It's not quite lions and tigers and bears, but many College Park residents must have said "oh, my!" when word spread of a sighting of a black bear in nearby University Park.
According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), black bears, the largest of which can top the scales at 750 pounds or more, are typically not found in suburban areas, though we do see them here occasionally, especially in the spring.
For the first time since 2019, musicians with the National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F) performed “Peter and the Wolf” at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center at the University of Maryland (UMD) in June.
The NOI+F, currently in its 36th year at the university, brings young aspiring orchestral musicians from across the country to UMD for a month of master classes and
performances. Participants are selected through a rigorous nationwide audition process during which they have opportunities to demonstrate their passion for orchestral music.
“It is a gathering of some of the most incredibly talented musicians from all over the country,” said Jane Hirshberg, the artistic planning program director at The Clarice.
“We like to do family programs, and this is one of our
By Lydia Hurley
On June 13, College Park Mayor Fazlul Kabir and the city council swore in Alan Hew to fill the District 1 council seat that had been vacant since March.
Originally from Hawaii, Hew moved to Maryland in 1989 and started at the University of Maryland (UMD) in 1991. He graduated in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in natural resources management, with an emphasis on environmental education and parks management. After living in Adelphi for 14 years, Hew and his wife Judith moved to College Park in 2005.
In his youth, Hew grew up surrounded by civic-minded people; his uncle served as a councilmember, and his father was
Hello reader! My name is Elizabeth Shirley, and I am the new managing editor of the College Park Here & Now.
I have been a college park resident for two years, not living in a dorm but in the community. I walk to Lake Artemesia and enjoy the fresh morning coffees of Board and Brew. I have been to community yard sales and tasted the local honey at the farmer’s market. If my time living in College Park
has shown me anything, I have learned that it does not take long to see the beauty in this city.
College Park is a diverse and complicated city full of stories. I have only scratched the surface. I look forward to getting to know this city and its people better.
I moved here from the country fields of Carroll County, Maryland, where my father and grandfather run a farm together. The greatest culture shock to me was the ability to walk to my destinations and
College Park is mourning the loss of lifelong city resident Kay Dunn, who died in May after a long illness; she was 85. Kay was a beloved member of our community whose goodwill and generosity graced countless lives in her Calvert Hills neighborhood, and beyond. All of us at the College Park Here & Now extend our condolences to her husband, Bob Colish, and her family.
We published a feature story about Kay, written by her friend and neighbor Eric Maring, in January, and are sharing this story again on our website, streetcarsuburbs.news. We hope you will join us to remember Kay, whose spirited friendship and kindness we will miss.
meet my neighbors along the way. Growing up on a farm taught me many life lessons about leadership and responsibility. While unique jobs on a farm may feel disconnected, we all have a role to play in taking care of the world around us and our community.
people doing the extraordinary. I strongly believe in local journalism and the importance of every voice feeling heard.
I want you and your neighbors to feel heard and to read your local paper and learn something new about the city you live in. This is my hope for both new residents, families just moving in, and those of you who have lived in the same homes for decades.
A nationally-recognized community newspaper chronicling the here and now of College Park.
Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781
The College Park Here & Now is published monthly by Streetcar Suburbs
Publishing., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses provided. StreetcarSuburbs.News
Man- aging
Editor Elizabeth Shirley elizabeth@streetcarsuburbs.news
Associate Editor Nancy Welch nancy@streetcarsuburbs.news
Writers & Contributors Rick Borchelt, Lydia Hurley, Eric Maring, Matt Menke, Emely Miranda, Sophie Gorman Oriani, Elizabeth Shirley, Heather Marléne Zadig
Layout & Design Editors Ashley Perks, Valerie Morris
Web Editor Jessica Burshtynskyy
Advertising
advertising@streetcarsuburbs.news
301.531.5234
Advertising Sales Manager Miranda Goodson
Business Manager Catie Currie
Board of Directors
President: Stephanie Stullich
Vice President & General Counsel: Michael Walls
Treasurer: Joe Murchison
Secretary: Melanie Dzwonchyk
Bette Dickerson, Nora Eidelman, Joseph Gigliotti, Maxine Gross, Merrill Hartson, Marta McLellan Ross, Carter Ross Ex Officios: Katie V. Jones, Griffin Limerick, Elizabeth Shirley
Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in College Park. Additional copies are distributed to popular gathering spots around town.
circulation is 9,600.
I am a rising senior at the University of Maryland, majoring in philosophy, politics, and economics. Since high school, I have been interested in journalism, not necessarily the global breaking news, but the close-to-home stories of local
The National Orchestral Institute + Festival has featured "Peter and the Wolf" annually since 2012, but suspended performances for three years due to the pandemic. Two concerts took place this year, the first with narration in English, with ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation, and, for the first time, a second performance narrated in Spanish.
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es for three years due to the pandemic. Two concerts took place this year, the first with narration in English, with ASL (American Sign Language) interpretation, and, for the first time, a second performance narrated in Spanish.
I would love to hear from you all about what you see that makes our city beautiful. My email address is elizabeth@ streetcarsuburbs.news, and I look forward to bringing you monthly stories from your own backyard. favorite things. Many people love “Peter and the Wolf,” and it's a great way for children to have an introduction to the orchestra's instruments,” Hirshberg said.
“Peter and the Wolf” tells the story of a young boy who goes into the woods near his home, despite his grandfather’s warnings that a wolf may attack him. Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev created the narrated symphonic fairy tale in 1936. The first performance in the U.S. was in Boston’s Symphony Hall, in 1938.
“Everyone has some memories related to “Peter and the Wolf.” It’s a wonderful piece that has helped many people connect with music,” said Julia Cruz, a Spanish speaking assistant conductor with the NOI+F.
NOI+F has featured the piece annually since 2012, but suspended performanc-
“We have a lot of organizations that we partner with who are working with people in the Latino communities around UMD. There are some pretty densely populated areas full of Latino families primarily from Central and South America,” Hirshberg noted.
Richard Scerbo, director of the NOI+F, conducted the first performance with Stephanie Shonekan, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, narrating in English. Cruz conducted the second concert, which was narrated in Spanish by Edgar Moctezuma, a senior lecturer and instructor with the university’s Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics.
an assistant to the mayor. Hew valued community engagement but didn’t expect that he would also one day serve.
Hew’s interest was sparked when he volunteered as a co-chair of the College Park Animal Welfare Committee, which he joined in 2008, the year it was founded.
“I've always been a supporter of the animal welfare efforts. Support all cats and dogs, they all need good homes. So it gives me much pleasure and happiness to adopt locally,” he said.
Hew and his wife live in College Park with their three cats, which they adopted from Beltsville Cats, an organization that works closely with the city’s animal welfare committee. They rescued their third cat when its family lost their home to a house fire.
Hew has served on the College Park Committee for a Better Environment for more than a decade. He chaired the recently created Bee City USA Committee, which works to create pollinator gardens and educate the public about the importance of pollinators.
“Alan is a man of many talents, boundless energy, and community service. Right away, you will see he is not a person that sits quietly in the back. For instance, he put his talent as a specialist of insects to work by joining in to the pollinator project for the city of College Park,” wrote Joel Carlson, in an email. Carslon and Hew are friends.
In 2012, Hew spearheaded an initiative that led to the creation of green space instead of town homes at the Monument Village apartment complex on Baltimore Avenue. Not long after, former councilmember Marcus Afzali, who was stepping down from the city council, encouraged Hew to run for his seat. Hew initially responded that he was unfit for the role, saying he wasn’t a politician and hadn’t studied policy.
“[Afzali] told me, ‘No, but your heart’s there. You understand how the city works, through working through that development and working on your committees. That’s what it takes to serve, and you’ve done that.’ And so I said ‘All right, I’ll go for it,’” Hew recalled.
Hew ran for city council and won. He represented District 4 from 2013 to 2015, when redistricting made him a resi-
dent of District 1.
“My first term was challenging, but a learning experience. It taught me … how to accomplish things, how to work with your residents, and a responsibility to work with the councilmembers and a mayor to get the best outcome on various issues that we faced,” Hew said.
Hew has also served on the Good Neighbor Day committee as head of an initiative
to create a garden of edible plants along the trolley trail as a part of the city’s beautification project. Sean Phelan, a close friend and neighbor of Hew’s, worked with him on the project..
“I started volunteering with him on that. And when I got active with the College Park American Legion, and we had this big field, Alan helped me create a pollinator garden for bees there,” Phelan said in an interview.
“I really enjoy helping others. My background growing up in Hawaii has the saying, ‘talk story,’ which means to sit down and listen and just connect. I enjoy meeting new residents and talking story with them,” Hew said.
Phelan and Hew also bonded over their love of pets, and homebrewing beer and mead, a hobby they also share with Carlson.
“Most people may not know it, but Alan is a talented homebrewer, and we shared
a common interest in brewing our own beer. He was an important member of the local homebrewing club and I got to know him through their events,” Carlson said.
Carlson described Hew as a “people person who is always interested in meeting everybody at a gathering, getting to know them and their interests.”
Hew’s priorities in serving District 1 include promoting and participating in community outreach, working for responsible development and collaborating with his fellow councilmembers to address residents’ concerns.
“There are often times where [the] council may have an idea about how to resolve an issue, but it creates a huge challenge or burden on our staff. So finding that balance and understanding how the process works to accomplish our goals … is one of the big things I’ve learned,” he said.
Hew is eager to see North College Park become more fully integrated with the rest of the city and is particularly interested in how development impacts neighborhoods.
“As we improve, we need to do it right. We cannot be dictated by developers and what they want to see. We need to work with them,” he said, adding, “What’s best for our city well into the future?”
Hew plans to run for another term and will be campaigning in his district in the run-up to the Nov. 5 election.
“As we improve, we need to do it right. We cannot be dictated by developers and what they want to see. We need to work with them. What’s best for our city well into the future?”
Alan Hew newly appointed District 1 councilmember
July and August bring farmers market tables laden with squash — zucchini, patty pan, crookneck. Bushels and bushels. Dinner tables groan with them too: Think succotash. Squash fritattas. Gazpacho. Well-meaning neighbors leave bags of them on your front porch. By the end of summer, you wish the squash would all disappear.
Well, it would, were it not for one industrious little bee that paid attention as the Indigenous peoples of Mexico domesticated squash thousands of years ago. This bee followed the fortunes of squash, gourd and pumpkin culture from the Southwest U.S. through most of the rest of North America wherever the days are long enough to support growing squash.
This bee is not the honey bee, our domesticated European bee that most people think of as our one and only crop pollinator. No, this bee lives for one thing and one thing only: to pollinate squash and squash relatives in the genus Cucurbita. Naturally, it’s called the squash bee. There are actually about 20 different kinds of squash bees, but the one that has followed the fortunes of squash culture through the American landscape is the pruinose squash bee, (Peponapis pruinosa). The pepo in the genus name references Cucurbita pepo, a diverse plant species that includes cultivated crops such as winter squash, zucchini, watermelon and ornamental gourds. Botanists call this diverse group of plants cucurbits.
Squash bees want only one thing from squash — and it isn’t zucchini bread. They want the pollen inside the handsome golden flowers, which they collect and pack into their underground nests to feed their young. The big, yellow pollen grains stick to long hairs on the squash bee’s hind legs. In the process of collecting pollen, the bees also fertilize the squash plants that then produce the bumper crops we see in farm stands.
Honey bees are terrible squash pollinators. All they want is nectar, and they bypass the pollen on their way to get to it. Plus, honey bees are slackers compared to
squash bees. Because squash blossoms open at the crack of dawn and wither after the sun starts to bear down, squash bees have evolved special ocelli — little eyes — in addition to their large compound eyes. These ocelli help them fly in the dark, before dawn, to find squash. Squash bees do all their work in the first hour or two of daylight before honey bees even get going.
If you’re up at that ungodly early hour, you will almost certainly see squash bees among your squash flowers. If you keep honey bee hours, on the other hand, and don’t get out to the garden until the squash blossoms are toast, you can still often find male squash
bees napping in the spent flowers. (They often hang out there so they don’t have too far to fly the next morning to find females collecting squash pollen.) They look superficially like honey bees — with the same general size and behavior — but they have a striped abdomen that looks more like prison garb than the furry golden butts of honey bees. Also unlike honey bees, squash bees are solitary. Each female is fertile, not just the queen, and each digs her own tunnel in the ground to provision with pollen. She lays her eggs in the stored pollen, covers the tunnel up, and never sees her progeny. (The young bees won’t mature and
squash or pumpkin harvest, nests get plowed under. Similarly, if the farmer covers the ground around plants with plastic sheeting or landscape cloth, or even heavy mulch to control weeds, the bees likely can’t nest there.
Squash agriculture has literally shaped the evolution of this bee, notes Lopez-Uribe. Squash bees probably originated 50,000 to 100,000 years ago, before humans domesticated squash. Peponapis pruinosa likely harvested pollen from wild cucurbits like wild buffalo gourd before squash culture evolved. But once squashes and their relatives were widely cultivated, squash bees didn’t look back. Squash was cultivated in the eastern U.S. as long as 7,000 years ago, and genetic data from bees analyzed by Lopez-Uribe and her team suggest squash bee populations boomed as Native Americans ramped up agriculture as a primary way of life about 1,000 years ago.
This mutualistic relationship between cultivated squashes and squash bees has been a good one for both the bees and the squash — so far. Our increasing use of agricultural pesticides, which has had a serious downside for more generalist pollinators like bumblebees, has spared squash bees (for the most part) because of their very strict squash diet. These pesticides may, however, become a problem for squash bees if we more aggressively use them to control pests like squash bug and squash borer.
emerge until squash season the following year.) You may even see female squash bees digging holes in the garden around your squash plants; they need loose, open soil for their nests, and garden dirt is just the ticket.
Margarita Lopez-Uribe and her lab at Penn State have been studying how squash bees evolved and moved across the North American landscape as Indigenous peoples spread squash culture. Lopez-Uribe is also interested in how these bees may be adversely impacted by modern agricultural methods. She and her team found that if the farmer — or the agricultural conglomerate — plows up a field after
If you want to keep those bushels of zucchini and wagon loads of pumpkins coming, you need to take some care for squash bees. Don’t till your garden. Leave open patches of soil in your yard for squash bee (and other native bee) nests. And don’t use pesticides on your cucurbits — or in your garden at all.
You can hear an extended interview with Lopez-Uribe about squash bees and their relationship to squash culture on the radio program “Living On Earth” here: tinyurl.com/ yc5hjr9h
Have questions for Rick about the world of nature in and around the city, or suggestions for future ”College Park Wild” columns? Drop him a note at rborchelt@gmail.com.
While the bear apparently steered clear of College Park, it came near enough to cause a local stir. The city sent out a tweet warning residents to keep a distance and call 911 if they spotted the bear.
And another mammal we don’t often see here has been spotted in College Park: the Eastern coyote. They are a relative newcomer to Maryland; the first one was documented in the state in 1972. A coyote weighs in at 30 or 40 pounds and resembles a small German shepherd Coyotes present very little risk to humans, according to the Humane Society. They are largely nocturnal, so we rarely even see them, and seeing a coyote during the day does not mean that it’s rabid; that’s an urban legend. They rarely harm humans, but coyotes have been known to attack and sometimes kill outdoor pets, as well as feral cats and smaller wildlife.
Luckily, good management strategies we use with other wildlife will help you with coyotes, and, yes, even the occasional bear: Keep your trash well contained, don't let pets roam free and never feed wild animals. If you do see a coyote or bear, don't approach or interact with it in any way; instead back away slowly. If you do see a bear, call 911 or the DNR police at 410.260.8888. If you are having non-emergency problems with coyotes or other wildlife, call DNR at 877.463.6497.
If you do see a bear, call 911 or the DNR police at 410.260.8888. If you are having non-emergency problems with coyotes or other wildlife, call DNR at 877.463.6497
SAVE THE DATE
Virtual Book Club. The College Park Arts Exchange will lead virtual discussions of The Neuroscience of You, by Chantel Spring Prat, on July 18. Virtual sessions from 7 to 8:30 p.m. To join either/both Zooms, email info@cpae.org
College Park Community Library Book Club. The club will discuss The Magnolia Palace, by Fiona Davis, on August 10 at 7:00 p.m. Lower level of the College Park Church of the Nazarene. New members welcome! 9704 Rhode Island Ave. For more information, email Carol Munn at donkinc@msn. com
Free Craft Night. Held on the 1st Wednesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 p.m. August 2, Perler fuse beading. Sessions at the College Park Community Library, lower level of the
Quartet Salonnières concert. Listen to lesser-known works by composers from Mozart’s time at “In the Shadows of Mozart,” performed on period instruments, followed by a wine and cheese reception. Free. Aug 4 at 7:30 p.m. at the Old Parish House.
STEAM Day. Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. Join our educators at the College Park Aviation Museum for STEAM activities showing how these subjects work together to advance the aviation industry. July 29, $2 children, $5 adults.
College Park Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Ave.
Friday Night Live. Join neighbors at city hall plaza for an evening of music, food, beer, entertainment, and arts and crafts stations. Free. July 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 7401 Baltimore Ave.
N1Studio/Lab presents “Vous/Nous.” Enjoy live curated music by D.J. Apple Jonz and Liquid Grey Ice. Featuring new and classic works by Dennis Moritz, including Blues in a Buick, Uncle and Philoctetes. July 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Old Parish House.
Night at the Movies. Bring your picnic baskets and lawn chairs to enjoy “Minions: The Rise of Gru” under the stars. The event will feature a moon bounce, face painting, games and more. July 29 at 8 p.m. at Duvall Field.
Public Land and Private Partnerships for Early Succession Habitat. Networking focused on regional habitat improvement efforts. Speakers from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and more. Free. July 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop. Register at go.umd.edu/quailmeeting
Pollinator-Friendly Garden Workshop - Help Save the Pollinators! Event includes door prizes, giveaways, a demonstration garden and caterpillar exhibits. Free. July 29 from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Harford County Agricultural Center, 3525 Conowingo Rd. To register, email HCPollenAiders@gmail.com
Hop Yard Field Day for Craft Breweries. The University of Maryland and Brewers Association of Maryland offer a closeup look at the university's hops trial. Aug 3 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the UMD Western MD Research & Education Center. Free for Brewers Assoc. of Maryland Members; $10 public. To register, email janna@ growandfortify.com
SEE CALENDAR ON 9
Visit the Hollywood Farmers Market every Saturday between 9AM - 1PM at the Hollywood Shopping Center (by MOMs Organic Market).
Craft your family’s favorite meals with fresh food from Montoya Farms, our new produce vendor! The plentiful selection of seasonal fruit, vegetables, herbs, meat, and treats showcases the agricultural bounty of our region. Browse the market’s offerings of Wild Alaskan salmon, eggs, beef, and poultry, leafy greens, or ripe fruits. You can even find artisanal coffee and alcoholic spirits!
In addition to fresh food, the Hollywood Farmers Market features arts, crafts, and live music performances from local musicians. The jewelry and art for sale are unique pieces handcrafted by area artists.
Be on the lookout for Farmers Market Coupons at the City’s upcoming events! You can save $5.00 on your purchase. Customers can use SNAP benefits and double their dollars with Maryland Market Money. Visit www.hollywoodmarket.org, to learn more about the market’s upcoming vendors and events.
Since the market runs from April to November, visitors can delight in different seasonal produce. During the spring, you will find vibrant flowers and young berries; stalls will be filled with produce, meats, and poultry by the summer. Then in the fall, you can find pumpkins, root vegetables, and preserved jams. No matter the season, farmers’ markets have every ingredient you need for your next culinary adventure!
Farmers’ markets play a vital role in ensuring the accessibility and availability of fresh food. These spaces provide an opportunity for local farmers and artists to sell directly to consumers, which promotes the economic vitality of local farming communities. Many of the vendors also use organic farming methods that prolong the life and freshness of goods. These practices reduce the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that are often found in processed food.
By supporting your local farmers market, you are also encouraging sustainable practices! Shopping locally contributes to healthier lifestyle choices and reduces the carbon footprint and waste associated with transporting food.
City residents can receieve a reusable bag this August
If you haven’t heard already, the Better Bag Ordinance will become effective on September 1, 2023. This new ordinance aims to reduce single-use plastic bag waste and litter in our local waterways and tributary system by restricting the use of non-reusable plastic bags given or received at the point of purchase by City retailers and restaurants.
City Elections will be held on Sunday, November 5, 2023
The City of College Park will hold its General Election for the offices of Mayor and eight District Councilmembers (2 from each district) on Sunday, November 5, 2023.
INTERESTED IN RUNNING FOR OFFICE?
Residents interested in running for elected office must be a citizen of the United States, a current registered voter in the City, and must have been domiciled in the City for at least one year immediately preceding the date of qualification. At the time of taking office, which will be December 5, 2023, the elected official must be at least 18 years old.
A Candidate Guide with more information about running for office and the necessary forms will be posted on the City website on July 15. You may download the Candidate Guide from https:// www.collegeparkmd.gov/181/ City-Elections; or make an appointment with the City Clerk (240-487-3501) to pick up a hard copy of the Guide.
College Park uses a petition process to qualify candidates for elected office. Candidates for the office of Mayor must collect the signatures of 20 qualified voters from each Council district. Candidates for a Council district seat must collect the signatures of 25 qualified voters from their respective Council district. The council district boundaries adopted by Council in December 2022 after redistricting are in effect.
Candidacy petitions and other required forms are due by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.
During the two-year term, the
Mayor must continuously reside in the City and each Councilmember must continuously reside in their respective district.
PLAN YOUR VOTE
There will be several voting options in this year’s election:
• Vote By Mail
• Early Voting
• Election Day
PERMANENT VOTE BY MAIL LIST
If you are on the state’s Permanent Vote By Mail list by September 15, you will automatically receive a ballot for this election; there is no need to apply.
To sign-up for the state’s Permanent Vote By Mail List, visit https://www.elections.maryland. gov/voting/absentee.html
VOTER REGISTRATION CLOSES OCTOBER 21, 2023.
• If you are already registered to vote with the Prince George’s County Board of Elections at your current City address, you are ready to vote in this election.
• If you have moved or changed your name since you registered, update your Voter Registration. Call the Prince George’s County Board of Elections at 301-341-7300, or visit www.elections.state.md.us.
• If you are new to the City, please complete a Voter Registration application on line at https:// voterservices.elections.maryland. gov/OnlineVoterRegistration/ InstructionsStep1.
For more information about the upcoming City Election, please contact Janeen S. Miller, City Clerk, at 240-487-3501.
The Ordinance encourages shoppers and patrons to use reusable bags for their groceries and other purchases. As part of the Ordinance, alternative bags like paper bags or reusable bags can be provided, but retailers must charge a minimum of $.10 per bag and may retain the entirety of the fee to cover costs. Restaurant carry-out bags are included in the Ordinance.
ARE THERE EXEMPTIONS?
• Loose produce or bulk item bags (fruit, vegetables, nuts, grains, candy, or small hardware items)
• Bags to wrap fresh meat or seafood
• Bags used to contain or wrap flowers, potted plants, or other damp items
• Bags used to contain unwrapped prepared foods or bakery goods
•Laundry/dry cleaning bags
• Bags for live fish, insects, mollusks, or crustaceans
For a full list of exemptions, please visit www.collegeparkmd.gov/ BetterBag.
The City will begin distributing FREE reusable shopping bags (while supplies last) to City residents in August 2023.
Details about distribution and how to request a bag will be available on our website later in July at www. collegeparkmd.gov/BetterBag.
The Committee for a Better Environment partners with the College Park Arts Exchange to bring environmental awareness about pollution, specifically what goes down the drain ends up in our waterways.
The storm drain murals depict animals and plants that are part of the Anacostia Watershed.
View the full murals at www. collegeparkmd.gov/sustainability. The newest murals are:
• “Sunset on the Water,” by artists Maria Soboleva, Jak Lunsford, and Maddie Olek is at the rear of City Hall at the intersection of Knox Road and Yale Avenue.
• “Our Creature Neighbors,” by artist Niamh Ducey, is in the 9100 block of St. Andrews Place at the entrance to the Neighborhood Park.
• “Box Turtle Speaks Up” and “Wise Mr. Toad,” by artist H.K. Beall, are at the entrance to the Dog Park, 9300 51st Avenue.
More information: www.collegeparkmd.gov staff, and faculty, and alumni for a day of service.
FREE summer parking in the College Park Downtown Parking Garage has begun! Parking in the Downtown College Park Garage is free after 5pm on weekdays and all-day on Saturdays starting May 27 until August 12 (Sundays are already free!). Visit your favorite restaurant or shop, or try out a new one!
During the summer, Prince George’s County Public Schools provides FREE meals to any child 18 years or younger. Hollywood Elementary school in College Park is an Open Meal Site from July 3 through August 11, serving both breakfast (9-9:30am) and lunch (12-1pm).
Learn more (including menus and other site locations): at https:// www.pgcps.org/offices/food-andnutrition/summer-meals.
Good Neighbor Day is a collaborative partnership between the University of Maryland, the City of College Park, and The MarylandNational Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC).
This annual event brings together residents of College Park and neighboring communities, staff and patrons of M-NCPPC, and University of Maryland students,
We are now accepting Project Nominations for the 12th Annual Good Neighbor Day, which will take place on Saturday, October 21, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Nominate a project by August 13 at https://oce.umd.edu/gnd-plan.
The City speed cameras on Rhode Island Avenue from Greenbelt Road to Paducah Road will now issue violations 24/7/365— previously these cameras issued violations Monday through Friday, from 6:00 am until 8:00 pm.
Beginning on July 1, 2023, the City will issue speed camera violations with $40 fines 24/7/365 for vehicles traveling 12 or more miles per hour (MPH) above the posted speed limits on Rhode Island Avenue. With this change, all City speed cameras operate 24/7/365.
Learn more about the City’s Speed Enforcement program by visiting www.collegeparkmd.gov/dps.
SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION
On June 13, 2023, City Council approved Action Item 23-G-95 to reduce the speed limit on Rhode Island Avenue. Effective Monday, July 3, 2023, the speed limit on Rhode Island Avenue between University Boulevard and Paducah Road will be reduced to 30MPH.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE!
More information: www.collegeparkmd.gov/events fun activities like a moon bounce, face painting, games and more! There will also be sno-cones and popcorn! Show-time is at sunset.
July 14, August 11 and September 8 | 6:30 - 8:30PM| City Hall Plaza, 7401 Baltimore Avenue, College Park, MD 20740.
The City of College Park hosts a series of concerts over the summer and you are invited! Join us on the City hall plaza on select Fridays for Friday Night LIVE!
The events will feature a variety of musical genres and performers and includes something for everyone- music, food, beer, and entertainment. There will be children’s performers, a bounce house, kids activities, and crafts.
All concerts will be held at City Hall Plaza (7401 Baltimore Avenue) between May -September from 6:30 to 8:30PM. Parking will be offered for free at the Downtown College Park parking garage at the corner of Yale and Knox.
Local food and beer will be available for purchase during the event!
NIGHT
July 29 | 8:00PM | Duvall Field
Come and join us for a fun and FREE Night at the Movies! Bring your picnic baskets, lawn chairs, and blankets to enjoy a movie with the whole family under the stars. The event will feature the film, “Minions: The Rise of Gru” and
October 7, 2023 | 12:00 - 6:00PM | College Park Aviation Museum & Airport, 1985 Corporal Scott Dr.
College Park Day is on Saturday, October 7, 2023, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the College Park Aviation Museum and Airport (1985 Corporal Frank Scott Drive)!
This is the City of College Park’s signature event and features a wide array of activities, entertainment, and fun or the whole family to bring together our residents and celebrate College Park as a community.
The event is open to the public and free to attend.
Be a part of College Park Day! We are now accepting applications for local community exhibitors, food and drink vendors, and volunteers.
Community exhibitors include local nonprofit organizations, schools, and civic organizations who would like to educate the community on their mission and services.
Learn more and apply to be an exhibitor, vendor, or volunteer at collegeparkday.org.
By Lydia Hurley
College Park residents joined the mayor and city council on June 24 for the city’s first ever in-person town hall meeting.
After Mayor Fazlul Kabir opened the meeting, City Manager Kenny Young gave an overview of the city’s budget for fiscal year 2024. The budget designates a $24.8 million general fund, $11.89 in capital improvement funding, debt service totaling $1.47 million, and $2.97 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Residents had questions about the budget, which is nearly $41 million dollars, largely asking how tax breaks affect development. One resident asked if the city offered developers tax breaks, and a second resident asked about incentives to developers. Mayor Pro Tem Denise Mitchell (District 4) explained,“Yes we did phase a tax credit over five years for developers to come build in the city.”
Mitchell also responded to a
resident who asked about tax credits for affordable housing. “Seniors and students are our most vulnerable residents, so affordable student housing is a priority,” she said.
Young noted that the City of College Park has the lowest tax rate in Prince George’s County. Michael Williams, the city’s economic development manager, explained that businesses coming to the city help maintain the low rate, since they take on more tax responsibility than residents. “Tax credits allow them to be able to operate 12 months of the year, even when school isn’t in session and students go home,” he said.
Another resident voiced concerns about student housing. “Is the city doing anything to assist students living in off-campus housing and apartment buildings?” she asked.
Councilmember Alan Hew (District 1) said after the meeting that he would like to put together an off-campus orientation guide for students who SEE TOWN HALL ON 8
Canadian wildfires have been generating an ominous haze and hazardous local air quality across the region this summer, triggering spikes in harmful fine particulates that have been hard to miss.
According to a widely reported conversion chart, the worst days in the region were the equivalent of smoking more than a pack of cigarettes a day — a grim prospect, especially for children and pregnant women. The Environmental Protection Agency guidelines prompted residents to avoid or strongly reduce outside activity during air quality alerts, as the World Health Organization (WHO) attributes 7 million extra deaths per year to air pollution.
The problem for local residents isn’t merely Canadian smoke, however. According to the American Lung Asso-
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move into houses in city neighborhoods.
“I have done this with my neighbors in the past; over beers, I’ll sit down with them and tell them about how to live well in College Park, and it’s been very helpful,” he said.
Resident Christine O’Brien noted the lack of sit-down restaurants in the city. Williams responded that ARPA grants might allow small businesses to remain in the city and noted that the council is working on retaining businesses.
“We want to help them, which in turn, helps us,” he said
Resident Carol Magnus voiced concern that too much of the city’s communications are digital, and suggested increasing the number of public bulletin boards. Councilmember Stuart Adams (District 3) suggested adding a list of upcoming events and construction projects in the College Park
Here & Now
Karyn Keating, who is a member of the Berwyn District Civic Association, thanked the council for holding the meeting and recommended that the city host town halls more often.
National Puppetry Festival
See live comedic puppetry at UMD’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. July 19, see Alex and Olmsted's Jim Henson Foundation performance “MAROONED! A Space Comedy." July 20, see the universe of SPINOKIO (5P1N0K10). July 21, see Terry Fator of "America’s Got Talent" take the stage live. Each event costs $30 and begins at 9 p.m. For more information, email tickets-theclarice@umd. edu
Uhuru Quilters Guild: Exploring the Legacy of African American Quilting. Join a virtual discussion about African-American quilting traditions, culture and history with Hyattsville Aging in Place. July 22, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. For more information, go to HyattsvilleAgingInPlace.org/ events
Friday Dance Workshops
Join instructor Karen Stewart, of Jessie’s Soul Line Dancers, every Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. for step-by-step instruction and dance along to soul, gospel and pop music. For more information, go to cpae. org
Yoga in the Parks. Free yoga sessions at Lake Artemesia every Saturday this summer. Hour-long sessions start at 9:15 a.m. For more information, including registration details, email wellness@ pgparks.com
Saturday Tap Dance Workshops. Free virtual tap workshop with instructor Elizabeth Gardner every Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. For more information and to register, email info@cpae.org
Ballet Classes. Creative dance (ages 3-6), primary dance (ages 5-7), and 8+ children's classes will be offered on Tuesdays throughout the summer. Adult classes Thursday mornings. Old Parish House, 4711 Knox Rd. For class times, registration and fees, go to berwynballetschool. com
Community Meals. Each Tuesday and Thursday, College Park United Methodist Church’s kitchen staff cook healthy and delicious meals for all who are interested. You can reserve meals in ad-
vance and also donate a meal. For every meal donated, the church gives a meal to a family in need. Pick up reserved meals at 9601 Rhode Island Ave., between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 301.345.1010
College Park Community Library Story Time. Story time with Micki Freeny every Wednesday June through October from 9:30 to 10:00 a.m. The group meets in the courtyard of the College Park Church of the Nazarene, 9704 Rhode Island Ave. Rain relocation to the Blue Room on the lower level of the church.
Produce Available Every Third Thursday. Sponsored by Community Connect Calvert Hills. Make your reservation by emailing your contact information (your name, street address, email and
The air is warm, the water cool, and the boats are gliding!
• Youth summer program and camps
• Learn to Scull classes
• August Community Challenge
• Scholarships available
BEGINNERS WELCOME!
All activities are at Bladensburg Waterfront Park 4601 Annapolis Road, Bladensburg WashingtonRowingSchool.com 202-344-0886
phone) to connectporfavor@ gmail.com at least one day in advance of distribution. You can register for a duplicate order and share with others in need. Deliveries available to homebound residents. Pickups after 2:30 p.m. at a central location. For more information, or to volunteer to deliver, call 301.864.5267
Yarrow Civic Association Membership is free. For more information, email Wendy Kelley at wendybird85@ yahoo.com
College Park Estates Civic Association. For more information, email Ray Ranker at rayranker@gmail.com
West College Park Citizens Association. Membership is open to all residents of West College Park age 18 and over. For more information, email Suchitra Balachandran at cp_woods@yahoo.com
Berwyn District Civic Association. The next meeting will be on June 15 at 7:30 p.m. Location to be determined. for more information, visit myberwyn.org. To register, email president@myberwyn. org
North College Park Community Association. The NCPCA will meet on July 13 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, go to myncpca.org
Lakeland Civic Association For additional information, please email lakelandcivic@ gmail.com
Old Town College Park Civic Association. For more information, email Kathy Bryant at kdbryant20740@gmail.com
Calvert Hills Citizens Association. The next regular meeting will be held September 13 at 7 p.m. For more information, please email the board at calverthillscitizensassn@ gmail.com
ciation State of the Air report for 2023, the county and the District both received an F for consistently unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone pollution — the kind generated by power plants and road traffic, among other sources. Meanwhile, Montgomery County earned a C.
A variety of factors contribute to this air quality gap between adjacent jurisdictions, but local advocacy groups have called Prince George’s County “an environmental sacrifice zone,” where polluting industries are disproportionately concentrated in communities of color. In response to chronically low air quality, for instance, the towns of Cheverly and Capitol Heights commissioned a targeted air-monitoring system to study how much traffic and local industries are contributing to the problem (specifically, recycling centers and concrete manufacturing plants). County government reports have also highlighted persistent and pervasive environmental justice concerns, particularly related to placement of air-polluting power plants. In 2016, Earthjustice submitted a Title VI civil rights complaint on behalf of local advocacy groups in southern Prince George’s County to the federal government, claiming that the state's natural resources and environmental departments discriminated against the majority-Black unincorporated community of Brandywine by approving two new power plants near three existing plants within 13 miles of the town.
The case was mediated in 2020 by two federal agencies
under the Trump Administration, but the resolution fell short of the community’s goals, compelling the state to identify a community resource officer for residents interested in power-plant permits, and to develop a nondiscrimination program unrelated to the primary concern of the complaint: the plant. Ultimately, both new power plants were permitted, though only the PSEG Energy Center was completed (the second was abandoned for potentially
unrelated financial reasons). Maryland Matters reported in 2021 that Prince George’s County generated a quarter of the state’s electricity, but census data shows the county makes up just 15% of the state’s population. According to the most recently published data, power plants in Prince George’s County produce more than nine times the energy of Montgomery County plants per capita, while this county actually consumes less energy overall than Montgom-
ery County (see Table 1). Most energy production in both counties involves burning fuel sources, like solid waste (trash) and/or natural gas (methane, a fossil fuel), so the dominant factor in the power emissions gap is the substantial difference in power generation.
In contrast to the years-long Brandywine battle, which ended in defeat for residents, local resistance to a proposed power plant in Charles County, Md. — this time from Virginians — had a starkly different outcome. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association protested the proposed project across the Potomac River in Maryland because it would have marred “George Washington’s view.” Following a single week of PR campaigns in 2018, they succeeded. According to ProPublica, the ladies association currently has $342 million dollars in assets. As of 2021, the
per capita income of Brandywine was $53,295 per year.
The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes 7 million extra deaths per year to air pollution. Of the top 10 leading causes of death globally, WHO data reflect that at least eight top causes are related to air pollution, including the top three: heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The fifth leading cause of death worldwide related to air pollution is neonatal conditions — deaths within the first 28 days of life — such as preterm birth, low birth weight and birth defects. A 2018 meta-analysis of birth outcomes in the Review of Environmental Health concluded that air pollution seriously impacts fetal development, including lower birth weights, as well as an increase in preterm births, birth defects, miscarriages and up to a 42% increase in stillbirths.
The Beltsville Historical Society held a cleanup in May at the site of the Ebenezer Meeting House and cemetery, at the intersection of Powder Mill and Ammendale roads.
Prince George’s County Council Chair Tom Dernoga (District 1) and Beltsville Reminiscence, a community organization, co-sponsored the event, which brought out about 15 volunteers.
"The folks there mostly did things by hand, and they were just incredible. Moving big logs that had fallen over the years and setting up a path. It doesn't look perfect, but it's a good head start," said Beltsville native Oscar Gregory, who serves as president of the historical society.
An archaeological survey conducted by the state in 2002 identified the location where the meeting house once stood and 20 remaining headstones.
"We're trying to clean the area up so that we can bring in an archaeologist and ground penetrating radar and see if we can identify folks. There's a good
sites there, so we want to try our best to ensure we can preserve it," Gregory said.
Residents for a Better Beltsville, a community organization that aims to foster civic pride, approached Gregory about cleaning up the site. Gregory and Dernoga's team then orga-
nized the event.
"That particular area embodies a lot of history to the Beltsville community, and we thought it would be a great idea for us to participate. Things take time, and before the trees and bushes got really lush, we wanted to get in there and see if we could at least cut some back," Michelle
Garcia said. Garcia is Dernoga’s chief of staff.
In 1836, Evan Shaw gave trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church an acre of land where the church then built the meeting house, which was in use until 1861. The Prince George's County Historical Society placed a marker at the site in 1986.
A small graveyard adjacent to the meeting house was the burial ground for both white and Black people, including Blacks who were enslaved and freed.
"Usually, when you have slaves, they were set into the same cemetery but are segregated into their own sections. This cemetery had none of that. You were a person, and they bury you with distinction when you pass on. And so that's what makes this particular site very unique," Gregory noted.
Shaw’s will stipulated that his slaves were to be freed and that they would inherit his estate following the death of his wife. The property went to his slaves in 1866 and had a number of owners until 1972, when the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission acquired the site. Prince George’s County has owned the parcel since 1979. Gregory is aiming for a second cleanup this fall (date to be determined).
"Ebenezer cemetery is a landmark site," he said. "It speaks volumes how folks would be able to have different ways of life but come in and commune with one god. It's very well worth, in my opinion, restoring and preserving."
An outdoor deck is the classic do it yourself (DIY) project. Your deck is an extension of your home and so often the centerpiece of outdoor entertaining: grilling, fire pits, kids and popsicles. Building one would seem easy — a quick reward for hauling lumber and swinging a hammer. How hard could it be?
DIYers without much experience are often tempted to go for easier and prettier, and that can lead to taking shortcuts — shortcuts that could compromise safety and durability. The hassles of permitting can push homeowners to skip the very process that could help them learn the rules and even master best practices.
Being an educated consumer will serve you well, whether you’re checking an existing deck or tackling a new build. You’ll also be better off, over time, if you’re aware of critical elements that mean the difference between safety or failure. Railings matter! Guests lean against them, we put drinks on them, and children boost themselves up on them (but only when you’re not looking). Railings are held up by posts,
and how those posts attach to the deck determines if they’re secure and safe or ready to give way.
Deck posts are usually 4x4s, sometimes clad with vinyl. If a post isn’t one continuous 4x4, or has been cut with a notch to fit around the deck floor, it should be replaced. Posts should be held on by hex-head bolts (two of them) that go all the way through the post and also through the board anchoring the post. Nails and screws aren’t sufficient for the job, and carriage bolts often tear loose, particularly when they're re-tightened after the wood dries. And the spindles (or balusters) should be less than 4 inches apart. Kids can’t resist sticking their heads through wider gaps.
How is your deck attached to the house? It anchors to the house with a horizontal board called a ledger, and the ledger must be affixed to the house correctly in order to safely support all that weight. An even safer approach is to support the deck’s weight with a set of posts near the house rather than having a ledger do all the work.
Either way, that ledger needs a piece of flashing over the top and tucked up behind the sid-
ing to protect the wood. An unprotected ledger will be the wettest board on your entire deck and the first to rot out. Make sure to install this pesky but essential shielding, especially if you’re adding a deck to an existing home. Be sure to use the right hardware in the right place; there are best practices — rules, in fact — for attaching ledgers. Not a place to take shortcuts.
How you place decking board can make a big difference. If you’re using wood, your boards will naturally have a degree of warp; good to pick your boards to avoid the worst of that. Using composite boards avoids that problem, but manufactured boards cost more and get blazing hot in the summer sun. And when you secure your decking boards, be sure to allow a small gap between them for water to pass through. A scant ¼ inch will do it; any less and the boards can swell together and hold water not for seconds but for days.
Pressure treated lumber matters, too! Lumber that’s rated for ground contact says so on the tag. Even then, pressure-treated wood that is in contact with the ground will wick moisture into the
entire structure and shorten your deck’s life. Grading the soil under the deck so it doesn’t contact the deck is a good move; this is especially important at stair footings — you don’t want those steps to slowly rot into the ground. A concrete or stone landing at the bottom of the steps goes a long way toward keeping the wood dry.
There are other details to consider, of course, but these are the most important elements of deck construction. Anyone patient enough to do some research and plan can build a deck. And the planning — seeing all those new possibilities — can be so much fun! Discovering design ideas online, scoping out your neighbors’ decks and remembering decks at those dreamy vacation spots can all combine to inspire you to buy some lumber. Oh, and don’t forget: You’ll need some new tools, too!
Prince George’s County has lots of information for DIYers, but you have to know what to look for and where. For a downloadable document with information about guidelines and regulations for decks, ramps and stairs in Prince George’s County go to tinyurl. com/mrycfe9d
How you place decking board can make a big difference. If you’re using wood, your boards will naturally have a degree of warp; good to pick your boards to avoid the worst of that. Using composite boards avoids that problem, but manufactured boards cost more and get blazing hot in the summer sun.