06-2024 Hyattsville Life & Times

Growing concerns over unhoused population in Hyattsville

By JESS DANINHIRSCH and KAYA BOGOT

“I see myself hanging on, never giving up, holding on to faith and knowing things will go the right way. Even if it takes longer than I expect.”

“I see myself sitting in my own home and visiting Six Flags Park. I have never been and would like to.”

“If I ain’t dead, I want to tell my story.”

These are just a few of the testimonies unhoused individuals gave to a homelessness survey conducted in Hyattsville at the end of 2023, when asked where they envision themselves in a year.

Due to complaints from residents and business owners about unhoused individuals who dwell around Queens Chapel Town Center, the City of Hyattsville hired The h3 (“home, health and happiness”) Project to conduct a survey of homelessness between Nov. 30, 2023, and Jan. 30, 2024. The District-based nonprofit’s mission is “to create a future in which all individuals — regardless of gender, age, race, religion, or sexual orientation — experiencing homelessness and/ or human trafficking are given opportunities to live meaningful and self-directed lives, in homes of their choice, with support and services they need for success,” according to its website.

New Hyattsville soccer team opens doors for local players

By GRIFFIN LIMERICK

DMV Elite FC is a new Hyattsville-based amateur soccer team that represents the Prince George’s County area in the National Premier Soccer League. The team plays at Bladensburg High School and practices at Heurich Park. The season started May 18, and runs until July 6. As of press time, the team holds a record of 2-2. The rest of the schedule, as well as information about the club, can be found at the team’s website, dmvelitefc.org. This article tells the story of the club’s founding.

If DMV Elite FC has an origin story, its Garden of Eden is the Heurich Park turf field behind Home Depot on East-West Highway in Hyattsville. There, on a Saturday morning in 2010, Prosper Adangwa found a

game of pickup soccer. Fourteen years later, he would co-own the team that trains there. Adangwa had moved to the United States from Cameroon about four months prior, set up a home in Hyattsville, and was cruising the streets of the Route 1 Corridor for a pickup game the way a smoke-windowed SUV with “Diplomat” plates might scour Capitol Hill for an escort. At the field that day, in addition to several Nigerians and Ghanaians, was a fellow Cameroonian — Manfred Tambe — who, after moving to the U.S. in 1988 to play college soccer, had established a number of amateur teams in Prince George’s County, most recently Le Coq Indomptable FC — named for the French National Team’s rooster symbol (Le Coq) and the Cameroonian National Team (Les Lions Indomptables).

During his childhood in Cameroon, Tam-

be’s relationship with soccer had been complicated.

“Our parents never let us play when we were younger,” Tambe said. “Football was for truants. Kids that would skip school. There was no real money in football; there was no real avenue. It wasn’t a way of life. So, whenever I played, I’d come back, and they would whip me. I had to play in hiding.”

That childhood repression might explain Tambe’s nearly fanatical enthusiasm for soccer — a game his partner, Mirabelle, calls his “second wife” — as an adult. Tambe has coached, refereed, managed, organized, trained and played, sometimes all at once. That day in 2010, after the pickup game, Tambe invited Adangwa to his home to meet his family, and eventually to try out for Le Coq

A member of DMV Elite FC warms up before the team plays its home opener at Bladensburg High School stadium on May 25. GRIFFIN LIMERICK

Fabulous food forests

By IMKE AHLF-WIEN

Whenever I visited Hyattsville’s two food forests this April and May, I found myself all alone. I felt like an intruder as I picked a few leaves from the large clusters of fleshy sorrel or harvested some seemingly untouched sprawling sea kale. Was nobody else aware that the produce is, in fact, free to all? According to the city website, both the Emerson Street and McClanahan food forests “are open year-round for community members to harvest seasonally available fruits and greens.” Where, then, was the community?

On a cloudy May morning, Dawn Taft, Hyattsville’s arborist and environmental programs manager, takes me on a tour of the Emerson Street Food For-

Most edible plants at the city’s two food forests have a name tag and a QR code to help visitors pull up basic information, including simple ideas for preparation and the month when the plant will be ripe.

est, located at 4515 Emerson Street. She is excited to see it in such good shape: The beds are well mulched, the grass freshly mowed, and the first mulberries and strawberries will soon be ready for harvest.

ADVERTISEMENT

IMKE AHLF-WIEN

The Emerson Street Food Forest, near Alternate Route 1, was inaugurated by former Hyattsville Mayor Candace Hollingsworth and opened in 2016. Taft explained that the idea was to bring the community together

Councilmember Sandino’s Statement

Greetings Dear Friends and Neighbors,

My family is a close-knit, multi-generational big family that have called Ward 5 and HVL home for the last 20 years We chose this beautiful City because it was the only place my parents could afford their first home - this was and continues being the best decision they’ve made!

In 2021, as we were navigating a post-COVID reality, my family experienced the loss of my oldest sibling- may his memory be always blessed! Being a first generation immigrant, I stepped in to provide support to my elderly parents and process grief. This included acquiring my parents home in Ward 1, which they have owned for the last 18 years, to prevent them from getting priced out and allow them to age-in-place. This became my home with my parents until personal family matters brought me back to the house in Ward 5 Since then, I have been going back-and-forth between both properties, both of which have always been occupied by my immediate family

I recognize that none of this excuses my mistake and oversight of not disclosing this property in the City’s disclosure forms, which a recent online article makes mention of For this, I truly apologize to Ward 5 constituents, City residents, members of the Ethics Committee, and City staff I am taking immediate steps to remediate and correct my mistake by submitting amended Disclosure Forms for the review of the Ethics Committee and will be working with the local institutions to ensure that the appropriate tax rates are being assessed on this property

Thank you for your understanding and I look forward to continue working on behalf of my Ward 5 constituents and all City residents!

A community newspaper chronicling the life and times of Hyattsville Mailing address: PO Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781

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Hyattsville Life & Times is published monthly by Streetcar Suburbs Publishing Inc., a 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation. Editors welcome reader input, tips, articles, letters, opinion pieces and photographs, which may be submitted using the mailing address above or the email addresses provided.

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Kaya Bogot, Jess Daninhirsch, Razak Diallo, Bode Ramsay

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Miranda Goodson

Executive Director Kit Slack

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, T. Carter Ross

Ex Officios: Katie V. Jones, Griffin Limerick, Sharon O’Malley, Kit Slack

Circulation: Copies are distributed monthly by U.S. mail to every address in Hyattsville. Additional copies are distributed to libraries, selected businesses, community centers and churches in the city. Total circulation is 9,300.

HL&T is a member of the National Newspaper Association and the Institute for Nonprofit News.

Any kind of berry pudding

Berries are not only delicious, they are also antioxidant powerhouses and provide plenty of fiber. You can use any kind of red, purple or pink berry — or a combination — for this pudding. I used freshly picked mulberries and strawberries, but even frozen berries work well here.

Ingredients:

1 cup mulberries, diced

1 cup strawberries, diced

1 tablespoon maple syrup

1 cup brown sugar, divided

4 tablespoons butter, room temperature

½ cup whole milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup all-purpose or gluten-free flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon cornstarch

¾ cup boiling water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 F and grease an 8-by-8-inch square baking dish. Add the berries, and drizzle with maple syrup. Place the dish on a baking sheet. In a large bowl, whisk ½ cup brown sugar and butter until fluffy. Add milk and vanilla; mix well. Add flour, baking powder and salt; mix until ingredients are incorporated. Spoon the batter over the fruit and evenly spread to the sides. Mix the remaining ½ cup brown sugar and cornstarch together, and sprinkle over the top of the batter. Carefully pour boiling water over the mixture. Do not stir! Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until top has a golden-brown crust. Serve warm.

in a safe space; it became much more than she ever expected and has helped turn the neighborhood around. She said she’s especially happy to see how families gather here on summer days, children’s mouths dripping with juice from freshly picked berries.

Dozens of edible plants, interspersed with pollinators, are grown here without the use of chemicals. I count eight different kinds of berries: mulberry, blueberry, strawberry, blackberry, serviceberry, jostaberry, elderberry and currants; several kinds of nuts, including pecan, walnut and hazelnut; as well as apples, cherries, figs and pawpaw, pears, persimmons and pomegranates. Even the kiwi fruit, Taft’s greatest pride, is showing its tiny fruits for the first time. Sorrel and sea kale cover much of the ground. Most edible plants have a name tag and a QR code to help visitors pull up basic information, including simple ideas for preparation and the month when the plant will be ripe.

The McClanahan Food Forest, conveniently located near the Hyattsville Crossing Metro station, at the intersection of Oliver Street and Jamestown Road in West Hyattsville, is much smaller than Emerson, with a livingroom feel, according to Taft. A few benches invite visitors to slow down, enjoy the greenery, and pick some produce. There’s plenty of sea kale and several varieties of berries, as well.

Food forests, also called “forest gardens” or “edible forests,” have been around for thousands of years. From Mesoamerica to Mesopotamia and Rome, these “foodscapes” were often included in the gardens of palaces and villas, but the concept

of bringing them to urban areas is quite new. They are part of a nationwide trend to increase food security, availability and accessibility, while also promoting sustainability and healthier lifestyles. According to an April 2023 The Conversation article, more than 85 community food forest initiatives can be found throughout the U.S. Emerson Street Food Forest neighbors praise the food forest and its impact on the community. Freddie Reed, whose adjacent property has been in his family since the 1970s, still recalls the years when the lot was empty and dismal. Nowadays the space is well used, he says. Reed described how he particularly enjoys seeing children flocking there to play ball, pick berries and climb trees, while still respecting the space.

Romi Singh, who has leased the auto repair and body shop on Emerson Street for 15 years, said he has noticed his customers enjoying the serene park while they wait for their cars to be serviced. Just recently, a customer told him how happy she was to be able to look up information about the food forest’s edible plants on her phone. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if more people would use the serene spaces of Hyattsville’s food forests — to gather, chat and play, and even feel free to pick some produce to add to their dinner tables? The recipe above gives you an idea how to use an abundance of berries and is simple enough for chefs of all ages.

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

County councilmembers tussle over zoning, sprawl

By KIT SLACK

On May 16, the county councilmember who represents Hyattsville questioned the economics of building apartments and townhouses near Metro stops. Wanika Fisher (District 2) said such highdensity development can be expensive to build because properties tend to need to be lifted out of flood plains, where transportation corridors like railways have often been built because of the flat terrain.

Fisher also asked about demand for such development, speculating that buyers who move to the suburbs are looking for backyards and a buffer between themselves and their neighbors.

Jolene Ivey, the current chair of the county council, echoed Fisher’s concern about flood plains. She also said she worries about air quality for children in new high-density developments near transit stations, with few trees to filter the air or help with stormwater control. Ivey represents District 5, which includes cities east and south of Hyattsville like Edmonston and Cheverly, as well as some parts of unincorporated Hyattsville.

In response, Tom Dernoga, who represents District 1, which includes Laurel, said that the county council is part of the problem. The council approves too much development of green spaces inside the beltway, according to Dernoga. Dernoga also said that development has not been paying for itself, pointing to overburdened fire departments and school systems.

Fisher, Ivey and Dernoga had this discussion after a presentation from the county’s park and planning department about development under Plan 2035, the county’s comprehensive development plan approved in 2014. Plan 2035 prioritizes high-density development near transit. During the presentation, staff said they’ll be conducting a fiscal analysis, starting this summer, of the costs and benefits to the county of various types of development.

Ivey and Dernoga are members of the county’s Planning, Housing and Economic Development Committee, along with Eric Olson, who represents District 3, which includes College Park, and Calvin Hawkins and Mel Franklin, the county’s two at-large councilmembers.

This spring, the committee has

been considering controversial amendments to the county’s zoning rules (CB-15-2024) that change how the county approves development projects. Developers have testified in support of the changes, saying they protect investments in existing projects. Neighborhood associations and environmental groups have opposed them, saying they will allow for more sprawl.

Dernoga and Olson have sided with community groups, opposing motions supported by Ivey, Hawkins, Franklin and representatives of developers.

At an April 18 planning committee meeting, Dernoga and Olson voted against a motion to allow developers to choose between old zoning rules and new zoning rules for another two years. The new zoning rules were originally approved in 2018, and became effective in 2022. Those supporting the bill pointed out that the new zoning rules are long and complicated, and details are still being worked out. Those opposing the bill said developers have had plenty of time to learn the new rules, and that two years of continued flexibility is too favorable to developers.

Top-ranked in the DC metro area Top-ranked in the DC metro area

Data centers

Also in April, Dernoga and Olson abstained on a planning committee vote, supported by their colleagues, that would allow data centers to be built in agricultural zones. Data centers are buildings housing networked computer servers. Community groups testifying before the planning committee meeting expressed concerns about noise, pollution and energy use from the centers.

This spring, the county approved a plan for a data center on the former Landover mall site across from FedEx Field, and developers are planning another on a wooded site in Laurel near an office building and a middle school.

Community control

At the same meeting, at-large councilmember Franklin argued that community input should happen when overall planning is done for an entire area, rather than when the details of a particular development are up for approval.

He proposed reversing legislation from last year (CB-3-2023) that allows the county council to overturn a detailed plan for a development because of conflict

with plans for the larger area. Franklin said that most of those plans, known as master plans and sector plans, are outdated, with 84% put in place before Plan 2035 passed in 2014, and 93% put in place before a 2018 countywide zoning rewrite that he said allowed for public input.

Ivey, who had supported CB-32023 last year, explained that she had changed her position because she had come to understand that developers need more certainty in order to invest in a project.

Dernoga argued against Franklin’s proposal, saying the public doesn’t have enough meaningful input early in the process, in part because comprehensive planning is so backlogged. “What we’re telling the public is, ‘Thanks for coming, but we really don’t care about your opinion,’” Dernoga said. Dernoga pointed to the council’s history of rewriting zoning through site-specific text amendments, without public disclosure — a process discontinued in another reform last year (CB-2-2023).

The issues discussed in committee are expected to come before the full county council later this summer.

Wondering what your home might be worth? Thinking about a move?

Making sense of Hyattsville crime data

By HEATHER WRIGHT

In 2020, if Hyattsville residents wanted to know whether thefts or carjackings in the city were trending up or down, they could find out simply by looking at the most recent monthly or quarterly reports on the Hyattsville Police Department (HPD) website.

At least since April 2022, however, those reports have often been out of date. In response to an April 2022 Life & Times inquiry, HPD Chief Jarod Towers noted that staffing issues in the police records section had led to a backlog of statistical reports. Although the department caught up in July 2022, by March 2023, city crime reports were out of date by as much as five months.

At the end of May 2024, the last monthly report available was dated back to March 2023, and there wasn’t a functional link to quarterly and annual reports. This reporter submitted a public information request for the first quarter crime report of 2024, since it wasn’t available online.

The monthly, quarterly and annual crime reports organize city crime data by categories: crimes against persons (carjacking, homicide, assault, etc.), crimes against property (stolen vehicle, theft, etc.), total crimes, and calls for service.

The categorized information is also broken down by ward.

The most regular and recent crime information currently put out by the HPD is the weekly crime digests, available on the department’s website and Facebook page. These digests provide weekly crime highlights — a handful of curated examples that provide snapshots of what the department encountered during the week.

from one time period to the same period in the previous year (e.g., March 2023 compared to March 2022). So, for example, one could easily learn that reported theft in March 2023 was 54% higher than in the previous month (43 incidents vs. 28) but just 16% higher than in March 2022 (43 incidents vs. 37).

The most regular and recent crime information currently put out by the HPD is the weekly crime digests, available on the department’s website and Facebook page. These digests provide weekly crime highlights — a handful of curated examples that provide snapshots of what the department encountered during the week. The first weekly crime digest post on Feb. 1, 2023, said the weekly digest would focus on “crimes where we see patterns emerging, or a crime where we have seen repetitive incidents of the same type in a short amount of time.”

reports detailing quarterly HPD calls for service; these reports include information about reported crimes, along with the date, time and address of reported incidents.

Unless the HPD continues to provide monthly and quarterly reports, however, it’s up to the viewer to do all the database analyses and comparisons.

The current city code states that the HPD is supposed to present monthly reports to the city council: “The Chief of Police shall, at a regular meeting of the City Council in each month, lay before the City Council a full and complete statement of all work done by his Department during the preceding month.”

The department’s crime reports present data within categories such that residents can compare numbers from one period to the previous period (e.g., March 2023 compared to February 2023). Residents can also compare data

The weekly digest for May 13 through May 20, 2024, for example, described three incidents: a strong-arm robbery along the 3500 block of East-West Highway; an arrest of two suspects tampering with cars near Kirkwood Apartments; and a handgun arrest at a traffic stop in the 5500 block of 45th Avenue. The weekly digest is not structured to make comparisons or analyze crime trends.

The HPD website does link to a searchable, interactive crime map at cityprotect.com.

CityProtect allows users to download

HPD spokesperson Suzanne Kennedy confirmed in an email that this directive was in the current city code but noted that the relevant section hadn’t been updated since 1969 and “does not reflect our current Council meeting practices.” She noted, “Reports from Chief Towers are provided fairly frequently on an asneeded basis.”

Kennedy also cited the weekly crime digests, the HPD Facebook page, and the CityProtect database as ways that the “HPD still provides regular updates on their work to ensure city leadership, residents, and business owners are kept informed about important developments and crime statistics.”

Indomptable. Adangwa made the team. More important, however, was the budding mentorship: Tambe was so impressed with Adangwa’s first touch — what Adangwa’s academy coach in Cameroon called, in French, “contrôle orienté” — that that Tambe paid for Adangwa to go on trial with soccer clubs in Europe, specifically Turkey. Adangwa started in Istanbul and worked his way east along the Black Sea. Abroad, he gleaned a holistic approach to the game and an international contact list for future soccer business. Over the next decade, in Maryland, Adangwa became a licensed referee, a Sports Management Worldwide scout, an intermediary, and — after memorizing 500 pages of regulations and passing an October 2023 exam — a licensed FIFA agent.

“Even if I didn’t succeed to play professionally myself,” Adangwa said, “I could still help others.”

All the while, Adangwa remained a fixture of the Tambe family, attending the games of their son, Preston, ultimately becoming Preston’s first agent. Preston is also on the DMV Elite squad, which is co-founded by Adangwa and Tambe. It’s the kind of real-time karmic restitution and circle-closing that one finds in true community investment, the stuff of teachers and mentors.

The business of soccer

When Adangwa decided to consolidate his soccer experiences and found his own club, in September of 2022, there was only one person he could envision helping him: Manfred Tambe.

Initially, Tambe was hesitant. He had run his share of amateur clubs in Prince George’s County over the years, including an allCameroonian “Dream Team.”

“He [Adangwa] had to tell me something different for me to be involved with it,” Tambe said. Adangwa’s sales pitch was the holistic approach: He would use his status as a FIFA agent to scout international talent, hire a world-class coach, attract the best amateur players in the DMV region with television and social media exposure, and form an alternative path to professionalism for athletes who couldn’t — for whatever reason — attend college to play soccer and, thus, get drafted by the major leagues.

Ultimately, Tambe agreed to co-found the team.

After a fall 2022 and spring 2023 season in the Maryland Major Soccer League, DMV Elite joined the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in

2023 as a 2024 expansion club.

The jump wasn’t merely a move from the local to the national level of amateur soccer.

The NPSL sits at the bottom of the official four-tier U.S. men’s soccer pyramid, the apex of which is Major League Soccer, or MLS. Although the other three tiers of the pyramid consist of separate, professional leagues with paid players, the NPSL — sometimes dubbed “semi-professional” — tends to rub elbows with professionalism, with teams even playing in some of the same tournaments, like the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

The move to the NPSL also signified a certain seriousness of intent to Mirabelle Tambe, who only agreed to get involved

with the team once it joined the NPSL, and now serves as DMV Elite’s administrative director.

“Joining NPSL, you have to actually have a business,” Mirabelle said, “and the business is soccer entertainment. For the longest time, he [Manfred] has done it pro bono, for free. It’s just something he loved. So, I was really excited that, somehow, he’s turning his passion into a business.” Mirabelle — who claims she has been “a soccer girlfriend, a soccer mom, a soccer wife,” and now is “just soccer” — owned and operated a company called Grace Ambulance Services with Tambe for 15 years. Tambe was a paramedic and emergency room nurse, who bought an ambulance after noticing a number of stranded patients

Want

in need. Like with soccer, he ended up providing “a lot of pro bono and free services,” according to Mirabelle.

“For Manfred and I, it was kind of like a ministry also,” Mirabelle said.

But Tambe preferred being on the road, so Mirabelle ended up running the company, working with hospitals and insurance agencies, finding substitutes for sick paramedics, delegating tasks. She occupies a similar role with DMV Elite FC.

“I’ve always liked telling people what to do,” she laughs.

From the ambulance company, the Tambes learned several lessons. With Grace, Tambe bought the ambulance without considering the bureaucratic roadblocks of insurance and nursing home negotiations or the need to have two EMTs in the vehicle at all times, according to Mirabelle.

In contrast, with DMV Elite, every position was considered and filled ahead of time. Friends and family stepped into roles like finance and marketing director, the latter of which is occupied by Adangwa’s brotherin-law, Kenne Zony.

The Tambes also learned the importance of consulting industry peers. In the ambulance business, rival services refused to consult with Grace or offer advice, which left the Tambes unmoored.

“All the other companies kind of saw us as a threat,” Mirabelle said. “It was really shocking to me that we didn’t have anybody to help learn from.”

The Tambes’ experience with the NPSL has been entirely different. According to Mirabelle, the league has embodied its stated philosophy — “We compete for 90 minutes on the field; we are business partners always.” In the early stages, Adangwa and Tambe met with the owner of DMV Elite’s Mid-Atlantic Conference rival, the Annapolis Blues, and “picked his brain.” The Blues — who, despite only joining the league last year, set an attendance record of 8,480 fans — have served as DMV Elite’s mentor and business model, helping them — in conjunction with NPSL University — navigate the many rules and regulations of the league, particularly with regards to the venue.

NPSL field requirements range from the practical (“Benches for the visiting team to accommodate 16 players and staff,” “Use of electronic scoreboard and working time clock”) to the cultural (“National Anthem played,” “American flag displayed”). DMV Elite ultimately settled on Bladensburg High School stadium as their home field, and Heurich Park as their training grounds.

“We’re in the heart of Prince George’s County,” Tambe said. “We want to be an access point, a window, and an opportunity for anybody that wants to practice soccer at the highest level.”

This article has been cut for space. To read the full article and learn more about the DMV Elite FC team and head coach, visit our website, StreetcarSuburbs.News.

Stripes, DMV Elite FC’s mascot, watches on from the stands. GRIFFIN LIMERICK

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Our list of events sponsored by local nonprofits, arts organizations and performance venues, occurring between June 12 and July 9; all information is current as of May 31. 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 July 10 to Aug. 13 to managingeditor@hyattsvillelife.com by July 3.

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. Listeners welcome! 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

Riverdale Park Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. in the parking lot near the Riverdale MARC Station, 4650 Queensbury Rd. Live

music every week from roughly 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (June 13: Boyce Thompson; June 20: TBD; June 27: Stormi & The Blue Skies; July 11: Sadia) For more information, contact rpkfarmmkt@ gmail.com.

ONGOING

“MashUp,” Pyramid Atlantic’s Fifth Annual Members Exhibition is on view through June 23. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 4218 Gallatin St. pyramidatlanticartcenter.org. 301.608.9101

JUNE 12

Spend an afternoon at the Hyattsville Branch Library for coffee and a screening of the 1944 classic dark comedy “Arsenic and Old Lace” (118 min.). Free. Register at pgcmls.info/events. 1 to 3 p.m. 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451

Joe’s dirtie lab. is a monthly artist critique seminar in collaboration with Joe’s Movement Emporium, Red Dirt and The Gateway Media Arts Lab. June’s artist is Winston W. Harris, a contemporary printmaker who experiments in 2D and 3D traditional and nontraditional printmaking. Free. RSVP to Joesmovement.org. 7 to 9 p.m. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier. 301.699.1819

JUNE 13

See “Summer of the Soul” (2021, 158 min.), a documentary film about the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival that celebrated African American music and culture and promoted Black pride and unity. $5 for ages 60 and better. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710. publickplayhouse@pgparks. com

Come to Maryland Meadworks for their June karaoke night, co-hosted with the fabulous, super-talented Veronica Sanchez. Free. 7 to 9:30 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com

JUNE 14

Headrush plays at Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Free. 7 to 9 p.m. 4824 Rhode Island Ave. streetcar82brewing.com

JUNE 15

Kick off Summer Prince George’s, a free lunch program, at the Hyattsville Branch Library on our terrace! Drop by to register and enjoy outside activities. Free. Register at pgcmls.info/events. 4 to 5:30 p.m. 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451

JUNE 16

Father’s Day tours of Riversdale: Hear about some of the fathers who lived and labored at Riversdale, and stop in the open-hearth kitchen where kitchen guild members prepare Father’s Day specialties. Free for fathers in celebration of Father’s Day. Noon and 2 p.m. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd, Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420. riversdale@pgparks.com

JUNE 21

Stormi & The Blue Skies perform at Maryland Meadworks. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com

JUNE 22

Celebrate Pride Month while getting to know local LGBTQ+ organizations and community members. Join us for Rainbow Festival: storytime, crafts, music, special guests, and more for all ages. Festive dress and costumes are encouraged! Free. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hyattsville Branch Library, 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451

Five Dollar Fine plays at Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Free. 7 to 9 p.m. 4824 Rhode Island Ave. streetcar82brewing.com

As part of Route 1 Corridor Conversations, join us to discuss “Living (and Aging) Well with Technology.” TechMoxie will discuss how older adults and others can safely use technologies like voice assistants to manage tasks with less frustration. Attendees can join via telephone or Zoom. Free. 2 to 3:30

p.m. Register at hyattsvilleaginginplace.org/events.

JUNE 26

Come listen to Jazz on the Lawn: M.S.G. Acoustic Blues Trio. Free. Register at pgparksdirect.com. 7 to 8 p.m. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420. riversdale@pgparks.com

JUNE 29

The Breakfast Grunge plays at Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Free. 7 to 9 p.m. 4824 Rhode Island Ave. streetcar82brewing.com

JULY 3

Shakespeare in the park: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a delightful comedy weaving together the stories of four young lovers, amateur actresses and mischievous fairies. Free. 7:30 to 9 p.m. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420. riversdale@pgparks.com

The Hyattsville Reporter

It’s Summer Jam Season!

Celebrate Juneteenth with us at the first Summer Jam of the year on June 21 at Hyatt Park, 3500 Hamilton St.! Join your neighbors from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. for live music, food & beverage vendors, and family-friendly activities. Details hyattsville.org/summerjam.

We’re currently seeking food, beverage, entertainment, and gift vendors to join us for the 2024 Summer Jams! Learn more and apply at hyattsville.org/summerjam.

SHARE FEEDBACK ON THE CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

The City shared goals developed for the Strategic Plan (formerly the Sustainability Plan) at an in-person workshop in May. We’re seeking additional feedback to help refine the goals at HelloHyattsville.com through July 8. Vote to help City staff and Council prioritize activities and projects through 2030!

¡Fiestas de Verano!

¡Celebra Juneteenth con nosotros en la primera Fiesta de Verano del año el 21 de junio en Hyatt Park, 3500 Hamilton St! Únase a sus vecinos de 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. para disfrutar de música en vivo, vendedores de alimentos, bebidas, y actividades para toda la familia. Más información en hyattsville.org/summerjam.

¡Estamos buscando vendedores de comida, bebida, entretenimiento y más para las Fiestas de Verano del 2024! Más información y solicitudes en hyattsville. org/summerjam.

COMPARTIR OPINIONES SOBRE EL PLAN ESTRATÉGICO DE LA CIUDAD

La Ciudad compartió los objetivos desarrollados para el Plan Estratégico (anteriormente Plan de Sostenibilidad) en un taller presencial en mayo. Estamos buscando comentarios adicionales para ayudar a perfeccionar los objetivos en HelloHyattsville. com hasta el 8 de julio ¡Vota para ayudar a la Ciudad a priorizar actividades y proyectos hasta el 2030!

Fox 5 DC kicked off their summer Zip Trip series in Hyattsville on May 24! Thanks to all who presented and attended for showing off what Hyattsville has to offer. Visit fox5dc.com/ziptrip to watch the video segments.

ANNOUNCEMENTS | ANUNCIOS

ANNOUNCEMENTS | ANUNCIOS

KING & BURLINGTON PARK CONSTRUCTION UPDATES!

Installation of the new playground equipment and landscaping at King Park on Gallatin Street and Burlington Park on Emerson Street is expected to begin this month, weather pending. The parks are expected to re-open later this summer, once construction is complete and the landscaping has had time to establish. Visit hyattsville.org/ parks to learn about all our City parks!

JEFFERSON STREET CLOSURE REMINDER

Utility work for the Canvas Apartment development has entered its final phase! Please note that Jefferson St. between Route 1 and 43rd Ave., as well as 44th Ave. between Jefferson and Kennedy, will be fully closed. There will be no through traffic on these roads during construction hours, Monday - Friday, from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. This work is expected to continue through mid-July. For detour maps, visit hyattsville.org/canvas.

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE STREET ART DESIGN

The City is partnering with Graham Projects to install new asphalt art on the 3000 block of Nicholson Street! The art will help slow traffic and draw attention to the pedestrian areas created in the recent traffic calming installations. We asked the community to submit design ideas and now it’s your turn to vote! Voting will be open from June 14 - July 3 at hellohyattsville.com.

MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS FOR YOUTH & FAMILIES

In Wellness We Thrive, the City’s new, bilingual mental wellness program is now accepting registrations for youth and family therapy sessions. Sessions are free, but applicants must demonstrate income eligibility. Sessions will begin in July. The Expressive Arts program for youth in grades 6-12 will open registration on June 17; the first cohort begins June 25. More info at hyattsville.org/mentalhealth-programs.

GRANTS FOR HYATTSVILLE BUSINESSES

Funds ar still avaiable for Hyattsville businesses and non-profits in the Commercial Facade Improvement (CFI) Program and the Vandalism Prevention and Recovery Program. The application deadline for the Vandalism program is June 30 and the CFI deadline has been extended to July 15! Apply at hyattsville.org/biz-grants.

HOME WEATHERIZATION AND REPAIR PROGRAMS

Stay cooler this summer and save money on utilities with free or low-cost home improvement programs offered by community partners. These programs help homeowners with projects like insulation, duct sealing, and HVAC system repairs. Find eligibility requirements and application information at hyattsville.org/homerepair.

JUNE HERITAGE CELEBRATIONS!

Happy June! This month we are recognizing LGBTQIA+ Pride Month, Caribbean American Heritage Month, and Immigrant Heritage Month. The City is proud to be a welcoming home for all! Our diversity is what makes Hyattsville such a desirable place to live. Find more information on June’s heritage months, including links to local events, at hyattsville.org.

¡ACTUALIZACIONES DE CONSTRUCCIÓN PARA LOS PARQUES

KING Y BURLINGTON!

Se espera que este mes comience la instalación de los nuevos juegos infantiles y el paisajismo en los parques King, en Gallatin Street, y Burlington, en Emerson Street, dependiendo de las condiciones del clima. Se espera que los parques vuelvan a abrir sus puertas a finales del verano, una vez que se hayan completado las construcciones y el paisajismo haya tenido tiempo de establecerse. Visite hyattsville.org/parks para conocer parques de la Ciudad.

CIERRE DE LA CALLE JEFFERSON

¡La construcción de Canvas Apartment ha entrado a su fase final! Tenga en cuenta que la calle Jefferson entre la Ruta 1 y la Avenida 43, así como la Avenida 44 entre Jefferson y Kennedy, estarán totalmente cerradas. No habrá circulación por estas calles durante las horas de construcción, de lunes - viernes, de 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Se espera que este trabajo continúe hasta mediados de julio. Mapas de desvío en hyattsville.org/canvas.

¡VOTA POR TU DISEÑO DE ARTE URBANO FAVORITO!

La Ciudad se ha asociado con Graham Projects para instalar nuevas obras de arte en el asfalto del bloque 3000 de Nicholson Street. El arte ayudará a ralentizar el tráfico y llamar la atención sobre las zonas peatonales creadas en las recientes instalaciones de pacificación del tráfico. Hemos pedido a la comunidad que presente ideas de diseño y ahora es su turno de votar. La votación estará abierta del 14 de junio - 3 de julio en hellohyattsville.com.

PROGRAMAS DE SALUD MENTAL PARA JÓVENES Y FAMILIAS

En Bienestar Prosperamos, el nuevo programa bilingüe de bienestar mental de la Ciudad, está aceptando inscripciones para sesiones de terapia para jóvenes y familias. Las sesiones son gratuitas, pero los solicitantes deben demostrar elegibilidad de ingresos. Las sesiones comenzarán en julio. El programa de Artes Expresivas para jóvenes de 6 - 12 grado abrirá las inscripciones el 17 de junio; el primer grupo comienza el 25 de junio. Más información en hyattsville.org/ mental-health-programs.

SUBVENCIONES PARA PREVENCIÓN DEL VANDALISMO

Este programa ofrece reembolsos por incidentes recientes de vandalismo y/o fondos para mejoras de seguridad. Solicitantes que cumplan los requisitos pueden recibir hasta $4,000. Se aceptan solicitudes hasta el 30 de junio o hasta que se agoten los fondos. Visite hyattsville.org/biz-grants para consultar los requisitos y las solicitudes.

PROGRAMA GRATUITO DE CLIMATIZACIÓN

DE VIVIENDAS

Manténgase fresco este verano y ahorre dinero en servicios públicos con los programas de mejora del hogar gratuitos o de bajo coste que ofrecen los socios de la comunidad. Estos programas ayudan a los propietarios de viviendas con proyectos como aislamiento, sellado de conductos y reparaciones del sistema de calefacción, ventilación y aire acondicionado. Encuentre los requisitos de elegibilidad y la información de solicitud en hyattsville.org/homerepair.

¡CELEBRACIONES DE JUNIO!

¡Feliz mes de junio! Este mes celebramos el Mes del Orgullo LGBTQIA+, el Mes de la Herencia Caribeña y el Mes de la Herencia de los Inmigrantes. La Ciudad se enorgullece de ser un hogar acogedor para todos. Nuestra diversidad es lo que hace de Hyattsville un lugar tan deseable para vivir. Encontrará más información sobre los meses del patrimonio de junio, incluidos enlaces a eventos locales, en hyattsville.org.

CALENDAR | CALENDARIO

CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Join the City’s caregivers support group on June 7 & 21 from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at the City Building, 4310 Gallatin St. Contact seniors@hyattsville. org or call (301) 985-5000 for more information.

TROLLEY TRAIL DAY

Join us on Trolley Trail Day on June 8 from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.! There will be two stops in Hyattsville at Melrose Skate Park and next to Franklin’s Brewery. Learn more at trolleytrailday.org.

SHRED-IT DAY

Shred unwanted paper on June 8, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at the City Building! Details at hyattsville.org/calendar

COUNCIL MEETING

City Council will host a regular meeting on June 10 at 7 p.m. Register at hyattsville.org/ meetings.

EARLY DISMISSAL CAMP

Register your kids in grades K-5 for an Early Dismissal Camp on June 13 from 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Driskell Park Recreation Center, 3911 Hamilton Street. Details at hyattsville.org/camp.

SENIORS ON THE GO

Trip to Amish Market in Laurel on June 13 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.! Reserve a seat by calling (301) 985 - 5000 by 2 p.m. the Wed. before the trip.

NIGHT OWLS

Drop off your little one(s) in grades K-5 at the Driskell Park Rec Center from 6 - 9 PM on June 14! Kids participate in fun activities while you get a night out! hyattsville.org/nightowls.

INVASIVE REMOVALS

Help remove invasive plants from Driskell Park between 10 AM - 2 PM on June 15! RVSP to environment@ hyattsville.org.

ENVIROMENTAL WALKING TOUR

Join the City & partners on a walking tour of green residential projects on June 15 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tours start at Driskell Park, 3911 Hamilton St. Info at hyattsville. org/enviro-education.

REGISTRATION OPENS FOR CAMP STAYCATION!

Registration for the FREE Camp Staycation program opens on June 17! The program runs from June 27 - August 17 for students in grades 6 - 12. Register at hyattsville.org/camps.

BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE

The City’s next Business Roundtable will take place on June 18 from 9 - 10:30 a.m. at Flavors Culinary Hub, 6504 America Blvd, Suite 105A. Visit hyattsville.org/roundtable to register.

FREE PRODUCE

A free produce distribution is taking place on June 18 at First United Methodist Church, starting at noon.

CERT MEETING

The next Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) organization meeting is on June 18, 6:30 - 8:30 PM, at the City Building. Register at hyattsville.org/cert.

JUNETEENTH SERVICE CHANGES

City offices will close on June 19 in honor of Juneteenth. Wed. and Thurs. trash routes will both be collected on Thurs., June 20. No change to yard waste and compost pick up. Visit mypgc.us/recycle for County recycling changes.

NARCAN TRAININGS

Free NARCAN community trainings at the City Building on June 20 at 6 PM and June 21 at 10 AM. Register at hyattsville. org/ calendar.

JUNETEENTH SUMMER JAM

Celebrate Juneteenth with us on June 21 at Hyatt Park, 3500 Hamilton St from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Details hyattsville.org/ summerjam.

BULK WASTE

POP-UP DAY

Get rid of bulky items on June 22, from 10 AM - 1 PM free of charge at 4633 Arundel Place. Find a list of acceptable items at hyattsville.org/bulk-waste.

MEN’S HEALTH MONTH FUN RUN/WALK

Join us on June 29 at 9 a.m. for a 5k Fun Run/Walk to raise awareness for Men’s Health at the University Hills Duck Pond, 3400 Stanford St. Details at hyattsville.org/calendar.

WEST HVL GREEN ALLEY CONCEPT DESIGN REVIEW

Review the West Hyattsville Green Alley concept design on June 29 from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at the intersection of Hamilton St and 31st Ave. Learn more at HelloHyattsville.com.

INDEPENDENCE DAY SERVICE CHANGES

City offices will close on July 4 in honor of Independence Day. Thurs. trash route will move to Fri., July 5, all other routes remain the same. No change to yard waste and compost pick up. Visit mypgc.us/recycle for County recycling changes.

GRUPO DE APOYO PARA CUIDADORES

Únase al grupo de apoyo para cuidadores los días 7 y 21 de junio de 9 - 10:30 a.m., en el edificio municipal, 4310 Gallatin St. Póngase en contacto con seniors@ hyattsville.org o llame al (301) 985-5000 para más info.

DÍA DEL SENDERO DEL TRANVÍA

Únase el 8 de junio, de 9 a.m. - 8 p.m., al Día del Tranvía. Habrá dos paradas en Hyattsville: Melrose Skate Park; y junto a Franklin’s Brewery. Más información en trolleytrailday.org.

DÍA DE TRITURACIÓN

Tritura papeles que no quieras el 8 de junio, de 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., en el edificio municipal. Detalles en hyattsville.org/ calendar

REUNION DEL CONCEJO

El Concejo Municipal tendrá su reunión el 10 de junio a las 7 p.m. Preinscríbase en hyattsville.org/meetings.

CAMPAMENTO DE SALIDA TEMPRANA

Campamento de Salida Temprana el 13 de junio de 10:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. para Kinder - 5 grado en el Centro Juvenil del Parque Driskell. Mas info en hyattsville.org/camp.

PASEOS PARA ADULTOS MAYORES

Visite al Mercado Amish en Laurel el 13 de junio de 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.! Reserve llamando al (301) 985-5000.

BÚHOS NOCTURNOS

¡Deje a sus niños en grados K-5 en el Driskell Park Rec Center de 6 - 9 p.m. el 14 de junio! Registrese en hyattsville.org/nightowls.

ELIMINACIÓN DE VIDES

¡Ayude a eliminar plantas invasoras del Parque Driskell entre10 AM - 2 PM el 15 de junio! RVSP a environment@ hyattsville.org.

RECORRIDO MEDIOAMBIENTAL

Únete a la Ciudad & a sus socios en un recorrido a pie el 15 de junio por proyectos residenciales ecológicos de 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., en Driskell Park. Detalles en hyattsville.org/ enviro-education.

INSCRIPCION ABIERTA PARA CAMPAMENTO

¡Inscripción del Campamento Vacacional GRATIS se abre el 17 de junio! El programa va del 27 de junio - 17 de agosto para estudiantes de 6 - 12 grado. Inscríbete en hyattsville.org/camps.

MESA DE NEGOCIOS

La próxima mesa redonda de negocios de la Ciudad será el 18 de junio de 9 - 10:30 a.m. en Flavors Culinary Hub, 6504 America Blvd, Suite 105A. Visite hyattsville.org/ roundtable para inscribirse.

ALIMENTOS GRATIS

El 18 de junio habrá una distribución de alimentos gratis en la Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida, a partir del mediodía.

REUNIÓN CERT

Reunión de organización del Equipo Comunitario de Respuesta a Emergencias es el 18 de junio, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., edificio municipal. Regístrese en hyattsville.org/cert.

CAMBIOS DE SERVICIO: JUNETEENTH

Las oficinas de la Ciudad cerrarán el 19 de junio en honor a Juneteenth. Las rutas de basura del miércoles y jueves se recogerán el jueves 20 de junio. No hay cambios en la recolección de desechos de jardín y compost. Visite mypgc.us/ recycle para los cambios de reciclaje del Condado.

ENTRENAMIENTOS NARCAN

Entrenamientos comunitarios gratuitos de NARCAN en el edificio municipal el 20 de junio a las 6 PM y el 21 de junio a las 10 a.m. Inscríbase en hyattsville.org/ calendar.

FIESTA DE VERANO

Celebra Juneteenth con nosotros el 21 de junio en Hyatt Park, 3500 Hamilton St de 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Detalles hyattsville.org/summerjam.

RECOGIDA DE DESECHOS

Deshazte de objetos grandes el 22 de junio, de 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. gratis en 4633 Arundel Place. Encuentra una lista de artículos aceptables en hyattsville.org/bulk-waste.

5K POR LA SALUD MASCULINA

Acompáñanos el 29 de junio, 9 a.m. en una carrera de 5k para concienciar sobre la salud masculina en University Hills Duck Pond, 3400 Stanford St. Detalles en hyattsville.org/calendar

CALLEJON VERDE DE WEST HVL

Revise el diseño conceptual del Callejón Verde de West Hyattsville el 29 de junio de 10 a.m. a 1 p.m. en la intersección de Hamilton St y 31st Ave. Más información en Hellohyattsville.com.

4 DE JULIO: CAMBIOS DE SERVICIO

Oficinas de la Ciudad cerrarán el 4 de julio por el Día de Independencia. La basura del jueves se recogerá al viernes 5 de julio, todas las demás rutas permanecen igual. No hay cambios en la recolección de desechos de jardín y compost. Visite mypgc.us/ recycle para los cambios de reciclaje del Condado.

HIGHLIGHTS | LO DESTACADO

MISS FLORIBUNDA

Friends befriend greenscaping

Dear Miss Floribunda,

I live in the Hyattsville Hills neighborhood, in a house on the side of a grassy hill. My next-door neighbors complain that whenever it rains heavily, a lot of water floods their patio and even gets into their basement. We’ve been neighbors for over two decades and have been on pretty good terms, but the rains of the last few years have gotten torrential, and this has put a damper on our relations. When I suggested they get a sump pump, they told me with real annoyance that they already had two! I realize I have to find a viable solution at my end if I want to keep their friendship, but I have no idea how to divert the water from my property away from theirs.

At Loggerheads on Livingston Street

Dear At Loggerheads,

You do not have to divert water away from your neighbors. Even if you could, it would cause problems elsewhere — perhaps ending up via storm sewers in

the Chesapeake Bay, toxic lawn chemicals and all. There are a number of stormwater management practices that would significantly reduce the runoff from your property, and they have the added advantage of beautifying your property and creating a habitat for wildlife. One way is through “greenscaping.” You can replace your fussy turf grass with sedges, native groundcovers and flowering perennials, as well as small native trees and shrubs that when placed near the base of your hill are especially effective for absorbing rain before it reaches your neighbor’s property. This would also benefit birds, butterflies, bees and other pollinators.

If you’d like to get more ambitious, an excellent way to capture runoff is by contouring a rain garden. These gardens are designed to capture water and hold it while it slowly absorbs into the surrounding soil. There are some excellent examples beside the parking lot in Driskell Park. Another effective practice would be to

terrace your slope to slow the water down and give it time to soak into the soil.

You might also consider collecting rain during storms, before rainwater can course down your hillside. Rain barrels have become a popular way of collecting rain runoff from rooftop gutters to use later during periods of drought. The more expensive barrels feature connections to downspouts, as well as spigots on the sides to make it easy to divert the water to hoses or watering cans, but if you’re handy, you can make your own from industrial discards. The City of Hyattsville has an excellent guide to installing rain barrels on its website.

I realize that these suggestions can seem daunting if you have never ventured beyond conventional gardening practices, so I asked my native plant and landscaping advisor, Dave Greenfingers, to suggest resources that could provide you with support and counsel. He informed me that you can sign up for an Audubon Wildlife Habitat visit. An advisor will

visit you and help you plan the transformation of your property into a wildlife habitat — which would include rainwater collection and management. If you’re interested in such a visit, you can make an inquiry to audubonwildlifehabitat@gmail.com. If you worry about the expense of implementing changes, Dave advises you to take advantage of proffered rebates for rain barrels; rain gardens; planting of specific native trees; pavement removal and replacement with permeable paving; cisterns; and green roofs. The Chesapeake Bay Trust, in partnership with Prince George’s County Department of the Environment, will provide rebates of up to $6,000 to homeowners who engage in practices that reduce runoff and lead to improving water quality. This is done through the Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program (cbtrust.org/ grants/prince-georges-countyrain-check-rebate). See p. 11 for more details on the rebate program.

Fortuitously and fortunately, an upcoming garden tour on Saturday, June 15, can show you just how your neighbors elsewhere in Hyattsville have creat-

ed pollinator-friendly habitats incorporating stormwater management practices. This tour is being co-sponsored by the Hyattsville Horticultural Society, the Prince George’s Audubon Society, the City of Hyattsville, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and the county’s Rain Check Rebate Program.

You’ll get many useful ideas to implement on your own property, as well as a peek into some of Hyattsville’s most charming hidden havens. The tour will have two components: a guided tour and a self-guided tour. The guided portion will be led by rain check program staff and will focus mostly on their projects. The self-guided tour will cover all of the properties. If you’re interested in taking the guided tour, you’re encouraged to register at bit.ly/hyattsvilletour. Otherwise, just come to Driskell Park at 10 a.m. for orientation. I hope to see you there.

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

over 30

For the city’s survey, The h3 Project interviewed 64 unhoused people. The h3 Project’s founder and director of outreach, Ami Angell, presented the findings at the March 4 city council meeting. She said that just over three-quarters of the respondents identified as Latino and a vast majority of them were male. Many of the respondents preferred to be interviewed in Spanish.

Over three-quarters of respondents were not from Maryland. While the information was not originally on the survey, 22 people surveyed said they arrived by “coyote,” meaning with the help of someone who smuggles a person across a border. Because of how common this response was, it was added as a choice.

“There was a lot of paranoia that maybe we’re gathering information, we’re going to sell it, or we’re going to deport them or give it to other authorities,” Angell said in the meeting.

Respondents were also asked whether they had a Social Security card, birth certificate or government identification card — all of which are necessary to get a job and housing. A majority of them did not, nor did they have health insurance.

When asked if they would ever consider leaving the state, many of the respondents said they felt attached to Maryland.

“A lot of them don’t want to go out of Maryland. Right now, although they don’t have their employment and they don’t have their case management services, they have a community,” Angell said during the council meeting.

“And that community is what is keeping them afloat. And so to them, it’s frightening. It’s frightening to leave that community and not know what’s out there.”

Additionally, according to the survey, only seven of those surveyed had a case manager. Most that had a case manager, however, did not know their manager’s name or their organization. According to Angell, many of the respondents who did not have one said that they wanted a case manager.

The three leading causes for homelessness among the respondents were a financial crisis, family members and addiction. In this case, “family members” could refer to turbulent relationship dynamics within a family, including issues with substance abuse and not accepting a family member’s sexuality or other identity, according to Angell.

In the past, The h3 Project has worked with clients to help get them back on their feet by providing basic necessities, ordering vital documents, helping people apply for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps), and even reuniting families, according to its website.

Countrywide homelessness data is readily available, so the goal of The h3 Project’s Hyattsville survey was to zoom in on local data to figure out how the city can best serve its unhoused population.

Shakira Louimarre, the city’s first race and equity officer and one of several city employees involved with the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, or GARE, emphasized in an in-

terview that The h3 Project’s report only shows a snapshot of specific areas of Hyattsville over a few weeks. The city commissioned the survey from GARE for $15,000.

Louimarre also highlighted the less visible demographics of homeless people that the survey may not have shown, such as aging populations that are being affected.

“There’s the question of affordable housing, access to jobs, where mental health and addiction fall into the equation, and I think all of those things kind of point to where there are groups that are lacking in resources and may be marginalized,” Louimarre said.

There are no homeless shelters within municipal Hyattsville, though there are several in the county. Only five of the 64 respondents to The h3 Project stated that they have slept in shelters. Cindy Zork, the city’s communications manager, said that while Hyattsville lacks nearby shelters, the city still tries to help by providing food on every third Tuesday of the month in Driskell Park.

A question of safety

Not even two months after the completion of the survey, on March 20, there were four house fires on Gallatin Street believed to be caused by unhoused people who were squatting in unoccupied houses under renovation.

Other community concerns about the well-being of unhoused people, beyond accidental fires, include unhoused individuals’ interactions with local businesses.

Unhoused individuals in Hyattsville often spend their time around Queens Chapel Town Center, an area in West Hyattsville near the West Hyattsville Metro station with a variety of businesses, shops and convenience stores.

Recently, many people have been occupying an area outside of 3032 Hamilton Street, a vacant storefront. Across the street is Hyattsville Spirits & Grill. Isael Ortiz, an employee of the store, said that the homeless population asks customers for spare change and sometimes makes people nervous to come in.

Ortiz said that when the police arrive, these individuals often move, only to return once the police leave.

At the Aldi grocery store down the street, manager Romell Harripaul said that the city isn’t doing enough, even when the store calls the police around once a day to remove people from the private property.

“We reached out to the chief of police for Hyattsville at one point last year,” Harripaul said. “They’re not making enough effort to help

The city has been addressing homelessness by analyzing policing, infrastructure and socioeconomic conditions, according to City Communications Manager Cindy Zork.

us. What they’re telling us is just keep calling the police.”

Harripaul, who has worked at the Hyattsville location for five years, said he has taken matters into his own hands, checking the parking lot every 30 minutes and asking loiterers to leave the private property.

Harripaul also said the store is thinking of taking down the trees in the parking lot to discourage people from sleeping under them. He expects to see an increase in loitering as the summer months roll in, a pattern he’s noticed over the years.

Hyattsville Police Deputy Chief Laura Lanham said that the department often responds to calls from business owners and residents asking them to deal with people who are loitering.

“Our goal is absolutely compliance, not enforcement,” Lanham said.

The deputy chief said that in cases of repeat offenders and people who are more difficult to educate or are resistant to changing their behavior, the police department has been able to work with the state’s attorney office to provide more help.

“It’s an issue that the city has heard from the residents, has heard from the businesses, and also is sympathetic to the plight of those people who are suffering from different social ills,” Lanham said.

Moving forward

The city has plans in place to address loitering along Hamilton Street, with its proposal of a “Green Alley” — a revitalized alleyway, which the city asserts will better connect the West Hyattsville neighborhood with local businesses, as well as help keep the area clean.

The Green Alley will be located around Queens Chapel Town Center. It will connect Ager Road and Queens Chapel Road back into the neighborhood. The idea is that a cleaner, greener alleyway would deter loiterers and make visitors and residents feel more comfortable.

The city released a survey,

which closed on May 6, to collect community feedback about the project before making final plans. But Zork said that while this is a step in the right direction, it does not directly address the larger issue of homelessness.

“That just means they go somewhere else, so that doesn’t solve the problem,” Zork said. “Even if we’re providing a solution for the businesses and the community members, we need to think about the people who are in probably the worst of the situation.”

Angell, of The h3 Project, said in an interview that her primary recommendation would be to create a bilingual outreach team to build rapport and engagement, which could lead to an easier time obtaining vital documents and helping unhoused individuals become successful members of society.

“Right now they are not being helped in the system. And in fact, I think in most cases, they’re not trusting the system because of the fear of deportation,” Angell said. “It’s really going to take individuals that are willing to spend the time building that rapport and also making those connections with [homeless] centers … so that they can feel that individuals actually care about them, first off, but are also giving them the tools to be able to take that step and towards employment.”

Zork also said that the city does have a case manager, Pedro Sandoval, who can be a “conduit to resources” for unhoused people who reach out to the city looking for help.

While the GARE team’s goal is to identify causes of homelessness rather than provide services, team members are currently in the stage of gathering information from the community, developing actionable steps to address homelessness. Louimarre said they have hosted community listening sessions, and one of the most common actionable steps suggested was as simple as providing public restrooms.

The city has been addressing homelessness by analyzing policing, infrastructure and socioeconomic conditions, according to Zork. While the city does not currently have specific next steps to improve local homelessness, Zork said that the city council is dedicated to finding a solution.

“This is going to take time, and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we work through various solutions, and no one of these elements here is going to be the ultimate solution,” she said. “It’s going to take a lot of input from the community, a lot of effort, and time and money.”

Jess Daninhirsch and Kaya Bogot are

City opens submissions for flag redesign

By RAZAK DIALLO

The City of Hyattsville is considering redesigning its current flag. The city council has formed a flag redesign committee and invited community members to submit designs to establish the symbol of Hyattsville for decades to come.

Hyattsville’s current flag, designed nearly 50 years ago, features a light blue background, four stars, and the city’s seal. These design choices do not meet standards set by the North American Vexillological Association (NAVA) and, more importantly, remain absent of any iconic symbols or imagery of the Hyattsville community.

Ward 3 councilmember and vexillology enthusiast Jimmy McClellan was inspired by the pride displayed in the Maryland flag. He said that when he moved to

the city in 2019, he felt there was a need for more attention to the city flag and wanted to address it.

“We have a flag that flies at our city building, but it’s not something that many people know about. It’s definitely not something that’s hanging out in front of houses, like the American or Maryland flag is,” McClellan said.

McClellan proposed a motion to begin the redesign process in February. In April, the council formed a volunteer committee of seven Hyattsville community members to help.

The motion comes amid a wave of flag changes across the country. In recent years, states such as Mississippi, Minnesota and Utah, as well as cities like Salem, Ore.; Tulsa, Okla.; and Reno, Nev., have adopted new flags. McClellan points out that these flags have unique, meaningful designs with-

out words or complex imagery.

Until June 30, community members can submit proposed flag designs in person through drop boxes at Hyattsville Branch Library and Driskell Park or virtually on the city website. Designs must follow NAVA guidelines: simple, meaningful, distinctive from other flags, consists of only two to three colors and omits seals or other lettering.

Sam Jackson, a member of the redesign committee and NAVA, expressed the importance of finding the balance between adhering to NAVA guidelines and properly representing the community.

“We want to leave it as openended as we can, while still having some guidelines to help people ensure we’re submitting designs that are up to par with best practice,” Jackson said. After the June 30 deadline, the

redesign committee will deliberate over the designs, picking out elements that work and those that could be improved. The committee will present finalist flags for community feedback and revision by August. According to McClellan, the city council will vote on a final design in October and celebrate the new flag between late fall and early spring, with souvenir flags for the community to display.

“We want people to fly it off their porch, have stickers on their cars and water bottles, and maybe even have a tattoo on their arm,” Jackson said.

McClellan and Jackson noted that, thus far, the submissions have showcased Hyattsville’s rich tapestry, featuring its iconic landmarks, waterways, diverse cultures, cuisine and arts scene. Some submissions have even incorporated design choices of the widely paraded Maryland flag. “This is really not just going to be a flag that represents our government … but represents the people of our community,” McClellan said. “We’re moving forward with redesigning it to make sure that it represents our people, our history and the land that we live on.”

Razak Diallo is an undergraduate journalism major at the University of Maryland.

Cowbirds, con artists of the bird world

By RICK BORCHELT

European folklore is liberally sprinkled with tales of babies stolen from their crib by fairies and replaced with either a sickly fairy child or just a doll made from leaves and berries. Seldom do these stories end well for either the human parents or the changeling child.

In backyards across most of America, an avian changeling story also plays out every nesting season. Small songbirds — mostly warblers, but also thrushes, sparrows, finches and similar-sized species — come back to their nests to find a new egg they didn’t lay nestled in with their clutch. This new egg is usually bigger and often a different color, but even if the warbler parents notice anything is amiss, their incubation instinct still kicks in, and they typically care for the odd egg as their own.

Like in the changeling fairy tales, this does not end well for these parents or their initial offspring.

A large chick hatches from this egg, often earlier than the original eggs. And that young chick is a badly behaving bird bully, outcompeting its smaller nestmates and gobbling up all the food when the parent birds arrive with dinner.

This masquerade can even

take a deadly turn, with the larger chick smothering or kicking the smaller nestlings out when the parent birds aren’t looking. Even when it’s the only chick left in the nest, it keeps the parents running ragged, feeding a youngster that ends up twice or more their size before it leaves the nest.

Where did this changeling egg come from??

The brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater).

Brown-headed cowbirds, despite their unorthodox habit of farming out child care, can be attractive and cheery birds in the urban landscape. During the winter, the brown-headed males, with their glossy black bodies, and drab grayish-brown females are regular visitors to backyard bird feeders, happily eating corn, millet and milo alongside their regular sparrow, junco and finch compatriots. They also throng together with other “blackbirds” — starlings, red-winged blackbirds, grackles and others — in huge mixed flocks that glean corn and other grains in agricultural fields and livestock pens. Male cowbirds serenade their mates with liquid, tinkling notes.

While they are a common, even abundant, species for us now, brown-headed cowbirds are a relatively recent addition to the Maryland avian fauna.

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Another colloquial name for the cowbird is bison bird — a nod to the fact that before European colonization, cowbirds followed roving bison herds across the great plains, feasting on grasshoppers and other insects stirred up by the constantly moving mammals, along with flies and ticks they found on bison necks and backs.

Because the herds were always on the move, female cowbirds found it impossible to build a nest, lay their eggs and raise young while still keeping up with the bison. So, they took a page out of the playbook of their tropical cowbird cousins, all of whom commandeer the parental efforts of other birds. Brownheaded cowbirds laid their eggs in nests of other birds in thickets and tree margins bordering rivers and lakes along the herd’s route. Scientists call this behavior “brood parasitism,” and it is found in other bird species as well, including common cuckoos in Europe.

Our English word “cuckold,” used to refer to a man whose wife has cheated on him, derives from the old word for cuckoo. The genus name for the brown-headed cowbird, Molothrus, pulls no punches either, pairing the Greek molos- (battle or fight) with -throskos (to

sire or impregnate).

When colonists started cutting down the eastern forests and replacing them with agricultural fields, adding cows and horses to the mix, cowbirds moved eastward to take advantage of these newfound herds and the fresh habitat. Here they discovered a whole new community of forest birds to exploit as nannies for cowbird youngsters.

Female cowbirds are consummate spies, watching the comings and goings of other bird species as they build their own nests. The female cowbird waits until there’s an egg or two already in the nest before zipping in when the nest owner is momentarily away. While some songbirds take an hour or more to lay an egg, cowbirds lay theirs in about 10 seconds, and then they’re gone. Sometimes the cowbird kicks out the existing eggs for good measure. They may even destroy nests with young birds in them to encourage the songbird parents to rebuild a new nest with new eggs.

A few of the foster parents have learned ways to fight back. Sometimes they kick the odd egg out of the nest. Sometimes they build another nest on top of the parasitized one. Sometimes they abandon the nest altogether, starting again in what they hope will be a more secure location.

Despite never having seen another cowbird in their lives, young cowbirds instinctively find other teenaged cowbirds to hang with as soon as their adoptive parents stop the gravy train. Brood parasitism behavior is ingrained, not learned, so these teenagers are able to take up parasitic behaviors as soon as they are of mating age.

Songbirds dwelling deep in forests have long been immune to cowbird parasitism — but no longer. As we humans crisscross dense forest with open roads, we’re inviting cowbirds to occupy even these formerly safe songbird strongholds. Luckily, however, most songbird species are pretty resilient. In some cases with rare or endangered species — such as Kirtland’s Warbler in Wisconsin — efforts were made to control the cowbird population until the warblers recovered sufficiently to no longer need the protection. Over time, our Maryland songbirds are likely to reach evolutionary detente with cowbirds just as their Great Plains counterparts have.

Have questions for Rick about the world of nature in and around the Maryland suburbs, or suggestions for future columns? Drop him a note at rborchelt@gmail.com.

Enhance your garden while protecting Chesapeake Bay waters

By JULIETTE FRADIN

Did you know you can fight pollution, clean Chesapeake Bay waters, provide food for birds and receive money for doing it? The Chesapeake Bay Trust in partnership with the Prince George’s County Stormwater Management Division will help you achieve all this through their Rain Check Rebate Program.

In 2010, the federal government required states to follow new Clean Water Act standards to manage stormwater runoff pollution, which results when rain (or snow melt) flows over impervious areas, such as rooftops, sidewalks, driveways, roadways and parking lots. Rain collects pollutants like oil, grease, sediment and nutrients that end up in local streams and rivers and eventually reach the Chesapeake Bay.

The county developed its Rain Check Rebate Program in 2013 to encourage private residents, businesses, schools, cities and other contributors to participate. Homeowners can receive rebates up to $6,000 for completing projects that address water-related problems like ponding, erosion or pollution. These projects not only help our local ecosystem but also increase property value by beautifying yards and neighborhoods, while providing food and shelter to birds, butterflies and other insects. (See p. 7 to see how “Miss Floribunda” responds to a specific resident’s stormwater problem.)

Chesapeake Bay Trust staff will assist you from application to project completion. Applicants may complete multiple projects until the total maximum rebate amount is met. Here are the seven types of rebate-eligible projects:

• Rain barrels (at least 50 gallons) or cisterns (at least 250 gallons): Collect rainwater from rooftops, which you can then use to water lawns, gardens and houseplants. You receive $2 per gallon stored.

• Rain gardens: These gardens capture and temporarily store stormwater runoff, allowing it to infiltrate the ground.

They are shaped like a bowl where the deepest point collects the water and filters pollutants through plants. Rain gardens should contain native plants to ensure resilience to local climate changes, decreasing the amount of water needed for landscape maintenance and offering a sustainable habitat for native wildlife. They must be at least 100 square feet to receive $10 per installed square foot.

• Urban tree canopy: Trees catch falling rain, filter pollutants, absorb stormwater runoff, clean the air, and provide habitat and food for birds and pollinators. Trees must be a native species, at

least 5 feet tall when planted, and be planted between October and May. Receive $150 per tree.

• Pavement removal: Replace waterproof surfaces (like asphalt or concrete) with grass, native plants or permeable pavement. There is no minimum project size, and you receive $6 per square foot removed. You can do it yourself or hire a contractor.

• Permeable pavement: Allow stormwater to soak into the ground using permeable interlocking paver systems, porous asphalt or pervious concrete pavements. Also available are grass paver systems that allow grass to grow through a loadbearing grid that protects the root system. There is no minimum size for the project, but the pavement must be installed by a qualified contractor. You receive $12 per installed square foot.

• Green roof: A vegetated roof system that stores rainwater and reduces heating and cooling costs must be installed by a certified green roof contractor. You receive $10 per square foot installed.

Once you are ready (or even just have a vague idea), visit cbtrust.org and fill out an application. For projects larger than rain barrels, the Chesapeake Bay Trust will process

your application and conduct a pre-installation visit (online or in person) to pre-approve the project. They will want to see documents like a list of trees, contractor estimates, and photos of the area to ensure that you meet all requirements before the project starts.

Once pre-approved, you then have about 12 months to complete the project. Keep all your receipts and invoices to submit later. You will receive a rebate check four to six weeks after the project is completed and given final approval from the county’s Department of the Environment.

In 2022, 12 grants were awarded, totaling $675,000, according to a county fact sheet. You can find a list of county-trained landscape professionals at cbtrust.org. Applications are accepted on an on-going basis. Take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your garden, support water management, and contribute to a healthier Chesapeake Bay!

Juliette Fradin writes about ecofriendly living for the Life &

Jennifer and Michael from Hyattsville used the Prince George’s County Rain Check Rebate Program to plant 15 trees and install permeable pavers in their driveway within the last three years. JULIETTE FRADIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Liquor store looks to replace mall playground

By BODE RAMSAY

More than 300 parents and local residents have signed a petition to try to prevent a Hyattsville liquor store from opening in the Mall at Prince George’s in the spot now occupied by Junior Playland.

The Hyattsville City Council is backing the effort: Councilmembers voted on May 20 to send a letter to the Board of License Commissioners for Prince George’s County opposing the lease sought by Town Center Wine and Spirits.

“We have to band together and let the mall know what is unacceptable in the eyes of the citizens,” Reeda Butler, a member of the Lewisdale Citizens’ Association, said. “Children need a safe place to play and engage with other children.”

Junior Playland, a business with arcade games, play areas and party rooms for children, opened in the mall in November 2023 with a temporary lease that allows mall managers to replace the businesses at any time.

“Every day we have new children coming,” Junior Playland

employee Cheryl Carter said.

“We have people coming from Virginia and D.C., and they’re saying [most indoor playgrounds are] closed down,” she noted. “They have nowhere to take their kids.”

The owners of Town Center Wine and Spirits, located on America Boulevard, said they hope to open the new location, called Cheers N Beer, at the mall,

where the store can expand and patrons can find plenty of parking.

The space at the mall is 8,900 square feet, compared with 5,500 at the store’s current location.

“There is not a single parking [place] where my patrons can come and park,” Phani Damaraju, one of the liquor store’s owners, said. “My patrons come to get a bottle of wine and get a ticket for $75 and pay $15 for the

wine.” Damaraju emphasized that the Playland’s location had empty parking available.

The county’s Board of License Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the liquor license June 25.

City Councilmember Kareem Redmond (Ward 3) agreed with Damaraju’s claims of limited parking at the America Boulevard location, saying the relocation of the liquor store might help ease the traffic problems in that area.

However, opponents said they are concerned a liquor store might cause problems, like loitering and public intoxication, at the mall.

Damaraju said the liquor store’s owners are prepared to prevent any potential issues.

First, Damaraju said the store would not sell single-serving bottles or cans of drinks, which could prevent loitering, public drunkenness and drunken driving. Patrons would be able to buy liquor, beer and wine to consume later.

Second, Damaraju said his vision is for an upscale liquor store that would give residents a shopping experience similar to that of Whole Foods or Wegmans.

To that end, the liquor store

would employ its own security — provided by Secured Protective Services — on top of the mall’s to help prevent loitering, according to Damaraju.

Opponents also complained that the mall is close to Northwestern High School. Damaraju countered by saying that the drive from the school to his current liquor store is almost the same distance.

“We have been there [on America Boulevard] for the last nine years,” Damaraju said. “We had no violations whatsoever to underage [patrons] even though there are students from different parts living there.”

Still, critics say Junior Playland is one of the few local options for their children.

“The kids love [Junior Playland],” Carter said. “I’d hate to see it go because the kids need some structure and something to do.”

Junior Playland owner Mon Nguyen said he is looking for a new location in case the commissioners approve the liquor license. However, that could prove difficult because of the venue’s need for a considerably large space with high ceilings.

Bode Ramsay is an undergraduate journalism major at the University of Maryland.

Junior Playland, located in the Mall at Prince George’s, only has a temporary lease. BODE RAMSAY