register at hyattsville.org/roundtable.
Youth Services
Summer Camp: There are still a few open spots for Hyattsville’s Summer Camp! Camp is offered for students in grades K- 5 from June 27 – August 19. Discounts for City residents and families with 1+ camper are available. Visit hyattsville.org/camps for details.
Camp Staycation is Back!: Hyattsville’s rising 6 – 12 graders can get out and explore this summer through a series of free, weekly trips around the DMV area as part of Hyattsville’s Camp Staycation! Registration for active and former Teen Center participants opens June 6. General registration opens June 8. For details, visit hyattsville.org/staycation.
Age-Friendly Services
In-Person Programming for Hyattsville Seniors: Get active and social at the City’s free Ageless Grace seated exercise class and movie Monday events! Ageless Grace occurs from 10 – 11 a.m. every Wednesday at the City Building. Movie Mondays take place at 1 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at the Old Greenbelt Theatre. Contact (301) 985-5000 or seniors@hyattsville.org to learn more.
Age-Friendly Community Resources
List: Using findings from last year’s senior needs survey, City staff compiled a list of age-friendly community resources and programs offered at little or no cost for Hyattsville’s senior residents. A follow-up letter and the resource list will be mailed to residents who receive the City’s senior mailing list this May. An online copy of the resource list is available now at hyattsville. org/seniors. If you’re interested in signing up for the senior mailing list or have questions, please email seniors@hyattsville. org or call (301) 985-5000.
¡Vote Local, Hyattsville!: La elección especial de Alcalde de voto por correo de Hyattsville es el 7 de junio de 2022. Se espera que las boletas y los guías electorales lleguen a los hogares de votantes registrados a mediados de mayo. Los votantes registrados con el Estado no necesitan registrarse adicionalmente con el Estado para votar y automáticamente recibirán una boleta. Los votantes tienen hasta las 8 p.m. el 7 de junio para retornar su boleta por correo o a una de las tres cajas seguras ubicadas en el Edificio Municipal (4310 Gallatin Street), Heurich Park (2900 Nicholson Street) o dentro de la Biblioteca de Hyattsville (6530 Adelphi Road). ¡Las boletas tardes que lleguen después del 7 de junio no serán contadas! Después del 27 de mayo, la Ciudad recomienda usar una caja segura para retornar boletas en vez de enviarla por correo. El estatus de su boleta puede ser rastreada en hyattsville.org/vote.
Si no recibe una boleta después del 16 de o necesita un reemplazo, puede solicitar y recoger una en persona con cita en el Edificio Municipal. Las opciones de registrarse y votar en persona el mismo día y votar por correo también estarán disponibles el día de la elección el 7 de junio, de 7 a.m. a 8 p.m., en el Edificio Municipal, 4310 Gallatin Street. Si tiene preguntas, llame al (301) 985-5000 o envíe un email a votebymail@hyattsville.org.
Conozca a los Candidatos: El periódico Hyattsville Life & Times sostendrá dos foros de candidatos para la Elección Especial de Alcalde de 2022. El 12 de mayo se sostendrá un foro virtual en la pagina web Facebook.com/HyattsvilleLife. El 18 de mayo se sostendrá un foro en persona con traducciones en español en la Iglesia St. Matthews, 5901 36th Avenue. Ambos foros comenzaran a las 7 p.m. Detalles en hyattsville.org/registered-candidates.
¡Programas de Ayuda con COVID Llegarán Pronto!: El Concejo Municipal de Hyattsville está finalizando los programas de ayuda de emergencia usando los fondos del Plan de la Ley de Rescate de la Ciudad. Usando las ideas de la comunidad que se pidió a principios de este año, el Concejo ha priorizado programas para ayudar a individuos y familias, negocios pequeños y organizaciones sin fines de lucro. Se espera que las aplicaciones estén disponibles a finales de esta primavera. Puede obtener más información en la pagina web hyattsville.org/rescueplan.
Sitio de Vacunas COVID-19 de Hyattsville: ¡Protégete a ti y a tu familia antes de salir a viajes o reuniones de verano! La clínica de vacunas de la Ciudad en la Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida de Hyattsville, 6201 Belcrest Rd. está abierto todos los martes de 11 a. m. a 7 p. m. para vacunas y dosis de refuerzo.
Cualquier persona mayor de 12 años puede vacunarse o reforzarse durante todo el día, y las vacunas pediátricas para las edades de 5 a 11 años están disponibles de 3 a 7 p. m. Aprenda más y encuentre recursos adicionales de COVID-19 en hyattsville.org/ hyattsville.org/covid-19.
Audiencia Publica de Medidas
Propuestas para Tráfico: El Concejo Municipal de Hyattsville sostendrá una audiencia el lunes, 16 de mayo, a las 6 p.m., para discutir las medidas propuestas para calmar el tráfico para las 3400 y 3500 cuadras de Lancer Drive, la 3500 cuadra de
Longfellow Street, y la 4900 cuadra de 41st Place. Los residentes que desean proveer testimonio pueden registrarse para atender usando el enlace en hyattsville.org/calendar o enviar un email a cityclerk@hyattsville.org antes de las 4 p.m. el lunes, 16 de mayo.
Control de Mosquitos: El Estado de Maryland reanudará las operaciones residenciales de vigilancia y fumigación de mosquitos en Hyattsville desde el 25 de mayo hasta el 30 de septiembre. La fumigación de mosquitos sólo ocurre cuando se cumplen ciertos umbrales de riesgo en nuestra zona. Usted puede inscribirse para recibir notificaciones de fumigación, reportar áreas problemáticas, y solicitar una exención de los servicios de control de mosquitos en hyattsville.org/pests o llamando al (410) 841-5870.
Charla y Limpieza del Distrito 5: ¡La serie de Charlas y Limpiezas del Distrito 5 organizadas por los Concejales de Hyattsville Rommel Sandino y Joseph Solomon continua el próximo sábado, 14 de mayo! Empezando a las 10 a.m., los miembros de la comunidad pueden conectarse con los Concejales vía Zoom usando el enlace en hyattsville.org/calendar. Los residentes también están invitados a limpiar el sendero Northwest Branch Trail depues de que la charla termine. El equipo de limpieza se reunirá detrás del Estación de Metro West Hyattsville en Little Branch Run y la entrada del sendero. ¿Preguntas? Contacte a Ward5@hyattsville.org.
Concientización sobre Salud Mental en Hyattsville: Mayo es el Mes de la Salud Mental, y la Ciudad de Hyattsville está lanzando su programa de Salud Mental 24/7 para destigmatizar la salud mental y el bienestar y proporcionar acceso a los recursos durante todo el año. Únase a la Ciudad para eventos este mayo y manténgase atento para las futuras actividades de Salud Mental 24/7 en los próximos meses. Los detalles completos del evento y listas de recursos para la comunidad y las familias están disponibles en hyattsville.org/mentalhealth.
Mes de Herencia Americana de Asia y el Pacífico: La Ciudad de Hyattsville
reconoce mayo como el Mes de la Herencia Americana de Asia y el Pacífico y orgullosamente celebra a las generaciones pasadas y futuras de asiáticos e isleños del pacífico que han enriquecido nuestra historia americana y son fundamentales para su éxito futuro. Puede encontrar una variedad de programas locales y regionales que celebran el Mes de la Herencia Americana de Asia y el Pacifico en hyattsville.org/aapi.
Día de Llevar la Bici al Trabajo: El Día de Llevar la Bici la Trabajo, ¡un evento nacional que promueve una manera más limpia y saludable de ir al trabajo está de vuelta el viernes 20 de mayo! Por favor visite a biketoworkmetrodc.org y regístrese para hacer una parada en Driskell Park esa mañana entre las 6:30 a.m. y las 8:30 a.m. ¡Nuestros oficiales del Departamento de Policía de Hyattsville estarán allí para saludarlos y el personal de Arrow Bicycle estará allí regalando camisetas gratis!
Exhibicón del Centro de Operaciones de DPW: Estamos encantados de dar la bienvenida a todos al nuevo centro de operaciones del Departamento de Obras Publicas de la Ciudad, que se abrió en la primavera de 2021. Únase a nosotros el 21 de mayo de 11 a.m. a 3 p.m. para recorridos, actualizaciones sobre proyectos en curso, un toque de camión, comida y entretenimiento, ¡y mucho más! Los miembros de la Sociedad de Horticultura de Hyattsville estarán disponibles para vender semillas para sus jardines. Detalles en hyattsville.org/openhouse.
Actualizaciones de Servicio para la Semana del Día de Conmemoración: Las oficinas de la Ciudad y el sitio de pruebas COVID-19 en la Iglesia First United Methodist de Hyattsville estarán cerradas el lunes, 30 de mayo para el Día de Conmemoración. No habrá recolección de yarda o compostaje la semana del 30 de mayo al 3 de junio. La basura regular y las rutas de reciclaje del Condado no son afectadas.
Subvenciones para Negocios de Hyattsville: ¡La fecha limite para entregar subvenciones para el Programa de Mejoramiento de Fachadas Comerciales
de la Ciudad es el 3 de junio de 2022! Los dueños de negocios locales que buscan hacer mejoras exteriores a sus propiedades son alentados a solicitar una subvención de hasta $50,000 en hyattsville.org/facade.
¡El próximo ciclo del Programa de Subvenciones para Inversiones en el Corredor de la Ciudad se abre el 25 de mayo! Este programa puede proporcionar subvenciones de hasta $5,000 a negocios y organizaciones sin fines de lucro para proyectos creativos, programación o estrategias de desarrollo. Visite hyattsville. org/CIP para obtener directrices y para aplicar.
Informe de Desarrollo Económico de Primavera y Reunión Virtual de Negocios del 9 de Junio: ¡Vea nuestro informe de Desarrollo Económico de Primavera incluido en esta edición del periódico para actualizaciones sobre desarrollos de la Ciudad, subvenciones, y actividades próximas! Los propietarios de negocios de Hyattsville también deben guardar la fecha para la reunión de negocios virtual a las 10 a.m. el 9 de junio. Encuentre detalles y regístrese en hyattsville.org/ roundtable.
Servicios para Menores
Campamento de Verano: ¡Todavía hay unos espacios abiertos para la sesión de verano de campamento de Hyattsville! El campamento se ofrece para estudiantes en los grados K-5 del 27 de junio al 19 de agosto. Los descuentos para los residentes de la ciudad y las familias con 1+ campista están disponibles para las sesiones semanales. Visite hyattsville.org/camps para detalles.
¡El Programa Camp Staycation esta de Regreso!: Los estudiantes entre los grados 6 a 12 de Hyattsville pueden salir y explorar este verano a través de una serie de viajes semanales gratuitos por el área como parte del programa Camp Staycation. La registración para los participantes activos y pasados del Centro de Jóvenes se abre el 6 de junio. La registración general se abre el 8 de junio. Para obtener más información, visite hyattsville.org/staycation.
Programas en Persona para Personas de la Tercera Edad: ¡Manténgase activo y social con los eventos de clases de ejercicios sentados y en las películas! Las clases ocurren de 10 – 11 a.m. cada miércoles en el Edificio Municipal. Las películas gratuitas toman plazo el primer lunes de cada mes a las 1 p.m. en el Teatro Old Greenbelt. Contacte al (301) 985-5000 o a seniors@ hyattsville.org para aprender más.
Lista de Recursos Comunitarios
Amistosos para la Edad: Usando los hallazgos de la encuesta de necesidades de la tercera edad del año pasado, el personal de la Ciudad compiló una lista de recursos comunitarios y programas amigables para la edad ofrecidos a un costo pequeño o sin para los residentes de la tercera edad de Hyattsville. Una letra y la lista de recursos se enviarán por correo a los residentes que reciben el informe de servicios para personas de la tercera edad de la Ciudad este mayo. Una copia en línea de la lista de recursos está disponible ahora en hyattsville. org/seniors. Si está interesado en inscribirse para el informe de correo para personas de la tercera edad, envíe un email a seniors@ hyattsville.org o llame al (301) 985-5000.
On May 2, consultants presented a study to the Hyattsville City Council intended to demonstrate that a business improvement district (BID) is feasible for the area around Hyattsville Crossing, formerly called Prince George’s Plaza.
The BID would apply a new real estate property tax to 25 owners of multifamily and commercial property in and near the mall, and would not increase taxes for individual homeowners.
The approximately $900,000 generated would be used to improve the area according to a business plan yet to be developed. The presentation mentioned marketing, beautification and public safety as areas for potential improvements.
According to the presentation, median income in the Hyattsville Crossing area is
$72,000, and 85% of those who live there rent. The percentage of housing units that are empty is lower than in the city overall, 4.3% as opposed to 6.3%, despite higher median rents ($1,640 versus $1,433).
Taxes provide an average of 60% of a BID zone’s total budget, according to the consultants’ analysis of nearby BID zones. Grants and program revenues make up the rest.
The presentation gave examples of six nearby BID zones with tax rates of between $0.024 (Silver Spring) and $0.21 (Adams Morgan) per $100 of assessed real estate value.
HR&A Advisors, a real estate and public infrastructure consultant, prepared the presentation to the city council.
The city council had awarded a $155,000 contract to HR&A Advisors to develop a BID strategy in August 2021, after accepting $125,000 from the
Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission towards the project.
In preparing the feasibility study, HR&A talked to a small group of stakeholders, which consisted of property owners and investors in the area, as well as Ward 3
Councilmembers Ben Simasek and Jimmy McClellan, and Stuart Eisenberg, executive director of the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation.
In response to emailed questions about the project from a Ward 3 resident, Eisenberg expressed concern that small business owners in the area might be stressed by extra fees that their landlords charged them to cover new BID zone taxes. He also said that local governments have not fulfilled their responsibility to maintain public infrastructure in the area.
In a HOPE (Hyattsville Organization for a Positive
Environment) listserv post, Simasek said he had questions about the BID strategy’s alignment with city goals concerning small business development, affordable housing, and walkability/bikeability.
“[S]ome mechanism is missing that would bring some of the larger entities to the same table to identify where interests align and work out how to invest in shared spaces and services,” he said, adding that residents and small business owners should have a seat at the table.
As for the BID process, under the plan presented to the city council, the next step would be to engage all property owners and create a steering committee to develop a BID business plan.
After that, according to the consultants’ plan, those supporting the BID would seek state legislation lowering the threshold for approval from affected property owners to 51% from 80%, a goal that Montgomery County has already achieved.
Finally, the group, along with Prince George’s County, would apply to establish the new tax rate and an approved BID plan for the area.
Stuart Eisenberg said that local governments have not fulfilled their responsibility to maintain public infrastructure in the area.
EARNEST
FROM PAGE 1
“Chemistry is built off of the audience,” Rodriguez said. “The performance itself will get stronger as the audience is reacting, because that’s what kind of gives the performers that energy.”
During their April 28 performance, the cast became noticeably more settled and assured in their characters as the audience laughed at the play’s ironies.
One of the most memorable scenes unfolded between Cecily Cardew, played by senior Alisa Hicks, and Algernon Moncrieff, played by sophomore Evan Crawley, who finally meet after having feelings for one another for a long time. Cecily admits to Algernon that they had already been engaged, then broke off the engagement, then became re-engaged. Crawley and Hicks
expressed their characters’ roller coaster of emotions so well that the audience almost forgot they were watching a play.
Crawley said that finding similarities between himself and Algernon gave him the confidence to better become that character.
“Finding those similarities helps you connect easier with a character, and it takes off that nervousness,” he said.
Sophomore Zemirah Kinney, who played Jack Worthing, found connecting with her character a bit more difficult. She was the
understudy for Worthing, so she had less time to mentally prepare. To prepare to play a male character, Kinney said she observed her father and tried to emulate his movements, and she also used makeup to create a more masculine appearance. Rodriguez explained that she cast Kinney as the understudy because skill matters more than gender in theater, and she had originally envisioned a woman in this role.
Rodriguez said after the cast was finalized in early February, they spent the next three months preparing after
school. They began with script readings, block rehearsals, and set and concept design. Then the cast slowly mastered the performance, first rehearsing
without a script, then running technical rehearsals and, finally, full dress rehearsals. Before Easter, the cast rehearsed three times a week; after the holiday, they practiced daily.
Despite having a lack of costumes, performing in a small space and working with a script riddled with tricky words — “tutelage” and “bunburying,” to name a few — Northwestern students put on a successful show. Rodriguez said she is proud of her cast.
The relationships and emotions in the play felt genuine throughout each act, and the cast’s closeness was evident even after the play. During the curtain call, the cast clapped for one another, high-fived and cheered.
“We get on each other’s nerves every now and then,” said Crawley. “But at the end of the day, we’re close, and we have each other’s backs.”
Josie Jack is an intern with the Hyattsville Life & Times
By Juliette Fradin
The thing about children is they grow. One major side effect of this is that they go through clothes quickly: On average, babies change their entire wardrobes every three months. And older kids can be rough on their wardrobe, accumulating rips and stains until their clothes become unrecognizable. The fact that children of all ages are
in constant need of new clothes leaves parents with piles of old clothes to deal with.
Hyattsville’s parents are more fortunate than some, though, as they can donate to and shop at the HY-Swap for free. The HY-Swap is a community event for exchanging anything kidrelated, from clothes to toys to maternity gear.
The swap had been on hold for two years due to COVID-19
but came back this year on May 1, stronger than ever. Sara Bendoraitis, the treasurer of the HY-Swap’s 501c3 nonprofit organization, told us that some 75 volunteers helped sort the typical 1,700 cubic square feet of goods donated for the swap.
Unlike in previous years, this year’s HY-Swap was held outdoors, at Driskell Community Park, rather than indoors at the Hyattsville
Municipal Building, due to COVID-19 restrictions. “We only had a two-hour window for folks to donate, get it all sorted and set it all up before folks came to shop,” Bendoraitis explained. Thanks to the hard work of all the volunteers, they managed to process all donations, set up everything, and open on time at noon. There were no sorting parties and no reception for new parents, as in years past, but the spirit of the HY-Swap remained.
When the rain started to fall halfway through the event, local mom Kate Kowalski put a call out for tents on the HOPE (Hyattsville Organization for a Positive Environment) listserv, and 10 minutes later, organizers had five tents in hand. The tents saved a lot of donations from being ruined and allowed shoppers to keep perusing. Despite the soggy weather, about half of the people who signed up showed up (around 200 of about 417 sign-ups, according to Bendoraitis).
The HY-Swap welcomes everyone, whether or not they’ve donated items. “It’s a phenomenal community event that promotes the general community philosophy that sharing is better than selling,” explained HY-Swap shopper Katie Kaczmarksi. “All these clothes and gear could be sold for a few bucks here and there, but it feels so much better to freely give and freely take.”
One of the big benefits of a swap is the new connections you can forge. Resident Erin Schneider agreed, saying, “Not only have we been able to benefit from free clothing and gear items for our kids, we’ve
met a lot of neighbors and made friends along the way.”
After the two-year hiatus, experienced and new volunteers alike were happy to socialize with friends, meet new neighbors and exchange tips about life with kids. “We’ve also been able to expose our 8-year-old daughter, Samantha, to the joy of volunteering in her community,” added Schneider. Hyattsville offers many opportunities to meet and mingle. This one is special, as it keeps things out of landfills and helps the circular economy where everything is shared and reused for as long as possible. The Environmental Protection Agency reported that, in 2018, approximately 87% of used clothing and footwear in the U.S. made its way to landfills and incinerators. “[The HY-Swap] has helped us reduce our reliance on fast fashion, recycle our clothes, and save us money,” resident Mairin Batten said, perfectly summing up the swap. “There were so many helpful hands, laughs and grateful neighbors. I’m so glad HY-Swap is back!”
The core HY-Swap team (Sara Bendoraitis, Heather McAndrews, Alyssa Goodman, Geneive Noyce, Catherine Bennett Nwosu and Katie Bergfeld) is already planning for the fall swap, which will return to the dry and warm municipal building, if all goes well.
Following every national census, the City of Hyattsville takes a look at the ward boundaries to see if any redistricting is required. This time around, the answer is yes.
By law, the wards should be substantially equal. In a perfect scenario, each ward would encompass one-fifth of city residents, 4,237 people. Up to a 10% variation from that ideal is acceptable, according to Hyattsville City Clerk Laura Reams.
Currently, Ward 3 includes 5,201 residents, 22.7% more than the ideal, and Ward 5 is too small, with 3,725 residents, 12.1% fewer than ideal. Headcounts in Wards
1, 2 and 4 range from 8.9% fewer than the ideal (3,859 residents) to 3.3% more (4,376 residents), but all fall within the 10% margin.
According to the state constitution, wards should also be reasonably compact and contiguous, with boundaries that take into account infrastructure and generally follow natural boundaries, such as highways and rivers. If an area has an identifiable community of interest, like a civic or homeowners association, it should ideally not be split.
Reams proposed a redistricting task force formed primarily of members serving on other city committees. She suggested including one member each from the planning committee, the election board, the ethics commission, the educational
facilities task force, and the race and equity task force. Reams also suggested two additional members to ensure each ward is represented. The city council will determine the composition of the task force.
There is no specific legally prescribed deadline for finalizing redistricting, but Reams said it should be completed before the city’s May 2023 election. She proposed that the city council hold a vote at their May 16 meeting to establish the task force and appoint members in June.
The task force is to present new maps to the city council in fall 2022. The council would then hold a public hearing and likely adopt new maps in November, well in advance of the May 2023 city election.
The parent organization at César Chávez Dual Spanish Immersion School presents a spring festival, ¡Sí Se Puede! Fiesta. Bounce houses, games, dancing and music. Social justice advocate Julie Chávez Rodriguez, granddaughter of Cesar Chávez, will speak. Free entry. Food and activity tickets for sale.
Dear Miss Floribunda,
My grandparents came from Ukraine, and I’d like to show my solidarity with my ancestral land during these sad days with a blue and yellow garden. While there are lots of yellow flowers I could plant, I don’t know many blue ones. A lot of supposedly blue flowers just look purplish to me. Ideally, I’d like to have the same blue as in the Ukrainian flag. Thank you.
Ukrainian-American on Madison Street
Dear Ukrainian-American,
Your idea is very beautiful and a moving tribute. I know that some seed companies are offering discounts on sunflower seeds, the national flower of Ukraine, but it would be a wonderful thing if they offered a combination of seeds or plants to make a garden such as you propose. One problem is that few blue flowers thrive in every area of the U.S. Most blue flowers favor cool mountainous areas, and in our country do best in New England and the Pacific Northwest.
I contacted Voloshka JhovtoBlakitna, one of my oldest
second-generation UkrainianAmerican, for her assistance. She was quick to point out that you face many pitfalls, especially when ordering plants you haven’t seen in the petal. As you suspect, you can’t always
Blue petunia, for example, is quite purple. Voloshka suggests when choosing any supposedly blue plant from a catalog or online to look at the Latin name and choose those that have such qualifiers as azurea, cyanus and caerulea
It is easy to find blue flowers for spring, which will soon be ending, and it’s a little more difficult to find them for summer. Next fall, you might want to plant some bulbs that will bloom next spring.
Voloshka recommends the very early blooming Iris reticulata Harmony, an almost royal blue; the cerulean-blue Scilla siberica, which look more like bluebells than most plants called by that name; and the intense azure Chionodoxa, or glory-of-the-snow. Later in the spring, the exquisite Virginia bluebells (Mertensia virginica) will also spread out in a shady and well-drained location. If you have a moist enough area, the easiest forget-me-not to grow is the Myosotis sylvatica, which blooms from April till June. Towards the end of spring, such bearded iris (Iris germanica) as Baltic Sea and Deep Pacific bloom in shades of indigo. Blenheim Royal and Color Me Blue are ultramarine or lighter. This brings us into summer, where the Chinese forget-menot, Cynoglossum amabile, is a deep turquoise and blooms prolifically in intense heat. Heavenly Blue morning glories open into a heart-stopping
The sapphire gem of a Ukrainian garden, however, is the blue cornflower, Centaurea cyanus. It is one of the twelve traditional Ukrainian flowers, and is known for preserving youth and beauty, as well as protecting against evil spirits. At least in the past, cornflower water was sprinkled on newlyweds as a blessing, and young girls washed their faces in it to bring good fortune. Cornflowers are easy to grow in full sun and look stunning with sunflowers.
Plumbago is also easy to grow, and Voloshka says its color is very close to the blue in the Ukrainian flag. The humble dayflower (Commelina), viper’s bugloss (Echium) and borage bloom in rich hues of lapis. For a more formal effect, veronicas and salvia are good, with Salvia farinacea being a much truer blue than most other salvias. Veronicas come in different colors and heights, but there are some genuinely blue ones for many purposes — some to provide height at the back of the border and some creeping varieties that make a beautiful ground cover.
All the summer plants mentioned so far require full sun. For shady areas, Voloshka recommends deep blue lobelia for shady areas and hanging planters. For semi-shade, I’m happy to report that more coldhardy Agapanthus (aka African lilies, aka Blue Lilies of the Nile) have been developed. They come in many shades of blue, from a pale blue perilously near periwinkle to a true cobalt blue. Although many gentians are finicky in warm areas, you might take a chance on the North American native bottle gentian, G. Andrewsii and G. Clausa Hydrangeas in our area are blue as long as you don’t allow the soil to become alkaline, which will change the color to mauve or pink. Voloshka recommends mopheads like Nikko Blue and lacecaps like Blue Billow.
The Hyattsville Horticultural Society will not be meeting in May but will be offering seeds at the Hyattsville Department of Public Works Open House (4633 Arundel Place) on May 21, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Miss Floribunda writes about gardens. Contact her at floribundav@ gmail.com.
Send your event information for the calendar to Kit Slack at kit@hyattsvillelife.com.
Our list of events sponsored by local nonprofits, arts organizations and performance venues, occurring between May 13 and June 9; all information is current as of May 4. For events and meetings organized by the City of Hyattsville, see the Hyattsville Reporter in the newspaper’s centerfold.
Please send notices of events that will take place between June 10 and July 7 to kit@ hyattsvillelife.com by June 2.
ONGOING
Pyramid Atlantic’s art exhibit “Life Aquatic” features 16 artists’ works with themes of water and creatures from the deep. Through May 29. Wednesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sundays noon to 5 p.m. 4318 Gallatin St. 301.608.9101. Pyramidatlanticartcenter.org
RECURRING
The Archie Edwards Blues Heritage Foundation presents an acoustic blues jam every
Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. Proof of vaccination required, along with masks (when not eating or singing). 4502 Hamilton St. acousticblues.com
Classical figure drawing sessions with a live model, beginning with short action poses and ending with one long pose. Hyattsville Figure Drawing Group. Nine-participant limit; first come, first seated. Masks required. Legal guardian consent required for those under 18. $20. Wednesdays, 6 to 9 p.m. Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 4218 Gallatin St. hyattsvillefiguredrawing@gmail. com
Hyattsville has three recurring open mics. The third Thursday of the month, Jim Groves hosts an open mic for musicians. Free. Sign up to play a threesong set at the Archie Edwards Blues Foundation, 4502 Hamilton St. Busboys and Poets hosts an open mic for any type of performer the third Friday of the month at 9 p.m. and an open mic for
poets every Thursday from 8 to 10 p.m. Busboys open mics have a $5 cover. 5331 Baltimore Ave. 301.779.2787. busboysandpoets.com
Riverdale Park Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot near the Riverdale MARC Station, 4650 Queensbury Rd. Live music every week roughly 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (May 12: Peggy Brennan; May 19: Jim Groves & Friends; May 26: Sense of Wonder with Audrey & Rick Engdahl; June 2: Paint Branch Creek; June 9: Band Brulee.) Contact rpkfarmmkt@gmail. com or check facebook.com/ RPFMarket.
Jazz night at Maryland Meadworks with the Hyattsville Jazz Collective on May 13 and June 3. Limited seating. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644
MAY 13
Chinese dulcimer virtuoso Chao Tian, dance artist
Shu-chen Cuff, and world percussionist Tom Teasley perform in “Unheard Sounds” by Chao Tian. Masks and proof of vaccination or testing required. Pay what you wish, $5 to $50. 7 to 8 p.m. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier. joesmovement.org
Night hike: Borrow night vision goggles and look and listen for owls, bats, frogs, moths and beavers. Ages 10+. Register through pgparksdirect.com. Residents/ nonresidents, $5/$7. 8 to 9 p.m. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg
MAY 15
Riversdale Chamber Music Society Creta Quintet presents “Unlikely Friendships,” a concert featuring collaborations between woodwinds and strings. Performers are music students at the University of Maryland. Limited capacity. Free. 3 to 4 p.m. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420
History Alive Boat tour featuring storytelling about the history of Joshua Barney during the War of 1812 and the Battle of Bladensburg. Ages 8+. Residents/nonresidents, $3/$4. 8 to 9 p.m. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg
MAY 20
Performance art by Joseph Webb entitled “Prayers for a Hopeless Romantic: Lovers Rock,” featuring Gregory Isaacs reggae, Black vernacular dance, and visuals from ‘70s and ‘80s album covers. Masks and proof of vaccination or testing required. Pay what you wish, $5 to $50. 7 to 8 p.m. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier. joesmovement.org
Patapsco Brass at Maryland Meadworks. Limited seating. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644
SEE CALENDAR ON 16
Out of the Blues outdoor concert featuring Carly Harvey, DC Queen of the Blues. Proof of vaccination required. Masks required inside. $25 adults, $10 ages 13 to 20, $5 ages 5 to 12. 7 to 9 p.m. Artworks Now, 4800 Rhode Island Ave. artworksnow.org
MAY 21
César Chávez Dual Spanish Immersion School presents a spring festival, ¡Sí Se Puede! Fiesta. Kids and community members can bounce, run, play games, dance and listen to music. Social justice advocate Julie Chávez Rodriguez, the granddaughter of César Chávez, will speak. Fundraiser. Free entry. Food and activity tickets for sale. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 6609 Riggs Rd. 301.853.5694
Blue Comedy Night at Maryland Meadworks. Limited seating. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644
MAY 22: Learn to fish from a pontoon boat. Rods and bait provided, or bring your own. Ages 11 and up. Register at pgparksdirect.com. $10 county residents, $13 nonresidents. 9:30 a.m. to noon. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg. 301.779.0371
3-Week Membership 6 Lessons Over Three Weeks Racquets While You Learn Free Practice Time End of Session Party!
The Chuck Brown Band brings go-go swing to Publick Playhouse. Purchase tickets through pgparksdirect.com. $25 general admission, $20 seniors and students. 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710.
MAY 22
Bamburia, a local acapella group, plays Maryland Meadworks. Limited seating. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors. Free. 3 to 6 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644
MAY 27
Swing 5, a gypsy swing band in the style of Django Reinhardt, plays Maryland Meadworks. Limited seating. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644
Counterclassic by Chris Astilla presents a hip-hop version of Don Giovanni, featuring local rapper Grindstone. $15. 8 to 10 p.m. Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.277.2863
MAY 28
Kate Lemay, a historian at the National Portrait Gallery, gives an informal lecture as part of Maryland Meadworks’ “Tipsy History” series. Limited seating. Proof of vaccination required to sit indoors. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644
JUNE 4
UpSpring Aerial Lab presents “Mixtape,” aerial choreography to music designed to evoke nostalgia for middle school dances. Masks and proof of vaccination or testing required. $20. 7 to 8 p.m. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier. joesmovement. org
JUNE 4 & 5
Sweet Honey in the Rock, a longtime women’s acapella band, plays Publick Playhouse. Purchase tickets through pgparksdirect.com. $40 general admission, $30 seniors and students. June 4, 8 to 10 p.m. June 5, 4 to 6 p.m. 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710
Pizza & Subs in Riverdale Park, which was also highly rated by The Post
So how does a Salvadoran civil engineer become Washington’s guru of Texas barbecue? For Gonzalez, it all started with a business trip to Austin, Texas, in 2014. At the time, Gonzalez worked for a shipping company that moved goods between El Salvador and Texas. In Austin, Gonzalez experienced Texas barbecue for the first time.
“That was a life-changing experience. You need to consider that we have no tradition of smoking meats in El Salvador,” said Gonzalez. “For us, barbecue, or barbacoa, is really grilling. It’s cooking over a coal bed or using a live fire, which is great, but you won’t see a 500-gallon offset smoker cooking on the corner.”
He said he was equally drawn to the hospitality of barbecue culture. “It’s like a community. The camaraderie around the smokehouse in Texas really attracted me,” Gonzalez said. Barbecue became a fixation for him. Back in El Salvador, he set out to recreate the barbecue for himself. He said he even had a friend weld together a makeshift smoker out of a propane tank.
After some practice, Gonzalez made his first attempt at professional barbecue. He started a business selling smoked meat, primarily to the community of American expatriates in San Salvador. The city is home to one of the busiest U.S. embassies in Central America, so there was a large community excited to find American barbecue on the menu, he said.
Gonzalez’s neighbors were far less enthusiastic. They
complained about the smoke from the smoker and the smokiness of the food. Gonzalez said he even had the police called on him.
There were other challenges that went with trying to run a Texas-style barbecue business in El Salvador. Butchers simply didn’t make the cuts for brisket that Gonzalez was looking for, the types of wood needed for an authentic flavor were unavailable, and there were all sorts of issues with refrigeration and quality, he said.
“We were going to the butcher shop, and I was showing them pictures — like, ‘This is the cut that I need,’” said Gonzalez.
“The butcher would tell me, ‘Well I can make that for you, but this is not what we do here.’
At the beginning, the brisket was a complete disaster.”
These challenges and the deteriorating political and
Managing Editor Kit Slack kit@hyattsvillelife.com
A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville
Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781
http://facebook.com/ HyattsvilleLife
http://twitter.com/HvilleTimes
Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Streetcar Suburbs Publishing Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses provided.
streetcarsuburbs.news
Associate Editor Heather Wright heather@hyattsvillelife.com
Layout & Design Editors Ashley Perks, Valerie Morris
Streetcar Suburbs Web Editor Sophie Gorman Oriani sophie@hyattsvillelife.com
Streetcar Suburbs Webmaster Jessica Burshtynskyy jessica@hyattsvillelife.com
Copy Editor Nancy Welch
Writers & Contributors Victoria Boucher, Juliette Fradin, Josie Jack, Taneen Momeni, Hunter Savery
HyattsKIDS Adult Advisor Mary Frances Jiménez
economic situation in El Salvador led Gonzalez and Portillo to start thinking about making a change. In 2018, they decided to move to the U.S. After consulting with a friend who does market research, they decided the D.C.Maryland-Virginia region was their best option. The couple sold everything they owned except the smoker and headed for Riverdale Park with B-1 visas, which classified them as temporary business visitors.
Portillo said, “When people ask us how long ago we came
Advertising advertising@hyattsvillelife.com
301.531.5234 Business Manager Catie Currie catie@hyattsvillelife.com Advertising
to the states, and we say, ‘We came in 2018,’ they correct me and say, ‘Do you mean 2008?’ And I say, ‘No, no — we really just moved.’”
At the Riverdale Park Farmers Market, Gonzalez’s barbecue quickly developed a following. They started selling at the farmers market just after Thanksgiving, and by spring, they were collaborating with businesses like Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. for pop-up events, further raising their profile.
According to Portillo, the hype started when they began selling out of all of their meat early in the day, and people knew they had to come early or pre-order to get anything.
Portillo said, “[Our customers]
saw us at the market during the winter, fall, spring and the terrible days of summer. They’ve seen it all, and I think they respect that, and it’s something that connects us with the community. “
It wasn’t long before Gonzalez and Portillo were looking for a brick-and-mortar location.
The process of finding a location and getting approval took over a year, Gonzalez said. By the time 2Fifty was ready to open its doors, it was April 2020. COVID-19 restrictions meant that there wasn’t a sit-down restaurant open anywhere in the state, and many people were afraid to even leave their homes.
Gonzalez and Portillo said they knew they had to push on or lose everything. Their ability to remain in this country depended on their restaurant being a success. Their B-1 visas had been converted to L-1A visas, a status usually reserved for multinational executives, but which allowed them to remain in the country and potentially pursue citizenship as long as they kept providing jobs. So 2Fifty put out the call on social media that they would be open for carryout, and Gonzalez and Portillo waited and hoped.
To their surprise, they said, on opening day there was a line down the block, and by sheer luck, a writer from Eater DC was there.
As lockdown restrictions eased, 2Fifty has been able to open for in-person dining. 2Fifty now has 35 employees, working between the original Riverdale Park location and a smaller space in Union Market serving a pared-down menu. In spite of the accolades, Gonzalez comes across as less of a master chef than an obsessive fan of barbecue. My conversation with Gonzalez and Portillo took place just hours before they headed to Texas to learn even more from the experts. He said over and over again, “We’re still learning.”
