12-2022 Hyattsville Life & Times

GUN VIOLENCE AVERTED? The HPD confiscates gun from sleeping teen. P. 2

THE GIFT OF TIME: Experiential gift-giving ideas for the holidays, P. 5

Domestic violence spikes during holidays

By Lisa Wölfl

The winter holidays are here, and for many, this season is one of reflection and quality time with family. For victims of domestic violence, however, this time of year can be especially dangerous. As Gwen McCraw explained in an interview, calls to shelters typically increase over the winter holidays, as well as around July Fourth and over Labor Day weekend. McCraw is the director of Safe Passages, the

Nest Proper opens its nest in Hyattsville

By Sophie Gorman Oriani

Nest Proper, a woman-owned lifestyle store, is the latest business to open along Route 1. Erica Riggio and Angela Justice, co-founders and co-owners of Green Owl Design, are the forces behind this new boutique. Riggio and Justice opened Green Owl Design in Hyattsville in 2014. While Green Owl Design provides complete interior design services, Nest Proper is focused on helping people make small changes to their homes. According to a press release, the boutique

MERRY AND BRIGHT

Streetcar 82's Mark Burke nurtures Deaf ecosystem

By Heather Marléne Zadig

Hyattsville’s own Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. has already made its mark as a popular watering hole in the four years since it opened — and now, one of its co-owners has received top honors from the State of Maryland for his contributions to the local Deaf community. On

Oct. 11, Mark Burke, co-founder and co-owner of Streetcar 82, received the Spirit of the Deaf Ecosystem Award, presented by the Governor’s Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, “for his support and empowerment of the economic mobility of Deaf and hard of hearing individuals,” according to the press release.

CENTER SECTION: Check out

The Hyattsville Life & Times recently spoke with Mark Burke about the award’s significance and the Deaf ecosystem championed by the governor’s office.

“We did not open [Streetcar 82] with the intention of being a Deaf brewery — just a brewery that happens to be owned by Deaf people and brings the

Mark Burke JULIETTE FRADIN PHOTOGRAPHY

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Streetcar Suburbs needs your support!

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We do this year-round. Consider the following:

• Our article about the Hyattsville Police Department’s six-month lag in publishing crime reports; most (though not all) of the missing information was disclosed soon after we brought the issue to light

NEWS BRIEFS VISIT

CITY COUNCIL VOTES IN FAVOR OF NEW WARD BOUNDARY MAP

The Hyattsville City Council has voted to move forward with a new map of the boundaries of the city’s five wards, following the population data from the latest census.

While the redistricting commission proposed two maps for the city council to choose from on Nov. 7, the council rejected both maps and requested the redistricting commission make a number of changes to the ward boundaries.

The redistricting commission provided two additional new maps for the council to consider on Nov. 21, and it was one of those maps that the council chose, voting 6-4 in favor of the

• Our reporting on the Purple Line planning process, which explained how Guilford Woods was being targeted for development through one planning process, while being taken off the table in another

• Our series of stories on Northwestern High School, stories which have celebrated the achievements of young people there, and encouraged a focus on tackling security challenges outside the building

• Our election guides and articles analyzing campaign finance contributions in local elections

This is reporting you won’t find anywhere else (certainly not in the national news!), and it covers the issues that most impact you day-to-day — city services,

second new map, called Council Requests B.

The choice of maps was controversial, as the redistricting commission recommended the Growth Conscious map, which was designed to keep ward sizes more equal over the coming decade as known development projects in the city are completed. Andrew Sayer, the chair of the redistricting commission, also noted that the public had had far more opportunity to comment on the Growth Conscious map, which had already undergone several revisions.

Councilmember Sam Denes (Ward 1) criticized the city council for what he saw as having injected politics and gerrymandering into the redistricting process. “The Council Requests map represents

local development and local schools.

As a nonprofit, we depend on the support of readers like you to keep this critical work going. That’s why we’re excited to share that we have a wonderful opportunity to increase the impact of your donation through NewsMatch, a program that supports nonprofit news organizations across the country. Through Dec. 31, NewsMatch will match your donation. We can earn up to $15,000 in matching dollars, which means our nonprofit, Streetcar Suburbs News, can raise $30,000 in total between your donations at the match.

For a nonprofit organization like us, this is a big deal and will help us deliver the kind of news and information you’ve come to expect. It’s the kind of

elected officials choosing their voters, rather than the voters choosing their elected officials,” he said.

Joseph Solomon (Ward 5), who moved that the council select the Council Requests B map, responded that although the councilmembers brought the requests to the table, they were passing on feedback they had received from residents of their wards.

The map passed by a narrow margin, with Solomon, Joanne Wasczcak (Ward 1), Emily Strab (Ward 2), Edouard Haba (Ward 4), Rommel Sandino (Ward 5) and Mayor Robert Croslin voting in favor. Denes, Danny Schaible (Ward 2), Jimmy McClellan (Ward 3) and Daniel Peabody (Ward 4) voted against. Ben Simasek (Ward 3)

Managing Editor for the Hyattsville Life and Times Sought

Streetcar Suburbs Publishing is seeking a managing editor for this newspaper, the Hyattsville Life and Times.

The managing editor is responsible for connecting story ideas with writers and photographers, editing copy as it comes in, monitoring beats, and attending city events as needed.

The editor must be able to contribute editorial content, recruit and manage volunteer staffing, and ensure that content conforms to house style and standards. This part-time contract position is home-office based with flexible hours, but requires some weekend and evening availability.

To receive a full position description, email joemurchison2@gmail.com. Cover letters and resumes should be sent to joemurchison2@gmail.com, stullich@earthlink.net and bdicker@american.edu.

reporting that can make a real difference in our community. And it’s worthy of your support.

To make a donation, scan the QR code below, visit streetcarsuburbs.news/donate or mail a check to Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, P.O. Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781-0132. Thank you!

was absent.

After the vote, Croslin expressed his gratitude to the redistricting commission for their work.

The newly accepted boundaries must be approved by a charter amendment resolution. There will be a public hearing on Dec. 19, ahead of that night’s city council meeting, during which the resolution will likely be passed.

POLICE ARREST TEEN SLEEPING WITH LOADED GUN

On Nov. 27, Hyattsville police removed a gun from a sleeping 15-year-old boy, and arrested him.

According to a press release, the police were called to the Madison Street home by the child’s parents, who found him sleeping with the gun. Police were able to remove the gun without waking the boy. They then woke him up and arrested him without resistance.

The gun, which the police described as “a short-barreled, AR-15-style rifle with a 30-round magazine,” was loaded with two bullets.

“This is a story about the parent doing the right thing to keep everyone safe,” said Hyattsville Police Chief Jarod J. Towers, who noted that this was not the first time his department had had contact with the teen. Because the boy is being tried as a juvenile, limited information has been released about the incident. The press release did state that the child is being charged with possessing a firearm under the age of 21, as well as with altering the gun’s serial number.

HYATTSVILLE MAN ARRESTED FOR FATAL STABBING

The Prince George’s County Police have arrested 65-yearold Rasheed Anwar and charged him with the murder of 19-year-old Therry Buhdeng of Bladensburg. (All homicides are investigated by county police rather than the city police.) Buhdeng was stabbed during the morning of Nov. 16, in the 4600 block of Baltimore Avenue, and died about two weeks later in the hospital. According to a blog post by the county poSEE BRIEFS ON 6 

City distributing relief funds to small businesses, households and nonprofits

By Claire Panak Tombes

The City of Hyattsville received $17.9 million from America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and has allocated $3.7 million so far for the city’s relief programs for small businesses, households, nonprofits and child care providers. Under program rules, the city can use up to $10 million as revenue replacement for normal city operations, and any money not contractually obligated by the end of 2024 is forfeited. Small businesses and households must be in the City of Hyattsville to be eligible, while general nonprofits must primarily serve the city. All three types of applicants must demonstrate financial harm during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are no restrictions on how grant funds can be used once awarded. Nonprofit food assistance and child care provider grantees do not have to demonstrate harm but must use the funds to benefit Hyattsville residents.

The Household Emergency Relief Program, which provides grants of up to $5,000 per eligible household, is being administered by the Hyattsville Community Development Corporation; the program received 280 geographically eligible applications as of early December, for an estimated total of $1.2 million, accord-

ing to the city’s ARPA program manager, Patrick Paschall. The city council initially allocated $1 million for the program, and Paschall said in an interview that he anticipates recommending an additional allocation in the coming months.

Like the household relief program, the Small Business Emergency Relief Program has received numerous applications. According to Krissi Humbard, Small Business Recovery coordinator, it has awarded 60 grants totaling $825,400. The grantees have been concentrated in the city’s main commercial areas: the Arts District along Route 1, the Mall at Prince George’s area and the Queens Chapel Town Center area. About 50% of the grant money awarded so far has gone to businesses in the Arts District, according to a map of awards provided by the city.

In contrast to the high demand for the household and small business programs, the city’s nonprofit, food assistance and child care relief programs have received relatively few applications.

The city council approved $900,000 for general nonprofit relief, along with $200,000 for nonprofit food assistance programs and $100,000 to child care programs serving Hyattsville residents. As of the Dec. 5 council meeting, the city had awarded 14% of the general nonprofit funds to five Hyattsville nonprofits, with Art Works Now and Pyramid Atlantic Art Center both receiving the maximum award of $25,000. An additional three are under review, including Streetcar Sub-

urbs Publishing, which puts out the Hyattsville Life & Times. The city also awarded $25,000 to Greater Riverdale Cares and $20,000 to St. Mark’s Food Pantry from the food assistance program fund, according to Paschall.

The city has received only two applications for the Childcare Assistance Fund, which reimburses child care providers up to $25,000 for eligible cost per the city’s website. According to the state database of child care providers, the city has 18 licensed child care providers, including nine child care centers and six family child care homes, which together have 662 licensed spots for children below kindergarten age. Nationwide, the child care sector has lost approximately 10% of its pre-pandemic workforce, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Additional federal data indicates that approximately 37% of children under the age of 5 receive care through a child care center.

Paschall said that he anticipates presenting a program update at the Dec. 19 city council meeting, including allocation adjustments for existing programs in January. The city will solicit the next round of public input on ARPA fund spending through its Hello Hyattsville platform, hellohyattsville.com.

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In contrast to the high demand for the household and small business programs, the city’s nonprofit, food assistance and child care relief programs have received relatively few applications.

LIFE & TIMES LOCAVORE

Uncompromisingly local

By Imke-Ahlf-Wien

Ialmost drove past Blue Berwyn Farm when I visited Stephanie Young on a crisp morning this past November. I had expected fields upon fields of greens and other vegetables. But there it was, a small blue house, surrounded by one-tenth of an acre of vegetable beds and a small greenhouse. How can you supply two area farmers markets for six months a year with vegetables from an area smaller than my backyard? Wow!

Stephanie and her husband, Alex, bought the house in 2016, and Stephanie, who learned to enjoy gardening as a child in her native Vermont, immediately planted a vegetable garden. The yield soon became too much for the couple to consume on their own, so during the pandemic summer of 2020, Stephanie started selling the surplus directly from her curbside.

Her neighbors embraced

these offerings, appreciating the hyperlocal access to nutritious foods grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. In 2021, Stephanie had enough produce to sell at the Hollywood Farmers Market, in College Park, and she started selling at the Riverdale Park Farmers Market in 2022.

Stephanie’s eyes light up as we walk around the vegetable patches. In the fall, she grows a large variety of greens, including lettuce, arugula, tatsoi, bok choy, Swiss chard and kale, as well as green onions and garlic, beets, radishes and carrots. She pulls a tiny carrot from the ground and hands it to me.

“These will be ready in December,” she says with a big smile — and right away a recipe comes to mind (see right). “Don’t forget the green tops,” she adds, reminding me that you can eat the greens of many a root vegetable: beets, radishes and, yes, even carrots.

Stephanie, who has degrees in math and physics and worked

Velvety Carrot Soup (serves 4)

This elegant recipe can be served as a simple meal on its own, with a green salad and some fresh bread on the side. The earthy flavors also make it a great prelude to any wintry holiday main dish you may be cooking up this season. The carrots I’ve used here are the winter variety Bolero from Blue Berwyn Farm — known for their sweetness. Other varieties will work, as well.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 medium onion

• One 1-inch piece of fresh ginger

• 6 large carrots (about 1¼ pounds)

• 1 teaspoon sea salt (or more, to taste)

• 1 teaspoon cumin

Directions

B Peel and dice the onions and ginger.

B Scrub the carrots under running water. Remove the ends and cut into ¼-inch slices.

B Melt the butter in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onions and sauté for about 4 minutes, until translucent. Add the ginger and sauté for another 2 minutes. Add the carrots; sauté for another minute.

B Add salt, cumin, cinnamon and smoked paprika; mix well.

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika powder

• pinch of cinnamon

• 2½ cups water or chicken stock

• ½ cup apple cider

for garnish: sour cream, slivered almonds, carrot green pesto

B Add the water or stock and the apple cider. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer until the carrots are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool slightly.

B Purée the soup with a hand-held blender or in batches in a stand blender.

B Ladle into bowls and garnish with sour cream, slivered almonds or carrot green pesto, as desired.

(see recipe online at StreetcarSuburbs.News)

as a math teacher for six years before tending to her gardens full time, does most of the work herself and by hand. Her husband pitches in sometimes, and since September, she has the help of a volunteer who comes in for several hours every week. This frees up time to dedicate more energy to her other projects: growing flowers (in her neighbors’ yard) and drying them for small bouquets, along with making soap, jam, wreath kits and handcrafted cards, which often include pressed flowers.

WHERE TO BUY FROM STEPHANIE:

• March to mid-December: Riverdale Park Farmers Market

• May to November: Hollywood Farmers Market

• During the winter months: Email BlueBerwyn@gmail.com to join her mailing list and order à la carte once a week.

Imke Ahlf-Wien is a nutrition educator with a passion for fresh, locally procured foods.

Experiential gift ideas for the holidays

By Jessica Arends

No kidding, Hyattsvillans, the holidays can be stressful. A looming shopping deadline, unpredictable delivery dates, that unspoken pressure to find the perfect thing. Perhaps like me, you’ve exhausted all your ideas: No need to add to my sister’s teetering stack of cookbooks; the potentially hazardous waste of the latest tech gadget gives my conscience pause; and, yes, my crochet skills have improved, but does Aunt Marge really need another potholder?

EXPERIENTIAL GIFTS

Here are some ways to trade the stressful quest of the tangible for the joy of the experiential:

Shake off the winter blues with a loved one by giving them a class you can take together at Joe’s Movement Emporium, in Mount Rainier. Joe’s class offerings include jazz, yoga and belly dancing. If you both can’t make it in person, you can download on-demand classes like a salsa workout for free from their website and dance from the comfort and convenience of your home.

Instead of buying a pack of colored pencils for your art-curious nephew, consider supporting his creative skills through the Snag It! Program at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center. Participants ages 12 to 22 learn the skills of print-, paper- and book-making from expert artists through hands-on and virtual workshops.

For the aspiring fabric artists in your social circle, Three Little Birds Sewing Co. offers sewing classes for all levels, including Parent & Me Sewing (ages 6 and up) and a five-week After School Sewing Series, during which kids can make an eye pillow, tote bag, quilted placemat and a garment of their choosing. According to owner Katie Blattner, the shop’s mission is to cultivate a creative community and offer students a place to foster their skills. “We believe that creating is good for the soul,” says Blattner.

THE GIFT OF TIME

One of the most valuable gifts we can give is our time. Consider a few ways to enjoy the outdoors together this winter:

On Dec. 31, celebrate a kid-friendly countdown with a “Noon” Year’s Eve Campfire at the Watkins Nature Center in Upper Marlboro. Nature tales and roasted marshmallows will be shared over a campfire. If the kids get restless, take them up to say “hi” to the chickens, goats and horses at the Old Maryland Farm located in the same park. Admission for the campfire is $5-7.

Take family and friends (ages 12 and up) out on a hike to learn about the 75+ archaeological sites in the area. Patuxent River Park will host the next Archeology

Hike Through History on Jan. 7, 2023. Tour guides will share about local Indigenous villages, colonial port towns and shipwrecks. The hike covers about three miles on a natural trail path and includes stairs. Admission is $3-5.

POST-HOLIDAY RECOVERY GIFTS

After the holidays, you might need a kidfree date night with your sweetie. Parents can sign their kids up for an evening art class through the Parents’ Night Out program at Art Works Now and enjoy an evening to themselves. Kids, ages 5 to 12, may paint, sculpt or craft while watching a movie and eating pizza. Cost is $45 per child, and sliding-scale pricing is available, with 10% off per sibling set.

If you are still working from home and need a bit more community, consider renting office space from A\Ventures or CAMPspace. Single desks, conference space and outdoor patios are available for a change of scenery. Both venues are locally owned and within walking distance of Vigilante Coffee Company.

And if you’re still feeling stressed, gift yourself a massage at Shine Massage in College Park. They offer 60-, 75- and 90-minute Swedish, deep tissue, Reiki, myofascial release and prenatal treatments in a welcoming and inclusive space.

Hopefully, these ideas will inspire gifts that keep on giving by creating longlasting memories for you and your loved ones. But if you simply must find something to wrap, visit Hyattsville’s guide to buying local at hyattsville.org/lovelocal.

Jessica Arends is the arts, culture and lifestyle columnist for the Hyattsville

Foster parents aren’t replacements — they’re extra support for children and their families in need.

Los padres de crianza o acogida temporal no son reemplazos. Representan una ayuda adicional para niños y familias que lo necesitan.

Maggie York models the quilt she made at a Three Little Birds Sewing Co. class. COURTESY OF KATIE BLATTNER

sells items for “elevating life’s everyday experiences.”

Nest Proper’s small size and simple layout give it a calm, warm feel. The walls are a myrtle green, with wood accents throughout. Customers are greeted warmly, and allowed to browse at their leisure. The shop feels filled but not overfull, and scented candles provide a pleasant aroma.

The boutique’s upscale home goods and wearables range from Christmas tree ornaments and books, to wool scarves and jeans, to silk robes and jewelry. Artwork, kitchen tools, and bath and body products are among items neatly arranged on the display shelves. In one corner, there is a baby onesie with a picture of a vaccine needle that reads “Hit me with your best shots.” A floor-length plum-colored gown hangs on one wall.

In an interview with the Hyattsville Life & Times, Riggio and Justice explained how they carefully curate the items in the shop to help make good design more accessible. The items they have chosen to bring into the store are intended for a variety of price points to fit a wide range of budgets; many items are less than $10. Most of Nest Proper’s merchandise is from domestic small businesses, and Riggio said that about a third is locally made, particularly the artwork and jewelry. Riggio and Justice are actively working to include goods from local artists and makers, and would be happy to see this percentage rise. Some of the items for sale have a local flavor to them, such as artistic versions of area maps and Hyattsville-themed postcards and mugs.

Nest Proper also hosts events, like evening sip-and-shops, game nights and a cookie-decorating workshop for children.

Nest Proper, located at 5303 Baltimore Avenue, Ste. 102, is open for holiday shopping from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Shop online at shopgreenowl.com (not all items are available online) or visit nestproper.com for a list of holiday events.

AdirondAck Tree experTs

FROM PAGE 2

lice, Anwar and Buhdeng did not appear to have known each other, and the motive for the stabbing remains unclear; the police department continues to investigate.

Anwar, who has an address in Ward 1, is charged with three felonies: first- and second-de-

gree murder and first-degree assault, as well as two misdemeanors. As of press time, he is being held without bond. To report information relevant to this investigation, call detectives at 301.516.2512 or report anonymously to Crime Solvers at 1.866.411.TIPS, online at pgcrimesolvers.com or via the P3 Tips mobile app. Refer to case number 22-0058591.

Nest Proper is owned by Angela Justice (left) and Erica Riggio. COURTESY OF MARY PAT COLLINS PHOTOGRAPHY

The Hyattsville Reporter

The City’s and ArtWorks Now fall classes for seniors concluded earlier this month with a “runway” show that featured the students and their colorful vests and creative hats! Email seniors@hyattsville.org if you’re interested in signing up for future classes. ¡Las clases de otoño de la Ciudad y ArtWorks Now para personas de la tercera concluyeron a principios de este mes con un show “pasarela” que presentó a los estudiantes y sus coloridos chalecos y sombreros creativos! Envíe un email a seniors@hyattsville.org si está interesado en inscribirse en futuras clases.

¡Solicite Ayuda de Emergencia! Apply for Emergency Relief!

The City of Hyattsville is still accepting applications for its Household Emergency Relief program! Regardless of legal status, individuals may be eligible for up to $2,500 per adult plus $1,250 per dependent child, not to exceed $5,000 per household. Applicants must be City residents and demonstrate financial need caused by the pandemic. Before applying, please ensure your address is eligible at hyattsville.org/isithyattsville. Applications can be completed online at hycdc.org, over the phone by calling (301) 683-8267 Monday – Friday between 3 – 5 p.m., or in person by calling (301) 683-8267 to schedule an appointment.

The City’s small business emergency relief program has received an additional $500,000 in funding! Eligible small businesses, non-profits, and childcare providers are encouraged to apply for up $25,000 in emergency relief for COVID-19-related economic difficulties at hyattsville.org/rescueplan.

HOLIDAY CLOSURES & CHANGES IN WASTE SERVICES

Hyattsville’s administrative offices will be closed on December 26 and January 2, in observance of Christmas and New Year’s Day. The City’s COVID-19 testing and vaccination site will also be closed on December 24, 26, and January 2.

UPDATE: The site will now be open on December 31.

There will be no yard waste, compost, or leaf Monday collection services the weeks of December 26 and January 2. Trash and County recycling routes for both weeks will remain the same. Have questions? Please call (301) 985-5032.

¡La Ciudad de Hyattsville todavía está aceptando solicitudes para su programa de ayuda de emergencia para hogares! Independientemente del estado legal, las personas pueden ser elegibles para recibir hasta $2,500 por adulto más $1,250 por hijo dependiente, sin exceder los $5,000 por hogar. Los solicitantes deben ser residentes de la Ciudad y demostrar la necesidad financiera causada por la pandemia. Antes de aplicar, asegúrese de que su dirección sea elegible en hyattsville.org/isithyattsville. Las solicitudes se pueden completar en línea en hycdc.org, por teléfono llamando al (301) 683-8267 de lunes a viernes de 3 a 5 p. m., o en persona llamando al (301) 683-8267 para programar una cita.

¡El programa de ayuda de emergencia para negocios de la Ciudad ha recibido $500,000 adicionales en fondos! Se alienta a los negocios, organizaciones sin fines de lucro y proveedores de cuidado infantil elegibles a solicitar hasta $25,000 en ayuda de emergencia para las dificultades económicas relacionadas con COVID-19 en hyattsville.org/rescueplan.

CIERRES FESTIVOS Y CAMBIOS EN SERVICIO

Las oficinas de Hyattsville estarán cerradas el 26 de diciembre y el 2 de enero, para observar Navidad y el Año Nuevo. El sitio de pruebas y vacunas de COVID-19 de la Ciudad también estará cerrado el 24 y 26 de diciembre y el 2 de enero. El sitio se abrirá el 31 de diciembre.

No habrá servicios de recolección de residuos de yarda, compostaje u hojas los lunes las semanas del 26 de diciembre y el 2 de enero. Las rutas de basura y reciclaje seguirán siendo las mismas. ¿Preguntas? Llame al (301) 985-5032.

ANNOUNCEMENTS | ANUNCIOS

SHARE YOUR IDEAS FOR THE FUTURE OF HYATTSVILLE!

Hello Hyattsville – make sure your voice is heard as we set our next five-year Community Sustainability Plan! Please save the date for our Hello Hyattsville Live virtual event at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14.

We also encourage everyone to check out the Sustainability Plan page on HelloHyattsville.com, as the conversation topics were recently updated based on detailed feedback received during this fall’s community planning sessions. Please help us further refine our future plan by providing your comments!

SHOP HYATTSVILLE FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

Support our small businesses this holiday season by shopping local! Visit hyattsville.org/lovelocal for a map and list of businesses offering special discounts this holiday season. Be sure to also take advantage of the free parking in City lots offered through January 1 (excluding meters). Find a map of City parking lots at hyattsville.org/parking.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Keep yourself and your family healthy this holiday season! The City’s COVID-19 vaccine clinic now offers FREE flu shots as well as COVID shots and boosters on Tuesdays and Saturdays! The site at 6201 Belcrest Road is open Tuesdays from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Free COVID-19 PCR testing is offered at the site on Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Find more info at hyattsville.org/covidvaccine.

RHODE ISLAND TROLLEY TRAIL CONSTRUCTION

The Maryland State Highway Administration has begun construction on the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail extension, resulting in lane closures along U.S. Route 1 northbound. Please be prepared for extra traffic in the area, particularly around rush hour. Residents are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible. Additional project details can be found at hyattsville.org/streets.

HEALTH & WELLNESS SURVEY

Our Health, Wellness, and Recreation Committee is interested in hearing from residents to better understand the needs of the community! Please take a few minutes to complete a brief five-question survey at hellohyattsville.com.

WINTER SAFETY TIPS

Make sure you’re prepared for winter weather! Be sure to have a supply of non-perishable foods, batteries, and warm clothing available in your home and vehicle. If a winter storm brings down a utility wire, please stay away and report it to the appropriate utility company. Contact info is available at hyattsville.org/utilities.

A reminder that Hyattsville residents are responsible for keeping the sidewalks adjacent to their properties clear of snow. Snow should be removed within 24 hours after snowfall ceases. The City can provide shovels and gloves to residents willing to help neighbors unable to clear their sidewalk. Contact community@hyattsville.org or (301) 9855000 to request materials for pickup at the City Building.

¡COMPARTA IDEAS PARA EL FUTURO DE HYATTSVILLE!

Hola Hyattsville - ¡asegúrate de que tu voz sea escuchada mientras definimos nuestro próximo Plan de Sostenibilidad Comunitaria de cinco años! Reserve la fecha para nuestro evento virtual de Hello Hyattsville en Vivo a las 6 p.m. el miércoles, 14 de diciembre.

También animamos a todos a visitar la pagina de sostenibilidad en HelloHyattsville.com, ya que los temas de conversación se han actualizado en base a los comentarios recibidos durante las sesiones de planificación comunitaria de este otoño. Por favor, ¡ayúdenos a perfeccionar nuestro plan futuro aportando sus comentarios!

¡COMPRA EN HYATTSVILLE PARA LAS FIESTAS!

¡Apoye a nuestros negocios esta temporada comprando localmente! Visite hyattsville.org/lovelocal para obtener un mapa y una lista de negocios que ofrecen descuentos especiales esta temporada. Asegúrese de aprovechar también del estacionamiento gratuito en los lotes de la Ciudad ofrecido hasta el 1 de enero (sin contar los parquímetros). Encuentre un mapa de los lotes de la Ciudad en hyattsville.org/parking.

ACTUALIZACIÓN DE COVID-19

¡Manténgase saludable a usted y su familia esta temporada invernal! La clínica de vacunas contra el COVID-19 de la Ciudad ahora ofrece vacunas contra la gripe GRATIS ádemas de vacunas y dosís de refuerzo contra el COVID los martes y sábados. El sitio en 6201 Belcrest Road está abierto los martes de 11 a. m. a 7 p. m. y los sábados de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. También se ofrece pruebas gratuitas de PCR de COVID-19 los lunes y jueves de 9 a. m. a 3 p. m. y sábados de 9 a.m. a 1 p.m. Más info en hyattsville.org/covidvaccine.

CONSTRUCCIÓN DE RHODE ISLAND TROLLEY TRAIL

La Administración de Carreteras del Estado de Maryland ha comenzado la construcción de la extensión de Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail, resultando en cierres de carriles a lo largo de la Ruta 1 en dirección norte. Esté preparado para el tráfico adicional en el área, especialmente durante las horas de alto trafico. Se alienta a los residentes a buscar rutas alternativas si es posible. Se pueden encontrar detalles adicionales del proyecto en hyattsville.org/streets.

ENCUESTA DE SALUD Y BIENESTAR

¡Nuestro Comité de Salud, Bienestar y Recreación está interesado en escucharlo para comprender mejor las necesidades de la comunidad! Tómese unos minutos para completar una encuesta de 5 preguntas en hellohyattsville.com.

CONSEJOS DE SEGURIDAD PARA EL INVIERNO

¡Asegúrate de estar preparado para el clima invernal! Asegúrese de tener un suministro de alimentos no perecederos, baterías y ropa adicional disponible en su hogar y vehículo. Si una tormenta de invierno derriba un cable de servicios públicos, manténgase alejado e informe a la compañía de servicios públicos correspondiente. La información de contacto está disponible en hyattsville.org/utilities.

Un recordatorio de que los residentes son responsables de mantener libres de nieve las aceras por sus propiedades. La nieve debe ser limpiada dentro de las 24 horas despúes de que termine nevando. La Ciudad puede proporcionar palas y guantes a residentes que deseen ayudar a vecinos que no puedan limpiar. Comuníquese con community@hyattsville. org o (301) 985-5000 para solicitar materiales.

CALENDAR | CALENDARIO

WINTER CAMP

Registration for the City’s Winter Youth Camp that runs from December 27 - 30 closes on Thursday, December 15! Sign your camper up for a day (or week) of fun at the Driskell Park Center at hyattsville.org/camps.

INVASIVE PLANT REMOVALS

Help us remove invasive plant species from Driskell Park from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 17! Student service-learning hours are available! RSVP by contacting Hyattsville Environmental Programs Manager Dawn Taft at (240) 487-0290 or environment@ hyattsville.org.

PUBLIC HEARING

A final public hearing on the City’s Redistricting process will take place virutally on Monday, December 19, at 6 p.m. Learn more & register at hyattsville.org/calendar.

“CLAUS APPLAUSE” HOLIDAY LIGHTS CONTEST

We need your help judging the nominated homes for the “Claus Applause” holiday lights contest, Hyattsville! Visit hyattsville.org/applause between December 19 - 29 to vote for your favorite decorations! Winners will be announced at the January 3 City Council meeting.

FRESH PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION

The City’s next fresh produce distribution is on Tuesday, December 20, starting at noon, at the First United Methodist Church, 6201 Belcrest Rd. Produce is first come, first serve.

MLK DAY OF SERVICE

Save the date for a City-sponsored Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Monday, January 16! Details will be available soon at hyattsville.org/calendar.

CERT TRAINING

The Gateway District’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)kicks off their training on Tuesday, January 17, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., at the City Building, 4310 Gallatin Street. You can learn more about the CERT team & sign up for the training session at hyattsville.org/cert.

CREATIVE MINDS WINTER SESSION

The City’s Creative Minds program is returning for a winter session! Our parent-toddler program introduces the little ones to movement, art, literacy, free play, and much more! Programming is set to take place at the Driskell Park Recreation Center on Tuesdays from 10 – 11:30 a.m., from January 24 – March 14. Learn more at hyattsville.org/creativeminds.

CAMPAMENTO INVERNAL

¡La inscripción para el campamento juvenil de invierno de la Ciudad que se realizará del 27 al 30 de diciembre cierra el jueves 15 de diciembre! Inscriba a su campista para un día (o semana) de diversión en el Driskell Park Center en hyattsville.org/camps.

REMOVIMIENTO DE PLANTAS INVASORAS

Ayúdenos a eliminar las especies de plantas invasoras del Parque Driskell de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m. el sábado 17 de diciembre. ¡Hay horas de aprendizaje de servicio para estudiantes! Confirme su asistencia poniéndose en contacto con Dawn Taft, Directora de Programas Medioambientales de Hyattsville, al (240) 487-0290 o environment@hyattsville.org.

AUDIENCIA PÚBLICA

DISTRIBUCIÓN DE VERDURAS Y FRUTAS

La próxima distribución de verduras y frutas frescas de la Ciudad es el martes 20 de diciembre, a partir del mediodía, en la Iglesia First United Methodist, 6201 Belcrest Rd. El producto es servido por orden de llegada.

MAKE A PLAN TO PLANT NATIVE THIS SPRING!

SESIÓN DE INVIERNO DE MENTES CREATIVAS

¡Nuestro programa de Mentes Creativas de Hyattsville esta regresando para una sesión de invierno! Este programa de padres-niños pequeños introduce a los menores al movimiento, el arte, la alfabetización, el juego libre, ¡y mucho más! La programación se llevará a cabo en el Centro Recreativo del Parque Driskell los martes de 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., del 24 de enero al 14 de marzo Puede obtener más info e inscribirse en el programa en hyattsville.org/creativeminds.

¡HAGA

Una audiencia pública final sobre el proceso de redistribución de distritos de la Ciudad se llevará a cabo virtualmente el lunes 19 de diciembre a las 6 p.m. Obtenga más información y regístrese en hyattsville.org/ calendar.

CONCURSO DE LUCES FESTIVAS

“CLAUS APPLAUSE”

¡Necesitamos su ayuda para juzgar las casas nominadas para el concurso de luces festivas “Claus Applause”, Hyattsville! ¡Visite hyattsville.org/applause entre el 19 y el 29 de diciembre para votar por sus decoraciones favoritas! Los ganadores serán anunciados en la reunión del Concejo Municipal del 3 de enero.

DÍA DE SERVICIO

MLK

¡Guarde la fecha para un Día de Servicio de Martin Luther King Jr. patrocinado por la Ciudad el lunes 16 de enero! Los detalles estarán disponibles pronto en hyattsville.org/calendar.

ENTRENAMIENTO

PARA EQUIPO CERT

El Equipo de Respuesta a Emergencias Comunitarias (CERT) del Distrito Gateway inicia su capacitación el martes 17 de enero, de 6:30 p. m. a 8:30 p. m., en el edificio de la ciudad, 4310 Gallatin Street. Puede obtener más información sobre el equipo de CERT e inscribirse en la sesión de capacitación en hyattsville. org/cert.

PLANES PARA PLANTAR NATIVO ESTA PRIMAVERA!

Be ready for spring by attending our Audubon Wildlife Habitat Information Session at 7 p.m. on Wed, January 18! Learn about available resources and support from the Prince George’s Audubon Society to transform your yard into a sustainable ecosystem that’s a safe home for native plants, insects, and birds. The first 25 City residents to complete the program will receive a free yard certification sign courtesy of the City of Hyattsville! Learn more and register for the virtual session at hyattsville.org/enviro-education.

¡Prepárese para la primavera asistiendo a nuestra sesión informativa sobre el hábitat de vida silvestre de Audubon a las 7 p.m. el miércoles 18 de enero! Conozca los recursos disponibles y el apoyo de la Sociedad Audubon de Prince George’s para transformar su jardín en un ecosistema sostenible que sea un hogar seguro para plantas, insectos y aves nativas. ¡Los primeros 25 residentes de la ciudad que completen el programa recibirán un letrero de certificación de jardín gratis, cortesía de la Ciudad de Hyattsville! Obtenga más información y regístrese para la sesión virtual en hyattsville.org/enviro-education.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Our list of events sponsored by local nonprofits, arts organizations and performance venues, occurring between Dec. 17 and Jan. 14; all information is current as of Dec. 8. 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 Jan. 15 and Feb. 14 to managingeditor@ hyattsvillelife.com by Jan. 6.

RECURRING

Busboys and Poets hosts an open mic for poets every Thursday. $5. 8 to 10 p.m. 5331 Baltimore Ave. 301.779.2787. Busboysandpoets.com

Weekly acoustic blues jams, in the Piedmont blues tradition. Proof of vaccination required; masks, too, unless singing or playing a harmonica or horn. Free. Saturdays 1 to 5 p.m. Archie Edwards Blues Foundation, 4502 Hamilton St. acousticblues.com

Sharpen your drawing skills in a relaxed, informal setting at Hyattsville figure drawing group's drop-in drawing sessions at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center. Sessions consist of several short warm-up poses and a single sustained pose for the duration of the session. Bring your own art supplies; drawing boards and chairs provided. $20/ session or $75/5-session punch card or $15/session for Pyramid Atlantic members.

Tuesdays, 6 to 9 p.m. 4218 Gallatin St. hyattsvillefiguredrawing@ gmail.com

ONGOING

Two art exhibitions at Brentwood Arts Exchange: “Here Not Here,” an exhibition which seeks to envision the enduring imprint of the past and the present, floating between the ethereal and the familiar, creating an immersive experience. Dec. 5, 2022 to Jan. 21, 2023. “Live.

Life.Alive” features nine artists whose work examines the impact of gun violence in the U.S. and invites its visitors to reflect on the present moment in history, and to act on ending gun violence.

Dec. 5, 2022 to Jan. 21, 2023. 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood, 301.277.2863

“Pastports,” featuring works by Rosa Leff, at Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center. In her meticulously hand-cut streetscapes, this art exhibition explores changing cities and the concept of time.

Leff will exhibit work she made pre-pandemic based on images from her travels across the globe alongside new work based on the same photos. Free. Dec. 17, 2022 to Jan. 29, 2023. 4218 Gallatin St. 301.608.9101

DECEMBER 17

Raediant Movement presents “Black Discourse,” a work in progress aiming to highlight the connections between movements throughout and across the African diaspora. It showcases Black American pedestrian movements and Black contemporary dance forms, while also infusing social and folk dances across the Caribbean, West Africa and Southern Africa into movements. Pay-what-youwish starting at $10. 7 to 8:30 p.m. Joe's Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier. Joesmovement.org

Opening reception for the art exhibition “Pastports” (see description above under “ongoing”). Free. 6 to 8 p.m. Register to attend at pyramidatnlanticartcenter.org. Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 4218 Gallatin St. 301.608.9101

Cookie decorating for little ones at Green Owl Design, with refreshments served next door at Nest Proper. Cookies and tools provided. Free. 2 to 4 p.m. Register at nestproper.com/ events. 5303 Baltimore Ave, suites 101 and 102. 301.660.3426.

DECEMBER 19

A caseworker from the Maryland Department of Human Services will be at the library to answer social service questions and assist with various tasks such as applying for SNAP, the Maryland energy assistance program, temporary cash assistance, temporary disability assistance, medical assistance, emergency assistance to families with children, and more. Free. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hyattsville Branch Library, 6530 Adelphi Rd. 301.985.4690

DECEMBER 20

Open mic at My Dead Aunt’s Books, hosted by Cherry Blossom Special. Suggested donation $10. Doors open at 7 p.m., music starts at 7:30 p.m. 5132 Baltimore Ave. mydeadauntsbooks.com

DECEMBER 21

Northwestern High School’s dance department presents “Into The Light,” with choreography by faculty and students. $5, cash or credit at the door; children 10 and under free. Justice Auditorium at Northwestern High School. 7000 Adelphi Rd. sandra. atkinson@pgcps.org

DECEMBER 22

A spirited evening at Nest Proper for adults to gift wrap “Santa’s” presents. Gift wrap provided. Free. 6 to 8 p.m. 5303 Baltimore Ave, Ste. 102. 301.660.3426

JANUARY 7

To kick off 2023, the Publick Playhouse will host its firstever E-Sports gaming tournament. Competitors will participate in a doubleelimination Smash Bros. tournament that will lead to the final showdown on the movie screen of the Playhouse for a cash prize. The event also includes a series of panel discussions throughout the day with professionals from the game creation industry to discuss career opportunities. Two age divisions: 8 to 12 and 13 to 17. $10 competitors; spectators free. Register at parksdirect.com. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710

PEXELS

MISS FLORIBUNDA

Pining for the past

Dear Miss Floribunda, December is a time when my thoughts go back to childhood Christmases. My family always brought in and decorated a pine tree, a live one with burlapwrapped roots. My mother, who was born on Christmas Day, loved them. Unfortunately, she was also allergic to the cut ones that shed their needles. A live tree gave her the fragrance she wanted without the sneezes. Then after Christmas, I would help my father dig a big hole and plant the tree outside. In time, our big yard in the suburbs of Pittsburgh was lined with pine trees that blocked out the street and made a wall of green all year round.

Now that my family and I have a house in Hyattsville, I’m thinking of restarting my family’s tradition of having a live tree each year and then planting it outside. There are lots of places right now that sell cut spruces, firs, balsams and even cedars at Christmas, but I haven’t seen any that sell live pines. Spruces smell good, too, but they don’t bring back the same memories. There is just something about the shape of a majestic pine tree and the sound the wind makes in its boughs that makes me want to recreate the pine windbreak of my memories. Do you know where I can find a live pine Christmas tree to start this out?

Nostalgic on Nicholson Street

Income Tax Preparation

Dear Nostalgic,

While I certainly sympathize with your yen to recapture the yules of yesteryear, I learned that finding a suitable pine tree is indeed a formidable quest.

My friend Noël Conifer and I roamed the same garden centers, hardware and big box stores you undoubtedly checked, but with no success. We remained unpersuaded that a Norfollk pine houseplant could survive outside in our climate.

We next contacted Boy Scout troops and church groups, but again found no veritable pine needles in those virtual hay stacks. Patuxent Nursery in Bowie does not have pines such as you describe, suitable for making a windbreak or wall of green. It carries a number of dwarf varieties; the Blue Angel, which is very slow growing; and the Angel Walls white pine, which is a weeping pine.

We decided to visit more farflung tree farms and nurseries, going as far as Sykesville in Maryland and Fairfax in Virginia. (Ironically, Pine Valley Farms carries only fir trees.) Merrifield Gardens in Falls Church, Va., doesn’t carry the Scotch pine so popular for Christmas trees but does have some nice fast-growing native white pines on-site that are 8-feet tall in the pot and 6-feet tall when

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planted. The lowest price would be $298. When we brazenly asked where we might find a better price, Betty’s Azalea Ranch in Fairfax, Va., was recommended. The knowledgeable person we spoke with there did cite lower prices, but these were for the dwarf Cortland rose pine and the very slowgrowing Bergman and Glauca Brevifolia Japanese varieties. If you can afford it, you could buy one sizable native white pine for this year, and then order younger, less expensive trees online and start your own nursery for yuletides to come.

Although I also cherish lovely memories related to pines — notably summers in Maine that a whiff of pine fragrance never fails to evoke — I’d like to warn those with smaller yards that white pines can grow up to 80 feet tall and have a spread of 40 feet. What’s worse, they are shallow rooted. I personally know of two occasions when magnificent old pine trees have fallen on houses during wind storms, and Noël has witnessed other incidents as severe.

While pine branches make wonderful silky-smooth swags with which to decorate stair rails and doorways, actual pine trees — with their widely spaced branches — look rather sparse compared to those of a spruce or fir. Also, ornaments tend to slip off their somewhat laxer branches, and it takes more effort to attach them.

Please come to a brief meeting of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society (HHS) at 10 a.m. on Dec. 17 at Laurie Singer’s studio and gazebo at 3918 Queensbury Road. A potluck party and the Antiques and Crafts Holiday Boutique, in which our hostess and three other HHS members will participate, will follow. And who knows? You might find pinescented candles, table arrangements or sachets for sale.

Miss Floribunda writes about gardening for the Hyattsville Life & Times. You may email her at missfloribundav@gmail.com.

only domestic violence shelter in Prince George’s County.

Community Crisis Services, Inc. (CCSI), which runs the 43-bed Safe Passages shelter, along with the county’s homeless shelters, has its offices in Hyattsville. The address of the domestic violence shelter remains protected as a safety measure. CCSI operates an emergency hotline and an online chat. Shelter and hotline services are available 24 hours a day, while the online chat is available from 8 a.m. to midnight daily.

Holidays can be stressful, and if a partner has violent tendencies, the added stress can worsen abuse, McCraw explained. And alcohol, which is often in the mix over holidays, can loosen inhibitions. “We hear this a lot: ‘If they’re not drinking, they’re fine. When they drink, that is when abuse occurs. That’s when they throw things. That’s when they punch the wall. That’s when they will hit me,’” she said.

Although more people reach out to Safe Passages for help over the winter holidays, calls to the Hyattsville Police Department (HPD) do not typically increase during these times, department spokesperson Adrienne Augustus stated in an email. “For the last couple of years, the number of reports to HPD involving cases of domestic violence have remained flat,” she said.

McCraw stressed that domestic abuse isn’t confined to physical violence. If a person is controlling their partner’s every move or finances, that is abuse, too. “We see a lot of coercion, where the partner will keep getting them pregnant, take the birth control from them,” McCraw said. According to her, some survivors don’t even realize that they’re being abused.

1.800.799.7233

Hyattsville Police Department (nonemergency)

301.985.5060

Emergency assistance

911

For survivors who have managed to leave an abusive relationship, the holidays can be “depressing,” said Jennifer Pollitt Hill, executive director of the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, in a phone interview. They might not have resources to buy gifts for their children and may be mourning the lost relationship.

The upcoming holidays could put further strain on emergency shelters that have been at or close to capacity since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2020, the Safe Passages shelter has hit capacity multiple times, McCraw said. “[People are] losing their jobs, [experiencing a] lack of food, getting behind on bills. I’m not saying that is a reason for you to become violent with someone, but that added more stress in the household."

During fiscal year 2022, Safe Passages served 211 women, 238 chil-

dren and 10 men, and provided 14,332 safe nights, according to McCraw, a 43% increase in nights compared to fiscal 2019.

The Prince George’s County Council approved a total of $500,000 in the fiscal 2023 budget for nonprofits that address domestic violence, including $55,000 to fund CCSI's Safe Passages shelter.

“Domestic violence remains a major challenge in the County, so we are incredibly grateful for the work of our nonprofits who provide critical service support to survivors of domestic violence and their families,” wrote At-Large County Councilmember and Chair Calvin S. Hawkins II, in a press release.

The increased demand for shelter in the county mirrors the situation throughout the state, according to Pollitt Hill. Instances of domestic violence are occurring more frequently, and the violence has gotten more severe since the start of the pandemic, she said.

A study by the National Commission on COVID-19 and Criminal Justice found that domestic violence incidents increased by 8.1% nationwide after the government imposed stay-at-home orders in 2020.

Some Maryland shelters have been overwhelmed by the demand. According to the National Network to End Domestic Violence, in 2020, a statewide lack of resources led to 248 unmet requests for help in Maryland. Of these unmet requests, 24% were

for housing or emergency shelter. McCraw said that she and her staff have never had to turn away someone seeking shelter. When Safe Passages reaches capacity, those still in need of support are housed in hotels or other safe places until a bed at the shelter becomes available.

McCraw urges even those not yet ready to leave an abusive situation to reach out for help. The shelter’s hotline also supports friends and family who are concerned that someone close to them may be experiencing abuse. McCraw offers this advice: “When in doubt, just call.”

The upcoming holidays could put further strain on emergency shelters that have been at or close to capacity since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

New housing planned in Riverdale Park

By Dan Behrend

Over the past several months, developers proposed plans for two new projects to build market-rate apartments and retail space in the Town of Riverdale Park.

THE CHAMBERS FUNERAL HOME PROPERTY

In September, Al-Kareem Properties LLC purchased the Chambers Funeral Home and Crematorium property at 5801 Cleveland Avenue, near DeMatha Catholic High School and the townhouses at the Arts District Hyattsville, for $2.5 million.

At the Sept. 7 Riverdale Park Mixed-Use Town Center (MUTC) Local Design Review Committee meeting, RAZ Development presented its preliminary plans to redevelop the property into a five-story, mixed-use building. The project currently includes approximately 148 apartments, 3,900 square feet of retail space and an underground parking garage.

At the meeting, architect Jeff Goins of PGN Architects in Washington, D.C., shared some initial renderings, which showed a brick building with curved balconies overlooking a plaza at the corner of Madison Street and Cleveland Avenue that would add a unique, but complimentary, design to the area. Members of the development team emphasized that the building would serve as a gateway to the town and that the design focused on a human-scale, pedestrian experience.

The initial plans feature a plaza, which would provide a com-

munity space and could include seating for the ground floor retail space and lobby to the apartments, accessible from the plaza.

The housing would consist of a mix of unit sizes, from studios to three-bedroom apartments. Some residences would include recessed balconies. While the plan proposes five stories, the fifth floor would be set back and less visible from the street.

There are plans for additional amenities for residents, including an interior courtyard, additional common areas on the ground floor and top floor, and a bike room in the garage. The early renderings also show plans for a green roof.

In addition to the Chambers property, RAZ Development is working to develop a mixed-use project in Hyattsville on Jamestown Road near the West Hyattsville Metro station.

Associate Editor Heather Wright heather@hyattsvillelife.com

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THE LOFTS AT RIVERDALE PARK

Werrlein Properties and the Douglas Development Corporation plan to redevelop several properties, owned by Douglas Development, near the Riverdale Park Town Center and MARC station. The Lofts at Riverdale Park would include approximately 83 to 92 apartments in two buildings near the intersection of Queensbury Road and Rhode Island Avenue and the Rhode Island Avenue Trolley Trail. An underground garage would provide resident parking. (Werrlein is also the developer of Suffrage Point in Hyattsville.)

A four-story building, with retail space on the ground floor and eight to 12 apartments, would replace the vacant building at 4701 Queensbury Road, between the trail and the train tracks.

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Total circulation is 9,300.

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The existing building, which formerly housed the Riverdale Bookstore & Coffee Depot until 2005 and the nonprofit Archie Edwards Blues Foundation until 2019, has been unoccupied for several years and shows signs of disrepair, including a partially collapsed roof. In 2019, a coffee roaster unsuccessfully attempted to raise $300,000 to renovate the building and open a coffee shop.

Across the street at 6108 Rhode Island Avenue, the developers would build a larger, three- to five-story building with 75 to 80 apartments, stretching between Queensbury Road and Riverdale Road.

At the Sept. 13 pre-application community meeting, the development team noted it planned to demolish most of the existing buildings to make room for new construction. However, architect Michael Romero mentioned that the development team will explore whether it is possible to move the vacant single-family home at 4609 Queensbury Road, which remains in relatively good condition, to another site.

Riviera Tapas Bar, the only tenant on the project site, will move from its current location (the building previously occupied by S&J’s Bar and Restaurant for several decades) across the street to a space vacated by Banana Blossom Bistro earlier this year.

To build the project as proposed, the development team will need to apply to the county to rezone the properties, which are currently zoned a combination of legacy mixed-use town center (MUTC) and single-family housing.

In addition to the September

community meeting, the development team presented a similar concept to the Riverdale Park MUTC Local Design Review Committee on Nov. 2.

Members of the review committee expressed support for more housing in the area along with concerns about the proposed scale of the buildings, which exceed the height envisioned for the location in the 2004 Riverdale Park MUTC Development Plan. Committee members also asked several questions related to the development team’s proposal to rezone the property as local transit-oriented planned development edge (LTO-PDE), which would affect the size of the building permitted and other standards applied to the development.

The proposed redevelopment coincides with several plans to improve the street design and safety in Town Center around the train track crossing. The town’s Trolley Trail and Parking Lot Redesign Project says it will “improve the design, circulation, and safety of multitravel modes through the Town Center.”

The town is also looking at options to reengineer the Lafayette Street and Natoli Place alignment to improve safety on the other side of the train tracks near Town Center Market. A regional plan to improve bike and pedestrian connections to the Purple Line stations recommended improved and wider sidewalks across the train tracks near the project site.

Development of the Chambers property and the Lofts at Riverdale Park are both in early stages of planning. As the projects progress through the county’s development process, they may evolve and details may change.

Romero said about the Lofts at Riverdale Park, “We are updating the design to respond to the comments we received from the community and the MUTC design review committee. The team plans to reconvene with the community in the new year to share the next iteration of design.”

Community members interested in learning more about the projects, or the changes that are made during the planning process, should watch for announcements of future presentations at meetings of the Riverdale Park MUTC Local Design Review Committee, the Riverdale Park Town Council and the Prince George’s County Planning Board.

A conceptual rendering of The Lofts at Riverdale Park, as viewed from the northeast COURTESY OF ROMERO ARCHITECTS, LLC AND BENNETT FRANK MCCARTHY ARCHITECTS, INC.

HPD nearing agreement with Treasury Department

By Heather Wright

While trying to ensure national financial security, U.S. Department of the Treasury officials reportedly have concerns about the physical security of their offices in Hyattsville.

The City of Hyattsville is working towards an agreement with the Department of the Treasury to increase the police presence at their office building, across from the Mall at Prince George’s in University Town Center, because of these concerns. During an interview with the Hyattsville Life & Times, Hyattsville Police Chief Jarod J. Towers said the Treasury Department requested more police protection after the August homicide at the mall, which was the second fatal shooting to take place there this year.

The Department of the Treasury is the

community together,” Burke said through an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter. “But with the Deaf ecosystem, I think that we have had a lot of impact.”

Burke described the Deaf ecosystem as a network of Deaf businesses, individuals and organizations that sustain and support the local Deaf and hard-of-hearing community by providing employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, raising awareness of Deaf culture and ASL among the hearing community, and attracting more Deaf families and individuals to the area.

According to the Institute on Employment and Disability, Deaf and hard-of-hearing adults are chronically underemployed, with fewer than 40% of people with a hearing disability working full time.

Kelby Brick, director of the governor’s office presenting the award, said that Burke’s work with Streetcar 82 epitomizes how the Deaf ecosystem should work. The brewery maintains an all-Deaf staff, for instance, and prioritizes Deaf contractors whenever possible, according to Burke.

Burke pointed out that people who are deaf, especially young people with no experience, face significant barriers to getting service jobs like bartending. After working at Streetcar 82, however, “there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to work at another bar or brewery,” he said.

Employee Daniella Reyna agrees. A student at Gallaudet University, Reyna credits Burke’s mentorship with prompting her to open her own

executive agency responsible for promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the financial security of the nation. According to a draft of the agreement, the agency has offices at 6505 Belfast Drive, housing more than 200 of its employees.

Although the Hyattsville Police Department (HPD) continues to have a staffing shortage (40 out of 50 sworn officers positions were filled, as of Nov. 7, according to a freedom of information act request), Towers explained that the Treasury Department’s request has generated a secondary, or extra duty, opportunity that is considered voluntary for officers. He said it would not burden the department and can help with officer retention.

“One of the things I’ve learned, through surveys and through conversations with other officers,” said Towers, “is that a lot of them care a lot about secondary em-

ployment opportunities and being able to make extra money.” (The Maryland Police Accountability Act of 2021 guarantees police officers a right to participate in secondary employment.)

The current draft of the agreement calls for an officer to provide additional security to the area every weekday for two 3-hour shifts, coinciding with morning and evening rush hours.

According to Towers, providing more protection to the Treasury Department, and similar secondary employment opportunities, can also provide more security throughout the city. He explained that if a critical incident, like a shooting, occurs while HPD officers are at the Treasury Department (or on any other secondary employment assignment), they are obligated to leave the assignment and respond to the incident. “It provides the

city with an opportunity for additional resources beyond what we’re allocated on any given day,” he said.

Towers noted that the city has entered into secondary employment agreements with The Home Depot, Northwestern High School, and local liquor and grocery stores.

Towers said it was unclear why the Department of the Treasury contacted the HPD, rather than a federal law enforcement agency, like the Federal Protective Service, or a private security contractor. He noted, however, that there is a current concern about the training level and standards of private security firms. “We are fortunate to have a very good relationship with our community, and we’re trusted, and I think that played a role,” said Towers. As of press time, the Department of the Treasury had not responded to several requests for comment.

In addition to providing opportunities for Deaf individuals, Streetcar 82 offers widely popular ASL classes to the hearing public.

Streetcar 82 regular Christine Blackerby said of her recent class, “I always felt like I should know a few [ASL] basics so that I can communicate without all the work falling on the deaf person, and Streetcar gave me a reason to use it. They offered ASL a few times pre-pandemic, but the classes sold out super fast. I jumped on this one — and it sold out within an hour of posting.”

dog treat business using spent grain from Streetcar 82.

“S82 is like a home to me, where I can go and be myself with my S82 family and customers,” she said in an email.

With Burke’s support, Reyna presented her business plan at a “Shark Tank”-style contest at Gallaudet, winning first place and a $5,000 prize. Now, she sells her treats at Streetcar 82. “It’s a close-knit community, just how it should be,” said Reyna.

In a 2019 interview with WOAB radio, Burke described his own experience with underemployment. Prior to opening the brewery, he said, he’d been unemployed for two years; in that time, he applied for hundreds of jobs but received only two interviews and zero offers.

“Twenty-five years ago, Deafowned businesses were not a thing because the resources were not there,” said Burke.

Now, it helps that Maryland has a policy-coordinating office for the Deaf and hard-ofhearing that reports directly to the governor — an organizational structure that is unique to the state, according to direc-

tor Brick. He said this structure “enhances accessibility” and “strengthens the network of services that Maryland provides.” Brick called Deaf ecosystems “a critical tool in combating the pervasive underemployment and unemployment that many Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals experience.”

Burke credits the fun factor of the brewery atmosphere with getting people over the inertia required to learn something new.

“I think people want the opportunity to learn ASL, but it’s not exciting to go to a community college,” he said. “Doing it here, that’s like a cool thing.”

North Brentwood-based artist

and activist Melissa Malzkuhn, who is third-generation Deaf, said over email that it was impossible to know if the Deaf ecosystem was the primary factor attracting Deaf residents to Hyattsville and surrounding areas, noting that home prices were one reason. Still, she said, the vibrancy of sign language, the Deaf community and openness to learning sign among the residents could certainly be a draw. “I love living here and appreciate the inclusion and access as a part of the community fabric here. I hope to see more Deaf businesses down the road.”

Burke made it clear that although he’s quite proud of the award, ultimately, his mission is simply to make great beer and provide a wonderful gathering space for the whole community. From the beginning, “that was my emphasis,” he said. “And still to this day, that is my emphasis.”

Mark Burke chats with an employee at Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Burke, a graduate of Gallaudet University, founded Streetcar 82 with fellow graduates Jon Cetrano and Sam Costner. JULIETTE FRADIN PHOTOGRAPHY

RENOVATED PEACE CROSS

Above: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan led the rededication ceremony for the newlyrenovated Bladensburg Peace Cross, left, on Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The 40-foot concrete memorial, first dedicated on July 12, 1925, by the American Legion, honors 49 residents of Prince George’s County who lost their lives during World War I. ©MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION