digs into the painter’s passion for gardening, P. 2
REPORTERS FOR THE DAY: Local kids interview area artists at the Hyattsville Arts & Ales festival, P. 8
Get ready for the November election
By KIT SLACK
Early voting for the Nov. 5 election starts on Oct. 24 and ends Oct. 31, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit the Prince George’s County Board of Elections website for a list of early voting centers.
Mail-in ballots are already arriving in voters’ mailboxes. They can still be requested until Oct. 29, or, for web delivery, Nov. 1.
So, what’s on the ballot besides Kamala Harris v. Donald Trump?
Free naloxone training aims to make overdose prevention the community norm
By CAT MURPHY
Everyone has heard of a designated driver, but Hyattsville officials are trying to destigmatize a new type of designation: a designated naloxone administrator.
In Hyattsville and surrounding communities, as in most of the U.S., opioid use is an everpresent concern.
There have already been more than 70 reported opioid-related overdose deaths in Prince George’s County this year, according to data from the Maryland Department of Health — the third-most of any county in the state, behind only Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Seven of those deaths occurred in
U.S. Senate race
Voters across the state will decide whether County Executive Angela Alsobrooks or former Gov. Larry Hogan will represent Maryland in the U.S. Senate. The winner will replace U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, who is retiring, and join U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, whose term ends in 2026.
Prince George’s County judges for Maryland Circuit Court
Voters may select four of the five judges listed on the ballot. Darren Sebastian
Johnson, Stenise LaNez Rolle, Cheri Nicole Simpkins and Donnell Wilfred Turner are sitting judges selected through a complex vetting process controlled by the Maryland governor. Michael Sheehan is a challenger. Read more about them in our judge’s election guide, streetcarsuburbs.news/judges-election-guide.
Husband and wife who will be hard to beat U.S. House of Representatives, District 4: Incumbent Glenn Ivey, a Democrat, is
running against Republican challenger George McDermott. District 4, much of which overlaps with Prince George’s County, is one of the most partisan Democratic districts in the U.S., according to the Cook Political Report. Glenn Ivey, who is expected to win the race, is married to Jolene Ivey.
County Council At Large: Jolene Ivey, a Democrat who is chair of the county council, is also expected to win in her
By GRIFFIN LIMERICK
When asked about his favorite flavor of ice cream, Hyattsvillebased chef Takeshi Nishikawa needs a minute to think.
There’s pistachio. The rum raisin that his father favored.
“But if I don’t say vanilla, I’d probably be lying to myself,” Nishikawa laughs.
He’s a purist, a man of distilled tastes, with a penchant for minimalism. But minimalist does not mean unsophisticated.
Nishikawa’s new high-concept
Esteemed local chef plans to bring minimalist Japanese ice cream to Hyattsville area CENTER SECTION: Check out the latest issue of The Hyattsville Reporter , in both English and Español!
LIFE & TIMES LOCAVORE
David Driskell: Shades of green(s)
By IMKE AHLF-WIEN
Many years ago, during a walk through the neighborhood, I had a lovely encounter: A man was pulling vegetables in his yard in the Historic District, and when I asked whether the turnips were ready for harvest, he replied, “Yes, but I’m just going to eat the greens.” Years later, I understood that the beautiful yellow Victorian on Decatur Street, with its gorgeous porch and the garden full of trees, flowers, vegetable patches and a bottle tree, belonged to Hyattsville’s most famous resident, David Driskell. And I had chatted him up about turnips, of all things. But the deeper I dug, the more sense it made. Driskell wasn’t only a brilliant artist, curator and educator, he was also a passionate gardener. Gloria Felix-Thompson, president of the Hyattsville Preservation Association, fondly remembers talking to him about gardening, and about flowers in particular. Art and nature are far from being antipodes in the life and work of David Driskell. Nature appears in his work in many ways: His early paintings include still lifes featuring fruits and flowers, and he loved to paint the pine trees that he could see from his studio at his summer residence in Falmouth, Maine. He kept many sketchbooks of his travels and everyday life, one of them titled The Garden Book at Maryland and
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Turnip greens, Driskell-style
Rich in calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, as well as several vitamins, turnip greens are available in fall and winter at select grocery stores and farmers markets. You can also use collard greens for this recipe. Thelma Driskell likes to keep it simple: Just simmer the greens with flavorful smoked turkey legs or wings and a dash of salt and pepper. Serve with homemade cornbread on the side.
Ingredients:
2 smoked turkey legs or wings, or one of each
2 quarts filtered water
2 bunches of turnip greens, well rinsed and chopped Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
In a large stock pot, place the turkey pieces into the water, and bring it to a boil. Let the water simmer over low heat for about 2 hours or until the turkey meat is tender and separates easily. Remove the turkey from the pot and add the greens. Gently stir while the greens cook down. Remove the skin and bones from the turkey, shred the meat and add it back to the pot. Cook for another 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper as needed.
Maine, in which he drew the plants and ponds in his gardens and wrote about their development. He also collected natural and salvaged secondhand materials that he often used to make garden ornaments, such as a scarecrow for his garden in Maine, according to the book David C. Driskell: Artist and Scholar by Julie L. McGee.
But Driskell considered gardening itself an artform. In the Getty Trust Oral History Project’s David C. Driskell: Life Among The Pines, conducted by Bridget Cooks and Amanda
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Tewe, he likened gardening to painting: “It’s a part of the process of this creative spirit that I feel so close to.” He added, “I often go to the garden before I go to the studio.” Driskell considered gardening to be creative, as well as useful and functional. He said he enjoyed seeing the seeds come through the ground and become “this big flourishing beautiful leaf that you’re going to want to consume.”
While Driskell kept a small vegetable patch and several fruit and walnut trees in his yard in Hyattsville, he actually
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grew most of his produce in Maine: peaches, pears, apples and plums, as well as plenty of vegetables. The Driskells canned some of that produce there and brought it back to Hyattsville to eat throughout the year, according to Life Among the Pines
Driskell’s wife, Thelma, and his younger daughter, Daphne Driskell-Coles, who both live in Hyattsville, had many stories to tell about this aspect of his legacy: David loved to entertain guests around the dinner table, with food prepared from fresh garden produce. While Thelma did most of the everyday cooking, David often helped with the preparations, and his favorite dish, Geechee Gumbo, was one that he always cooked himself (it was featured in the magazine Homes of Color in 2003). During meals, he even enjoyed assembling the food on his plate according to their colors — like on a painter’s palette, recalls his daughter.
The vegetable patches and pond in his Hyattsville yard are gone now, but the fruit and nut trees still grow strong. After Driskell passed away in April 2020, his family planted a pine tree in his yard — a memorial tree — just as Driskell himself planted many trees throughout his life in remembrance of family members and friends, explains his daughter.
How can Hyattsville residents honor the memory of David Driskell? Maybe we could evoke his spirit by tending to our gardens, cooking a meal from scratch, gathering family and friends around the dining room table. Or, we could prepare a dish that he would have enjoyed and talked about many, many years ago, prepared with produce fresh from the garden.
Imke Ahlf-Wien is a nutrition educator with a passion for fresh, locally procured foods.
David Driskell grew most of his produce in his Falmouth, Maine, garden. COURTESY OF DAPHNE DRISKELL-COLES
Canvas Apartments to bring new fl air to downtown Hyattsville
By ETHAN THERRIEN
Construction and redevelopment of the Hyattsville Canvas Apartments, formerly known as the Armory Apartments, will soon be bringing new businesses to the city, courtesy of real estate developer Urban Investment Partners (UIP).
The project, located at 5300 Baltimore Avenue, will include 30,000 square feet of retail, 285 rental apartments and an outdoor dining plaza, according to the developer’s website. A 680car garage with 152 public spaces is also part of the project.
According to the city website, plans for the development were first presented to the Hyattsville City Council in July 2018, and the council voted to support the plan in November 2018. Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission staff certified the plan in April 2020, and construction began in June 2022.
After over two years of construction, a variety of businesses will soon be setting up
shop in the new complex. Akira Ramen & Izakaya, a Japanese ramen chain with nine other restaurant locations throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C., will be bringing wagyu steaks and sushi rolls to the city.
The popular math tutoring service for K-12 students Mathnasium will also be establishing a storefront on the block. The company has more than 1,100 locations worldwide.
Other businesses are also in the preliminary stages of renting commercial space in the new complex. This includes Menomale, a popular pizzeria with two locations in the District. Italian co-owners and couple Ettore and Mariya Rusciano are in talks to potentially open a storefront and are excited to potentially bring their ovenbaked Neapolitan-style pizzas to the Arts District.
“[The Arts District] is a hidden gem that is yet to be discovered by many folks, especially those living in NW DC, Virginia and Montgomery County,” said Mariya, via Instagram direct
message. “The planned development of Route 1 as a growing corridor of arts, entertainment and dining means that dynamic times are ahead, and we want
to be part of the action.”
Mariya added, “If we sign the deal at the Canvas project, we plan to bring the best of what we offer in one place. That is
Neapolitan pizza, Roman-style pizza, wood-fired sandwiches, salads, pasta dishes and a brand new children’s menu.”
Attendees of Crossover Church, located next to the complex, will receive some added benefits, as well. The complex’s new parking garage will accommodate members, according to Hyattsville Public Information Officer Cindy Zork. “Fifty-seven of the [152 public] spaces will be reserved for Crossover Church parking on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, and publicly available at other times,” said Zork.
According to Zork, the complex will be completed in the coming months: “UIP has shared the current estimated completion is by the first quarter of 2025, permit pending.” She added, “Retail fit out for confirmed tenants can begin once the building is complete.”
Until construction is completed, Hyattsville residents can enjoy the murals set up by UIP, who have transformed the vacant lots and storefronts in the area into a walkable gallery while the redevelopment is underway.
Ethan Therrien is an undergraduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
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The Hyattsville Canvas Apartments, formerly known as the Armory Apartments, are located at 5300 Baltimore and will include 30,000 square feet of retail space, 285 rental apartments and an outdoor dining plaza.
LEO CASALINI
Let us prey: Maryland’s mantids
By RICK BORCHELT
Look carefully through clumps of goldenrod or asters this month, and you’re likely to find a pair of huge eyes on a triangular head, perched atop wicked-looking, hooked forelegs, calmly taking your measure.
It’s a praying mantis, though truth be told, it would be more accurate to call it a preying mantis. In the fall, mantids (the plural of mantis) are the Tyrannosaurus rexes of the insect world.
A hundred years ago, that mantis you are looking at would have been our only native praying mantis, the Carolina mantis (Stagmomantis carolina). Today, however, you are much more likely to see one of two common invasive mantids: the Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis) or European mantis (Mantis religiosa).
The European mantis’s Latin species name, religiosa, best reflects the common name, praying mantis — referencing the prickly forelegs, raised as
if in prayer. The word “mantis” in ancient Greek means “soothsayer”; these insects have been considered to have supernatural or mythological connotations across every culture where the 2,500 mantis species are found.
Carolina mantids are the runt of the three species in our area, seldom more than 3 inches long. European mantids can
be 4 inches, and Chinese mantids max out at 6 inches. All three are ace predators, mostly of other insects and invertebrates. Chinese mantids are large enough to sometimes take vertebrate prey — from small snakes and lizards to the very occasional hummingbird.
Chinese mantids are an introduced species; in 1896, they were released in the Philadelphia suburbs, ostensibly to control other insects. European mantids were introduced just three years later in an effort to prey on another introduced
species — the spongy moth, which is better known by its old name, gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar).
But the introduced mantis species proved not to be very coachable — they ate anything they could catch, and often that was the native Carolina mantis.
Our native mantid populations have plummeted since the invasives came to our shores, partly from stiff competition from these larger, stronger mantids, and partly from outright cannibalism.
In fact, cannibalism is a con-
stant threat in the world of mantids, with males often ending up on the menu of their female sex partners. On the other hand, the common conception of female praying mantids as femmes fatales isn’t entirely accurate either. When a female eats a male, it’s usually the result of a courtship gone wrong. Female mantids don’t really distinguish between male mantids and other prey items. So, a male mantid typically takes it slow and easy when approaching a female. He’ll usually size her up from a distance and then cautiously — very cautiously, sometimes for hours — stalk her. He’ll freeze in place if she looks his way: Mantids have exceptional eyesight and can turn their heads an astonishing 180 degrees, with the flexibility of Linda Blair in “The Exorcist.” Sometimes the male will sway, camouflaging himself as if he were a branch or leaf in the breeze. Males of some species have an even more elaborate courtship display to calm her down.
Regardless of how he gets there, once the male’s close enough to his female target, he’ll jump on her back like a broncobuster at a rodeo. He’ll use those spiny forelegs to grab and hold on for dear life, quite literally, until he’s able to insert his genitalia into her. The
Chinese mantis (Tenodora sinensis) COURTESY OF LUC VIATOUR
and around Hyattsville.
The data also show that emergency medical personnel in Prince George’s County have administered the opioid-reversing drug naloxone 350 times since January, including 39 times in Hyattsville.
Naloxone — also known by the brand name NARCAN — has been shown to reverse more than 90% of opioid overdoses, according to a Stanford Medicine-led study. But as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes on its website, the highly effective drug can only prevent overdose deaths “if it is in the right hands, at the right time.“
That’s why City of Hyattsville officials — all of whom receive mandatory naloxone training — are looking to get naloxone into the hands of community members.
“We hope you never encounter a situation where you have to use it, but just in case you do, you want to be prepared,” said Reggie Bagley, the city’s emergency operations manager who oversees the naloxone training program.
Through a partnership with the county health department, the city offers free training sessions on opioid overdoses and naloxone administration.
“We started the class training about a year and a half ago because we recognized the importance of people being able to respond in the event of an opioid-related emergency,” Bagley said. “And we’ve had overwhelming success with folks always being interested in taking the class.”
As part of the training, which is free and open to both residents and nonresidents, participants leave with two emergency doses of naloxone nasal spray.
By contrast, the over-thecounter naloxone available on pharmacy shelves costs $45 for two doses.
“I saw NARCAN, I think the other day, in CVS. I was curious. It was like $40,” said Nora Doyle, 28, of Hyattsville. “That’s probably just a little bit too much for people to do … just purely to be cautious.”
For people who use opioids, naloxone’s price tag can be a barrier to access. The free training, Bagley explained, aims to eliminate that barrier both by making naloxone widely available and by reducing the stigma associated with addiction.
“Don’t confuse any of that to mean that I’m supporting using drugs — I’m not,” Bagley said. “But it’s kind of like, at some point, we have to understand or deal with the reality of what
A free box of naloxone, the overdose-reversing drug better known as NARCAN, is provided to each attendee of the City of Hyattsville’s twice-monthly naloxone training sessions.
CAT MURPHY
we’re dealing with.”
Hyattsville Mayor Robert Croslin emphasized the importance of training people who use drugs on how to administer naloxone.
“We need to stop folks from dying,” Croslin said. “We need to train them to be able to save their friends.”
Bagley encouraged people to think of having naloxone training as having a designated driver.
“If you’re going to go out drinking, you have a designated driver. When that first became a real thing 20–25 years ago, it was socially unacceptable. Well,
now it’s a social norm,” Bagley said. “Is it right or wrong? That’s not the question. The question is that it happens. And it’s the same thing here.”
The naloxone training also presents concerned community members with the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the topic of opioids and overdoses. The 90-minute training covers what an opioid is, how to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to respond appropriately.
Doyle, an executive recruiter, said she was drawn to the training by a sense of obligation to her community and is hoping to contribute to community preparedness.
“Part of being a good community member, I feel like, is being able to look out for people around you,” said Doyle, who attended a training session in mid-September. “It can happen
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at any time in a lot of different scenarios, so the best case scenario is that as many people as possible have [naloxone].”
Brian Allen, 54, of Bowie, shared Doyle’s sentiment.
“There’s a lot of fentanyl, and a lot of people dying from it,” said Allen, a bus driver for the City of Greenbelt and a pastor at Empowerment Places Fellowship in District Heights. “So, I just want to be prepared if it happens around me. … I just would like to see no one die.”
Although the training is free, Bagley tells attendees he has a different kind of reimbursement in mind.
“We want you to pay with people,” Bagley explained. “We want you to go out and tell your friends, tell your family, tell your community to come on out and receive the training. And that’s how you pay.”
Allen, who attended a training session in September, committed to sharing the training with his congregation.
“They give [naloxone] to the church because people are just dying,” Allen said. “The training I get, I’m going to share with my church, as well. So we’ll all be prepared.”
Doyle, too, said she planned to tell her friends about the training.
“If I do this, and I can kind of talk to them about it, they might sign up,” she said. “People I know will be like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know it was a free service, but Nora did it, so I want to do it.’”
Bagley noted that the city is in the process of expanding its nal-
“Part of being a good community member, I feel like, is being able to look out for people around you.”
Nora Doyle
Hyattsville
resident
oxone training offerings to include a train-the-trainer program.
“We want to have people to come here and actually receive the train-the-trainer program, and then they can go out and be ambassadors for the training and be able to offer it,” Bagley said.
The city holds naloxone training sessions twice-monthly — once on a Thursday evening, once on a Friday morning — at the Hyattsville Municipal Building on Gallatin Street. The registration form is available on the city’s website.
Cat Murphy is a graduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
Call or email me for a free consultation and let me put my expertise and enthusiasm to work for you!
two mantids can stay locked like this for hours, while the female’s abdomen is gripped by waves of sexual contractions. When these contractions start to ease, the male knows it’s time to make himself scarce, and he’ll drop and roll to the ground in hopes of escape.
If the male’s approach is detected or flawed, or if he doesn’t hold her just so to keep her from reaching back for him, or if he doesn’t leave fast enough, he’s dinner. Sometimes she manages to snag his head during the act of copulation — but sex continues while she consumes his head. For our local species, mating ends up being fatal for the males less than 20% of the time.
All three of these Maryland mantid species — and a few other invasive ones that aren’t very common yet — overwinter here as eggs and hatch in the spring. The young mantids grow over the summer and reach sexual maturity in August.
The adult females of our different mantis species are pretty easy to tell apart, though color isn’t a good guide, since all of them can vary from brown to gray to
green. An adult female Carolina mantis has wings that are too short to hide the growing bulge of her belly that will be her egg cases; she looks like she’s wearing a jacket that’s several sizes too small. Both Chinese and European mantis females have wings that cover or mostly cover their swelling abdomens. But you can differentiate female European and Chinese
mantids by looking at them head-on: European mantids of both sexes have two dark bull’s-eyes on the inside of their spiny forelegs, while Chinese mantids do not. Mantid egg cases, called oothecae, are even easier to tell apart. Chinese mantis oothecae look like hardened foam from an overly ambitious barista’s cappuccino. Carolina mantis oothecae are oblong,
with distinct parallel ridges like a loaf of bread the baker has scored across the top. The oothecae of European mantids look sort of in-between, frothier than those of Carolina, but more formed and longer than they are wide.
All of these egg cases can contain hundreds of mantid young. Many groups, like the Brandywine Conservancy, recommend finding and destroying Chinese and European egg cases in your yard or garden during the winter, when the distinctive lumps show up on branches, fence posts and weed stems.
Whatever you do, don’t bring them inside your warm house — they’ll hatch, and you’ll have swarms of green minimantids crawling over your walls and furniture. It’s also a good idea to inspect live-cut Christmas trees for mantis oothecae — a mass of mantids would be a holiday surprise you probably won’t want.
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.
Carolina mantis (Stegmomantis carolina), with short wings that don’t cover her abdomen COURTESY OF BONNIE OTT
The Hyattsville Reporter
Dominican folklore dancers showcased their traditional dances and dresses at our Hispanic Heritage Month Summer Jam. Visit hyattsville.org/hhm to learn more about regional events celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month.
Bailarinas folclóricas dominicanas mostraron sus danzas y vestidos tradicionales en nuestra Fiesta de Verano del Mes de la Herencia Hispana. Visite hyattsville.org/hhm para obtener más información sobre eventos regionales que celebran el Mes de la Herencia Hispana.
Economic Development Week
We are excited to celebrate our thriving business community during Maryland Economic Development Week, October 21 – 25! The City of Hyattsville recognizes this week as a time to promote programs, policies, and activities that seek to improve the City’s economic well-being. Follow us on social media as we spotlight our City’s businesses and developments. Learn more and read our proclamation at hyattsville. org/econ-week.
Hyattsville’s Corridor Investment Grant Program (CIP) is one of the City’s current active programs for local businesses and community members. The CIP offers grants of up to $5,000 for creative placemaking projects, programming, or business development strategies. Applications are due by October 25! Visit hyattsville.org/CIP to learn more and apply.
Housing Resource Fair
Semana del Desarrollo Económico
¡Celebraremos a nuestra próspera comunidad de negocios durante la Semana del Desarrollo Económico de Maryland, del 21 al 25 de octubre! La Ciudad reconoce esta semana como un tiempo para promover programas, políticas y actividades que buscan mejorar el bienestar económico de la Ciudad. Síganos en las redes sociales mientras destacamos los negocios y desarrollos de nuestra ciudad. Obtenga más información y lea nuestra proclamación en hyattsville.org/econ-week.
El Programa de Subvenciones de Inversión en Corredores (CIP) de Hyattsville es uno de los programas activos de la ciudad para los negocios locales y los miembros de la comunidad. El CIP ofrece subvenciones de hasta $5,000 para proyectos de creación de espacios, programación o desarrollo empresarial. Debe aplicar antes del 25 de octubre. Visite hyattsville.org/CIP para más información y enviar su aplicación.
Discover resources for down payment assistance, home repair, first home purchases, and rent assistance at the City’s Housing Fair on November 2 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Hyattsville Middle School, 6001 42nd Ave. The City, Prince George’s County, the State of MD, and other partners will provide resources. Please share with friends and neighbors in need of housing support! For more information, visit hyattsville.org/housing.
Feria de Recursos de la Vivienda Descubra recursos para asistencia con el pago inicial de casa, reparación de viviendas, la compra del primer hogar, y ayuda con alquileres en la Feria de Vivienda de la Ciudad el 2 de noviembre de 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. en la Escuela Secundaria de Hyattsville, 6001 42nd Ave. La Ciudad, el Condado de Prince George, el Estado de MD, y otros socios proporcionarán recursos. ¡Por favor, comparta esta información con amigos y vecinos en necesidad de apoyo con la vivienda! Para obtener más información, visite hyattsville.org/housing.
ANNOUNCEMENTS | ANUNCIOS
THRIVE GRANT DEADLINE EXTENDED
The deadline for the City’s Thrive Grant has been extended to October 18! Apply for the City’s Thrive Grant, made possible by the Health, Wellness, and Recreation Advisory Committee. Local individuals, organizations, and businesses are eligible to receive a grant of up to $800 to support health, wellness, and recreational activities in Hyattsville. Find more information and apply at hyattsville. org/grants.
TEEN CENTER DROP-IN HOURS AND PROGRAMMING
Take advantage of the Teen Center drop-in hours! The Teen Center is a free after-school resource for local students in grades 6-12. Regular drop-in hours are Monday through Thursday, 3 – 4:45 p.m. Sign up for a free membership and learn more at hyattsville.org/teen-center.
The Life Stories Theater Program is back on Wednesdays, from October 9 through December 11, 5 - 6 p.m.! This Program is for all aspiring actors and budding performers. Bring your personal experiences to the stage and create original theatre. Register at hyattsville.org/teen-center.
NEW: Feeling overwhelmed by school, work, or personal relationships? Students in grades 6 - 12 are welcome to join our In Wellness We Thrive Expressive Arts Group, where you can unwind in a fun, safe, and confidential space! Over eight sessions, you’ll explore your emotions through art, music, games, and mindfulness. Sessions take place on Tuesdays, 5 - 6 p.m., starting on October 8. Register at hyattsville.org/ teen-center.
FREE TUTORING & MENTORING
Free tutoring and mentoring services provided by Northstar Tutoring are back! Tutoring is available to students in grades K-12 and available via virtual or inperson sessions at the Driskell Park Recreation Center, 3911 Hamilton St. Sessions are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 6:30 - 8 p.m. Learn more at hyattsville. org/tutoring. Volunteer tutors are needed to make this program a success! Learn how you can support Hyattsville’s next generation by filling out the form at hyattsville.org/ volunteer.
WINTER CAMP REGISTRATION OPENS ON OCTOBER 28
Winter Camp is part of our seasonal day camp program for elementary-aged children in grades K -5 and creates a space for them to explore arts and crafts, learn a little with STEM, and gain exposure to various sports and games! The camp will be on December 23, 26, 27, 30 and 31. Learn more at hyattsville.org/camps.
LEAF COLLECTION SERVICES AND REMINDERS
Weekly leaf collection services for residential streets within the City of Hyattsville will resume in November and continue through mid-January. Commercial and multi-family properties are not included. Leaf collection is weather-dependent as heavy, wet leaves can damage the machinery. Visit hyattsville.org/leaves for the collection schedule. A reminder that you don’t have to rake your leaves! Find a guide on the benefits of leaf mulching at hyattsville.org/leaves.
Please remember that the City’s gas leaf blower ban went into effect in July. All leaf blowers used by residents and contractors must be electric. Violators may receive warnings or fines, so switch to an electric blower that is healthier for you and the environment. Learn more at hyattsville.org/leafblower.
SE EXTIENDE EL PLAZO DE LA SUBVENCIÓN THRIVE
¡El plazo para solicitar la subvención Thrive de la ciudad se ha extendido hasta el 18 de octubre! Solicite la subvención Thrive de la ciudad, que es posible gracias al Comité Asesor de Salud, Bienestar y Recreación. Personas, organizaciones y negocios locales pueden aplicar a la subvención y recibir hasta $800 para actividades de salud, bienestar o recreación en Hyattsville. Más información en hyattsville.org/grants.
HORARIOS Y PROGRAMACIÓN DEL CENTRO DE ADOLESCENTES
¡Aproveche el horario de visita del Centro de Adolescentes! El Centro de Adolescentes es un recurso extraescolar gratuito para estudiantes locales de 6º a 12º grado. El horario habitual es de lunes a jueves, de 3 - 4:45 p.m. Inscríbete gratis y obtén más información en hyattsville.org/teen-center.
El Programa de Teatro Historias de Vida vuelve los miércoles, del 9 de octubre al 11 de diciembre, de 5 - 6 p.m. Este programa es para todos los aspirantes a actores y artistas. Lleva tus experiencias personales al escenario y crea teatro original. Inscríbete en hyattsville.org/teen-center.
NUEVO: ¿Te sientes abrumado por la escuela, el trabajo o las relaciones personales? Los estudiantes de 6º a 12º grado pueden unirse a nuestro Grupo de Artes Expresivas “Con Bienestar Prosperamos,” donde podrán relajarse en un espacio divertido, seguro y confidencial. Durante ocho sesiones, explorarás tus emociones a través del arte, la música, los juegos y meditación. Las sesiones tienen lugar los martes, de 5 - 6 p.m., a partir del 8 de octubre. Inscríbete en hyattsville.org/teen-center.
TUTORÍAS Y MENTORÍAS GRATUITAS
¡Los servicios gratuitos de tutoría y mentoría de Northstar Tutoring están de vuelta! La tutoría está disponible para los estudiantes en los grados K-12 y disponible a través de sesiones virtuales o en persona en el Centro de Recreación Driskell Park, 3911 Hamilton St. Las sesiones son los martes, miércoles y jueves de 6:30 - 8 p.m. Obtenga más información en hyattsville.org/tutoring. Se necesitan tutores voluntarios para que este programa sea un éxito. Conozca cómo puede apoyar a la próxima generación de Hyattsville llenando el formulario en hyattsville.org/volunteer.
INSCRIPCIÓN DEL CAMPAMENTO DE INVIERNO ABRE EN OCT 28
El Campamento de Invierno es parte de nuestro programa de campamentos por un día para niños en edad primaria de los grados K - 5 y crea un espacio para que exploren las artes y las manualidades, aprendan un poco de ciencia y se expongan a varios deportes y juegos. El campamento será los días 23, 26, 27, 30 y 31 de diciembre. Más detalles en hyattsville.org/camps.
SERVICIOS DE RECOGIDA DE HOJAS Y RECORDATORIOS
Los servicios semanales de recogida de hojas en las calles residenciales de la Ciudad de Hyattsville se reanudarán en noviembre y continuarán hasta mediados de enero. Las propiedades comerciales y multifamiliares no están incluidas. La recogida de hojas depende de las condiciones meteorológicas, ya que las hojas pesadas y húmedas pueden dañar la maquinaria. Visite hyattsville.org/leaves para ver el calendario de recogida de hojas ¡Le recordamos que no tiene que rastrillar las hojas! En hyattsville.org/leaves encontrará una guía sobre los beneficios de dejar las hojas en su jardin.
Recuerde que la prohibición de los sopladores de hojas de gas entró en vigor en julio. Todos los sopladores de hojas utilizados por residentes y contratistas deben ser eléctricos. Los infractores pueden recibir advertencias o multas, así que cambie a un soplador eléctrico que es más saludable para usted y el medio ambiente. Detalles en hyattsville.org/leafblower.
CALENDAR | CALENDARIO
VIRTUAL AGE-FRIENDLY ECOSYSTEM SUMMIT
Join the summit on Oct. 8, 9 & 15, 1 - 3 PM and Oct. 16, 10 AM - noon. Learn how to create a sustainable community for people of all ages. Hyattsville. org/calendar.
MD STATE HIGHWAY WORKSHOP
Learn about the preliminary concepts for the MD 410 pedestrian safety project on Oct. 9, 5 – 7 PM at DeMatha High School, 5905 43rd Ave. Hyattsville.org/streets.
DIGITAL LITERACY CLASSES
Older adults are invited to learn computer basics on Wednesdays from Oct. 9Dec. 18, 12 - 1 PM at the City Building. Sessions are bilingual. Register: 301-985-5000 or seniors@hyattsville.org.
SENIORS ON THE GO
Enjoy a trip to National Portrait Gallery on Oct. 10 & Montpelier Farms on Oct. 24, 10 AM - 2 PM! Reserve a seat by calling (301) 985 - 5000 by 2 p.m. the Wed. before the trip.
CARE PARTNER SUPPORT GROUP
Join the City’s care partner support group on Oct. 11 & 25, 9 - 10:30 AM at the City Building. More info at hyattsville.org/calendar.
FREE DIAPER DISTRIBUTIONS
Families are invited to our free diaper distributions on Oct. 11 & 25 at the City Building at 9:30 AM. Proof of the child’s date of birth is required. Details at hyattsville.org/calendar.
NIGHT OWLS
Drop off your little one(s) in grades K-5 at the Driskell Park Rec Center from 6 - 9 PM on Oct. 11! Kids participate in fun activities while you get a night out! hyattsville.org/nightowls.
WARD 4 CHECK-IN
Join Ward 4 councilmembers and City staff to discuss community issues on Oct. 12, 10 AM - 1 PM at the intersection of Jamestown Rd. and Madison Pl. hyattsville.org/calendar.
FREE PRODUCE
A free produce distribution is taking place on Oct. 15 at First United Methodist Church, starting at noon.
FALL BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
Hyattsville business leaders are invited to network & learn about economic development at our next Roundtable on Oct. 15, 9 - 10:30 AM at Cocineros, 3513 East-West Hwy. Register: hyattsville.org/calendar.
CERT MEETING
The next Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) organization meeting is on Oct. 16, 6:30 PM, at the City Building. hyattsville.org/cert.
BOARD GAMES FOR GENTS
Older gentlemen are invited to enjoy their favorite card & table games on Oct. 17, 1011:30 AM at the City Building. Register: 301-985-5000 or seniors@hyattsville.org.
NARCAN TRAININGS
Free NARCAN community trainings are offered at the City Building on Oct. 17 at 6 PM and Oct. 18 at 10 AM. hyattsville.org/ calendar.
GREEN SUMMIT + VINE REMOVAL
Join us for the 10th Annual Prince George’s County Green Summit on Oct. 19, 11 AM - 4 PM at Driskell Park! Details at mypgc.us/ greensummit. Volunteers can help remove invasive vines as part of the Summit from 10 AM - 2 PM. RVSP to environment@hyattsville.org.
HY-SWAP
Shop for free at the HY-Swap on Oct. 20, at the City Building! Shopping windows are from 12 -1 PM & 2-3 PM. Register at hyswap.com. Donations can be dropped off at the City Building on Oct. 18, from 5 - 7 PM and Oct. 19, 9 - 11:30 AM.
ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS + FRAUD PREVENTION
Attend a free workshop on elder abuse awareness and fraud prevention on Oct. 21, 11 AM - 1 PM at the City Building. Register: 301-985-5000 or seniors@hyattsville.org.
PARENTS SELF-CARE WEBINAR
Join the Health, Wellness, and Recreation Advisory Committee to discuss navigating personal needs as a parent at this webinar on Oct. 23, 6 - 7:30 PM. Register: hyattsville.org/calendar.
SHRED-IT DAY
Shred unwanted paper on Oct. 26 10 a.m.–1 p.m., at the City Building! Details at hyattsville.org/calendar.
HEALTHY TREES
HYATTSVILLE SERIES
Learn about the diversity of local trees and their care at a forest walk on Oct. 26, 10 AM-Noon at Driskell Park. hyattsville.org/enviroeducation.
DRUG TAKE BACK DAY
Get rid of unwanted medications, vapes, and more on Oct. 26 from 10 AM - 2 PM at the City Building - no questions asked! Illicit drugs not accepted.
HALLOWEEN IN HYATTSVILLE
Join us on Oct. 26 for a family-friendly Treat-ORama at Driskell Park, 4-6 PM and Trunk-Or-Treat at Northwestern High School, 6-8 PM. Details at hyattsville. org/halloween.
REUNIÓN VIRTUAL:
AMIGABLE CON LA EDAD
Participe en la reunión los 8, 9 y 15 de Oct., de 1 - 3 PM, y el 16 de Oct., de 10 AM - 12 PM. Aprenda a crear una comunidad sostenible para personas de todas las edades. Hyattsville.org/calendar.
TALLER: AUTOPISTA ESTATAL DE MD
Conozca los conceptos preliminares del proyecto de seguridad peatonal de MD 410 el 9 de Oct., de 5 - 7 PM en DeMatha High School, 5905 43rd Ave. Hyattsville. org/streets.
ALFABETIZACIÓN DIGITAL
Adultos mayores pueden aprender nociones básicas de computación los miércoles del 9 de Oct. al 18 de Dic., de 12 - 1 PM, en el Edificio Municipal. Sesiones bilingües. Inscríbase: 301-985-5000 o seniors@hyattsville.org.
PASEOS PARA ADULTOS MAYORES
Venga a paseos a la Galería Nacional de Retratos el 10 de Oct., y a Granjas Montpelier el 24 de Oct., de 10 AM - 2 PM. Reserve: (301) 985-5000 antes de las 2 PM del miércoles anterior al paseo.
GRUPO DE APOYO
PARA CUIDADORES
Únase al grupo de apoyo de cuidadores de la ciudad los 11 y 25 de Oct., de 9 - 10:30 AM, en el Edificio Municipal. hyattsville.org/calendar.
PAÑALES GRATIS
Distribuciones gratuitas de pañales el 11 y 25 de Oct., en el Edificio Municipal, 9:30 AM. Se requiere prueba de la fecha de nacimiento del niño. hyattsville.org/calendar.
BÚHOS NOCTURNOS
Deje a su(s) pequeño(s) de grados K-5 en el Centro Rec de Driskell, 6 - 9 PM el 11 de Oct. Los niños disfrutarán de actividades mientras usted sale por la noche. Regístrese: hyattsville.org/nightowls.
REUNIÓN: DISTRITO 4
Hable de asuntos comunitarios con concejales del Distrito 4 y personal de la ciudad el 12 de Oct., 10 AM - 1 PM en la intersección de Jamestown Rd. y Madison Pl. hyattsville.org/calendar.
ALIMENTOS GRATIS
El 15 de Oct., habrá una distribución gratuita de alimentos en la Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida, a partir del mediodía.
MESA REDONDA DE NEGOCIOS
Líderes de negocios de Hyattsville pueden aprender sobre el desarrollo económico el 15 de Oct., de 9 - 10:30 AM en Cocineros, 3513 East-West Hwy. Regístrese: hyattsville.org/calendar.
REUNIÓN CERT
La próxima reunión del Equipo Comunitario de Respuesta ante Emergencias (CERT) es el 16 de Oct., a las 6:30 PM, en el Edificio Municipal. hyattsville.org/cert.
JUEGOS DE MESA
PARA CABALLEROS
Caballeros mayores podrán disfrutar de juegos de cartas y de mesa el 17 de Oct., de 10 - 11:30 AM, Edificio Municipal. Mas info: (301) 985-5000 o seniors@hyattsville.org.
ENTRENAMIENTOS
GRATUITOS NARCAN
Entrenamientos gratuitos NARCAN se ofrecen en el Edificio Municipal el 17 de Oct., a las 6 PM y el 18 de Oct., a las 10 AM. hyattsville. org/calendar.
REUNIÓN ECOLÓGICA Y ELIMINE VIDES
Únase a la Reunión Ecologica del Condado de Prince George’s el 19 de Oct., 11 AM - 4 PM en el Parque Driskell. Detalles en mypgc. us/greensummit. Voluntarios pueden eliminar vides invasoras de 10 AM - 2 PM. environment@hyattsville.org.
HY-SWAP
¡Compre gratis en HY-Swap el 20 de Oct., Edificio Municipal! El horario es de 12 -1 PM & 2-3 PM. Regístrese en hy-swap. com. Las donaciones se pueden dejar en el Edificio Municipal el 18 de Oct., de 57 PM y 19 de Oct., 9 - 11:30 AM.
TALLER:
PREVENCIÓN DE ABUSO A ADULTOS MAYORES Y FRAUDE
Asista a un taller gratuito sobre la prevención de abuso a adultos mayores y fraude el 21 de Oct., de 11 AM - 1 PM, Edificio Municipal. Inscríbase: 301-985-5000.
AUTOCUIDADO PARA PADRES
Únase al Comité Asesor de Salud, Bienestar y Recreación el 23 de Oct., de 6 - 7:30 PM para discutir sus necesidades personales como padre. Inscríbase: hyattsville.org/calendar.
DÍA
DE TRITURACIÓN
Triture papel no deseado el 26 de Oct., 10 AM - 1 PM, Edificio Municipal. Detalles en hyattsville.org/calendar.
SERIE
DE ÁRBOLES SANOS
Aprende sobre la diversidad de árboles locales y su cuidado en un paseo por el bosque el 26 de Oct., de 10 AM - 12 PM, en el Parque Driskell. hyattsville.org/ enviro-education.
DEVOLUCIÓN
DE MEDICAMENTOS
Deshazte de medicamentos no deseados, vapes y más el 26 de Oct., 10 AM - 2 PM, Edificio Municipal - ¡sin hacer preguntas! No se aceptan drogas ilícitas.
HALLOWEEN
EN HYATTSVILLE
Únete a nosotros el 26 de Oct., para Treat-O-Rama en el Parque Driskell, 4-6 PM y Trunk-Or-Treat en Northwestern High School, 6-8 PM. Detalles en hyattsville.org/halloween.
HIGHLIGHTS | LO DESTACADO
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Our list of events sponsored by local nonprofits, arts organizations and performance venues, occurring between Oct. 10 and Nov. 13; all information is current as of Oct. 4. For events and meetings organized by the City of Hyattsville, see the Hyattsville Reporter in the newspaper’s centerfold.
Please send notices of events that will take place between Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 to managingeditor@hyattsvillelife. com by Nov. 7.
RECURRING
Riverdale Park Farmers Market is open every Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot near the Riverdale MARC Station, 4650 Queensbury Rd. Live music starts at about 4:30 p.m. (Oct. 10: O’McPub Band; Oct. 17: The Overthinkers; Oct. 24: TBA; Oct. 31: Rick Franklin: Nov. 7: Murphy & Flannagan) For more information, contact rpkfarmmkt@gmail.com.
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
ONGOING
“Mixed Up, Cut Up: Explorations in Screen Printing” by Carlos Hernandez will be on view from Oct. 19 to Nov. 24. Hernandez’s work reproduces familiar visual images and arranges/collages them into new, layered works, often with added hand-drawn elements. 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
OCTOBER 11
Multi-instrumentalist Knox Engler performs at the
Brentwood Arts Exchange. $20. Buy tickets through pgparksdirect.com. 8 to 10 p.m. 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.277.2863. brentwoodarts@pgparks.com
OCTOBER 18
Come to a Publick Playhouse family-friendly event celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, including an art exhibition, live music, dancing, arts and crafts activities for children, and light refreshments. Free. 2 to 5 p.m. 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710. publickplayhouse@pgparks. com
OCTOBER 16
Enjoy a screening and discussion of the classic musical “West Side Story” (1961, 153 min.), set in the slums of the upper West Side of Manhattan where two rival gangs compete for the neighborhood streets. Free. Register at pgcmls.info/events. 1 to 4 p.m. Hyattsville Branch Library, 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451
OCTOBER 18 – 27
Pipeline Playwrights presents “To Be Still,” a new poetic drama written by Crystal Adaway and directed by Catherine Tripp, about navigating grief and finding common ground. $33 general admission, $23 students. Thursday and Friday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 3 p.m. For specific dates and to purchase tickets, visit our. show/tobestill. Joe’s Movement Emporium, 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier. 301.699.1819
OCTOBER 19
Preserve your documents, photos and letters with the assistance of Maryland State archivists during Community Preservation Day. At this event, you can scan up to
three items and take home originals and digital copies for free. Registration, at pgcmls. info/events, is mandatory due to limited space. 1 to 4 p.m. Hyattsville Branch Library, 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451
Maryland Meadworks hosts a viewing of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975, 98 min.). Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com
OCTOBER 25
Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. hosts The Hollow Truths Free. 7 to 9 p.m. 4824 Rhode Island Ave. streetcar82brewing.com
Rick Franklin, Justin Golden, and the Piedmont Bluz Acoustic Duo perform in concert to open the weekendlong Mississippi John Hurt Maryland Acoustic Blues Festival $25. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Archie Edwards Blues Foundation, 4502 Hamilton St. acousticblues.com
OCTOBER 26
Come to the Bladensburg Waterfront Art Festival, where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant art market, enjoy live music and the scenic views of the Anacostia River, grab tasty food and treats, and take a relaxing boat tour! Free. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd., Bladensburg. 301.779.0371. BladensburgWP@pgparks.com
As part of Route 1 Corridor Conversations, join us to discuss “Being Your Own Advocate Medically.”
Geriatrician Dr. Stephanie Trifoglio will talk about advocating for yourself medically, the latest guidance on vaccines for older adults, and more! Attendees can join via telephone or Zoom. Free. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Register at hyattsvilleaginginplace.org/ events.
Attend a screening of the award-winning documentary “A Man Called Hurt: The Life and Music of Mississippi John Hurt,” as part of the Mississippi John Hurt Maryland Acoustic Blues Festival. Free, but must RSVP in advance by emailing info@acousticblues.com. 7 to 8 p.m. Hyattsville Municipal Center, 4310 Gallatin St. acousticblues.com
NOVEMBER 1
Lunatic High performs at Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Free. 7 to 9 p.m. 4824 Rhode Island Ave. streetcar82brewing.com
NOVEMBER 2
The Funkatronics make their debut at Maryland
Meadworks. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com
NOVEMBER 3
Join the Riversdale Kitchen Guild over the open hearth as they highlight recipes for Emancipation Day using 19thcentury techniques. Free. Noon to 3:30 p.m. Riversdale House Museum, 4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420. riversdale@ pgparks.com
NOVEMBER 9
Experience the legacy of excellence at the 41st Annual Choreographers’ Showcase, a cornerstone event recognized as one of the nation’s longestrunning platforms for both emerging and established talent. Purchase tickets through pgparksdirect.com. $23 general admission, $18 seniors and students. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710. publickplayhouse@pgparks. com
your feedback to improve your local news source. See the results at StreetcarSuburbs. News/2024-survey-results.
MAD Theater presents Disney and Cameron MacIntosh’s
Junior reporters cover Hyattsville arts festival
So much to cover at the 2024 Hyattsville Arts & Ales Festival, held on Sept. 21! Fortunately, we had help. Thanks to all the teen and kid reporters and the artists they profiled. And to the Hyattsville Community Development Corp for hosting the party. Find more photos and interviews — along with some ale reviews — at StreetcarSuburbs.News.
Sherill Anne Gross of Sagworks Design by Zoe
Colwell
and Rosie Flick
“I’ve always been a weird kid,” said Sherill Anne Gross of Sagworks Design, who has made art for as long as she can remember. She couldn’t find jewelry that was right for her. So, she made her own. Coincidentally, the hardest thing about being an artist for Gross, pictured with Zoe Colwell, is not keeping everything she makes. The polymer clay texture of the jewelry is one of the most interesting parts. One necklace had three orange cat heads on it! A festival-goer passing the booth said, “So creative, so fun to look at!”
Sharon Jeremiah of the Rose of Sharon Gift Collection by Nico Duhagon
Sharon Jeremiah, pictured above with Nico Duhagon, started making art when she was a little girl. It was a gift she found she had. Jeremiah works with water colors, prints, portraits and oils. She said that one of the hardest parts about being an artist, though, is selling the work. One of the loveliest pieces in the booth is a pattern of green flowers and shapes. “A personal touch on a card is very special,” remarked a customer. “I like their sparkles.”
Diane Traylor of Madison Expressions by
Alec Lee
“I saw someone doing wire wrapping, and it spoke to me,” said Diane Traylor, pictured right, when asked how she got started being an artist. She said her favorite part of being an artist is working with something naturally found in the earth. The hardest thing about being an artist for her is staying consistent and finding the time to dedicate. “Sometimes, you don’t have the energy,” she said. A piece of labradorite in the shape of a cloud, wrapped to be a necklace, caught our attention. Caroline Ruedig, who was browsing the booth, said, “I think it’s cool that the artist has such a wealth of knowledge about the materials they’re using, and uses multiple mediums.”
COURTESY OF NICO’S PARENTS
COURTESY OF SABRINA COLWELL
COURTESY OF ALEC LEE
MISS FLORIBUNDA
Pinching pennies by clipping cuttings, storing stalks and saving seeds
Dear Miss Floribunda,
Now that autumn is here, I am thinking seriously about trying to bring plants inside to winter over. Every spring, I spend a fortune on begonias and impatiens for the shady areas of my garden and geraniums for the sunny areas, only to lose them with the first hard frost. I have limited room on my window sills, so I don’t think I can bring them all in. I already have a few African violets, and don’t want to do anything to disturb them. However, maybe I could fit a few outdoor plants that I could take cuttings from to start next year’s garden. I’d like to know how. Another thing I’d like to do to save money is to collect seeds from my annual zinnias, marigolds and cosmos. Although they sometimes self-seed a bit, I usually find the new seedlings in my lawn or other places I don’t want them. Also, the zinnias always come back a kind of grayish lavender color I don’t really care for. Please give me some practical and doable tips that would help me save plants and money.
Frugal on Farragut Street
Dear Frugal,
You are in luck, because the guest speaker at the Hyattsville Horticultural Society meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 will be Kathy Jentz, publisher and editor of Washington Gardener magazine. In addition, she is the author of best-selling gardening books and the popular host of the award-winning podcast GardenDC
She will speak on “Plant Propagation: Make More Plants For Free” at My Dead Aunt’s Books, located in the SoHy Arts Building, 5132 Baltimore Avenue, across the street from Franklin’s Restaurant, Brewery and General Store. There is no charge other than a voluntary donation, but you might wish to call to make a reservation: 270.472.9325.
And, if you wish, you can stay after the Q&A for a meeting of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society, as well. New members are always welcome, regardless of level of experience, and you might want to learn about the plant exchange taking place the following weekend.
Now, while I don’t want to divulge too much of what Ms. Jentz is going to teach us about, I can address a couple of your immediate concerns: First of all, you don’t have to keep geraniums in pots when you bring them in. Save your east-facing window sills for all the wonderful African violets you will have when Ms. Jentz shows you how very easy they are to root — if you know how to do it. Geraniums are easy to store in cardboard boxes or paper bags over the winter. Dig them up before the first frost, when the soil is dry, and then gently shake the excess soil off their roots. Place them in clean dry cardboard boxes or paper shopping bags. Boxes are sturdier, but bags can be hung on hooks. If your basement is dry and unheated but frost-free, you can store them in a dark closet there. You could also put them in your garage if it’s attached to your house and the temperature doesn’t dip below freezing. The ideal temperature for them is 50 – 60 F. Next spring, after they leaf out, you can take cuttings. They root easily.
BY ZOSHUA COLAH ON UNSPLASH
Tuberous begonias can live in pots over winter if you don’t overwater them, or you can pack them away much the same way you would dahlias. You need to remove the stems and leaves and nestle the tubers in peat moss, coir or vermicu-
lite to keep their centers from shriveling. Fibrous begonias have to be kept in their pots and watered weekly. You wouldn’t need many because they are so easy to root from cuttings when spring comes. They and some of
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your impatiens could go in pots in a south-facing window too bright for your African violets. I confess to not having a great deal of success with impatiens once they are brought inside, so I’m looking forward to finding out from Ms. Jentz how best to keep and propagate them.
Concerning seed-saving, you should be aware that seeds from hybrids rarely produce the hybrid plant itself. New plants revert to one or another of the genetic contributors.
For exactly the reason you give, I don’t let my zinnias selfseed but clip the seed heads before they drop. I prefer investing in a new package of seeds that will brighten the summer garden with a fiesta of festive color rather than such a melancholy mauve. Ms. Jentz will explain the science for us, as well as advise us on which seeds to save and how to store them so they will germinate successfully. I hope to see you for this event, and also at the meeting and plant exchange that is to take place at 10 a.m. the following Saturday, Oct. 26. The venue is the rear garden of Virginia Bennett, 4520 Madison Street, Riverdale.
Miss Floribunda writes about gardening for the Life & Times. You may email her at Floribundav@gmail.com.
Geraniums are easy to store in paper bags or boxes over the winter. PHOTO
SCIENCE OF THE CITY
Hyattsville’s micromobility: Caught among three earlier adopters
By PAUL RUFFINS
This is the second article in a “Science of the City” series on micromobility on the Route 1 Corridor.
Hyattsville prides itself on promoting alternative fuel vehicles. It started planning for bikesharing in 2016 and has an electric police car, as well as the region’s first battery-powered trash truck. However, the city government has played almost no formal role in the hottest trend in micromobility: shared e-bikes and e-scooters accessed through cell phone apps.
Judging from conversations and discussions on local listservs, neighbors share three main concerns about these forms of micromobility. The first — people driving e-vehicles recklessly or on sidewalks — is universal, from New York to Tokyo. However, the problems of devices being abandoned in strange locations, such as the middle of the Northeast Branch Trail, as well as not being able to find an e-scooter or bike that works, seem to be more common in Hyattsville than in D.C. or other nearby suburbs.
“I have used Lime, Bird, and Uber scooters in other cities and still am a member on those apps, but whenever I went to look for scooters in Hyattsville, there were none of those available,” said resident Chris L. on the HOPE (Hyattsville Organization for a Positive Environment) listserv. “I only ever see Veo scooters around Hyattsville.” He also wrote that when he picked up a scooter in another neighborhood, “the Veo scooter geofenced me from parking in Hyattsville & Riverdale Park. I had to leave the scooter at the e-bike ‘parking lot’ on the trolley trail where it meets Albion [Road].”
These issues — abandoned vehicles, intrusive geofencing, and difficulties finding a working device — probably occur because Hyattsville is sandwiched between the operating boundaries of three earlier adopters of microtransit agreements: Washington, D.C., Montgomery County and a geographic partnership consisting of College Park, University Park and the University of Maryland (UMD).
Here’s a little history: In
2008, the District made a deal with Clear Channel advertising, which operates D.C. bus shelters, to create SmartBikes. This became the first successful bike-sharing program in the U.S. Riders loved it, but it folded partly because the docking stations required expensive connections to underground utilities, and Clear Channel didn’t want to expand the program.
In 2010, the District, Arlington and a private contractor formed a joint venture that used cheaper, solar-powered docking stations, creating Capital Bikeshare (CaBi), which successfully expanded to 700 stations and approximately 7,000 bikes across eight local jurisdictions.
In 2013, College Park and UMD wanted to become part of CaBi but couldn’t because Prince George’s County hadn’t joined yet. So, in 2016, they contracted with mBike, which used a system of U-locks, smartphones, GPS and much simpler docks. In 2017, mBike expanded to University Park and promoted the dockless revolution by letting riders use any bike rack rather than only mBike racks. At the time, UMD Bicycle Coordinator Aaron Goldbeck stated in a press release, “We are very excited about the growth and
success of the system.”
However, two developments rapidly made mBikes obsolete. Between 2017 and 2019, CaBi expanded into Prince George’s County, and Bird, Spin, Lime, Bolt, Uber, Lyft and other firms introduced e-scooters and ebikes into the DMV. In 2017, perhaps because of its success with bike sharing, D.C. agreed to experiment with eight different micromobility companies while the city worked out its rules. In 2019, Montgomery County signed a memorandum of understanding allowing three companies to operate in specific areas, starting at the Takoma Park/D.C. border. The two different agreements included many provisions, such as age and speed restrictions and a phone number where residents could complain about vehicles blocking sidewalks.
However, recreating CaBi’s success was neither easy nor cheap. CaBi must constantly service its bikes and redistribute them. This becomes even more complicated with dockless e-devices. Each separate company needs gig workers to round up their products in many more locations than just a few docks, recharge them, and often redistribute them by morning. CaBi also used rug-
Because all the different systems in this area have different equipment with varying battery capacities and geofenced boundaries, a potential rider can find the process confusing and unpredictable.
ble designs. E-bikes are offered through Veo and CaBi. As a result, D.C., Montgomery County, the College Park-University Park-UMD group, and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission each have their own regulations for e-vehicles. By contrast, Prince George’s County’s website does not list any. Neither does Hyattsville’s. City Councilmember Edouard Haba (Ward 4) explained that, to his knowledge, the city only has an agreement with CaBi, which doesn’t operate e-scooters, and Public Information Officer Cindy Zork confirmed this. Although Haba, too, has seen ebikes and scooters left in various places around the city, he noted, “I haven’t received any complaints, and they seem to be being picked up within a day or so.” Because all the different systems in this area have different equipment with varying battery capacities and geofenced boundaries, a potential rider can find the process confusing and unpredictable. A Veo scooter on UMD’s campus will not start between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., but if you carry it off campus, it will operate 24/7. If you want to take a long e-ride from College Park to Arlington, Va., through D.C., the safest bet is a CaBi ebike because the system serves all three jurisdictions, and the batteries allegedly last up to 35 miles, which few scooters can match.
ged, custom-designed bikes. In their race to get wheels on the street, most scooter companies deployed standard models, which quickly broke down under commercial use, sometimes creating a safety hazard. By 2023, D.C. had restricted itself to five companies: Lime, Lyft, Spin, Veo and CaBi. The College Park, University Park and UMD group chose Veo as its sole provider of e-scooters, primarily based on their dura-
The problems Chris L. alluded to on the listserv are probably a result of several factors. Bird and Uber scooters aren’t operating in D.C. these days. So, he may occasionally see someone riding one of these companies’ old scooters, but now those scooters are probably privately owned and won’t show up in these companies’ apps. Parts of Hyattsville are also in a coverage gap in at least one company’s network. When asked about taking a trip through Hyattsville going from D.C. to College Park, Jeremy, a Veo customer support advisor, responded this way: “Please be aware that both markets have their own geofence where the users are allowed to ride; if they leave the geofence, then the ride will be stopped, and they are unable to end the ride, so the best thing we recommend is kindly preplan your route before starting the ride so you will not face any issue in the middle of the ride.” Sounds like good advice.
Paul Ruffins is a citizen scientist and a professor of curiosity.
A Capital Bikeshare e-bike outside of the West Hyattsville Metro station PAUL RUFFINS
ice cream shop Snow Crane, which he hopes to bring to the Hyattsville area in spring 2025, will feature flavors like genmaicha, black and white sesame, and miso, whose sweet and savory profile he compares to salted caramel. There will be flavors of flan, tofu and sweet red beans (adzuki).
“Maybe even just straight up rice,” Nishikawa says. “Something like that could be fun.”
Nishikawa’s unconventional approach derives, in part, from his experience in fine dining. He has worked as a chef in restaurants around the DMV rhomboid for nearly two decades now, in kitchens ranging from the Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner to Lincoln in Logan Circle, experimenting with flavor combinations that challenge a community which, he says, has “a very sophisticated palate.”
The other inspiration, fittingly, is his culture.
Nishikawa grew up in western Japan, in the city of Suzuka, famous for its Formula 1 circuit.
From his childhood home, Nishikawa could hear the sound of car engines boasting at the nearby track. His father was a mechanical engineer for Honda. Hands-on work ran in the family.
“I don’t have anybody who’s a lawyer, a doctor,” he explains.
From his mother’s side of the family, Nishikawa learned to cook. He calls himself one of those lucky people who figured out what they want to do early in life. His grandmother, who he names as his primary influence, made dinner each night while his parents were at work. Nishikawa worked by her side in the kitchen, cutting vegetables, stirring stews. One of his earliest memories is of slicing his finger off while chopping an apple, having it reattached at the hospital.
Together, Nishikawa and his grandmother made straightforward meals. Roasted fish. Stewed potatoes. Nothing fancy, nothing glamorous, he says. Very simple, very comforting.
Nishikawa learned to refine these principles of simplicity in his nascent career as a chef in Japan.
“When you have 153 ingredients, you can use semi-OK ingredients and get away with it,” Nishikawa explains. But in Japanese food, “you use the highest quality product for everything. And you don’t hide behind anything.”
He offers the standard example of sushi — rice, soy, wasabi, fish.
“Every component has a 25% rating, so if one thing’s off, you’re way off. That’s why I tend to focus on simplicity, on a more minimalistic approach. To me,
there’s no other way to do it.”
With Snow Crane, Nishikawa says he wants to introduce new flavors and cultures to the Hyattsville community. The menu will be rotating, with an emphasis on smaller, seasonal ingredients, including Japanese fruits, which Nishikawa calls some of the best in the world.
Scrolling through a Google Doc, he names white strawberries; sweet potatoes; citrus fruits like yuzu and sudachi — flavoring agents in Japan, akin to lemons and limes; Okinawa mangoes; Hokkaido melons.
He cuts himself off.
“When I was brainstorming for product ideas, my keyboard literally never stopped,” he says.
Japanese ice cream, according to Nishikawa, is lighter than its American counterpart, leaning more toward gelato. Twenty percent fat, Nishikawa says, is too excessive for him.
“If you kill someone because of your product, you’re not going to have a returning customer, right?”
In general, he is a health-conscious guy. Nishikawa doesn’t consume a lot of meat. He mostly refrains from eating dairy and sugar (“That’s a pretty funny one,” he remarks). He often bikes to work in Capitol Hill, where he serves as culinary director of
“If random foodies from the District want to come, please, we can have a $40 ice cream. But the baseline is going to be something great, something affordable, something delicious, something pure, something simple.”
Takeshi Nishikawa Hyattsville-based chef
Rose’s Restaurant Group — the fine dining-catering amalgam that includes the Michelinstarred Rose’s Luxury and the two Michelin-starred Pineapple and Pearls, which Nishikawa helped found two years ago “from zero.”
Around Hyattsville, he takes
walks with his wife and 1-yearold daughter — through the neighborhood to Vigilante Coffee Company, along the Trolley Trail to Manifest Bread. As they stroll, they note what the area specializes in — taquerías, Salvadoran food. Mainly, they look for what isn’t there.
“My wife and I are always joking around: ‘What are some of the things that you wish were here that would make the neighborhood better? The city better?’”
It was during one of these mobile brainstorming sessions that Nishikawa conceived of Snow Crane. Although his experience with ice cream has been limited to small-batch experiments in fine dining kitchens, Nishikawa says he understands the science of ice cream, what he refers to as its “essence” — the crystals and fat.
“What I don’t have experience at is high volume, a much larger scale,” he says. “But it’s not like I’m trying to create a particle accelerator in the backyard. I think I can figure it out.”
Snow Crane will reflect his fine dining bonafides only in the quality of its product, according to Nishikawa. He doesn’t have a price point yet, but he says it will be something like the cost of dessert at a restaurant, whatever enables
him to use premium ingredients and pay his employees not only fairly, “but actually well.”
“If random foodies from the District want to come, please, we can have a $40 ice cream,” Nishikawa says. “But the baseline is going to be something great, something affordable, something delicious, something pure, something simple.”
He is adamant that the Michelin stars in his Capitol Hill orbit will have no bearing on Snow Crane. His stated goal is to bring value and add quality of life to the people who live in Hyattsville.
“Everything else is secondary,” he says. “I don’t need any accreditations, certifications. None of that [stuff’s] going to be on the wall. Except for the health certification. For obvious reasons.”
Nishikawa hasn’t chosen a storefront yet, but says the City of Hyattsville has been incredibly generous in helping him land a commercial space. He’s aiming for the Arts District, “so families can walk to it after dinner at 2Fifty [Texas BBQ].”
Until then, Nishikawa reveals that he has been given the green light to operate a pop-up at Vigilante — whose coffee he calls “incredible” — and a stall at the Gateway Farmers Market in Mount Rainier.
The Snow Crane storefront, however, remains at the whim of the less glamorous aspects of restauranting: permitting, rent, construction and — before all these — alighting on a location.
“If the world was mine, and everything was exactly as I wished, I would time the opening with spring 2024, when all the cherry blossoms start up in the District,” Nishikawa says. “That would be the perfect scenario.”
Takeshi Nishikawa serves as culinary director of Rose’s Restaurant Group, which includes the Michelin-starred Rose’s Luxury and the two Michelin-starred Pineapple and Pearls. COURTESY OF PINEAPPLE AND PEARLS
race in a special election. That will leave open her District 5 county council seat because she will become a countywide representative. Voters will choose between her and Republican Michael Riker.
Yes-or-no questions
Constitutional amendment: Question 1 on the ballot would amend the Maryland Constitution to protect individual reproductive freedom, including “decisions to prevent, continue or end the individual’s pregnancy.”
Judges: Maryland residents will be asked to vote yes or no on several judges to the Appellate Court of Maryland who seek to remain in office.
Charter amendment: County residents can vote yes or no on amending the county charter to prevent county agencies from hiring more staff than approved in the annual operating budget without specific council approval. This will give county agencies more staffing flexibility, as the current charter restricts changes in agency staffing levels by grade. A county charter review commission recommended the change.
Prince George’s County bond issuances: The county is asking voters to approve bond issuances that would allow the government to borrow more than $600 million for construction projects related to county facilities. The county asked for $500 million in 2020. According to a 2018 analysis by the Regional Economic Studies Institute at Towson University, ballot measures like these are required in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Prince George’s County, and generally pass. They are not required in other local jurisdictions in the state.
