Proposed McDonald’s on Ager Road:
By STELLA GARNER
A lengthy battle continues to rage as some Hyattsville residents are speaking out against a proposed McDonald’s that would displace a local business and potentially cause more traffic at an intersection locals say is already rife with congestion.
Friendship Arms residents claim unhealthy, discriminatory living conditions
By SANYA WASON
“It’s been four years since the fire, and the building still isn’t back to what it used to be. The residents are exasperated,” 12year Friendship Arms resident Vallorie Watson said.
On the morning of Oct. 1, 2020, smoke curled from the seventh floor of the Friendship Arms Apartment Complex on 42nd Avenue.
The fire appeared to be electrical, according to firefighters, and caused over 160 residents to temporarily relocate to area
HOLIDAYS IN HYATTSVILLE
Welcome Home Neighbor continues to fill empty rooms with a spark
By ETHAN THERRIEN
As the holiday season begins, many families are left with little more than a roof over their heads. Welcome Home Neighbor, a volunteer-based group dedicated to helping local families transition from homeless shelters to stable housing, has been transforming empty sets of walls into cozy, personalized homes — one community-provided furniture donation at a time.
Co-coordinators Jamila Larson and Mark Betancourt kickstarted their efforts in May 2022, after they met a mother and her two children moving from a homeless shelter to an empty apartment in Greenbelt.
The duo offered to help the family with the transition and furnishing process — a decision that eventually led to the creation of Welcome Home Neighbor. The HOPE (Hyattsville Organization for a Positive Environment) listserv helped the two get their mes-
sage out to the community.
“We decided to put an appeal out in the neighborhood,” Larson said. “They responded pretty fast. We had everything we needed for their two-bedroom apartment. [The family] had zero furniture. People sent us donations; Mark rented a U-Haul and recruited a couple of his neighbors.”
“There were four of us that spent a good chunk of that rainy Mother’s Day weekend
The intersection of Gallatin Street and Baltimore Avenue arrayed in holiday decor JULIETTE FRADIN PHOTOGRAPHY
Support hyperlocal Hyattsville news
By KIT SLACK
In an age of misinformation, polarization and digital distraction, your monthly newspaper, the Life & Times, brings you news you can trust about what’s happening in your city.
Please give today to keep the hyperlocal news coming.
Now and through the end of the year, your single gift or new monthly contribution will be matched, up to $1,000, by NewsMatch, a collaborative fundraising movement to support independent, public service journalism.
Donate at streetcarsuburbs. news/donate, or send a check made out to Streetcar Suburbs Publishing to P.O. Box 132, Hyattsville, MD 20781.
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on topics of local interest, news tips, volunteer reporting and feedback.
When I moved to Hyattsville in 2013, I had never lived anywhere where the newspaper was all about what was happening within a few miles of my home. I loved getting to read about local people, as told by local voices, rather than regurgitated syndicated news. I wanted to learn more about my city, and to support its newspaper, so I volunteered to write about arts programming at Hyattsville Elementary School and about park service mosquito control.
Before I was on staff, I assumed that if I wanted to find hard news about how local government worked, there were larger news organizations with full-time reporters providing it. Turns out
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Dear Editor,
In the November 2024 issue of the Life and Times, there was an article on the 2023 CSX train derailment. I was disappointed to see the nurdle spill from this event framed as an inconvenient, low-risk environmental contamination.
Nurdles are lentil-sized plastic pellets, which are melted down to produce larger plastic goods. They are ubiquitous in manufacturing; they are transported by trucks, trains and ships around the world. When mishandled, they can become an environmental nightmare no matter where they are spilled. In soil, they become embedded and incor-
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there aren’t. To give the county context on a city issue, we have to do original reporting and research. If we don’t explain who the local candidates are on your ballot, who is backing their campaigns, or what they do once they are elected, often it just doesn’t happen.
The Washington Post closed its local paper, the Prince George’s Gazette, in 2015, and only sporadically covers our area. Other historical county outlets have dwindled into online aggregators.
Not all the news about local news is bad! There are some amazing small outlets in our area that you should also consider supporting:
• Maryland Matters, founded in 2017, covers state and sometimes county politics;
• The Hyattsville Wire, founded in 2012, is a lifestyle news site that often reports first on new businesses and developments;
• Route One Finance, founded in 2024, is an independent public finance blog that packs a punch, authored by our former volunteer budget reporter.
When we surveyed our readers in September, we learned you want more from us — more indepth city reporting, more county news, and more curated listings of local events. We want to bring you all of that in 2025: What we can do will depend, as it always has, on the generosity of our community.
Please join the community of donors whose support connects and informs Hyattsville residents.
Give today. Thank you!
Kit Slack is the executive director of Streetcar Suburbs Publishing, which publishes the Life & Times.
Please join the community of donors whose support connects and informs Hyattsville residents.
porate near plant root systems. They float easily in water and can be transferred miles from their original spill. They act as chemical and bacterial sponges, and, thus, become incredibly effective vectors for contamination between ecosystems. Wildlife unknowingly eat and drink them; fish, in particular, are susceptible to dying due to overeating the nurdles they confuse with food.
Nurdles break down into microplastics more easily than your typical plastic waste, and, thus, whatever is not recaptured after a spill remains in the soil and water indefinitely.
There are significant efforts being made to include nurdles as registered pollutants with
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the Environmental Protection Agency (see House Bill H.R. 7634 [The Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act], for example); if these efforts are successful, nurdle accidents could be regulated like other dangerous chemical spills and factor into financial settlements.
Nurdles are some of the most pervasive and damaging of pollutants, and everyone in Hyattsville has the right to know that the nurdle spill in 2023 has longreaching consequences for the community.
Sincerely,
Lauren L. Lustig, dentist and natural resource advocate Hyattsville Arts District
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Executive Director Kit Slack
Board of Directors
President: Marta McLellan Ross
President & General Counsel: Michael Walls
Treasurer: Joe Murchison
Secretary: Melanie Dzwonchyk
Bette Dickerson, Nora Eidelman, Joseph Gigliotti, Maxine Gross, Merrill Hartson, T. Carter Ross, Stephanie Stullich
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.
After Alsobrooks: Who runs Prince George’s County, and for how long?
By KIT SLACK
The Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving, two women assumed the top roles in Prince George’s County government by default. Both face uncertainty about when and how they may be ousted from their new roles.
First, on Dec. 2, County Executive Angela Alsobrooks resigned, which meant that Tara Jackson, the chief administrative officer, became the acting county executive.
Then, on Dec. 3, the county council was unable to reach a majority to elect a council chair for the coming year.
With no candidate earning a majority of votes, incumbent Chair Jolene Ivey claimed victory as the chair for 2025 in a prepared speech focusing on meeting the needs of county residents amid looming budget challenges. She concluded her remarks by saying, “Thank you again for the privilege of serving this body as chair for legislative year 2025,” and started a prayer.
Councilmembers Thomas Dernoga (District 1) and Krystal Oriadha (District 7) interrupted, Dernoga saying he had a point of order.
Dernoga asked Deputy Administrator Colette Gresham to confirm that Ivey had not been elected chair for 2025, and
asked what the legal significance of the failure to elect a chair would be. Gresham said that she understood from the rules that Ivey would continue as chair until a successor was chosen.
Ivey said that a new chair could be elected at any time with eight votes from the 11-member council.
Oriadha said she thought only six would be required in this case. Gresham said she thought Oriadha was right, but that an opinion by the county attorney might be needed.
“Legally she is holding over as a de facto officer until a successor is elected,” Dernoga said. “Having said that, congratulations, Ms. Ivey; she’s our chair until otherwise said.”
“Wow, thank you Mr. Dernoga, that makes a girl feel real good,” said Ivey, briefly sarcastic during a meeting in which she largely stuck to prepared remarks about the accomplishments of the council in a tight budget year, and thanked councilmembers and staff.
Dernoga represents District 1, which includes North College Park and Lau-
rel. He served as council chair for a year prior to Ivey. Under Ivey’s leadership, the county council undid measures Dernoga had championed that were unfavorable to developers.
If Senator-elect Alsobrooks had waited until after Dec. 5 to resign as county executive, picking a county council chair could have been even more contentious. Under county law, the council chair could have become the interim county executive instead of Jackson, if the county council were not able to appoint someone within two weeks.
The divided county council must now decide the timing of special elections to fill the county executive seat, as well as to choose a county council representative for District 5. District 5 includes Colmar Manor, Bladensburg, Cheverly and Glenarden.
Ivey, as well as Councilmember Calvin Hawkins, the council’s two at-large members, have each announced an intention to run for county executive, as has Aisha Braveboy, the current county state’s attorney. Jackson, the acting county executive, has said she will not run.
Ivey had been the District 5 representative, but was elected as an at-large councilmember representing the whole county in the November election, filling a vacancy left when Councilmember Mel Franklin resigned.
The county council did succeed in selecting a vice chair on Dec. 3, with six votes in favor of Councilmember Ed Burroughs (District 8). He will serve as vice chair for 2025, succeeding Councilmember Sidney Harrison (District 9).
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Jolene Ivey was elected as an at-large county councilmember representing the whole county in the November election and will serve as council chair until a successor is chosen. COURTESY OF THE PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY COUNCIL
From interceptions to 3-pointers: The life of DeMatha’s two-sport star athlete
By ETHAN THERRIEN
Playing the role of a shutdown cornerback on a championship-winning high school football team requires exceptional instincts, discipline and a high level of athletic ability. Doing so while also being the starting point guard on the school’s varsity basketball team requires an even higher degree of those rare qualities.
Being a two-sport athlete isn’t new for DeMatha Catholic High School senior Jacob Wallace, who started playing both football and basketball when he was very young. But while most people who play multiple sports as a kid tend to focus on one sport as they grow older, Wallace was different.
“Growing up, when I was like 6 or 7, I just always been playing both sports. So I just always loved it. I loved the passion of it. Always pushed,” Wallace said. That passion showed up in a big way on Nov. 24, when DeMatha won the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference football championship against Our Lady of Good Counsel High School by a final score of 16-7. As the team’s top cornerback,
Wallace played a huge role in holding Good Counsel’s offense to only 7 points — by shadowing their top wide receiver all game.
“I thought he was absolutely outstanding,” said Bill McGregor, head coach of DeMatha’s football team. “I told [Wallace] after the game, ‘We gave you the most difficult assignment of anyone defensively.’ Good Counsel has a great wide receiver, No. 2, the [Damarion] Fowlkes kid. Wherever he went, Jacob went. And we knew we had to take [Fowlkes] out of the game.”
To McGregor, Wallace has a quiet but deadly demeanor. The long-time head coach describes his star cornerback as an introvert — but one that flips a switch when he steps onto the gridiron.
“He’s unassuming: very, very low-key,” said McGregor. “The whistle blows, and he goes from being a quiet, easygoing guy, and it’s almost like he’s Superman. He puts on the cape, changes his clothes and comes out of the phone booth.”
Wallace’s ability to play cornerback at a high level runs in the family. His older brother, Josh Wallace, plays for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams — and had a
standout collegiate career at the University of Michigan in 2023, winning a national championship during his only year with the program.
“Growing up, we were always just playing sports,” Wallace said. “[Josh] used to beat me all the time in the backyard, on the
court. He called me like once a week, because he’d be busy. He’d call me and he’d just say ‘Keep working. Keep watching film. Keep pushing. You know you can do anything if you put your mind to it.’”
“It was definitely great to have somebody to look up to,” Wallace added. “You know, [Josh] was always pushing me when I was younger, because I used to cry when I worked out.”
With the championship win, Wallace’s football season is
now over. But as the basketball season ramps up, so does the physical toll on his body. For a lot of parents, watching their child play two contact sports at a high level would be a perpetual cause for concern. His mother, Sharlene Wallace, is no exception.
“As a mother, I always worry about if he is doing too much, getting the proper rest or eating the right foods,” said Sharlene. “After every game, I ask him, ‘How does your body feel?’”
For some time, Wallace’s answer to her question wasn’t ideal. At the start of his high school playing career, he dealt with a lot of physical issues, from aches and pains to various strains — including a turf toe injury that had him questioning his two-sport lifestyle.
“At the end of my sophomore year, my body was starting to hurt a lot,” Wallace said. “I was really questioning, ‘Do I gotta pick one right now, or should I just finish my high school season out?’”
Wallace didn’t have to make that decision. As he got older, he started to recognize the importance of rest and recovery, which allowed him to adapt to the physical demands of being a two-sport athlete. Wendy Norris, DeMatha’s head athletic trainer, took note of Wallace’s changed mindset regarding recovery — and especially his discipline with extra treatments.
“That’s not every athlete,” Norris said. “He’s special. There are certain kids that have the discipline and the drive to take care of their bodies to be able to do all that, and he’s one of them.”
Jacob Wallace plays both football and basketball for DeMatha. COURTESY OF @RICKSHOTTHAT ON INSTAGRAM
CITY COUNCIL UPDATES FROM THE DEC. 2 MEETING
Address from State Senator Malcolm Augustine
State Senator Malcolm L. Augustine provided a brief statement toward the beginning of the Dec. 2 city council meeting. The senator said that the state Senate begins its legislative session in January. According to Augustine, this year is different from prior years because the Senate is beginning the year with a “significant deficit” — projected to be as high as $2.7 billion. Augustine stressed that he wants to know the city’s priorities. He also emphasized that if the council has any “legislative or capital asks,” it’s important that “we do those things as soon as possible.” He then offered to answer any questions the council might have. None were asked.
Traffic calming recommendations (Action item)
The council was initially set to vote on initiating traffic calming measures at the 6000 block of 43rd Street and the 4000 block of Nicholson Street. Hal Metzler, deputy director of Public Works, said a city study recommended that a yield street, rather than speed bumps, be used for traffic calming on Nicholson due to the “geometry of the street.” A yield street consists of a street where parking is allowed on both sides so that opposing vehicles have to slow down and yield to each other in order to pass, thus naturally slowing traffic. Metzler said that, as a temporary test measure, passing zones would be created throughout the street to facilitate passing. However, Councilmember Sam Denes (Ward 1) noted that the streets in question are already functioning as yield streets. Earlier in the meeting, during the public comment period, Nicholson Street resident Sara Bendoraitis said her block had asked the city why speed bumps weren’t recommended, but hadn’t received a response. Director of Public Works Lesley Riddle agreed with a motion from Denes to postpone installing the yield street until there was more communication with residents; the council voted to table the decision.
Fitness equipment for new police headquarters (Consent item)
The council voted to approve the purchase of $68,287 in fitness equipment for the new police headquarters at 3505 Hamilton Street. Earlier in the meeting, Councilmember Joanne Waszczak (Ward 1) said some community members had voiced displeasure about the cost of the station’s fitness center, and she wanted to
confirm that this was targeted towards the recruitment and retention of police officers.
City Administrator Tracey Douglas said that the fitness center would help officers who need to decompress, “especially if they’re working a double shift.” She added that the city had previously explored memberships to gyms like Planet Fitness for officers, but that safe weapon storage was a concern. Hyattsville police Chief Jarod Towers emphasized the mental and physical benefits of exercise for officers; he added that the average age of a police officer experiencing a heart attack is considerably lower than that of the average civilian experiencing one. Towers also noted that the gym inside the new police headquarters has already been built, and that the agenda item pertains to an order for the fitness equipment with which to fill that space.
A consent item for upfitting two electric Chevrolet Blazers — priced at $60,860 — for the police department was also unanimously approved by the council.
Teen center (Discussion)
An impromptu discussion was held early in the meeting about the pending teen center on Nicholson Street after resident Sara Bendoraitis’ public comment that the project was still incomplete, despite a “Coming in 2022” sign out front. “I understand construction can take a
lot of time, but I do think it’s ridiculous that this project is still sitting out there uncompleted, and there’s been no updates on it,” Bendoraitis said.
Deputy Director of Public Works Hal Metzler cited permitting delays as a factor, although the county had recently approved necessary permits, and said that the steel contractor is currently fabricating the new steel structure. “That’s just the work you can see,” Metzler said, noting that work has already taken place inside the building, including utilities, plumbing, electrical work and the interior wall installation. Once the steel structure is in place, according to Metzler, the roof will go up and the front wall will be finished. He estimated a March 2025 completion date, accounting for delays in construction.
Driskell Park redesign (Discussion item)
The largest portion of the meeting was devoted to a presentation about the extensive redesign of Driskell Park. The concept was first introduced in 2017 by then-Mayor Candace Hollingsworth, when she promoted a $25,000 study for a reworking of what was, at that time, named Magruder Park. As noted in Route One Finance, at that time, Councilmember Edouard Haba (Ward 4) voiced concern that the design would become obsolete before the city was able to act on it. In minutes from that
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same Feb. 1, 2017, council meeting, Mayor Robert Croslin, who was a councilmember at the time, asked Hollingsworth about her inspiration for the idea to redesign the park in the first place. Hollingsworth said the idea began with her own observations in the park and conversations with residents. She also said she thought there were areas in which the park “fell short” in comparison to other local parks and public spaces.
At the Dec. 2 council meeting, Director of Public Works Lesley Riddle and Bradley Site Design representatives presented on a possible redesign of the park, including the addition of a community center and pavilion, additional athletic fields, and more David Driskell art. Many of the current elements, such as the playground, barbecue pavilions and basketball court, would be rebuilt in new locations. Presenters stressed the need for a new parking lot on the west side of the park, which they said would address safety concerns about the current proximity of pedestrians and vehicles at the park. The presenters did not specify whether these concerns were voiced in the initial 2018 survey or a more recent one.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, resident Melissa Schweisguth noted that the recent renovations of Robert J. King Memorial Park, which is a fraction of the size of Driskell Park, had cost nearly $1 million. She ques-
tioned the necessity and fiscal responsibility of renovating Driskell when the city already has budget problems. Resident Daniel Broder also noted the expense of renovating the park, particularly after the new police headquarters renovation, and suggested that the city negotiate with Werrlein Properties for the purchase of the lower parcel of Suffrage Point, adjacent to the park, since large amounts of money were already at stake. When Councilmember Kareem Redmond (Ward 3) asked Bradley Design for an estimated project time and cost, the design team said those would be questions for the general contractor, and that the park redesign isn’t at that stage yet.
Resident Greg Smith also noted during the public comments period that one of the attractions of Driskell Park is its open green space, and Councilmember Joseph Solomon (Ward 5) asked the design team if the park’s natural wooded area would be impacted. Riddle and Bradley Designs representatives stated that they were “tree huggers,” that preservation of the trees was a major priority for them, and that they were aware of the tree line and existing root zones, and would want to avoid encroaching on those. “We’re very mindful of the existing trees [around the park], and we’ll be preserving as many of those as possible,” Sharon Bradley said.
hotels. There was an estimated $10,000 in property damages, the Life & Times previously reported.
The subsidized housing complex, which is filled with senior citizens and residents with disabilities, was established in 1979 to help marginalized groups, and sets rent at 30% of a family’s adjusted gross income, according to the management company’s website.
Once a nice, safe place for these residents, according to Watson, Friendship Arms no longer lives up to its welcoming name. The amenities, security and cleanliness promised to the tenants by management have slowly disappeared.
For years, residents have filed complaints with the apartment
complex’s management, claiming that the apartments are full of rodents, bedbugs and similar pests. At least five residents told the Life & Times that they have experienced issues with bugs and rodents in the past few months. Multiple residents have described concerns regarding traces of mice and rat feces in their kitchens and walls (see “Rewilding Route 1” on p. 9 for the health hazards of mice feces).
According to Friendship Arms resident Corey Brown, management knowingly relocated him to a pest-infested unit after the fire.
“Upon moving into [unit] 313, I was met with not only a mouse infestation, but also a roach infestation. They moved me into a unit that they knew … was infested with roaches and mice,” said Brown, who has reportedly lived in the complex for about 25 years.
Supportive Housing Program
(SHP) management took over Friendship Arms from AIMCO, a multifamily investment real estate company, in 2009, making things significantly worse at the complex, according to Brown. He said that the racial demographic of residents under AIMCO was more Caucasian-dominated and claimed that these racial dynamics might have been a factor in the better treatment of residents by management.
“When SHP took over, they started turning this community into a prison,” he said.
Residents raised many more concerns about safety, cleanliness and overall accessibility after SHP became the new management company, according to Brown. Brown, who openly identifies as a gay Black man, explained that the conditions of his unit have caused him serious emotional distress, as he said he feels racially discriminated against by SHP management.
Brown said he expressed his concerns about rodent issues to management multiple times, but was ignored. “If I had been another color, they would not have done this,” he said.
Paulette Johnson, caretaker for her disabled daughter, Robin, who lives in Friendship Arms, said she also feels discriminated against by upperlevel management. She claimed that the complex management does not provide proper accommodations for her daughter’s disability.
Johnson explained that the way management has pushed her and her daughter aside, despite their consistent requests for proper accommodations, feels like a personal attack. She said her efforts to voice her safety and accessibility concerns have been disregarded.
Johnson said that many things in the building are no longer up to Americans with Disabilities Act standards, and that her daughter’s apartment unit isn’t as accessible as the one she was in prior to the fire.
Frustrated by the lack of management’s help, Johnson reached out to Congressman Glenn Ivey in August, regarding the structural issues in her daughter’s apartment.
While Johnson said Ivey provided some assistance by identifying specific problems with her unit’s structure, including helping with the unit’s accessibility, Johnson’s main problem still stands: Her daughter’s wheelchair cannot fit inside her closet, rendering her unable to reach her supplies.
In addition to enduring unhealthy living conditions, residents say they are also unable to use the amenities they pay for.
Johnson, whose daughter has been a resident for over 15 years, reminisces about earlier times, when they had access to a gym and movie room.
She explained that the complex’s residents used to gather together in the movie room to
play games amongst themselves, sometimes challenging other senior homes to competitions.
“Ooh, we used to have so much fun,” she laughed. “We had people coming in from the outside who were gifted in dancing and singing … to entertain the elderly.”
Now, residents no longer have access to the gym they were promised, and the movie room is only open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Johnson said.
She also explained that their former arts and crafts room is now filled with renovation company supplies, leaving the room dusty and unusable, despite SHP’s website still listing it as a functioning amenity.
Some residents of the apartment complex said they feel hopeless, but aren’t giving up their journey to make their home better.
“We have to fight to make this a better place,” Watson said. “We are ready to go beyond complaining, and we are going to end up with legal action.”
Matt Brucker, SHP management’s president, said that residents should voice their concerns to the company’s corporate offices.
“We respect that residents are free to seek legal counsel should they feel the need to do so,” Brucker wrote in an email to the Life & Times
The residents are aware of their rights, Watson said. She said they’ve been researching Maryland laws and plan to begin taking the major steps to restore their home back to the safe and hospitable environment it once was.
Sanya Wason is an undergraduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
The Hyattsville Reporter
Here’s a snapshot from last year’s holiday light contest! Ready to light up the neighborhood and compete with friends and neighbors? Sign up by December 13 at hyattsville.org/holiday-contest. | ¡Foto del concurso de iluminación festiva del año pasado! ¿Listo para iluminar el vecindario y competir con tus amigos y vecinos? ¡Inscríbete ahora en hyattsville. org/holiday-contest antes del 13 de diciembre!
Battle of the Lights! Holiday Lights Contest
The shinier, the merrier! It’s time to nominate your home, a neighbor’s, or that stunning house a few blocks away for the annual Holiday Lights Contest, formerly known as Claus Applause, now proudly called Battle of the Lights! Visit hyattsville.org/holiday-contest until December 13 to complete the nomination form. Online judging will take place from December 20-31 at hellohyattsville.com. Winners will be announced at the January 6 City Council meeting and featured on our social media accounts.
HOLIDAY SERVICE CHANGES
Hyattsville city offices will close on Wednesday, December 25 for Christmas. There will be no yard waste or compost pickup this week. Tuesday’s trash route will move to Monday and Wednesday’s trash route will move to Tuesday; all other trash routes remain the same. County Recycling routes will be moved from Wednesday to Thursday, Thursday to Friday, and from Friday to Saturday.
City offices will also be closed on Wednesday, January 1 for New Year’s Day. There will be no yard waste or compost pickup this week. Tuesday’s trash route will be moved to Monday and Wednesday’s trash route will be moved to Tuesday; all other trash routes remain the same. County Recycling routes will be moved from Wednesday to Thursday, Thursday to Friday, and from Friday to Saturday.
¡La
Batalla de las Luces! Concurso de Luces Festivas
¡Cuanto más brillantes, mejor! Es hora de nominar tu casa, la de un vecino o esa impresionante casa de unos bloques más allá para el Concurso anual de luces festivas, antes conocido como Aplauso de Claus, ¡Ahora orgullosamente llamado Batalla de las Luces! Visite hyattsville.org/holiday-contest hasta el 13 de diciembre para rellenar el formulario de nominación. La votación en línea tendrá lugar del 20 al 31 de diciembre en hellohyattsville.com. Los ganadores se anunciarán en la reunión del Concejo Municipal del 6 de enero y aparecerán en nuestras redes sociales.
CAMBIOS EN LOS SERVICIOS PÚBLICOS POR LAS FIESTAS
Las oficinas municipales de Hyattsville cerrarán el miércoles 25 de diciembre por Navidad. No habrá recolección de desechos de jardín o compostaje esta semana. La ruta de basura del martes se trasladará al lunes y la ruta de basura del miércoles se trasladará al martes; todas las demás rutas permanecerán igual. Las rutas de reciclaje del condado se trasladarán del miércoles al jueves, del jueves al viernes y del viernes al sábado.
Las oficinas de la ciudad también permanecerán cerradas el miércoles 1 de enero por Año Nuevo. No habrá recolección de desechos de jardín o compost esta semana. La ruta de basura del martes se trasladará al lunes y la ruta de basura del miércoles se trasladará al martes; todas las demás rutas siguen siendo las mismas. Las rutas de reciclaje del condado se moverán del miércoles al jueves, del jueves al viernes y del viernes al sábado.
ANNOUNCEMENTS | ANUNCIOS
TREE PERMIT REMINDERS
To help maintain our urban tree canopy, Hyattsville residents must obtain a permit for removing large trees on private property. Trees in the public right of way along City streets are the property of the City of Hyattsville and unauthorized pruning or removal of these trees may result in a fine. You can report public trees in need of work at hyattsville.org/requests, by using the MyHyattsville app, or calling (301) 985-5032. Details at hyattsville.org/trees.
COMPOSTING REMINDER
A reminder that the City offers regular residential compost pick-up every Monday (except holidays)! Cut down on the amount of food waste going to the landfill, where it releases harmful gases. Compost collected in the City goes to the County’s composting facility where it’s turned into natural fertilizer! Find more info and a list of acceptable items at hyattsville.org/compost.
HOUSING IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS
Get support for housing repairs and modifications! Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland offers free weatherization services like window sealing, insulation installation, and HVAC repairs for eligible residents to stay warm and save on utility bills. The Repair and Accessibility Modification Program (RAMP) offers free home repairs and modifications for qualifying residents with accessibility needs. Details at hyattsville.org/homerepair.
SINGLE & MULTIFAMILY RENTAL LICENSE REMINDERS
Did you know? The City of Hyattsville is responsible for the inspection and licensing of short-term rental properties within city limits, including rooms, basements, or entire properties rented through platforms like Airbnb or VRBO.
All residents renting their property, whether long-term or shortterm, are required to secure a Single-Family Residential Rental License annually from the City of Hyattsville. If you’re operating a short-term rental, don’t forget to also obtain a Short-Term Rental License from Prince George’s County in addition to the City of Hyattsville’s license. Visit hyattsville. org/rentals for more details and to apply.
MEAL PROGRAMS FOR OLDER ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Meals on Wheels of College Park (MOWCP) delivers nutritious meals to seniors and individuals with disabilities in College Park and Hyattsville! For just $6 a day, enjoy lunch, dinner, and breakfast delivered up to 5 times a week. Hyattsville residents who meet income guidelines may qualify for FREE meals up to 3 days a week. Apply online at www.mealsonwheelsofcollegepark.org or leave a message at (301) 927-2700 after 1:00 p.m. for assistance! More information at hyattsville.org/seniors.
RECORDATORIOS DE PERMISOS DE ÁRBOLES
Para ayudar a mantener nuestro dosel urbano de árboles, los residentes de Hyattsville deben obtener un permiso para remover árboles grandes en propiedad privada. Los árboles que se encuentran en el derecho de paso público a lo largo de las calles de la ciudad son propiedad de la ciudad de Hyattsville y la poda o eliminación no autorizada de estos árboles puede dar lugar a una multa. Puede informar sobre árboles públicos que necesiten trabajos en hyattsville.org/requests, utilizando la aplicación MyHyattsville o llamando al (301) 985-5032. Más información en Hyattsville.org/trees.
RECORDATORIO DE COMPOSTAJE
Le recordamos que la Ciudad ofrece recogida de compostaje residencial todos los lunes (excepto festivos). Reduzca la cantidad de residuos de alimentos que van al vertedero, donde libera gases nocivos. El compostaje recogido en la ciudad se envía a las instalaciones de compostaje del condado, donde se convierte en fertilizante natural. Encontrará más información y una lista de artículos aceptables en Hyattsville.org/compost.
PROGRAMAS PARA LA MEJORA DE VIVIENDAS
¡Obtenga ayuda para reparaciones y modificaciones de su vivienda! Habitat for Humanity Metro Maryland ofrece servicios gratuitos de climatización como sellado de ventanas, instalación de aislamiento y reparaciones de calefacción, ventilación y aire acondicionado para que los residentes que reúnan los requisitos se mantengan calientes y ahorren en las facturas de servicios públicos. El Programa de Reparaciones y Modificaciones de Accesibilidad (RAMP) ofrece reparaciones y modificaciones gratuitas de viviendas a los residentes con necesidades de accesibilidad que cumplan los requisitos. Más información en hyattsville.org/homerepair.
RECORDATORIOS DE LICENCIA DE ALQUILER INDIVIDUAL Y MULTIFAMILIAR
¿Sabía usted que? La ciudad de Hyattsville es responsable de la inspección y concesión de licencias de propiedades de alquiler a corto plazo dentro de los límites de la ciudad, incluyendo habitaciones, sótanos o propiedades enteras alquiladas a través de plataformas como Airbnb o VRBO.
Todos los residentes que alquilen su propiedad, ya sea a largo o corto plazo, están obligados a obtener anualmente una Licencia de Alquiler Residencial Unifamiliar de la Ciudad de Hyattsville. Si alquila una vivienda a corto plazo, no olvide obtener también una licencia de alquiler a corto plazo del condado de Prince George, además de la licencia de la ciudad de Hyattsville. Visite hyattsville. org/rentals para más detalles y para solicitarla.
SERVICIOS DE RECOGIDA DE HOJAS Y RECORDATORIOS
¡Meals on Wheels de College Park (MOWCP) entrega comidas nutritivas a personas mayores y personas con discapacidad en College Park y Hyattsville! Por sólo $ 6 al día, disfrutar de almuerzo, cena y desayuno entregado hasta 5 veces a la semana. Los residentes de Hyattsville que cumplan los requisitos de ingresos pueden optar a comidas GRATUITAS hasta 3 días a la semana. Solicite ayuda en línea en www.mealsonwheelsofcollegepark.org o deje un mensaje en el (301) 927-2700 después de la 1:00 p.m. Más información en hyattsville.org/seniors.
FREE PARKING IN CITY LOTS!
There’s snow place like Hyattsville for the holidays! Shop, dine, and love Hyattsville this holiday season. Discover new local spots and take your time picking the perfect gifts with FREE PARKING in City lots until January 1!
FREE PARKING IN CITY LOTS!
¡No hay lugar como Hyattsville para pasar las fiestas! Compre, cene y disfrute de Hyattsville durante las festividades. Descubra nuevos locales y tómese su tiempo para elegir los regalos perfectos con ESTACIONAMIENTO GRATUITO en los lotes de estacionamiento de la ciudad hasta el 1 de enero.
CALENDAR | CALENDARIO
FREE ZUMBA CLASSES
Wednesdays from 4 - 5 PM at the City Building! Details at hyattsville.org/wellness.
SEATED YOGA FOR OLDER
ADULTS
Boost your health, wellness, and flexibility with a seated yoga class for older adults! Join us for a 60-minute session led by Bee Yoga Fusion on Mondays, Dec. 23 & 30, from 10 - 11 AM. at the Hyattsville City Building, 4310 Gallatin St. Space is limited; registration required. Free transportation for Hyattsville residents. 301-985-5000 or seniors@hyattsville.org.
BOARD GAMES FOR GENTS
Older gentlemen are invited to enjoy their favorite card & table games on Dec. 12, 1011:30 AM at the City Building. Register: 301-985-5000 or seniors@hyattsville.org.
NIGHT OWLS
Drop off your little one(s) in grades K-5 at the Driskell Park Rec Center from 6 - 9 PM on Dec. 13! Kids participate in fun activities while you get a night out! hyattsville.org/nightowls.
HOLIDAY WINTER MARKET
Join us on Dec. 14, 4 – 8 PM at Independence Plaza, University Town Center for a festive evening of shopping, food, and fun! Enjoy local vendors, hot chocolate, cider, popcorn, firepits (weather permitting), a photo booth, and music from Northwestern High and Hyattsville Middle. Details at hyattsville.org/ lovelocal.
EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES WORKSHOP FOR OLDER ADULTS
Attend a free workshop on resources for job seekers aged 50+ on Dec. 16, 11 AM - 1 PM at the City Building. Register: 301-985-5000 or seniors@hyattsville.org.
FREE PRODUCE
A free produce distribution is taking place on Dec. 17 at First United Methodist Church, starting at noon.
SENIORS ON THE GO
Enjoy a trip to the Festival of Lights at Watkins Park on Dec. 18, 5 - 6:30 PM! Reserve a seat by calling (301) 985
- 5000 by 2 p.m. the Wed. before the trip.
FREE DIAPER DISTRIBUTION
Families are invited to our free diaper distribution on Dec. 20 at the City Building at 9:30 AM. Proof of the child’s date of birth is required. Details at hyattsville.org/calendar.
CARE PARTNER SUPPORT GROUP
Join the City’s care partner support group on Dec. 20, 910:30 AM at the City Building. More info at hyattsville.org/ calendar.
EARLY DISMISSAL CAMP
The City is offering an Early Dismissal Day Camp for students from K - 5th grade at the Driskell Park Recreation Center on Dec. 20 from 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM., following the PGCPS early dismissal. hyattsville.org/minicamp.
INVASIVE REMOVAL/FOREST MAINTENANCE
Help remove invasive plants from 38th Ave Park between 10 AM - 2 PM on Dec. 21! RVSP to environment@ hyattsville.org.
WINTER CAMP!
Winter Camp offers arts, crafts, STEM, sports, and games! Join us on Dec. 23, 26, 27, 30, and 31. Register for individual days. Spots available for grades 3-5 only! Register at hyattsville.org/ camps.
JUEGOS DE MESA
PARA CABALLEROS
Los caballeros mayores están invitados a disfrutar de sus juegos de cartas y de mesa favoritos el 12 de diciembre, de 10 - 11:30 AM en el edificio municipal. Inscríbase: 301-985-5000 o seniors@hyattsville.org.
BÚHOS NOCTURNOS
Deje a su(s) pequeño(s) en los grados K-5 en Driskell Park Rec Center de 6 - 9 PM el 13 de diciembre. Los niños participarán en divertidas actividades mientras usted sale por la noche. hyattsville. org/nightowls.
MERCADO FESTIVO DE INVIERNO
¡Únase a nosotros el 14 de diciembre, de 4 - 8 PM en Independence Plaza, University Town Center para una noche festiva de compras, comida y diversión! Disfruta de vendedores locales, chocolate caliente, sidra, palomitas de maíz y mas. hyattsville.org/lovelocal
TALLER SOBRE RECURSOS DE EMPLEO PARA ADULTOS
MAYORES
Asista a un taller gratuito sobre recursos para buscadores de empleo mayores de 50 años+ el 16 de diciembre, de 11 AM - 1 PM, en el edificio municipal. Inscríbase: 301-985-5000 o seniors@hyattsville.org.
ALIMENTOS GRATIS
Una distribución gratuita de productos se llevará a cabo el 17 de diciembre en la Primera Iglesia Metodista Unida, a partir del mediodía.
PASEOS PARA ADULTOS MAYORES
¡Disfrute de un paseo al Festival de las Luces en Watkins Park el 18 de diciembre, 5 - 6:30 PM! Reserve un asiento llamando al (301) 9855000 antes de las 2 p.m. el miercoles anterior al paseo.
DISTRIBUCIÓN GRATUITA DE PAÑALES
Las familias están invitadas a nuestra distribución gratuita de pañales el 20 de diciembre en el edificio municipal a las 9:30 AM. Se requiere prueba de la fecha de nacimiento del niño. Detalles en hyattsville.org/ calendar.
GRUPO DE APOYO PARA CUIDADORES
Únase al grupo de apoyo para cuidadores de familiares el 20 de diciembre, 9 - 10:30 AM en el edificio municipal. Más información en hyattsville. org/calendar.
CAMPAMENTO DE SALIDA ANTICIPADA
La Ciudad ofrece un Campamento de Día de Salida Temprana para estudiantes de K - 5to grado en el Centro Recreativo del Parque Driskell el 20 de diciembre de 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM, después de la salida temprana de PGCPS. hyattsville.org/minicamp.
MANTENIMIENTO FORESTAL
Ayuda a eliminar plantas invasoras en 38th Ave Park entre las 9 AM - 12 PM de la noche del 21 de diciembre RVSP a environment@ hyattsville.org.
CAMPAMENTO DE INVIERNO
El Campamento de Invierno ofrece artes, manualidades, ciencia, deportes y juegos. Únete a nosotros los días 23, 26, 27, 30 y 31 de diciembre. Inscríbete para días individuales. Los espacios son limitados a los grados 3-5. Inscríbete en hyattsville.org/camps.
CLASES GRATUITAS DE ZUMBA
¡Los miércoles de 4 - 5 PM en el edificio municipal! Detalles en hyattsville.org/ wellness.
ADULTOS MAYORES
Aumente su salud, bienestar y flexibilidad con una clase de yoga sentado para adultos mayores! Participe en una sesión de 60 minutos dirigida por Bee Yoga Fusion los lunes 23 y 30 de diciembre, de 10 - 11 AM, en el edificio municipal, 4310 Gallatin St. Transporte gratuito para los residentes de Hyattsville. 301-985-5000 o seniors@hyattsville.org
City staff packed 150 Thanksgiving meal bags that were distributed to families in need through local schools. Visit hyattsville.org/assistance for links to find support this season. El personal municipal empaquetó 150 bolsas de comida de Acción de Gracias que se distribuyeron a familias necesitadas a través de las escuelas locales. Visite hyattsville.org/ assistance para encontrar recursos de ayuda durante esta temporada.
HIGHLIGHTS | LO DESTACADO
Stop by Driskell Park to see festive holiday decorations sparkling every night through the end of the year! Wishing you a joyful holiday season Hyattsville! | Pase por Driskell Park para ver la decoraciones festivas brillar todas las noches hasta final de año! Les deseamos unas felices fiestas en Hyattsville!
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Our list of events sponsored by local nonprofits, arts organizations and performance venues, occurring between Dec. 11, 2024, and Jan. 7, 2025; all information is current as of Dec. 5. For events and meetings organized by the City of Hyattsville, see the Hyattsville Reporter in the newspaper’s centerfold. Please send notices of events that will take place between Jan. 8 and Feb. 11, 2025, to managingeditor@hyattsvillelife. com by Jan. 1, 2025
Recurring
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
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. For more information, contact rpkfarmmkt@gmail.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
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
View Pyramid Atlantic Art Center’s 11th Annual 10 x 10 Invitational. This exhibition/ fundraiser has just two rules: All work must measure 10 x 10 inches and be priced at $60. Dec. 13 to Jan. 5, 2025. Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 4218 Gallatin St. pyramidatlanticartcenter.org. 301.608.9101
Art Works Now registration for winter 2025 six-week art classes opens Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. at artworksnow.org, including for the class Everybody Draws: Family, “an intergenerational comicsmaking class for humans ages 6 to 106!” Sliding-scale pricing. Various days and times, starting the week of Jan. 13, 2025. 4800 Rhode Island Ave. 301.454.0808
December 11
Watch the classic musical “Singin’ in the Rain” (1951, 103 min.), as a silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood. Free. Register at pgcmls.info/events. 1 to 3 p.m. Hyattsville Branch Library, 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451
Joanne Ometz, MSW, CPDT-KA Turid Rugaas Certified theforcefreewaydogtraining.com | 919-864-0229
December 12
Come to the annual Anacostia Trails Heritage Area (ATHA) wintery mixer! All folks who live, work, make, walk, run, bike, scoot and/or wheel through Prince George’s County are welcome — and your first beverage is on ATHA! RSVP not required but appreciated: tinyurl.com/4zphr2z8. 5 to 7:30 p.m. miXt Food Hall, 3809 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.887.0777. info@ anacostiatrails.org
December 12 & 13
Celebrate the holidays with the soulful sounds of Motown at Publick Playhouse: “Motown and More at the Holidays.” $15 ages 60 and better. Purchase tickets through pgparksdirect. com. Thursday, 11 a.m. to noon. Friday, 8 to 9:30 p.m. 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710. publickplayhouse@pgparks.com
December 13 to 15
Holiday Trains and Planes Weekend: e National Capital Trackers bring their fleet of model trains to the College Park Aviation Museum for the holiday season! Free with museum admission (adults $5; seniors $4; students $2; age 2 and under free). 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1985 Corporal Frank Scott Dr., College Park. 301.864.6029. collegeparkaviation@pgparks.com
December 14
Join Riversdale for its first ever “Holiday Traditions” program, which includes crafts, a scavenger hunt, holiday treats and more! Residents: kids $5, adults $3; nonresidents: kids $7, adults: $4. 10 a.m. to noon. Then return for “Riversdale by Candlelight” for tours of the mansion, accompanied by live music and more holiday treats. $5. 5 to 8 p.m. Riversdale House Museum,
4811 Riverdale Rd., Riverdale Park. 301.864.0420. riversdale@ pgparks.com
Get a head start on your holiday shopping and support local artists at the festive Brentwood Artisan Holiday Craft Fair. Additionally, enjoy holiday carols from a live brass band and sample the latest brews from Maryland Meadworks. Free. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Brentwood Arts Exchange, 3901 Rhode Island Ave., Brentwood. 301.277.2863. brentwoodarts@pgparks.com
Prison Rodeo performs at Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. Free. 7 to 9 p.m. 4824 Rhode Island Ave. streetcar82brewing.com
e Overthinkers come to the Maryland Meadworks stage. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com
December 15
December 18
Create your own crochet scrunchie at the Hyattsville Branch Library! Materials will be provided. Free. Register at pgcmls.info/events. 3 to 5 p.m. 6530 Adelphi Rd. 240.455.5451
December 21
Santa pays a visit to Streetcar 82 Brewing Co. from 1 to 3 p.m. Then, stick around for music from the O’McPub Band from 3 to 6 p.m. Free. 4824 Rhode Island Ave. Streetcar82brewing.com
Celebrate the holiday season in spectacular style by attending an unforgettable performance from the sensational Sylver Logan Sharp, the former lead singer of the legendary group CHIC. $25 general admission, $20 seniors and students. Purchase tickets through pgparksdirect.com. Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd., Cheverly. 301.277.1710. publickplayhouse@pgparks.com
Marianna Previti performs at Maryland Meadworks stage. Free. 7 to 10 p.m. 4700 Rhode Island Ave., Suite Bee. 201.955.9644. marylandmeadworks.com
Joe’s Movement Emporium hosts “Umoja: A Kwanzaa Experience for Families!” with special performances, hands-on craft workshops, demo classes, diasporic food and more. Free. Donations suggested. 1 to 4 p.m. Purchase tickets at joesmovement.org. 3309 Bunker Hill Rd., Mt. Rainier. 301.699.1819
2024 Hyattsville Community Foundation News
We are very pleased to announce the recipients of our 2024 year-end Community Grant awards. Based on recommendations from the HCF Board of Advisers, a total of $10,015 was awarded to 7 IRS designated 501©(3) not-for-profit organizations. The recipients are listed below along with their grant amounts and the funded projects.
DeMatha Catholic High School, $1015 for Unity/Diversity Wall project
Neighbors of the Northwest Branch, $1500 to Install two Northwest Branch water monitoring kiosks Hyattsville Elementary School PTA, $1500 to purchase materials for Arts/Physical Ed enrichment Meals on Wheels of the College Park Area Inc., $1500 to provide meals to 60 needy Hyattsville residents Northwest Tutoring, $1500 to purchase 5 laptops and tutoring/mentoring for 75 low income students Hyattsville Community Development Corp, $1500 for See, Savor and Shop Late holiday assistance Girl Scouts Council of the Nation’s Capital, $1500 to support Girl Scouting in City of Hyattsville
The HCF welcomes financial gifts which can be processed by credit card at the following website: www.thecommunityfoundation.org . Please be sure to select Hyattsville Community Foundation from the dropdown menu at “What would you like your donation to support?” The HCF also welcomes checks made payable to Hyattsville Community Foundation and mailed to: The Greater Washington Community Foundation, 1325 G Street NW, Suite 480, Washington D.C. 20005. All financial gifts are fully deductible to the fullest extent of the law.
For any questions about the foundation, contact HCF President Tom Slezak at
or send an email message to slezaktj@gmail.com.
The Hyattsville holiday tree in Driskell Park JULIETTE FRADIN PHOTOGRAPHY
On pines and needles
Dear Miss Floribunda,
I was just looking on the Hyattsville Horticultural Society website and saw pictures of beautiful wreaths made at your workshop in November. Unfortunately, I had a conflict that day and didn’t attend. I noticed a lot of evergreens that didn’t look like the usual prickly conifers so painful to work with. Although pine branches don’t hurt, they are so slippery that I only use them to drape over doorways and around my banisters.
Can you identify the materials in those wreaths I saw? Any tips from those wreath-makers? I’d like something kind to my fingers.
I Don’t Pine Fir Yew on 41st Street
Dear I Don’t Pine Fir Yew,
When viewing the pictures on the HHS website (hyattsvillehorticulture.org), you may have noticed that although pine branches were not used to
make wreaths, pine cones provided striking accents on several of them.
Another useful but painless conifer very creatively utilized was what the group speculated to be a volunteer cedar from the garden of Dr. Greengenes. However, there is some disagreement over whether all that we call cedars are true conifers, and it is known that some so-called cedars, such as the western red cedar (Thuya plicata), are actually varieties of cypress. Both cedars and cypress have cones, but cypress tend to have softer foliage than cedars. The foliage of the branches brought to the workshop were almost as gentle as those of the arborvitae — a coniferous cypress that I also recommend for wreath-making. One of the wreaths was made of sprigs of deliciously aromatic laurel, or bay, bound together with English ivy. The nicest thing about using such a shrub is that you can use the leaves in your cooking after they have lost their green color and are no longer decorative.
Other wreath-makers brought heavenly bamboo, or Nandina, which has red berries but lacks the sharp-edged leaves that make holly such a torture to work with. Only one of the wreath-makers was brave enough to use traditional holly, as well as the redoubtable juniper. Different wreath frames were used, ranging from styrofoam to wire cages to wild grapevine twisted together. Some did not use frames at all but entwined the branches and secured them with wire.
Wendy Wildflower brought different varieties of boxwood, whose smooth leaves are comfortable to work with and whose flexible branches adapt to a variety of shapes. These included the Japanese boxwood (Buxus microphylla var. japonica) and the sweet Sarcococca ruscifolia. Thinking outside the boxwood,
Dr. Agronomosky brought Osmanthus and Euonymus, whose leaves are as unaggressive as those of boxwood. The swag he made with the Osmanthus actually retained a few small white fragrant flowers. The flowers of Euonymus, redolent of honey, are not produced till spring, but you can spice up a wreath of it by inserting twigs of thyme, rosemary, sage and other bracingly odorous herbs. If you can find it, myrtle is a painless evergreen to wreathe with, and exudes perfume much like cypress.
You don’t necessarily have to depend on wreaths for festive decoration and fragrance. Pomanders can be made by studding apples and oranges with cloves, and hanging them on bright-colored ribbons. And this segues quite easily into decorating in the Williamsburg way, with swags, wreaths, mantel and table arrangements confected with fruit and magnolia leaves. Magnolia branches are as painless to
work with as boxwood and Osmanthus, and they last longer and shed less than those of conifers. The broad glossy leaves look beautiful with sugared kumquats, grapes, small apples, lemons, limes and small clementines. You just brush egg white on the fruit, roll it in granulated sugar, and let it dry on wax paper. They can be attached with wire or plastic floral picks, or threaded with thin wire. Although some people use sugared pomegranates and pears in wreaths, I consider them heavy enough to tempt fate and believe it more prudent to use them in mantel and table arrangements. Pineapples can provide dramatic accent points.
For these and other decorating ideas, please come to the next meeting and holiday party of the Hyattsville Horticultural Society at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. It will be hosted by Heather Olsen, in her charming home at 4915 42nd Avenue.
Miss Floribunda writes about gardening for the Life & Times. You may email her at Floribundav@gmail.com.
q u a r a n t i k i i s c l o s e d f o r s e a s o n , b u t t h e
g o o d t i m e s r o l l o n i n s i d e . . .
P l e a s e c h e c k o u r F a c e b o o k & I n s t a g r a m f o r u p d a t e s !
N e w , f r e s h , s e a s o n a l f o o d a l l y e a r r o u n d !
c o m e g r a b a b e e r f r o m o u r f a n t a s t i c b r e w m a s t e r j e f f
h a n c o c k ! t h e r e ’ s a l w a y s s o m e t h i n g n e w t o t r y
g i f t s , t o y s , c a n d y , b e e r , w i n e , t h e u n i q u e & t h e o d d
a v a i l a b l e e v e r y d a y i n t h e g e n e r a l s t o r e !
r e s t a u r a n t h o u r s : S u n d a y - T u e s d a y 1 1 a m - 9 p m ,
W e d n e s d a y - S a t u r d a y 1 1 a m - 1 0 p m .
G e n e r a l S t o r e : o p e n e v e r y d a y 1 1 a m - 9 p m !
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Not even a mouse
By RICK BORCHELT
“Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.”
Wherever he was when he wrote his famous poem, “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” Clement Clarke Moore wasn’t in Maryland. Christmas Eve in our area is exactly when the mice are stirring — you can count on it!
Most of us have experiences with mice scouting out our pantries, shredding tissue paper to make nests in the sock drawer or leaving tiny brown pellet presents across the kitchen counter. These are the tell-signs of Mus musculus, the house mouse, once a wild mouse species from Eurasia that over the centuries has grown so closely allied to humans that it’s hard to find a truly wild population of these rodents anymore.
When the weather warms up in spring, a lot of these house mice move out into yards, gardens, woods, weedy lots and brush piles, enjoying the bounty of the land. But come the first frosty days of autumn, they’re scrambling to come back inside where it’s warm. That’s when you start finding their gifts in your kitchen cabinets and hearing ominous scamperings inside your walls.
Ominous because, as the saying goes, for every mouse you hear or see, there are 10 more you don’t. That’s probably an exaggeration, but indoor mouse populations can explode in a hurry — mice become sexually mature at six to eight weeks of age, and females can have up to 15 litters, each with 7 to 10 pups, in the course of a year. Female mice can get pregnant again within 24 hours of giving birth.
Ominous also because of their toilet habits. In addition to the evidence of droppings, mice mark their territories, their routes to and from food and their nest, and every other place they go with a constant dribble of urine. If you dare, you can use a UV light to see these delicate pee pathways.
Mice can also carry hantaviruses, some of which cause lung infections, while other strains are associated with renal failure. Hantaviruses infect humans who breathe in dust that has been contaminated by mouse urine or droppings. And like most mammals, mice can carry fleas, ticks and lice that also transmit various diseases.
Mus musculus (Mus is the Latin word for “mouse”) and people have a long history of cohabitation, going back at
least 10,000 years and perhaps as many as 15,000 years. Mice discovered that people tended to stay in one place and keep granaries — double jackpot for these grain- and seed-preferring rodents. But they aren’t the only mice that might be stirring during the winter holidays.
White-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) are the most common wild mice in our suburbs, often spending time not only on the forest floor but also in shrubs and even well up in trees. They are shy and seldom venture indoors except in the harshest of winter weather. They are equal opportunity foragers, eating seeds and roots, as well as insects and other invertebrate prey. White-footed mice are so fond of spongy moth (aka gypsy moth) pupae in leaf litter that they probably keep the population of this invasive pest in check in many woodlands. In turn, they are frequent prey items for hawks, owls, shrews and foxes.
One local mouse you won’t see during winter is the meadow jumping mouse, Zapus hudsonius. A meadow, marsh and field specialist, this mouse gets its name from its prodigious leaping abilities — up to 3 feet — aided by oversized hind feet and a tail much longer than its
body that serves as a rudder for these long jumps. Like whitefooted mice, Zapus is a seed, fruit and insect specialist. Unlike house mice or white-footed mice, meadow jumping mice hibernate for the winter. They won’t be stirring from mid-September or October until late March or April.
Of these three (not blind!) mice, house mice are the most nondescript. Their fur is dull grayish brown, and their bellies and feet are buffy or light gray. The front legs and hind legs are about the same size. House mice have naked or sparsely furry tails noticeably shorter than their bodies, mostly the same grayish color overall. House mice belong to the family Muridae, the Old World mice and rats.
White-footed mice are a brighter chestnut brown, with large eyes and ears that stick up above the fur. They have
hind legs that are just noticeably larger than their front legs. Their tails are longer than their bodies, furry and bicolored — dark on top and light on the bottom, with a distinct line separating the colors. Not only are their feet bright white, so are their bellies. Most people think they are objectively cuter than house mice.
White-footed mice are part of a larger group of about 60 species in the genus Peromyscus (from the Greek meaning “white-booted”). There is one other Peromyscus mouse in Maryland, the very similar deer mouse, which is found mostly in the mountain counties in the western part of the state.
Meadow jumping mice have small bodies but very long tails — almost twice as long as their bodies. Because they are active during the day, their eyes are smaller than those of either
house mice or white-footed mice. Their ears are smaller, too, and are mostly hidden in the yellow-brown fur. The hind legs are very long, about half the length of the body, but the front legs are quite short, giving this tiny mouse a Tyrannosaurus rex sort of build. Jumping mice belong to the family Zapodidae, which includes one other species in far western Maryland, the woodland jumping mouse. Here’s hoping the clatter on your roof this holiday is in fact St. Nicholas and not a family of mice in the attic!
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.
A trio of house mice, Mus musculus COURTESY OF CHISWICK CHAP
so it’s important that our effort extends the entire year.”
setting up beds, making deliveries,” Larson added. “It was such an amazing experience.”
In the two years since, Larson and Betancourt have helped over 60 families with the furnishing process. To the duo, their efforts are not for any sort of fame or recognition, but to give back to the community that, at one point, did the same for them.
“We always try to stress that someone did this for us when we were younger, when we were moving into our first homes,” Betancourt said. “That’s all we’re doing for you. We’re just stepping in and being that for you, because everybody needs it.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Prince George’s County had programs funded by the American Rescue Plan Act to help lower-income families furnish their homes. However, around December 2022, pandemic funding dried up — leaving no reliable outlet in the Hyattsville area for those in need to acquire furniture.
“Right before Christmas time, we had five or six families that all had moved out of the shelter and had thought they were going to get furniture,” Betancourt said. “Suddenly, the program supporting them was gone. So we did three or four families just in the week before Christmas, just trying to get kids in beds so they could wait for Santa in beds instead of on the floor.”
But their efforts are far from simply a holiday trend. Larson says that their furniture donation drive runs throughout the entire year — and that it’s important to remember that homelessness is a year-round issue.
“Homelessness is not a season,” said Larson. “People become homeless all year long, and they need help all year long,
Wallace’s strong relationship with Norris and the training staff, which he calls “the best training staff in America,” has allowed him to properly acclimate his body to being able to play two long seasons of varsity sports.
Scrimmages for DeMatha’s basketball season began on Nov. 18. But for Wallace, school rules dictate that he would have to miss the first three weeks in order to rest and recover properly. Head basketball coach
Mike Jones says that once Wallace returns to the starting lineup, there will be no physical restrictions for him — despite the heavy physical toll of a long football season beforehand.
It’s not easy. While Larson and Betancourt want to grow their donation drive further, limited storage space has been a roadblock to achieving that goal. The two rent a small storage unit in Chillum to store the furniture they receive from the community — but it’s often not enough.
“We are extremely committed to finding a permanent storage space, or at least a long-term storage space that is larger, where we can organize everything and get more stuff on hand,” Betancourt said. “People regularly reach out and say, ‘Hey, I have this really nice piece of furniture. Can you guys use it?’”
“We would love to have the storage to be able to get that so we can just hand it off to somebody when it gets requested,” Betancourt added. “Right now, we’re kind of struggling with a small space that we can’t really afford.”
Throughout their efforts, the two are grateful to the Hyattsville community for allowing Welcome Home Neighbor to function — through continued support, delivery assistance and charitable furniture donations that end up with the right people, in the right places.
“They are this work — they are the ones doing it,” Betancourt said.
“It’s a community effort, obviously bigger than any one or two people,” Larson noted. “That is just what we do as a community, because it does feel like a natural part of our lives at this point.”
Those interested in helping out or donating furniture can email Welcome Home Neighbor at neighborwelcomehome@gmail. com, or contact Larson directly at jamilalarson@yahoo.com.
Ethan Therrien is an undergraduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
“Once you cross over to basketball, we give you some time to get into your rhythm,” said Jones. “Once you end for like, two to three weeks, it should switch over, the muscles that you use for football translate to basketball — and then we’re just ready to go.”
The quick physical turnaround for Wallace has happened every year that Jones has been the basketball head coach. “Jacob was always that guy who did all the little things at such a high level, so it was tough to keep him out,” Jones said.
Jones noted that Wallace has come a long way as a basketball player since his sophomore year. The coach highlighted his progress on the defensive side of the ball, in particular.
“Jacob is one of those kids, that if he decides to play [college] basketball, he’s going to get minutes his first year, because he can defend at a high level,” said Jones. “If the coach can trust you to defend at a high level, then you’re gonna have that opportunity to show
him that you can score.”
Football and basketball training schedules often conflict with one another. Wallace said that both of his head coaches are very understanding of his situation and realize the importance of open communication.
In fact, McGregor said that Wallace’s ability to simultaneously play two sports at a high level places him near the top of the list of athletes he has coached throughout his 35year head coaching career.
“If you can play both football and basketball at DeMatha, you’re elite,” said McGregor. “The best athletes that I have ever coached were a combination of football and basketball.”
Wallace still prioritizes one thing above all: his academics. While his GPA hovered around a 2.8 a few years ago, Wallace has now worked that number all the way up to a 3.4, according to Jones.
“The number one thing right now is your grades,” Wallace said. “If you have no grades, you
can’t go anywhere. You can’t play sports. So I just feel like if you take care of your books, you can do anything you want, play sports if you want.”
Playing two sports in college is less feasible than it is in high school. As Wallace leans towards committing to football, he is currently weighing multiple collegiate offers from schools like Central Michigan University, West Virginia University, Marshall University and the University of Akron. His mother’s main hope, regardless, is to see him continue to grow as the positive person and son that she raised.
“My hope is that Jacob continues to be a happy, healthy and kind person who follows his passion,” Sharlene said. “Most importantly, continue to put God first. I tell Jacob all the time, ‘What God has for you, is for you. Trust His timing. Trust His plan.’”
Ethan Therrien is an undergraduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
A younger Jacob Wallace with his older brother, Josh COURTESY OF SHARLENE WALLACE
Welcome Home Neighbor volunteers transport mattresses for distribution to community members in need. COURTESY OF JAMILA LARSON
For over a year, the volunteer group Stop McDonald’s has been attempting to educate locals and the Prince George’s County Planning Board about the potential negative impacts of the McDonald’s planned for at the intersection of East-West Highway and Riggs Road in the adjacent Green Meadows Shopping Center. The proposal and its delays have been a consistent subject at planning board meetings since Sept. 26, and as recently as Nov. 21.
“This is already one of the most dangerous stretches of road in Maryland,” said group member Jeff Cronin in an email to the Life & Times. “And while the State Highway Administration has plans to make East-West Highway safer for all pedestrians, the
increased traffic from a drivethrough threatens to undermine those improvements.”
The five-point intersection near the proposed site is notorious for vehicle crashes and pedestrian fatalities, with four traffic-related deaths in the area since 2016, according to data from the U.S. National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. Data submitted by Stop McDonald’s from the Maryland State Police showed several hundred crashes within a half-mile radius of the site; however, traffic consultant Michael Lenhart testified at the planning board’s Nov. 21 hearing that none of these crashes were pertinent to the McDonald’s site itself.
“Off-site crash data is really not applicable to the detailed site plan … of that six-year data; we looked at the site access points:
Lawson’s Pharmacy
There were two crashes within the immediate vicinity of the right-in, right-out access points to this proposed McDonald’s,” Lenhart said at the hearing.
The proposed development would also mean the shuttering of La Doñita Restaurant, owned by local Dora Perez. The restaurant, originally from Bladensburg, has operated its Hyattsville location since 2021. According to volunteer Greg Smith, Perez says she was not informed of the plans until days before the Oct. 17 county planning board’s meeting to discuss them.
Stop McDonald’s claims that the restaurant is proposed for a healthy food priority area, as designated by the Prince George’s County Food Equity Council, a nongovernmental group. The area begins at Lewisdale Drive and continues down past East-West Highway, and is considered a space which lacks healthy food options. The construction of another McDonald’s, which would be the 15th
within a 10-mile radius, would not meet the standards for improving the area’s condition as a priority area because it would contribute to an unbalanced ratio between healthy and unhealthy food sources.
The proposed location would also mean encroaching on the nearby historic site of William Dudley Digges’ estate, most well-known as the original resting place of D.C. architect Pierre L’Enfant. Stop McDonald’s is calling for the corporation and the planning board to properly research the area before proceeding.
Construction has already been placed on an indefinite hold for over a year, and the Stop McDonald’s group has continued to submit extension requests to the planning board, citing both the inaccessibility of McDonald’s documents and a lack of proper signage at the construction site. According to McDonald’s attorney Edward Gibbs at a Sept. 26 planning board meeting, there is no basis for the case to be de-
layed any longer.
“It’s difficult to understand how [the requestors] could feel surprised or need additional time,” Gibbs said. “Nothing is new to anybody here.”
At the Nov. 21 hearing, the board granted continuance for the hearing until their Jan. 16, 2025, meeting. The board has declined to comment publicly on the case due to its pending nature. Until then, Stop McDonald’s says it will continue to foster community awareness, including translating planning board hearing documents into Spanish.
“There’s no perfect process here,” Smith said at the Oct. 17 meeting.
“But we’re looking for a fair process that allows more members of the community, including the non-English-speaking members of the community who live in that community and work in that community, to be heard.”
Stella Garner is an undergraduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
Hoarding suspected in deadly Brentwood blaze
By SADE AJISHEGIRI
Mahlon Hines, an 84-year-old veteran, died after his Brentwood house caught fire just before 1 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, at a duplex responders say contained evidence of extreme hoarding.
News coverage of the incident has highlighted the removal of professional firefighters from Bunker Hill Fire Station, just a mile from the fire. As part of a fire staffing reallocation plan, professional firefighters were relocated from the Bunker Hill station, leaving only the station’s volunteer firefighters on hand to respond to calls from Mount Rainier to the Port Towns.
The Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department’s engine 801B arrived at the scene four minutes after receiving an alert of the house fire at 12:39 a.m., attacking and putting it out in six minutes, according to HVFD Vice President Nick Seminerio.
It is unclear how long the flames blazed before anyone noticed. According to Brentwood residents and first responders, this deadly fire was the culmination of a problem that had been brewing for years.
Alex Anteneh, 34, who lives in the eastern side of the Webster Street duplex, said he was asleep when a neighbor woke him up at 1 a.m., after calling the fire department.
Anteneh, an IT professional, said his
smoke alarm didn’t go off until he opened his front door and the air filled with gray haze. He said he then talked outside with emergency responders for about an hour before heading to a friend’s house.
Anteneh said the firefighters told him they suspected the sheer amount of belongings filling Hines’ house kept the fire from spreading to his neighbor’s side, thus insulating Anteneh’s home from the smoke and the heat.
Anteneh said he had shared a wall with Hines for over a decade. When he moved into the brick duplex, in 2013, he was greeted with the aftermath of another fire in Hines’ side of the building. Anteneh’s windows were broken — opening a path for the firefighters to get in.
A county fire department press release from that night in 2013 said there were places in the house with flammable materials packed from floor to ceiling, the hoarding conditions so dangerous that firefighters had to evacuate.
There was another fire on the front porch Oct. 18 of this year, according to a statement from Seminerio.
Anteneh said his neighbor could often be found sitting out on his porch. Hines was a friendly man, said Anteneh’s father, Anteneh Tesfawe. Whenever Tesfawe would comment on the junk piled on his son’s side of the yard, the older man would always agree to take care of it. But the piles never went anywhere, according
“I found him to be kind and soft-spoken and despite his age, always offering to help load up his truck with a box of fruit and vegetables.”
Stefan Leggin former Brentwood vice mayor
to Tesfawe. Instead, they grew.
“When they say, ‘You have to clean up,’ he’d be like ‘OK, I’ll do it.’ but then he won’t do it,” Anteneh said. “He’ll start, or maybe he’ll do it one day, and then go back 10 steps.”
Finally fed up, Tesfawe built a wooden fence between his son’s stoop and that
of his long-time neighbor, tossing clutter from one side to the other.
Hines accrued at least a few citations for failing to keep the house up to code — court documents show one in 2013 and another two in October of last year.
A few months before the October 2023 citations, neighbors say, the town organized a cleanup operation and a thirdparty garbage removal company came to clear out much of the accumulated materials, uncovering parts of the yard that had been filled for years.
Hines’ neighbors commented on Facebook, sharing their memories of his generosity and stubborn self-sufficiency.
Former Brentwood Vice Mayor Stefan Leggin posted a tribute, relating the town’s attempts to help the elderly man, which Hines ultimately rejected. Leggin said he met Hines while volunteering during the pandemic.
“I found him to be kind and soft-spoken and despite his age, always offering to help load up his truck with a box of fruit and vegetables,” he said in the post.
The day of his neighbor’s death, Anteneh posted, too, saying he hoped Hines’ story would be told.
“Sad day today,” his post reads. “Hines was a good man in Brentwood for a long time.”
Sade Ajishegiri is a graduate journalism student at the University of Maryland.
